Asia is home to some of the most remarkable temples in the world – from Cambodia‘s ancient Angkor to Indonesia‘s beguiling Borobudur – with unparalleled insights into centuries-old ways of life. But let’s be honest: even the most impressive carvings and compelling histories can start to blur together.
‘Temple fatigue’ is real, especially when you’re travelling with kids. At Experience Travel Group, we design boutique adventures in Asia that help you explore unmissable temples without feeling rushed, bored or burnt out. Here’s how we help you avoid that “templed out” feeling – and keep the experience fresh, fun and full of wonder.
Our Asia travel specialist Holly shares 6 of her top tips:
- Don’t Box-Tick Temples
- View temples from different angles
- Break up your day with fun stops
- Choose the right hotel for downtime
- Get a specialist guide to show you around
- Make temples fun for kids by ‘gamifying’ your tour
Now let’s unpack each tip:
1. Don’t Try to Box-Tick
Yes, temples are incredible. But that doesn’t mean you need to see every single one. The principle of less is more definitely applies here. A few well-chosen temples – with the help of your travel consultant – will leave a far stronger impression than racing around trying to squeeze them all in.
Dodge the crowds throughout the Angkor Wat complex on an ETG Cambodia holiday with more space to wander, more time to wonder.
2. View temples from different angles
You don’t have to explore every temple complex on foot. Try cycling between them (a brilliant way to avoid the crowds at certain temples around Angkor), or catch the golden light at sunrise or sunset. If you’re up for a proper James Bond-esque adventure, it doesn’t get much better than viewing Angkor Wat from the sky in a helicopter! Slot this into your ETG luxury holiday.
Helicopter over Angkor Wat, Cambodia
3. Break Up Your Day With Fun Stops
Avoid back-to-back temple visits. Mix things up with quirky local activities between cultural sites. In Saigon, I recommend visiting Notre Dame Cathedral in the morning, then taking a break at one of the city’s ice cream parlours. In Chiang Rai, pair the dazzling White Temple with a boat ride and a cold drink by the river.
It keeps the day interesting – and your energy levels up.
Wat Rong Khun, Chiang Rai
See this splendid site along with more of the best temples in Thailand during this ETG Slow-Pace Thailand holiday.
4. Choose the Right Hotel for Downtime
After a day exploring, you’ll want to stay somewhere that feels like a sanctuary. I always recommend hotels that offer more than just a comfy bed, but with wonderful ways to unwind – whether that’s a refreshing pool or a shady spot to sip a G&T.
Phenomenal pool at Jaya House River Park, Siem Reap
Spend 2 nights here during ETG adventure, ‘The Hidden Gems of Cambodia’.
5. Get a local historian to guide you
Ask your travel consultant to arrange a specialist historian for any site or temple of particular interest. For the temples that really interest you, consider asking your consultant to arrange a specialist guide to show you around. A historian’s insights can completely change how you see a place as it really helps to transport you back in time and make your experience particularly memorable.
Galle Fort tour with expert historian, Sri Lanka
Trace the history of the fabled Galle Fort on ETG’s ‘Boutique Sri Lanka’ holiday.
6. Make Temples Fun for Kids by ‘Gamifying’ Visits
Temple visits can quickly feel like a chore if you’ve got grumbling children on your hands. ETG holidays always have a little magic woven in to make sure every member of your crew stays entertained. For example, our team can prepare games like treasure hunts to help kids stay engaged and make the experience more interactive.
Sam’s son Eddie, riding his tuk tuk past Rashtrapati Bhavan, Delhi, India
Experience this yourself on ETG’s ‘Fun Family Adventure in Rajasthan’.
Hope you found our twists on temple visiting helpful!
All of the places mentioned can be visited as part of your personalised holiday to Asia. If you’d like to start planning your next adventure, do call on 020 7924 7133 . If you’d rather make contact via email, please contact us here.
We’re always happy to help – no matter what stage of your planning.