Pha Tad Ke Botanical Garden

Created for the purpose of conserving the bio-diversity of Laos, Pha Tad Ke offers a lot of experiences to its visitors — aside from educational and informative tours, guests can also take part in a bamboo-making workshop, and try a free herbal-tea tasting activity in the garden’s cafe. The garden’s location is a perfect place to enjoy nature and it’s beauty — it’s set in a misty mountain, covered by the trees of a vast jungle, and laced with fascinating limestone cliffs. Those seeking for adventure can hike the nearby Pha Tad Ke Mountain, or join the short boat ride to Mekong River.

Location

Pha Tad Ke Botanical Garden is located at Nam Pho, Luang Prabang, Laos.

Opening Days and Hours

The garden is open from 8:30 to 17:00.

Entry Fee and Bookings

Entrance fee is USD 25 for adults and USD 10 for kids.

How to Get There

Fly from Vientiane to Luang Prabang via Lao Airlines or Lao Skyways.
From the airport, board a taxi to Luang Prabang’s centre.
From the city centre, hire a tuk-tuk to bring you to their downtown reception in Ban Wat That.
Board the boat to Pha Tad Ke Botanical Garden.

Suggested For

Backpackers/solo travelers
Couples
Group of friends
Families

Time to Spend

Allot half a day for your trip to Pha Tad Ke Botanical Garden.

Popularity and Best Time to Go

To make the most out of your trip to the botanical garden, visit as early as 8:30 in the morning. Schedule your trip between April and June.

Activities

Orchid Talk
Bamboo Workshop
Hiking
Boat Trip

Food

Tourists can avail of meals and drinks — mostly authentic Lao dishes — from a cafe in the garden.

Nearby Attractions

Pha Tad Ke Mountain
Mekong River
Angsana Spa
Wat Hua Xiang

Stay

Lotus Villa Boutique Hotel, Villa Ban Lakkham, The Apsara, Villa Santi Hotel, and The Belle Rive Boutique Hotel offer accommodations at rates ranging from USD 60 to USD 250. These hotels are conveniently located in Luang Prabang’s city centre.

The beautiful landscape of Tinyan Viewpoint – seemingly endless rolling hills carpeted in soft, luscious green grass – is one that sets Batanes apart from other tourist destinations. But just like the other spots in Batanes, Tinyan Viewpoint keeps a little surprise for visitors – the farthest and highest slope in the area gives a breathtaking view of Chamantad Cove. The one-of-a-kind vista of Chamantad-Tiñan Cove, coupled with the cool sea breeze and relaxing sound of roaring, splashing waves of the Pacific, can make anyone come back for more.

Location

Chamantad-Tiñan Cove is located at Sabtang Island, 27 kilometres away from Basco Airport.

Opening Days and Hours

A stop at Chamantad-Tiñan Cove is included in day tours of Sabtang Island.

Entry Fee and Booking

Before exploring Sabtang Island’s spots, tourists are required to pay PHP 200 (USD 4) environmental fee to the Tourism Office. A tricycle day tour costs PHP 800 (USD 16) good for two people.

How to Get There

Fly from Manila to Basco via Philippine Airlines or Skyjet.
Take a tricycle to Ivana Port.
Board the Faluwa headed to Sabtang Island.
From the port at Sabtang, hire a tricycle for a day tour and ask to make a stop at Chamantad-Tiñan Cove.

Suggested For

Solo Travelers/Backpackers
Couples
Teams

Time to Spend

To fully enjoy the sights, spend at least around an hour in Tinyan Viewpoint.

Food

Quick bites like bucayo (coconut candy) and kamote (sweet potato) are available in small stores around the area.

Nearby Attractions

Morong Beach
Sabtang Lighthouse
Chavayan

Stay

Tourists who wish to spend the night on the island can stay in accredited homestays for PHP 150 to 300 (USD 3 to 6) a night. Those traveling back to Basco can find accommodation in inns that offer rooms for PHP 500 to 700 (USD 10 to 14) a night

Considered as one of the highlights in the Bokeo Province, it is a tourism-based conservation project wherein tourists can explore and experience the different sights and adventures in the nature reserve while also supporting forest conservation.

Location

Bokeo Nature Reserve, Huay Xai, Laos

Opening Days and Hours

Daily from 07:00 to 17:00.

Entry Fee and Bookings

The Gibbon Experience Express: USD 180 for 2 days and 1 night
Classic Gibbon Experience: USD 290 for 3 days and 2 nights
The Waterfall Gibbon Experience: USD 310 for 3 days and 2 nights

How to Get There

From Luang Prabang: fly to Vientiane and see next bullet point, or travel to Huay Xai by bus or boat: travel time is around 12 hours and fare is LAK 150,000 or USD 18.03
From Vientiane: fly to Huay Xai via Lao Airlines or Lao Skyways (travel time is 55 minutes and fare ranges from LAK 400,000 to 900,000 or USD 48.08 to 108.19); or bus via the Vientiane Northern bus station (travel time is 24 hours and costs LAK 260,000 or USD 31.25)

Suggested For

Backpackers/solo travelers
Couples
Group of friends
Families with kids older than 7 years old

Time to Spend

2 to 3 days depending on the package you avail of

Popularity and Best Time to Go

The best time to visit is during the months of November to January when the weather is coolest and nice.

Activities

The Classic Gibbon Experience (3 days, 2 nights): one hour of hilly walk, zip line to your tree house accommodation, possible gibbon encounters, access to Nam Kan National Park
The Waterfall Gibbon Experience (3 days, 2 nights): 2 to 3 hour treks each day along the Nam Nga River, freshwater swimming pool, and waterfall; zip lines to tree house accommodations (2 for the duration of stay); possible gibbon encounters; access to Nam Kan National Park
The Gibbon Express (2 days, 1 night): steep walk for more than an hour, series of long zip lines, visit to the Tree King, tree house accommodation, access to Nam Kan National Park

Food

Packages include fire-cooked meals (7 meals for the 3-day packages, and 4 meals for the 2-day package), local fruits, and snacks.

Safety and Fraud

Keep mosquito repellents on hand as Dengue is a real risk.

Stay

Accommodations are tree houses with the rates included in the activities package (see Activities section)

Good to Know

Bring binoculars to appreciate the sights and even spot gibbons.
Bring extra water for the hikes to keep hydrated.
Some guides are willing to buy and beers for you from the nearby village and bring it to your tree house.
Ask your guides for yummy “jungle ginger” and “mon fruit/green fruit.”

Cameron Highlands is a highland resort surrounded by tea plantations, strawberry farms, bee farms, and flower centres that thrive in the cold climate. The beautiful scenery of Cameron Highlands showcases the green nature in Malaysia. Plus, it’s a cheap place to buy corns, teas, strawberries, sweet potatoes, and flowers compared to any supermarket in the cities.

Location

Located in Pahang, Tanah Rata is accessible from three entryways: Simpang Pulai and Tapah routes going through the North-South Highway, and Gua Musang route through the East- West Highway. It takes a 2-hour drive from Ipoh (the capital city of Perak) going through the Simpang Pulai exit, which is the most preferred road as it is comfortable and also great for sightseeing. Cameron Highlands is also accessible by roads from the city centre of Kuala Lumpur with a 3-hour drive.

Opening Days and Hours

Cameron Highlands is open to visitors all year round. However, access to the tea plantation is limited to Tuesday to Sunday, 09:00 to 16:30, while most of the other farms open at 08:30 and close at 18:00 daily.

Entry Fee and Bookings

There is no entrance fee to the tea plantations. However, most places charge an entrance fee of RM 5 (USD 1.22) for adults and RM 3 (USD 0.73) for children. Online bookings are available for purchasing produce at most of the farms.

How to Get There

Most visitors get there by cars since the parking is free. You can book a tour with an agency to reach most of the attractions at Cameron Highlands. Taxis are available at Brinchang to Tanah Rata and costs RM 10 (USD 2.43).

Suggested For

Cameron Highlands is suitable for people who are interested in nature and are looking for peaceful vacations. It might not be suitable for young adults who are looking for entertainment like shopping or partying.

Time to Spend

Spend at least a full day to visit the tea plantations, farms, and the market to purchase souvenirs and goods. You can stay at the resort for a few days to get some fresh air and some quiet time away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Popularity and Best Time to Go

It is best to go early in the morning to avoid the crowd. It is most crowded during late afternoons.

Activities

Rainforest Adventure 2 (Rafflesia) Tour provides jungle trekking. Most people do independent trekking or explorations on their own.

Food

There are fine-dining options available such as Smokehouse, Jim Thompson Tea Room, and German Swiss Restaurant. For mid-range restaurants, Chinese steamboats, Indian and Malay cuisines are also available.

Nearby Attractions

Rafflesia Tour and Flower Nurseries.

Stay

Resorts, hotels, guest houses, and homestays are available here. Cameron Highlands Resort is the main luxury resort at Tanah Rata.

Good to Know

The weather in Cameron Highlands can be unpredictable at times and it will rain without warning. For visitors who prefer to explore the highland grounds on foot, it is best to bring an umbrella or carry a wind-breaker as it might be windy as well.

Just mere minutes away from the busy Orchard Road, Singapore Botanic Gardens offers a refreshing and lush retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city. Made up of three sections, the Gardens features a Heritage Core, Tourist Belt, and an Educational Zone, each with its own unique attractions.

Location

Singapore Botanic Gardens is in the heart of the city and a mere 2 kilometres away from the main shopping street of Orchard Road.

Opening Days and Hours

The site is open from 05:00 to 24:00.

Entry Fee and Bookings

Admission to the Gardens is free.

How to Get There

The easiest way to reach the attraction is by taking the train and getting off at the Botanic Gardens MRT, which will bring you right to Singapore Botanical Gardens. You can also grab a taxi or get there by car. If you are on Orchard Road, you can also opt to walk about 2 kilometres to the Gardens. Parking spaces are available at the Botany Centre at the junction of Holland and Napier Road.

Suggested For

The place is great for anyone who wants to learn more about plants or is looking for a lush sanctuary within the city, including couples, families with kids, seniors, groups of friends, solo travelers, and backpackers.

Time to Spend

You can spend a full day exploring the massive 74-hectare Gardens.

Popularity and Best Time to Go

The best time to visit is early in the morning before the temperature gets uncomfortably hot in the afternoon.

Food

A number restaurants can be found within the 1-kilometre radius near the Botanic Gardens, including local food shops and hip cafes.

Nearby Attractions

National Museum – 5.4 kilometres
Victoria Theatre & Concert Hall – 6.2 kilometres
Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay – 6.3 kilometres
Marina Bay Sands – 7.1 kilometres
Gardens by the Bay – 7.5 kilometres
Fountain of Wealth – 8 kilometres
Universal Studios Singapore – 8.3 kilometres

Stay

A number of accommodation options can be found near the attraction, ranging from budget to 5-star hotels.

Good to Know

Singapore’s average temperature hovers between 24°C to 33°C, so to stay cool and hydrated, you should bring along a pair of sunglasses, a hat, or umbrella. Water fountains and vending machines can be found in the Gardens. Moreover, you should put on insect repellent to prevent insect bites and skin irritation.

Gardens by the Bay is a man-made nature wonder located right in the centre of Singapore, providing a refreshing break from the concrete jungle with its lush greenery. The garden showcases horticultural and garden mastery of plants from temperate to tropical climates. This multi-awarded garden aims to both entertain and educate its visitors with its three waterfront gardens spanning a massive 205 acres of land.

Location

Gardens by the Bay is in the central region of Singapore, about 6.5 kilometres away from HarbourFront Terminal.

Opening Days and Hours

The indoor gardens are open from 09:00 to 21:00 daily with the last admission at 20:30. However, its outdoor gardens are open from 05:00 to 02:00 everyday.

Entry Fee and Bookings

For international visitors, the entrance fee to visit both conservatories costs SGD 28 (USD 20.79) for adults and SGD 15 (USD 11.14) for children aged 12 and below. For locals, you only need to pay SGD 20 (USD 14.85) for adults and SGD 12 (USD 8.91) for children. You can enjoy the outdoor gardens at no cost.

How to Get There

The most convenient way to get to the attraction is by taking the train and getting off at the Bayfront MRT station. Then, simply take a short walk to Gardens by the Bay. Alternatively, you can catch a taxi or even walk there if you are staying in Singapore’s central region.

Suggested For

The place is great for everyone who wants to learn more about plants including families with kids, solo travelers, couples, seniors, and groups of friends.

Time to Spend

The site is big and entertaining enough for you to spend an entire day there.

Popularity and Best Time to Go

You should visit in the morning so that you will have sufficient time to explore the entire place.

Food

Food is not a problem, as there are 14 restaurants on site, ranging from local food shops and fast food chains to upscale restaurants.

Nearby Attractions

Cloud Forest – Inside the Gardens
Flower Dome – Inside the Gardens
SuperTree Grove – Inside the Gardens
OCBC Skyway – Inside the Gardens
Marina Bay Sands – 600 metres
Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay – 1 kilometre
Victoria Theatre & Concert Hall – 4.3 kilometres
Fountain of Wealth – 4.5 kilometres
National Museum – 4.6 kilometres
National Orchid Garden – 7.5 kilometres
Universal Studios Singapore – 8 kilometres

Stay

A number of accommodation choices can be found near the Gardens, ranging from budget stays to luxury 5-stars hotels.

Good to Know

You can buy the tickets prior to your trip to guarantee entry to Gardens by the Bay on your preferred date without waiting in a long queue on the day.

The National Orchid Garden has been breeding orchids for more than a century and even produces its own hybrids. With its astounding collection of more than 60,000 orchid plants, this highly esteemed garden is a must-see for all orchid and flower lovers.

Location

The garden is located in the centre of Singapore and about 9 kilometres away from HarbourFront Terminal.

Opening Days and Hours

The Garden is open from 08:30 to 19:00 daily, with the last ticket sale and entry is at 18:00.

Entry Fee and Booking

The entrance fee costs SGD 5 (USD 3.71) for adults, while children below 12-years old can enter for free.

How to Get There

The easiest way to reach the National Orchid Garden is to take the train and alight at the Botanic Gardens MRT, which will bring you right to Singapore Botanical Gardens. You can also grab a taxi or car. If you are on Orchard Road, you can also opt to walk about 2 kilometres to the Gardens. Parking spaces are available at the Botany Centre at the junction of Holland and Napier Road.

Suggested For

The place is great for couples, families with kids, groups of friends, solo travelers, and backpackers who are interested in botany and gardens.

Time to Spend

Most visitors spend about 2 hours at the orchid garden.

Popularity and Best Time to Go

The best time to visit the place is early in the morning when the temperature is relatively cooler.

Food

A number of restaurants can be found within the Garden’s 1-kilometre radius, including local food shops and hip cafes.

Nearby Attractions

National Museum – 5.4 kilometres
Victoria Theatre & Concert Hall – 6.2 kilometres
Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay – 6.3 kilometres
Marina Bay Sands – 7.1 kilometres
Gardens by the Bay – 7.5 kilometres
Fountain of Wealth – 8 kilometres
Universal Studios Singapore – 8.3 kilometres

Stay

A number of accommodations ranging from budget to 5-star hotels can be found near the Gardens.

Good to Know

Singapore’s average temperature hovers between 24°C to 33°C, so to stay cool and hydrated, you should bring along a pair of sunglasses, a hat, or umbrella. Water fountains and vending machines for drinks can be found in the Gardens. Moreover, you should put on insect repellent to prevent insect bites and skin irritation.

Simulating the conditions of tropical highlands that are 2,000 metres above sea level, you can learn about the different plants that live in this unique environment. There are nine zones in this conservatory, which also educates the public about the threats and dangers faced by cloud forests all over the world.

Location

Situated inside the Gardens by the Bay, the Cloud Forest is about 18.5 kilometres away from the Ang Mo Kio Depot and 6.5 kilometres away from the HarbourFront Terminal.

Opening Days and Hours

The site is open from 09:00 to 21:00 daily. The last ticket sale is at 20:00, while the last admission is at 20:30.

Entry Fee and Bookings

The standard ticket costs is SGD 28 (USD 20.79) per adult and SGD 15 (USD 11.14) for children aged 12 years and below. For locals, you will only need to pay SGD 20 (USD 14.85) for adults and SGD 12 (USD 8.91) for children.

How to Get There

Suggested For

The place is great for everyone including couples, families with kids, solo travelers, seniors, groups of friends, and backpackers.

Time to Spend

Spend about half a day going through all the unique zones within the conservatory.

Popularity and Best Time to Go

You can visit the indoor site any time of the year.

Food

14 restaurants can be found onsite, ranging from local food shops, fast food restaurants to upscale restaurants.

Nearby Attractions

Flower Dome – Inside the Gardens of the Bay
SuperTree Grove – Inside the Gardens of the Bay
OCBC Skyway – Inside the Gardens of the Bay
Marina Bay Sands – 600 metres
Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay – 1 kilometres
Victoria Theatre & Concert Hall – 4.3 kilometres
Fountain of Wealth – 4.5 kilometres
National Museum – 4.6 kilometres
National Orchid Garden – 7.5 kilometres
Universal Studios Singapore – 8 kilometres

Stay

A number of accommodations can be found near the Cloud Forest, ranging from budget to 5-star hotels.

Good to Know

The size of the Cloud Forest is 153,000 square metres, which is about as big as 60 Olympic-sized swimming pools.