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Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

Grand Tour of Southeast Asia

17-day escorted rail journey through Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia

Illustration of Grand Tour of Southeast Asia

Vacations By Rail operates this 17-day escorted tour across Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia, departing from Bangkok and concluding in Siem Reap. A Tour Manager accompanies the entire journey, which combines rail travel on three named trains with 4- and 5-star hotel stays, an overnight cruise on Ha Long Bay, and guided tours of temples, colonial cities, and World War II heritage sites. The pace alternates between full activity days and leisure time: Day 4 takes you by coach to Kanchanaburi to ride the Burma Railway over the bridge on the River Kwai; Day 5 you travel the Laos-China Railway to Luang Prabang for a cooking class and dawn alms-giving ritual; Days 9 and 10 feature a luxury junk-boat cruise in Ha Long Bay and an overnight sleeper on the Reunification Express to Hue; and Days 13 to 15 include a free day in Hoi An before flying to Cambodia's Angkor temples. This tour suits first-time rail travellers seeking guided comfort, history enthusiasts interested in Southeast Asian heritage, and food-focused travellers keen on regional cooking classes. The package starts at USD 5,399 and includes most meals, all internal transport, and excursions.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price of USD 5,399 does not include international flights to and from Southeast Asia; these must be booked separately.
  • Accommodation includes both 4- and 5-star hotels; the specific properties may vary by departure date or tier selected.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Bangkok

    A relaxed arrival in Bangkok

    Arrive independently at a five-star riverside hotel on the Chao Phraya River; group welcome dinner.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Bangkok

    Embracing Thai culture and history

    Guided tour of Wat Traimit, Wat Pho and the Grand Palace, followed by lunch and a long-tailed boat ride along Bangkok's klongs.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  3. Day 3railovernight: Kanchanaburi

    To Kanchanaburi on the River Kwai

    Coach to Kanchanaburi; visit the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre and Allied War Cemetery, then a long-tail boat trip up the River Kwai to a Mon Tribal Village.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 4railovernight: Vientiane

    Riding the Burma Railroad and on to Laos

    Visit the Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum, then a train journey along the Burma Railway over the bridge on the River Kwai; flight from Bangkok to Vientiane, Laos.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  5. Day 5railovernight: Luang Prabang

    From Vientiane to Luang Prabang by rail

    Sightseeing tour of Vientiane (Patuxai, Pha That Luang), then the Laos-China Railway (approx. 100 mph) to Luang Prabang.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  6. Day 6overnight: Luang Prabang

    The untouched beauty of Luang Prabang

    Tak Bat alms-giving ritual at dawn, a market visit and Phousi Hill, then a Mekong River cruise to the Pak Ou caves.

    Meals: Breakfast

  7. Day 7overnight: Hanoi

    Authentic experiences of Laotian cuisine

    Market visit and cooking class with a local chef, then a flight to Hanoi, Vietnam.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Day 8overnight: Hanoi

    Uncovering the sights of Hanoi

    Visit Ba Dinh Square and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Temple of Literature, and a city tour of Hanoi.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  9. Day 9overnight: boat (Ha Long Bay)

    Experiencing a night cruise on UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay

    Coach transfer to Ha Long Bay; overnight cruise aboard a luxury junk boat, with a stop at Cat Ba Island.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  10. Day 10railovernight: train (Reunification Express)

    Sunrise on Ha Long Bay and boarding the overnight sleeper train

    Sunrise and kayak/cave visit to Trinh Nu cave, then coach back to Hanoi for a water puppet show before boarding the Reunification Express overnight to Hue.

    Meals: Breakfast, Brunch

  11. Day 11railovernight: Hue

    Arrival in the imperial city of Hue

    Arrive Hue by train; sightseeing tour of the Imperial Citadel and Thien Mu Pagoda.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  12. Day 12railovernight: Hoi An

    Along the coast to Da Nang and Hoi An

    Visit Dong Ba Market, then Reunification Express (Soft Seat class) to Da Nang, visiting the Cham Museum, before transferring to Hoi An for a three-night stay.

    Meals: Breakfast

  13. Day 13overnight: Hoi An

    Exploring the 'Lantern City' of Hoi An

    Guided walking tour of Hoi An (Tan Ky Old House, Japanese Covered Bridge) and a lantern-making workshop.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  14. Day 14overnight: Hoi An

    Free day to discover Hoi An

    Free day at leisure in Hoi An.

    Meals: Breakfast

  15. Day 15overnight: Siem Reap

    To the Cambodian jungle city of Siem Reap

    Leisurely morning in Hoi An, then a flight via Da Nang to Siem Reap, Cambodia.

    Meals: Breakfast

  16. Day 16overnight: Siem Reap

    Exploring Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm Temple

    Tuk tuk tour of Angkor Thom (Bayon Temple, Terrace of the Elephants) and Ta Prohm Temple.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  17. Day 17

    The spectacular lost temples of Angkor Wat

    Tour of Angkor Wat, including the Bakan Tower and a Buddhist blessing, before the tour concludes.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 4Ride the Burma Railway across the bridge on the River Kwai, a historic route built during World War II.
  • Day 5Travel the Laos-China Railway at approximately 100 mph from Vientiane to Luang Prabang.
  • Day 9Overnight cruise aboard a luxury junk boat in UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay with a stop at Cat Ba Island.
  • Day 10Board the Reunification Express overnight to Hue in a private double occupancy cabin after a water puppet show in Hanoi.
  • Day 16Tour Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm Temple by tuk tuk, exploring the jungle temples of Cambodia.

Included

  • Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 13 nights' 4 & 5-Star hotel accommodation
  • 1 night in a private double occupancy cabin aboard the Reunification Express
  • 1-night cruise aboard a luxury junk boat in Ha Long Bay
  • Standard & Soft Seat Class rail travel
  • All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout your tour
  • All internal flights
  • Breakfast each day, 1 brunch, 10 lunches, 4 dinners
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
  • Flights

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes the Burma Railway over the bridge on the River Kwai, the Laos-China Railway from Vientiane to Luang Prabang, and two segments of the Reunification Express (Hanoi to Hue in a private cabin, and Hue to Da Nang in Soft Seat class). All rail travel, coach transfers, and internal flights are included.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Vacations By Rail provides a Tour Manager who accompanies the group from start to finish.
Do I sleep on a train?
Yes, on one night. Day 10 you board the Reunification Express overnight to Hue; accommodation is a private double occupancy cabin.
What meals are included?
Breakfast each day, plus 1 brunch, 10 lunches, and 4 dinners. Some meals are at your own expense.
What is the activity level?
The operator rates this Mobility Rating 4. The itinerary includes guided city walking tours, temple visits, market walks, and boat rides, with tuk tuks and coaches for longer transfers.
Are international flights included?
No. The from-price of USD 5,399 covers the package within Southeast Asia. You must book your own flights to Bangkok and from Siem Reap.

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