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IN BRIEF
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Less than a year after its launch, Pagodia, the expert brand of Salaün Holidays, unveils the second edition of its brochure dedicated to Asia. On the agenda: 27 countries, over 90 ideas for circuits and stays, and three travel formats—classic GIR, small groups “Among Us”, and customized private trips—to experience a continent with a thousand faces, from Mount Fuji to the rice terraces of Vietnam, from the temples of Angkor to the islands of Indonesia. The 2026 program is enriched by 15 new innovative itineraries, including Uzbekistan, Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Philippines, and China following the Silk Road.
Designed as a bridge between cultures, the Pagodia collection brings together a diverse Asia: high-tech capital and Shinto shrines in Japan, floating markets and lush deltas in Vietnam, golden pagodas and ancient kingdoms in Cambodia, chains of islands and volcanoes in Indonesia, oasis cities and caravan arts in Uzbekistan. The ambition is simple: to offer immersive journeys, punctuated by encounters, know-how, and landscapes that unfold throughout the stages.
An expert brand that is growing fast
The market’s reception has been immediate, driven by the attraction to the great classics—Japan, Vietnam—and by curiosity for less frequented routes—Uzbekistan, Bhutan. Under the impetus of Michel Salaün, the second edition has been conceived as an “augmented chapter”: enriched circuits, novel experiences (gastronomic walks, craft workshops, gentle hikes, river cruises), and a clear tiered architecture that facilitates choice.
Three travel formats, one common promise of authenticity
The classic GIR caters to those who enjoy the friendliness of organized groups, with a balanced pace and the support of a French-speaking guide. The small groups “Among Us” emphasize intimacy—fewer participants, more flexibility on the ground—to enhance encounters and spontaneous stops. Finally, the custom-made or privatized trips open up all possibilities: adapt an existing itinerary, combine several countries, or imagine an original creation for a couple, family, or circle of friends.
The new features for 2026: 15 itineraries that broaden horizons
The 2026 programming reveals beautiful gems. Uzbekistan can be traversed “from the Aral Sea to Samarcand” in 11 days/9 nights, with the breath of the steppe and turquoise domes as a guiding thread. Bhutan, “between valleys and monasteries,” can be explored in 12 days/10 nights, at the pace of dzongs and prayer flags. Cambodia unfolds over 12 days/9 nights around the masterpieces of Angkor and the lakeside villages. Indonesia offers a grand itinerary “from island to island, from Sumatra to Bali” in 18 days/15 nights, among primary forests, traditions, and beaches. The Philippines, “from the rice terraces of Luzon to the beaches of Palawan,” can be experienced in 13 days/10 nights. Finally, China invites “to the edge of the Silk Road” in 15 days/12 nights, to reconnect with the caravan epic, from Buddhist caves to the bazaars of Central Asia.
From Mount Fuji to terraced rice fields: a focus on emotions
The strength of Pagodia lies in its theatricality of travel: sunrise over Mount Fuji, morning mist over terraced rice fields, clinking bowls at a spice market, the splash of a canoe on the Tonlé Sap, silence of a Himalayan monastery. Each step blends heritage and everyday gestures: tastings, encounters with artisans, initiation to weaving or batik, forest baths, street food evenings.
When to leave, how to optimize your budget
From the blooming cherry trees in Japan to the clear winter skies in Indochina, the calendar changes the texture of a journey. Good to know: the current trend shows airfares softening during certain periods, a boon for planning long-haul to Asia; to be monitored via this news point on the drop in flight prices. To schedule an itinerary around an event, keep an eye on the major festivals and traditional holidays; a few inspirations in this selection of not-to-miss festivals.
Smoothness, formalities, and travel trends
Visas, e-visas, temporary exemptions: the ecosystem is changing. Travelers benefit from following regulatory developments, influenced by geopolitical dynamics. To take a step back on these subjects, this analysis of travel policies and signals of hope sheds light on announcements and their possible impacts on international mobility. The Pagodia team assists in advance to verify documents and timelines and adjusts routes if necessary.
Long-term inspiration: planning your travel year
Creating a “personal world tour” can also involve closer experiences: a winter break in France, followed by a major Asian crossing in spring. To get started, one can draw inspiration from seasonal escapes before heading towards distant horizons. The heart of the Pagodia proposal, however, remains the discovery of a vast and contrasting Asia, to be modulated according to desires and pacing.
For whom? For what? The profiles that recognize themselves
History and architecture enthusiasts will turn to Uzbekistan and the China of the Silk Roads. Food lovers will prefer the culinary mosaic of Vietnam and the markets of Indonesia. Lovers of wide open spaces will find their breath in Bhutan or in the sculpted rice fields of Philippines. Families will choose balanced routes, whether in GIR or in private trips, to balance highlights and playful breaks.
What concretely changes on the ground
The new brochure emphasizes durations thought to be “just right”—neither too dense nor too short—and on experiences that add depth: regional trains to feel the pulse of a country, overnight in eco-lodges, sunrise at the top of a volcano, cycling through rice fields, or sailing on a mythical river. French-speaking guides, true intermediaries, remain the keystone of this progressive immersion.
Booking, customizing, taking off
From the first exchange to the delivery of the travel booklet, the method remains the same: listen to the project, refine the steps, offer the accommodation that corresponds to the travel style (authentic, charm, premium), lock in the logistics, and advise on the best departure windows. Thanks to the three formats GIR, Among Us, and custom-made, everyone finds their own version of an Asian journey, with complete peace of mind.
