What is the Banana Pancake Trail?

If you’re considering a trip to Asia, especially a long-term backpacking adventure, you’ve likely heard the term “banana pancake trail” thrown around. You might think, “I like pancakes. I like bananas. Where do I sign up?” However, the banana pancake trail isn’t that straightforward—it doesn’t have a defined beginning, end, or set route.

The banana pancake trail is a colloquial term used to describe areas in Asia that attract many young Western backpackers. The name comes from the banana pancakes often served at guesthouses catering to this crowd. While it’s not a traditional trail, you’ll encounter many fellow backpackers along the way.

Popular Stops on the Banana Pancake Trail

While the trail lacks a strict path, certain cities and towns are iconic stops. Whether or not you’ll want to visit depends on the type of traveler you are. If your goal is to see places untouched by tourism, you may want to explore elsewhere. Below are some of the most popular stops, along with their travel visa requirements:

India

If you’re traveling to India and craving banana pancakes, check out these hotspots:

• Goa
• Pushkar
• Varanasi

For visa details, see our Indian Visa Requirements for Tourists.

Vietnam

In Vietnam, popular backpacker stops include:

• Halong Bay
• Hoi An
• Hanoi

American tourists need visas in advance. For more information, see our Vietnam Visa Requirements for Tourists.

Thailand

Thailand is known for its vibrant backpacker scene, especially in:

• Bangkok (particularly Khao San Road)
• Pai
• Ko Pha Ngan (famous for its full-moon party)
• Ko Phi Phi

For more details, see our Thailand Visa Requirements for Tourists.

Laos

In Laos, enjoy a day of river tubing in Vang Vieng after your banana pancake breakfast. You can get your visa on arrival or before entering the country. For more details, see our Laos Visa Requirements for Tourists.

Cambodia

Top banana pancake trail stops in Cambodia include:

• Sihanoukville
• Siem Reap (near the famous Angkor Wat temples)

For visa information, see our Cambodian Visa Requirements for Tourists.

Malaysia

Popular stops in Malaysia include:

• Penang
• Perhentian Islands
• Melaka

You do not need a visa for stays of 90 days or less.

Indonesia

In Indonesia, visit these spots for banana pancakes and sightseeing:

• Lake Toba
• Yogyakarta
• Mount Bromo
• Bali
• Lombok
• Gili Trawangan

You can apply for a visa in advance or get one on arrival. For more information, see our Indonesian Visa Requirements for Tourists.

China

In China, you can find banana pancakes in:

• Dali
• Lijiang
• Yangshuo

You’ll need a visa in advance to enter China. See our Chinese Visa Requirements for Tourists.

Plan Your Trip with Ease

No matter where your travels take you, RushMyTravelVisa can help you secure the travel visas you need. We’ll research your itinerary, assist with the paperwork, and expedite your visa for the fastest possible processing!

Embark on your banana pancake trail adventure today, and let us handle the logistics. Safe travels!

Tags: Asia, Southeast Asia, travel visas

This entry was posted on Friday, July 19th, 2024 at 5:08 pm and is filed under Destinations. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.