Discover the fascinating world of Northern Laos with Exotissimo’s Authentic Laos tour. This unique excursion is designed for the intrepid and open-minded traveller with a keen sense of adventure and eagerness to participate in sustainable tourism. Trekking deep into the highlands, participants get to experience ethnic hill tribe culture in its rawest and most authentic forms amidst sweeping sceneries of verdant vegetation growth and cascading waterfalls. Click here to view tour. 

Want to experience Vietnam’s wild side with the company of a group tour? We have selected our most popular Vietnam adventures to offer as join-in tours!  Meandering the Mekong by Bike and Sapa to the Sea Trekking feature set departures for the first few months of 2009. Sign up alone or with a friend for what promises to be an unforgettable holiday. Click on the tour name to check the itinerary and departure dates or contact us at adventurevn@exotissimo.com for more information.

In four adventure-packed days, explore the lush wilderness of Northern Thailand whilst staying in comfort. During the day, trek through jungles, ride on the back of a local elephant, traverse the waters of the Mekong by boat and visit remote villages.  In the evening, indulge in sunset cocktails, exquisite food, and relaxing massages before retreating to your luxurious tented accommodation. Adventure has never sounded so good! Click here to view tour.

A River Runs Through It

One of the greatest rivers in the world, the Mekong River is the lifeblood of mainland Southeast Asia. Running through Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, over 60 million people and their livelihoods are intimately intertwined with the mighty river. Our ‘Cycling the Mekong: An Eco-Experience’ tour allows you to marvel at the plethora of temples and wildlife of Cambodia and Laos as you traverse the quiet countryside lanes on two wheels. If you are lucky enough, you may even spot the critically endangered giant catfish or Irrawaddy dolphin in Kratie!

A boat expedition is an interesting way to see the riverside communities of the Mekong and its tributaries. Replicas of colonial steamships, Pandaw Cruises sail straight past floating markets and villages of the Mekong Delta while immersing you in the comfort and style of a floating boutique hotel. For the more adventurous, you can paddle the languid stretches of the Mekong on a kayak or navigate the fast-moving swathes on whitewater rafts.

Geography Poses No Barriers

The cultures and histories of the Southeast Asian countries have always been intricately interwoven together. An astute traveller will soon discern that the influence of the mighty Khmer empire in its heyday was not restricted to Siem Reap but also to large tracts of modern-day Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. In our ‘Thailand, Myanmar & Cambodia Connection’ and ‘Lanna and Lang Xang Kindgoms’ tours, we lead you on inspiring journeys through the spiritual heritage of these Buddhist kingdoms.

In recent history, the western colonists have left their cultural imprints on this fascinating region. In fact, when you embark on our ‘Indochina Heritage Road’ tour, you will readily observe that the colonial legacy in Indochina is still apparent from the wide boulevards, architecture styles and local cuisines, right down to the baguette snacks sold by the roadsides.

The hill tribes reside in the northern mountain borders of Southeast Asia, usually between Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. Migrating from China and Tibet in the recent centuries, these highland communities are comprised of the Akha, H’mong, Lisu, Karen and other groups. A home stay with these ethnic minorities will reveal a diverse array of beliefs, languages and customs.

Remote and far flung areas are becoming more accessible as roads and communications links continue to improve. The Thai-Lao Friendship Bridges have done more than creating friendship between the countries but also promoted trade and travel. The loosening travel restrictions, coupled with the increasing access and connectivity, certainly make travelling in Southeast Asia an enjoyable affair.

‘Southeast Asia Discovery’ tour is a popular multi-country tour of ours. Click here to see the itinerary. 

The sincere respect for the family unit inherent in many Asian cultures means that children in Asia are adored - to the extent that adults will often give up seats on public transport for youngsters - and families traveling in the region can expect a universally warm welcome. Friendly locals will shower attention on your children at any opportunity, local kids make ready playmates, and temporary nannies are on hand at virtually every corner.

Another plus is that opportunities for low-cost meals and lodging in Asia are in abundance. The emergence of low-cost regional airlines, numerous affordable family accommodations, and favorable currency exchange rates, means that the term ‘family values’ has real meaning in Southeast Asia.
Worried about young eaters? For those with a fussier palate, international kid-friendly cuisine is also readily available and most restaurants welcome children so eating out isn’t a chore. Indeed, with shared dishes, patient and attentive staff and hands-on regional grub, dining in Asia can often be great fun for families.

Exotissimo Travel offers a great selection of exciting adventures with a variety of activities for the whole family. From elephant riding to jungle trekking, snorkeling to rappelling, we can plan a great tour for your family. Regardless of where you want to go, we’ll find you comfortable, child-friendly accommodation, and plan your trip to ensure that each member of your family has the time of their lives!

Families will enjoy our ‘Living like a Mahout’ tour. View the details here.

In the far north of Thailand in the heart of the notorious Golden Triangle, Chiang Rai province is an undeveloped haven. Full of lush, undulating landscapes, ethnic minorities, excellent museums and natural attractions, it is the perfect setting for a northern Thai escape!

The town of Chiang Rai is set on the banks of the Mae Kok River, in what used to be a major opium-growing region. The weather is comfortably cool throughout the year, and there are plenty of attractions including the beautiful Buddhist temple, Wat Phra Kaeo, famous for once housing the Emerald Buddha, Thailand’s most revered Buddha images.

The town’s lively night bazaar offers a colourful array of regional products and quality handicrafts from all corners of the northern provinces. It is also the best spot to sample steaming spicy sausage, crispy pork rind, and other tasty local delicacies!

Chiang Rai’ s Hilltribe Museum and Education Centre gives a fascinating insight into the history and customs of the six major hill tribes in the northern region. The town is often used as a base for one to four day trekking trips to the hill tribe villages in the surrounding areas. Another one of Chiang Rai’s most popular attractions is the Hall of Opium, part of an initiative to end the region’s dependence on opium production. This excellent exhibition uses an entertaining mix of multimedia to explain the history, uses and dangers of opium, and is another highlight of any trip to the province.

Other areas of interest in the Chiang Rai province include Doi Mai Salong, an ethnic Chinese mountain town and Mae Sai, the northernmost town in Thailand. There is also Chiang Saen, a lazy town littered with Khmer temples on the banks of the Mekong River and the Chiang Saen Lake, a sanctuary for Siberian migratory birds. All of these towns are pleasant retreats and picturesque drives.

One of our favourite tours in northern Thailand is ‘Jewels & Gems of Lanna’ tour. Click here to view the itinerary. 

Like a living museum, Asia’s grand colonial hotels are the lavish legacy of the region’s colonial past. A stay in one of these properties provides a glamorous window into a time when the expanding empires of France and Britain cut mighty swathes across the globe. Wealthy traders and entrepreneurs, like the famous Sarkies brothers, flocked to exotic new outposts in the Far East and were quick to leave their imprint on the occupied territory. They imported familiar customs from their homelands and, above all, the familiar architecture to the native landscape.

Mostly built in the early 1900s, plush properties like The Oriental in Bangkok, Hanoi’s Sofitel Metropole, Vientiane’s Settha Palace and The Strand in Yangon provided a decadent refuge for the rich and privileged in these foreign lands. Lofty ballrooms, exquisite dining halls, sweeping stair-cases, and luxurious suites all supplied the lush backdrop to an endless round of parties and intrigues.

More than just a grandiose tribute to imperial decadence, these institutions set high standards in luxury and architecture that their current owners take pains to preserve. Most are now in the hands of luxury hotel chains, which have the funds necessary to maintain them. Thus, many of their historical traditions, such as high tea, Tiffin and classical French cuisine, happily live on.

From the rattan furniture and potted plants, to the marble floors and brass fittings, these great colonial hotels still evoke the opulence of their golden days in the 1920s and ’30s. They all offer welcome respite from sterile, modern and often charmless hotels by giving you the chance to experience the glamour of a bygone era.

To see the list of our preferred luxury hotels & resorts, click here.

Cycling is the best way to experience the wonders of Asia, so hop on your bike and join us on this exciting 13 day journey! Soak in the sights, smells, and sounds as you pedal at your own pace through scenic villages and peaceful countryside. Our journey is fully guided and supported, so that you can relax and focus on having fun!  Explore this laid-back region from ground level, from the lush plains of southern Laos to the temple-filled countryside of Cambodia. Click here to view our tour.

This brand new, exclusive tour will take you on a journey deep in to the heart of Myanmar’s Irrawaddy Delta.  After the devastation of cyclone Nargis, we immediately set out to help the locals by turning our operations office into an NGO supplying much needed aid to the people in the Delta. On this tour we will show you first-hand look at the restoration efforts which are underway and you will meet the resilient locals of this extraordinary region. Click here to view this tour.

Vietnam is an incredible country, from the bustling street markets of Hanoi to the colonial grandeur of Saigon. With fifteen years of experience in Vietnam, nobody knows the country like the experts at Exotissimo!  This private, guided nine day tour visits the highlights of this amazing country as well as its hidden gems, all the while receiving exceptional personalized travel services and staying in some of the region’s top luxury hotels. Click here to view our tour.