See the world’s biggest lizards in their natural habitat at Indonesia’s Komodo Island. As well as seeing these impressive reptiles, you’ll visit Komodo National Park, and hop on sailing cruises to explore the area’s volcanic islands and marine life.

Everest hardly needs an introduction. While an attempt to ascend to its peak would be foolish for most of us, getting up to Everest Base Camp is achievable for most. You could hike to this legendary spot – which sits at 5,364 metres above sea level, but flying is also an option. Either way, you’ll get views of jaw-dropping panoramas of the Himalayas.

Ryokans have been part of Japan’s hospitality scene since the eighth century. At these traditional Japanese inns, guests sleep on mattresses laid out on tatami mats and feast on homey Japanese meals. Many even have access to onsens. Popular favourites include Yoshimatsu, Gora Kadan and Kayotei.

Yes, you can go hot-air ballooning in many parts of the world. But only in Bagan, Myanmar, can you balloon over more than 2,000 temples dating from the 9^th to the 13^th A sunrise flight over these ancient structures becomes a truly unique spiritual experience.

In the southern Chinese town of Xi’an lies one of the world’s most unique attractions. The Terracotta Army is a vast collection of some 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots, and 670 horses (at last count), all created in the late third century BC and guarding the tomb of Qin Shi Huang, the first Qin Emperor.

To truly understand the history and traditions around sumo wrestling, head straight to Tokyo. The traditional home of the sport is Ryogoku Kokugikan stadium in Sumida, where you’ll join a crowd of 13,000 spectators, all there to watch authentic matches. For the full experience, visit in the morning to catch the wrestlers’ training sessions at their ‘stables’.

Bhutan is now a hot travel destination, and gained serious exposure when the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited in 2016. There’s plenty to love here, including Himalayan hiking trails, iconic ‘dzong’ temples, snow-capped mountains, and surprising local cuisine. But this is also one of the world’s happiest countries, and the world’s first carbon-neutral country.

At the crossroads of Thailand, Myanmar, and Vietnam is this surprising spot known as the Golden Triangle. Yes, it can be very touristy – and yes, it’s the world centre of opium. But skip the traps and drugs to go trekking the green hills and explore the confluence of the Mekong and Ruak rivers. The Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle resorts here also offer the change to engage with elephants in an ethical manner.

Vietnam’s Hang Son Doong is said to be the largest cave system in the world. Hidden in Phang Nha Ke Beng National Park, this cave was discovered in 1990, and visits are strictly limited for preservation. Local company Oxalis runs sustainable expeditions where you’ll embark on a tough two-day trek through dense jungle – overnighting at Hang En, the world’s third-largest cave – before spending two nights exploring Hang Son Doong.

There are plenty of epic train journeys around the world. But only in Asia can you ride from China to Russia, tracing the ancient caravan routes that used to transport tea to Europe. From Beijing, a Trans-Mongolian trip will take you past the Gobi Desert, Lake Baikal, and the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar. With its range of landscapes and activities, the Trans-Mongolian is a train trip like no other.

The island of Borneo is the natural habitat of these orange-furred primates, so there’s no better place to see them. Orangutans are endangered, but you can visit them by travelling to the Bornean jungles and staying at rainforests lodges, or going to one of its rehabilitation centres, like Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary. In Gunung Leuser National Park, the village of Bukit Lawang offers visitors the change to embark on treks to see these creatures in the wild.