Tour Big Indochina Adventure (27 Days) | Visit Thailand, Viet Nam

Meals

26 Breakfast (B) 5 Dinner (D) 7 Lunch (L) Mekong River Delta: Grab your buddies and take a shot at catching an elephant ear fish for dinner. FYI: it tastes better than it looks.

Others

Bangkok: Nose around the gilded Royal Palace, then travel like a local: floating down the Rivers. Kanchanaburi: A sombre slice of history. See the Death Railway Museum, WWII Cemetery and the famous Bridge itself. Kanchanaburi: Cool off in emerald pools, shower under a waterfall and get your step count up. All in a day’s work. Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya: Golden temples, a giant reclining Buddha and so many incredible sights to see. Try not to fall off your bike in shock! Chiang Mai: Lift your spirits with a trip to this gilded, mountaintop temple. It’s a dazzling work of art with unbeatable city views. Pak Beng: Float down the Mekong from Pak Beng, past craggy caves and sleepy hillside villages. A proper taste of Laos life. Luang Prabang: Definitely the most surreal caves we’ve ever seen. Rock caverns packed with thousands of mini-Buddha statues. Pics or it didn’t happen. Luang Prabang: Cycle around the former capital of Laos. Then visit Big Brother Mouse to help locals improve their English. Luang Prabang: Meditate at this ornate temple, or just marvel at its gilded beauty and take lots of pics. Luang Prabang: Always wanted to live like a Buddhist? Here is your chance to offer an ‘Alms’ to monks, in the spirit of karmic giving. Vientiane: No Laos trip is complete without seeing Patuxai and Luang Stupa. So much gold. You might need shades to look at it. Phnom Penh: A sombre but important remembrance for the victims of the Khmer Rouge. Visit the fields and Genocide Museum. Vang Vieng: Fasten your seatbelts folks, we’re off to Phnom Penh Phnom Penh: Time to take to the sky. Siem Reap, here we come! Siem Reap: Visit Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm and Bayon – where Tomb Raider was filmed. But dress appropriately (no hotpants, soz). Siem Reap: Back on the plane. (Didn’t get a window seat last time? Now’s your chance…) Mekong River Delta: Watch and learn as local craftspeople make rice wine, tea, sweets and more local delicacies. Ho Chi Minh City: Brave this subterranean world. The hand-dug tunnels were built by the Viet Cong to hide out during the war. Ho Chi Minh City: Tick off all of the landmarks on your bucket list – Notre Dame Cathedral, General Post Office and the Presidential Palace. Ho Chi Minh City: A meaningful reminder of the atrocities of the Vietnam War and its impact on local people and wildlife. Ho Chi Minh City: Passports at the ready folks. Nha Trang: Next stop, Hoi An. But before we hit the streets, it’s time to hit the sky one more time. Hoi An: Immerse yourself in all the crazy sights and sounds, then take a photo by the ornate Japanese bridge. Hoi An: This 15th century port and UNESCO site is best explored on two wheels with a local expert. Don’t forget your Go-Pro! Hue: Probably one of the world’s best road trips. You’ll feel like you’re climbing up into the clouds. Hue: Always secretly wanted to go on one of these? Us too. But watch out for the shell shocked tourists! Hue: Visiting Thien Mu Pagoda and Imperial Citadel will give you goosebumps, as they conjure up visions of an ancient world. Hue: Next stop, Hoi An. But before we hit the streets, it’s time to hit the sky one more time. Hanoi: Listen up culture-lovers. This shrine – dedicated to ancient philosopher Confucius – is known as ‘Vietnam’s first university’. Halong Bay: Grab your new BFFs and hang out in this mini paradise. The powdery sand and turquoise waters will bless you with #islandvibes Halong Bay: The best way to drift off into dreamy sleep? Drifting along the Gulf of Tonkin in a traditional Chinese-style Junk Boat, of course! Halong Bay: Yet another work of art from Mother Nature. These huge underground caves are made for exploring. But can you spot the ‘mammoth’? Kanchanaburi: Help to protect to these majestic giants by learning about their struggle while watching them roam free - the way they were meant to live. Luang Prabang: Your chance to watch Lao textile artisans at work, making clothes and homeware using special techniques. Vientiane: See the amazing efforts of this non-profit, which gives prosthetic limbs to disabled locals – some of who are victims of unexploded bombs. MAKE TRAVEL MATTER ® Experience Siem Reap: Not only is the food top-notch, this social enterprise, the Tree Alliance Restaurant, makes a mission out of training and employing street youths. Respect.

Transport

Transport is included.

Accommodation

Guest houses and 3-star hotels are the name of the game, plus you’ll get the chance to shack-up aboard a Chinese-style junk boat and an overnight sleeper train. We like to keep it intrepid, but there’s no compromise on comfort.

Guide

A highly trained Trip Manager who brings your adventure to life, along with Local Guides who make tourist traps a thing of the past. This is your team. Smart, friendly, fun, and integral to everything we do

Hygieneprotocol

All guests travelling with Contiki through December 31, 2022 are required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, which may include a booster shot to keep the vaccination status current and valid, depending on the travel destination. Children not eligible for vaccination and/or booster at the time of travel must provide a verifiable and negative Covid-19 test result, taken within 72 hours prior to the start of the tour (taking time zones into consideration) for all tours departing until December 31, 2022. For guests travelling with Contiki from 1 January 2023, Covid-19 vaccinations and boosters are highly recommended, but no longer required. Please note that regardless of time of travel guests will need to comply with specific vaccine and/or booster requirements imposed by airlines and/or authorities in the destination visited, as well as requirements for accessing restaurants and venues, which may be more restrictive than above. It is guests’ responsibility to ensure that they comply at all times with these requirements. No refunds will be given if guests are unable to undertake some or all of their vacation due to their failure to comply with these requirements.

Not included:

Insurance

Insurance not included.

Others

Tipping. Pre and post tour accommodation. Single supplement (Optional).

Optional

Optional experiences are available on this tour for an additional cost and will be provided to you with your finalised travel documents. Ziplining - US$98.

Flights

International flights not included.

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Bangkok
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Bangkok

Touch down in Thailand’s capital. After checking into our hotel there’ll be time for DIY exploring, a massage or lying by the pool to catch the first of that sweet tropical sunshine. Later we’ll rendezvous back at base so you can hear what’s in store for the trip, then the night is yours to enjoy authentic Pad Thai & the Khao San road nightlife.
Day 2 Day 2: Bangkok To Kanchanaburi
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Bangkok To Kanchanaburi

We’ll start the day early, with so much to see, there’s no time to waste. Catching Bangkok’s water taxi system with the city locals is the most convenient way to get to our first stop - The Royal Palace. With our incredible local guide leading the charge, we will learn all about its 61 acres of incredible architecture and some traditions of the Thailand Royal Family. Then we’ll jump on our private boat for a tour of the klongs (canals) and some fish feeding. Just listing today’s sites gives us the butterflies. Once we get back to the hotel, ask your Trip Manager where to find the best local lunch before we wave goodbye to Bangkok. Bangkok, you’ve been a dream, but the show must go on! Fast becoming a must-visit in this part of the world, we make tracks to our next destination, the sleepy town of Kanchanaburi to really get local. There’s nothing like getting some local transport to keep things interesting, so we’ll pop into a boat along the River Kwai where we’ll reach our home for the night, the The Jungle Raft Hotel, Kanchanaburi. Rooms lit by candle light are what you’ll be greeted with, followed by a delicious included dinner of local specialties at dusk. You can even jump in the river directly from your room. Amazing! Because of course here at Contiki we like to keep things a bit special. Tonight as we watch the sunset over the landscape we’ll no doubt be toasting our first full day on the trip and contemplating just how good life is.
Day 3 Day 3: Kanchanaburi
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Kanchanaburi

We’ll wake up in jungle paradise, eat breakfast and take some time to enjoy our surroundings. Next up on today’s activities is Elephant Haven in Kanchanaburi, where we’ll spend half a day learning about how the sanctuary rescue and care for these beautiful creatures. It makes us all warm and fuzzy inside seeing these gentle giants living their peaceful lives. Finish up with some lunch before visiting the famed Bridge on the River Kwai, with our guide giving us all the info we need on this riverside spot steeped in history. Afterwards, you’ve got some free time to explore Kanchanaburi town or just do some relaxing. It’s up to you!
Day 4 Day 4: Kanchanaburi To Chiang Mai
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Kanchanaburi To Chiang Mai

We’ll make a stop in the UNESCO listed city of Ayutthaya, once the capital of Kingdom of Siam before being destroyed by the Burmese in the 18th Century. We’ll grab bikes & ride past ornate temples, towering spires and beautiful palaces. Later, we board our overnight train to Chiang Mai. All aboard for Chiang Mai!
Day 5 Day 5: Chiang Mai
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Chiang Mai

The laid-back city of Chiang Mai is ours to explore as we wake this morning. Buddhist rituals, traditional architecture & surrounding countryside will see us smitten. The city is yours to make the most of - maybe that means roaming the old quarter or getting to know the city’s heart.
Day 6 Day 6: Chiang Mai
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Chiang Mai

Another free day in this amazing city is a great opportunity to explore. Maybe hit the street food scene or treat yourself to a traditional Thai massage. Tonight we’ll be exploring like a local - jump on our Vespa tour to explore the city on two wheels.
Day 7 Day 7: Chiang Mai To Pakbeng
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Chiang Mai To Pakbeng

Taking a border hop we’ll cross out of Thailand & into Laos. After collecting our passport stamps we’ll journey to Pakbeng, taking part of the trip by river cruise on a local boat. Remote, traditional, & endlessly charming, Pakbeng is a true traveler’s dream.
Day 8 Day 8: Pak Beng To Luang Prabang
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Pak Beng To Luang Prabang

Leaving Pak Beng, we make our way to Luang Prabang - get ready for gorgeous waterfalls, biking explorations and a chance to experience the local community and sacred Buddhist rituals. Ending our Mekong River magic we arrive in the much-loved city of Luang Prabang. Temples dusted in gold, historic French mansions, & locals wrapped in saffron robes make this one of the prettiest places in Asia. Our explorations will involve a sunset from a hill-top stupa & a bout of shopping at the local night markets.
Day 9 Day 9: Luang Prabang
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Luang Prabang

A city cycle and a swim under the 60-meter cascades of Kuang Si Falls will provide our daily nature fix, but most of the day is yours to visit palaces & temples & watch local life by the river, or choose to explore any way that suits. Tonight, watch the sunset at a riverside bar, and contemplate just how good life is and how relaxed you already feel just one week in.
Day 10 Day 10: Luang Prabang To Vang Vieng
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Luang Prabang To Vang Vieng

This morning early risers will be rewarded with Buddhist rituals kissed by the sun’s morning rays. Take part in the daily ritual of offering alms to the Monks of Luang Prabang’s 34 temples. This morning we take an overland journey to a lively tourist hub filled with opportunities for adventure. It makes leaving the charming town of Luang Prabang a little easier. Known for its dramatic limestone karsts, Vang Vieng will keep you busy. Explore the local rivers and caves or chill out surrounded by like-minded travelers, watching the sun set over the mountains.
Day 11 Day 11: Vang Vieng
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Vang Vieng

Today is yours to conquer Vang Vieng. Stuck for ideas? Grab a pushbike and allow yourself to get a little lost, stopping at swimming holes and weaving through limestone caves, watching life unfold in the pretty countryside of Laos.
Day 12 Day 12: Vang Vieng To Vientiane
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 12: Vang Vieng To Vientiane

Today you should wake up feeling satisfied with your Vang Vieng explorations, and ready to peel back the layers of another Laos hotspot. Welcome to the capital of Vientiane. If you’re expecting a bustling Asian capital, prepare to be surprised; the vibe in this quaint Mekong town is strictly chilled. Apart from seeing the beauty of Pha That Luang stupa & the artistic talent of Patuxai, we’ll use our time here to visit the COPE center, a local charity that provide prosthetic limbs and rehabilitation services to those who have lost their limbs as a result of unexploded bombs. Our visit here will also provide an insight into Laos’ troubled history, and is a great chance for us to lend a helping hand to the Laotian community.
Day 13 Day 13: Vientiane To Phnom Penh
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 13: Vientiane To Phnom Penh

This morning we cross the border sky high, flying out of Laos as we make for the capital of Cambodia. Although it’s easy to find reminders of Cambodia’s dark past in the city of Phnom Penh, it is also a place brightened by shy smiles and pretty tree-lined streets. We’ll learn about the horrific Khmer Rouge rule by visiting the mass graves of the ‘Killing Fields’ & the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum with our Local Guide. Later tonight, the night is yours to explore as you please.
Day 14 Day 14: Phnom Penh To Siem Reap
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 14: Phnom Penh To Siem Reap

Another included flight takes us out of Cambodia’s capital this morning, landing us in the heartland of an ancient masterpiece and what is still the largest religious monument in the world. You could relax poolside this afternoon, before seeing what’s going on by night! There are plenty of things you could spice up your night with, like local night markets though probably best to reserve your energy for our early morning visit to an Eighth Wonder of the World and something we know you’ve all been waiting for.
Day 15 Day 15: Siem Reap
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 15: Siem Reap

Prepare to be moved to the core this morning as we journey to Angkor Wat through dawn’s hours in preparation for sunrise. Nothing can quite describe the feeling of watching the day’s first rays touch this ancient spiritual site, it’s pretty much magic. After a siesta and pool hangs to break up the day back at our hotel, we journey back to the temples to explore Angkor Thom and the Tomb Raider temple of Ta Prohm, which is slowly being swallowed by the jungle. With knowledge in hand, we’ll pay a visit to the Tree Alliance Restaurant, where disadvantaged and former street children are trained up in hospitality skills. And wow, do they do it well; their frozen shakes and mouth-watering menu never fail to impress. With no early rise on tomorrow’s agenda, we can let loose on the city’s famous Pub Street and the buzzing local night markets.
Day 16 Day 16: Siem Reap To Ho Chi Minh City
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 16: Siem Reap To Ho Chi Minh City

Saying good-bye to some of your group at breakfast will be sad, but the thought of getting to Vietnam will no doubt cheer you up! With a coriander filled Bánh mì in one hand and a Vietnamese coffee in the other, hit the road and get ready to explore the busy streets of Ho Chi Minh. Tonight we can grab a meal together and explore the exciting Ho Chi Minh City nightlife.
Day 17 Day 17: Ho Chi Minh City To Mekong Delta
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 17: Ho Chi Minh City To Mekong Delta

Today we leave Ho Chi Minh exchanging fast paced city life for an energy that’s a little more quaint. Such is the contrasting beauty of Vietnam. Though this isn’t the first time we are seeing the Mekong Delta, our journey in a traditional boat will prove just how dramatically this river’s fringes can vary. We’ll see floating markets, visit a rice paper factory and sip some of Vietnam’s famous rice whiskey. A home-cooked meal and local musicians will round off our day as we settle in for a night at a local guesthouse.
Day 18 Day 18: Mekong Delta To Ho Chi Minh City
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 18: Mekong Delta To Ho Chi Minh City

After an early breakfast we’ll make our way back to Ho Chi Minh, detouring past Viet Cong’s Cu Chi Tunnels. See traps, hidden doors & some of the 250kms of tunnels that Vietnamese resistance fighters dug by hand, and even go down into the skinny tunnels to experience them first hand in this look into Vietnam’s staggering past. Back in the addictive mayhem of Vietnam’s biggest city you will have free time to carry on your explorations. Continuing to eat your way through Vietnam’s culinary highlights would be one wise way to use your time (we think).
Day 19 Day 19: Ho Chi Minh City To Nha Trang
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 19: Ho Chi Minh City To Nha Trang

With some traditional R’n’R on our afternoon agenda, the morning can be used to put on our discovering boots. We’ll dabble in history and religion before taking flight to a coastal town overlooking the South China Sea. Golden sand beaches, turquoise waters and a bustling night life - this is Nha Trang. This afternoon why not book in for a mineral mud bath and hot thermal spring experience before heading out to dinner with your crew. Ah, the good life.
Day 20 Day 20: Nha Trang
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 20: Nha Trang

Good news - we’re kicking it in Nha Trang for another night. Have a massage, sign up for the optional cruise, or just hang on the beach saving your energy for seaside bar fun as the sun sets.
Day 21 Day 21: Nha Trang To Hoi’An
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 21: Nha Trang To Hoi’An

After a zippy flight north & a short coastal drive we find ourselves in a canal town overflowing with beauty and ancient history. With Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese and European influences, Hoi An has no shortage of charm and architectural interest. Bike riding through the vibrant town, visiting an ancient house & ordering custom-made clothes at an artful tailor are just some of the activities that will color our day. Tonight you can opt onto a Vietnamese cooking class, whipping up a storm of up to 4 traditional dishes.
Day 22 Day 22: Hoi’An
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 22: Hoi’An

Visit the stunning Marble Mountain to learn more about religion in Vietnam, poke around in galleries & market stalls - the best shopping in Vietnam in our opinion, and devour all of the delectable treats on offer. That’s how your free day in Hoi An could roll.
Day 23 Day 23: Hoi’An To Hue
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 23: Hoi’An To Hue

Though we’ll have grown content with Hoi An life, this morning the show must go on. After all, the former imperial town of Hue has invited us over, and we’d be foolish to turn it down. Intricately decorated pavilions, lotus flower ponds, and colorful artworks mark our first sightseeing venture in Hue. Totally in awe of the Imperial Palace, we move on to the 7-story Thien Mu Pagoda & learn of the horrific history of the Hue Buddhist massacre as well as taking in a cyclo ride to see the city from a whole new angle.
Day 24 Day 24: Hue To Hanoi
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 24: Hue To Hanoi

Today we fly out of Hue in the direction of Vietnam’s time capsule capital. A trio of influences and filled with romance, 2 nights here will see us utterly smitten. With an epic fusion of French, Chinese & Vietnamese influence, you’ll easily fall in love with Hanoi. Our time will be spent weaving through a maze of 36 trading streets filled with colorful goods for sale, and unwinding in the walled gardens of the Temple of Literature. Later, why not take a stroll to the famous Train Street for an egg coffee or check out the quirky shows at the Water Puppet Theater before topping the night off with a few Bia Hoi’s.
Day 25 Day 25: Hanoi To Halong Bay
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 25: Hanoi To Halong Bay

After a Hanoi history 101 lesson we move on to Halong Bay where a night on a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site awaits. A drive through stunning scenery will evoke plenty of ’oh wow’s, but it only gets better as we board our home for the night, a Chinese-style junk boat in Halong Bay. Feel the serenity kicking in immediately as we drift the limestone island seas of the Gulf of Tonkin. We will pass hidden lagoons, thick forests & dreamy grottos. A fresh seafood dinner and sunset at our docking spot will polish off a wonderful day packed with No Regrets moments and simply unforgettable experiences.
Day 26 Day 26: Halong Bay To Hanoi
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 26: Halong Bay To Hanoi

Today will be all about the leisurely vibes as we wake up to breakfast with a quick stop to explore the Sung Sot Caves. Make the most of your time on the junk boat - the views don’t get much better than this. After heading back to Hanoi we find ourselves enjoying our final night together on tour. Save the choir of tears for tomorrow - this evening is all about making the most of your free time and staying positive so why not join us for one last family dinner and then onto Ta Hien to dance the night away.
Day 27 Day 27: Depart Hanoi
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 27: Depart Hanoi

Enjoy one final breakfast with the squad this morning before this epic Vietnam trip wraps up. Hug it out and make plans to reunite sometime soon - Latin America, perhaps?

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27 days tour

Big Indochina Adventure (27 Days)

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Big Indochina Adventure (27 Days)

Day 1: Bangkok

Day 2: Bangkok To Kanchanaburi

Day 3: Kanchanaburi

Day 4: Kanchanaburi To Chiang Mai

Day 5: Chiang Mai

Day 6: Chiang Mai

Day 7: Chiang Mai To Pakbeng

Day 8: Pak Beng To Luang Prabang

Day 9: Luang Prabang

Day 10: Luang Prabang To Vang Vieng

Day 11: Vang Vieng

Day 12: Vang Vieng To Vientiane

Day 13: Vientiane To Phnom Penh

Day 14: Phnom Penh To Siem Reap

Day 15: Siem Reap

Day 16: Siem Reap To Ho Chi Minh City

Day 17: Ho Chi Minh City To Mekong Delta

Day 18: Mekong Delta To Ho Chi Minh City

Day 19: Ho Chi Minh City To Nha Trang

Day 20: Nha Trang

Day 21: Nha Trang To Hoi’An

Day 22: Hoi’An

Day 23: Hoi’An To Hue

Day 24: Hue To Hanoi

Day 25: Hanoi To Halong Bay

Day 26: Halong Bay To Hanoi

Day 27: Depart Hanoi

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