What is the Banana Pancake Trail?

The Banana Pancake Trail is understood for being arguably probably the most legendary backpacking route on this planet.

With main stops all through Southeast Asia, this journey route is understood for being straightforward to navigate, protected, and usually very reasonably priced, together with being adventurous and residential to so many spectacular websites.

I’ve travelled 100% of what’s usually thought-about a part of the Banana Pancake Trail. This took near a yr by taking it very slowly!

But itineraries of a month or just a few months are additionally doable. If you have got not less than 2 or 3 months out there, you’re in a fantastic place to think about backpacking the Banana Pancake path.

You can anticipate to be swimming in crystal-clear waters, driving on loopy tuk-tuks, and seeing breathtaking architectural websites. The route additionally supplies ample alternatives to fulfill different backpackers, making it a fantastic path for these solo or first-time travellers.

Wait, why is it referred to as that?

First up, the query most likely on most of your minds is why is a backpacking route named after a candy deal with?

I do know, it’s a bit unusual!

Well… the Banana Pancake Trail was named many years in the past when guesthouses began promoting hippie travellers banana pancakes as an alternative choice to the everyday rice-based breakfast. The identify sort of simply caught.

However, you’ll nonetheless discover candy banana pancakes throughout the route in Southeast Asia, from homestays and hostels providing free breakfast to native road meals distributors providing the tasty treats for lower than $1.

Countries on the path

The Banana Pancake Trail is positioned within the Southeast Asia area and covers a number of completely different nations.

Keep in thoughts it’s not likely an “official” path. It’s only a identify for a unfastened assortment of journey locations which can be simply chained collectively into one large route. While most individuals journey roughly the identical method, the route is totally open to interpretation.

The most well-known part of the Banana Pancake Trail runs by the 4 nations of Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Many travellers would argue this was the unique route.

As the backpacking scene has expanded over time, the path has grown and expanded to different areas and nations that are barely much less travelled. This contains locations in The Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Myanmar (when the safety scenario there permits).

What to anticipate

Although every nation in Southeast Asia can current sure challenges, the Banana Pancake path is usually beginner-friendly because of excessive security ranges and good tourism infrastructure.

That’s one motive why the backpacker scene in Southeast Asia tends to skew a bit longer than, say, alongside the Gringo Trail in South America. It’s typically really helpful as the perfect first backpacking journey outdoors of Europe/Australia.

When I first backpacked the Banana Pancake path, most travellers appeared to be of their 20s, with considerably fewer of their 30s and up. The hostel scene in Thailand and Bali skewed youngest (typically not less than) as these particular person nations are straightforward locations to go first.

But no matter your age, you could find like-minded and equally aged travellers wherever in Southeast Asia.

As I travelled once more in Southeast Asia in later years, I saved conferences travellers who had been additionally a bit older (as I used to be at this level), maybe as a result of we sought out the identical sort of experiences.

There is unquestionably a little bit of a backpacker occasion scene alongside key stops on the Banana Pancake path — in reality, some appear to equate the path with partying, which isn’t actually correct, however locations like Pai (Thailand), Vang Vieng (Laos), Siem Reap (Cambodia), or Koh Phangan (Thailand) undoubtedly have a robust occasion component in the event you search it.

It’s additionally simply prevented if it’s not your factor!

And in the event you ever wish to escape the vacationer crowds, you don’t must stray all that removed from the everyday Banana Pancake path.

There are many extremely “authentic” experiences alongside the way in which that provides you with an actual really feel for Southeast Asia. For instance, stress-free in homestays in Laos, driving the Ha Giang Loop in Vietnam, exploring epic caves in Phong Nha, or visiting forgotten Khmer temples in Cambodia.

Exploring Indonesia (outdoors Bali) or the Philippines may even provide you with a special vibe from the extra thoroughly-travelled Thailand.

The Banana Pancake route is truthfully unbelievable and one thing it’s essential to have executed as soon as in your life. It’s what initially made me hooked on journey and impressed me to journey throughout all of the continents!

Where to begin

Most travellers heading to discover the Banana Pancake Trail have a tendency to begin their journey in Thailand’s bustling capital metropolis of Bangkok (and notably across the energetic and well-known Khao San Road).

This is basically on account of it having a fantastic geographical location to begin the mainland Southeast Asia route of the Banana Pancake Trail. Along with this, you will see frequent flights to the International Airport from a whole lot of areas internationally and it’s usually one of many least expensive locations to fly into.

However, relying on the season you determine to take the route in, it’s possible you’ll wish to change your start line. During Bangkok’s wetter months, usually from late July to October, many backpackers select to begin their journey elsewhere.

A preferred different start line is Bali in Indonesia, which has an reverse wet season.

Key Destinations on the path

To provide you with some inspiration, listed here are just a few of the most well-liked locations on the route:

 

In addition, there are some locations which have turn out to be actual ‘traveller hubs’ — locations the place individuals have a tendency to remain a bit longer, or which can be merely necessary waypoints to a number of the prime sights in Southeast Asia.

They could also be fairly touristy, relying in your perspective, however they’re enjoyable locations to linger and are typically well-rated amongst backpackers doing the Banana Pancake route. Let us spotlight just a few right here:

Chiang Mai

This is commonly the primary base that backpackers use in Thailand after Bangkok. While the capital of Thailand generally is a little bit of an assault on the senses, the northern metropolis of Chiang Mai is much more laid again.

The metropolis has lots of charming and really low cost hostels and guesthouses to remain. With tons of issues to do in and round Chiang Mai, it’s town the place everybody goes earlier than exploring the north of Thailand or heading into Laos.

Pai

Love it or hate it — choosy vacationers will say that Pai will not be “authentically” Thai, however this small laidback mountain city is undeniably a heap of enjoyable. If you simply wish to loosen up in a bamboo bungalow by the river you possibly can, or you possibly can hand around in one of many energetic backpacker hostels on the town.

There are waterfalls, gorges, and sizzling springs to go to close by and on the town, there are each Thai and worldwide cuisines. It’s undoubtedly a vacationer city through-and-through so in the event you’re on some sort of anthropological mission to Thailand this may not be your factor, however so far as a traveller scene goes, Pai has it for positive.

Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng, a riverside backpacker city in Laos, is an actual spotlight that’s stayed ever-popular with backpackers. Now, it was the situation of some fairly infamous river events again within the day, which ended some years in the past. However, it’s a fantastic place for journey actions (like ziplining, tubing, and swimming in lagoons) and has a number of the most lovely mountain backdrops in Laos.

Hoi An

Hoi An is a cute historic city in Vietnam that appears to be everybody’s favourite. This is definitely due to its well-preserved historic heart famed for its many colourful lanterns, however possibly it additionally has one thing to do with its heart location alongside the north-to-south backpacker path in Vietnam, serving as a fantastic little pitstop between completely different areas of the nation.

Siem Reap

Siem Reap is Cambodia’s second-largest metropolis and is understood for the magnificent temples of Angkor, which is the largest non secular construction on this planet and a spectacular vacation spot to go to.

Siem Reap can be recognized for being the epicenter of touring round Cambodia and is effectively positioned to discover different areas within the nation, making it a hub for travellers exploring the Banana Pancake Trail. Many hostels have swimming pools the place you possibly can cool off and there’s a energetic bar scene in Siem Reap, making it a well-liked place to remain longer.

Koh Phangan

Koh Phangan is an idyllic island positioned within the Gulf of Thailand and is dwelling to crystalline waters, white-sandy seashores, and spectacular waterfalls.

However, the island is arguably most well-known for its well-known Full Moon Party, which is one in every of Thailand’s largest occasions. A loopy night-long celebration tied to the Luna Calendar, you will see 1000’s of backpackers partying the night time away alongside the shores of Koh Phangan till the early hours of the morning.

If you’re not into the occasion scene, there are additionally many unspoiled seashores on Koh Phangan the place you possibly can wind down.

Gili Islands

The Gili Islands close to Bali have lengthy been a favourite backpacker hang-out, with every of those three islands representing a special vibe. Gili T is probably the most energetic with a special occasion at a special bar each different night time. Gili Air is a little more laidback and yoga-inspired, whereas Gili Meno has nearly a abandoned island really feel. (Technically the time period “Gili Islands” doesn’t make sense as Gili is simply the Indonesian phrase for island, but it surely’s merely the way it acquired to be recognized amongst vacationers.)

Palawan

Palawan is without doubt one of the 1000’s of tropical islands positioned in The Philippines and is understood for being dwelling to a number of the greatest island-hopping excursions in Asia.

Popular cities on the island embrace El Nido and Port Barton, which have a stripped-back aesthetic with bundles of attractive pure hotspots surrounding them. Palawan can be dwelling to the well-known Nacpan Beach, which a number of instances has been named the very best seashore in Asia.

Mainland vs outer nations

A giant choice travellers usually must make, particularly once they have time constraints, is whether or not to stay to mainland Southeast Asia or enterprise out to different areas corresponding to Indonesia and The Philippines. If you need the simplest journey route with minimal flights then sticking to mainland Southeast Asia is your best choice.

As talked about, you possibly can just about get round the entire area by bus and there are additionally sections with some nice rail connections. This helps you to journey with out utilizing costly flights. The primary nations of Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and (most of) Thailand are additionally cheaper than The Philippines or Malaysia.

Along with this, there are usually extra backpackers in these nations, so in the event you’re touring solo, you’re extra more likely to meet individuals.

However, in the event you’re somebody who likes to get off the crushed path a little bit extra and discover extra distant locations, then heading to different areas could also be extra up your road.

You will usually discover far fewer crowds somewhere else out of mainland Southeast Asia corresponding to The Philippines, and may typically end up having complete pure hotspots all to your self. I cherished this facet, although I need to admit the ‘backpacker scene’ is much more unfold out in The Philippines in addition to in Indonesia (outdoors of Bali), so pals you make alongside the way in which usually are not all the time going to the identical subsequent vacation spot as you.

So, this choice actually will depend on what you search for as a traveler.

If you have got sufficient time in your arms, I’d undoubtedly advocate you attempt to discover each areas!

Budget for Banana Pancake path

As like on any journey journey, individuals’s budgets will differ relying on how they prefer to journey. Along with this, not all of the nations in Southeast Asia can have the identical costs.

For instance, the variety of inside flights within the Philippines will definitely ramp up your month-to-month funds. Some of the extra luxurious Thai Islands can have costly room costs.

However, general, the Banana Pancake Trail is CHEAP, and most backpackers will solely spend between $1000-$1500 per 30 days doing it, which equates to round $30-$50 per day. This contains all transport, lodging, meals, and actions.

Particularly in Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia, it’s straightforward to be spending a most of round $1000 per 30 days in the event you keep in hostel dorms and eat the native meals. You can see this overview of journey prices in Southeast Asia for extra.

Time wanted

The size of time that the Banana Pancake Trail will take you’ll depend upon how a lot of the path you wish to cowl!

The path is only a tough information to widespread backpacker routes in Southeast Asia so you possibly can spend as little to so long as you need.

Try to order not less than two weeks per nation (or ideally three weeks).

Obviously, it will depend upon what nations you go to. For instance, Cambodia is lots smaller than Thailand and The Philippines, so you’ll almost definitely want much less time there. This simply means it is advisable alter relying in your chosen areas.

If you follow the staple 4 nations of Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos, then we’d say two months is the proper minimal time to discover all 4 nations. If you have got 3 months out there, even higher!

Transportation strategies

Thanks to well-developed tourism infrastructure, it’s extremely straightforward to get round all alongside this route. For quick journeys to and from airports, and bus stations out of your chosen lodging possibility Grab is your greatest buddy. Grab is principally another model to Uber, which is tremendous common in Southeast Asia and supplies reasonably priced and protected journey for travellers. If you don’t have the app or web, be sure to solely get in licensed taxis in its place.

Getting in between areas on the Banana Pancake Trail will differ relying on which nations you select to go to. If you’re sticking to mainland Southeast Asia, buses are by far the most well-liked technique to journey.

Buses are usually probably the most reasonably priced possibility and there may be just about an possibility that may cowl you round a lot of the vacationer locations. You can e book these at native distributors or hostels in a lot of the locations and there are additionally loads of choices for night time buses too. This is ideal for these savvy travellers, as it can save you your self an evening of lodging prices! If you like to e book on-line, THE reserving website for buses in Asia is 12Go Asia.

One of the main anomalies is the Thailand-to-Laos crossing, the place many select to take a two-day sluggish boat from the Laos border to Luang Prabang alongside the Mekong. This boat journey isn’t for the light-hearted (lots of people get crammed onto a small boat), so be sure to come ready for this journey.

If you begin branching out of the everyday mainland path to locations corresponding to Indonesia, Malaysia, and notably The Philippines, short-haul flights are going to turn out to be extra frequent.

Luckily sufficient for savvy backpackers, flights alongside the Banana Pancake Trail are fairly low cost with lots costing lower than $50 for an hour’s journey. Along with short-haul flights, you can too anticipate to take lots of ferries and water taxis in Malaysia, Indonesia and The Philippines.

Trains are a much less widespread possibility on the Banana Pancake Route on account of them being much less frequent and generally non-existent in some nations. However, you possibly can anticipate to take a pair in your journey, notably in the event you’re heading to Vietnam.

How to e book and plan 

Thanks to its reputation, there are many lodging and transportation choices to select from.

A standard query requested is how typically it is advisable e book issues prematurely to be sure to don’t miss out. Ultimately, it will depend upon the season you go to, and it will differ from nation to nation.

Some backpackers present up in locations with none reservations and simply attempt to discover one thing there. This generally is a first rate method in the most well-liked locations with heaps of lodging choices. But if you wish to keep in the very best hostel or guesthouse, reserving forward is really helpful.

If you’re visiting within the wet season, you possibly can usually get away with reserving issues a day prematurely and even on the day. However, in the event you go to within the peak of the excessive season, then it’s possible you’ll have to e book just a few days prematurely or perhaps a week in some locations.

On common I’d advocate you e book between 1-2 days earlier than. This means you might be versatile along with your journey plans but in addition nonetheless be sure to get to discover the very best locations.

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