Tours worth the money

Quang Binh, now part of Quang Tri province

All the guided cave tours in Phong Nha, from an 800,000 VND day trip to a 35,000,000 VND expedition. Real prices, difficulty, age limits and a 5% discount code.

Huong Hoa, Quang Tri

Guided trips around Khe Sanh in Quang Tri: a sweet gum forest that turns red from October, camping on Rao Quan lake, a waterfall abseil. From 1,350,000 VND.

Thua Thien Hue, central Vietnam

Guided tours from Hue: a via ferrata and zipline over Do Quyen Waterfall, a 200 m canyoning descent, plus the Imperial City and tombs. Prices and a 5% code.

Central Sulawesi

Trips around Luwuk and the Banggai islands: a $78 day trip, island hopping from $175, a 6D5N run to Gorontalo's whale sharks from $469. Real prices.

Flores, East Nusa Tenggara

Komodo National Park trips from Labuan Bajo: a $81 speedboat day trip to six spots, 3D2N liveaboards from $365, private phinisi charter. Prices and what each covers.

Bali

Bali beyond the obvious: jungle waterfall treks from $31, Nusa Penida trips, and honest advice on which day tours are worth it and which are a bus ride.

Bali

Nusa Penida done properly: the west coast viewpoints, manta snorkelling, and why an overnight beats a day trip. 3D2N trips from $219.

West Nusa Tenggara

Sumbawa beyond the surf breaks: $50 whale shark snorkelling in Saleh Bay, Moyo Island waterfalls, the Tambora crater trek. How to reach each and when to go.

East Java

Mount Bromo's sunrise viewpoint and Ijen's blue fire, the two-volcano trip explained: timings, park fees, where to sleep and the altitude nobody warns you about.

North Sulawesi

Bunaken marine park: vertical coral walls, the park fee, when to dive, and how it compares with Raja Ampat. Reached in under an hour from Manado.

Java

Jakarta for travellers passing through: the old town, the National Museum, Thousand Islands day trips, and honest advice on how long the city deserves.

Southeast and Central Sulawesi

Karst islands, hidden lagoons and clear water in Southeast Sulawesi, reached from Kendari. Why Labengki and Sombori get compared to Raja Ampat, and what a trip costs.

West Nusa Tenggara

Lombok planning: the Rinjani trek and its permit, the three Gili islands compared, Kuta Lombok's beaches, and when to go.

Southwest Papua

Raja Ampat planning: the marine park permit, getting there via Sorong, homestays against liveaboards, and the diving season. What the trip actually costs.

South Sulawesi

Tana Toraja explained: when funeral ceremonies happen, how to attend respectfully, the cliff graves and tongkonan houses, and getting there from Makassar.

Southeast Sulawesi

Wakatobi marine park in Southeast Sulawesi: some of the healthiest reef in Indonesia, how to actually get there, and the gap between resort and independent travel.

Java

Yogyakarta planning: Borobudur and Prambanan tickets, the sunrise question, Merapi jeep tours and Malioboro. What to book and what to skip.