Our Top 5 Off the Beaten Track Destinations in Southeast Asia

From Indonesia to Vietnam, we examine our top five off the beaten track destinations you can visit on an Audley trip to Southeast Asia.

House of a local, Ha Giang.

Krakatau, Indonesia

Famous for the devastating volcanic eruption that shook the world on August 27th 1883, what remains of tropical Krakatau island is just one hour off Java’s west coast.

You can climb the volcano and snorkel in the coral reefs that have formed in its shadows.

El Nido, Philippines

A one-hour light aircraft flight from Manila takes you to the stunning sheer limestone cliffs and islands of El Nido.

Rising out of the crystal clear, coralstrewn waters, this is one of the most picturesque areas in Southeast Asia.

Vieng Xai Caves, Laos

Nestled in a picturesque valley in the remote northeast of Laos.

The Vieng Xai caves make for a fascinating and poignant detour on the overland route to Vietnam.

Mindat, Burma

Mindat is a small town in the Chin State, impressively perched on a hillside at an altitude of about 1,500 metres.

Home to the Chin Festival, it's an ideal base for some scenic trekking to visit the Chin ethnic tribes.

Ha Giang, Vietnam

In Vietnam’s far northeast, perched on the border with China lie the timeless villages of Ha Giang Province and a chance to experience a bygone world.

Expect terraced rice paddies, primary forests and winding mountain paths that climb through vertiginous passes to reach colourfullydressed minority tribes.