Jagged rock pinnacles shoot out of the jungle at Mulu National Park in Borneo

Our favorite adventure vacations

Asia is an adventure vacation wonderland. We’re talking about everything from biking and boating between Laotian fishing villages to proper, top-of-a-mountain, deep-in-the-jungle trekking in the heart of Borneo.

Adventure means different things to different people. Is your definition swimming in underground rivers to yawning caverns under Vietnam’s Phong Nha National Park, or remote multi-day trekking expeditions in Myanmar or Cambodia? For some it’s night safaris in the Laos mountains, others family adventure vacations in Vietnam. We can take you deep into Borneo’s “Lost World” or to the peak of the highest mountain in South East Asia.

Ranging from day trips to multi-day expeditions, the itineraries, tours and experiences below are some of our very favorite adventures across Asia.

Our top itineraries for adventure-seekers

A selection of itineraries to take you off the beaten track and into the wilderness

From $3,180
Activity
Active
Adventure
Scenery
Wildlife

Challenging but oh-so-rewarding, this one’s all about spectacular nature, minority culture, and getting out on the trail.

From $4,977
Activity
Adventure
Scenery

Hike through the most spectacular scenery in Vietnam and Laos as you travel from hectic Hanoi to laid-back Luang Prabang.

From $3,783
Activity
Active
Adventure
Responsible entreprise
Scenery
Wildlife

Wild, tough and thoroughly rewarding, this is an intense, trekking-focused itinerary through the mountainous cloud forests of Laos.

From $5,350
Family
Adventure

City and countryside, action and relaxation, culture and fun — this trip has everything you need for an incredible family vacation in Thailand.

From $2,957
Classic
Activity
Adventure
Culture
Culture & History
Scenery

If you prefer country to city, we made this for you: packed with outdoors adventures in Vietnam’s most stunning scenery.

From $3,151
Family
Classic
Activity
Adventure
Culture
Scenery
Wildlife

Take the kids on a family adventure to Laos and discover a land of rivers, jungles and hidden caves.

Top destinations for adventurous travelers

Our favorite adventure travel destinations in Asia

Northern Vietnam

Deep in the limestone mountains southwest of Hanoi, Pu Luong’s landscape of rippling rice terraces and thatch-roofed stilt villages is so perfect we’re tempted to keep it all to ourselves.

Borneo

Above ground, hike to giant, razor-sharp pinnacles and rugged mountain peaks; below it, marvel at helictites and rock corals in one of the largest cave systems in the world. Mulu National Park is a geological wonderland.

Borneo

Rising 4,095 meters over Borneo and surrounded by rainforest, Mount Kinabalu is the tallest mountain between the Himalayas and New Guinea, and the national park that surrounds it is among the most biodiverse regions on the planet.

Central Vietnam

Covering nearly 3,000 square kilometers of jungle-covered mountains, beautiful and unspoiled Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park conceals some of the most spectacular caves in the world.

Borneo

Often referred to as Borneo’s “Lost World”, the Maliau Basin’s hostile geography has kept the rest of the world out for 130 million years. Its isolation has allowed a cornucopia of endemic species to thrive undisturbed.

Cambodia

Asiatic black bears, Malayan tapirs, pileated gibbons and perhaps even the elusive Indochinese tiger: Botum Sakor National Park is a haven for Cambodia's endangered mammals.

Laos

A visit to Laos is all about the wild and untamed beauty of the mountains – and it doesn’t get much wilder and more untamed than this. Covering nearly 6,000 square kilometers, Nam Et-Phou Louey provides a haven for endangered animals.

Laos

Si Phan Don, or the 4,000 Islands, is landlocked Laos’s answer to the coast: laid-back, palm-fringed, and lush beyond belief, this riverine archipelago is the ultimate place to relax.

Top adventure experiences

Our favorite guided tours and excursions for thrill-seekers

Mulu National Park
Adventure
Scenery

Mulu National Park is home to some of the most impressive subterranean landscapes you’ll ever see.

Ipoh
Active
Adventure
On the water

Over-indulged on Ipoh’s foodie delights? This’ll blow the cobwebs away. Seven kilometers of adrenaline-fueled rafting through the jungle, with drops that’ll have your stomach in your shoes and maneuvers that’ll have your heart in your mouth.

Mulu National Park
Adventure
Scenery

Challenge yourself with this guided five-day expedition into Mulu National Park, combining cave exploration with two of our favorite treks.

Nam Et-Phou Louey National Protected Area
Adventure
Scenery
Wildlife

By night, the jungle comes alive with the hoots, squawks, screeches and chirps of a whole new cast of characters.

Kuching
Active
Adventure
Wildlife

Don’t be fooled by its petite dimensions: at just 27 square kilometers, Bako may be one of Borneo’s smallest national parks, but with seven different ecosystems it packs a massive punch when it comes to diversity.

Tabin Wildlife Reserve
Adventure
Wildlife

Malaysia’s largest wildlife reserve covers well over 1,000 sq km in the far east of Borneo yet is home to just one wildlife resort.

Chiang Mai
Active
Adventure
Scenery

Rolling countryside threaded through with rivers, mountains speckled with crumbling ruins and minority villages surrounded by rice paddies: northern Thailand is a walker’s paradise.

Pu Luong
Active
Adventure
Scenery

With its picture-perfect rice terraces rippling down mountainsides and thatch-roofed stilt houses clustered in valleys, Pu Luong’s scenery is the stuff of pure romance — and there’s no better way to experience it than on a guided trek.

Nam Et-Phou Louey National Protected Area
Adventure
Scenery
Wildlife

If you want a real adventure (and we’re talking the old-fashioned kind, complete with creepy crawlies, strenuous exercise, and lots of sweat) this one’s for you.

Popular questions

Things we're often asked...

How fit do I have to be for a hike?

It depends on the hike! We offer treks of varying intensities and durations, ranging from leisurely half-day hikes in the countryside to multi-night adventures through jungles and up mountains. In general, a moderate level of fitness is required for any trek, especially since the weather will probably be a lot hotter and more humid than you’re used to. If you’re unsure whether a certain trek is appropriate for your fitness level, you can always speak to one of our consultants for details on specific routes.

Are there any activities which are better at certain times of year?

Many activities are heavily dependent on weather and other seasonal conditions, and this often means that they’re only available (or advisable!) at certain times of year. If you’d like to know more about the best season for a certain activity, just get in touch with one of our travel consultants and they’ll be glad to talk you through your options.

What will the accommodation be like?

Most of our overnight adventure experiences come with very basic accommodation — it kind of goes with the territory! This might be a homestay, a jungle camp, or even a hammock outside a cave. Expect to bathe in the river (if there is one), go to the bathroom behind a tree (or in a temporary camp toilet), and eat simple, hearty food whipped up by your guides over a campfire or portable stove. It’s not luxurious, but roughing it is the only way to see some of the most spectacular wild places the world has to offer. Just remember to pack a spare battery for your camera!

Do I need a guide to go hiking in Asia?

That depends. In South Korea, there are many hiking trails that are well signposted and easy to follow independently. In most of Southeast Asia, however, you will almost always need a guide. Your travel consultant will be able to discuss specific routes and requirements with you when planning your trip.

Do I need to bring any special equipment?

If you’re planning an adventurous trip, you’ll probably want to pack a little more than you normally would. Some decent hiking shoes, a full set of waterproofs, hiking poles (if you use them at home), high-energy snacks, sleeping bag liners and mosquito nets are all sensible to bring. Any specialist equipment you need, such as climbing harnesses or caving helmets, will be provided by our local partners. If you book any adventure experience with us, we’ll provide you with a full list of what you’ll need to bring from home.

Do I need to do some training in advance?

For our multi-night adventure experiences, whether trekking or cycling, we recommend that you’re experienced in the activity before you arrive. However, we also offer plenty of half-day and introductory experiences that require no prior knowledge, and where you’ll get a grounding in the basic techniques before you start. These include caving, paddleboarding, kayaking and rafting, and many of them are also suitable for families.

View over Nam Et Phou Louey - Dominique Le Roux

Ready to plan?

Get in touch now and we will plan your perfect adventure vacation