Get a different perspective on a destination with these unique transport options
A tuk-tuk in Chiang Mai's countryside
Duration: From one to 11 days
Your ride: A self-drive or chauffeured tuk-tuk
Route: Take a one-day drive around the Chiang Mai countryside or, if you have more time, head north to the hill towns of Mae Hong Son and Pai. If you have an international driving licence, you can drive yourself.
What you’ll see: The 11-day trip takes you to Doi Inthanon mountain and to Northern Thailand’s most scenic parks.
Price: From £117 (S$205.46) per adult per day
A M-72 sidecar through rural Vietnam
Duration: Up to four-and-a-half hours
Your ride: Vintage M-72 sidecars, a gift from Russia in the 1970s
Route: Choose from a 12km spin through the villages around Hoi An, or longer trips to the Truong Giang Bridge – the longest bamboo bridge in Vietnam – or the traditional fishing port of Duy Hai.
What you’ll see: Feel the breeze as you ride through rustic villages and paddy fields. If you have more time, visit local bird’s nest farmers or learn mat-weaving from local artisans.
Price: Around US$51 (S$70.14) for 60 minutes
A vintage VW outside Yogyakarta
Duration: Two hours
Your ride: A 1975 VW Cabriolet
Route: Discover the striking scenery surrounding the Borobudur temple in the back of this iconic vehicle.
What you’ll see: The Magelang Regency, where Borobudur is located, also offers eighth- and ninth-century temples at Pawon and Mendut. Pay a visit to lively local marketsand the galleries that dot the area. Or cruise the striking patchwork landscapes of lush rice and cassava fields that are overlooked by Mount Merbabu and Mount Sumbing.
Price: From US$20 (S$27.50)
A WW2 Jeep around Colombo
Duration: Three-and-a-half hours Your ride: A restored WW2 Jeep piloted by the enigmatic guide Nish
Route: Visit 20 historical sites in the city before exploring the secluded Attidiya Bird Sanctuary.
What you’ll see: Start at popular seafront park Galle Face Green, then take in the Independence Memorial Hall, Colombo Harbour area and the National Museum. At the sanctuary, spot up to 166 different type of birds and even the odd crocodile. You can also try driving the Jeep off-road.
Price: US$120 (S$165) per person
SEE ALSO: Best countries for an epic road trip
This article was originally published in the January 2019 issue of Silkwinds magazine
