As our time in Southeast Asia winds down to a close, we thought we’d look back on our five favorite experiences from the past two and a half months. While we’re sure there are many other amazing things to see in this region of the world, we simply didn’t have the time for it all. So, based on our travels in the region, here are our Top 5 Southeast Asia experiences:

The Gibbon Experience

Trekking through pristine jungle? Check.

Feeling like civilization is days away? Check.

Ziplining 600 feet above the forest floor? Check.

Sleeping in treehouses 120 feet up in the canopy of the forest? Check.

The Gibbon Experience was absolutely out of this world. While it isn’t the cheapest thing for backpackers (we paid ~$300 per person for 3 days & 2 nights), it was absolutely worth it. The money you spend provides jobs for 130 locals and helps to protect the Bokeo Nature Reserve where 6 families of black cheeked gibbons reside. Even if you aren’t fortunate enough to glimpse these elusive apes (we weren’t) the experience will still have you smiling and your adrenaline pumping. So, if you find yourself in the northwest corner of Laos, do yourself a favor and book a tour with the Gibbon Experience.

To read our post about the Gibbon Experience, click here.

Trekking and Homestays

If you want to get off the beaten path and explore areas that are less frequented by other tourists, then trekking out into the countryside and staying at small village homestays is the way to go. We did several of these types of trips in nearly all of the countries we visited and most were wonderful experiences. We loved trekking through beautiful countryside, but the best part was interacting with locals and feeling welcomed into their homes. In my opinion, these trips taught us the most about the countries we visited and the people that live there. So, if you want to do a bit more than just scratch the surface when you travel next, look to spend a few nights at a village homestay.

*One note about how we chose our treks: Instead of looking for the cheapest options, we tried to find sustainable and eco-friendly treks that either only employed locals or gave money back to the local community.

Here were our favorite Homestay Treks:

Lahu Village Trek: Lanna Trekking – Chiang Rai, Thailand

To read our blog post about our Lahu Village Trek click here

Muong Hoa Trek: SaPa O’Chau – SaPa, Vietnam

To read our blog post about our Muong Hoa Trek click here

Ban Nalan Trek: Forest Retreat Laos – Luang Namtha, Laos

To read our blog post about our Ban Nalan Trek click here

Bangkok

A city that seems to have it all; mouth-watering street food, delicious fruit smoothies, famous Thai massages, vibrant nightlife, friendly locals, unique markets, marvelous Buddhist temples, and overwhelming traffic and smog.

A trip to Southeast Asia simply wouldn’t be complete without spending several days in the capital of Thailand. While not all aspects of Bangkok are positive (e.g. traffic, smog, drugs), the allure of this city remains. There is such a varied kaleidoscope of options for every traveller that you will leave wishing you had spent more time in the city the Thai kings call home. Here is a quick list of our favorite Bangkok experiences:

The Grand Palace – Home of the Thai royalty. A must see for everyone.

Chattachuk Weekend Market – You will find anything you want here

Taling Chan Floating Market – A unique place to browse and dine on fish

Thai Massages – Yes, they are as good as everyone says.

Fruit Smoothies – Wow. Simply wow.

To read our blog post about Bangkok, click here.

Singapore with Local Friends

While many may say that Singapore doesn’t feel like an authentic Southeast Asian city (there is a distinct european feel there), it is exactly this point that makes it stand out. Located in a strategic location at the tip of the Malaysian peninsula, the city attracts trade and business from all over asia and the world beyond. This global connectivity has given Singapore a very cosmopolitan feel and graced its streets with fabulous restaurants, shopping, and entertainment. Be wary, however, all of this comes with a steep price tag!

What could possibly make visiting this city more interesting? Spending time with locals who call the city home! We are very lucky to have friends living in this city who took time out of their days to show us around. For a few days we were able to leave the typical worries of a traveller behind and let our friends be the tour guides. We enjoyed visiting Sentosa island and eating amazing dumplings at Din Tai Fung restaurant. The Singapore Botanic Gardens are a dream for anyone who loves flowers and plants, while the Marina Bay Sands observation deck was a unique place to take in the panoramic views of the city. And who could leave out a quick trip to the famous Merlion of Singapore!?

A special thanks to Jermyn and Wai Min for making our trip to Singapore unforgettable.

To read our blog post about Singapore, click here.

Temples of Siem Reap

It would be impossible not to mention the temple complexes of the Khmer Empire located in Siem Reap, Cambodia in our list of The Top 5 Southeast Asia Experiences. They are simply stunning. Angkor Wat is of course the most famous temple located here, and you can’t go wrong spending a day there (and yes, a day is what you’ll need to really see it) as this temple is utterly massive and extraordinarily serene. You will feel as if you are transported back in time as you wander through this majestic 12th century Khmer masterpiece.

What is even more amazing about Siem Reap is that there are many other temples within close proximity of Angkor Wat that are arguably equally breathtaking. Angkor Thom, a close neighbor of Angkor Wat, is a massive temple/city complex that contains the Bayon Temple with its 54 massive faces of carved stone. Other highlights within Angkor Thom include the South Gate, with its stone face towering over the road that runs through it, and the elephant terrace, a section of wall with depictions of Khmer warrior elephants carved into its full length. Don’t leave out the temples of Ta Som or Ta Prohm either, as these are the temples that slowly submitted to the will of the Cambodian jungle as massive trees grew in and over them. A marvelous combination of the ingenuity of mankind and the power of nature.

To read our blog post about Siem Reap, click here.