East Asia Side Trips

On the more adventurous side, a trip could extend to more off the beaten track destinations.

For East Timor, Jubentós Timor Adventure is highly recommended on TripAdvisor.

Accommodations

Thailand

Bangkok — Holiday Inn Express, Central Pier. The hotel is only about one year old. And has a pool and a gym. Recommended by Grounded Life Retirement on Youtube. They have used it many times. 7000pts through IHG (Holiday Inn's parent company) equals about $35USD per night.

Holiday Inn Express, Central Pier, Bangkok

Central Asia Tours

The Five "Stans"

I assume for all the tours below that you would need to get visas for entry to each country ahead of time.

G Adventures have a 26 day tour of the five "stans": Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan for $7,199. Tour begins in Bishkek and ends in Ashgabat. The latest tour date is from August 19 to September 13. Tour code AYBA.

Wheel & Anchor is a Canadian tour company that have a 20 day tour of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan from October 13 to November 1, 2026. Begins in Almaty, Kazakhstan and ends in Khiva, Uzbekistan.

Adventures Abroad have a 21 day five "stans" tour for $8,160 and the solo premium is $1,520.

India

G Adventures have a 20 day tour: Himalayan Adventure: India, Nepal & Bhutan. The tour begins in Delhi and ends in Paro, Bhutan. Cost is $5,100 to $6,000 depending on the season and the solo premium is $1,130. Judging by the temperatures especially in Delhi and Agra it is best to travel from November to March. Tour code AHDB.

Various dates available:

The November 3 to 22 is the closest tour that could follow the Wheel & Anchor "stans" tour in 2026. Or possibly take a break from the organized tours with a few days in Oman, then fly to Delhi.

Tour start date that could follow the G Adventures tour is from September 19 to October 8. Could take a break from the organized tours with a few days in Oman, then fly to Delhi for tour start.

G Adventures 26 day, 5 "stans" tour

Wheel & Anchor 20 day tour of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan

G Adventures 20 day Himalayan Adventure: India, Nepal & Bhutan

Tourhub have a 21 day and a 23 day tour of the 5 "stans" (not sure what the difference is). (I think Tourhub is a booking agent and not a tour operator directly.)

Tourhub 21 day tour

Malaysia

 Malaysia - must stay at the Hotel Majestic in Kuala Lumpur (Andrew Henderson).

East Asia Tours

Do a thorough tour of east Asia to include Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Australia and New Zealand, and perhaps a few island nations.

GLP Worldwide, based in Markham, have a Mekong River cruise seeing Vietnam and Cambodia which starts at $3,315.

G Adventures National Geographic have an 18-day Cambodia, Laos, Thailand & Vietnam tour that includes 5 flights between cities. Cost is from $6,500 to $7,000. Available in 2025 on the following dates:

• Aug 9 - Aug 26
• Sept 27-Oct 14
• Oct 18 - Nov 4
• Oct 25 - Nov 11

Discover Southeast Asia

They also have a 16-day Japan and South Korea tour. They have individual Japan and South Korea tours. From 9 to 21 day tours of Japan, and 9 to 20 day tours of South Korea.

Japan & South Korea tour

Trafalgar has a 9-day and 13-day Splendours of Japan tour for 2025.

9-day Splendor of Japan

13-day Splendor of Japan

Inspiring Vacations have a 22-day Japan, South Korea & Taiwan tour. $8,025 (solo $11,235). Tours available June through November.

Central Asia

My tour of central Asia to include some of the "Stans" and India and nearby countries. Could go to Armenia first (and perhaps Baku, Azerbaijan). See my Central Asia Tours page.

Go first to Armenia prior to the 5 Stans Tour. Must try Renommée restaurant in Yerevan recommended by Andrew Henderson in his "Live Like a King in Yerevan". Renommée provides a Michelin class meal for around $100! Formal dress required. See menu here.

Flight from Khiva, Uzbekistan or Ashgabat, Turkmenistan to Delhi = 3 hours. To Muscat = 2.5 hours.

Muscat to Delhi = 3 hours.

Use Flight Calculator to estimate travel times.

Planned central Asia tour

Philippines

One interesting place to visit is the Malagos chocolate factory about 30km from Davao City on the island of Mindanao. The Malagos Garden Resort is a good place to stay. Davao City is about a 3 1/2 hour flight from Manila. Gone with the Wynns have a good video on the Malagos chocolate factory.

Beginning

I'm dividing an Asia trip into two parts: east Asia (or the "Far East") and central Asia. Investigate organized tours to have a break in the middle of an extended trip. For the far east there are organized tours of Japan and South Korea (and some include Taiwan); also tours of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand & Vietnam. For central Asia there are tours of 3 or 5 of the "stans"; also tours of India, Nepal & Bhutan.

My East Asia trip. Initial list of countries as must-sees:

• Japan
• South Korea
• Taiwan
• Philippines
• Malaysia
• Singapore
• Thailand
• Australia
• New Zealand

My secondary list would include:
Burma
Cambodia
East Timor
Indonesia
Laos
Vietnam
One or more of the many island nations

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My Central Asia trip would include the following:

• Some or all of the five "stans"
• India
• Nepal
• Tibet

My secondary list would include:
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bhutan
Pakistan