🎒 Goal: Backpack through Southeast Asia.
This thread will document the journey — the trails I hike, the hidden spots I stumble upon, and the landmarks that leave me speechless 🌏👇
Discussion
Trail: Monk’s Trail to Wat Pha Lat & Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand
Activity: Forest hike + temple visit
Duration: ~3 hours
Started my Southeast Asia hike with the Monk’s Trail—a peaceful climb through dense forest that opens up to hidden jungle temples. Wat Pha Lat felt like a secret sanctuary, while the final push to Doi Suthep was steep but worth it for the view and history.
Trail: Pha Dam Waterfall Loop
Location: Doi Inthanon, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Activity: Jungle hike + waterfall visit
Duration: ~3 hours
Distance: 4 mi
Hiked a lush loop trail on Doi Inthanon that led to the stunning Pha Dam Waterfall. We foraged wild raspberries and sugar cane along the way—and our local guide casually snacked on a worm-like insect that lives inside plant stems. Raw, wild, unforgettable.
Place: Chiang Dao Cave
Location: Chiang Dao, Thailand
Activity: Lantern-guided cave walk
Duration: ~1 hour
Squeezing through narrow rock passages into pitch-black chambers lit only by lanterns was something I won’t forget.
Place: Batu Caves
Location: Selangor, Malaysia
Activity: Stair climb + temple exploration
Duration: ~1.5 hours
Climbed the 272 vibrant steps to Batu Caves, one of Malaysia’s most iconic Hindu landmarks. Inside the massive limestone cave, I explored colorful shrines, dodged monkeys, and soaked in the spiritual energy echoing through the cavern. A must-see near KL.
Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Trail: Kiara Waterfall Trail
Activity: urban jungle hike
Duration: ~2 hours
Tucked just outside KL is the Kiara Waterfall Trail—a peaceful jungle escape with dense greenery, and a refreshing waterfall at the end.
Location: Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Trail: Sari Organic Walk
Activity: Village walk + rice fields + cafe stop
Duration: ~1.5 hours
Wandered the Sari Organic Walk in Ubud—a peaceful path through rice paddies, small temples, and local farms. No traffic, just the sound of birds and breeze. Ended with fresh juice and local food at a tucked-away organic café. Pure Bali energy.
Location: Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Place: Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
Activity: Forest walk + wildlife encounter
Duration: ~1 hour
Walked through the Sacred Monkey Forest—a lush jungle sanctuary filled with ancient moss-covered temples and hundreds of cheeky long-tailed macaques. Wild, sacred, and very much alive.
Location: Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia
Place: Kelingking Beach Trail
Activity: beach cliff hike
Duration: ~1 hour
Hiked down the razor-edge cliffs of Kelingking to one of the most surreal beaches I’ve ever seen. The trail is steep, sketchy, and totally worth it. White sand, turquoise waves, and towering cliffs that make you feel tiny. Unreal from every angle.
Location: Phi Phi Islands, Thailand
Place: Maya Bay + Monkey Bay + Viking Cave
Activity: Hike + beach hopping + boat ride
Duration: Full day
Explored the iconic Phi Phi Islands hopping beaches and hidden coves by longtail boat. Crystal-clear water, limestone cliffs, and that classic island magic. Thailand at its most cinematic.
