56 days in Asia Itinerary

The bustling old port city of Kollam has long stood as a center of international trade and mercantilism, and the center of town continues the tradition with its lively scenes of commerce.

Kick off your visit on the 1st (Sun): relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas and then enjoy the sand and surf at Varkala Beach. On the 2nd (Mon), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: head outdoors with Outdoor Activities and then enjoy the sand and surf at Kollam Beach.

To see reviews, more things to do, traveler tips, and more tourist information, you can read our Kollam day trip planning website.

If you are flying in from United Arab Emirates, the closest major aiports are Trivandrum International Airport, Cochin International Airport and Madurai Airport. In May, plan for daily highs up to 37°C, and evening lows to 29°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Mon) to allow enough time to drive to Nalanda.

On the 3rd (Tue), contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Jal Mandir. Keep things going the next day: pause for some photo ops at Stupa of Sariputra and then get engrossed in the history at Nalanda Archaeological Museum.

To find other places to visit, ratings, photos, and other tourist information, read our Nalanda road trip planner.

You can drive from Kollam to Nalanda in 52 hours. Expect a bit warmer weather when traveling from Kollam in May: highs in Nalanda hover around 47°C, while lows dip to 30°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 5th (Thu) so you can go by car to Patna.

Occupying the southern bank of the famous Ganges River, the state capital of Patna combines an important religious and regal heritage with a fast-growing commercial and transport hub.

Start off your visit on the 5th (Thu): admire the striking features of Golghar and then take in the spiritual surroundings of Takht Sri Harmandir Sahib Ji. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: pause for some photo ops at Hanuman Mandir and then walk around Buddha Smriti Park.

To find other places to visit, reviews, maps, and other tourist information, use the Patna trip itinerary maker app.

You can drive from Nalanda to Patna in 2.5 hours. Traveling from Nalanda in May, you will find days in Patna are little chillier (43°C), and nights are about the same (29°C). Cap off your sightseeing on the 7th (Sat) early enough to go by car to Lumbini.

An important place of Buddhist pilgrimage, Lumbini represents the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha.

On the next day, take in the spiritual surroundings of Royal Thai Monastery and then take in the spiritual surroundings of Maya Devi Temple.

For maps, reviews, photos, and more tourist information, go to the Lumbini itinerary planner.

Explore your travel options from Patna to Lumbini with the Route module. Traveling from Patna to Lumbini, you'll lose 0.2 hours due to the time zone difference. In May, plan for daily highs up to 41°C, and evening lows to 29°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Mon) so you can fly to Pokhara.

Pokhara, the second largest city in the country, attracts visitors with its superlative natural wonders and easygoing atmosphere.

Kick off your visit on the 10th (Tue): take in the dramatic scenery at Devi's Fall, contemplate the waterfront views at Phewa Tal (Fewa Lake), and then take in the awesome beauty at Sarangkot. On the next day, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Peace Temple and then head outdoors with Outdoor Activities.

To see reviews, other places to visit, traveler tips, and tourist information, read our Pokhara trip planner.

You can fly from Lumbini to Pokhara in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and car. Expect slightly colder temperatures when traveling from Lumbini in May; daily highs in Pokhara reach 35°C and lows reach 22°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 11th (Wed) early enough to travel to Kathmandu.

Once synonymous with the mysterious and inaccessible Shangri-La, today Kathmandu draws an ever-increasing number of tourists, catering to independent travelers of various budgets.

Make the 13th (Fri) a memorable day with a climbing tour. There's still lots to do: take in the local highlights with Walking tours, relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas, take in the spiritual surroundings of Swayambhunath Temple, and get out on two wheels at Himalayan Leaders.

To find where to stay, ratings, photos, and tourist information, refer to the Kathmandu tour itinerary planning website.

You can do a combination of flight and car from Pokhara to Kathmandu in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Pokhara in May, expect slightly colder with lows of 19°C in Kathmandu. Cap off your sightseeing on the 15th (Sun) early enough to catch the flight to Thimphu.

The kingdom's capital and most modern city, Thimphu offers a mix of ancient traditions and modern commercialism.

Kick off your visit on the 17th (Tue): don't miss a visit to Changangkha Lhakhang, then appreciate the history behind Kuenselphodrang, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Tashichho Dzong (Thimpu Dzong), and finally take in the spiritual surroundings of Thimphu Chorten (Memorial Chorten).

Plan a Thimphu trip in moments using our itinerary builder.

You can do a combination of bus, car, and train from Kathmandu to Thimphu in 37 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or do a combination of car, train, taxi, and bus; or do a combination of bus, car, and train. You'll lose 0.2 hours traveling from Kathmandu to Thimphu due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Kathmandu in May, things will get slightly colder in Thimphu: highs are around 26°C and lows about 14°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 17th (Tue) to allow enough time to fly to Gangtok.

Situated in the eastern Himalayan range, state capital Gangtok combines a modern, resort town style with ancient spiritual beliefs and an impressive natural heritage.

On the 18th (Wed), get great views at Ganesh Tok View Point and then explore the landscape on two wheels at Tsongmo Lake. Keep things going the next day: make a trip to Flower Exhibition Centre and then visit MG Marg.

To see more things to do, where to stay, other places to visit, and tourist information, use the Gangtok travel tool.

Traveling by flight from Thimphu to Gangtok takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and train. The time zone difference when traveling from Thimphu to Gangtok is minus 0.5 hours. You'll set off for Imphal on the 20th (Fri).

Imphal is the capital city of the Indian state of Manipur. Imphal is known for historic sites, nature, and museums. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: explore the world behind art at RKCS Art Gallery, contemplate the long history of Kangla Fort, take in the spiritual surroundings of Shri Govindjee Temple, and stroll the grounds of Imphal War Cemetery.

For ratings, more things to do, and other tourist information, you can read our Imphal trip itinerary planning website.

The Route module can help you plan travel from Gangtok to Imphal. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Tue) to allow enough time to drive to Naypyidaw.

Naypyidaw, officially spelled Nay Pyi Taw is the capital city of Myanmar (formerly known as Burma). Kick off your visit on the 25th (Wed): ponder the design of Naypyitaw Water FountainPark and then don't miss a visit to 20 Lane Highway. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: make a trip to Uppatasanti Pagoda.

To find reviews, where to stay, other places to visit, and tourist information, refer to the Naypyidaw travel planning tool.

The Route module can help you plan travel from Imphal to Naypyidaw. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 1 hour traveling from Imphal to Naypyidaw. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 26th (Thu) to allow time for the flight to Yangon (Rangoon).

Although Myanmar moved its capital to Naypyidaw in 2005, Yangon remains the largest city and commercial hub in the country.

Keep things going the next day: take an in-depth tour of Musmeah Yeshua Synagogue, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Sule Pagoda, then appreciate the history behind Shwedagon Pagoda, and finally pause for some photo ops at Chaukhtatgyi Buddha.

For traveler tips, photos, where to stay, and more tourist information, read Yangon (Rangoon) trip planning website.

Traveling by flight from Naypyidaw to Yangon (Rangoon) takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Cap off your sightseeing on the 29th (Sun) early enough to catch the flight to Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum).

Situated among a collection of low hills that lead up to the coastline, state capital Thiruvananthapuram acts as a base for exploration of the southern tip of the country.

Get out of town with these interesting Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) side-trips: Vizhinjam Marine Aquarium (in Vizhinjam), Saint Sebastians Pilgrim Church Moongodu (in Varkala Town) and Kovalam (Lighthouse Beach, Kovalam Beach, &more). There's still lots to do: examine the collection at Puthenmalika (Kuthiramalika) Palace, relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas, find something for the whole family at Playaza, and pause for some serene contemplation at Madre de Deus Church.

To see other places to visit, maps, where to stay, and other tourist information, go to the Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) road trip app.

Traveling by flight from Yangon (Rangoon) to Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) takes 14.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. The time zone difference moving from Myanmar Time to India Standard Time is minus 1 hour. Expect a daytime high around 37°C in May, and nighttime lows around 30°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 25th (Sat) early enough to drive back home.