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Planning to take a break from work and a routine lifestyle? Solo travel isn’t just a trend but a path that offers you the opportunity to conquer the world on your terms. Of course, if you’ve never tried it before solo adventure travel can bring in a sense of anxiety and discomfort, but once you keep that all aside you will find stories in every action and that is what you can earn when you are done with your solo adventure trip.
Asia remains one of the best regions in the world that can offer you choices that are hard to find elsewhere. With a range of landscapes, cultures, traditions, geography and history you can have a great time exploring various Asian countries and cities that differ from each other yet have something in common that binds them all.
With Experience Travel Group you can enjoy holidays in Asia whether you’re chasing volcanoes, hiking mountains, tracking tigers in the wild or enjoying coastal views.
Here are 6 destinations for solo adventures across Asia that deliver freedom, adrenaline and soulful experiences on a shoestring budget.
Motorbiking the Ha Giang Loop, Vietnam
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Over the years, Vietnam has become the go-to destination for solo adventurers and budget travellers. If you are into motorbiking you would not want to miss touring the Ha Giang Loop. This 350-km motorbike circuit snakes through steep limestone cliffs, cloud-covered mountain passes and quaint tribal villages. Exploring through Northern Vietnam on a bike offers an experience like no other especially when you love motorcycle tours.
You can certainly expect some potholes but that adds to the fun and adventure as you witness epic rice terraces and green landscape all around. When you are done you can enjoy some rice wine and enjoy local Vietnamese food along with the tight-knit backpacker community doing the same ride.
Scuba Diving in the Gili Islands, Indonesia
While Bali certainly gets all the attention, other islands in Indonesia are worth the money you have. If you are looking for underwater thrills without burning your wallet, Gili Trawangan, the largest of Indonesia’s Gili Islands is one of the cheapest places in the world to get PADI certified. This is a great place for solo adventurers looking for something unique and challenging.
The diving here is unreal as you get to enjoy sea turtles, reef sharks, and neon coral gardens galore. The island is small, walkable, and full of dive shops, beach bars, and laid-back solo travellers. This ensures that you can always hang out with people from different corners of the world and even make friends. You can spend your mornings diving, your afternoons in a hammock, and your nights swapping stories over Bintang beers under the stars. No cars, no chaos, just the ocean and your own sense of adventure.
Hiking to Annapurna Base Camp, Nepal
Sandwiched between India and China, Nepal is a paradise for mountaineers and hikers looking for an expedition of their lifetime. If you are a solo adventurer, hiking to Annapurna Base Camp could be an unforgettable experience. This is less commercial than the Everest Base Camp but it still offers the same adrenaline rush and magic within the budget. The hiking trail cuts through rhododendron forests, suspension bridges, glacial rivers, and Gurung villages, all under the shadow of towering Himalayan peaks.
Even if you’ve never tried something this insane before you need not worry because the route is well-marked, safe, and lined with affordable teahouses serving hot dal bhat and warm beds. This ensures that you can always have a good time and all the comfort you need to keep going. You’ll wake to sunrise over Machapuchare, swap stories with fellow trekkers, and push your limits just enough to return the change.
Volunteering with Elephants in Chiang Mai, Thailand
If you are not looking for that heart-pumping adventure you can always tone down the experiences. Volunteering with elephants in Chiang Mai is something that can offer you an experience like no other. As you explore this quaint town you will find various ethical elephant sanctuaries offering immersive volunteer programs in lush northern Thailand.
Here instead of touristy elephant rides, you’ll help with feeding, bathing, and caring for rescued elephants, many of whom were abused in the logging or tourism industries. While you are here you spend your days in the jungle and share eco-lodges with fellow travellers during nighttime. It’s the kind of experience that slows you down and reminds you why you travel.
If you have spare time, you can tour the temples in Chiang Mai and wonder at the architecture and various traditions. Plus, Chiang Mai is a solo travel haven with great food, yoga and amazing night markets that can add to the experience.
Kayaking and Caving in Vang Vieng, Laos
If you are heading out to Asia alone you can enjoy some kayaking and caving in Vang Vieng. Once notorious for its wild party scene, Vang Vieng has reinvented itself into a nature-packed paradise ideal for solo travellers chasing low-cost thrills.
Nestled between limestone karsts and the Nam Song River, this sleepy Lao town is all about slow travel and offbeat adventures. You can spend your days kayaking down jungle-lined rivers, exploring ancient caves by headlamp, or hot air ballooning over misty valleys at sunrise. This allows you to manage your adventure trip just the way you prefer.
You can relax and unwind while not being bothered about overspending. Guesthouses and cafes cater to solo backpackers, and it’s ridiculously easy to meet fellow wanderers over beer lao and bonfire jams. This allows you to have a great time in Laos without having to worry about running out of budget.
Tracking Tigers in Bandhavgarh, India
If you are into big cats and want to witness them in their natural habitat, India is one of the best places where you should go. With plenty of tiger reserves and national parks in India, you can have a great time exploring them. However, if you are looking for fun and adventure, Bandhavgarh sounds like a great option.
Tucked away in Madhya Pradesh, this lesser-known national park has one of the highest tiger densities in the country making it a top choice for solo travellers craving a primal, no-filter experience. Unlike popular national parks like Ranthambore, Bandhavgarh offers an intimate and immersive tiger tracking experience.
Apart from tigers, you can also spot leopards, sloth bears and various abandoned ruins now covered by forest greenery. With budget guesthouses lining the park’s edges, you can easily team up with others for shared safari rides. When you are done with that you can always go for some shopping and other cultural tours that can make your trip to India unforgettable.
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