Backpacking Trip- Tips for a Young Adult
Feb 7th, 2013, 12:36 PM
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Backpacking Trip- Tips for a Young Adult
Hello! My boyfriend and I are planning on doing a 2 / 2 and a half month backpacking trip. We would like to visit Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Bali, Malaysia, Sri Lanka (I would love to volunteer here), and possibly if we can fit it in, a shorter stint in the Phillipenes or Burma (about 4 days). Our time-frame would be from May-early/mid-July.
We're both physically fit 19 year-olds that love adventure, fun, and culture. We're not necessarily the type of people that want to avoid all tourist traps (yes, we do plan on attending a Full Moon Party) but we'd like to keep it a good mix of real-life culture and the latter. Any tips on where to go, where to stay, events to attend, etc. would be greatly appreciated! I just want to get a feel of what other people enjoyed most/our planning. Thanks!
We're both physically fit 19 year-olds that love adventure, fun, and culture. We're not necessarily the type of people that want to avoid all tourist traps (yes, we do plan on attending a Full Moon Party) but we'd like to keep it a good mix of real-life culture and the latter. Any tips on where to go, where to stay, events to attend, etc. would be greatly appreciated! I just want to get a feel of what other people enjoyed most/our planning. Thanks!
Feb 7th, 2013, 01:36 PM
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So you have 8-10 weeks and you plan to visit 6 countries - and then you suggest adding two more countries! (I would not go to Burma for 4 days. If you are interested in Burma, give it two weeks minimum.) My first advice is to focus your trip. Decide what are the most important things you want to see/do/experience?
Both Sri Lanka and the Philippines are longer flights from where you are going.
You say you want to volunteer in Sri Lanka - doing what?
SE Asia is an amazing part of the world. But you need to go slowly in order to have any experience of it. SLow down and enjoy. Don't feel you have to cover so many different countries.
Both Sri Lanka and the Philippines are longer flights from where you are going.
You say you want to volunteer in Sri Lanka - doing what?
SE Asia is an amazing part of the world. But you need to go slowly in order to have any experience of it. SLow down and enjoy. Don't feel you have to cover so many different countries.
Feb 7th, 2013, 03:01 PM
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Asia is still a great place for low cost adventure travel. You'll have no problem filling up 2.5 months, the problem is really what to eliminate.
I think you're underestimating the geographic size of the area and the difficulty of getting from place to place on a budget. There's really no pan-Asia train system as there is in Europe, and while overland travel by car or bus can be fun, it's slow. I don't recommend the ferries.
So first narrow your scope. Choose your top 4 countries/cultures and plan about 2 weeks in each. That gives you a little bonus time.
Think about what your "must do" activities are. There's plenty of need all over Asia; you'll find volunteer activities everywhere. Same for young adult social activities -- no shortage of partying opportunities.
My top three would be Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia (Java and Bali). The fourth choice could be just about any of the others on your list, but as noted Sri Lanka is a bit out of the way.
I think you're underestimating the geographic size of the area and the difficulty of getting from place to place on a budget. There's really no pan-Asia train system as there is in Europe, and while overland travel by car or bus can be fun, it's slow. I don't recommend the ferries.
So first narrow your scope. Choose your top 4 countries/cultures and plan about 2 weeks in each. That gives you a little bonus time.
Think about what your "must do" activities are. There's plenty of need all over Asia; you'll find volunteer activities everywhere. Same for young adult social activities -- no shortage of partying opportunities.
My top three would be Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia (Java and Bali). The fourth choice could be just about any of the others on your list, but as noted Sri Lanka is a bit out of the way.
Feb 7th, 2013, 05:31 PM
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Know where you're going and don't go too far into the wilderness - you're more vulnerable and away from help. Don't carry things for strangers, exchange your money only at legit money changers, and don't mess with illicit drugs.
Feb 7th, 2013, 08:36 PM
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You don't have time to do all you're suggesting, and Sri Lanka and the Philippines are outliers. You need at least two weeks for Myanmar. Back in 2002 I spent three months just on the SEA mainland (see http://wilhelmswords.com/asia2002/ ) without Myanmar.
Have you looked at any guidebooks yet? Lonely Planet and Rough Guide will have suggested itineraries. You might want to start with Lonely Planet's "South East Asia on a Shoestring". You might also find Ed Hasbrouck's "Practical Nomad" helpful.
Have you looked at any guidebooks yet? Lonely Planet and Rough Guide will have suggested itineraries. You might want to start with Lonely Planet's "South East Asia on a Shoestring". You might also find Ed Hasbrouck's "Practical Nomad" helpful.
Feb 7th, 2013, 11:16 PM
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May- July is low season in much of SEA mainly due to the weather so accommodation will be cheaper and sights less crowded. Thursdaysd has recommeded the best guide books for your type of travel. I applaud your desire to volunteer, but with the time you have available you will make little or no difference, indeed arguably, short term " voluntourism" can actually be to the detriment of the communities concerned.
Travelling on a budget, I would forget about Sri Lanka and possibly Burma and the Phillipines are a long way from the rest of the places. Indonesia will have better weather at that time of year.
Like others, I would limit yourself to four countries only, for me these would be Cambodia, Vietnam and Lao. All have great backpacker travel infrastructure and, with a bit of effort you can easily get off the usual tourist/ backpacker track. The fourth country would be Thailand, which, although more expensive these days offers a gentle introduction to Asia if you haven't been before.
Good, online resources for research of this region include www.travelfish.org ( sign up for their newsletter for some great ideas) and www.talesofasia.com , particularly good for Cambodia. www.hostelbookers and www.hostelworld.com are great for backpacker hostels etc.
Travelling on a budget, I would forget about Sri Lanka and possibly Burma and the Phillipines are a long way from the rest of the places. Indonesia will have better weather at that time of year.
Like others, I would limit yourself to four countries only, for me these would be Cambodia, Vietnam and Lao. All have great backpacker travel infrastructure and, with a bit of effort you can easily get off the usual tourist/ backpacker track. The fourth country would be Thailand, which, although more expensive these days offers a gentle introduction to Asia if you haven't been before.
Good, online resources for research of this region include www.travelfish.org ( sign up for their newsletter for some great ideas) and www.talesofasia.com , particularly good for Cambodia. www.hostelbookers and www.hostelworld.com are great for backpacker hostels etc.
Feb 8th, 2013, 05:23 PM
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Thank you all! Those aforementioned countries were just a rough guide so that I could see where the best attractions would be! I wasn't under the impression that I would get to visit them all 
I'm looking mostly for just great experiences people have had! Thanks!
I'm looking mostly for just great experiences people have had! Thanks!
Feb 9th, 2013, 12:41 AM
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Great experiences for me in no particular order, include;
Vietnam
The Dien Bien Phu loop in north Vietnam - off the beaten track but beautiful scenery, amazing people and great hiking, you get the night train from Hanoi to Sapa, spend a couple of days there and loop back via DBP via Son La and ending with a homestay in the Mai Chau valley ( a bonus was being invited to a party being held by the community for some students visiting from Hanoi Uni )
Diving off of Nha Trang
The train ride through the Marble mountains and along China beach from Da Nang to Hue
Cambodia and Lao
Travelling by bus and boat from Phnom Penh ( One of my favourite cities in Asia) IMO worth a few days
Of anyone's time, to Vientienne. We travelled by bus to Kratie near the border, stayed a couple of days and then got a bus boat combo ticket to Don Khong, an island in the Mekong and from there local buses to Pakse. Not always easy travel but not too difficult and some great sights and experiences along the way. BTW you mentioned the full moon parties., Don Dhet is an island in Si Phan Don, in the Lao Mekong close to the Cambodia border and is renowned as a backpackers party island. Other islands are a LOT quieter.
Trekking on the Bolavens Plateau in the south of Lao was also a highlight, lots of waterfalls and great scenery but for me, the most memorable experiences were travelling around the far nort of Lao around Muang Sing, Phongsali etc. staying in small villages and towns. We travelled by boat for a lot of the time through prisitine rain forest ( becoming a rarity in Laos sadly). getting deep into the countryside and visiting the minority people in their villages is a truly amazing experience but you do need a good guide.At the time of year you are considering , travel in northern Lao may be difficult but not impossible and just part of the fun. My son went there at that time of year and had a great time.
Luang Prabang in Laos and Angkor Wat in Cambodia are considered "must sees" by many and are certainly impressive and could easily be incorporated into a loop around Indochina by bus boat and train. Travelling by local buses, trains and boats is a great travel experience in its own right and the best way of getting to see " real" life and meet the people in Asia.
Vietnam
The Dien Bien Phu loop in north Vietnam - off the beaten track but beautiful scenery, amazing people and great hiking, you get the night train from Hanoi to Sapa, spend a couple of days there and loop back via DBP via Son La and ending with a homestay in the Mai Chau valley ( a bonus was being invited to a party being held by the community for some students visiting from Hanoi Uni )
Diving off of Nha Trang
The train ride through the Marble mountains and along China beach from Da Nang to Hue
Cambodia and Lao
Travelling by bus and boat from Phnom Penh ( One of my favourite cities in Asia) IMO worth a few days
Of anyone's time, to Vientienne. We travelled by bus to Kratie near the border, stayed a couple of days and then got a bus boat combo ticket to Don Khong, an island in the Mekong and from there local buses to Pakse. Not always easy travel but not too difficult and some great sights and experiences along the way. BTW you mentioned the full moon parties., Don Dhet is an island in Si Phan Don, in the Lao Mekong close to the Cambodia border and is renowned as a backpackers party island. Other islands are a LOT quieter.
Trekking on the Bolavens Plateau in the south of Lao was also a highlight, lots of waterfalls and great scenery but for me, the most memorable experiences were travelling around the far nort of Lao around Muang Sing, Phongsali etc. staying in small villages and towns. We travelled by boat for a lot of the time through prisitine rain forest ( becoming a rarity in Laos sadly). getting deep into the countryside and visiting the minority people in their villages is a truly amazing experience but you do need a good guide.At the time of year you are considering , travel in northern Lao may be difficult but not impossible and just part of the fun. My son went there at that time of year and had a great time.
Luang Prabang in Laos and Angkor Wat in Cambodia are considered "must sees" by many and are certainly impressive and could easily be incorporated into a loop around Indochina by bus boat and train. Travelling by local buses, trains and boats is a great travel experience in its own right and the best way of getting to see " real" life and meet the people in Asia.
