In this Trailblazer, I am pleased to put the spotlight on Malaysia with an insight into our most impactful travel experiences, as well as new product developments.

I am also delighted to unveil Explore Malaysia, our new digital guide that showcases our preferred activities, particularly tours and excursions that have a positive impact on local communities, while minimising negative impacts on the environment.

The guide covers popular tourist destinations such as Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Langkawi. It also reveals some of Malaysia’s lesser-known, yet equally remarkable travel destinations in Sabah and Sarawak.

Stay tuned for the launch of our new Digital Trails collection in Kuala Lumpur next month. Our team has carefully researched and crafted five walking routes around the Malaysian capital, giving travellers the chance to explore different aspects of life, art and architecture in the lively metropolis.

Read our Digital Trails blog to learn more about these guided and self-guided city walks and how you can utilise them to enhance your travel business.

As always, our team remains ready to assist with any enquiries. Reach out for the latest travel advice and expert tour planning at Asian Trails Malaysia.

Emir Cherif
Managing Director, Asian Trails Malaysia & Singapore

Home to idyllic beaches, wildlife and picturesque villages, Southern Thailand’s Khao Lak coast is one of Asia’s top destinations for slow travel and nature-based experiences. Asian Trails’ guests get a true sense of the region’s nature and culture on our Sustainable Trails, which include encounters with sea turtles and elephants.

For guests with limited time, we offer a half-day programme, Bamboo Rafting, Waterfalls and Turtle Conservation, where guests ride on a bamboo raft through Khao Lak’s serene and lush countryside. Along the way, the ever-changing landscape may reveal abundant creatures, such as exotic birds and monkeys. The floating raft lands at a turtle conservation area where guests learn about wildlife preservation before enjoying a short trek and refreshing dip at a waterfall.

Our full-day journey, Elephant Sanctuary and Sea Turtle Conservation, includes an afternoon visit to the oldest temple in the area followed by an interactive encounter at an elephant sanctuary. Guests can feed the friendly giants and observe their natural behaviour.

Khao Lak is located in Phang Nga Province, just a one-hour drive from Phuket Airport. For more information about tours in the area, contact Asian Trails Thailand.

Rail travel enthusiasts are counting down to the arrival of a new luxury train journey that links Vietnam’s major cities – from the vibrant capital of Hanoi to the bustling metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City.

Carving its way in an s-shaped route across the country, the Sjourney train will be Vietnam’s first private train experience with 10 cars and a total of 30 deluxe sleeping cabins for up to 60 passengers.

The all-inclusive rail journey includes seven nights on board the train with all meals, excursions and transportation included in one convenient package. Guests will have several opportunities to disembark and explore historical cities, towns and landmarks en route, such as the captivating cliffs of Ninh Binh, the caves of Quang Binh, the imperial citadel of Hue and more.

Travelling at speeds of up to 50 kph, the train embraces the slow travel concept and comes complete with a host of unique dining experiences, including a home-style dinner amidst endless rice paddies and al fresco dining beside the historical Cham towers.

The Sjourney train is set to depart on its maiden journey on 4 September 2024. After that, weekly services are scheduled to depart every Wednesday from either Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Contact our team for more details at Asian Trails Vietnam.

Asian Trails’ hands-on market and culinary tour in Kuala Lumpur gives guests an authentic taste of the city’s dynamic culinary scene. Adding an extra layer to the cooking class experience, the excursion now includes a morning market visit.

The local market is where many city residents start their day and our guests will have a chance to be part of this typical experience of local life. A culinary expert shares insights into the local food culture and helps guests to pick out the day’s freshest herbs, vegetables and spices. There is even time to stop and enjoy a typical Malaysian breakfast, plus street food such as roti canai (flatbread served with curry) and teh tarik (traditional ‘pulled’ tea).

The market visit is followed by the cooking class where guests can add a few Malaysian favourites to their culinary repertoire. Various menu options are offered, including vegan, Baba-Nyonya cuisine, street food, Malay classics and Southern favourites.

For more details about this immersive culinary experience, contact Asian Trails Malaysia.

The Perhentian Marriott Resort & Spa is a new tropical retreat on Perhentian Kecil, an idyllic island off Malaysia’s East Coast.

The five-star resort, under the Marriott Bonvoy brand, features 217 rooms decorated in a modern and minimalist style. Some of the deluxe rooms have sea views and private pools are a feature in many of the lavish villas.

Guests can access the adjoining two-kilometre beach by a staircase or take in the coastal panorama from the elevated swimming pool. For wellness, head to the hilltop spa.

F&B options include an all-day dining venue that serves a selection of Asian and international cuisine. Other options include an atmospheric lounge and bar and an eatery that specialises in grilled seafood. A special experience is a private, romantic dinner on the beach or on a boat.

The arts, crafts and cultural centre offers an insight into local customs and a kid’s club keeps younger guests entertained. The resort also boasts a dive centre, coral education centre, a health club and event space.

For more information or to make a booking, contact our team at Asian Trails Malaysia.

Witness the life of sea turtles, butterflies, monkeys and other amazing creatures while enjoying rustic tranquillity at The Boathouse, a new tropical hideaway off the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

Accessible only by boat, the resort is located within a wildlife reserve and marine park on Tioman Island, framed by idyllic beaches and sparkling seas.

Embracing the island’s cultural heritage, the resort reflects the style of a traditional Malay house and features the use of renewable, locally sourced timber. Each of the 31 bungalows is thoughtfully designed to maximise comfort with daybeds and open terraces that overlook garden or ocean views.

Guests can explore the island’s rainforests and sea turtle hatchery or swim amid coral, sea fans and shipwrecks at one of the many notable dive sites nearby. Special care is given to preserving the island’s rich biodiversity and upholding its indigenous heritage and culture.

Access to Tioman Island is by a two-hour ferry from Mersing Harbour or a one-and-a-half-hour ferry from Tanjung Gemok. Once on the island, guests will be transported by speedboat to The Boathouse.

The Boathouse is set to open on 1 July 2024. For more information or to secure a booking, contact Asian Trails Malaysia.

Asian Trails has relaunched two Vespa trails in Phnom Penh, giving guests the chance to witness typical Cambodian life by day and local bars and restaurants by night.

Guests take to the passenger seat as experienced Vespa riders weave in and out of backstreets and along rural roads to explore authentic places frequented by the locals.

One of the journeys passes along the banks of the mighty Mekong River where guests can see daily life unfold while visiting a vibrant local market, followed by a traditional silk weaving community.

This intimate, off-the-beaten-path experience offers a unique glimpse into Cambodia’s cultural core, making it a must for any discerning traveller seeking to delve deeper into the heart of this captivating destination.

Later in the evening, guests can head out again for an exciting after-dark foodie adventure by scooter. Leave the typical tourist traps behind and experience a buzzing night out in true Phnom Penh style. Taste typical local dishes and discover hidden culinary gems in local neighbourhoods.

For more details or advice about how to incorporate a Vespa tour in your Cambodia itinerary, contact our team at Asian Trails Cambodia.

Situated in the foothills of Cambodia’s most sacred mountain, Phnom Kulen, the Phum Borann Homestay provides an excellent base for exploring some of the kingdom’s lesser-known cultural treasures.

Situated 75 km north-east of Siem Reap, the property is near the Phnom Kulen National Park. Asian Trails’ team took the opportunity to experience its services first-hand.

The accommodation options range from small and cosy two-person bungalows to larger houses that accommodate up to eight guests. Tents are also available for a more rustic camping adventure.

Simple, local meals are available at the onsite restaurant which caters for up to 50 people for all daily meals.

Guests can engage in numerous outdoor activities, such as trekking to nearby temples and villages where people produce rice wine or weave traditional cotton scarves known as krama. Other places of interest include a pepper plantation, a former royal palace and a silk learning centre.

Asian Trails is dedicated to supporting rural communities with the aim of connecting guests with the more authentic aspects of Cambodian life. For more information about the Phum Borann Homestay, contact us for expert advice at Asian Trails Cambodia.

A contemporary, technology-driven hotel has opened its doors in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta region.

With innovative features such as mobile check-ins and 24-hour services and facilities, the Wink Hotel Can Tho provides a convenient base for exploring nearby villages, fruit farms and floating markets.

The hotel is located in the lively commercial and cultural centre of Can Tho and offers a range of options, including family rooms and one-bedroom junior suites for an extra level of comfort. Each room is equipped with a smart TV and in-room controls as well as high-quality linens and sustainable, locally-sourced shower products and amenities.

Guests can take in panoramic views from the rooftop pool and bar and access a range of facilities, including grab-and-go dining options, a gym, laundromat and coworking space. The hotel is LEED Gold certified for sustainability, a certification award for a building that has excelled in its sustainable design and operation

For more information and booking details, contact Asian Trails Vietnam.

The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi is now closed for annual maintenance until 12 August 2024.

For an alternative experience, guests are encouraged to visit Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, the Ho Chi Minh Museum, the Presidential Palace or the One Pillar Pagoda. These are all located within the vicinity of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

The final resting place of Vietnam’s former independence leader, President Ho Chi Minh, the Mausoleum and Monument for Heroic Martyrs commemorate a hugely significant period in the country’s history and the site requires regular maintenance to ensure it remains in prime condition for future generations.

Contact our team for more details and expert travel advice at Asian Trails Vietnam.