The Best Hikes in SEA
Mt Rinjani is one of the toughest but most rewarding hikes in Southeast Asia. We were super excited when we discovered the secret Torean route - created after the 2018 earthquake, it takes you through beautiful valleys, waterfalls, and green mountains that feel like a scene from Jurassic Park or Moana. It’s still relatively unknown, so you can enjoy it without the crowds!
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Mt Kinabalu is Southeast Asia's highest peak and one of our favourite hikes in the region because of the crazy range of terrains you’ll experience in just 24 hours.
You’ll go from lush tropical rainforest to beautiful bonsai forests, and then up to a moonscape-like summit. It’s beginner-friendly, mainly because it's all stairs (600 flights, to be exact!).
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Mt Fansipan is the highest peak in Indochina, but also a Russian roulette of a hike! Some days, the views are insane – you can see the whole Sapa range for miles.
But most of the time, you’ll power through a hard climb and reach the top only to find... only mist. It’s a tough climb with boulders, ladders, and serious scrambling. But if you’re after a challenge, it’s worth it!
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A short 20-30 minute hike, Mt Padar offers jaw-dropping panoramic views of the famous pink, black, and white beaches of Komodo National Park. The hike is steep and rocky, so sturdy shoes are a must, but it’s doable for anyone.
Visit Padar island on a Komodo island-hopping boat tour (1-3 days), together with Pink Beach & Komodo Dragons.
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Mulu looks like it comes out of a fantasy novel– the Pinnacles look like the tombstones of giants! The Mulu Pinnacles climb is no joke – it’s steep, exposed, and requires some scrambling and ropes.
The Pinnacles hike itself takes about 6-7 hours, but the full Mulu adventure, including cave visits (some of the largest in the world!), takes 4D3N in total.
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Bromo is the ultimate hike for views with minimal effort. A 20-min walk up stairs takes you to the crater of Mt Bromo, with landscapes so surreal they look straight out of Dune. It’s touristy, but you can ask your guide to take you to quieter spots for the best photos. The journey is part of the fun: you’ll ride a jeep across a vast sea of sand before starting your short hike.
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Sapa is perfect if you want hikes + culture. Trek through rice terraces, stay in hill tribe homestays, and wake to misty views. You can do easy half-day walks, full-day treks or multi-day mountain climbs (like Ngu Chi Son or Fansipan). Our favourite thing about Sapa is the guides are from the local hill tribes, so you’ll get real insight into their way of life as you explore.
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Danum Valley is one of the world’s last untouched rainforests—130 million years old and never logged. Trek through dense jungle, swim in waterfalls, climb canopy towers, and join night safaris for a chance to spot orangutans. The experience is less about ticking off animals and more about feeling what it’s like to be deep inside one of Earth’s last untouched ecosystems.
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Mt Ijen is known for its electric blue flames, a natural phenomenon that can be seen during a 2-3 hour night trek. The hike itself isn’t difficult, but the night trek makes it tricky, and the sulfur smell is strong (so if you have respiratory problems, give this a miss!). Once you reach the summit, you’ll also get a view of the world’s largest crater lake – stunning at sunrise!
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Maliau Basin is one of the last wild places on Earth—a 130‑million‑year‑old rainforest so remote and untouched, no human has ever lived there. It was only spotted in 1947 and first explored in 1988, with much still unknown today.
You’ll need 3–5 days here, hiking to Maliau Falls, camping deep in the jungle and spotting wildlife. You’ll walk trails barely touched by humankind.
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If you’re after a trek that’s unknown, has an epic story and stunning views—this is it. Mt Tambora caused the 1815 eruption that changed the world’s climate and inspired the writing of Dracula. It's also very unknown.
The 16km, 11‑hour hike takes you through dramatic landscapes to a sunrise over a massive crater. It’s tough, but feels like stepping into a real-life movie.
Mt Batur is one of Bali’s most popular hikes for good reason. The views from the summit are incredible! But if you’d like a quieter experience, there’s an alternative that takes you to the caldera and includes a moonlit boat ride across Lake Batur. You’ll get to enjoy stunning views of Mt Agung, Lombok, and Rinjani while avoiding the crowds. It’s an easy 2-hour trek (each way).
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If you want to stand on top of Bali, Mt Agung is your challenge. This 7–8 hour round trip is a steep, rewarding climb that ends with epic sunrise views from Bali’s highest peak. Choose between two routes—one shorter but steeper, the other longer and slightly gentler. Either way, bring solid hiking boots and stamina. Few people can say they’ve stood on top of Bali!
If you are in Sapa and want something challenging that very few have done, this is it. Ngu Chi Son is Vietnam’s 15th highest peak, but it's one of the steepest, wildest climbs around. You’ll scramble through dense jungle and ridge walk above a sea of clouds. Hardly anyone hikes this, and that’s part of the magic. Locals say if the peak appears, it's a sign of good luck!
