The Best Private Trips to Book in Southeast Asia
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Whether you’re looking to book a private trip with family, friends or a social group, these are the best Culture Trip itineraries you can book in Southeast Asia.
There’s plenty of pros for going private. Obviously it means you can keep the guest-list locked down, but it also allows for far greater flexibility on travel dates, group sizes (minimum of 4) and even age requirements. Simply get in touch with our Travel Experts to organise your personalised Culture Trip adventure.
Tropical Northern Thailand
Jungles, temples and endless waterfalls await in the tropics of Thailand’s northern reaches. This 10-day itinerary is a true nature escape, but not before some street art and street food in Chiang Mai. From there we’ll whisk you out to Pai, where you’ll climb a sticky waterfall and explore the craggy gorges of Pai Canyon. Explore ancient caves and soak in natural hot springs en route to Mae Hong Son, where we’ll stay in a gorgeous mountain resort, trek through the jungle and experience a lunchtime Thai banquet. We save the best until last with an early start on the last full day, when you and your travel group will summit Doi Inthanon – Thailand’s tallest peak – at sunrise. As if the wasn’t special enough, we’ll follow it up with a visit to an ethical elephant sanctuary, where you’ll get to walk with, feed and bathe gentle rescued giants.
From US$1189
Next available from 12th Nov 2023
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Chiang Mai, Thailand
ENDS AT
Chiang Mai, Thailand
DURATION
10
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Vibrant Vietnam
Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue and Hoi An… it’s all about the Hs on our 12-day epic in Vietnam. We’ll start in the bustling streets of Hanoi, where you’ll dine on street food and discover incredible temples, mausoleums and old quarters. Then it’s out into the countryside of Mai Chau, where you’ll be treated to a truly unique farm day experience with a local White Thai community. Having spent the night at a cosy homestay you’ll hike through the countryside and take a bamboo-weaving class, before hopping on a luxury overnight cruise to Ti Top Island. After going squid fishing and visiting a pearl farm, you’ll finally reach the splendid scenery of Halong Bay. We’ll get back to the city with a street food tour and cooking class in gorgeous old Hue, before rounding off the trip in Hoi An, an atmospheric and diverse coastal town.
From US$1204
Next available from 5th Dec 2023
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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
Sublime Southern Thailand
The southern regions of Thailand are totally different to the north. Here it’s all about bays, beaches and secret islands, which you’ll get to explore above and below water on this 11-day tropical retreat. On Khao Sok Lake you’ll stay in a floating raft house, spot exotic birds on a longtail boat safari and kayak through mangrove forests and limestone karsts. Then it’s off to Hong Island to snorkel with tropical fish, before a sunset cruise around Chicken Island, capped off with a delicious Thai barbecue. Things really get relaxing on the island of Koh Yao Yai, where we’ll stay at a luxurious beach resort. Swim in the infinity pool, book a Thai massage and chill on the beach, or visit local lobster farms, rubber plantations and an inflatable water park, before we return to Phuket for a farewell dinner with your group.
From US$1657
Next available from 19th Dec 2023
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Bangkok, Thailand
ENDS AT
Phuket, Thailand
DURATION
11
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
Blissful Bali
How does 12 days in paradise sound? That’s what you can have with our Bali itinerary, which beautifully encapsulates the island’s unique ability to combine outdoor adventure with relaxation and authentic local culture. We’ll start with the latter, creating a traditional Balinese offering to place in a sacred temple, before embarking on a hike through rural villages and rice paddies. You’ll have a yoga class and a cooking class, swim in jungle waterfalls and visit Lempuyang Temple. You’ll even hike an actual volcano, Mount Batur, at sunrise for stunning views of the island. Then it’s time to relax with an escape to the tiny island of Gili Trawangan, where a luxurious beach resort awaits. Snorkel with sea turtles, chill on the beach and book yourself a massage, before we return to Bali to round off the trip with a traditional Balinese blessing ceremony.
From US$1350
Next available from 7th Oct 2023
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Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Bali, Indonesia
ENDS AT
Bali, Indonesia
DURATION
12
GROUP SIZE
18
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Incredible Thailand and Laos by Train
Ever thought about exploring Southeast Asia by train? Probably not. Well, this two-week Rail Trip blends two of the region’s most beautiful countries thanks to the joys of train travel. You’ll explore the ancient ruins of Sukhothai and take an authentic Thai cooking class, before heading out to the jungle to walk with elephants, go bamboo rafting and glamping. Then it’s across the border to Laos, where we’ll briefly swap train tracks for the Mekong river on a boat cruise. Visit rural villages, ancient caves and a world famous waterfall in the wilds of Laos before taking a high-speed train to Vang Vieng. Explore the Nam Song river by kayak before returning to Thailand and taking the sleeper train to Bangkok, where your group can end the trip with a guided tour of the city and a delicious farewell dinner.
From US$1957
Next available from 2nd Dec 2023
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Bangkok, Thailand
ENDS AT
Bangkok, Thailand
DURATION
14
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam
Three countries in 11 days? Why not? This food-inspired, border-crossing extravaganza might just be the ultimate Southeast Asian adventure. Start with ancient temples and street food in Bangkok – we’ll use Tuk Tuks to get around in style! – before crossing the border in Cambodia. Experience a local Phare circus show, marvel at the wonder of Angkor Wat at sunrise and explore the ancient ruins of Ta Prohm by e-bike. After an urban forage food tour in Phnom Penh you’ll cross into Vietnam in style, zooming down the Mekong on speedboat. You’ll spend a day and a night on a river cruise, before using a traditional sampan rowing boat to explore the river’s many islets, canals and rural villages. Finally, the trip ends in Ho Chi Minh City, where you’ll be treated to an expert Vietnamese cooking class and a walking tour of the city. Three countries, three major cities and a whole lot of good food – what more could you ask for?
From US$1874
Next available from 14th Jan 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
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
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.
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