Traveling Asia: The Philippines (World Travels Book 1)
Contents:
Mandalay has a large collection of temples and pagodas and Inle Lake offers the opportunity to view colourful country life. Take a boat ride on the lake and observe the fascinating fishing villages. Jodhpur has the immense and stunning Mehrangarh Fort located on the top of a hill. For beaches and history, head to Goa and for animal viewing, Ranthambore Tiger Sanctuary. For something unusual, check out the erotic temple carvings in Khajuraho. For ambience and an insight into the Hindu way of life, visit Varanasi and take an early morning boat ride on the River Ganges.
Travel south to the attractive city of Cochin for Portuguese influences and the nearby fascinating backwaters of Kerala. The capital, Kathmandu will make you feel as if time has stopped still with its medieval atmosphere, palaces and Buddhist and Hindu temples. Nearby Bhaktapur is known for its woodcarvings, pottery and cloth weaving. Nepal is the place for treks, easy or hard, short or long. Many of these start in the scenic resort of Pokhara located on a beautiful lake. Animal lovers will enjoy a jungle safari in Royal Chitwan National Park.
Sandwiched between India, China and Nepal, Bhutan is a unique and mysterious country full of colourful Buddhist monasteries, museums and local markets. It also has stunning scenery including snow-capped peak and wooded valleys. It is a great place to experience resplendent festivals which take place constantly. It is also home to the Gobi Desert which is made up of mountains and forests as well as sand dunes.
Try a stay here in a traditional yurt for a unique experience. Ulan Bator , which combines the traditional and the modern, is the place to see locals who still dress in their traditional clothes. Mongolia also has a number of national parks and nature reserves. Sri Lanka offers a combination of attractions such as excellent beaches, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. The capital Colombo offers museums, art galleries, an old fort and beaches. Kandy is the home of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth and an elephant orphanage. The Yala National Park is a special wildlife sanctuary.
The Maldives are a group of delightful coral islands where you can really escape. Here you can have your own overwater bungalow and truly be in paradise.
Backpacking Southeast Asia Travel Guide 2018
Time will definitely slow down for you here! So, the total mystery of Asia will not be experienced after just one visit and a glimpse of it will probably cause an unavoidable desire to return there. Book your Asia tours today A combination of three totally different aspects of Thailand — lively Bangkok with its Grand Palace and temples, Chiang Mai with its quiet charm and scenery and Ko Samui, a charming beach resort. Enter your email below and stay up to date with the latest travel info and the hottest destinations!
Destinations Cook Islands Croatia Fiji. Greece Indonesia Bali Maldives. Destinations Regions Arctic Antarctica. Company History Goway's Early Days. The World of Travel in Goway Timeline. Group Service Repeat Passenger Privileges. Careers Different Jobs at Goway. Train to be an Expert. Why Work at Goway. Specials Trip Finder Brochures Menu. Vacations to China China is the fastest developing country in the world thus providing the opportunity to see where this destination is heading as well as being able to experience its year history.
A Tour of Macau Not far away on a short ferry ride is Macau with its Portuguese influences reflected in its architecture, churches, fortresses and cuisine. Travel to Taiwan Taiwan is a country with many natural attributes with a steep mountain chain running from north to south, lush forests, lakes and an abundance of natural beauty. Malaysia with some Adventure There are many special attractions in Malaysia. That said, backpacking Thailand is a total blast and a definite right of passage for first-time backpackers looking to sink their teeth into Southeast Asia.
Check out my Thailand Backpacking Guide. Over the last few decades, Vietnam has charged to the head of the line as a top destination for backpackers. Delicious cuisine, low prices, historical sights, mind-boggling beauty are just a few of the draws that make up the charm in Vietnam. Backpacking Vietnam offers an incredible opportunity to get off the beaten track… Explore dramatic mountains in the North, stop in for some corn wine and a friendly chat with the locals before heading south to party the night away…. If you are wanting to explore Southeast Asia by motorbike then Vietnam is the best place to start — the country is long and thin, so perfect for a road trip and bikes with Vietnamese plates can enter most other countries in Southeast Asia this is pretty unique.
Check out my Vietnam Backpacking Guide.
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Laos is truly a special country in Southeast Asia and one that has managed to retain its easy-going identity in the era of mass-tourism. Wild jungles, river deltas, smiling locals, and amazing treks make Laos the backpacking paradise that it is. Northern Laos experiences cooler temperatures in the mountains and rainforest.
While the south is more of the agricultural heart of the country. Each hold substantial significance for backpackers. Laos is the perfect country for backpackers wanting to experience Southeast Asia within a short time frame. One can easily see the highlights and experience the country off the beaten path in 2 weeks to a month. Take it easy though. Laos is a country that is not to be rushed through. You will see when you get your boots on the ground that nothing happens quickly in Laos anyway… This is a land of chill.
Check out my Laos Backpacking Guide. The temples at Angkor Wat are an obvious draw to Cambodia and are truly impressive. Cambodia is a country rich in culture, beautiful beaches and islands, the Mekong River Delta, and bustling markets. The nation of Cambodia is a country still pulling out of an extremely dark recent past.
It happened only 35 — 40 years ago and is still very fresh and raw to the Cambodian people. Despite the tragic history, the local Khmer people are some of the kindest humans in the world. The country is still recuperating, rebuilding and moving forward, however, corruption is hindering its rehabilitation. Check out my Cambodia Backpacking Guide. In recent years, backpacker travel to Myanmar has exploded.
The country has been opening its doors to foreigners for the first time and travelers are flooding in. There are some truly epic travel experiences to be had in Myanmar. The temples at Bagan are unbelievably beautiful and are best explored by e-bike. Bring along a good tent and camp out so you can catch the sunrise over the temples. I first visited Myanmar in and fell head over heels in love, it was one of the most rewarding countries I had ever traveled too and blew my mind. Whilst Myanmar is one of the best backpacking adventures to be had in Southeast Asia, the current political situation there has put a dark cloud over the country.
Because of the unspeakable actions of the government, Myanmar finds itself on my country blacklist for the time being. You should NOT travel to Myanmar at the moment. The Myanmar government is waging a campaign of genocide against the Rohingya people. Check out my Myanmar Travel Guide Here. I fucking love Malaysia. Somehow, Malaysia has managed to stay below the radar of the general population of backpackers on the Southeast Asia backpacking circuit.
To write off Malaysia as uninteresting would be a mistake! Malaysia should be your next backpacking destination! For one, I found Malaysia to have some of the lowest prices in all of Southeast Asia. The country is extremely clean, the roads are in great shape, and the people speak decent English. Malaysia is also a majority Muslim country, which I found to be a stark contrast to the Buddhist majorities of the countries to the north.
Also, the diving is better in my opinion. The coral reefs are not experiencing the same level of bleaching as they are in Thailand. I saw plenty of turtles, sharks, and more vibrant reef systems generally. Malaysia is also home to the worlds oldest rainforest at Taman Negara. A trek there is not to be missed! Then there is Malaysian Borneo. That said, there are giant swaths of the island that are still wild and teaming with rhinoceros, orangutangs, and other rare wildlife.
I look forward to my triumphant return to Malaysia someday soon! Check out my Malaysia Travel Guide. Singapore is the smallest country to make our list. This tropical island city-state nation might be a blip on the map, but it is a regional economic and cultural powerhouse. Backpacking Singapore has the reputation of being an expensive place to visit in South East Asia.
Whilst Singapore is certainly more expensive when compared to its relatively cheap neighbors, there is still plenty to do for backpackers on a budget. Some of the best street food in SEA can be found amongst the food stalls of the various markets. Singapore is a multi-cultural melting pot so it is possible to taste the influences of many different cultures in a single dish. Rub elbows with locals and chow down on some epically delicious cheap eats. Just based on the neighboorhood names alone, you can gather that many ethnic groups are represented across this city-country.
If you are visiting Singapore for a couple days or more, be sure to check out the nature reserves surrounding the city. Singapore is a city that has something for every backpacker. Whether you are just passing through or coming to SEA specifically to backpack Singapore, you can be sure that there is always something awesome and tasty to get into here. Check out my Singapore Travel Guide.
Singapore is a great place for backpackers who love efficient cities or just love to eat! As a vast archipelago nation composed of over 17, islands, Indonesia is one of the most fascinating countries in the world. The country is so big and so spread out that exploring it can feel overwhelming. Backpacking Indonesia is an adventure like no other. For starters, you can climb active volcanoes, encounter orangutans in the jungle, visit ancient temples, and enjoy world-class diving.
Bali is definitely the backpacker magnet of Indonesia. And for good reason. Along with a blossoming digital nomad scene, Bali is surf and party central. If you are wanting to become a yoga teacher, there are countless programs being offered all across the island. Bali is worth a visit, but be sure to visit some of the other islands as well. Though fun, I would argue that Bali is not at all what the rest of Indonesia feels like.
The country is jam-packed with off the beaten path exploration potential. Get yourself out there and explore some of them and you will quickly fall in love with this massive island nation. Check out my Indonesia Travel Guide. Cheap beer, beautiful beaches, adrenaline pumping activities and some of the most friendly, genuine, people in all of Asia; the Philippines truly captured my heart.
I made some incredible friends in the Philippines and I have to say, it is one of the easiest countries in the world to travel around as the locals are so friendly. There are thousands of islands to choose from. This translates into world-class scuba diving, snorkeling, and fishing. If you have never tried spear fishing, you should absolutely give it a go. If you love trekking like me, then you will be pleased to find some epic hiking opportunities in the Philippines.
Caves, rivers, mountains, you name it, one can find all the outdoor playgrounds here. There are endless trekking options in the Philippines: The Philippines is home to 25 active volcanoes that can be climbed to the summit! Check out my Philippines Travel Guide.
Southeast Asia is the mecca for budget travel in the world. Some countries in Southeast Asia are more expensive than others. Accommodation is probably most expensive in Myanmar due to the lack of budget hostels. The cost of a trip to Thailand is not as dirt cheap as you might think. Generally speaking, any of the islands you visit whilst backpacking Southeast Asia will be more expensive than the mainland. Creating the right Southeast Asia budget for yourself is the key to a successful backpacking adventure.
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Traveling in Southeast Asia should never be super expensive. With a few travel hacks up your sleeve, you will save a ton of money and have the time of your life. Be sure to up your haggle game to ensure you get the best possible price for things, including accommodation.
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Remember to always save some cash to do something truly special like going scuba diving with whale sharks or taking a ride in a hot air balloon over the temples of Bagan. Here is a breakdown of what you can expect to pay on a daily basis whilst backpacking Southeast Asia…. With plenty of untouched beaches, forest, stunning countryside, and far-flung jungle, Southeast Asia can be a great place to pitch a tent for the night.
Camping saves you money and can help you get off of the beaten path. Southeast Asia has plenty of palm trees and hammock ready beaches. A hammock is perfect for those kinds of dreamy beach scenes. Cook your own food: If you plan to do some overnight hiking trips or camping on the beach, having a backpacking stove will be a great asset. SouthEast Asian locals are awesome. Get to know some! Check out Couchsurfing to make some real friendships and see a country from the perspective of locals.
When using Couchsurfing, be sure to send personalized messages to your potential host. A generic copy and paste message are much more likely to get turned down. Make yourself stand out. Long term travel is awesome. Giving back is awesome too. Backpackers can spend long periods of time volunteering in an awesome place without spending any money. Meaningful life and travel experiences are rooted in stepping out of your comfort zone and into the world of a purposeful project. World Packers opens the doors for work opportunities in hostels, homestays, NGOs and eco-projects around the world.
Volunteering around the world enables you to experience a country from a different perspective and travel on a broke backpackers budget. Not picked the perfect travel backpack yet? The Broke Backpacker team has tried out over thirty backpacks this year! Just use the code: Check out this post to read our full review! Traveling in South East Asia long-term? Keen to make some cash when you are not exploring? Teaching English online is a great way to earn a consistent income—from anywhere in the world with a good internet connection.
Check out this detailed article for everything you need to know to start teaching English online. In addition to giving you the qualifications to teach English online, TEFL courses open up a huge range of opportunities and you can find teaching work all over the world. To find out more about TEFL courses and how you can teach English around the world, read my in-depth report on teaching English abroad.
Whether you are keen to teach English online or looking to take your teaching game a step further by finding a job teaching English in a foreign country, getting your TEFL certificate is absolutely a step in the right direction. Security Belt with Hidden Pocket: I never hit the road without my security belt. This is a regular looking belt with a concealed pocket on the inside — you can hide up to twenty notes inside and wear it through airport scanners without it setting them off.
This is hands down the best way to hide your cash. AR bottle are tough, lightweight and maintain the temperature of your beverage — so you can enjoy a cold red bull, or a hot coffee, no matter where you are. Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be. I would never travel without a headtorch.
Even if you only end up using it once, a decent head torch could save your life. If you want to explore caves, unlit temples or simply find your way to the bathroom during a blackout, a headtorch is a must. Taking a tent backpacking is not always practical but hammocks are lightweight, cheap, strong, sexy chicks dig hammocks and allow you to pitch up for the night pretty much anywhere. Southeast Asia has a ton of budget accommodation options for backpackers. They make it very easy to pick the right hostel for yourself in any given place! Check out these super detailed Southeast Asia hostel guides by city or region: Ho Chi Minh City.
Due to the great distances involved when we are talking about ALL of Southeast Asia, the weather can really vary. The really popular guesthouses fill up fast. It is best to avoid northern areas of Thailand during February to April as the burning season starts and mountains will slowly be covered in smoke. When we are talking about Indonesia for example, keep in mind that Indonesia is WAY farther south and nearer to the equator.
The weather in Indonesia can be loosely applied to Malaysia as well. Generally speaking, there are two seasons in Indonesia — wet and dry. In most parts of the country, the dry season lasts from May to September. Of course, this is also the most popular time to visit. Consider visiting in either May or September if you want to try and avoid the massive summer crowd, especially on Bali. Most of the rain in Indonesia falls from October to April, with some regional variations.
Those looking to do some serious trekking or diving may want to try and plan a trip in the dry season. These are some of my favorite travel reads and books set in Southeast Asia which you should consider picking up before you begin your Southeast Asia trip…. First They Killed My Father: From a childhood survivor of the Cambodian genocide under the regime of Pol Pot, this is a riveting narrative of war crimes and desperate actions, the unnerving strength of a small girl and her family, and their triumph of spirit.
We have all seen the movie. This classic backpacker epic is even better in print. The River of Lost Footsteps: What do we really know about Burma and its history? For nearly two decades Western governments and a growing activist community have been frustrated in their attempts to bring about a freer and more democratic Burma? A handful of Englishmen living in a settlement in Burma congregate in the European Club, drink whiskey, and argue over an impending order to admit a token Asian. Lonely Planet Southeast Asia: Plenty of useful and practical information for getting around Southeast Asia on a budget.
Budget flights throughout the region will almost certainly having you passing through one of those airports. If you are looking to do the classic Southeast Asia Loop or the Banana Pancake Trail, then starting off in Bangkok is the obvious choice. Flights into Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are getting increasingly less expensive as well, so keep an eye out if the prices keep falling. I expect to have recovery in a few more days and then I should be able to head out to the islands and mountain you suggested.
Stay safe out there! Shelby Reply November 20, at 8: I just found your blog and I love your advice so far. I was wondering if you had any suggestions for getting from Cambodia to Southern Thailand. Would I have to go through Bangkok again or is there an alternate route? Also, are you Czech? Marek Reply November 21, at Rich Reply November 15, at Are Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam best saved until later in the year, with lower temperatures but more rain?
Or, would it be possible to spend January-February there, before moving on to other countries in the region? Marek Reply November 15, at 7: Rich Reply November 16, at 4: Thanks for the helpful, prompt response and keep up the good work. Samar Misra Reply November 9, at 4: Thank you so much Marek!! Truly appreciate this and so interesting how your advice resonates with what my cousin advised earlier of best to spend 2 countries per month to get the most of it and not feel rushed as I prefer. Also, I like staying on a budget in a simple, yet safe way and never have really been into luxury and more into dissecting local culture.
My plan was to visit Thailand,Cambodia and Vietnam as the minimum leaving a 35 days for them 3 and possibly squeezing in Laos. Nice how you suggested 1st to leave out is Laos due to time factor and I have usually been more into seeing Thailand, Cambodia and especially Vietnam as I have many cool Vietnamese acquaintances back in USA whom I really like and really always wanted to visit Vietnam. According to my plan, I am thinking of travelling from December 28th, to February 2nd, and heading to Singapore on Feb 3rd from one of those countries spend weekend with relatives and see Singapore for a day before heading to USA.
Did you ever book a tour package or have a tour guide? On a budget, what do you recommend doing when looking into hostels as well as the best way for doing site-seeing and tours on your own? What do you advise for a Vegan like me who wants to visit Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and possibly Laos?
Travel Guide to Backpacking Southeast Asia on a budget: get the Dive in and discover some of the world's best and cheapest scuba diving 12Go lets you book trains, buses and ferries and charges way less . This is one of the most famous beaches in the Philippines due to its incredible sand. Here is the ultimate Southeast Asia travel budget you only need! how to book the cheapest flight from everywhere in the world get another visa if you want to stay longer); Philippines – 1 month (or more) since this country.
How do you deal with the horrific dilemmas of not being ripped off or demanded to pay a fee as a foreigner to see certain tour sites? Marek Reply November 9, at Not everything is always completely easy to do independently. Yeah those estimates do include sightseeing and transportation and such. It also assumes you mostly eat local food and use accommodation that is basic. Always haggle a bit if you can.
Ruthie Reply May 4, at 4: Hi Samar, how is the availability of vegan food? When I was in Thailand about 4 years ago it was very hard to eat. Shawn Walters Reply September 29, at 3: The best way to get around each country? Marek Reply October 2, at 6: For instance, if you have a week in Vietnam you might want to focus specifically on Saigon and the south. For visiting 5 countries, 8 weeks total will give you a lot more flexibility than 6 though. You could have a look around for open jaw options but buying two singles can often be quite a bit more expensive, though it does save you some flight time.
I am asking for some advice oh no not another one haha I have 12 weeks 3 months in SEA and landing in Bangkok this October eek. I am wanting to do Cambodia, laos and Vietnam. I was thinking of doing a month in each but now am unsure if I should spend more time in Vietnam and less in Laos? The only issues would be is paying for a more expensive Vietnamese visa for 90 days around 90GBP but will it be worth it?
So maybe around 3. Sorry for all the questions! Marek Reply September 29, at 4: I can definitely see arguments in favor of spending a bit more time in Vietnam, as Laos and Cambodia are both a bit smaller and have somewhat fewer sights. That said I spent a month in Vietnam maxing out the normal visa and felt this was enough to get all the main highlights from north to south. Kaeleb Reply September 22, at Me and my girlfriend are planning on doing the 2 month route.
We are leaving from Bali and are wondering if we can start in Cambodia and go this way around. Would there be any issues with travel? Also is the season too rainy to start in Cambodia this time of year? Would you recommend starting in Bangkok and up to Chiang mai instead? Marek Reply September 25, at J Reply September 11, at 5: I wanted to ask what were you using for cell phone service? Did you have a SIM card for each country? Or did you find yourself not needing it as much? Would love to get your opinion on that.
Marek Reply September 11, at 6: If you install MAPS. J Reply September 11, at Gina Reply August 4, at 7: Thanks for all of the great info. Again, we were prioritizing culture over beaches and liked the idea of Vietnam being relatively less popular. Either place we also want to tag in Cambodia at the end.
Marek Reply August 5, at I was in north Vietnam in December and it was indeed a little cold. Hanoi is still really amazing to visit but Ha Long Bay is quite misty and drab this time of year. Both plans are certainly doable but with plan 1 you will only be able to fit a limited number of stops Vietnam is a big country! You might end up just seeing a lot of cities. I might be inclined to focus on a particular part of Vietnam so you can do more side excursions and see the countryside.
I am planning a trip with one of my friends from late december to early february, around 45 days. And I would really like to visit Myanmar. Marek Reply July 29, at There are no crowds at all at the beaches in Myanmar. Some great beaches in Malaysia, Philippines and Indonesia outside of Bali as well. Joe Reply May 25, at 5: Can you buy a flight from Vientiane to Hanoi last minute? Marek Reply May 26, at 7: Understand the desire to stay flexible!
I managed to get a ticket a few days before.
Chiara de Andrade Reply May 20, at 2: My sister and I want to travel Asia from 17 July to 2Aug. We would start from Taiwan.
Frankly, we have 0 ideas what to do. What would you do? Marek Reply May 20, at 9: For islands, maybe have a look at Indonesia. Its rainy season is different from the mainland, and July is actually peak season there. Monsoon rains are intense but they can also stop very quickly, so you could try to work your way around the weather and visit places like Ho Chi Minh City, the temples of Angkor, etc.
Charlie Reply April 11, at 9: Two of my friends and i were hoping to travel SEA from late april to late august. This is due to the very humid and hot seasons that take place at that time of year. However as these rainy seasons are at different times all across SEA i think with some clever planning we should be able to see everything we want to see and still successfully avoid the monsoon. I was hoping you could give me some advice as to a route to take that takes the weather in to account but still allows us to visit all the places in the rough route you have shown above considering we will be there for nearly 4 months.
Marek Reply April 12, at 1: So maybe do the east coast beaches first in Thailand instead of last like my suggestion in the article , then go up to Chiang Mai etc. Laos is in shoulder season in May so still OK. Charlie Reply April 12, at 2: Cassidy Reply April 2, at 6: My friend and I just booked round trip flights to Bangkok starting in mid July and ending in early August exactly 3 weeks.
It is my first backpacking trip without a group so we have a lot of questions as we are trying to roughly plan! So we are young and active and like to be moving. Two things I really want to do while we are there is rock climb and learn to surf maybe spend a couple days surfing. I was just wondering if you had any suggestions of where we should definitely go for the more adventurous things to do?
One more question is that I know fall is Monsoon season and our trip is a bit close July-August so I just wanted to know if we would have to be weary of weather during this time or if it should still get mostly sunny days? Marek Reply April 10, at Krabi in Thailand is one of the best places for rock climbing. You could fly from Bangkok to Phuket, spend time there at the beaches and do rock climbing in Krabi, then fly straight to Siem Reap to see Angkor Wat, then onward to southern Vietnam.
It would take another domestic flight in Vietnam to see things in both the north and south. Marek Reply October 4, at The cheapest months is different per country. Avoiding the high season could save you a little money on accommodation. More on budgeting here: Jared Reply September 9, at I think this is a great site from what I can see. Remember some people might only ever get that 2 week trip in their entire life to see some of Southeast Asia.
The Beginner’s Guide to Backpacking Southeast Asia
If you put it in that way it would be a complete waste to spend the entire time in one place. Marek Reply September 10, at 2: It does take some discipline in choosing your route and locations. I do also go on 1- or 2- week trips and understand the desire to see as many highlights as you can. Though I also believe that even on a shorter trip, staying longer in fewer places can get you more rewards. Less time spent in transit is more time spent sightseeing or going on activities.
Gemma Reply May 16, at I am looking for doing something similar as you did and I was wondering if you could tell me where you were and how many days…so I can have an idea. Could you please give me some advise and tips? Diana Reply September 6, at 2: Hi Marek, thank you very much for such of wonderful article. You just inspired me to go for that South East Asia route.
Can I ask you a maybe silly but important question for me, which can determines the best time for me to depart. I wil be starting an online master degree that would requires me to have projects done every week. Is it possible to do this route and be able to have internet connection enough to handle school? Yes, you can basically keep doing your online stuff while traveling through SE Asia.
Though the more remote you go the more difficult it gets. Clinton Cuzzort Reply August 31, at I was wondering what your thoughts were on kind of just wonderlusting SEA for 4 weeks. I going with my significant other in mid December. Should we plan a little or is it okay to just wing it?
I do realize we need to have an end point in which we are taken back to Bangkok by flight or end up there along the trail. Your thoughts and advice would be amazing. Marek Reply August 31, at 9: You can maybe do a bit of research on things you might enjoy seeing, but then just go off and sail with the wind, so to speak. SEA is a great region for doing this. Mike Reply August 15, at 6: The information this site and your book has given me is brilliant.
Next month, September the 13th to be precisely, my first backpack journey will begin. My first stop is in Hong Kong as I could get a really cheap flight for that destination. I have 2 question regarding my plan: Do you think 5 months is enough to cover this? Do you think the sequence of countries is optimal regarding travel times? Marek Reply August 15, at 7: Not really a problem but something to know.
David Reply August 14, at 7: Hi Marek, great article and thanks for sharing your experience! I have few questions on Visa. I am US citizenship, and are there any countries that I must Visa prior leaving? Marek Reply August 15, at With Myanmar and Vietnam however, a visa in advance is required. Myanmar also has an e-visa program. GoldieGirl Reply August 11, at Hello, This was so informative and has really helped me.
We have 6 months to do as much as we can! I love your route and would like to expand it down to Myanmar and Singapore then over to the Phillipeans. Neither of us have ever backpacked before. So i have some probably silly, novice questions for you! How much do we need to plan or is it better to improvise and see what happens?
Do we need to book hostels and train tickets in advance, or are they easy to sort when you get there? Marek Reply August 12, at 6: You might want to book accommodation just 1 or 2 days ahead of time as you travel. BTW, I have a great chapter in my book with more info on what to plan vs. Ching Reply July 19, at Reading this article made me missed Thailand much lol. I had only 10 days coz i have to go back to my work in Dubai. Do you think i can make 3 weeks if i start my travel to Thailand then Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam?
How much do you think it would cost? Davey C Reply July 11, at 2: Your articles are really very good. I visited Thailand and Cambodia for 2 weeks earlier this year. It was my first time and it took my breath away. It really lit me up. I have a question if you or anyone can help ….. Would it be foolish of me to travel with a small laptop whilst backpacking around the far east?
Erick John Reply July 1, at 7: Fewer tourist go to Philippines? Marek Reply July 3, at 4: Jane Reply June 27, at 9: My sister and I will be traveling through Thailand and Cambodia together for three weeks. Marek Reply June 29, at There are fortunately lots of small travel agencies in Sihanouksville that would be able to help you with your onward transportation. Enza Reply June 26, at 3: Thank you for giving so much of your time to help novice travelers. Since I will be that far away from home I live in los angeles I want to try to hit one other country.
I will only be able to give up one extra week. I know virtually nothing about most of south east Asia. I just want to live like a local for a week in one kick ass place. Marek Reply June 26, at Distances between places on the island are very manageable, so that means you can do a lot of things in one week.
There is plenty of characterful accommodation as well. In Ubud you can find a lot of art and other goods for purchase. Kieren Reply June 12, at 2: Hi Marek, Fantastic article and very helpful. However i could really use your help and opinion on something. A few friends and myself are taking some time out from Dec 12th — Jan 15th so we have just over 2 weeks apart from one guy who can only take 2 weeks off. The idea — for the long stayers at least — is to visit Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodis and if possible, Philippines.
Thailand — The most important one for the group, we land in bangkok, and would like to visit phuket and koh samui, and plan on doing the full moon party on NYE. Laos — literally the only thing i really want to do here is the tubing bar crawl at Vang Vieng which is pretty close to northern thailand, so i dont see the need to stay here any longer than two to three days. Philippines — this is sort of the bonus baby, I have a friend living out in Princess puerto and would be nice to see him plus free accomodation if its not plausible or will lesson the experience of the rest of my trip im happy to cross it off.
Is this a plausible trip and how much would be a good amount of money to take with us not including accomodation. Sorry to bombard you but im really not the best when it comes to planning, and the other guys are even worse, so any help you can give would be fantastic! Marek Reply June 12, at 6: Okay, just a bit of tough love: Abhishek Lath Reply June 9, at This article was really helpful.
It did help me build a skeleton of my itinerary. I plan to visit Vietnam, Cambodia, Bangkok for about 16 days. I plan to start from Ho chi minh city. Does this sound feasible? Any other tips you would like to share? Marek Reply June 10, at Solo travel is easy in this part of the world — the logistics are fairly easy and there are always other travellers to meet if you want to. Alex Bond Reply May 10, at I have a couple questions , I love the route you have planned out here and may look into doing it myself , I have a flight booked to Bangkok in august.
I was just wondering if it will work the same going the other way around? Marek Reply May 10, at 6: Nick Reply April 14, at 8: We plan on working in Australia. We have al the time in the world to do this trip so the plan is to just take an outward flight and go with the flow. The dilemma I am facing is the proof of onward travel you need for Bangkok. Can I just book a train or bus out of the country will that be good enough proof? It would be great to hear your thoughts on this. What did you do about this or what would you recommend?
Marek Reply April 14, at A bit more info here: Dawn Punter Reply April 5, at 5: Ben Pages Reply April 5, at 4: I am meeting a friend in Myanmar, and from there we have two months to wander around. Three questions for you and the community: Any areas to avoid? I believe the monsoon is kicking in at this time of the year in most places. Which would be realistic given our time? Dzieki Marek i gratuluje za piekny blog! Laura Reply February 24, at 8: Thank you soooo much for this article.
I am going for 2 months and am having a hard time deciding between Myanmar or Laos. I want to spend weeks in Norther Thailand, weeks in Vietnam, 1 week in Cambodia, and end it with 1 week in the southern thai islands. That leaves me with weeks left. I could rush each location and minimize each visit to 1 week, but I want to explore and not be rushed.
Do you have a strong suggestion for either? Let me know what you think if you can. I will be traveling alone, if that influences your opinion at all. Marek Reply February 24, at 9: Choosing between Laos and Myanmar is difficult, and giving a recommendation is too. Mia Reply February 24, at 7: Since you tend to often reply back — what would you recommend for a 4 week trek through SE Asia?
My partner and I are thinking Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia — with the most time spent in Indonesia of the three. Think we can do all 3? Both those countries are quite poorly connected to Indonesia with flights though, but you can probably find an indirect flight going via Singapore or Bangkok. Indonesia is very spread out so you can lose a lot of time in transit, but focusing on those islands keeps things compact. Matthew Reply February 24, at 6: I have been researching visa options and was wondering what you think about about getting advance visas for Laos and Cambodia.
Vietnam I plan on doing advance but from what I can tell Laos and Cambodia have border crossing visa options that seem to make more sense. I plan on doing the slow boat into Laos and overland from Vietnam to Cambodia, Will I be able to get visas at border crossings like this or should I see about getting visas while in Bangkok? Thanks a bunch, your blog is an inspiration and super useful. Marek Reply February 24, at 8: Hey Matt, great to hear your positive feedback! I have some more details on Vietnam visas here.
Conor Brooke-Tyrrell Reply February 17, at 3: If anybody is interested I threw together a similar one for around 6 week trip around Vietnam and Cambodia. Alex Reply February 9, at 3: My friend and I are booking a trip to south east Asia and are hoping to see Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Unfortunately due to work and study we can only go for just over a month.