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· Nighttime light pollution covers nearly 80% of the globe which is perhaps why it’s become such a trend to escape to destinations with the darkest skies blanketed in stars. After all, we’re all in search of the extra ordinary. In fact, Selective Asia has experienced a 300% increase in enquiries for activities relating to astrotourism
· While Asia isn’t renowned for astronomy due to its undeniable humidity and light pollution, it may come as a surprise that some parts of Asia offer spectacular sightings of what lies beyond the Earth’s atmosphere
23rd July 2024: Selective Asia – a leading tour operator specialising in curated travel experiences that stop you in your tracks and stir your soul – has named their top three destinations within Asia for those seeking something ‘out of this world’.
At the beginning of 2024 it was predicted that astrotourism would boom, but what is astrotourism, exactly? It’s travelling to a destination specifically for its astronomy appeal to experience sightings of the universe that cannot be witnessed just anywhere. For Selective Asia, they’ve received a 300% increase in enquiries for activities relating to astrotourism, whether it be where is best to stargaze within a desired destination, or which destinations offer the most incredible dark sky experiences.
When we think of Asia, we think of the humidity in Hong Kong or the tropical rainforests of Borneo. We think of climates that don’t typically lend themselves to clear dark skies. Until now. Selective Asia wants to highlight the corners of Asia that really do offer something special when it comes to starry skies.
Founder, Nick Pulley, says “Asia is home to some of the world’s highest peaks and most remote corners. It also has an incredibly high number of National Parks, meaning finding somewhere with little to no light pollution is never too difficult.”
Below, Selective Asia’s expert team has handpicked their top three destinations where astronomy lovers can immerse themselves in the celestial wonders of the universe.
Koh Kood, Thailand
Three hundred kilometres east of Bangkok and a stone’s throw from the Cambodian border is Koh Kood, an island of rainforests, fishing villages, and sugary sand beaches. A small population and remote location far from the light pollution of the mainland make this island idyllic for travellers in search of dark skies.
Where to stay?
Soneva Kiri is up there with the world’s finest hotels. Located on one of Thailand’s most pristine islands, the hotel is noted for its clear waters and white sand beaches. Enormous private villas built using locally sourced sustainable timber give an open and airy feeling, while private pools, a butler service, and even an all-day ice cream parlour give you even more reasons to never want to leave.
While windsurfing, sailing, kayaking, mountain biking, and PADI diving are the order of the day, stargazing is very much the order of the evening. Sonevi Kiri’s state-of-the-art Observatory offers 360-degree views of the star-strewn heavens where guests can even explore the Milky Way with the hotel’s resident Astronomer, identifying constellations, counting the moons of Jupiter, and peering at the graceful halo of Saturn’s rings.
Best time of year to visit for dark skies? Typically, December to February during Thailand’s dry season when the weather is also a little cooler.
Rates at Sonevi Kiri via Selective Asia start from £815 per person per night based on two people sharing on a bed and breakfast basis. For more information, visit: www.selectiveasia.com/thailand-holidays/hotels/soneva-kiri
Selective Asia also offer an ‘Island Hopper’ itinerary which includes 2 nights in Bangkok, 3 nights on Koh Chang, 3 nights on Koh Mak and 3 nights on Koh Kood [at Soneva Kiri]. Guide price starts from £1,790 per person (not including international flights). For more information, visit: www.selectiveasia.com/thailand-holidays/journeys/island-hopper
Mount Bromo, Indonesia
Mount Bromo in East Java is famous for its dramatic volcanic landscape and unbeatable sunrise view, and it’s also one of the best spots in the world to see the brilliance of the night sky with the naked eye. Straddling the equator, Indonesia is home to dozens of stargazing spots, but for those seeking the ultimate it has to be Mount Bromo which sits within the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. The high altitude of 2,329m and clear skies offer perfect conditions for astronomical observation.
Depending on the time of year, a lucky few can see the zodiacal light phenomena and the Milky Way with the three volcanoes – Mount Bromo, Mount Batok, and Mount Semeru – clearly visible below.
Where to stay?
For those seeking proximity to Mount Bromo without compromising on comfort, Jiwa Jawa offers simply styled, lodge-based accommodation just a short drive from some of Bromo’s most spectacular views. On the lodge’s doorstep lies Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park where travellers can take a mountain bike tour of the surrounding terrain, get an adrenaline rush white water rafting on the Pekalen River, and watch the sunset or sunrise over Mount Bromo.
Best time of year to visit for dark skies? Typically, April to October during Indonesia’s dry season.
Rates at Jiwa Jawa via Selective Asia start from £62 per person per night based on two people sharing on a bed and breakfast basis. For more information, visit: www.selectiveasia.com/indonesia-holidays/hotels/jiwa-jawa-bromo
Selective Asia also offer an ‘Indonesia Encompassed’ itinerary which includes 1 night in Jakarta, a 3 night cruise in Tanjung Puting National Park, 2 nights at Borobudur, 2 nights in Jogja, 1 night at Mount Bromo, 4 nights in Ubud, and 3 nights on the Komodo Archipelago. Guide price starts from £3,490 per person (not including international flights). For more information, visit: www.selectiveasia.com/indonesia-holidays/journeys/indonesia-encompassed
Yaeyama Islands, Japan
Far from the bright lights of Tokyo in the southernmost stretch of Okinawa prefecture is Yaeyama archipelago which is where Japan’s very first International Dark Sky Park is: Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park. Culturally distinct from the rest of Japan, Yaeyama islanders tend to be more aligned with Polynesians who have navigated stars for millennia. For visitors to the islands, Hateruma Island has a Starry Sky Observatory Tower with a 200-milimetre refracting telescope installed and offers views of the Southern Cross from late April until mid-June. Along with star clusters such as the Pleiades and the Milky Way, 84 out of the known 88 constellations are visible from Ishigaki Island.
Where to stay?
A short fifteen-minute boat ride from Ishigaki lies Taketomi, a small island that is inhabited by only 350 people and is possible to explore entirely by foot. Barefoot luxury can be a little hard to find in Japan, but its territory extends thousands of miles south into the tropics where a scattering of paradise islands provide that castaway feel. A flight, a short ferry ride, and then a drive down a bumpy, sandy lane brings you to Hoshinoya Taketomi Island: a collection of red-roofed, low-rise residences designed in a local style. Reached by crushed coral pathways and past fossilised walls, Hoshinoya Taketomi Island offers a world away from wherever you have been before.
Best time of year to visit for dark skies? Typically, March-April and October-November when there is a higher chance of sunshine, less humidity, and pleasant temperatures.
Rates at Hoshinoya Taketomi start from £328 per person per night based on two people sharing on a bed and breakfast basis. For more information, visit: www.selectiveasia.com/japan-holidays/hotels/hoshinoya-taketomi-island
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About Selective Asia
Selective Asia is a B-Corp certified leading tour operator specialising in curated travel experiences. Founder, Nick Pulley, and his specialist team of travel enthusiasts thoughtfully put together bespoke itineraries and experiences that 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 all while reducing their contribution to overtourism. It’s all about unfollowing the herd and striving to be part of the solution, not the problem.