• Home
  • Start Here
    • Skye Gilkeson
    • Contributors
  • Work with TFT
  • Media
  • Disclaimer and Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Email Disclaimer
    • Competition Terms and Conditions
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

The Fit Traveller

  • Home
    • Start Here
    • Skye Gilkeson
    • Contributors
      • Contributor Login
    • Work with TFT
    • Media
    • Disclosures
      • Privacy Policy
      • Email Disclaimer
      • Competition Terms and Conditions
  • Destinations
    • Africa
      • Morocco
    • Asia
      • Cambodia
      • China
      • India
      • Indonesia
      • Japan
      • Laos
      • Malaysia
      • Maldives
      • Myanmar
      • Nepal
      • Singapore
      • Sri Lanka
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • North America
      • Bahamas
      • Canada
      • Costa Rica
      • El Salvador
      • Guatemala
      • Mexico
      • Nicaragua
      • United States
    • South America
      • Brazil
      • Peru
    • Europe
      • Belgium
      • Croatia
      • Denmark
      • Finland
      • France
      • Greece
      • Iceland
      • Ireland
      • Italy
      • Malta
      • Norway
      • Serbia
      • Spain
      • Sweden
      • Switzerland
      • The Netherlands
      • United Kingdom
    • Oceania
      • Australia
      • Cook Islands
      • New Zealand
      • Samoa
  • Travel
    • Bookings
    • Foodie Guides
    • Packing Guides
    • Retreats
    • Stay
    • Travel Guides
    • Travel Hacks
    • Family Travel
    • Flights
    • Lounge Reviews
  • Lifestyle
    • Beauty
    • Gift Guides
    • Photography
    • Profiles
    • Style
    • Tech
    • Wisdom
  • Wellness
    • Adventure
    • Fitness
    • Health Hacks
    • Hiking
    • Running
    • Yoga
  • Shop
    • Tech
  • Nourish
    • Breakfast
    • Dinner
    • Healthy Treats
    • Lunch
    • Salads
    • Sides
    • Snacks

Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam / February 23, 2017

Life-Changing Travel Experiences Across Asia

  • Pin
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Flipboard

As I’ve adapted travel as a lifestyle, it’s also become a very important part of my yoga practice. In the same way that asana (postures), pranayama (breathing) and meditation have led to self-discovery and internal awareness, these natural wonders have offered me a profound feeling of connection with the world. 

Mary Tilson

Life changing experiences in Asia to add to your bucket list

The Mondulkiri Project; a responsible and conscious choice for travellers to learn about elephant conservation in Cambodia. Image © Mary Tilson

In Matthew Remski’s interpretation of the Yoga Sutras, he describes two of the gateways towards awakening as, ”wonderment and the awe of being alive”. Below are a few of those moments where I was so moved by nature that the hairs on my skin were lifted, and I truly felt a smile emerge from every cell of my body.

The Mondulkiri Project, Cambodia

I will never forget the heartbreaking realisation the first time I came across elephant rides in Southeast Asia of what truly happens behind so many of those “Insta-perfect” moments. The Mondulkiri Project is an excellent alternative for conscious travellers to be educated about the natural habitat of elephants and their survival needs, while encountering these magical creatures in the wild. A day consists of trekking through the forests of Cambodia, which are protected by the organisation, feeding the elephants, and if you’re lucky, getting to join in for bath time in the lake.

Life changing experiences in Asia to add to your bucket list

A breathtaking and peaceful morning watching the balloons over Bagan, Myanmar. Image © Mary Tilson

Balloons over Bagan, Myanmar

If you have the opportunity to experience Myanmar, go now. Visiting the city of Bagan felt like time traveling. We arrived on a ferry to find horse-drawn carriages waiting on the beach to bring us to our guesthouse. The highlight of my trip was climbing on top of one of the temple ruins for sunrise and watching hundreds of balloons float overhead, creating silhouettes against a golden backdrop.

Life changing experiences in the East to add to your Asia bucket list

The glorious Ganges in Rishikesh India in the early hours. A mecca for yoga practitioners from around the globe. Image © Mary Tilson

Ganges River, India

As an avid traveler and student of yoga, visiting Rishikesh, India had always been high on my list. I absolutely loved sitting by the river at sunset and listening to all of the sounds blend together – rushing water, mantras and ceremonial sounds from the ashrams and even the hustle and bustle from the crowded streets nearby were music to my ears.

Sapa Valley, Vietnam

While Halong Bay is usually top of the list for travellers in the north of Vietnam, I was most impressed by the lush, green rolling hills of Sapa Valley and its rich tribal culture. We were hosted by members of the Hmong Hill Tribe native to this area, who took us out walking through the rice fields, into local villages and offered delicious traditional meals. I recommend bringing some spending money because they are also well-known for their intricate embroidery and beautiful silver jewellery, which I still wear around my wrist three years later.

Life changing experiences in Asia to add to your bucket list

Paradise found at the Blue Lagoon, Sumba Island in Indonesia. Image © Nihiwatu

The Blue Lagoon, Sumba, Indonesia 

It’s nearly impossible to choose just one “wonder” of Sumba, but the Blue Waterfall was definitely an experience to remember. We took a 45 minute jeep safari ride from Nihiwatu, one of the only hotels on the island, followed by another 45 minutes by foot trekking through the jungle. Prepare for a jaw-dropping arrival once you’re able to peer overhead into dozens of shimmering blue natural swimming pools surrounded by dramatic cliffs.

Life changing experiences in Asia to add to your bucket list

The Annapurna Circuit in Nepal is an immersive experience among the Himalayas. Image © Mary Tilson

The Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

This breathtaking trail through the Himalayas of Nepal lasts anywhere from 11 days to three weeks for the full circuit. Expect to encounter every type of terrain imaginable from green rolling hills to pine tree forests up until the highest peak of Thorong La Pass where you find yourself walking in the clouds. Some of the greatest memories I have from my travels is enjoying chai with travellers from around the world surrounded by Himalayan backdrops in every direction. 

Mary Tilson
Mary Tilson is an international yoga teacher, retreat leader, and passionate world traveler. She has completed over 1,000+ certified training hours in Eastern and Western approaches to yoga and healing in order to make her teaching accessible to all levels.
Mary loves seeking out new learning opportunities, outdoor adventure and building community on one of her retreats held in exotic locations around the world.
www.marytilsonyoga.com/
  • Pin
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Flipboard

Read these next

  • Meet Yoga and Wellness Expert, Mary Tilson

    We first met Mary Tilson during a stay at the Hariharalaya Yoga and Meditation Retreat Center in Cambodia. She was our yoga…

  • Yoga Teacher Training at Yandara Yoga Institute in Baja, Mexico

    There was an immediate feeling of familiarity the moment I walked into Yandara Yoga Institute. It was that sense of…

  • 6 Inspirational Yoga Instructors Who Teach Around the World

    During the last two years teaching yoga in Southeast Asia and India, I have been deeply inspired by the worldwide community…

Filed Under: Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam

« The Sumba Warrior Collection: Yoga Pants with Purpose
20 Photos of Indonesia to Inspire You to Travel Beyond Bali »
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

The Fit Traveller may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Prices may be subject to change without notice

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Read more here.

 

All content on The Fit Traveller, including but not limited to articles, images or videos are the property of or explicitly licensed to The Fit Traveller.

Reproduction, copying or use of any content on this site is prohibited without written permission and consent by The Fit Traveller.

The opinions expressed in the content on this website are those of the individual contributor. We encourage you to do your own research before booking any part of your trip. We take no responsibility for your personal experience.

Copyright © 2014 ‐ 2020 — The Fit Traveller • All rights reserved • Privacy Policy Disclaimer

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok