Asia is a popular destination for many of our Backroads travelers. We wanted to share with you some of our favorite Asia bike tours and Asia walking tours as you plan your travels for 2013.

Myanmar – This year, Backroads is introducing an 8-day, 7-night Myanmar bike tour running through March and a Myanmar walking tour, which runs in December. Traveling to Myanmar is an experience few have had the opportunity to enjoy, as this country has largely been closed to tourism. Many of the locals you meet on our bike tour to Myanmar may never have seen someone from outside their country. On our bike trip, you’ll explore the “golden land” including temples, rivers, ancient ruins, a monastery and an extinct volcano and meet a few monkeys along the way.

Thailand – Elephants, rice paddies and fire balloons, oh my! These are just a few of the adventures you’ll experience on our Thailand biking tour. The 8-day, 7-night trip lets you take in the best of Thailand with help from the locals. You’ll receive a blessing from village elders, light a fire balloon and make a wish, eat incredible homemade Thai curry and sample the country’s delicious street food, and conclude the trip with a jungle trek on an elephant. Looking for adventure? This is the one! Thailand biking runs in January, February and December.

Bhutan – We offer a Bhutan walking tour and a Bhutan multisport tour for those looking for a more active exploration of Bhutan. Namgay, a longtime friend of Backroads and Bhutanese local, will give you an inside tour of this lovely country hidden deep in the Himalayas. He’ll lead you on a hike to a 14^th century temple accessible only by foot, rafting down the Po Chhu River, to a visit to an impressive giant Buddha statue,  past a temple hanging on a cliff and to a local teahouse for a warm brew. The 8-day, 7-night Bhutan adventures run March and April and September through November.

China – See China like you never imagined by bike. Our China bike tour lets you pedal through this ancient country through both rural villages and modern cities. Don’t be surprised when local children rush out to greet you, so excited to see visitors! You’ll also take a private boat cruise down the Li River, visit local street markets, see the famous Terra Cotta warriors, pedal the 500-year-old city walls of Xian and see the Great Wall. China Biking is a 9-day, 8-night adventure running April, May, September and October.

Vietnam/Cambodia – See Vietnam and Cambodia by bike or by hiking through these areas. These are some of our most popular Asian bike tours and Asian walking tours. If you choose by bike, you’ll share the road with many others, like food carts, water buffalo and locals and kids headed to school and work; it’s quite an experience! Visit Hoi An, Vietnam’s oldest town, bike over Cloud Pass, stop at Cam Kim Island, ride through Angkor Wat at sunrise and visit famous ancient temples. Our Vietnam bike tours and Vietnam walking tours run January-March, November and December and are 9-10 days.

Where have you visited in Asia? Are there any Asia tours you’d like to add to your bucket list or 2013 travel plans? Let us know!

If you have any questions about our adventure tours to Asia or would like to get one booked, please give us a call 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Pacific at 800-462-2848.

For more than a decade, a tourism boycott persuaded many travelers to steer clear of Myanmar. But things have changed and Backroads can now fulfill the desire of those who’ve dreamt of traveling to Asia to uncover the mysteries of this secluded country.

For 2013, Backroads is offering an 8-day Myanmar biking tour and an 8-day Myanmar hiking tour, both of which will introduce you to Myanmar’s remarkable scenery, fascinating culture and its welcoming people. And it’s already booking quickly and is appealing to those looking to travel to unspoiled destinations and truly off-the-grid locales. It’s a great one to add to your travel bucket list!

First, let’s talk about the people of Myanmar. You may have the impression that with an organized tour, you won’t have much interaction with the local people. But that couldn’t be farther from the truth with a Backroads adventure. We have relationships with locals who are proud to introduce you to their culture. In fact, we arrange exclusive experiences for you in areas rarely seen by outsiders.

On both trips, you’ll be led off the beaten path to experience temples and the landscape. For example, Yangon (previously the capital of Burma) is a distinctive city with colorful streets and hectic open-air markets. In addition to the public areas, you’ll experience a peaceful stroll with a monk through the impressive 6^th-century Shwedagon Pagoda. This pagoda is the most sacred for the people of Myanmar, as it enshrines strands of Buddha’s hair and other holy relics. The sparkling structure has hundreds of gold plates, and the top of the stupa is covered with 4,531 diamonds, including a 72-carat diamond.

You’ll also experience Mount Popa, which is an extinct volcano that towers 4,900 feet above sea level. Along the southwest spur of the mountain is a rocky turret that rises about 3,000 feet above sea level; this is the home of 37 spirits. Inle Lake is another wonderful stop. You’ll explore this freshwater lake by boat, visit silversmiths, silk weavers and a private home — all set on fixed platforms in the middle of the lake.

If you’ve been waiting to travel to Myanmar, we assure you, the trip is worth the wait. The authentic experiences are many and we’ve only touched the tip of the iceberg here. Go ahead and cross it off your bucket list and see this magical land for yourself. Call us at 800-462-2848 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Pacific time today for more information or to book your Myanmar tour.