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Weather across Asia varies by region. Japan shines in spring (Mar.–May) and again in autumn (Sep–Nov) when cool, dry days ignite fall color, while Thailand and Cambodia are best explored during the sunlit dry season (Nov–Feb) ideal for beaches and ancient temples. Vietnam’s climate shifts by region: the north is most inviting from Oct–Dec and Mar–May, the center enjoys its best weather from Feb–Aug, and the south shines during its dry season from Nov–Apr India rounds out the journey from Oct–Mar, when cooler, drier conditions invite unhurried exploration from vibrant cities to timeless historic sites.
Cultural etiquette in Asia varies widely, but respect, politeness, and modesty are common values. Visitors should be mindful of local customs, such as removing shoes before entering homes or temples and dressing appropriately.
Asia’s regional diversity is seen in the dramatic differences between its cultures, histories, and environments. Multi-country tours offer a convenient way to experience a mix of culture, food, and landscapes. While English-speaking local guides help help bridge language barriers.
Tour Design Manager
Born in a small Himalayan village, Iliyas later built a life in New Delhi with his wife, mother, and three daughters. With over 25 years in the travel industry, he specializes in crafting culturally rich, immersive itineraries that connect travelers with local traditions. He has been with Collette since 2018, designing and contracting tours across the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, Japan, and the UAE.
Tour Manager
Yoshiko lives in Japan and guides our tours. One of her favorite moments on our Cultural Treasures of Japan journey is the visit to the Senso-ji Buddhist temple because it was a monk in that temple who gave her her name. Her poignant story dates back to 1923. Sharing her home with you isn't just her job — it's her passion.
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Wonderful trip. Great Itinerary. Best tour leader.
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I’ve done over a dozen tours with Collette and this one was my favorite for many reasons: The hotels were super clean and modern; more included meals and right balance of free time. The tour manager was very informative and sent us helpful information two weeks prior to departure. Visits and stories from Hiroshima bomb survivor and North Korean defector will stay with forever. Finally, I feel Collette’s small group tour offers better experiences and value.
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This was an ambitious tour particularly since we added the pre and post tour options. Nevertheless we thoroughly enjoyed the experiences we shared. We would be hard pressed to name one memorable experience because there were many. We particularly appreciated the variation from stop to stop, i.e. city venues to historical forts to game preserves. Ashish was great, knowledgeable and eager to share his insights.
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Collette’s Kingdoms of Southeast Asia is a wonderful trip with an ambitious itinerary that spends time (17 or 18 days, depending on how you count) in 4 Southeast Asian Countries: 1) Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand. Vietnam is the focus, with stops in the north, middle, and south of the country. Vietnam is a very interesting, vibrant, and energetic country, with amazing food, and the tour benefits from the tour manager/leader being Vietnamese. Our trip leader was awesome, and I can’t say enough good things about him. Our Vietnamese trip leader stayed with us throughout the entirety of the trip, but excellent local guides joined the tour in the remaining three countries. Three days in Cambodia focused on the ancient cities of Siem Reap, such as the Angkor Wat ruins. The following 3 days in Laos focused on the Buddhist temples and culture as well as a beautiful excursion along the Mekong River. Visits to night markets were offered in all 3 countries. The trip concludes with one night in Bangkok, Thailand and it is easy to extend your stay with the extension offered by Collette of with a few days in your own. Bangkok is an amazing city and one night/one day won’t do. Our tour had 23 people and it moved as a group pretty well. We had a good group, everyone very friendly and helpful to each other. All the hotels were solid, comfortable accommodations - not 5 star, but mostly 4 star (I believe the Laos hotel, probably one of the best in Luang Prabang, would be considered a 3 star hotel by American standards). The tour included plenty of free time, but the organized group excursions were well considered in terms of taking you to see what most tourists want to see as well as introducing you to some genuinely local and personal experiences (like visiting the home of a Vietnamese fighter pilot who fought in the Vietnam War to get his personal perspective on the war). On occasion the daily itinerary was a little rushed, perhaps overly ambitious, but overall the tour was well balanced between planned activities and free time.
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AMAZING TRIP…. Tour Manager John the absolutely the BEST. It was an experience of a lifetime. It is hard to put into words or explain the wonders of each country. Book this trip and you won’t be disappointed. It far exceeded my expectations. The smaller group size for travel was a bonus. The hotel accommodations were excellent. The way John (tour manager) explained and provided all the necessary information each day was so helpful. I would do this trip again in a heartbeat .
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What a trip! it was fantastic. Kelly Bolton our tour manager is a wealth of knowledge and very personable. Always available for answers to our questions. In my bucket list had seeing Mt Fuji san and Hiroshima and my wishes came true. hotels were superb especially the ones with onsen but Tokyo Daiba it was just perfect cause for us Tokyo was too overwhelming and being in Daiba we were close to metro, malls, restaurants. It was like a very relaxed stay in Tokyo which if we would have stayed like downtown it would be too much. Breakfasts were superb and got to try all the local foods as well. All the adventures like the tea ceremony, sushi’s class, etching and the o gold leaf were so much fun to include the women’s group in Kyoto. that was a treat. Oh and the last night dinner with the geisha and asking questions was amazingly informative
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The entire tour ran smoothly. Our guide was knowledgeable and personable and extremely helpful when my travel partner had a serious medical issue. My most memorable experience was decorating with gold leaf. I also really enjoyed The Hido beef dinner and the Peace Park in Hiroshima. Unfortunately,the museum there was way too crowded to enjoy.
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Shizu our tour guide was funny & very knowlegeablle. and also very helpful in a medical emergency which i had (not due to me ( not related to tour) There were 29 in our group from all over and not one sour puss in the group. This tour was way over any expectation I had. I saw everything I wanted and more. The special tours , the beautiful & immaculate country the gracious people the food the wonderful perfect places to stay the ce-cen but our tour guide Shizu made this trip for me she is truly special **************
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The tour and the tour guide were excellent. Japan was covered nicely! The interactive functions were well planned and very interesting. The site we visited were magnificent. I will definitely recommend this tour!
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The tour & tour guide were excellent. It’s covered Japan beautifully. I loved the interactive functions.
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Great experiences throughout the trip.
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Tour manager went above and beyond to keep everyone engaged and satisfied on this tour. He had extensive knowledge and experience with his country of Thailand. Especially enjoyed visiting the elephant sanctuary in Chang Mai.
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Japan is a culinary delight. Everywhere we ate was fantastic. The tour manager was probably the most important element of the trip as she was able to both instruct and immerse us in Japanese customs and culture which made a huge difference in our experience. Japan is truly a place to visit several times; we plan to be back.
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Excellent cultural immersion tour. My favorite experience was the meeting with the Vietnamese war veteran. He emotionally shared with us his heart rendering time as a fighter pilot, and his eventual friendship with an American fighter pilot.
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Vespa food tour in Hanoi was great fun! Tour and tour guides were excellent. However we should have gone to an elephant sanctuary. We never saw one elephant.! Also tipping should be prepaid. It was a constant issue on the tour!!!! The first day of the Bangkok extension should have been scheduled with activities. We were all ready to go and nothing was really planned. It was very disappointing. We all had been together on the tour and there was no need for relaxation and free time. Everyone agreed with this assessment. Tho the tour manager was exceptional as were the individual guides in each country. I would highly recommend this tour.
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It was amazing !! Highly recommend this trip!!’n
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An enjoyable and educational trip back to Japan (our family was there when my father was in the army; late '40s, early '50s). Evidently, amazing changes. A wonderful blend of the old and new Japan, from visiting a 400 year old castle to riding a modern bullet train. My favorite experience was being able to see Mt. Fuji on a beautiful, clear day with just enough clouds to make for a great photo.
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Fantastic Tour ! The guide made it all come to life! Great hotels! Great shopping!
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We had a fantastic experience on our tour with Collette. We enjoyed traveling through 4 countries with ease, because of the great organization and helpful guide. I loved practicing tai Che as we cruised through the rocky peaks of Ha Long Bay. Cooking classes, boat tours, night markets, unique interactions with local residents made our experience truly life changing. John, our Vietnamese guide was truly phenomenal. We loved every day of our tour!
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Riding Vespas through downtown Saigon. Learning about the trained rats finding land mines. The tunnels and various booby traps during the war. The many different boat rides especially the basket boats. The people and the culture and learning about Buddhism.
Rated Exceptional
4.7 out of 5 in the past year - backed by 28,069 lifetime reviews
Discover the heart of Japan’s urban landscapes and natural wonders, from Tokyo’s electric energy to Kyoto’s Zen serenity.
View 12-Day Itinerary
From the iconic tigers of Ranthambore to the legendary Taj Mahal, step into a world of captivating mysteries and vibrant color.
View 15-Day Itinerary
Collette schedules its Asia tours to take advantage of the most comfortable and rewarding travel seasons. For Japan, spring (March–April) and fall (October–November) are popular for cherry blossoms and colorful foliage. In Southeast Asia, tours typically operate in the dry season (November–March) to avoid heat and rain. In India, winter months (November–February) offer cooler temperatures ideal for safaris and city visits. Tour calendars are designed to align with seasonal highlights while avoiding major weather disruptions or peak tourist congestion.
Yes. Collette’s Asia tours are designed with comfort, pacing, and support in mind. All accommodations are carefully selected for quality and location, daily activities are thoughtfully paced, and expert Tour Managers are with you every step of the way. Some tours include longer periods of walking, high-activity days, or early departures, but activity levels (and corresponding mobility requirements) are clearly noted so you can choose the right fit.
Collette’s Asia tours go far beyond sightseeing — each journey is filled with immersive, people-centered experiences that bring the region to life. You might ride through Hanoi’s Old Quarter on a cyclo and sample street food at local markets, witness a traditional water puppet show in Vietnam, or learn the ancient art of gold leaf decorating in Kanazawa. Each Collette tour invites you to see, taste, and connect with Asia through authentic encounters that reveal the heart of every destination.
Visa requirements vary by country and your nationality. Collette provides guidance on necessary travel documents in your tour packet, but it is each traveler’s responsibility to ensure they have valid passports and visas where required. Many destinations in Asia offer visa-on-arrival or e-visa options for U.S. citizens. Visit your government's official travel website for the latest entry requirements.
Accommodations on Collette’s Asia tours range from upscale city hotels to boutique and traditional stays that reflect local culture. For example, you might stay in a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) with tatami floors in Hakone, or overnight aboard a wooden junk boat on Ha Long Bay. Lodging is always selected for comfort, cleanliness, and proximity to key sights.
Yes. Each tour includes a curated number of meals, combining group dining with free time to explore local cuisine on your own. Meals highlight regional flavors — such as sushi-making in Kyoto, a home-cooked dinner in Jaipur, or a street food tasting in Bangkok. You’ll always know in advance which meals are included, and dietary preferences can often be accommodated with notice.
From arrival transfers to bullet trains and internal flights, all necessary in-country transportation is included. You’ll travel comfortably by coach, train, boat, or air, depending on the itinerary. For example, you might cruise the Mekong Delta by boat, take a tuk tuk through Bangkok, or fly from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City — all arranged for you.
All Collette tours in Asia are fully guided and led by expert Tour Managers, often supported by local guides who offer deeper insight into each destination. Your Tour Manager coordinates logistics, keeps the day running smoothly, and is available throughout the trip to answer questions, manage timing, and offer recommendations.
Yes. While Collette itineraries are carefully structured, they always include free time for you to explore, shop, or relax. Whether it’s wandering the streets of Kyoto, browsing a Cambodian night market, or enjoying a quiet moment by the Ganges, you’ll have space to shape your experience.
Collette’s support starts before you depart and continues throughout your journey. You’ll receive a detailed pre-tour packet, access to travel protection options, and on-the-ground assistance from your Tour Manager. In the rare case of changes or disruptions, Collette’s global support network helps ensure your experience stays smooth and enjoyable.
Most credit cards, especially Visa, are widely accepted in major cities across Asia. It’s a good idea to carry some local currency for markets, small shops, or rural areas, as some countries do not accept foreign currency. ATMs are accessible in most destinations Collette visits. For communication, Wi-Fi is common in hotels and many public places, and international phone plans or local SIM cards can keep you connected. Your Tour Manager will also provide tips and help you navigate currency exchange and local etiquette with ease.
Comfortable walking shoes, light layers, and respectful attire for visiting temples and sacred sites are key. Be sure to check your specific itinerary for any activity-related suggestions or seasonal considerations, and always check the weather in advance of traveling to ensure you are prepared.
From handpicked hotels, restaurants, and cultural experiences to thoughtfully integrated free time, our on-the-ground team in Asia crafts journeys they'd want to take themselves.
Travelers always tell us that Tour Managers make the journey. It's like traveling with a friend who's got the inside scoop. They live in the destination and share hidden gems that only the locals know.
Delve into an ancient and mysterious world of rural landscapes, bustling cities, and fascinating history in Southeast Asia.
View 19-Day Itinerary
Delve into a land where bustling modern cities, ornate ancient temples, and stunning jungle beaches coexist.
View 16-Day Itinerary
