Intrepid Southeast Asia

A beguiling journey to out-of-the-way places that feel locked in time

This itinerary is one for the seekers; for the get-away-from-it-all escape artists; for those with an allergy to banality. You’ll start this journey in Laos’s remote spiritual heartland: charming Luang Prabang. It's a place shrouded by rainforest and steeped with tradition, where monks in marigold robes move silently through the sleeping streets during a sacred morning ritual. You’ll meet families in traditional villages and be invited into the homes of locals who beam at the chance to share their culture. Next, travel to Bangkok, taking pause not for a temple tour, but to follow your tastebuds on the back of a tuk-tuk. On your second day in the capital, you’ll shirk the standard circuits, letting an adopted friend take your hand for an insider-guided experience. Last, we head south for platinum beaches—but not where you think. Let the crowds gather in Phuket; you’re headed to a hidden-in-plain-site Andaman archipelago. You’ll be counted among a small circle of travelers who have made the bold decision to push past the end of the road to play castaway on a secretive, idyllic island.  

Intrepid Southeast Asia: 10 days / 9 nights

Intrepid Southeast Asia Trip Highlights

Begin your journey in charming Luang Prabang, a remote spiritual outpost in northern Laos. A representative will whisk you through customs with a VIP fast-track visa service. Afterward, a private driver will deliver you to Rosewood Luang Prabang, a forested resort located at the quiet periphery of town. Get settled in your luxurious waterfall pool villa; the rest of your day is at leisure.   
Rise with an appetite because this morning you will embark on a very special invitation into Mrs. Noy’s kitchen. It’s not a cooking lesson, but rather, an immersive cultural experience through food. Your guide will bring you to the morning market where you will meet your chef-teacher-hostess. Mrs. Noy will introduce you to local herbs and vegetables unfamiliar in taste and texture. With a basket load of fresh produce, you’ll travel to Mrs. Noy’s riverside village in a boat. In her traditional home kitchen, you will enjoy a private cooking lesson with the matriarch, focused on authentic flavors and regional specialties. A spread of Lao dishes is enjoyed in the company of Mrs. Noy and her family. Return to your hotel afterward. In the afternoon, meet  Mr. Francis Engelmann for an architectural “walking conference.” Having worked closely with the Luang Prabang Conservation Authority, your guide even helped secure the town’s status as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995. Through religious, civil, and bridge architecture, you’ll turn back time to learn about the town’s fascinating royal and Indochine histories. You’ll also visit Wat Khili to view the Buddhist Archives of Photography. Here, you’ll learn about Theravada Buddhist meditation, giving you a deeper understanding of the practice and history of almsgiving and monkhood in Luang Prabang.   
The next morning, set out with a guide and driver on a scenic drive along tranquil country roads. Park the car and set off on foot, hiking to Hmong, Khmu, and Lowland Lao villages to see how their unique lifestyles, traditions, and religious practices differ. Continue onward to the ethereal, jungle-wrapped Kuang Si waterfalls. A moderate hike brings you to a top-of-the-waterfall viewpoint and you’ll savor a secluded wilderness picnic of Lao specialties. If it’s hot, take a refreshing dip in a nearby natural pool (rather than the busier pools at the falls’ foot). Return to Rosewood Luang Prabang; the rest of your day is at leisure. 
Rise at daybreak to watch queues of barefoot, marigold-robed monks as they weave single-file through the city streets, collecting rice (alms). It’s a sacred, time-honored ritual in Laos and we’ll situate you in a spot far from the tourist crowds where you can offer alms in a way that feels genuine. Afterward, ascend the 328 steps that lead to the summit of Phousi Mountain to view Luang Prabang in wide screen. Return to your hotel for breakfast. Mid-morning, join your local guide for a “hidden Luang Prabang” walking tour. You’ll experience the town through a local lens, starting with a steaming cup of Laotian coffee on a hidden side street. Visit lesser-frequented temples (Wat Pak Khan, for example, with its elaborate red and gold columns—to name just one), and the scenic confluence of the Nam Khan and Nam Kong Rivers. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure before a special invitation to a private baci ceremony. (An ethnic Lao ritual — “a calling to the soul” — honoring visitors with tidings of good fortune.) Afterward, at a temple rarely visited by foreigners, meet monks who will teach you the fundamentals of meditation. Chanting closes out this unique cultural exchange; join in, if you feel called to.  
On day five, fly directly to Bangkok. You’ll be fast-tracked through the visa process and swiftly transferred to The Siam—one of the best hotels in Thailand. Once you’ve unpacked, set out on a joy-inspiring tuk-tuk tour of Bangkok’s 200-year-old Chinatown, led by a knowledgeable local guide. You’ll kick things off with a cocktail at a bar on the edge of the Chao Phraya River before hopping into a tuk-tuk to scoot through narrow lanes and vibrant allies where vendors sling street food specialties and local delicacies. There’s no set menu or fixed stops, so you can let your curiosity guide you, uncovering the stories and traditions behind each dish. 
On your second day in Bangkok, go beyond the guidebook with an insider look led by a Thai local. This experience feels like a tour of the city with an old friend, offering a fresh perspective and bringing you to hidden spots for unique experiences most travelers miss. Discover the capital’s vibrant art scene, artisanal workshops, trendy neighborhoods, serene green spaces, and eateries frequented by locals. Each tour is completely bespoke in order to align with your interests, but you can count on meaningful exchanges with local people who offer a look at contemporary life in the city. 
On day seven, transfer to the airport for your direct flight to Ranong, in southern Thailand, for a journey that leads you to the most extraordinary escape. Wa Ale Island Resort emotes the rustic, castaway feeling of 1970’s-Thailand before it became an international travel destination. Except, that it’s technically in Myanmar. We’ll make all the necessary arrangements during this cross-border trip so you can enjoy worry-free travel. Water-access-only, the journey culminates with a high-speed luxury transfer through the Andaman Sea to reach the secretive Myeik Archipelago. Settle into a sea-facing luxury tented beach villa—your adventure base for the next four nights.  
Spend the next three days in remote, barefoot luxury. Your interests dictate the pace of your day. Rise with the sun for some beach yoga or sleep in. Meals are enjoyed in the dreamy, thatch-roof Main Pavilion, open to the sea breezes and ocean-facing. Fresh, seasonally inspired menus of whole foods nourish the body while teasing the palate. Morning and afternoon excursions invite you to kayak through lush mangrove forests, snorkel kaleidoscopic coral reefs teeming with fish, and coastal hikes bring you to scenic viewpoints for panoramic Andaman views. Opportunities to learn about conservation efforts, such as sea turtles, offer a look into how your stay contributes to the protection of this fragile ecosystem. Toes-in-the-sand sundowners, (optional) beach massages, convivial bonfires, radiant stargazing, and a private, candle-lit beach dinner all lend to a dreamy, paradisical experience you’ll long commit to memory.  
On your final day, make the return journey to Bangkok. Begin your international journey home or continue on the next leg of your Southeast Asia travel adventure.  

Price

Starting at $12,600 per person sharing in 2025

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