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5 Remote Retreats in Southeast Asia

tropical areas like Vietnam and Thailand are slowly reopening to travelers. These trips include beaches, jungles, and some of the finest accommodations on the continent.

As the world begins to recover from COVID, tropical areas like Vietnam and Thailand are slowly reopening to travelers. For those who just want to get away for awhile, these trips will allow travelers to relax and feel the world beneath their feet again, mixing beaches, jungles, and some of the finest accommodations on the continent.

CAMBODIA & SONEVA KIRI

Soneva Kiri from above.

Spend eight days mixing the culture of the ancient Angkor Kingdom of Cambodia with the decadent pleasures of one of the most indulgent resorts in Eastern Thailand: Soneva Kiri. 

Angkor Wat, a Wonder of the World, is on bucket lists the world over, but Remote Lands can take travelers to remote corners and take them out of Siem Reap to experience the Angkor Kingdom in Siem Reap. Then, fly into Koh Kood, the best private island in the East. Most travelers who go to Thailand go to the south — Krabi, Phuket, Khao Sok — but the truth is that Thailand’s east has everything the Andaman has except the tourists. Snorkel, eat, kayak the mangroves and dine in the primeval canopy of jungle forest. 

BOROBUDUR TO BALI

As of June 1, travelers could finally return to Bali. This 10-day journey will start travelers off in Borobudur for a little culture and then take them to the wild jungle heart of Bali in Ubud.

Yogyakarta is the first port of call on this exceptional journey, where the massive temple complex of Borobudur rivals any other spiritual experience in Asia. Leaving the plush Amanjiwo, travelers will go to a more remote part of Indonesia with the thrills and cultural treats of Sulawesi, including Makkasar and Torajaland. The final stop on this trip is, predictably, Bali — but not the crowded beaches. Instead, travelers trade the sand for the canopy with a peaceful stay at a luxe hotel, perhaps the new Capella Ubud.

VIETNAM’S SOUTHERN CHARM

Vietnam is the first country to really reopen to travel, and lovers of all things Vietnam can’t wait to go. Spend 12 days discovering the south on a journey that will take you to the ultra-luxe Six Senses Con Dao. 

This luxury tour of Central and Southern Vietnam allows travelers to see elegant colonial cities, pristine beaches, and bustling floating markets on the Mekong. Travelers will start off in Ho Chi Minh City before heading north to the delightful colonial treasures of Hoi An and Hue. But the real treat for this journey is Con Dao: a private island resort run by one of the best names in luxury travel: Six Senses. A real treat for the wellness-minded, this is the ideal resort to rest, relax, and be reborn.

FAMILY FUN FROM SINGAPORE TO LANGKAWI

If you’re hoping to take the kids on a Southeast Asia adventure, this journey allows travelers to begin in the ultra-modern city of Singapore and go all the way to the eagles, beaches, and luxe resorts of Langkawi. 

Together these neighboring countries offer kid-friendly experiences and activities ideal for families seeking to learn about multicultural societies, encounter the newest in digital technology advancement, explore different biodiverse environments, and everything in between. Then, it’s onto Kuala Lumpur and the Cameron Highlands to indulge in fresh strawberries, tea, and jungle treks. After a quick stop in Penang for foodies and art lovers, the final leg of this journey takes travelers to Langkawi where they can relax on its beaches and walk over a bridge in the sky. 

HILLTRIBES & RICE TERRACES: HANOI TO SAPA

If you prefer rice fields to beaches, this quick six-day trip through Northern Vietnam is just what you’ll need, taking you from Hanoi to Sapa and back again for treks and tribal experiences.

Starting in the capital, you’ll see some of the city’s most intriguing historic landmarks, including a trip to the charming Old Quarter. While there, travelers will get to stay at the legendary Sofitel Legend Metropole, which has hosted the likes of Graham Greene. But the real treat of this journey is the romance of overland travel on a sleeper train journey aboard the Victoria Express to Sapa. Travelers will wake up in Sapa for treks through the rice paddies and visits to hill tribe villages.