Asia travel route

WHERE TO START IN YOUR SOUTHEAST ASIA ROUTE. A lot of backpackers start in Bangkok, Thailand. If your budget permits, fly to the country where you really want to start. Visit the UNESCO world heritage city of Luang Prabang, known for its French colonial architecture and.

Whether you’re into diving, hiking or climbing, this continent’s got it all.

So let’s make it easy. Start in colonial streets of Hanoi (1), the country’s historical, political and cultural capital. Go for a sail around the famed natural wonders of Ha Long Bay (2), before heading to the northern hills to the ethnic minority villages orbiting Sa Pa(3). Take the train down to imperial architecture of Hué (4), make a day-trip to the DMZ, then move south to charming Hoi An (5). Da Lat (8) is your gateway to the Central Highlands, and from here you can strike southwest to reach bustling Ho Chi Minh City (9).

See full list on roughguides. Catch a boat to Hpa-an (3) before visiting one of the holiest Buddhist sites in the country, Kyaiktiyo(4). Kalaw (5) is a perfect base for treks to ethnic-minority villages, and traditional life at Inle Lake (6) shouldn’t be missed either.

Watch the sunset over Mandalay (7), then head northeast to stroll the botanical gardens at Pyin Oo Lwin(8). Take the train across the Goteik viaduct to Hsipaw (9), an increasingly popular trekking base and finish with a hot-air-balloon ride over the awe-inspiring temples of Bagan(10). Begin with the unmissable two-day trip down the Mekong River from Houayxai to Luang Prabang (1), the city of golden spires.

Then its off to the stunning natural playground of Vang Vieng (2), before venturing to the country’s quaint capital, Vientiane(3). Enjoy the pretty French-colonial lanes of Savannakhet (4) and explore the Khmer ruins of Wat Phou near Champasak (5). Set course towards Si Phan Don (6) to chill out for a few days in one of the four thousand islands scattered across the Mekong River.

Catch a mini-bus to Cambodiafor river dolphin watching in Kratie (7). An easy bus ride takes you from Phnom Penh (8) to Siem Reap, where the world-famous temples of Angkor (9) beg to be explored. But if you’re feeling a little travel-worn afterwards kick back on the beach resort and offshore islands of Sihanoukville (10) or laze riverside in relaxed Kampot(11). After immersing yourself in Bangkok (1), Thailand’s frenetic and thriving capital, chill-out among the rafthouses and waterfalls of Kanchanaburi (2). Rent a bicycle to explore the ancient ruins of Ayutthaya (3) and then make for the elegant temple remains in Sukhothai (4).

To break free of the tourist route head to isolated Umphang(5), where the surrounding mountains are perfect for trekking. Chaing Mai (6) is always a backpacking favourite, but an amble through the arty night markets and excellent live-music bars of Pai(7) shouldn’t be missed either. Trek through the jungle in Khao Sok National Park (4) ­– one of the most bio-diverse places on the planet – and as you move further south, consider a stop in the slightly ugly tourist village of Ko Phi Phi(5) for undeniably fun all-night parties, snorkelling and diving.

Continue south to the relaxed island getaway of Ko Lanta (6), before winding this itinerary down in the pockets of paradise still remaining in Ko Lipe (7) and the stunning Ko Tarutai National Marine Parknearby. But move on to Melaka (2) for a fascinating mix of cultures and an ideal first stop in Malaysia.

Kuala Lumpur (3) is a must, as is former-colonial George Town (4), with its thriving food and arts scenes. Next, make some time to relax on the beaches of the Perhentian Islands (5) before heading to the rainforests of Taman Negara National Park (6), before catching a ride on the jungle railway to Kota Bharu. Attractive Kuching (7) is an ideal base for visits to the Iban longhouses, and a journey along the 560km Batang Rajang (8) river into the heart of Sarawakis unforgettable.

Nature and adventure buffs alike will love Gunung Mulu National Park (9), Kinabalu National Park (10) and the wildlife outside of Sandakan (11). Finish this itinerary among the teeming marine life of Pulau Sipadan(12), one of the top dive sites in the world. There’s plenty to discover by starting in Sumatra’s Bukit Lawang and Danau Toba(1), the famous orang-utan centre, soaring volcanoes and island retreats among them.

Take time to explore Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta (2), before moving on to Java cultural heart: Yogyakarta (3), the best base for the temples of Borobudur and Prambanan. Take a pre-dawn hike up to the crater rim of still-smoking Gunung Bromo (4), adventure the many wonders of Hindu Bali and hop over the Lombok (6) and the Gili Islandsfor adventures in paradise. Enjoy close encouters with Komodo dragons in Komodo and Rinca (7) before heading to the mountainous landscapes of fertile Flores (8). Finish up on Sulawesi, immersed in the flamboyant festivals and fascinating culture of Tanah Toraja(9).

Start by soaking up the compelling energy of Manila(1), a convenient gateway to some of the country’s more inaccessible areas. Surfers flock to the acclaimed reef breaks of Siargao (5), while the captivating sunsets and limited electricity at both Malapascuaand Bantayan (6) typifies island living at its best. Boracay (7) also shouldn’t be misse home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches and nightlife rivalling Manila.

Conclude this itinerary in the cool mountain villages of the Igorot tribes in the Cordillera(8), nestled among jaw-dropping rice-terrace scenery. A Unique, Unforgettable Way To Experience Central Asia. Call Today For Details. Book Now Your Next Flight! From the nomadic steppes of Kazakhstan to the frenetic streets of Hanoi, Asia is a continent so full of intrigue, adventure, solace and spirituality that it has fixated and confounded travellers for centuries.

Whatever kind of Asia trip you have in min we are here to help you plan your route as much, or as little, as you prefer with an Asia trip planner and route planner. Take a look and see if our join-in Small Group Trips sound like your style of travel , or start with our Custom Journey route planner to design your trip of a lifetime, from the. Offering some of the most diverse travel options in the worl Asia covers a huge area from the snowy Siberian fields in the east, to the sun-kissed beaches of the Black Sea in the west. Popular Travel Routes Asia as a region is very large and diverse.

There are many different travel routes through the region and each will show you a different culture and environment. Asia Travel Highlights China Tours and Beyond. China is the fastest developing country in the world. Beijing’s highlights include the Great Wall and the Imperial Palace, also known as the Forbidden City. Starting in Bangkok, we travel north to explore northern Thailan then east to cross the border into Laos.

Check out the map below. We travel south down the length of Laos and into Cambodia, and then to proceed to southern Vietnam. Read the itinerary I described above in Route B until Kazakhstan. Roughly apple-shape you'd think Cambodia would be ideal for circular routes , but the road network isn't really laid out that way.

This means you'll most likely find yourself through some towns more than once, so work them into your plans. All the latest travel news - both travel trade and consumer - from the Asia Pacific region and elsewhere around the world brought to you daily. We cover the aviation industry, hotel industry, travel technology and trends, industry appointments, sport tourism and much, much more.

Southeast Asia is one of the most popular backpacking spots in the world.