Ultimate Southeast Asia - Absolute Asia Tours

On arrival in Cambodia, you'll be met by your private guide, who will accompany you to your hotel.

Begin your exploration of Angkor Wat, and the complex of ruined temples and palaces around it. You’ll be driven between them, so you can fit quite a few in (if you want to), and our guides know when to see the ruins at uncrowded times. If you wish, start the day with the magical (but popular!) sunrise over Angkor Wat, and let your guide know what kind of pace you prefer, whether you want to fill your day with archaeology, or spend some of it on Tonlé Sap lake, or even back at your hotel pool.

Explore rural villages, and learn about the daily lives of the local people. You'll be a world away from Siem Reap - it's a perfect opportunity to get ‘off the beaten track’ and gain a better understanding of Cambodian rural life, along with insight into traditional Khmer culture; something few visitors are lucky enough to experience. You'll explore a local market and purchase supplies for your lunch, and travel by an (almost!) pollution-free ox and cart. Still widely used throughout Cambodia, the cart allows you to travel gently along the narrow sandy village roads. Spend time at the home of a local family, where there will be plenty of time to relax and chat (with your guide acting as interpreter) as they prepare lunch using your market produce. You can help if you wish; this is a fantastic opportunity to further your understanding of typical Khmer cuisine. You meal is likely to be very different from those offered in Siem Reap's more westerner-oriented restaurants!

You will be collected just before 5am from your hotel (it is worth it) and transferred to nearby Srah Srang – an expansive lake within the Angkor compound that was historically used by the local temples as a place for ritual washing. Here, a gourmet breakfast will be awaiting your arrival. Arranged by the renowned kitchen at the Heritage Suites, arguably the best in Siem Reap, the menu includes treats ranging from freshly baked croissants and fresh seasonal fruits, to eggs any-which-way and Cambodian fried rice, served alongside fresh juice, tea and coffee. Having enjoyed a leisurely breakfast as the sun rises over the water, continue your tour of the Angkor temples. On your return to Siem Reap there will be time to visit the excellent Landmine Museum of Mr Akira before returning to your hotel.

Depart by car for Phnom Penh, with stops to stretch your legs and enjoy a coffee in Kampong Thom and at Skun Village, famous for its deep-fried tarantulas! Once you reach Phnom Penh, your guide will escort you around the Royal Palace complex, with its lavish ceremonial buildings. You’ll also have the option to visit the National Museum, which is full of intriguing artefacts from several millennia of Cambodian culture. At 5pm, climb aboard a tuk-tuk for a food-focused tour of the city. Stop for a cocktail at a lively bar on Sisowath Quay and watch the sun set over the river, before heading down to the river, where roadside stalls sell a variety of edible bugs. Your guide will be on hand to decipher the surprisingly tasty offerings! Continue by tuk-tuk to the Russian Market, which draws local diners with typical Khmer food such as banh cheo, chicken rice porridge and beef skewers. Choose what you fancy, pull up a plastic stool alongside the locals, and soak up the atmosphere. Your final food stop for the evening will be freshly BBQ’d seafood, before you return to your hotel, again by tuk-tuk, and probably ready to loosen your waistband...

You’ll be driven out of town to hop on two wheels for a pleasant cycle through the countryside, taking in villages and rice fields with plenty of panoramic views to enjoy along the way. Your destination is Phnom Oudong, whose beautifully ornate white stupa sits amongst a cluster of historic buildings atop a hill with rewarding views across the surrounding plains. These are the remnants of an ancient capital of Cambodia, and the King’s main residence from 1618 to 1866. Its main temple was bombed by the Americans and the Khmer Rouge, but still possesses a beauty that no war has been able to steal from it. Enjoy lunch in the small village at the base of the hill before heading back to Phnom Penh, where the rest of your day is at leisure.

You’ll make the border crossing by boat today as you travel down the Mekong River into Vietnam, winding through the stunning Mekong Delta scenery before arriving at Chau Doc. Much of this low-rise settlement is on stilts over the water, and it’s a great place to ease into the pace of Delta life and watch river life go by. On arrival, you’ll be taken straight to your riverside hotel, where you can enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

After breakfast, make your way to the Victoria Chau Doc jetty where you will board your private traditional sampan; the type of boat that has been used on the Mekong Delta waters for centuries. Your crew will consist of boat-driver, deckhand, and a local guide. Set off on a leisurely cruise passing along narrow canals, through peaceful countryside and under wooden ‘monkey bridges’ that the Mekong Delta region is well known for. 

Lunch is served on board, before arriving in Long Xuyen, a typical provincial town situated on the riverbanks and home to an attractive floating market. During the afternoon there will be time to explore Tiger Island (Cu Lao Ong Ho), where there is a museum dedicated to Ton Duc Thang, the second president of Vietnam. Your evening meal will be served at a local house where you will be able to share experiences with family members and learn more about the traditional southern lifestyle. Return to your sampan for your first night on the river.

Enjoy breakfast on board as your sampan cruises downstream towards Sa Dec, a charming town with numerous French and Chinese houses dating back more than a century. Disembark for a stroll: walking amongst its narrow streets, you’ll pass charming old French houses sitting side-by-side with centuries-old Chinese temples. Visit an ancient house dating from 1890 and the home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, 'the Lover' in Marguerite Duras' famous novel. Return to your sampan in time for lunch and relax until dinner is served. Enjoy your second night on the river.

Enjoy the final leg of your journey downstream to Cai Be. Observe from your boat life along the river banks and the stunning landscapes. Stop here and there at local home-factories, where you will be able to observe how rice paste, coconut candies and other regional specialities are made. Your cruise concludes with lunch at the Longanier Restaurant, an exquisite colonial-style villa set in lush tropical gardens. After bidding farewell to your crew, meet your Selective Asia guide and drive to Ho Chi Minh City.

Spend the day visiting some of Ho Chi Minh City’s key highlights, with your guide by your side to offer local insight, starting by exploring the back alleys and aromatic markets of District 1. We’ll tailor your tour to suit you, but we particularly recommend visiting the Reunification Palace, the Notre Dame Basilica, and the pink neoclassic confection that is Saigon Central Post Office (designed by Gustave Eiffel). Stop to observe a Viet Cong secret weapons store, now recognised as a National Historical Site, and continue to Cho Lon (HCMC’s Chinatown) to taste the locals’ favourite noodle dish, and visit the ornate Quan Am Pagoda, before finishing in fine style with a sundowner at the top of the Bitexco Tower.

Having flown to Danang and driven the short distance to Hoi An, the remainder of your day will be at leisure. In recent years, Hoi An, like nearby Danang, has lost much of its previous tranquillity - this tiny town now experiences an unprecedented number of visitors, especially in the evenings, with tourists keen to sample the famous dining opportunities - but it is a totally unique place, with its own character, and still a must for any first-time visitor to Vietnam.

Your day is at leisure until the evening when you’ll join your guide for a food tour with a difference. Tonight’s experience will give you a unique insight into Hoi An’s renowned foodie scene whilst travelling in your very own US military jeep. Over the course of the evening you’ll make a number of stops to sample the region’s specialities, as well as ‘bia tuoi’ (fresh beer), in local establishments off the tourist radar.

Spend today at leisure, perhaps delving deeper into the city’s historic sights or simply relaxing beside the hotel pool.

Enjoy time at leisure until the evening when you’ll start a street food tour with a difference. Riding pillion on a Vespa, you’ll discover delicious Vietnamese specialities and hang out where the locals do. Sip a cool beer at a rooftop cafe, sample some of the city’s best Pho Cuon spring rolls on the shores of West Lake, drive along one of the most romantic and picturesque streets in the city, and fill up on Cha Ca, Hanoi’s signature grilled fish noodles. After eating, head to Ba Dinh square to watch the ceremonial changing of the guard at Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, before finishing the evening on a lighter note with a drink and some live music at a trendy bar.

Enjoy a morning tour of Hanoi. Your guide will be happy to personalise your programme, however we would recommend sites such as Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda and a stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake. For many the Temple of Literature is a highlight worth lingering over. Built in 1070, this complex of atmospheric halls, pavilions and courtyards is dedicated to Confucius and scholars. Of special note are the 82 remaining steles of stone shaped like turtles which are elaborately carved with the names of candidates that sat the Royal examinations. A walking tour through the Old Quarter will provide another fascinating insight into the character and history of the city, before moving on to Dong Xuan Market with its bustling stalls and brisk trading of day-to-day local goods.

Local legend tells how the gods sent dragons to Halong to defend the country from invasion, and the dragons spat out gemstones that turned into islands, creating a wall against the enemy. The truth is almost as evocative as the legend, with the bay displaying one of the most beguiling natural scenes you will ever witness. Cruise at a gentle pace, disembark onto smaller boats to venture into grottos and caves, stop to explore floating fishing villages and picturesque lookout points, and dine on beautifully prepared fresh seafood. Each junk operates with a slightly different itinerary and on board facilities, so chat with us to choose the one that’s right for you.

Wake early to the calls of Halong's seabirds nesting around the limestone karsts, and begin the day with a Tai Chi or cooking class on deck as the sun rises. While you enjoy brunch, the junk will slowly turn back towards the mainland where you’ll be driven to Hanoi to catch your flight to Luang Prabang. You’ll meet your guide on arrival and driven straight to your hotel to check in.

Rise before dawn to witness tak bat (the giving of alms to the monks who leave their pagodas to receive offerings of food from local residents) in a respectful and culturally sensitive manner. Get an overview of the country’s history at the Royal Palace National Museum, take in the city’s iconic temples, and get a deeper insight into Laos culture at the excellent Arts and Ethnology Centre. See colourful woven textiles being made in the surrounding villages, then either opt to embark upon an energetic climb up Mount Phousi, visit Wat Prabath Tai for a more accessible sunset experience or head to Wat Aham’s colourful prayer hall in time for the daily chanting.

Your day will be at leisure to continue exploring independently

Fly to Vientiane where, on arrival, your day is at leisure until sunset, when you’ll veer off the beaten track for a tuk-tuk tour of the locals’ favourite night markets and streetfood joints, ending with a Lao-style Sin Dat BBQ.

Spend the morning seeking out the best of the capital, starting with a visit to Wat Sisaket - arguably the most beautiful temple in Vientiane - which houses thousands of miniature Buddha statues. Continue to Wat Phra Keo, former location of the famed Emerald Buddha statue which now sits in the Grand Palace in Bangkok. Climb up on the roof of the Patuxai monument for fantastic panoramic views, then make a stop at the golden stupa of That Luang, the holiest place in Laos. Complete your morning at the excellent COPE exhibition centre, highlighting the country’s day-to-day struggle with unexploded ordnance left over from the Vietnam War era.

After breakfast, transfer to Vientiane Airport for your flight to Bangkok, where you will connect onto a flight to Mandalay. 

Make an afternoon visit to the iconic U Bein teak bridge. Built in 1782, when Amarapura (now a township within Mandalay) was the royal capital, this impressive piece of engineering claims the title of 'world's longest teak bridge' and is still very much in use. Settle on the riverbank to watch the sunset (making sure you get there early to secure a good spot!), then enjoy an evening at leisure exploring the night market and the city’s fabulous eateries.

Explore the city’s key sights with a personalised guided programme. We recommend the eclectic stalls at Zaycho Market, the Kuthodaw Pagoda at the foot of Mandalay Hill, the Mahamuni Paya (where devotees add gold leaf to the Mahamuni Buddha) and the historic wooden palace of Shwe Nan Daw. Board a chartered boat at Mandalay Port and cruise along the Ayeyarwady River to Mingun for a walking tour of King Bodawpaya’s unfinished temple, the mighty Mingun Bell, and the enchanting Hsinbyume Pagoda with its wave-like roof. Drive to Sagaing, a monastic centre on the Ayeyarwady River, to visit some of the pagodas that cover the hillsides; get a scenic overview from the steep Shin Pin Nan Kaing Hill; or visit the 98 foot high Kaung Mu Daw stupa and a nearby paper doll workshop. End the day on a high by watching the sunset from one of Sagaing’s many viewpoints.

Morning transfer to Shwe Kyet Yet Jetty to board the luxurious RV Pandaw for a noon departure. Your two night cruise to Bagan will pass dramatic scenery and you will witness unforgettable snapshots of life along the Ayeyarwady River. During your journey a number of shore excursions are arranged by the crew. Your day is at leisure to relax and enjoy the cruise and surrounding scenery.

Enjoy another day of stunning scenery and fascinating river-life as you continue your cruise towards Bagan.

Watch the sunrise over Bagan - one of Myanmar’s most beautiful sights - from the deck of the Pandaw, before disembarking and either heading to your hotel or beginning your tour of the temples. Whichever temples you choose to focus on, in true Selective Asia style we have a couple of gems up our sleeve, well off the tourist radar, which our guides will be eager to show you. With your head full of spires, visit a lacquerware shop to learn about this age-old process the region is famous for, and allow your guide to recommend somewhere for lunch. In the afternoon you may wish to visit the iconic temples of Ananda, where 1424 Buddhas line the walls, and Shwezigion Pagoda with its magnificent golden stupa. End the day with sunset over the temples, and return to your hotel for a well-earned sundowner.

Drive out of Bagan, passing fields and rural villages en route to the town of Chauk. Famous for oil and natural gas production, the town has grown from a tiny village to a thriving regional centre, and several ‘nodding donkeys’ punctuate the skyline. Mingle with locals in the vibrant central market, and enjoy a cuppa or two in the tea shops. 

Your afternoon offers an insight into rural life as you trek for one hour to Popa Taungyar, a village not far from Mount Popa. Mount Popa was a sacred site long before Buddhist monks established their beautiful monastery on a cinder plug near its peak. Legend tells that the mountain is home to 37 ‘Nats’ - traditional spirits that are worshipped throughout Myanmar in tandem with Buddhism. During the walk, you’ll have many opportunities to admire the mountain rising from the plains, its crater often partially obscured by clouds. Stop for tea and a chat with a local family (with your guide acting as translator) and explore the village of Popa Taungyar with it's traditional houses and smallholdings before returning to Bagan.

Fly from Nyaung U Airport to Heho and transfer to Nyaung Shwe, the main town in the region, on the shore of Inle Lake. Drive through picturesque rural Myanmar, watching the comings and goings of farming life, taking in the refreshing difference in climate at the higher altitude. At Nyaung Shwe board a small boat and cruise onto Inle Lake, passing local fishermen and taking in the stunning scenery, before settling into your resort and enjoying the sunset.

Spend a morning on the water, cruising in a southerly direction along the western bank as far as In Dein and Ywama, then navigating a narrow canal to a small Pa’O village. Disembark at the central marketplace and follow the old covered path to a 13th century monastery, and the evocative ruins of over a hundred ancient pagodas hidden by the lush deep vegetation all around. At the main hilltop stupa, pause to enjoy sensational views of the surrounding mountains, and Inle Lake in the distance. The remainder of your day will be at leisure to relax and soak up the unique atmosphere of the lake.

Fly from Heho to Thandwe, and take a shared transfer to Ngapali Beach where you can unwind with a few days at leisure exploring, relaxing and laying back on those golden sands...

Thought a trip to Ngapali was all about sea and sand? Well think again! Step away from the coastline and there are vast areas of untouched jungle and forested hills inland. The best way to glimpse this stunning landscape is from a hot air balloon. The pre-dawn wake up call is worth it! Take off as the sun rises and as the morning mist lifts, soak up the remarkable panoramic views of jungle clad mountains and meandering rivers, dotted with temples; the coastline in the distance. The flight typically lasts for 45 minutes, and as the jungle below gives way to patchwork fields your skilled pilot will bring the balloon down into a clearing (generally chased down by excited local children!). Back on terra firma you will be treated to a glass of sparkling wine before returning to your hotel, in time for breakfast.

Enjoy a day at leisure to relax and reflect on your experiences.

Once in Yangon, your day will be at leisure until a late afternoon visit to the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda: the perfect spot to enjoy the Yangon sunset. Explore the surrounding shrines as the city’s residents make their daily prayers at this incredible landmark; investigating the makeshift food markets that spring up as evening draws in, for a taste of Yangon cuisine. As night falls, the pagoda is brightly illuminated; its golden surface shining against the dark night sky. Continue to Little India, where lively eateries tempt you in with delicious scents. Visit the Tamil-built Shri Kali Hindu temple, and wander through Chinatown to the Cantonese Kwan Yin (or Guanyin) temple, before finally reaching 19th Street, lined with restaurants and street food stalls. Settle here with a cold beer and a selection of street food while you watch life go by, or choose from a wide array of restaurants for dinner.

Head for the bustling streets of India Town, at the heart of downtown Yangon, to explore the lively morning market, then hop aboard the ‘circular railway’ to weave your way through the city on this leisurely local commuter train, Disembark at Hledan, a University district, to visit the huge reclining Buddha at nearby Chaukhtatgyi Paya, then head to Sule Pagoda, one of the city’s great landmarks. Consult one of the pagoda’s fortune-tellers, and continue west to Mahabandoola Park and Burma’s Independence Monument to look out over the city’s grand colonial architecture. Pass along Pansodan Street to the jetty, as boat loads of people make their daily commute across the Yangon River, and see more colonial buildings including the General Post Office and the historic Strand Hotel. Head to a typical residential area, and stop to mingle with the locals over a cup of sweet chai.

Transfer to Yangon airport in time for your onward journey.