Asia Travel Planning Services
Expert Travel Planning Support and Destination Guidance for Outdoor-Focused TravelersPlan Smarter, Go Deeper — With Help From a Traveler Who’s Been There
I’ve spent the last 15+ years living, working, and exploring across Asia — skiing in Japan and Korea, trekking through Southeast Asia, and helping friends and readers turn big travel ideas into real-life adventures.
This isn’t a tour agency, and I’m not selling you a packaged itinerary. I offer free, one-on-one travel planning support for curious, independent travelers who want to go beyond the guidebook — and would rather talk to someone who’s actually been there.
Whether you’re sorting out where to base yourself in Vietnam’s highlands, trying to compare Japan’s ski resorts on Hokkaido, or figuring out how to plan a cross-border trip through Southeast Asia, I’ll help you build a flexible, DIY-friendly plan that fits your style. No rigid itineraries, no pressure — just real insight from someone who’s spent the last two decades figuring it out firsthand.
Travel Planning Support — Tailored to You
Not every traveler needs the same kind of support — and that’s the point.
You can request just one of these or mix and match a few. Everything I offer is optional, flexible, and shaped around what you actually need.
Free 1-on-1 Planning Call
I offer a 30–40 minute video chat via Zoom or Google Meet to help you think through options, compare routes, and clarify your travel goals — but it’s totally optional. If you’d rather stick to email, that works too.
Personalized Travel Suggestions
Based on your timing, goals, and travel style, I’ll send ideas for where to go, how to get around, and what not to miss — pulling from my own experience and doing extra research when needed to find the best fit.
Accommodation Research
I’ll find lodging that fits your vibe and budget — whether that’s a ski lodge, pension, homestay, beach bungalow, hostel, or vacation rental — and send you trusted booking links based on our conversation so you can reserve directly.
Transportation Advice
From bullet trains to ferries to minivan routes across borders, I’ll help you figure out what’s realistic, efficient, and worth the ride — and how to book it.
Experience & Activity Guidance
Need help booking lift passes in Japan or Korea, or tracking down a guided trek in Vietnam or Nepal? I’ll recommend vetted experiences and tours — from ski essentials to outdoor adventures — using platforms like Klook, Viator, and GetYourGuide, plus local sources I trust.
Ongoing Travel Support
I’ll follow up with email notes and Google Docs you can reference as your trip comes together — and you can reach out with new questions anytime.
How It Works
Think of this like a choose-your-own-adventure — not a rigid process. You can follow every step, skip what you don’t need, or just reach out with one specific question. I’m here to help, not to sell you anything.
Step 1: Fill Out the Form
Tell me where you’re going, what kind of help you want, and whether you’d like to schedule a free planning call.
Step 2: We Chat (If You Want)
We’ll hop on Zoom or Google Meet to talk through your trip ideas, outline a rough strategy, and surface questions you might not have thought to ask.
Step 3: You Get Recommendations
I’ll send personalized suggestions for where to go, how to get around, where to stay, and what to do — based on your goals and travel style.
Step 4: You Make the Bookings
You stay in control and book at your own pace using the links I send — or however you prefer. Nothing is ever pre-booked or locked in.
Step 5: We Fine-Tune
Need to adjust your route or swap an activity? I’ll be available by email to help refine your plan as things evolve.
Step 6: You Go!
Your trip is ready, your plan is flexible, and you’ll know someone’s already been where you’re headed.
This Isn’t Just a Hobby — I’ve Lived It
Adventure travel has shaped me since I was a kid. When I was seven, my family moved to a remote island in Micronesia — no electricity, no running water, just a tin-roofed house and miles of ocean. That year lit a fire for curiosity and self-reliance that I’ve been following ever since.
In my 20s, I was organizing press trips in Vail, Colorado — planning every detail of visiting journalists’ vacations, from boutique hotels to sunset hikes. After a year-long solo backpacking trip (before smartphones made it easy), I moved to South Korea to teach English — and never left.
For nearly 20 years now, I’ve been living, skiing, and planning deep-dive trips across Asia. From the Annapurna Circuit to Sapa, from backcountry ski runs in Hokkaido to solo treks in Myanmar — I’ve built a life around curiosity, and helping others explore the world with confidence.
“Before I started planning my own solo adventures around the world, I was here — barefoot, homeschooled, and learning to be curious about the world beyond the comforts of home.”
Ready to Start Planning?
Tell me a bit about your trip, and I’ll follow up with ideas, resources, or a time to chat — whatever support works best for you.
Is This Really Free? (Yes, and Here’s Why)
I get it — when someone on the internet offers to plan your trip for free, it usually means there’s a catch. But here’s the truth:
Right now, I’m building this as a real business. I’ve spent nearly two decades planning my own travel across Asia (and helping friends do the same), and now I’m testing the waters to turn that experience into something more official.
For the first year or so, I’m offering personalized planning support at no cost — to gain experience, build trust, and hopefully collect a few testimonials from happy travelers.
If you do end up using any of the hotel or activity links I send your way, some of them may be affiliate links — meaning I earn a small commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. It’s a small way to support my time and keep this project going.
And down the road? I may offer paid itinerary packages, group trips, or more involved planning services. But for now, this is just me, helping fellow curious travelers figure out how to make the most of their trip.
No pressure. No hard sells. Just support from someone who’s been there — and genuinely wants to help you go further.
What I Don’t Offer (and Why)
To keep things respectful, helpful, and realistic, here’s what this free travel support doesn’t include — at least for now:
- I’m not a tour guide or travel agent.
I don’t offer guiding services, I don’t work for a tour company, and I’m not a licensed travel operator. What I do offer is personal insight and planning help — and sometimes that includes recommending trusted platforms like Viator, Klook, or GetYourGuide, or pointing you toward reputable local operators I discover through research. - I don’t make bookings or handle money.
I’ll send you links (some of which may be affiliate links) to places to stay, experiences to book, or ways to get around — but you’ll always be the one in control of your trip and your payments. - There are no refunds — because there are no fees.
I’m not charging anything for this service right now, so there’s no transaction to reverse. You’re free to take what’s useful and ignore what’s not. - This isn’t unlimited or on-demand.
I do my best to respond promptly and helpfully, but I reserve the right to politely scale back or step away if a request starts to demand more time or urgency than I can offer — especially as part of a free service. Travel planning takes energy, and I want to keep this fun, sustainable, and useful for both of us.
Disclaimer:
All advice and recommendations provided through this free travel planning service are based on personal experience and independent research. Travel inherently involves risks, and all final decisions, bookings, and safety precautions are the responsibility of the traveler. Colorado Saram is not liable for any disruptions, losses, or injuries that may occur before, during, or after your trip.
Read the full disclaimer →
John Buckley
I grew up in Vail, Colorado — home to some of the best skiing in the U.S. — but I’ve spent the past 15+ years living and working in South Korea as an English teacher and outdoor adventurer.
From skiing deep powder in Japan to trekking in the Himalayas and hiking in Korea, I’ve explored much of Asia with a backpack, a plan, and an open mind.
Through Colorado Saram, I share travel guides, gear tips, and firsthand advice to help you plan unforgettable outdoor adventures across Asia and beyond.
👉 Follow me on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube, or join the free Facebook group for outdoor travel tips, stories, and inspiration.
Read more about my journey →
What I’m Working On Now
I grew up in Vail, Colorado — back when it still felt like a real ski town, not a corporate mega-resort. That background gave me a lifelong radar for places that offer authentic mountain culture, deep snow, and a bit of elbow room.
For a long time, that place was Japan. I’ve skied there three times — from the Hakuba Valley on Honshu to Niseko and Rusutsu on Hokkaido — and I still recommend it to anyone chasing Japow. The secret’s definitely out, though. That’s why I’m offering to help travelers navigate the hype with personalized tips from my latest trip — while also setting my sights on what might be the next great ski frontier in Asia.
I had my eye on Gulmarg in Kashmir — and I’m still watching the situation there — but for now I’ve pivoted to Central Asia, where the terrain is big, the crowds are small, and the potential is huge.
My next trip is shaping up to include cat skiing in Jyrgalan, Kyrgyzstan, with a stop at Shymbulak in Kazakhstan — both still under the radar but quickly rising on the map for adventurous skiers.
This is how I approach travel: part instinct, part research project, part curiosity. And if you’re chasing unique experiences — whether that’s deep powder or hidden treks — I’d love to help you map it out.
Ready to bounce ideas around or start planning your own adventure?
I’d love to hear what you’re dreaming up — just fill out the form above and I’ll get back to you personally.
Curious what skiing in Kyrgyzstan actually looks like?
This is the cat-skiing outfit I’m planning to book for my 2026 trip. If you’re intrigued — or maybe even thinking about joining — feel free to reach out. Right now, it’s just me going solo, but that could change.