Southeast Asia is one of the most popular backpacking spots in the world. With its low cost of travel, diversity, and unique cultures, all within close proximity, Southeast Asia is the perfect destination for travelers to spend 3 months traveling around without getting bored and blowing a hole in their wallet.
Southeast Asia is also considered to be one of the easiest places to backpack in the world due to the easy-going mentality and the often smiley and helpful locals. If you are just starting out as a backpacker, Southeast Asia is the prime place for you to hone your skills and start your journey as a traveler.
Whether you are a newbie or an avid traveler, there is something for everyone in Southeast Asia. To help you get started, here you will find a 3-month complete backpacking itinerary for solo travelers, complete with a travel guide on things to do, where to stay, and everything you need to know before traveling to Southeast Asia. Without further ado, let's begin!
- 3 Months Southeast Asia Itinerary Map
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3 Months Southeast Asia Backpacking Itinerary
- Hanoi, Vietnam
- Halong Bay, Vietnam
- Sapa, Vietnam
- Hoi An, Vietnam
- Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Phnom Penh, Cambodia
- Siem Reap, Cambodia
- Bangkok, Thailand
- Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Chiang Khong, Thailand
- Cruise to Luang Prabang, Laos
- Luang Prabang, Laos
- Vang Vieng, Laos
- Vientiane, Laos
- Bangkok, Thailand
- Mandalay, Myanmar
- Bagan, Myanmar
- Mandalay, Mandalay
- Khao Sok, Thailand
- Krabi, Thailand
- Koh Lipe, Thailand
- Penang, Malaysia
- Cameron Highlands, Malaysia
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Melaka, Malaysia
- Singapore
- Jakarta, Indonesia
- Yogyakarta, Indonesia
- Surabaya, Indonesia
- Mt. Bromo, Indonesia
- Bali, Indonesia
- Gili Islands, Indonesia
- Lombok, Indonesia
- Kuching, Malaysia
- Brunei
- Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Southeast Asia Travel Video
- When to Visit Southeast Asia?
- How to Get to Southeast Asia?
- How to Get Around Southeast Asia?
- How Much Money Do I Need For 3 Months in Southeast Asia ?
- Is Southeast Asia Safe?
- Which tourist SIM card is best for Southeast Asia?
- What to Pack for Southeast Asia?
- Further Reading for Southeast Asia
3 Months Southeast Asia Itinerary Map
3 Months Southeast Asia Backpacking Itinerary
Day 1: Hanoi, Vietnam (2 Nights)
We first start off our journey in Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam. Hanoi can be a bit hectic to start off your journey, but this will give us a natural way to travel through Southeast Asia without detouring too often, which should, in turn, minimize the days you will spend on a bus/train/plane.
Hanoi is a bustling capital city of Vietnam, where motorbikes weave through the roads like unstoppable water flowing in a river. I didn't spend much time in Hanoi, but one of my favorite things to do in the city is to go out and try all the delicious street food there.
With 2 nights in Hanoi, you should be able to see every tourist attraction the city has to offer. Places like Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest Buddhist temple in Hanoi, Presidential Palace, and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum are really interesting to see. They are all located in the same area of the West Lake, so you can see them all in one go.
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Another great area to explore is the Hoàn Kiếm Lake where you can visit the Temple of the Jade Mountain, St. Joseph's Cathedral, and many more.
With these two areas, that should occupy you for most of the day, with some time left at the end of the day to prepare for our next destination.
Getting to Halong Bay from Hanoi
For our next destination, we will be heading to Halong Bay, where you will go on a cruise to explore all the stunning limestone mountains. To get to the cruise, you will have to organize a tour with your hotel or a travel agency in Hanoi, and they should pick you up at your hotel in Hanoi. They will bring you to Halong Bay, where you can spend 2 - 3 nights on the boat.
Day 2 - 4: Halong Bay, Vietnam (2 - 3 Nights)
Halong Bay is undoubtedly one of the most touristy things to do in Vietnam, but as I often say, "I am here. Might as well just do it and get it over with" 😆. Try to avoid looking at the party boats and instead focus on nature, and you will be alright 😉.
For the cruise in Halong Bay, the price varies a lot depending on how many days you want to be on the boat and how luxurious you want it to be. The cruise can range from $50 USD all the way to $150+ USD for 1 day and 2 nights.
Beware of Halong Bay tour agencies that offer you a ridiculously cheap price compared to others. You will often get exactly what you paid for here. I would recommend you spend a few hours walking around the travel agencies in the Old Quarter in Hanoi, get their prices, and compare which one fits your style of travel.
If you are looking for a trustworthy Halong Bay tour, I highly recommend you check out these available shared tours: 1-day in Halong Bay, and 2-day in Halong Bay. They both come highly recommended!
Getting to Sapa from Hanoi
To get to Sapa, you can either go with an overnight train or take a day bus from Hanoi. The train leaves at 9-11 PM and arrives around 5-6 AM, costing 35 USD for a bed berth per person. If you choose the train option, you won't need to spend an extra night in Hanoi; instead, you can sleep on the train.
If not, you can take a bus directly to Sapa that leaves Hanoi at 10 PM. The bus takes 6 hours and costs around 12 USD.
You can book your train/bus ticket online here: Book a train/bus ticket to Sapa from Hanoi.
Day 5 - 7: Sapa, Vietnam (3 Nights)
After being in a big city like Hanoi and cruising around in the sea for 2 days, you will love the drastic change of scenery and weather in Sapa, our next destination. Sapa is one of my favorite places in Vietnam. The nature around this region and the cooler breeze of the mountains are quite a change from what we have experienced in the past 4 days.
Sapa is also a great place to learn about the Black Hmong, the minority that lives in this region. What do the Black Hmong look like? Don't worry, they will make themselves known immediately when your bus rolls into Sapa.
Don't let that overwhelm you, though, because that's the only way they can make a living off tourists, selling trinkets and such. They are harmless, even if they seem like they are about to overrun you. They are actually really nice people, and they might also be the key for you to have a more authentic experience in Sapa.
On your first day, I would recommend that you spend the day exploring the surrounding nature, such as the Love Waterfall and the Silver Waterfall.
You can either rent a motorbike and drive up to these places by yourself, or if you are more than one, you can rent any taxi driver in Sapa to take you there and back. Be sure to negotiate the price before you get in the car.
Photo by Constant Loubier.
As of 2023, it is now possible to reach the top of Fansipan (3,143m), the highest point of Indochina, using a cable car. When I visited, the cable car was under construction, so the only way to ascend was by trekking. The cost of a cable car ticket was approximately 25 USD (600,000 VND), and it operates from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM daily.
If you are a little more adventurous, you can rent a bike and drive south to explore the beautiful landscape and small villages at your own pace. In my opinion, this is the best way to explore Sapa. Once you get away from the town center, you will be able to experience the true beauty of Sapa. You will have the infinite view of rice terraces all to yourself.
If you are interested in seeing a local village, you can also visit Cat Cat Village, but I think the place is commercial, full of tourist traps, and isn't really worth the walk. I'd say if you want to have an authentic experience, instead of staying in the hotels, stay with the Hmong people and learn how they live. That's a better way to experience Sapa, and you are also giving back to the locals directly.
Getting to Hoi An from Hanoi
After 2 full days in Sapa, you can take the bus or an overnight train down to Hanoi again. From there, you can either rough it out and take an 18-hour sleeper bus to Hoi An via Hung Thanh or Queen Cafe. The trip should cost you around 15 USD, leaving around 6 PM from Hanoi, and you will arrive in Hoi An by 12 PM the next day.
If that doesn't sound very appealing to you, you can fly domestically from Hanoi to Danang instead. From there, you can take a bus or a van to Hoi An. The entire trip should cost you around 55 USD, including the flight and the bus to Hoi An, and it should take you no more than 2 hours for the entire trip.
You can book your train/bus ticket online here: Book a train/bus ticket from Hanoi to Hoi An.
Day 8 - 10: Hoi An, Vietnam (3 Nights)
Hoi An is an ancient port town that used to be an important Southeast Asian trading port between the 15th and 19th centuries. It is now one of the most photogenic tourist attractions in Vietnam, attracting over 3 million visitors annually.
It's a beautiful blend of traditional and foreign influences on the architecture of the ancient town that draws a ton of tourists from around the world each year. It can get crowded at times, especially by the river at night, but Hoi An just has too much to offer that it would be a mistake to ignore it.
On your first day, you can spend the morning exploring the beautiful streets of the ancient town, which should still be quite empty at that time. Hoi An is known for its delicious food, so let's have a nice lunch in Hoi An by trying some of the best food Vietnam has to offer, such as the Cao Lau (signature noodle dish), Bahn Bao Vac (Vietnamese dumplings), and Bahn Mi (Vietnamese Baguette sandwich).
Craving Cao Lau for lunch? I would recommend you try Cao Lau at Quán Cao Lầu Thanh restaurant. Looking for a cheap place to try their Banh Mi? You can't go wrong with Bánh Mì Phượng restaurant, one of the best Banh Mi places in Hoi An. Beware that due to its deliciousness and how cheap it is, you might have to wait in line for quite a while, but I can assure you it's well worth the wait.
Another great place to visit to have a nice cup of tea/coffee is the Reaching Out teahouse. What makes this teahouse so special is that they only employ people who are deaf and mute, giving them jobs while allowing us to support the local community. They also have a wonderful service and a cozy atmosphere, unlike any cafes in Hoi An.
Getting bored of the ancient city? Why not rent a bike and go explore different parts of Hoi An away from the bustling ancient town, like visiting the beach or learning how to cook Vietnamese food in one of the many cooking schools around Hoi An. If you are lucky, your homestay might be able to teach you for free. The place I stayed, Thien Tan Homestay, cooked me a full-blown lunch for free. They are awesome!
Right before the sunset, the ancient town of Hoi An lights up and comes alive. The place is illuminated by all the lanterns from the houses, making it quite an atmospheric place to walk around at night. It will also be quite crowded with many activities happening all around, almost the opposite of what you saw in the morning.
For the second day in Hoi An, you can go on a day tour to the My Son Sanctuary, the ancient spiritual capital of the Champa empire, which occupied much of what is now central and lower Vietnam between the 7th and 10th centuries.
The tour shouldn't cost you more than 5 USD, and it will take you half a day until they drop you back in Hoi An. My Son ruin, although not very well maintained, is a fun half-day visit that allows you to walk through and learn about the ancient history of Central Vietnam.
Getting to Ho Chi Minh City from Hoi An
From Hoi An, you have a pretty similar option as when you came from Hanoi. You can choose between a long 22-hour bus ride, an 18-hour train ride, or a 1.5-hour domestic flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
A sleeper bus will take you around 22 hours from Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City, and it will cost you 22 USD. This is by far the slowest and cheapest way to travel between these two cities.
For an overnight train, it will take you 18 hours and cost you 50 USD. I personally wouldn't recommend the train for this one as the price almost doubles compared to the bus, and it isn't significantly faster. You might be better off taking a flight instead.
Taking a flight is the fastest way to get to Ho Chi Minh City from Danang. It will cost you 60 USD via VietJet Air, and it will only take about 1.5 hours. As you can see, it is only 10 USD more than the train, but it will save you a day of traveling, which I think is a good trade-off.
You can book your plane/bus ticket online here: Book a train/bus ticket from Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 11 - 13: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (3 Nights)
Ho Chi Minh City is a modern city, full of history and attractions for you to learn a bit more about Vietnam's history during the colonial and Vietnam War periods. The city itself is like any other big city in Southeast Asia, with crazy traffic jams, full of nightlife activities, and a ton of things to do.
The best way to understand a country and its people is to know where they came from, and one of the best places to understand Vietnam is at the Vietnam War Museum.
Be warned that the content of the Vietnam War Museum is very depressing, and some photos are extremely graphic. I was completely exhausted after visiting the museum and reading about all the atrocities committed during the Vietnam War. That said, I highly recommend anyone to visit the museum so that they can learn about the Vietnam War from both the Vietnamese side and the US side of the stories.
The museum is divided into several rooms and floors, starting from the top floor and going down. You can spend at least 2 hours going from room to room, learning about every part of the war, from the cause to the side effects and the aftermath that has not yet subsided from the Vietnam War.
After visiting the museum, you can spend the rest of the day exploring the city by visiting the Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon located in downtown Ho Chi Minh City or the Saigon Central Post Office nearby. These sites will give you a great example of how the French influenced the city during the colonial period in the 18th century.
If you would like to experience a local market in Ho Chi Minh City, you can check out the Ben Thanh market. Personally, the experience I had here was not the best as we were shouted at by the vendors in the market for standing in front of their stores without buying. That said, the architecture is quite nice from the outside and it isn't too far from the main tourist area (Pham Ngu Lao street).
If you are looking for a way to see Ho Chi Minh City from the top, I would recommend you to visit the Bitexco Financial Tower and go up to their rooftop bar for a stunning sunset view over the city. Everything is expensive up there, but the view is unbeatable.
For the second day, you can go on a day trip to Cu Chi tunnels, an old network of interconnected tunnels used by the Viet Cong to resist the US forces during the Vietnam War. It is only 2 hours away from Ho Chi Minh City, and you can visit and even walk through one of the small tunnels yourself.
Be warned, though, that the tunnels are tiny, and if you are claustrophobic, I would recommend against entering the tunnel. One of the guys in my group fainted due to not knowing he was claustrophobic, and it was extra hot that day. The day trip should take half a day before they drop you off back in Pham Nhu Lao district, where you can continue exploring Ho Chi Minh City.
You can also go to both Cu Chi Tunnel and Mekong Delta on this day trip. It will be a long day, but if you want to escape the bustling city and see the beautiful countryside around the Mekong Delta, this is the way to go. You can book the organized tour here.
After spending 2 full days in Ho Chi Minh City, it is time to say goodbye to Vietnam and start our journey in the next country on this list of our Southeast Asia trip: Cambodia.
Getting to Phnom Penh from Ho Chi Minh City
To get from Vietnam to Cambodia, you will have to take a bus to the border and cross the land border on foot by yourself into Cambodia. The same bus will then take you to Phnom Penh.
There are several bus companies that operate this route, such as Giant Ibis and Kumho Samco. The price often ranges from 13 - 15 USD per person, and it will take you around 6 - 7 hours, depending on how crowded the border is that day.
You can book your bus ticket online here: Book a train/bus ticket from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh.
Day 14 - 15: Phnom Penh, Cambodia (2 Nights)
Phnom Penh is a great place to start your journey to Cambodia. With its awesome museums, there is no way you will leave Cambodia without learning a thing or two about the great Khmer empire that ruled this region in the middle ages.
A great museum to start off is the National Museum located a little north of the Royal Palace, which we will be exploring in the evening. The museum is full of artifacts and relics from the Khmer Empire discovered not long ago.
The architecture of the National Museum is worth a visit in itself, with the red modern-style Khmer temple architecture. Inside, you will find over 14,000 items, which include items from the prehistoric times, before, during, and after the Khmer empire era.
The entrance fee is $10 USD + $5 USD for an audio guide. You can spend at least 2-3 hours walking around the museum, admiring all the stunning artifacts of ancient times, and learning all about the Khmer Empire before visiting Siem Reap, the seat of power of the Khmer Empire.
After visiting the museum, you can learn more about the history of Cambodia during a darker period when the Khmer Rouge took over Cambodia at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, which was once a school turned prison turned museum. It is where the Khmer Rouge used to detain prisoners before shipping them to the Killing Fields.
It is an overwhelming experience to learn about all the atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge during that time, especially if you pair your visit with an audio guide. It was also not long ago that this happened, and at the Genocide Museum, you will get a chance to meet the survivors and talk to them about it.
After visiting the Genocide Museum, you have the option to take a tuk-tuk or a taxi to the Killing Field. It is a mass grave where prisoners were taken, shot, and buried in the field. Once again, this place is best experienced with an audio guide, as it allows you to learn about how the Khmer Rouge systematically massacred their own people. It is a horrifying but crucial lesson for anyone visiting Cambodia.
Once you are done with the Killing Field, it's time to visit the Royal Palace. Why did I leave this for the evening? Well, for one, the place will be less crowded then, and best of all, there will be more things going on around the palace that you can enjoy.
One of my favorite places to visit in Phnom Penh in the evening is the Royal Palace Park in front of the palace, where locals often bring their families for a picnic to cool down from the city life and enjoy the sunset vibe together. It is a great place to hang out and go people-watching in Phnom Penh.
I'm sure, after an entire day learning about Cambodia, you are probably exhausted, so you can spend the rest of the day chilling out along the Phnom Penh riverside and start planning your trip to Siem Reap.
Getting to Siem Reap from Phnom Penh
Getting to Siem Reap is pretty straightforward. There are several bus and van services that connect this route, such as Virak Buntham Express, Thero Express, and Giant Ibis. It will take you around 5-6 hours to get from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, and it should cost you around 15 USD per person.
You can book your bus ticket online here: Book a bus ticket from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap.
Day 16 - 18: Siem Reap, Cambodia (3 Nights)
Siem Reap, the once prosperous seat of power of the ancient Khmer empire, is home to one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world: Angkor Wat. I don't think there's any introduction needed from me for Angkor Wat, so here is what you can do in 2 days in Siem Reap.
On your first day in Siem Reap, I would recommend that you hire a tuk-tuk driver for a day to take you to all the Khmer temples around the region. You can hire the driver through your hostel/hotel. It should cost you around 15 USD for a day, and around 20 USD if you wish to visit Angkor Wat during sunrise.
After you get the driver, you will have to agree with your driver on the itinerary of your day. You can start off your day as early as 4 AM if you wish to witness the Angkor Wat during sunrise, which is nice but extremely crowded, or you can start whenever you feel like it.
My suggested itinerary for your tuk-tuk driver would be to start with the sunrise trip in Angkor Wat, where you will get your entry ticket. The ticket will cost you 37 USD (as of 2019) for a single day entry per person, and you will get access to Angkor Wat and all the other temples around the area.
After Angkor Wat, you can go further afield and visit the Banteay Srei temple complex followed by Ta Phrom (Tomb Raider temple), Ta Keo, Baphuon, Bayon Temple (the one with the smiling faces carved into stone walls), Angkor Thom South Gate, and finally, spend the rest of the day back in Angkor Wat, when there are fewer tourists.
Keep in mind that this is just a rough itinerary, and you can change it up depending on your style of travel and your driver's recommendations. Either way, it will be an action-packed first day in Siem Reap.
For the second day, you have the option to either take it slow and stay in Siem Reap and spend your day visiting the Angkor National Museum and walking around the touristy Pub Street, or if you want to explore further, get a taxi to take you to Beng Mealea, a lesser-known but equally epic Angkor temple outside of Siem Reap.
Things to keep in mind about the Beng Mealea temple are that it isn't included in the multi-day Angkor Wat pass, so there is no need to get the 3-day pass to visit this temple during your stay in Siem Reap. You can simply get the 1-day Angkor pass and visit this temple separately on your second day. The entrance fee for Beng Mealea is 5 USD and can be bought right in front of the temple.
Getting from Siem Reap to Bangkok
Border Conflict Update: The land border between the 2 countries remains closed since the border conflict in August 2025, and so the below information doesn't apply at the moment. You will have to fly between Siem Reap and Bangkok for now, which you could easily do via AirAsia.
It's quite a long journey from Siem Reap to Bangkok. With a bus, it will take you around 9 hours and will cost you around 30 USD via Giant Ibis or Nattakan Transport. The land border crossing is a little bit easier compared to the Vietnam-Cambodia border, as these two bus operators offer direct buses where you won't have to cross the border on foot with your luggage.
This is by far the most convenient and affordable way to get to Thailand from Cambodia. The bus often leaves in the morning at 8 AM, and you will arrive at Mo Chit 2 bus terminal in Bangkok by 5 PM, depending on the traffic.
You can book your bus ticket online here: Book a bus ticket from Siem Reap to Bangkok.
Day 19 - 21: Bangkok, Thailand (3 Nights)
Ah, Bangkok, the capital city of over 10 million people, and my hometown. Bangkok is a city that may not be a favorite for many, but as a Thai who lives here, I can say that if you give it a chance to shine, Bangkok can be quite an interesting place to explore.
Bangkok is also a great place to get your footing around Thailand and its interesting culture. As I recommended in my 7 Best Areas to Stay in Bangkok article, staying around Khaosan Road will allow you to launch yourself into all the beautiful temples in Bangkok all at once.
These temples near Khaosan Road are, hands down, the prettiest ones you will see in Thailand, and it would be a shame if you didn't get to see them. The first temple you should visit is the Grand Palace.
The Grand Palace is a complex of beautiful buildings and has been the official residence of the Kings of Siam since the 80s. The palace consists of stunning pagodas and architecture, all covered in either gold or extremely intricate sculptures and patterns that will make your jaw drop.
The Grand Palace has a very strict dress code, and you won't be allowed to enter without having your arms and legs covered, so no tank top and shorts for you here. This also applies to most temples in Thailand, so be sure to dress properly when you are visiting temples.
The Grand Palace's admission fee is 500 THB and the opening hours are from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM every day. Do not listen to tuk-tuk drivers who claim that the Palace is closed. The place is never closed, even on public holidays unless it's during a renovation.
Wat Pho is another great temple you should visit in Bangkok. It is right next to the Grand Palace, and you will be able to see one of the largest reclining Buddha statues in the country here.
Wat Pho's opening hours are from 8 AM to 6:30 PM, and the entrance fee for foreigners is 200 THB. I prefer this temple more than the Grand Palace because it is much less crowded, allowing you to sit and enjoy the place at your own leisure.
Wat Arun, an old temple featured on the 10 baht coin, is a great temple for you to visit right before the sunset. It is located right by the Chao Praya river, and you can take the boat taxi across from Wat Pho. The temple opens from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM, and the admission fee is 50 THB.
Once the sun is down, you can also have dinner by the Chao Praya River or you can go to Chinatown or Yaowarat and eat your way through this foodie's heaven. Chinatown's opening hours are between 6 PM and 10 PM, and you will find many street food carts where you can indulge yourself.
For a night out, you can go up to one of the many rooftop bars in Bangkok for a nice view of the city at night. I highly recommend the Red Sky, which is located right in the heart of Bangkok. However, most rooftop bars do have a strict dress code, so no flip-flops and shorts.
If you have a day to spare, I highly recommend you go on a day trip to Ayutthaya, one of the most important ancient cities in Thailand. It was regarded as the place that created the foundation of the Thai modern history we know today, and it is located only an hour away from Bangkok.
This ancient city, surrounded by moats, was mentioned quite extensively in many of the colonial-era European chronicles. Many called it the Venice of the East due to its strategic location, lively commerce, and beautiful structures that provide a great example of the Siam style architecture before European influences.
It is an awesome place to visit with many spots to explore, like the giant pagoda of Wat Yai Chaimongkol, the ancient Wat Chai Watthanaram that reminded me of Angkor Wat, the famous Buddha head embedded in a Banyan tree, one of the most photographed places in Ayutthaya, and so much more.
Getting from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is an 8-hour drive and an even longer journey on our slow train, so I think it is best that you just fly straight to Chiang Mai. There are several AirAsia and NokAir flights that fly this route every day. It takes 1.5 hours, and it costs around 25-50 USD, which is not much different from taking a bus.
If you want to take the bus, it's a 10-hour journey and it will cost you around 20 USD. For a train, it will take you around 12 hours and it will cost you 30 USD.
You can book your plane/train/bus ticket online here: Book a bus ticket from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.
Day 22 - 24: Chiang Mai, Thailand (3 Nights)
Chiang Mai used to be a kingdom of its own, separated from Siam, called Lanna, and that is why you will see a whole different culture when you arrive in Chiang Mai. There are tons of things to do in Chiang Mai, but I'll start off with the simplest one: visiting the Buddhist temples in the area.
There are a ton, and it's unlikely that you would see them all, so I would recommend you visit these 3 temples: Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, which sits on top of a hill overlooking the city, Wat Chedi Luang, one of the oldest temples in the old city wall area, and Wat Umong, located in a jungle just outside of Chiang Mai's old city wall. You can rent a scooter and explore all these temples in a day.
Another popular attraction in Chiang Mai is the chance to observe and interact with elephants, friendly and intelligent large mammals that symbolize Thailand as a country. Elephant Nature Park is a rehabilitation center where you will be able to feed and wash them. Riding is not allowed in this park, which is good because it is unethical to ride one.
In the evening, if you are there during the weekends, you should drop by the Saturday Market or Sunday Night Market and eat your way through it. There's a ton of delicious food to try in Chiang Mai, such as Khao Soi, a yellow curry with fried and boiled noodles, Nam Prik Num, a northern-style green chili dip, and Sai Aua, a Northern-style spicy sausage.
For the second day, you can go on a day trip and explore all the stunning nature around Chiang Mai, such as Doi Inthanon, the tallest mountain in Thailand. You can also visit Lamphun and learn about the long-forgotten history of the Haripunchai Kingdom, as well as visit Chiang Dao.
If you happen to be in Chiang Mai during the Loy Krathong celebration (late October to early November), be sure to participate in the Yi Peng festival at Mae Joe University, as well as enjoy the extravagant parade that often takes place at the Three Kings Monument.
Getting from Chiang Mai to Chiang Khong
GreenBus is a company that operates daily, three times in the morning and once in the afternoon, connecting Chiang Mai to Chiang Khong, a town before crossing the border to Laos. It will take around 6 hours, and the bus should cost approximately 10 - 15 USD per person.
You can book your bus ticket online here: Book a bus ticket from Chiang Mai to Chiang Khong.
Day 25: Chiang Khong, Thailand (1 Night)
Since you will be arriving in the late afternoon, you will have to stay one night in Chiang Khong, which is not a bad place to start planning on how to get to Luang Prabang in Laos from Thailand. A great way to travel from Thailand to Laos is on a slow boat, and we will do just that.
The next day, wake up early and walk or take a shuttle bus across the Friendship Bridge at the border between Thailand and Laos. Cross the border into Laos, and from there, you will have two options: organize the boat trip straight from the border, which may be a bit more expensive (around a 10 USD difference), or take a shuttle bus (5~ USD) to Huay Xai, where you can get on a boat from there.
For more information about the slow boat to Luang Prabang from Huay Xia, check out Slow Boat to Laos – The Best Tips and Advice by NomadaSaurus.
Day 26: Cruise to Luang Prabang, Laos (1 Night)
Cruising along the Mekong River to Luang Prabang is one of the best ways to start your trip in Laos. You will be able to experience the beautiful landscape of Laos at a much slower pace, allowing you to see what life is actually like in the countryside.
On your first day, you will be cruising along the Mekong for 7 hours until you arrive in Pakbeng where you will be spending the night. You will then start early the next day and continue your journey on the river for another 8 hours until you arrive in Luang Prabang at 5:30 PM.
Food and drinks are available to buy on the boat at a premium, so if you want to save some money, buy your lunch before you get on the boat.
Luang Prabang, Laos (2 Nights)
After 2 days on the boat, it's time to hit the ground running! Luang Prabang is a UNESCO world heritage town, which means that everything here, from architecture to culture, is to be preserved and protected.
With its unique rural development and French influence during colonization, Luang Prabang has a lot of unique experiences to offer. For one, the town is full of cozy French cafes for you to indulge yourself in, while all the glorious temples like Wat Xieng Thong, Haw Pha Bang, or Wat Wisnarat are all located within the same area, making exploring the temples of Luang Prabang a breeze.
One of the most impressive sights in Luang Prabang is the Kuang Si Waterfall, a gorgeous azure and turquoise cascade located 20 km away from Luang Prabang. You can reach there in 40 minutes if you rent your own scooter or you can go with a shared shuttle service to take you there and back.
After a refreshing day at the Kuang Si Waterfall, come back to Luang Prabang and right before sunset, start climbing the 300 steps staircase to the top of Phousi Hill for a stunning over the city.
Once you are done with Phousi Hill, come back down and the night market should already be in full-swing. Enjoy a nice stroll, shop for some souvenirs, and find a nice place to sit like Yuni Yupoun and enjoy your dinner. You deserve it!
Where to Stay in Luang Prabang?
Getting from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng
You can now take the Lao-Chinese fast train from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng. It only takes around 50 minutes which is way faster than taking the bus which would have taken at least 6 hours. You can book the train ticket online here.
Day 29 - 30: Vang Vieng, Laos (2 Nights)
Vang Vieng, once a hippie party town, is now a prime to become the adventure capital of Laos. The town is a town located along the Nam Song river, surrounded by a beautiful and mystical karst hill landscape. It is a perfect place for you to explore and experience the truly beautiful nature of Laos up close.
On the day you arrive, you can go for a walk around the main street, stroll around the night market to get the feel of the place, and start planning what you want to do the next day.
You have several options when it comes to things to do in Vang Vieng. You can rent a motorbike and explore Vang Vieng Loop. Hike up to Vang Vieng Night Market, visit one of the many Blue Lagoons (I suggest Blue Lagoon 3), and explore the beautiful countryside of Vang Vieng.
You can also go on a day trip and kayak the Nam Song River, go tubing inside Tham Nam Cave, ride the hot air balloon ride at sunrise, and more.
There are a ton of awesome activities you can do here so be sure to spend some time and pick what you want to do as you will only have one full day here before we move on to our next destination. If you have time to spare, I would recommend you spend at least 2 full days here with one day riding a motorbike around Vang Vieng Loop and another, going on a kayak/tubing tour along the Nam Song River.
Getting from Vang Vieng to Vientiane
To get to Vientiane from Vang Vieng, you can now take the Lao-Chinese fast train which will only take around 50 minutes and costs around 19 USD or you can take the minivan along the new tollway between to 2 cities for 10 USD but it will take you around 2 hours to get to Vientiane. You can book the train ticket online here.
Day 31 - 32: Vientiane, Laos (2 Nights)
Vientiane, one of the few capital cities in Southeast Asia that feels more like a quiet laid-back village than an overwhelming bustling city like Bangkok or Hanoi. In fact, that is what makes it so unique and charming to visit in the first place.
One of the most iconic landmarks in Vientiane that you should definitely check out first is Pha That Luang, a stunning golden stupa complex featuring a large central stupa surrounded by smaller stupas and shrines, all painted in gold and covered in traditional Lao design elements with Buddhist symbolism.
Another impressive structure in Vientiane you should check out is Patuxay, a striking war monument constructed in the 20th century to commemorate those who fought and died in various wars, including World War II and the Indochina Wars.
Also don't forget to visit Wat Sisaket, one of the oldest temples in the city, built in the early 19th century by the last king of the Vientiane Kingdom to get a little glimpse of the royal history of Laos.
Other attractions you should miss are Ho Phrakeo Museum, an impressive structure that was originally built as a royal temple in the 16th century to house the Emerald Buddha, COPE Visitor Center, a small museum dedicated to telling the stories of the people who are affected by UXO or unexploded ordinance, Buddha Park, a unique park filled with incredible sculptures and monuments, and Vientiane Night Market, located along the bank of the Mekong River.
Getting from Vientiane to Bangkok
You can either fly straight from Vientiane to Bangkok via AirAsia or you can take bus #14 from central bus terminal to the Lao-Thai border, cross the border into Nong Khai in Thailand, catch a minivan to either Udon Thani airport or the train station and travel to Bangkok from there. It takes a little longer (or 12 hours longer if you choose the train route) but it will be a little cheaper if you cross the border first before flying or riding the overnight train back to Bangkok.
You can find a plane/bus/train ticket and book online here: Book a ticket from Vientiane to Bangkok.
Bangkok, Thailand (1 Night)
Depending on which flight you are on from Vientiane, you might be able to get away without staying one night in Bangkok and catch the same-day flight to Mandalay. However, if you can't make it, you can stay one night in Bangkok, preferably near Don Muang Airport so you can easily catch the next flight out.
Getting from Bangkok to Mandalay
There is one flight per day operated by AirAsia that connects these two cities. The flight will cost around 60 USD, and it will take you around 2 hours to arrive in Mandalay, where you will begin your journey in Myanmar.
You can book your plane ticket online here: Book a plane ticket from Bangkok to Mandalay.
Day 34 - 35: Mandalay, Myanmar (2 Nights)
Myanmar is no longer safe to visit due to the ongoing internal conflicts, so I recommend you skip this part and continue from Khao Sok, Thailand.
Myanmar is currently entering a new era. It used to be one of the most off-the-beaten-path destinations in the region, but nowadays, as the country is opening up more and more to the world, it is going through a big change for better and for worse.
Thankfully, for us travelers, that means we can finally travel around this beautiful country, learn about its rich history, and be able to freely explore all the stunning ancient architecture.
Mandalay is a former ancient royal city in the Northern region of Myanmar. It is home to the impressive Mandalay Palace, the last standing royal palace of the last monarchy of Myanmar. There is a ton to see and do inside, making it a perfect place to start your first day in Mandalay.
Another of my favorite architecture in Mandalay is the Shwenandaw Monastery, an antique-looking teakwood monastery built in the late 19th century. Its architectural style is a complete contrast to what you see at the newly renovated Mandalay Palace, allowing you to get a glimpse of what Myanmar architecture looked like back in the day.
There are a few other things worth seeing in Mandalay as well, such as Mandalay Hill, the perfect viewpoint for the sunset over the city, U Bein Bridge, one of the oldest and longest teakwood bridges in the world, another great place to watch the sunset/sunrise, and the incomplete Mingun Pahtodawgyi stupa, the remains of a massive construction project that started in the 18th century but was never finished.
In order to get around Mandalay and see all of these places, you might have to hire a moto-taxi to take you around the area, which should cost around $15-20 USD for a day.
Getting from Mandalay to Bagan
There are 2 ways you can get to Bagan from Mandalay: one is the local train, which leaves at night and you will arrive at 5 AM the next day, taking around 8 hours and costing 8 - 13 USD. The second way is by bus/minivan, which will take 6 hours and cost around 12 USD.
You can book your bus ticket online here: Book a bus ticket from Mandalay to Bagan.
Day 36 - 38: Bagan, Myanmar (3 Nights)
Myanmar is no longer safe to visit due to the ongoing internal conflicts, so I recommend you skip this part and continue from Khao Sok, Thailand.
Bagan and all its 2,000 stupas, scattered all over a plain, are by far one of the best places to watch the sunrise in the world. Every time I was in Myanmar, I always made it a point to get myself to Bagan to bike around and discover abandoned stupas I hadn't discovered the last time.
Bagan is an ancient capital city of the Pagan kingdom that ruled the area from the 11th to the 13th century. During their reign, they built over 10,000 stupas and temples all over Bagan, and 2,000 of them are still standing today, waiting for us to explore.
The stupas and temples are all scattered out, so we will need to find a mode of transportation that will get us to, at least, all the main sites of Bagan ancient city. One of the best ways to explore Bagan is by bike or e-bike, which allows you to visit some of the more remote ruins that require you to go through small sandy roads.
Here is a list of all the main temples and stupas you should visit when you are in Bagan:
- Shwe San Daw Paya - The best viewpoint to watch the sunrise. However, there will be a ton of people doing the same thing, so be prepared. My recommendation is to outstay them, as most people will leave when the sun rises only a bit. The beauty of Bagan at sunrise lasts until 10 AM, so outstay the rest of the tourists, and you will have the whole place to yourself.
- Htilominlo Temple
- Ananda Temple
- Thatbyinnyu Temple is a stunning temple with a pointy spire that you can see from everywhere in Old Bagan.
- Dahmmayan Gyi Phaya - This is my favorite temple of all because it has a unique architectural style, totally different from the rest of the temples in the area. Most temples usually have spires decorated on top of the structure, except this one, probably due to the fact that the King was assassinated before the project was complete.
- Sulamani Temple
If you are looking for more activities to do here, be sure to check out some of the available tours and day trips.
Getting from Bagan to Mandalay
You will have to backtrack the way you came from with a morning/overnight bus or a train to Mandalay and stay one night there to catch a flight back to Thailand.
You can book your bus ticket online here: Book a bus ticket from Bagan to Mandalay.
Day 39: Mandalay, Mandalay (1 Night)
Myanmar is no longer safe to visit due to the ongoing internal conflicts, so I recommend you skip this part and continue from Khao Sok, Thailand.
In order to get back to Thailand and continue our journey south, we will have to stay one night in Mandalay and catch the next flight back to Bangkok the following day.
Getting from Bangkok to Khao Sok
After arriving back in Bangkok from Myanmar, you will have to take an overnight bus that goes directly to Khao Sok National Park. There is one bus operator that operates this direct route, and they depart three times a day: 7 PM, 7:30 PM, and 8 PM. The journey will take over 14 hours, and it will cost you 30-40 USD.
You can book your plane ticket online here: Book a plane ticket from Bangkok to Khao Sok.
You can also get a domestic flight from Bangkok to Surat Thani via Thai Lion Air or AirAsia, which flies 6 times a day, takes about an hour and a half, and costs about 25 - 50 USD. Once you arrive at the airport, you can get a direct van operated by Phantip. In just 2 hours, you will be in Khao Sok, and it will only cost you 11 USD.
You can book your van ticket online here: Book a van ticket from Surat Thani Airport to Khao Sok.
Day 40 - 42: Khao Sok, Thailand (3 Nights)
After Myanmar, our next destination is Khao Sok National Park. If I had to pick my favorite places to visit in Thailand, this must be it. Khao Sok Lake is an artificial lake formed by the construction of the Ratchaprapa dam, where you can take a long boat into the national park, through all the stunning limestone mountains, and sleep in a remote floating bungalow for a night.
After arriving in Khao Sok village, you will have to stay one night in the quiet and peaceful village of Khao Sok. Here, you will be able to relax a little and spend the rest of your day finding a tour that will take you to a floating bungalow in Khao Sok Lake. There are tons of options for you to choose from, including spending only one night or three nights, going hiking, caving, and many more activities.
For this itinerary, I would personally go with a 2-day, 1-night trip to the government-run floating bungalow. This trip should include a morning safari for wild animal spotting, a water cave walk, and a jungle walk. It is a 2-day trip, full of action-packed activities, while also allowing you to enjoy the nature of the national park by yourself in the evening.
There's a kayak that you can rent and explore the limestone mountains around your floating bungalow at your own pace. This is one of my favorite pastime activities, but beware, a lot of people will want to do the same, so be sure to get the kayak before everyone else!
Getting from Khao Sok to Krabi
To get to Krabi, you will have to get yourself to Surat Thani city center first, and you can take the van from Surat Thani to Krabi. You can get the one at 9 AM from Khao Sok, where you should arrive in Surat Thani by 11:30 AM, and then you can get the 12:30 PM van to Krabi. The entire trip should take about 6 hours and cost around 16 USD.
You can book your bus ticket online here: Book a bus ticket from Khao Sok to Krabi.
Day 43 - 45: Krabi, Thailand (3 Nights)
We are definitely in the heart of Southern Thailand now, and as we go further south, the places will become more exotic. Krabi is definitely a great place to visit with its slew of awesome things to do, from adventurous activities like rock climbing and hiking to more relaxing ones like snorkeling and swimming at one of the many beaches and islands here.
You have 2 options on what to do in Krabi. You can either choose a day of relaxation and spend your time at Ao Nang or Railay Beach, have a foot massage and take it slow.
Or you can go on a full-blown adrenaline-pumping trip and join some of the cool activities you can do here. You can go rock climbing above one of the many limestone cliffs, kayaking around mangroves and canyons, going on a boat trip around the 4 islands of Krabi, or hiking up to the Dragon Crest Viewpoint for a stunning view over Krabi. All in all, it is a great place to spend at least 3 nights here before we head over to our next destination.
Getting from Krabi to Koh Lipe
From Krabi city center, you can take a direct transfer operated by Jolly Travel that departs at 6:30 AM. This transfer will take you to the Pakbara pier in Satun province, where you will be transferred to a speed boat that will take you to Koh Lipe. The cost for this transfer is around 30 USD, and it will take approximately 6 hours.
You can book your bus ticket online here: Book a bus ticket from Khao Sok to Koh Lipe.
Day 46 - 48: Koh Lipe, Thailand (3 Nights)
Koh Lipe is a small island off the coast of Satun province in Thailand, bordering Malaysia, but don't let the size fool you. There are tons of things to do in Koh Lipe, most of which are underwater around the island.
Koh Lipe is one of the best places to go snorkeling in Thailand. Once you arrive on the island, pay a park entrance fee. You will be met with two options for snorkeling: one will take you to the inner islands to snorkel, and the other will take you to the outer islands. Both trips should cost around 15 - 20 USD, and both will take you all day until 4 - 5 PM.
You can choose to do both trips in 2 days, or you can choose to spend your first day exploring the inner islands and the second day relaxing on the island. I prefer the latter, so I chose the inner island trip, which took me to Jabang, Koh Hin Ngam, Koh Rawi, Koh Adang, and Koh Yang. The trip includes lunch, snorkeling gear, and a life jacket for safety.
On the second day, you can walk around the island, watch the sunset at the Sunset Beach, and eat your way through Walking Street. You will find some delicious southern-style street food at the night market, so be prepared to satisfy your appetite.
Getting from Koh Lipe to Hat Yai
There are a few steps that you have to take to get to Penang, Malaysia from Koh Lipe. First, you will have to get to Hat Yai, a southern city hub that connects Malaysia with Thailand. Departing from Koh Lipe at 9:30 AM, you should be in Hat Yai by 01:30 PM, and it should cost you around 20 USD.
You can book your bus ticket online here: Book a bus ticket from Koh Lipe to Hat Yai.
Getting from Hat Yai to Penang
From Hat Yai, you should be able to find a direct bus operated by New Asian Travel to Penang that departs at 03:00 PM. It should take another 4 hours and cost around 13 USD before you arrive in Penang at around 8 PM.
You can book your bus ticket online here: Book a bus ticket from Hat Yai to Penang - Make sure you don't get the ticket that drops you off at Georgetown, not the Butterworth terminal.
Day 49 - 51: Penang, Malaysia (3 Nights)
Penang is an island off the coast of the Malaysian peninsula, and it is a great place to start your journey in Malaysia. Relative to neighboring countries, Penang is not very well known as a vacation destination for most tourists because of its not-so-beautiful beaches. However, due to its rich multicultural history full of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and European influences, the city is truly one of a kind, full of things to do, places to see, and delicious food to try.
Scattered around George Town are street arts that combine physical objects with wall paintings to depict the life of the people in Penang. All of these are within walking distance, and that is one of the first things you can do in Georgetown, Penang.
Chew Jetty, a village on stilts on the shores of Penang, is also another attraction right in the city center of George Town that you can visit. Walking around the jetty should help you understand the life of the people in this area back in the day. They also sell souvenirs, so you can help support the local community by buying their handcrafts for your loved ones at home.
Looking for a place to eat your way through Penang? I've got just the place for you. Free of tourists, the Farlim Night Market is a great place for you to walk around, grab a bunch of street food you want to try, find a spot to sit, and eat them all with your friends. This is the place where Penang truly comes alive.
For the second day in Penang, one of the most impressive attractions on the island is the Kek Lok Si temple, a large complex of Chinese-style Buddhist temples located at the center of the island.
At the heart of the temple is a seven-story-high Pagoda of Rama VI with over 10,000 bronze statues of Buddha, and the most iconic landmark of this temple: the 30m tall bronze statue of Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy. You can probably spend half a day here just walking around and exploring all the temples inside the complex.
Right around the corner of the Kek Lok Si temple complex is a famous Laksa food stall called Ayer Itam Assam Laksa. You have to try it out as supposedly, it is the best place to eat Laksa in Penang. Also, try the sugarcane juice while you are at it.
Getting from Penang to Cameron Highlands
There is a direct bus that departs Penang at 12 PM operated by New Asian Travel that you can take to get to Cameron Highlands. It should take you around 5 hours and cost you 13 USD for the trip.
You can book your bus ticket online here: Book a bus ticket from Penang to Cameron Highlands.
Day 52 - 54: Cameron Highlands, Malaysia (3 Nights)
Cameron Highlands is one of the oldest tourist spots in Malaysia. Surveyed by geologist William Cameron in 1885, Cameron Highlands is now known for its beautiful hills, tea estates, cool weather, and as a great place to go hiking.
On your first day in Cameron Highlands, I would recommend you to go on a tour to visit all the attractions that are further away from Tanah Rata, the town where you will be based. I went with Eco Cameron travel agency, and they were awesome. I went for a half-day tour (8:30 AM - 12 PM) to Boh Tea Plantation and Mossy Forest, and it cost me 50 MYR.
This way, you will be able to see all the cool attractions that are hard to reach on foot, all in one go. The tour was small in number (5 of us), and we went to many places that were not as crowded. I would highly recommend going on a tour with Eco Cameron any day.
For the second day, we can explore all the hills and tea plantations at our own pace on foot on one of the many hiking trails available in Cameron Highlands. There are 14 hiking trails for you to choose from, but the best one by far is the combination of trail #6 and trail #10.
Trail #6 starts off in Tanah Rata, and it will take you to the top of Gunung Jasar, where you will descend along Trail #10 through thick forest into the tea plantation of Cameron Valley. Here, you will be able to experience the tea plantation up close.
The hike should take you half a day, and you can spend the rest of the day freshening up and relaxing in Tanah Rata, trying their famous scones.
Getting from Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur
There are plenty of buses operated by Unititi Express connecting Cameron Highlands with the capital city for you to choose from. The trip should take around 4 hours and cost you $11 USD.
You can book your bus ticket online here: Book a bus ticket from Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur.
Day 55 - 57: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (3 Nights)
Kuala Lumpur is a unique capital city that is often overlooked, but the city has a few tricks up its sleeve. For one, it is cheap for a city this size, not very well-known to other travelers, and the best part: the city is a melting pot of religions where people of many beliefs and races live together. This results in one of the best places to go out, eat, and explore stunning varieties of architecture and cultures in Kuala Lumpur.
One of those religious sites that you should visit is the Batu cave, located a 45-minute train ride away from Kuala Lumpur. Batu cave is a sacred Hindu temple located magnificently inside a limestone mountain. In front of the cave is the 43m high golden statue of Lord Murugan.
You can climb the 272 steps up to the top, where you will find Hindu shrines built perfectly under the sun ray coming through the cavern. It is one of the most religious structures in KL and an interesting one to witness.
Other places worth visiting in Malaysia are the National Museum if you are interested in how Malaysia came to be (a really interesting museum), the National Monument and the Perdana Botanical Gardens, a great place to escape the city and be among nature. Lastly, if you are looking for a place to eat out and try all kinds of Asian street food, be sure to drop by Jalan Alor Street in the evening.
If this isn't your first time in Kuala Lumpur, or if you have already done everything I recommended, you can go and explore the coffee and Kopitiam culture of Malaysia, and try all the cool restaurants and cafes in the city.
Getting from Kuala Lumpur to Melaka
It's pretty straightforward. There are several buses that depart from the Terminal Bersepadu Selatan. The bus should take you around 2 hours and cost only 4 USD.
You can book your bus ticket online here: Book a bus ticket from Kuala Lumpur to Malacca.
Day 58: Melaka, Malaysia (1 Night)
Melaka is one of the most important port cities in the history of trade. Situated in the Malacca Strait that connects the South Asian Sea and Europe to the East, the city was once the seat of the Malay Kingdom and has gone through several periods of prosperity and neglect, resulting in a city so unique, you need to see for yourself.
Due to its diverse nature with the city's unique Nyonya culture (Chinese + Malay) and the influence from the Portuguese, the Dutch, and the English, Melaka has plenty to offer for travelers who are curious about the history or simply enjoy experiencing unique cultures.
The Stadthuys and its vivid red-colored square are the landmarks of Melaka city center and a must-visit when you are in Melaka. As you can see from the name, the square was built by the Dutch during colonization, and it is considered to be the oldest remaining Dutch structure in the East.
There are several colonial structures scattered throughout Melaka such as the A Famosa fortress, the St. Paul's church, and many museums dedicated to telling the story of Melaka Kingdom before, during, and after the colonial times.
If you are interested in the history of Melaka, be sure to visit the Maritime Museum to learn about Melaka and its maritime prowess, and the Sultanate Palace Museum, where you will be able to learn about the history of Melaka during the sultan's rule.
Getting from Melaka to Singapore
This trip should be a piece of cake. There are several buses operated by StarMart Express and 707 SG that connect these 2 cities. The bus ride should take around 4 hours and cost about 10 USD.
You can book your bus ticket online here: Book a bus ticket from Melaka to Singapore.
Day 59 - 61: Singapore (3 Nights)
When you arrive in Singapore, you might be shocked at how expensive the country is compared to the rest of Southeast Asia. It's a pretty common reaction among travelers and backpackers visiting Southeast Asia, but do not let that deter you from exploring the city. There are many ways to mitigate the high cost of living here as a traveler and that is what we are going to do here.
First and foremost, if you are looking to save some money, I highly recommend you eat at hawker markets like Maxwell Food Center or Lau Pa Sat. They are like the street food carts you see in other countries in Southeast Asia, but all put under one roof. They are easily accessible and affordable to the people without dirtying the streets and creating chaos like other cities in region.
There are also many free things you can do in the city, like visiting the Joo Chiat District where all the colorful houses are, explore Fort Canning Park, the green lung of Singapore, walk around Little India and the Arab Street to try some exotic food, and so much more.
After sundown, go for a walk around Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade and admire the cityscape. You can then proceed to Garden By the Bay and enjoy the light and sound show at either 7:45 PM or 8:45 PM for free.
As you can see, there are a ton of things you can do here that will not cost you a dime, so go out and explore the city. Enjoy the diverse culture of Singapore and admire just how developed the city has become Spend 3 nights here before heading over to Indonesia.
Getting from Singapore to Jakarta
For this trip, you will have to fly across the ocean to get to Jakarta. Thankfully, Singapore and Jakarta are both big hubs for air traffic, so you should have no problem finding cheap flights that connect the two cities.
You can get an AirAsia flight from Singapore to Jakarta for $50 USD, and it will take around 2 hours for the trip.
You can book your plane ticket online here: Book a plane ticket from Singapore to Jakarta.
Day 62 - 63: Jakarta, Indonesia (2 Nights)
Jakarta is the largest city in Southeast Asia, with a whopping population of 10 million, almost double that of the second-biggest city, Bangkok. The beauty of Jakarta does not lie in its attractions or the chaotic character of the city, but in the kindness within the hearts of the locals that make the city so special.
I wouldn't say that Jakarta is the highlight of this itinerary, but it is always good to stop by the capital city of a country to familiarize yourself with the culture before you dive deeper into the country.
There are several sites you can check out when you are in Jakarta for the day. Places like the National Monument, the Istiqlal Mosque, and the Old Harbor (Pelabuhan Sunda Kelapa) are all unique places that you can visit.
I especially love exploring the Old Harbour at night, thanks to one of the locals who showed me around all the massive wooden boats and let me see how the people live their lives on those boats.
Getting from Jakarta to Yogyakarta
The best way to get from Jakarta to Yogyakarta is to take the early morning train that leaves at 6 AM and arrives in Yogyakarta at 2:35 PM.
You can find more information about the train here: How to get from Jakarta to Yogyakarta by train without the headache.
Day 64 - 65: Yogyakarta, Indonesia (2 Nights)
Yogyakarta is a city in central Java known for its traditional arts and cultural heritage. It is one of the most visited cities in Java, and since we are heading east towards the islands, we will be spending 2 nights here to learn about the central Javanese people and all the important sites that make the city stand out in Indonesian history.
The first thing I would recommend you to do is to go on a sunrise trip to Borobudur, the world's largest Buddhist temple built in the 9th century, containing over 72 Buddha statues inside a pagoda. The site is considered to be one of the great archaeological sites of Southeast Asia and is, by far, the most visited tourist attraction in all of Indonesia.
Being there during sunrise should allow you to have the whole place to yourself, enabling you to enjoy all the intricate details of the temple complex and the landscape around it before throngs of tourists, both locals and foreigners, arrive.
Another great archaeological site that you should see in Yogyakarta is the Prambanan temple, the largest Hindu temple site in Indonesia, second only to the Angkor Wat. Its stunning pointy spires, towering over 47m high, are hard to miss when you pass by.
There are also several other things to do after visiting these 2 main sites that should keep you occupied for an entire day, like visiting the Taman Sari, an ancient royal bath, the Chicken Church (Gereja Ayam), which is literally a church shaped like a chicken, and many more.
Getting from Yogyakarta to Surabaya
From Yogyakarta, there is no direct bus to Mount Bromo. Therefore, you will have to stay overnight in Surabaya and make your way up to the volcano from there. To get to Surabaya, you can take a bus operated by Eka Cepat, which leaves Surabaya every hour. It should take around 6 hours to get to Surabaya, and it should cost you around 10 USD.
You can book the bus ticket online here: Book a bus ticket from Yogyakarta to Surabaya.
Day 66: Surabaya, Indonesia (1 Night)
Now that we have split the trip into two days, we can spend the rest of the day in Surabaya organizing our transportation to Mount Bromo the next day. You can either organize a taxi to drive you all the way to Mt. Bromo via your accommodation, or you can do it independently.
Getting from Surabaya to Mount Bromo
To do it independently, you have to start early and take the 9 AM train to Probolinggo, and you should arrive in Probolinggo by 11 PM. From Probolinggo, you will have to hail an o-jek or a yellow bus waiting for you in front of the train station to Bayuangga bus station (5km out of town) where you can get a bus up to Cemoro Lawang, a town located right on the caldera of Mount Bromo.
If, for some reason, you arrive too late or the bus isn't going because there aren't enough people, you might have to negotiate with the bus driver and pay him a premium to take you up there.
You can book the train ticket online here: Book a train ticket from Surabaya to Probolinggo.
Day 67: Mt. Bromo, Indonesia (1 Night)
From Surabaya, you should arrive in Cemoro Lawang before dark so you can spend some time walking around town, finding a way to get to the crater tomorrow morning. Your guesthouses should be able to organize a sunrise trip for you. It should cost you no more than 80,000 IDR for a sunrise trip. Also, the Cemara Indah Hotel has one of the best views of Mount Bromo, so be sure to drop by there and check it out.
The view of Mount Bromo at sunrise is probably one of the best views you can get, and even though people say it is crowded during sunrise, I can guarantee you that it is worth it. You can go a little bit off the trail, and you should have no problem finding a quiet place to watch the sunrise in solitude.
If you have yourself a shared jeep at sunrise, they should come and pick you up at 3:30 AM, and they should take you to the sunrise spot, down to the crater, and back.
After sunrise, the jeep should take you down to the barren land near Mount Batok, and you can walk around there. Be sure to spend a few hours here and walk all the way up the crater and around it to truly grasp the scale of the volcano. You can also choose to walk back to Cemoro Lawang if you don't want to take a jeep back.
Where to Stay at Mt. Bromo?
Getting from Mt. Bromo to Bali
First things first, you will have to get yourself down to Probolinggo. There should be a bus leaving from Cemoro Lawang to Probolinggo at 9 AM (check with your guest house first as the schedule can change without notice), and you should arrive at Probolinggo in 2 hours. From Probolinggo, you can catch the 7 PM bus to Denpasar, Bali, which should take around 10 hours and cost around 25 USD.
You can book the bus ticket online here: Book a bus ticket from Probolingo to Bali.
Day 68 - 70: Bali, Indonesia (3 Nights)
Personally, I think Bali is too crowded, and the best of Indonesia is yet to come, so I wouldn't recommend spending too long here. There are better beaches on Lombok and Flores with fewer people. That said, the architecture in Bali is just breathtaking, and it is the only reason why I would recommend you to stop in Bali.
Ubud is a great place to see stunning Balinese architecture, with places like the Water Palace, Tirta Empul complex (where people bathe off their sins in freshwater pools), and the Goa Gajah (Elephant cave) that are worth visiting.
You can also go for a short walk in the rice field at the Tegalalang rice terrace. If you want to avoid the crowds, be at the Tegalalang rice field at 7 AM, and you will have the entire place to yourself.
Getting from Bali to Gili Islands
First, you will have to pick which islands you want to go to. There are 3 islands: Gili Trawangan, the most budget-friendly but most touristy; Gili Air and Gili Meno, both a bit upscale and have fewer tourists.
Once you have decided, you will then have to get to Padang Bai Pier to get on a ferry to the Gili island you wish to go. The ferry should take around 2 hours and cost 30 USD.
You can book the bus ticket online here: Book a bus ticket from Bali to the Gili Islands.
Day 71 - 72: Gili Islands, Indonesia (2 Nights)
After spending 2 days in Ubud, you have 3 options for your next destination: the Gili Islands. If you are on a tight budget, Gili Trawangan is the most budget-friendly. However, if you prefer a quieter and more peaceful experience, you can choose either Gili Meno or Gili Air. No matter which one you choose, you will have to go to Padang Bai Port to get a ferry across to any of these islands. Be sure to ask for the boat schedule at your guesthouse because it changes depending on the weather forecast.
The Gilis are small islands off the coast of Lombok, and they are the perfect place to relax by the beach, go for a snorkeling trip with sea turtles, or simply walk around the island. This is what I mean. Why stay on the crowded Bali beaches when you can find plenty of pretty yet empty beaches elsewhere?
Where to Stay on Gili Meno?
Getting from Gili Islands to Lombok
The Gili islands are only a 10-20 minute boat ride away, and you will be able to find public boats at the harbor that will leave for Lombok whenever it's full. The ticket should cost around 1 USD for the public boat.
For more information about the public boat from Gili Islands to Lombok: Public Boat to Gili Islands, Lombok.
Day 73 - 75: Lombok, Indonesia (3 Nights)
After you spend a day on one of the Gili Islands, you can hop on a boat to Senggigi in Lombok, a great place to relax and enjoy a much quieter vibe compared to Bali. Rent a scooter and drive along the coastal road of Northwest Lombok at your own pace.
The beauty of riding a scooter is that you can stop and take a photo any time, and with a road like this, you just have to stop and take it all in. Be sure to head over to one of the many awesome beaches near Senggigi with your scooters, such as the Setangi beach, the Kerandangan beach, and one of my favorites, the Pandanan beach.
Getting from Lombok to Kuching
Kuching is a city in the Sarawak state of Malaysia, located on Borneo, north of Indonesia. In order to get there, we will have to fly. Thankfully, AirAsia does offer a flight from Lombok to Kuching via Kuala Lumpur transit, all in one day. It's a bit expensive at $100 USD, but we are traveling quite far, and I assure you, Borneo is like nothing else we've seen here.
You can book the plane ticket online here: Book a plane ticket from Lombok to Kuching.
Day 76 - 79: Kuching, Malaysia (3 - 4 Nights)
Not many people make it to Borneo on their trip to Southeast Asia, but not this itinerary. We are taking you back to Malaysia and to the "The lungs of Earth".
Borneo is an island off the coast of Malaysia that is shared by three countries: Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia. The island also contains one of the oldest rainforests in the world, estimated to be 140 million years old. This makes it one of the last few refuges for endangered species, such as the Borneo orangutan.
When you arrive in Kuching, the first thing you have to do is visit the Semenggoh Nature Reserve. Drop by either around 9 AM or 3 PM when the rangers feed the orangutans, and they will come out of the forest for you to see. You can easily spend 2 hours here, watching them do their thing.
Spend the other half of the day wandering around the city, checking out the Tua Pek Kong Temple, cruising along the river, or walking the waterfront and appreciating the beautiful New Sarawak Parliament architecture.
On your second day, take an Uber or a tour to Sarawak Cultural Village to learn more about the rich Sarawak culture and their traditions, from their famous longhouse architecture and wooden bridge to their unique dance performances. It may be a little touristy, but I learned so much from visiting this place.
Start from Kuching early and take a bus and a boat to Bako National Park. There are many hikes you can do here, and all the information will be provided to you when you register at the national park office. I recommend hiking the yellow trail if you don't have enough time.
You can also spend 2 days in Bako National Park, located not too far from Kuching, where you will be able to see the long-nosed monkeys and other kinds of animals like boars and insects in their habitat.
There are several hikes you can do in Bako National Park, but the best one with a great view and not too long is the Yellow trail. Be sure to grab the hiking map at the tourist information inside the park before you embark on the journey.
Getting from Kuching to Miri
Unfortunately, there is no direct bus to Brunei, but there is an overnight one to Miri, a city right at the border between Malaysia and Brunei. You will have to take an overnight bus operated by EVA Express that leaves at 11:30 PM and arrives in Miri at 7:00 AM. The bus from Kuching to Miri will cost you 13 USD and takes 7.5 hours.
You can book the bus ticket online here: Book a bus ticket from Kuching to Miri.
Getting from Miri to Brunei
From Miri, you can either hire a taxi driver from Miri bus station to Brunei, or you can wait until 8:15 AM and get on a bus operated by PHLS Express to Brunei. This leg will cost you another 12 USD and take 1.5 hours.
You can book the bus ticket online here: Book a bus ticket from Miri to Brunei.
Day 80 - 81: Brunei (2 Nights)
One day is more than enough to see Brunei, in my opinion. The wonderful Islamic architecture in Brunei is truly one of a kind. Check out the Omar Ali Saifuddien mosque, Istana Nurul Iman palace, and the gigantic Jame Asr Hassanil Bolkiah mosque when you are there.
You can also take a water taxi to Kampong Ayer, one of the most crowded water villages with over 35,000 people living on stilts. Learn the history of why Kampong Ayer used to be one of the most important trade posts in this region.
Getting from Brunei to Kota Kinabalu
Brace yourself, as this trip will get your passport stamped the most in one day due to the road going in and out of Brunei, Sarawak, and Sabah, all of which have their own stamps. There is one bus operated by Sipitang Express that leaves Brunei at 8 AM, and you will be in Kota Kinabalu in 7 hours. The bus costs 25 USD per person.
You can book the bus ticket online here: Book a bus ticket from Brunei to Kota Kinabalu.
Day 82 - 83: Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia (2 Nights)
Prepare your stomach because the moment you arrive in the Kota Kinabalu city center, you will be bombarded with the smells of fresh street food being cooked at the food market along the riverfront.
As you arrive in Kinabalu in the evening, you can drop by the riverfront at sunset, walk through the nearby market, and eat and drink your way through the night before resting for the day.
The next day, you can go island-hopping around the coast of Kota Kinabalu in the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park. To be honest, I wasn't that impressed with the islands around here, but if you are looking for a beach day to celebrate your last day in Southeast Asia, Kota Kinabalu is not a bad place to do so.
Getting from Kota Kinabalu to Kuala Lumpur
AirAsia operates this route 10+ times a day at around $50 USD, so you will have no trouble finding your way back to Kuala Lumpur, where you will be flying back home.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (1 Nights)
At last, we are at the end of our 3-month epic journey through Southeast Asia. You deserve a good rest before heading home, my friend. Spend your last night in Kuala Lumpur, maybe indulge yourself with a night in a luxury hotel with a pool, and do absolutely nothing for the rest of your day before you say goodbye to Southeast Asia.
As you can see, we are only 7 days short of making this travel guide a complete 90-day itinerary. However, as you know, when it comes to travel, things rarely go according to plan, and that is why I left 7 days out for you. These buffer days will come in handy when unforeseeable incidents happen. For example, you might have to stay overnight somewhere due to your bus/boat/train being late or you just want to spend a bit longer in certain places. With this itinerary I've created for you, you are able to be quite flexible with it.
When to Visit Southeast Asia?
Southeast Asia covers a wide range of landscapes, all of which have different weather patterns. It can rain all year round, and the heat and humidity often linger in the lowlands for most of the year.
That said, the best time to visit overall is from November to March, when the weather is often cooler and not as humid throughout the year.
Combining the cool weather and the clear days that you will get during this month, you will be able to maximize your time in the sun outside, doing outdoor activities rather than being stuck in the rain.
All the other months are okay to visit too, but keep in mind that April is often considered the hottest month of the year, while June to August is considered to be the rainy season.
How to Get to Southeast Asia?
Southeast Asia has a lot of hub cities you can fly into cheaply. The most prominent ones are Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore.
From the US, you can fly to one of these cities via either Japan on ANA Airways or via the Middle East with airlines like Emirates and Qatar, etc.
If you are from Europe, KLM, AirFrance, or Lufthansa are also great options with direct flights and more.
If you are already in Asia, that's even easier and cheaper since AirAsia pretty much covers most of the big cities within this part of the world.
Since this itinerary begins in Hanoi, it is recommended that you find a flight from your home country to either Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, or Singapore first. From there, fly via AirAsia to Hanoi and begin your journey there.
For more information on which flights to buy, I would recommend you browse through Skyscanner or Expedia to find the best affordable flight that fits your itinerary for Southeast Asia.
How to Get Around Southeast Asia?
Since this travel guide covers over 9 countries, we will be traveling around Southeast Asia with almost every mode of transportation imaginable, except maybe a submarine... or a horse... or... well, let's just leave it at that 🤣.
Trains are an affordable and scenic way to see the diverse landscapes of Southeast Asia that you wouldn't otherwise see on a bus. They are relatively reliable and very accessible, even if you do not know the language. One drawback is that they are not as fast as the trains you may find in Europe.
Buses/Minivans will likely be your main mode of transportation. The public buses in Southeast Asia are cheap and quite accessible, whereas shared minivans are a great alternative if you are looking for a more direct route. Although a bit more expensive than the bus, you will be getting a much smoother and faster experience.
You can book all your bus and train tickets for Southeast Asia online here: Book your bus & train tickets for Southeast Asia with 12GO.
Flights, although the priciest option out of all, are a great way to skip long distances and be at the place you really want to be at an instant. In this guide, I have a few routes (Vientiane to Bangkok, Bangkok to Mandalay, Singapore to Jakarta, and Lombok to Sarawak) that I would recommend you take a flight instead, which should help you see Southeast Asia more with the limited time we have.
Thankfully, flights in Southeast Asia are pretty cheap with AirAsia, and if you book them in advance, some may be as low as $30.
Mass Transit System is a great way to explore big cities in Southeast Asia. Places like Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Jakarta are equipped with accessible and well-covered train systems that should help you explore the cities easily.
GRAB, a popular taxi-hailing app in Southeast Asia, is also a great way to avoid dealing with terrible taxis. Simply download the app before you arrive in Southeast Asia, connect it with your phone number, get yourself verified, and you should be able to use the app to hail taxis when you arrive in Southeast Asia.
Taxis, let's be honest, aren't the best things to experience in Southeast Asia, and I often avoid using them altogether when I'm traveling. However, if push comes to shove, for a non-metered taxi, be sure to agree on a price before you get in. If it is metered, tell them to use it, and if they say no, leave and find another.
For exploring small cities like Yogyakarta or Hoi An, you can also rent a motorbike, which should cost you no more than 5 USD per day, to explore the surrounding area at your own pace. Please do not rent a motorbike if you have never driven before, and if you do, always wear a helmet. Southeast Asian roads are among the most dangerous roads in the world.
How Much Money Do I Need For 3 Months in Southeast Asia (Total Budget)?
Since we will be traveling all over Southeast Asia across 9 countries, we can estimate the cost of this entire itinerary by how long we spend in each place as follows:
| 🇻🇳 Vietnam (14 days): | 630 USD (45 USD/Day) |
| 🇰🇭 Cambodia (5 days): | 225 USD (50 USD/Day) |
| 🇹🇭 Thailand (17 days): | 850 USD (50 USD/Day) |
| 🇱🇦 Laos (8 days): | 400 USD (50 USD/Day) |
| 🇲🇲 Myanmar (5 days): | 250 USD (50 USD/Day) |
| 🇲🇾 Malaysia (8 days): | 400 USD (50 USD/Day) |
| 🇲🇾 Borneo Malaysia (6 days): | 360 USD (60 USD/Day) |
| 🇸🇬 Singapore (3 days): | 240 USD (80 USD/Day) |
| 🇧🇳 Brunei (2 days): | 120 USD (60 USD/Day) |
| 🇮🇩 Indonesia (14 days): | 630 USD (45 USD/Day) |
Total Budget for 3 months in Southeast Asia (82 days): 4,105 USD
Keep in mind that this is a bare minimum rough estimate of the total budget for spending 3 months in Southeast Asia, including cheap accommodation, transportation, and meals. You can easily save or spend more by adapting this itinerary to your liking and using this budget as a guideline only.
Is Southeast Asia Safe?
Southeast Asia is generally safe, but like all big metropolitan areas, petty thefts can happen, so be aware of your belongings at all times, especially in big cities like Kuala Lumpur, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Bangkok.
I have heard reports of people getting their phones snatched from their hands in Ho Chi Minh City by a passing motorbike, so avoid using your phone on the streets.
Theft doesn't just come from bad locals, it can also come from other bad backpackers. Southeast Asia, due to how cheap it is, attracts all kinds of weird characters - from those who pick fights in bars to those who simply steal money outright from other backpackers or hostel reception.
Keep your wallet and valuables with you at all times, even when you are in a hostel. Do not leave your valuables unattended when you go to the bathroom or take a shower. I have heard many reports of people having their money stolen from their wallet in a hostel when they left it on the bed and went to the bathroom.
Scams are also quite common in Southeast Asia, especially at the land borders, so be extra vigilant when you are crossing the border in Southeast Asia. A good rule of thumb is to be suspicious of people who approach you, speaking perfect English and being overly friendly.
Local taxis are also known to scam tourists, so if you hail a metered taxi, make sure that they use it. If it's unmetered, agree on a price before getting on.
The most serious safety issue in Southeast Asia is road accidents. You have no idea how many foreigners covered in bandages I've seen in Southeast Asia. If you are renting a vehicle, go slow, wear helmets, and do not risk it if you are not a strong driver.
Vang Vieng used to be known as a drug-fueled party town, and the government is trying very hard to crack down on that. Even though you will find drugs available out in the open pretty easily in Vang Vieng, do not think that it is okay to do it in public. I have heard reports that the police extorted 500 USD from a group of tourists who were smoking weed outside of a hostel.
If it's illegal in your home country, it's probably illegal here too, and the police can do whatever they want, including throwing you in jail if you do not pay them.
Which tourist SIM card is best for Southeast Asia?
Update: If your phone supports eSIM, I highly recommend checking out Airalo, a global eSIM marketplace. It allows you to stay connected affordably while traveling in Southeast Asia without having to switch out your physical SIM card.
Gone are the days when you needed to scramble to find a local SIM card at an airport upon arrival. You can purchase an eSIM before your arrival, and you'll be good to go. If your phone doesn't support eSIM, here is how you can get a local SIM card in Southeast Asia:
Since you will be traveling through over 9 countries, and Southeast Asia is not exactly Europe, getting connected via reliable WIFI or through local sim cards can be quite tricky. For one, you will need 9 sim cards if you want to be connected all the time, which is not economical, and wrapping your head around all the data packages in these countries will drive you insane.
WIFI is widely available in most hostels/hotels nowadays in all countries, except Brunei and Myanmar. However, having WIFI and having a usable one is a different story, which is often the case in some establishments in Southeast Asia that claim they have WIFI. That said, you will likely have no trouble staying connected in countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and some parts of Thailand and Vietnam.
My recommendation is to buy local SIM cards only in the countries where you will be staying the longest. With my itinerary, I would suggest buying local SIM cards for Thailand, Malaysia, and maybe Indonesia.
For more information on local SIM cards in Southeast Asia: Thailand Prepaid Data SIM Card, Malaysia Prepaid Data SIM Card, Indonesia Prepaid Data SIM Card.
Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.
What to Pack for Southeast Asia?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Southeast Asia:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Swim Suits: A swim trunk is a must-pack item if you are planning to visit Southeast Asia in the summer, just in case there is a body of water you can jump in.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Southeast Asia
Looking for more information for your trip to Southeast Asia? Here are a selection of articles that might help you with your trip planning:
- Packing for a trip to visit a place as big as Southeast Asia is extremely daunting. Here's a packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Southeast Asia - The Essential Packing List.
- Vietnam is a great place to start your journey to Southeast Asia. If you are looking for more details about Vietnam, check out my complete Vietnam itinerary here: 2 Weeks Itinerary for Vietnam.
- Cambodia is home to one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World: the Angkor Wat. If you are wondering what it's like there, here is my experience traveling around Angkor Wat and Siem Reap.
- Want to travel to Siem Reap and see the Angkor Wat with your own eyes? Here is a complete travel guide and 3-day itinerary for Siem Reap.
- A Southeast Asia itinerary is incomplete without Laos. Here is my complete itinerary: 7 Days Backpacking Laos Itinerary By Train.
- Bagan is one of my favorite places in the world. With over 2000 pagodas waiting for you to explore, you will need a travel guide. Here's a complete travel guide to Bagan temples and more.
- Want to spend one month backpacking around Thailand? Check out: One Month Itinerary for Thailand.
- Have 2 weeks in Thailand? Check out this itinerary: 2 Weeks Backpacking Thailand Itinerary.
- Have only 10 days in Thailand? This itinerary might be more suited for you: 10-Day Itinerary for Thailand.
- Malaysia is a country often overlooked by most travelers, and that is a mistake you should not make. Here is a complete 10-day itinerary for Malaysia.
- The Philippines is an archipelago full of volcanoes and remote beaches waiting for you to explore. Here is a 3-week itinerary for the Philippines.
- Want to visit the Philippines and not sure where to start? Here are the 8 Most Beautiful Places in the Philippines to Visit.
- Indonesia is not a country you can simply travel to once and say you've seen it all. It's a country so diverse, it requires at least one month to really get the feel of it. Here is a complete one-month itinerary for Indonesia.
- Borneo is another place in Malaysia that is often overlooked, which is the perfect place for us to visit and go off the main Southeast Asia path that most backpackers take. If you are going that way, be sure to check out our 2-week itinerary for Borneo and Brunei.
- Looking to go off-the-beaten-path in Southeast Asia? How about visiting Timor Leste, the newest country on the blog? Check out: 10 Days Itinerary for Timor Leste.
- Not convinced by my words about Southeast Asia? Here are 64 photos that will inspire you to visit Southeast Asia now.
- You can also watch my travel video about Southeast Asia here: Watch the "Asia Alive" travel video.
- You can see all my Southeast Asia-related articles on my Southeast Asia Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.
10 Comments
Hi, it is so useful.
Anyway, I still have something to ask such as:
1. I'm staying in kuala lampur ,Malaysia now, so which country should I start?
2. If you would not mind telling me How much for the average budget in this Southeast Asia trip?
3. Is it safe for female to backpack alone, because i'm planning to travel solo so just curious about that?
Thanks,
Hi Thika,
Here are some answers and more questions for you:
1. How many days do you have? You could spend some time in Malaysia and make your way up north to Thailand and then Cambodia and finishes in Vietnam.
If you have more time, you can go from Malaysia to Singapore and to Indonesia and loop your way back to Bangkok, do the north and south and then go to Cambodia and Vietnam.
2. For budget, this will depend entirely on what you want to do during the day, where you choose to stay and which country you are traveling in. Singapore is expensive whereas Thailand is moderate and Indonesia, Cambodia and Vietnam are cheap. I would say, expect to spend around 24 - 45 USD per day including accommodation and food. Day trips aren't expensive so you can add 5 - 10 USD on top of that if you are planning to do a lot of it.
This is an estimate figure and it will vary depending from person to person so please keep that in mind.
3. Yes, it is safe. I've seen many women backpacking alone in Southeast Asia. If you don't feel safe in a certain area, you can always find people and the hostel and tag along with them. There are scams here and there like anywhere else so be vigilant when someone approach you with perfect english.
I hope these help!
Safe travel!
Oh God, your blog is helping me so much!!! I have a very similar itinerary... I’m skipping Malaysia and Brunei. And I’m really trying to include Philippines! I’m also planning in doing some volunteer work along my trip, so I might have to leave some places out.
I’m backpacking for 3 months starting April 2020! Can’t wait!
And thanks for all the amazing tips!
Hey Stephanie,
Thank you so much for the comment! I'm glad you find the article useful! Yes, Malaysia (Borneo) and Brunei and even Philippines can be done on your next trip. It will be hard to visit them all in one trip so leave some for your next visit :D.
I wish you the best of luck in your trip! It will be blazingly humid and hot during that time here in this part of the world so prepare accordingly and drink lots of water while you are out and about. :)
If you have any questions regarding these places, do let me know any time!
Hey,
I was wondering if you pre-booked all your accommodation in advance? how does it work with delays or if you really like a place?
P.s. the itinerary looks great!
thanks
Hi Lois,
Nope, I didn't pre book anything in SEA. Maybe only a day before my arrival. :) I was pretty flexible with my schedule when I was backpacking around so I can't book anything before hand without losing money left and right haha.
HI. I am planning to do this next year but for 2 mos only. Did you guys bought a RT ticket to your home country, and what do the immigration usually asks if you don't have a RT ticket?
In Southeast Asia, not many countries will ask for an RT ticket if you are coming from a developed country but the rules are always changing and what I often do is book a one-way ticket separately and cancel the flight out and get a full refund when I get into the country. To get a full refund from an airline, be sure that you are eligible to do so. Usually, you will have to pay full price instead of the promotion price but you can cancel it and get a full refund no problem.
It's more expensive buying tickets separately but im sure as hell it is going to be cheaper than you changing or moving your flight later in case your trip doesn't end at the port you arrive in.
I hope this helps!
How do these countries work with visas And the border police
Depending on your passport, it is mostly straight forward for people who have a first-world passport, except maybe Vietnam and Myanmar where you will probably have to get a visa, but you can also do that within the region, say at all the embassies in Bangkok. It is a common route done my a ton of tourists every year so there should be no problem.
If you are not holding a first-world passport, then you will have to do more research on each country and see if you can cross these borders.
Just a reminder that right now, due to COVID-19, all border crossings are closed so if you are planning to backpack around Southeast Asia, be sure that the days are way way in the future. It's a little complicated right now and I wouldn't recommend you visit just yet.
I hope this helps!