CAMBODIA People rebuilding their lives and rediscovering their heritage
Khmer people will tell you they prefer to honor the heritage of Kampuchea, rather than its
modern name, Cambodia, a significant indicator of the connection they want to reestablish with
their ancient culture, the Khmer Empire, which ruled most of the Indochinese Peninsula
between the 11th and 14th centuries. While tourism is a major industry with attractions
centered on Siam Reap and the famous Angkor Wat, Cambodia is still primarily agricultural, its
geography dominated by the Mekong River and Tonle Sap, a fresh water river, rich in
bio-diversity and providing most of the fish for the country. Like other fragile eco-systems in
the region, environmentalists and organizations like UNESCO race to save Cambodia's physical
and cultural heritage.
GUANGXI CHINA Bringing Chinese paintings to life
There's a reason why locals and travelers refer to Guangxi as "heaven on earth", centered on
its vibrant river vistas. Guangxi shares more than a thousand kilometer border and the Gulf of
Tonkin with Vietnam. Historically, the mountains across the north of the region have kept it
isolated from the rest of China, leaving its inhabitants culturally closer to the Vietnamese and
those of the other countries in Indochina. Burma's Irrawaddy and Salween rivers feed a fertile
basin in the west, while the Mekong meanders down the middle of Southeast Asia. Guangxi's
contribution lies in its complex Pearl River system, which traverses the northern Mekong
countries. Its Nanpan River headwater comes within 200 km of the Mekong River before gaining
full force in Guangxi. (excerpted with permission from the Mekong Tourism Organization)
INDIA India is truly incredible
India is indeed rich in cultural and natural diversity. It's complexity is part of its charm.
That's why we are offering new opportunities for wellness and culinary tours in South India because places like Kerala are perfect settings for rejuvenation and experiencing not just food, but it's amazing sources in the world famed spice and tea plantations. And we are busy cooking up unforgettable culinary offerings! Check out our wellness tour to South India
Tour leader Buzzy Gordon has first hand experience with detox in India.
INDONESIA A siren call to the mystical isles of Bali and Java
Indonesia has amazing culture, historical significance and landscapes that are picture post card
perfect. No where is this more evident than in the islands of Java and Bali. Rich in culture and
breath taking scenery all within a day's travel, in Java you can visit rice fields and coffee
plantations, explore ancient ruins or climb Mt. Merapi. When you talk to travelers who have
been to Bali, their eyes take on a far away look and it's clear they are transported back to the
truly immersive experiences of a place that has managed to hold on to its unique Hindu
traditions while welcoming steady streams of tourists into its culture. There is no place quite
like Bali in the world. Everyone should experience it at least once, but then again, once is
never enough!
LAOS An eco travel paradise and an undiscovered treasure
The only landlocked country in Southeast Asia, Laos has not until recently been a popular
tourism destination. Now as intrepid travelers experiences its uniqueness, word is spreading,
spurred on by recent features in travel magazines. The Lao government is encouraging
opportunities for eco tourism activities that allow you to experience first-hand the country's
magnificent natural and cultural diversity. You can link your eco travel by boat on the Mekong
to the heritage sites of Luang Prabang and south to Vat Phou. Combine a visit to the Plain of
Jars, a fascinating historical enigma, with treks to hot springs and caves, vast grasslands and
visits to ethnic minorities, enjoyed in invigorating upland weather.
MALAYSIA Truly Asia and truly about its people
Malaysia is more than the amazing landscapes spread over the peninsula to Langkawi and the
island of Borneo in the states of Sabah and Sarawak. It is more than the rich diversity of
Malacca and Penang, shaped by traders from other lands who came and stayed. It is more
than the opportunity to experience tribal and village life with once in a lifetime opportunities like
being guests in an Iban longhouse. And it is even more than the glorious food, spicy, varied
and soul satisfying. It's the people! The traditional Malay greeting is not a firm handshake. It
is a heart blessing. There is no mistaking where you are when you step off your flight into
Malaysia that you are entering a world that is truly Asia.
MYANMAR (BURMA) A land of grandeur and dichotomies
Westerners are sometimes conflicted by the desire to experience Burma and the realities of the
current political situation there. One of our tour leaders takes travelers to Burma where he has discovered that it is possible to
create ample opportunity for interacting with local people and to plan travel so the Burmese
people can benefit directly from tourism dollars. A vast country intersected with rivers
steeped in mythology and boosting a 2,000 kilometer uninterrupted coastline, there is much to
see, not only in well known destinations like Bagan and Inle Lake but in less traveled locales.
There are opportunities to experience nature at its best including encounters with endangered
species and a surprising but encouraging visit to a wildlife sanctuary supported by the
government at the encouragement of WCS environmentalist Dr. Alan Rabinowitz.
SINGAPORE More than meets the eye
Singapore has the distinction of being an island city-state and the smallest country in Southeast Asia. But it maximizes its "between the ears" assets for creating a prosperous society. It has managed to pack in first class attractions and activities, while keeping a swatch of jungle down the middle of the island inhabited by monkeys and lizards the size of crocodiles as well as a night safari, a zoo and a bird park. Orient yourself to regional history at Singapore's exceptional museums. Shop until you drop for antiques, crafts and high style clothing. Soak in the cultural ambience of Chinatown, Little India and Geylang, stopping to sample Singapore's world famous food. Definitely more than meets the eye, Singapore has come a long way since it was a Malay fishing village.
SRI LANKA Beaches, ancient Culture and refreshing hill stations
This is a remarkable island with rich opportunities for exploring your passions. There are the beaches of course, the spectacular cultural heritage and wildlife safari experiences. While many Asian countries have adapted Ayurvedic healing into their menu of spa wellness techniques, it is a part of the DNA of this culture. The best part is you don't need to travel far for a change of climate, landscape and your favorite activities. A train ride sweeps you past lush and diverse landscape to higher elevation hill stations where you can stay at one of the magnificent British era hotels.
Soak up the exotic world of old Ceylon, influenced over the centuries by far flung traders from the Far East, Africa and Europe.
THAILAND Wellness never felt or looked so good
While every Asian country has top quality spas, Travel + Leisure Magazine readers have voted Bangkok and Chiang Mai, both well known for their spas, as the Best Cities in Asia. Chiva-som was recognized as the world's best destination spa and Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai was awarded the best hotel spa in Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East. Add to that distinctive spa resorts by companies like Six Senses and Banyan Tree and it's easy to see why Thailand has become an epicenter for spa goers. Along with these five star facilities, there are gems like the Huen Sampunprai in the northern Thai city of Lamphun featuring authentic therapeutic treatments in a soothing Lanna style family compound.
THE MALDIVES Water haven for renewal and romance
It has been said that if you are afraid of water, The Maldives isn't for you. But for the rest of us, this place is nirvana. Isolated, exotic and a place to get in touch with your inner self while the cares of everyday life seem as distant as the sunlit horizon. As you can imagine, the Maldives was hard hit by the tsunami of 2004. A few months later, one of Explore Asia's partners met a young woman who was in Singapore promoting the return of visitors to her country. The determination she represented for rebuilding the country"s only viable industry was tangible. And indeed they have made it happen. Once again the Maldives welcomes visitors looking for renewal and romance.
VIETNAM Personifying a dynamic history and a current "can do" culture
Sitting in eastern Indochina, bordered by China, Laos, Cambodia and the South China Sea, Vietnam is the most populous country of the mainland Southeast Asian countries and a country heavily influenced by outside Asian and western cultures. From the Champa Kingdom, predating Indian influence, and the original Viet peoples with Mongolian origins, Vietnam entered a thousand years of Chinese domination. The 20th century saw influences from French, the former Soviet Union and the United States. Names like Saigon, the Mekong Delta, Cu Chi, Delat, Tay Ninh, Hanoi, Sapa, Danang, Hue and Haiphong resonate for Americans with memories of the 60s and 70s. Shift to 2006 and these same places are ripe for distinctively Vietnamese lifestyle, culture and heritage, village life, nature and eco travel.
YUNNAN CHINA Shangri-La is a place called Yunnan
Shangri-La conjures images for westerners of Hilton's novel, The Lost Horizon, a place lauded for its tranquility and vistas of red soil plateaus and rushing rivers, surrounded by majestic mountains. The description as a natural paradise is still intact. Even for the seasoned Asia traveler, Yunnan can take your breath away. Our itineraries to are immersive experiences. Highlights include opportunities to appreciate minority customs in Bai, Naxi and Dongba villages, the spectacular scenery of the Stone Forest, ancient waterways and old towns, temples and rice terraces, as well as the national park of Jiuzhaigo and the panda reserve. Travelers to Yunnan can expect to encounter similarities to Southeast Asia interwoven with distinctive Chinese history and culture.
