This one’s for the bucket list keeping adventure seekers. The ones who wake up every day with an insatiable appetite for travelling and a persistent question of ‘is it the mountains, the beach or something in-between for the weekend’? Their daily routine consists of waking up, thinking about where to travel for a dose of adrenaline rush and adventure, eat, sleep, repeat; in that order of importance. While itineraries that the internet suggests have places that have already become tourist-y or are overrated, most adventurous travellers seek places that offer more than usual fare. And Asia is definitely not short of those.
Recent developments in the world of travel, especially that of adventure, indicate a steady rise in the quest for immersive, authentic, and unique experiences that will not only add to the travellers’ ‘list of destinations’ but also to their lives. Asia is home to unimaginable diversity, a multicultural melting pot, and land to a few of the oldest civilizations on Earth. Even though sieving and choosing from a sea of such destinations is an arduous task, a few places can be listed to quench the thirst of avid travellers.
Unveiling hidden gems
In tracing the Google search trends of travellers, a location that has been popping up consistently, is Sri Lanka. As of June 2023, the search for a ‘Sri Lanka tour’ has escalated by 400% worldwide in the past 12 months. One of the main reasons why people are attracted to Sri Lanka is because of its biodiversity. Claiming its spot as one of the top five biodiverse locations in the world, this small island is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. While it is of no surprise that the pearl of the Indian Ocean is known for its alluring coastal beaches, a location that seems to be gaining visibility through word of mouth is the Knuckles Mountain Range. Located in central Sri Lanka, the mountains cannot be accessed through public transport. With its beautiful trails, abundant waterfalls, and treks, Knuckles may not keep you connected with Wi-Fi but will certainly keep you connected with nature. For ones looking for solitude, natural beauty and to go off-grid, Knuckles is an ideal retreat.
If you think you hit the jackpot with Knuckles, once you hear about ‘Nil Diya Pokuna’, you will attain a supreme bliss that will be known only once in a lifetime. Located at a distance of 13.3 km from Ella, this 100m underground pond lives up to its name as a hidden gem. The water is a blue that you have never seen before and this pond tucked away inside a mysterious cave is believed to be built by the man, the myth, the legend, Ravana himself. Getting to this pond requires the presence of an informed guide (who knows the ups and downs of the journey), tight safety measures and a knack for treasure hunting. All this effort guarantees one thing; sighting ‘Nil Diya Pokuna’ will be an experience that is larger than life, one that you will take with you to the grave.
Once you levitate a bit further away from the island formerly known as Ceylon, you will land in Thailand. Navigate your way through the country and make a run toward Mae Hong Son.
This town is often veiled by its neighbouring hotspot of Pai. However, if you look around well enough you will discover Mae Hong Son; a place that cocoons mountains, pristine forests, waterfalls, you name it. The highlight of Mae Hong Son is a Shan-style temple that was founded in the late 1800s. For trekking, climbing, and hiking enthusiasts, this warrants a 1500m climb. The end of the climb will reward you with the most astonishing panoramic views.
The next stop is at Palawan, Philippines; Nature’s Last Frontier. This is a pristine island province in the Philippines, a paradise that is lost in time. It is well known for its seascapes, unparalleled cultural, adventure, and nature experiences. .
(Palawan, Philippines)
Palawan boasts of not just one, but several UNESCO World Heritage Sites. To name a couple of them:
- Tubbataha Reef
- The Saint Paul Subterranean River National Park
With an underground river system that is surrounded by limestone formations and a woodland that is brimming with wildlife, Palawan is not just for adrenaline junkies but also for nature lovers.
More gems await
An ample dose of nature, rivers, mountains, and beaches will have you yearning to unleash your inner nomad. Even if you have not sported that desire yet, once you get a taste of what Mongolia and the nomadic odyssey that it offers will change your mind. And on top of that the land of Mongolia is surprisingly one that is unexplored and does not fall under mainstream travel destinations. This is a country with a long and impressive history where its first human settlement dates back to 800,000 years. If human settlements do not perk your interest (which I totally understand), the fact that Mongolia keeps fossils of ancient animals such as mammoths and dinosaurs will certainly do the trick. Getting to see animals, even if it is just bones and skeletons, from a pre-historic age that were wiped off by an asteroid impact is not only surreal but transcends the time space continuum.
Additionally, Mongolia is an abode for many endemic species such as the Gobi/Semi desert bear and the two-humped wild camel. For travellers who inhale adventure for a living, this is a location of many dimensions.
As an extension of healing your soul with history, visiting Kurashiki, Japan becomes an absolute must. This historical city situated in the Oyakama region has been accoladed as the most picturesque town in Japan, and rightfully so.
One look at the town and you will understand why as it almost seems like it is frozen in time. Much of the place is designed based on and is influenced by Japan’s Edo Period in the 1600s. The streets are decorated with white-walled Kominaka (traditional houses). The Edo Yore is amplified by the various art, and folklore museums, and local confection shops that surround the streets.
Evidently, the world is teeming with places that a daring, adventurous traveller could visit. Listing out all such places or at least one-hundredth of such places will require a trilogy of books, each spanning over a thousand pages. Therefore it is understandable how seeking to discover the unexplored, witnessing authentic cultures, and immersing oneself in the grandeur of nature is a desire that needs to be fulfilled. However, it is vital to be aware that travelling to less-visited destinations in search of adventure requires meticulous planning and respect for local cultures and environments. Barging into the places like a bull in a China shop will only contaminate the experience of the travellers as well as the hosts, taking away from the essence of it.. That being said, consider this as a mere preview, a verbal tour that provokes you to start travelling, if you haven’t already. Afterall, YOLO.
(Sandunlekha Ekanayake)