The Best Ecotourism Holidays in Asia
Want to travel with a clean conscience? These Culture Trip small-group adventures will ensure you travel responsibly.
The importance of ecotourism in Asia shouldn’t be underestimated. With an eco-first approach, tourists can enjoy the continent’s diverse landscapes, history and cultures in a way that benefits local communities and helps preserve the environment. These are the best ecotourism holidays in Asia – from epic, overland train journeys in Sri Lanka, to Himalayan hikes led by local guides.
Northern Thailand, for village culture and lush jungle hikes
Northern Thailand is a completely different experience to the south — instead of beaches and islands, you’ll find towering mountain ranges, lush jungle and plenty of cultural influence from neighbouring Myanmar and Yunnan. All this adds up to one of the best ecotourism destinations around. To discover this fascinating region, join seven other travellers on an intimate 10-day Culture Trip adventure through Chiang Mai, Pai and the Doi Inthanon National Park. From floating through a 1,666m (5,465ft) cave to discovering the street art and food of Chiang Mai, this off-the-beaten-track ecotourism holiday will give you an inside glimpse of northern Thailand.
From US$1189
Next available from 12th Nov 2023
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Chiang Mai, Thailand
ENDS AT
Chiang Mai, Thailand
DURATION
10
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Sri Lanka, for rich biodiversity and wildlife encounters
The role of ecotourism is important in supporting communities and preserving the environment — and with its rich biodiversity, large number of locally owned cinnamon and tea plantations, and landscapes that range from cloud-capped mountains to idyllic tropical beaches, Sri Lanka is the perfect setting for this responsible kind of vacationing. Set off on an epic 12-day group tour with Culture Trip to explore the country and its culture. Highlights include cycling around 1,000-year-old ruins and a visit to a local village market followed by a cooking class.
From US$
Next available from 1st Jan 1970
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Colombo, Sri Lanka
ENDS AT
Kosgoda, Sri Lanka
DURATION
12
GROUP SIZE
14
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Bali, for ecofriendly diving and snorkelling
Bali has long been seen as the ultimate tropical holiday destination, with sun-drenched beaches for surfing, diving and snorkelling, plus jungles to explore. With an estimated 10,000 temples, it’s also known as the Island of the Gods. All this has resulted in dramatic overtourism in recent decades, so the island is more than ready to reap the benefits of ecotourism, offering plenty of ways to travel responsibly. Fancy snorkelling with turtles, swimming in tropical waterfalls and taking part in a local cooking masterclass? Book a spot on Culture Trip’s 12-day Bali itinerary.
From US$1350
Next available from 7th Oct 2023
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Bali, Indonesia
ENDS AT
Bali, Indonesia
DURATION
12
GROUP SIZE
18
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Nepal, for Himalayan hikes and heart-racing safaris
Think of Nepal and images of majestic mountain ranges may come to mind — after all, the small, landlocked country is home to eight of the 10 highest peaks in the world, including Mount Everest. However, there’s more to Nepal than the Himalayas, including the bustling capital of Kathmandu, ancient palaces, whitewater rafting on the Seti River and searching for Bengal tigers and rhinos in Chitwan National Park. Culture Trip’s 11-day small-group trip takes in all of this, as well as other local highlights, such as learning how to make momo dumplings at a Tibetan refugee camp.
From US$
Next available from 1st Jan 1970
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Kathmandu, Nepal
ENDS AT
Kathmandu, Nepal
DURATION
9
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Maja Proescholdt contributed additional reporting to this article.
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meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
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