Bangkok to Hanoi: Chiang Mai, Night Markets & Streetside Bars

Arrive at any time, and kick back at the hostel, or head out to explore the city before meeting up with fellow Roamies in the evening. Hungry? Hop on a tuk tuk and head to Chinatown where your CEO will lead you through the alleys and backstreets on a street food crawl. Savour your first taste of the best eats in Thailand–yum!

There are no activities planned until tonight's welcome meeting and your street food crawl with the group. Get out and explore vibrant Bangkok.

Additional Information: The welcome moment begins at 17:00. Please ensure you arrive at the joining hotel by then to ensure you do not miss the meeting and the included activity afterwards.

ACTIVITY: 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.

TRANSPORT: Scoot quickly around the big cities inside a three-wheeled mini-taxi.

ACTIVITY: Bangkok's Chinatown is renowned for its mouthwatering street food. Follow your CEO through the backstreets and hidden laneways to sample the very best street-eats on offer.

Ready to explore the “Venice of the east?” Climb aboard a motorized long-tail boat and zoom along the canals–known as klongs, that snake through Bangkok. Catch a glimpse of local life by the river; wooden houses built on stilts and ferries taking people to work, temples and school. Is it lunchtime yet? Good, because the next stop is Yimsoo Cafe, a G Adventures–supported project where you’ll slurp up a filling boat noodle lunch. Then it’s bye-bye big city as you head out for an overnight stay like no other on a unique floating-raft accommodation at Srinakarin Dam NP. It’s playtime here–choose to chill out on the deck, dive in for a refreshing swim, explore in a kayak or go for a wet-raft ride. Tonight you can fill up with a delicious Thai barbecue. Having fun yet? Of course you are and it’s only day 2.

Your accommodation tonight is truly unique on a floating-raft. The rafts have fully enclosed sleeping quarters (dorm-style with mattress and/or bunks and no gender separation) with shared-bath and a kitchenette where dinner and breakfast are prepared. Beverages are available for purchase or you can bring your own. There is a deck for lounging and swimming and kayaks or wet rafts are available for a small fee.

ACTIVITY: 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.

ACTIVITY: Visit Yimsoo Cafe, a G Adventures–supported project in Bangkok that offers training and economic opportunities for people living with disabilities. Visit the gallery which showcases paintings and drawings by some of the talented artists in the project. Then enjoy a briefing from one of the founders and learn about some of the initiatives they are working on, including the training kitchen where we have a delicious boat noodle lunch.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

FREE TIME: AFTERNOON Kick back and relax at this unique overnight stay. Hit up the bar, swim, play on the water rides, or choose to rent kayaks or jet skis.

Ready to explore? Head out to the infamous Hellfire Pass and delve into some World War II sites, walk along the trail and visit Saiyok Noi Waterfall area for a tasty local lunch. All aboard as you jump on the local train, commonly known as the Death Railway and chug towards Kanchanaburi town. Visit the famed Bridge over the river Kwai, the Thailand-Burma Railway museum, and the war cemetery before heading to the hostel for some down time. Beer o’clock anyone?

Tonight, stroll through Kanchanaburi's riverside and enjoy the local nightlife.

ACTIVITY: Visit the Hell Fire Pass Memorial Museum to learn about the Death Railway's dark history; the track was built by POWs who were made to cut through the rock of the Tenasserim Hills using only hand tools.

ACTIVITY: Jump onboard the Death Railway Train headed towards Kanchanaburi town. The "Thailand-Burma Railway" was nicknamed “Death Railway” as over 100,000 forced labourers (including POWs from WW2 and Asian slave labour) died in its construction between 1942 and 1943.

ACTIVITY: Take in a piece of World War II history on this visit. We're sure you've seen or at least heard of the famous movie "Bridge on the River Kwai." Well, now you can tour the real thing. It's massive, majestic, and imposing, offering fabulous views of the river below.

ACTIVITY: Visit the Thai-Burmese Railway Museum to learn about the Death Railway's dark history, and the Allied War Cemetery where more than 6,000 prisoners are buried.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Ready for another epic day? Of course you are! Stop by a rice farm then fill up on pad thai from a local shop before jumping on a bike at the iconic Ayutthaya ruins. Snap that perfect picture at the Mahathat temple–famed for its Buddha head in the root of a banyan tree. Cycle around the massive reclining Buddha at Wat Logayasutharam in search of the perfect angle. After, hop on a boat for a ride around the city's island and stop at Wat Chai Wattanaram for more insta-worthy pics. Want more? Visit the food market and choose to share a plate of river prawns before hopping into a rocket-nosed tuk tuk to the train station. That was a busy day! Regain your strength in a sleeper car during the overnight train ride heading north.

Additional Information: On the train berths are arranged 'open plan' either side of a central aisle. There are upper and lower berths, each berth has a curtain which can be pulled across for privacy. There is no gender separation.

ACTIVITY: Stop by a small local farm and learn about rice farming.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

ACTIVITY: Cycle this UNESCO World heritage site, enjoy the ride through the ruins and hop off to take some great photos. Ayuthaya served as Thailand’s capital from the 14th to 18th centuries, when it ranked as one of the most magnificent cities in the world. Late in the 17th century its population reached one million, and foreign visitors wrote awestruck accounts of its size and splendour.

ACTIVITY: Hop on a boat and view life on the waterways around Ayutthaya City island, passing Catholic churches, mosques and Buddhist temples. Make one stop along the way to visit Wat Chai Wattanaram, considered one of the most beautiful temples from the 17th century.

TRANSPORT: Climb aboard and get your float on.

TRANSPORT: Scoot quickly around the big cities inside a three-wheeled mini-taxi.

TRANSPORT: Experience overnight travel like a local. Sit back and get some well-earned (and likely much-needed) rest en route to your next stop.

Hit the ground running as you disembark the train and climb on one of the famous red Songthaews–a local open-air truck. Khao soi for breakfast?? Yes, please! Stop at a street-side shop for this traditional northern Thai noodle soup with coconut milk and sweet curry–yum! From here walk through the old town to your hostel, then the afternoon is yours. Sample delicious street food, visit temples or just kick back with your new friends with a Singha lager. Later, delve into the bustling Chiang Mai night bazaar. Shop-til-you drop, kick your feet up in a lounge chair for a foot massage or try the bizarre, yet satisfying fish pedicure. Living your best life? Yeah!.

TRANSPORT: Grab a seat on the bench aboard this uniquely Southeast Asian commuter bus.

ACTIVITY: Walk the inner Old Town of Chiang Mai with your CEO who will point out the basic landmarks and points of interest.

FREE TIME: AFTERNOON Chiang Mai has so much to offer! Not sure what to do, no problem–your CEO can help you decide.

ACTIVITY: Pick up a a souvenir at this shopper's paradise. Wander through the market to find music, food, and local artists selling handmade crafts.

Early riser? Come on, there must be some! Join in the age-old tradition of alms giving to local monks at the foot of the Suthep Hill. After, indulge in a blessing and do some chanting at Wat Prathat Doi Suthep. The rest of the day you are free to do as much or as little as you desire–your CEO has you covered. Feeling zen? There are hundreds of Buddhist temples to visit. Feeling active? Jump on a bicycle or tuk tuk to explore the countryside. Or, how about channeling your inner chef at a cooking class learning to make a perfect Pad Thai. Freedom can also be hanging back at the hostel, as always, you're the boss! Just be back in time, cause tonight you've got a date with your new besties.

ACTIVITY: Rise early and watch the daily dawn ceremony of saffron-robed monks walking through town to receive alms from local residents. Residents prepare food for the monks as a way of giving thanks. Seeing this custom is a beautiful way to gain insight into local culture and the Buddhist religion. Please be respectful and quietly observe.

ACTIVITY: Visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a golden Buddhist temple outside of Chiang Mai on the Mt Doi Suthep. Climb 300 steps to reach the temple and be rewarded with an unforgettable view. Admire the many Buddhist relics at this sacred temple and visit the white elephant shrine. Legend has it that the location of the temple was chosen after a white elephant carried a relic to the mountain and trumpeted three times before dying on the spot. Also, with a little luck, you may witness the chanting of the monks.

FREE TIME: AFTERNOON Cooking, cycling, shopping, lounging–so much to do! The choice is yours.

Ready for Vietnam? Don’t fret the details, we’ve got you covered. An included flight will get you to Hanoi in time to kick back at the hostel, or head out to explore the city before meeting up with fellow Roamies. Ready for some fun? Of course you are! Jump on a cyclo and take a thrilling ride around Hanoi's old quarter to watch the streets come alive at night. Finish off with some tasty street eats for dinner.

ACTIVITY: Take a seat on a cyclo for a tour of Hanoi’s lively Old Quarter. Let the driver navigate through the bustling streets and start taking some photos or just use the tour to help get familiar with the area.

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

Freedom! Today is yours to explore and your CEO will help get you sorted. Want to immerse yourself in Hanoi–take a full day city tour. Feeling the culinary vibe–we'll book you a cooking class. Looking to escape–we'll get you on a full day excursion to Halong Bay. How's that for options? Regardless of your plans, you'll group back together for dinner at the famed Koto Restaurant. With full bellies, it's time for a microbrewery crawl including a stop at Hanoi's most popular beer joint–Bia Hoi corner. Pull up a plastic stool and order a local draught. Cheers!

FREE TIME: Hanoi has so much to offer–get out and explore. Choose to visit sites such as Tran Quoc Pagoda and the Temple of Literature (Văn Miếu). Book a cycling tour or cooking class; or take a full day excursion to Halong Bay. The choice is yours.

ACTIVITY: Savour a meal of Western and Vietnamese cuisine at this restaurant while supporting a training program that prepares local disadvantaged youth for careers in the culinary arts. After over 20 years of operation the Koto School, they have worked to help people help themselves and help others. Thousands of underserved lives have been permanently changed for the better. Hundreds thousands more will be touched as we expand our operation from hospitality training to various fields including other vocational teachings, women's empowerment and environmental impact.

ACTIVITY: Follow your CEO to the famous Bia Hoi corner and pull up a plastic stool with a mix of locals and visitors. Order up the local brew and make some new friends. Later, explore Hanoi's burgeoning craft beer scene with a visit to a few of the cities best microbreweries.

Say goodbye to your Roamies and depart at any time, or keep the adventure going by heading out to explore the backroads of Vietnam on the next leg of this epic adventure.

ACTIVITY: Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.