Stray Asia Thailand Laos Cambodia Vietnam - 38 Day Freestyle Tour

Stray Asia Thailand Laos Cambodia Vietnam - 38 Day Freestyle Tour

Venture off the beaten track in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam on a tour packed full of adventure, mind blowing scenery, local culture and history. Travel stress-free with accommodation, activities and transport all included, with a local Tour Leader to guide the way. As a bonus, you don’t have to stick with the group the whole time - you can hop off anywhere along the route, spend longer in your favourite places and then hop back on the tour with the next group coming through. That’s the beauty of ‘Freestyle’!

Itinerary

Day 1: Bangkok

Stop At: Stray Travel, 162 Soi Rambutri, Tanao Road, Talad Yod, Phranakorn District, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Welcome to Bangkok! Be at our Stray Shop at 3pm to meet your Tour Leader and your new travel mates for a Welcome Meeting introduction. We’ll cover how Stray works and answer any questions you have before heading to the train station to board the overnight train to Chiang Mai. The overnight sleeper train is an experience within itself for those who have never been on one before, complete with lie flat beds and a restaurant carriage.
Duration: 12 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight sleeper train to Chiang Mai

Day 2: Arrival in Chiang Mai

Stop At: Tapae gate villa, 111/1 Mun Mueang Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
We arrive into Chiang Mai train station around midmorning. As the largest city in Northern Thailand, Chiang Mai is a popular place to hop off for many travellers and an amazing city full of endless activity options, such as Thai cooking classes, bike tours or Muay Thai kickboxing to name a few. Once a kingdom unto itself, there are over 300 Buddhist temples to discover and it is worth visiting the old walled city to see the Tapae Gate. In the evening, don’t miss browsing the famous night market to score a bargain or you can check out the lively music scene.
Duration: 12 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Guesthouse close to the city centre

Day 3: Chiang Mai

Stop At: Chiang Mai Cabaret Show, Anusan Market, Chiang Mai Thailand
Seize the day by exploring this historically rich city or venturing outside the city to discover the natural beauty of northern Thailand. Chiang Mai is the perfect base for some of Thailand’s best guided hikes and treks, as well as the top spot for adventure activities like mountain biking, abseiling and whitewater rafting. Tonight, enjoy dinner at one of the many great restaurants, then take in a ladyboy show, Muay Thai boxing or head out for a few drinks with friends.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Guesthouse close to the city centre

Day 4: Chiang Mai to Houay Xai

Stop At: Wat Rong Khun, Lahaul-Spiti Pa O Don Chai Subdistrict, Chiang Rai 57000 Thailand
This morning we depart Chiang Mai to head for the Thailand-Laos border. We’ll make a stop near Chiang Rai to check out the famous and intriguing White Temple (Wat Rong Khun). We stop here long enough to grab a snack, stretch our legs and take a few photos before we continue on to cross the border into Laos. Once in Laos we take a short tuk-tuk ride to the small town of Houay Xai, our stop for the night.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Guesthouse with views across the Mekong River

Day 5: Houay Xai to Mekong River Homestay

Stop At: Mekong River, Tha Heua 05000 Laos
Leaving Houay Xai you’ll board our private slow boat to cruise down the Mekong River to the secluded village that will host you for an overnight homestay experience. We arrive in the village in the late afternoon. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become immersed in Lao culture, where you will get a taste of traditional Lao village life by staying with a family in their home and experience a special Baci (welcoming) Ceremony, a true highlight of the trip.

Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Remote village homestay along the Mekong River

Day 6: Mekong River Homestay to Luang Prabang

Stop At: Pak Ou Caves, Near Pak Ou the Tham Ting, Ban Pak-Ou 0603 Laos
We wave goodbye to the village and jump back aboard our private boat to head downriver to the famous limestone Pak Ou Caves. Pak Ou is an important pilgrimage site for Lao people, and here you will see thousands of Buddhist images that have been placed throughout the caves over hundreds of years. Back on board our boat a short trip takes us to the UNESCO World Heritage town, Luang Prabang.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Guesthouse with fan or AC private rooms close to night market

Day 7: Luang Prabang

Stop At: Kuang Si Falls, Luang Prabang 06000 Laos
Today you’ll visit the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfalls, where the turquoise water and calm pools offer the perfect chance to cool off. At the base of the falls, you’ll also find a rescue centre for the native Asiatic moon bears where you can watch them happily living in a safe environment.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Guesthouse with fan or AC private rooms close to night market

Day 8: Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng

Stop At: Vang Vieng Walking Street, Vang Vieng Laos
It’s an early start as we head south through mountainous terrain on one of the most scenic journeys you’ll experience on the Laos travel route. Travel past hill-tribe villages, vast green valleys and rolling hills. Our journey today takes us to the little riverside town Vang Vieng, formerly known as the best place to take tubing trips down the Nam Song River to visit riverside bars and indulge in cheap booze. These days you can still go tubing, but now you get to enjoy the beauty of Vang Vieng's landscape without the sound of pounding bass in the background.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Family run guesthouse in the centre of the action

Day 9: Vang Vieng

Stop At: Blue Lagoon 3, Vang Vieng Laos
With its stunning natural scenery, Vang Vieng offers ample outdoor activities to choose from. We recommend hiring a bike to explore the town and visiting the Blue Lagoon, one of the best natural swimming holes in Laos. There are also great rock climbing and kayaking options. The fun doesn’t stop after an adventure filled day either! This evening check out one of several international restaurants for a taste of home or head to one of the bars to really get the party started.
Duration: 12 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Family run guesthouse in the centre of the action

Day 10: Vang Vieng to Vientiane

Stop At: COPE Visitor Centre, Boulevard Khouvieng National Rehabilitation Centre, Vientiane 0100 Laos
Today we cruise through to the capital of Laos. On arrival in Vientiane your Tour Leader will point out the city’s main attractions, and take you to visit the COPE centre – a non-profit organisation that educates visitors and raises awareness for victims of UXO (Unexploded Ordinance) and the Secret War. After check-in at our centrally located accommodation, you are free to explore the city.
Duration: 12 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Modern hotel

Day 11: Vientiane to Kong Lor

Stop At: Kong Lor Cave, Phoun Hin Boun Laos
An early escape this morning takes us away from the crowds and south to Kong Lor in the Phu Hin Bun National Park. About an hour into the journey we visit Wat Prabat Phonsone, the ‘Buddha’s Footprint,’ a popular and important pilgrimage site for local communities. Arriving in remote Kong Lor with the afternoon sun, you’ll feel a sense of peace overcome you.
Duration: 12 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Comfortable garden view bungalows with spectacular views and a short drive from the cave

Day 12: Kong Lor

Stop At: Kong Lor Cave, Phoun Hin Boun Laos
Today, you’ll get the chance to explore the underground river that winds its way through a mountain, venturing deep into the abyss of the stunning 7km long Kong Lor Cave on a motorised canoe! Discover impressive columns, stalagmites and stalactites illuminated and protruding from the limestone rock as you travel by motorboat through this colossal cave system.
Duration: 12 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Comfortable garden view bungalows with spectacular views and a short drive from the cave

Day 13: Kong Lor to Savannakhet

Stop At: That Ing Hang, Savannakhet Laos
We’ll break up the drive today by stopping in the small town of Thakhek, where there’s time to grab some lunch before we continue south. Before arriving in Savannakhet, we’ll stop to visit the Buddhist holy site Wat Ing Hang, reportedly built in the 16th century to honour Buddha’s visit to the area and housing one of Buddha’s bones. Set on the Mekong River as a border town with neighbouring Thailand, Savannakhet historically served as a key transit and trading post and is now the largest town in Southern Laos.
Duration: 12 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Comfortable hotel

Day 14: Savannakhet to Pakse

Stop At: Bolaven Plateau, Laos
Driving south this morning we head first for Pakse, then carry on to explore the refreshingly cool climate of the Bolaven Plateau. The Plateau features a lush green landscape, fertile coffee and tea plantations, and many spectacular waterfalls, including the stunning Tad Ngeuang Waterfall where you can go for a swim. Pakse sits where the mighty Mekong River and Se Don River meet, so take advantage of the many restaurants along the riverfront for a meal served up with unbeatable river views.

Duration: 12 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Guesthouse in centre of town

Day 15: Pakse to Don Det (4000 Islands)

Stop At: Si Phan Don, Don Loppadi Laos
From Pakse, we’ll carry on south to the backpacker mecca of Si Phan Don, otherwise known as the 4000 Islands. Here you can experience the laidback lifestyle and impressive natural beauty of Laos’s landlocked islands. The island of Don Det serves as a great base to hire a kayak or tube for floating down the river, taking a boat trip to spot rare Irrawaddy dolphins, cycling across to the neighbouring Don Khone Island to discover the remnants of the only steam engine railway in Laos, and marveling at the thunderous Li Phi waterfall.
Duration: 12 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Rustic style guesthouse

Day 16: Don Det to Siem Reap (Express Day)

Stop At: Pub Street, anergy Disco Manali, Siem Reap Cambodia
A short drive will bring you to the Don Kralor Border where you will complete the immigration process and continue into Cambodia. Today your destination is Siem Reap, best known as home to the UNESCO World Heritage listed Angkor Temple complex. Arriving in late evening there will be time to freshen up before dinner and drinks with your group along the iconic Pub Street.
Duration: 12 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Guesthouse in the centre of town

Day 17: Siem Reap

Stop At: ANM Khmer Market, Angkor Night Market St, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
After your first night on Pub Street, you’ll probably enjoy a free day to sleep in and relax at your accommodation. If you’re up for it, get out and explore more of the downtown area, which tends to be a bit quieter during the day when most visitors are out at the temple complex. You’ll find the heart of the city fairly easy to navigate by foot or bicycle. Finish the day by sampling traditional Khmer food and visiting the Angkor Night Market that’s open every night.
Duration: 12 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Guesthouse in the centre of town

Day 18: Siem Reap to Battambang Homestay

Stop At: Krong Battambang, Cambodia
Today you depart Siem Reap early enough to arrive in Battambang for a late lunch. After lunch, we’ll visit a whiskey making village and learn about the local tipple, before checking out a village where they make a staple (but smelly) ingredient in most Khmer and Southeast Asian cuisine - fish sauce! Tonight, we’ll stay in another little village, outside of Battambang, located in the picturesque countryside. You’ll stay in a Cambodian family’s home, experiencing rural community life. You can wander through the village and nearby rice paddies and finish the day by enjoying a delicious traditional meal with your host family.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Homestay in a Cambodian family’s home

Day 19: Battambang to Siem Reap

Stop At: Bamboo Train Battambang, Krong Battambang, Cambodia
After waving goodbye to your hosts we’ll head into the city of Battambang and visit the market. On the way back to Siem Reap we’ll stop to take a ride on the Bamboo Train, a rail system that was built by the French and destroyed by the Khmer Rouge, but is still used by the locals as a simple form of transport. Tonight’s activity is up to you, but we recommend a visit to the unforgettable Phare Circus.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Guesthouse in the centre of town

Day 20: Siem Reap

Stop At: Angkor Wat, Sangkat Nokor Thum, Siem Reap Cambodia
No trip to Siem Reap is complete without a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Angkor temples.. Ranked at the top of many ultimate travel bucket lists (including Lonely Planet’s), this awe-inspiring architectural wonder is the largest temple complex in the world. Embrace your inner Tomb Raider as you spend the whole day on a guided tour that will take you to highlight sites including the famous Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm.

Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Guesthouse in the centre of town

Day 21: Siem Reap to Phnom Penh

Stop At: Royal Palace, Sothearos between Street 240 & 184, Phnom Penh Cambodia
Next up, we head for the bustling Cambodian capital Phnom Penh. You’re free this afternoon to get your first taste of this energizing capital city. Set out to explore the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and Wat Phnom, take a river cruise, shop for souvenirs at the huge Russian Market or see a living art performance at the National Museum.
Duration: 12 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Guesthouse near the main tourist area

Day 22: Phnom Penh

Stop At: Choeung Ek Genocidal Center, ផ្លូវជើងឯក, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Today, Cambodia’s history is bought to life with a tour of two of the most infamous attractions: the Khmer Rouge’s Killing Fields and the Tuol Sleng S21 Prison. Afterwards, an afternoon drive brings us to the little riverside town of Kampot, where we’ll go on a relaxing sunset boat cruise on the Kampot River.
Duration: 12 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Guesthouse with private rooms

Day 23: Kampot

Stop At: Bokor National Park, Elephant Mountains, Kampot 07000 Cambodia
You have a full free day to explore quaint Kampot. Visit the fascinating salt and pepper farms, go cycling or trek in the Bokor National Park or take a day trip to nearby Koh Tunsay (Rabbit Island) for some beach time. Tonight, we recommend sampling the exceptional regional seafood dishes at one of the many restaurants on the riverfront –the fried shrimp with green pepper corns is an absolute must try!
Duration: 12 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Guesthouse with private rooms

Day 24: Kampot to Phnom Penh

Stop At: Kampot Night Market, 3 Nat'l Hwy Near the Durian Roundabout, Kampot 07000 Cambodia
After a relaxing morning in Kampot, we return to Phnom Penh, where you’ll have the evening free. For something different, why not join the locals at dusk for an aerobic workout along the riverfront. Here you’ll find local ladies garbed in Western-style pyjamas, getting their groove on to Khmer techno music in order to burn a few calories. It may not be your most coordinated moment but will be good for a giggle (even if you’re just laughing at yourself)!
Duration: 12 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Guesthouse near the main tourist area

Day 25: Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City

Stop At: Ho Chi Minh Squares, Nguyen Hue Walking Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City 70000 Vietnam
This morning you’ll board an unguided public bus organised by your Cambodia Tour Leader and head to Moc Bai on the Vietnamese border, where you will be processed through immigration (you must organise your Vietnam visa in advance for this land border crossing) and then drive on to Ho Chi Minh City, arriving mid-afternoon. Spend the afternoon exploring the narrow streets on foot or choose a restaurant teeming with locals for your first taste of the best Vietnamese cuisine.
Duration: 12 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Centrally located hotel or guesthouse

Day 26: Ho Chi Minh City

Stop At: War Remnants Museum, 28 Vo Van Tan Ward 6, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City 700000 Vietnam
Today is a free day to explore the hot and lively Ho Chi Minh City. Learn about the history of the American and Vietnam War at the War Remnant Museum, visit the French Colonial Saigon Opera House, browse the surrounding shopping plazas or see a cultural show. Ho Chi Minh even has its own Notre Dame Cathedral, which is said to be a connection between the physical and spiritual life for the Ho Chi Minh people. We recommend taking a trip out to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, a complex of over 200kms of tunnels used by the Viet Khong in the war against the US.
Duration: 12 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Centrally located hotel or guesthouse

Day 27: Ho Chi Minh City to Da Lat

Stop At: Da Lat Night Market, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Da Lat 670000 Vietnam
Leaving behind the chaos and heat of Ho Chi Minh City, we head for the refreshingly cool climate of Da Lat, known as the ‘honeymoon capital of Vietnam’. Our journey today takes us through fertile farmlands that specialise in rubber, coffee and tea, locally produced wine, vegetables and flowers. Da Lat vaguely resembles a French town with sprawling old villas and towering pine trees. It is not on the main tourist trail, so locals are curious and very friendly to Western visitors. Spend the afternoon checking out the large market near the guesthouse or sample a glass of locally made Da Lat wine at one of the local restaurants.
Duration: 12 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Local guesthouse in the centre of town

Day 28: Da Lat

Stop At: Crazy House, 03 Huynh Thuc Khang St Ward 4, Da Lat Vietnam
Today is a free day so fuel up on an excellent locally sourced coffee at one of the friendly cafes that seem to occupy every corner, and then head out to discover the notable city sights on foot, by bicycle or the popular option of a guided motorbike tour. Must see sights include the Emperor’s Art Deco-style Summer Palace, the surrealist Hang Nga ‘Crazy House,’ the French Quarter and railway station, as well as the never ending local coffee or strawberry plantations and the aptly named Paradise Lake that lie outside the city.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Local guesthouse in the centre of town

Day 29: Da Lat to Bai Xep

Stop At: Bai Xep Beach, 1d, Quy Nhon Vietnam
Leaving behind the cool climate of Da Lat we’ll head for the Vietnamese coast, stopping for refreshments at the coastal city of Nha Trang, a popular beach destination to hop off for those who have the time. Driving on your destination is the tiny fishing village of Bai Xep located along a stretch of sandy white beach. Kick back and relax in this peaceful village setting well off the beaten tourist track and as yet untouched by rampant tourism. Don’t be surprised when the locals wave and greet you with welcoming smiles.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Accommodation right on the beach

Day 30: Bai Xep

Stop At: Bai Xep Beach, 1d, Quy Nhon Vietnam
Today you are free to enjoy this remote coastal location and all it has to offer. Swim, snorkel and take long walks on the beach, learn to paddle a traditional round boat, go fishing and cook your catch for tea, wander the village and get to know the friendly locals or just relax at your comfortable seaside guesthouse.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Accommodation right on the beach

Day 31: Bai Xep to Hoi An

Stop At: Hoi An Ancient Town, Hoi An 560000 Vietnam
A coastal drive takes us to the popular tourist spot and UNESCO World Heritage town of Hoi An. Before arriving in Hoi An, we’ll stop along the way to visit the My Lai Memorial, a site that commemorates an event that marked a turning point in the American War. Hoi An is a must-see destination, with beautifully restored and preserved French Colonial architecture, funky bars, outstanding restaurants, art galleries, souvenir shops and countless tailor shops. With glorious beaches so close nearby, this is paradise! A great spot to hop off and enjoy the local nightlife, try local delicacies (and beers), then meander home through the motorbike free streets.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Centrally located, family run hotel

Day 32: Hoi An

Stop At: Hoi An Ancient Town, Hoi An 560000 Vietnam
Take time today to explore this charming town’s many offerings. When the sun goes down is when Hoi An really turns on its charm. Paper and fabric lanterns are lit throughout the streets, bathing the historical French Colonial architecture in a warm glow. Take a sunset stroll through the old town, and try a local delicacy called the ‘White Rose’ - a dumpling stuffed with shrimp or pork bunched into the shape of a rose. Apparently, the recipe is a family secret, held by only one family who supply all the restaurants around town.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 33: Hoi An to Hue

Stop At: Hue Imperial City (The Citadel), Hue Vietnam
Surrounded by rolling hills and located on the Perfume River, Hue is regarded as the cultural and spiritual centre of Vietnam and is the former home to the Vietnamese emperors. Here you’ll see many elaborately decorated temples and beautiful pagodas, including the seven-storied Thien Mu Pagoda (where the most famous Vietnamese monk is buried), the intricate Citadel and Forbidden Purple City. Jump on the back of a motorbike and discover a little bit of the ‘real’ Vietnam with a local guide. Motoring through quaint villages and lush rice paddies, you’ll see the historic and picturesque Japanese covered bridge, find out your future from a local fortune teller, have a go at making incense sticks and learn about the rice growing process at the Rice Museum. Visit the home of a conical hat maker and explore an Emperor's Tomb and the Citadel's Forbidden City.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Local guesthouse

Day 34: Hue to Phong Nha

Stop At: Vinh Moc Tunnel, Vinh Th_ch, Dong Ha 520000 Vietnam
This morning we head for the fascinating Vinh Moc Tunnels, an impressive underground complex that was used by more than 90 families to live and work during some of the heaviest bombings in the American War. From there it’s on to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, passing through the provincial town of Dong Hoi on our way to the charming hotel in Phong Nha town that will be our base for exploring the park.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Comfortable private hotel room

Day 35: Phong Nha

Stop At: Phong Nha Caves, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park 510000 Vietnam
Today we visit the spectacular rural area of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, 45km from Dong Hoi. This area has pristine rivers (perfect for a refreshing dip or kayak) and boasts a number of impressive caves, including the recently discovered Thien Duong Cave. Inside you’ll find glittering limestone walls, impressive stalagmites and stalactites and a limestone waterfall. This afternoon you have the option to go on a guided tour of the ‘Dark Cave’, suitably named as such because the rock is black. Afterwards, back at the mouth of the cave you can wash off all the mud by spending the afternoon swimming and playing in the river.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Comfortable private hotel room

Day 36: Phong Nha to Ninh Binh

Stop At: Rong Market Ninh Binh, Van Giang Ward Along the river, Ninh Binh 40000 Vietnam
Our journey today takes us through beautiful countryside and stunning limestone karst mountains. We’ll stop along the way for a chance to stretch your legs before continuing our express journey to Ninh Binh. We arrive late in the afternoon, but you have time to wander around and acquaint yourself with the tiny town before dinner.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Locally run hotel with excellent restaurants nearby

Day 37: Ninh Binh to Hanoi

Stop At: Trang An Grottoes, H Hai Ba Trung district, Ninh Binh 100000 Vietnam
This morning we venture out in traditional canoes to discover the Trang An Grottoes. Sometimes called the ‘Halong Bay on land’, we’ll coast through caves in the mountains to view stony outcrops and dramatic karst formations towering above flat tranquil waters and rice paddies. After lunch in Ninh Binh, we jump back on the bus bound for the chaotic streets of Vietnam’s capital. Hanoi is an exotic city full of excitement and energy.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Local guesthouse or hotel

Day 38: Hanoi

Stop At: Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic Mural, runs along the road of Au Co, Nghi Tam, Yen Phu, Tran Nhat Duat, Tran Quang Khai, Tran Khanh Du and terminates at the pier of the Long Bien Bridge, Hanoi Vietnam
This is where your journey with Stray comes to an end, but there is plenty to see and do in and around Hanoi. If you have some extra days to spend here, we highly recommend booking a cruise around breath-taking Halong Bay or making a trip inland to visit the hill tribes of Sa Pa. Both of these excursions can be organised for you by your Tour Leader. We hope you’ve had a blast on your great Stray adventure!
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.