southern thailand island beach ocean trees
Travel with: up to 11 handpicked travel buddies
Stay in: Lavish spots
Duration: 25 nights

One month moving through Southern Thailand and Cambodia. Solo travellers who travel together. Designed for people with time, curiosity, and zero interest in tours or packages.

Canal boats cutting through Bangkok. Island time on Koh Lanta with a coconut on the beach. Sunrise at Angkor Wat, then cycling between temple complexes before the heat arrives. Scooters filling every gap in Phnom Penh. A river town where the pepper grows.

One day a week is planned together: a boat day around the islands off Koh Lanta, sunrise and cycling at Angkor Wat, a day volunteering at a bear sanctuary. 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 train is exactly what it sounds like.

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This trip works for you if

You want adventure travel through Thailand and Cambodia, are happy on a sleeper train as you are on a short flight or a long coach ride, find joy not boredom on islands and in river towns, and approach things like a bear sanctuary volunteering day with curiosity even if it's outside your everyday. The average age on our trips is 65. Most people are done with work or taking a break from it, and treating this like the gap year they never had.

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Itinerary

Bangkok + sleeper train to Surat Thani, Thailand - 4 nights (3 + 1)
Koh Lanta, Thai Island - 9 nights
Siem Reap - 7 nights
Phnom Penh - 5 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.
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    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.
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    Travel insurance
    Personal to you — we’ll share what works for others.
  • ✕
    Connecting flights
    Connecting flights within the continent: ~£250 for 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
5 February 2027
3 months · Returns
2 March 2027
£6,482
ENQUIRE
5 February 2028
3 months · Returns
1 March 2028
£6,482
ENQUIRE
5 February 2029
3 months · Returns
2 March 2029
£6,482
ENQUIRE
5 February 2030
3 months · Returns
2 March 2030
£6,482
ENQUIRE

£250 deposit to hold your spot

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.