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The Best Trips in June to August

SOPHIE
Tanjung Puting, Indonesia / Mt Kinabalu, Malaysia / Kinabatangan River, Malaysia / Sumba, Indonesia .... AND MORE!
Editor’s Note
June to August is a tricky time to travel. Places are either super crowded, or it's rainy season! Here are some of our favourite spots that are still not too crowded, and worth going during this time. It's peak season for many of them so do book your spots in advance!
01
Tanjung Puting, Indonesia
02
Mt Kinabalu, Malaysia
03
Kinabatangan River, Malaysia
04
Sumba, Indonesia
05
Sapa, Vietnam
06
Chiang Mai, Thailand
07
Gunung Leseur National Park, Indonesia
08
East Java, Indonesia
09
Bunaken National Park, Indonesia
10
Khao Sok, Thailand
11
Wilpattu National Park, Sri Lanka
12
Sinharaja Forest, Sri Lanka
13
Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Tanjung Puting is the best place on Earth to see wild orangutans, and one of the few places where tourism helps protect them. Take a houseboat down jungle rivers, see more Orangutans than you can count, meet Dayak communities and learn from guides deeply rooted in the land.

June-Aug is peak season, but even in high season, it’s still way less crowded than most places.

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If you're going in peak season, make sure to book your klotok boat tour at least a month in advance to secure a spot.
World's best place to see wild orangutans. See the jungle by riverboat
COOL THINGS HERE:
Wild orangutans by river boat
Sleep on a klotok under stars
Explore jungle with local guides
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Mt Kinabalu is one of the most beautiful climbs in Asia and June to Aug is the best time to summit the mountain! It’s dry season, so you’ll have a lower risk of the summit climb being cancelled due to rain and better chances of catching an epic sunrise.

It’s also the most popular season, so permits go fast. Book 2–3 months ahead, or even earlier if you’re in a big group!

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Even though it's dry season, do prepare for rain. Bring a rain jacket as the weather can be unpredictable - it rained non stop when we went in August!
Climb SEA’s tallest peak. Summit at sunrise with clouds at your feet.
COOL THINGS HERE:
One of Asia's nicest climbs
Beginner-friendly (with training)
See moonscape views at the top
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If seeing wild orangutans is on your bucket list, Kinabatangan is one of the best (and easiest) places in Asia to do that.

The peak fruiting season from June–August is prime time for wildlife as all the wildlife congregate around the river to eat. You may see orangutans, pygmy elephants, hornbills & even crocodiles on boat safaris. It gets crowded, but sightings are worth it!

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To see more wildlife, go to the Orangutan & sunbear sanctuaries in Sandakan. And add a night at Libaran or Selingan Island to see sea turtles nest.
Spot orangutans & pygmy elephants on a river safari.
COOL THINGS HERE:
Spot orangutans & elephants
River safaris + night walks
See cute proboscis monkeys
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Sumba is like nowhere else in Indonesia. Road trip through endless green hills, tribal villages, cliff tombs, wild horses on empty beaches, and surreal dancing trees.

In June–August, the savannah turns golden, the waterfalls glow turquoise, and wild horses roam the hills. It's stil untouched so you can escape the crowds here. It'll feel like you’ve stepped into another world.

Asia's most epic roadtrip. Wild horses, dancing trees & ancient tribes
COOL THINGS HERE:
Unreal landscapes & dancing trees
Wild horses running on the beach
Ancient tribes & rituals
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Yes, it’s peak tourist season - but also peak green! From June to August, Sapa’s famous rice terraces are at their most photogenic. It's a great time to trek through misty mountains, stay in family-run homestays, and learn about the Hmong and Dao cultures. If you’re into photography, this is the season to go.

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You can still skip the crowds by doing a homestay away from Sapa town. We'd recommend Sin Suoi Ho village, and also Four Fingers mountain if you want to climb.
Epic rice terrace views at their greenest & heartfelt hill tribes
COOL THINGS HERE:
Bright green rice terrace views
Homestay with local tribes
Trek misty mountains
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If you don't mind some rain, June to August is a good time to see Chiang Mai. It's just after burning season so the rains clear the smokey skies and the mountains turn lush. It’s a great time to explore waterfalls, hike, or visit elephant sanctuaries without the crowds.

Bring a rain jacket and go!

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We'd highly recommend spending a couple of days in Chiang Dao. This is Chiang Mai's hippie and raw sister, where you can forage & go glamping in the hills.
Explore temples, hike hidden trails and help rescued elephants
COOL THINGS HERE:
See rescued elephants ethically
Hike lush mountain trails
Art, yummy food & night markets
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Gunung Leuser is one of the last places on Earth where wild orangutans still roam free. There are tigers too but rare!

In June–August, the jungle trails are drier and the orangutans may come closer to the forest edge, making them easier to spot. It's less predictable than Kinabatangan or Tanjung Puting but it's perfect if you want a real jungle adventure and a proper hike.

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Many visit Bukit Lawang nearby, but it's not ethical. Rangers aren't trained, visitors get too close & orangutans show stressed behaviour. Skip it if you can!
Real-life Jungle Book adventure, with wild orangutans and tigers.
COOL THINGS HERE:
Trek to wild orangutans
One of the last tiger habitats
Camp deep in the rainforest
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East Java is one of the most epic adventure spots in Indonesia. June-Aug is dry season & a popular time to go since all the adventures take place outdoors.

Here you can hike a blue flame volcano, see Indonesia's most epic waterfalls and photograph surreal Dune-like landscapes at Bromo. You can even see baby turtles hatching if you are lucky!

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Expect crowds at Mt Bromo as it's peak peak season. But you can beat them by going on weekdays, or trying quieter spots on Seek Sophie!
Blue fire, sea of sand, hidden waterfalls. Java at its wildest.
COOL THINGS HERE:
Indonesia's Niagara falls
Blue flames volcanic crater
Surreal Dune-like landscapes
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If you love diving, Bunaken National Park in Manado is a must. June–Aug is peak season here and you'll get calm seas, great visibility, and warm waters.

Dive Bunaken for epic coral walls and reef sharks, then head to nearby Lembeh Strait, the world’s top spot for muck diving. Expect rare critters like flamboyant cuttlefish, pygmy seahorses and colourful nudibranchs.

Top diving spot in Asia. Calm seas, coral walls, rare critters.
COOL THINGS HERE:
Best diving season at Bunaken
See coral walls & reef sharks
Rare macro critter sightings
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Just a short drive from Phuket, Khao Sok is one of Thailand’s wildest places. It's 160m years old & wild elephants roam here.

June–August is the rainy season, but showers are short and the rainforest comes alive — lush, fresh, and full of wildlife. There are fewer tourists too, so it’s easier to get peaceful lake safaris, jungle hikes, and floating raft stays to yourself..

Thailand’s oldest rainforest. Spot wild elephants from floating huts.
COOL THINGS HERE:
160-million year old rainforest
Rare place to see wild elephants
Boat safaris & jungle cooking
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If you want a safari that feels raw and uncrowded, go to Wilpattu. It's our favourite national park in Sri Lanka as it's most untouched.

It’s drier from June–August, which makes it easier to spot wildlife like leopards, elephants and sloth bears. Unlike Yala, there aren’t 100 jeeps chasing a sighting - often you’ll be one of just a handful of vehicles in the entire park.

Sri Lanka’s best park to spot leopards, minus the crowds.
COOL THINGS HERE:
Best place to see leopards
Elephants and sloth bears too
Remote & untouched safari
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Sinharaja is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and the last stretch of virgin rainforest in Sri Lanka. From June to August, it's drier and easier to trek. You’ll see snakes, monkeys, giant squirrels, and birds you won’t find anywhere else. It’s a real jungle experience — lush, dense and wild, with fewer leeches than usual too!

Sri Lanka’s last virgin rainforest, alive with rare wildlife.
COOL THINGS HERE:
Sri Lanka’s last virgin forest
Rare birds and jungle creatures
Top spot for birding in Asia
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Komodo is one of the most beautiful places on earth. It's home to the famous Komodo dragons, pink beaches, and some of the best snorkelling in Asia.

June–Aug is peak season, so it’ll be busy. But this is also when most of the top boats sail, so you’ll have the widest choice. Just skip August if you really want to see dragons, as it’s their mating season and sightings drop.

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All the top boats get booked up 2-3 months in advance of high season. So if you're travelling during this time you should book your liveaboard in advance!
Feels like Game of Thrones, with real dragons!
COOL THINGS HERE:
See wild Komodo dragons
Snorkel with turtles & manta rays
See real pink beaches
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NEED MORE INSPO?
back to all lists
01
Tanjung Puting, Indonesia
02
Mt Kinabalu, Malaysia
03
Kinabatangan River, Malaysia
04
Sumba, Indonesia
05
Sapa, Vietnam
06
Chiang Mai, Thailand
07
Gunung Leseur National Park, Indonesia
08
East Java, Indonesia
09
Bunaken National Park, Indonesia
10
Khao Sok, Thailand
11
Wilpattu National Park, Sri Lanka
12
Sinharaja Forest, Sri Lanka
13
Komodo National Park, Indonesia
So.. who's Sophie?
We get asked that a lot! There’s no one on the team actually named Sophie. Sophie means wisdom in Greek. We wanted Seek Sophie to be about travel that helps you discover more about yourself and the world—travel that fills your heart and leaves you feeling more connected.
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