17 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 dinner

We believe single travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and single travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.

Eating is a big part of traveling. Travelling with G Adventures you experience the vast array of wonderful food that is available out in the world. Generally meals are not included in the trip price when there is a choice of eating options, to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat. It also gives you more budgeting flexibility, though generally food is cheap. Our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other’s company. There is no obligation to do this though. Your CEO will be able to suggest favourite restaurants during your trip. Included breakfasts will usually be asian style consisting of noodles or congee (rice porridge) or bread and eggs. Vegetarians will be able to find a range of different foods, although in some areas the choice maybe limited. While trekking in remote regions food is included, plentiful and made of fresh local ingredients. For all trips please refer to the meals included and budget information for included meals and meal budgets.

Minimum age of 18 years for this trip.

In Asia the dress standard is more conservative than it is back home. When packing try to pick loose, lightweight, long clothing that will keep you cool in the usually hot and humid climate of Asian summers. In predominately Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim countries we ask that you dress respectfully and avoid very short shorts/skirts and singlets/tanktops when visiting temples or mosques or other holy sites. In Pakistan we recommend a head scarf for women while walking around.

1. REQUIRED: In order for us to confirm the transport used during your visit to Laos, we require a coloured copy of your passport in advance of travel. We please request you send a coloured copy of the passport you will be travelling on to experience@gadventures.com

2. COMBO TRIP

Please note that this trip is a combination of multiple G Adventures tours. As such, the staff and/or particular vehicles operating your tour may change between tour segments. You may also expect some group members to join or leave the tour, between tour segments. Also note that in some major cities in Vietnam, many hotel rooms do not have windows.

3. BORDER CROSSING

Ban Houayxay, Laos to Chiang Khong, Thailand – Laos to Thailand

4. WEIGHT RESTRICTION

There may be a weight restriction for the internal flight on this tour. Each passenger is allowed to carry one checked bag with a maximum weight of 20kg (44lbs). Additional bags or excess weight charges may apply. These charges are the responsibility of the passengers.

5. PROOF OF EXITING VIETNAM

Important thing to note for our travellers arriving into Vietnam, and travelling onwards with G Adventures to neighbouring counties (i.e. Cambodia & Laos). When you are checking onto your international flight heading to Vietnam, you will often be asked by airline ticket counter personnel to provide a proof of exit from Vietnam.

In respect to this requirement, we encourage our travellers to print out a copy of their tour vouchers, along with a PDF copy of their Tour Details from the webpage. These references, along with entry and exit details on travellers Vietnam visa should be sufficient information.

6. LAOS – High Speed Train regulations.

Items prohibited from being carried by passengers into the stations or on trains:

– Flammable materials & liquids. Aerosols will be taken away at security.

– Sharp objects (e.g. pocket knives)

– Explosive materials e.g. vapes & e-cigarettes. Includes spray-on deodorant, perfume & hair products.

– Foods which are wet or have an overpowering smell

– Weapons

– Drugs

The high speed train has a luggage limit of 20kg per person.

All G Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of our Chief Experience Officers (CEO). The aim of the CEO is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting- we think it’s the best of both worlds.

A variety of styles of hotels/guest houses are used on this trip. In many instances they might not be like what you are used to back home as service and efficiency can vary. In some areas we stay in simple local guest houses in stunning locations – rooms are small and simple and there may only be shared toilet facilities and showers.

Accommodation will be varied throughout your adventure. Some nights on this tour will be multi-share. The majority of accommodation will have shared bathroom facilities.

Mekong River Homestay: Typically, the group is divided into two or more houses (depending on group size) in close proximity to each other. Sleeping arrangements are multi-share in the central living area of the homes – mattresses, blankets, pillows, and mosquito nets are provided. Bathroom facilities are shared.

Where we use multi-share hostels, rooming requests of any kind cannot be taken. For private accommodation please see our Classic Travel Style.

What you need to bring depends on the trip you have chosen and the countries or regions you are planning to visit. We suggest that you pack as lightly as possible as your are expected to carry your own luggage. As a rule we try not to have to walk more than 15-20 minutes with your bags which is why we recommend keeping the weight of your bags between 10-15kg/22-30lb. Suitcases are not recommended for G Adventures trips! Most travellers carry a backpack or rolling bag of small to medium size (no XXL ones please!) as they need to fit under the beds when travelling on sleeper trains. You will also need a day pack/bag to carry water, cameras and other electronics like ipods and mobile phones. If your trip involves overnights in homestays, villages or camping then you usually have the opportunity to rent sleeping bags if need be instead of bringing them with you.

Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.

Celebrate on day 13 with a Big Night Out in Vang Vieng. Follow your CEO to a lively spot where travellers and locals mingle, music rolls between river bars, and the mood is carefree. Raise a glass with the group and enjoy the freedom to dance, play bar games, or simply soak up the riverside atmosphere.

The night scene here mixes backpacker energy with Laos’s laid-back charm. It’s a chance to unwind after hiking, trade tips for tomorrow’s adventures, and savour the simple pleasure of being out under warm, starry skies by the Song River.

Arriving on day 15, join a CEO-led orientation walk through UNESCO-listed Luang Prabang, where quiet lanes reveal golden wats and elegant French-era villas. Climb the naga-flanked steps of Mount Phousi to the hilltop sanctuary for sunset over the Mekong and Nam Khan, as temple drums echo across the valley.

After dusk, follow your CEO to the night market for a street food crawl. Taste Luang Prabang’s takes on khao soi, herb-scented sausages, and coconut treats, learning how local produce and Buddhist rhythms shape daily life. It’s a beautifully paced introduction to the city’s serene, spiritual heart.

Rise early on day 16 to respectfully observe the monks’ alms procession as saffron-robed novices move silently along Luang Prabang’s streets. Locals kneel to offer sticky rice and fruit—an intimate ritual that underscores the city’s monastic traditions and the community’s role in sustaining them.

Your CEO shares simple etiquette—keep a quiet distance, dress modestly, and refrain from flash photography—so the moment remains contemplative. As the first light touches gilded roofs, you’ll understand why this timeless ceremony is central to the spiritual rhythm of Laos.

Later on day 16, travel into the forested hills to Kuang Si Waterfalls, a tiered cascade famed for turquoise limestone pools. Follow shaded paths to viewpoints, listen to the rush of water, and, time permitting, slip in for a refreshing swim. Keep an eye out for rescued moon bears at the nearby sanctuary.

Your guide explains how mineral-rich springs create the falls’ unique colour and how this scenic retreat is woven into local weekend rituals. Expect to return to Luang Prabang by late afternoon with camera rolls full of milky cascades and jade-green terraces.

On day 17, board a comfortable longboat for a slow cruise up the Mekong. Settle into wide benches, sip coffee, and watch riverbank villages and jungle-clad cliffs drift by. The pace invites conversation, card games, and quiet moments on deck as the river broadens toward the Thai border.

That evening, arrive at a Mekong-side village for a community homestay. Share a home-cooked dinner, enjoy a traditional Baci welcome ceremony, and, if invited, join a Khamu cultural performance. On day 18, continue cruising toward Chiang Khong, crossing into Thailand by late afternoon—an authentic window onto life shaped by one of Asia’s great rivers.

On day 11, join a CEO-led orientation walk through Hanoi’s Old Quarter, a maze where streets once specialized by trade still carry names like Silk and Tin. Navigate buzzing alleys, shrine-tucked courtyards, and lacquerware storefronts to reach Bia Hoi Corner for a glass of fresh rice beer on a plastic stool.

Between sips, hear how the city evolved from imperial Thang Long to today’s capital, and how bia hoi culture fosters spontaneous conversations. With bearings set, you’ll be ready to enjoy a free afternoon of lakeside strolls, temple visits, or café-hopping.

On day 21, celebrate the journey’s finale with a Big Night Out in Bangkok. Follow your CEO to a lively spot near the Khao San Road area, where music spills into the streets and vendors flip pad thai under glowing signs. Raise a toast with the group and, if you wish, dance late into the night.

This is Bangkok at its breeziest: friendly, high-spirited, and full of possibility. Share highlights, swap contacts, and savour that end-of-trip camaraderie before tomorrow’s departures.

On day 5 or 6, opt to join a Vietnamese cooking class in Hoi An. Start at the bustling Central Market to choose herbs, greens, and spices, then head to a local kitchen to learn classic techniques—balancing sweet, sour, salty, and spicy in dips and broths, rolling fresh spring rolls, and grilling marinated pork or tofu.

Along the way, uncover the stories behind local dishes like cao l?u and mì qu?ng, shaped by centuries of trade. This activity is at additional cost and bookable on tour; it’s perfect for travellers who want practical skills (and recipes) to bring a taste of Hoi An home.

Late on day 6, drift along the Thu Bon River at sunset in a traditional wooden boat. Watch fishermen cast circular nets, children launch candle-lit lanterns, and the waterfront glow from gold to indigo. From the water, Hoi An’s timber shop-houses and tiled roofs look like a stage set.

Your boatman shares glimpses of daily river life that sustained Hoi An’s trading days. Afterwards, stroll back through lanes scented with jasmine tea and star anise. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

On day 5, pedal out of town on a gentle cycle through Hoi An’s rice paddies, crossing small bridges and village lanes where water buffalo graze. Reach An Bang Beach to dip your toes in the South China Sea and relax under palms before riding back along quiet paths.

It’s a breezy way to see farming life—vegetable gardens in Tra Que, fishermen mending nets, and local shrines hidden behind bamboo fences. This activity is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

On day 7, hop on the back as local drivers lead a motorbike tour around imperial Hue. Take in the moats and ramparts of the Imperial Citadel (Ð?i N?i), pause at the riverbank Thien Mu Pagoda, and ride out to the pine-covered hills to visit an emperor’s tomb such as Khai Dinh or Tu Duc.

The Perfume River breeze and small backroads reveal a side of Hue buses miss—incense villages, rice mills, and family altars. This activity is at additional cost and bookable on tour. Helmets are provided; you ride pillion with experienced local drivers.

Alternatively on day 7, board a colourful dragon boat on the Perfume River. Glide past leafy banks to the Thien Mu Pagoda and continue to a royal tomb where carved mandarins stand guard along shaded avenues. The gentle current and temple bells set a contemplative mood.

Hear stories of the Nguyen emperors and the artistry behind lacquered halls and stone pavilions. This activity is at additional cost and bookable on tour, ideal for travellers who prefer a slower-paced exploration of Hue’s heritage.

On day 9, head into Phong Nha–K? Bàng National Park for a full-day caving adventure. Walk the wooden boardwalks deep inside Paradise Cave to admire cathedral-high chambers draped with stalactites, then take a boat along the Son River to enter Phong Nha Cave, where the river disappears into the mountain.

Between explorations, stop for a Vietnamese lunch and hear how this karst landscape shelters some of Asia’s most spectacular cave systems. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

On day 11, dive deeper into Hanoi’s flavours on a guided foodie tour. Weave through the Old Quarter to sample bún ch? sizzling over charcoal, silky ph?, and the city’s signature egg coffee. Between bites, learn how street vendors prep broths at dawn and why tiny stools are the best seats in town.

Your guide shares regional differences—from northern herbs to Hanoi’s love of pickled garlic—so you can order confidently for the rest of the trip. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Make day 14 a thrill day. Paddle the Nam Song River by kayak, floating past karst cliffs and village gardens before entering Tham None cave with headlamps to see limestone textures and echoing chambers. Afterwards, cool off in the Blue Lagoon’s emerald water, ringed by jungle shade.

Guides handle safety and logistics so you can focus on the scenery and fun. This bundle is at additional cost and bookable on tour, a great balance of active exploration and classic Vang Vieng relaxation.

On day 19 or 20, drive the winding road to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai’s hilltop sanctuary. Climb the naga staircase to a courtyard where the golden chedi gleams and bells chime in the breeze. From the terrace, soak up sweeping views over the city and surrounding mountains.

Depending on timing, you may hear monk chanting roll across the temple. Guides illuminate Lanna-era legends and the significance of this revered site. This activity is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Experience the intensity of Muay Thai at a local stadium on day 19. Before the bouts, fighters perform the wai kru ritual, paying respect to teachers and the ring. As the first bell sounds, drums and cymbals build a rhythmic soundtrack to swift footwork, elbows, and clinches.

Learn how this national sport blends discipline, strategy, and heart. Ringside, the energy is electric yet respectful—an unforgettable window into modern Thai culture. This activity is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

On day 20, trade traffic for backroads on a gentle cycling tour through Chiang Mai’s outskirts. Pedal past rice fields, fruit orchards, and quiet temples, pausing for photos and a refreshing iced coffee at a small roaster. Learn how seasonal rains shape the growing cycle and village routines.

With flat terrain and plenty of stops, it’s a relaxed way to see everyday northern Thai life beyond the moat. This activity is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

On day 21, join a guide to explore the Grand Palace, seat of the Chakri kings and home to the Emerald Buddha. Marvel at gilded stupas, tiled mandalas, and mythic guardians before continuing to Wat Pho to meet the serene Reclining Buddha and learn about the temple’s traditional massage school.

Along the way, hear how royal ceremony and Buddhist practice shape Thai identity. Modest dress is required to enter the palace. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Also on day 21, board a longtail boat to cruise the Chao Phraya and Thonburi khlongs. Skim past stilted wooden houses, tiny shrines, and canal-side markets, catching glimpses of everyday riverside life. Out on the main river, admire the prang of Wat Arun rising like a porcelain spire.

The waterways reveal Bangkok’s quieter, older soul—far from the expressways above. This activity is at additional cost and bookable on tour, and pairs well with a temple visit for a full picture of the city.

Make the most of day 3’s free time with a mineral mud bath at Nha Trang’s springs. Sink into warm, silky mud said to soothe skin, then rinse in cascading mineral showers before relaxing in thermal pools amid tropical gardens. The pace is slow, the air salt-tinged, and the setting restorative.

Your spa hosts explain how local geology feeds mineral waters prized by residents and weekenders. It’s the perfect reset before the evening’s food crawl. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

On day 2, follow your CEO on a concise orientation walk through central Ho Chi Minh City. Learn where to find ATMs, markets, and transit, and pass signature sights like Ben Thanh Market, the elegant Saigon Central Post Office, and the red-brick facade of the Notre Dame Cathedral. Feel the contrast between tree-lined boulevards and alleyway life where coffee drips slowly into glasses of ice.

Along the way, hear how the city evolved from French colonial Saigon to modern Ho Chi Minh City. With bearings set, you’ll be ready to enjoy a free afternoon revisiting your favourite stops—perhaps strolling lively Nguyen Hue or sampling a banh mi layered with herbs and pickles.

On day 3, bring an appetite for an evening street food crawl in Nha Trang. Perch on low stools with the sea breeze in the air as your CEO leads you to family-run stalls. Bite into nem nu?ng grilled pork rolls, sizzling bánh can rice-cakes, and charcoal-kissed seafood bright with lime, chili, and herbs. Between tastings, sip iced tea and watch the coastal city unwind.

Discover how Nha Trang’s shoreline and nearby Po Nagar Cham heritage shaped its flavours. Finish on a sweet note with local chè (dessert soup) or coconut pancakes. It’s a relaxed, social way to explore Vietnam’s beloved open-air dining culture and pick up ordering tips for the rest of the journey.

Day 5 opens with a CEO-led orientation walk through Hoi An’s Old Town, where ochre shop-houses, carved wooden fronts, and assembly halls reveal the trading port once known as Faifo. Stroll past the Japanese Covered Bridge and riverfront warehouses now glowing with silk lanterns along the Thu Bon River.

As evening arrives, regroup for a Big Night Out by the riverside. Toast the trip so far at a favourite bar, swap stories, and, if the mood strikes, venture to the dance floor. The setting—historic alleys, lantern-lit quays, and mellow music—captures Hoi An’s charm while giving the group time to unwind together on day 5.

On day 6, visit a G Adventures-supported project that empowers local youth through culinary training. Join the class to learn about regional noodle traditions—from the chewy, ash-water noodles of cao l?u to turmeric-tinted mì qu?ng. Watch knife skills, stir fragrant broths, and sample warm bowls of noodles alongside crisp herbs and lime.

This hands-on experience supports a social enterprise creating real opportunities in hospitality. You’ll leave with practical tips for decoding Vietnamese menus and a deeper connection to central Vietnam’s food culture—where influences from Chinese, Japanese, and local traders simmered into the richly layered cuisine you taste today.

On day 13, lace up for a guided hike to Pha Ngeun, the classic limestone lookout above Vang Vieng. The trail climbs steadily through scrub and bamboo, opening to panoramas of karst peaks and patchwork rice paddies. At the summit, a breeze skims the cliffs and the misty mountain valleys spread out below.

Your guide shares how this once-sleepy town was shaped by the Nam Song River and the surrounding karst landscape. Descend with time to pause for photos and reflection, returning with a fresh perspective on the scenery that defines northern Laos.

Arrive in Vietnam’s biggest city and, on day 1, meet your CEO and fellow travellers for a relaxed briefing and icebreakers. As dusk falls, wander Pham Ngu Lao and Bui Vien with the group, where neon signs buzz, vendors fan charcoal grills, and tiny plastic stools spill onto the pavement. Clink bottles of local beer and connect with new friends as scooters weave by in a blur.

Your CEO points out handy landmarks and tips for the days ahead, setting the tone for a friendly, flexible adventure. This informal start matters: it helps you settle into Saigon’s high-energy rhythm, trade first impressions, and feel at ease navigating the city’s thrilling streetlife together.

On day 10, travel from Hanoi to the coast and board a traditional-style junk to cruise among limestone karsts of H? Long Bay. The green water is studded with islets and fishing boats; gulls wheel overhead as you sit down to a fresh seafood lunch on deck.

Later, step ashore to explore a grotto filled with stalactites, learning how sea and stone carved these caverns over millennia. This World Heritage seascape is Vietnam’s great natural icon—bring a charged camera and a light sweater for the sea breeze.