Explore off the beaten path in Southeast Asia and make your way where no one has before. You'll be able to do better than most visitors in the region: you'll forge your way through forest and river amidst unusual civilizations barely covered in the guidebooks.

Brunei's Ulu Temburong Park

The Ulu Temburong National Park in Brunei's Temburong District is 500 square kilometers of pristine rainforest that has been left untouched by humans other than installing a network of canopy walkways that allow visitors to traverse the park's treetops at the height of 50 meters above the forest floor.

Here, you have a good possibility of seeing Temburong's hornbills, gibbons, and more than 400 different kinds of butterflies. Cool down in the crystal-clear waters of the Sungai Temburong River at the end of your journey.

You need permission from one of the approved travel firms in Bandar Seri Begawan to visit Ulu Temburong. The trip to the park's Ulu Temburong Resort via boat and automobile takes around two hours from the Jalan Residency jetty.

Isaan, Thailand

The northeastern part of the country is the farthest thing from the party beaches that have made Thailand famous. The proximity of the Isaan area to Laos means that the people there have strong linguistic and cultural links to the Lao.

Nong Khai is the region's most populated cities. They also include delicious street cuisine and unique shopping opportunities that rival Thailand's most well-known destinations without the swarms of visitors.

Sangkhom is only one of several little villages along the Mekong River that provide peaceful alternatives to the crowded tourist hotspots to the south. Khao Yai National Park in Isaan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site comprising more than 2,100 square kilometers of the Sankamphaeng Mountain range and is a popular destination for eco-tourists.

About 2,000 types of plants, over 70 species of reptiles, and 46 species of mammals call this area home, and visitors may see all of them up and personal.

Philippines' Abatan River

Tourists seldom go out into the rural Philippines, but those that travel the Abatan River get a chance to see the country's welcoming side. Visitors to Bohol Island can board boats from the pier in Cortes and cruise down the Abatan River, stopping at several riverside towns along the way.

Visitors to each town are escorted ashore and into a pavilion where they are treated to even more performances, an exhibition of local handicrafts, and a sampling of regional delicacies.

Travelers can either return to Cortes or continue to an "eco-adventure" at adjacent GREAT Catigbian, both accessible from the waterfall at the river's head.

Loksado, Indonesia

Those interested in culture and the great outdoors will find enough to do and see in this peaceful Dayak village in South Kalimantan's Meratus Mountains. Traveling the raging Amandit River in a bamboo raft or exploring the adjacent hills and waterfalls are just two of the many experiences accessible from Loksado in the Bornean interior.

It is interesting to learn about the Dayak culture prevalent in the area. The Dayak were once notorious as headhunters, but now they are more widely recognized for their animistic beliefs.

You could be lucky and visit the Loksado Dayak for one of their many festivals. Booking a homestay with a local Dayak family is the best way to immerse yourself in Dayak culture, whether you're visiting during a holiday or not.

Myanmar; Pindaya; Shan State

Pindaya, in the state of Shan, may be reached by bus from Mandalay, although it will take 12 hours. Pindaya is a popular resting place for hikers on the way to Inle Lake from Kalaw, and its gentle hills are a big draw.

In contrast, a visit to Pindaya is well worth the time investment of a few days. Pindaya Cave is the place to start since it has hundreds of Buddha statues of varying sizes donated by Buddhists worldwide, some of which date back to the 11th century A.D.

The Son Doong Cave in Vietnam

The biggest cave in Southeast Asia was first found in 1991 and remains mainly unexplored by the general public. Scientists from the British Cave Research Association would be able to investigate the cave's depths in 2009. Head to Quang Binh's Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park to reach Son Doong.

One of the first things you'll notice when you enter Son Doong from one of its two entrances is how enormous it is; at least 8.5 kilometers in length and around 200 meters in height and width at its widest points; Son Doong is an impressive cavern.