Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Vietnam – Cambodia – Thailand – Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Bai Tu Long Bay – Siem Reap – Bangkok – Koh Yao Noi
100% customisable for you
After lots of daydreaming and counting down the sleeps, your Southeast Asia adventure officially starts today. Head to the airport, whizz through security and settle into the lounge for some fizz and nibbles before boarding.
Your first flight will take you to a hub in Asia, where you’ll have a short stopover before your second overnight flight to Hanoi. All in all, the journey will take around 17 hours, so queue up some films, fluff up the neck pillow and try to catch some shut eye before landing.
When you touch down, you’ll be met at the airport and whisked away by private transfer to your hotel in the heart of the city – your base for the next two nights. Drop your bags, then head out for a wander, soaking up the infectious energy of Vietnam’s capital.
Wondering what all those delicious aromas are? We can also arrange a street food tour around Hanoi’s Old Quarter, where a local guide will introduce you to the most beloved foodie spots.
Battling a bout of jet lag? Well, nothing wakes you up quite like Hanoi. Meet your local guide and dive headfirst into the city’s dizzying streets.
Perhaps escape the chaos inside an indie cafe, serving up ingenious concoctions from velvety egg coffee to ice-cold coconut coffee. When the caffeine kicks in, explore one of the city’s incense-swirled temples, where worshippers adorn the grounds with offerings of fruit and flowers.
As you stroll, your guide will share insights into everyday life in Hanoi, along with plenty of recommendations of classic dishes to try throughout your trip. And if all that foodie-talk has worked up an appetite, they'll know exactly where to find the best pho – rice noodles in an aromantic broth, elevated with a generous squeeze of lime.
By the time you head back to the hotel, you’ll leave with a full stomach, a camera roll full of photos and the confidence to cross a Hanoi street like a true local...
Meet your local driver this morning for the two-hour journey south to Ninh Binh, set in the rural heart of Vietnam.
When you arrive, you’ll be welcomed by a local family, where a home-cooked lunch awaits (lucky you). Next, hop on two wheels for a bicycle ride along the Boi River, passing farmers tending to their crops beneath bobbing conical hats. There’s a good chance you’ll also see some water buffalo wallowing in the shallows as you peddle along, so keep your eyes peeled.
After all that pedal power, slow things down aboard a traditional boat, drifting through Van Long Nature Reserve’s winding waterways as fishermen haul in the day’s catch.
Arrive in Ninh Binh this evening and check in to your hotel for the night, then tuck into a banh mi from a local vendor. Sure, it’s ‘just’ a sandwich, but one loaded with barbecued meats and fragrant herbs – more than capable of stealing the show at dinnertime.
Fuel up with a hearty breakfast this morning before your three-hour private transfer to Hon Gai Port.
Here, it’s all aboard a traditional wooden junk boat for a cruise through Bai Tu Long Bay, where you’ll be staying overnight. Often overshadowed by its famous neighbour, Ha Long Bay, this UNESCO-listed seascape is every bit as dazzling, with thousands of jungle-cloaked islets rising from azure waters (just with a far smaller flotilla of tourist boats on the horizon).
Your captain will thread a course through the bay, weaving between towering limestone karsts and venturing into hidden caves. You’ll also stop at a floating fishing farm, where locals have thrived for generations, before diving into a different side of Vietnam (quite literally) with a spot of snorkelling in the crystal-clear waters.
A day on the water is bound to lull you to sleep, so after a delicious dinner on deck, retreat to your cosy cabin for an early night.
Sunrise, sparkling views and a sea breeze – not a bad way to start the morning. Head up to the deck and dig into some breakfast as you set sail back towards Hon Gai Port.
Back on dry land, grab your last Vietnamese coffee fix (perhaps it’s time to give the salt variation a whirl) before your four-hour private transfer to Hanoi Airport. And for your final unofficial challenge in Vietnam, spend the journey playing ‘spot the most improbably overloaded motorbike’ and prepare to question the laws of physics...
Arrive at the airport and board your two-hour flight to Siem Reap in Cambodia. When you touch down, you’ll be whisked away to your charming guesthouse – your home for the next three nights. And after a few action-packed days, perhaps spend the rest of the afternoon drifting between a shaded hammock and the pool.
When hunger strikes this evening, follow the irresistible aromas into town to discover what’s cooking in Cambodia.
Early alarm clocks are much easier when there’s a morning of magic ahead. Today, you’re finally ticking Angkor Wat off the bucket list.
Wolf down breakfast, then meet your guide and bundle into the back of a tuk-tuk, zipping through the Cambodian forest before arriving at Angkor Wat; a labyrinth of deity-embellished walls, weathered sandstone galleries and soaring lotus-bud spires.
As you explore, your guide will give you the lowdown on its history, from its construction during the Khmer Empire to its later transformation from a Hindu place of worship into one of the world’s largest Buddhist temples.
Then it’s back in the tuk-tuk for a spin around Angkor Thom, stopping at the equally jaw-dropping Bayon Temple and jungle-draped Ta Prohm. It all feels like something straight out of a film – quite literally, given it featured in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.
After a day of oohing and aahing, bypass any dinner deliberations with a restaurant recommendation from our local Concierge – just tell them what you’re craving.
The best way to explore Siem Reap? By bicycle, of course.
Meet your private guide and hop on two wheels to explore the countryside surrounding the city. Pedal past rolling rice fields, sleepy villages and lush farmland, stopping to meet local families and browse fruit stalls laden with juicy mangoes and vivid dragon fruit. Smoothie, anyone?
Then it’s time to fire up those leg muscles for the ascent up the mountain of Phnom Krom, crowned by an ancient Hindu temple with sweeping views across the countryside. Fancy tackling it on foot instead? A stairway leads all the way to the summit, and trust us, the panoramas are worth every puff and pant.
This evening, we can also arrange a cruise across Tonle Sap Lake, where you’ll have front-row seats to watch the sunset.
All that exploring is bound to work up a mighty appetite, so dine somewhere local, where amok (an aromatic fish curry) is likely to feature on the menu.
Excitement levels are bound to be sky-high (quite literally) this morning as you’re privately transferred to the airport for your one-hour flight to Bangkok in Thailand. Another country and a new fun passport stamp.
When you land, you’ll be met at the airport and whisked away to your centrally located hotel – your home away from home for the next two nights.
The rest of the day is all yours to enjoy, so perhaps amble around your new neighbourhood. Or, if you’re in the mood for some well-deserved R&R, make a beeline for the pool... or the cocktail bar.
Raring to go? We can also arrange a street food tour of lantern-lit Chinatown to see exactly what’s sizzling in Bangkok.
Lace up your best walking shoes this morning before meeting your private guide for a tour of Bangkok.
This is a go-with-the-flow kind of experience, so follow whatever catches your eye, whether that’s a trendy cafe whipping up bubble tea, or a bustling backstreet where stalls are piled high with all sorts of intriguing ingredients destined for the wok.
Fancy yourself an avid architecture aficionado? Bangkok is a striking clash of the old and the new, where gleaming skyscrapers rub shoulders with golden-clad Buddhist temples.
Shopaholics, beware – Bangkok is shopping-centre galore, with an abundance of flagship boutiques and vintage designers, so shop ‘til you drop, and keep your fingers crossed that your suitcase has a little stretch in it...
Perhaps wrap up the tour at a local street food market, where your guide will know exactly where to find the most fiery and flavoursome pad thai (stir-fried noodles with vegetables and a tangy sweet chilli sauce).
This morning, you’ll be driven to Bangkok Airport for your one-and-a-half-hour flight to Phuket – try to nab a window seat for those first sparkling views of the Andaman Sea.
Touch down and savour one of the best parts of arriving in the tropics: that blissful blast of tropical warmth as you step off the plane. Then make your way to the port and climb aboard your private boat for the one-hour cruise to the dreamy island of Koh Yao Noi. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled (and camera poised) for surf-loving dolphins, often spotted jumping through the waves.
When you arrive, check in to an oceanfront villa – your peaceful hideaway for the next four nights. Drop your bags, cool off with a dip in the sea, then claim a sun-drenched lounger or a palm-shaded patch of sand, perhaps with a spritzy cocktail to celebrate your arrival?
Another day, another adventure – and this one is all yours to explore the island paradise of Koh Yao Noi. Perhaps head to the waterfront and hop into a kayak, gliding through the calm waters of the Andaman Sea... at least until your competitive streak kicks in and it’s full paddle power ahead.
Back on dry land, there’s only one thing for it: renting a bicycle and seeing where the island’s coastal roads lead. Spot a beach you like? Park up, slip off your sandals and treat yourself to an ice-cold coconut – likely chopped from that very shoreline.
If you’re keen to keep exploring, head into the island’s wild interior, following jungle trails, where tropical birds flit through the canopy and mischievous monkeys always seem to be up to something...
As evening falls, end the day sun-kissed, salt-speckled and satisfied with a seafood supper on the beach, clinking glasses of Thai rum as the sky glows gold over the ocean. Cheers to that.
Lather on the sunscreen; you have a day of ocean adventures ahead. At the port, climb aboard your private long-tail boat and settle into a sunny spot on deck as your skipper charts an epic course around Phang Nga Bay.
Your first stop is the castaway island of Koh Talu, where you’ll discover a cave home to hundreds of bats snoozing upside down from the limestone ceiling – quite the spectacle. Next up is the pint-sized islet of Ma Kram, where powder-soft sands and oh-so-glorious sunshine are a surefire combination for a truly enviable tan.
You’ll then drop anchor off Koh Kudu Yai, where the crystal-clear waters await. Whether your entry into the ocean is an elegant swan dive or a full-on cannonball (no judgement here), there’s no better way to cool off before climbing back aboard for the return journey to Koh Yao Noi.
Tonight, leave dinner plans in the hands of our local Concierge, who’ll know just the spot for a celebratory final meal.
Time flies when you’re having fun and, sadly, your adventure across the three gems of Southeast Asia has come to an end. Tuck into one last island breakfast, soak up those final rays of vitamin D and then, however reluctantly, prise yourself off the sunlounger for the cruise back to Phuket Airport.
From here, board your one-and-a-half-hour flight to Bangkok, where you’ll connect onto your flight back to the UK.
You’ll spend around 13 hours in the air – plenty of time to click through your photos and relive the highlights. And if you’re suffering from a bad case of post-holiday blues, nothing lifts the spirits quite like dreaming up your next big adventure...
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire now
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire now
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire now
Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from checking you in for your flights to our network of local Concierges
