Southeast Asia Express

Guide

The trip is led by English-speaking Vietnamese, Cambodian and Thai leaders.

Meals

All breakfasts, two lunches and one dinner are included. The food on this trip is a real highlight for many. Southeast Asian cuisine is typically freshly prepared dishes with strong aromatic flavours. There is a focus on herbs and citrus, ensuring each dish packs a punch; chilli features highly too, but is easily avoided if desired. Most dishes come with rice and many are served in a banana leaf with a variety of dips and herbs served separately. Visiting three countries means a different culinary experience every time you cross the border; try banh xeo (huge sizzling pancakes) in Vietnam, fish amok curry in Cambodia for a creamy, fragrant coconut-based dish; and freshly made pad Thai noodles from the Bangkok street stalls. Western food is readily available almost everywhere in the bigger cities, but not in Banteay Chhmar. Vegetarian food is widely available; however, the offering will be fairly similar in smaller locations visited. Please advise at time of booking if you have any dietary requirements.

Transport

Throughout the tour, we use a private coach/minibus, usually with air conditioning. The driving days are usually no more than three to seven hours, but the driving day from Siem Reap to Bangkok will take approximately 10 hours (with stops along the way including border crossings and lunch). Road conditions are fine in Vietnam and Thailand but generally not as good in Cambodia but improving all the time. Progress can be slow there.

Accommodation

We spend 10 nights in comfortable hotels and one night in a homestay guesthouse. The accommodation is in good-quality hotels (three- or four-star) with all rooms offering air conditioning or fans. All hotels have private bathrooms and the guesthouse homestay has shared bathroom facilities. Please note, the accommodations listed in the day-to-day itinerary are the standard hotels used. However, there may be some departures where groups stay at similar hotels of the same standard and quality. If you are a solo traveller and would prefer not to share a room with another solo traveller of the same sex, you can request a private room for a supplement. Private rooms are available for nine nights of the tour, except the one night at the homestay guesthouse in Banteay Chhmar, Cambodia. Please advise your sales representative at the time of booking if you would to include the single supplement.

Others

— Travel Insurance — Single accommodation (available on request) — Visas or vaccinations