Southeast Asia on a Shoestring

Overview

Feast on a Nyonya delicacy in Melaka or delicious street food in Singapore as you hit the highlights of Southeast Asia. With other travellers your own age, you?ll enjoy this adventure?s pace, exploring the hilltribes of northern Thailand before mellowing out on the white-sand beaches of the exotic south. With your accommodation and transport arranged by our expert CEO, you?ll enjoy the freedom of roaming where you want to and choosing your activities ? cross into Malaysia to experience mouth-watering laksa while shopping in KL’s night market or take high tea at Raffles and try the Singapore Sling.

Day 1?Bangkok

Arrive in Bangkok at any time.

Today is arrival day, so there are no activities planned. Enjoy free time to relax, explore the city, and adjust to the frantic pace and humid heat of Bangkok.

After your meeting, head out for an optional dinner to get to know your CEO and fellow group members better.

Please arrive at our start point hotel before 18:00 for an important group meeting where you will meet your Chief Experience Officer (CEO) and the other group members. Please look for a sign on the hotel’s notice board for the time and location of your group meeting.

Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting

1h18:00

The adventure begins tonight. Feel free to explore, but make sure you’re back in time to meet the group. After introductions, your CEO will review the details of your tour.

Accommodation

Bangkok Centre Hotel (or similar)

Day 2?Bangkok/Chiang Mai

Opt to visit Wat Po and the Grand Palace, or check out the city’s klongs by boat. Board an overnight train to Chiang Mai (potential for alternative transport during monsoon season, depending on conditions).

Note: Due to disruptions of Thai trains in the north during the monsoon season, trips running July through October may use alternative transport.

Free Time

Bangkok?Full Day

Get out and explore bustling Bangkok!

Overnight train (beds)

Bangkok ? Chiang Mai12h

Experience overnight travel like a local. Sit back and get some well-earned (and likely much-needed) rest en route to your next stop.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 3?Chiang Mai

Enjoy one of two street food crawls with the group and CEO. Opt to visit Doi Suthep temple, comb the night markets for souvenirs, or participate in a Thai cooking class.

Free Time

Chiang MaiFull Day

Get out and explore this bustling city in northern Thailand.

Street Food Crawl

Bring your appetite and your wallet. The CEO will bring the group to the best spots to eat and teach everyone about the local street food. Yum!

Accommodation

Chiang Mai Gate Hotel (or similar)

Day 4?Chiang Mai/Ban Mae Jok

Trek through rugged forests and experience the wonderful diversity of this region: each village has its own language, belief system, style of dress, and traditions. Drive from Chiang Mai to Mae Malai village, where the trek will begin. After a few hours of hiking, reach the first village.

We might have time to visit a local market before stopping for lunch and starting our trek.

Tucked away in the hills of northern Thailand is where the most colourful and unchanged traditional communities can be found. Trek through forests and rural terrains to visit some of these diverse hilltribe villages; often, each will have their own unique language, clothing style, and belief system that differs significantly from those of neighbouring tribes. You are well looked after by your local guides, who take the responsibility of preparing all meals and carrying food supplies.

The exact itinerary of the walking on this trip may change from time to time, taking into account the weather and local conditions. Also, please note there may be times when the use of video and/or still cameras may be inappropriate — your CEO and guides will be able to advise you. Be prepared for the accommodation to be basic; remember, it’s all about an authentic and unique experience!

Pickup truck

Chiang Mai ? Ban Mae Malai1h

Hop into the back and ride along to the next destination.

After being picked up at the hotel, quickly stop at the local tourist police station to stamp the document required for trekking in the area before transferring to Mae Malai.

Hilltribe Trek Day 1

Mae Taeng ? Ban Mae Jok2h-3h

Hit the road in an open pickup truck for Mae Malai where there is time to visit a local market to purchase food and snacks. Start the trek through forests and rugged terrain to Baan Mae Jok, a Karen village.

Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 5?Ban Mae Jok/Pa Khao Lam

Trek 2-3 hrs and, after lunch, head to a Karen village to learn about traditional basket weaving and scarf-making. Continue trekking another few hours to the next village for the night.

You will also have the chance to fish at Mae Tang River using local tools; learn how to construct a bamboo raft.

Hilltribe Trek Day 2

Ban Mae Jok ? Pa Khao Lam4h30m-6h

After breakfast, trek 3.5-4 hrs to reach the lunch stop. Take in the beautiful scenery along the way. Enjoy lunch before carrying on another hour or so to the Karen village of Ban Pa Khao Lam.

Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 6?Pa Khao Lam/Chiang Mai

After breakfast, leave the village by bamboo raft, stopping at other villages along the way. Meet the van after lunch and head back to Chiang Mai for some free time to explore.

Bamboo Rafting to Lahu Village

Pa Khao Lam ? Lahu Village1h30m-2h

Board the traditional bamboo raft for a leisurely ride down the Mae Tang River. Reach the Lahu hill tribe village near Ban Pong Ngan. Enjoy a visit with the locals here and learn about the life and unique culture of the Lahu tribe.

Lahu Village Visit

Lahu Village

Take a bamboo raft down the Mae Tan River for one hour journey to a Lahu village to witness a lifestyle that dates hundreds of years.

Bamboo Rafting to Shan Village

Lahu Village ? Ban Sop Gai2h

Board a traditional bamboo raft and enjoy a ride through some small rapids on the Mae Tang River.

Pickup truck

Ban Sop Gai ? Chiang Mai1h30m-2h

Hop into the back and ride along to the next destination.

Free Time

Chiang MaiEvening

Check out more of Chiang Mai.

Accommodation

Chiang Mai Gate Hotel (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch

Day 7?Chiang Mai/Bangkok

Opt to go shopping, enjoy a Thai massage, or explore Chiang Mai’s many temples. Board an overnight train to Bangkok (potential for alternative transport during monsoon season, depending on conditions).

Note: Due to disruptions of Thai trains in the north during the monsoon season, trips running July through October may use alternative transport.

Free Time

Chiang MaiFull Day

Enjoy a final day to check out Chiang Mai.

Overnight train (beds)

Chiang Mai ? Bangkok12h-13h

Experience overnight travel like a local. Sit back and get some well-earned (and likely much-needed) rest en route to your next stop.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 8?Bangkok

Get out and explore this fantastic city where there is endless sightseeing to be done.

As this longer tour is comprised of two shorter tours, there is the possibility that you will need to change hotels on this day. Check in with your CEO about this while on tour. The two hotels we generally use are within walking distance.

Free Time

Bangkok?Full Day

Get out and explore bustling Bangkok.

Accommodation

Centra Central Station Hotel Bangkok (or similar)

Day 9?Bangkok/Surat Thani

Enjoy a street food crawl with the group and CEO either today or another day on tour. Option to visit Wat Po, the Grand Palace and Bangkok’s many markets. Overnight train to Surat Thani.

Opt to visit Wat Po, home of the giant reclining Buddha, or arrange a longtail boat to explore the canals of Bangkok. Enjoy some free time ahead of boarding the sleeper train to Surat Thani, the gateway to the south.

Free Time

BangkokFull Day

Get out and explore Thailand’s capital city.

Street Food Crawl

Evening

Bring your appetite and your wallet. The CEO will bring the group to the best spots to eat and teach everyone about the local street food. Yum!

Overnight train (beds)

Bangkok ? Surat Thani12h-13h

Experience overnight travel like a local. Sit back and get some well-earned (and likely much-needed) rest en route to your next stop.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 10?Surat Thani/Krabi

Transfer to Krabi and enjoy a few days on the beach on the Andaman Sea.

Private Vehicle

Surat Thani ? Krabi3hMorning

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Free Time

KrabiAfternoon

Head to the beach to splash around in the waves or relax in the sand.

Accommodation

J Mansion (or similar)

Day 11?Krabi

Enjoy a full-day snorkelling trip to Koh Phi Phi.

Phi Phi Island Tour

Ko Phi PhiFull Day

Visit Ko Phi Phi and admire the scenery — “The Beach” was filmed here. Get to know the local marine life while snorkelling and cruise by the amazing Viking Cave.

Accommodation

J Mansion (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch

Day 12?Krabi

Take advantage of a free day to do everything or nothing at all.

Free Time

Krabi

Do as much or as little as you’d like today ? relax to your heart’s content or get out and explore the surroundings.

Accommodation

J Mansion (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 13?Krabi/George Town

Cross the border into Malaysia and on to George Town, Penang, the “Pearl of the Orient”.

Private Vehicle

Krabi ? George Town10h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Border Crossing (Thailand – Malaysia)

Satun ? Kangar

Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.

Accommodation

Grand Inn Penang (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 14?George Town

Full day in Penang.

Free Time

George Town?Full Day

Get in touch with nature at a butterfly reserve or walk around a museum and learn more about the history of Malaysia.

Optional Activities – Day 14

Accommodation

Grand Inn Penang (or similar)

Day 15?George Town/Cameron Highlands

Walk around town and opt to take a tour of the highlands. Be sure to have afternoon tea here in this tea plantation-rich area.

Board a private bus and head for the hills! Enjoy the view from the lowlands through to mountainous terrain.

Private Vehicle

George Town ? Cameron Highlands6h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Orientation Walk

30m-1h

Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.

Accommodation

Bird’s Nest Hotel (or similar)

Day 16?Cameron Highlands

Full day in Cameron Highlands. Take a walk along one of the many well marked trails, visit the tea plantations or just relax and enjoy the cooler temperatures!

Free Time

Cameron HighlandsFull Day

Use free time to enjoy and explore this mountainous region.

Rainforest Expedition

Accommodation

Bird’s Nest Hotel (or similar)

Day 17?Cameron Highlands/Kuala Lumpur

Opt to take a city tour, visit the famous Petronas Towers or check out the Islamic Arts Museum.

Enjoy ample time to see the city’s impressive architecture and experience the fascinating cultural mix that gives this city such a uniquely cosmopolitan feel.

Local bus

Cameron Highlands ? Kuala Lumpur3h-4h205km

Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.

Free Time

Kuala Lumpur

Get out and explore bustling Kuala Lumpur.

Accommodation

?Mayview Glory Hotel (or similar)

Hotel

Day 18?Kuala Lumpur

Full day in Kuala Lumpur. Explore the city, head out of town to visit the famous Batu Caves or the Orang Asli Museum. Opt to visit the Petronas Towers.

Enjoy a full day in Kuala Lumpur to explore. Just outside of town, to the north, are the famous Batu Caves and the Orang Asli Museum. The evening is best spent at the night market sampling the different cuisine, some of the best in South East Asia. Bargain hunt among the stalls of Chinatown’s night market and don’t forget to visit to the Petronas Towers, the tallest twin towers in the world.

Free Time

Kuala LumpurFull Day

Free time to explore the city or landmarks nearby like the Batu Caves.

Accommodation

Mayview Glory Hotel (or similar)

Day 19?Kuala Lumpur/Melaka

Opt to tour the canals of Melaka by boat.

Visit the old port town of Melaka, wander the narrow streets and absorb the atmosphere of this historically important town. The streets of Chinatown are lined with Peranakan (Straits Chinese) shophouses offering their traditional cuisine, Nyonya. There are temples, churches and mosques, museums and forts to explore.

Local bus

Kuala Lumpur ? Melaka3h

Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.

Free Time

MelakaAfternoon

After arriving in Melaka, spend free time exploring on foot or by boat.

Melaka Boat Tour

Melaka

Sit back, relax, and enjoy the rejuvenated riverfront with new muralled buildings and significant historical landmarks and bridges. Float by a traditional Malay village, the Ghost Bridge of Melaka, Kampung Jawa, and the Clock Tower.

Accommodation

Fenix Inn (or similar)

Day 20?Melaka/Singapore

Border crossing from Malaysia into Singapore. Free time to take a harbour cruise or try mouth-watering street food.

In the morning cross the Straits of Johore and onto the island of Singapore. Tonight opt to visit the world famous night safari, take in a harbour cruise around Boat Quay or sample some mouth watering local food at one of the many hawker street stands.

Wander the streets of Little India and Chinatown for a great way to see the old parts of the city.

Local bus

Melaka ? Singapore4h-5h

Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.

Border Crossing (Malaysia – Singapore)

Johor Bahru ? Singapore

Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.

Free Time

SingaporeFull Day

Free time to see wildlife on a safari or get a taste of Singapore at some of the many hawker stands.

Accommodation

Hotel Bencoolen (or similar)

Day 21?Singapore

Depart at any time.

Departure Day

Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.

Meals included: Breakfast

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Price Start From

$2098 Per Person

Duration
21 Days
Meals:
As Per Itinerary