Bangkok to Kuta: Summits & Sunsets

Arrive at any time and welcome to Thailand's famous capital - Bangkok! This evening, the famous Khao San Road is on the itinerary for your first night out. Explore this buzzing traveller hub with your CEO and check out the lively bars and dance parties that line the street. Grab a Thai beer or tea and connect with your fellow travellers. Don't forget to sample local delicacies, and try a deep fried scorpion if you dare! If you'd like, get here early to get in some sightseeing. It's best to travel around by water taxi, since the streets are so crowded. We recommend Chao Phraya River for its excellent views.

Included Experiences

• Meet Your CEO and Group: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
• Connect With New Friends: Connect with new friends on your first night out in a new destination. Only available on 18-to-Thirtysomethings tours.

Get on first-name basis with Thailand's capital city by bike with an optional bike tour. Today, you can check out Wat Pho and the Grand Palace, go for a street food crawl, relax with a Thai massage, or explore the klongs (canals) by boat before boarding the overnight train.

Included Experiences

• Free Time: Get out and explore Thailand's capital city.
• Basic Overnight Train (beds): Experience overnight travel like a local. Sit back and get some well-earned (and likely much-needed) rest en route to your next stop.

Optional Experiences

• Grand Palace Visit: Visit the King’s official residence (made up of many buildings, halls, lawns, gardens, and courtyards) on the banks of the Chao Phraya River and see the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Please note the cost of this optional activity does not include the entrance fee.
• Wat Po Visit: This temple is known for its reclining Buddha, its feet covered with mother-of-pearl engravings of Buddhist symbols. Explore the large grounds and other compounds to see other Buddha figures, murals and the chedis that contain the ashes of Buddha. This is also the birthplace of traditional Thai massage.
• Thai Massage: Lie back and soothe aching muscles with a wonderful Thai massage. Affordable and amazing—don't miss out! (15-30 USD per person)
• Klong Riverboat Tour: Travel by longtail boat on the busy Chao Phraya River and through the small canals of western Bangkok's Thonburi district. Observe colourful scenes of everyday life along the river banks.
• Entrance - Royal Barge Museum: Located along the Chao Phraya River, the museum is home to many ceremonial barges. The barges are only used for special occasions so this is a chance to catch a rare glimpse of their ornate decorations and symbolic features.

See southern Thai hospitality in action with breakfast at G Adventures-supported Khao Thep Pitak Community-Owned Farm & Restaurant, where you can also meet other international visitors. Later on, enjoy free time. Opt to go to Lake Cheow Lan where you can take in the views while hiking or swimming in the national park. Spend tonight falling asleep to the sweet sounds of the jungle. This area is known for its natural beauty. You know what that means: lots of chances for photos.

Included Experiences

• Local Bus: Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.
• Free Time: Get out and explore the natural beauty of the area.
• Kao Thep Pitak Community-Owned Farm & Meal: Indulge in traditional Southern Thai cuisine prepared by members of Kao Thep Pitak village. Your meal will be made with ingredients picked from local organic farms and a fruit orchard on the property. Over 140 families benefit from the community-owned and managed eatery through the Kao Thep Pitak Community Ecotourism Enterprise, supported by Planeterra and G Adventures.

Optional Experiences

• Tubing: Grab a tube and enjoy how the locals like to beat the heat - by floating down the river!

Your next stop is just a ferry ride away. Today, explore Ko Samui Island's beauty by catching the sunset at Chaweng Beach before eating your weight in street food at the night market. For your big night out, you'll celebrate life-changing adventures and dance the night away.

Included Experiences

• Ferry: Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.
• Free Time: Head to the beach to splash around or relax in the sand.
• Koh Samui: Head to the beach and immerse yourself in Koh Samui's nightlife paradise. Cheers to all the amazing adventures you've already shared with newfound friends, then see where the night takes you!

Optional Experiences

• Cooking Class: Learn about local ingredients and then use them to make some healthy traditional Thai dishes.
• Ko Samui Boat Tour: Take in the beauty of the island from the water, passing the magnificent Big Buddha Temple among other many other sights. Visit Swallows Nest Island and Green Peace island, where you can opt to snorkel or relax on the shore.
• Koh Samui Island Tour: Visit the iconic sites of the Big Buddha Temple and the intricately designed Chinese temple. Then take a trip to the south coast of the island to see the unusual and amusing Grandmother and Grandfather rock before taking in the more scenic views from the island view point, visiting majestic waterfalls along the way.
• Water Skiing: Experience the thrill of water skiing and glide on water as you are pulled along by a motorboat.
• Stand Up Paddleboarding at Koh Samui: Glide your way along Ko Samui's coastline on a stand-up paddleboard. The water in this area is generally calm and always warm, you'll be tempted to jump off for a swim.

Take a scenic day trip to pristine Ang Thong National Marine Park. As a protected nature area consisting of over 40 islands, the views here are unforgettable — perfect for making friends back home jealous. Try to spot all the different kinds of marine life and explore above the water by foot or below the water by snorkel. Be forewarned: it might take you all day to take in all this beauty.

Included Experiences

• Angthong National Marine Park Visit: Ang Thong National Marine Park is a protected nature area consisting of over 40 islands. All of the islands are uninhabited and undeveloped except for one. This full-day leisure excursion through the astonishing archipelago offers many different experiences including hiking, snorkeling by the beach, and sightseeing.

Gear up for a long day of travel. Ferry back to the mainland and continue by private vehicle to cross the border into Malaysia and on to George Town, Penang.

Included Experiences

• Ferry: Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.
• Border Crossing (Thailand - Malaysia): Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.

Get a full day in Penang. Explore the busy streets and check out the colourful famous street art. Trust us: they make for a great backdrop!

Included Experiences

• Free Time: Get in touch with nature or walk around a museum and learn more about the history of Malaysia.

Optional Experiences

• Indian Street Visit: Enjoy a visit to charming Little India, which consists of three streets: Lebuh Chulia, Lebuh Queen, and Jalan Pasar. Purchase colourful Indian fashion, eat spicy food, and listen to beautiful Indian melodies for a taste of India in Malaysia.
• Penang Hill Visit: Visit this colonial hill station for a great escape from the city’s heat and beautiful views of Georgetown from one of its seven hills. The highest is Western Hill, which stands at 833m (2,723ft) above sea level. Discover tropical plants, like the carnivorous pitcher plant, and catch a glimpse of the dusky leaf monkeys or the greater racket-tailed drongo, which is a local bird.
• Clan Jetties Excursion: Experience real-life history visiting the clan jetties. More than 100 years ago, the Chinese community started building stilt houses along the waterfront, clustered into clan villages that still exist today. Most of these houses are in the Chew Jetty area.
• Kek Lok Si Temple Visit: This three-tiered hilltop Buddhist temple, the country’s largest, is affectionately known as the Temple of Supreme Bliss. Its main attraction is the Ten Thousand Buddhas Pagoda, and the pavilion of the Four Heavenly Kings – each said to control a compass point. An enormous statue of the Goddess of Mercy is found on the hilltop as well as more gardens and temples.
• Khoo Kongsi Visit: Visit one of the grandest clan houses in Malaysia, built by the Chinese Khoo Kongsi clan more than 100 years ago it operated much like a self-governing village. As a sign of wealth, the house was built in an ornate fashion with elaborate Chinese architecture.
• Penang Peranakan Museum Visit: Learn about the Peranakans (also known as the Babas and Nyonyas), the Chinese community that made their home in the Straits Settlements and developed unique customs that incorporated Malay and British influences in their cuisine and language. Tour the museum, a recreated home of a rich Baba, to see displays of more than 1,000 antique pieces and architectural design – of special note is the staircase, dining room, and parlour.

Learn about local culture (especially how to properly tie a sarong!) at this island homestay, nestled in the middle of a beautiful lake. Tonight, relax as you take in the scenery and connect with the family that runs this homestay.

Included Experiences

• Chenderoh Lake Homestay: Experience all the charm of a traditional “kampung” or village at this quaint homestay. Made up of repurposed old wooden homes, this lakeside retreat offers picturesque scenery and the opportunity to interact with locals. Opt to trek, kayak, fish, or just kick back and relax in a hammock.

Enjoy slightly cooler temperatures in the Cameron Highlands. Here, explore the well-marked trails through the lush tropical forest, visit a tea plantation, or search for the rafflesia: the world's largest flower.

Included Experiences

• Orientation With CEO: Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
• Free Time: Use free time to enjoy and explore this mountainous region.

Optional Experiences

• Rainforest Expedition: Enjoy exotic flora and fauna during the Rainforest Expedition, which includes seeing the Rafflesia, the world's largest flower (depending on season). Also, visit an aboriginal village and see a blow pipe hunting demonstration. Go on a 1-2 hr jungle trek. Enjoy a waterfall swim and visits to a tea plantation and a reptile farm.

Today is yours to take on. Walk around and explore, but don't skip trying the national dish of Malaysia, nasi lemak — a traditional rice dish made with coconut milk and pandan leaf. Once the sun sets, see another side to the city as you stop by the famous Petronas Towers (which light up at night) before checking out the local nightlife.

Included Experiences

• Local Bus: Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.
• Free Time: Get out and explore bustling Kuala Lumpur.

Optional Experiences

• Islamic Arts Museum: Tour this museum to see thousands of artifacts and art objects ranging from jewellery and armour to ceramics and ancient Islamic glassware. The museum is home to a number of galleries: Quran and Manuscripts Gallery, Islamic Architecture Gallery, India Gallery, Chinese Gallery, Ancient Malay World Gallery as well as the Ottoman Syrian Room.
• Petronas Towers Visit: Take in breathtaking views of Kuala Lumpur on this visit to the Petronas Towers. Called Malaysia’s jewel, the 88-storey twin structure has the world’s highest two-storey bridge offering a stunning view of the city from 170m (558ft) high.
• Orang Asli Museum Visit: A heritage museum showing the history and customs of the country’s indigenous peoples, the Orang Asli, through photo displays, maps, clothing, hunting tools, musical instruments and story telling.
• Batu Caves Visit: This series of 400-million year old limestone caves and cave temples are the most popular Hindu shrines outside India and the focal point of the Thaipusam festival in Malaysia.

You've got the whole day for exploring. Head out of town to visit the famous Batu Caves or the Orang Alsi Museum. Later tonight, head to some rooftop bars for drinks and dancing, or stop by the night market and find some flavours you never knew existed. Built in 1928 as a fresh market for locals, and revamped in the 1980s as an outlet for all Malaysian handicrafts, the night market is a local institution. Make sure you don't miss it.

Included Experiences

• Free Time: Free time to explore the city or landmarks nearby like the Batu Caves.

Optional Experiences

• Islamic Arts Museum: Tour this museum to see thousands of artifacts and art objects ranging from jewellery and armour to ceramics and ancient Islamic glassware. The museum is home to a number of galleries: Quran and Manuscripts Gallery, Islamic Architecture Gallery, India Gallery, Chinese Gallery, Ancient Malay World Gallery as well as the Ottoman Syrian Room.
• Petronas Towers Visit: Take in breathtaking views of Kuala Lumpur on this visit to the Petronas Towers. Called Malaysia’s jewel, the 88-storey twin structure has the world’s highest two-storey bridge offering a stunning view of the city from 170m (558ft) high.
• Orang Asli Museum Visit: A heritage museum showing the history and customs of the country’s indigenous peoples, the Orang Asli, through photo displays, maps, clothing, hunting tools, musical instruments and story telling.
• Menara KL Tower: Standing at 421 metres high, the Menara Tower is a prominent structure in Kuala Lumpur's skyline and the Islamic heritage of the city is reflected in it's architecture. Visit this iconic Malaysian landmark for panoramic views of the city.
• Batu Caves Visit: This series of 400-million year old limestone caves and cave temples are the most popular Hindu shrines outside India and the focal point of the Thaipusam festival in Malaysia.

Today is your day to take on the canals by boat, and see a different side of this old port town. Maybe stop for some famous chicken rice at Kedai Kopi Chung Wah in Chinatown. Locals love it here; they often line up for hours to get a taste. The streets of Chinatown (also known as Jonker Walk) are also lined with Peranakan (Straits Chinese) shophouses offering their traditional cuisine, Nyonya. Explore the many temples, churches, mosques, museums, and forts. Visit the old port town of Melaka, wander the narrow streets and absorb the atmosphere of this historically important town. The streets of Chinatown are lined with Peranakan (Straits Chinese) shophouses offering their traditional cuisine, Nyonya. There are temples, churches and mosques, museums and forts to explore.

Included Experiences

• Local Bus: Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.
• Free Time: After arriving in Melaka, spend free time exploring on foot or by boat.

Optional Experiences

• Melaka Boat Tour: Sit back, relax, and enjoy the rejuvenated riverfront with new muralled buildings and significant historical landmarks and bridges. Float by a traditional Malay village, the Ghost Bridge of Melaka, Kampung Jawa, and the Clock Tower.

Head to Singapore today, where you can use your free time to see that famous skyline by boat or eat so much street food, you can barely walk. For a peek into the city-state's past life, wander the old streets of Little India and Chinatown.

Included Experiences

• Local Bus: Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.
• Border Crossing (Malaysia - Singapore): Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.
• Free Time: Free time to see wildlife on a safari or get a taste of Singapore at some of the many hawker stands.

Optional Experiences

• Boat Quay Harbour Tour: Tour Quay Harbour, once a busy trade port, many of the historic two and three-storey shops and godowns along the riverbank were restored in the 1990s and transformed into bars, retail stores and restaurants.

Fly to Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia and the economic heart of Java. There may be some travellers leaving the tour in Singapore and others joining in Jakarta.

Included Experiences

• Plane: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.

Ride to Bandung and let the scenery guide you to some serenity. Tea plantations, waterfalls, and hot springs —this side of paradise is looking mighty fine.

Included Experiences

• Bandung Orientation Walk: Take an orientation walk led by your CEO to get your bearings of Bandung.

Spend the day with your group Ciater Tea Plantation to learn how tea is made, then walk to a waterfall nearby and relax in the hot springs.

Included Experiences

• Ciater Tea Plantation, Hot Spring and Waterfall: Located on the hills of Mount Tangkuban Perahu is the scenic Ciater Tea Plantation. Spend the day here touring the tea plantation, hiking to a waterfall and relaxing in hot springs.

Watch the world go by on a scenic train ride to Yogyakarta. Once you arrive, and if you're not feeling too beat, check out Sosrowijayan and Prawirotaman Streets for unwinding with drinks and local eats.

Included Experiences

• Train: Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.

Included Experiences

• Free Time: Get out and explore Yogyakarta and its surrounding attractions.

Optional Experiences

• Prambanan Hindu Temple Complex Excursion: Tour Prambanan, the largest Hindu temple complex in Java, and learn about the history of the temples. Built between the eighth and tenth centuries, these temples now stand as one of the most outstanding works of Hindu art. View their intricate design, particularly on the Shiva temple.
• Borobudur Temple Complex Excursion: Take in the stunning artistic and architectural marvel that is the Buddhist Temple complex of Borobudur, a not-to-be-missed World Heritage Site. Learn about its interesting history and restoration; the site lay undiscovered under layers of volcanic ash until 1815, when Sir Stamford Raffles, then Governor of Java, ordered the area to be cleared.
• Kota Gede Visit: Shop (or window shop) for a stunning hand-beaten bowl. If silver is more your thing, you can find fine silver filigree within this historical district known for its impressive silver work.
• Kraton Palace Visit: Take in the royal splendour of this impressive 18th century palace, built by the Sultans of Yogya. Kraton is one of the finest examples of Javanese palace architecture and is essentially a walled city -- it has its own market, schools, and even mosques.
• Taman Sari Water Castle Visit: Enjoy a visit to this castle built in the 18th century as a pleasure park for the Sultan. Check out the intricately carved gates and the bathing complex and tower, from where the Sultan would watch his concubines frolicking in the water.
• Wayang Kulit Shadow Puppet Show: Get a taste of Indonesian theatre with a twist and enjoy a traditional shadow puppet show. These puppets are made with leather and chiselled with precision.

Take the scenic route to Ngadas via private vehicle. Here, you'll spend the evening at a local G Adventures-supported community homestay. Get a taste of local culture with a home-cooked dinner and time with a community leader to learn about the region's unique customs and history.

Included Experiences

• Ngadas Homestay: Nestled amongst the green hills of the Mt Bromo region, the village of Ngadas is home to a Tengger farming community. Overnight with a local family participating in the community's homestay program, a G Adventures-supported initiative. Learn about the local culture, customs, and traditions from your hosts.

Today's for reaching new heights. Start the day with a trek along the Ancestor Trail to Mt Bromo, led by a local guide trained through the G Adventures-supported capacity building program. Then get a chance to hike to the volcano's crater (and take some pictures!) before going on to the hotel.

Included Experiences

• Ancestor Trail Trek: Follow the historic route the villagers of Ngadas once used to make pilgrimage to Mt Bromo and pay their respects to the gods. Trek about 10km through farmland, forest, and grasslands to reach the volcano, stopping for lunch near a cave en route.
• Mount Bromo Crater Walk: Walk to the famed crater of Mount Bromo, part of the Tengger Calder, the largest volcanic range in the area. A distinct site, the volcano blew its top off completely and is constantly smouldering with white smoke.
• Village Walk: Learn more about daily life in Ngadas with a village walk. Take in views of the scenic hills as you walk along, passing farming areas and stopping to visit the local temple, vihara, and mosque.

Skip sleeping in today for a pre-dawn hike across the Sea of Sand to Mt Bromo, where you can catch a final glimpse of the moon before the sunrise. Stop to breathe it all in before you head to a beachside surf camp. On your way to Mt Bromo, catch a breath and see the local Buddhist Tenggerese giving offerings to the Supreme God Hyang Widi Wasa.

Included Experiences

• Sunrise Walk to Mount Bromo Viewpoint: Head out before dawn to visit the viewpoint for magnificent Mt Bromo (2,392m), one of the most spectacular sights in Indonesia. Walk along the "sea of sand" and enjoy stunning views as the sun rises over the edge of the crater and be amazed by the volcano’s strange beauty, seemingly from another world.

Wake up and catch a wave on a morning surf lesson, then take the rest of the day to explore the nearby fishing village, surf some more, or rest easy in a beachside hammock.

Included Experiences

• Surfing Lesson: Grab your swimsuit and get ready to hang ten! Learn how to find and ride the waves with surfing lessons from local experts. Enjoy the fresh sea air, and try to spot local marine life while enjoying the waters.
• Free Time: Spend more time on the beach or explore the local village—the choice is yours.

Head back to Bali for a chill day of relaxing on the beach. Sit back, grab a drink, and soak up some sunshine. This is the place for it.

Included Experiences

• Ferry: Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.
• Free Time: Get out and explore the beautiful beaches of Bali.

Optional Experiences

• Snorkelling: Grab a snorkel and dive into the water. The waters are calm, visibility is clear, and the sea life and coral are colourful and aplenty.

No need to say goodbye to the beach just yet — it's another day of chilling out in Bali. If you'd like, break up the beachside naps with a snorkelling trip.

Included Experiences

• Free Time: Get out and explore coastal Bali, or enjoy a day lounging at the beach. The choice is yours!

Optional Experiences

• Snorkelling: Grab a snorkel and dive into the water. The waters are calm, visibility is clear, and the sea life and coral are colourful and aplenty.

Take it easy this morning before we cross rich tropical jungle and idyllic rice fields on the ride to Kuta. Catch up on sleep on the drive over — you're going to need it for your big night out tonight. Spend the evening getting to know Legian Street, the legendary party street, then dance the night away!

Included Experiences

• Free Time: Enjoy some free time to explore Kuta.
• Kuta Dance Party: Kuta is the perfect place to celebrate all the new exciting and humbling adventures you've just experienced with newfound friends. Cheers to keeping life interesting and dance the night away!

Today, it’s time to say goodbye to your group of newfound friends as this tour comes to an end. Be sure to sneak in some last-minute photos and exchange social medias before you head on your way.