Southeast Asia: Journey Though Asia

Trip Name
Southeast Asia: Journey Through Asia

Who It’s For
High school students (completing grades 9–12)

2026 Sessions
Session 1: July 9 – July 29, 2026
Note: These dates reflect your teen’s departure from the U.S. and return to the U.S.
Exact flight times and meeting details will be shared after enrollment.

Location
Vietnam & Cambodia

Trip Length
21 Days

Service Hours
20–30

Tuition
$7,495

This is the plan—but plans can shift. Weather, group energy, and new opportunities sometimes lead us to make changes. No two trips are exactly the same, and that’s part of what makes the experience so memorable.

Days 1–2: Arrive in Hanoi & Explore the City
Settle into Vietnam with a welcome dinner, jeep tour, historic sites, and a walk through Hanoi’s Old Quarter.

Day 3: Cruise Tam Coc & Visit Ancient Pagodas
Bike through rice paddies, float through limestone caves, and explore cliffside temples near Ninh Binh.

Days 4–6: Volunteer in Hill Tribe Villages
Travel to Binh Lieu for hands-on community service—supporting home construction, planting trees, and building paths.

Day 7: Jungle Trek, Waterfalls & River Kayaking
Hike through bamboo forests to swim in remote waterfalls, then kayak the scenic Tien Yen River.

Days 8–9: Cruise Halong Bay & Fly to Hoi An
Sail past limestone karsts, explore caves by boat, and fly south to Hoi An.

Day 10: Bike Villages & Float the Coconut Forest
Cycle Hoi An’s countryside, row bamboo boats, and walk through the town’s preserved ancient streets.

Day 11: Travel to Cambodia & Settle in Siem Reap
Fly to Siem Reap and start your journey in Cambodia with a traditional welcome dinner.

Days 12–14: Volunteer in Local Schools & Villages
Work on rural road projects, teach English, and visit a local silk farm with a final handoff celebration.

Days 15–21: Explore Temples, Trek Mountains & Cook Local Meals
Visit Angkor Wat, trek Kulen Mountain, float through stilt villages, and cook alongside local chefs before returning to Hanoi.

We stay in a mix of simple hotels and a village bunkhouse throughout the trip.

Hotels
For the majority of the trip, teens stay in shared rooms (2–3 per room), divided by gender. Hotels are clean, comfortable, and locally run.

Homestays
In Binh Lieu, we stay in traditional village bunkhouse for 4 nights. This accommodation is more traditional and rustic, think bunks and twin beds in a large communal space, home-cooked meals, and real connection with local families.

Overnight Boat Trip
We spend one night on a boat, as part of our Halong Bay boat trip. Teens stay in shared rooms (2–3 per room), divided by gender, with private bathrooms onboard.

What to Expect
A real, and authentic traveling experience where we meet locals, live alongside communities, and experience rural Asia away from the tourist hotspots. Accommodations are family friendly, with access to short showers to rinse off and freshen up every 1 -2 days.

All meals are included and full of fresh, local flavors. Expect to eat meals that are consistent with the culture we are visiting. While other food options may be available, we will be sharing meals with our community partners, and eating what they eat as part of our cultural exchange.

Meals
We eat at local restaurants, community kitchens, and with host families. Meals are hearty, kid-friendly, and often served family-style.

Cook Crew
Teens help prep simple breakfasts during homestay days.

Diets + Allergies
We accommodate all dietary needs, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, and more. Just let us know in advance.

Water + Snacks
We provide safe drinking water at all times. Snacks available daily, especially on high-activity days.

Flights
All participants fly together from San Francisco (SFO) to Hanoi, Vietnam (HAN).
Do not book until you receive flight windows from our team.

Additional Internal Flight There will be additional internal flights on this trip, which will be confirmed soon. RLT will book these on behalf of the group, and apply the charge to a final invoice.

Unaccompanied Minors
We’ll walk you through the process if your teen is flying as an airline-designated Unaccompanied Minor (for major airlines this is often kids who are 14 years old or younger, and are flying without a parent.) Every airline has different policies so it is important to coordinate with RLT and look into each airline’s specific policies. Generally speaking, we will have an RLT leader available to meet Unaccompanied Minors at the arrival airport for each trip..

Packing
Participants are responsible for bringing their own personal clothing, toiletries, and other personal gear. The Road Less Traveled provides all group gear, any specialized activity equipment needed for the trip. A detailed packing list will be sent to families well in advance (and is available upon request at any time) to ensure your child is prepared. We encourage packing clothing that’s comfortable, durable, and made for adventure. Our list will also provide guidance based on weather, location, cultural considerations, and planned activities to help participants bring the right items for a safe and enjoyable experience.

Luggage Note
We recommend one checked soft duffel bag (NOT a rolling suitcase) and a small carry-on backpack.

After enrollment, you’ll complete required forms in the RLT Portal:

Medical history

Emergency contact info

Participant agreement

Medical Clearance
No doctor’s note required unless a new condition has developed. We review all forms to ensure readiness.

Medications
All meds (prescription + over-the-counter) must be listed in the medical form. Leaders manage meds as needed.

Behavior Expectations
All teens agree to our Code of Conduct. It’s how we build a safe, respectful group culture.

Trip Insurance
Required for international travel. You’re free to use any provider—see our FAQ for guidance.

Passport
Required. Your teen’s passport must be valid for at least 6 months past the return date.

Vaccinations
Please make sure your teen is up to date on routine immunizations per CDC guidelines, including a tetanus booster (Td or Tdap) within the past 10 years.

Please note that travel to Vietnam, Cambodia typically includes a recommendation for additional vaccinations and medications, such as Malaria medication. We encourage you to review the CDC websites for Vietnam and Cambodia, for the most up-to-date information and consult with your physician or a travel nurse before trip departure.

Device-Free Philosophy
We collect phones and electronics on Day 1. They’re stored safely and returned at the end of the trip.

Why?
Unplugging lets teens:

• Be fully present

• Build strong friendships

• Step out of their comfort zone

Cameras Welcome
Digital cameras or GoPros are fine—just no internet access. Leaders take photos throughout the trip and share an album afterward.

Communication
We send regular updates to families while the trip is in progress. For emergencies, our on-call team is available 24/7.