Discover Southeast Asia’s top backpacking destinations with Cebu Pacific

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Cruise the mighty Mekong River in Laos and discover the cities, towns and temples along its shores.

More than just an inexpensive way to travel, backpacking is an exhilarating and enriching way to truly experience a destination. It compels travelers to go beyond their comfort zones, deviate from the usual tourist route, live the way locals do, and make friends along the way.

Cebu Pacific Air, with its low fares and network, empowers travel enthusiasts to satiate their wanderlust and explore the best backpacking destinations of Southeast Asia. The airline offers multi-city tickets that allow you to fly to one country and depart from another, maximizing your trip.

Bangkok, the backpackers’ hub.

A backpacker favorite, Bangkok consistently lives up to its reputation as one of the most vibrant and exciting cities in the world. Eclectic in its offerings and highly accessible from other destinations, it is the usual starting point for many travelers who crisscross the region. Spending at least two nights here should be enough to explore the city’s lively street markets, spectacular temples, and the nightlife in the famed Khao San Road.

Sunny beaches and party nights at Thailand’s south.

Koh Phi Phi, often referred to as Thailand’s most beautiful island, is located in Krabi province around 12 hours from Bangkok or a two-hour ferry ride from Phuket. The island shot to fame among adventure seekers when the film “The Beach” was shot there more than a decade ago. Accommodations start from as low as 50-100 baht a night. Another Southern Thailand hotspot among budget travelers is Krabi, a group of islands off the Andaman Coast. From Phi Phi, it takes about 1.5 hours by ferry. It is a town visited by those looking for nature activities such as rock climbing. Khao Kanab Nam, the most iconic of its attractions, is composed of two karst rocks situated next to each other.

Once among the most powerful kingdoms in Southeast Asia, Ayutthaya in Thailand is now a UNESCO World Heritage site that draws tourists in because of its magnificent ancient structures. 

The cultural and laidback North Thailand. 

Complementing the vivacious energy of the South, the Northern part of Thailand offers a more laidback charm with its cultural attractions, relaxing vibe, and cooler weather. Just two hours by bus from Bangkok is Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of Thailand and a stunning city filled with ancient temples and religious structures. Three rivers—the Chao Phraya, the Lopburi, and the Pa Sak Rivers—converge here. The most enjoyable way to get around the ancient ruins is by bicycle, although tuk-tuks are also available to take visitors around the complex. The largest and most culturally significant city in Northern Thailand, Chiang Mai can be reached directly by train from Bangkok. Aside from its quiet and relaxing atmosphere that contrasts the hustle and bustle of the capital, a lot of people come here for jungle trekking, elephant encounters, and adventurous activities.

Scenic small-town life in Laos. Laos’ appeal lies in its vast wilderness and rich culture. 

This country used to be isolated after years of war, but is now gaining cult status among travelers from all over the world. Vientiane, the capital, is accessible from Bangkok by train or by bus from Chiang Mai. The city serves as the starting point to other destinations in Laos. Spending one night here should be enough to recharge one’s energy because of the relaxing small town atmosphere. After doing a round of the temples, a great way to experience this river town is to watch the sun set by the Mekong River.Meanwhile, Luang Prabang is a colorful hodgepodge of traditional Lao wooden houses and what remains of its French colonial past. Set underneath a temple-topped hill, Luang Prabang is also known for its monks who line the streets to collect their only meal for the day. A bit farther away from Bangkok, it is a great take-off point for travelers who want to proceed to Hanoi in Vietnam.

The last and most enduring capital city of the Khmer empire, Angkor Thom in Cambodia is filled with grand Buddhist structures. These include the Bayon Temple, which features 216 massive stone faces and impressive bas reliefs.

Charming Cambodia. Cambodia no longer evokes images of just majestic ruins and lost empires. 

From unspoiled beaches to a distinctive cuisine, the old Khmer kingdom continues to unearth more attractions for tourists and nomads alike. There are several borders in Thailand that provide crossing to Cambodia, the busiest of which leads to Aranyaprathet/Poipet in Northwestern Cambodia. Siem Reap provides access to the Angkor Archeological Park, a 400 square kilometer forested complex of the magnificent ruins of the ancient Khmer empire. The major temples like the Angkor Wat and the Bayon Temple of Angkor Thom can be explored within one day, but to visit the other smaller and hidden ones will require a couple of days more. Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, can also be reached by bus from Siem Reap. The city, with its many museums, memorials, and pagodas, gives visitors a powerful glimpse of the country’s rich history and culture. Other activities to try are river cruises, cooking classes, and checking out the street markets. From Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam can already be reached by bus.

There are many routes and ways to take when exploring these Southeast Asian gems, depending on the time each traveler has and how much they want to immerse themselves in every place they visit. The best way to make the most out of every trip is to plan ahead and plan well. 

Aside from booking flights early, securing the necessary travel permits or visas (if required), and packing efficiently, exciting things happen when one travels with an open-mind. Cebu Pacific allows every Juan to maximize their backpacking adventures as it flies from Manila to Bangkok, Phuket, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh and Siem Reap, the gateways to many other exciting destinations.

Make that dream escapade happen now and book flights atwww.cebupacificair.com.