Free Asia Travel Planning Help for Outdoor Adventurers
Ski trips, treks, and offbeat travel: get personal help planning your next Asia adventureReal Travel Advice, from Someone Who’s Been Out There
I’ve been living in South Korea since 2007, and over the past 15+ years I’ve spent most of my free time exploring Asia. That includes skiing deep powder in Japan, hiking in the Himalayas, trekking across Vietnam and Thailand, and chasing offbeat routes whenever I can.
I’m not a travel agent or a tour guide. I’m just a longtime traveler who loves swapping ideas, helping others plan smarter trips, and sharing what I’ve learned along the way.
These days, I’ve got the time and experience to offer something simple: free, personal travel planning support for people who want to ski, trek, or explore Asia in a deeper, more independent way. No pressure, no packages. Just a friendly conversation with someone who’s likely been there.
And if I haven’t been there yet? I’ll help you research it like I would my own trip.
How It Works
There’s no set process you need to follow. You can go through every step, skip the ones that don’t apply, or just reach out with a specific question.
I’m just here to help however I can.
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 help answer any questions that come up during our chat and follow up by email if there’s anything we didn’t cover or need to revisit.
If more support is needed later, we can always check in on Zoom again.
Step 4: You Make the Bookings
You’ll handle your own bookings based on the advice we discussed.
If it’s helpful, I may share a few suggested links tailored to our conversation, but they’re just options based on what we talked about.
Step 5: Stay in Touch
You’ll have my personal email by this point, so if another question comes up or you want to bounce around more ideas, just reach out. I’m always happy to help as your plans take shape.
Step 6: You Go!
Your trip is ready, your plan is flexible, and you’ll know someone’s already been where you’re headed.
Why I Offer This for Free
I get it. When someone online offers to help plan your trip for free, it usually comes with a catch. But I assure you, there isn’t one.
I run this planning program as a natural extension of my travel blog. I appreciate anyone who takes the time to read what I write, and I know that sometimes blog posts alone don’t answer every question. That’s where this comes in.
My “real job” is teaching university English in South Korea, which means I’ve got time between classes and semesters to work on my blog, dig into planning, and talk travel. I genuinely enjoy it. I’ve already had some great conversations through this program, and since I live on a quiet farm in the Korean countryside, it’s honestly just nice to connect with other English-speaking travelers.
This is also a way for me to keep sharpening my planning skills. Long-term, I’d love to grow Colorado Saram into something bigger. That might include custom itineraries, group trips, or more involved planning services. But right now, this is just a helpful side project with no pressure and no hidden agenda.
I won’t ask for a credit card. I’m not offering to make bookings on your behalf. I may share links for things we’ve discussed from sites like Booking.com, Klook, Viator, or other affiliate partners. If you choose to book through one of those links, I might earn a small commission, but I’m never going to push anything we haven’t already talked about. And if there’s no affiliate link available, I’ll still point you to the best option I can find.
If you find the support helpful and want to swing back to this page later to say thanks, there’s a Buy Me a Coffee link below. It’s not required or expected, but it would be appreciated.
At the end of the day, I’m just a traveler who’s been doing this for a long time. I’ve got the time, the experience, and the interest. If I can help you plan a better trip, that’s a win for both of us.
Ready to Start Planning?
Tell me a bit about your trip using the form below, and I’ll follow up by email to keep the conversation going.
Whether it’s sharing ideas, coordinating a time to chat, or just pointing you toward the right info, I’ll tailor the response to what you need.
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 licensed as a travel operator. What I do offer is personal insight and planning help, often based on firsthand experience. That might include recommending platforms like Viator, Klook, or GetYourGuide, or pointing you toward local operators I’ve found through research.
I don’t make bookings or handle money.
I’ll send links to accommodations, activities, or transportation options that match what we talked about. Some of these may be affiliate links, but you’ll always stay in control of your plans and your payments.
There are no refunds — because there are no fees.
I’m not charging anything for this service, so there’s nothing to refund. 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 if a request becomes more time-consuming than I can reasonably handle, I may need to scale back or step away. Travel planning takes time and energy, and I want to keep this enjoyable and sustainable for both of us.
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 →
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 →
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 to 40 minute video chat on Zoom or Google Meet to help you think through your options and clarify your travel goals. If you’d rather use email, that’s totally fine too.
Personalized Travel Suggestions
Based on your timing, goals, and travel style, we’ll talk through where to go, how to get around, and what not to miss. I’ll share my own experience and do extra research when needed to help find the best fit.
Accommodation Research
I’ll help you think through location, budget, and the type of stay that fits your trip. Whether it’s a guesthouse, Airbnb, or hotel at a certain price point, I’ll offer advice based on experience and suggest options that might be a good fit.
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.
Adventure Planning Support
Want help figuring out how to buy lift passes in Japan or Korea, or how to find a good guided trek in Vietnam or Nepal?
I’ll share advice based on my own experience, and when it fits, I’ll recommend relevant activities or tours from platforms like Klook, Viator, or GetYourGuide.
Ongoing Travel Support
I’m happy to stay in touch by email or through another Zoom call if needed. If questions come up later or your plans change, just reach out and I’ll do my best to help.
Why I’m Doing This
Travel has shaped my life in a big way. 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 experience sparked a curiosity I’ve been following ever since.
In my 20s, I planned press trips in Vail, Colorado, handling every detail of visiting journalists’ vacations. Turns out I was pretty good at the logistics, especially because I genuinely enjoy talking travel and helping others figure things out. When people say, “I’d do this for free,” I guess I actually mean it.
These days, I live on a farm in South Korea, and I run Colorado Saram as a personal travel blog. Offering this kind of support is something I enjoy doing, but I’ll admit there’s a bit more to it.
I’m also using this as practice. Getting in some reps for an idea I’ve been kicking around about turning this into a real travel planning business.
If that doesn’t pan out, I still see it as valuable experience. Whether I keep building this solo or someday work for a company doing something similar, I’m glad to be helping people now and learning as I go.
“Before I started planning my own solo adventures around the world, it all started on a remote island in Micronesia.
Barefoot, homeschooled, and learning to be curious about the world beyond the comforts of home.”