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Indochina Encompassed

Experience
Tour
Destination
Thailand
Duration
29 days
Ages
18+
Operated by
G Adventures
Book now, pay later. Cancel anytime.

Trip overview

From the vibrant cityscape of Bangkok to Halong Bay's magnificent limestone karsts, this trip encompasses the highlights of Indochina. Marvel at the wonders of Angkor Wat, sail the Mekong, and savour noodles in Hoi An. Shop for souvenirs in Ho Chi Minh City and join the locals sipping coffee at a lakeside café in Hanoi. With hotels, transport, and a number of included activities arranged by our CEOs, this adventure offers up the perfect combination of must-see highlights and free time.

Inclusions

Tour

  • Your G for Good Moment: Oodles of Noodles, Hoi An, Local Khmer Meal, Siem Reap
  • Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
  • Your Local Living Moment:Vang Vieng Homestay, Meal with Local Family, Luang Prabang
  • Your Discover Moment: Luang Prabang, Hoi An. Bangkok klong trip. Wat Po entrance and guide. Doi Suthep entrance (Chiang Mai). Mekong River slow boat excursion. Pak Ou caves entrance. Traditional Arts & Ethnology Museum guided tour (Luang Prabang). Ock Pop Tok Living Crafts Centre. Kuang Si waterfalls trek (half-day). Water puppets performance (Hanoi). Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum entrance (when open). Halong Bay caves entrance. Halong Bay boat cruise with seafood lunch and dinner. Imperial Citadel and Tomb entrance (Hu?). Cu Chi Tunnels entrance and tour. Mekong Delta day trip. Cyclo tour (Phnom Penh). Tuol Sleng and Choeung Ek (Killing Fields) entrance and guide. Two-day Angkor Wat complex entry and guide, including sunrise tour (Siem Reap).
  • Internal flights and all transport between destinations and to/from included activities.

Meals

25 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners

Transport

Train, air-conditioned bus, plane, walking, tuk-tuk, boat.

Accommodation

Hotels (24 nts), village homestay (1 nt), sleeper train (2 nts), junk boat (1 nt).

Global Emergency Line

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gWorld access

Stay organised with your personalised portal where you can keep all of your important documents and trip details in one spot and gain insider access to everything Global.

Global Academy

Gain access to an ever-growing range of skills & languages to learn before & whilst you travel.

Marketplace Deals

Get exclusive access to deals and discounts through our online Marketplace. Save big on a huge range of products and services from our brand partners worldwide.

Get more info!

Got questions or need to know more? Ask us here, we're online 24hrs Mo-Fr.

Trip itinerary

Day 1

Arrive at any time. Today is arrival day, so there are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting. Relax, explore the city, and adjust to the pace of life in Bangkok.

Day 2

Guided longboat tour of Bangkok’s klongs and Wat Po. Optional Grand Palace and National Museum visits. Overnight train to Chiang Mai. Enjoy a 1-hr longtail boat tour of Bangkok's famous klongs (canals). The trip finishes at the Royal Temple of Wat Po for a guided tour. After, there is time for shopping, a visit to Grand Palace or a stroll along Khao San Rd. In the evening, board the overnight train to Chiang Mai.

Day 3

Enjoy a guided tour of Doi Suthep temple. Optional activities include a cooking class or visit to the night market. Arrive early morning and use some free time to explore. Choose from a range of optional activities or stroll the city independently. Explore the rural lanes of Chiang Mai in a tuk-tuk by pre-booking the Full Day Tuk-Tuk Adventure or experience the flavours and scents of traditional northern Thai cuisine by pre-booking the Northern Thai Cooking Class. In late afternoon, set off to visit the temple complex, Doi Suthep. If you're lucky, you may witness the chanting of the monks.

Day 4

Head to Chiang Khong via Wat Rong Khun and enjoy the view of the mighty Mekong. Drive to Chiang Khong, a sleepy trading town nestled on the bank of the Mekong River. En route, visit Wat Rong Khun — the dazzling 'White Temple'. Wander the local food market or sit back and enjoy a slower pace of life relaxing in Thailand with river views of Laos.

Day 5

Cross the border into Laos then travel by traditional boat down the Mekong River. Cross the border to the Laos immigration area, then take a songthaew (local bus) to a traditional slow boat. Travel down the Mekong River and adjust to the relaxed pace of life in Laos. This predominantly mountainous country has unsurpassed views of the riverside villages, the tropical jungle, and the mountains.

Day 6

Continue down the Mekong for most of the day. Take a guided tour of the Pak Ou caves before arriving in Luang Prabang. Continue on by slow boat down the mighty Mekong. Before arriving at Luang Prabang, enjoy a visit outside to the Pak Ou caves. After, re-board the boat and continue to Luang Prabang, arriving in the early evening.

Day 7

Enjoy a guided tour of the Ethnology Museum and Ock Pop Tok Living Crafts Centre before a lunch with a local family. Relax in the afternoon at the Kuang Si waterfalls. Take a tour of the Ethnology Museum — a great chance to learn more about the dress and customs of local people. Drop into Ock Pop Tok for an introduction to Laos textiles and handicrafts. Then, take a half-day trip out to the stunning Kuang Si waterfalls and be sure to pack a swimsuit.

Day 8

Enjoy a free day exploring all Luang Prabang has to offer. Options include cooking classes, temple visits, massages, night market shopping, and cycling.

Day 9

Spend the night in a local village enjoying traditional Laotian food. Sleep and eat like a local. Drive winding mountain roads through gorgeous scenery to reach Vang Vieng. Experience a local homestay in a nearby village. Here, enjoy traditional Laotian food while getting to know your host family. Your CEO will provide insight into the way of life of village residents.

Day 10

Enjoy free time in Vang Vieng. Move to a hotel for the night, an ideal location for exploring the countryside by bicycle or kayak. Opt to pre-book the "Vang Vieng Adrenaline Bundle" on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.

Day 11

Explore the capital of Laos. Opt to visit temples, see the National Museum, or explore highlights of the town. Head out of the mountains to one of Asia's sleepiest capital cities. Opt to visit some of the highlights of Vientiane including Wat Sisaket, one of the city's oldest and most fascinating temples, and Wat Phra That Luang, Lao's national symbol and one of her most sacred sites. For those who like to shop, don't miss the morning market, which, incidentally, is open all day!

Day 12

Fly from Vientiane to Hanoi. Take a short flight from quiet Laos into the bustling city of Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. Opt for a leisurely walk through the Old Quarter.

Day 13

Visit Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, stilt house, and Presidential Palace. Enjoy an included water puppet show. Opt to visit the Temple of Literature, museums, and Hoa Lo Prison. Visit Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, and the former president's house on stilts for insight into an important figure in Vietnam's history. During the afternoon, use some free time to explore this beautiful city. Opt to visit the Tran Quoc Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, the Museum of Ethnology or just sip delicious Vietnamese iced coffee in a café along the lake. In late afternoon or early evening, attend a performance of Vietnam's famous water puppets before sampling one of Hanoi's amazing eating venues. Opt to pre-book the "Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour" activity on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.

Day 14

Enjoy a Ha Long Bay cruise on a junk boat with visits to a cave and an island lookout. Savour a seafood lunch and dinner. Drive to Bai Chay harbour, the jumping off point for Ha Long Bay. Thousands of islands with intricate cave systems rise dramatically from the waters. Sail past limestone karst mountains in the junk boat and stop to visit some of the islands and caves. In the evening, devour a seafood dinner, then opt to enjoy a drink on deck under the stars.

Day 15

Enjoy breakfast and lunch on board before sailing back to the port and return to Hanoi. Enjoy some time in the city before an overnight train to Hue. Interested in local cuisine? Opt to pre-book the "Hanoi Foodie Culture Tour" activity on the checkout page to include this optional on your tour.

Day 16

Guided tour of the Imperial Citadel, Royal Tomb and Tien Mu Pagoda. Arrive early to Hue, once the imperial capital of Vietnam. Start the day with a visit to the Tien Mu Pagoda followed by a visit to the tomb of one of Vietnam’s former emperors. After, opt for a vegetarian lunch at a local nunnery. While in the city, try some local Hue specialties such as banh khoai (Hue savoury pancakes), and banh bot loc boc tom thit (thin rice paper filled with meat and shrimp). Wash it all down with a Hue beer. Opt to pre-book the "Hue Motorbike Tour" activity on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.

Day 17

Drive the Hai Van pass. Take advantage of Hoi An's many options over the 2.5 days in town. Opt for a cooking class, riverboat trip, bike ride, beach time, tailor visit or My Son ruins. Cross the Hai Van Pass (weather permitting), with fantastic views in all directions, before arriving to Hoi An in the afternoon. With three nights here, there's plenty of time to explore all this charming town has to offer.

Day 18

Explore all Hoi An has to offer. Dive into the culture, hang out on the beach or get clothes tailor-made in one of the many shops around town. Enjoy a noodle making demonstration and lunch at Oodles of Noodles, a G Adventures-supported project.

Day 19

Spend a free day exploring all Hoi An has to offer.

Day 20

Fly from Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City with free time to explore this hectic city. Drive to Da Nang for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City, once the capital of South Vietnam and the country’s commercial centre. Start exploring the small alleys and busy streets, keeping an eye out for laquerware shops and delicious local food stalls.

Day 21

Guided tour of Cu Chi Tunnels in the morning, free time in the afternoon. Use free time to visit the Thien Hau and Giac Vien pagodas and stroll through the immense Ben Thanh Market. The Reunification Palace, the city's Chinese quarter of Cholon, and the War Remnants Museum are also well worth a visit.

Day 22

Enjoy a boat cruise through the villages, islands, and markets of the Mekong Delta, and visit traditional candy factories. After enjoying a day in the Mekong Delta, travel back to Ho Chi Minh City in time for an optional dinner.

Day 23

Travel day with border crossing from Vietnam to Cambodia. Enjoy a cyclo tour through the city. Drive to the border and cross into Cambodia. Continue on to the capital, Phnom Penh, and enjoy a cyclo ride through the city for a street-level perspective.

Day 24

Guided tour of Tuol Sleng Museum (S-21 Prison) and Choeung Ek (Killing Fields). Opt to visit the Royal Palace, the National Museum or the Central Market. Meet a local guide to learn more about the dark side of Cambodian history. Visit to Choeung Ek, the site of the infamous Killing Fields. After, visit Tuol Sleng Museum (S-21 Prison), the notorious Khmer Rouge prison where thousands of Cambodians perished. Enjoy a free afternoon to sightsee. Opt to explore the city's many sights: the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum. With time, choose to visit the Russian Market, Wat Phnom or sip a drink at a riverside café.

Day 25

Drive from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, the home base for exploring incredible Angkor Wat. Opt to pre-book the "Phare Circus" activity on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.

Day 26

Watch the sun rise over the massive Angkor temple complex with a guided tour. Opt to visit the Tonlé Sap floating village and the Angkor National Museum. Enjoy a traditional meal of Khmer food at a G Adventures for Good-supported project. Spend two days exploring Angkor, the former capital of the Khmer kingdom and one of the wonders of the archaeological world. See some of the highlights of this ancient capital, like sunrise at the magnificent temple of Angkor Wat, the enigmatic Bayon within the walled city of Angkor Thom, and Ta Prohm, also known as the 'Tomb Raider' temple. Enjoy a traditional meal to learn about Khmer food and meet some friendly locals. Alternating locations of our included local meal means we can support multiple small businesses and projects in the area. Each experience is truly unique and memorable.

Day 27

Spend another day in Siem Reap, exploring more temples of Angkor or going further afield. Opt to pre-book the "Siem Reap Quad Biking" activity on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.

Day 28

Cross the border into Thailand and continue on to the bustling metropolis of Bangkok.

Day 29

Depart at any time. Not ready to leave this vibrant city? Extend your stay with post-tour accommodation – your CEO can give you a hand.

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At Global Work & Travel, we share a deep love for animals and fully understand the special bond you have with your pet. We recognise the challenges of embarking on a trip without them. Due to travel restrictions, requirements, and limited pet-friendly accommodations among our host organisations, we regretfully cannot facilitate their inclusion in the journey. However, many of our customers choose to entrust their pets to a family member or friend, embark on their adventure, and return home to wagging tails and furry cuddles.

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We know that life can get in the way of travel, so all our trips come with a great deal of flexibility. In most cases, if you cannot travel on your selected date, you can place your trip on hold to deal with whatever is holding you back, and continue in the future without incurring any penalty. You may also have the option of transferring to an entirely different trip and destination as well, or even transferring your trip to a friend or family member. In the event that you need to outright cancel your trip, if you give us 84* days notice you can do so with only a 50% cancellation fee. Your refund of the balance will come in the form of a Store Credit which you can put toward any other trip that we offer, including tours through third-party providers, as well as holidays through DealsAway.com, and is valid for 2 years from date of issue. As international travel can be complex, your options are based on the progress of your trip organisation and our support team can assist you in finding the best solution for your needs.

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Indochina Encompassed