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Anyone do any trekking though Southeast Asia without a Hostel
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Justin84
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I was wondering if anyone knows of any websites about actually backpacking through SEA without using a hostel and setting up your own campsites. I am looking to go trip beginning of next year and I would like to mostly camp with only staying in a hostel as minimum as possible. Has anyone actually done this, or know of any sites are articles talking about it?
#1 Posted: 29/7/2012 - 21:31
Justin84
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I do understand that it is cheap for hostels and I will spend times in them, but I am also interested in heading out into area for exploring.
#2 Posted: 29/7/2012 - 22:10
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somtam2000
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Thailand has a good network of national parks and most of them are well set-up for camping. However because Thailand chooses to charge foreigners far more to access the parks than Thais is isn't always such a good deal. The main national park website is here: http://www.dnp.go.th
Another site is Trekking Thai, it;s mostly in Thai but there are some sections in English. It's quite useful for lots of pics from the various parks. http://www.trekkingthai.com/
In Cambodia and Laos camping is less common, but again in Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia the parks are generally setup for campers.
I'm not aware of any one site that covers the entire region though.
Cheers
#3 Posted: 29/7/2012 - 22:21
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goonistik
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AFAIK, there aren't many campsites in SEA. The few that exist are mainly in nature parks and forest reserves.
You might be able to negotiate with a resort owner to allow you to set-up a tent. Or a private home owner might allow you to set-up a tent on his property. You will definitely have an easier time getting permission to pitch a tent in a remote rural area, provided you can deal with the language barrier.
I am not convinced that lugging a tent, sleeping bag, etc is worth the trouble considering the availability of budget accommodation.
See here for another opinion from cyclist who brought a tent. They also refer to another website of Tyler and Tara who went camping in SEA.
http://travellingtwo.com/resources/southeast-asia/tent
#4 Posted: 29/7/2012 - 22:37
LeonardCohe-
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With mozzies and cheap rooms available camping sounds like a terrible idea.
#5 Posted: 30/7/2012 - 05:49
captainbkk
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again you youthful nonthinker are the victim of your idea that everyting is online-it is not. Most of the abundant cheap not hoStels, but ''guesthouses'' are not online and to be found in oversupply and very cheap when there-in every tourist and minor touristy place. yes, its very oldfashioned, but a normal guidebook might have enlightened you more.
#6 Posted: 30/7/2012 - 07:35
Captain_Bob
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I've done what you're talking about in Europe, Australia, South Africa, etc. but in SE Asia it's a more difficult prospect.
You can pitch your tent at approved campsites in national parks for a fee, but otherwise have to negotiate an unlikely deal with local land/resort/guesthouse owner and then don't be surprised if people just come and stare at you thinking "wtf?" Throwing your tent down unannounced might even lead to hostility. In short, the concept of vagabonding your way around SE Asia will not be very welcomed. The whole "camping" thing is lost-in-translation most places and many hopeful foreigners end up shipping/giving away their camping gear after a few fruitless attempts.
By all mean, have a go, but set some realistic expectations.
#7 Posted: 30/7/2012 - 13:14