The Best Places In Southeast Asia To Visit In 2024

Towering limestone karsts, hidden jungle waterfalls and dreamy tropical islands… Southeast Asia might just be the closest you can get to heaven on Earth. Discover its most magical spots on these small-group Culture Trips departing throughout 2024.

View of the temples atop Doi Inthanon in Northern Thailand at sunset

Doi Inthanon – Tropical Northern Thailand

The view from Thailand’s tallest peak, as you can imagine, is quite extraordinary. The luscious jungles and giant canyons below extend for miles and miles, but you won’t have to squint to see the prettiest part of this view, since the intricately designed Twin Pagodas stand proudly near the peak. They look particularly resplendent beneath the warm glow of sunrise, which is how you’ll experience the summit of Doi Inthanon in the early hours of our last day on this immersive itinerary. As if that wasn’t special enough, we’ll follow it up down the mountain at an ethical sanctuary for elephants, where you’ll get to walk with, feed and bathe a group of gentle giants – not a bad way to cap off 10 amazing days in Northern Thailand.

From US$1339

Next available from 20th Jan 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Chiang Mai, Thailand

ENDS AT

Chiang Mai, Thailand

DURATION

10

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

STYLE

Discovery

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Elderly woman in traditional Vietnamese hat carries baskets full of bananas along a sidewalk by a worn yellow wall

Hoi An – Vibrant Vietnam

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh often steal the headlines when it comes to cities in Vietnam but, for our money, Hoi An is the best of the lot. This atmospheric coastal town boasts a colourful mix of Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and French-colonial architecture, all of which are intersected by a series of pretty canals and even prettier foot bridges. The charm of this city – a little less chaotic than the capital – makes it the perfect place to wrap up our epic 12-day exploration of Vietnam. When you’re not strolling around sightseeing with our local guide, gorging on the city’s many local delicacies or learning how to practice restorative Yin yoga, you’ll be able to unwind at our relaxing spa resort.

From US$1689

Next available from 18th Apr 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Hanoi, Vietnam

ENDS AT

Hoi An, Vietnam

DURATION

12

GROUP SIZE

18

PHYSICAL RATING

Light

STYLE

Discovery

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Winter Sale

Kuang Si Falls – Incredible Thailand and Laos by Train

Why just stick to one country on your Southeast Asian epic? This border-crossing Rail Trip is a two week odyssey across two of the region’s most fascinating nations. In Thailand you’ll explore the temples of Bangkok and the ruins of ancient Sukhothai, before street food adventures and a Thai cooking class in Chiang Mai await. You’ll walk with elephants at an ethical sanctuary, go bamboo rafting down Wang River and spend a night glamping in the jungle before crossing over into Laos. We’ll swap trains for a river boat as we cruise down the Mekong, stopping off to meet rice-whisky making locals and visit a sacred cave. The aesthetic highlight of the trip, however, is without doubt Kuang Si. It’s the most famous sight in Laos for a reason, and our jungle trek to reach it is well worth the effort. Having marvelled at the gem-coloured waters of this streaming, multi-tiered waterfall, you’ll have a few hours to soak in the natural beauty, as well as in the water itself, of course.

From US$2299

Next available from 21st Apr 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Bangkok, Thailand

ENDS AT

Bangkok, Thailand

DURATION

14

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Light

STYLE

Discovery

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Winter Sale

Angkor Wat – Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam

Let’s up the ante one last time by making it three countries in just 11 days with this truly spectacular border-crossing epic across three of the region’s most iconic destinations. In Thailand the focus is on Bangkok, as we tour temples and street food hotspots via Tuk Tuk before crossing over into Cambodia. That’s where the highlight of the trip can be found, as we marvel at the majesty of Angkor Wat at sunrise. To witness the world’s largest temple complex bathed in the warm glow of dawn is a truly spiritual experience, which will stay with you as we continue our exploration in Cambodia, and later along the canals of the Mekong and the busy streets of Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.

From US$2499

Next available from 25th Mar 2024

Secure your spot with a low deposit

Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Bangkok, Thailand

ENDS AT

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

DURATION

11

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

STYLE

Discovery

View Trip

landscape with balloons floating in the air

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Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.