China to Singapore Adventure

Reiseverlauf 2026

1. Tag 1

   Kunming

   <
   Nimen Hao! Welcome to China. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm at your hotel to meet your local leader and fellow travellers. Nicknamed the City of Eternal Spring thanks to its mild climate and ample green spaces, there's plenty to do in Yunnan’s capital city if you arrive early. Wander Green Lake Park’s manicured gardens and watch locals practising tai chi, check out the galleries and cafes in an old factory area known as The Loft or visit the grand Yuantong Temple. This evening, maybe get to know your group over an optional dinner and sample some flavourful Yunnan cuisine – crossing-the-bridge noodles (rice noodle soup) is Kunming’s signature dish.
   It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
2. Tag 2

   Jinghong

   <
   Today you'll take your first high-speed train from Kunming to Jinghong. Arrive around midday, then join your leader for an orientation walk and then some free time in the afternoon. You may choose to go and visit Manting Park – the former royal garden of the Dai Empire with over 1300 years of history. Take in the Dai architecture, see rare flowers and explore revered Buddhist temples. This evening, head to the Starlight Market which sits beneath the Golden Pagoda with your leader. Yunan province is famous for its diverse ethnic cultures – including the Dai – and this is reflected in the huge variety of local artisans, craftspeople and food stalls. It’s a great chance to sample Dai delicacies – how about Dai-style sour vermicelli or bamboo sticky rice? If you’re overwhelmed by the options (we don’t blame you), just ask your local leader for recommendations!
   Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.
3. Tag 3

   Jinghong

   <
   Take a private vehicle to Nannuo Mountain to visit a local Hani village. The mountain is one of the ancestral homes of the Hani – an ethnic group who’ve lived in southern Yunnan for over 1300 years – and they’re deeply connected to it. The mountain is also famous for producing China’s top pu'er tea, and you’ll learn all about how it’s made straight from the source! Go on a short hike through the plantations where you’ll see an 800-year-old tea tree, pluck your own leaves and enjoy a tasting with your Hani hosts – a family who’ve been growing pu’er for generations. Then, share a hearty home-cooked lunch on banana leaves before returning to Jinghong. The rest of the afternoon is free to unwind.
   Your hike today will be approximately 1.5 hours.
4. Tag 4

   Luang Prabang

   <
   Take a bullet train across the border to Luang Prabang this morning. Your leader will be on hand to assist with any border formalities. After checking into your hotel in the early afternoon, stretch your legs on an orientation walk with your leader to find your bearings in this UNESCO-listed city. Once the capital of the ancient Lao Kingdom (Lan Xang), Luang Prabang is a city of opulent Buddhist temples and French Indochinese architecture set in the lush northern highlands. Then, enjoy a few hours of free time before regrouping to watch the sun set over the city and its surroundings on the sacred Wat Phu Si hill. There’s an optional dinner tonight at Talad Mued Night Market to try sindad – a traditional communal BBQ set on a charcoal stove with a rim full of boiling broth to blanch veggies.
   Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours. Sharp objects such as pocket knives and spray bottles are not permitted on high-speed trains in Laos, including aerosols and mists. We recommend bringing sunscreens and mosquito repellents with no spray capabilities on this trip, as sprays will get confiscated at the station.
5. Tag 5

   Luang Prabang

   <
   Find your river legs on a half-day cruise along the Mekong River – the world's twelfth-longest river and the third-longest in Asia. Enjoy the relaxed river vibes as you drift past overhanging reeds and see forested mountains in the distance. Stop at Pak Ou Caves – an important religious site only accessible by boat – to explore hundreds of Buddha statues inside the limestone caverns. Reboard the boat and eat lunch on the way back to Luang Prabang, returning to your hotel in the early afternoon. If you’re keen to see more, you could visit Kuang Si Waterfall to swim in its chalk-blue waters. Tonight, maybe hit up the night market to try more Laotian dishes – khao niew (sticky rice) and larb (minced meat salad) are classics.
   Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.
6. Tag 6

   Vang Vieng

   <
   Rise early this morning to witness a traditional alms giving ceremony – a centuries-old Laos Buddhist ritual that happens daily at sunrise. View a procession of saffron-robed monks as they collect food offered by devotees. The offerings must be collected early, as the monks can’t eat anything after midday. By giving food to a monk, it’s believed you ‘het bon’ (make merit) which will be carried over into the next life. Your leader will guide you through the dos and don’ts and help you take part. Then, enjoy an easy morning or take the time to visit a local fair trade centre that’s on a mission to preserve traditional Laotian handicrafts and make your own bamboo basket. Leave in the afternoon to catch a bullet train to Vang Vieng. Arrive at your hotel in the late afternoon, then maybe grab dinner at a local restaurant.
   Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.
7. Tag 7

   Vang Vieng

   <
   This morning, head to the Nam Song River for a kayaking trip. Paddle with a backdrop of limestone cliffs and forested mountains, maybe riding the occasional mini river rapid along the way. Rest ashore for a while and stretch your legs to Phar Norn, meaning ‘Sleeping Cave’, to snap a photo of the surrounding karsts before kayaking downstream back to Vang Vieng. You have free time for the rest of the afternoon. You might like to visit Tham Chang – a beautiful cavern fed by a natural spring – or explore the area on a bike.
   Your kayaking time today will be approximately 2 hours. Please note that the kayak activity is a join-in tour with travellers outside of your Intrepid group to share the vehicle and kayaking guide.
8. Tag 8

   Vientiane

   <
   Enjoy a relaxed morning before taking a train to Vientiane, the capital of Laos. You’ll arrive in the afternoon. Spend the day in what could possibly be Asia's most laidback capital. Walk, hire a bike or jump on a jumbo (tuk-tuk) to explore the city’s faded mansions, tree-lined boulevards and old temples. There’s an atmosphere of timelessness in Vientiane, especially in the older part of town along the Mekong River. After sunset, why not grab a bite at the lively night market?
   Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.
9. Tag 9

   Vientiane

   <
   This morning, visit Wat Si Saket – the city’s oldest temple still standing and home to almost 7000 Buddha images. Then, visit COPE (Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise) – an organisation dedicated to supporting people affected by unexploded ordnance (UXO), which still affects many Laotians each year due to the US bombing campaign during the Vietnam War. This is an excellent cause and a chance to educate yourself about Laos' devastating war history. After, buy a snack or drink from their Karma Cafe. Relax for the next few hours before your transfer to Nong Khai where you'll get on the overnight train to Bangkok.
   Your travel time today will be approximately 14 hours. There will be shared day rooms at your hotel so that you can use the room to refresh before the train. Multi share compartments on the train are air-conditioned, with bunk beds, with sheets and a pillow provided. Your baggage travels in the carriage with you. Food and drinks options on board will be limited so your leader will advise you what to prepare for your train journey. Sometimes the air conditioning on the trains can make the carriage quite cold so we recommend you bring a jumper and long pants for this journey.
10. Tag 10

    Bangkok

    <
    Sa-wat dee! Welcome to Thailand. You’ll arrive in Bangkok early in the morning. You'll be able to use the multishare rooms for a quick freshen-up, and your leader will show you where to get breakfast. Maybe try a classic Thai breakfast like khao tom (savoury rice soup) or pathongko (Thai-style doughnuts). The rest of the day is free to explore Thailand’s bustling capital – and there’s so much to see and do! Wander the Chinatown area, visit the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha or grab a drink in the backpacker hub of Khao San Road. Depending on how well you slept on the train, you could even treat yourself to a Thai massage. Tonight, regroup with your leader and fellow travellers for an optional farewell dinner and toast to a brilliant adventure.
    Multi-share rooms are accessible this morning for you to refresh after the overnight train until the hotel check-in time when you'll be able to check into your own rooms.
11. Tag 11

    Bangkok

    <
    Today is a free day in Bangkok until your second welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. In your free time, maybe wander the Chinatown area, visit the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha or set off on the Tuk Tuk Experience Urban Adventure. After the meeting, why not grab dinner with your new group and get to know each other.
    As this trip is a combination of shorter itineraries, the travellers in your group and your group leader are likely to change today.
12. Tag 12

    Bangkok

    <
    Begin the day with a river cruise down the Chao Phraya River to explore the khlongs (canals). Life along these canals seems a world away from the chaotic streets of the capital. Visit Wat Pho – one of the Bangkok temples with a 46-m-long gold-plated Buddha reclining inside. Even the feet of this statue are incredible, at 3 m long and intricately decorated with mother of pearl. The temple grounds are filled with beautifully decorated stupas, halls and shrines. Tonight, you’ll take an overnight train journey to Surat Thani.
    Your travel time on the overnight train will be approximately 12 hours. There are shared hotel rooms available this afternoon if you would like to freshen up or organise your luggage. One room will be shared between up to 4 members of the group. Accommodation on the overnight train will be in multi-share, air-conditioned sleeping berths. Your compartments will have bunk beds with sheets and a pillow provided. Your baggage travels in the carriage with you and there is a food and drink service available on board.
13. Tag 13

    Phrom Lok Homestay

    <
    Arrive at Surat Thani in the morning, then travel by minivan to Khao Sok. Set amid hectares of thick jungle, waterfalls, limestone cliffs and an island-studded lake, the national park of Khao Sok is a nature lover's paradise. Here, you’ll have free time to explore one of the oldest rainforests in the world. Walk along the dirt trails that snake through the quiet park, looking out for wildlife as you head for rivers and waterfalls. Look out for the rare Rafflesia Kerri – one of the world’s largest flowers, only found in Thailand. Spend the night in a rustic hut within the ancient trees of the rainforest.
    Your travel time today will be approximately 2.5 hours.
14. Tag 14

    Phrom Lok Homestay

    <
    Travel through jungle, rubber and oil plantations before boarding a long tail boat for a ride across Cheow Lan Lake. With limestone karsts rising almost 1000 m out of the green waters, this area is incredibly picturesque. You’ll trek to an island cave to see the eerie stalactites and bats hanging from the ceiling, with subterranean streams at your feet. Have lunch in a local raft-house before soaking up some free time to relax, swim or kayak around the lake to search for wildlife – the water is clear and teems with aquatic life, and you can also look out for hornbills, langurs, macaques and gibbons.
15. Tag 15

    Ao Nang

    <
    Head to Ao Nang in a private minivan, stopping at Baan Bor Tor along the way. When you arrive, embark on a sea kayaking journey. About halfway along the coast between Than Bok Khoranee and Krabi town is a bay of mangroves that might just be the most beautiful bay in Thailand. Surrounded by towering karst formations and many small offshore islands, these waterways will be your pathway as you move slowly through the bays and canyons, through the inlets, caves and hidden lagoons. Look out for the birds overhead and the monkeys in the trees – if you do see a monkey, make sure you secure your belongings and any food! Arrive at Ao Nang late in the afternoon, where you’ll have a free evening.
    Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours. Your included sea kayaking trip in Krabi is in double kayaks. The water is usually calm through the beautiful mangrove forests, but you will need to be a confident swimmer to take part.
16. Tag 16

    Ao Nang

    <
    If you’re a nature lover, Krabi might just be your favourite spot. Today is a free day to soak up everything this island has to offer. Maybe head to the water for a diving adventure or take a daytrip to explore Phi Phi and Khai Nok – these islands are surrounded by white sandy beaches, perfect for swimming and snorkelling. The area around Krabi is also home to some of the best climbing routes. Whether you're a novice or a pro, being securely tied high up a limestone cliff-face looking down on jungle and is an unforgettable experience! Tonight, maybe watch the sunset light up the sky and indulge in some local seafood at a beachside restaurant.
17. Tag 17

    Trang

    <
    This morning, you’ll head on to the small village of Baan Mod Tanoy. When you arrive, you’ll go on a walk around the village and gain some insight into the locals’ day to day life. Then, time to enjoy the great food and hospitality of the village. Get your hands dirty with some Batik handkerchief dyeing and learn a few tricks from the local craftsman at a workshop showcasing this traditional art. Your accommodation tonight is in a local resort in the village.
    Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.
18. Tag 18

    Pulau Penang

    <
    Say goodbye to Thailand this morning – you're off to Malaysia! The island of Penang was the first destination of the colonial British in 1786 and they invited the Chinese (as well as others from all over Asia) to live on this island in the tropics. Today, this fusion of cultures still exists, and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Georgetown shows the fascinating mix in its range of places of worship. When you arrive, you’ll take an orientation walk around the tumble-down shops and hawker-filled alleyways to get your bearings. The food here might just be the best in Malaysia, so you’ll seek out some hawker food stalls with your leader and get a taste for the local cuisine. Sample some local specialties such as nasi kandar, Penang laksa and char kway teow.
    Your travel time today will be approximately 7 hours. Your border crossing today will be via Dannok in Songkhla for Thailand and Bukit Kayu Hitam in Malaysia while Wang Kelian border (Thailand) being repaired due to landslides. Due to strict immigration laws, your Thailand trip leader will escort you to the Thailand side of the border where you will say farewell before going through immigration unaccompanied. Once you exit immigration, you’ll be met by one of our Malaysian trip leaders who will escort you to Penang. All our trip leaders have been briefed to ensure this is a simple and smooth process.
19. Tag 19

    Pulau Penang

    <
    Take a half-day sightseeing walking tour around Penang and Georgetown, soaking up the relaxed pace of life and the mix of cultures. See the original 19th century shophouses, the street markets, and the strong cultural and religious identity still on display in each neighbourhood – Little India, Chinatown or the Muslim Quarter. Check out the street art and stop by a clan jetty – clans were formed by 19th century immigrants who banded together based on the area of China that they came from, and they built rival waterfront societies on wooden jetties. Visit Thai and Burmese temples like Kek Lok Si – the largest Buddhist temple in South East Asia. You’ll have this afternoon free top explore at your own pace. Maybe see the clan house of Khoo Kongsi and check out the ornate carvings on the walls, roof and pillars. Maybe see more Chinese architecture in the blue Courtyard House of Cheong Fatt Tze – a wealthy merchant.
20. Tag 20

    Kuala Lumpur

    <
    Continue south to Kuala Lumpur – the cosmopolitan capital of Malaysia, affectionately known as KL by the locals. Communities of Indian, Chinese and ethnic Malay people mingle peacefully, allowing travellers to get the best of all three worlds. KL has grown from a sleepy little village to a skyscraper-lined multi-million-peopled metropolis. The city can seem vast, but the focus is the traditional core of the Old Town (the former colonial centre), the luxury hotel and shopping mall district of the Golden Triangle, and bustling Chinatown and Little India. Follow your leader on an orientation walk near the hotel and tonight, follow the Bukit Bintang Walkway and see the Petronas Twin Towers lit at night. From simple-street side fare that attracts queues of customers eager to high-calibre, world-class cuisine, you’ll have no problem finding a good dinner spot.
    Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.
21. Tag 21

    Kuala Lumpur

    <
    Enjoy a free day today for your own exploration! Perhaps visit the National Monument (commemorating those who died in Malaysia's struggle for freedom and based on the Iwo Jima Memorial in the USA), the vast National Mosque featuring a bold and modern design, or the Istana Negara (National Palace). You might like stroll Dataran Merdeka (Independence Square), or shop in Suria KLCC (one of Malaysia’s premier shopping destinations) and then head up to the Skybridge & Observation Deck of the iconic Petronas Towers to get another view of the city. Lake Gardens is home to a number of sights, including the National Planetarium and the Islamic Arts Museum. Or if you’re seeking something active, you might like to join a bike tour.
    We recommend booking tickets to Petronas Towers in advance to ensure you don't miss out. For more information, visit https://www.petronastwintowers.com.my/visit-and-experience/
22. Tag 22

    Melaka

    <
    Transfer by local bus to the old port town of Melaka – once the most important trading port in Malaysia, attracting Chinese, Indian, Dutch, Portuguese and British traders. These visitors sought wealth or an opportunity to control the Straits of Malacca, a vital trading route between the Indian and Pacific oceans, which lead to 400 years of colonial rule. Today, Melaka's wealth of historical sites reminds visitors of times gone by, and its multicultural past is revealed in its distinctive cuisine. Like Georgetown, the Melaka was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008, and like its Penang sibling, the city is a harmonic mix of cultures. When you arrive, you’ll have a free afternoon and evening to explore.
    Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.
23. Tag 23

    Melaka

    <
    Today, you’ll get to know this port city better with a trishaw tour along the narrow winding streets. You’ll admire Chinatown's unique Peranakan architecture, get a taste of old Melaka and learn about the ancient spice trade. Take in sites such as Harmony Street and stop by a mosque, Chinese Buddhist Temples, and a traditional Muslim house-museum. In your free time this afternoon there are plenty of historic sites and museums to check out. Maybe jump on two wheels for an eco bike tour around the city or see Melaka from a different perspective with a boat tour along the river.
24. Tag 24

    Singapore

    <
    Travel by local bus to the last stop of the journey – Singapore. Singapore has few areas untouched by modernisation, but wandering the streets of Little India and Chinatown is a great way to see the old parts of the city. To explore further, check out the renowned shopping precinct of Orchard Road, or stop by Raffles to experience the old-world charm of a Singapore Sling. An evening in Singapore is not complete without a stroll along Clarke Quay, or even a river cruise to learn more about the fascinating history of this city. Your accommodation tonight is a centrally located hotel, perfect for easy exploring. Whatever you choose today, maybe gather together your fellow travellers for a celebratory drink or meal as your Bangkok to Singapore adventure comes to an end.
    Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours. Border crossing into Singapore can be slow, so some patience at the border would go a long way. Some rooms in tonight’s accommodation are internal and do not have windows.
25. Tag 25

    Singapore

    <
    There are no activities planned for today and you can depart the accommodation at any time. If you’d like to extend your stay in Singapore and explore the sites, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time.