We use cookies to help you get the most from our site. If you continue without changing your settings, we’ll assume that you’re happy to receive all cookies on our site. However, you can change your cookie settings at any time.
A&K Southeast Asia Insider: Surf Safaris, VIP Foodie and Soul Searching
As we look toward future travel, our teams here in Southeast Asia have been working on some wonderful new ideas and experiences to inspire your clients for their next big trip.
This month, we highlight Indonesia’s top surf breaks with our new luxury Surf Safari, as well as a VIP foodie adventure with a top chef in Chiang Mai. We also share our Top 5 wellness experiences in Southeast Asia and unveil our Phuket yacht portfolio.
New: Surfs Up in Indonesia!
Whether you’re a beginner, a pro or something in between, our new Surf Safari in Bali and Sumba is perfect for the surf lover in you. Catch Indonesia’s best breaks with private surf guides and laid-back island adventures curated by A&K. From world class breaks in southern Bali to rainforest valleys in the north and a remote luxury resort on Sumba Island, this 12-day adventure takes you to coveted surf spots with a surfing guide who knows how to make the most of Indonesia’s best waves.
Ride the waves at COMO Uma Canggu, a sleek, minimalist property where you can surf at Canggu and Echo Beach or chill at bohemian vibe roadside cafés and art galleries in Canggu village. During your stay, your private surf guide takes you to the best spots according to your interests, ability and surf conditions. Spend a few days in Central Bali with scenic walks and bike rides in rice fields, volcanoes and rainforests, ending with five nights at the secluded Nihi Sumba resort on Sumba Island where “Occy’s Left” presents an exciting challenge for world-class surfing enthusiasts.
This itinerary is recommended for March to November and can be fully customized according to your personal interests. Alternative culture, nature and wellness experiences can be arranged, making travel easy for couples, families and groups with a mix of surfers and non-surfers. Contact us to discover the possibilities.
New: Northern Thai Foodie Adventures with a Top Chef
Taste your way through northern Thailand on our new VIP epicurean adventure with a top chef in Chiang Mai. Spend the day with A&K Insider, Chef Andy Ricker, the James Beard award-winning chef and restaurateur, to discover the city’s best eats with insider tips you won’t find in any guidebook.
Since his first visit to Thailand in 1987, Chef Ricker began a long-lasting love affair with northern Thai food that saw him open his first restaurant, Pok Pok, in Portland, Oregon, serving just eight simple dishes from his travels in Chiang Mai. His small eatery quickly expanded to New York and LA and became the talk of the town and was dubbed by Anthony Bourdain as “the most authentic Thai food outside of Thailand.”
As an expert in Thai street food, Ricker was featured in celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain’s culinary travel series, showing Bourdain around to his favorite places in Chiang Mai. Now, you can do the same on a private foodie adventure, exploring Ricker’s favorite eats and meeting local food producers, from breakfast at the morning market to visiting artisanal coffee and khanom jeen noodle makers, and snacks at the night market. You can also opt for a private Thai cooking session with Andy at his home test kitchen in the Chiang Mai countryside.
Ask us how to arrange this insider’s foodie adventure in Chiang Mai or click to discover more Thailand travel ideas.
For us, the concept of wellness is more than just massages and spa treatments, it’s about making a connection with yourself and with the world around you. During travel, we love the idea of slowing down, and taking time to connect with the people, culture and traditions of the places we visit. Whether you are looking for spiritual, mental or physical wellbeing, you will find your inspiration in our top five wellness experiences in Southeast Asia.
1. Ancient Astrology in Bali, Indonesia
Gain new perspectives on your life and future path during a private reading with a Balian, a traditional Balinese astrologer. Tap into centuries of wisdom to answer questions relating to life, career and relationships as the Balian reads the charts and reveals possible outcomes of your future, giving you a sense of focus and personal motivation.
Start with an early morning tai chi session in the park, led by a local martial arts master. Based on ancient Chinese wisdom, this form of exercise involves slow, precise movements and controlled breathing which are said to improve health, energy and mindfulness. Complete the morning with a banana blossom salad or noodle soup for breakfast at our favorite vegetarian restaurant in the city.
Travel with purpose and change lives in rural communities near Siem Reap, Cambodia. A&K guests have a chance to contribute to our A&K Philanthropy (AKP) project and help villagers gain access to clean, safe, potable water. In a country where clean water is a scarcity, this project allows farmers to grow better crops, feed their cows and build brighter futures for their families. Make a donation prior to your trip and meet the family who will directly benefit from your contribution during your travels in Siem Reap. Find out more about AKP’s projects worldwide at www.akphilanthropy.org.
4. Meditation at a Waterfall in Luang Prabang, Laos
Learn how to meditate during a private session led by an experienced lifestyle and wellness practitioner, amid the scenic forests of Laos. Early morning is the best time to be at Kuang Si Waterfall, where you have the place almost to yourself - listen to the gentle sounds of the forest while contemplating mindfulness surrounded by tall trees and turquoise lagoons.
It’s not often that you have a chance to sit down for a one-on-one with a monk, but with A&K you can enjoy in-depth conversations about Buddhist philosophies and ways of life during a spiritual morning that includes listening to the monks’ morning chant and receiving a blessing.
Hot off the digital press! Explore Thailand’s Andaman Sea in style with one of our favorite Phuket-based yachts in our new yacht portfolio. From the expansive superyachts with all the latest sea toys to comfortable day cruisers, our carefully curated selection of Phuket watercraft has something for every occasion.
Create your own adventure in the jungle-topped islands of Phang Nga Bay or snorkel in the coral gardens off the Similan and Surin Islands on Thailand’s west coast. A&K can help to recommend the best sailing route depending on your preferences and time of year, or with your dedicated on-board crew, you can choose to go where your heart takes you.
If this whets your appetite for private seafaring adventures, look out for our digital guide to private yachts in Indonesia, coming soon!
Thailand: As of 1 July, the island of Phuket is now open to fully vaccinated travelers for a quarantine-free stay with certain requirements. Over the coming months, the government intends to open more regions of the country. Please find details on the “Phuket Sandbox” here.
Indonesia: Officials are still in talks to re-open the island of Bali with ongoing discussions about vaccination plans and travel bubbles taking place this month. Official dates and requirements are still to be announced.
Vietnam: The government is considering a test re-opening strategy for the island of Phu Quoc in late 2021.
Singapore and Laos: These countries remain closed to international leisure tourism for the time being, with no official news as of yet.
Cambodia: With vaccination rollout progressing well compared to other countries in Southeast Asia, the government has expressed plans to welcome international tourists back to Cambodia in late 2021. Exact details have not yet been announced.
Please note: The above information was correct at time of writing. However, the situation remains fluid and details change regularly. We recommend that travelers always check travel advisories both in your home country and the destination you are traveling to before you book and before travel.
Do you have a travel colleague who would find our newsletter and updates useful? Please send them our sign-up link here.
----------------------------------
For more information about anything you have seen in this newsletter, contact us:
Looking for more INSIDER news, ideas and travel information?
How to make the most of a quarantine-free stay in Phuket, our favorite restaurants on Asia's 50 Best Restaurant List, our team’s recent adventure off Thailand’s west coast and a travel update from our Regional Managing Director..
Our best 72 hours in Ubud, the cultural heart of Bali, Indonesia, and why we love the Slow Travel concept in Vietnam. We also put the spotlight on our favorite private villa experience in northern Thailand and a brief travel update around Southeast Asia.
Discover how our teams have been spending their time, exploring their own backyards and developing new experiences to inspire your clients when international travel resumes and the borders re-open.
