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Branching out.

We have gone on a many European trips with a Rick Steves travel guides. We are going to try to branch out to south east Asia. Does anyone happen to know of any travel guides that we can use for this trip. One of the best aspects for us with Rick Steves is the walking tours he has set up. I wonder if any other guide does something similar. Thanks for any help.

Posted by
4525 posts

I am researching this myself, but using Tour Radar site for more local providers.
Sarah Murdoch (Adventures with Sarah) is a long time RS guide specializing in Italy, but she has teamed up with some other guides and has been doing some SEA tours. She only has one for 2024 https://adventureswithsarah.net/2024-tours/
I liked my India tour with Gate 1, the more deluxe smaller tour of South India. They have started offering walking tours. If you sign up for their weekly specials email, they offer some significant discounts. I know there is one SEA discount this week, but it is their big bus group.

Posted by
2298 posts

I did a Gate 1 tour of SE Asia (parts of Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam). It was not even remotely a RS style tour, but it was fine in its own way (covered a lot of ground, hit the highlights). I was able to hire private guides in several cities (Bangkok, Hanoi, Hue), but in some places it is so hot and humid, a long day of walking is pretty uncomfortable.

Besides Sarah Murdock mentioned above, another RS alum guide Reid Coen also has a tour company called Imprint Tours with SE Asia selections (https://imprinttours.com/2023-2024tours). The Thailand tour offers an Angkor Wat extension (you should do this). I've not toured with him personally, but he was always a highly rated guide for RS.

Posted by
288 posts

365travel.asia

I traveled to Vietnam..Cambodia..Laos..twice. once in 2017 and again in 2019. One month each. Very satisfied! My first trip I actually went to the agency in Hanoi to meet them..such nice people and very excited to have planned our trip! Each trip was different and our guides were wonderful in each city. Check out the website knowing you can personalize accordingly. SE Asia is very addictive!!