Tour overview

This 29-day small-group adventure travels through four countries of Southeast Asia, from the temples of Thailand by slow boat into Laos, the length of Vietnam and on to the great temples of Angkor in Cambodia. Groups have up to 16 travellers aged 15 and over, with a leader throughout and local guides in places. You stay twenty-eight nights, mostly in simple two- and three-star twin-share hotels with private bathrooms, plus guesthouses on the Mekong, a cabin on Ha Long Bay, two overnight sleeper trains and a rural homestay in Cambodia on some departures. Twenty-three breakfasts, four lunches and two dinners are included, among them dinner at a training restaurant for young people in Hanoi and a vegetarian lunch at a pagoda in Hue.

From Bangkok you cruise the Chao Phraya River and its canals, then take an overnight train to Chiang Mai, where you observe free-roaming elephants at an ethical project. Crossing into Laos at Chiang Khong, you spend two days on a slow boat down the Mekong, stopping overnight in Pakbeng and visiting the Pak Ou Caves before reaching Luang Prabang, a UNESCO-listed town of temples and French colonial houses, with time for the Kuang Si falls and the morning alms-giving ceremony.

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A high-speed train runs to Vang Vieng among limestone karsts, and a minibus to Vientiane, before you fly to Hanoi. You spend a night aboard a boat in Ha Long Bay, take an overnight train to Hue for a motorbike tour of the former imperial capital, and cross the Hai Van Pass to Hoi An's lantern-lit old town.

A flight brings you to Ho Chi Minh City, with a day trip by boat into the Mekong Delta. Crossing into Cambodia by bus, you learn about the country's recent past in Phnom Penh, then spend a night in a rural homestay or in Battambang, depending on departure, before three nights in Siem Reap, watching the sunrise over Angkor Wat and exploring the wider temple complex.

The physical rating is medium, with long travel days and simple accommodation. This trip suits travellers with time to see four countries properly, at a steady pace and in good company.

Trip highlights

  • An ethical elephant experience near Chiang Mai (Day 4)
  • A two-day Mekong slow boat to Luang Prabang (Days 6–7)
  • A night on Ha Long Bay (Day 14)
  • Hue by motorbike (Day 17)
  • A Mekong Delta day trip (Day 21)
  • Sunrise over Angkor Wat (Day 27)

Your route

22 stops from Bangkok to Angkor Wat

29-day route: Bangkok – Chiang Mai – Luang Prabang – Vientiane – Hanoi – Hue – Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh City – Phnom Penh – Siem Reap
  1. Bangkok Days 1–2
  2. Chiang Mai Days 3–4
  3. Chiang Rai Day 5
  4. Chiang Khong Day 5
  5. Pakbeng Day 6
  6. Pak Ou Caves Day 7
  7. Luang Prabang Days 7–9
  8. Kuang Si Falls Day 8
  9. Vang Vieng Days 10–11
  10. Vientiane Day 12
  11. Hanoi Days 13 & 15
  12. Ha Long Bay Day 14
  13. Hue Days 16–17
  14. Hoi An Days 18–19
  15. Ho Chi Minh City Days 20–22
  16. Ben Tre Day 21
  17. Cu Chi Tunnels Day 22
  18. Phnom Penh Days 23–24
  19. Kampong Chhnang Day 25
  20. Battambang Day 25
  21. Siem Reap Days 26–29
  22. Angkor Wat Day 27

Why choose this tour

Four countries in one journey, including the classic Mekong slow boat. Overnight stays on the water, on trains and with local families.

Best suited to

  • Travellers with time for a long trip
  • First-time visitors to Southeast Asia
  • Solo travellers looking for a group
  • Travellers who enjoy slow travel
Asian elephants roaming free in Thailand

Day-by-day itinerary

29 days from Bangkok, Thailand to Siem Reap, Cambodia

  1. Day 1 · Bangkok Arrive in Bangkok

    A welcome meeting.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  2. Day 2 · Chao Phraya River Bangkok

    A river cruise, then the night train north.

    Hotel
    Overnight train
    Meals
    Breakfast
  3. Day 3 · Chiang Mai Chiang Mai

    Arrive in northern Thailand's main city.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  4. Day 4 · Chiang Mai Elephant experience

    Observe free-roaming elephants at an ethical project.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Lunch
  5. Day 5 · Chiang Khong Chiang Khong

    Travel to the border town.

    Hotel
    Guesthouse
  6. Day 6 · Mekong River, Pakbeng Mekong slow boat

    Cross into Laos and board the slow boat.

    Hotel
    Guesthouse
    Meals
    Breakfast
  7. Day 7 · Pak Ou Caves, Luang Prabang Luang Prabang

    Cruise via the Pak Ou Caves.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  8. Day 8 · Kuang Si Falls Kuang Si

    Swim at the falls and visit a weaving project.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  9. Day 9 · Luang Prabang Luang Prabang

    Watch the morning alms-giving ceremony.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  10. Day 10 · Vang Vieng Vang Vieng

    A high-speed train south.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  11. Day 11 · Vang Vieng Vang Vieng

    A free day for adventure.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  12. Day 12 · Vientiane, Wat Si Saket Vientiane

    Explore the laid-back capital.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  13. Day 13 · Hanoi Hanoi

    Fly to Hanoi for dinner at a training restaurant.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Dinner
  14. Day 14 · Ha Long Bay Ha Long Bay

    Cruise the bay and spend the night on board.

    Hotel
    Overnight boat
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  15. Day 15 · Ha Long Bay, Hanoi Hanoi

    Return to Hanoi for the night train.

    Hotel
    Overnight sleeper train
    Meals
    Breakfast
  16. Day 16 · Hue Hue

    Arrive in the imperial capital.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  17. Day 17 · Hue Hue

    A motorbike tour and pagoda lunch.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  18. Day 18 · Hai Van Pass, Hoi An Hoi An

    Cross the Hai Van Pass to Hoi An.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  19. Day 19 · Hoi An Hoi An

    A free day in the old town.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  20. Day 20 · Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City

    Fly to the former Saigon.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  21. Day 21 · Mekong Delta Mekong Delta

    A boat trip through the delta.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  22. Day 22 · Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City

    A free day in the city.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  23. Day 23 · Phnom Penh Phnom Penh

    Cross into Cambodia by public bus.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  24. Day 24 · Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum Phnom Penh

    Learn about Cambodia's recent history.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  25. Day 25 · Sambor Prei Kuk, Battambang Rural Cambodia

    A homestay or Battambang, depending on departure.

    Hotel
    Homestay or hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  26. Day 26 · Siem Reap Siem Reap

    Travel to Siem Reap.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  27. Day 27 · Angkor Wat Angkor Wat

    Watch the sunrise over Angkor Wat.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  28. Day 28 · Angkor Angkor

    Explore more of the temple complex.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  29. Day 29 · Siem Reap Trip ends

    The trip ends after breakfast.

    Meals
    Breakfast
Limestone islands and boats in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

Where you stay

  • Bangkok (1 night) Hotel
  • Bangkok to Chiang Mai (1 night) Overnight train
  • Chiang Mai (2 nights) Hotel
  • Chiang Khong (1 night) Guesthouse
  • Pakbeng (1 night) Guesthouse
  • Luang Prabang (3 nights) Hotel
  • Vang Vieng (2 nights) Hotel
  • Vientiane (1 night) Hotel
  • Hanoi (1 night) Hotel
  • Ha Long Bay (1 night) Overnight boat
  • Hanoi to Hue (1 night) Overnight sleeper train
  • Hue (2 nights) Hotel
  • Hoi An (2 nights) Hotel
  • Ho Chi Minh City (3 nights) Hotel
  • Phnom Penh (2 nights) Hotel
  • Sambor Prei Kuk or Battambang (1 night) Homestay or hotel
  • Siem Reap (3 nights) Hotel

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 26 nights in hotels, guesthouses, a boat and a homestay, and 2 on sleeper trains
  • Meals 23 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 2 dinners
  • Two-day Mekong slow boat, high-speed train, sleeper trains and flights to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City
  • Chao Phraya River cruise and ethical elephant experience
  • Kuang Si falls and Pak Ou Caves
  • Ha Long Bay overnight cruise and Hue motorbike tour
  • Mekong Delta day trip and Phnom Penh guided tour
  • Angkor temples with a local guide
  • Leader throughout

Not included

  • International flights
  • Visas for Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia
  • Meals not included 5 breakfasts, 23 lunches and 26 dinners
  • Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
A floating market in the Mekong Delta

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want comfort — hotels are simple and trains are multi-share
  • You dislike long travel days — there are several
  • You want many meals included — most are free to choose
  • You want international flights included — they are not

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 2, 6–12, 14–15 and 17–29 · Lunch: Days 4, 14, 17 and 21 · Dinner: Days 13–14
FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for Cambodia · UK FCDO travel advice for Laos · UK FCDO travel advice for Thailand · UK FCDO travel advice for Vietnam
Yellow shophouses in Hoi An old town

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £3,416 per person, twin share, tour only. 130 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

What is the Mekong slow boat like?

Two days on a covered riverboat with a night in Pakbeng, a relaxing way to travel into Laos.

Is the elephant experience ethical?

Yes, you observe free-roaming elephants from a safe distance, with no riding.

What is the accommodation like?

Simple twin-share hotels, guesthouses, a boat cabin, multi-share sleeper trains and a homestay on some departures.

Do I need visas?

UK visitors need visas for Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia. Thailand is visa-free for a holiday stay.

Are flights included?

Yes, from Vientiane to Hanoi and Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City. International flights are not.

How many people travel together?

Up to 16 travellers aged 15 and over, with a leader.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary

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