The Best Southeast Asia Route For Backpackers: Itineraries and Tips

For a few of our activities and tours in each city, we booked them through Klook. They make it easy to plan trips and have the best deals for excursions. They also offer transportation and sim card deals.

THAILAND

Bangkok

Bangkok is where most backpackers start their backpacking Southeast Asia route—and for great reasons.

I’d call this city the backpackers’ mecca.

There are so many backpacker hostels, tours, excursions, and all the stimulating new and exciting things that will feed your culture shock.

It is a city full of life, packed with cheap delicious food, temples, and all the adventures you can only imagine.

This is where my husband and I became friends with the people from our hostel who ended up traveling with us throughout our backpacking journey in Southeast Asia.

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is one of my favorite cities while we were traveling in Thailand.

It is the northern capital of Thailand. Unlike the bustling city of Bangkok, Chiang Mai has a lot more nature-related activities including waterfalls, jungles, and is the home to several ethical elephant sanctuaries.

Ao Nang

Think of Ao Nang as a hub or port where you can get to all the Islands like Krabi and Koh Phi Phi.

It’s the most ideal place to recharge and plan out which islands you will be visiting.

Here, you can find all the kiosks to book your island hopping tours.

Krabi, Railay

This island was one of my favorites in this backpacking Southeast Asia route.

Think white sands and pretty beaches.

I am not going to waste my time describing it because my words are not worthy.

Koh Phi Phi

Apparently, if you like to party, you have to go here…so we did?

My husband and I are not necessarily party people, but it is one of those islands that you just have to experience.

It is a backpackers must destination for anyone doing the Southeast Asia route.

This place would be ideal for solo travelers because you just meet so many people.

It’s not just for parties, I promise.

Let’s not forgot the gorgeous beaches and all the island hopping you can do.

CAMBODIA

Siem Reap

Not as crowded and busy as Bangkok, but there are so many temples and night markets to explore.

Of course, you can’t miss visiting the northern part of Angkor to visit Angkor Wat, which is one of the wonders of the world.

You will also hear people talk about tomb raider a lot, and that is because they filmed it in one of the temples here called Ta Prohm.

You will not run out of temples to explore here.

If you are not interested in temples, I have 3 words for you:

Fifty cent beers.

Phnom Penh

This is the capital of Cambodia.

We treated this city as our rest stop, but we did not anticipate being so moved by the city’s unfortunate history.

I highly recommend it if you are not familiar with the Killing Fields history.

VIETNAM

Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City

Located in Southeastern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh city is something else.

Talk about a huge city that you have to experience!

I have never seen this many motorcycles as I have in Saigon.

We’re talking motorcycle riders being elbow to elbow while turning in 4-way streets.

Some of the main streets did not have traffic lights, so you’d feel like they are all just going to hit each other.

I am still dreaming of all the amazing food we ate here. There is so much history to absorb, especially from being conquered by the Khmer people, the French, and Spaniards.

Da Nang

Da Nang is known for its beaches and the famous dragon bridge.

I recommend Da Nang as a stop breather from the Ho Chi Minch City busyness.

Backpacking for a long period of time can take a huge toll on you and whoever you are traveling with (if you are not traveling solo).

I wrote a blog post about traveling with someone and other important tips to avoid fighting and frustrations.

Travel fatigue is very real, and Da Nang is one of the places where we took it easy and rested.

Hoi An
This city is so magical and whimsical!

Think riding bicycle through rice paddies, streets illuminated by rainbow-colored lanterns, night markets, and simple living.

Hoi An is very romantic and an ideal place for couples who are traveling.

We ate the best banh mi here.

MALAYSIA

Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur reminded me of New York City, but with a twist.

Lots of skyscrapers and high-end malls juxtaposed with a melting pot of Malay, Chinese, and Indian culture.

I am very surprised that Malaysia is not as popular as it should be.

Batu Caves, Selangor

You have probably seen a picture of the rainbow stairs.

These stairs lead to a limestone cave dedicated to a Hindu deity.

Make sure to catch one of the prayer ceremonies.

INDONESIA 

Ubud
This city is the epitome of influencers relaxing in flower baths and frolicking in rice paddies.

But really, to travelers out there who want to experience pampering and self-care, Ubud is the city for you.

From Ubud, we were able to hike up an active volcano and catch the sunrise.

Gili Islands
There are three islands: Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air.

I would recommend visiting each island just to try it out for yourself, but we decided to stay at Gili Air.

From Gili Air we were able to join a tour and island-hop.

We free dove with turtles snorkeled and saw underwater statues.

Our daily routine went like this: wake up, drink coffee, beach adventure, watch the sunset, and eat fresh-caught grilled seafood.

We purposely avoided Gili Trawangan because it is for the party people and we wanted to just relax.

It was understood that Gili Meno are for couples and Gili Air was the quietest.

SINGAPORE

I would be lying if I say that we did not go here because of the movie, Crazy Rich Asians.

Watch the movie before you go!

Imagine an urban jungle, but without all the trash and yucky smell like NYC.

I am sorry NYC.

If you love luxury and street food, you would love Singapore.

PHILIPPINES

My home country!

Our experience in the Philippines might be a little bit unique because we had spent a whole month here.

Manila

My husband and I were both born in the Philippines, but we had not been back ever since we left when we were young.

When planning your backpacking Southeast Asia route, you can spend more time in other countries, but we took this time to visit each other’s childhood homes.

My advice is to leave Manila as soon as possible because this city is so congested and you will spend 90% of your time in traffic.

But if you decide to stay, try all the local foods!

Palawan- Coron

I have never seen water this emerald blue until I got to Coron.

Hands down, the best beaches and lakes I have ever seen. White sands, sparkling blue water. I’m still not over it.

Filter? Coron said, no thank you. I’m already beautiful.

There are always questions regarding whether to go to El Nido or Coron.

We decided to go to Coron because it wasn’t as crowded.

I cannot recommend this place enough.

We did so many all-day tours that only cost $25 each day, complete with a classic Filipino lunch on banana leaves and snacks.

My husband and I got to swim with sardines and corals reefs, free dive to see shipwrecks and lagoons, play basketball on an island, and make the best memories.

Bohol

Bohol is known for the Chocolate Hills.

We did some island hopping as well and I had the best time swimming with turtles, almost the same size as me.

If you get the chance, make sure to visit the Bohol Bee Farm and eat the gumamela (hibiscus) flavored ice cream.

Cebu

Cebu is the city that was first colonized by the Spaniards in the Philippines.

The rich history is evident in the landmarks and dialects.

There are numerous sights and museums to check out.

Cebu is also known for the well known Filipino dish lechon and the popular dessert snack, dried mangoes.

Moalboal

Oslob and Badian islands were a part of the tour that we took from Moalboal with our hostel.

We got to swim with sardines and go island hopping.

Our hostel guide ended up being a professional free diver, so he gave us free diving lessons and took underwater pictures.

Oslob

Oslob in particular is known for whale shark watching.

I have my own opinions about whale shark watching. I personally think that the way things are being done is inhumane and unnatural.

I wish I had known before we signed up for it.

See it for yourself! You do get to be about to feet away from whale sharks, which is quite an experience.

Badian

Canyoneering in Badian has got to be one of the most fun adventurous things I have ever done in my life.

If you don’t know what canyoneering is (I had no idea what it was until I was already wearing my life vest and helmet), let me warn you that it is not for the weak.

You basically have to go through rivers, caves, and waterfalls, which means that you have to hike, slide, rappel, swim, climb, jump off waterfalls, problem-solve, and whatever else you have to do to keep moving to get to the other side.

In the end, it is all worth it because the iconic Kawasan falls is waiting for you.

Marinduque

I doubt that Marinduque is on any itinerary out there because it is a remote island off of Luzon.

Marinduque is my mother’s hometown and where I grew up until I was 5 years old.

Very simple living and there was no internet unless you stay close to the downtown area.

My husband met my grandfather and all the relatives from my mother’s side.

TAIWAN

Taipei

The land of boba. If you do not know what boba is then you really have to go to Taiwan.

I honestly can barely remember what we did here because I am pretty sure we just ate everything we saw until we blacked out.

There was so much to do that we could have easily spent a few weeks.

Beitou

This city is known as a retirement city in Taiwan because of its natural hot springs and greenery.

We could have chosen a fancy hot springs spa, but my husband and I took it to the next level and went to a $1 bathhouse where all the local senior citizens took baths.

It was the funniest experience ever.

Jiufen

This mountainous small town is most famous for the real-life version of the Japanese animated movie spirited away Hayao Miyazaki.

There really is no proof that Miyazaki based the movie on this place, but I can tell you that it is quite magical.

Think dense narrow staircases decked with red lanterns, all kinds of mouthwatering Taiwanese foods including the most delicious melt in your mouth Taiwanese beef noodle soup.

I’m pretty sure I gained 20 lbs. from this day alone. We ate everything that looked good (basically everything).

Shiefen
This town is a market place surrounding a railroad.

It is most famous for sky lanterns and souvenir shops.

You can buy your own lantern and depending on the color of the lantern you buy, there is a meaning to it.

The vendors set up the lantern for you to be able to paint each side with your wish(es).

Once you are done painting your lantern, the vendor will light up the lantern and give you instructions on when to release it; very similar science to a hot air balloon.