Out on a Limb
From wildlife cruises to cultural odysseys overland, Southeast Asia is packed with exceptional escapes for outdoorsy families. Here are four places around the region to get you started.
CHIANG MAI, THAILAND
Long considered the adventure capital of northern Thailand, Chiang Mai has plenty of thrills on its doorstep. Trails green-trails.com) Green
( offers one- to three-day family treks that take in the mountain scenery of peaks such as Doi Inthanon—Thailand’s highest—and overnight stays in hilltribe villages. Those with a head for heights should try out treetop ziplining in the rain forest of Mae Takhrai National Park with Gibbon treetopasia.com). Flight of the
(
LUANG PRABANG, LAOS
The laid-back pace and compact size of this UNESCO-listed town makes it an ideal place to get around by bike, especially for families with adventurous teens. For an easy day trip into the rural surrounds, Biking Laos ( biking-laos
.com) brings guest on a mountain bike ride through villages and jungles to the Tad Sae Waterfalls.
SANDAKAN, MALAYSIA
Sabah-bound travelers shouldn’t just stick to the popular sights around Kota Kinabalu. From the second city of Sandakan, an accessible wildlife adventure beckons with a multi-day safari cruise on the Kinabatangan River, a protected habitat for orangutans, proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, and crocodiles. Tours with accommodation can be booked via
Sukau Rainforest Lodge ( sukau.com).
LABUAN BAJO, INDONESIA
The primary gateway to Komodo National Park, a must-visit for its Komodo dragons and vibrant coral reefs, Labuan Bajo is also an ideal jumping-off point for overland journeys across the island of Flores with Flores Exotic Tours ( floresexotictours.id). Highlights along the way include spiderweb-shaped rice fields, timeless tribal villages, and the three crater lakes of Kelimutu.