Burma, Laos & Vietnam on a Shoestring

There’s no time like now to take on an epic adventure. (Seriously, like right now.) Imagine five packed weeks of hitting up the best destinations that four countries in Southeast Asia have on offer.

This trip covers a serious amount of ground (and some water, too.) Chill out on the most golden of golden beaches along Vietnam's sunny coast, cruise through Vietnam’s famed Halong Bay and trek among the rice paddies in Burma. This is one unique itinerary that every first-time (or repeat) visitor to Southeast Asia should experience.

Itinerary

Day 1 Ho Chi Minh City
Arrive at any time.

Day 2 Ho Chi Minh City
Enjoy one of many street food crawls with the group and CEO. Option to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, War Remnants Museum, Colonial Quarter or go shopping in the Ben Thanh Market. Overnight train to Nha Trang.

Day 3-4 Nha Trang
Free time to go snorkelling, visit mud baths, tour the area by motorbike or relax by the beach. Overnight train to Hoi An.

Day 5-6 Hoi An
Enjoy one of two street food crawls with the group and CEO while in Hoi An. Bring your appetites and your wallets, and the CEO will bring you to the best spots and teach you a bit about the local street food. Enjoy a noodle making demonstration and lunch at Oodles of Noodles, a Planeterra-supported project. Opt to take to cycle to the beach, visit the tailors, or explore the old town.

Day 6-7 Hue
Opt to visit the Royal Citadel and tombs, take a Perfume River cruise or tour the countryside by motorbike. Overnight train to Hanoi.

Day 8 Halong Bay/Bai Chai Harbour
Visit Halong Bay for a seafood lunch cruise and a cave visit.

Day 9-10 Hanoi
Explore Hanoi with an orientation walk through the Old Quarter. Opt to visit Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, the Temple of Literature and the Hoa Lo Prison, or shop in the Old Quarter.

Day 11 Vientiane
A short flight brings the group to the capital city of Laos. Opt to visit temples, see the golden stupa of That Luang, or scour the markets.

Day 12-13 Vang Vieng
Enjoy the beautiful limestone karsts surrounding Vang Vieng. Free time to hike, bike, swim or go caving.

Day 14-15 Luang Prabang
Witness the giving of alms to the Buddhist monks and visit the night market. Opt to take a cooking class, visit temples or cool off at Kuang Si Waterfalls.

Day 16 Mekong River
Cruise the Mekong on a long houseboat before arriving to a village homestay for the night.

Day 17-18 Chiang Khong
Mekong River travel day. Cross into Thailand.

Day 19-20 Chiang Mai
Opt to visit Doi Suthep temple, catch a Thai boxing match or grab a bargain at the famous night market.

Day 21-22 Kengtung
Cross the border into Burma then travel inland to the ethnically diverse town of Kengtung. Enjoy an included full-day trek through rice paddies along a countryside dotted by various hilltribes.

Day 23-25 Inle Lake
Travel in style with a quick flight to serene Inle, home to the Intha people, floating villages and leg rowers. Enjoy free time to explore the area. Opt to rent a bike, take a cooking class, or tour the lake by boat, visiting some of its floating villages and gardens.

Day 26-27 Bagan
After a full day of travel, visit the ancient site of Bagan for a sunset temple tour. Enjoy a free day to visit nearby local villages or further explore the ruins site with its many temples and stupas.

Day 28-30 Mandalay
Opt to check out Mandalay's ancient temples, visit the nearby ancient royal capital of Amarapura, or traverse the world's longest teak bridge. Night train to Yangon.

Day 31 Yangon
Enjoy an orientation walk in the country's largest city, and visit the incredible Shwedagon Pagoda.

Day 33 Bangkok
Fly to Thailand's capital. Enjoy a final night with the group in this bustling city.

What's Included

Noodle making demonstration and lunch at Oodles of Noodles, a Planeterra-supported project (Hoi An)
Halong Bay boat cruise with lunch and guide
Witnessing the giving of alms (Luang Prabang)
Slow boat up the Mekong
Full-day trekking excursion (Kengtung)
Sunset temple tour (Bagan)
Visit to Shwedagon Pagoda (Yangon)
Orientation walks in Hanoi, and Yangon
Street food crawls in multiple cities
Internal flight
All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
31 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners. (Allow USD900-1150 for meals not included.)
Local bus, air-con bus, private vehicle, train, walking, tuk tuk, local boat, junk boat, plane.
Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, local guides.
Small group experience; Max 18, avg 12.
Simple hotels (26 nts), sleeper trains (3 nts), homestays (2 nts), overnight bus (1 nt).