Epic Bangkok to Kuta: Beaches, Forests & Volcanoes
40 days
From
$ 4749
Duration40 days
Now's the time to explore Bangkok, Bali, and Sumatra on your terms with this tour that's affordable for young travellers. Fall asleep to jungle sounds in Khao Sok National Park, dive headfirst into street food flavours in Kuala Lumpur's night market, and watch the sun rise atop the clouds on Mt Bromo. With days spent on sunny beaches, and evenings full of friends and city nightlife, 40 days of Southeast Asia excitement won't seem like nearly enough.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 40 daysService level: Basic
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Physical Grading: Average
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Ages: 18+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Bangkok
Arrive at any time.
If you'd like, get here early to get some sightseeing in. It's best to travel around by water taxi, since the streets are so crowded. We recommend Chao Phraya River for its excellent views.
If you'd like, get here early to get some sightseeing in. It's best to travel around by water taxi, since the streets are so crowded. We recommend Chao Phraya River for its excellent views.
Day 2: Bangkok/Surat Thani
Opt to visit Wat Po, home of the giant reclining Buddha, or arrange a longtail boat to explore the canals of Bangkok. Enjoy some free time ahead of boarding the sleeper train to Surat Thani, the gateway to the south.
Enjoy a street food crawl with the group and CEO either today or another day on tour. Option to visit Wat Po, the Grand Palace and Bangkok's many markets. Overnight train to Surat Thani.
Meals: B
Day 3: Surat Thani/Khao Sok
Khao Sok is a diverse area of natural beauty, a perfect place for people who want to hike and get out there in nature or those that just want to chill out in a hammock by the riverside watching monkeys take their afternoon bath.
Travel to lush Khao Sok. Opt to go hiking or swimming in Khao Sok National Park.
End place: Khao Nom Sao
Day 4: Khao Sok/Ko Samui Island
Start place: Khao Nom Sao
Lying off of Thailand’s east coast in the Gulf of Thailand, Ko Samui offers everything you could possibly want in a tropical retreat: white-sand beaches, coconut palms, fresh seafood and warm, clear waters.
Take a ferry to Ko Samui and explore the island's beautiful beaches and vibrant nightlife.
End place: Ko Lummu Yai
Meals: B
Day 5: Ko Samui Island
Start place: Ko Lummu Yai
Take a day trip to scenic Ang Thong Marine Park. Take in the views and opt to snorkel if the tide is right.
End place: Ko Lummu Yai
Meals: B, L
Day 6: Ko Samui Island/George Town
Start place: Ko Lummu Yai
Gear up for a long day of travel. Ferry back to the mainland and continue by private vehicle to cross the border into Malaysia and on to George Town, Penang, the "Pearl of the Orient".
Meals: B
Day 7: George Town
Full day in Penang.
Day 8: George Town/Chenderoh Lake
Travel to a local island homestay in the middle of a scenic lake. Spend the evening connecting with the locals and taking in the scenery.
Meals: D
Day 9: Chenderoh Lake/Cameron Highlands
Continue to the Cameron Highlands. Take a walk along one of the many well marked trails, visit the tea plantations or just relax and enjoy the cooler temperatures!
Meals: B
Day 10: Cameron Highlands/Kuala Lumpur
Enjoy ample time to see the city's impressive architecture and experience the fascinating cultural mix that gives this city such a uniquely cosmopolitan feel.
Opt to take a city tour, visit the famous Petronas Towers or check out the Islamic Arts Museum.
Day 11: Kuala Lumpur
Enjoy a full day in Kuala Lumpur to explore. Just outside of town, to the north, are the famous Batu Caves and the Orang Asli Museum. The evening is best spent at the night market sampling the different cuisine, some of the best in South East Asia. Bargain hunt among the stalls of Chinatown's night market and don't forget to visit to the Petronas Towers, the tallest twin towers in the world.
Full day in Kuala Lumpur. Explore the city, head out of town to visit the famous Batu Caves or the Orang Asli Museum. Opt to visit the Petronas Towers.
Day 12: Kuala Lumpur/Melaka
Visit the old port town of Melaka, wander the narrow streets and absorb the atmosphere of this historically important town. The streets of Chinatown are lined with Peranakan (Straits Chinese) shophouses offering their traditional cuisine, Nyonya. There are temples, churches and mosques, museums and forts to explore.
Opt to tour the canals of Melaka by boat.
Day 13: Melaka/Singapore
In the morning cross the Straits of Johore and onto the island of Singapore. Tonight opt to visit the world famous night safari, take in a harbour cruise around Boat Quay or sample some mouth watering local food at one of the many hawker street stands.
Wander the streets of Little India and Chinatown for a great way to see the old parts of the city.
Wander the streets of Little India and Chinatown for a great way to see the old parts of the city.
Border crossing from Malaysia into Singapore. Free time to take a harbour cruise or try mouth-watering street food.
Day 14: Singapore/Medan
Fly to Medan, the capital of North Sumatra. Stroll around the city and try to spot the Dutch influence in some of its old buildings.
Today, new travellers may join you for the rest of your adventure. You are welcome to join them at a group meeting in the evening, followed by an optional dinner.
Day 15: Medan/Tangkahan
Enjoy a morning tour of Medan. After, traverse bumpy roads to reach the small jungle community of Tangkahan. Opt to go hiking.
Meals: B
Day 16: Tangkahan/Bukit Lawang
Travel across bumpy roads to Bukit Lawang, located close to Gunung Leuser National Park.
Meals: B
Day 17: Bukit Lawang
Gunung Leuser National Park, located nearby, is a great place to do some wildlife trekking through the jungle.
Opt to go jungle trekking in Gunung Leuser NP.
Meals: B
Day 18: Bukit Lawang/Berastagi
Orientation walk upon arrival. Free afternoon with the option to visit the local hot springs.
Meals: B
Day 19: Berastagi
Opt to hike a volcano or go on a Berastagi City Tour.
Meals: B
Day 20: Berastagi/Samosir Island
Travel to the world's largest volcano lake, Lake Toba.
Meals: B
Day 21: Samosir Island
Chill out and swim in the warm waters of the lake or opt for some culture by visiting local Batak villages.
Meals: B
Day 22: Samosir Island/Padangsidempuan
Drive through beautiful scenery on this travel day, stopping at the bustling city of Padang Sidempuan for the night.
Meals: B
Day 23: Padangsidempuan/Bukittinggi
Embark on another day of travel, including stops along the way for lunch and a spice garden visit. Enjoy a brief, CEO-led orientation walk of Bukittinggi in the evening.
Meals: B
Day 24: Bukittinggi
Enjoy a free day to check out some sights, like Sianok Canyon or the Japanese Caves built during World War II.
Meals: B
Day 25: Bukittinggi/Padang
Travel to Padang and settle in at the beach hotel before enjoying some free time to explore.
Meals: B
Day 26: Padang
Enjoy a full free day in Padang. Opt for a trip to nearby scenic islands.
Meals: B
Day 27: Padang/Jakarta
Fly to Jakarta and start exploring the island of Java.
Some travellers may be leaving the tour in Padang and others may be joining the tour in Jakarta. You are welcome to join them at a group meeting this evening, followed by an optional dinner.
Meals: B
Day 28: Jakarta/Cianjur
Venture to Cianjur via Bogor, visit the floating villages, and opt to visit a tea plantation. Experience local life by spending the night at a homestay.
Experience local life by spending the night at a homestay. The homestay is located on the outer ring of Cianjur, and accommodation is multi-share.
Meals: B
Day 29: Cianjur/Bandung
Depart the homestay and travel to the sprawling city of Bandung, Indonesia's third largest city.
Enjoy an orientation walk of the sprawling city of Bandung, then take some time to explore independently.
Meals: B
Day 30: Bandung/Yogyakarta
Travel from Bandung to Yogyakarta on a scenic train journey.
Meals: B
Day 31-32: Yogyakarta
Spend free time visiting local sights such as the Buddhist Borobudur temple complex, Javanese temples, or Mt Merapi.
Meals: B
Day 33: Yogyakarta/Ngadas
Begin the day with the train journey to Malang. On arrival in Malang, transfer to a private vehicle for about an hour to reach Ngadas.
Upon arrival in the village, meet your hosts and settle into the homestay. In the evening, enjoy a dinner of local fare before gathering at the home of one of the community leaders to learn more about the region's customs and history.
Upon arrival in the village, meet your hosts and settle into the homestay. In the evening, enjoy a dinner of local fare before gathering at the home of one of the community leaders to learn more about the region's customs and history.
Continue the journey across the agricultural heartland of Java to Ngadas, a village in the scenic Mt Bromo region. Experience the local culture with a G Adventures-supported community homestay.
Enjoy dinner in the village.
Meals: B, D
Day 34: Desa Ngadas/Bromo
After an early breakfast, say good bye to your hosts and explore more of the village on an included walk. Then begin the trek along the Ancestor Trail to Mt Bromo, led by a local guide trained through a G Adventures-supported capacity building program. Opt to hike to the volcano's crater before continuing to the hotel.
Meals: B, L
Day 35: Bromo/Red Island
A pre-dawn trek across the “sea of sand” to watch the sunrise over the crater’s rim is a must, popular with both tourists and the local Buddhist Tenggerese, who can be seen giving offerings of food to receive blessings from the Supreme God Hyang Widi Wasa.
Enjoy an early morning hike to a viewpoint to take in the the enchanting moonscape of Mt Bromo as the sun rises, then travel to a sweet surf camp on the beach.
Meals: B
Day 36: Red Island
Enjoy a surf lesson in the morning, then use free time to explore the nearby fishing village, do some more surfing or chill out in a hammock.
Meals: B
Day 37: Red Island/Pemuteran
Head to Bali and the beach with time to relax.
Meals: B
Day 38: Pemuteran
Chill out in Bali. Opt to take a snorkelling or diving trip to Menjangan Island.
Meals: B
Day 39: Pemuteran/Kuta
Today's drive is a journey, highlighting the spectacular natural diversity and intense cultural wealth that makes Bali such a sought after destination.
Our journey takes us across the island of Bali, through the rich tropical jungle, passing by idyllic terraced rice fields, and quaint scenes of local village life. We then arrive at our overnight destination – popular Kuta beach.
Our journey takes us across the island of Bali, through the rich tropical jungle, passing by idyllic terraced rice fields, and quaint scenes of local village life. We then arrive at our overnight destination – popular Kuta beach.
Enjoy a morning at leisure to explore or relax, before travelling to lively Kuta, enjoying beautiful scenery along the way. Explore Kuta with some free time.
Meals: B
Day 40: Kuta
Depart at any time.
Inclusions
Included
- Your G for Good Moment: Ngadas Homestay, Desa Ngadas Your G for Good Moment: Village Walk, Desa Ngadas Your G for Good Moment: Ancestor Trail Trek, Desa Ngadas Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Discover Moment: Bangkok Your Local Living Moment: Chenderoh Lake Homestay, Chenderoh Lake Your Hands-On Moment: Surfing Lesson, Red Island
- Ang Thong Marine Park island hopping tour
- City tour of Medan
- Orientation of the Cameron Highlands
- Orientation walks of Bandung, Berastagi, and Bukittinggi
- Entrance to Bromo Tengger Semeru NP
- Mt Bromo crater walk
- Sunrise hike to Mt Bromo viewpoint
- Street food crawls
- Internal flights
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
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Transport
Train, Local bus, Minibus, Ferry, Songthaew, Taxi, Walking, Flight -
Accommodation
Simple hotels (twin-share) or hostels (multi-share) (32 nts), Basic bungalows (2 nts), Surf camp dorms (2 nts, multi-share), Sleeper train (1 nt), Homestay (2 nts, multi-share)