The largest continent boasting 48 countries with an astonishing diversity of landscapes and cultures, Asia has no shortage of unforgettable adventure activities to experience. Discover our top four that are a must for your bucket list.
Trekking the Himalayas, Nepal
Nepal’s Himalayan Mountain scenery is famous worldwide, and avid hikers flock here each year to tackle multi-day trails of various difficulties. Most iconic is the route to Everest Base Camp, but equally beautiful is the Annapurna Circuit.
On the Annapurna Circuit, especially, your surroundings are surprisingly varied. Snow-topped peaks and glaciers amongst barren rocks give way to deep, river-lined, gorgeous, and vast valleys where vegetation is surprisingly lush. With few encounters with people and total silence for most of the route, the Nepalese mountains are a spiritual place to reconnect with yourself and the world.
Cycling coast to coast, India
Cycling is not the first thing that springs to mind when you think of India, but this coast-to-coast trail through the southernmost states is an incredible way to experience the country’s core culture and a must-include for anyone considering India tours grounded in adventure.
Starting in Tamil Nadu, wend your way along coastal plains through the Western Ghats to Kerala, where you can end with a beach stay or traditional houseboat cruise on the backwaters. Discover cool highlands, tropical seascapes, and notable historical sites like the mesmerising Sri Meenakshi Temple in Madurai.
Diving in the Coral Triangle, Indonesia
Renowned as one of the world’s most important marine areas, the Coral Triangle nurtures an astonishing array of reefs and is a valuable habitat for endangered sea turtles and thousands of species of fish. Several countries border the triangle, but Indonesia has the top diving spots.
Komodo National Park is especially rewarding for seeing exotic wildlife: scuba divers can expect to come across mantas and sharks in the water alongside the reefs and fish, and striking Komodo dragons prowl around the island’s shoreline.
Dubai desert safari, United Arab Emirates
For thrilling adventures on land, few places rival Dubai. Crowned the top destination in the 2024 Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards for the third year running, the desert city at the centre of the United Arab Emirates is built for entertainment, with artificial beaches, amusement parks, and rich shopping and nightlife. However, the most exciting thing to do is to head away from the skyscrapers and into the neighbouring desert.
The safari experience can be tailored to you depending on your preferences, but the full package involves surfing the dunes in a buggy with an expert driver, crossing the sandy plains on camelback, and camping under the stars in Bedouin-style tents.
