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Educational Tours to South/East Asia

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South East Asia is a pocket of exciting countries with unique cultural legacies.

From the loud, scooter-filled roads of Ho Chi Minh City to the magnificent temples of Angkor, there’s something for everyone in Second Nature’s vast array of International Tours to South/East Asia. Our local guides are ambassadors for their respective countries and provide a uniquely personal perspective on the places we visit so that your students come home impassioned global citizens.

What We Provide 

  • Award-winning educators/ facilitators
  • Local guides in each country visited
  • Itineraries and Flyers
  • Information Sessions at your school or university
  • Transportation options (we arrange flights and provide options for ground and/or water transport)
  • Accommodation options (we provide quotes to utilise the most affordable and most appropriate accommodation to suit your needs)
  • Catering options (all food is covered through our fantastic range of reliable third-party providers)
  • Curriculum-based work-booklets (where requested)
  • Pre/Post Tour Activities (usually a PPP)
  • Risk Assessment (location specific)

South/East Asia Tours for School & University/TAFE Groups

Our International Tours for school and university groups are all-inclusive, affordable and fully customised. Tours are generally facilitated with a cultural, environmental, tourism or design technology focus depending on a school or university’s preferences.

Cultural Programs spend time exploring the ideologies, history, customs, arts and foods that differentiate countries visited. They encourage interaction with local peoples and expose students to different modes of living.

Environmental Programs concentrate on immersion and adventure in exceptional natural environments. They allow contextual exploration of Environmental Management principles and deliver a strong conservation message.

Tourism Programs focus on the Tourism Industry including drivers, challenges and innovations. They investigate major tourist attractions from an economic and environmental perspective to evaluate the sustainability of current operations.

Design Technology Programs investigate Sustainable Development in the context of megacities like Singapore and Delhi. They showcase innovations in architecture, agriculture and tourism.

The flexible design of our International Tours means itineraries can be adapted to fulfil curriculum requirements for any of the following subjects: Geography, Biology, Earth & Environmental Science, Marine Science, Investigating Science, Agricultural Science, Languages, History and Tourism. Schools or universities can experience one of our pre-existing itineraries or choose from a variety of incredible destinations to build a program that perfectly suits their needs.

Destination Highlights

Any number of destinations from this list can be combined in a customised tour itinerary for your school or university group. Enquire now.

Vietnam

  • Visit the bustling capitol of Hanoi
  • Cruise the beautiful Ha Long Bay
  • Stroll through the markets at Hoi An
  • See the other side of history at the War Remnants Museum
  • Watch a service at a Cao Daism temple
  • Crawl the guerrilla tunnels at Cu Chi
  • Snorkel at Cu Lao Cham Island
  • …and so much more!

 

Cambodia

  • Barter at the Russian Markets
  • Feed elephants at a Wildlife Refuge
  • Scale the halls of the Royal Palace
  • Reflect at the S21 Secret Prison & Killing Fields
  • Give to children at a Khmer school
  • Explore ancient temples at Angkor!
  • …and so much more!

Indonesia

  • Trek through the jungle with wild orangutans
  • Paddle along a pristine river via inner-tube
  • Find peace in a stunning Hindu Temple!
  • Visit Palm Oil Plantations and Processing Plants
  • Enjoy a performance of Balinese Topeng Mask Theatre
  • …and so much more!

West Papua (Indonesia)

  • Experience the best coral reefs in the world at Raja Ampat
  • Swim with manta rays at Kabui Bay
  • Look out for world-famed birds of paradise on Waigeo Island
  • Swim in a turtle sanctuary at the tiny island of Piai
  • Hop between karst “mushroom islands” in the Wayag Island group
  • Watch Pacific leatherback turtles nesting at Vogelkop Peninsula
  • …and so much more!

India

  • Experience the energy and traffic of New Delhi
  • Stand in awe of the incredible Taj Mahal!
  • Walk the colourful halls of Jaipur (the ‘Pink City’)
  • Visit Varanasi, one of the world’s oldest inhabited and one of India’s holiest cities
  • Go white water rafting on the river Ganges!
  • Help prepare a meal in the community kitchen at Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, Sikh temple
  • …and so much more!

Malaysia

  • Relax on the beaches markets of Kota Kinabalu or visit its floating mosque!
  • Snorkel the amazing Tunku Adbul Rahman and Turtle Island Marine Parks
  • Meet the families of Kundat as they share their homes, crafts and stories with you
  • Volunteer at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
  • Hike Mount Kota Kinabalu
  • Explore the spectacular Mulu Caves National Park
  • Cycle by the Chinese temples of Penang!
  • Visit the tea plantations and strawberry farms of the Cameron Highlands
  • …and so much more!

Myanmar

  • Visit the golden Shwedagon Pagoda
  • Cycle between ancient temples in Bagan
  • Trek the Shan Hills and mingle with the tea growers from one of South East Asia’s oldest hill tribes, the Palaung people!
  • Cruise through fishing villages on Inle Lake
  • Visit a Mangrove Restoration Project
  • …and so much more!

Singapore

  • Embark on a Night Safari at Singapore Zoo
  • Investigate sustainable city planning and development on a Downtown City Tour
  • Explore Gardens by the Bay (including “Flower Dome” and “Cloud Forest”)
  • Dine on the famous Esplanade while street artists play
  • Spend a day at Juron Bird Park
  • Visit Singapore’s historic Chinatown
  • Learn where it all began at Asian Civilisations Museum
  • …and so much more!

Thailand

  • Explore the Buddhist landmarks of Bangkok
  • Take a longboat ride through Damnoen Saduak Floating Markets
  • Discover traditional arts and crafts at Wat Puak Tam artisan village
  • Lisu Village homestay
  • Cycle tour and taste testing at tea plantations
  • Kayak Phang Nga Bay in Phuket
  • …and so much more!

More Information

Tour Outcomes
  • Enhancement of curricular learning through the contextualisation of course content
  • Appreciation for the diversity of cultures that exist on Earth
  • Respect for people who abide by different beliefs and cultural practices
  • Sense of adventure and a willingness to try new things (including food)
  • Independence in learning and problem solving
  • Expansion of vocabulary in one or more languages
  • Memories of a truly unique and life-changing experience
Example Itinerary 1: Highlights of Indochina

Below is an example itinerary with a focus on culture in Vietnam and Cambodia.

Day 1 Australia -> Kuala Lumpur
Day 2 Arrive in Hanoi (Vietnam) for a city tour. Evening Water Puppet show
Day 3 Cruise & stay the night on a ‘Junk Boat’ in World Heritage listed Ha Long Bay
Day 4 Explore the karsts and caves of Ha Long Bay
Day 5 Travel to Da Nang and wander Hoi An’s old town
Day 6 Homestay at Bai Lang Village on Cu Lao Cham Island
Day 7 Snorkel Cham Island and Hoi An Markets
Day 8 My Son Ruins and travel to Ho Chi Minh City
Day 9 War Remnants Museum and City Tour
Day 10 Cu Chi Tunnels then travel to Pnomh Penh (Cambodia)
Day 11 Volunteer at HIV/AIDS Education and Care Project then visit Night Markets
Day 12 Visit S21 Secret Prison and Killing Fields then visit Russian Markets
Day 13 Travel to Siem Reap via a village where tarantula is a delicacy! Night Markets
Day 14 Tonle Sap and Prek Toal Floating Village (with school donation)
Day 15 Angkor Temple Complex
Day 16 Siem Reap -> Kuala Lumpur
Day 17 Kuala Lumpur -> Australia

 

Example Itinerary 2: Highlights of South East Asia

Below is an example itinerary with a focus on culture and environment in Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia.

Day 1 Australia -> Kuala Lumpur
Day 2 Arrive at Da Nang (Vietnam) to visit the My son Ruins
Day 3 Hoi An Markets and Handicraft Workshops (silk-weaving and embroidery)
Day 4 Homestay at Bai Lang Village on Cu Lao Cham Island
Day 5 Snorkel Cham Island and travel to Ho Chi Minh City
Day 6 War Remnants Museum and Peace Village. Evening Water Puppet show
Day 7 Cu Chi Tunnels and Cao Dai Temple
Day 8 Travel to Pnomh Penh (Cambodia). Visit S21 Secret Prison and Killing Fields
Day 9 Volunteer at HIV/AIDS Education and Care Project then visit Russian Markets
Day 10 Travel to Siem Reap via a village where tarantula is a delicacy! Night Markets
Day 11 Tonle Sap and Prek Toal Floating Village (with school donation)
Day 12 Angkor Temple Complex
Day 13 Travel to eco-lodge in Gunung Leuser National Park (Indonesia)
Day 14 Jungle Trek with a night spend at a Jungle campsite
Day 15 Return to the Eco-lodge by inner-tube and visit a Palm Oil Processing Plant
Day 16 Medan -> Kuala Lumpur
Day 17 Kuala Lumpur -> Australia
Example Itinerary 3: Singapore and China

Below is an example itinerary with a focus on design technology in China and Singapore.

Day 1 Arrive in Singapore for a Night Safari at Singapore Zoo
Day 2 Gardens by the Bay including “Flower Dome” and “Cloud Forest”
Day 3 Visit innovative green buildings at Nanyang University and Park Royal Hotel
Day 4 Juron Bird Park, Botanic Gardens and historic China Town
Day 5 Asian Civillisations Museum and city tour then travel to Bejing (China)
Day 6 Tianjin Eco-city and Qilihai National Wetland Park
Day 7 China Porcelain House Museum and Palace of Queen of Heaven
Day 8 Hike the Great Wall of China and walk the Sacred Way to the Changling Tomb
Day 9 Forbidden City then dinner with a Sichuan Opera show
Day 10 Travel to Shanghai for Yu Garden and City God Temple
Day 11 Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Centre and “GoodtoChina” visit
Day 12 Shanghai -> Kuala Lumpur
Day 13 Kuala Lumpur -> Australia

 

Example Itinerary 4: Magnificent Malaysia

Below is an example itinerary with a focus on culture and environment in Malaysia.

Day 1 Arrive in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) to explore the city and the beaches
Day 2 White Water Rafting followed by Snorkeling in Abdul Rahman Marine Park
Day 3 Travel to Kudat and visit the Rungus people
Day 4 Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
Day 5 Turtle Island Park
Day 6 Hike Mount Kota Kinabalu
Day 7-9 Mulu Caves National Park
Day 10 Travel to Kuala Lumpur and visit Petronas Towers and Butterfly Park
Day 11 Batu Caves
Day 12 Orang Asli Museum and Chinatown Night Markets
Day 13 Cycle Tour of Penang
Day 14-15 Lankawi Island
Day 16 Cameron Highlands
Day 17 Visit school in Kuala Lumpur to provide much needed supplies
Day 18-19 Tioman volcanic island
Day 20 Kuala Lumpur -> Australia
Example Itinerary 5: Conservation in Action

Below is an example itinerary with a focus on the environments of Indonesia.

Day 1 Arrive in Medan (Indonesia)
Day 2 Check into eco lodge at Bukit Lawang and hike to Bat Cave
Day 3 Jungle Trek
Day 4 Return to eco lodge via inner-tube then visit Palm Oil Processing Plant
Day 5 Lake Toba and Gunung Leuser National Park
Day 6 Arrive at Palau Banyak for Kayaking, Fishing or ESL Volunteering
Day 7 Palau Bangkaru for Sea Turtle Conservation Program
Day 8 Beach Patrol and Bird/Reptile Survey at Palau Bangkaru
Day 9 Return to Medan and visit local markets
Day 10 Polonia -> Australia
Example Itinerary 6: Asia Tour

Below is an example itinerary with a focus on culture in Japan, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Day 1 Arrive in Tokyo (Japan)
Day 2 Imperial Palace, Asakusa and Tokyo Skytree
Day 3 Word Heritage Listed Kiyomizu Temple and Kodaji Temple. Cultural show
Day 4 Bullet train from Kyoto to Hiroshima. Peace Memorial Park and ‘Atomic Bomb Dome’
Day 5 Kyoto Handicraft Centre, Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-ji (Golden Temple) and Bamboo Forest
Day 6 Arrive in Bangkok (Thailand). Dinner and cultural show
Day 7 Grand Palace, Wat Pho’s ‘reclining Buddha’ and Chao Praya River cruise
Day 8 Floating markets and Hua-Hin Beach
Day 9 Erawan Waterfall and Taweechai Elephant Camp
Day 10 Chatuchak Market and Bangkok National Museum Day
Day 11 Travel to Siem Reap (Cambodia). Dinner and cultural show
Day 12 Angkor Temple Complex
Day 13 Return to Angkor Temple Complex then Siem Reap Night Markets
Day 14 Travel to Pnomh Penh via a village where tarantula is a delicacy!
Day 15 S21 Secret Prison and Killing Fields
Day 16 Volunteer at HIV/AIDS Education and Care Project then visit Russian Markets
Day 17 Travel to Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam). War Remnants Museum and city tour
Day 18 Cu Chi Tunnels
Day 19 Ho Chi Minh City -> Auckland
Day 20 Auckland à Australia