Hill Tribe School Expedition to Thailand, Laos & Vietnam

Wake up in Chiang Mai, the unofficial capital of Northern Thailand. Dive into expedition life, get to grips with the currency (Thai Baht) and head out to buy a SIM card for the group phone. You’ll also need to meet the ground teams and discuss your plans. This ancient city is packed with culture, so gather the team and discover the famous city walls, then tuck into noodle soup and spiced sausages. You’ll return to Chiang Mai later on, so do some research and decide what you’d like to see.

Travel to Chiang Dao (the only district in Thailand with all twelve hill tribes). It’s time for jungle school, so channel your inner Tarzan and learn how to survive in the wild. Now for a three-day trek; take only what you need, you’ll enjoy it far more if you travel light. You also need to grab some food supplies at Chiang Dao market. Step forward as team leader and set the pace as you hike through emerald forests and beneath misty limestone peaks. Descend deeper into the jungle, clamber through the bamboo and listen for forest wildlife. Each night, you’ll set up camp in tribal villages and help your guides to cook tasty campfire food. After a dose of jungle life, it’s time to travel to back to the city.

Wake up in Chiang Mai, the cultural capital of Thailand. Today you could explore the moated old quarter and the city’s wats (temples), one of the most famous is the mountain temple of Wat Phra That Doi. Learn about Buddhism and meditation at the Buddhist University, or join an optional yoga class or cookery workshop. Then hit the street food stalls and take your Thai Baht to the markets to haggle for t-shirts, leather sandals and more.

Take a road trip through Thailand and travel across the border to Laos. From now on, your spending money is in Laos Kip. Spend a night in Huay Xai and taste delicious Thai/Laos soups and curries. Yum! Swap the road for the river for a two-day journey along the mighty Mekong. Wave at villagers on the banks and get your camera at the ready as you glide past the jungles and mountains of Northern Laos. Sleep in the town of Pak Beng, then hop back on the boat and continue to Luang Prabang.

Wake up at dawn to the sound of the temple gong, it’s time for a mystical daily ritual, the monk’s call to alms. Watch hundreds of monks walk through the streets in silence, dressed in orange robes. Once they’ve collected some rice in their bronze bowls, they’ll continue their procession to the temple. Luang Prabang is loaded with history, from Buddhist temples and French architecture to the mighty Royal Palace. You’ve got two days to experience all this and more. Just outside the city are the dramatic Kuang Si waterfalls where the photo opportunities are insane. Next to the falls is Laos’ original bear sanctuary, where you’ll find out about your itinerary for the next few days. You’ve also got the option of a cooking lesson, or you could get your zen on in a riverside yoga class.

Thousands of bears are smuggled through Laos for illegal animal products. This special sanctuary cares for rescued bears and other wildlife, from primates and leopards to red pandas. Roll up your sleeves and help to build climbing frames and enclosures for the wildlife. Learn how to create a bear den, get hands-on with carnivore conservation and help out at the volunteer centre. To make a positive contribution, you’ll need to listen to your hosts and learn some new skills. This is an incredible opportunity to experience wildlife conservation firsthand, be proactive and seize every moment.

Pile into the transfer vehicle and head north to a remote corner of Laos. Spend the night in Muang Khua, a riverside town with pastel-coloured houses and traditional markets. Continue across the Tay Trang border to the city of Dien Bien Phu, surrounded by forested hills. This is where French colonial forces were defeated by the Viet Minh in 1954. You’ve made it to Vietnam! Your new currency is Vietnamese Dong.

Travel deeper into Vietnam to the mountain town of Sapa. Meet your guides and cooks, they’re hugely experienced, so learn everything you can from them and you’ll ace the trek. Spend the next five days trekking from village to village. At night, you’ll sleep in tribal homestays and chow down on traditional Vietnamese food. Hike into the Sapa Valley and gaze up at soaring mountains as you hike past rice terraces and villages. Get ready for steep ascents, glistening streams and cascading waterfalls. After your trek, travel to Lao Cai town and catch the overnight train to Hanoi. Then Wake up in Vietnam’s crazy capital and grab a Vietnamese coffee, the locals drink it with condensed milk or beaten egg. Expect an overload of sounds and smells when you navigate the old quarter. Cover your ears to the sound of scooter horns and watch fruit sellers balancing bamboo poles on their shoulders. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum might be top of your sightseeing list, along with the Museum of Ethnology, which showcases all of Vietnam’s ethnic groups. Hoa Lo Prison is another top choice, it was home to US prisoners of war and Vietnamese revolutionaries. Street food and shopping are a way of life here, so save some time for the markets to try the legendary pho soup and Vietnamese baguettes. And get ready to haggle for pointy hats, silk scarves and wooden clogs.

Now for the 1,600 islands of Ha Long Bay. Steeped in mythology, legend has it that these islands are jewels that were dropped from the mouths of dragons. Cruise through emerald waters on a traditional junk boat. Crane your neck at the insane karst rocks, then step ashore to experience the cliffs and caves up close. As you explore, learn how this crazy landscape was formed millions of years ago. Your base for the night is Ha Long City. It’s a great place to grab some food and visit the night markets before heading back to Hanoi. After the best four weeks of your life, it’s time to travel home. Cram everything into your backpack and head to the airport. Check in, sit back and let it all sink in, you’ve just experienced something incredible. Southeast Asia has opened your eyes and challenged you more than you ever imagined. You’ve fast tracked your life skills and connected with locals; you’ve led your team and made new friends for life. These experiences will shape who you are and put you on the path to becoming a true global citizen. Prepare to return home forever changed.