Asia

CAMBODIA |   CHINA |   INDIA |   INDONESIA |   JAPAN |  MALAYSIA
MALDIVES |  NEPAL |  PHILIPPINES |  SRI LANKA |   THAILAND

This small country is well known for ancient temples, untamed forests, floating villages and palm fringes beaches. Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm are impressive, must-visit temples with easy access from Siem Reap. But they can get very busy. Many other lost ancient cities are less packed and will give you that Indiana Jones adventure you may be craving. Sambor Prei Kuk and Koh Ker are two such destinations.

Eco-tourism is becoming more popular in Cambodia and luckily the government is starting to see the importance of protecting their rare flora and fauna. Birding can be very fulfilling all throughout the country. The Sarus Crane Reserve hosts up to 300 of these handsome birds along with around 200 other species like the Bengal florican and knob-billed duck. The elusive Eld’s deer has also been spotted at the reserve. During the dry season, the grasslands around Tonle Sap Great Lake are home to more endangered water birds than anywhere else in Southeast Asia. This is also where you will experience the amazing floating villages that bob up and down throughout the year. For something a little different you can visit the Veal Krous Vulture Restaurant where the slender‐billed, red‐headed and white‐rumped vultures feed on a carcass provided to help save these endangered species.

The Phnom Tamao Wildlife Sanctuary is a home for animals that have been rescued from traffickers and poachers. Once recovered the animals are returned to their natural habitat but the site serves as a great place to get up close with rare species like tigers, elephants, crocodiles and exotic birds. They also have a program called ‘bear keeper for the day’ allowing you to feed, wash and look after Asian black bears and Malayan sun bears that are in their care.

Back in the wild in the Mekong River live a small freshwater population of Irrawaddy dolphins. Resembling beluga whales these dolphins appear to smile at you as you watch them from a small boat. Overfishing is a huge problem for the dolphins but as of now you are almost guaranteed to see them during the dry season in Kampi Pool.

There is no shortage of interesting and historic attractions in China. The Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Terracotta Warriors; they are all must-dos. Chinese cuisine is an art form and Chinese architecture symbolizes not just the country, but the entire continent. Far off the beaten path though, in small villages and quiet nature reserves, is where China really shines.

Deep in the remote mountains of Sichuan are pristine bamboo forests which are the last stronghold of one of the most iconic endangered animals of our time, the giant panda. Wild pandas are rarely seen but just exploring their natural habitat to better understand their way of life is a magical experience. And rest assured that up close and personal encounters are guaranteed as you will visit research centers that are home to many pandas. You may even have the chance to interact with them in their enclosures! While certainly a highlight, visiting pandas is not the only exciting opportunity in Sichuan. Culture is pronounced in local markets and at performances like the Chinese face changing show and the Tibetan dance.

Exquisite scenery can be viewed in Jiuzhaigou National Park, a land of glassy lakes and waterfalls. Plenty of rare wildlife can be spotted such as the takin, musk deer, blue sheep, Chinese goral, golden snub-nosed monkey, Tibetan macaque, Asiatic black bear, mountain weasel and hundreds of bird species like the Chinese monal, rusty- throated parrotbill and golden pheasant.

On the Tibetan Plateau there is a special valley where families, each with a herd of yak, live harmoniously with nature. This valley is famous for regular sightings of the elusive snow leopard. Home stays and expertly guided expeditions can be arranged to track down these cats along with other wildlife such as Eurasian lynx, brown bear, leopard, white-lipped deer, wooly hare, Himalayan griffon vulture and Tibetan bunting.

Brace yourselves. You are about to enter one of the most strikingly vibrant, unapologetically indiscreet and persistently chaotic countries on the planet. Culture shock is without a doubt going to slap even the most well- traveled visitors. But for those wishing to immerse themselves in experiences found nowhere else, a trip to India will be life altering. From the airy deserts to the snowy Himalayas and from the overcrowded megacities to the peaceful nature preserves, India is an education in contrasts. This soulful county offers intense spiritual retreats, culinary tours that spark the dullest of taste buds and visits to some of the most impressive architecture on Earth. Wildlife is just as in your face with many different terrains and large animals to trek. All of our expeditions can be customized to include must-sees such as the Taj Mahal or Varanasi, but for spotting tigers, rhinos, sloth bears, Ganges River dolphins, snow leopards, etc., here are some top destinations we explore.

Just watch Disney’s “The Jungle Book” for a good idea of what you will find in these Central Indian parks and tiger reserves of Madhya Pradesh. Kanha National Park and Pench National Park, which served as inspiration for Rudyard Kipling’s novel that all the movies and TV shows are based on. They both have breathtakingly beautiful landscape with teak forests, lightly wooded grasslands and jungle streams. You can safari by 4×4 vehicles for up- close encounters with mighty Bengal tigers. Leopards, wild dogs known as dhole, hyenas, jackals, sloth bears, herds of gaur, spotted deer, sambar deer, gray langur monkeys and mongoose are just some of the mammals that you have a chance to see. Kanha is one of the top parks to spot tigers and is also well known for its population of rare swamp deer called barasingha. Pench gets many migratory wetland birds in the winter months like the painted stork, bar-headed goose and black- headed ibis. Birding is rich year-round with frequent sightings of endangered vultures, the crested serpent eagle, Alexandrine parakeet, Indian pygmy woodpeckers and of course the national bird, the majestic peacock. Bandhavgarh National Park is tiny compared to these other two but boasts one of the highest concentrations of tigers in India. It’s not out of the ordinary to see five tigers on one day of safari. In these parks, as Baloo sings, the bare necessities of life (and then some) will come to you.

Many people visit Rajasthan to explore the magnificent palaces of Jaipur and the medieval town of Jodhpur. Overnights at each are highly recommended for the cuisine, markets and history. In between these cities lie the desert towns of Pushkar and Nagaur which host legendary festivals where thousands of farmers, traders and villagers bring their camels, cattle and horses for an event filled with song and dance. Time your trip in November or January to witness this experience and ride camels over the dunes at sunset. Ranthambore National Park is one of the largest and best parks to approach a Bengal tiger. The beautiful scenery and ancient ruins make Ranthambore a top destination for wildlife photographers. You will go on game drives in the morning and afternoon to search for tigers and other animals such as leopards, striped hyena, sloth bears, Indian wild boar, mugger crocodiles and Indian chameleon. With an abundance of water and varied habitats, birding is rich with waterfowl and forest dwellers. Bird paradise though is at another national park in Rajasthan. Keoladeo National Park is a wetlands area with over 350 recorded bird species including the Siberian crane, sarus crane, numerous birds of prey and, in the wet season, one of the most impressive heronries in the world. Don’t miss the romantic city of Udaipur in the south. From here you can visit small traditional villages nearly untouched by tourism. These visits can be the highlight of the trip and some villages are in close proximity to healthy leopard populations. Rajasthan has just about everything you could want in a trip to India and the proximity from Delhi makes it a popular choice as a wildlife destination.

Over two-thirds of the world’s one-horned rhinoceros call Kaziranga National Park their home. The park was created in 1926 as a refuge for the nearly extinct rhinoceros. A conservation success story, there are now well over 1,500 of these iconic mammals living in the park. Your guide will keep an eye out for wild elephants, hoolock gibbons, deer, boar, pythons, as well as the elusive Bengal tiger, which will show their presence but are not seen as often here as they blend in perfectly with the tall grass. The national park has been declared an Important Bird Area by Birdlife International and is home to a diverse number of resident and migratory birds. With the sacred Brahmaputra River at its doorstep, waterfowl abound, including egrets, herons, river terns, black-necked storks and fishing eagles. A river cruise down the Brahmaputra gives you the opportunity to spot Ganges River dolphins, otters, fresh water turtles and crocodiles.

A stop in National Chambal Sanctuary is not all that common in your average India wildlife tour, but if the goal is to view rare endangered species in a beautiful natural habitat, add this to the list. Unlike most rivers in India, the Chambal is not considered holy, so while spiritual bathers visit other rivers, this one remains untouched and pristine. A boat ride along the river gives you a great opportunity to see the critically endangered gharial crocodile as they bask in the sun in impressive numbers. Less common but sometimes seen lounging next to the gharials are large mugger crocodiles. Ganges River dolphins are visitors to the sanctuary and it may be easier to see them here since the water is not as muddy as other rivers.

The flight from Dehli to Leh (the largest town in the Ladakh Region) is truly spectacular as you soar above the Himalayan mountain ranges and land in a fascinating place. The Leh Palace stands high over town while labyrinths of meandering streets offer charming shops, mud-brick homes and old-world monasteries. Luckily there is plenty of time to explore as you acclimate to the high altitude while sipping ginger tea. Then it is off to the remote Hemis National Park where your wildlife quest and camping safari begins. And what is it that you are looking for high up in these mountains? The elusive snow leopard! There may only be 200 of these cats in the park, but this is one of the best places in the world to spot them. Due to the rugged terrain and low temperatures of the Himalayas, only a handful of mammals can survive here. Herbivores include the bharal or Himalayan blue sheep, the argali or great Tibetan sheep and the endangered Ladakh urial. They are all hunted by the snow leopard along with the Tibetan wolf and the Himalayan brown bear. Most sightings occur around dawn so expect early mornings trekking the picturesque valleys. With a little luck, you will have one of the top wildlife encounters anyone can ask for.

The tropical rainforests of northern Sumatra are only for the most adventurous. The roads are bumpy and the eco lodges and camp grounds are very basic, but the jungle is bursting with life and is home to many animals found nowhere else. The Gunung Leuser National Park boasts over 4,000 species of plants, around 350 birds, 190 reptiles and amphibians and about 130 mammals including some of the rarest on Earth. The Sumatran rhinoceros can only be found here with maybe 200 individuals still roaming the mountain rainforest. Scientists say that there are only 400 Sumatran tigers left in the wild and this park is their last stronghold. A moment that will stay with you for life is when you first spot a Sumatran orangutan. Orangutans can only be found in Sumatra and the neighboring island of Borneo and they are very much like us. In fact, orangutan is translated as “person of the forest” in the Indonesian language. They can be encountered at Bohorok Sanctuary where rescued and wild orangutans are fed twice a day. An overnight trek in the jungle allows you to track these apes and their relatives. Some of the primates you might see are the Thomas leaf monkey, siamang, long-tailed macaque, pig-tailed macaque, greater slow loris and the acrobatic lar gibbon. Other fascinating species on Sumatra are the Malayan sun bear, clouded leopard, swamp crocodile, flying frog, rhinoceros hornbill, Asian pied hornbill, blue-crowned hanging parrot and the Rafflesia flower.

A treasure-trove of biodiversity with a staggering number of endemic species, the island of Sulawesi is shaped like some sort of sea monster. Fitting, as crazy creatures can be found both on land and just offshore. Marine parks like Lembeh, Bunaken, and Wakatobi are on all experienced scuba diver’s bucket lists. This is the underwater critter capital of the world where a keen eye can spot all sorts of unbelievable things with fairytale names like the wonderpus, hairy frogfish, lacey rhinopia, stargazer and Spanish dancer. Sea turtles make their home on the healthy reefs while sperm whales, pygmy sperm whales and dugongs are sometimes encountered. Back on land, the forests are just as diverse hosting some exciting animals. Tangkoko National Park in North Sulawesi is home to the black-crested macaque which is the rarest of the seven macaque species that live only on this island. These monkeys with spikey black hairdos and pink heart- shaped bottoms are very animated and initiate close interaction with humans. Spectral tarsiers may be the smallest primates on Earth. At dusk these adorable little guys that could fit in a teacup can be seen hanging on to nooks of trees in the forest. The bear cuscus and a few endemic squirrels thrive in Tangkoko as do many fascinating bird species like the knobbed hornbill and great-billed kingfisher. Down south in the isolated Nantu Forest National Park live mysterious wild cattle called anoa, Heck’s macaque, Sulawesi warty hogs and probably the strangest pig species of all, the babirusa. The babirusa has four tusks, two of which curve upward and back from the top of the snout. It is said that if a babirusa does not grind down these tusks, they may eventually penetrate its own head which can lead to death.

Indonesia is so exceptional that it even has dragons in Komodo National Park. While the Komodo dragons do not fly or breathe fire, they are very unique in our world. Up to ten feet long, these are the largest lizards on Earth and early explorers called them land alligators. Their drooling mouths are packed with gnarly bacteria and they are venomous, so don’t get bit. Actually, you are in no danger as our guides will keep you out of harm’s way while still providing close encounters with these remarkable reptiles. They are only found on a few of Indonesia’s remote islands and can be seen in the forest, on the beach and sometimes even on the dock when your boat pulls up. They feed on just about anything so the local crab-eating macaque, timor deer, wild boar and water buffalo best beware. Unique birds inhabiting the park include the white-bellied sea eagle, yellow-crested cockatoo and flame-breasted sunbird. While the Komodo dragons are the biggest draw to these islands, scuba divers visit on liveaboards to experience the diverse sites. One day you’ll be exploring an underwater volcano and the next you’ll be drifting along a stunning coral reef. Creatures big and small thrive here like manta rays, dolphins, sea turtles, nudibranchs and seahorses.

With powder-white beaches, untouched rainforest and pristine coral reefs, Raja Ampat is a tropical paradise. The scattered islands are sparsely populated so you get the sense of remoteness and seclusion, truly getting away from it all. For kayakers, snorkelers and scuba divers, this is heaven. The relatively small area boasts 75% of the world’s coral species. A healthy reef means a healthy ecosystem hosting a mind-blowing number of marine residents, possibly more than any other destination. Huge schools of fish, a wide array of colors and peculiar species make you almost not want to come up for air. Snorkelers can scan the shallow bottom in search of wobbegongs and “walking” epaulette sharks while divers can examine sea fans trying to locate different species of pygmy seahorses. Flashy birds of paradise live on a few of the small islands and many can be spotted in the isolated jungles of Papua. Northern cassowary, western crowned-pigeon, pheasant pigeon, Papuan hornbill, black lory, beach kingfisher and the elusive Bruijn’s brush-turkey are other key species. You can explore limestone caves where swallows and fruit bats live or cruise along the channels looking for crocodiles. Raja Ampat is remote wilderness at its best.

If you are looking to travel to Japan, you may envision evenings at sushi restaurants, a ride on the bullet train, attending a sumo wrestling tournament and shopping for that Samurai sword you always wanted. You may be surprised to hear that the Land of the Rising Sun is also the natural habitat for numerous rare and endemic animal species. A dramatic time to observe nature is during the winter wonderland. Japanese macaques or snow monkeys have become famous for soaking it up in natural hot tubs in Jigokudani Monkey Park. They socially lounge just like we do in a Jacuzzi and their relaxed expressions can be priceless.

Up in Hokkaido, large endangered red-crowned cranes flock by the hundreds as they often dance for you and their mates. This is quite a show as the birds can be up to 5 feet tall. Beautiful whooper swans line the icy lakes while Steller’s and white-tailed sea eagles look for a fish dinner. Sika deer, foxes, kites and owls can be seen as well. The wildlife plus the warm hospitality in this lesser traveled area of Japan is what makes this trip so phenomenal.

Japan is not well known for snorkeling and scuba diving but there are fantastic opportunities in the island groups of Okinawa. Sea turtles, hammerheads, humpback whales, mysterious underwater ruins and much more await the adventurous. We are one of the only US tour companies that offer wildlife tours to these islands.

On the northern tip of the island of Borneo  lies the Malaysian state of Sabah, home to an extraordinary array of wildlife and adventure. A journey here will quench the exploratory thirst of the most ambitious outdoorsmen and women with activities such as mountain climbing, cave exploration, river cruising, white-water rafting, mountain biking, bird watching, jungle trekking, scuba diving and snorkeling. The trails in  Kinabalu Park can lead you through beautiful forests or to the top of Mount Kinabalu at over 13,000 feet. More than half of Borneo’s flora can be found here including 1,000 orchid species, nine carnivorous pitcher plants and the largest flower in the world, the rafflesia, which can weigh over 20 pounds and smells like rotting meat when in full bloom. Not the flower to give your Valentine’s date. Up to ten species of primates can be found in Sabah, the most famous being the orangutan. They are easily seen at  Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center where orphans are looked after and local forest dwelling individuals visit for meal time. Twice a day food is set out and the orangutans can’t resist a free meal. Close interaction is possible as you watch their playful feeding antics. A dawn or dusk river cruise along  Kinabatangan River will be a highlight of the trip. Proboscis monkeys live in the trees along the river’s bank. These unusual creatures look fictitious with their large noses and big bellies. There is also the chance to see all eight of Borneo’s hornbill species, numerous birds of prey, orangutans, crocodiles, and maybe the endangered Borneo pygmy elephant. In the evening look for mammals soaring above head like the flying squirrel, flying fox and flying lemur. If you want to see cats,  Deramakot Forst Reserve is a must with regular sightings of clouded leopard, leopard cat, marbled cat and a wealth of other animals and birds. Heading to the ocean,  Turtle Island Park consists of three islands that are routinely visited by green and hawksbill sea turtles when they are ready to lay their eggs. Watch at night when the mothers come to shore and when the babies hatch and scamper to the water. For underwater adventures, you won’t find many dive and snorkel spots better than at  Sipadan Island. Famous for huge swirling schools of barracuda and jacks, other reef dwellers such as sharks, rays, turtles, bumphead parrotfish, clownfish, lionfish and nudibranchs are practically guaranteed to be encountered. The nearby islands of  Kapalai and Mabul  are known for muck diving where small unique critters such as frogfish, ghost pipefish, mandarinfish, crocodilefish, blue-ring octopus and the highly sought- after flamboyant cuttlefish can be spotted.

No building rises higher than the tallest palm and a single resort is the only structure you will find on many islands in this idyllic tropical paradise. In a destination where beaches often move by the season and a nap under a coconut tree is a popular afternoon activity, the Maldives is the place to go to fulfill your deserted island dream. For those that want more than a perfect beach, the marine life living throughout the archipelago is some of the most varied in the world. The reefs are teaming with colorful inhabitants like the butterflyfish, angelfish, triggerfish and parrotfish. A little deeper you’ll find huge schools of fish maneuvering in unison while casting a shadow over the sea floor. Reef sharks are a common sight as they harmlessly patrol the water. Turtles will pass by as they go about their day. Graceful manta rays will delight as they dance for you and the biggest fish of all, the whale shark, can be found year-round and are always a thrill to encounter. With overwater villas and underwater restaurants, the Maldives resorts are a treat for ocean- lovers. Or choose to take one of the liveaboard boats that cater to snorkelers and scuba divers. A one or two week trip on these yachts will allow you to experience the best of the Maldives’ underwater world.

In Nepal, adventurers can raft down wild rivers, soak in natural hot springs or climb to the highest peaks in the world, but tracking down the iconic wildlife that lives here will be a memorable part of any trip. From the steep snowy Himalayas to lush sub-tropical forests, Nepal has a remarkably diverse range of ecosystems where many rare and endangered animals and birds can be encountered.

In the lowland parks such as the popular Chitwan National Park and the remote Bardia National Park, you have a chance to spot a wide range of exotic species like the Bengal tiger, leopard, one-horned rhino, Asian elephant, barking deer, gaur, four-horned antelope, sloth bear, langur monkey, spotted linsang, striped hyena, Indian python, monitor lizard and over 400 bird species including the giant hornbill, Bengal florican, sarus crane and the Himalayan grey-headed fishing eagle. The rivers in these areas are home to the Ganges River dolphin and gharial crocodile, both of which are among the rarest of their kind. The lowlands can be explored in many ways including on foot, by car or by canoe.

The extreme Himalayas also host a variety of animals. Although very elusive, small populations of snow leopards and red pandas survive in the northern regions of Langtang National Park, Annapurna Conservation Area and Sagarmatha National Park. We can arrange expeditions to seek out these wonderful animals although a successful journey may involve strenuous hiking in high elevations or dense forests. Coming face to face with one of these legendary creatures will be well worth the journey. The mountains are also home to wolves, Himalayan bear, yak, blue sheep, Himalayan tahr and musk deer along with many beautiful birds like the crimson horned pheasant and the bar-headed goose, which flies higher than any other bird, sometimes right over the top of Mount Everest.

Because it is isolated and made up of over 7,000 islands, Philippines has one of the world’s highest biodiversity and is a great place to explore nature. For aquatic visitors, there are spots where you are almost guaranteed to see some of the most sought-after marine life. From December to May, scuba divers and snorkelers have a good chance to see whale sharks and manta rays at  Donsol. And whale sharks can be experienced year-round at Oslob  where local fishermen share their catch with the ocean’s largest fish. You can snorkel with these gentle giants while they sit vertically with their massive mouths open waiting for a free meal. Up off the northern tip of Cebu is an island named Malapascua where rarely seen thresher sharks live. Scuba divers are likely to encounter them on an early morning dive. Beautiful hard coral reefs attract sea turtles, large schools of fish and pelagics at areas like  Apo Island and Tubbataha . Anilao,  Dumaguete and Puerto Galera  offer small critters galore such as cuttlefish, frogfish, mandarin fish and sea horses. These areas rival Indonesia for the planet’s top muck diving.

For those who wish to stay dry, many endangered species await on land. Bohol  is known for the unique geological formations of the Chocolate Hills but also is a top destination for birding and is home to the Philippine tarsier, a tiny nocturnal primate with big eyes and a cute demeanor.  Palawan has been voted as one of the world’s most beautiful islands and rare creatures live here like the binturong, pangolin, Calamian deer, long-tailed macaque and Philippine forest turtle. A couple other critically endangered animals to mention are the Philippine fresh water crocodile and the Philippine eagle, also known as the monkey-eating eagle and one of the largest of its kind. They are rarely seen due to their few numbers but the search can be very rewarding.

With a wide range of elevation, isolation from the mainland and heavy rainfall, this tropical island country offers diverse wildlife encounters. Much of Sri Lanka’s flora and fauna is endemic or unique to the island. Numerous national parks are scattered across the land with Yala and Wilpattu being two of the most popular. Yala has one of the highest densities of leopards in the world with consistent sightings while on a jeep safari. Sambar deer, spotted deer, water buffalo, langur monkey and wild boar are other mammals you are likely to come across. In June and July, Wilpattu is the best park to spot the secretive Sri Lankan sloth bear. They do not hibernate in the winter as the temperatures are not as low as in other bear habitats, but they are nocturnal and rarely seen except for in these summer months. Along with many of the same mammals you can see in Yala, Wilpattu is also the home of the muntjac or barking deer.

A third park you will want to visit is Udawalawe National Park. Here you are nearly guaranteed to see wild Sri Lankan elephants along with a high population of water birds. Over 500 elephants call Udawalawe home making this the best destination in Asia to observe them. Speaking of elephants, if you visit in the dry months of August or September, you’ll want to head to Minneriya National Park. Each year, elephants gather to eat fields of grass in impressive numbers and you may encounter the endemic toque macaque with their red faces or the gray slender loris.

Sinharaja Rainforest Reserve is especially popular for birders as 95% of the endemic bird species are seen here. Mixed-species bird flocks are an interesting phenomenon in Sinharaja as up to ten different species can make up a flock. More than half of the fauna in this rainforest is only found here. Sri Lanka is also an excellent destination for whale and dolphin watching. Sperm whales and blue whales are frequent visitors while pods of spinner dolphins perform for day trippers.

You have probably heard about Thailand’s stunning beaches, Buddhist temples, royal palaces and mouth- watering cuisine, but you may not know much about the rainforests, reefs and sanctuaries that are home to iconic species such as elephants, gibbons and whale sharks. We can show you the wild side of Thailand, and we aren’t talking about the full-moon parties and night clubs.

Khao Yai National Park is a popular and accessible park for those looking to add a little wildlife to a standard Thailand tour. The roads and hiking trails take you through beautiful forests where you might come across gibbons, macaques, deer, hornbills, reptiles and elephants. See the waterfall made famous by the movie, The Beach. Visit a cave at dusk when a million bats form clouds as they fly away from their home. Take a night drive to spot slow loris and porcupines. This will certainly be a highlight of your Thai adventure.

Off the beaten path are other national parks that are rarely visited and teeming with life. Kaeng Krachan National Park is Thailand’s largest with seemingly endless mountainous jungle habitat. Here you have a wide range of animals including langurs, gibbons, macaques, leopards, civets, snakes and much more. Kui Buri National Park is one of the best destinations anywhere to spot Asian elephants. Large herds can be seen at numerous lookouts and are sometimes right beside the road. The gaur, the world’s largest wild cattle, can also reliably be seen here. Both parks along with Khao Yai are birding and herping paradises. Some of the 900 bird species include the blue pitta, grey peacock- pheasant, long-tailed broadbill, sultan tit, ratchet-tailed treepie, streaked spiderhunter, plain-pouched hornbill, red-bearded bee-eater, white-fronted scops owl, crimson- winged woodpecker and orange-breasted trogon. While some of the reptile highlights might be Burmese python, reticulated python, banded krait, king cobra, Vogel’s pit viper, oriental whip snake, brahminy blind snake, clouded monitor, Indochinese water dragon, barred gliding lizard, smooth-backed and parachute gecko.

Beach enthusiasts fall in love with Thailand as destinations such as Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi and Koh Samui offer powdery white sand and dramatic karst limestone cliffs. The scenery continues below the water’s surface as some amazing reef systems can be found in the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand. The Similan Islands are accessible from Phuket and make for a fascinating snorkel or dive trip with whale sharks, manta rays and an abundance of sea life. Divers looking to fully immerse themselves with the Andaman, can join a 7 night or longer liveaboard to visit remote dive sites such as Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock. In the Gulf of Thailand, the best underwater life is found near Koh Tao. Day trips can be made from your beach resort in between some pad Thai and a Thai massage.

Photo Credits (Clockwise from top left)
Cambodia: Syed Ahmad-Unsplash, Shimmerx Iyan-Unsplash, Ryan Dandy, Ryan Dandy, Ryan Dandy, Vince Gx-Unsplash
China: Li Chang-Diethelm, Peter Burdon-Unsplash, Abercrombie & Kent, Rosalind Chang-Diethelm, Yuanyang-Diethelm, Peter Burdon-Unsplash
India: Chirag Saini-Unsplash, Darshan Patel-Unsplash, Trison Thomas-Unsplash, Vincent van Zalinge- Unsplash, Julian Yu-Unsplash, Kartik Iyer-Unsplash
Indonesia: Altraz-Unsplash, Ryan Dandy, Ryan Dandy, Fajruddin Mudza-Unsplash, Alfiano Sutianto- Unsplash, Ryan Dandy
Japan: Steven Diaz-Unsplash, Sora Sagano-Unsplash, Hiroko Yoshii-Unsplash, Destination Asia, Zdenek Machace-Unsplash, David Edelstein-Upsplash
Malaysia: Diethelm, Diethelm, Jeremy Zero-Unsplash, Rob Hampson-Unsplash, Jeremy Zero-Unsplash Nazarizal Mohammad-Unsplash
Maldives: Ishan Seefromth-Unsplash, Muhammadh Saamy-Unsplash, Naushad Mohamed-Unsplash, Nattu Adnan-Unsplash, Ali Abdul Rahman-Unsplash, Sabastian PenaLambarri-Unsplash
Nepal: Sylwia Baetyzel-Unsplash, Sippakorn Yamkasikorn-Unsplash, James Chou-Unsplash, Kedar Bhusal-Unsplash, Mehmet Turgut Kirkgoz-Unsplash, Pascal Mauerhof-Unsplash