The Ultimate Guide to walking the Pekoe Trail, the first continuous point-to-point walking trail in Sri Lanka. Discover Sri Lanka by foot, immersing yourself in 300 km of stunning scenery and history.
local life
Insights into local life tend to play a big part in ETG trips to South and Southeast Asia. From experience, we believe that looking beyond the must-see sights allows a much deeper connection with the destination you visit. We find that experiencing everyday life in a country often helps creates the conditions for memorable and random encounters. Our travellers frequently tell us that these moments become highlights of their holidays and very personal memories.
This archive dives into experiences and stories based on our time getting under the skin of a destination. We also tackle the impact of over-tourism on local life and prominent issues specific to that destination, as well as the the benefits of local-led community tourism.
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Across AsiaCambodiaIndiaLatest Travel News and Views from AsiaSri LankaSustainable TravelThailandThe ETG Take On TravelThe Maldives
Seven incredible experiences that make travel better
It’s a rare experience – stepping into a hotel that makes you pause, look around, take a breath and go “wow”. Here are seven – lucky you.
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Meet the flower ladies of Hanoi. In Northern Vietnam, the love for flowers goes back generations. Our immersive tours really help you to peel back the layers of Hanoi to understand the process from farm to seller.
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If you’re visiting Vietnam, it’s imperative to visit one of their iconic floating markets. Discover all there is to know about these traditional merchants in our blog.
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The fascinating traditions upheld in Laotian culture are vastly different to those in western society. Want to experience a fascinating insight into this unique culture? We’ve got everything you need to know.
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What’s it like to travel to a community-based project in Thailand? Amelia takes us through her experience first-hand, visiting an incredible sustainability focused project in Phayao
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Seminyak? Kuta? Legion? Forget about it, some parts of the island are so unexplored…so much so there is even the Bali we didn’t notice…
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Three of the fantastic ventures in our portfolio that will appeal to people looking for fun, wonder, excitement – and the lasting memories that come from connection and exchange.
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Having travelled recently from Varanasi to Chambal Safari Lodge, where I visited the nearby Bateshwar temples, I was struck by the comparison between the two experiences. Here’s why I think Bateshwar…
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When Phonsy, my ETG guide in Luang Prabang, mentioned he was going to a traditional lao wedding the following night I didn’t think for one minute that I’d be invited.…
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On a recent research trip to India, ETG was lucky enough to meet with Isa Heini. After working as a nurse for 13 years in her native Switzerland, Isa visited…
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Coming off the back of a whirlwind few days in Kolkata city, my trip to Odisha in east India started through fatigued eyes and on achy legs. Landing at night…
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Hanoi is at a fascinating crossroads between old and new. We explore this moment in history with some of its longest standing residents.
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Latest Travel News and Views from AsiaThe Maldives
Culture in the Maldives: new flight route to Gan Island
If you thought that a visit to the Maldives meant sacrificing local culture, think again. Gan Island, the most southerly point in The Maldives, has recently become considerably more accessible…
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Deep, plunging valleys and looming mountain ranges that are breathtaking and heart-stopping all the same, Himachal Pradesh is a heavenly abode that none can forget once visited. Treacherous trekking routes and magical rivers along with quiet monasteries and relaxing resorts, there is so much to explore in Himachal Pradesh that you just can’t get enough of it. Whether it’s exploring quaint hill stations of attempting the impossible through paragliding, here’s a handy guide to take you through the roller coaster that is Himachal Pradesh.
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Co-founder of Experience Travel Group, Tom Armstrong, discovered the hidden riches of Malaysia. On an in-depth research trip, he found some fantastic experiences you could include in your holiday, the Suka Suka Homestay is but one example. Here he reviews his time with Aziz and family, the hosts – I hope you’ll feel inspired.
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Guest PostsVietnamYour Travel Story
A rather late Gap Year: Kelly’s travels to Vietnam
by Guest Post & Amelia CurranOur in-country partner Kelly uprooted from her native Yorkshire to develop and deliver our Vietnam experiences with travel loving locals. Here she shares her story and insider insights into life in this intriguing destination.
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The Muslim celebration of Eid is one of the most important religious occasions in the Islamic calendar and is a time of festivity in The Maldives. Here Ruth, our in-country partner, describes what happens during Eid Ul Al’haa occurring every year after the Hajj pilgrimage.
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Guesthouses in The Maldives are the latest accommodation style to arrive in the country and they allow visitors to stay on local islands, gaining insight into Dhivehi culture. There are a large variety of them on offer, from basic rooms in simple houses, to grander hotel-like constructions, each providing very different experiences. They’re not homestays as such, but usually run by locals who’ll provide home cooked food and various insights into the heritage of this thousand-isle country.
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Travel expert Matt has researched new experiences in the eastern states of Myanmar (Burma), largely untouched by tourism. From discovering Kayan tribes in remote villages, to absorbing the stunning terraced landscape for rice cultivation, here he describes the findings from his trip to Loikaw.
Latest Travel News and Views from AsiaVietnam
Exploring on Two Wheels in Vietnam | Vietnam’s Bikes
by Holly Newing
You’ll no doubt hesitate on the side of the road for quite some time before an old lady eventually notices your struggle. Taking hold of your arm tightly, you’ll have no choice but to follow as she marches you confidently through the mayhem to the opposite side. Congratulations – you’ve just learnt how to cross the road again! And yet, for those who know how, it is very much possible to enjoy the slow life in Vietnam – and remarkably it still involves two wheels…
When you think of The Maldives the image that comes to mind is usually luxury resorts nestled on white-sand beaches overlooking clear blue oceans. Although this is true, and a…
Bali is famous for its seaside barbecues. But would you ever stop to consider how that succulent red snapper ended up on your plate? Discover what goes on in the lives of Indonesia’s fishermen.
The twin volcanic island Sultanates of Ternate and Tidore in the North Maluku Islands, Indonesia, have been enemies for as long as anyone can remember. Discover their unique and fascinating story.
Before travelling to Myanmar, you may wonder what your guide will be like. To give you an idea of who to expect, we asked a few questions of our very…
Kevin, owner of Jim’s Farm, between Dambulla and Kandy shares stories about his life on the property. From the annual cultivation and harvest of coconuts, spices, pepper, cinnamon and mangoes, to the welcoming of calves and chicks, staying here lets you get an unprecedented insight into a rural way of life.