Other activities in Asia
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Paddle Nepal
Tiny office in Thamel under Nargila Restaurant, with a main office in Pokhara; also offers kayak clinics.
reviewed
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Rumah Guides
This is an excellent new community project run by young Yogya citizens eager to show you their city and the surrounding area. Tours of the city (150,000Rp per day) and to Borobudur, Dieng and beyond can be set up in their Prawirotaman area office. It’s also possible to stay with local families as part of a homestay program (US$12 per day including all meals).
reviewed
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Rohani Jelani
Book online for courses with cookbook author Rohani Jelani in her kitchen out at Sungai Penchala, 10km southwest of KL.
reviewed
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China Cycle Tours
Joint Sūzhōu–Shànghǎi cycling group with tours of both cities as well as the surrounding countryside. Family friendly.
reviewed
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Komang Dodik
Komang Dodik leads highly recommended hikes in the hills along the north coast. Trips start at 250,000Rp per person and can last from three to seven hours. The highlight of most is a series of waterfalls, over 20m high, in a jungle grotto. Routes can include coffee and vanilla plantations.
reviewed
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Intercultural Training & Research Centre
This well-respected language centre works with many NGOs, including the UK’s Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO). It offers crash courses (three hours), 60-hour beginner courses and six-week intermediate courses. Tuition is one-on-one and costs around Rs 350 per hour. Contact Parbati Shrestha.
reviewed
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Handspan Adventure Travel
If you’re really keen on kayaking in Halong Bay, contact specialist operator Handspan Adventure Travel, which runs professionally organised trips, has qualified guides and operates two beach camps; trips start from US$159.
reviewed
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Glow
Trendy spa in the heart of downtown, set in a mall that used to be an old French cinema. It’s almost like a little boutique hotel, and offers an array of aromatherapy facial treatments, body treatments and therapeutic massage.
reviewed
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Cham Island Diving Center
You can book dives at Cu Lao Cham Marine Park with Cham Island Diving Center. It has also opened Dive Bar and Restaurant at the same address as its office.
reviewed
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SF Salon & Spa
In the Old Quarter, head to SF Salon & Spa for Swedish or Thai massages (US$12) and plenty of reasonably priced spa treatments.
reviewed
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West Lake Boat Trips
Wooden cruise boats ( 游船; yóu chuán; 1½hr; adult/child incl entry to Three Pools Y45/22.5; 7am-4.45pm) shuttle every 20 minutes from a number of points around West Lake (including Gushan Island, Yue Fei Temple, Red Carp Pond and the south end of Hubin Lu) to the Mid-Lake Pavilion ( 湖心亭; Húxīn Tíng) and Xiaoying Island ( 小瀛洲; Xiǎoyíng Zhōu), which has a fine central pavilion and ‘nine-turn’ causeway. From the island you can look over at the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon (Sāntán Yìnyuè), a string of three small towers in the water, each of which has five holes that release shafts of candlelight on the night of the Mooncake Festival in midautumn…
reviewed
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Cable Car
From midway along the Mall, a cable car runs up to Gun Hill (2530m), which, on a clear day, has views of several peaks, including Bandarpunch. A steep path also winds up to the viewpoint. The most popular time to go up is an hour or so before sunset and there’s a minicarnival atmosphere in season with kids’ rides, food stalls, magic shops and honeymooners having their photos taken dressed up in Garhwali costumes.
reviewed
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Children Walking Tall
- Goa, India
- Activities › Other
Children Walking Tall was founded in 2004, and helps Goa’s street and slum children, with its day-care centre, medical, educational, nutritional and all sorts of other, essential aid. Volunteers can fill a variety of roles, as teachers, childcare assistants and outreach workers, while there are also positions available for qualified doctors and nurses. Check Children Walking Tall’s website for complete details.
reviewed
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Borneo Wavehunters
Borneo Wavehunters is a reputable outfitter with a band of cheery guides. Day trips organised out of Kota Kinabalu cost around RM200 per person, including transfers by van, and normally require 24 hours’ advance notice. Tourists who seek calmer waters can ride the rapids of Sungai Kiulu (bookable through the aforementioned operator) near Mt Kinabalu.
reviewed
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Ardent Hot Springs
Near the Katibawasan Falls are the lukewarm to hot Ardent Hot Springs; head out late in the afternoon when the air temperature has cooled down a bit. The big pool is emptied for cleaning on Wednesday and takes the best part of the day to refill. The springs are in a lush setting and get very busy on weekends.
reviewed
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Seeing Hands Nepal
Seeing Hands Nepal has professionally trained blind Nepali therapists, who with a heightened sense of perception and touch provide excellent Swedish-style massages. Run by volunteers, Seeing Hands does excellent work in supporting Nepali blind people in a society where they’re often marginalised.
reviewed
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GMVN Tourist Office
Contact the GMVN tourist office which offers Rajaji safaris even when the park is officially closed. These are five-hour trips (Rs1750 per person) that include being taken on a short safari, watching a parade of wild elephants, and visiting a tribal village of Gujjar buffalo herders.
reviewed
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Thai Massage Conservation Club
We’re not sure why it’s the case, but Chiang Mai’s massage world likes to form their own clubs complete with banners and overly ornate names. This particular massage group employs all blind masseuses, who are considered to be expert practitioners because of their heightened sense of touch.
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Sri Lanka Trekking
Based at Expeditor guest house, Sumone Bandara and Ravi Kandy at Sri Lanka Trekkingcan arrange trekking around Kandy and camping and trekking expeditions to the rugged Knuckles Range. Sumone and Ravi can also arrange mountain biking and rafting trips in other parts of the Hill Country.
reviewed
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Langkawi Cable Car
Heading inland from Pantai Kok you’ll come across the station for Langkawi Cable Car, which will take you on a vertiginous 20-minute trip to the top of the majestic Gunung Machinchang (708m). There are some incredible views along the way.
reviewed
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Yoga Barn
Yoga Barn sits in its own lotus position amid trees back near a river valley. The name exactly describes what you’ll find – although this barn never needs shovelling. A huge range of classes in yoga and life-affirming offshoots are held through the week.
reviewed
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Phi Phi Scuba
One of the largest operators on the island, churning out dive certifications by the boatload. There’s a sociable and professional atmosphere, although nervous newbies might feel as though they aren’t getting enough handholding.
reviewed
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Canopy Adventures
Be your own Tarzan on this zip-line course through the jungle. The 500m-long cable course is suspended 30m to 50m high between eight platforms. From your canopy eyrie, you can spy through the tree tops to the ocean.
reviewed
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Youth Action Travel
Youth Action Travel has individual adventure activities (biking from US$20, adventure activities from US$28) as well as team-building activities and paragliding (US$80).
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