Indochina: Northern Hilltribe Trekking & Beach Vibes
33 days from Bangkok to Bangkok
From $ 3099
Duration33 days

If you believe that travelling isn't just about crossing destinations on your list, we've got the trip for you. This 33-day tour through Southeast Asia is made for those that seek a well-rounded experience in their travels. Visit everything from fast-paced capitals to idyllic beaches and underground rivers. Then, trek through rugged terrain to get a glimpse into traditional village life. There's time in between to explore destinations on your own time and bond with your new travel friends as you explore the local nightlife.

This tour is operated by

  • Duration: 33 days
    Service level: Basic
  • Starts in: Bangkok
    Physical Grading: Average
  • Ends in: Bangkok
    Ages: 18+
Indochina Discovery and Trekking Northern Thailand - Tour Map

Itinerary

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Day 1: Bangkok
Arrive at any time. You must arrive on tour with your Vietnamese visa. See the Visa section of the Tour Details for more information and exceptions.
Day 2: Bangkok/Siem Reap
Cross from Thailand into Cambodia, the home base for exploring incredible Angkor Wat. Arrive in time for our included dinner at a Planeterra-project restaurant or with a local family in a village outside of Siem Reap.
Travel to Siem Reap. Enjoy a delicious Khmer meal at a G Adventures for Good-supported project. Enjoy a delicious Khmer meal at a G Adventures for Good-supported project.
Meals: B, D
Day 3: Siem Reap
Prefer to plan ahead? Opt to pre-book the "Siem Reap Quad Biking" or "Phare Circus" activities on the checkout page ahead of time, to include one of these optionals on your tour.
Guided tour of Angkor Wat temple complex. Opt to visit Tonle Sap floating village and Angkor National Museum.
Meals: B
Day 4: Siem Reap/Phnom Penh
Transfer to Cambodia's capital. Take an orientation walk around Phnom Penh.
Meals: B
Day 5: Phnom Penh
Sights you might choose to visit this afternoon include the National Museum and adjacent complex which includes the Silver Pagoda and Royal Palace. To learn about Cambodia's sombre history, visit the Tuol Sleng Prison and the Killing Fields, reminders of the genocide that took place under Pol Pot's reign as leader of the Khmer Rouge.
Opt to learn about Cambodia's sombre history with a visit to the Tuol Sleng Prison and the Killing Fields. Later, head out for a street food crawl with the group and CEO. Phnom Penh can be confusing and we recommend to always keep a hotel card with you when you are exploring.
Meals: B
Day 6: Phnom Penh/Koh Rong
Travel to Koh Rong and feast on fantastic local seafood, take a day trip to snorkel the coral reefs and explore the islands, or just sit back in a deck chair and let the warm breeze caress you as the waves splash gently at your feet. It doesn't get much better than this.
Transfer to Sihanoukville then take a boat ride to your own private beach on Koh Rong. Check in and go for a swim in the warm waves before relaxing with a drink on the beach.
Meals: B
Day 7: Koh Rong
Swim, relax by the beach or opt to go snorkelling, fishing, hiking or kayaking. On nights without a large moon opt to swim in a sea of blue sparkles caused by phosphorescent plankton.
Day 8: Chambok Homestay
Travel back to the mainland, then to a village homestay. Enjoy a homecooked meal with the hosts.
Meals: D
Day 9: Chambok Homestay/Ho Chi Minh City
This evening, head to one of the rooftop bars such as the Rex Hotel, one of the classic colonial Saigon institutions, where there is often live music.
Cross the border to Vietnam and continue on to Ho Chi Minh City. Opt to visit the Ben Thahn market before enjoying a night out in town.
Meals: B
Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City/Nha Trang
Discover the energy of Vietnam's biggest city on a CEO-led orientation walk and continue exploring with free time. Overnight train to Nha Trang. During January/February, Tết (the Vietnamese Lunar New Year) sees millions of Vietnamese commute to be with their families and celebrate. While this is a fascinating time to travel through Vietnam, availability of transport may mean that we will replace the overnight train with an overnight bus.
Meals: B
Day 11: Nha Trang
Optional activities in Nha Trang include a boat trip to nearby islands for some snorkelling or, perhaps, a fun-filled all-day beach party.
Arrive in Nha Trang in the morning with plenty of time to explore local shops and markets, relax on the beach or visit nearby historical sites.

This evening, go on a street food crawl with the group and CEO to get to know more about the delicious local specialties.
Day 12: Nha Trang/Da Nang
In the evening, take an overnight train to Da Nang, then transfer to Hoi An.
Free time in Nha Trang. Overnight train to Hoi An. During January/February, Tết (the Vietnamese Lunar New Year) sees millions of Vietnamese commute to be with their families and celebrate. While this is a fascinating time to travel through Vietnam, availability of transport may mean that we will replace the overnight train with an overnight bus.
Meals: B
Day 13: Da Nang/Hoi An
From Danang, it is only a short drive to the picturesque port town of Hoi An. Once known as Faifo, it was an important trading town with strong south Chinese influence and connections.
Get your bearings with an orientation walk before free time in the afternoon. Opt to take a cooking class, cycle to the beach, visit a tailor, or explore the old town.
Day 14: Hoi An
Enjoy a noodle-making demonstration and local lunch at the G Adventures-supported Oodles of Noodles Project. Later, opt to take a cooking class, cycle to the beach, visit a tailor, or explore the old town with free time.
Meals: B, L
Day 15: Hoi An/Huế
Opt to pre-book the "Hue Motorbike Tour" on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.
Continue the journey north to the city of Hue. Opt to visit the Royal Citadel and tombs, or take a cruise along the Perfume River.
Meals: B
Day 16: Huế/Hanoi
Free time in Hue. Overnight train to Hanoi.

End place: Hanoi

Meals: B
Day 17: Hanoi/Ha Long

Start place: Hanoi

Arrive early morning to bustling Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. Transfer to a private bus and head to the beautiful and famous Halong Bay.
Visit Halong Bay for a seafood lunch cruise and cave visit.

End place: Ha Long

Meals: L
Day 18: Ha Long/Hanoi

Start place: Ha Long

Get to know Hanoi with an orientation walk through the Old Quarter. Opt to see Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, the Temple of Literature, and the Hoa Lo Prison, or shop in the Old Quarter.

End place: Hanoi

Meals: B
Day 19: Hanoi

Start place: Hanoi

Spend time exploring Hanoi.

End place: Hanoi

Day 20: Hanoi/Vientiane

Start place: Hanoi

Explore a bit of Hanoi in the morning before an afternoon flight to Vientiane, the capital of Laos. There is a wealth of cultural delights to discover - on foot, by bicycle or, for the less energetic, by tuk-tuk.

Visit Laos' most important national monument, Phat That Luang, or meander down the dusty riverside tracks to find villages full of friendly children, dogs and chickens. A visit to Vientiane's vibrant, colourful morning market (which incidentally is open all day!) is worthwhile, to find plenty of local treasures. A great way to round off the day is to enjoy a spectacular sunset over the Mekong.
A short flight brings the group to the capital city of Laos. Opt to visit temples, see the golden stupa of That Luang, or scour the markets.

End place: Vientiane

Meals: B
Day 21: Vientiane/Vang Vieng

Start place: Vientiane

A picturesque drive north takes us to beautiful Vang Vieng. This quiet town is set along the Nam Song river amidst rice fields and limestone karsts.
Enjoy the beautiful limestone karsts surrounding Vang Vieng. Free time to hike, bike, swim or go caving.

End place: Vangviang

Meals: B
Day 22: Vang Vieng

Start place: Vangviang

Why not explore some of the caves by bicycle or take an invigorating walk. In the evening, soak in the natural beauty of Vang Vieng as the sun sets over the river.
Free time to explore Vang Vieng. Opt to explore some of the caves by bicycle or take an invigorating walk.

End place: Vangviang

Meals: B
Day 23: Vang Vieng/Luang Prabang

Start place: Vangviang

This morning travel from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang. Get your bearings with a CEO-led orientation walk.

End place: Luang Prabang

Meals: B
Day 24: Luang Prabang

Start place: Luang Prabang

Traditional Laotian culture is to give daily alms to monks. Monks are only allowed to eat food which has been donated to them before noon. On one of your mornings here, you may decide to rise with the sun, and watch one of the most important religious ceremonies in Laos. This is simply an unforgettable Southeast Asian experience.
Witness the giving of alms to the Buddhist monks and visit the night market. Opt to take a cooking class, visit temples or cool off at Kuang Si Waterfalls.

End place: Luang Prabang

Meals: B
Day 25: Luang Prabang/Pak Beng

Start place: Luang Prabang

We board our boat for the two-day journey up the mighty Mekong River making our way to Chiang Khong.
Cruise the Mekong on a long houseboat before arriving at a village homestay for the night. The evening meal is eaten together in one of the houses. The food is typically Laotian - very simple yet delicious. A vegetarian option is always served and the second option is typically a pork stirfry.

End place: Muang Pakbeng

Meals: B, D
Day 26: Pak Beng/Chiang Khong

Start place: Muang Pakbeng

This morning we re-board our boat and continue our leisurely cruise along the river before arriving at the Laos/Thai border and crossing to Chiang Khong in the late afternoon.
Mekong River travel day. Cross into Thailand.

End place: Chiang Khong

Meals: B, L
Day 27: Chiang Khong/Chiang Mai

Start place: Chiang Khong

Departing Chiang Khong after breakfast, we drive to Chiang Mai where you have the afternoon free to explore this fascinating city, once the capital of the Kingdom of Lan.
Drive to Chiang Mai. Opt to visit Doi Suthep temple, catch a Thai boxing match or grab a bargain at the famous night market.

End place: Chiang Mai

Day 28: Chiang Mai

Start place: Chiang Mai

Enjoy free time to explore. Opt to do a cycling tour, catch a Thai boxing match, or visit Doi Suthep temple.

End place: Chiang Mai

Day 29: Chiang Mai/Ban Mae Jok

Start place: Chiang Mai

We might have time to visit a local market before stopping for lunch and starting our trek.

Tucked away in the hills of northern Thailand is where the most colourful and unchanged traditional communities can be found. Trek through forests and rural terrains to visit some of these diverse hilltribe villages; often, each will have their own unique language, clothing style, and belief system that differs significantly from those of neighbouring tribes. You are well looked after by your local guides, who take the responsibility of preparing all meals and carrying food supplies.
Trek through rugged forests and experience the wonderful diversity of this region: each village has its own language, belief system, style of dress, and traditions. Drive from Chiang Mai to Mae Malai village, where the trek will begin. After a few hours of hiking, reach the first village. The exact itinerary of the walking on this trip may change from time to time, taking into account the weather and local conditions. Also, please note there may be times when the use of video and/or still cameras may be inappropriate -- your CEO and guides will be able to advise you. Be prepared for the accommodation to be basic; remember, it's all about an authentic and unique experience!

End place: Ban Mae Lao

Meals: B, L, D
Day 30: Ban Mae Jok/Pa Khao Lam

Start place: Ban Mae Lao

You will also have the chance to fish at Mae Tang River using local tools; learn how to construct a bamboo raft.
Trek 2-3 hrs and, after lunch, head to a Karen village to learn about traditional basket weaving and scarf-making. Continue trekking another few hours to the next village for the night.

End place: Ban Pa Khao Lam

Meals: B, L, D
Day 31: Pa Khao Lam/Chiang Mai

Start place: Ban Pa Khao Lam

After breakfast, leave the village by bamboo raft, stopping at other villages along the way. Meet the van after lunch and head back to Chiang Mai for some free time to explore.

End place: Chiang Mai

Meals: B, L
Day 32: Chiang Mai/Bangkok

Start place: Chiang Mai

Opt to go shopping, enjoy a Thai massage, or explore Chiang Mai's many temples. Board an overnight train to Bangkok. Due to disruptions of Thai trains in the north during the monsoon season, trips running July through October may use alternative transport.

End place: Bangkok

Meals: B
Day 33: Bangkok

Start place: Bangkok

Arrive in Bangkok at approximately 8am. Tour finishes on arrival at the train station.
The trip ends on arrival at the Bangkok train station.

End place: Bangkok

Inclusions

Included

  • Your G for Good Moment: Local Khmer Meal, Siem Reap Your G for Good Moment: Oodles of Noodles Demonstration and Lunch, Hoi An Your G for Good Moment: Mekong River Homestay & Baci Ceremony, Muang Pakbèng Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Big Night Out Moment: Siem Reap Your Discover Moment: Phnom Penh Your Local Living Moment: Home Meal, Chambok Your Discover Moment: Ho Chi Minh City Your Discover Moment: Luang Prabang Your Discover Moment: Chiang Mai
  • Guided tour of Angkor Wat temple complex
  • Orientation walks in Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi, Phnom Penh, and Luang Prabang
  • Halong Bay boat cruise with lunch
  • Witness the giving of alms in Laos
  • Slow boat up the Mekong
  • Two street food crawls in different cities
  • Internal flight
  • Hilltribe trek
  • Bamboo rafting
  • Street food crawl
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
  • Transport

    Local bus, Songthaew, River raft, Air-conditioned bus, Train, Walking, Tuk-tuk, Local boat, Junk boat, Plane
  • Accommodation

    Simple hotels (twin-share) or hostels (multi-share) (24 nts), Basic hilltribe huts (2 nts, multi-share), Homestay (2 nts) sleeper trains (4 nts)

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