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Best adventure destinations in Asia

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Pokhara
Lakeside Calm, Himalayan Adventure Gateway
7.8
Paragliders launch from Sarangkot hill and circle above Phewa Lake with the Annapurna range behind them. Warm air rising off the valley gives long flights. Tandem flights with licensed pilots last about 30 minutes and need no experience. Zip lines and ultralight flights add more thrills for visitors.
Highlights:
  • 🕳️ Explore the mysterious Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave nearby
  • 🌄 Hike to Sarangkot for stunning Annapurna sunrise views
  • 🚣‍♂️ Boat across serene Phewa Lake to Tal Barahi Temple
Komodo National Park
Dragons, Pristine Reefs and Wild Beauty
7.3
Komodo dragons grow up to three metres long and roam the islands of the national park. Rangers lead visitors on short walks to see them at a safe distance. Snorkellers can also swim above coral reefs and drift with manta rays at Manta Point. Pink Beach gets its colour from crushed red coral.
Highlights:
  • 🤿 Snorkel with graceful manta rays at Manta Point
  • ⛰️ Hike to Padar Island’s summit for breathtaking views
  • 🦎 See Komodo dragons in their natural habitat on Komodo Island
Tanjung Puting National Park
Orangutan paradise in Borneo jungle
7.3
Wooden klotok boats carry visitors up the Sekonyer River through the rainforest of Borneo. Guests sleep on the deck and eat meals cooked onboard. Camp Leakey lets you watch wild and rehabilitated orangutans at feeding times. Proboscis monkeys gather in the riverside trees at dusk each day.
Highlights:
  • 🌳 Explore the lush rainforest on guided jungle treks
  • 🛶 Take a traditional klotok boat tour along Sekonyer River
  • 🦧 Observe wild orangutans at Camp Leakey feeding stations
Phong Nha cave
Majestic Underground Wonder
Son Doong Cave holds passages more than 5 kilometres long with ceilings up to 200 metres high. A local farmer named Ho Khanh found the entrance and British cavers explored it in 2009. Small groups trek and camp inside on guided expeditions of several days. Paradise Cave offers an easier walk on a wooden path.
Highlights:
  • 🧗‍♂️ Try adventurous ziplining and mud bathing nearby
  • 🪨 Explore stunning stalactites and underground lakes
  • 🛶 Cruise the Son River to enter Phong Nha Cave
Mentawai Islands
Surfer's paradise with tribal culture
8.1
Waves like Lance's Right and Macaronis break over reefs in the islands. They lie off the west coast of Sumatra and catch big swells from the Indian Ocean. Surfers stay on charter boats that anchor near the reef breaks. Villagers on Siberut Island keep traditional tattoos and jungle customs.
Highlights:
  • ⛵ Join a boat expedition to remote outer islands
  • 🌊 Stay in an overwater bungalow surrounded by turquoise lagoons
  • 🏄‍♂️ Surf world-class waves at Lance’s Right and Hollow Trees
Sipadan
Crystal reefs and untouched tropical paradise
9.3
A tiny island rises 600 metres straight up from the sea floor off Borneo. Green and hawksbill turtles nest and feed around the reef. Divers swim through schools of barracuda and jacks at Barracuda Point. Daily permits are limited to 120 divers to protect the reef.
Highlights:
  • 🌱 Explore Tuan Rimba mangrove trails on foot
  • 🐢 Snorkel with turtles near Banggi Island
  • 🤿 Dive the crystal reefs at Sipadan's Blue Hole
Pamir Mountains
The Remote Roof of the World
6.6
The Pamir Highway rides over the 4,655 metre Ak Baital Pass in Tajikistan. It is among the highest international roads in the world. Cyclists and overlanders spend about two weeks crossing the range. Homestays and hot springs at Bibi Fatima welcome tired travellers in the Wakhan Valley.
Highlights:
  • 🏡 Stay with a local family in a remote Pamiri village
  • 🥾 Trek through the Wakhan Valley with views of Afghanistan’s peaks
  • 🚙 Drive the rugged Pamir Highway, one of the world's highest roads
Raja Ampat
Vibrant coral reefs and lush tropical islands
8.9
A steep climb of about 30 minutes leads to a viewpoint above the Wayag islands. Hundreds of green limestone islets scatter across turquoise lagoons below the summit. Divers and snorkellers drift over coral gardens crowded with fish. Homestays on Kri Island put guests steps from house reefs.
Highlights:
  • 🌋 Explore Tofua volcano crater for panoramic sea views
  • 🚤 Kayak through crystal lagoons surrounding the hidden islands
  • 🐠 Snorkel at Manta Point, witness majestic manta rays
Annapurna
Legendary Trekking in Himalayan Diversity
8.0
The Annapurna Base Camp trek climbs to 4,130 metres inside a ring of high peaks. The trail passes through rhododendron forests and stone villages. Trekkers usually take seven to ten days round trip and sleep in tea houses. Hot springs at Jhinu Danda soothe tired legs on the way down.
Highlights:
  • ♨️ Relax in natural hot springs at Tatopani
  • 🌅 Watch sunrise from Poon Hill’s panoramic viewpoint
  • 🥾 Trek the iconic Annapurna Circuit with varied landscapes
Ladakh
Himalayan Cold Desert of Contrasts
8.5
The Manali to Leh highway crosses passes above 5,000 metres in the Himalayas. Riders and drivers need several days to allow time for altitude. Trekkers can walk the Markha Valley for about a week past villages and monasteries. Rafting on the Indus and Zanskar rivers adds a summer option.
Highlights:
  • ⛺ Camp overnight beside the Tso Moriri Lake under stars
  • 🌊 Admire the surreal blue waters of Pangong Lake
  • 🏍️ Ride through the world’s highest motorable pass at Khardung La
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