Asia Trip Planning
With us, planning for your trip to Asia will be a clear and efficient process and avoid many of the mistakes travelers make for their all important getaway. We've organized trips for three decades and not only simply organize your trips, but will spend time with you to determine the places, experiences, and sightseeing that best match expectations for your trip (see our extensive booking process). We're happy to chat by video, phone or email and have offices in both Asia and the U.S. for convenient and responsive 24 x 7 communication.
Planning for your trip to Asia should begin with an initial look at weather conditions (chart below) for your period of travel. Also consider availability of hotels, guides, and lfights during peak travel periods, such as December on the Thai islands or Sakura season in Japan during which may be booked up to a year in advance while other places may have more availability, such as Vietnam.
Where to Go?
Most of our travelers change at least some of their trip plans after consulting with us, from destinations within a country like Japan, or even countries to visit. After this, we spend time planning speific sightseeing, places, activities, personal encounter, dining and more. First trip in Asia? Japan and Thailand are ideal destinations if you have not been before. Why travel to Laos? Is Vietnam as terric as Bourdain claimed it is? We have answers, with deference to your travel style and preferences of course.
What to do?
No two countries should be explored in the same way. Japan and Vietnam, for example, are places almost opposite in what travel experiences are often the most interesting. Thailand is far mroe modern than Laos, the latter a charming glimpse into the past though with less of the infrastructure of Thailand. Over thirty years we have organized every type of trip imaginable, from photography, culinary, arts, cycling, and more for families, couples and groups of friends.
Airlines to Asia
Using miles for your international flights? Mileage programs open seats up a nine months to a year in advance and fill a limited amount of business class seats very quickly. If you plan on using miles for your international flights be aware some mileage programs open seats up a nine months to a year in advance and fill a limited amount of business class seats open to Asia typically very quickly. If not using mileage, we can recommend best routing, carriers and value.
Weather and Climate in Asia
"Climate is what we expect, weather is what we get" observed Mark Twain. Much of Asia's weather is subject to a monsoon season, which along with extreme heat in some places during the year should dictate an ideal window to travel. Though weather may fluctuate if traveling far enough the the region, typically the best times to travel in Asia are during late winter months and Spring, although Fall harvest season can be pleasant as well in some areas, such as North Vietnam and Japan. Please scroll over our weather chart below to learn more about optimal times for travel in various destinations.
View Vietnam Weather
When to travel? High Season, Golden Week & Lunar New Year Airlines Availability
Golden Week - Japan's busiest domestic travel week combined with the arrival of cherry blossoms arrival (Sakura) makes it a peak period for Japan, one best avoided if possible. With limited international flight arrivals into Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, hotels and preferred airline routes begin to fill by mid to late August for high season (December through March). International flights are the best value over the summer period for high season travel but go up dramatically in price the few months before combined with limited availability. For mid- to late-December travel dates, hotels and airlines are often full by mid-September. The lunar new year period, every January or February, is an exceptionally busy travel period within high season for returning Chinese and Vietnamese families and hotels and regional flights will book far in advance.
Popular destinations and others the road less traveled
Annual Visitors to Countries in Asia
Countries in Asia, annual visitors by country are listed below. These numbers reflect modern and long-popular places, like China and Thailand, with upcoming places like Laos, Myanmar, and of course, Japan—everyone's favorite new destination.
Bhutan - 0.2 million
Cambodia - 2.6 million
China - 55 million
Hong Hong - 27 million
India - 8.9 million
Indonesia - 6.5 million
Japan - 36 million (2024 all-time record)
Laos - 1.1 million
Malaysia - 6.5 million
Myanmar - 2.9 million
Philippines - 4.8 million
Singapore - 9.4 million
Sri Lanka - 1.45 million
Taiwan - 10.4
Thailand - 30+ million
Tibet - 2.9 million
Vietnam - 6.6 million
