Ultimate Southeast Asia Adventure

Monday 22nd June – Bangkok, Thailand

• Arrive at your convenience in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, which is well connected by air to places across Asia, Europe, North America, and the Middle East. We recommend making use of the pre-tour weekend by exploring this fascinating city on your own initiative, or by already meeting some of your fellow travellers. Ask us for insider tips and don´t miss out on a Muay Thai fight!
• Pre-tour meeting will be held at the lobby of our hotel at 6:00pm to discuss the tour itinerary and to meet your fellow travellers and YPT guide.
• Immediately head out for dinner, which will be sampling the amazing street food market around Bang Lamphu Square. Here’s your chance to sample weird and wonderful delicacies such as crickets or alligator, as well as some near-euphorigenic local desserts.
• Continue enjoying drinks on the legendary Khao San Area of Bangkok. Watch some vivid dance shows and music along the street and get offered the occasional glowing scorpion snack. We will probably be joined by some of our local YPT staff and friends for a real night out!
• Overnight in Bangkok.

Tuesday 23rd June – Bangkok – Siem Reap, Cambodia 

• Begin our long minibus journey to the legendary tourist mecca that is Siem Reap, with breakfast packed for the way.
• Board our private bus to visit the impressive outdoor war museum, and start by viewing its tanks and weapon arsenal right away. Here is our best chance to meet with Moun Sinath, the legendary “cat” who has a story or two to tell about being recruited into the war while barely being a teenager, and who survived multiple near-death experiences.
• On the way back, we will ride on the Siem Reap Big Wheel for a great view of the city, as well as a first glimpse above the Angkor Wat temples peeking through the treetops. You will feel the thrill of anticipation that will come with exploring the jungle’s majestic structures the very next morning.
• But first, we check into our hotel – featuring a pool and located close to the trendy Pub Street part of town – before heading out for a little walk around the city. A notable highlight will be seeing the summer residence of the royal family – their very own Windsor castle, so to say – where Angelina Jolie has also stayed during various movie shots.
• Dinner at our favourite local place by the river, run by a wonderful family, and drinks at Pub Street. We’re including a drink at former Angkor Wat Bar (yes, it’s still there!)
• Overnight in Siem Reap.

Wednesday 24th June – Angkor Wat – Phnom Penh

Morning

• It will be an early start for the stunning sunrise by Angkor Wat, with a light breakfast packed for us once again. You will understand why it´s worth it, once the sun rises over the jungle and temple roofs, reflecting in the last dew drops of the night and throwing a mirroring image of the temples into the ponds right in front of the main entrance section.
• Today is dedicated to exploring all that Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom has to offer, as well as some more hidden gems. Our local guide will accompany our exploration with stories of past empires, architectural know-how, and his noteworthy photography skills. We will make sure that your memories of this place will not fade!
• We will enjoy lunch, after heading out from Siem Reap, in a place that comes close to a jungle oasis featuring delicious Cambodian food. Savour your meal and a fresh fruit juice while the temple impressions still echo in your mind.

Afternoon

• Board our private bus and make our way towards Phnom Penh – the capital city of Cambodia. There is plenty of time for a little nap, or to watch some serene countryside along the way.
• On arrival, check into our centrally located hotel, just next to the palace and the river. We will have dinner at one of the best Khmer noodle places in town, the family that runs it being very close friends of ours. You will actually see how they hand-pull the noodles just in front of our table and enjoy the refreshment of an authentic Khmer ice tea.
• You and the group will then enjoy a relaxed first night in the capital with a refreshing drink at the riverside. The street sellers and little food stalls will provide a colourful atmosphere just a block away from our dinner place!
• Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Thursday 25th June – Phnom Penh

Morning

• Have a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, after a recharging night which has brought our energy level back.
• Today we fully dive into Cambodia´s dark history: our first stop is S-21 the former prison of the Khmer Rouge, one of the most harrowing sites in all of Cambodia. Here, we will most likely be able to meet Mr. Bou Meng and Mr. Chum Mey, two of the very few survivors of the prison. In addition, a local friend is joining us for the day to complete the picture of how families have been surviving the turbulent time and how the young generation tries to shake off the weight of the past.
• Head to Cheung Ek Killing Fields, another site of immense importance where you will wander and contemplate with the sound of the tragedy in your ears. This is probably the best audio-guided tour in SEA, and the combo of S-21 and this site is key to understanding how Cambodia and its society have been severely impacted to this day.
• After driving back into the city, we will have an excellent lunch of Beef Lok Lak or Fish Amok, both a must-try in Cambodia. Oh wait, have Jackie Chan and Gordon Ramsay enjoyed this dish next to the pond and fountain here as well?!

Afternoon

• Satisfied and energized, we start our full city tour, conveniently starting by foot directly from the restaurant. We will visit the Independence Monument, statue of the glorious (yet controversial figure of King Sihanouk, the Royal Palace, and Wat Phnom Daun Penh, revealing the origins of the city.
• If there´s time and desire, we will check on the central market for souvenirs and fresh coconuts, so you´ll have the best of Cambodia at hand.
• No trip to Phnom Penh would be worth anything without trying some weird food – you will therefore get a chance to try bugs tarantulas and the like.
• This is just the start of the evening though, as we will have drinks at a special place that provides the most spectacular view of the city. This allows you to see how the Tonlé Sap and Mekong rivers converge – the country’s lifelines which have formed the Cambodian way of living since the beginning of time.
• Go for a full dinner and enjoy the nightlife of the famous and vibrant Bassac lane. Here, you will better understand how Phnom Penh is venturing ahead into a cosmopolitan future.
• Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Friday 26th June – Phnom Penh – Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Morning

• Up super early for our private bus to HCMC, or Saigon, the “other” capital of Vietnam. The journey will take about 6-7 hours, and we will have breakfast on the way.
• Stop at the road where the iconic (and horrific) Vietnam War Napalm photo on Highway 1 was taken. Although the nearby temple which was bombed has been restructured, the place is still there. History has been written here and the brave work of photographers such as Nick Ut made a big difference in bringing the horrors of this time to worldwide attention.
• Early check-in to our centrally-located hotel, which is just next to the palace and has a rooftop pool and park view.

Afternoon

• Quick lunch in Saigon at the famous Bến Nghé Street Food Market just next to the palace, where the food range covers everything you can possibly imagine, while being surrounded by amazing street art.
• Head straight into history with a walk past South Vietnam’s Presidential Palace, which is now the Reunification Palace. Continue to the War Remnants Museum, complete with scenes from the French occupation of Indochina, and still home to US military equipment, from tanks to planes, as well as vivid descriptions of the effects of Agent Orange and other leftovers from the war that still affect Vietnam still until today.
• Dinner of Vietnamese pho – rice noodles – and other dishes before we grab a cold Saigon beer on a plastic stool and sit on the street for some refreshment and people-watching, before seeing where the night takes us! Expect funky music, flashing lights, and an occasional dance show – the real Asian deal unfolds here.
• Overnight in Saigon.

Saturday 27th June – Ho Chi Minh City – Nha Trang

Morning

• Head out after a hearty breakfast to the Cu Chi Tunnels, where we see and experience the tunnel warfare carried out by the Viet Cong against the US military. Be prepared for a hands-on experience, as this is an interactive tour with our guide knowing how to get knowledge and history across. There´s the chance for an optional visit to the shooting range just a few steps away in the forest, and its sounds will add to the atmosphere while being around the tunnels (bullets for shooting come at your own cost).
• Drive back into the city and head to District 1 for some street food –  we’re particularly fond of the famous Banh Mi Thit pork sandwich!

Afternoon

• Start a city walking tour with a visit to the Saigon Cathedral, the old central post office, and the Ho Chi Minh City Museum. Walk past the town hall, the statue of Ho Chi Minh, and the Saigon Opera House, which served as the seat of the Parliament of the Republic of South Vietnam. This is a deep dive into the beauty of Saigon – including its famous apartment cafes – which will connect the past and present life.
• Head to the former CIA building, the Pittman apartment residential block, and see if we can climb up to “that place” where the last evacuations happened, as captured in the iconic Saigon photograph! This is where most visitors won´t go, but we know how to get there!
• Check out the war surplus market, Dan Sinh. YPT does love a good Soviet market, but we’ll make do with looking for Vietnam War trinkets!
• Gather supplies for the train and get a quick dinner.
• Jump on the night train to Nha Trang (21:05-05:25), and meet Vietnamese families travelling the country overnight.

Sunday 28th June – Nha Trang

Morning

• Early morning arrival in Nha Trang.
• After checking in to our hotel, and having a large buffet breakfast, we will go on a full-day tour. We’ll start with the Po Nagar Cham Towers, built in the Cham Civilisation between the 7th and 12th centuries, and located on a hill with good views over the river and the city. Right after, we will learn how some traditional local handcraft are made by seeing rice paper being produced and dried in the morning sun.
• The tour also brings us to a jungle walk and a dip in a waterfall pool – do you dare to jump? Enjoy relaxing in the natural pools, between the majestic rocks, and listen to the sound of the forest.
• Local lunch in the lush green environment.

Afternoon

• Visit a traditional Vietnamese fishing village and remind yourself that fish definitely does smell like fish. Did you know that some boats stay out at sea for weeks at a time?
• On the way back we will see the Big Buddha statue of the Long Son Pagoda and visit the Nha Trang Cathedral in the heart of the city.
• Dinner and drinks (and a swim?) before we might just head to Crazy Kim bar – just because we like the place and the name – or enjoy one of the beach places with good music and an even better vibe. Time for seafood!
• Overnight in Nha Trang.

Monday 29th June – Nha Trang – Hue

• After a relatively late rise, we will rent motorbikes and head out on a scenic drive to Bai Dai Beach, getting away from the city and into one of the best coastal areas of Vietnam. For those unsure of driving themselves, jump on the back of the bike or in a separate car. The best seafood, empty beaches, local people, and cold beers are in plentiful supply- they even rent surfboards.
• On the way we might try to get a sneak peek into the former US / Vietnam People´s Army Airbase right in Nha Trang, now fully fenced and closed off to the public.
• From there, we will swim in the sea or relax on the beach with a cocktail or two – this is your beach vacation day, and the best time to recharge for the adventures in front of us.
• Head back to Nha Trang, and then grab supplies and dinner.
• Take the night train from Nha Trang to Huế (23:28-13:38) and overnight.

Tuesday 30th June – Huế

• Noon arrival in Huế, the old imperial capital of Vietnam under the Nguyễn dynasty.
• After an early check-in and a bite to eat, we head to Hue’s main attraction – the Imperial Citadel. It’s huge, so we’ll wander around the rooms and gardens for a few hours, taking in different parts of ancient Vietnamese history. Huế , and even the citadel, were involved in the fighting around the 1968 Tết Offensive, which was one of the longest and bloodiest of the war.
• Walk over to see the old Tây Lộc Airfield Watchtower used during the war as well as the runway, now turned into an innocent street and an idyllic park. History is hidden around every corner in Vietnam, and the true pioneers still find these places.
• Back in the Huế downtown we will go for dinner and check the vibe of the iconic DMZ bar, with its gigantic maps covering the walls and ceiling, before seeing what goes for a night out in central Vietnam!
• Overnight in Huế.

Wednesday 1st July – Hue – Hanoi 

• Breakfast in our hotel.
• Visit the Khe Sanh Combat Base in the mountains close to Laos, as well as Camp Carroll and The Rockpile, which were former US military bases and outposts. You will stand right on the ground where history was written over and over, listening to the stories which are bringing this time back to life. We will be guided by one of the old Vietnamese war veterans, Mr. Trung, who we know personally – this day along the DMZ is one of the true tour highlights!
• Visit the Hien Luong Bridge that was the official border crossing for much of the war, with the river being the border between north and south, and then the Vinh Moc Tunnels and museum. Here we will enter the tunnels, exploring whole villages in which people lived for years, seeking shelter from the daily bombings. It´s nearly impossible not to get the shivers when imagining this.
• Head back into Huế after an eventful day, and grab supplies for dinner on the train.
• Overnight train to Hanoi (20:41-11:40).

Thursday 2nd July – Hanoi

• Noon arrival in Hanoi, before having a quick lunch.
• Transfer to the hotel and head off quickly to see one of the highlights of our trip to Vietnam – we will join the hordes of people that line up daily to see the former president and father of the nation, Ho Chi Minh, lying in state. People still take this very seriously, and it is a big deal.
• Sneak a look at the Presidential Palace and head straight to the Ho Chi Minh Museum, located on the same grounds, for an in-depth look at his life. He was a true revolutionary, poet, writer, and the Chairman of the Workers’ Party of Vietnam, with a thorough vision for the country. Never one to sit on his hands, he spearheaded the revolution and battled against the Japanese and then the French.
• Visit the Museum of the Vietnamese Revolution, which details history going right back to the struggle against the French (depending on available time that afternoon).
• We head to Lenin Park, complete with its statue, which is just opposite the Military History Museum, with its impressive aircraft wreckage sculpture.
• Dinner and drinks in the Old Quarter, for our last Vietnamese night out! Those who fancy it can get their “mandatory” train street picture tonight as well.
• Overnight in Hanoi.

Friday 3rd July – Hanoi – Luang Prabang, Laos

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel
• Group A members: tour concludes – YPT is able to arrange post-tour accommodation or advice for ongoing travel
• Group C members: transfer to Hanoi Airport and board our 12:55pm Vietnam Airlines flight VN931 to Luang Prabang arriving at 2:00pm. Flight cost of ~US$150 not included in tour cost.

Afternoon

• Group B members: Arrive into Luang Prabang, largely connected to many airports in Southeast Asia, and China.
• Our pre-arranged airport pick-up will take us directly to the UXO Visitor’s Centre, which documents the devastation that Laos suffered during the Second Indochina War.
• Visit the Traditional Art and Ethnology Centre (TAEC), the only independent resource centre in Laos dedicated to the country’s many diverse ethnic groups.
• Head to our hotel, Villa Chitdara, to quickly freshen up before we jump on the ferry to cross the river to Xieng Men village, where we visit one of its most beautiful temples. Wat Long Koon, also called the Monastery of the Happy or Blessed Song, had strong ties with the royal family of Luang Prabang, as the designated-king resided here in retreat before the official coronation.
• Start the real local experience which you only find on this side of the river: we are invited to a local house for some beers and grilled sticks BBQ.
• The same man will then take us on his boat, driving us up the river and around the Jumbo Guest house, while revealing stories about the spirits that guard and guide the local people. We then slowly drift back down the river towards Luang Prabang while enjoying some beers and the sunset.
• Overnight in the Villa Chitdara Hotel in Luang Prabang.

Saturday 4th July – Luang Prabang – Kuang Si Waterfalls – Hmong village – Luang Prabang

Morning

• Luang Prabang is known to be one of the best-preserved traditional cities in Southeast Asia. The tranquillity and tropical charm of this town, with its splendid natural scenery and cultural sights, make it one of the most alluring destinations in Laos!
• After breakfast, we’ll start with a trip to the Morning Market, a lively street where locals stock up on all sorts of interesting supplies, including colourful vegetables and live frogs!
• Then, we’ll step from the energy of the market into the serene calm of one of the city’s most sumptuous monasteries, Wat Mai.
• Continue to the famous Kuang Si waterfalls, where you can swim in the pools or walk along the beautiful jungle paths.
• At the waterfall, you may visit the Bear Rescue Center, which hosts rescued bears in their large, open grounds. There, you can see these beautiful animals while learning about the efforts to save them from traditional medicine harvesting.

Afternoon

• Our first stop after the waterfall are the picturesque rice paddies along the road, where we can enjoy a quick coffee while sitting in a wooden pavilion on stilts.
• Drive to Ban Lak Paed village – where people from the Hmong tribe live – for a talk with two local men who participated in the Indochina wars. We will sit with them and their families as they open their doors into their house for us. They are good friends with our guide Saeng, as they are both from the Hmong tribe.
• Enjoy a delicious home-cooked family lunch together, traditionally served with everybody sitting on the ground and sharing a cold Beerlaos while answering all your burning questions regarding their past and present life. This truly is one of our most treasured experiences in Laos.
• Return by vehicle to Luang Prabang by late afternoon, after a wonderful day tour to the best parts of Luang Prabang World Heritage City.
• Visit the night market, food market, and eventually the “Fat Cat” Bar, run by a charismatic owner and good friend of ours, who not only serves the best drinks in town but also possesses in-depth knowledge about Laos, the Indochina wars, and life today.
• Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Sunday 5th July – Khmu Village – Tad Sae Waterfall – Luang Prabang – Vientiane

Morning

• Before breakfast, if you´re a (very) early bird, you can stand on your hotel room balcony and see the monks passing by on the street in their saffron-coloured robes, receiving food and personal care items in their alms bowls.
• After breakfast, you’ll ride about 30 minutes along the banks of the Nam Khan River. After crossing the river by boat, begin an easy, 1.5-hour trek through the beautiful jungle canopy, stopping along the way to explore a large, traditional Khmu village nestled in the mountains.
• You may enjoy lunch here or wait until you reach the waterfall, depending on the time and your preference.
• After the village visit, you’ll continue trekking for about 1.5 hours down to the Tad Sae Waterfall, where you may explore and swim.
• Finally, board a long boat again for a short cruise downriver, then transfer into a vehicle for return to Luang Prabang city.

Afternoon

• Return in the afternoon and take the fast train to Vientiane (~3h).
• Arrive at VTE train station and transfer to Douang Deuane Hotel.
• Visit the sites of the old Purple Porpoise and White Orchid bars where the pilots and other characters involved in the war would drink and spend their nights. This is a side of the story which is hard to discover for visitors, but our guide can bring it back to life.
• Go to the street stall food area, eat and go to Mekong for drinks at the outside bars.
• Overnight in Vientiane.

Monday 6th July – Vientiane – Phonsavan

Morning

• Breakfast in hotel.
• Transfer to Vientiane airport for the short flight to Phonsavan (~45min).
• Transfer and check-in into Mali hotel, quick refreshment, and lunch.

Afternoon

• Head to the plain of jars for our afternoon exploration. The Plain of Jars is a large cultural site in Laos containing thousands of stone jars. Archaeologists believe that the jars were used 1,500 to 2,000 years ago. Most of the excavated material has been dated to around 500 BC to 800 AD. Anthropologists and archaeologists have theorized that the jars may have been used as funeral urns or perhaps storage for food.
• The local legend tells of the ancient king named Khun Cheung, who fought a long, victorious battle. It is said that he celebrated his victory by creating the jars to brew and store huge amounts of lao lao, a traditional rice wine. The jars lie scattered throughout the northern end of the plain in the Lao Highlands close to the principal mountain range of Indochina which divides Laos and Vietnam. It played a big role in the context of the Vietnam War and the Secret War. On your way to the cultural sites, you might see old Russian tanks and large craters which are now historic remnants themselves.
• Transfer back for dinner at Mali Hotel to see videos and film about the secret war years in Laos.
• Overnight in Phonsavan.

Tuesday 7th July – Phonsavan – Long Tieng

Morning

• Early check-out and breakfast in hotel
• Start the 3h journey heading south towards Xaysomboun, Laos’ newest province established in 2013. Previously called the “special zone”, Xaysomboun is very mountainous and was covered in thick jungle, making it the perfect strategic logistical location and hideout during the 60’s and early 70’s. Recently there has been logging and mining activity (upwards to 3,200 Hmong work in large mining projects) but most of the Hmong, Khmu, and Lao Leum still primarily live off subsistence farming and hunter gathering. You will be as new and novel to the locals as they will be to you.
• Continue through some of the most beautiful and unspoiled countryside to the town of Long Tieng.
• We will have a typical lunch of this region on arrival in Long Tieng.

Afternoon

• Once considered “the most secret place on Earth”, Long Tieng (it was also referred to as Lima Site 98 (LS 98) or Lima Site 20A (LS 20A)) was the country’s second largest city until the mid-1970s and one of the busiest airports in the world.  The town had a population of 40,000 made up mostly of Hmong soldiers in traditional clothing, Khmu and Thai Leu in military outfits, Thai mercenaries and American pilots. Here the Hmong set up businesses such as taxi service, cobblers, food vendors and equipment repair. Today there are still many remains of what was the centre of a guerrilla-led clandestine war on communism backed by the CIA.
• Spend the whole day exploring the area including Skyline ridge, the airstrip and buildings that are leftovers from the Vietnam war era.
• Have a BBQ and beer on the hill overlooking the airstrip. This simple BBQ will be the peak of the trip, based on stories and envisioning the past.
• Overnight in Long Tieng.

Wednesday 8th July – Long Tieng – Vientiane

• Early departure by private AC-vehicle for Vientiane, the Lao capital city, passing through the area of Phou Bia, the highest mountain in Laos, before we meet the main Route 13 to Vientiane.
• Breakfast and lunch will be along the way, as well as some stops for refreshments and scenic photo opportunities.
• Tour concludes in the late afternoon in Vientiane after a long but comfortable drive. Accommodation, airport or train station drop-offs can be arranged as well as further advise for travelling in Laos and Southeast Asia.
• Continue your adventure in Asia and join us on our Tibet tour starting in Xi´an, China. YPT can advise on logistics from Laos to China via train or flight.