July 27, 2019

8 Best Places to Experience Fall in Asia

Asia Travel Tips & Inspiration

From colorful festivals to excellent hiking conditions, Asia is a fantastic destination for fall travelers.

The autumn months bring clear mountain views to Nepal and Bhutan, flamboyant festivals to India, colorful foliage to Japan, and bright blue skies with cooler temperatures to Cambodia and Vietnam. Journey with us to the other side of the world for a fresh perspective, delicious flavors, and the active itineraries we’re known for.

Two dancers in colorful traditional attire perform in front of a large seated audience at an outdoor cultural event—one of the best places to experience fall in Asia.

Hiker’s Journey to Bhutan

In this rare Himalayan world, you’ll head up the pilgrim trail to reach centuries-old Taktsang Monastery (the “Tiger’s Nest”), clinging to a cliff 3,000 feet above the Paro Valley; witness intricate dance-dramas depicting age-old tales of demons and deities; and hike through riverside villages. Bhutan is the world’s only carbon negative country! According to Bhutan’s Prime Minister, Tshering Tobgay, the country is “balancing economic growth carefully with social development, environmental sustainability, and cultural preservation.”

View Hiker’s Journey to Bhutan itinerary

Two individuals in traditional robes sit on wooden benches in a colorfully decorated room adorned with vibrant tapestries, capturing the essence of Fall in Asia.

Everest Lodge to Lodge

Our unparalleled lodge-based trek brings us to cloud-perched Sherpa mountain villages, the Tibetan Buddhist monastery of Tengboche, and to amazing vistas where we can see Ama Dablam and the unmistakable diamond peak of Everest.

View Everest Lodge to Lodge itinerary

A hiker wearing a red shirt and white hat uses trekking poles while walking on a rocky trail along a river in a lush, mountainous landscape, one of the best places to experience fall in Asia.

Dolpo: The Hidden Himalaya

Trek in one of the most isolated regions of the world—through juniper forests, into mysterious canyons, past ancient villages, and to the turquoise waters of Phoksundo Lake where the mystical Ringmo Gompa monastery looms over shimmering waters. There is no better time than fall—when the days are clear and brisk—to experience this distant land.

View Dolpo: The Hidden Himalaya itinerary

A group of people seated outdoors at a picnic table in a mountainous area, enjoying a meal and drinks, embodies the spirit of "Experience Fall in Asia." A tent and distant mountains are visible in the background under a clear blue sky.

Journey to Ladakh

The end of the monsoon season in northern India’s Himalaya means lush green valleys, sunny days, and exquisite monasteries framed by snow-dusted mountains. Our September Journey to Ladakh adventure is timed for the annual festival in Leh with its masked dances, colorful robes, and traditional music. Join us for an enchanting cultural and hiking journey!

View Journey to Ladakh itinerary

A group of men in traditional tribal attire with elaborate red and black clothing, headdresses, and ornaments gather outdoors against a backdrop of blue sky, offering a unique way to Experience Fall in Asia.

Festivals, Cultures, and Wildlife of Northeast Asia

Ceremonial chanting, warrior dances, and traditional arts and games fill remote Nagaland during the Hornbill Festival on our Festivals, Cultures, and Wildlife of Northeast India trip. We’ll also experience the Sangai Festival in Manipur, float to villages on Loktak Lake, and find elephant and one-horned rhino in Kaziranga National Park.

View Festivals, Cultures, and Wildlife of Northeast India itinerary

A frontal view of the Taj Mahal, one of Asia's best places, with its reflection visible in the long pool leading up to the monument, flanked by symmetrical gardens and pathways.

Royal Rajasthan

Rajasthan’s colorful Pushkar Fair, an annual display of exuberant song and dance—and brightly festooned camels—is the highlight of our November Royal Rajasthan trip. We’ll also see the Taj Mahal at both sunrise and sunset (it’s magical!), explore the ornate palaces and bustling markets of Jaipur, and look for Bengal tigers in Ranthambore National Park.

View Royal Rajasthan itinerary

A serene canal lined with willow trees and illuminated traditional buildings at dusk, with a stone bridge reflected in the calm water, makes this one of the best places to experience fall in Asia.

Japan: Castles, Samurai, and Legends

Japan’s renowned fall foliage will illuminate our journey in November as we explore soaring castles, wander down winding samurai lanes, and hike on pilgrims’ pathways. Our accommodations are in modern hotels and traditional ryokans, where welcomes are warm and opportunities to soak in onsens (hot springs) are plentiful.

View Japan: Castles, Samurai, and Legends itinerary

A person in a red dress and hat stands among the ancient stone ruins of Ta Prohm temple, one of the best places to fall in Asia, intertwined with large tree roots and surrounded by dense, lush foliage.

Indochine

Enjoy the dry season and cooler days as we bike through Hanoi’s Old Quarter, stroll the lantern-lit lanes of 17th century Hoi An, boat along the Mekong in Luang Prabang, meet hill tribe people, and explore Angkor, Cambodia’s treasured “lost city.” Delicious, seasonal cuisine is an unforgettable part of this adventure!