From Thailand to Malaysia, Cambodia to Vietnam, the Philippines to Papua New Guinea, Southeast Asia is full of incredible canals and waterways that make for an ideal way of exploring the countries through which they wind. But what’s the best way to make the most of travelling these canals and seeing all the best parts of Southeast Asia?
River Cruises
River cruising is the ultimate in luxury canal experiences. Whether you’re making your way through the canals of Thailand or winding your way through the rivers of Cambodia, a luxury cruise allows passengers to experience the best of both worlds. Downtime and nights are spent stretching back on sun chairs on the ship’s open deck, the clear sky overhead and the waters lapping gently at the hull as guests sip cocktails and watch the riverside villages shoot by. Once the cruises reach their various ports, guests disembark to discover the real cultures of Southeast Asian villages and their people. Guests can experience the wildlife, the nature, the flavours and the way of life that make each village so unique.
Canoe Tours
Canoe Tours are ideal for those travellers that love the open air and a bit of physical exercise. Touring Southeast Asia’s waterways with oars and arms to propel them leaves tourists with a truly rewarding experience of these canals. It allows visitors to get up close and personal with the native flora and fauna, and really see first-hand how these rivers and canals are the lifeblood of the towns and villages on their shores. You can take a guided tour or make your own way through all the unique bends and turns of these lush waterways.
Trekking
A trekking holiday along the shores of Southeast Asia’s winding canals is a great way to experience the natural world and the local landmarks. You can stop wherever you like to sample authentic local foods or interact with locals. Trekking means you’ve got two free hands for photographing and can control your own page. You can divert from the river ways to explore ancient temples or climb up to spectacular lookouts. A guide is recommended for trekking through the less populated stretches.
Power Boating
Why not grab a local tour guide and hop aboard a powerboat for a zippy tour of the canal of your choice, or better yet, hire your own and explore at your own pace. Whether it’s riverside temples or floating markets, there’s a lot to find on the banks of these waterways and if you’re not one for wildlife watching or getting neck-deep in nature then a powerboat may be a great option to transport you to each new village and landmark.
Whichever you choose, the canals of Southeast Asia will lead you to some of the most incredible scenery and exciting adventures that each country has to offer. Cruiseabout.com.au offers some great river tour options for different countries all through Southeast Asia. It’s never too early to start planning the experience of a lifetime.