Asia tours discovery guide
From the glittering blue waters of Thailand’s islands, to the muted greens of Japan’s bamboo groves, to the technicolor glow of South Korea’s cities, Asia’s sights are as diverse as the cultures that call the region home. Which countries will you experience first?
What to know before you go
COUNTRIES ON TOUR
Our Asia tours take travelers to Japan, India, and beyond, spanning snow-capped mountains and leafy rainforests. That’s right: India’s a part of Asia—as are Turkey, Jordan, and Israel.
MAJOR CITIES
Megalopolises like Tokyo and Seoul stun in scale and spirit, while gems like the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu bring big-city energy to epic natural surroundings. (It doesn’t get more epic than the Himalayas.)
CULTURAL QUICK TAKE
Whether shown in a Thai wai (a traditional, prayer-like greeting) or a Japanese bow, friendliness and hospitality are integral to the local culture—wherever your Asia trip takes you.
WHAT TO GO FOR
The terraced towers of Angkor Wat. The resplendent heights of Mount Fuji. The floating markets of Bangkok. There’s so much to see, no matter which Asia tour you choose.
UNIQUE EXPERIENCES ON TOUR
Gaze out into North Korea at the DMZ and walk through Fushimi Inari’s mesmerizing orange gates in Kyoto—both on the same Asia tour package.
Grand Tour of Southeast Asia
Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand—and Laos on the extension? See the glimmering waters of Ha Long Bay, the towering cliffs of the Phi Phi Islands, and more of the continent’s highlights, all on one trip to Asia.
New Asia tours
Tokyo & Southern Japan
Yatai carts and gurgling onsen await on the island of Kyushu.
Explore the 12-day itineraryHighlights of South Korea
Stand at the intersection of royal history and modern pop culture.
Explore the 11-day itineraryA Week in Tokyo
Embed yourself in the Japanese capital and see what makes it tick.
Explore the 9-day itinerarySouth Korea & Japan
Visit sleepy villages and sleepless cities that typify these nations.
Explore the 15-day itineraryIntroducing Asia
Thailand’s white-sand beaches. India’s Bengal tiger refuges. “Asia travel,” and the moments that define it, mean something different depending on where you decide to visit. The one constant: the good times you’ll have.
Your trip to Asia begins here
You could wait for inspiration to strike—or find some with a little help from our team of experts.
Bali or Thailand: Which tropical paradise should you visit?
You’ll find serene beaches, breathtaking temples, and deliciously spiced dishes in both. (Talk about a win-win.)
20 amazing things to do in Japan and why you should go
Sipping sake in its homeland? Marveling at the delicate hues of cherry blossoms? There’s more where that came from.
Why visit Bhutan, one of the happiest places on Earth?
If temples that seemingly teeter atop cliffs isn’t reason enough, the infectious joy of the Bhutanese should do the trick.
Put the “I” in “Asia”
More friends. Less planning. Traveling solo doesn’t have to mean traveling alone—and these tours of Asia help you find community while on the road.
Signature experiences for your memory vault. Why don’t you...
Explore the slopes of Mount Fuji
Step into the Aokigahara Forest, the Narusawa Ice Cave, and more. Try it on our Japan: Kyoto, the Japanese Alps & Tokyo tour.
Try your hand at crafting kimchi
Learn how to make this Korean staple—and take some home as a souvenir. Try it on our South Korea & Japan: Seoul to Tokyo tour.
Visit a Laotian buffalo dairy farm
Interested in a true farm-to-table dinner? Try it on the extension of our Grand Tour of Southeast Asia: Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand.
Snorkel off the Phi Phi Islands
Kick through the turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea. Try it on our Grand Tour of Thailand: Bangkok, Chiang Mai & Phuket.
Experiential travel made easy
You dream it. We’ll take care of every last detail.
Pick your perfect trip
We offer 200+ immersive, guided tours around the world. Wherever you choose to go, you’ll enjoy lots of advantages that make traveling with us different.
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Prep your packing list
While you’re deciding what to take, we’ll be busy arranging your hotels, meals, tickets, and more tour essentials. That’s what going guided is all about.
Go far (and get rewarded)
Take off on your big adventure— but why stop there? Every trip you book with us earns rewards that you can use to keep expanding your horizons.
What travelers are saying about our Asia travel packages
5 out of 5 stars
1st-time traveler Anna
First I would like to say that Kumi our tour guide far exceeded my expectations for a tour guide. She was available 24/7 it seemed. She was knowledgeable, spoke very good English,...
Traveled in Sep 2024 on Japan: Kyoto, the Japanese Alps & Tokyo
5 out of 5 stars
1st-time traveler Raeus
EF Tours was wonderful to work with from beginning to end. I had never booked a group tour before, and I was a little nervous. But EF came through all the way! There were only...
Traveled in Sep 2024 on Japan: Kyoto, the Japanese Alps & Tokyo
5 out of 5 stars
3rd-time traveler Anonymous
Our tour guide was more than I could have expected. What a genuinely beautiful person. It is obvious he loves his job and is grateful for the people coming in to visit his...
Traveled in Sep 2024 on Grand Tour of Thailand: Bangkok, Chiang Mai & Phuket
5 out of 5 stars
1st-time traveler Lashawn
This was my first trip with EF Go Ahead. My Tour Guide (Noom) was so awesome, this trip won’t be my last! From the moment we met our Tour Director, I felt safe and well informed....
Traveled in Sep 2024 on Thailand for Solo Travelers: Bangkok, Phuket & the Islands
5 out of 5 stars
9th-time traveler Bruce
GoAhead’s Japan: Kyoto, the Japanese Alps and Tokyo is a must for anyone who wants to visit this wonderful country. This was my ninth tour with GoAhead, and like the others it...
Traveled in Sep 2024 on Japan: Kyoto, the Japanese Alps & Tokyo
5 out of 5 stars
3rd-time traveler Iris
This was a great tour. We got to see so much of the country and learned the history. The hotels were excellent and local guides added to our experience. I recommend adding the...
Traveled in Sep 2024 on Japan for Solo Travelers: Tokyo, Mt. Fuji & Kyoto
5 out of 5 stars
1st-time traveler Alisa
Our tour guide AI really made the trip wonderful she was very knowledgeable and helpful and made sure we got whatever we needed to be on time. She could also answer any questions...
Traveled in Sep 2024 on Japan for Solo Travelers: Tokyo, Mt. Fuji & Kyoto
5 out of 5 stars
1st-time traveler James
We may be a little loud for their taste, but the Japanese are wonderful hosts and the country is magical, beautiful, clean, safe and full of centuries of history. The EF tour lets...
Traveled in Sep 2024 on Japan for Solo Travelers: Tokyo, Mt. Fuji & Kyoto
5 out of 5 stars
1st-time traveler Wendy
My first trip to Japan was an amazing mix of technology, culinary delights, architecture, modernization, history, spirituality, nature, and pop culture! All of my senses were...
Traveled in Sep 2024 on Japan for Solo Travelers: Tokyo, Mt. Fuji & Kyoto
Broaden your horizons
From the Pacific Ocean, Asia stretches as far west as Turkey and Jordan. That makes it the largest continent on earth—and one whose facets sparkle, no matter which perspective you view them from.
Travel tips for Asia trips
While you can see the best of some countries, like Japan and Thailand, in around nine days, we recommend spending at least two weeks on an Asia tour. That should give you ample time to shake off your flight and truly dig into the local culture.
That depends on where you plan to visit. Requirements can change between neighboring countries—for example, Thailand doesn’t require tourist visas for stays shorter than 60 days, but Vietnam does—so double-check online well before taking off on your Asia tour.
The climate varies across the region. Southeast Asian countries like Cambodia and Laos are hot and humid year-round, while East Asian nations like Japan experience more temperate weather. And some places, like India, are so vast that they encompass multiple climate types! As always, look into the weather prior to departing on one of our Asia tours.
Roughly 2,300 different languages are spoken across the continent, ranging from Chinese and Korean to Hindi and Bengali. Before your Asia tour, spend some time preparing by learning basic phrases like “hello” and “thank you” in the local tongue.
Most of the countries we visit on our Asia trip packages have their own currency. Take Southeast Asia as an example: Cambodia uses the riel, Laos uses the kip, Thailand uses the baht, and Vietnam uses the dong. Look into the local currency ahead of time and try to have some on hand before touching down on tour.
From the delicate nuance of sashimi to the powerful flavor of curry, the region’s cuisines have something for every palate—and each country has its signature dishes. Embark on your Asia travel with an open mind and see if you come home with a new favorite!
The countries we visit on our Asia tours typically use Type A (with two flat prongs) or Type C (with two round pins) plugs. Check for specifics before departing and bring an adapter with you.