Backpacking Programs in Asia

Combine adventure travel and volunteering in this awesome 8-week journey to three of Southeast Asia’s most beautiful destinations: Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam! Take part in conservation and community-based projects, further enriched with traditional backpacking. From the bustling cities of Bangkok and Chiang Mai to the roots amongst Angkor Wat ruins, this Southeast Asia Explorer adventure is the perfect first-time trip if you want to set out on one of the world’s most iconic travel routes! This program is for anyone looking to volunteer and backpack through Southeast Asia’s most sought-after destinations. No prior experience is required, although the minimum age is 18.

At International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), we unite people from over 96 countries who want to make a meaningful difference while exploring the world. With 300+ projects in 40+ destinations, IVHQ offers the widest selection of volunteer programs globally from Teaching and Childcare to Wildlife Conservation, Medical Outreach, and Environmental Sustainability. Since 2007, IVHQ has supported over 155,000 volunteers on life-changing journeys. We specialize in fully-hosted volunteer trips that are safe, affordable, and accessible—starting from just $20 per day. Your experience includes airport pick-up, accommodation, meals, and round-the-clock support from our local teams. With flexible booking options and no change fees, planning your volunteer adventure has never been easier. Our programs run year-round and are available for 1 to 24 weeks across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Pacific, South and Central America, North America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Volunteering with IVHQ is about more than giving back; it’s about growing, learning, and building genuine global connections.

Explore Southeast Asia on a 10-week journey through Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam—where travel becomes transformation. Volunteer at ethical elephant sanctuaries, trek to remote mountain villages, explore ancient temples, and engage with communities through meaningful, culturally respectful exchange. This program combines adventure, service, and immersion to help you grow personally and globally. Learn traditional crafts, share meals with host families, and experience resilience and hospitality in every community. Conservation work, ethical travel practices, and local partnerships ensure your impact is responsible and real. With leadership training, guided reflection, and mentorship built into the experience, you'll return more confident, connected, and prepared for what’s next. Whether you're taking a gap year, earning credit, building your resume, or seeking clarity and purpose, this journey meets you where you are—and helps you grow beyond it. Travel deeper. Grow bolder. Reach out to Learn More!

Experience high altitudes, cultural immersion, and remote backpacking on this Himalayan adventure. You will explore jungle and alpine conditions while moving between locations, hiking, rock climbing, and exploring different areas within Nepal. Spending a minimum of 64 nights backcountry camping, you will become fully immersed in the local culture and adventure lifestyle. With iconic landscapes, isolated mountain villages, and warm and friendly locals, Nepal is unforgettable and will carry a place in your heart like no other. This program is about spending 12 weeks in the world’s most dramatic landscapes. From technical skills to emergency safety and group dynamics, this comprehensive program will give you the confidence to navigate, hike, climb, and guide in the great outdoors. You will be on the move around Nepal hiking in Langtang National Park, Annapurna Circuit, Pokhara, and climbing local crags in Pharping or Habbitan. If you are ready to adventure travel in Nepal while gaining an outdoor education, this is the program for you!

Discover China Through Language & Culture. Founded in 2003, Go Abroad China (GAC) offers immersive Mandarin programs for international high school students. This program combines intensive classroom learning with real-world practice, cultural workshops, and social activities. Program Types: Short-Term (2-8 weeks): Summer/Winter camps. Long-Term (Semester/Year): Study at top Chinese schools. Customized Programs: Tailored to individual needs. What’s Included: Mandarin instruction at leading schools. Homestays, shared apartments, or dorms. One-on-one tutoring and language exchange. Cultural tours, networking, and excursions. 24/7 support for safety and guidance. Why Choose GAC? Achieve Mandarin fluency with certification. Gain cultural fluency and global exposure. Enhance college applications and career prospects. Build lifelong friendships and professional networks.

Journey through the heart of the Himalayas with Adventure Walkway's 16-day Annapurna Circuit Trek, one of Nepal’s most legendary and diverse adventures. The trek circles the magnificent Annapurna Massif, crossing from lush subtropical valleys to the arid landscapes of Mustang. Over 16 unforgettable days, you’ll trek through ancient villages, cross the Thorong La Pass (5,416m)—one of the world’s highest trekking passes—and witness panoramic views of Annapurna I, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, and Tilicho Peak. Every step reveals Nepal’s stunning contrasts: snow-covered peaks, Buddhist monasteries, prayer flags fluttering in the wind, and the warm hospitality of mountain communities. Whether you’re chasing adventure or inner peace, the Annapurna Circuit Trek offers both in perfect harmony.

Begin your international teaching journey with an accredited 120-hour TEFL course, now available for teachers heading to China. This program is ideal for aspiring teachers eager to gain a globally recognized qualification and unlock exciting opportunities to teach English abroad. The course provides a solid foundation in teaching methodologies, classroom management, and lesson planning, alongside practical tools to build confidence in the classroom. With flexible online study and expert tutor support, you’ll graduate with a qualification respected by schools and employers across China and worldwide. China is one of the most in-demand TEFL destinations, offering a vibrant mix of culture, history, and modern innovation. Whether you want to teach in the bustling capital Beijing, the cosmopolitan hub of Shanghai, the cultural city of Guangzhou, or the fast-growing metropolis of Shenzhen, this TEFL course equips you with the skills to succeed. Benefit from international accreditation, flexible study options, and lifelong access to resources. Join a global network of successful graduates and step confidently into your new career teaching English in China — and beyond.

Thailand 101 is a chance to volunteer with elephants at a respected sanctuary while enjoying adventure and cultural activities in and around Chiang Mai. Spend one week at the Elephant Nature Park, living with the elephants. You can feed, bathe, and learn all about them. Then, spend a week in the city of Chiang Mai, enjoying an all-inclusive, jam-packed schedule of culture and adventure activities including an overnight trek to the hot springs, a full-day zip-lining course, and a Thai cooking class on an organic farm. Enjoy a Thai adventure that you'll never forget! College credit and financial aid are available. This program can be combined with Marine Bonus Week to do a SCUBA certification and conservation week in the South of Thailand.

Travel to Southeast Asia for a 13-day, 20-day, or 31-day adventure of a life time. The tour will take you to see the main tourist attractions and less well known hot spots for a memorable experience! The tour is led by a combination of local and western guides, who are experienced in ensuring that their groups have an amazing adventure. Group sizes are typically about 20. The 31-day tour is a circular journey that starts and ends in Bangkok. We also offer a shorter tours: - 13 days: Bangkok to Hanoi - 20 days: Hanoi to Bangkok The top destinations: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hoi An, Phnom Penh, and Siem Riep. For the full itinerary, see our website. Unforgettable activities: elephant sanctuary to bath the majestic animals, watching Muay Thai Kickboxing, zip lining, quad biking, rafting down the Mae Taeng River, Cycle through Northern Thai villages, hiking to waterfalls, staying overnight in a treetop house, traveling on a slow boat down the Mekong River, tubing down the river, rock climbing, exploring the caves, bar crawl, camping on a private beach, island hopping, scuba diving, and visiting Angkor Wat.

Begin your journey in Kolkata, where you will serve underprivileged children, special-needs students, and impoverished communities. Then, travel to Sikkim, a Himalayan state renowned for its monasteries, rich culture, and breathtaking mountain scenery. Volunteers support women and youth in handicrafts, English, and digital skills, and engage with children and local communities in need. The program also includes eco-tourism activities, such as monastery visits, heritage tours, and trekking through valleys and forests. A highlight is the chance to learn meditation directly from Buddhist Masters in mountain monasteries, combining service with self-discovery. Programs run for 7, 14, or 21 days at $700–$1,500, including food, lodging, transport, eco-tours, and orientation. Volunteers contribute about 4–5 hours/day, with flexible time for reflection, rest, and exploration. Offered by Noah’s Ark of Calcutta and Sinai Enterprise, this program blends social service, spirituality, and eco-tourism into one transformative experience.

Nepal's towering peaks and ancient trails beckon adventurers year-round, but choosing the best season for trekking in Nepal can make the difference between an unforgettable journey and a challenging ordeal. With the Himalayas' diverse climate zones and varying weather patterns, understanding when to trek is crucial for both safety and enjoyment. This comprehensive guide explores Nepal's four distinct trekking seasons, helping you plan the perfect Himalayan adventure whether you're a first-time trekker or a seasoned mountaineer. From the rhododendron blooms of spring to the crystal-clear skies of autumn, each season offers unique experiences and considerations.

Everest Base Camp, nestled amidst the majestic peaks of the Himalayas, beckons adventure seekers with its promise of breathtaking scenery and a challenging yet rewarding journey. Treklanders Adventures invites you on a 16-day expedition to conquer this iconic route, traversing diverse landscapes and immersing yourself in the unique culture of the Khumbu region. Our carefully curated itinerary prioritizes acclimatization, ensuring a safe and enjoyable trek for all experience levels. The journey begins in Kathmandu, Nepal's vibrant capital, where you'll have time to adjust to the altitude and explore the city's rich cultural heritage. A short scenic flight whisks you to Lukla, the gateway to the Everest region. From there, the trek unfolds, taking you through charming Sherpa villages, rhododendron forests, and dramatic valleys carved by glaciers. Witness the majestic peaks of Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and Nuptse gradually come into view, culminating in the awe-inspiring sight of Mount Everest itself.

Experience a 35-hour Breathwork and 10-hour Sound Healing weekly training retreat in Ubud, Bali, designed to guide you through deep transformation, emotional healing, and spiritual growth. Set in the tranquil beauty of Bali, this immersive program blends ancient pranayama, modern breathwork techniques, and therapeutic sound healing using Tibetan singing bowls, gongs, and mantras. Led by expert teachers, the retreat offers a holistic journey of self-discovery and energy balancing, perfect for yoga teachers, healers, and anyone seeking profound inner work. You’ll receive international certification in both breathwork and sound therapy, along with practical tools to enhance your personal practice or professional path. Explore the healer’s journey through our certified therapy training and elevate your ability to guide others through sound and breath. Join us in Bali and awaken the transformative power of breath and sound.

Volunteer in Asia and combine your travels with our exciting program which takes you through Kerala in South India, Sri Lanka and Nepal. We believe that travel should be responsible and we also believe that you should see as many new places as possible so that you can expand your mind, broaden your horizons and learn more about the different cultures in our world. This unique volunteering program will help you tick all of those boxes and you will get to explore some of our planet’s most beautiful destinations along the way. This volunteering experience includes English teaching and community development and will involve you working closely with young children of all ages in poor, disadvantaged communities. We also promote community living so you will be housed with compassionate and curious travellers just like yourself, so you will always have someone to share your amazing experiences with at the end of a long day. Not only will our program take you to the most incredible destinations and allow you the chance to give back as you travel, but you’ll meet some awesome people too and maybe even make some friends for life.