The 20 experiences that should be on everyone’s bucketlist…

We all get bombarded with things like this, constantly being told all the things that you need to do before you die, all the places that you simply have to see, but we reckon we have the quintessential list for Asia and Latin America right here! So read on and see how many of these showstoppers you’ve visited, and how many more holidays to China, Chile, India, Japan etc, etc that you need to plan…

Women in traditional Mongolian dress lined up shooting bows and arrows.

20. Enjoy Naadam Festival (Mongolia)

The Naadam Festival is an incredible combination of arts, traditional culture and sports involving three main elements – wrestling, horseracing and archery. Known as the ‘Three Games of Men’, these skills were what Genghis Khan considered essential for warriors. 

Indian Bride and Groom

19. Experience a traditional Indian wedding (India)

Vibrant, extravagant, full of rich heritage and age-old traditions – an Indian wedding is sure to be an event you never forget!

Views over the temples of Bagan and the Irrawaddy River at sunset.

18. Explore Bagan’s Temples (Myanmar)

Wander the mesmerising landscapes, passing amongst beautiful temples, before boarding a local ox cart to explore deeper into the plains.

17. Stand in awe of the Taj Mahal (India)

No Asia bucketlist would be complete without the majestic Taj Mahal, one of the most recognisable,and beautiful, buildings in the world.

Snow monkeys bathing in a hot spring pool.

16. Meet the Snow Monkeys (Japan)

View the cheeky Japanese macaques, or snow monkeys, of Jigokudani bathing in their hot spring pool!

Views over Halong Bay with ships

15. Cruise Halong Bay (Vietnam)

Explore the ethereal beauty of Halong Bay by boat to see why so many visitors are drawn here.

14. Take the Toy Train to Shimla (India)

The Kalka-Shimla toy train snakes into the foothills of the Himalayas and is often described as one of the most beautiful railways in the world.

Views over the Atacama Desert at sunset.

13. Explore the enigmatic beauty of the Atacama (Chile)

A vast area of stark volcanoes, Mars-esque valleys, towering cacti and pink-hued salt lakes, the Atacama Desert not only provides spectacular landscapes to explore but is one of the best places in the world to go stargazing.  

Monks on the holy mountain of Koyasan.

12. Join the monks of Koyasan for morning service (Japan)

Spend the night in a Japanese temple and rise early to join the monks for their daily service – hearing them chant is incredibly inspiring.

Colourfully-dressed Uros women on the floating islands.

11. Visit the ancient Uros people (Peru)

Living on islands made of reeds that float around Lake Titicaca, visiting the Uros people and learning about their history is a remarkable experience.

Views of Mount Everest from the road to basecamp.

10. Gaze on mighty Mount Everest (Tibet)

The majestic Mount Everest and the surrounding sky-scraping peaks of the Himalayan massif loom over the landscapes of southern Tibet. Ever present on the horizon as you journey through the harsh but beautiful landscapes, there are always rewarding views to capture.

9. See the Giant Pandas of Chengdu (China)

No visit to China is complete without a trip to the Chengdu Panda Reserve. Here you can spot the adorable giant pandas and their cubs munching on bamboo, playing and climbing trees.

8. Discover Angkor by Tuk Tuk (Vietnam & Cambodia)

What better way to see the glorious Angkor temple complex than from the back of a traditional tuk tuk? Explore Angkor Wat, Bayon Temple, Ta Prohm and all the wonders in between, ending your ride with incredible sunset views.

Orangutan sitting in a tree

7. Spot the orangutans in Borneo (Borneo)

Visiting the orangutans in the wild, as they play and swing among the treetops, is one of the world’s greatest wildlife experiences and should be added to any animal lover’s bucketlist.

Elephants walking along a river in Sri Lanka

6. Safari in Sri Lanka (Sri Lanka)

Spotting leopards, elephants and bears in their natural habitat against a beautiful backdrop of Sri Lanka makes for a brilliant adventure. There are a wealth of fabulous national parks and nature reserves to choose from – including Yala, Udawalawe and Wilpattu.

The limestone peaks of Zhangjiajie

5. Explore Zhangjiajie Avatar Mountains (China)

The pillar-like quartzite-sandstone formations that make up Zhangjiajie National Park emerging from mist and lush greenery is entirely otherworldly – it’s no wonder that the park inspired the setting for the movie Avatar.

The magnificent Registan at the heart of the Silk Road city of Samarkand.

4. Explore the Silk Road city of Samarkand (Uzbekistan)

Magnificently depicted by poets and historians for centuries, the ancient city of Samarkand boasts sublime architecture, unique monuments and incredible culture, making it an inspiring and striking place to explore.

Mt Fuji at sunrise reflected in a lake

3. Hike the base of Mount Fuji (Japan)

An iconic symbol of Japan, people come from all over the world to gaze at Mount Fuji. Make your way through alpine forests, meadows and around lakes, stopping to admire upon the peak towering above you.

A train travelling through the Andes Mountains to Machu Picchu.

2. Ride the train to Machu Picchu (Peru)

Embark on an unforgettable voyage weaving through Jurassic Park-like scenery and breathtaking landscapes as you make your way to Machu Picchu. The Perurail train boasts panoramic windows so you can enjoy the striking views.

1. Journey along the Great Wall of China (China)

To walk along one of the greatest wonders of the world and take in the remarkable sight of the Great Wall snaking through the awe-inspiring landscape is a truly unbeatable experience.

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