Selected: fully customisable

A Month in Southeast Asia

One trip. One month. Four countries. The highlights of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand all packed into one cultural adventure.

Location
Multi-country
Suggested Length
28 days /
27
nights
Activity Level
Fully customisable
Every trip is unique
An alleyway between buildings with red silk lanterns
Junk boats in amongst the karsts of Lan Ha Bay
A cafe in Hanoi on the second floor, with a woodshop on the ground floor. The road outside is visible with a motorbike parked in front
Aerial view of beautiful Luang Prabang city surrounded by jungle and sprawling alongside Nam Khan River

Ratings

Light

Light mobility requirements as sightseeing activities are done predominantly by vehicle, with light walking

Steady

Ideal for most fitness levels. Sightseeing involves walking and being on your feet for a couple of hours at a time, with down-time included too

Active

Requires a moderate level of fitness. Activities and sightseeing will generally involve walking and being on your foot for much of the day. Often includes light activities such as cycling, kayaking, or hands-on experiences

Adventure

Demands higher fitness. Most days will include a substantial amount of walking and/or activity throughout the day.  

Energetic

For people who love being active. We reserve this rating for active itineraries with substantial movement and adventure activities almost every day.  

Cover the highlights of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand in one trip

Discover 12th century temples, 21st century skyscrapers and centuries of overlapping history in between

Travel through Asia’s distinctive natural landscapes: towering limestone karsts, red-dust-road villages, countryside and the Mekong River

Eat some of the best food from four different countries, tasting everything from a Thai khao soi to Vietnamese phở and some Khmer barbecue thrown in for good measure

Phnom Penh City Courthouse

Itinerary

All itineraries are fully customizable.

Our destination experts created this trip as an example of a cultural adventure: combining remarkable sights, guided experiences and a slice of everyday local life.

Choose us, and we’ll create you a custom vacation where every detail reflects your pace, passions and preferences. Take as much or as little from this itinerary as you want, talk to us when you’re ready.
Image
A Month in Southeast Asia map
Image
A Month in Southeast Asia map
Day 1-3

Siem Reap

Tree roots grow over the outside of a temple
Highlights:

Discover the 12th century temples of Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm

Mingle at the morning market and meet a monk in Ta Brak village

Taste some of Cambodia’s best street food

Start your Southeast Asia adventure in Siem Reap; home of Angkor Wat and its contemporaries in the Angkor Archaeological Park. The remains of the Khmer Empire, the UNESCO-listed temples, leave behind details of their rule from 802 to 1431 AD. You'll also experience life in the shadow of the temples, visiting the village of Ta Brak with a local guide to explore the morning markets, meet a family and share stories over a fresh coconut, and partake in a blessing ceremony from a local monk.

We don’t think you should leave Siem Reap without tasting the best of its Khmer cuisine. Hop in a tuk-tuk and taste 20 different snacks or dishes, from “mom and pop” classic restaurants to stopping in at your drivers’ favorite banana fritter (chek chien) stall.

Accommodation
Transport

Day 1:
Car transfer from Siem Reap airport to hotel (1 hour)

Day 4-5

Phnom Penh

Palm trees and a small pagoda at a riverfront promenade
Highlights:

Cruise through the “floating” stilted villages of the Tonlé Sap Lake

Walk the residential streets of Phnom Penh with your guide

Visit the landmark Royal Palace and neighbouring Silver Pagoda

Departing Siem Reap, you'll board a boat to journey along the canals to the Tonlé Sap Lake, where the houses either ”float” on the water or tower over you on stilts, depending on the water levels. The lake grows and shrinks by four times its size across the year, and reverses flow with the monsoons. On arrival into Cambodia's capital, Phnom Penh, explore the backstreets with your guide, visiting residential areas, temples and communities. You might see streetside barbers snipping away, or people bent folding lotus blooms for temple displays – it’s a real slice of local life. Finish up your time in the city at the Royal Palace; home of the Cambodia royal family today.

Transport

Day 4:
Car transfer from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh, via Tonlé Sap Lake (6 hours)

Day 6-8

Ho Chi Minh City

a lady in a conical hat stands with a bike talking to a man outside a clothing store
Highlights:

Cruise down the Mekong to the Cu Chi Tunnels

Explore the historic city centre and built-up modern districts with a guide

Take a trip along the Mekong Delta, visiting cottage industries and riverside villages by bike and boat

After your flight to Vietnam, you'll start exploring with a speedboat trip along the Mekong River to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Skip the city traffic, and see river life as you travel, with boats just as likely to be overflowing with building materials as coconuts. Explore the underground tunnel network of Cu Chi, built by the Viet Cong fighters during the Vietnam War, before returning to the city for a walking tour through the most famous sights, including the Opera House and the historic shopping boulevard of Dong Khoi Street. Then, it’s back onto the Mekong River, for a day trip into the Delta, visiting the homes, gardens and workshops of mat weavers, rice paper makers, coconut candy connectionists of the riverside villages by bike and boat.

Transport

Day 6:
Car transfer from Phnom Penh airport to hotel (50 minutes)
Flight from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City (1 hour)
Car transfer from Ho Chi Minh City airport to hotel (30 minutes)

day 9-10

Hue

A plant sits in a blue and white ceramic pot outside an old house
Highlights:

Learn about the history of the families connected to the royal household

Explore one of Hue’s famous garden houses

Visit the tomb of Emporer Khai Dinh

Jumping up to central Vietnam, you'll discover the Nguyễn dynasty capital of Hue through the eyes of the mandarin families – royal advisers. The nha vuon garden houses were built specifically for mandarin families and couldn’t be sold, meaning today’s residents have a direct familial line and plenty of stories to tell. While in Hue you’ll explore more of its imperial history, including visiting the tomb of Khai Dinh (the 12th emperor) and the UNESCO-listed Imperial Citadel.

Transport

Day 9:
Car transfer from Ho Chi Minh City hotel to airport (1 hour)
Flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Hue (1.5 hours)
Car transfer from Hue airport to hotel (30 minutes)

Day 11-13

Hoi An

A close up of colourful silk lanterns
Highlights:

Drive over the Hai Van Pass – with lagoon, forest, mountain and coastal views out over Danang and Lang Co

Learn to cook proper Vietnamese cuisine at a cookery class

Cycle along the Thu Bon River, and get a glimpse of local village life, as it is lived

Sometimes known as the Pass of Ocean Clouds, the Hai Van Pass is most certainly the scenic route from Hue to Hoi An. On arrival in Hoi An, you might like to hit the beach (if in season),or visit the tailoring shops to create that bespoke wardrobe piece you’ve been mentally designing for years. While you're here, we'll arrange a cookery class with a local chef – from wrapping spring rolls to learning when to add the herbs to cao lau noodles. Then, hit the saddle once again, as you head out along the Thu Bon River on two wheels, through farmland and villages. You’ll take a peek inside cottage industries making lacquerware and sedge grass mats and sit down to a home-hosted lunch.

Accommodation
Transport

Day 11:
Car transfer from Hoi An to Hue (2.5 hours)

Day 14-15 & 17

Hanoi

A man wearing a conical hat cycles past a row of Vietnamese flags and a statue of Ho Chi Minh
Highlights:

Visit the Temple of Literature: Vietnam’s first university

Discover Hanoi’s Old Quarter – a maze of streets each dedicated to one of 36 industries

Hit Hanoi’s nightlife with an evening walking tour

Bookending your Lan Ha Bay cruise (see below), your two stops in Hanoi will introduce you to life in the Vietnamese capital. Start out with a daytime tour that includes the city highlights. The Temple of Literature, a choice between the Vietnam Women's Museum or the Hoa Lu Museum (better known as the Hanoi Hilton POW prison) and the colorful streets of the Old Quarter: the silver of Hàng Bac (home to silversmiths), the rich tones of Hàng Gai (silk street) or the reds and yellows of Hàng Mã, where auspicious paper votives are made. Return for an evening tour that'll see you drinking bia hoi on plastic stools alongside salarymen, visiting the famed Train Street and treating yourself to a classic Vietnamese dessert to finish up the night.

Transport

Day 14:
Car transfer from Hoi An hotel to Danang airport (40 minutes)
Flight from Danang to Hanoi (1.5 hours)
Car transfer from Hanoi airport to hotel (30 minutes)

Day 17:
Car transfer from Lan Ha Bay to Hanoi (2 hours)

Day 16

Lan Ha Bay

A fishing boat crosses a calm sea with limestone karsts in the background
Highlights:

Cruise between the limestone pillars of Lan Ha Bay

Kayak, climb and hike on land between cruising

Sit back with a cocktail or book on board

An overnight cruise is the best way to explore the nooks and crannies of Lan Ha Bay, cruising between limestone karsts and disembarking for excursions through caves, kayaking or climbing to the summit of the peaks. Back onboard, there's time to relax, take in the scenery from the top deck with a cocktail in hand. Many of the boats have spas onboard too.

Transport

Day 16:
Car transfer from Lan Ha Bay to Hanoi (2 hours)

Day 18-20

Luang Prabang

Temple in Luang Prabang
Highlights:

Visit the former Royal Palace, now serving as the National Museum

Explore four of the city’s glittering wats (temples)

Meet the elephants of MandaLao sanctuary

Your first day in Luang Prabang is all about the city's history. You'll start out at the Royal Palace which hold relics from the Lane Xang kingdom, the Lao royal family, and even a piece of Apollo moon rock. Compare golden façades of some of the 33 temples that contributed to the city's UNESCO world heritage status. You'll also visit the Traditional Arts & Ethnology Center to learn about the various ethnic groups in Laos, and end your day with a climb to the top of Mount Phousi, the city's highest point that overlooks the peninsula and the Mekong beyond. On your second day, visit the resident elephants of the MandaLao sanctuary and meet their mahout carers.

Transport

Day 18:
Car transfer from Hanoi hotel to airport (45 minutes)
Flight from Hanoi to Luang Prabang (1 hour)
Car transfer from Luang Prabang airport to hotel (20 minutes)

Day 21

Pakbeng

View over a river bend, with forested banks on either side
Highlights:

Cruise the Mekong River on a longtail boat

Visit the Pak Ou Caves, containing thousands of gold lacquered Buddhas

Board a cruise north on a slow, quiet route. Spot families taking a break by the water, fishermen landing their daily catch and even an elephant or two sneaking a drink at the water’s edge, if you're lucky. There's scheduled stops along the way at the Pak Ou Caves crammed full with over 4,000 Buddha statues, and a village known for rice alcohol production. Disembark at the riverside town of Pakbeng, where you'll sit down to dinner as the sun sets over the river.

Transport

Day 21:
River cruise from Luang Prabang to Pakbeng (6 hours plus stops)

Day 22

Chiang Rai

close up of white intricate carvings on the roof of a temple
Highlights:

Relax on day two of your river cruise

Explore the foundations of the Lanna Kingdom on a city tour of Chiang Rai

Learn about hilltribe cultures at the Hilltribe Museum

On your second day aboard, sail up from Pakbeng to the Laotian border with Thailand. You’ll then hit Chiang Rai. Founded in 1262 it's the embodiment of northern Lanna culture and a great first introduction to Thailand. You'll tour the city on a samlor (a local type of rickshaw), visiting the monument of King Mengrai (the city's founder), the local market, Wat Phra Kaew temple and the Hilltribe Museum, where displays will teach you about six major tribal groups that live in and around Chiang Rai (Akha, Hmong, Karen, Lahu, Lisu and Yao).

Transport

Day 22:
River cruise from Pakbeng to the Thai border (6 hours)
Car transfer from the Thai border to Chiang Rai (2 hours)

Day 23-24

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai Songthaews
Highlights:

Explore the sculpturesque Wat Rong Khun (White Temple)

Ride on a local songtaew red truck taxi

Cycle through Wat Kum Kam – a lost civilization wiped out by a flood 200 years ago

Departing Chaing Rai, you'll stop at Wat Rong Khun along the way. This controversial temple is part artwork, part religious venue, and impressive whatever the angle. You'll explore the city by songtaew – a red taxi truck ubiquitous to Chiang Mai that'll take you through the local neighborhoods. Venture away from the city center to Wiang Kum Kam, a "lost civilization" wiped out by a flood 200 years ago. Hop on a bike to explore the ancient ruins, which are scattered across rural fields. Taking a boat back to town, you'll stop at Wat Chedi Luang (once home of the famous Emerald Buddha, now housed in Bangkok) and the food-laden stalls of Warorot Market. We recommend trying sai ua (northern Thai sausage) and nam prik noom (pork rinds with green chili dip).

Transport

Day 23:
Car transfer from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai (4 hours)

Day 25-28

Bangkok

View from within a longtail boat, with a colourful canopy overhead
Highlights:

Watch the monks chant at Wat Pho

Discover Bangkok from the water, with a longtail boat tour along the khlongs (canals)

Visit the home of a family who have turned their gardens into organic permaculture, preserving rare plants and trees

The final stop of your grand adventure through Southeast Asia is Thailand's capital, Bangkok. You'll start at Wat Pho, arriving just as the resident monks gather for their morning chants. Watch this deeply spiritual ritual, as your guide explains the meaning behind the chanting. Next stop is the Grand Palace, which has served as the seat of Thailand's revered royal family for more than two centuries. Discover why Bangkok is often referred to as the “Venice of the East”, travel to the banks of the Chao Phraya River and board a colorful long-tail boat, cruising up the river and admiring the Bangkok skyline. You'll finish your cruise at Poomjai Garden, where the family have repurposed a 100-year-old garden into an organic permaculture center, preserving plants and farming for the community. Their motto is “grow what you eat and eat what you grow”, and you’ll get to taste some of these fresh, homegrown ingredients for lunch.

Accommodation
Transport

Day 25:
Car transfer from Chiang Mai hotel to airport (20 minutes)
Flight from Chiang Mai to Bangkok (1 hour 15 minutes)
Car transfer from Bangkok airport to hotel (1 hour)

Day 28:
Car transfer from Bangkok hotel to airport (1 hour)

Pattern

Is this trip for you?

What's great

  • Visit Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand in one grand trip through Southeast Asia
  • You’ve got a month to spend exploring, tasting and experiencing – and we’ll make sure you won’t miss any of the highlights
  • These are popular destinations so there’s lots to do and see – if any of the days feel “too history” or ‘“too active”, just let us know, our travel consultants can suggest alternatives (we’ll tailor your trip to you)

Things to consider

  • This trip doesn’t include any beach time, but you could easily extend it or swap out a few days if you’d like
  • While we’ve included the odd free afternoon for you to tackle your laundry, this is a relatively fast-paced trip; you’re “on the go” a lot of the time
  • Although this includes plenty of destinations, they’re all fairly classic stops – if you want to get beneath the surface of a place a little more, just let us know

What's included?

What's included

  • Breakfast every day
  • Eleven lunches: one during the Cu Chi Tunnels cruise; one during the day trip to the Mekong Delta; one you’ll make yourself during your Hoi An cookery class; one during the Hoi An cycling tour; one during the Lan Ha Bay cruise; one on your Luang Prabang city tour; one at the MandaLao elephant sanctuary; two during the cruise from Luang Prabang to the Thai border; one during the tour of Chiang Rai; one during the tour of Chiang Mai
  • Four dinners: one street food dinner in Siem Reap; one during your Lan Ha cruise; one on the evening tour of Hanoi; one at the hotel in Pakbeng
  • 14 half-day experiences: Angkor Wat & Ta Prohm; rural village communities walk in Siem Reap; tour of the Tonlé Sap Lake; backstreets, temples and communities of Phnom Penh; cruise to the Cu Chi Tunnels; city tour of Ho Chi Minh City; life of the Mandarins in Hue; cookery class at The Market; cycling tour of Hoi An’s countryside; Hanoi city tour; MandaLao elephant sanctuary; city tour of Chiang Rai; chanting at Wat Pho and the Grand Palace; khlongs tour by longtail boat
  • Three full-day experiences: day trip to the Mekong Delta; tour of Luang Prabang; Chiang Mai city safari
  • Two evening experiences: ultimate street food tour of Siem Reap; night out in Hanoi
  • Overnight cruise on Lan Ha Bay in a junk boat
  • Two-day, one-night cruise from the Thai border to Luang Prabang
  • All entrance fees to sights included in guided experiences
  • All internal transport & accommodation

Not included

  • International flights
  • Meals not mentioned
  • Entrance fees to any sites not included in guided experiences
  • Tips for guides & porters