Welcome to Bangkok! Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting in the evening of Day 1. Check the hotel reception or notice board for the exact time and place of the meeting. If you arrive early, why not take a riverboat to Chinatown and explore the crowded streets, or wander down the tourist mecca of Khao San Road, or indulge in some Thai massage? The list goes on.

Explore some of Bangkok's oldest neighborhoods on a walking tour with your leader. Visit the local Talad Noi Market, Chinese Temple and find hidden street art installations. Pass by Wat Pho and perhaps stop in to see who can spot the most images of Buddha? Rumour has it there are up to 1,000. Then you'll cruise along the Chao Praya and watch life along the river en route to Wat Pho. This temple is one of the largest and oldest wats in Bangkok. The afternoon is free for you to explore the sites of Bangkok as you please. Visiting the Grand Palace is recommended. Tonight, board your overnight train to Surat Thani (approximately 13 hours).

Arrive in Surat Thani early in the morning, then transfer by bus to Khao Sok National Park. It's an amazing environment, so colourful and vivid it almost looks like it's been CGI'd. These dense rainforests are abuzz with exotic animals and plants, and some walking trails lead to awesome waterfalls alongside the huge Cheow Lan Lake. Cruise along it and see the limestone cliffs set against the jungle backdrop. Stay in a simple raft house, which is literally ON the lake. Wait till you see the view when you wake up.

Travel by minibus to Ao Nang, Krabi, home to sweet white-sand beaches and limestone karsts jutting out of cerulean waters. The main street of this lively beachside town has heaps of bars and restaurants to grab a beer or meal at.

That's the trouble with paradise – there's too many ways to enjoy it. Today is free baby, so that means time to kayak or climb the karst rock formations that surround this place. If you take an optional kayaking activity you can head to Ao Thalane and paddle through mangrove forests, coves and narrow karst-walled canyons, keeping an eye out for kingfishers, herons and crab-eating macaque monkeys.

Today is yours. You are free as a bird. An island-hopping day trip is a great way to get a real sense of just how amazing this part of Thailand is. You can take a long-tail boat out to stunning islands like Phi Phi, where the swimming is great and the views are even better. Like exotic, far-out film locations. You'll never tire of looking up at those karsts towering above the turquoise. The real adventure-types might opt to go rock-climbing. Either way you approach it, paradise is paradise.

Today is a long travel day by minivan. Sit back, relax and Thailand disappear in the rearview mirror. Next stop: Malaysia! Cross the border Wang Prajan (the Thai checkpoint) and Wang Kelian (the Malaysian checkpoint). Penang is Malaysia's prized island. You may have heard that people from Penang are serious about their food, and it is delicious, but there is so much more to this place, such as a gorgeous coastline and a colonial heritage which thrives amid the skyscrapers over Georgetown. The Georgetown area is a cool (and World Heritage-listed) blend of religious sites of worship.

Today your leader will take you on a guided orientation walk through the Georgetown area to check out the shophouses, Penang Museum, street art and clan jetties. When you have become old friends with this place, the rest of the day is yours. Check out Kek Lok Sii (the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia), Khoo Kongsi (amazingly ornate and one of the oldest clan houses in Malaysia), Cheong Fat Tze Museum (fascinating if you have an interest in Feng Shui). Then, perhaps go looking for delicious food. This place is famous for its cuisine, thanks to many cultures that have lived side-by-side here for ages. Be sure to try a refreshing ice kacang (a dessert made with crushed ice, syrup and a mixture of jellies, nuts and sweet beans), or a hearty nasi kandar (steamed rice accompanied by curries, fried chicken, seafood or vegetables). Or take to the unspoilt trails of Malaysia's smallest National Park at Teluk Bahang. What'll really help? Choosing to join an optional food experience at the local night market. Penang prides its self on its food, and local life centres around eating, so when in Rome (or Penang)! Today’s challenge: see if you can find the hawker stall on Kimberley St where Lean Joo Sean has been selling char kway teow (stir-fried rice noodles) since 1954. You can’t miss his white chef’s hat and the queue of hungry punters.

Travel by minivan to the seriously beautiful Cameron Highlands. This area was a favourite getaway of the colonial British for good reason. It's a great escape from the hot and sticky jungle. The area has also long been used to grow a favourite British drink, tea. Perhaps sample some of the local brew. Those less genteel and more adventure-seeking might take a some walks in the area, or a half-day trip to the second-highest mountain the highlands.

Travel by public bus to vibrant Kuala Lumpur (approximately 5 hours). This is the cosmopolitan capital of Malaysia (call it KL if you want to sound more worldly). Your leader will take you for a walk around the communities of Indian, Chinese and ethnic Malay people. You'll be staying right in the midst of the buzzing Chinatown night markets, the ideal spot. Tried a durian yet? They stink, but they taste pretty good. Make sure you get a map and venture out on some walking adventures. You can hit Bukit Bintang, the Golden Triangle (for shopping), or Menara Tower (entry fee applies). You might also like to head out of town to visit the famous Batu Caves, or go to the Lake Gardens to visit the Islamic Arts Museum and National Mosque.

Today is a free day to explore KL. Get up early to get your tickets to see two of the world's very tallest buildings, the Petronas Towers. Ask your leader how the system works! The evening is best spent at the night market sampling the different cuisines on offer and bargain-hunting among the stalls of the famous Petaling Street. 

An intriguing blend of Malay, Indian, Chinese and Portuguese cultures, Melaka has a wealth of interesting architecture, distinctive food and proud cultural heritage. Take a public bus there (approximately 3 hours in total) and enjoy a free afternoon. Once the most important trading port of Malaysia, Melaka attracted Chinese, Indian, Dutch, Portuguese and British traders, and this diversity is reflected in its overall vibe. Check out Harmony Street where these communities have their places of worship, with a church, mosque, and a couple of different temples all on the one street. Peace out!

A public bus journey (approximately 5 hours) takes you to Singapore. Your leader will take you on a walk to give you an introduction to this ever-evolving city. There will be time to take in the retail hot spots and the 'booming cross-cultural culinary scene' before enjoying a final evening with your fellow travellers. It'll be a time to reflect. Who ate the most chilli? Who at the most durians? Who even ate one durian? When can we all pack up and move to Asia forever? Etcetera.

Farewell your newfound friends as your trip comes to an end today.