Play & Pause: Great Southeast Asia
Play & Pause: Great Southeast Asia
Play & Pause: Great Southeast Asia
29 Days Starting and ending in Bangkok
Visiting: Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TSEBB5
Tour Overview
TRIP VIBE = the perfect mix of group activities and all important YOU time. Four all-star countries. 17 awesome AF destinations. One amazing travel fam. Ready to do Southeast Asia the right way? There's more to it than snapping selfies next to big golden Buddhas. We're talking incred temples, mist-filled jungles, heaps of droolworthy food. And don't forget all those beaut islands perfect for chill time. Ready to play hard AND pause hard? This trip's gonna be *chef's kiss* EPIC.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Bangkok (Thailand)
Meals Included: Dinner
Hungry for a Southeast Asian adventure? Of course, you are! Meet us in Bangkok: Thailand’s high-energy, temple-filled, market-brimming, food-loving capital. Say sawasdee (sah-wah-dee) to your new travel fam before your first group dinner at a local eatery in Chinatown. Cue: stuffing your face with alllll the noodles. Afterwards, the evening is yours for the taking. Grab dessert at Chinatown Market. Get to know your group better over a few cool ones at a rooftop bar. Or chill out at your hotel. Your trip = your vibe.
Day 2: Bangkok – Chiang Mai
Meals Included: Breakfast
Ready to explore one of Asia’s most action-packed cities? We’ve got a couple of options. Experience local life on a bike tour around Bangkok’s historic centre. Or feast your eyes on the official royal residence and Wat Pho with its real big golden buddha. Need a good lunch rec? Check out Wang Lang Market for some out-of-this-world (and amazingly cheap) street food. Tonight, you’ll be catching your very first overnight train. Stock up on snacks and get cosy. When you wake up, we’ll be in a brand-new city: Chiang Mai.
Day 3: Chiang Mai
Meals Included: Breakfast
First overnight train = completed. We’ll head straight to a local restaurant for an included brekkie. Then, you’ve got the rest of the day to explore Chiang Mai at your own pace. Eye-popping architecture. Awesome night markets. A fascinating fusion of cultures and traditions. This city’s got it going on. After getting your bearings, there are a few awesome optional activities up for grabs. Show off your chef skills during a Thai cooking class. Prefer to have your food prepped for you? Tuck into a traditional Khantoke dinner complete with lively music and dancing.
Day 4: Chiang Mai
Meals Included: Breakfast
Bad news = today’s your last day in Chiang Mai. Good news = we’ve got heaps more optionals lined up for you. Early riser? Experience a spiritual morning almsgiving ceremony with the city’s resident monks. Then, hop between some of Chiang Mai’s INCREDible temples. Alternatively, pull on your hiking boots and head out into the surrounding countryside. Trek up to a tinkling waterfall in Doi Inthanon National Park: aka ‘the roof of Thailand’. Or get your body moving like a champ at a traditional Muay Thai boxing class. This evening: track down a piping-hot dish of pad thai, grab a satay skewer and end the day on a high.
Day 5: Chiang Mai – Chiang Rai Region
Meals Included: Breakfast
After another included breakfast, we'll wave goodbye to Chiang Mai. Press your nose to the coach window and soak up all the stunning mountain views racing past as we enter the Chiang Rai region. We'll break up the journey with a stop at Mae Kachan Hot Spring (keep your eyes peeled for locals boiling eggs in its bubbling waters). Next, marvel at the White Temple - a huge Buddhist temple made from white concrete and mirrored glass. We'll continue to the Golden Triangle: the former heart of Thailand's illegal opium trade. Soak up 360-degree views of the lush scenery from the Golden Buddha viewpoint before diving into the area's fascinating history at the House of Opium museum.
Day 6: Chiang Rai Region – Houayxay (Laos) – Pakbeng
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Rise and shine! Pack your bags and fuel up with an early breakfast. Today, we're setting off on a cruise down the majestic Mekong River. Sit back, relax and soak up the majestic jungle scenery as we crossover into Laos. We'll drop into a couple of tiny riverside villages to say hi to the locals before reaching our final destination: Pakbeng. The traditional village is the halfway point of the cruise and where we'll bunk down for the night.
Day 7: Pakbeng – Luang Prabang
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today, we'll continue to meander down the Mekong - and there are a few more awesome stops on the cards. First up is Whiskey Village where you'll have a masterclass in how to turn sticky rice into Lao Lao whiskey. Then, explore the cool (in both senses of the word) Pak Ou Caves which are filled with hundreds of Buddha statues. When we dock in Luang Prabang, you'll have time to chill at your hotel before enjoying a guided food tour around the city's night market. The highlight? Sin Dat - finger-licking good Laos BBQ.
Day 8: Luang Prabang
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today = options. See Luang Prabang’s main attractions on an optional city cycling tour. Fill your camera roll with dreamy snaps of Kuang Si Waterfall (don’t forget your swimmers). Get creative with a Saa paper making experience. Or go temple-hopping around the city – there are over 30 stunning structures to explore. Later, check out Luang Prabang’s Food Street for grub. It''s brimming with hawker stalls selling everything from namchuen (crispy spring rolls) to khao nom kok (coconut pancakes).
Day 9: Luang Prabang – Vang Vieng
Meals Included: Breakfast
Wave goodbye to Luang Prabang as we speed (literally) to Vang Vieng on the high-speed train. This former party town turned adventure hub is the full package. We're talking lush rice fields, dramatic karst mountains, the winding Nam Song River. Ready to get stuck in? Begin with a short hike up to Tham Phu Kham - an absolute stunner of a cave. Check out the golden Buddha in the main chamber, explore some of its tunnels (just don't get lost) and take a dip in the Blue Lagoon on your way out. We'll then continue our subterranean adventure with a trip to Tham Jung: Vang Vieng's most famous cave system which locals have historically used as a hiding spot during various wars.
Day 10: Vang Vieng
Meals Included: Breakfast
Fancy another day in Laos’s adventure capital? Don’t say we never spoil you. Need some more recs? Tick off the town’s major players on an optional guided tour. Jump in a kayak and weave your way towards yet another amazing cave. Or admire Vang Vieng’s breathtaking scenery on a guided circular cycling tour. Tonight, regroup with your travel fam for food. Relaxed riverside dining or cheap eats on Main Street? The choice is yours.
Day 11: Vang Vieng – Vientiane
Meals Included: Breakfast
Pack your bags, grab your snacks and head for the station. Today, we're making tracks for Vientiane - Laos' sleepy yet stunning capital. When we arrive, we'll jump straight in with a guided tour to see its best bits. Count the thousands of Buddha statues at the serene Wat Sisaket Monastery (we bet you can't). Check out the ancient art at Hor Phra Keo: a former temple turned museum. Be dazzled by the glittering golden Buddha at Pha That Luang. You'll also go past Patouxai: Vientiane's answer to the Arc de Triomphe.
Day 12: Vientiane – Hanoi (Vietnam)
Meals Included: Dinner
This morning, you've got a few more hours to explore Vientiane before we catch a flight to Vietnam's second-biggest city. Blaring horns. French Colonial buildings. Picturesque lakes. And the smell of incense in the air. Welcome to historic Hanoi! Our in-the-know Trip Leader will take us to a local eatery for our first taste of Vietnamese grub - trust us, it's tasty. Then: gather your crew and head to Bai Hoi (aka Beer Corner). No need to guess how this place got its name. Pull up a roadside stool and get ready to relax over a few cold ones.
Day 13: Hanoi
Meals Included: Breakfast
Ready to dive into this incredible city? We thought so. Slip on the Birks and explore with your Trip Leader – ticking off the likes of One Pillar Pagoda, Lenin Park, Northern Gate, Cua Bac Church, B52 Lake and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (you can visit later, if you like). The rest of the day is 100% up to you. History buffs should check out Hoa Lo Prison. You could also catch a water puppet show at Thang Long theatre. Or zoom through the city on a vespa tour FULL of next level vibes – including an ancient tea experience at the home of a Vietnamese tea master. Tonight, there’s an optional street food tour on offer *wipes drool from chin*.
Day 14: Hanoi – Halong Bay
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Halong Bay: World Heritage Site. The jewel in Vietnam's crown. One of the 'New 7 Wonders of Nature'. Whichever way you look at it, Halong Bay is pretty damn special. So, today we're gonna do it justice with an overnight cruise. Spend the day swimming in glittering turquoise water, exploring limestone islands, digging into freshly made meals, and watching the sunset with your travel buds. This? This is what makes the memories.
Day 15: Halong Bay – Hoi An
Meals Included: Breakfast
Rise and shine, sailors! Kick off the day with a refreshing dip and a hearty brunch. Then: we're dropping anchor and heading for the station in Hanoi. Why? Because we'll be moving on to ancient Hoi An the traditional way - by overnight train! This is your chance to catch up on some zzzs and swap tales with your trip mates. Shotgun top bunk!
Day 16: Hoi An
Hop off the train and wave to the locals – after a short drive from Da Nang, prepare to be SERIOUSLY charmed by the lantern-filled city of Hoi An. This stunner is a patchwork of all the civilisations that have left their imprint here. Expect: rustic Chinese shophouses, multi-coloured French Colonial villas, and one helluva spectacular Japanese bridge. Want help discovering this gem of a place? We got you. Hop into a basket boat on a multi-stop ride. The finale? A local cooking class with fresh spring rolls, banana flower salad, Vietnamese grilled port and MORE. Alternatively, soak up views of the forest and surrounding villages on a sunset basket boat adventure along the river. Or get a custom piece made by the city’s famous tailors.
Day 17: Hoi An
Meals Included: Breakfast
You wanted more free time to explore. So, here it is. Need some suggestions? Dive in a little deeper to the hidden beauty spots that makes Vietnam hit different on a day tour of Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge. Think: cable cars, flower gardens, bridge strolls, views for days, delish local eats and an afternoon to yourself. Tonight, there’s an optional street food tour to sink your teeth into. Cue = stuffing your face with local bites like white rose (dumplings) and banh xeo (crispy pancakes filled with shrimp and beansprouts). This is what you came for.
Day 18: Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh City
Meals Included: Breakfast
After brekkie, we''ll make tracks to the airport and hop on a flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Home to nearly 9 million people, HCMC is a bubbling pot of energy, excitement and hidden gems. And you’ve got the whole afternoon to explore. Wanna pull on your history hat? There’s an optional visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels up for grabs. Surrounded by jungle that was once a stronghold of the Viet Cong, take a guided tour of the area and learn all about how this underground network was used by guerilla fighters during the Vietnam War. Afterwards: it’s time to return to HCMC. End the evening on a high (literally) with an optional visit to Landmark 81 Tower. It’s the tallest building in the country and has views of the entire city. After: head to a craft brewery to test your tastebuds on local beer. Vietnam’s nightlife is calling and it’s time to play.
Day 19: Ho Chi Minh City
Meals Included: Breakfast
First up, we’re jumping straight in with a morning tour with your Trip Leader. Soak up allll the city’s highlights, including Saigon Central Post Office (designed by the same guy as the Eiffel Tower), Dong Khoi Street, Gia Long Palace and the Old Central Market. You’ll also visit the sobering War Remnants Museum to learn more about a key part of modern Vietnamese history. Then, the rest of the afternoon is yours. Chill out at a local coffee shop, seek even MORE of the city’s gems on an optional motorbike tour, or soak up epic sunset views from the Saigon Skydeck. Evening plans? Easy. Grab the whole group for dinner at a rooftop restaurant. Or get lost in the streets and find yourself along the way.
Day 20: Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today’s all about the wet stuff as we set our sights on the 'rice bowl’ of Vietnam: the Mekong Delta. This tropical maze of rivers and swamps looks like it's dropped straight outta The Jungle Book. For real. Wanna know how to make markets more fun? Put them on boats, obvs. First, we’ll check out the world-class pineapple tossing skills of the traders at the traditional floating market in Cai Be. Then: time to take to the waterways with a pit stop in Vinh Long for lunch. And tonight? We’re hunkering down in a traditional homestay where our host will give us a masterclass in Vietnamese cooking. Heads up: rooms are shared here, so settle in and swap notes on the adventure so far.
Day 21: Mekong Delta – Chau Doc
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Wake to the sounds of the village stirring to life. After a group brekkie at the homestay, we’ll say chào to the locals and jump back on the boat. Our next port of call? Chau Doc. This waterfront city on the Hau River is surrounded by miles of leafy forest. It’s also one of the most culturally diverse spots in the region, so expect an awesome mix of architecture and food. You’ll have the rest of the day to chill before regrouping with your travel buds for dinner. Ready to stuff your face (again)?
Day 22: Chau Doc – Koh Rong (Cambodia)
Meals Included: Breakfast
No lies, today's a bit of a travel day. But you'll have plenty of time to catch up on some zzzs and update the fam back home as we roll into Cambodia! Ancient wonders. Serene landscapes. And a fascinatingly diverse history - Cambodia delivers on all fronts. We'll hop off the bus at Sihanoukville and take a speedboat across to Koh Rong: Cambodia's very own paradise island. Cocktails at sunset, anyone?
Day 23: Koh Rong
Meals Included: Breakfast
Fancy a free day in the sunshine? Course you do. Today, Koh Rong is your oyster – whether you want to laze around on the sand or dive into some pretttty awesome optional activities. Live your best #boatlife with an island-hopping tour around Koh Rong’s dreamy white-sand bays, including a stop at the peaceful floating village of Prek Svay. Channel your inner sea turtle snorkelling around rainbow corals. Or test your rowing skills on a kayaking adventure down the Mangrove River. You’ll see something that’s out of this world in the evening: Koh Rong’s glowing bioluminescent plankton. You don’t wanna skip this.
Day 24: Koh Rong – Phnom Penh
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
48 hours in paradise = completed. Take one last look at Koh Rong's pristine shores before we speedboat back across to Sihanoukville on the mainland. We'll then make tracks to Phnom Penh, whizzing past some of Cambodia's most idyllic rural scenes as we go. When we roll into the Cambodian capital, you'll have a few hours to relax before catching up with the group over an included dins. You might wanna wear your elasticated pants. Just saying.
Day 25: Phnom Penh
Meals Included: Breakfast
Warning: today’s set to be an emotional rollercoaster. We’ll begin with a sobering visit to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum which documents the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge during their ‘revolution’. Then, we’ll head just beyond the city limits to the Choeung Ek Killing Fields. There’s a lot to take in, but learning about this devastating period of the country’s history is important to fully understand modern Cambodia. Later on, you can do some temple-hopping around Phnom Penh during an optional tour. Or why not quiz your expert Trip Leader on the best bargains to sniff out at the iconic art deco Central Market? The evening’s yours to sample some sizzling street food along Sihanouk Boulevard.
Day 26: Phnom Penh – Siem Reap
Meals Included: Breakfast
Stock up on snacks and dig out that inflatable neck pillow. Today’s a big travel day as we swap Phnom Penh for Siem Reap. When we arrive, you’ll have some free time to settle in and get your bearings. Wanna see how this place is giving back to Cambodian communities? Spend a few hours exploring its non-profit and social enterprises on a tour. How about experiencing the local entertainment? There’s an evening under the big top with the Cambodian Circus on offer. Afterwards, immerse yourself in the neon jungle that is Angkor Night Market or experience the crazy of Pub Street. Go steady – tomorrow is packed with memory-makers that you’re not gonna want to miss.
Day 27: Siem Reap
Meals Included: Breakfast
Ready for a real-life temple run? This is it. First up: we’ll explore the Angkor Thom complex with our local guide. Venture through statue-lined South Gate, the intricately decorated Bayon Temple and check out the Elephant Terrace. Then it’s onto Ta Prohm – a ruin filled with crumbling towers and overgrown tree roots. Think: Tomb Raider. Refuel and rehydrate – next we’re headed for Angkor Wat temple. The biggest temple complex in the world, ‘otherworldly’ doesn’t even come close to describing this place. Once you’re all temple-d out, there’s a couple of optional activities up for grabs. Go on a quad bike and ride into the sunset. Or eat allll the street eats on an evening tour. Think: family-run restaurants. Authentic foods. Bustling markets. Fried tarantulas and crunchy crickets if you’re brave enough. Got room for more? Gather your mates for dinner. Our suggestion: try coconutty Khmer red curry (it’s less spicy than the Thai version, promise). Or get stuck into sizzling Cambodian BBQ. You won’t regret it.
Day 28: Siem Reap – Bangkok (Thailand)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Ok, nobody panic - it's almost time to say your goodbyes *tries not to cry*. First, though, we'll be up bright and early to begin our journey back to Bangkok. Coach essentials: snacks, ear pods, a comfy 'fit. When we arrive, we'll settle in for our final group dinner at a local eatery. WHAT an adventure it's been.
Day 29: Bangkok
Meals Included: Breakfast
And just like that, your Southeast Asia trip is over. 29 days of awesome adventures. A bunch of new mates. And a lifetime of mems. Get down to breakfast and swap those socials – you’ll need them for next year’s reunion trip. Sticking around for the day? We’ve got a couple of optional activities lined up like a Thai boxing class and a tour of the Damnoen Saduak floating market. You’re welcome. We’ll see you on Delve Deep: Southern Thailand too, right? Right.
What's Included
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Transport
Overnight train, high-speed train, overnight cruise, local boat and private vehicle
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Guide
Check out our Q&As
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Curious? Open-minded? Same. Topdeckers are a mixed bunch, but that’s what makes us special. They come from all over the globe and are aged between 18 and 39. Like you, they’re looking to feel real. To experience more. To embrace the unknown. To grow and connect – without judgement.
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Is there an age limit on Topdeck trips?
Yes. Our trips are specifically designed for those aged 18-39 years of age.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
40 years
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
https://www.topdeck.travel/resources/booking-flexibility
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
We operate Single Share across across all touring styles and will match you with someone of the same gender
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
E-Documentation will be sent
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes, we work dilligenltly with our partners to acheive this
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
Yes you can on European Tours
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