Travel with: 5+ handpicked travel buddies
Stay in: Lavish spots
Come for: 3 months

Three months moving through Southeast Asia. Solo travellers who travel together—designed for people with time, curiosity, and zero interest in tours, cruises or anything that looks like a package deal.

Sheer rock towers rising out of rice fields. Monks collecting alms at first light. Wooden boats through floating markets. Temple complexes so vast you cycle between them. Two-day boat journeys watching villages go past. Overnight trains where you fall asleep in one country and wake up in another.

One day a week is planned together—hot air ballooning over Laos, staying with monks in the mountains, a Mekong Delta homestay. The rest of the time you're on your own. Most people grab a scooter and disappear for the day. Some find a café and stay there for hours. A few join up for dinner and compare notes.

Accommodation is characterful and well-chosen—not five-star, but a long way from budget. The sleeper bus is exactly what it sounds like. The monastery wake-up bell comes early. The ferry takes longer than scheduled.

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This trip works for you if

You want adventure travel across Southeast Asia, are happy on a motorbike (even riding pillion) as you are on a sleeper train, find joy not boredom on slow boats and ferries, and approach things like monastery stays with curiosity even if they're outside your everyday.Most people on this trip are over 50, done with work or taking a break from it, and treating this like the gap year they never had. Unlike rushed Southeast Asia tours, you'll spend weeks in places, not days.

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Itinerary

Vientiane, Laos - 2 nights
Vang Vieng, Laos - 5 nights
Luang Prabang, Laos - 7 nights
Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand - 8 nights
Pai, Northern Thailand - 7 nights
Bangkok, Thailand - 3 nights
Koh Lanta, Thai Island - 8 nights
Siem Reap - 7 nights
Phnom Penh - 5 nights
Ho Chi Minh City - 9 nights
Hoi An - 7 nights
Ninh Binh & Hanoi - 10 nights
What's included
  • ✓
    Great places to stay for three months
    Your own room. Well-located, well-chosen.
  • ✓
    Adventure Days
    One per week, handpicked to show off the region.
  • ✓
    All travel days by boat, train, car or bus.
    Chosen for variety and just enough adventure.
  • ✓
    Small group of fellow Pioneers
    Handpicked for curiousity, generosity and a good sense of humour.
  • ✓
    A DECADES Host
    Experienced, calm, kind.
  • ✓
    Support throughout
    Before you go and while you're living it.
  • Not included
  • ✕
    Meals
    On your tab—great excuse to explore local food!
    Meals
    On your tab—great excuse to explore local food!
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  • ✕
    International flights
    You choose when. We'll help you find the best options.
    International flights
    You choose when. We’ll help you find the best options.
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  • ✕
    Travel insurance
    Highly recommended. We'll point you in the right direction.
    Travel insurance
    Highly recommended. We’ll point you in the right direction.
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  • ✕
    Meals
    Not included — this is how you inhabit a place.
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  • ✕
    International flights
    Booked by you — we’re happy to advise.
  • ✕
    Travel insurance
    Personal to you — we’ll share what works for others.
  • ✕
    Connecting flights
    Connecting flights within the continent: ~£150 for 1–2 legs

Accommodation

LAVISH—accommodation that adds to the trip

LAVISH is accommodation you'll want to spend time in. Boutique hotels with pools. Villas with courtyards. Places with character and shared spaces where hanging out makes sense. Better design, more comfort, locations that elevate the experience. The accommodation becomes part of the trip, not just somewhere to sleep.

Discover more >

The kinds of places we stay on this route

DECADES is about the adventure, not the hotel. To give you an idea of what we mean for this route, here's a mix of places on our shortlist. We'll firm up accommodation nearer the time, so you'll know exactly where you're staying before you depart.

Phnom Penh
Boutique garden hotel

Small hotel built around a garden courtyard, with a pool and spa.

Vang Vieng
Riverside hotel

Riverside hotel in Vang Vieng, a short walk to restaurants.

Luang Prabang
Colonial riverside hotel

Overlooking the Nam Khan in Luang Prabang, with an infinity pool.

Dates & Prices

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Lavish
4 January 2027
3 months · Returns
31 March 2027
£16,206
ENQUIRE
One place now available!
2 December 2027
3 months · Returns
26 February 2028
£16,206
ENQUIRE
8 January 2028
3 months · Returns
3 April 2028
£17,090
ENQUIRE
2 December 2028
3 months · Returns
26 February 2029
£17,090
ENQUIRE

£250 deposit to hold your spot

How our trips feel

A glimpse inside the WhatsApp group of our Amber Evenings trip.

How it works

Like living
Abroad

With months to play with, this will feel like living abroad – time to settle in, establish your rituals (from your favourite coffee spot to yoga class) and properly unpack.

Handpicked travel
buddies

6-12 people we select. Everyone 50+ and good craic. Explore what interests you, then join them for dinner to debrief afterwards. If you fancy.

Solo travel
freedom

You know what you like – this is very much your trip. We sort accommodation, travel days, and weekly time together for an adventure of sorts. Other than that, the time's your own.

24/7
backup

One of our people on WhatsApp for backup locally and to help with logistics – stays, travel days, whatever comes up. Otherwise, you're left to your own devices.

Financial protection

Your money is held in a trust account managed by Protected Trust Services until your trip departs.

Blue rectangular membership badge for PTS with the name Decades Travel Limited and member number 6340 in white text.
Sue and her friend at Machu Picchu

You deserve great travel buddies

So we’re thoughtful about who joins.

We're looking for: Optimistic. Curious. Easy with the unknown. People who go with the flow and say yes when it counts.

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How it works:

- Step 1. Book a discovery call. A quick chat to see if it feels right.

- Step 2. Apply with £250 deposit. Refunded if it's not a fit.

- Step 3. Complete a short application. So we understand -your experience and expectations.

- Step 4. Get your place. You're officially in.

- Step 5. Join the WhatsApp group. Meet fellow Pioneers as departure approaches.