Book a trip to Southeast Asia and save while enjoying the adventure of a lifetime. Save on hotels, tours, and tickets while exploring the temples, cities, and beaches of this vibrant region.

For many travelers, backpacking Southeast Asia is the ultimate highlight of their backpacking career. If you are coming from western civilization, exploring the countries of Southeast Asia is like being catapulted into an alternate reality. From the moment you set foot on the continent, you can feel the electricity in the air. Your senses explode from stimulation and you head out into the hustle and bustle in search of an ice cold beer…

The chaotic symphony that is backpacking Southeast Asia is one of the most fun and powerfully rewarding experiences any backpacker can have. If you are looking to embark on the adventure of a lifetime, a journey backpacking through Southeast Asia will certainly fulfill that dream beyond your wildest imagination. For newbie backpackers, or travelers just looking for a good time without the stress or hassle of worrying about complicated logistics, Southeast Asia is a paradise.

If you’re new to backpacking, Southeast Asia is a great place to start your travels – it’s affordable, safe, diverse, friendly and beautiful.

Backpacking Southeast Asia Budgets and Costs

Southeast Asia is the mecca for budget travel. Nowhere else on earth can you drink beer for under a dollar, find accommodation for little more than that, and eat out every day easily for under $10 USD.

To give you an idea of how much you will spend, here are some absolute shoestring budgets for backpacking Southeast Asia:

• $20 – $30 / day: Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia
• $25 – $35/ day: Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia
• $30 – $40 / day: Indonesia, Philippines

OR

• $600 – $900 / month: Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia
• $750 – $1050 / month: Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia
• $900 – $1200 / month: Indonesia, Philippines

As you can see, some countries in Southeast Asia are more expensive than others. For example, 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. 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.

Here is a more in-depth breakdown of what you can expect to pay on a daily basis whilst backpacking Southeast Asia…

 

Southeast Asia Daily Budget

Country	Dorm Bed	Local Meal	Bus Ride	Average Daily Cost
Thailand	$4-10	$1-3	$2-10	$20-50+
Vietnam	$5-10	$1-7	$3-15	$20-40
Laos	$4-6	$1-3	$2.50 per hour	$20-35
Cambodia	$3-8	$1-4	$2-7	$20-40
Myanmar	$15-25	$3-8	$3-10	$25-50+
Malaysia	$5-10	$2-4	$5-10	$25-55
Indonesia	$10-15	$2-5	$3-8	$30-60
The Philippines	$5-7	$1-6	$3-10	$30-55+

 

 

Southeast Asia Budget Travel Hacks

Camp: 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. Check out this post for a breakdown of the best tents to take backpacking.

If you’re feeling really adventurous and want to save some cash, consider picking up a backpacking ham mock.

Southeast Asia has plenty of palm trees and hammock ready beaches. A hammock is perfect for those kinds of dreamy beach scenes. If you want to bring a hammock on your adventure, this beauty is your best bet and 10% of all sales go towards the elephant conservation centre in Laos.

Cook your own food: Travel with a portable backpacking stove and cook your own food to save some serious cash whilst backpacking across Southeast Asia. If you plan to do some overnight hiking trips or camping on the beach, having a backpacking stove will be a great asset.

Couchsurf: 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.

 

Where to Go Backpacking in Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia is a truly massive region. There are eight countries (nine including Singapore) that makeup South East Asia. Each one is special and also radically different in its own ways. There is an epic backpacking adventure to be found within each country.

Generally speaking, backpacking in Southeast Asia is very cheap compared to traveling in other parts of the world. This guide will give a breakdown of the highlights and costs of each country in Southeast Asia so you can be armed with the right information in order to have a truly awesome experience on a budget.

Southeast Asia is fucking paradise for backpackers. There is an INFINITY of amazing experiences to be had. Dive in and discover some of the world’s best and cheapest scuba diving sites in Malaysia. Experience the tastes of delicious (sometimes totally bizarre) street food and fresh tropical fruit smoothies in Vietnam. Explore ancient temples and impressive monasteries in Myanmar. Take yoga classes in the morning and surf in the afternoons in Indonesia. Party all night covered with glowing paint and watch the sunrise come up over the sea in Thailand. Hike through dense jungles exploding with wildlife, raging rivers, and massive waterfalls in Laos. Explore off the beaten path in Cambodia by motorbike and camp out on uninhabited island paradises in the Philippines.

Got your attention yet? Like I said, backpacking Southeast Asia is one hell of an adventure. You can be certain that it doesn’t take long for Southeast Asia to establish a permanent place in your backpacking heart.

Let’s dive in and take a look at the best Southeast Asia Itineraries and backpacking routes for your adventure…

 

Best Travel Itineraries for Backpacking Southeast Asia

Let us be clear about one thing. Southeast Asia has so many things to do and see that it would be impossible to see it all in one lifetime let alone in just one backpacking trip. That said, you can sure get into a whole hell of a lot no matter what your time frame is.

Southeast Asia is a region that lives, breathes and even thrives on a certain degree of chaos. Backpacking in Southeast Asia requires one to adapt to that chaos and embrace the wonderful spontaneity that a backpacking trip here presents. You should not attempt to plan your trip to the last tuk-tuk ride. That said, having a general Southeast Asia travel itinerary in mind will help you pick a few regions and countries that are on your radar, whilst offering up the opportunity to visit some places that might not be.

Do you have two weeks? One month? Three months? Six months? Forever? No matter what your time frame is, the itineraries I have listed below have helpful routes to suit all schedules. Note that each itinerary can be combined with another, done in reverse, and customized based on what your interests and backpacking desires are. Let’s dive in…

 

#1 Backpacking Southeast Asia Itinerary 2 weeks – 1 Month: Banana Pancake Trail

 

Southeast Asia Itinerary 2 weeks

In two weeks, you would be hard-pressed to complete this entire itinerary. To be honest, it would probably be impossible and not very fun even if it was! If you only have a couple of weeks, my advice is to pick a country or two that you really want to visit and then explore the hell out of that country. If you are feeling ambitious and believe you can visit multiple countries in two weeks, I applaud you although that isn’t really a travel style I enjoy or recommend.

One can really do heaps in just two weeks. The choices are endless. Within a two week time frame, you have many options – providing you pick your area and don’t lose too much time rushing around! A two week itinerary should be planned out based on your own interests. What do you want to get out of your few weeks backpacking in Southeast Asia? Do you want to party on golden beaches? Explore bustling cities? Watch the sun rise over ancient temples? Get your scuba diving certificate? Trek deep into epic jungles? The choice is your O worthy explorer!

Because in Southeast Asia, all of those activities and countless more are up for grabs. The choice of how you spend your 2 weeks backpacking is up to you! When low on time, I advise sticking to smaller countries  (Laos or Cambodia are good bets) where the transportation distances won’t eat a big bite out of your precious backpacking time.

 

2 Week Itinerary Ideas: Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia are all doable in two weeks individually. You will certainly only be scratching the surface, but you will leave with an even more intense hunger to return.

Fly into Bangkok and explore the city for a few days. Now that you are satisfactorily overwhelmed, you can head to Cambodia to check out Angkor Wat. Note that Thailand has some spectacular temple ruins of it’s own at Ayathuya and Sukhothai. Either before or after Angkor, you can head to Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand and from Chiang Mai visit the hippie mountain town of Pai. This itinerary leaves room for you to absorb the highlights whilst giving you the freedom to get into things of interest along the way. Alternatively, you can go see Angkor and then come back to Thailand to explore a few of the Thai islands further south for a good mix of partying and beach time.

With two weeks you could alternatively head on a satisfying scuba diving adventure. In Malaysia, you can mix in a UNESCO heritage city at Malacca before heading to Tioman and Kappas Islands for a week of diving.

 

Southeast Asia Itinerary 3 Weeks

Having three weeks gives you slightly more wiggle room as far as the number of destinations you can visit. I still recommend picking one or two countries maximum and exploring what they have to offer.

For example, you could combine Thailand and Cambodia including a visit to Angkor Wat. Or you could have a culinary,  scuba diving and trekking bonanza, starting off in Malaysia and finishing in the Thai Islands before flying out of Bangkok.

Alternatively, you can explore a chunk of the Philippines or Indonesia in 3 weeks as well but note that transport links are not as great and journeys will eat into your time.

With three weeks, you can make pretty good rounds of a few islands in Indonesia. This itinerary is more surf, yoga, and trekking focused.

After 2 weeks exploring Bali, head to the white powdery sand islands of Lombok and on the Gili Islands, just a couple hours by boat away. Each of the three islands has a totally different vibe. *cough* And there are shrooms in the Gilis *cough*

Next, we head to Flores, where you can spend time diving, and arrange trips to Komodo National Park to see the infamous Komodo dragons.

For three weeks in the Philippines, fly to Puerto Princesa, and leave pretty quickly to get over to< Port Barton. This area has several islands with good beaches and snorkelling.

Next head to El Nido, known for its island hopping. If you have the money, you can arrange an expensive boat ride to Tubbataha Reef Marine Park, known for its abundance of magical marine life.

Take a ferry to Coron, which is famous for its WWII wreck diving. If you are a diver, take a day or two to explore the nearby Apo Reef as well. You can also check out other islands off the beaten path, like Culion Island and Busuanga Island. From what I’ve heard it’s nothing but huts, beautiful beaches and diving.

Ferry again to Puerto Galera. I have heard this area decent local dive scene and is easy to reach from Manila. You can end your trip with a visit to Boracay if you have some time. It’s a bit out of the way, but easy to reach from Puerto Galera. This is one of the most famous beaches in the Philippines due to its incredible sand.

 

Southeast Asia Itinerary 1 Month

Some would argue that Thailand is where the Southeast Asia backpacking revolution started. Thailand is home to infamous full-moon parties, Bangkok ladyboys, mind-blowing cuisine, stunning beaches, and fine temples. This backpacking itinerary takes you through the heart of what put Southeast Asia on the map.

Explore the best of what Thailand has to offer (see itinerary above) before heading to Laos. Take the slow boat from Thailand arriving at Luang Prabang. If you have time climb Climb Mount Phousi before heading out of town. Laos receives a fair amount of backpackers, however far-fewer than Thailand.

The main attraction to Laos is its unmatched natural beauty, kind people, and rock-bottom prices. If ever there was a super-cheap adventure packed with outdoor activities to be had, you will find it in Laos. Vang Vieng is the main backpacker playground in Laos; this is the place where you can smoke a joint and eat banana pancakes all day. Tad Lo Waterfall is definitely worth the visit as well.

Vietnam is the next stop on this route. Soak in the majestic views and cooler temperatures of the mountains in the north before heading south. Hire a motorcycle, explore the cities, go scuba diving or hop around the islands. Vietnam has some of the best food in all of Southeast Asia, so prepare your belly for bliss. Visit Hanoi and explore this bustling metropolis before heading to Halong Bay and Cat Ba Island.

Finally, hit up Cambodia and Angkor Wat en route back to Thailand. Learn about Cambodia’s sobering recent history whilst exploring some of the most impressive temples and beaches in all of Southeast Asia. You’ll have to hustle a bit to pack everything in, and you might find it easier to skip a few destinations along the way to make room for the things that especially peak your interests.

 

#2 Backpacking Southeast Asia Itinerary 2 months: Vietnam — Myanmar

 

 

2 Months: Backpacking Vietnam to Myanmar

This itinerary has you starting off in Southern Vietnam (though you could just as easily start in the north). Get lost in Ho Chi Minh City before heading out for more peaceful environs. Hit the beaches, go snorkelling or scuba diving, and visit the floating markets. As you make your way up the coast be sure to make stops at Mui Ne, Hoi An, and Hue before arriving at Halong Bay.

Then cruise north up the coast, exploring some of the most dramatic coastlines anywhere on earth. If you love motorcycles, the drive up Vietnam’s coast is a dream ride. Remember to always wear your helmet!

After two or three weeks in Vietnam, cross over to Laos. Then it is on to Thailand for a few days (or more!) in either Chiang Mai or Bangkok before crossing the border to Myanmar. After checking out Yangon you can set off in search of more Myanmar magic. In Myanmar, must-see highlights include the monasteries around Hpa-an, the Saddar caves, Hsipaw for some great trekking adventures, the temples at Bagan of course, and Pindaya which is home to the cave of eight thousand Buddhas.

 

#3 Backpacking Southeast Asia Itinerary 3 months: The Ultimate Circuit

3 Months: The Southeast Asia Circuit

So far, I have focused on the five countries making up the traditional Southeast Asia backpacking route. Now having 3 months to go backpacking in Southeast Asia means you have lots of flexibility about how you can plan your trip. There is of course, no set Southeast Asia backpacking route and part of the fun of backpacking is doing what you want, when you want!

When backpacking across Southeast Asia, you’ll meet cool people, forge new friendships, maybe have a fling or two and, of course, your plans will frequently change. Do not over plan, be flexible and go with the flow!

This is definitely easier if you have more time and with three months to travel in Southeast Asia, you can dig into a place for longer than just a day or two because you are not strapped by a short time frame.

Many travelers do start in Thailand and travel around from there. Cheap flights within Southeast Asia enable backpackers to fly to destinations like Indonesia, Borneo, or the Philippines without the lengthy (and expensive) process of boat travel.

What to do with so much time? My advice is to get to know a few Southeast Asia destinations in depth. Love Laos? Stay for an extra few weeks? Want to learn how to Scuba Dive? Pick a diving hotspot and soak it in.

With three months you will definitely see some of the best places to visit in Southeast Asia and have time to get off the beaten track! With a little bit more time on your hands, now you can start thinking about exploring Malaysia via Southern Thailand or flying to other destinations that interest you.

3 Month Itinerary Ideas: Check out the aforementioned 1-month itinerary listed above. You can make the classic Southeast Asia circuit at a comfortable pace in a couple of months. With one month to spare, you can travel south to explore the Thai islands before crossing over into Northern Malaysia. Check out Langkawi Island before heading south. Penang is one of my favorite cities in Southeast Asia, with some great hikes and diving to be had around Penang National Park.

Alternatively, you can fly to Manila or Bali from Bangkok and explore a totally new part of Southeast Asia. Philippine highlights include Mt Pulag, Sagada‘s Crystal Cave and Olahbinan, Kalinga Jungle, El Nido for some climbing and partying, and Coron for epic scuba diving.

If you want to dedicate a couple month to Indonesia you won’t be disappointed. Alongside the Bali to Flores route, you can also catch a flight to Sumatra. Here, visit the orangutan sanctuary in Bukit Lawang and the stunning Lake Toba.

Also on tap here is world-class diving at Pulau Weh. This tiny island is located at either the beginning or end of Indonesia, depending on which way you’re looking at the map. You’ll have to pass through the town of Banda Acehto to reach here, which is the only place in Indonesia that has Sharia Law in place. This definitely isn’t the place to come party while backpacking Indonesia, but the juice is worth the squeeze if you get to Pulau Weh.

 

#4 Backpacking Southeast Asia Itinerary 6 months + : The Longterm Backpacker

6+ months: Backpacking Southeast Asia Longterm

You will not be the first backpacker who loved backpacking Southeast Asia so much that you spent six months or more there. Lucky for you, with six months you have the opportunity to visit more off the beaten path Southeast Asia destinations, once you have seen the popular sights.

Thailand is super, super beautiful, though you can experience a lot of Thailand’s highlights in a month or less. Go trekking in Borneo! Get your ass to Indonesia and explore a few of the thousands of remote islands there! Hit up far-flung places in the Philippines! Look to my other Southeast Asia travel itineraries for the inspiration you need to get started and then follow your well-seasoned internal compass for what you really want to get into.

After you six months are up, don’t be surprised if you end up spending another six backpacking around Southeast Asia! Let’s now take a closer look at the individual countries you will be traveling to during your Southeast Asia backpacking adventure.

Southeast Asia Travel Guide: Country Breakdowns

Each country that makes up Southeast Asia has something incredible to offer. The landscapes, people, culture, food, religion are all very unique to each individual country. Which countries are best to visit in Southeast Asia? Every country in Southeast Asia is god-damn epic!

One universal truth seems to be that if this is your first time to Southeast Asia, you will experience a series of cultures that is very unlike anything you have ever come into contact with (if you grew up in the west).

Given the options of where to go backpacking in Southeast Asia, the sky is the limit. Whatever you’ve heard there is much, much more to Southeast Asia than drinking buckets, crazy parties, motorbike traffic, and drunken Australians (sorry lads).

Southeast Asia is an incredibly cheap, diverse, beautiful, and spiritual land filled with adventure possibilities. If ever there was a backpackers paradise on earth, it is an easy argument to say that the place is called Southeast Asia and if you’re a first-time traveler Southeast Asia is the perfect place to go traveling – it’s affordable, safe, diverse and friendly.

 

Backpacking Thailand

For many first time backpackers, Thailand is the image at the forefront of their imaginations when it comes to destinations in Southeast Asia. Finding a Thailand backpacking route is easy, as many routes are well-established and there’s plenty of backpackers on the ground to grab tips from.

Thailand truly is a special country packed with non-stop fun. Stunning natural beauty, world-class diving, killer food, well-developed infrastructure, and super friendly people. In addition to its natural splendour, Thailand boasts some of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic cities, especially if you are wanting to settle in somewhere long term as a digital nomad. Pai and Chiang Mai rank high on the list for sure.

Thailand is rapidly becoming the digital nomad capital of the world. Thailand receives more visitors annually than any other Southeast Asia nation by a long-shot so if you’re looking for an off the beaten path destination, this isn’t it. Over 35 million people visited Thailand in 2017. 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

 

Backpacking Vietnam

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

 

Backpacking Laos

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

 

Backpacking Cambodia

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. A staggering 1.5 – 3 million people were killed by the Khmer Rouge, led by tyrant Pol Pot. 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. It’s one of my favorite South East Asian destinations; I loved it so much that I ended up overstaying my visa. Cambodia seriously has it all, see it for yourself and you’ll fall in love too.

Check out my Cambodia Backpacking Guide

 

Backpacking Myanmar

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 2013 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.

Check out my Myanmar Travel Guide Here

 

Backpacking Malaysia

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.

Tioman Island is one of Southeast Asia’s best-kept secrets. Getting your PADI open water certificate is cheaper on Tioman than anywhere in Thailand. 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. Parts of Borneo are surprisingly well developed. That said, there are giant swaths of the island that are still wild and teaming with rhinoceros, orangutans, and other rare wildlife. I look forward to my triumphant return to Malaysia someday soon!

Check out my Malaysia Travel Guide

 

Backpacking Singapore

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.

Visit Chinatown, explore Arab Street, and be sure to grab a curry in Little India. Just based on the neighborhood 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. Few people realize that just outside of Singapore’s urban centers there are some great day hikes to be had in the surrounding jungle.

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

Backpacking Indonesia

As a vast archipelago nation composed of over 17,000 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. All along the way, you’ll be welcomed in by some of the most friendly people out there while you enjoy the varied and delicious cuisine. Best of all,  you can easily backpack Indonesia on a budget.

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. 17,000 islands bro! 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

 

Backpacking The Philippines

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. Spearfishing doesn’t get much better than in the Philippines where the visibility is insanely good.

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: remote hill hikes and active volcanoes, gentle strolls, and multi-day backpacking trips. Some popular treks include Cordillera and its rice terraces + Mt. Pulag. Not too far from here you can reach Sagada and hike in the hills. Bohol and the Chocolate Hills are a great place to trek as well. The Philippines is home to 25 active volcanoes that can be climbed to the summit!

Check out my Philippines Travel Guide

 

Joining an Organized Tour in Southeast Asia

For most countries, Southeast Asia included, solo travel is the name of the game. That said, if you are short on time, energy, or just want to be part of an awesome group of travelers you can opt to join an organized tour. Joining a tour is a great way to see a majority of the country quickly and without the effort that goes into planning a backpacking trip. However—not all tour operators are created equal—that is for sure.

G Adventures is a solid down-to-earth tour company catering to backpackers just like you, and their prices and itineraries reflect the interests of the backpacker crowd. You can score some pretty sweet deals on epic trips in Southeast Asia for a fraction of the price of what other tour operators charge.

Check out some of their awesome itineraries for Southeast Asia here…

 

Volunteering in Southeast Asia

Long term travel is awesome. Giving back is awesome too. For backpackers looking to travel long-term on a budget in Southeast Asia whilst making a real impact on local communities, look no further than World Packers. World Packers is an excellent platform connecting travelers with meaningful volunteer positions throughout the world.