Great Outdoors SE Asia: Waterfall, Hike, Camp, + more!

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By Gems Of Travel
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Ah, the great outdoors – exercise, cool off, or R&R with friends and family.  Pencil some of these into your itinerary.

SEA is an outdoor culture and there is plenty to enjoy.  Aside from the monsoon raining season, the weather is good for most of the year.  The sky is clear, the water is warm – pick an activity and jump in.

Waterfalls  +  Hiking

Waterfalls

What’s there not to love about waterfalls.  The sound of rushing water, the magnificent heights and splashes, the mist, and the swimming – refreshing to all senses.

A pool on a waterfall with a view in Bali, Indonesia. At the very peak top of a waterfall with a small natural swimming pool, located at the point where the water falls down. The image shows the water a the bottom half, and the view on the upper half consisting of a forest of palm trees and mountainous region in the background. A female is enjoying the small natural pool that has a rocky protective barrier to prevent them from falling over. The open for the water flows around the barrier. Another female is taking a picture, using their cell phone, of he friend inside the pool.
A waterfall within the jungle in Bali, Indonesia. The image is taken on stairs that lead to the waterfall with a view above the waterfall, which is in the not-so-distance background. In between the stairs and the waterfall is a rocky area that can be climbed onto, which provides a 7 feet tall elevated area to view the waterfall from. Thick vegetation consisting of various trees and green plants surround the whole area, as it is a jungle.
A waterfall area in Thailand surrounded by trees. The waterfall does not splace into a water pit, but onto a large rock area. The rock is limestone, and water flows over it gently. People are walking around on the rock while water flows over their feet. The water then flows off of the rock into a water pit.
A large waterfall that rushes down a rocky crevice within the jungle. The water splashes onto a rock, then flows into a water pit area, where many (about thirty) people are playing in the water. This is located in Malaysia, a muslim country, and therefor people dress modestly while simming. Men and women doe not show skin, and women wear hijabs.
Four foreign men in swim trunks hanging out at a section within Kuangsi waterfall in Luang Pragang, Laos. This waterfall section has three tiers, each tier with a pool and then a drop-off that the water flows over to the next tier. The men are standing on a rock at the lower tier. At this lower tier is a pool of water good for simming in. It is a hot and bright day, but many tree branches cover this waterfall area, providing shade and a beautiful view.
A large waterfall in a remote area with lots of water rushing off and into a water pit at the bottom. At the top, there are many trees. At the bottom is lots of grass, so it is easy to access the waterfall.

Hiking

Malaysia and Thailand have many hiking spots.  Vietnam has hiking, but most (if not all?) will require a tour guide to do.

Malaysia is a mountainous country, and it seems like hiking is a daily hobby.  There are many free neighborhood hiking hills in Kuala Lumpur (dubbed ‘the city in a rain forest’), and you’ll see trails on Google Maps.  On Penang Island, it’s the same – go hiking through any of the various hills for free.  There is a tram that goes up Penang Hill for a ticket fee, but you can hike up/down it alongside the tram track if you prefer.  The mountains surrounding Kuala Lumpur are numerous, but most will require a guide and hiking permit.

Thailand is also a land with many hiking trails.  It will not take much research to find one 30 minutes to a couple of hours away from wherever you are in Thailand.

Overall, you’re in for a treat if you choose a trail with waterfalls, combined – the perfect combination!

After a long day on your feet, you may want to rest & relax afterwards.  Going to a nearby hot spring (Malaysia) or a spa is a top choice.

A popular and well-known sunset viewpoint in Vang Vien, Laos. It requires hiking up a mountain. At the top is a view of the land in three-hundred and sixty degree direction of flat land surrounded by mountains. This viewpoint has a motorcycle with a Laos flag for posing in pictures with. The sunset is visible at the top edge of one of the mountains, before it gets covered by it.
Wet adventures. Hiking through knee-deep water rapids in the jungle of Malaysia. The rapids has many rock boulders, and a rope connected to trees on each side for hikers to hold onto when crossing the rapids.
A hiker crossing a suspension bridge while hiking in a mountainous jungle region of Laos.
A concrete tiled pathway traversing a small mountain ridge in the jungle region of Ubub, Bali, Indonesia.
Steep metal stairs mounted on a very high cliff that leads from the top to the ocean. This image is mid-way on the stairs, showing the near vertical cliff and how it meets the ocean water at the bottom.
Two people, a male and female, are walking through a shallow (ankle-deep) creek that is about three feet wide. The creek runs through a crevice with high rocky walls. Various green plant cover the walls, and there are two large boulders along the creek where the people are standing. The people are wearing clothing for wet conditions like sandals, and sports clothing. Sun shines through just enough to cleary see while walking in the creek.
The opening of a sandy cave that two people are walking out of to the ocean.
Walking on a wooden-planked bridge to cross a river in Laos. It's structure is made with a wood branches, also used to make a railing. Luscious plants and a mountainous area are waiting on the other side.
Jungle hiking on stairs with a stone carving of a mythical creature along the stairs. Location is Bali, Indonesia.
An elevated, concrete, and narrow, walking path through a swampy mangrove forest in Thailand. The trees are dense, and overlap this narrow path.
A crevice area, whose ground is filled with sand. The crevice leads to a beach.
A hiking area that has a section in which hikers must do a small rock climbing section to proceed on the hiking path. This image shoes a person climbing a rock cliff, which has many spots for gripping with hands and mounting feet.
A hiking viewpoint on Penang Island, Malaysia showing several high rises, the ocean bay and a bridge that goes between the island and mainland.

Swimming Lagoons and Creeks

Swimming

Swimming in SE Asia is a fun way to cool off.  It’s more than swimming, actually – they’ve got swings, and ropes, and jumping platforms, and zip lines!

Swimming holes exists at waterfalls, caves, swimming lagoons (Laos), and at campsites along a creek or river.

If your hotel does not come with a pool, then you can search for public swimming pools or water parks.  There are many.  Not surprisingly, these spots are popular since Southeast Asia is hot.

People swimming in a jungle lagoon in Laos.
A hotel with three huts and a swimming pool outside. Several chairs and tables with umbrellas are along the pool. Trees and plants surround the area. The scenery is more about relaxing with nature.
A beach at sunset time in Thailand. The photographer of this image is standing on an elevated rocky area looking at the beach with waves, and a small hilly area coverin the sun.

Natural hot springs  (Malaysia)

Malaysia has a few natural hot springs.  So refreshing!  Keep an eye out for these, and search for them wherever you go.

Camping and Glamping

Thais and Malaysians love camping, and so camping and glamping sites are very common in Thailand and Malaysia.  It is less about being in the primitive outdoors, and more about being with family and friends.  The camping sites have a lot to offer, so it is no surprise that camping is a popular thing to do.

There is so much variety in camping. Here is a quick list:

–

on a hill with 360 degree view

–

on the beach

–

along a river

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at the base of a waterfall

–

at a lake

–

within a rubber tree farm

A parked Toyota Landcruiser with a camping tent setup on it's roof. This is a camping spot surrounded by mountains and palm trees (a palm oil plantation) at Kuan Nom Saow Restaurant and Viewpoint in Krabi Thailand.
Hammock camping within a section of trees at a camping spot. Rounded mountains are in the background. This is a camping spot is located at Kuan Nom Saow Restaurant and Viewpoint in Krabi Thailand.
A camping tent setup next to two trees on a beach in Thailand, with no-one else in sight but the ocean. The camper also has some camping gear such as a wagon.
Hammock camping with a tarp covering the hammock at a camping park in Malaysia with jungle surroundings. The camping spot is cleared-out with a dirt ground and no plants invading the space. A motorbike is parked next to the hammock, presumably because the camper is on an adventure.
Two camping spots next to each other, each with a canvas yurt (a style of tent) and an outhouse bathroom. The spot is ontop of an elevated area in the region, overlooking a mountainous area with a valley in between the spot and the mountains.
A hammock setup and hanging on a low-laying horizontal tree branch on a beach next to the ocean.
Five people standing around enjoying a sunste at a viewpoint spot at a camping area in Thailand. This area is surrounded by mountains and palm trees (a palm oil plantation) at Kuan Nom Saow Restaurant and Viewpoint in Krabi Thailand.
A camping tent setup within a patch of trees whose limbs and leaves are low-laying, just high enough to put a tent under. This camping spot is on a beach in Thailand, with someone swimming in the ocean in the background. An electrical cord is visible, as it is common place for camp grounds in Southeast Asia to have on-site electric outlets.
Camping area with tents and a café setup within a rubber tree farm in southern Thailand.


About the sites:

Camp spots are less primitive – they have electricity plugins, bathrooms & showers, and areas to prepare food.  Though, you can find primitive camping locations or spots at the site.

Often times they sell food and beverages at the site.

Some sites have tents for rent for a small fee of $3-5 a night.

Not all, but there are sites that have cafes, restaurants, bars, and even live music on site.


Malaysia and Thailand, both, have many glamping sites.  These are fancy tents that are basically camping-themed cabins with all the amenities including air-conditioning.

Note

When Malaysians say “camping” they are actually referring to picnicking with tents, not sleeping overnight.  So, if you are looking to go camping there, then make sure you can camp and sleep on site over night – some places do not allow it.

Tip

Purchase a hammock and go hammock camping.  Hammocks are more lightweight and take up less space than a tent.  And, they are very comfortable to sleep in.  We highly recommend the Emo Double-Wide hammock (available in the USA), which is wider and sleeps 2 people… but for one person the extra space is really a plus!

*If you are already in SEA, then you can purchase a hammock at various local shops.  They’re are very common in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand.

Otherwise, you can go to the nearest Decathlon store.  FYI: Decathlon is a sporting goods store that has just about anything you’d want, and they are located in most major cities all over the world, including Southeast Asia and Europe.

Picnicking & Grilling out

Many places cater to a outdoor-style picnic.  Southeast Asia is an outdoor culture, so this is not hard to find. 

There are a few special spot like along the lagoon in Vang Vien, Laos; and bamboo huts along the Mekong River. 

No need to fret about special spots, because you can buy food to go and eat nearly anywhere you feel.  Just park your motorbike somewhere and have a make-shift picnic!  Throw-up a hammock and make yourself comfortable while you’re at it!

A hut for eating and relaxing. Inside has a table that is about six inches off the ground, and two hammock hanging inside. The hut is made of wood, with wood-plank flooring, short railing around the edges, and beams made of tree trunks at each of the four corners of the hut to mount the roof onto. The roof is made of straw with a wooden structure to mount the straw onto.
An outdoor restaurant in Thailand with several small huts, each with a table inside and seating. This is located along the Mekong river in rural Thailand. A couple of palm trees are on the property.
A small hut with bench seating and a table at an outdoor restaurant in Thailand. This is located along the Mekong river in rural Thailand. A couple of palm trees are on the property.
People at one of the Blue Lagoons in Vang Vien, Laos. Here, people are swimming in the lagoon, and having a picnic alongside it under the shade of umbrellas.
A large hut in Cambodia for eating in with a table and floor seating consisting of a mat and cushions. A rural view can be seen from within the hut. Air fans are mounted for a cool breeze, and bamboo curtains are rolled down to provide shade and block the sun.
Several bamboo rafts along the shore of a lake in Thailand. It is sunset and no-one is in sight. These rafts are large enough for eight people and are have a roof over the seating area. They are towed out into the middle of the lake, and food is served to the patrons on the rafts. This is unique concept of a restaurant.

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