About Us
Welcome to IndoChinaNaturally, where we specialize in providing tailor-made group tours in Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia (we cover Myanmar, and at present only offer it as a high-risk destination). Our team of experienced travel experts based locally in each of these countries is dedicated to creating fascinating and unique travel experiences that cater to your preferences and budget.
We believe in providing personalized and authentic travel experiences for our valued guests, so please take the opportunity to inform our locally-based team of your travel preferences before designing your customized itinerary. We will make sure that your tour includes your preferred activities, accommodation, transport, guides, and other service providers so you can really enjoy your holiday of a lifetime.
Our tours are designed to provide a balanced cultural immersion, heritage, adventure and relaxation, allowing your group to experience the best that Southeast Asia has to offer. Whether you're interested in visiting ancient temples, exploring bustling cities, trekking through lush tropical jungles, or relaxing on pristine beaches, we can create a tour that caters to your interests and preferences.
We understand that group travel can be challenging, especially when trying to accommodate the diverse interests of individual travelers. So we prepare our group tours tailor-made to meet the specific preferences of your group, like history, culture, Buddhism, wellness, adventure or a tailor-made mix. Our expert guides will ensure that you have an authentic and immersive travel experience, and our team will take care of all the logistics so you can really enjoy your time with your group.
At our travel agency, we're committed to responsible and sustainable tourism, and we work with responsibly managed small-scale, locally-owned businesses that share our values. We believe that our tours should have a positive impact on the environment and local communities, and we take steps to minimize our (negative) impact on the localities we visit. We ensure that tourism incomes are (positively) distributed to the local communities.
We offer a wide range of group tour options to suit your needs, from budget-friendly to luxury travel, for groups of all sizes. We further cater to special interest groups such as history, Buddhism, adventure, wellness, or gastronomy. Our tours are customized to include your preferred activities, accommodation type, and transport. We're happy to modify your itinerary in line with your preferences.
We take care of all the details so you can relax and enjoy your journey. Our team is available 24/7 to assist you with your queries before, during, or after your trip.
We thank you for considering our travel agency for your group tour of Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia (and Myanmar). We're excited to help you to prepare for a journey of a lifetime. Contact us today to start planning your tailor-made group tour.
Tours
Discover Thailand
Thailand is a fascinating country with an incredible variety on offer to the holiday marker - from nature and adventure sports in the North, authentic tribal people in the mountainous areas, national parks with multi-tiered waterfalls, ancient cities, temples and monuments, a mouth-watering gastronomy & street foods, Bangkok with it’s highly developed nightlife as well as paradisiacal tropical beaches and islands in the South. Something for everyone.
While in Bangkok we can visit the Chao Phraya River bank where we find the traditional flower market, and Pak Khlong Talat, where we can delight in the scent of fresh flowers. Then continue to Wat Pho temple, one of the oldest temples in Bangkok and is famous for its 46m reclining Buddha and Wat Benchamabophit temple, known also as the Marble Temple. The impressive Grand Palace complex, a symbol of the city and the former official residence of the King of Thailand, and considered one of the most beautiful in the world for its exquisite decoration mixing traditional Thai styles. The Wat Phra Kaew or The Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the largest in all of Thailand, is at the complex.
We can enjoy a traditional long-tailed water taxi on the Chao Phraya River, one of the most important in the country. Discover the Venice of the East and the traditional life of the inhabitants of this city, half of whom still live by the water.
Amphawa floating market is one of the smaller yet more authentic floating markets, about 50 km from Bangkok, situated on a branch of the Mae Klong River. It’s a popular with the locals for the sea food stalls by the riverside. Take a boat ride through the canals to the market, disembark and have free time to walk, explore the market and enjoy the lively atmosphere. Afterwards, visit the emblematic Wat Bang Kung temple, which is engulfed by the roots and branches of tall banyan trees over the course of several centuries. It offers a perfect combination of natural beauty and serene spiritism.
On the way to Kanchanaburi, go on a mini trekking at the Sri Nakarin Dam National Park.. It's home to Huai Mae Khamin Falls - a many tiered waterfall, each tier hiding a pool in which you can immerse yourself. An idyllic setting in a place that resembles a tropical paradise.
Departure for the historic city of Ayutthaya, the second royal capital founded in 14th century, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Wat Phra Mahathat temple, dating from the end of the 14th century, and the Wat Phra Sri Sanphet temple, which once served as a royal temple, and is therefore the largest in the city; as well as Wat Chaiwatthanaram temple, is situated on the west bank of the Chao Phraya river, It was a royal temple where important religious ceremonies were conducted.
Next visit on the way north will be Wat Chantaram (Wat Tha Sung), a fairytale-like temple. The Crystal Hall’s walls, columns and ceiling are covered with mirrors, leaving the visitor with a feeling of infinite space.
Sukhothai is the first royal capital and is a UNESCO world heritage site. Wat Maha That is the grand pagoda at the center of the Sukhothai Historical Park, surrounded by eight other pagodas. Then continue to the Wat Si Chum (Phra Achana) buddha statue, almost 15m high. We recommend resting at a quiet spot for a short meditation to recharge ourselves on this busy day.
On the way from Sukhothai to Chiang Rai, visit the Wat Rong Khun (the White Temple) complex, a multitude of buildings in which various objects are stored. The main building is filled with modern paintings.
Drive through picturesque tea plantations on our way to the “Golden Triangle”, so called as it is located at the frontier between Thailand, Burma and Laos, all three bordered by the Mekong River, of great scenic beauty and famous for the bygone Opium trade. We can visit the Opium Museum and then depart to Mae Sai, a border town with Burma where we will find a curious market of Burmese products and witness the continuous hustle and bustle of merchandise and people in this border post.
On the way from Chiang Mai to the Hmong, visit the Wat Prathat Doi Suthep temple, which was built in 1383. It was built after a white elephant, carrying on its back a relic of Buddha entrusted to the King of Lanna by a monk of Sukhothai, came to die there. This temple is a sacred place in Chiang Mai, and to get there, you can either climb the 306 steps bordered by the mythological snake “the Naga”, or by the funicular. At the top enjoy the magnificent view of the city of Chiang Mai.
Next we go by a truck to visit the Hmong tribal village, where we can admire a pastel pink landscape - cherry blossoms . Despite a tropical climate, the cool temperatures offer favorable conditions for the growth of these delicate pink flowers. They are known by Sakura in Japan but locally as Tiger Queen.
Then you will enjoy a hike of about three hours in the tropical forest accompanied by a rangerwhere you can discover different species of trees. We will stop at the Soi Yoi and Monthathan waterfalls for a quick dip.
From Chiang Mai airport take a flight South to Krabi or Phuket, which are located at the Andaman Sea, recommended during December to March. Alternatively, Koh Samui and Koh Pha Ngan on the Gulf of Thailand, are recommended from May to September.
Krabi beaches: Ao Nang, Railey, Tub Kaek, Phra Nang, Nopparat Thara, Maya Bay / Koh Phi Phi Leh, Koh Mai Phai.
Phuket beaches: Kata, Karon, Patong, Nai Harn, Freedom, Banana, Kata Noi, Kamala, Bang Tao, Surin.
Koh Samui beaches: Lipa Noi, Chaweng, Maenam, Lamai, Choeng Mon, Bophut, Takhian Thong (Silver Beach)
Discover Vietnam
Vietnamese culture is diverse and fascinating. It represents something of a history lesson. The nation's labyrinthe, teeming trading quarters are rich in indigenous crafts and reflect centuries-old mercantile influences. Ancient temples display distinctly Chinese influences in the north and Hindu origins in the south. Meanwhile the broad, tree-lined boulevards and grand state buildings that grace Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) date from the French colonial period.
We recommend you to arrive in Hanoi to begin your discovery of Vietnam. Hanoi city tour includes the Ba Dinh square, the mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, the presidential house on pillars, the Tran Quoc pagoda, the Temple of Literature with a strong Confucius influence, the Ethnological Museum, Lake Hoan Kiem and Ngoc Son temple in the Old Quarter.
We can take the night train from Hanoi to Lao Cai for our adventure in the mountains. Once we arrive at the Lao Cai station we will go to Sapa for a rest and in the morning we will trek Ma Tra. Our path will be through the mountainous countryside, where cereals like rice and corn are cultivated. We will continue trekking to Ta Phin where we can learn about the lifestyle of the red Dzao people.
The following day we will be based in the Muong Hoa Valley. Initially, we will take a soft trek south towards the Linh Ho village of the black Hmong people. We will visit the quaint Lao Chai village surrounded by terraced rice fields as well as the Te Van village of the Dzay people. Lunch will be served at a village house. We will take the night train back to Hanoi. For more adventurous travelers, we can extend trekking among these mountainous villages by two to four more days.
The following day we will leave Hanoi for Halong Bay. We continue until we reach the port where we embark on our cruise. The ship's crew welcomes us and shows us to our cabins. We will start sailing through this Unesco World Heritage listed Halong Bay in the Gulf of Tonkin. There are over 1,600 islands and islets, forming a spectacular seascape of limestone pillars, formed by a capricious and varied combination of stone, water and vegetation. We will have opportunities for kayaking and to have a dip. We will lay anchor for the night at Ho Dong Tien.
We suggest getting up early to enjoy the marvelous sunrise, coming out behind the rocks and painting them with a thousand lights and shadows. During the navigation we will visit impressive caves such as Sung Sot. The water and the wind have pierced through the millennia, forming the stone colossus that rises all around us. During the cruise our chef will give us a demonstration of Vietnamese cuisine. After the cruise, we will take an evening flight from Hanoi airport to Hue.
The ancient city of Hue is surrounded by a huge wall for over 10 km and was the capital city of the Nguyen dynasty. Inside the Citadel there are two cities called the Imperial City and the Forbidden Purple City. There are many palaces, Imperial residences, temples, gardens, lakes as the political and religious center of the Nguyen dynasty from 1802 to 945. Around the city are well preserved monuments such as the royal tombs and pagodas.
We start the tour by visiting the Tombs of the Emperors Minh Mang and Khai Dinh. We then go to the historic center of the city to visit the Citadel, wherein the Imperial City and the Forbidden Purple City including the Mieu Temple and the Palace of Supreme Harmony.
Finally, we go on an excursion on the Perfume River to the Thien Mu temple, enjoying the beauty of the natural surroundings. We will visit the Thien Mu temple which is the most important Buddhist religious center in the region from 1601 to today, consisting of the Phuoc Duyen pagoda, various temples dedicated to the Buddha, the library and the gardens.
Then we will go by the Hai Van pass and the Marble Mountains - each mountain corresponds to an element: mountain of Land, Fire, Water, Wood and Metal. Finally we come to the Old Quarter of Hoi An, a Unesco World Heritage Site. It is one of the best preserved ancient urban centers of all Southeast Asia, composed by the beauty of the facades of the picturesque traditional buildings, colonial houses, the smell of the smoking incense of their Buddhist temples. The most outstanding sites of this village are the Ancient House Tan Ky, the Chinese congregation of Phuc Kien, the Japanese Covered Bridge, the Ceramics Museum, the handicraft center and the colorful market. In the afternoon we will have free time to explore the villages of Hoi An,and with good weather we can enjoy the beach of Hoi An.
The following day, we will fly to Ho Chi Minh City, the largest and most cosmopolitan city in the country.
The next morning we will conduct a city tour covering the most important sites, such as the War Museum, The Temple Of The Jade Emperor, The Cathedral of Notre Dame, The Post Office, the Opera House, and the City Hall. In the afternoon we will visit the Central Market and we will have free time to wander around at our own pace.
The following day we will take the road to the Mekong Delta and in three hours we will arrive at Cai Be, a place we will use as a base for our exploration of the Mekong. We will take a motor boat to the North Bank of the main riverbed. On our way, we will stop to learn about some of the cottage industries of the area, like the manufacture of rice paper, candy, cane sugar and popcorn rice. We'll walk around and get to know one of the old houses in the area. In the middle of the morning we will cross the river to Tan Phong island. There we will take a rowboat in which we will travel along a narrow canal that is surrounded by lush vegetation.
We will then continue to the island of An Binh for lunch at a local house. In the afternoon we will take a walk among fruit trees to a small snack bar where we can hear an example of Don Ca Tai Tu, traditional music of the area, recently declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of humanity by Unesco. After tasting some of the seasonal fruits and tea, we will take some bikes to tour the island to the pier, from where we will return to Ho Chi Minh.
Discover Laos
We suggest a fascinating seven day adventure in this small paradise waiting to be discovered. We are happy to provide the traveler with connecting flights from Thailand/Vietnam/Cambodia if required.
We will begin our journey from Luangphrabang, which is on the Unesco World Heritage list. This beautiful town sits on the banks of the Mekong River and is surrounded by forest-covered hills. It’s wonderful to experience the beauty of the traditional Laotian temples side-by-side French colonial style buildings. We will visit majestic temples such as Wat Visoun, Wat May, Wat Xieng Thong and Wat Praphoutahbat. Later we can climb to the top of Phousi Hill for the best view of Luangprabang.
The following day we will also visit the National Museum and the Royal Palace, which was the residence of the last sovereign. We will be able to admire the Royal collections and treasures. Afterwards, we will go by car to visit the spectacular multi-tiered Kuang Si waterfall with small pools where we can swim. At the end of this visit, we will return to Luangprabang.
The following day we will leave Luangprabang and travel to the center of the country. So we will take a train from Luangprabang to Vang Vieng, a riverside city in the center of Laos. It is surrounded by splendid karst landscapes and brimming with activities such as sports caving. We’ll take a speedboat down the Nam Song River, a small river that flows through the city, surrounded by impressive karst rock formations. Then we will visit Tham Chang cave, one of the most important caves in Vang Vieng. It is located on the south side of the city. Tham Chang (or Jang). We will spend the night in Vang Vieng.
The next day, transfer by road to the capital of Laos, Vientiane. We will explore its hidden charms including Wat Phra Keo, one of the most impressive and interesting temples in Vientiane, Wat Sisaket with beautiful architecture and design. Pha That Luang, one the most important temples in Laos and Patuxai monument. We will spend the night in the capital.
The next morning, we will take a flight from Vientiane to Pakse. We will visit the Tao Huang Market, which is the largest local market in Pakse. It is a very picturesque market where the local villagers offer their products. Afterwards, we will continue our road trip through the Paksong district, to visit the Tad Fan waterfalls, fields of coffee and the villages of the surrounding ethnic minority groups. We will continue our journey until we reach Tad Lod and then return to Pakse in the afternoon to spend the night.
After an early breakfast, we will go to Ban Nakasang, and take a boat to Done Khone and visit Liphi "devil’s corridor". Visit the old French colonial area, where we find the old railway built during the French colonial period that was abandoned with an old locomotive on this island. We will take our boat back to Ban Nakasang and continue by road to the Khone Phapheng waterfalls. We will move to Pakse to spend the night.