Asian Trails: Beyond the conventional tour

Aug 28, 2023

Take a step in the right direction on one of Asian Trails’ new and upgraded Digital Trails walking tours. This product has undergone exciting enhancements since its launch in November 2022.

Using a smartphone app and an earpiece, guests discover tourist hotspots and hidden gems through both guided and self-guided environmentally-friendly tours followed from GPS maps. The experience is heightened through an enlightening audio narrative.

This is the most adaptable and convenient exploration product on the market – users can leave a guided tour and self-explore as they wish, with multilingual commentary in five languages. At the click of a button, it is possible to rejoin a guided activity and continue the discovery.

Operated in conjunction with VOX City Walks, participants see the best of the destination, from cultural highlights to cool neighbourhoods and lesser-known landmarks. Visitors to Hanoi can absorb intriguing insights behind historical structures such as St. Joseph’s Cathedral and the Hanoi Opera House while travellers in Bangkok can explore old town architecture or stroll through the flower market.

Asian Trails’ Thailand Domestic Sales Manager Robert Meissner said: “Since the launch, we have upgraded the volume of tours to a daily basis in Bangkok, added some exciting new options in Hanoi and Kuala Lumpur is due to be available soon.”

The products’ rich diversity is illustrated by the Chinatown by Night in Bangkok option which includes cultural and culinary components. Whether disseminated by a guide, or through the app, guests get up-to-date information on the most authentic restaurants and Thai food tasting experiences.

Another benefit is sustainability; tourists reduce their carbon footprint as they walk, with the added bonus of a deeper connection to hidden communities compared to vehicle tours.

The Digital Trails also provide flexibility to suit individual preferences. Participants can enjoy a walk when the sun goes down and the temperature drops. For those who find sleep difficult after a long international flight, it is possible to embark on a tour at any time. Bangkok’s floodlit Old Quarter is an excellent choice, as is Hanoi’s Lake Loop. Likewise, if participants are tired or hungry, they can pause and recommence at their convenience.

Robert said: “This product has immense value for a minimal price. Through QR code access, the user can choose multiple routes packed with diverse experiences, ranging from mainstream tourist areas, to off the beaten path districts, providing connectivity to local communities who live more traditional lifestyles.

“This concept is especially interesting for Asian Trails because we can target new customer groups, upgrade our product portfolio and combine it with a modern, tech-savvy experience that takes participants way beyond a conventional mini-bus guided tour, for example.

“The activity also appeals to all age ranges. We recently hosted a 78-year-old gentleman who completed three walking tours in Bangkok in one day. He enjoyed the activity and gave a great review afterwards.

“There is no time limit, so people can walk at their preferred pace. The tours are also beneficial to physical health, with the added bonus of a more eco-conscious and sustainable travel experience.

“They also benefit small businesses and local people through guests’ patronage of independent eateries and coffee shops,” Robert added.

Digital Trails are an ever-evolving product with attractions continually being added, such as a link-up with the hop-on-hop-off bus in Bangkok and plans to add attractions such as Sealife Bangkok Ocean World aquarium, Jim Thompson’s House, Mahanakhon Skywalk and Chao Phraya River dinner cruises. Route additions are also planned for Hanoi.

Special offer: Asian Trails travellers save 10% on Digital Trails travel between December 2023 and February 2024. Terms and conditions apply. Please contact our teams for more details.

BANGKOK ENQUIRIES

HANOI ENQUIRIES

INCLUSIONS

A full day tour with a professional English-speaking guide. Other languages are on request and may be subject to supplementary charges
Transportation by car / mini-van with professional driver.
All entrance and donation fees for visits as mentioned in the description.
All applicable taxes and service charges
Lunch at a local restaurant is included (food only)

EXCLUSIONS

Tours, inclusions of any kind and other services that are not outlined in the tour description
Personal expenses such as meals, drinks, tips and gratuities, shopping, portage fees and optional tours, unless otherwise stated
Hotel accommodation in the destination of commencement.
Compulsory Christmas, country-specific festival and/or New Year dinner at included hotels
Single supplement charges for single travelers, where applicable
Any airline tickets, visa fees, additional transportation cost from and to the general meeting point
Supplements for transfers for customers arriving or departing from any airport or resorts located outside the general pick-up and drop-off locations
Hotel expenses of a personal nature, should an overnight be included: this includes mini-bar consumption, laundry, room service, any telephone or other communication cost not mentioned in the program
Travel insurance coverage for customers (highly recommendable)

GOOD TO KNOW

This tour is operated on full private basis with English-speaking guide. Other languages are on request / subject to availability and supplementary charges may apply.
Transfers are only operated within the downtown Chiang Mai areas and restricted to main hotels only.
Regions outside the central business district such as Mae Rim, Hang Dong, Doi Saket, Mae Taeng and Chiang Mai International Airport are excluded and supplementary charges apply.
We regret that are unable to provide pick-up and drop-off transfer services from and to apartment complexes, local guest houses or private apartments. We advise you kindly to head on your own arrangement to the nearest hotel inside the downtown Chiang Mai area.
We will do all possible to comply with any dietary requirements during this excursion; it may not always be possible to confirm your wishes in advance based on the choice of local restaurant.
Due to the nature of this tour, we regret to inform you that this excursion is not suitable for wheelchair users.
Guests are advised that some walking is required during this excursion; we always ensure that we take the most comfortable ways from the entrance of the sight to the sight itself.
The road up and down Doi Angkhang is not suitable for large coaches; for group travel, note that the group needs to be split up into mini-vans. We always will make efforts to confirm the exact pick-up time upon reservation.
For any operational issues in which are not able to confirm the exact pick-up time in advance, we reserve the right to inform you the day before the departure of the tour.
Due to the absence of ATM machines and credit cards payment portals, we highly recommend to bring sufficient cash with you. Please ensure that you bring sunglasses, a hat /cap and sunblock with a high SPF factor when traveling with us on this tour – even when it is cloudy, the sunrays still have an immense power.
We reserve the right to make necessary changes to the excursion in case of unfavourable weather conditions or situations where we are forced to make alterations to guarantee the safety of our guests.
It is recommendable to bring a jacket / sweater with you as temperatures on Doi Angkhang are often much cooler than around Chiang Mai.
It is the responsibility of the customer to provide us with the correct hotel information, should pick-up and drop-off services be included in the package.
Any changes in accommodation outside 48 hours will be handled accordingly: changes within 48 hours may be on request.

Asian Trails: Beyond the conventional tour

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