Best of Vietnam

20 Days Starting in Ho Chi Minh City and ending in Hanoi

Visiting: Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta/Ho Chi Minh City, Dalat, Nha Trang, Nha Trang/Overnight Train, Hoi An, Hue, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park/Overnight Train, Hanoi, Lam Thuong, Halong Bay

Tour operator:

Intrepid Travel

Tour code:

TVST

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 12

Physical rating:

Medium

Age range:

15-99 years

Tour operated in:

English

Interests:

Cultural

From: $3105 $2329 Operator discount: -$776 -25%

NB: Prices correct on 02-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Experience the real Vietnam on this comprehensive 20-day trip from south to north. Travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi and experience bustling cities, tranquil backwaters, imperial ruins, faded elegance and Heritage-listed landscapes dotted with reminders of the past. Explore the narrow, cobbled streets of Hoi An’s Old Town, sail the waters of UNESCO World Heritage Site Ha Long Bay, cruise down the Mekong Delta’s waterways, encounter local tribes in your stay in Lam Thuong and whizz through the back streets of Hue as you uncover the very best of Vietnam.

Highlights

  • Experience local life during homestays in the Mekong Delta and Da Bac. Get to know local families, participate in their activities and enjoy a homestyle meal.

  • Travel to both popular and lesser-known destinations in Vietnam, including tourist hotspots like Halong Bay and hidden gems such as Da Bac

  • See Vietnam through an exciting mix of transport, including motorbike, sampan, junk-style boat, bus and train

  • Visit the mind-boggling Phong Nha and Thien Duong Caves. These labyrinthine systems were used to shelter civilians during the Vietnam/American War

  • Spend a day in Hue, touring the city's sights on a motorbike and eating lunch at a serene nunnery

  • Relax in the turquoise waters at Nha Trang and discover local fisherman's life on a boat trip.

  • Cruise down Mekong Delta’s leafy waterways and learn about the local cottage industry as you explore the villages here, while a homecooked lunch awaits.

  • Explore the hidden gem of Lam Thuong – a quintessential northern village tucked away, undiscovered by the common tourist trail. Explore the village by cycling, hiking and visiting a local handicraft workshop and a gemstone market.

  • Spend a day and night cruising through the limestone peaks in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ha Long Bay – explore caves filled with stalactites and stalagmites and maybe take a kayak out on the still waters.

  • Visit the immense Phong Nha and Thien Duong Caves. These labyrinthine systems were used to shelter civilians during the Vietnam/American War.

Show all

Itinerary

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Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City

Location: Ho Chi Minh City

Accommodation: Hotel

Xin Chao! Welcome to Vietnam. Your adventure begins in Ho Chi Minh City with a welcome meeting at 6 pm today, where you'll get to know your fellow travellers and local leader. If you arrive early, maybe head to Pham Ngu Lao Street to see the local open-air market visit Vinh Nghiem Pagoda. After the meeting, you may like to join your group for an optional dinner at one of the city's fantastic eating spots. Because this trip doesn’t spend much time in Ho Chi Minh City, you might even choose to spend an extra day or two here to see the sights.

Day 2: Mekong Delta/Ho Chi Minh City

Location: Mekong Delta/Ho Chi Minh City

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch

Today, you'll travel south by private minibus to Mekong Delta. When you arrive, you’ll board a boat and explore the intricate waterways of the Mekong Delta. Often referred to as ‘the rice bowl’ of Vietnam, the fertile delta is where rice, tropical fruit and flowers are grown for the whole country. You'll get a chance to get off the boat to visit an orchard and sample some tropical fruit. You’ll then continue the cruise and visit a selection of local cottage industries along the way where you'll experience local life and the industries surrounding the river up close. Return to Ho Chi Minh City this afternoon and enjoy a free evening in the city.

Included Activities:
-Mekong Delta - Sightseeing Tour

Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City

Location: Ho Chi Minh City

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast

After breakfast today, you’ll visit one of the most important sites in Ho Chi Minh City – the famous Cu Chi Tunnels. These complex tunnels were used by the Viet Cong in the long war against the Americans and were instrumental to the Vietnamese victory. Later in the day, take a tour of the city, passing the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Opera House. Head to the War Remnants Museum for a sobering yet informative lesson on the Vietnam War. Here you’ll see things like old military equipment, an F5A fighter and a UH1-Huey helicopter. Enjoy some free time afterwards at your leisure. We recommend exploring the city’s restaurants and trying Ho Chi Minh City’s distinctive fresh and flavoursome food. In contrast to the north of Vietnam, the cuisine here is spicier, sweeter and more varied. There are also plenty of street food stalls if you’d like to take a few bites of the local fare.

Included Activities:
-Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnels
-Ho Chi Minh City - War Remnants Museum
-Ho Chi Minh City - City tour

Optional Activities:
-Ho Chi Minh City - A O show

Day 4: Dalat

Location: Dalat

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast

After exploring Ho Chi Minh City, take a bus to Dalat. Temperate and cool compared to the rest of the country, Dalat has gained the name ‘City of Eternal Spring’ due to the mists that cover its nearby valleys nearly all year around. The Hang Na guesthouse stands as a towering, melted stone obelisk over the lush garden below. There’s also plenty of charming Art Deco-influenced structures and gardens around the area. This afternoon, perhaps go for a wander through the streets for a better feel of the city or find a café for a cup of artichoke tea – a regional specialty.

Day 5: Dalat

Location: Dalat

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast

Dalat’s soothing climate isn’t just a great reprieve from the heat of Vietnam's coast, it also creates the perfect environment to grow a wide selection of fruits, vegetables and herbs. Take a full day to stroll through the tranquil gardens of this city, darting past plantations full of plump vegetables, colourful flowers, medicinal herbs and juicy strawberries. You'll have a guided garden visit to learn more about this fruitful area.

Included Activities:
-Dalat - Garden visit

Day 6: Nha Trang

Location: Nha Trang

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast

After breakfast this morning travel by minibus to the coastal town of Nha Trang. When you arrive, stretch your legs with a leader-led orientation walk. Then, enjoy free time in the afternoon and evening to explore this coastal city. You might like to make a beeline straight to the beach or try a mud bath. Maybe find a beach side bar for a cocktail at sunset, then tuck into some of this town's fresh seafood – your leader knows all the good spots.

Day 7: Nha Trang/Overnight Train

Location: Nha Trang/Overnight Train

Accommodation: Overnight sleeper train

Meals Included: breaksfast

After breakfast this morning, out for a a leisurely boat trip in Nha Trang Bay. You'll stop at Mieu Island to learn about local fishermen's life here, then give it a go yourself with the rowing bamboo basket boat. Then you'll hop to Tam Island for some swimming and snorkelling in the turquoise water among the corals. Head back to Nha Trang in the early afternoon. This evening, board an overnight train to Da Nang.

Included Activities:
-Nha Trang - Nha Trang Bay Boat trip
-Nha Trang Bay - Island hopping, Fishing Villages & Snorkelling

Day 8: Hoi An

Location: Hoi An

Accommodation: Hotel

You'll arrive in Hoi An early this morning. Recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, Hoi An was a major trading port with the West from the 15th to the 19th century. Today, it’s been restored to look exactly as it did more than a century ago, giving it an old-world feel full of nooks and crannies for you to explore. You’ll have some free time to wonder the city at your own pace this afternoon. Hoi An is also very popular with shopping, with specialty shops lining the Old Town – you can even get some clothes tailor made! Why not browse the paintings, woodwork, ceramics and embroidery all made by the locals.

Included Activities:
-Hoi An - Old Town walking tour

Optional Activities:
-Hoi An - Private Hoi An: Boat & Bike with Local Dinner Experience Urban Adventure

Day 9: Hoi An

Location: Hoi An

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast

Today is another free day in the town of Hoi An. See the Chinese shophouses, enjoy the busy market, visit Cua Dai Beach, cycle to the rice fields or browse the array of art galleries. This is also a great spot to sit by the water and people watch at happy hour, so maybe ask your leader for some restaurant recommendations and soak up the atmosphere.

Optional Activities:
-Hoi An - Food Adventure Urban Adventure
-Hoi An - Private Hoi An: My Son Discovery

Day 10: Hue

Location: Hue

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast

This morning, wave goodbye to Hoi An and make tracks to My Khe Beach. Cross the dramatic Hai Van Pass and make a quick stop at the fishing village of Lang Co before making your way to Hue. The former imperial capital of Vietnam, Hue contains the treasures of Vietnam’s royal history, and has a curious blend of bustling streets and tranquil settings. You'll explore the Imperial Citadel this afternoon – this fortress houses the Imperial City and the citadel-within-a-citadel, the Forbidden Purple City. This icon was almost completely destroyed during the Vietnam War, and the ruins and holes left by bombs are a reminder of the destruction caused by the war. In your free time, you might like to visit to Dong Ba Market which offers locally made goods, fresh produce and street food. This is a good place to try the specialties enjoyed by Emperor Nguyen such as the banh khoai royal rice cake.

Included Activities:
-Hue - Imperial City entrance and guided visit

Day 11: Hue

Location: Hue

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch

'See Hue like a local – from the back of a motorbike! Straddle the saddle and whiz around town with a local guide, taking in historic and contemporary sights along the way. Stop at Thanh Toan to see the 18th-century covered bridge and villagers shopping at their local market. Visit the 17th-century active Buddhist monastery of Thien Mu Pagoda and see the car that belonged to Thich Quang Duc, the monk who self-immolated in 1963 in protest against the treatment of Buddhists by the South Vietnamese regime. For lunch, savour a vegetarian feast in a nunnery. Finish at the lakeside royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc before heading back to town.

Included Activities:
-Hue - Royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc
-Hue - Highlights & back streets by motorbike
-Hue - Thien Mu Pagoda
-Hue - Motorbike Tour Lunch

Day 12: Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park

Location: Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park

Accommodation: Homestay

Meals Included: breaksfast

Today, you'll take a minibus to the Vinh Moc Tunnels. These were used during the Vietnam War as shelter for the villagers who were escaping intense bombing. Incredibly, the locals here lived in an underground system over three levels. You’ll get a chance to enter the tunnels, which remain in their original form. This afternoon, continue to your homestay tonight at the centre of Phong Nha. Your host is a family of three generations, and you'll be able to experience how the locals go about their daily routines while staying here.

Included Activities:
-Quang Tri - Vinh Moc Tunnels
-Quang Tri - Hien Luong Bridge

Day 13: Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park/Overnight Train

Location: Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park/Overnight Train

Accommodation: Overnight sleeper train

Meals Included: breaksfast

After breakfast today, visit the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. This UNESCO World Heritage site contains the oldest known karst mountains in Asia. The area is also known for its enormous cave system. You’ll visit the Thien Duong Cave (Paradise Cave), then take a cruise up the Son River towards the Phong Cave – the scale of the place is astounding. In the late afternoon, travel to Dong Hoi and catch an overnight sleeper train to Hanoi.

Included Activities:
-Phong Nha Ke-Bang NP - Thien Duong (Paradise Cave)
-Phong Nha Ke-Bang National Park - Phong Nha Cave

Day 14: Hanoi

Location: Hanoi

Accommodation: Hotel

Arrive in Hanoi early in the morning and transfer to your hotel. Vietnam’s capital is famous for its beautiful lakes, shaded boulevards, public parks and French-style Old Quarter. As an emerging city in South East Asia, Hanoi has an attractive contrast of modern office buildings, old Buddhist temples and a labyrinth of ancient streets. Later in the day, you’ll visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, including One Pillar Pagoda and the Ho Chi Minh Museum. Then, enjoy a water puppetry performance – a unique and traditional Vietnamese art form.

Included Activities:
-Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh Complex
-Hanoi - One Pillar Pagoda
-Hanoi - Old Quarter Walking Tour
-Hanoi - Water puppet show

Optional Activities:
-Hanoi - Fine Arts Museum
-Hanoi - Hoa Lo 'Hanoi Hilton' Prison
-Hanoi - Temple of Literature
-Hanoi - Women's Museum
-Hanoi - Army Museum

Day 15: Lam Thuong

Location: Lam Thuong

Accommodation: Homestay

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

This morning, visit Vun Art Centre – a social enterprise that employs people living with disabilities to make art pieces with recycled silk. Hear from the employees about the great things they do and then make the drive to Lam Thuong Village. When you arrive, settle into your homestay for the night – sitting on stilts, these local homes belong to the Tay people and have beautiful views of the valley and offer authentic village experiences. Then, head out for a bike ride through the village and the valley, passing rice fields, homes and learning about the local’s day to day life. Enjoy a homecooked dinner tonight made by your hosts using local ingredients.

Included Activities:
-Lam Thuong - Village cycling tour
-Hanoi - Vun Art center visit
-Lam Thuong - Villlage homestay & home-cooked meals

Day 16: Lam Thuong

Location: Lam Thuong

Accommodation: Homestay

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

Spend another day in the village today, starting with a transfer to a trailhead. Head out for a morning hike past rice paddies to a viewpoint overlooking the village, the valley and the rice fields. Return to the village this afternoon and visit a local handicraft workshop to learn about bamboo weaving, natural dyeing and how the locals make Tay hats. This afternoon, you’ll have some free time to rest or explore the village at your own pace.

Included Activities:
-Lam Thuong - Village handicraft workshop visit
-Lam Thuong - Hiking

Day 17: Hanoi

Location: Hanoi

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast

Today, say goodbye to your friendly hosts and return to Hanoi. Along the way, stop at Luc Yen gemstone market. After a while to explore (and pick up any souvenirs you might want to take home), continue to Hanoi. Arrive in the late afternoon and settle into your accommodation. This evening, you’re free to rest, relax and recharge.

Optional Activities:
-Hanoi - Street Food Experience Urban Adventure

Day 18: Halong Bay

Location: Halong Bay

Accommodation: Overnight boat

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

After breakfast today, you’ll drive to Bai Chay Harbour to the famous UNESCO World Heritage site of Ha Long Bay – a blue-green bay studded with limestone outcrops, this area is full of beaches and natural grottos. You’ll take a boat through the limestone peaks and caves filled with stalactites and stalagmites, and you might even stop at a private beach for a swim. If you like, you can take a kayak out on the bay and explore the still waters from a new perspective. Spend the night on the boat beneath the star-studded sky and fall asleep to the gentle rocking of the waves.

Included Activities:
-Halong Bay - Dinner on Boat
-Halong Bay - Lunch on Boat

Day 19: Hanoi

Location: Hanoi

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast

After breakfast today you'll return to Hanoi, arriving mid-afternoon. You’ll have free time this afternoon to explore at your own pace or rest and recharge. Why not head out in search of a bia hoi (freshly brewed draught beer) at one of the microbars in the Old Quarter. Or, maybe mark the end of your trip with an optional farewell dinner with your group – your leader will have some great recommendations.

Day 20: Hanoi

Location: Hanoi

Meals Included: breaksfast

There are no activities planned for today and you can depart the accommodation at any time. There’s so much to see and do in Hanoi, so why not stay a day or two longer! If you need additional accommodation, just reach out to your booking agent ahead of time. If you have extra time, you may like to do an Urban Adventure tour – see urbanadventures.com/destination/hanoi-tours.

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    Homestay (3 nights), Hotel (13 nights), Overnight boat (1 night), Overnight sleeper train (2 night)

  • Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnels

  • Ho Chi Minh City - War Remnants Museum

  • Ho Chi Minh City - City tour

  • Mekong Delta - Sightseeing Tour

  • Mekong Delta - Guesthouse Dinner

  • Dalat - Garden visit

  • Nha Trang - Nha Trang Bay Boat trip

  • Nha Trang Bay - Island hopping, Fishing Villages & Snorkelling

  • Hoi An - Old Town walking tour

  • Hue - Imperial City Full Day Tour

show more

What's Not Included

  • Tipping and Gratuities

  • International Travel

  • Airport Transfers at Destination

Transport

  • OVERNIGHT SLEEPER TRAINS IN VIETNAM:
  • Compartments will be 4 berth to 6 berth depending on seasonal variations and the group configuration. We aim to secure 4 berth compartments where possible. A sheet, pillow and blanket are provided, although some travellers prefer to bring their own sleeping sheet. Passengers of different genders may be required to share a compartment and there will be occasions where you'll be sharing with local travellers or travellers who are not part of your group. On occasion the group may be split between several carriages, however your leader will coordinate and give further information on the trip.

Accommodation

  • HOTELS:
  • Most of the accommodation on this trip is in hotels (mostly 2 to 3-star). Facilities are often basic, with some properties not having a continuous supply of hot water on occasion. All rooms are either fan cooled or with air conditioning and twin share with private facilities unless stated otherwise in the daily itinerary. Double beds are not widely available in South East Asia.
  • WINDOWLESS ROOMS:
  • Some hotels in South East Asia have windowless rooms, or windows that don't necessarily have a view. This is often due to high population density in large cities, however local building standards also do not require rooms to have windows. We do request rooms with windows, however they aren't always available.
  • DAY ROOMS & EARLY CHECK IN:
  • Please note in some destinations we will provide use of day rooms. These rooms are provided for shared group use before or after overnight train journeys. We have some days where we arrive at our destination before check in time and a day room is not included. If you have booked a Single Supplement for your trip, it will not apply to these day rooms. Your leader may be able to assist you in booking a room for your sole use (depending on availability) until our regular trip rooms become available for an additional charge. Please talk to your leader at the Welcome Meeting if this is a service you would like to request.
  • HALONG BAY BOAT:
  • Your boat has twin-share cabins that have air-conditioning and private facilities. The boats have 8-12 passenger cabins. There's also a dining room and bar on board. The boat is not likely to be a traditional sailing junk, as many older or imported vessels do not comply with waterway traffic safety laws.

Included Activities

  • Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnels
  • Ho Chi Minh City - War Remnants Museum
  • Ho Chi Minh City - City tour
  • Mekong Delta - Sightseeing Tour Including Cottage Industries
  • Mekong Delta - Guesthouse Dinner
  • Dalat - Garden visit
  • Phan Rang - Bau Truc pottery village
  • Phan Rang - Po Klong Garai Cham towers
  • Phan Rang - Vinh Hy Bay snorkelling
  • Phan Rang - Hang Rai fossilised coral reefs
  • Phan Rang - Bau Nai fish market & salt fields
  • Hoi An - Old Town walking tour
  • Hue - Imperial City Full Day Tour Urban Adventure
  • Hue - Royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc
  • Hue - Highlights & back streets by motorbike (lunch included)
  • Hue - Perfume River cruise & Thien Mu Pagoda
  • Quang Tri - Vinh Moc Tunnels
  • Quang Tri - Hien Luong Bridge
  • Phong Nha Ke-Bang NP - Thien Duong (Paradise Cave)
  • Phong Nha Ke-Bang National Park - Phong Nha Cave
  • Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh Complex: Ho Chi Minh, Stilt House and Museum
  • Hanoi - One Pillar Pagoda
  • Hanoi - Old Quarter Walking Tour
  • Da Bac - Sung cave and village tour
  • Da Bac - Sung village to Da Bia hike
  • Da Bac - Homestay Dinner
  • Da Bac - Homestay Lunch
  • Da Bac - Da Bia Lunch
  • Halong Bay - Diner on Boat
  • Halong Bay - Lunch on Boat
  • Hanoi - Water puppet show

Important Information

  • 1. Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport) for train tickets. Fees may apply for amendments to details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases, you will be required to cover the cost of issuing new tickets.
  • 2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes days 15&16 (homestays), days 7&13 (overnight trains), and Days 18 (overnight boat) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

Mode of Transport

  • OVERNIGHT SLEEPER TRAINS IN VIETNAM:
  • Compartments will be 4 berth to 6 berth depending on seasonal variations and the group configuration. We aim to secure 4 berth compartments where possible. A sheet, pillow and blanket are provided, although some travellers prefer to bring their own sleeping sheet. Passengers of different genders may be required to share a compartment and there will be occasions where you'll be sharing with local travellers or travellers who are not part of your group. On occasion the group may be split between several carriages, however your leader will coordinate and give further information on the trip.

Check out our Q&As

  • Is this trip right for you

    During this trip, there will be several long days of travelling and you'll be sitting on a bus for many hours at a time. However, road trips often have the best views, and most private buses feature wi-fi.

    We cover a lot of distance on this trip, including on overnight trains. Accommodation and amenities are shared and basic, but the experience of rubbing shoulders with the locals makes it all worthwhile. For more about what this experience is like, see our blog post here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/what-to-expect-on-an-overnight.

    This trip involves a lot of walking and a few physical activities, e.g. city tours, village cycling, or taking an optional kayak tour etc. You’ll be required to be reasonably fit to make the most of the trip.

    You'll be spending three nights with local families on this trip, where the accommodation is shared and basic. But this is a great opportunity to connect with the local people (and enjoy delicious homecooked meals). Read more about the experiences here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/community-based-tourism-vietnam/

    Vietnam has an incredibly diverse climate influenced by both tropical monsoons and its range of altitudes and latitudes. Temperatures can vary from a brisk 4°C (39°F) in the northern mountains during winter to a sweltering and humid 36°C (97°F) in Ho Chi Minh City during the middle of the dry season. Please check the weather for the time of year you're travelling to pack appropriate clothing - this page may be useful: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/vietnam/weather-in-vietnam

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room

Reviews of this operator

Maroochy Dazza (Google Reviewer)  

Just leaving a review to...

24-Aug-2023

Just leaving a review to share how much I enjoyed my Central America trip. I thought the guide, Aura was so knowledgeable and organised and clearly a great ambassador for Intrepid. She gave us lots of information on each region, helped us organise anything we needed and dealt with queries from passengers very well and diplomatically. She made the trip run smoothly. She was also keen to explain the Intrepid vision and how the company values making a difference to locals and is a credit to your company. I did Guatemala and beyond and thoroughly enjoyed it - very fast paced, lots to see and do and a great overview of the region. I would definitely recommend 👍

LivvyGrace 4 (Google Reviewer)  

I just completed my first...

15-Jul-2024

I just completed my first Intrepid tour which was 33 days travelling around Central America - I had the time of my life! It was great to have the benefit of a guide (Fluffy was amazing!) and be able to ask questions at any point, but I also liked the freedom that you were permitted throughout. The group tour made boarder crossings seamless and the whole process felt easy - there was never one hiccup. As a solo female traveller, I felt safe throughout, and I cannot recommend Central America enough - the people, the food, the sun and the activities were just amazing :) Can't wait to book my next adventure soon!

V Open (Google Reviewer)  

I have just come back...

26-Oct-2022

I have just come back home after doing Intrepid's 10-day Vietnam Express Northbound tour. What a SUPERB tour. We saw lots and did lots, it was jam-packed full of sights and activities. Our tour leader, Tam, was the best ever. Very knowledgeable, organised and lots of fun too. The other 10 people on the group were all lovely. The places we visited were very interesting. We even visited local homes and ate just like the local people do. I highly recommend Intrepid to anyone considering touring a new country. This was my 5th tour with them and they have consistently been fantastic.

Jack Edwards (Google Reviewer)  

I have travelled with Intrepid...

03-Jun-2024

I have travelled with Intrepid a number of times now and can't recommend them enough. The trips are always exciting, full of history and immersive in the culture and environment. The office staff are great too and always happy to help with any questions you might have. Everywhere I have gone with the company has been different but the guides and itinerary have always been excellent and full of knowledge and passion for their country. Add in the social responsibility angle the company has and it top quality ethical practice and you can't go wrong

Jo Clayton (Google Reviewer)  

I recently went on an...

15-Mar-2024

I recently went on an 11 day tour of India with Intrepid and was impressed with every aspect of the tour, the tour leader and the organisation behind the scenes. I always travel alone so it was a big deal to join a tour, I didn't want to feel less independent or ferried about. I loved being part of a group and the things we saw and did on the tour, I would never have known about or seen if I had been by myself. I loved it from start to finish. Yes the overnight trains were not easy to sleep on, but I managed. Meeting locals on board was a high light for me. English is widely spoken in India and its amazing who you strike up a chat with. I had two problems on the tour - one my own fault and one hotel related. The support from Intrepid was amazing. I cannot thank them enough for going the extra mile to support me. I recommend Intrepid 100% and have gone from thinking an organised tour is for people who don't know about Lonely Planet and can't do solo stuff, to realising its a faster, better, more fun way to get to know a country truly and deeply whilst on a bit of a budget. I will book again and again with Intrepid. I loved it that much! Big thanks to tour leader Daddy H. Devender for his help on day one, and Nick in the Oz office for his fab customer care skills. Also the person who staffed the emergency whatsapp in India - you saved my sanity helping me get there a day late! THANK YOU ALL X

Nicole  

North American Adventure

12-Oct-2021

This was my first international solo trip, but I never felt “alone” - there was always someone to go shopping, hike, or grab a quick bite with. The itinerary was a great balance between organized activities, while still allowing free time for exploring. Each location was unique and charming in its own way. Spending the night in the holy city of Moulay Idriss and wandering the winding streets of Chefchaouen were especially memorable. Thank you Mustapha and Intrepid for an incredible adventure!

Alice Norton (Google Reviewer)  

I have just completed a...

29-Feb-2024

I have just completed a 12 day food tour of Vietnam, and had an amazing time. Our tour leader was great, knowledgeable and kind, who helped throughout the trip with recommendations for places on our free days, and spas. All the food we tried was delicious. It is a very fast paced tour, and Bon tried to maximise our experiences for the best.

Henry Guy Robinson   United Kingdom

Cambodia Discovery

22-Jan-2024

The overall experience was fantastic. V good tour leader. All places visited had something special to do or see. I would book a tour with this company again. Only one negative tour hub is not I repeat not available to contact direct by phone.

Merouane Harkat   Uk

Explore Southern Africa

08-Mar-2024

Best trip ever was, 2 things I didn't like the black mamba stop was wasting day and village ,so 2 night I think was just wasting, I could do 2 days in Kruger, and one more night in delta

Alan Perrott (Google Reviewer)  

We had a fantastic time...

13-Aug-2024

We had a fantastic time on the Botswana Highlights tour recently. We chose Intrepid because it seemed to suit what we wanted - well planned itinerary, small group, comfortable without being overly luxurious (and pricey), and supportive of the local community and environment. We weren't disappointed, and as we met with other like-minded travellers then we all had a great time. We are already planning our next Intrepid tour - maybe Vietnam & Cambodia :-)

1 Select your preferred date

Sunday - Friday

Nov 17, 2024 - Dec 06, 2024
$3104 $2794

Operator discount: -$310

Sunday - Friday

Dec 08, 2024 - Dec 27, 2024
$3105 $2329

Operator discount: -$776

Sunday - Friday

Dec 22, 2024 - Jan 10, 2025
$3105 $2484

Operator discount: -$621

Sunday - Friday

Jan 05, 2025 - Jan 24, 2025
$3080

Sunday - Friday

Jan 19, 2025 - Feb 07, 2025
$3050

Sunday - Friday

Feb 02, 2025 - Feb 21, 2025
$2965

Sunday - Friday

Feb 09, 2025 - Feb 28, 2025
$2935

Sunday - Friday

Feb 16, 2025 - Mar 07, 2025
$3110

Sunday - Friday

Mar 02, 2025 - Mar 21, 2025
$3170

Sunday - Friday

Mar 23, 2025 - Apr 11, 2025
$3170 $3012

Operator discount: -$158

Sunday - Friday

Apr 06, 2025 - Apr 25, 2025
$3170

Sunday - Friday

Apr 20, 2025 - May 09, 2025
$3170

Sunday - Friday

May 04, 2025 - May 23, 2025
$3050

Sunday - Friday

Jul 13, 2025 - Aug 01, 2025
$2935

Sunday - Friday

Aug 17, 2025 - Sep 05, 2025
$2935

Sunday - Friday

Sep 21, 2025 - Oct 10, 2025
$2935

Sunday - Friday

Oct 19, 2025 - Nov 07, 2025
$3050

Sunday - Friday

Nov 09, 2025 - Nov 28, 2025
$3170

Sunday - Friday

Nov 23, 2025 - Dec 12, 2025
$3170

Sunday - Friday

Dec 07, 2025 - Dec 26, 2025
$3050

Sunday - Friday

Dec 28, 2025 - Jan 16, 2026
$2935

Sunday - Friday

Jan 04, 2026 - Jan 23, 2026
$3200

Sunday - Friday

Jan 18, 2026 - Feb 06, 2026
$3200

Sunday - Friday

Feb 01, 2026 - Feb 20, 2026
$3080

Sunday - Friday

Feb 15, 2026 - Mar 06, 2026
$3200

Sunday - Friday

Mar 01, 2026 - Mar 20, 2026
$3330

Sunday - Friday

Mar 08, 2026 - Mar 27, 2026
$3330

Sunday - Friday

Mar 22, 2026 - Apr 10, 2026
$3330

Sunday - Friday

Apr 05, 2026 - Apr 24, 2026
$3330

Sunday - Friday

Apr 19, 2026 - May 08, 2026
$3200

Sunday - Friday

May 03, 2026 - May 22, 2026
$3080

Sunday - Friday

Jul 12, 2026 - Jul 31, 2026
$3080

Sunday - Friday

Aug 16, 2026 - Sep 04, 2026
$3080

Sunday - Friday

Sep 20, 2026 - Oct 09, 2026
$3080

Sunday - Friday

Oct 18, 2026 - Nov 06, 2026
$3200

Sunday - Friday

Nov 08, 2026 - Nov 27, 2026
$3330

Sunday - Friday

Nov 22, 2026 - Dec 11, 2026
$3330

Sunday - Friday

Dec 06, 2026 - Dec 25, 2026
$3200

Sunday - Friday

Dec 27, 2026 - Jan 15, 2027
$3080

Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.

    Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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