Simply Southeast Asia: Chiang Mai to Hanoi

Sawasdee! Welcome to Thailand. Your adventure begins in Chiang Mai, also known as the ‘Rose of the North’. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm to meet your local leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive early, maybe get a headstart with your exploring and visit one of the spectacular temples, try some delicious street food or walk along the riverfront. Chiang Mai is a great place to explore on two wheels, so maybe hire a bike to see the city from another angle. You could also visit Doi Suthep, a famous temple perched on a 1676 m (5499 ft) mountain of the same name. The climb up to the temple involves around 300 steps, but if you’re up for something active, the views are well worth it. If a bit of relaxation is more your thing, why not treat yourself to a traditional Thai massage. After your welcome meeting, maybe gather your new travel friends and head out for dinner – your local leader will have all the best recommendations for where to eat.

Today join in the drive to the ChangChill Elephant Sanctuary, supported by our Intrepid Foundation partner WAP, for an encounter with these incredible creatures. During your visit, you’ll learn how this organisation supports the protection, conservation and lifestyle of free-roaming elephants in the region. You’ll watch the elephants go about their daily routines from a safe distance, observing how they graze and socialise. The sanctuary’s expert guides will chat with you about the elephants as well as the reserve’s sustainable tourism practices. After, return to Chiang Mai for some free time. You might like to book into a cooking class to learn how to make some northern Thai cuisine – what better souvenir to take home than a new recipe or two to remind you of your adventure? Speak to your local leader for more suggestions for how to spend your day.

After breakfast, take a public bus to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed town of Sukhothai. Arrive in the mid-afternoon, then head out on an orientation walk with your local leader. In the 13th and 14th centuries, Sukhothai was the capital of the Kingdom of Siam. Today, many of its impressive monuments still stand, with the park’s centrepiece being the Wat Mahathat temple complex. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore.

This morning, explore the Sukhothai Historical Park by bike, maybe make a stop for a picnic within the park grounds if you are interested. The rest of the day is yours – maybe watch a cooking demonstration to learn how to make regional specialties like khao poep (thin sheets of rice noodle folded over meat and vegetables, served in pork bone broth), or take a Buddha amulet-making workshop led by a local artisan.

Say goodbye to Sukhothai this morning and take a local bus to Bangkok – Thailand’s bustling capital. Make sure you have a good book, podcast or your favourite playlist ready for the journey. Tonight, you’ll go on a walking tour of Bangkok’s vibrant Chinatown with your leader. After, maybe join your leader to hit some street food stalls. In Chinatown, you can try dishes that blend Thai and Chinese influences like kanom pakkaad (turnip cake) and chwee kueh (steamed rice cake served with spicy sambal). Maybe gather your group to head to a local bar or two and get to know Bangkok’s nightlife.

Embark on a half-day guided walking tour of the historic Sam Yot district with your leader. This is one of Bangkok’s oldest and most culturally rich neighbourhoods, known for its long-standing communities and the vibrant daily life, which you’ll watch unfolding on the streets today. You’ll pass some of the area’s most important religious and cultural landmarks, which showcase the spiritual diversity of this area. Stop by the Siri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara (a significant Sikh place of worship), the Chao Mae Thapthim Shrine (an important landmark for the local Thai Chinese community) and the Buddhist temple of Wat Bophit Phimuk Worawihan. Make your way to the Pak Khlong Talat Flower Market, the largest flower market in Thailand. Browse the colourful array of fresh flowers that have been delivered from across the country, from orchids and roses to marigold garlands used for offerings and ceremonies. The sheer scale of this bustling market is a testament to the importance of flowers in Thai culture. Your afternoon is free for you to explore Bangkok your way. You could visit the trendy neighbourhood of Talat Noi or stroll down Song Wat Road to see some street art – your local leader will be on hand to give you recommendations.

Today, you’ll have a second welcome meeting at 6 pm to meet the new members of your group. Before then, the day is yours to explore Bangkok and hit anything you may have missed before. Maybe set out on a khlong boat ride to experience the city’s canals, or visit the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of Emerald Buddha, or Wat Pho to see the giant reclining Buddha. Later, maybe head out to dinner to get to know each other better.

Take a flight from Bangkok to Siem Reap. The flight is unescorted, but your Thai trip leader will get you to the airport in Bangkok and your Cambodian leader will be ready to greet you in Siem Reap. When you arrive, take an orientation walk with your leader and you’ll have a free evening to explore this small but bustling town. You might want to head to Pub Street to grab a bite to eat and get a taste of the city’s nightlife. Or, maybe rest up in preparation for tomorrow’s visit to Angkor Wat.

Today, you'll visit the incredible Angkor complex. If you’re keen, this place is best seen at sunrise, so you can get up early and head to the complex on your own before your included tour. You’ll explore the site on a tuk-tuk with an all-female crew from Driver Srey – a social enterprise with a mission to support local women with sustainable incomes. The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Angkor complex was built between the 9th and 13th centuries when the Khmer empire was the pre-eminent influence in South East Asia. The ruins are scattered over some 160 sq km – the biggest religious monument in the world! The central cluster of temples is close to Siem Reap, so you'll have plenty of time to fully appreciate the main archaeological sites, including Angkor Wat – the astounding main temple – Bayon and Ta Prohm – a series of smaller temples covered in tree roots and jungle. Your local guide will bring ancient history to life with their extensive knowledge of the site.

Today is a free day for you to explore Siem Reap at your own pace. Ask your local leader about the range of optional activities on offer. You might opt to take a boat tour to explore the Chong Kneas floating village on Tonle Sap Lake – the largest freshwater lake in South East Asia – or you could take a Khmer cooking class. You could also explore local markets or maybe check out a Phare Circus performance tonight.

Say goodbye to Siem Reap and take a local bus to the capital city of Phnom Penh. Cambodia's capital is set on a major junction of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers and boasts some fine examples of French-inspired architecture. When you arrive, settle into your accommodation, then join your leader for a walk along the Mekong River at sunset. For dinner, maybe round up your group and head to a restaurant on the riverfront.

Spend a full free day exploring Phnom Penh however you like. Maybe visit the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. Wat Phnom, shrouded in myth, is equally worth a visit, as is the National Museum with its extensive Khmer collection. Cyclo tours around the city are a great alternative to exploring by foot. These tours generally include the art deco Psar Thmei (Central Market), US Embassy, Wat Phnom, Mekong riverfront, Independence Monument and Royal Palace. Or, you could learn more about Cambodia's tragic history at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21) and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek – two sites that tell the story of the tragic legacy of the Khmer Rouge.

Travel by local bus from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City. Your leader will assist you with border crossing procedures and you’ll make a stop for lunch. When you arrive, head out to discover Ho Chi Minh City's blend of old and new. Be sure to sample a baguette or some of the excellent coffee on offer – both markers of the city's strong French influence. Tonight, maybe hit one of the hole-in-the-wall bars and explore the nightlife. Ask your leader for the best restaurants and bars in the area – maybe gather your group for a toast to a trip well-travelled.

Today you’ll have another welcome meeting with the new members of your group at 6 pm. Before then, the day is yours. Perhaps head out to see the ancient pagodas and cathedrals near the former Presidential Palace, the historic Dong Khoi Street and the chaotic markets of Ben Thanh and Cholon (Chinatown). After the meeting, maybe get a group together to head out for dinner and get to know each other.

Get to know the streets of Ho Chi Minh City with your leader on an orientation walk this morning. You’ll check out some of the city’s highlights, like the Saigon Post Office and the War Remnants Museum, which holds sobering stories of the 20-year-long Vietnam War. The rest of the day is free for you to choose your own adventure. Maybe visit the Reunification Palace, watch the A O Show (a circus performance with a distinctive bamboo set design) at the Saigon Opera House or explore the vibrant local food scene.

Today is a free day for you to choose from the optional activities on offer. There’s the option to go on a tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels – this former Viet Cong stronghold provides an insight into the resourcefulness and tenacity of the Vietnamese people, as well as underground life during the Vietnam War. Or, you could go on a daytrip to the Mekong Delta. If you opt into this day trip, you’ll board a private boat to Ben Tre to visit the coconut gardens and stop at a local home to sample some tropical fruits and coconut jams. You’ll then paddle along the delta in sampans (small rowing boats) and go on a tuk-tuk tour of the local villages to learn about rural life. The day trip also includes a lunch of regional specialties at a restaurant in the heart of the delta. This evening, you’ll board an overnight train to Hoi An.

Arrive in Da Nang by train and travel by minibus to Hoi An – a UNESCO World Heritage site that continues to undergo restoration work today. It was a major trading port with the West between the 15th and 19th centuries. Today, parts of Hoi An look exactly as they did more than a century ago. Your leader will take you on a sightseeing walk through the Old Town to visit some of the city's major attractions. A sightseeing pass is included in your trip, so you can visit a selection of the major sights. Hoi An is also a great spot for shopping, so head down to the markets and street stalls to browse paintings, woodwork, ceramics and lanterns. Don’t miss the excellent local cuisine – you could book yourself in for a cooking class to take some culinary secrets home with you. Most local guided tours include a trip to the local food markets, and some take you on a short boat journey along the Thu Bon River. Let your local leader know what you'd like to see and they will be able to recommend some activities to suit your interests.

Wake up for a free day to do as you please. This is a great opportunity to take a trip out to the My Son temples – a UNESCO World Heritage site constructed between the 4th and 14th centuries that reflects the rich cultural traditions of the Cham civilisation. In the afternoon, maybe hire a bike for a ride through the countryside near Hoi An. There's no better way to explore this peaceful area than on two wheels – you’ll see places few tourists get the chance to visit and the green rice paddies and small creeks will give you a true insight into rural life in Vietnam. Otherwise, you could spend today relaxing on An Bang or Cua Dai Beach.

Bid farewell to Hoi An this morning and make the drive to Hue. You’ll be travelling on the incredible Hai Van Pass, through lush mountains and past scenic lookouts, and there’ll be some good places for a photo stop. When you arrive in Hue, head out with your leader for an orientation walk, then the afternoon is free for you to explore. Hue was once Vietnam’s imperial capital and has a curious mix of bustling streets and tranquil enclaves. Maybe visit the Dong Ba Market, which sells everything imaginable and is a great place to spend some time browsing. Hue is renowned for its cuisine, with some delicious dishes originating from this region, including bun bo Hue (Hue’s delicious take on pho) and banh khoai (a filled turmeric crepe) – it’s time to give your tastebuds a workout!

Enjoy a free day in Hue. Maybe visit the Imperial Citadel which includes the Forbidden Purple City that was almost completely destroyed during the Vietnam War. The gaping holes left by bombs give you an idea of how much destruction occurred in this country. If you'd rather take to the water, hop on a dragon boat cruise along the Perfume River and then visit Thien Mu Pagoda – the unofficial symbol of Hue. Here, you’ll see an active Buddhist monastery dating back to 1601 and a car belonging to the monk who tragically set himself alight in public to protest the treatment of Buddhists. You might also opt to visit the royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, with its central lake set amid a grove of frangipani and pine trees. This evening, take another overnight train, bound for Hanoi.

Arrive in Hanoi at about 5 am, then take a bus followed by a ferry to Cat Ba Island. When you arrive, you’ll begin exploring the stunning waters of Lan Ha Bay. Located in the greater Ha Long Bay area, Lan Ha Bay is one of Vietnam’s most scenic spots, where limestone islands and caves rise from emerald waters. You’ll have a free afternoon to explore at your own pace – maybe get active on a hike or go for a dip at one of the beaches. You’ll have a free evening to relax and soak up the peaceful island vibes.

Enjoy a full day of relaxing with a boat trip on the beautiful Lan Ha Bay. Cruise past limestone islets and tuck into a delicious lunch on board before taking to the water in kayaks for an unforgettable adventure.

Make the journey to Hanoi today. On the way, you’ll stop to visit Intrepid Foundation partner Vun Art – a local organisation providing people with disabilities with job training and employment opportunities. See how the artisans produce tote bags and art pieces from the discarded silk that comes from Van Phuc Silk Village. Then, continue to Hanoi, arriving in the mid-afternoon. Go on a walking tour with your leader in the Old Town to get your bearings, then the rest of the day is free.

Explore Hanoi at your own pace with a full free day today. You might like to visit the former residence of Vietnam’s most famous revolutionary – Ho Chi Minh – or go on a daytrip to Ninh Binh, a small city in the Red River Delta of northern Vietnam, popular for its natural beauty. Chat to your leader about how you’d like to spend the day – they’ll be ready with some excellent recommendations.

There are no further activities planned for today and your trip comes to an end. With so much to see and do in Hanoi, it’s highly recommended you extend your stay – just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.