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Hiking Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan): Best Views of Taipei 101
The Elephant Mountain hike, known locally as Xiangshan in Taipei is one of the best viewpoints within the city limits to see Taipei 101 and the surrounding area. The hike is relatively easy and short with a few steep points along the trail but it delivers one of the most iconic skyline views of Taipei. Just minutes away from the city center, the Elephant Mountain hike is one of the most popular and accessible hikes in Taipei. In 30-minutes or less you can climb to the observation deck for incredible views of Taipei 101. Whether you are looking for the perfect Instagram shot or looking for free things to do in Taipei, the Elephant Mountain hike is a must and well worth the effort. In this guide, I’ll go over what the Elephant Mountain hike is like, how to get there, and share tips and recommendations to help you prepare. ** This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or widgets throughout the page, whether it be Viator, Booking.com, Agoda, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! Why is Xiangshan Called Elephant Mountain? I was curious why Xiangshan was called Elephant Mountain. Doing research, it’s pretty literal. The name comes from the shape of the mountain itself. From certain angles, the ridge resembles the shape of an elephant. In Chinese, xiàng means Elephant and Shān means Mountain. Elephant Mountain is part of a group of mountains here known as the “Four Beasts Mountain.” Each mountain is named after an animal because of its appearance. Elephant Mountain is the most famous of the mountains. While you might think there is a story behind the name, it’s really just classic local naming, someone back in the day looked at the mountain, thought it looked like an elephant, and boom! The name Elephant Mountain stuck! Getting to Elephant Mountain Elephant Mountain is located on the southeastern edge of Taipei in the Xinyi District. Despite feeling like a nature escape, it’s surprisingly close to some of Taipei’s busiest areas. It’s within walking distance of Taipei 101. Getting to Elephant Mountain is quick and easy if relying on the Taipei Metro. Take the Tamsui-Xinyi Line (Red Line) to Xiangshan Station (R02). It’s one stop passed the Taipei World Trade Center Station (R03). From here, you walk 10-15 minutes through Xiangshan Park. There is a map right outside the station exit here and markers on the ground leading you to the trailhead. Once you are at the trail head, you’ll notice stairs leading up and sings pointing to the Xiangshan Station. Plus, there is a giant elephant sign at the trail head that says Si-Shou Xiang Shan. Hiking Elephant Mountain The Elephant Mountain hike is one of the easiest and most rewarding hikes in Taipei. The main trail that leads to the popular view points is only about 600-800 meters long and can take around 30 minutes to complete. The path up Elephant Mountain and the connecting trails are well maintained with clear sign posts both in the native language and in English. The Elephant Mountain hike is famous for its views of Taipei 101 and the skyline. This area is especially popular at sunset, so keep in mind it might get busy around sunset hours. When I hiked Elephant Mountain, I did the SihShou Shan Circular Hiking Trail (highlighted in the map). This trail took roughly an hour with obvious stops at the lookouts and beaks. The circular trail stops at the Photographer’s Lookout, Liu Ju Shi, Mt. Xiangshan, the Yongchungang Lookout, before making a full circle back to the trail head. If you have time, I highly recommend completing this loop as it offers multiple Taipei 101 viewing opportunities. Once you enter the trailhead, the climb begins almost immediately up sets of stairs. It’s a consistent uphill staircase to the view points. Just take your time, take breaks, and enjoy the views along the way. There are quite a few rest areas along the path. After about 10-15 minutes, we reached the first viewing platform with magnificent views of Taipei 101. There is a platform here and it was not overcrowded when I was there, I was able to really take in the views. A bit further from the viewing platform we passed the “Six Giant Rocks” viewpoint. I didn’t feel the need to climb the rocks or anything here, but it did offer great views of Taipei 101. Once we passed the main observation deck and “Six Giant Rocks” are, the trail became quieter with far fewer people. Most hikers seemed to just go to the observation deck for a few photos before climbing back down the mountain. Near the top of Elephant Mountain there was a rest station with a small gym there, as if the hike wasn’t enough of a workout. After hiking to the summit, we continued along the Yongchungang Trail to another lookout before making our way back down the mountain. The whole trail was paved and well maintained. Along the path, there were several other trails that connected to the main trail. You could literally spend an entire day here hiking. What to Bring If you are hiking Elephant Mountain just to visit the first couple of observation decks, you don’t have to prepare to much for a short 30 minute hike. But bring essentials: Water, Snacks, and appropriate clothing. In general it is always good to come prepared. Here are a few items that I recommend brining along with you as you conquer Elephant Mountain. ✅ Water: I like to ring my reusable bottle, but keep in mine there are vending machines nearby. The day I was there, at the base of the trail there was a free water refill station attached to a building (Pictured Above). ✅ Appropriate Clothing: Remember, you are hiking in nature. Taiwan can get incredibly hot and humid, so keep that in mind. ✅ Comfortable Shoes: I recommend hiking shoes or a good pair of sneakers. I saw some people in flip flops, which is never recommended. The trail is not hard, but it’s best to be prepared and comfortable to avoid injury. ✅ Camera: You are hiking Elephant Mountain for the views of Taipei 101. Don’t forget your camera or phone to take pictures. ✅ Sweat Towel: I always carry a sweat towel with me when traveling in Taiwan. Because of the humidity, you sweat a lot. ✅ Bug Spray: There are mosquitoes and other bugs along the trail. Tips for Hiking Elephant Mountain Hiking Elephant Mountain is pretty straightforward, but a few simple and smart tips can make really go a long way! ✅ Time Your Hike: Are you going to catch the sunset? Sunrise? Or just want to avoid crowds? Aim for starting 40-60 minutes before sunset to give yourself time, cool down, and find a decent viewing spot. ✅ Expect a Steep Climb: Although it’s not a hard hike, the beginning of the trail is all up hill. Take your time and use the rest areas if needed. ✅ Go Beyond the Main Viewpoints: There are so many viewpoints along the circular route where you see Taipei 101. Most hikers turn around after the first or second viewing platforms. Keep Going! ✅Water Station and Food: There was a water station at the trail head. There was also a small outside store after the first set of stairs that sold water and food. ✅ Use the MRT – Easiest Option: I figure most travelers will get here by using the Taipei Metro. Keep in mind it’s easy, efficient, and the metro exit is right at the park before the trailhead. Don’t try and drive or park nearby. Conclusion Hiking Elephant Mountain in Taipei is easily one of the best ways to view Taipei 101 from afar and one of the most rewarding things to do in Taipei. With a relatively short hike, you are treated with amazing views of Taipei 101 and Taipei’s skyline. What makes Elephant Mountain so special, is its accessibility. You don’t need to plan to much for the hike besides the basics and it’s doable for all hiking levels. Whether you visit for sunrise, sunset, or during the day, the views never dissapoint. If you are planning a Taipei itinerary, add Elephant Mountain to the list. I can’t believe it took me 8 visits to Taiwan to finally hike Elephant Mountain. If you are planning a hike to Elephant Mountain or have done it and have other recommendations or tips, please leave a comment for us to read. Safe Travels! Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸 Plan Your Trip: 🗺️✈️ 🇹🇼 Booking Accommodations ⛺️ 🛖 For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com Activities and Tours 🏖 🚁 Find fun activities and things to do through Tripadvisor. If you are looking for tours and day trips, Viator and Get Your Guide have a lot of great options. In need of a car rental? 🚗 🚘 I recommend checking with Rental Cars.
Is Postojna Cave Worth It? Everything You Need to Know
Visiting Postojna Cave was the main reason I visited Slovenia. A visit to Postojna Cave felt less like a typical sightseeing stop and more like stepping into another world. Postojna Cave is huge! imagine boarding a small underground train, taking it for fifteen minutes and beginning an hour walk in the cave. We passed limestone tunnels, towering columns, and giant chambers. If you are planning a trip to Slovenia and wondering whether Postojna Cave s worth adding to your itinerary, the short answer is yes, absolutely! In this guide to Postojna Cave, I’ll break down everything you need to know for a first-time visitor from booking tickets to what to expect. Whether your are visiting from Ljubljana or road-tripping through Slovenia, you can’t miss Postojna Cave. ** This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or widgets throughout the page, whether it be Viator, Booking.com, Agoda, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! Where is Postojna Cave Postojna Cave is located in southwestern Slovenia near the small town which shares the same name, Postojna. Postojna Cave is in the heart of Slovenia’s Karst region, an area known for its limestone landscapes and extensive cave systems Postojna Cave is in a convenient location, so it’s easy to reach from places like Ljubljana and Lake Bled. It’s only about a 10 minute drive from Predjama Castle, which is also a must visit attraction in the area. Distance from Major Destinations Distance from Predjama Castle: 10 km (6.2 miles), 15 minute driveDistance from Lake Bled: 104 km (64.6 miles), 1 Hour 15 minute driveDistance from Ljubljana: 50 km (31 miles), 45 minute drive Postojna Cave Tickets & Tours Postojna Cave is open daily, even during holidays, and inclement weather. It is best to visit the official Park Postojnska Jama website for the latest tour times and ticket information. You can find the latest tour times and tickets here. You can book tickets through the official website. You can book a ticket just for Postojna Cave or a combined ticket that includes Predjama Castle, which I recommend doing and I’ll have more on Predjama Castle later in the post. If you would rather book a guided tour that includes transfer from Ljubljana I’d recommend booking a day tour from Ljubljana through Get Your Guide or Viator. Below are tours that I recommend: ✅ Ljubljana: Postojna Cave & Predjama Castle Tickets and Tour ✅ Ljubljana: Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle Tour ✅ Postojna Cave & Predjama Castle: Small Group Tour from Trieste ✅ Slovenia in One Day: Lake Bled Postojna Cave, and Predjama Castle Cave Terminology to Understand I figured since this post is on caves, I’d provide some useful and recognizable terms along with what it is to help you better understand caves and what you are looking at. Stalactite – An icicle like structure made of calcium salts deposited by dripping water in a cave that hangs from the ceiling. (“c” for ceiling or “tite” as in holds tight to the ceiling.) Stalagmite – The opposite of a stalactite. These form from the ground up. (“g” for ground or Might reach the ceiling) Column (Pillar) – When a stalactite and stalagmite meet and form as one. Chamber – A large open space inside a cave. Karst – A landscape formed from dissolving limestone. Karst landscapes are known for caves and sinkholes. What to Expect at Postojna Cave I found that everything from booking our tour to the actual visit of Postojna Cave was well organized. The experience included a somewhat thrilling underground train ride and walk through the giant cave systems. The train ride alone was about 10-15 minutes and we spent about an hour in the cave walking about 1.5 kilometers. Between the train ride and walking around Postojna Cave, here is exactly what you can expect. The Underground Train Ride One of the most iconic parts of visiting Postojna Cave in Slovenia is the train ride that takes visitors deep into the cave. Just to get a sense of how big Postojna Cave is, you take a 3.5 km train ride to the beginning of the 1.5 km walking trail. You basically see 5 km of the cave. Upon entering the cave, we sat on the open-air train, watch your head! Seriously, there are spot where you come close to the cave ceiling or walls. The train ride lasts about 10-15 minutes. The journey is 3.5 km. The train ride is exciting, it goes through narrow tunnels and giant openings, you’ll get your first glimpse of the cave’s scale. It almost feels like an amusement park but it’s entirely natural. Guided Walking Tour In order to visit Postojna Cave, you have to book a guided tour. But the tour was informative and our guide spoke clear English. They pointed out things within the cave we would otherwise miss. We ended up walking about 1.5 km within the cave, it’s kind of a loop. The trail is well maintained. It’s flat, paved, and easy to walk. But keep in mind it can be slippery or uneven in spots. Tour Duration: About 1 hour of walking. You don’t have to be an athlete to walk the cave, but at the same time, some physical demand is necessary. The guide did a great job explaining the caves history, formations, unique features, and shared interesting facts. Temperature & Conditions If you’ve toured the inside of a cave before, you could probably guess many of them have similar climates and features. The cave is cool, damp, and dark. Make sure you dress appropriately for the cave. Wear a light jacket or hoodie. Good and comfortable walking shoes. Photography Taking photos within Postojna Cave is allowed. I don’t think tripods are allowed though. You don’t want to hold up the group, so take your photos and move on. Flash photography might be restricted. Although dim, I got enough light in portions of the cave to get decent shots. Here are some manual camera settings that I use for cave photography. Lighting is important. Try and take photos in decently lighted areas or close to a light source. Use a low ISO, although for this experience, I set mine on Auto ISO because I didn’t want to hold up the group. Many of the photos were grainy, but good enough. Manual focus was key. Because of the dim lighting situation, my camera had a tough time focusing on subjects. A lot of the photos I took, I ended up making brighter using Lightroom. Postojna Cave Highlights With a 3.5 km train ride and 1.5 km walk, there were several highlights in Postojna Cave that I feel are not to be missed! Most of the major sites, the tour guide will point out. The whole time I was in the cave, I was amazed by the sheer scale of the cave. From the massive underground halls to the delicate formations, these highlights are what make Postojna Cave one of the most impressive caves I’ve visited. Brilliant: The Symbol of Postojna Cave Located toward the end of the cave tour is “Brilliant,” a giant white stalagmite. This famous formation is the symbol of Postojna Cave. Don’t forget to get your photo in front of the “Brilliant” formation. Concert Hall Concert Hall is a massive underground chamber. It’s called Concert Hall because its incredible acoustics. Symphonies, orchestras, and private events have been held here. Surprisingly the Concert Hall is big enough to support 10,000 people. Big Mountain Hall Big Mountain Hall was one of my favorite sections of Postojna Cave. It’s an open space with towering ceilings that is filled with massive columns and stunning formations. You can look down or up at the path to see the full scope of its mass. Spaghetti Hall Spaghetti Hall is a section of the cave that is famous for its thin and delicate formations hanging from the ceiling. I’ve heard this formation being called cave bacon as well. Olms (Baby Dragons) You can purchase a ticket that includes The Vivarium (Olm Exhibit). It’s an exhibit outside the main cave area and you can learn more about the Olms or Baby Dragons. I did not add the Vivarium to my ticket. Lucky for you though, at the end of the cave tour there is a large display with a few Olms for everyone to enjoy. Based on a sign at the cave, here are a few facts about these cute little Baby Dragons that I just found fascinating. Olms can live up to 100 years. They can survive without eating food for several years, up to 10 years! They are blind and live in complete darkness. They reproduce slowly and mate on average once every 12 years. When visiting their exhibit in the cave, please be very quiet and don’t tap on the glass. Tips for Visiting Postojna Cave A visit to Postojna Cave is pretty straightforward, but here are a few general tips that can help make your experience smoother and more enjoyable. ✅ Book tickets in advancePostojna Cave is one of Slovenia’s most popular attractions and it can be very busy especially during peak season. ✅ Wear a Jacket and Warmer Clothes Even during the summer, the cave temperatures staya round 8-10°C or 46-50°F. ✅ Wear Comfortable ShoesThe paths are well maintained, but the trail can be uneven and even slippery. ✅ Arrive Early for your TourTiming is important, arrive about 15-30 minutes early. If you are to early, there is a nice cafe and gift shop. ✅ Consider a Guided Tour from LjubljanaIf you don’t have a car then booking a day trip is one of the easiest ways to visit. Below are two recommended tours from Ljubljana. Ljubljana: Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle TourLjubljana: Postojna Cave & Predjama Castle Tickets and Tour ✅ Get a Combo Ticket that includes Predjama CastleSince you are already in the area, don’t miss out of Predjama Castle. It’s one of the most unique castle’s I’ve ever visited. Is Postojna Cave Worth it? In my opinion, Postojna Cave is a must-visit attraction in Slovenia and the main reason I visited this underrated country. Postojna Cave is one of the most unique experiences in Slovenia and it’s pretty accessible from other cities and towns around Slovenia. For most travelers, especially first-time visitors to Slovenia, Postojna Cave is 100% worth it! I promise you won’t regret it, so add the cave to your Slovenia itinerary. Conclusion Visiting Postojna Cave is one of those travel experiences and attractions that truly lives up to the hype. From the train ride at the very beginning and end to the walk through the amazing chambers, I absolutely loved my visit here. If you are traveling in Slovenia, it’s well worth adding to your itinerary and I highly recommend combining a visit to the cave with Predjama Castle. Have you visited Postojna Cave? If so, what did you think? Any recommendations to share in the area? Let me know! Safe Travels!! Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸 Plan Your Trip: 🗺 ✈️ 🇸🇮 Booking Accommodations ⛺️ 🛖 For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com Activities and Tours 🏖 🚁 Find fun activities and things to do through Tripadvisor. If you are looking for tours and day trips, Viator and Get Your Guide have a lot of great options. In need of a car rental? 🚗 🚘 I recommend checking with Rental Cars.
Borneo Wildlife Tour: A Multi-Day Trip on the Kinabatangan River
A Borneo wildlife tour along the Kinabatangan River is one of the most unforgettable nature experiences you can have in Malaysian Borneo. I stayed in a jungle lodge along the Kinabatangan River for 3-days, spotting wildlife during the day and night. Known as one of the best places in Borneo to spot wildlife, the Kinabatangan River is famous because it is home to wild orangutans, proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, crocodiles, and various species of birds. The Multi-day trip offered early morning and afternoon boat cruises, guided jungle walks, and an immersive stay. It was the perfect adventure for wildlife spotting and I want to share everything in this post from booking the tour, explaining the wildlife I encountered, and everything else! ** This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or widgets throughout the page, whether it be Viator, Booking.com, Agoda, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! ** As a Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Booking a Jungle Lodge Tour along the Kinabatangan River The best way to spot wildlife in Borneo along the Kinabatangan River is by booking a tour. There are day trips from Kota Kinabalu or Sandakan, but I highly recommend a multi-day tour. That gives you the best chances to see wildlife. There are so many tours out there and I recommend finding a tour that best fits your Borneo itinerary. Sure you can spend as little or as much money as you want on a wildlife tour in Borneo. I’ve seen resorts along the Kinabatangan River that offer a more luxurious experience. I was looking for something a little more rustic that I felt would guarantee me sightings of Orangutans and other animals. By doing research, I found this Borneo Wildlife Tour at the Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp. This tour had everything on my wish list, the company picked me up from the airport, took care of transportation, and I stayed deep in the jungle right along the Kinabatangan River. The Borneo Wildlife Tour that I took can be booked directly here. Before I go further into the tour and the itinerary, the next sections cover more about Borneo and the wildlife that call this island home. About Borneo and the Kinabatangan River Borneo is the world’s third largest island behind Greenland and New Guinea. Borneo is not a country but an island shared between three countries: Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Borneo is known for its ancient rainforests, rich indigenous cultures, and wildlife. Sabah, where I stayed is on the Malaysian side of Borneo. There are two states, Sabah and Sarawak. Sabah is home to both Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan and is one of the best places to see wildlife in Borneo. The Kinabatangan River is Borneo’s second longest river after the Kapuas River. The Kinabatangan River is famous for its biodiversity. River cruises along the Kinabatangan River are a popular tourist attraction and one of the best ways to spot wild orangutans. Borneo’s Big 5 Have you ever heard of Africa’s “Big Five?” It’s a term that was originally used by hunters. To hunters, the Big Five were challenging and dangerous animals. Now it’s more wildly used by tourists and tour operators. Those animals include the Cape Buffalo, Elephant, Leopard, lion, and Rhino. Well Borneo also has a “Big Five.” No, these are not game-animals but more iconic animals that call this island home. Borneo’s Big Five include the Bornean Pygmy Elephant, the Orangutan, Proboscis Monkey, Rhinoceros Hornbill, and the Crocodile. After spending 3 days along the Kinabatangan River, I only saw 3 of Borneo’s Big 5. I saw the Orangutan, Proboscis Monkey, and Crocodile, although I saw many other beautiful species. Below you can find a little more information on each of Borneo’s Big 5. In case you visit, see if you can spot them! Bornean Pygmy Elephant There are often sightings of the Bornean Pygmy Elephant in Sabah along the Kinabatangan River. Unfortunately, I did not see them on my tour, but I met other travelers that did spot them. To spot the Bornean Pygmy Elephant, it’s all about being at the right place at the right time. Obviously, the season and time of day has a big determination as well. The Bornean Pygmy Elephant is much smaller then the African and Indian Elephants. Their physical characteristics include a height of 8-10ft with a relatively long tail, large ears, and round bellies. They are considered to be gentle and peaceful, but please do not approach or harass them if you encounter them in the wild. There are an estimated 1,500 Bornean Elephants left in the wild. They are endangered because of habitat loss. Orangutan I saw wild orangutans daily while on the Kinabatangan River. There were a couple that hung around our camp eating the fig fruits high in the trees. Orang-Hutan comes from the Malay words “Orang” meaning person and “Hutan,” meaning “Of the forest.” So, orangutan translates to person or people of the forest. I have more information on the Bornean Orangutan and Borneo’s conservation efforts in my post on Visiting the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre in Sandakan. Wild orangutans are found on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. There are differences between the Bornean and Sumatran Orangutans. The Bornean orangutan lives on the Malaysia and Indonesian side of Borneo and are larger then the Sumatran species. The Bornean orangutan also has darker fur and broader faces. The orangutans spend the majority of their life high in the trees and rarely come to the ground. They use their long and muscular arms to climb and move from tree to tree. Did you know orangutans build nests? I didn’t either prior to my visit. Orangutans build nests for many purposes, including safety and comfort. They make new nests daily and can assemble them quickly within a few minutes. Proboscis Monkey Perhaps one of the most unusual primates in the world is the Proboscis Monkey. This species of monkey is endemic to Borneo, meaning it lives here and nowhere else in the world. The proboscis monkey is instantly recognizable by its long nose and round belly. They live near mangroves and the forest edges near rivers, like the Kinabatangan River, which is one of the best places in Borneo to see the Proboscis Monkey. I learned this from our guide, since the proboscis monkeys live near the edge of rivers, threats by crocodiles is always a concern. The proboscis monkeys are excellent swimmers and divers. To escape predators they can dive up to 20 meters or 66 ft deep. There is a certain depth where crocodiles can’t open their mouths, so they are not a threat to the proboscis monkey. Rhinoceros Hornbill There are eight species of hornbills in Borneo, which include the Rhinoceros, Helmeted, Wreathed, Oriental Pied, White-crowned, Wrinkled, Asian Black, and Bushy-crested Hornbills. Unfortunately while on my tour on the Kinabatangan River, I did not encounter the Rhinoceros Hornbill, but I did spot the Oriental Pied Hornbill, Black Hornbill, and the Bushy-crested Hornbill. The Rhinoceros Hornbill is Borneo’s most iconic. It’s recognizable by its black and white plumage and large orange/red casque or helmet. Although I did not see one, try spotting them in the forest canopy or flying above you over the Kinabatangan River. The photo above is of a Black Hornbill sitting on the branches of a tree along the Kinabatangan River. Saltwater Crocodile The saltwater crocodile is one of Borneo’s most powerful and fascinating predators. They are commonly found along the rivers and wetlands of Borneo. Spotting a crocodile resting on the riverbank or silently swimming through the water is a thrilling experience. We spotted our first crocodile in Borneo while on a night river cruise along the Kinabatangan River. The next day, we spotted them on the river banks or resting in the water close to shore. What to Expect on a 2-3 Day Kinabatangan Wildlife Tour If you’ve signed up for a Borneo wildlife tour or are looking for one, I recommend the tour that I did, you can find it here. The expectations and Borneo wildlife itinerary are based on the 3 Days and 2 Nights at Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp that I booked. You can do a two day or three day tour, I highly recommend the 3-day tour because two of the days are basically transportation, so you really only get one full day. The tour company picked us up from Sandakan Airport and drove us to a location where we disembarked on our journey to the jungle lodge. The Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp is a remote no-frills camp where the main purpose is to learn about and spot wildlife. Which is exactly what I signed up for! I went in October which is a great time to visit. Although hot and humid, it was not unbearable. Below you can find more information on the camp itself and best time of year to go on a Borneo wildlife tour. Expect to see a lot of wildlife. I saw orangutans daily, proboscis monkeys, civets, kingfishers, macaques, gibbon, langur monkeys, and so many other species. Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp To get to the Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp we flew into Sandakan, rode in a van for 2 hours, took a boat ride across one section of the Kinabatangan River, hiked, and then took another boat trip on a tributary to the camp. I say camp, but it’s more of a jungle lodge. It’s definitely not a 5-star resort. It’s simple, there is no electricity besides the generators that get turned on a few hours at night. But expect to relax and just enjoy being in the middle of the Bornean rainforest. Accommodations The accommodations were no-frills but included everything you need for a few nights stay in the jungle. Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp had about 6 rooms all equipped with clean beds. Honestly, even with the heat and humidity I slept amazing in the rooms each night. The bed was surprisingly comfortable. Toilet and Showers Rest assured, the camp does have a western toilet which is amazing being in the middle of the rainforest. The showers were a bit different then what I was used to. The camp relies on rainwater which is abundant in the rainforest. You fill a large bucket with the rainwater and use a smaller bucket to pour the water over yourself. Trust me it’s cold but refreshing after being in the hot and humid climate all day. Food and Drinks For the first day, dinner was included. The second day, we got breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the third day included breakfast. The food was brought to the camp fresh daily. It was prepared off-site and brought to the camp by boat. Each meal I had was buffet style with about three or four varieties. For breakfast it included beans, sausages, toast, and eggs. Lunch and dinner included vegetables, chicken, and rice. Honestly everything I had did not disappoint. It was exactly what I expected from a jungle lodge deep in the jungle. Coffee and tea were provided throughout the day. Day-by-Day Itinerary Day 1 Pickup from Sandakan Airport → Stop in Kinabatangan for Lunch → Arrive at Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp → Afternoon River Cruise → Night River Cruise We arrived in Sandakan from Kota Kinabalu and were picked up from Sandakan Airport by the tour company. We drove a few hours to the town of Kinabatangan for a quick lunch and fill up on supplies. From Kinabatangan we drove to the first dock where we hopped on a boat, crossed the Kinabatangan River, hiked through the rainforest for about 10 minutes before getting on another boat that took us to the Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp. After going through a quick briefing with the staff and see our accommodations, we jumped on a tour boat and spent 1.5
Angkor Wat Tour: 2-Day Itinerary
Angkor Wat is one of the world’s most iconic sites and main reason visitors travel to Cambodia. Angkor Wat is a huge complex full of thousands of temples and structures. Booking an Angkor Wat tour is the best way to experience one of Southeast Asia’s best UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Many visitors will take a day trip to Angkor Wat and explore the small circuit and end the day with a sunset view on top of Phnom Bakheng Temple. I recommend a 2-day Angkor Wat Tour to get the most out of your trip for a more complete Angkor Wat Experience. **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or banners throughout the page, whether it be TripAdvisor, Booking.com. Agoda.com, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! Summary Why Visit Angkor Archaeological Site: Plain and Simple visiting Angkor Wat Complex is a must for any traveler. Angkor Wat is exactly what you think it is, Ancient Ruins, giant trees, and a sense of exploration. Top Things to do in Angkor Wat: Visit Angkor Wat and see the sunrise over the temple. Go to Ta Prohm also known as the “Tomb Raider Temple”. Walk around Bayon Temple. To fully explore Angkor Wat and see temples on the small and big circuit, I highly recommend this 2-Day Angkor Wat Tour. A Brief History on Angkor Wat The Angkor Complex was originally built in the early 12th century. Angkor Wat was commissioned by King Suryavarman II as a Hindu Temple that was dedicated to the God Vishnu. Later on, Angkor Wat became primarily Buddhist. Today, you can see signs of both Hindu and Buddhist religions throughout the temples of Angkor. Like much of Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge, Angkor Wat was abandoned for some time. Many of the religious relics were damaged during this time period and thieves stole a lot of artifacts. Today, while exploring Angkor Wat, you can see the conservation and restoration of many temples from several countries to include France, India, the United States, Germany, Japan, and China. Angkor Wat Tours If planning on visiting Angkor Wat, you might be wondering whether to explore the ruins independently or if it’s worth joining a guided tour. After debating myself I am glad I went with the guided tour. An Angkor Wat tour offers many advantages. An expert guide will provide historical insights and answer any questions, the guides know the best times to visit temples to limit overcrowding, and take you to the must-see temples at Angkor Wat. Our tour also included hotel pickup/drop-off, water, and wet towels to cool off after exploring the temples in the hot and humid rainforest. Here are a few of the Angkor Wat Tours that are highly rated on Viator and/or Get Your Guide. ✅ 2-Day Angkor Wat with Small, Big Circuit and Banteay Srei Tour (This is the one we did and highly recommend it) ✅ 1-Day Amazing Angkor Wat Tour with Sunset & Interesting Major Temples ✅ Siem Reap: Angkor Wat: SMall-Group Sunrise Tour ✅ Siem Reap: Angkor Wat Sunrise and Full-Day Sightseeing Tour Why I Recommend a 2-Day Tour When I moved to Asia back in 2019, Angkor Wat was a dream of mine to visit. Finally, 6 years later, I got a chance to travel to Cambodia, specifically to explore Angkor Wat. There are a ton of day trips to Angkor Wat from Siem Reap. Although worth it, you only see some of the main temples on the small circuit. I wanted to explore as much of Angkor Wat as possible, so I decided to book this 2-Day Angkor Wat Tour. A 2-Day tour of Angkor Wat covers all the main temples that a day tour to Angkor Wat does but you also get a chance to wake up at sunrise to see Angkor Wat, see temples that fall on the Big Circuit and see Banteay Srei. In my personal opinion, I came all the way to Cambodia to see Angkor Wat, I really wanted to see as much of the temple ruins as I could. The 2-Day tour was not rushed, the guide was extremely knowledgeable, and I definitely got my money’s worth. If you only have a day to visit Angkor Wat, you won’t be disappointed, I just feel like 2 days is the perfect amount of time since the ruins covers a vast area. Here is the tour I booked and Highly recommend: 2-Day Angkor Wat with Small, Big Circuit, and Banteay Srei Tour. Visiting Angkor Wat Solo Although I do recommend booking a tour of Angkor Wat, it can be done solo. In fact, I saw plenty of solo travelers exploring the ruins of Angkor Wat. If you are visiting Angkor Wat on your own, it does allow for more flexibility and control of your budget. I saw people that took tuk-tuks from Siem Reap that dropped them off at temples around Angkor Wat, you can easily hire a private driver. If you follow my Angkor Wat itinerary below, you won’t miss out on any of the famous temples we visited on our tour. It might just take a little more planning and research on your end. Admission and Hours To visit Angkor Wat, you do need to pay for a ticket. The ticket also known as an Angkor Pass must be present on you during your time at the Angkor Complex. Tickets for Angkor Wat can be purchased at the Angkor Enterprise. You can purchase tickets online, via the app on their website, or at the site. If taking an Angkor Wat tour, the tour guide will drive you to the Angkor Enterprise at the start of the day. Admission 1 Day: $372 Days: $627 Days: $72 Hours Angkor Wat is open daily, 365 days a year. Angkor Wat is open from 5:00 to 18:00 2-Day Angkor Wat Itinerary The Angkor Complex is a huge series of temples located just outside of Siem Reap. The most famous temple in Angkor is Angkor Wat. Wat, meaning Temple in Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand. With hundreds if not thousands of temples and structures at Angkor Wat, it is impossible to cover the entire complex. Most visitors spend a day at Angkor Wat but I did the 2-Day Angkor Wat tour. Here is my detailed Angkor Wat itinerary. I hope I can convince you to join a 2-Day Angkor Wat tour. Day 1: Angkor Wat Itinerary: Small Circuit Day 1 of our Angkor Wat itinerary. Our guide picked us up from our lovely hotel, the La Riviere d’Angkor Resort. We picked up our 3-Day pass at the Angkor Enterprise just outside of Siem Reap. We then made our way to Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat Angkor Wat, the main temple and grandest of them all at Angkor Complex. Angkor Wat was constructed in the 12th century during the reign of Suryavarman II. Angkor Wat is a huge temple that covers about 200 hectares to include the moat. Angkor Wat was built to symbolize Mount Meru which is a sacred mountain in the Hindu religion. According to the site, Angkor Wat has some of the best examples of Khmer art that depict scenes from the Hindu epics of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata as well as the procession of Syavarman II. We visited Angkor Wat twice on our 2-Day tour. We started the tour here first because it was during the off season and not crowded and then we came back to see the sunrise at Angkor Wat. Banteay Kdei Banteay Kdei otherwise known as the “Citadel of Chambers” is a smaller temple complex in between Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm. There is a small parking area here, the first thing you’ll notice is the Banteay Kdei East Gate. The East Gate has four faces that are well preserved. Once you pass through the gate, you will walk through the smaller temple complex. Here you can see carved walls, ruined structures, and large trees growing out of some of the ruins. Ta Prohm Ta Prohm, also known as the “Tomb Raider Temple,” is an iconic temple in that was built in the late 12th century. Other then being a part of the setting of the movie Tomb Raider, Ta Prohm is famous because of the large trees and massive tree roots protruding from the temple ruins. Ta Nei Temple Ta Nei Temple was another ruined temple located on the small circuit. We had this temple to ourselves. Ta Nei Temple is not restored, seeing it in its current state really makes you appreciate the restoration going on, but it also feels more adventurous. The Victory Gate The Victory Gate is one of the five grand entrances to the Ancient City. You can drive or walk through the Victory Gate, a road goes through it. On the inner side of the gate there is a large moat and on each side of the bridge are the Gods and Demons playing tug-of-war holding a Naga. Naga is the powerful serpent deity. Naga is the symbol of water, fertility, protection, and connection between the world of humans and the spiritual realm. You will see Naga all throughout Angkor Wat. Bayon Temple After Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm, Bayon Temple was my favorite. Not only did this temple have macaques running around (I love seeing monkeys in the wild) but this temple was a huge complex that was well preserved. Bayon Temple is known for its towers with stone faces. In total there are around 200 faces carved in the towers symbolizing Avalokiteshvara, the Buddhist God of virtue of compassion. Again we had Bayon Temple to ourselves since visiting Angkor Wat in May is considered low season. We explored the temple thoroughly, walked around the towers and the hallway networks. Bayon Temple is a must visit and needs to be included in any Angkor Wat itinerary. Baphuon and Phimeanakas Temples Both Baphuon and Phimeanakas Temples are within walking distance from Bayon Temple and are relatively close to one another. Baphuon Temple is a pyramid like structure where you can climb to the top of and get great views of nearby temples and the surround jungle. Keep in mine, the stairs can be steep and narrow. If you are on a guided tour of Angkor Wat, have them point out the Giant Reclining Buddha etched in on the outer walls of the temple. Phimeanakas is a smaller pyramid temple that was built in the 10th century. It is located at the old Royal Palace. Terrace of the Elephants The second to last stop on our Angkor Wat tour, was the Terrace of the Elephants. The Terrace of the Elephants is not a temple like the rest. In fact, it is a 350-meter long platform that was used by King Jayavarman VII and other kings as a stage to view royal processions, parades, and ceremonies. If you walk around, you will noticed detailed carvings of elephants, other animals, and figures all over the walls. Sunset at Phnom Bakheng Our last stop on the Angkor tour was to catch the sunset at Phnom Bakheng. This is the most popular sunset viewing platform at Angkor Wat and one of the oldest temple in the archaeological park. It’s about a 20-minute hike to Phnom Bakheng. You have to come early, because it can get really busy. We were there about 2-hours early, so we waited around a lot. Our experience wasn’t great here. A brief evening shower dumped on us as we waited and the sunset wasn’t that spectacular. In my mind we would have clear visuals on Angkor Wat. Instead you are looking at a tower of Phnom Bakheng with the jungle in the background. I am sure you get a beautiful sunset here and there, but I don’t think it’s anything out of this world. So in my opinion or if
Hiking the Mount Sunday Track in New Zealand to Edoras in Rohan
One does not simply visit New Zealand without hiking the Mount Sunday Track. Mount Sunday is the filming location of Edoras, the capital of Rohan in The Lord of the Rings. The Mount Sunday Track is an easy 1.5 km hike to the top of Edoras. The beauty surrounding the rock is stunning. It’s easy to see why Peter Jackson chose this spot to film Edoras. **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or banners throughout the page, whether it be TripAdvisor, Booking.com. Agoda.com, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! Where is Mount Sunday Mount Sunday is located in the Ashburton Lakes area on the South Island of New Zealand. The parking lot for the trail head for the Mount Sunday Track is located right off of Hakatere Potts Road. Mount Sunday is in a valley surrounded by mountains and located next to the Rangitata River. Mount Sunday is actually a small rocky hill surrounded by beautiful scenery. Driving to Mount Sunday from Christchurch From Christchurch, Mount Sunday is about a 2 to 2.5 hour drive. We took State Highway 77 from Christchurch because I wanted to stop by the scenic Rakaia Gorge. For a shorter driving distance you can stay on SH 1 toward Rakaia before turning onto smaller roads. For the most part the road to Mount Sunday is paved until you reach Hakatere Historic Town then Ashburton Gorge Rd turns into Hakatere Potts Rd and is unpaved until you reach the Mount Sunday parking lot. Although unpaved, the road is still decently maintained and easy to drive. Just take your time, drive safe, and enjoy the beautiful landscapes. Filming Location of Edoras in Rohan For fans of The Lord of the Rings visiting New Zealand, a trip to Edoras is a must. Edoras is the fictional capital of Rohan. The movie set of Edoras took nine months to build. Unfortunately, unlike the Hobbiton Movie Set, Edoras was dismantled after filming was done. For The Lord of the Rings fans, you can point out the exact rock and locations of Mount Sunday where Edoras is located, you can even stand at and imagine the spot where Meduseld (The Golden Hall) stood prominent on the hill. Other then Mount Sunday itself and your imagination, there is nothing really LOTR related here or markers and signs that explain anything. Whether you are a die hard The Lord of the Rings fan or not, hiking the Mount Sunday Track is a must because of the natural beauty surrounding the hill. Hiking the Mount Sunday Track The Mount Sunday Track is a short and rewarding hike. It’s only 1.5 km each way and takes 30 – 45 minutes. It’s an easy hike and can be achieved by most hikers. Just keep in mind that there are some steep portions and rocky surfaces. If you are doing the Mount Sunday Track on your own and driving, there is a parking area with a toilet. Once you cross the gate, there are trail markers that point you toward Edoras (Mt Sunday). Just remember to stick to the guided path as portions of the trail are on private lands. There is one river crossing. Don’t worry, there is a nice swing bridge that crosses the river. From here, the path become steeper until you reach the summit of Mount Sunday. Once at the summit of Mount Sunday, take your time and enjoy the beautiful panoramic views. You are surrounded by mountains and can see the Rangitata River. Of course the day we hiked Mount Sunday it was very overcast and rained a little bit. I did get a clear view of the surrounding mountains but it was beautiful in its own way. The descent is easy. Just follow the same path back to the parking area. Tips and How to Pack The Mount Sunday Track is fairly easy and short. It’s certainly nowhere near the intensity of some of New Zealand’s other hikes like the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. But that does not mean you shouldn’t plan and prepare for this hike. Similar to any other hike in New Zealand, pay attention to weather, time of day, and your own level of fitness. After all, you are hiking to the top of a somewhat steep hill that has no shade whatsoever and the elements can be unpredictable. Keeping this in mind, here are some of my recommended tips and packing items to successful complete the Mount Sunday Track. ✅ Hiking Boots or comfortable shoes. ✅ A hat and sun glasses for sun protection.✅ Layers, the weather can change in an instant. ✅ Water, I think one water bottle for the hike itself is find.✅ Snacks, when you reach the top, sit down and enjoy the view.✅ A Camera or phone, the views are stunning on top of Mount Sunday. Conclusion Visiting Mount Sunday, the real-life Edoras from The Lord of the Rings is a must visit destination in New Zealand, especially for LOTR fans. The 30-40 minute hike was well worth the effort, especially because the raw beauty of the landscape surrounding Mount Sunday. Standing on top of Mount Sunday surrounded by the mountains, rivers, and marshlands, I could easily see why this location was chosen as the filming site for Edoras in Rohan. Whether you are a fan of The Lord of the Rings or just want to see some of New Zealand’s spectacular scenery, then hiking the Mount Sunday Track is well worth the effort and highly recommended. Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸 Plan Your Trip: 🗺️✈️🇳🇿 Booking Accommodations ⛺️🛖 For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com Activities and Tours 🏖️🚁 Find fun activities and things to do through Tripadvisor. If you are looking for tours and day trips, Viator and Get Your Guide have a lot of great options. In need of a car rental? 🚗🚘 I recommend checking with Rental Cars.
Hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing: One of the World’s Best Hikes
Considered to be one of the world’s best day hikes, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in New Zealand is a spectacular yet challenging hike. Hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing offers stunning views of volcanic landscapes, emerald lakes, and rugged terrain. This 19.4 kilometer (12.1 miles) trek takes hikers through diverse landscapes from hiking at the base of Mt. Ngauruhoe to finishing the trek in lush forested areas. Trekking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is no walk in the park. This post details our experience on one of New Zealand’s best hikes. I’ll go over the shuttle bus system, what to pack, and what to expect along the way. **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or banners throughout the page, whether it be TripAdvisor, Booking.com. Agoda.com, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! About Tongariro National Park Located on New Zealand’s North Island, Tongariro National Park is the country’s oldest National Park and is known for its volcanic activity, Maori religious sites, and abundance of outdoor activities. Tongariro National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was listed as a UNESCO site in 1993. According to UNESCO, it made the list because of it’s diverse ecosystems, unique landscapes, and it’s a cultural and religious site to the Maori people. If you are traveling to New Zealand in search of The Lord of the Rings sites, Mt. Ngauruhoe in Tongariro National Park is the inspiration and setting of Mordor and Mt. Doom. While hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, you hike at the base of Mt. Ngauruhoe and at certain locations along the trek, you really do feel like you are hiking through Mordor. Tongariro Crossing Shuttles The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is recommended as a one way trek starting from the Mangatepopo Car Park and ending at the Ketetahi Car Park. Luckily there are shuttle buses that pick you up from Ketetahi Car Park and drop you off at Mangatepopo Car Park. From here you hike the 19.4 km alpine crossing back to your vehicle. Make sure to book your shuttle to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing well in advance. You can select a date and time through the National Park Shuttles website. The price for the One way shuttle service from the Ketetahi Park is NZ$60. There is a large parking area, your car is safe here. Once at the car park, staff will check you in. It’s a wonderful service and well worth it. Hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing We got dropped off at the Mangatepopo Car Park and began the 19.4 kilometer journey. The goal was to complete the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, one way from Mangatepopo Car Park back to our rental car at Ketetahi Park. At first, the weather was ideal. It was comfortable outside with a mix of sun and clouds. That quickly changed as we gained altitude toward the emerald lakes. The first portion of the hike consisted of a boardwalk through the Mangatepopo Valley at the base of Mt. Ngauruhoe. Passing the popular Soda Springs Walk, we continued on until we saw a sign saying “That was the Easy Part, it’s Much Harder Ahead.” I would say, the signage along the Tongariro Alpine Crossing was amazing. There were constant reminders to check conditions and your health before proceeding. There were also signs posted along the route showing distances from each parking area and displaying the distance to the next bathroom. From here, the trail did become more difficult. The trail was mainly stairs and loose gravel ascending about 350 meters as we reached the plateau of the south crater. Walking through the South Crater was one of my favorite parts of the trek, not only because it was flat and a nice break from the steep climb but the landscape was beautiful, I felt like I was walking on a different planet. Enjoy the nice break, because after hiking through the South Crater, the trail gains in elevation quickly as it climbs to the highest point of the trek, the Red Crater at 1886m. This is the area where I really felt like I was in Mordor from The Lord of the Rings. I pictured Frodo and Sam here hiking the path and starring directly into Mordor. After reaching the top of the Red Crater, the trail to the Emerald Lakes was deep gravel. Here, I let gravity do its work, but you really have to watch your footing as it’s easy to ski down the mountain to the lakes. In my opinion, the Emerald Lakes were one of the most beautiful spots we saw while hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. These lakes are here as the result of craters being filled in with water. The turquoise color comes from minerals in the area. We took a mini break here at the Emerald Lakes. Although, I recommend taking a longer break at the Blue Lake, about a 20-minute hike from the Emerald Lakes. We took a break at the Blue Lake, there was more open space here to sit and take a break. By the way, New Zealand had these amazing trail mix snacks from Mother Earth called Apple Crumble. We purchased them at Woolworths grocery store. About 5-minutes from Blue Lake there were more restrooms. The restrooms along the Tongariro Alpine Crossing were pretty decent. Some were dirtier then others. Don’t forget to bring your own toilet paper. It’s all downhill from here! The trail zig-zags for several kilometers. The views from this side of the alpine crossing were spectacular. Off in the distance we saw Lake Rotoaira and Lake Taupo. As we descended further down toward the Ketetahi Parking area, the landscapes changed as did the flora. It went from an alpine climate to what seemed to be like a tropical jungle all within an hour it was gorgeous! Finally after trekking through the forest, we popped out at the Ketetahi side and marched toward the parking lot. After reaching the car, I felt both exhausted and proud of myself for completing one of New Zealand’s best hikes. I recommend a change of clothes in the car to change in afterwards and maybe an extra bottle of water and snacks for the journey out of Tongariro National Park. Hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing was a challenging yet rewarding hike. I can see how it is considered to be one of the world’s best day hikes and one of New Zealand’s most famous hikes. We trekked a little over 20 kilometers in total through volcanic landscapes, passed emerald lakes, and walked through lush forests. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing was one of the most memorable days during our 2-week New Zealand itinerary. What to bring for the Hike If you plan on hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing then you definitely need to prepare beforehand for the hike and know the conditions. Thankfully, the shuttle services and official websites post up to date weather information and conditions. Of course time of year plays a role in how to pack for the trek. I did the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in December which is technically summer time in New Zealand. Even though it was summer, I found myself using all my gear to include my rain jacket, thermal layers, beanie, and even gloves. Both the climate and temperatures changed throughout the hike and I was well prepared. If you are hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, here are some of the necessary items to take with. ✅Day Pack with a Rain Cover. ✅Water (About 2-3 liters). ✅Snacks (Trail Mix, Granola Bars, Chocolate, these are all good options). ✅Hiking Shoes or comfortable sneakers. Please don’t wear flip-flops. ✅Water and Wind Proof Jacket. ✅Layers of clothing, including socks. (I found myself adding and taking layers off constantly). ✅Thermal layers both tops and bottoms. ✅Hat for sun and beanie for colder weather. ✅Sunscreen, the sun can get intense. ✅First Aid Kit, at least band-aids and maybe bandages. ✅A fully charged phone and maybe a battery pack. ✅Bring toilet paper for the toilets and wet wipes. Common Questions about the Tongariro Alpine Crossing How Long Does it Take to Hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing? Generally, it takes the average hiker about 6 to 8 hours to complete the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. It can take more or less though depending on many factors. What Month is Best for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing? According to the Tongariro Crossing website, the best month for hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is November. April would be the second best month. I went in December and the conditions were acceptable. There was no snow along the trail but the weather was still unpredictable. I hiked through fog, rain, sun, and high winds. How Difficult is the Tongariro Alpine Crossing? The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is very doable and I considered it to be easy for the most part. Because of the volcanic landscapes, there were a lot of rocky portions and steep inclines. The most difficult part for me was the length of the trek. You have to pace yourself. Listen to your body, go slow, it’s not a race, and enjoy the beauty of the trek. Where does the Tongariro Alpine Crossing Start? The most recommended starting point for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is at the Mangatepopo Car Park and ending back at the Ketetahi Car Park. Shuttle buses drop all the day hikers off at the Mangatepopo Car Park. Are there Restrooms along the Tongariro Alpine Crossing? Yes, there are toilets along the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. There were about 6-7 toilets along the trek, about 3-4 kilometers apart. Bring your own toilet paper! Conclusion Hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing was one of the best hikes I’ve done, no wonder why it’s considered to be one of the best day hikes in the world. Between hiking at the base of Mt. Ngauruhoe (Mt. Doom) to having a snack at the beautiful emerald lakes every step along the 19.4 kilometer trek was both rewarding and awe-inspiring. I hope this post and my experiences on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing gets you motivated to hike one of New Zealand’s best and most famous hikes. Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸 Plan Your Trip: 🗺️✈️🇳🇿 Booking Accommodations ⛺️🛖 For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com Activities and Tours 🏖️🚁 Find fun activities and things to do through Tripadvisor. If you are looking for tours and day trips, Viator and Get Your Guide have a lot of great options. In need of a car rental? 🚗🚘 I recommend checking with Rental Cars. 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5 Day Central Mongolia Tour: Itinerary, Sites, & Expectations
Central Mongolia is a region full of beautiful landscapes, rich history, and it’s own unique cultures. From visiting Terelj National Park to the ancient capital of Kharkhorin and the Orkhon Valley, there is so much to see and do. Experiences include staying in yurts with nomadic families, riding horses and camels, visiting monasteries and temples, and sampling local food from mutton to yak. A Central Mongolian tour offers an immersive experience and deep dive into the “Real Mongolia.” If you have a week or longer in Mongolia, I highly recommend getting outside of Ulaanbaatar and exploring Central Mongolia. **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or banners throughout the page, whether it be TripAdvisor, Booking.com. Agoda.com, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! Booking A Central Mongolia Tour If you want to travel outside of Ulaanbaatar and see more of what Mongolia has to offer, I recommend booking a tour either through Viator or Get Your Guide. Why do I recommend booking a tour in Mongolia? Here are a few reasons why it’s worth it. Leave the planning and itinerary up to the tour company. The company generally picks you up and drops you off at your hotel. The tour will come with a guide and driver. Food is covered throughout the tour, at least the main courses. Water is provided. Entrance fees are typically included in the price. You learn so much from a local guide and can ask questions throughout the trip. You will get a local experience: Staying with nomads, eating local meals, and seeing attractions not many others get to see. I spent a week in Mongolia and wanted to see more then just Ulaanbaatar. Based on our interests and time, I went with this 5 Day Terelj National Park and Central Mongolia tour. There are many other tours on Viator and Get Your Guide. Here are a few more that might be of interest. 2 Day Central Mongolia 7 Days Central Mongolia and Great Gobi 4 Days Tour: Central Mongolia From Ulaanbaatar: Central Mongolia Guided 3 Day Tour From Ulaanbaatar: Semi Gobi, Nomads, Ancient Kharkhorin Tour 5 Day Central Mongolia Tour Based on time and interest I decided to book a 5 day Central Mongolia tour. I felt 5 days gave me plenty of time to see as much of Central Mongolia as possible. Booking 5 day Central Mongolia tour was done through Viator. I have nothing but great stories and experiences to share from this tour. The guide and driver were outstanding. I learned so much about the history, culture, wildlife, food, and nomadic lifestyle through the tour. The tour hit so many highlights of Central Mongolia and the accommodations were all unique. We stayed in yurts every night. If you are interested in my Central Mongolia itinerary, I broke it down by each day below. I am including what we did, where we stayed, attractions, food, and everything I else I learned and experienced along the way. Day 1: Terelj National Park I stayed at the Puma Imperial Hotel in downtown Ulaanbaatar. Our tour started at 9:00 am and our guide and driver were promptly there to pick us up. Before I go to deep into our Central Mongolia itinerary. I want to vent. The traffic in Ulaanbaatar is horrible! I mean it took 3.5 hours to get from the airport to the hotel, which is only about 18 km. Driving within and near Ulaanbaatar was horrendous. So in case your driver shows up late, or it takes more time then expected to get from one place to the other, just note it’s no ones fault, just horrible Ulaanbaatar traffic. Bogd Khaan Palace Museum Our first attraction of the day was the Bogd Khaan Palace Museum. This temple complex is in Ulaanbaatar. Feel free to walk the grounds an enter the Winter Palace. There is an interesting museum on the grounds with exhibits and personal items from the Bogd Khan. Zaisan Memorial After visiting the Winter Palace, we drove to the Zaisan Memorial. This is a very soviet memorial and it’s apparent. The memorial is a circular painting with scenes of people from the USSR and Mongolia. I found the memorial to be quite interesting. I’ve never traveled to a place quite like Ulaanbaatar. It felt more Eastern European then Asian to me. Other then the memorial, the views from the Zaisan Memorial are worth the hike up the stairs alone. You get views of Ulaanbaatar and the surrounding hills. Genghis Khan Statue Complex The next stop was the Genghis Khan Statue Complex. In the middle of nowhere it seemed like, is the largest equestrian statue in the world. The statue truly is massive standing at 40m tall (130 ft). You can walk inside the statue and if you pay the entrance fee, you can walk the stairs to the top of the statue and access the museum. Lunch: Mutton Ribs and Tsuivan On the way to Terelj National Park, we stopped at a family owned restaurant. The restaurant was in a yurt and served traditional Mongolian cuisine. I ordered Mutton Ribs and Jill had a popular Mongolian dish named Tsuivan. Tsuivan is a noddle dish with meat and vegetables. In Mongolia, you will end up eating a lot of mutton. I had mutton for lunch and dinner 3 days straight. I love it, but others might not, so maybe try Tsuivan for a change. Terelj National Park The main and final stop for the first day was at Terelj National Park. Terelj National Park is an easy day trip from Ulaanbaatar and a must visit. On a day trip from Ulaanbaatar, you can visit: Turtle Rock, Aryabal Meditation Temple, go on a hike, and even ride a horse or camel. We stayed in a yurt camp for the first night in Terelj National Park. If interested in reading more about Terelj National Park, I have a dedicated post here. Day 2: Kharkhorin Day 2 of the Central Mongolia tour was more of a driving day. We drove about 6-7 hours from Terelj National Park to the ancient city of Kharkhorin. Not once was the drive boring. The entire drive, I was amazed by the landscapes, animal crossings, and everything else really. We stopped for lunch at a new road side stop. Surprisingly, Mongolia has a lot of nice and new road side stations. The ones we stopped at had nice bathroom facilities and cafeteria style restaurants serving delicious food. Kharkhorin Museum We got to Kharkhorin and had spare time, so we visited the Kharkhorin Museum. If staying in Mongolia’s Orkhon Valley, I highly recommend visiting this museum. We learned so much about the area in regards to its culture and history. There was a tomb found in the Orkhon Valley of an aristocrat from the 7th century, which I found interesting. Monkhshuuri Ger Camp Guesthouse We stayed the night in Kharkhorin at another yurt camp called Monkhsuuri Ger Camp Guesthouse. Out of all the yurt camps and nomadic families we stayed at, this one was the most equipped. This yurt camp had a nice bathroom facility with actual toilets and showers with warm water. There was even a live show for us the night we stayed here. The show consisted of an older gentleman and his student. They preformed traditional Mongolian folk songs with the traditional Morin Khuur. The Monkhshuuri Ger Camp Guesthouse can be found and booked on Agoda. Day 3: Orkhon Valley Day three of our Central Mongolia Tour consisted of a morning at Erdene Zuu Monastery, before heading to The Monument for Mongol States, and finishing the day off at Orkhon Waterfall. Erdene Zuu Monastery We started our day at the Erdene Zuu Monastery in Kharkhorin. We visited in October and the weather was already chilly. Thankfully October is in the off season, so we had the monastery to ourselves. The Erdene Zuu Monastery dates back to 1586 and hit its prime around 1872. During this time period, the monastery had 60 temples and more then 500 structures. Under communist rule, in 1939 most of the monastery was destroyed as were many religious monuments throughout Mongolia. Today, there are still a few temples and structures left within the walls. Visitors can walk around the grounds and even go inside some of the temples. Monument for Mongol States A few minutes away from Erdene Zuu Monastery through town was the Monument for Mongol States. I recommend coming here for the views. You get incredible views of the Orkhon River. Horse Ride to the Orkhon Waterfall Prior to visiting Mongolia, I had hopes to ride a horse. I wanted to get the most out of my Mongolian experience and what better way then to ride a Mongolian Horse in the Orkhon Valley. From Kharkhorin we drove about 4 hours off road to Ulaan Tsutgalan Waterfall, otherwise known as the Orkhon Waterfall. Here we stayed in a yurt with a nomadic family. The host had horses already set up for us and we trotted along to the trailhead of the Orkhon Waterfall. We dismounted from our horses and walked the upper portion of the waterfall before taking a trail to the lower half of the falls. Being October, the pine trees were all orange. The Orkhon Waterfall is 20 meters tall and is definitely a site to see. I have a post on the Orkhon Valley with details of our itinerary, here. Stay with Nomadic Family This was our first night staying in a yurt with a real nomadic family. Beforehand, we stayed in yurt camps. We were in the middle of nowhere, hours from the nearest small town. The nomadic family stays in one location with their herds and seek other areas for livestock grazing and more suitable locations during the harsh Mongolian winter months. The yurts at this location were our favorite. The family came into the yurt several times to load wood into the burning stove. They even served us dinner and breakfast in the yurts. For dinner we had Khuushuur which is a meat filled pastry, kind of like an Empanada. The family we stayed with freshly slaughtered a yak, so of course the meat filling of the Khuushuur was yak. I found it to be delightful. The yak tasted a little like a mix of beef and goat. For breakfast we had what seemed to be a standard Mongolian breakfast that came with toast, egg, and slices of meat. The yurts are quite the experience and the bathroom saturations are as well. At this camp, they had a open bathroom that did have stalls. The toilet consisted of a wooden floor with a hole cut out in the bottom. It’s kind of like you are camping. Another side note, bring your own toilet paper to Mongolia. Interested in seeing what our experiences of staying in a yurt was like? I have a dedicated post here. Day 4: Elsen Tasarkhai Sand Dune Day 4 of our Central Mongolia tour was another driving day but we made stops along the way to look at wildlife, landscapes, and stopped at Elsen Tasarkhai Sand Dune toward the end of the day. Elsen Tasarkhai is known as the Mini Gobi Desert. Elsen Tasarkhai Sand Dune (Mini Gobi) Located about 280 km from Ulaanbaatar is Elsen Tasarkhai Sand Dune. It’s known as the mini Gobi desert. Although small compared to the Gobi desert it’s still quite large. Going north to south, Elsen Tasarkhai is 80km long and about 5 km wide with its largest part being 10 km wide. I highly recommend riding a camel here. It’s a unique experience. In my opinion it was more fun then riding a horse. You sit higher up, sitting in between the humps is comfortable, and getting on and off is an adrenaline rush. We rode camels for
Taroko National Park Day Tour: Hiking, Culture, and Natural Beauty
Located in Taiwan’s Hualien County, Taroko National Park is a stunningly beautiful canyon that attracts outdoor enthusiasts from around the world. Famous for its near vertical mountains, lush forests, and turquoise blue rivers, Taroko National Park is a must see natural attraction when visiting Taiwan. A Taroko National Park Day Tour is the perfect way to explore this park, stress and hassle free. **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or banners throughout the page, whether it be TripAdvisor, Booking.com. Agoda.com, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! History of Taroko National Park Geological The geological history of Taroko National Park is far to complex for me to go in depth. Taroko Gorge was formed by erosion and uplifting occurring over millions of years. The Liwu River caused most of the erosion seen at the gorge today. Taiwan sits on top of the Philippine and Eurasian plates. The collision of these plates is still uplifting much of Taiwan. There are 285 mountains in Taiwan that are 3,000 meters or higher. While exploring Taroko Gorge, you will notice a lot of limestone and marble. What is especially interesting is marble is found on one side of the road while limestone is on the opposite side. Cultural Although the geology of Taroko Gorge is fascinating, I found the cultural history even more interesting. While on our day tour to Taroko National Park, our guide gave us a lot of great information regarding Taiwan’s history and the people that first settled Taiwan. There are 16 indigenous tribes that call Taiwan home. One tribe, The Taroko (Truku) inhabited the area we now call Taroko National Park, according to our guide. The Taroko tribe lived in the Taroko Gorge area using the steep mountains as protection. Their huts were fairly advanced and well suited for hot summer months and cooler winter temperatures. Males in the tribes hunted game while the women excelled in weaving. Each gender had facial tattoos that were only achieved by excelling in their crafts and hunting skills. There is a great museum with displays of what the Taroko Tribal members looked like and their homes at the Buluowan Suspension Bridge. You can also visit the Taroko National Park Website for more information. Getting to Hualien from Taipei Traveling to Hualien from Taipei? It’s actually really easy and cheap. Obviously, there are numerous ways to travel to Hualien. You can rent a car, cycle (I’ve had friends that have done that), or take trains. I recommend the latter. We took a train from Taipei Main Station directly to Hualien Station. Depending on the train, the trip to Hualien can take anywhere from 2 to 4 or more hours. We ended up taking the Express Trains, the T. C. Ltd Express to Hualien and the Taroko Express back to Taipei for a whopping NTD 440 or about $14 a person one way. The express trains take about 2 – 2.5 hours and make very few stops along the route. How to Get to Taroko National Park Hualien is the nearest and most accessible city to Taroko National Park. You can visit Taroko National Park from Taipei as a day trip, but I recommend staying in Hualien and making the most out of a day at Taroko Gorge. Taroko National Park is free to visit and there are a couple ways to visit the park as a tourist. The main options to visit the park are by bus, taxi, rental car, scooter, or through a tour. Visiting by Bus If visiting Taroko Gorge by bus, there are a few routes within the park with bus stops. Using the bus is a cheap option, but does take planning. Visitors have to come up with a plan, know the bus route, and know the bust stop locations. The Taroko National Park website does have a Bus Timetable. Visiting by Rental Car or Scooter Car and scooter rentals are other popular means of transportation to access Taroko National Park. In fact, we did see quite a few rental cars and other travelers on scooters. The positive of having your own rental car is it gives you flexibility within the park. Note, many of the roads are narrow and traffic picks up late morning into the afternoon. If you are not an experienced driver, the narrow roads, sharp corners, buses, and other hazards can be a bit challenging to navigate. Visiting by Tour My recommended way to see many of the top sites and attractions within Taroko National Park are through Private Tour. Booking with a private tour allows you to see the main sites stress free at a steady pace. Not to mention you learn a lot about the park and Taiwan in general if you have a good guide. The next section is all about our tour we booked for Taroko Gorge. Taroko National Park Day Tour I personally think the best way to experience the magnificent Taroko National Park is by booking a day tour with a local guide or company. Lately, all my trips have been booked through Viator. Viator is easy to use, you can view the trip itinerary, and read through reviews. I ended up booking the Full-Day Private Taroko National Park Tour from Hualien City and could not have asked for a better day and tour guide. Our guide, Jason picked us up promptly and took us to all the Taroko National Park highlights listed below. He had a nice car, was very knowledgeable, and was passionate about his home country of Taiwan. I learned more from Jason regarding both the park and Taiwan then I have on all my previous trips to Taiwan combined. Jason did a great job hiking with us. He wasn’t to quick or to slow, he knew the perfect spots for photos, and gave us separation so we could explore a bit on our own. Here are some tours to Taroko National Park through Viator. Full-Day Private Taroko National Park Tour from Hualien City Taroko Gorge Day Tour from Taipei by Train One-Day Private Guided Tour in Taroko Gorge from Hualien Shared Full Day Tour of Hualien Taroko National Park from Taipei Taroko National Park Highlights There are so many highlights and must see sites that make Taroko National Park a must visit destination in Taiwan. A day tour to Taroko Gorge is sufficient to see the main sites and most tours will make the same stops within the park. Below are the Taroko National Park highlights that we stopped at on our day tour. Shakadang Trail The Shakadang Trail in Taroko National Park follows the Shakadang River. This trail was actually built by the Japanese during the Japanese occupation. The Shakadang Trail was the first stop on our Taroko National Park day tour. There is a parking lot with a toilet on the opposite side of the bridge were the trail begins. The Shakadang Trail is an easy trail, no experience required. It is well maintained, flat, and very scenic. The trail follows the turquoise water of the Shakadang River below. About a kilometer or so from the entrance there are a couple huts here that sell food and souvenirs. Make sure to try the world famous sausage from one of the stalls. Apparently a 3 star Michelin chef came here and raved about the peppercorn sausages made here. I’ll be honest, it was a really good sausage. Eternal Spring Shrine The next stop on our Taroko Gorge day tour was the Eternal Spring Shrine. This picturesque shrine was built as a memorial dedicated to those who lost their lives while building the Central Cross-Island Highway. If looking at the shrine, to the right is a steep cliff with evidence of landslides. The shrine was destroyed twice at the same location, so they moved the location of the shrine to the left above the waterfalls. Indigenous Lunch at Dnamux Truku Want to try an Indigenous lunch? Our guide took us to a local restaurant called Dnamux Truku. Dnamux Truku specializes in indigenous meals using local ingredients and traditional methods to prepare the food. The lunch was incredible. I had the Wild Boar lunch with bamboo rice. I could not have asked for a more satisfying meal. The platter came out on a giant leaf with a nice mix of fresh fermented vegetables and just enough meat. The banana rice served with the meal was incredible as well. Buluowan Suspension Bridge After lunch we headed to the Buluowan (Shanyue) Suspension Bridge. Our guide mentioned this was his favorite part of the Taroko Gorge tour and after visiting the bridge I can see why. The Shanyue Suspension Bridge crosses the Liwu River and is considered to be the longest bridge within the park. According to a sign at the park, the bridge is 196 meters in length, 2.5 meters wide, and sits 152 meters above the river. The bridge is free to access. Apparently it gets crowded in the afternoon since they only allow a few hundred people on it at a time. My recommendation is, have an earlier lunch and beat the afternoon crowd. We did and there was no wait time and hardly anyone on the bridge. Tunnel of Nine Turns One of my favorite stops on our Taroko Gorge day tour was the Tunnel of Nine Turns. This is or was a part of the Central Cross-Island Highway and was a busy road. Due to the condition of the road and environmental events the road was turned into a trail. There is no parking at the trail, visitors must be dropped off and picked back up. The trail to the end was not long but the scenic viewpoints were absolutely incredible. Sheer cliffs gave way to crystal clear water below and waterfalls. Swallow Grotto The final stop on our Taroko Gorge tour was at Swallow Grotto. Strap on your helmets and pay attention to the safety signs because this area can be dangerous. This narrow section of the canyon is lined with sheer cliffs towering over the Liwu River. Visitors can walk a road that turns into a suspended walkway right over the cliff. The views and scenery here is incredible. But watch out for falling rocks. Taroko Gorge Facts The park was established on November 28, 1986. According to the Taroko National Park website, the park is 36 km north to south and 42 km east to west. Many of the rocks found at Taroko Gorge include: Marble, Gneiss, and Schist. There are many animals that call the park home. Some animal species found here include: Asian Black Bear, Rock Macaque, Sambar Deer, snakes, and many types of birds. Many mountains within the park are 3,000 m or higher. The indigenous Taroko tribe called the area home. Be careful of falling rocks. Wear protective gear. There are signs all over the place warning about falling rocks and not to linger. Conclusion Taroko National Park is truly one of the most beautiful destinations I’ve visited. The near vertical marble cliffs, turquoise river, and dramatic landscapes make Taroko Gorge a must visit destination, especially when visiting Taiwan. If you love the outdoors, hiking, and exploring, Taroko National Park is for you. Learning about the history and culture of the indigenous people that called this place home add to the park’s allure. I highly recommend visiting Taroko National Park and Taiwan in general. Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸 Plan Your Trip: 🗺 ✈️ 🇹🇼 Booking Accommodations ⛺️ 🛖 For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com Activities and Tours 🏖 🚁 Find fun activities and things to do through Tripadvisor. If you are looking for tours and day trips, Viator and Get Your Guide have a lot of great options. In need of a car rental? 🚗 🚘 I recommend checking with Rental Cars.
Off the Beaten Path: Exploring Hanoi’s Countryside on a Motorbike
Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam is known as a chaotic yet beautiful city. The sound of horns honking, millions of mopeds, and crowds of people everywhere, why not escape the city to the countryside and experience a different side of Hanoi. One of the best ways to explore Hanoi’s countryside is on a motorbike. Experience what being on a motorbike is really like through the chaotic streets of Hanoi before venturing into the countryside where small villages dot the landscape as you cruise through banana tree fields, pottery villages, and unique landscapes. Whether you are seeking to escape the hustle and bustle of Hanoi or just want to see what life is like just outside of the city, exploring Hanoi’s countryside on a motorbike is the way to go! **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or banners throughout the page, whether it be TripAdvisor, Booking.com. Agoda.com, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! Booking a Hanoi Motorbike Tour The Hanoi motorbike tour we found was through a company called Hanoi Backstreet Tours. Actually our hotel took care of the booking for us, but if interested you can book directly through their website. On the Hanoi Backstreet Tours website, you can view a listed of all the tours offered and book directly through the website. You can also find and book their tours through either Get Your Guide or TripAdvisor. Hanoi Backstreet Tours offers a wide variety of tours, the three main ones are Hanoi Motorbike Tours, Hanoi Jeep Tours, and Hanoi Street Food Tours. Once you find a Hanoi tour you are interested in and book it, the day of the tour the company will pick you up and drop you off at your hotel. Lunch was included on our Hanoi motorcycle tour. After picking us up from the hotel, we had lunch at Hidden Gem Coffee, which was delicious. After enjoying a satisfying lunch we began our half day motorbike tour. Touring Hanoi’s Countryside on a Motorbike Our tour was through Hanoi Backstreet Tours. Our hotel booked the tour for us, but it can be booked through their website, or on travel booking sites like Get Your Guide or TripAdvisor. Hanoi Backstreet Tours offers several adventurous tours to include both old rustic jeep tours and soviet era motorcycle tours. We were amazed by the mopeds and motorcycles in Hanoi and wanted to be part of the action so we booked the Hanoi Countryside on a motorbike tour. According to their website, the motorcycles provided are ex soviet motorcycles known as the M1A or M1NSK. Don’t worry, you yourself will not be driving the chaotic streets of Hanoi by motorbike. Leave that to the professionals. Us tourists, just sit on the back of the motorbike hanging on to dear life! The tour started with a pickup from our hotel and the rider drove us to lunch at Hidden Gem Coffee. After lunch, we departed toward a small pottery village on the outskirts of Hanoi called Bat Trang, about an hours drive one-way. We got to experience driving through Hanoi by motorbike. This was an eye opener as we were part of the 6 million mopeds and motorbikes that ride around Hanoi. Thankfully, this was not new to our drivers and we felt safe the whole entire time. The tour was nice because they made several stops along the way to Bat Trang and gave us a brief description of the stop. First, we made our way over Long Bien Bridge crossing the Red River. After crossing the bridge, life started to get more rural as the landscape quickly turned from city to agriculture and small villages. We made a brief stop at a banana tree farm. Afterwards, we made our way to Bat Trang. Bat Trang is a ceramic village that has a rich history in making ceramics, according to our guide, dating back thousands of years. We toured a facility where the pottery is made by hand, painted, and sold. We then made our way to a local shop where we had the chance to make our own pottery using a pottery wheel. Let’s just say, I didn’t do a great job and ended up scrapping my bowl. Our final stop in Bat Trang was a lively pottery market. Here you can browse the shops and support the local economy. We finished the tour with a refreshing sugarcane juice before ending the trip at our hotel in Hanoi. Conclusion A Motorbike tour in Vietnam is highly recommended. I mean, riding a moped or motorcycle in Vietnam is a way of life, so why not experience it either on your own or with a tour. Exploring Hanoi’s countryside on a motorbike was a thrilling experience that allowed us to see a different side of Hanoi and see some of the rural communities just outside the city. This tour was a highlight from our Vietnam trip and we highly recommend a motorbike tour in Hanoi. Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸 Plan Your Trip: 🗺️✈️ 🇻🇳 Booking Accommodations ⛺️🛖 For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com Activities and Tours 🏖️🚁 Find fun activities and things to do through Tripadvisor. If you are looking for tours and day trips, Viator and Get Your Guide have a lot of great options. In need of a car rental? 🚗🚘 I recommend checking with Rental Cars.
Visit Kumejima – Beaches, Caves, Views, and So Much More
Kumejima or Kume Island in English is somewhat of a remote island that belongs to Okinawa Prefecture in Japan 🇯🇵. Kumejima can be accessed through air or by sea and makes for a perfect weekend getaway. “Adventure” best describes Kume Island. Visitors can explore a mysterious cave, enjoy all kinds of water activities, hike to castles, dine in at local izakaya’s and so much more. If looking to visit Kumejima, this post outlines everything you need to know about visiting Kume Island, from getting there to things to do and see. **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or banners throughout the page, whether it be TripAdvisor, Booking.com. Agoda.com, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! Where is Kumejima? Kume Island belongs to Okinawa Prefecture and is located about 90 kilometers west of the main island of Okinawa. The nearest island to Kumejima is Tonaki Island. Kumejima is in the East China Sea and is only accessible by air or by sea. Taking the Ferry to Kumejima Wondering how to get to Kumejima? If living in Okinawa, it’s actually quite easy. There are two ways to travel to Kumejima, either by air✈️ or by sea🚢. Naha Airport does have direct flights to Kume Island. Flights to Kumejima from Naha Airport are around 30-45 minutes and can cost ¥10,000 one way. Surprisingly there are also flights to Kumejima from Haneda Airport in Tokyo. Although, I don’t really recommend flying here, because of the cost, I do realize vacationers are limited on time and there are no other options, especially if you are not in Okinawa. For those that are visiting Okinawa or live here, I recommend taking the ferry to Kumejima. The ferry from Naha Port to Kume Island can take anywhere from 3.5 – 4 hours. The ferry makes a brief stop at another island, Tonaki Island. The ferry feels super luxurious with comfortable seating arraignments and access to the deck. There are even rooms for travelers to lay down and rest. For updated ferry times and prices, I recommend visiting the Kume Line website. I also religiously visit the Visit Okinawa website for a listing of ferries around Okinawa. This site has the routes and official ferry websites. The timetable and prices below are taken directly from the Kume Line website. Ferry Timetable to Kumejima from Naha From Naha Arrives at Kumejima 9:00 am 12:30 – 13:00 From Kumejima Arrives at Naha14:00 17:00 Ferry To Kumejima Price One-way RoundtripAdult – ¥3450 Adult – ¥6560 Child – ¥1730 Child – ¥3110 Best Way to Get Around Kumejima Kumejima is a rather decent sized island. I’ve been to other islands off the coast of Okinawa like Zamami Island and Ie Shima. These islands were small enough, where I brought my bike aboard the ferry and cycled around the island. Kumejima was bigger then I expected, therefore I am glad we decided to rent a car🚗. Surprisingly, there are car rental companies on Kumejima. We booked a car rental through Rentalcars.com. We found a nice Daihatsu Move at a rental company near the airport called Orix Rent-a-car. The car rental was cheap and the little Daihatsu Move got us to every place we planned on visiting while in Kumejima. We filled the car up once before returning the car which costed us around ¥1600. Apparently, there is a bus that goes around the island. We saw several stops, but although cheap it seemed rather inconvenient. The bus stops were far from the actual destinations and it seems like a lot of time would be wasted just waiting for the bus. There are other options besides car rentals. We saw shops that had mopeds for rent and mini jeeps for rent, that looked like it could be fun! For Car Rental Bookings, check out Rentalcars.com or Agoda.com. Visit Kumejima – Things to Do and See If looking to visit Kumejima, there is plenty of activities to do here to keep you busy for a long weekend. To me, Kumejima was an “Adventure” and offered so much more then I even expected. In one day, we explored a cave, visited several castles, saw beautiful tropical fish in tidal pools, and went to many other attractions scattered throughout the island. Here is a list of things to do and see in Kumejima that I recommend. Brief Stop at Goeda Pine of Kume On our first full day exploring Kumejima, we started off with a visit to Goede Pine of Kume🌳. This gigantic pine tree is 6 meters tall and is 250 m² including the branches. Goeda Pine of Kume is over 250 years old. The branches spread across the ground instead of rising upward like traditional trees. Surrounding the tree is a nice park with a walking trail, benches, and a restroom. Drive the Forest Road, Popular for Sakura Trees There is a road on the south end of the island called Camino Forestal de Arla, according to Google Maps. We drove this road from Bird’s Mouth to Ara Beach and it was a stunning drive. At the time we went (July, 2023) the road was well maintained with gorgeous views around every bend. The road was lined with Sakura trees, although they weren’t in bloom in July, I could only imagine how gorgeous this road is during Sakura Season. Drive the Mystery Road, Colina Fantasma Colina Fantasma or the Mystery Slope is a fun place to make a brief stop if you have a car. If you park your car on the road between the markers provided, put your car in neutral, and your vehicle will start to roll forwards even though it appears you are driving uphill. Apparently, in 1990 a teacher put his car in neutral at this location, jumped out to pick some flowers and the car began driving itself. Ever since this event, people from around the world who visit Kumejima have been fascinated by this mystery slope. The name, Obakezaka (Haunted Slope) was given to this location. Explore Yajiyagama Cave By far the coolest cave in all of Okinawa is Yajiyagama Cave. Yajiyagama Cave was such an adventure and a must when planning a visit to Kumejima. This cave is free for visitors to enter. Just note that it is not guided or anything, so enter at your own risk and respect the warning signs, animals, and burials. There are protected bats that live in this cave. Bring a flashlight and walk from the entrance of the cave to the end, there is a maintained trail. Take note, the cave does end but visitors must back track and exit the same way. There is a parking lot at the cave entrance and a path that leads down to the cave. First, I couldn’t help but notice the urns all over the cave that were broken exposing human bones. At the exit of the cave, there are several broken urns with visible skulls. I am not sure what the history is behind the burial mounds here or how old they are but found it fascinating and a tad eerie. Mifuga Rock Mifuga Rock is a prominent rock formation located right next to the coast. It is said that Mifuga Rock is a symbol for women and can bring good luck. Mifuga Rock is unique because it’s a massive formation with a giant hole in the middle. There is a parking lot here and visitors need to briefly walk from the parking lot to Mifuga Rock. Unfortunately, you cannot walk through the opening as it opens up to dangerous sea conditions. Pay a Visit to the Sea Turtle Museum Who doesn’t love sea turtles? Kumejima has a museum or aquarium dedicated to sea turtles. The picture above is from a wild sea turtle I saw swimming at Ara Beach. On Ojima Island you can find the Kumejima Sea Turtle Museum. It is a small museum with information on sea turtles both locally and from around the world. There is also an aquarium here with real sea turtles. It seems like the Sea Turtle Museum does a good job at conservation and the protection of sea turtles on Kumejima. Relax and Enjoy the Many Beaches I would argue that most visitors visit Kumejima for the pristine and remote beaches and want to simply enjoy a stress free and relaxing vacation. Kumejima has plenty of beautiful beaches that are worth visiting. Of course, there is Eef Beach right by the resort. I walk Eef Beach every morning. Eef Beach is a white sand beach and you can walk several kilometers here. When I visited, water conditions were not ideal, so I did not get into the water as I originally planned. Tokujimu Natural Park and Beach could have been a beautiful beach with clear water if it weren’t for the trash that washes ashore here. It’s not Kumejima’s fault that trash washes ashore but I feel a lot more can be done to clean the beaches here. Most plastic bottles I saw on the beach came from China. Ara Beach, my favorite and one of the prettiest beaches I’ve been to in Okinawa was picture perfect. Of course, we visited Ara Beach on the last day right before dropping the rental car off. It took a little effort to get to Ara Beach but it was worth it. We had the beach to ourselves. This beach was remote and pristine. We even saw a happy sea turtle swimming around the water. See The Castle Ruins For a small island, there are quite a few castles on Kumejima. There are about five castles on the island, all ruins. The two castle ruins I visited were Gushikawa Castle Ruins and Uegusuku Castle Ruins. Gushikawa Castle Ruins are on the way to Mifuga Rock. It is estimated the castle was built at some point between the 14th and 15th centuries. A sign at the castle ruins said the castle was origincally built by Madafutsu Aji. Like many castles in Okinawa, the building material was made from coral limestone. Uegusuku Castle Ruins sit high on top of a mountain overlooking the entire island. I believe Uegusuku Castle is the highest located castle in the Ryukyu Kingdom. History for this castle dates back to 1372 when King Satto of Chuzan arrived on Kumejima. Spot Tropical Fish at the Tidal Pools Growing up, when visiting places near the ocean one of my favorite past times was to walk around tidal pools with my dad, spotting unique marine life. To this day, I still love exploring tidal pools and Kumejima has the best tidal pools in all of Okinawa. On Google Maps, on the northern end of the island is a marker called Home to Tropical Fish. This is an extensive area with tidal pools and rivers reaching the coast. The tidal pools were absolutely gorgeous with beautiful fish everywhere you look. Some of the tidal pools, more like rivers were deep and filled with beautiful coral. We saw tons of tropical fish, a lion fish, and Jill claims she saw an octopus. Take in the Views at Hiyajo Banta Cliff Some of the best views on Kumejima are from an observation deck at a rest stop called Hiyajo Banta Cliff. This facility appeared newer and had a toilet, small rest area with a restaurant, and a multi story observation deck. The views from the observation deck were out of this world. Lush green forests, white puffy clouds, and blue ocean as far as the eyes could