Luxury South East Asia Tours & Travel

The region of Asia known as South East Asia covers 11 countries, bordering the Indian Subcontinent to the east; China to the north; and Australasia to the east and south. Travelers typically think of South East Asia as covering the former French ‘Indochina’ region:  Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, plus Thailand. Also included however are Myanmar (formerly Burma), Malaysia (plus Malaysian Borneo), Indonesia, the Philippines, and the tiny nations of Brunei and East Timor (formerly part of Indonesia).

There’s a reason why travellers have seen South East Asia as a rite of passage for centuries. Quite simply, it is the world’s most exotic, eclectic, and rewarding destination. The region is jam-packed with buzzing multicultural cities, pristine white sandy beaches, dense tropical jungles, mesmerizing history, and a fascinating rainbow of modern cultures and customs. Thanks to its incredible people, hospitality is first-rate and – best of all – fantastic value, with top-class luxury accommodation roughly half the price of Europe or North America.

Where to start? Iconic historical sites, such as Cambodia’s Angkor Wat or Indonesia Borobudur are a must. Astonishing landscapes like Vietnam’s Halong Bay or Bali’s UNESCO-protected rice terraces. Cities range from multicultural metropolises such as Singapore or Bangkok to atmospheric gems like Chiang Mai or former Laotian capital Luang Prabang. The best thing about a customized tour of South East Asia is that all of these experiences can be included in just one action-packed tour. And we haven’t even mentioned the food.

Like most tropical destinations South East Asia experiences three seasons: dry, hot, and wet. The best time for most regions of Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and Malaysia are the drier months between October and April. In Borneo and Indonesia, the seasonality is flipped, with the rains arriving during the northern hemisphere winter and the best weather from March through to November. There are many microclimates within the region, so please speak to your consultant for the best advice. 

Incredible! Experiencing the cuisine is such an integral part of any tour of South East Asia. With so many different cultures and ethnicities present, and such a vibrant and varying basket of ingredients to draw from, you’ll sample a world of delights during your trip. Dishes are typically based around rice (often sticky rice) or noodles, accompanied by delicately balanced and coconut-milk-rich curries, charcoal grilled meats and seafood, tangy and spicy soups, and salads, and a rainbow of fiery dips and sauces on the side.