Passport
It lets you travel
A passport and the right visa decide where you can go. Rules change fast, so check them before every flight.
Travel blog
I've traveled half the world. Come for a walk with me.
Backpacker tips, hidden places, maps and stories from the mountains. Everything I wish I had known before setting out.
Journey
Where I’ve been
Twenty-one countries since 2017, from hitchhiking across Europe to two years of living in Asia.
- Europe
- Caucasus
- Asia
-
2017
Suburbs and forests of Central Europe
-
2018
Backpacking and hitchhiking across Europe
- Belgium
- Austria
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Germany
- Czechia
- France
- Luxembourg
-
2019
Sweden, Europe again and the Austrian mountains
The same countries as in 2018, plus Sweden.
- Sweden
- Austrian mountains
-
2020
Georgia and Armenia
- Georgia
- Armenia
-
2022
Three months across Asia
One long trip, from Dubai to Japan.
- Dubai
- Nepal
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Thailand
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- Bali
- Vietnam
- Vietnamese mountains
- Japan
-
2023
Two years living in Asia
Mostly in Thailand and Bali.
- Thailand
- Bali
-
2024
Nepal’s mountains and the Indonesian islands
A 4,500 m summit in Langtang, then Indonesia more broadly. A lot of time on Bali and Ko Phangan.
- Langtang
- Flores
- Lombok
- Komodo
- Bromo
- Java
- Bali
- Ko Samui
- Ko Phangan
-
2025
Prague
-
2026
Thailand and Singapore
Now living in Thailand.
- Thailand
- Singapore
My rule
The holy trinity of travel
When you do not know what to take, a passport, a phone and money are always enough.
Money
It buys what you need
People everywhere have the same needs as you. Money buys food, a bed, transport and a new T-shirt.
Phone
It connects you
Maps, translation, a bank in your pocket and a way to reach home. Download offline maps and carry a power bank.
From the road
Latest from the road
Stories, tips and guides from the trail.
Backpackers
Passport, phone and money: the only three things you always need
The one rule I follow when I do not know what to pack.
Mountains
Langtang Valley: two trips, one 4,500 m summit and what I would do differently
Two trips to Nepal’s Langtang Valley: turning back ill, then reaching 4,500 m.
Backpackers
Backpacking Thailand: from Bangkok to Ko Phangan in two days
From Bangkok airport to Ko Phangan in two days, and why I stayed three weeks.
Destinations
Top destination tips
Six places from my own route. Seasons are general guidance, so check conditions before you go.
Langtang
Nepal
A valley north of Kathmandu beneath 7,000 m peaks.
- My high point
- 4,500 m
- Best time
- October–November, March–April
Georgia & Armenia
The Caucasus
Mountain villages, wine cellars and long supra tables.
- Visited
- 2020
- Best time
- May–October
Bali
Indonesia
Volcano sunrises, rice terraces and long stays.
- Visited
- 2022, 2023, 2024
- Best time
- April–October
Ko Phangan
Thailand
Jungle, quiet bays and island life.
- Visited
- Many times
- Best time
- January–August
Flores & Komodo
Indonesia
Komodo dragons and island-hopping by boat.
- Visited
- 2024
- Best time
- April–December
Mount Bromo
Java, Indonesia
Sunrise over an active volcano crater.
- Height
- 2,329 m
- Visited
- 2024
Hidden tips
No trail markers here
Unmarked paths, quiet corners and places you won't find in guidebooks.
Unmarked trail
Sunrise without the crowds
Where to go an hour before the tour bus arrives.
Coming soonUnmarked trail
Villages beyond the last bus
Places you can only reach on foot, where nobody expects you.
Coming soonUnmarked trail
Short trails for an afternoon
Loops you can finish before dark without a free day.
Coming soonMountains
Stories from the mountains
Starting in the dark, the first coffee on a ridge, weather that turns within the hour. I write mountain stories so you feel like you're walking beside me.
Read the storiesMaps and guides
Practical things before you go
A few backpacker rules and a packing list you can tick off.
The backpacker's minimum
Money and cards in two places. If one disappears, the other gets you home.
Download offline maps before you leave. There is often no signal in the mountains. Organic Maps or OsmAnd work well.
Check your insurance. Find out up to what altitude it applies and whether it covers helicopter rescue.
Copies of your documents in the cloud. Save them there and email them to yourself.
Arrive before dark. It is easier to find a bed in daylight.
Packing list: a weekend in the mountains
0 of 14 packed
Wear
Navigation and safety
Food and water
Papers
Cultures
People along the way
A few rules of courtesy that open doors on the road.
Georgia
Supra
A tamada leads the feast. He gives the toasts, and you drink after his word.
Nepal
Home and temple
Shoes come off before entering a home or temple. Food is given and received with the right hand.
Japan
Onsen
Wash thoroughly before entering the hot bath. You enter the water clean.
Itineraries
Your trip, planned around how you travel
Tell me where you are going and how you like to travel. I'll build a day-by-day itinerary, from remote treks to relaxed family holidays.
Adventurous
Treks, remote valleys and long days outside.
Backpacking
Budget routes, hostels and local transport.
Cultural
Cities, villages, food and local customs.
Family
Shorter days, easy trails and places that work with kids.
Coming soonReady-made itineraries for single destinations.
The book
Backpacking Asia
Backpacking Asia is my book. Leave your email and I'll send you the ebook.
Gear for the trail
I'm putting together a selection of travel gear. Until then, the packing list above will help.
Coming soonFAQ
Questions and answers
Who writes Hike & Roam?
Hike & Roam is written by Francis, a Czech backpacker who has travelled since 2017 and now lives in Thailand.
Which countries has Francis travelled to?
Belgium, Austria, the Netherlands, Poland, Germany, Czechia, France, Luxembourg, Sweden, Georgia, Armenia, Nepal, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan and the United Arab Emirates.
What is Backpacking Asia?
Backpacking Asia is Francis’s travel book about his journeys through Asia, including Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia, Bali, Vietnam and Japan.
How can I get the ebook?
Leave your email in the form in the book section and the ebook will be sent to you by email.
Can you plan a custom itinerary for me?
Yes. Itineraries range from adventurous backpacking routes to family trips. Send your trip details through the itinerary form.
When is the best time to trek Langtang in Nepal?
October to November and March to April are the popular seasons. Check conditions before you go.
What do you always take when you travel?
Three things: a passport, a phone and money. The passport lets you cross borders, money buys what people offer locally, and the phone helps with maps and communication.
About me
Hi, I'm Francis.
Since 2017 I've hitchhiked across Europe, reached a 4,500 m summit in Nepal and lived in Asia for two years. This blog is my map: where to go, what to pack and what to avoid on the road.