10 Places To Explore The Great Outdoors in Southeast Asia
I don't know about you, but most days when I'm stuck in the office, I always find myself wishing that I am travelling. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, deep within the jungle or soaking myself in a secluded waterfall. In the past, my friends and family would always ask, "You are already working in the outdoors, why still go outdoors during your holidays?" but I never seem to have the right words to respond; I just get an absolute boost of serotonin every time I'm close to nature.
So if you're a fan of the outdoors and looking for a tropical adventure, Southeast Asia is the place to be. The region is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, and there's no better way to explore them than by hiking or biking through the forests, mountains and beaches. We highly recommend you to consider checking out any of these amazing spots for your next trip:
1. Taman Negara National Park, Pahang, Malaysia
I have visited Taman Negara three times in my life and it has never failed to impress every single time. Home of a tropical rainforest that's said to be 130 million years old, Taman Negara also has the likes of long suspended canopy walks, water rafting, river cruises and jungle treks up to Mount Tahan. We highly recommend going on a guided jungle trekking tour so you can witness the beautiful nature all around you without having to worry about getting lost or missing out on local knowledge. There are tons of guesthouses or home stays in the area, but if you’re up for a completely outdoorsy type of accommodation, consider staying at one of their many campsites! This was also where I first tried waterfall abseiling in 2011 and fell in love with being in the outdoors.
2. Flores, Indonesia
Flores actually means "flowers" in Portugese and this underrated island is located right off the coast of Bali. It might be a little less easy to get to compared to the Nusa Islands, but its beautiful grounds has loads to offer and you'd spend the whole time here soaking in the beautiful scenery. Take for example, Mount Kelimutu, a dormant volcano in the central part of the island - it has a crater full of vibrantly coloured water instead of the regular green or blue. How fascinating!
3. Sagada, Philippines
Sagada is a small yet beautiful part of the Philippines that is easily accessible by bus, if you’re coming in from Manila. Sagada is known for the Banaue Rice Terrace as well as their many limestone caves! I first found out about this province during one of my tourism modules in university. We learnt about exotic ways foreigners respect their dead and Sagada was one of our case studies. This particular area is famous for its hanging coffins, which is a traditional burial ritual that is practiced there. I find this extremely wild and fascinating — the whole reason why I love learning about other cultures and traditions.
4. Sapa, Vietnam
Another city that's pretty well known for their rice terraces? The beautiful Sapa! This is where the mountains of Vietnam are and you can easily hop on a shared shuttle bus service from Hanoi to get there. Other than perfectly contoured grounds, Sapa is also a great place for outdoor enthusiasts because of the many hiking and trekking opportunities around Hoang Lien National Park. If you're ever there, don't forget to pay Thác Bạc (otherwise known as the Silver Waterfall) and the breathtaking Fansipan Peak a visit!
5. Ulu Temburong, Brunei Darussalam
Many do not know this, but the underrated city of Brunei actually has its own fair share of wildlife and nature! Ulu Temburong, to be exact, is where you can take a trip on the wild side while in Brunei. There are rainforest lodges or even"orang iban" guest houses where you can stay at, and speedboats that can take you on river or mangrove cruises.
6. Lombok, Indonesia
Right off the east coast of Bali, Lombok is often overshadowed by the high life that its neighbor has to offer — so often that there are some parts of the island that are still untouched. Home of Mount Rinjani (the second highest volcano in Indonesia) and being just a boat ride away from Flores, there is no doubt that this underrated island would be the destination of choice for most adventure seekers. From Lombok, you can also easily go on a snorkeling day tour around the three gorgeous islands — Gili Air, Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan.
7. 100 Waterfalls Nong Khiaw, Laos
The 100 Waterfalls of Nong Khiaw is a must-visit spot in Laos. Located in the Phou Hin Poun National Park, it's an adventure in itself to get to this beautiful waterfall. The hike itself is around 5 hours and traverses through dense forest with some sections having you walk along the river. You can expect to see monkeys, wild pigs and other wildlife along the way as well.
8. Bagan, Myanmar
Aside from all the palatable cuisines and immense culture, Bagan (formerly Burma) is also filled with daring activities for adrenaline seekers. A unique experience would be to explore the Maykha River by white water rafting, as the water body runs through Southeast Asia's lone snow-capped mountain range, or to witness the ancient city through a bird's eye view by taking a ride on the hot air balloon.
9. Rattanakiri, Cambodia
The name itself are Cambodian words, Rattanakiri, which are combined to mean "place of gems and mountains." There is actually quite a number of things that you can do here- trek within the national park, shower under waterfalls or even swim in clear volcanic lakes! Lake Yeak Laom is definitely one to add to your list of places to visit when you’re in Laos.
10. Kundasang, Sabah
Saving the best for last, Sabah is definitely the playground for all outdoor adventure enthusiasts visiting Malaysia. From open water diving to abseiling to white water rafting to trekking in the rainforest — they have it all. When you land in Kota Kinabalu, you can visit Kinabalu Park & Hot Springs, and of course, the magnificent Mount Kinabalu and its amazing landscape. But while you’re already there in Sabah, consider venturing out of Kota Kinabalu and visit neighbouring areas such as Kundasang! you can even ride an ATV across town, so consider checking it out!
There's so much more that Southeast Asia has to offer so this list is definitely non-exhaustive. Nonetheless, we hope that this list has been helpful in helping you plan your next trip to the great outdoors. There are so many incredible places to explore in this part of the world, and we can't wait to hear about your adventures!
This article was originally written in collaboration with Have Halal Will Travel.
