If Bali makes you think of just beach clubs, you’re missing out on the true heart of the island.

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Skip Kuta and the tourist traps. See handpicked Bali with local heartfelt hosts & get to the real heart of Bali. 

Bali Seriously Cool Things to Do: See Bali Beyond the Beach Clubs

Bali

A sleepy town that's home to one of Indonesia's most epic volcano. 

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More than just the midnight Ijen run. Crater hikes, Baluran wildlife, turtle beaches and village coffee stops with handpicked local hosts.

Banyuwangi Things to Do: Beyond the Midnight Ijen Dash

Banyuwangi

Gateway town to epic adventures. Uncover the long lost Mt Tambora volcano, and chilled surf town of Lakey Peak

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Way off the tourist trail. Volcano treks, Lakey Peak surf, coastal village stays and wild beaches. Handpicked Bima with local hosts who know it.

Bima Things to Do: Off the Grid for Tambora & Surf

Bima

Halong Bay's rugged little sister. No luxe cruises here, just raw karst beauty, hidden caves and nature hikes.

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Skip the luxe cruises. Kayak quiet bays, climb limestone cliffs, hike jungle trails and explore caves with handpicked Cat Ba hosts.

Cat Ba Things to Do: Off the Grid, No Cruise Crowds

Cat Ba

The hippie soul of Thailand. Glamp under starry skies, float on bamboo rafts, and reconnect with nature. 

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No tourist traps. Glamping under stars, bamboo rafting, cave walks and mountain stays with local hosts. Chiang Dao for slowing down.

Chiang Dao Things to Do: No Tourist Traps, Just Nature

Chiang Dao

Hipster haven with a ton of heart. Chill with rescued giants and uncover artist villages.

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Skip the tiger temples. Ethical elephant care, artist-village workshops, hill-tribe treks and cooking classes with handpicked local hosts.

Actually Fun Things to Do in Chiang Mai, No Tiger Temples

Chiang Mai

Nicknamed "Dalifornia", Dali is Yunnan's creative soul where artists, makers, entrepreneurs come to slow down.

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Skip the old town crowds. Cycle Erhai Lake, hike Cangshan, try Bai tie-dye workshops and village stays with handpicked local hosts.

Seriously Cool: Things to Do in Dali, Not Just Old Town

Dali

Enjoy a thrill ride on mountainside settlements with traditional hill tribes

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Skip the rushed bus tour. Ride the Ha Giang Loop, sleep in homestays, cross mountain passes and meet hill-tribe hosts. Handpicked, small-group.

Ha Giang Things to Do: No Tourist Traps on the Loop

Ha Giang

Sail beyond the postcard at Halong Bay. Meet pearl farmers, visit fishing villages and kayak through caves. 

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Skip the packed day boats. Cruise Halong, Lan Ha and Bai Tu Long, kayak through caves, meet pearl farmers and fishing villages. Handpicked hosts.

Quieter Bays, Real Cruises: Things to Do in Halong Bay

Halong Bay

A city with thousand-year charm, vibrant alleyways, yummy street food and unexpected natural wonders

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Skip the obvious. Hidden alley food tours, tofu making with artisans and see what most miss. Handpicked Hanoi with local hosts who know it best.

Hanoi Coolest Things to Do: Beyond the Old Quarter

Hanoi

From ancient walls on mountain ridges to neon megacities, every region of China feels its own world.

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Skip the tourist coaches. Meet tea hosts, craft workshop hosts, and hiking guides on handpicked China away from the obvious hotspots.

China Things to Do: Skip Mega Bus Tours and Crowded Hotspots

China

An explorer's treasure chest, with wild Orangutans, epic dive sites and history's deadliest volcano

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Skip the Bali-only version. Meet host families, orangutan and reef conservation hosts, and artisans on handpicked islands with local hosts.

Indonesia Things to Do: More Than Bali, More Than One Island

Indonesia

Full of surprises, with the oldest rainforests on earth, rare wildlife and out-of-this-world moonscape hikes 

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Skip the usual city break. Meet Iban longhouse hosts, rainforest wildlife guides, and mountain hosts on a handpicked side of Malaysia.

Malaysia Things to Do: Rare Wildlife, Off the Grid

Malaysia

A city of contrasts: where old-world kelongs meet sci-fi towers, & hawker aunties dish out Michelin flavours

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For locals who've done the usual. Try hawker walks, mangrove kayaks, and craft workshops with handpicked hosts who know the real stuff.

Singapore Things to Do: Seriously Cool Stuff for Locals

Singapore

A whirlwind of smiles, cool artisan spots, recovering elephants and beaches straight out of your dreams.

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Skip the beach-club circuit. Think Khao Sok jungle stays, ethical elephant hosts and Bangkok food walks with handpicked local hosts.

Beyond the Beach Resorts: Things to Do in Thailand

Thailand

The best street food ever, buzzing energy, hill tribes, and views that make your pictures look photoshopped

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Skip the tour-bus routes. Trek with H'mong and Dao hosts, eat with Hanoi food guides, and stay with handpicked local hosts.

With H'mong & Dao Local Hosts: Things to Do in Vietnam

Vietnam

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This is for adventurers! Hike to a remote UNESCO village, feast on tribal flavours & sail Komodo Islands

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The total cost for this itinerary is USD $1300-1600 (SGD 1600-1900) per person on a twin-sharing basis. This includes all activities, a 3D2N Komodo boat trip, Komodo National Park fees, airport transfers, and hotels.

Budget

There are multiple flights a day from Bali (Indonesia), and from Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia). For this itinerary we'd recommend arriving in the morning and taking a late afternoon departing flight. 

Getting there

The best time for this itinerary is April–December, as 3D2N boat trips rarely run during the rainy season (Jan–March). Visit in April–May for fewer crowds or September–November for better wildlife sighting. 

Best Time to Visit

Most of the nicer 3D2N komodo boat trips get booked up 1-2 months in advance (sometimes 6 months for summer!). So if you want a nicer and safer boat experience, do book it as far in advance as you can to secure your spot. 

Booking in Advance

8 Days in Flores: Wae Rebo & Komodo

The fastest way to see Komodo National Park! See all the highlights + squeeze in a hidden gem. 

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The total cost for this itinerary is USD $350-$450 (SGD 400-550) per person on a twin-sharing basis. This includes all activities, a Komodo boat trip, Komodo National Park fees, airport transfers, and a nice 3-star hotel. 

The only highlight missed on this itinerary is the bat exodus at Kalong Island, which is amazing. If you really want to see it, opt for a private 1-day boat trip instead of the join-in, and we can include the Kalong Island stop.

Do I Miss Out

There are multiple flights a day from Bali (Indonesia), and from Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia). You'll need to fly in the day before your boat trip as most boat trips leave early in the morning before flights arrive. 

The 1-Day Speedboat trips run daily all year, even in the rainy season. So you can do this itinerary anytime! Visit in April–May for fewer crowds or September–November for better wildlife sighting. 

3 Days in Komodo: If You're Short on Time

See a side of Labuan Bajo that most travellers miss. Caves, tribal feasts + a boat trip of a lifetime.

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The total cost for this itinerary is USD $950 (SGD 1300) per person on a twin-sharing basis. This includes all activities, a 3D2N luxury Komodo boat trip, Komodo National Park fees, airport transfers, and a nice 3-star hotel for days 4-6.

Labuan Bajo is very safe, even for solo female travelers. You can explore the town comfortably, though some areas might be dimly lit at night. Petty crime is rare, but as with anywhere, it’s good to stay aware of your surroundings.

Safety

6 Days in Komodo: Dragons, Tribal Feasts & Hidden Caves

Perfect for first-time Bali visitors: turtles, artisans, epic nature, and hidden gems—see it all, minus crowds.

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7 Days in Bali: For First Time Visitors

For travellers who want to see Sumba beyond just the fancy resorts. 

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Visit Sumba in the dry season (May–Sep) for golden hills, clear skies &  accessible roads. Visit Walakiri Beach at sunset during low tide for the dancing trees. Avoid the rainy season (Nov–Mar) as you'll get muddy roads + brown waterfalls.

Best Time to Go 

The Pasola Festival (Feb–Mar) is a cool, ancient jousting ritual. Dates are set by local priests only 1–2 weeks ahead, so it’s hard to plan. If you're already in Bali, you can try to catch it last-minute, but don’t plan around the festival.

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For 2 people, this 7-day Sumba itinerary costs approx. SGD 1400 (USD 1020) per person, including 3–4 star accommodation, transportation and activities. 

Sumba has two airports: Waingapu (east) and Tambolaka (west). Fly from Bali, start in Waingapu, and end in Tambolaka for an east-to-west road trip. Note: flight times may change, so allow some buffer into your planning!

Getting There

7 Days in Sumba: All the Must-Sees 

A fun-filled week for families in Bali: craft with artisans, jeep through lava fields, and save sea turtles.

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7 Days in Bali: For Families with Kids

Komodo is a wildlife paradise. This itinerary covers all the highlights and includes diving at top dive sites!

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The total cost for this itinerary is USD $1200 (SGD 1650) per person on a twin-sharing basis. This includes all activities, a 3D2N Phinisi Komodo boat trip, Komodo National Park fees, airport transfers, and a nice 3-star hotel for days 4-6.

7 Days in Komodo: Diving, Dragons & Turtles

For travellers craving Bali's true soul. Mystical trees, firefly safaris, artisan families & secret waterfalls.

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7 Days Ubud: Uncover Bali's Heart

For those who've been to Bali before and love adventure. Perfect mix of untouched gems, adrenaline & soul.

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7 Days Bali: For Adventurous Souls

For travellers who want it all - from the beaches of Canggu to the cliffs of Nusa Penida and peace of Ubud.

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8 Days Bali: Canggu, Ubud & Nusa Penida

For travellers seeking Ubud’s soul. Meet artisans, farmers & conservationists preserving Bali’s traditions.

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4 Days Ubud: Artisans, Farms + Nature  

Recharge your mind and soul in Bali with yoga and meditation, as well as Balinese healing and purification. 

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