1 Month Epic South East Asia - Self-Launched (33 Days)

Touch down in Bangkok and check into a centrally located hostel near Khao San Road or Silom. Get your bearings with a stroll around Khao San Road, or head to the Grand Palace (entry ~£13). Bangkok is overwhelming in the best way — ease in gently, grab a pad thai from a street stall and plan your adventure over a Chang beer.

🚌Airport to city: Airport Rail Link to Phaya Thai then BTS Skytrain (~£2), or shared minivan (~£5)

🛏Hostel dorm near Khao San Road or Silom — e.g. Lub*d Bangkok Silom or NapPark Hostel (~£10-14/night)

• →Explore Khao San Road on foot (free)
• →Visit the Grand Palace (THB500, ~£11)
• →Street food dinner on Yaowarat Road (Chinatown) (~£3-5)

Spend the morning exploring Bangkok's Chinatown (Yaowarat) on foot — wander Sampeng Market and Sukhumvit Soi 38 for street snacks. Visit Wat Mangkon Kamalawat (free entry). In the afternoon, collect your pre-booked overnight train ticket from Hua Lamphong station. Board the No. 9 or No. 13 overnight sleeper train to Chiang Mai (~£15-20 for a 2nd class sleeper).

🚌Overnight train Bangkok (Hua Lamphong) to Chiang Mai, ~13 hours, book via 12Go.Asia (~£15-20)

🛏Overnight sleeper train (2nd class air-con bunk ~£15-20, bookable via 12Go.Asia or Trainofthailand.com)

• →Self-guided Chinatown walking tour via free map from TAT office (free)
• →Visit Wat Mangkon Kamalawat (free)
• →Browse Sampeng wholesale market (free)
• →Board overnight sleeper train to Chiang Mai

Arrive in Chiang Mai in the morning and check into your guesthouse in or near the Old City moat area. Spend the day at your own pace — cycle or walk the ancient walls, visit Wat Chedi Luang (free entry to grounds), and browse the Sunday Walking Street market if timing allows. In the evening, head to the Night Bazaar for street food and souvenirs.

🚌Arrived by overnight train. Local tuk-tuk from station to guesthouse (~£2-3)

🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Old City — e.g. Bodega Chiang Mai or Penguin House (~£8-13/night)

• →Walk or cycle the Old City moat area (free)
• →Visit Wat Chedi Luang (free/donation)
• →Optional: Doi Suthep temple day trip by songthaew (~£3-5 return + THB50 entry, ~£1)
• →Night Bazaar browse and street food dinner (~£4-6)

A full free day to explore Chiang Mai's famous activities. Top self-bookable options include a Muay Thai class (bookable directly at Lanna Muay Thai or via Klook, ~£8-12), a Thai cooking class (e.g. Thai Farm Cooking School via GetYourGuide, ~£25-30), elephant sanctuary visit (ChangChill via GetYourGuide, ~£45), or a bicycle tour of the city (~£8). End the day with a traditional Thai massage in the Old City (~£6-8).

🚌Songthaew (shared red truck taxis) around town (~£1-2 per ride)

🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Old City (~£8-13/night)

• →Optional: Muay Thai class at Lanna Muay Thai (~£10)
• →Optional: Thai cooking class via GetYourGuide (~£28)
• →Optional: ChangChill Elephant Sanctuary via GetYourGuide (~£45)
• →Optional: Bicycle hire and self-guided temple tour (~£3/day)
• →Thai massage in Old City (~£7)

Take a local Green Bus from Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Terminal to Nan (~£7-9, roughly 6.5 hours). Arrive in the afternoon and check into a guesthouse. Freshen up and head out to explore Nan's charming old town on foot. Visit Wat Phumin — Nan's most celebrated temple, famous for its murals — which is free to enter. Wander the quiet streets and grab dinner from a local market stall.

🚌Green Bus from Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Terminal to Nan (~£7-9, ~6.5 hours)

🛏Guesthouse in Nan town — e.g. Nan Guesthouse or Phutawan Hotel (~£8-12/night)

• →Local Green Bus Chiang Mai to Nan (~£7-9, bookable at Arcade Bus Terminal or online)
• →Visit Wat Phumin (free)
• →Self-guided orientation walk of Nan old town (free)
• →Dinner at local night market (~£3-5)

In the morning, explore Nan at your own pace — find a cafe by the Nan River and soak up the laid-back vibe. Then arrange a songthaew or local bus to Cocoa Valley (Doi Wawi area) for a chocolate farm tour and hands-on workshop (~£8-15 including workshop). Afterwards, make your way to Pua District and visit the local hand-weaving centre to see traditional Tai Lue textiles being made. Stay overnight in a small resort or guesthouse in Pua.

🚌Local songthaew or shared taxi from Nan to Pua (~£2-4, ~1 hour)

🛏Small resort or guesthouse in Pua — e.g. Pua district guesthouses (~£10-15/night)

• →Cocoa Valley farm tour and chocolate-making workshop (~£10-15, book directly or via local tour desk)
• →Visit Pua hand-weaving community enterprise (free or small donation)
• →Explore Pua village on foot (free)
• →Dinner at Pua evening market (~£3-5)

An early start as you travel through rural countryside to the Thai-Laos border crossing at Huay Kon/Muang Ngeun. Arrange a songthaew or minivan from Pua to the border (~£5-8). Cross into Laos (Laos e-visa ~£30, apply online at evisa.gov.la before travel). Stop at the Muang Ngeun village to see the local Buddhist temple and Tai-Lue weaving community. Continue by shared minibus or local bus to Luang Prabang (~£8-12, ~5 hours total from border). Arrive in time for the famous Wat Phu Si sunset hike (entry ~£2). Afterwards, head to Talad Mued Night Market for a Sindad BBQ dinner (~£4-6).

🚌Songthaew/minivan Pua to Huay Kon border (~£5-8); shared minibus border to Luang Prabang (~£8-12)

🛏Guesthouse in Luang Prabang old town — e.g. Amphone Guesthouse or Phonheuang Guesthouse (~£10-15/night)

• →Border crossing at Huay Kon / Muang Ngeun (Laos e-visa ~£30, apply ahead at evisa.gov.la)
• →Visit Muang Ngeun Buddhist temple and weaving community (free)
• →Sunset hike to Wat Phu Si (~£2 entry)
• →Sindad BBQ dinner at Talad Mued Night Market (~£4-6)

In the morning, take a tuk-tuk to Kuang Si Waterfalls (~30km from town, ~£4-5 each way). Entry is ~£2. Swim in the turquoise pools, hike the trail to the top tier and visit the bear rescue sanctuary. Return to town in the afternoon and in the late afternoon, book a Mekong sunset cruise directly from the riverfront (many operators offer 1-2 hour cruises for ~£5-8 per person). Watch the sun dip behind the mountains from the river.

🚌Tuk-tuk to/from Kuang Si (~£4-5 each way, negotiate at the tuk-tuk stand)

🛏Guesthouse in Luang Prabang old town (~£10-15/night)

• →Tuk-tuk to Kuang Si Waterfalls (~£4-5 each way)
• →Kuang Si Waterfalls entry (~£2) and swimming
• →Bear rescue sanctuary visit at Kuang Si (free with entry)
• →Mekong sunset river cruise (~£5-8, book at riverfront)

A free day to explore Luang Prabang's temples, cafes and craft centres at your own pace. Visit Wat Xieng Thong (~£3), wander the UNESCO-listed old town streets and browse the local morning market. Optional: take a Lao cooking class (~£25-35 via GetYourGuide or direct booking with Tamnak Lao), try a herbal sauna and traditional massage at the Laos Red Cross centre (~£3-5 combined), or visit the Royal Palace National Museum (~£3).

🚌On foot or tuk-tuk around town (~£1-2 per ride)

🛏Guesthouse in Luang Prabang old town (~£10-15/night)

• →Visit Wat Xieng Thong (~£3)
• →Browse the morning market and old town streets (free)
• →Optional: Lao cooking class (~£28, book via GetYourGuide)
• →Optional: Laos Red Cross sauna and massage (~£3-5)
• →Optional: Royal Palace National Museum (~£3)
• →Optional: Ock Pop Tok Living Craft Centre weaving class (~£45)

Wake before dawn to witness the Tak Bat alms-giving ceremony along Sakkaline Road — monks in saffron robes collect offerings from locals at sunrise. Observe respectfully from a distance and avoid using flash photography. Spend the rest of the morning exploring before taking the Laos-China high-speed train from Luang Prabang station to Vang Vieng (~£8-12, ~1.5 hours, book in advance via 12Go.Asia). Arrive in Vang Vieng and check in to your hotel — the karst mountain views will take your breath away.

🚌High-speed Laos-China Railway, Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng (~£8-12, ~1.5 hours). Note: no aerosols or spray bottles permitted on board.

🛏Hotel or guesthouse in Vang Vieng — e.g. Maylyn Guesthouse or Nana Guesthouse (~£10-15/night)

• →Sunrise alms-giving ceremony observation on Sakkaline Road (free — observe respectfully)
• →Optional: Traditional Arts & Ethnology Centre (~£2)
• →High-speed train Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng (~£8-12, book via 12Go.Asia)

Vang Vieng is an adventure playground surrounded by limestone karst scenery. Rent a bicycle (~£2/day) and cycle across the bamboo bridge to the west bank to explore Tham Poukham cave and its blue-green lagoon (~£2 entry). Or book a kayaking day on the Nam Song River through a local operator on the main street (~£15-20 including lunch). The Blue Lagoon is another popular swimming spot (~£1 entry). Return to town in the afternoon for sunset views over the Nam Song from a riverside bar.

🚌Bicycle hire (~£2/day). Tuk-tuk to further sites if needed (~£2-3)

🛏Hotel or guesthouse in Vang Vieng (~£10-15/night)

• →Bicycle hire and cycle to caves (~£2/day)
• →Tham Poukham Cave and lagoon entry (~£2)
• →Optional: Kayaking on Nam Song River (~£15-20, book locally)
• →Blue Lagoon swimming (~£1 entry)
• →Sunset at riverside bar (~£2-4 for drinks)

Take a public bus or shared minivan from Vang Vieng to Vientiane (~£4-6, ~4-5 hours, departs from the bus station). Alternatively, book a seat on the Laos-China high-speed train (~£6-8, ~1 hour). Check into your guesthouse and hit the streets. Visit Wat Si Saket — the oldest temple in Vientiane — free to browse the grounds or pay ~£1 for the museum section. Walk to COPE Visitor Centre (free, donations welcome) to learn about the UXO legacy of the Vietnam War. Stroll the Mekong riverside promenade on Quai Fa Ngum Road for dinner and sunset views.

🚌Public bus or shared minivan Vang Vieng to Vientiane (~£4-6, ~4-5 hours) or high-speed train (~£6-8, ~1 hour)

🛏Guesthouse in central Vientiane — e.g. Vientiane Backpacker Hostel or Mali Namphu Guesthouse (~£8-14/night)

• →Bus or minivan Vang Vieng to Vientiane (~£4-6) OR high-speed train (~£6-8)
• →Visit Wat Si Saket (~£1)
• →COPE Visitor Centre (free, donations welcome)
• →Self-guided walk: Patuxai Victory Monument (free outside, ~£0.50 to climb)
• →Riverside dinner on Quai Fa Ngum Road (~£4-7)

Head to Wattay International Airport for your flight to Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport. Lao Airlines and Vietnam Airlines operate this route regularly (~£50-90, book in advance). On arrival in Hanoi, take the 86 express bus from the airport to the Old Quarter (~£1.20) or a Grab taxi (~£6-8). Check into your hostel in the Old Quarter, then head out to explore — grab a bia hoi (draught beer, ~£0.30) at a street corner, eat bun cha or pho for dinner (~£2-3) and soak up the buzzing atmosphere of the Vietnamese capital.

🚌Flight Vientiane to Hanoi (~£50-90). Airport bus 86 to Old Quarter (~£1.20)

🛏Hostel in Hanoi Old Quarter — e.g. Hanoi Backpacker's Hostel or Memory Hostel (~£8-14/night)

• →Flight Vientiane to Hanoi (~£50-90, book via Skyscanner or direct with Lao Airlines/Vietnam Airlines)
• →Airport to Old Quarter: Bus 86 (~£1.20) or Grab taxi (~£6-8)
• →Evening walk around Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter (free)
• →Bia hoi street beer and street food dinner (~£3-5)

Spend a full day exploring Hanoi. Walk the 36 streets of the Old Quarter, visit Hoan Kiem Lake and the Ngoc Son Temple (entry ~£1). Head to the Temple of Literature (~£1.20) and the Women's Museum (~£1.50). For the best street food experience, book a self-guided walking street food tour via GetYourGuide (~£22-29) or simply follow your nose — egg coffee at Cafe Giang, bun cha at Hang Manh Street and banh mi from any corner stall.

🚌On foot or Grab bike around Hanoi (~£1-2 per ride)

🛏Hostel in Hanoi Old Quarter (~£8-14/night)

• →Self-guided Old Quarter walk (free)
• →Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple (~£1)
• →Temple of Literature (~£1.20)
• →Optional: Street food walking tour via GetYourGuide (~£22-29)
• →Egg coffee at Cafe Giang (~£1.50)
• →Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex (free, check opening times)

Head to Cat Ba Island, gateway to the stunning Lan Ha Bay. Take a Grab or taxi to Gia Lam bus station and catch a bus to Hai Phong (~£4-5, 2.5 hours), then a ferry to Cat Ba Island (~£3-4, 45 mins). Alternatively, book a direct tourist bus-and-ferry combo from Hanoi Old Quarter (~£8-12, 3.5 hours, available from many hostels and tour desks). Check into a guesthouse on Cat Ba town waterfront.

🚌Hanoi to Cat Ba: tourist bus + ferry combo (~£8-12, book at Old Quarter hostels or via Baolau.com)

🛏Guesthouse or budget hotel on Cat Ba Island — e.g. Cat Ba Dream Hotel or Noble House (~£12-18/night)

• →Travel from Hanoi to Cat Ba Island
• →Explore Cat Ba town waterfront (free)
• →Optional: Book Lan Ha Bay kayaking day tour for tomorrow (book on arrival, ~£25-35)

Today, explore the spectacular Lan Ha Bay by kayak. Book a day trip through a local operator on Cat Ba Island's waterfront (Asia Outdoors and Cat Ba Ventures are both well-regarded, ~£25-40 per person). The tour typically includes kayaking through limestone karst islands, swimming in secluded lagoons and a seafood lunch on a floating platform. The landscapes are jaw-dropping — towering mossy rocks rising from green-blue water.

🚌Boat tour departs from Cat Ba town pier (included in tour price)

🛏Guesthouse on Cat Ba Island (~£12-18/night)

• →Lan Ha Bay kayaking day tour (~£25-40, book locally with Asia Outdoors or Cat Ba Ventures)
• →Swimming in karst lagoons (included in tour)
• →Seafood lunch on tour boat (usually included)
• →Optional: Sunset at Cat Ba National Park viewpoint (free)

Return to Hanoi from Cat Ba by ferry and bus (~£8-12). Spend the afternoon in Hanoi or rest before heading to Hanoi Railway Station for the overnight Reunification Express train to Hue (~£18-25 for a 4-berth soft sleeper, book via Baolau.com or 12Go.Asia). Settle into your bunk, watch the countryside roll by and arrive in Hue in the morning.

🚌Cat Ba to Hanoi: tourist ferry+bus combo (~£8-12). Hanoi to Hue: Reunification Express overnight train (~£18-25, ~13-14 hours)

🛏Overnight train soft sleeper berth (~£18-25, book via Baolau.com or 12Go.Asia)

• →Ferry and bus Cat Ba back to Hanoi (~£8-12)
• →Free afternoon in Hanoi — optional Vietnamese cooking class or museum visit
• →Board overnight Reunification Express train Hanoi to Hue

Arrive in Hue in the morning. Check into a guesthouse and head straight to the Imperial Citadel (~£4.50 entry) — the former seat of the Nguyen Dynasty emperors. Hire a bicycle (~£2/day) to visit the royal tombs scattered along the Perfume River — the Tomb of Minh Mang and Tomb of Tu Duc are the most impressive (~£3-4 each). In the evening, try Hue's famous bun bo Hue (spicy beef noodle soup, ~£1.50) at a local street stall.

🚌Arrived by overnight train. Bicycle hire for city and tombs (~£2/day). Grab for further tombs if needed (~£2-4)

🛏Guesthouse in Hue — e.g. Hue Backpackers or Canary Hotel (~£8-14/night)

• →Arrive by overnight train
• →Imperial Citadel and Forbidden Purple City (~£4.50)
• →Bicycle hire for royal tombs (~£2/day)
• →Tomb of Minh Mang (~£3.50) and Tomb of Tu Duc (~£3.50)
• →Bun bo Hue dinner at local street stall (~£1.50-2)

One of the most scenic journeys in Vietnam: book a seat on a tourist minibus from Hue to Hoi An (~£7-10) that stops at the Hai Van Pass for views over Da Nang Bay, Lang Co Beach and the dramatic coastline. Alternatively, hire an easy rider motorbike guide for a more authentic experience (~£25-35). Arrive in Hoi An in the afternoon. Check into a guesthouse and spend the evening wandering the lantern-lit Ancient Town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), visiting the Japanese Covered Bridge (free from outside, ~£1 to enter with combined ticket).

🚌Tourist minibus Hue to Hoi An via Hai Van Pass (~£7-10, ~4 hours, book at guesthouse or via Baolau.com)

🛏Guesthouse or homestay in Hoi An — e.g. Sunflower Hoi An Hostel or Hoi An Chic (~£10-16/night)

• →Tourist minibus Hue to Hoi An via Hai Van Pass (~£7-10)
• →Photo stop at Hai Van Pass (included in minibus stop)
• →Self-guided Ancient Town walk (~£1 for combined entrance ticket to 5 sites)
• →Evening lantern streets and Thu Bon riverside (~free)
• →Cao Lau or white rose dumplings for dinner (~£2-3)

A full day to fall in love with Hoi An. In the morning, take a self-guided bicycle ride through the rice paddies and fishing villages around Cam Thanh (~£2 bike hire). Visit the Ancient Town proper — pick up a combined ticket (£1) to access the Japanese Covered Bridge, Chinese Assembly Halls and traditional merchant houses. In the afternoon, get a tailored outfit made (2-3 hour turnaround for simple items from ~£15-20). Optional: book a cooking class with Red Bridge Cooking School via GetYourGuide (~£25-30).

🚌Bicycle hire around town and villages (~£2/day)

🛏Guesthouse or homestay in Hoi An (~£10-16/night)

• →Bicycle ride through Cam Thanh village (~£2 hire)
• →Ancient Town combined entrance ticket — 5 sites (~£1)
• →Optional: Cooking class with Red Bridge (~£25-30 via GetYourGuide)
• →Optional: Tailoring on Tran Phu Street (from ~£15)
• →Evening street food: banh mi, cao lau, com ga (~£3-5)

Take a Grab taxi or xe om (motorbike taxi) to Da Nang Airport (~£8-12 from Hoi An, ~45 mins) and fly to Ho Chi Minh City (~£25-45, book ahead via Vietjet or VietnamAirlines). Arrive in the afternoon, check into your hostel in Pham Ngu Lao (the backpacker district) and head out to explore District 1. Visit the Reunification Palace (~£3) and Notre-Dame Cathedral (free, exterior). Grab a banh mi from Huynh Hoa bakery (~£1.50) and watch the city's legendary motorbike traffic from a rooftop bar.

🚌Grab to Da Nang Airport (~£8-12). Flight Da Nang to HCMC (~£25-45). Airport bus 109 to city centre (~£1.20) or Grab (~£5-7)

🛏Hostel in Pham Ngu Lao district — e.g. Long Hostel or The Common Room Project (~£8-14/night)

• →Grab to Da Nang Airport (~£8-12)
• →Flight Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City (~£25-45, Vietjet or VietnamAirlines)
• →Reunification Palace (~£3)
• →Notre-Dame Cathedral exterior (free)
• →Pham Ngu Lao rooftop bar at sunset (~£3-5 drinks)

Spend the morning at the War Remnants Museum (~£1.80) — one of the most impactful museums in Southeast Asia, documenting the Vietnam War from a Vietnamese perspective. Afterwards, head to Ben Thanh Market for street food (bun bo, chao tom, fresh spring rolls). In the afternoon, book a street food motorbike tour via GetYourGuide (~£22-30) for the most authentic Saigon food experience. Alternatively, take a Grab into the Mekong Delta for a half-day boat tour (~£20-25).

🚌Grab bike/car around city (~£1-4 per ride)

🛏Hostel in Pham Ngu Lao (~£8-14/night)

• →War Remnants Museum (~£1.80)
• →Ben Thanh Market food stalls (~£3-5 for lunch)
• →Optional: Street food motorbike tour via GetYourGuide (~£25-30)
• →Optional: Cu Chi Tunnels half-day tour via GetYourGuide (~£12-18)
• →Rooftop bar in District 1 for sunset (~£4-6)

Take an international bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh (~£10-15, ~6 hours, operated by Giant Ibis, Mekong Express or Kumho Samco — book online). The bus crosses the Moc Bai/Bavet border; ensure your Cambodian e-visa is arranged in advance (~£27, apply at evisa.gov.kh). Arrive in Phnom Penh in the afternoon. Check into your guesthouse on Sisowath Quay and take an evening stroll along the riverfront. Visit the Night Market (~free entry) for dinner.

🚌Giant Ibis or Mekong Express bus HCMC to Phnom Penh (~£10-15, ~6 hours)

🛏Guesthouse or hostel near Sisowath Quay — e.g. Mad Monkey Phnom Penh or Onederz Hostel (~£8-14/night)

• →International bus HCMC to Phnom Penh (~£10-15, book at Giant Ibis or Mekong Express websites)
• →Cambodia e-visa (~£27, apply before travel at evisa.gov.kh)
• →Evening walk along Sisowath Quay riverfront (free)
• →Night Market dinner (~£3-5)

Phnom Penh is a city where history weighs heavily but meaningfully. In the morning, visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21 Prison, ~£5) — a sobering but essential stop. In the afternoon, visit Choeung Ek Killing Fields (~£7, includes audio guide). These visits require emotional energy but offer crucial understanding of Cambodia's recent past. In the evening, recover with a riverside walk and visit the Royal Palace (~£7, closes at 5pm) if timing allows.

🚌Tuk-tuk around city (~£2-4 per ride, negotiate in advance)

🛏Guesthouse or hostel in Phnom Penh (~£8-14/night)

• →Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21, ~£5)
• →Choeung Ek Killing Fields (~£7 including audio guide)
• →Royal Palace (~£7, check afternoon opening times)
• →Riverside walk on Sisowath Quay (free)
• →Khmer food dinner: fish amok or lok lak (~£3-5)

Take a shared taxi or minibus from Phnom Penh to Sambor Prei Kuk (~£8-12, ~3 hours via Kampong Thom). Sambor Prei Kuk is a pre-Angkorian temple complex and UNESCO World Heritage Site, surrounded by rice fields and rural village life. Arrange a homestay directly with a local family through a community tourism initiative (ask at guesthouses in Phnom Penh or Kampong Thom, ~£10-15 per person including meals). Hire a bicycle to explore the temple complex (entry ~£3) and cycle through the rice paddies watching local life unfold.

🚌Shared taxi or minibus Phnom Penh to Kampong Thom (~£8-12, ~3 hours). Bicycle hire locally (~£2-3)

🛏Community homestay in Sambor Prei Kuk area (~£10-15/night including meals)

• →Shared taxi Phnom Penh to Sambor Prei Kuk via Kampong Thom (~£8-12)
• →Sambor Prei Kuk temple complex (~£3 entry)
• →Bicycle hire to explore villages and rice fields (~£2-3/day)
• →Community homestay with local family (meals included, ~£10-15)

After a morning exploring the village, take a shared taxi or local bus from Kampong Thom to Siem Reap (~£6-8, ~2.5 hours). Check into your guesthouse and book your Angkor Wat sunrise experience for the next morning — you'll need a 3-day Angkor Pass (~£50, purchase at the Angkor Enterprise ticket office or online). In the evening, explore Pub Street, Angkor Night Market and the lively street food scene around the Old Market.

🚌Shared taxi or minibus Kampong Thom to Siem Reap (~£6-8, ~2.5 hours)

🛏Guesthouse or hostel in Siem Reap — e.g. Mad Monkey Siem Reap or Onederz (~£8-14/night)

• →Shared taxi or bus Kampong Thom to Siem Reap (~£6-8)
• →Purchase 3-day Angkor Pass (~£50)
• →Evening stroll: Old Market, Pub Street and Angkor Night Market (free)
• →Dinner: fish amok, lok lak or street BBQ (~£3-6)

Set an alarm for 4:30am and hire a tuk-tuk to Angkor Wat for sunrise (~£5-8 return for a half-day tuk-tuk hire). Watch the sun rise over the world's largest religious monument — a genuinely life-changing experience. Continue to the Bayon (the smiling face temple), Baphuon and Ta Prohm (the jungle-covered 'Tomb Raider' temple). For a locally focused experience, book a tuk-tuk through Tuk Tuk For Cambodia, an organisation employing local women drivers (bookable online). Use your 3-day Angkor Pass.

🚌Tuk-tuk hire for full day temple circuit (~£12-18/day, negotiate or book via Tuk Tuk For Cambodia)

🛏Guesthouse or hostel in Siem Reap (~£8-14/night)

• →Pre-dawn tuk-tuk to Angkor Wat for sunrise (~£5-8 half-day hire)
• →Angkor Wat, Bayon and Baphuon (included in 3-day pass)
• →Ta Prohm jungle temple (included in pass)
• →Optional: Angkor Thom South Gate and terraces (included in pass)
• →Lunch at local restaurant near ticket gate (~£3-5)

Use your second day of the Angkor Pass to explore the outer temples — Banteay Srei (pink sandstone carvings, ~30km from Siem Reap), Preah Khan and Neak Pean are quieter and equally stunning. Hire a tuk-tuk for the day (~£15-20). In the afternoon, visit the Artisans Angkor workshop (free) to see traditional Khmer crafts being made and support local artisans. Evening: catch an Apsara dance performance at a local restaurant (~£10-15 including dinner).

🚌Tuk-tuk day hire for outer temple circuit (~£15-20)

🛏Guesthouse or hostel in Siem Reap (~£8-14/night)

• →Banteay Srei temple (included in Angkor Pass, tuk-tuk needed)
• →Preah Khan and Neak Pean (included in pass)
• →Artisans Angkor workshop tour (free)
• →Optional: Apsara dance performance dinner show (~£12-15)

Head from Siem Reap to Koh Rong via Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville. Take a bus from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh (~£6-8, 5-6 hours) then onward to Sihanoukville (~£6-8, 4 hours) — or book a direct sleeper bus Siem Reap to Sihanoukville (~£10-15, ~8-9 hours, available with Capitol Tours or Giant Ibis). From Sihanoukville, catch a ferry to Koh Rong with GTVC or Speed Ferry Cambodia (~£8-12, ~45 mins). You can split this journey over two days if preferred.

🚌Bus Siem Reap to Sihanoukville (~£10-15, direct sleeper or change at Phnom Penh). Ferry Sihanoukville to Koh Rong (~£8-12)

🛏Beach bungalow or guesthouse on Koh Rong — e.g. Nest Beach Club or Monkey Island (~£10-20/night)

• →Bus Siem Reap to Phnom Penh then Sihanoukville (or direct sleeper bus, ~£10-15)
• →GTVC or Speed Ferry Cambodia Sihanoukville to Koh Rong (~£8-12)
• →Arrive and settle into beach bungalow
• →Sunset drinks on the beach (~£3-5)

Koh Rong is one of Cambodia's most beautiful islands — white sand beaches, clear water, jungle interior and bioluminescent plankton at night. Spend the day between Long Beach and Sok San Beach, snorkelling, kayaking or doing absolutely nothing. Hire a kayak from the beach (~£5-8/half day), book a snorkelling boat trip (~£10-15) or trek through the jungle to a hidden waterfall. At night, wade into the sea for the magical bioluminescence experience (best on moonless nights, free).

🚌Water taxi between beaches on Koh Rong (~£2-5)

🛏Beach bungalow or guesthouse on Koh Rong (~£10-20/night)

• →Beach day at Long Beach or Sok San Beach (free)
• →Optional: Kayak hire (~£5-8/half day)
• →Optional: Snorkelling boat trip (~£10-15)
• →Optional: Jungle trek to waterfall (~£2-5 with guide)
• →Bioluminescent plankton night swim (free, best after dark away from lights)

Take the morning ferry back to Sihanoukville (~£8-12) and connect to Phnom Penh by bus or shared taxi (~£6-8, ~4 hours). Check into a guesthouse for your final night in Cambodia. Spend the evening revisiting the riverfront, trying any food or experiences you missed earlier in the trip.

🚌Ferry Koh Rong to Sihanoukville (~£8-12). Bus or shared taxi to Phnom Penh (~£6-8, ~4 hours)

🛏Guesthouse in Phnom Penh (~£8-14/night)

• →Ferry Koh Rong to Sihanoukville (~£8-12)
• →Bus or shared taxi Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh (~£6-8)
• →Final Phnom Penh evening: riverfront dinner and cocktails (~£8-12)

Travel back to Bangkok from Phnom Penh. The most budget-friendly option is an international bus via Poipet/Aranyaprathet border crossing (~£12-18, ~9-11 hours, book with Nattakan or Capitol Tours). Alternatively, fly Phnom Penh to Bangkok (~£40-70, ~1.5 hours, book via AirAsia or Bangkok Airways). Arrive in Bangkok and check into a guesthouse for your final night.

🚌Bus Phnom Penh to Bangkok (~£12-18, ~10 hours) OR flight (~£40-70, ~1.5 hours via AirAsia/Bangkok Airways)

🛏Guesthouse in Bangkok (~£10-16/night)

• →Bus or flight Phnom Penh to Bangkok
• →Final Bangkok evening: rooftop bar or Khao San Road celebration dinner (~£8-15)

Your epic 33-day Southeast Asia adventure comes to an end. Depending on your flight time, squeeze in a final pad see ew, mango sticky rice or Thai iced coffee. Head to Suvarnabhumi Airport by Airport Rail Link (~£2) or Grab (~£8-12). Safe travels!

🚌Airport Rail Link to Suvarnabhumi (~£2) or Grab taxi (~£8-12)

🛏N/A — departure day

• →Final Bangkok breakfast: pad kra pao at a local shophouse (~£2-3)
• →Airport Rail Link to Suvarnabhumi Airport (~£2) or Grab (~£8-12)
• →Departure