Hiking & Trekking in Southeast Asia

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Hiking & Trekking – here are my tips, favourite destinations and travel guides including some of the best hiking trips in vietnam, thailand, Laos and more

By default, trekking/hiking is a by-product of caving activities. The majority of cave sites in the Southeast Asia region require a certain amount of trekking, or hiking, to get to the entrances.

In places such as Phong-Nha, in Vietnam, many of the cave sites have a substantial amount of trekking before arriving at a cave, or from one cave site to another. Other types of trekking are hikes to get to waterfall sites, such as in Laos and Northern Vietnam. A more serious type of trek or hike is the ascent of a mountain or, if you’re in Indonesia, a volcano.

Where Have You Been Trekking in Asia?

Phong-Nha National Park, Vietnam. As part of a multi-day caving tour.
Sapa, Vietnam. A trek through the rice terrace valley, south of Sapa.
Nong Khiaw, Laos. Numerous peaks to hike up.
Ubon Ratchathani Province, Thailand. Various hikes through Pa Taem National Park.
East Java, Indonesia. Volcano hikes.

Megaworld Asia’s Top 5 Hiking & Trekking Destinations

These are my top 5 hiking and trekking destinations in Southeast Asia, caves that I have personally explored. Below you will find my own youtube videos following me on my favourite caving adventures. There are also hiking and trekking travel guides below for you to download and keep with lots of valuable information including, maps, tips, suggested hotels and more so you can start planning your own hiking and trekking adventures.

East Java, Indonesia – Various volcano hikes

Phong-Nha, Vietnam – Trekking and Caving

Sapa, Vietnam – Mount Fansipan overnight hike

Nong Khiaw, Laos – The 100 waterfalls trail

Pa Taem National Park, Thailand – Hiking along the edge of a massive cliff line overlooking the Mekong River

Megaworld Asia’s Tips, Must Haves & Recommended Equipment for Hiking & Trekking in Southeast Asia

Recommended equipment:

Good hiking boots – such as Salomons.

Hiking and Caving Gloves, compression shirt and hiking shorts.

Water bottle, polarized sunglasses and a waterproof poncho.

Hiking poles – for making descents.

Headlamps (with spare batteries) – for night hikes to sunrise viewpoints.

Compass – if hiking without a guide.

Dry bag backpack – for keeping your items dry.

A basic first aid/survival kit.

Best Times Of Year To Go trekking In Asia?

Northern Vietnam – October and November. It’s the end of the rainy season. The trails are dry, the weather is cooler with less humidity, and the waterfalls still have a good flow.

Northern Laos – November to February. It’s the dry season. Conditions are cool and clear with low humidity.

Northern Thailand – November to February. It’s the dry season. Conditions are cool and clear with low humidity.

Indonesia – July and August. These are the best two months to do volcano hikes. It’s the peak of the dry season. Conditions are cool and clear with low humidity. These are the best two months for cloud free conditions at the top of the volcanos.

Hiking boots

Hiking Poles

Compass

Dry bag backpack

First aid kit

Compression Shirt

Caving gloves

Hiking Shorts Cargo

Polarised sunglasses

Rechargeable Headlamp

Water Bottle

Waterproof Poncho

Downloadable Hiking & Trekking Guides for Southeast Asia

I’ve written many travel guides specifically for some of my favourite destinations for Hiking & Trekking in Southeast Asia following my own personal adventures and experiences, including Thailand, Laos, Cambodia & Vietnam. The guides below contain lots of info to enable you to plan your trip including direct links to google maps, travel and accommodation, activities, videos, car rentals and more.

Please enjoy them and I hope they help make your adventures and experiences even more satisfying.

Megaworld Asia’s Trekking Do’s & Don’ts

Here’s a few tips I have picked up along the way…

Do hire a guide: This is essential if doing an overnight hike in a remote area, or a place you have no knowledge of.

Do have warm clothing (jacket and woolen hat): These are essential for hikes into altitude, overnight treks.

Do have a headlamp (with spare batteries): This is essential for overnight hikes.

Do have hiking poles: While not essential they help keep pressure of the knees during descents down mountains.

Don’t try to do a trek into a remote location solo: Hire a local guide to aviod getting lost.

Don’t do an extended trek without good hiking boots: These are essential for comfort and safety.

Don’t do a solo trek without a compass and first aid kit: If you’re determined to go solo, always have a compass and a first aid kit to avoid getting lost and taking care of minor injuries.

Will I need a guide?

Yes, in remote areas or for challenging hikes to altitude.

Are there entrance fees?

Yes, in many places there are entry fees. If you do a trek as part of an organised tour with a company, the entry fees are normally included in the tour price.

Will internet /phone service be available?

In remote areas, there may not be.

What type of supplies should I take?

For a single day trip: drinking water, and snacks such as biscuits and chocolate bars. Something which is high energy but lightweight.

For extended trips (overnight): The trek tour companies will provide food and drinking water. However, you can still take the high energy snacks mentioned above.

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