SE Asia When to go?

Thorn Tree forumCountry forumsSouth-East Asia Islands & Peninsula
Enter custom title (optional)
This topic is locked
Last reply was
32
…
Send as an e-mail
Send as an e-mail
RETravels17
RETravels17

Hi all me and my cousin are new to traveling and will be looking at doing 4 months in South Asia (Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Bali, Philippines Hong Kong) before then moving onto Another destination not 100% sure in phase two yet. Will 4 months be enough time to explore these areas? Also Is Bali worth it or would Gili Islands be a better option? We are not really going to party....

What I have come on here to ask really is we was looking at going end of June early July and after some research noticed that it will be raining season... I suppose my question is.. Is it still worth going in these months (July-October) as we would be looking to do some island hopping (Phuket, Ko Phi Phi, Krabi, Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan, Ko Tao) and any others that maybe anyone with experience of the more remote less touristy would like to give me some advice on?

Back to the question will the rain affect our trip as the sea will be rougher? Do boats still travel to the islands?

Also would be looking to do lots of kayaking and scuba/snorkelling.

Any advise would be helpful

Thanks Robbie.

Edited by RETravels17
View last reply
Report
1
alfredm
alfredm

Start doing Thailand/Laos/Cambodia/Vietnam in July-August (choose some locations in each country, as you have no time to see everything).

In August move south and spend the rest of your time visiting Indonesia (south of the equator), which at this time of the year will have good weather.

Skip Hong Kong and the Philippines.

Why don't you want to visit Malaysia?

See here photos of my trips: https://www.molon.de/
Here are detailed reports of my trips: https://www.molon.de/travelogues/
Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
2
lungpaul
lungpaul

Yes. You are new to traveling. Don't travel too fast is the main thing. You should also get a proportion of what you want to see - look at a real map or Google maps . For instance Bali is a small island in a big country. You could spend a month there and just get to know it - more to know the people.

After Bali you have the rest of Indonesia. Some people here on TT have spent many years there and yet not see everything.

The same sort of thing is true of the other countries you have mentioned. There is a lot to see in each country --- and most of it is not on the beaches --- the beaches are only important to Westerners. Local people are rural. The best cultural centres are away from the coast.

When is the best time to go? --- that is easy --- in your winter.

Paul

Edited by lungpaul
Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
3
RETravels17
RETravels17
In response to #1

Thanks for the Reply :)

So do you feel Island hopping will possible in the months of July/August?

Why would you suggest missing the Philippines ?

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
4
alfredm
alfredm

Why would you suggest missing the Philippines ?

The weather won't be optimal in summer (rainy season).

See here photos of my trips: https://www.molon.de/
Here are detailed reports of my trips: https://www.molon.de/travelogues/
Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
5
RETravels17
RETravels17
In response to #4

So would you recommend maybe starting the trip later say September? a

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
6
alfredm
alfredm

The best weather in the Philippines will be in winter.

See here photos of my trips: https://www.molon.de/
Here are detailed reports of my trips: https://www.molon.de/travelogues/
Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
7
Thorn Tree

This topic has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Email community@lonelyplanet.com if you would like to add to this topic and we'll unlock it for you.

This topic has been locked by a moderator.

Pro tip
Lonely Planet
trusted partner