Asia
Southeast Asia Wanderlust
Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam
The Experience
AN EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURE TO THREE UNFORGETTABLE COUNTRIES IN SOUTHEAST ASIA AWAITS YOU! SATIATE YOUR WANDERLUST ON A JOURNEY THROUGH THAILAND, CAMBODIA AND VIETNAM!
Trip Highlights
- Learn to cook traditional Vietnamese food in the home of a local chef
- Get up close with Asian Elephants during an elephant-led interaction at a sanctuary
- Soak up the sun and play in the warm waves of the white sand beaches of Thailand
- Visit the Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha
- See the iconic Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious structure
- Engage in a cultural exchange with high school students in each country we visit
Asia
Southeast Asia Wanderlust
Program Overview
Jet off to Southeast Asia for an unforgettable summer packed with culture, vibrancy, and off-the-beaten-path experiences. On this backpacking adventure, we will uncover the hidden gems of Hanoi, Halong Bay, Koh Samet, Bangkok and Siem Reap, the home of the legendary Angkor Wat.
Our travels will begin in Hanoi, a city known for its centuries-old architecture and a rich culture with Chinese and French influences. We will explore the Old Quarter, bargain in local markets, and learn to cook traditional Vietnamese food in the home of a Hanoi Local. From there, we travel to experience the UNESCO World Heritage recognized Halong Bay on an overnight boating adventure. We will continue our journey in Thailand where we will relax on their iconic white sand beaches, meet South Asian Elephants, visit ornate temples, and sample tons of Thai cuisine! For our last stop, we will hop over to Siem Reap to explore the iconic temple complex, Angkor Wat (something very few teens have the chance to check off their bucket list)!
An absolute highlight of your time traveling throughout each of these special places will be the moments spent with the local community. This itinerary has been specifically designed with planned activities in each country to become friends with local teens as you participate in cultural activities together! We can’t wait for you to join the network and make your way through beautiful Southeast Asia this summer!
Teen Travel Network is very proud to be one of the few teen trip providers that has an animal health and welfare policy that reflects our stance on operating in the most ethical way for both people and animals worldwide.
KEY DESTINATIONS
REGION: ASIA & THE PACIFIC
EXPERIENCE: MULTI-COUNTRY ASIA
COUNTRY: CAMBODIA
COUNTRY: THAILAND
COUNTRY: VIETNAM
CITY: BANGKOK
CITY: SIEM REAP
Asia
Southeast Asia Wanderlust
"THIS EXPERIENCE CHANGED MY LIFE."
HARLAN R., YORK, SC
PROGRAM ITINERARY
THIS ITINERARY IS AN APPROXIMATION OF THE OVERALL PROGRAM EXPERIENCE. THE ORDER OF ACTIVITIES ON YOUR TRIP MAY CHANGE.
IF A PARTICULAR SCHEDULED EXPERIENCE IS CANCELED, WE MAY REPLACE IT WITH AN ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITY.
Day 1: Arrival Day
Welcome to Hanoi!
Our Teen Travel Network Trip Leaders will meet you in the Hanoi airport arrivals terminal wearing their TTN t-shirts.
We will spend this first day settling into our accommodation and building connections with fellow travelers. Before we sleep off our jetlag, we will enjoy a local welcome dinner.
Days 2-3: Hanoi, Vietnam
Our Vietnam adventure kicks off in the heart of Hanoi, a city bursting with life and history. As we step outside our hotel, we’re immediately enveloped by the charm of the Old Quarter. It is home to artists, bustling restaurants and cafes, and unique French colonial architecture. Exploring the historic center will drop us by Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum where we can pay our respects before winding through markets full of local products and keepsakes.
Step into the home of a friendly local for a cooking class where we will master the art of crafting Vietnamese delicacies and deepening our connection to local culture. In the afternoons, we’ll sip egg coffee, a beloved local specialty, while engaging with bilingual Vietnamese teens who will help us dive into the local culture.
Day 4: Halong Bay, Vietnam
Did someone say road trip? Pack your bags because we are headed for the beautiful beaches of Halong Bay! We will discover pristine coastlines, encounter unusual rock formations, kayak in clear blue water and explore sea caves from the comfort of our overnight boat.
Day 5: Bangkok, Thailand
Head back to Hanoi, where we’ll bid Vietnam goodbye and hop a quick flight to the vibrant city of Bangkok, Thailand for the next leg of our adventure.
Check into our new hotel, complete with a refreshing pool to cool off in. Our knowledgeable staff will introduce us to the do’s and don’ts of Thai culture, ensuring we make the most of our time in this exciting city.
Days 6-7 Koh Samet, Thailand
Watch the coastal cities pass by as we take a road trip south from Bangkok. We’ll arrive in a charming seaside town where our private speedboat is waiting to whisk us away to the sandy shores, hidden coves and crystal-clear waters of Koh Samet.
Our days here are all about splashing into the ocean, friendly beach volleyball matches and indulging in juicy tropical fruits. Enjoy exploring the quaint nearby town, check out local souvenirs shops, lounge on the iconic Sai Kaew Beach and watch the sunset from the beach directly in front of our hotel.
Day 8: Koh Samet → Bangkok
As we head back to Bangkok, get ready for a heart-warming experience at an elephant sanctuary. Elephants are the national animal of Thailand and represent strength, loyalty and longevity – even an image of elephants can bring good luck! This sanctuary is an ethical and sustainable eco-tourism project that allows small groups to interact with these gentle giants through elephant-led interactions.
Back in Bangkok, check back into the hotel and enjoy some well-earned downtime.
Day 9: Bangkok, Thailand
What better way to learn about a culture than by meeting with locals? This morning, visit a Bangkok area high school and meet with bilingual students who have spent many years learning and practicing English. Our new Thai companions will be our tour guides as we head to Thailand’s most well known place of prayer and culture: The Grand Palace and temple housing the renowned Emerald Buddha.
Next on our list is Wat Po, or the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. Here we will quietly observe the customs of local visitors and learn more about Buddhist customs from our experienced local guide.
Days 10 - 12: Siem Reap, Cambodia
Prepare for a captivating journey as we fly to Siem Reap, Cambodia’s second-largest city and the gateway to one of the world’s most incredible wonders: Angkor Wat! Angkor Wat is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the world’s largest religious structure at the top of our “must see” list. Discover its intricate carvings, towering spires and the rich history that surrounds this architectural masterpiece. Our adventure continues to Angkor Thom – a temple with hundreds of carved smiling faces — and Ta Prohm, an iconic structure where sequences of the movie Tomb Raider were filmed.
Laugh with and applaud for incredible performers at the Phare Circus, Cambodia’s own version of Cirque du Soleil with a traditional twist. This experience is an opportunity for us to learn a bit about an incredible local organization which provides training for disadvantaged youth who then perform in the show.
Continue to connect with local students during a high school exchange. We will meet, grab lunch and do a city wide scavenger hunt together. Discover true hidden gems through the eyes of a local teen as you navigate through city streets, explore markets and document your findings in friendly competition. There may even be a prize for the winning team!
Day 13: Departure Day
Before we know it, our Southeast Asian adventure has come to an end. Head to the airport with incredible memories, new friends, and confidence that will benefit you for life!
TTN Trip Leaders will accompany travelers to the airport and check them in for their flights home.
As you settle into your seat for the journey home, reflect on the things you saw, the people you met, and places you went. We’ll see you on your next adventure! Welcome to the Network!
Asia
Southeast Asia Wanderlust
Dates & Tuition
13-Day Travel Program
| 2024 Dates |
|---|
| JUN 21 – JUL 3, 2024 |
| JUL 8 – JUL 20, 2024 |
All-Inclusive Tuition
- Secure accommodations at each destination
- 3 meals each day
- Expert full-time trip leaders
- All transportation from arrival to departure
- All immersive experiences and trip activities
- Medical and evacuation insurance
- 24/7 parent support hotline all summer
- Personalized pre-departure support
- Collection of photo memories
- Authentic group travel experience
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