THE RISING TREND OF TRIPCHAINING: WHAT IS IT, AND HOW TO DO IT WITH SELECTIVE ASIA? 

THE RISING TREND OF TRIPCHAINING: WHAT IS IT, AND HOW TO DO IT WITH SELECTIVE ASIA? 

• The tripchaining trend shines a light on the type of travel Selective Asia have been championing for years:  combining two or more destinations into one extended journey to reduce number of flights and limit carbon emissions
• Selective Asia has seen tripchaining bookings (itineraries containing two or more destinations) double in the last six months

High-res images available to download here  

 June 2025: B-Corp certified tour operator, Selective Asia has seen tripchaining bookings (itineraries containing two or more destinations) double in the last six months. The travel experts at Byway have reported similar findings, too… in 2024 their travellers incorporated an average of 4.5 destinations into a single trip - a trend they anticipate will continue to grow throughout 2025.

The current tripchaining trend encourages travellers to maximise their time in a destination, which in turn minimises the number of long-haul flights a traveller will make, limits their carbon footprint, and has a more positive impact directly on the destination.

For example, Sri Lanka and the Maldives might both be on a person's bucket list, so why not tick them both off in one trip? This reduces the number of long-haul flights a traveller will take from 4 to 2. It seems obvious, doesn’t it? So why is tripchaining trending now? It’s likely that the cost-saving aspect of tripchaining is driving its increasing popularity. Travellers are getting more value from long-haul flights when they’re visiting two or more destinations or countries in one trip. There is also a growing shift in travel behaviours; travellers have a desire for efficiency, and tripchaining minimises wasted travel time and maximises time spent in the destination.

Below, Selective Asia experts share some of their top tripchaining recommendations whilst highlighting how seemingly similar destinations - like those in Indochina - can offer vastly different cultures, landscapes, and experiences, making each one worth discovering in its own right.

Japan & South Korea 

Uniting Japan and South Korea in one journey with Selective Asia offers a contemporary exploration of two deeply cultured nations, balancing time-honoured traditions with modern energy. This immersive itinerary highlights contrasts and connections - from sake tastings in Kyoto’s historic breweries to the sizzling street-food alleys of Seoul. Begin in Japan, where Zen gardens, samurai towns, and high-speed trains reveal a land steeped in ritual and refinement. Cross the Korea Strait to discover a fresh perspective in South Korea: vibrant, forward-thinking, and deeply rooted in its own ancient customs. Whether soaking in an onsen in Hakone or wandering the hanok-lined backstreets of Bukchon, this journey strikes a harmony between heritage and innovation, tailored for travellers seeking depth and distinction.

We think you may like: Sake & Seoul: Japan & Korea

Highlights include sipping small-batch sake in Takayama, staying at a traditional ryokan near Mount Fuji, exploring Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul, and joining a hands-on kimchi-making class with a local chef. Contrast the serenity of Kyoto’s temples with the neon buzz of Gangnam, and experience two cultures at once through slow travel and local insight.

£££ Starting at £4,890 per person (not including international flights) staying a total of 2 nights in Seoul, 1 night in Gyeongju, 2 nights in Busan, 3 nights in Kyoto, 2 nights in Hakone, 3 nights in Tokyo; all in the best mid-range hotels. 

Rajasthan + Kerala

Bringing together the vibrant north and the serene south, this Rajasthan and Kerala combination captures India in all its glorious contrast. Begin amid the regal splendour of Rajasthan - a land of painted palaces, desert forts, and colourful bazaars. From the Mughal grandeur of Delhi and Agra’s iconic Taj Mahal to the romantic lakes of Udaipur and the faded charm of Bundi, this journey immerses you in the textures and tales of India’s princely past. Then, trade sandstone for swaying palms as you head south to Kerala, where the pace softens. Meander through Cochin’s backstreets, share stories and meals with a family at a rural homestay, drift through coconut-fringed backwaters on a traditional houseboat, and round off your journey with restful days on the sands of Marari Beach. 

We think you may like: Dewalokam Homestay

Set on an organic spice farm in the lush Keralan countryside, Dewalokam offers a chance to connect with rural life in an authentic way. Family-run and welcoming, this homestay invites you to slow down and engage — from guided walks through pepper vines and fruit orchards to hands-on cooking classes using produce from the garden. A stay here is not just restful but rooted in the rhythms of nature and tradition, making it a true highlight of southern India — and a key standout of this carefully curated journey.

£££ Starting from 4,490 per person price (not including international flights) staying 2 nights in Delhi, 1 night in Agra to visit the Taj Mahal, 2 nights in Jaipur, 2 nights in Bundi 3 nights in Udaipur before heading to Kerala...2 nights in Cochin, 2 nights at Dewalokam Homestay, 2 nights on a backwater houseboat and 3 nights at Marari Beach; all in the best mid-range hotels and heritage properties.

Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia & Thailand

Indochina is the perfect region to put the tripchaining trend into practice. Travellers can embark on an extended multi-country journey with vast, ever-changing landscapes that are as spectacular as they are diverse. Selective Asia’s Destination Specialists are experts at crafting bespoke journeys through Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand - from the vibrant energy of the street vendors in Bangkok  to the rural rhythms of a Cardamom Mountains community and everything in between.

We think you might like: Rail, Road & River Through South East Asia

Highlights include gliding through Vietnam’s lush landscapes aboard the high-end Vietage carriage (think: private booths, gourmet dining, free-flowing drinks…), cruising along the riverbanks of Laos in traditional craft, uncovering the mysteries of Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, and soaking up the beauty of Thailand’s golden beaches. Spanning 58 nights, this journey offers an unparalleled way to experience a slice of South-East Asia and is packed with authentic, local experiences from cooking classes on organic rice farms to ambling the lantern-lit streets of the UNESCO-listed Hoi An Old Town. 

£££: Starting from £14,990 per person (not including international flights). Itinerary includes 8 nights in Thailand, 12 nights in Laos, 23 nights in Vietnam and 15 nights in Cambodia, with 6 standout train journeys, plus boat and road transfers, and a mix of different accommodation styles which can be tailored to travellers’ preferences. For those with less time to spare, the guide price of £5,890 is a per person price (not including international flights) for a shorter route staying 11 nights in Laos and 10 nights in Vietnam only, with in-journey transfers by rail, river and road.

Sri Lanka & Maldives

From the teeming national parks, heritage hotspots and mouthwatering cuisine of Sri Lanka to the sandy stretches of the Maldives, Selective Asia invites travellers to merge two iconic destinations into one thoughtfully curated trip. Instead of booking two separate long-haul flights, this 15-night itinerary weaves together Sri Lanka’s culture and wildlife with the idyllic reef-fringed shores of the Maldives. By combining these two trips in one, travellers reduce the need for multiple long-haul flights, making a conscious choice without compromising on adventure or relaxation.

We think you might like: Sri Lanka & the Maldives: Short eats and shorelines 

Highlights include climbing the iconic Sigiriya Rock, riding the scenic tea train from Kandy to Ella, spotting elephants in Udawalawe National Park, exploring the colonial charm of Galle Fort, and tasting street food in bustling Colombo.

£££ Starting from £4,190 per person (not including international flights). Itinerary includes 3 nights in Makandura, 2 nights in the Cultural Triangle, 1 night in Kandy, 2 nights in the Tea Country, 1 night in a luxury tented camp in Uda Walawe, 2 nights in Galle and 5 nights at the luxurious Reeti Faru in the Maldives.

Nepal & Bhutan

Pairing Nepal and Bhutan into one journey with Selective Asia offers the opportunity for a curated bucket-list experience with a focus on cultural engagement and responsible travel, ensuring a memorable journey that cuts down on carbon emissions. Begin in Nepal, exploring the spiritual heart of Kathmandu, trekking through quiet hillside villages, and connecting with local communities through meaningful homestays before heading east to Bhutan. From the ancient streets of Bhaktapur and the grandeur of Boudhanath Stupa to Bhutan’s iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery and the serene Phobjikha Valley, this combination unlocks the region’s cultural richness and natural beauty. 

We think you may like: Mountains & Monasteries: Nepal & Bhutan

Highlights include standing beneath the towering Boudhanath Stupa in Kathmandu, trekking to Bhutan’s iconic cliffside Tiger’s Nest Monastery, staying with Nepalese families through the Community Homestay Network, and hiking high into the Himalayas on the Bumdra Trek.

£££ Starting from £3,990 per person (not including international flights). Itinerary includes 3 nights in Kathmandu, a night at Namo Buddha organic farm resort, or at a local Community Homestay Network property, 4 nights in Paro, 3 nights each in Punakha and Phobjihka, and a night under canvas at the Bumdra High Camp.

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You can read more on where to go and when, as informed by the destination experts, here

For more information, please visit: https://www.selectiveasia.com/  

About Selective Asia

Selective Asia is a B-Corp certified leading tour operator specialising in curated travel experiences that stop travellers in their tracks and stir their soul. Founder, Nick Pulley, and his specialist team of travel enthusiasts thoughtfully put together tailormade itineraries and experiences that inquisitive travellers will remember for a lifetime. From the deepest parts of Borneo’s tropical rainforests to the lesser-known scattering of islands in southernmost Japan and everywhere in between, Selective Asia make it their mission to lead travellers off the beaten track to discover new destinations in a bid to not only combat overtourism but to show travellers where the true soul of a destination lies. Unfollow the herd.

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Editors notes

At the heart of Selective Asia, you'll find a passion for meaningful travel — the kind that stops you in your tracks and stirs your soul.