Hi Guys,
So my boyfriend and I have finally decided on travelling around Asia for 3 months. We've only recently come back from Thailand so would ideally like to bypass it.
We're hoping to start in India before working our way eastwards- Has anyone got any recommendations on Asian countries we shouldn't miss, which we shouldn't go out our way to visit etc?
Between us we hope to have around £6,000 between us which will be spent on accommodation, food, sightseeing, the odd day trip and drink etc.... Hopefully this will be enough!
Any thoughts would be appreciated 😊
Reply to this It depends what time of the year you will travel as the weather is important. Also what is your interest? If you like old temples, then go to Myanmar, Indonesia and Cambodia. The costs for traveling in the Indian Subcontinent and SE Asia are cheap, especially if you have time to travel overland.
Reply to this £6,000 is going to get you a long way in South East Asia and India - but if you decide to linger in Singapore or Hong Kong than you will find your cash running out of your pockets a bit quicker than expected. But I agree with the previous post, the time of year is going to be a major factor - the typhoon/wet season can really play havoc with your plans, and at other times, the strong humidity will weaken your desire to do much at all.
It is easy to get lost in India for 3 months, as it is a country almost without equal - but you may find it tiring after a while. I've never been to Vietnam, but every single person I know who has visited there loves the place. I've also heard good reports about Myanmar. I went to Siem Reap in Cambodia to experience the great temple complexes there - and it is just amazing. For food, it is difficult to go past Malaysia.
Reply to this In SEA Mainland, the best time for you to visit is from November to February. Indonesia is different, the dry season in this country lasts from April to September.
(Shane, it's pity that you've not been to Vietnam. I hope you will visit Vietnam before the number of countries in your list reaches 80)
Reply to this I definitely intend to visit Vietnam, but not sure when - but it is almost certain to be before my country count reaches 80. How long would you recommend for a visit?
Reply to this Last week I just published a guide for trip planners. I think some information would be helpful. See this link:
Vietnam - Guide for trip planners
So you need to arrange a visa in advance. For 3 weeks you can see all major cities of Vietnam in 3 regions from north to south (Hanoi, Ha Long bay, Sapa => Hue, Hoi An => Mui Ne, Sai Gon, Mekong Delta, Cu Chi tunnels). As you see Vietnam is a long country. Also it takes time to go from A to B because of slow speed on the highways, although we have a good transport system for tourists.
Reply to this Hello Tom 😊
What about Sri Lanka, if it is safe enough. You could take in lots of the South of India on your way there. Maybe fly into Delhi and take in some of the North of India too.
Mel
Reply to this Thanks for the replies!
We're hoping to head off this June and come home towards the end of September. I'm not sure what the weather is like at this time of year in India? The weather in Thailand in September was just about right when we visited last year.
Does anyone have a suggestion on the best way to travel? I presumed it would be easier to go to India and make our way around SE Asia before coming back to India to fly home... Does anyone have any recommendations on an alternative route? I would really like to go to Vietnam and Malaysia on our journey, they look really interesting.
Reply to this There is no direct flight from India to Vietnam, so you still have to stop over in Bangkok or somewhere else. Check out Air Asia budget airlines (they fly Colombo - KL). June to August is not a great time to visit Vietnam because of the heat and rain, but if you still want to see the country, then just go as you plan.
Last time I flew on Air India from Bangkok to New Delhi and my flight was delayed for 24 hours. They provided me with hotel and food, but I lost one day of my trip just waiting for a flight. Thai Airways is more expensive, so their services are better. My round trip flight BKK - Kathmandu on Thai Airways last April cost US$520. It's cheaper for flights to New Delhi.
Reply to this The choice of visiting is really very good and when u arrive to India the the Delhi is the first place where you will visit as it is the capital city of India.
Your will find many historical places and natural amazing beauty here.
Reply to this Try to visit in Philippines. There are beautiful world nature wonders on that place..
Reply to this Thanks for all the replies.
We're leaving the UK during the last week of June, hoping to come back at the beginning of October. The countries we've decided to visit are Thailand (for about a week or so), Vietnam and India, possibly Cambodia too if we have time.
I've heard the monsoon weather really does limit your travel plans in India! Maybe we should aim to spend September there instead of July, when the rain will hopefully have subsided a little. We definitely want to visit Agra, Delhi, Mumbai and Kerala!
Reply to this September is a much better time to visit the parts of India you mentioned instead of July. Remember it is not just the monsoon you need to consider in India, it is the heat and humidity. September is when the temperatures start to drop and the monsoon departs, so try to arrive at the end of the month instead of early - it become more pleasant (though still very warm) temperature wise in October.
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