Asia & the Pacific

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January 18, 2024

A Day in the Life with Backroads in New Zealand

A day in the life of a guest on our New Zealand trip.

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Man hiking in a field of yellow grass, with a large hill in the distance
July 25, 2023

Top Five Hikes in Japan

I was blown away when I first experienced the nature that Japan has to offer, and I want you to be too. Read on for our favorite hiking locations in Japan

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Waterfall in the middle of a cliff in a forest
December 7, 2022

Top Six Trips for Waterfall Lovers

Thundering. Powerful. Majestic. Just a few ways to describe the natural phenomenon that is a waterfall. As you gradually approach one on a hike or bike ride, there’s nothing quite like starting to hear the pounding of a cascade before its dramatic reveal. From Iceland to Oregon, join us on an unforgettable adventure to witness first hand one of these incomparable wonders.

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Tom Hale with Backroads in India
January 21, 2020

Tom Hale: My Year with Backroads

As the founder and owner of Backroads, people often expect me to have some special insight into how our trips run. It's true that I was a Trip Leader in the earliest days of Backroads, but nowadays I'm busy running the company from Berkeley and every chance I get to visit the field is precious. Ah, for the footloose days of being a leader.

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Prayer Flags on a HIll
August 2, 2019

Why Now is the Time to Go to Nepal

By Amy Cyr

They call Nepal ‘The Roof of the World,’ but it’s really the friendly locals that make this destination a MUST SEE!

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June 15, 2018

Top Five Mountain Ranges to See in Your Lifetime

The view from a mountaintop is always worth it and always inspires us. But the strange thing is, the view from the top seems to obscure the actual, physical toil it took to get there. Inevitably, we find ourselves lacing up our hiking boots again or putting our cycling shoes back on to climb yet another peak, seemingly oblivious to the incredible challenges ahead. Of course, climb a mountain–including the world’s most iconic ranges–with Backroads and the joy multiplies: logistics, gear, route-planning, lunch stops and guides will all be taken care of so that you can focus simply on finding your stride or cadence and achieving your best day, whatever that means for you.

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Vietnam - Biking in Typhoon Damri
December 19, 2017

400 Bikers in a Typhoon

Since very early in the Backroads days, we have run annual staff rides that gather our employees in one place for a multi-day adventure. These trips get everyone in the same space after being spread out across the globe for much of the year to revel in our strong community and just plain have fun together. Last month, it took place in Vietnam--right in the middle of one of the biggest typhoons in decades.

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Backroads Leaders enjoying time off in Sapa, Vietnam
December 8, 2017

Hiking in Sapa, Vietnam - A World Apart

Chi: Our fearless guide. Four-foot-ten on a good day, eighty pounds, twenty-seven years old, mother of two. She's a Sapa trekking guide and woman extraordinaire. She's honest, fiery, fierce and tells it to you straight. Her hair is long and without a kink, falling to her hips even when pulled back. She carries a purple umbrella, protecting her skin from the strong sun.

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Wanaka Tree at Sunset - The Most Photographed Tree in New Zealand
November 3, 2017

Wild and Precious Wanaka, New Zealand

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” You may have heard this question before; it’s borrowed from the poem The Summer Day by American poet Mary Oliver. It’s a simple enough question, but it does speak to the core of those of us who are soul searchers and explorers in our own way. But, 31 years on this planet and I still don’t know the answer. I do know, however, that two weeks in remote Wanaka, New Zealand brought me closer to finding out.

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Indian curry
September 27, 2017

What Is Curry and Where Did it Come From?

If you've spent any time traveling internationally you've undoubtedly encountered some form of curry on menus and local tables in just about any region of the world, and especially in South Asia. So what exactly is curry, and why does it seem to be everywhere? With a little bit of knowledge about this delicious culinary tradition, your traveling adventures (and your palate!) will be enriched as you learn to appreciate all that curry has to offer. I'm here to help you out!

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