Top Asia On the Ground - page 2

Don’t just gaze at the sparkling waters off Phu Quoc’s white-sand beaches—sail and snorkel off the coast, too. With this small-group, full-day excursion, you’ll head far from the tourist crowds and island hop to secluded coves and inlets, stopping to snorkel the area’s best reefs. You’ll recharge over a fresh Vietnamese lunch on most days before speeding off for more adventures.

Make your com ga wishes and culinary dreams come true in Da Nang with this motorbike tour of the city’s excellent street-food scene. With your ao dai driver at the wheel of your motorbike, you’ll hit not only a handful of excellent food stalls, but you’ll see some of the city’s best sights, too, all in the open air.

This bike tour is an excellent choice for first-time visitors to Hiroshima. Get your bearings in the city, learn about its history, and discover backstreet areas that only locals know about. The tour helps you cover more ground than a walking tour and see many top sights in a day, such as the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, the Atomic Bomb Dome, Hiroshima Castle, and Shukkei-en Garden.

Avoid the stress of navigating chaotic traffic and guessing where to find the best local eats with a guided motorbike food tour through Ho Chi Minh City. Ride with experienced drivers to hidden neighborhoods and markets, sampling authentic street food without worrying about safety or language barriers. Move easily between stops while focusing on the flavors, energy, and everyday life of the city.

The Ha Giang loop is hailed as one of the most spectacular driving routes in the world. Enhance your experience of the stunning mountain landscapes on a private motorbike tour that saves you the hassle of arranging transport, meals, and accommodation. Not only will you be able to admire the sights as someone else drives, you’ll stay in homestays for deeper insight into local culture.

Discover Singapore’s charming backstreets and historical landmarks on a small-group half-day bike tour. Get a close-up view of the city while covering a lot of ground on a bike. Explore beyond the usual tourist spots and learn about Singapore’s rich history as you ride around Marina Bay, the Colonial District, Chinatown, Little India, and other ethnic and historic enclaves. You’ll also stop for light refreshments to keep you energized.

Escape Seoul for the day without having to spend hours traveling with a private hiking tour of Bukhansan National Park. The tour is designed with mountain climbing enthusiasts in mind, and your guide will help ensure your safety throughout the tour. Unlike group tours, your guide can tailor the route according to your fitness level and preferences.

Discover the significant spiritual and historical sites in Bali on this all-day private guided tour. First, stop at Tanah Lot, the famous Hindu temple that stands on solid sea rock. Plus, head to Jatiluwih Green Land, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you can wander through the thick tropical forest. The tour ends with the Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, a well-known Balinese Hindu temple and the most photographed tourist attraction in Bali.

Let a guide unravel the history of Saigon’s turbulent past on this half-day tour of Ho Chi Minh City. Head to the Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum to learn about the city's dramatic demise when it was the capital of the US-backed Republic of Vietnam. See colonial buildings like the Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office. Get a glimpse of vendors selling fruit and vegetables at Ben Thanh Market and visit the Jade Emperor Pagoda.

Experience Taipei the way locals do—by bike—and see a side to the city you'd miss if exploring alone. Kick things off with a traditional Taiwanese breakfast to fuel up, then cycle through the city’s historic streets. Along the way, pass by bustling markets, traditional architecture, historic temples, and more. As you pedal, listen to your guide's fun and insightful facts about Taipei’s culture and history.

A river boat trip and sanctuary experience in one, this small-group tour departs from Hoi An. Join your guide who is well-versed in Vietnamese history and culture. Explore the ancient Hindu temples, gaining insights into central Vietnam's rich heritage. Capture stunning photos with help from your guide and participate in a rice paper-making session. This excursion includes an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, lunch, and hotel pickup and drop-off.

Escape the bustling confines of Hanoi city, and breath the fresh air on this full-day rural Vietnam tour. With a local lunch of goat meat, fried rice and local fruits onboard, you’ll be fueled for an afternoon of action, taking in the scenery by both bamboo boat and mountain bike. See local villagers going about their daily lives as you come to appreciate a quieter slice of Vietnamese culture.

With a whopping 5 million scooters, Ho Chi Minh City has almost as many mopeds as it does people. Feel like a local as you explore Vietnam’s capital on the city’s most popular form of transport during a private scooter tour that provides a comprehensive overview for first-time visitors. You’ll be able to customize your itinerary to suit your preferences and avoid sitting in traffic jams.

Bicycle around Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and beyond with a guide born and raised in Hiroshima to lead the way. In addition to the Atomic Bomb Dome, you’ll ride to the Cenotaph, Children's Peace Monument, and the Peace Bell at the UNESCO World Heritage site. Numbers are limited to 10 for a small-group experience and you’ll discover things you wouldn’t know only by visiting the Peace Museum.

Discover the cuisine of northern Vietnam on a food tour of Hanoi. Hop on the back of a vintage motorbike and zoom through the streets of the city in search of delicious dishes. Choose from a morning, afternoon, or evening departure and enjoy tastings of delectable street foods as well as a complimentary drink over the course of a few hours.

East Bali is home to some of the island’s most stunning sights—but you need to leave Ubud early to capture photos of Lempuyang Temple’s Gate of Heaven before the mist closes in. Relax in your own private vehicle on this private tour that includes the Gate of Heaven, Tirta Gangga Water Palace, a Mt. Agung viewpoint, and a gourmet lunch with an infinity pool and river views.

It’s not possible to hike to the summit of Mt. Batur, an active volcano, without a guide. Skip the hassle of arranging transportation and guiding on this private tour. You’ll hike to the crater rim (flashlight and trekking poles provided), eat breakfast and enjoy a hot drink, then return: upgrade for a relaxing dip in Batur Natural Hotspring.

Arashiyama’s bamboo forest is one of Kyoto’s most visited attractions so it can get pretty busy. Avoid the crowds by taking an early morning bicycle tour. Enjoy the forest and temples at their most serene, and take photos without strangers getting in the way. Get active while on vacation and visit some other Arashiyama highlights throughout the morning.

Go beyond the traditional sights of Lombok and embark on a walking tour of Tetebatu to discover the area’s hidden gems. With a private guide, walk through the lush landscapes to see rice terraces, waterfalls, the monkey forest, and panoramic views of Mount Rinjani. You also get to know more about the rural lifestyle of the island as you meet locals and visit plantations.

Visit the Great Wall on this tour from Beijing with a private driver. Get picked up at your hotel and travel to the Mutianyu Great Wall, a less crowded section. Explore independently and hike along the wall to see its many panoramic views at your own pace. Optional extras include a cable car ride and toboggan ride. Customize the start time of this private tour to suit your schedule.

Spend half a day exploring the rural countryside around Siem Reap with this bicycle tour. After being fitted with a bicycle and helmet, your English-speaking guide will lead you through back roads, across rice fields and farms, and into small local villages where you'll learn about how locals live, first hand.

If you only have a day to explore the Mekong Delta, this to-the-point tour hits all the highlights, with transfers from select central hotels. Skip the stress of planning and negotiation and relax as you tour the important Vinh Trang Pagoda, explore My Tho city's scenic islets by boat, listen to a concert of traditional folk music, and enjoy lunch in an orchard. You'll also discover local crafts and workshops.

Visit one of the New 7 Wonders of the World—the Great Wall of China—during your time in Beijing with this private tour. After pickup from your hotel, head directly to the Mutianyu Great Wall (famed for its watchtowers, abundance of natural scenery, and for its comparative lack of crowds). Explore at your own pace (and, if you wish, pay extra for the cable car and toboggan services). At the end of the tour, return to Beijing.

Ideal for travelers interested in immersive travel experiences, this private motorcycle tour covers the Ha Giang Loop—a circular route in northern Vietnam, on the border with China—in four days of sightseeing. Highlights include stopping at the Quan Ba Heaven Gate for coffee, taking a boat ride on the Nho Que River, and visiting the Lung Cu Flag Tower. A motorcycle is provided.