Ultimate Southeast Asia

Itinerary

• Day 1: Overnight flight

  Hop on your overnight flight to Vietnam, recline that seat, and start dreaming of all the sights you’ll see, cultures you’ll learn about, and noodles you’ll eat over the next month.

  This tour requires a visa for U.S. citizens. Check entry requirements or call us with questions at 800-766-2645.

• Day 2: Arrive in Hanoi

  Hey, Hanoi! Vietnam’s capital has seen a lot over the years and is now a lively metropolis full of historic monuments, friendly locals, and crosswalks where you’ve got to look both ways. Twice.

  Today's highlights:

  • Meet an EF representative at the airport and head to your accommodations.
  • Get the latest schedule and info from your Tour Director.
  • Get to know the other travelers as they arrive—tomorrow we have a DAY.
• Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Hanoi + Welcome Dinner

  Walking around, you’ll pass traditional Chinese and Japanese architecture, find locals practicing the ancient martial art of tai chi, and see tons of street vendors slinging local goods.

  Today's highlights:

  • Join your local guide to walk by sites like Hoan Kiem Lake and the 36 winding streets of the Old Quarter.
  • Introduce your taste buds to pho, an authentic (and delicious) noodle soup.
  • Stop for a traditional egg coffee, a frothy delight made with an egg yolk and sweetened condensed milk.
  • Enjoy a Welcome Dinner with fellow travelers at an authentic local spot.
• Day 4: Travel to Ha Long Bay + overnight cruise

  Head to Ha Long, a coastal city whose bay is considered by some to be the 8th wonder of the world. Here you’ll hop on an overnight cruise for a spectacular look at Vietnam’s natural beauty.

  Today's highlights:

  • Set your sights on the 2,000 islands and dozens of caves that speckle the bay.
  • Swim your way through the breathtaking turquoise water.
  • Grab your phone for the best photo ops of the trip (and maybe your life).
  • Enjoy an included dinner with your group on board.
• Day 5: Cruise around Ha Long Bay + flight from Hanoi

  No, you’re not dreaming—you actually DID wake up on a boat floating in paradise. Legend has it that the bay’s islands were originally giant emeralds dropped by DRAGONS thousands of years ago, so yeah. Paradise.

  Today's highlights:

  • Rise and shine to take in the morning beauty of the bay.
  • Stop at Sung Sot, the bay’s largest cave, so beautiful that the French dubbed it “Grotte des Surprises” or “Surprise Cave.”
  • Enjoy an included brunch aboard your cruise.
  • Arrive back in Hanoi for your flight to Da Nang, then travel south to Hoi An.
• Day 6: Quick tour of Hoi An + fishing with locals

  Hoi An translates to “peaceful meeting place,” and it’s impossible not to feel at ease in this historic riverside village. And what could be more peaceful than chillin’ with local fishermen on the banks of the Thu Bon?

  Today's highlights:

  • Follow your Tour Director on a quick spin through the charming town.
  • Admire the beautifully preserved buildings influenced by the French, Chinese, and Japanese.
  • Spend the afternoon on the water with local fisherman and ride in a Vietnamese-style coracle boat.

  Free time suggestions

  Bahn mi: This signature Vietnamese sandwich reflects the county’s French colonial history and is made with baguette, meat, pickled veggies, herbs, spicy chilis, and sometimes paté. YUM.

  Night market: Amid the colorful lanterns, wander through stalls selling trinkets, clothing, handicrafts, and food in the heart of Hoi An’s Old Town.

• Day 7: Hoi An bike tour + optional Vietnamese cooking class

  The Old Town in Hoi An is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which means that a special agency attached to the United Nations has labeled it as having “outstanding universal value.” TL;DR: it’s legit.

  Today's highlights:

  • Follow a guide through streets and farmland on a bike tour of Hoi An.
  • Meet a local farmer in Tra Que and sip on a locally grown, herbal green tea.
  • Look out for the wooden Chinese shops and temples, the Japanese-covered bridges, and Vietnamese lanterns that adorn the streets.

  Free time suggestions

  An Bang Beach: Keep the tranquil vibes going and relax in the sun on a stretch of white sand, take a dip in the South China Sea, and grab a sunset drink at one of the nearby bars.

  Golden Bridge: Ride a cable car to this world-famous spot where two giant hands hold up a golden pedestrian bridge, located in the Ba Na Hills amusement park.

  Vietnamese Cooking Class & Market (extra cost)

  Shop for ingredients at a local market before boarding a boat to prepare and eat a Vietnamese meal.
  
  Why wait? Save money by booking this optional excursion before your trip departs.

• Day 8: Fly to Ho Chi Minh City

  Welcome to the largest city in Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) is home to 9 million people, 24 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and about 25 motorbikes for every car.

  Free time suggestions

  Coffee: Vietnam is the world's second largest coffee exporter after Brazil. Sip on the sweetened Vietnamese version at one of Ho Chi Minh City’s 700+ coffee shops.

  War Remnants Museum: Learn about the histories of the First Indochina War and the Vietnam War through exhibits featuring photographs and historical artifacts.

• Day 9: Sightseeing in Ho Chi Minh City

  If it seems like a billion things are happening at once in Ho Chi Minh City, that’s because they are—and all of them are worth seeing. And make sure you’re also seeing all those motorbikes as you cross the street, because yellow lights mean “speed up” here.

  Today's highlights:

  • Channel your boujee side at the high-end boutiques of Dong Khoi Street.
  • Visit Independence Palace, the former presidential palace of South Vietnam.
  • Stop at the Notre Dame cathedral and a hotel shaped like a wedding cake (yup).

  Free time suggestions

  Bitexco Tower: Get 360° views of Ho Chi Minh City from the Saigon Skydeck on the 49th floor of the second tallest building in Vietnam.

  Bui Vien Street: Head to one of the city’s most iconic spots for a night of neon lights, oontz oontz music, and mouth-watering street food.

• Day 10: Visit the Mekong River Delta

  Today, you’ll get familiar with the energetic rhythm of Vietnamese life as you mingle with the people and explore the culture found on the banks of the Mekong River.

  Today's highlights:

  • Visit a home in the river town of Cai Be for a traditional Vietnamese lunch.
  • Sample the fare and grab some souvenirs as you shop the market.
  • Take a rowboat through the winding canals that snake around Tan Phong Island.
• Day 11: Fly to Cambodia + afternoon & sunset at Tonle Sap Lake

  Vietnam’s southwestern neighbor went through years of political instability but is now a thriving home to millions. Known as the “kingdom of wonder,” the diversity and beauty of Cambodia will leave you breathless.

  Today's highlights:

  • Take a short flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap, Cambodia.
  • Spend the afternoon at Southeast Asia’s largest lake, Tonle Sap, known for floating villages, endangered species, and freshwater fishing industry.
  • Admire the villages of Kampong Phluk, where 3,000 people live in homes on stilts.
  • Embark on an evening cruise for bonkers sunset lake views and dinner on board.
• Day 12: Sunrise at Angkor Wat + optional countryside bike tour

  There are over 1,000 temples that make up the ancient complex of Angkor, but the biggest, Angkor Wat, is so iconic that it’s on Cambodia’s flag—and you get to see it all at dawn.

  Today's highlights:

  • Catch the sunrise at Angkor Wat, the largest temple in the world, and four times as big as the Vatican.
  • Head to Ta Prohm, the ethereal temple where Lara Croft: Tomb Raider was filmed.
  • Continue to the temple of Bayon and goggle at its ornate bas-relief carvings and 54 Gothic towers.
  • Return to Siem Reap for a wide-open afternoon.

  Free time suggestions

  Wat Bo: A good time to visit this 18th century temple, one of the oldest in Siem Reap, and its beautiful gardens, is between 4 and 6pm to hear the monks chanting.

  Pub Street: When the sun goes down on the temples, Siem Reap comes alive with pubs, clubs, cocktail bars, and restaurants. Where else can you try fried tarantula?

  Countryside bike tour (extra cost)

  Cycle through the dirt roads and rural villages of Siem Reap, then watch the sunset over the rice paddies.

• Day 13: Travel to Phnom Penh + optional Cambodian food tour

  There’s tons to see and do in Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s phnom-inal (sorry, had to do it) capital, so get some shuteye on the bus. When you arrive, do your own thing or opt for a food tour and experience the city’s tastiest bites by night.

  Free time suggestions

  Silver Pagoda: Named for the five tons of silver that covers the floor, this glittering pagoda features two Buddhas: one diamond-encrusted and solid gold, one covered in green crystals.

  Royal Palace: Next to the Silver Pagoda is the official royal residence of the king, a striking riverfront complex with classic peaked Khmer roofs and ornate accents.

  Cambodian food tour (extra cost)

  Check out Phnom Penh’s nightlife scene and try Cambodian dishes at different local spots.

• Day 14: Tour the Genocide Museum & Killing Fields

  Cambodia is flourishing now, but it has a dark past. In the 1970s, millions of Cambodians were killed under the Communist leadership of dictator Pol Pot. Today you’ll get a sense of this sobering history and its legacy.

  Today's highlights:

  • Learn about the brutality of the Khmer Rouge on a guided tour of the Tuol Seng Genocide Museum.
  • See Choeung Ek, the best known of the genocide’s Killing Fields where thousands were executed and buried.
  • Recalibrate during a free evening in Phnom Penh—tomorrow you’re off to Laos.
• Day 15: Fly to Laos

  Laos kinda flies under the radar—especially compared to hotspots like Vietnam and Thailand. But it’s just as jam-packed with sights, culture, and history, and now you can say you’ve been!

  Today's highlights:

  • Fly into Vientiane, the country’s capital and largest city.
  • Take the afternoon to explore and grab some lunch—Laotians eat more sticky rice than anyone in the world, so that’s probably a good place to start.

  Free time suggestions

  Pha That Luang: Take a moment to gawk at this golden temple that’s the most important national monument of Laos and the country’s national symbol.

  Patuxai: Known as the Arc de Triomphe of Vientiane, Patuxai is a huge monument honoring Laotian soldiers who died during World War II and the war of independence from France.

• Day 16: Travel to Vang Vieng + afternoon hike

  Oh, you wanted scenery? Vang Vieng’s got SCENERY. Surrounded by lush mountains, palm trees, caves, and lagoons, Vang Vieng is a perfect mix of R&R—relaxation and really awesome outdoor activities.

  Today's highlights:

  • Watch the Laotian landscape pass by on a morning bus ride to Vang Vieng.
  • Spend the afternoon hiking through the area’s stunning limestone mountains.

  Free time suggestions

  Nam Xay viewpoint: Hike 30 minutes for breathtaking views of Vang Vieng’s surrounding cliffs, forests, rice fields, and a mysterious motorbike locals placed at the summit.

  Tham Chang cave: Easily walkable from town, the chambers of this cave feature stalactites, stalagmites, a Buddha shrine, and a nearby spring with a small lagoon.

• Day 17: Free day in Vang Vieng + optional kayaking & Blue Lagoon

  The mountains are calling—and so are the lagoons, caves, and waterfalls—and you must go. Get in touch with Mother Nature, or hang in Vang Vieng’s center with some larb, the national dish, and a bowl of feu, Laos’ version of pho.

  Free time suggestions

  Rice fields: A 20-minute walk from town are the wildly picturesque rice fields in Vieng Tara. Many bridges require payment to cross, but there are a couple free ones.

  Kaeng Nyui waterfall: There are actually three waterfalls with swimming holes to discover here—Kaeng Nyui, the beautiful Kenlon Falls, and an unnamed lil guy.

  Kayaking & Blue Lagoon (extra cost)

  Paddle down the Nam Song River, wade in the Blue Lagoon, and chow down on an included lunch.

• Day 18: Travel to Luang Prabang + walking tour

  You didn’t think you’d get away with visiting Laos and not see some temples, did you? They’re everywhere in Luang Prabang, along with French colonial architecture, a vibrant night market, and more eye-popping natural wonders.

  Today's highlights:

  • Rest up on a bus journey north to Luang Prabang, the former royal capital of Laos.
  • See the preserved temples, traditional wooden houses, and colonial architecture that make the town a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Admire the Royal Palace, now a museum, which houses the country’s most famous image of Buddha.

  Free time suggestions

  Sunset views: Pull up a chair at one of the many riverside restaurants and watch the sun go down over the Mekong River.

  Night market: Hunt for souvenirs, inhale some local eats, or just poke around the stalls at one of the biggest night markets in Laos.

• Day 19: Free day in Luang Prabang + optional Kuang Si Falls excursion

  Luang Prabang is one of the most visited places in Laos. It might be small, but don’t let that fool you—there’s a lot to do. Exploring on foot is the best way to see more temples, stroll along the river, and find the best Laotian coffee spot.

  Free time suggestions

  Mount Phousi: Climb the 300 stairs to the top of Luang Prabang’s sacred hill for panoramic views of the town and surrounding valley.

  Riverview Park: Take a break from the touristy buzz of the town and contemplate life at this serene park where the Mekong River meets the Nam Khan.

  Kuang Si Falls (extra cost)

  Walk the trails and swim in the turquoise pools of this stunning three-tiered waterfall.

• Day 20: River cruise to Pak Beng + included lunch

  You’re spending your last two days in Laos on a boat floating up the Mekong River, stopping along the way to learn about the traditions and people who make this magical place worth visiting.

  Today's highlights:

  • Board your boat bound for Pak Beng, where you’ll spend the night, and enjoy a French breakfast.
  • Gawk at over 6,000 Buddha statues at Pak Ou Caves, one of the country’s most important pilgrimage sites.
  • Dig into a traditional Lao lunch on board as you cruise down the Mekong.
  • Stop at Ban Baw Village, famous for its harmonic mix of three ethnicities—and its lao-lao rice whisky.
• Day 21: River cruise + included lunch + travel to Thailand

  A traditional Lao lunch, sweets, and sips on board the boat? Slipping on your own drool on your last day in Laos wouldn’t be ideal, but it also wouldn’t be surprising.

  Today's highlights:

  • Reboard your boat and continue upstream to Huay Xai.
  • Watch a chef demonstrate how to make Lao desserts and local drinks to enjoy in the afternoon.
  • Visit Ban Houay Phalam, a traditional Kamu village, to learn about their rural lifestyle.
  • Time for Thailand! Disembark at Huay Xai and bus to your overnight accommodations in Chiang Khong.
• Day 22: Travel to Chiang Mai + kantoke dinner & show

  Good morning. Actually, GREAT morning, because you’re waking up in Thailand. For the next ten days you’ll gawk at elaborate temples, soak up the sun on gorgeous beaches, and inhale all the pad Thai, khao soi, and seafood you can handle.

  Today's highlights:

  • Hop on your bus bound for Chiang Mai, the largest city in northern Thailand.
  • Visit the ornate white temple, Wat Rong Khun, and grab lunch.
  • Stop at Mae Kachan hot springs, where the water can get so steamy you could boil an egg.
  • Enjoy a traditional kantoke dinner and show with your group.
• Day 23: Wat Suan Dok & Wot Phra Thai Doi Suthep + optional home-hosted dinner

  Another day, another bonkers temple. First up: Wat Suan Dok, once used as a royal flower garden. The afternoon is all about Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, the most holy and opulent Buddhist site in Thailand. Nbd.

  Today's highlights:

  • Visit Wat Suan Dok Temple and learn how the “flower garden temple” got its name.
  • Ask a monk anything at an open forum and gain better insight into Buddhist life.
  • Climb the 306 steps to get to the famous Buddhist temple, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.

  Chiang Mai Home Hosted Dinner (extra cost)

  Enjoy an authentic meal cooked in a local family’s home during a rare glimpse into Thai culture.
  
  Why wait? Save money by booking this optional excursion before your trip departs.

• Day 24: Visit an elephant sanctuary

  Elephants are the grandpas of the animal kingdom, with their gentle adorableness and little hairs atop their heads—and today you get to chill with them at an elephant sanctuary.

  Today's highlights:

  • Spend the morning learning about and observing Asian elephants.
  • Enjoy a free afternoon and evening in Chiang Mai.

  Free time suggestions

  Muay Thai: Grab some friends and check out Chiang Mai’s Muay Thai scene, a fast-paced martial art that’s practically a religion in Thailand.

  Wororot Market: If you love shopping and eating, you’ll be in heaven here. There are tons of food vendors, plus souvenirs, clothing, ceramics, handicrafts, and more.

• Day 25: Fly to Bangkok

  Bangkok is one of the world’s top travel destinations, and you’ll soon see why. Home to ancient temples, nonstop nightlife, and stunning architecture, Thailand’s capital city has it all.

  Free time suggestions

  Lumphini Park: As the first public park in Thailand, this tree-filled urban oasis features walking paths and a lake where you can rent boats.

  Khao San Road: A pedestrian-only street famous in Bangkok for its nightlife, where you’ll find countless restaurants, bars, discos, shops, and street-food vendors.

• Day 26: Tour Bangkok

  This city isn’t called the “Venice of the East” for nothing. Explore Bangkok with your Tour Director the way it was meant to be seen—by river. You’ll visit some of the most important Buddhist temples in Thailand, including the Grand Palace.

  Today's highlights:

  • Get to know Bangkok on a guided sightseeing tour through the city.
  • Coast down the Chao Phraya River in a traditional long-tail boat.
  • Visit the Temple of the Emerald Buddha on the grounds of the Grand Palace.
  • Get your ancient history fix at the Temple of Dawn, a colorful 17th-century sanctuary.
• Day 27: Explore the Damnoen Saduak floating market

  The Damnoen Saduak market is a lot like other markets—except this one floats and can only be accessed by longboats, so maybe it’s not like other markets.

  Today's highlights:

  • Head to the world-famous Damnoen Saduak floating markets, located in a bustling village outside of the city.
  • Explore the maze of narrow canals by boat and test your haggling skills with the vendors.
  • Shop around and pick up some souvenirs for your friends and fam back home.

  Free time suggestions

  National Museum: Soak up even more Thai history, art, and culture at one of the biggest museums in Southeast Asia.

  Chinatown: Spend some time exploring the area’s colorful alleyways, visiting historic temples, and of course, eating all the street food.

• Day 28: Fly to Phuket

  Phuket is dripping with incredible beaches and ocean views, but that’s not all. This magical island is steeped in ancient history, rich culture, and endless natural wonders.

  Free time suggestions

  Big Buddha: And when we say big, we mean BIG—this Buddha comes in at 148 feet tall. Hike up from Karon Beach and catch your breath while enjoying sweeping ocean views.

  Bangla Road: When the sun goes down, and the roads close to vehicle traffic, Bangla Road is the place to be. Loud music. Cheap beer. Neon lights. Basically an outdoor club.

• Day 29: Cruise Ao Phang Nga National Park

  Your camera roll is about to blow up, because a cruise through Phang Nga Bay in Ao Phang Nga National Park is worth a million pics.

  Today's highlights:

  • Float through the turquoise water and see if you can count all 42 islands.
  • Kayak in tidal caves and marvel at the surrounding limestone cliffs.
  • Release decorative flower floats called Kratongs into the naturally luminescent water after dark for a truly unique experience.
  • Enjoy an included buffet lunch and dinner on your dreamy excursion.
• Day 30: Free day in Phuket

  Wake up! Or sleep in, because today you can do whatever. But you are in the land of some of the best beaches and seafood in Asia—maybe the world—so some combo of those two would equal a perfect day.

  Free time suggestions

  Thai tastes: Seafood in Phuket is ICONIC, so you’d be missing out if you didn’t try some Tom Yam Goong or spicy shrimp soup, lobster, crab, or fresh oysters.

  Beach life: Post up on the sand, grab a fruity drink, and slather on the SPF at some of the world’s best beaches, which are located on the island’s southern and west coasts.

• Day 31: Travel to Khao Sok National Park

  You’re leaving a beautiful island and headed to...a beautiful national park! Tough life. After a quick-ish bus trip, you’ll soon discover that Khao Sok is a nature lover’s dream—home to lush rainforest, tons of wildlife, and stunning lake views.

  Free time suggestions

  Hiking: Get yourself on a guided hike to see cascading waterfalls, animals, caverns, and maybe even the world’s biggest flower, a Rafflesia.

  Khao Sok Village: This little town is the main base for visiting the park, full of resorts, restaurants, and spots to sit and enjoy the scenery of the Sok River.

• Day 32: Boat day on Cheow Lan Lake + included lunch

  Surrounded by soaring limestone cliffs and brimming with aquamarine waters, Cheow Lan Lake is just begging to be explored. And you’re an expert at that by now.

  Today's highlights:

  • Take in the majesty of the cliffs from a traditional long-tail boat.
  • See the Ratchaprapha Dam and the Three Brothers, the most famous rock formation on the lake.
  • Eat an included lunch on a floating raft restaurant. Yep, you read that right.
  • Catch a glimpse of macaques, gibbons, and hundreds of bird species as you swim and canoe around the lake.
• Day 33: Free day in Khao Sok

  A free day in a gorgeous national park in Thailand is always a good day. This place is massive, and its beauty is untouched, so whatever you wanna do is the right thing to do.

  Free time suggestions

  Wat Tham Phanthurat: Nicknamed the “Monkey Temple” because it’s overrun by, you guessed it, monkeys, this Buddhist site is a short walk from Khao Sok Village.

  The great outdoors: There’s truly no end to the alfresco adventure here, so get back out into the park for more hiking, kayaking, swimming, and wildlife-gawking.

• Day 34: Fly to Bangkok + Farewell Dinner

  Your adventure is almost over, but what a place to wrap up a month of new cultures, new foods, and new friends. Wing your way back to Bangkok for one last night in Thailand—tomorrow, you’re going home.

  Today's highlights:

  • Board a quick flight back to Bangkok.
  • Check off any final to-dos from your bucket list or get some rest for your journey.
  • Share a few laughs (and maybe shed a few tears) at a Farewell Dinner with your group.
• Day 35: Fly home

  ลาก่อนเพื่อน! 
  Translation: Goodbye, friends! Your next destination awaits—home. But this isn’t goodbye. It’s “See you later.” The only question is, where?