For younger travelers, how you explore a destination is becoming just as important as where you go. That shift is helping shape a new style of adventure travel, and Contiki is leaning into the trend with two new Southeast Asia itineraries designed to get travelers closer to the action.
Launching for departures beginning in November 2026, the travel company’s latest trips through Vietnam and Cambodia ditch the traditional motorcoach model in favor of local transportation experiences that feel far more immersive. Instead of spending hours behind the windows of a tour bus, travelers will navigate bustling city streets by Vespa, cruise through rural villages on motorbikes, and explore Cambodia’s countryside by tuk tuk.
It’s a move that reflects changing travel preferences among younger adventurers. According to Contiki’s recent Voice of a Generation survey, 82 percent of respondents said they are interested in more movement-focused and active travel experiences. Rather than simply arriving at a destination, many travelers want the journey itself to feel like part of the adventure.
Ride Cambodia: Exploring Beyond the Tourist Trail
Cambodia takes center stage in Contiki’s new Ride Cambodia itinerary, an eight-day trip that explores the country entirely by tuk tuk. Designed for smaller groups of up to 14 travelers, the itinerary takes guests beyond major tourist hubs and into lesser-visited communities.
The journey begins in Siem Reap, where travelers can witness sunrise over the iconic Angkor Wat, one of Southeast Asia’s most celebrated landmarks and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
From there, the adventure moves deeper into rural Cambodia, with tuk tuk rides along dirt roads and through rice fields. One of the standout experiences includes an overnight homestay in Kampong Khleang on Tonle Sap Lake, offering travelers a closer look at life on Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake.
The itinerary also includes a visit to Sambor Prei Kuk, another UNESCO-listed archaeological site that remains far less crowded than Cambodia’s better-known temples.
The trip concludes in Phnom Penh with visits to the deeply moving Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Choeung Ek Genocidal Center, offering important historical context to the country’s past.
Ride Vietnam: Two Wheels Through Central Vietnam
For travelers looking for a faster-paced journey, Ride Vietnam delivers six days of exploration across central Vietnamusing Vespas and motorbikes.
The trip begins in Hoi An, where travelers can explore the city’s famous lantern-lit streets on an evening Vespa food tour.
The itinerary also ventures into the countryside, passing rice paddies, artisan villages, and scenic rural roads that offer a more intimate view of daily life in central Vietnam.
Another highlight is a motorbike food tour through Da Nang, where travelers can sample local street food while exploring the city after dark.
Perhaps the biggest thrill of the trip is a full-day ride across the legendary Hai Van Pass — one of Southeast Asia’s most scenic coastal roads — complete with stops at freshwater springs and sweeping ocean views along the route.
Why This Travel Trend Is Gaining Momentum
These new itineraries tap into a growing desire for travel experiences that feel more authentic, active, and connected to local culture. For many younger travelers, hopping on the back of a motorbike or navigating remote villages by tuk tuk creates a far more memorable story than simply being transported from one attraction to the next.
With smaller group sizes, local drivers, and transportation that becomes part of the adventure itself, Contiki’s latest itineraries offer a fresh way to experience two of Southeast Asia’s most fascinating destinations.
For travelers craving something more immersive in 2026, these rides may be worth adding to the bucket list.
