21 Top South-East Asia Adventures

Swim with whale sharks, clamber smoking volcanoes and wander where dragons roam. South-East Asia is packed with unforgettable moments – here’s our pick of the best…

- Nick Ray

Swim with whale sharks, clamber smoking volcanoes and wander where dragons roam. South-East Asia is packed with unforgettable moments – here’s our pick of the best…

South-East Asia is one of the world’s top adventure destinations, boasting everything from untapped jungle to cathedral-like caverns. It’s a place where orangutans swing among the canopies and exotic wildlife, from elephants to ‘dragons’, can be seen in close proximity. In the water, teeming reefs and snorkelling opportunities are plentiful. Trekking, cycling, climbing, diving, surfing, wildlife watching, wellness – it’s all here in an action-packed region where the activities won’t break the budget.

1 Explore the Gardens by the Bay, Singapore

A game changer for gardens all over the world, this billion-dollar botanical wonder is made up of temperature-controlled biodomes that showcase environments from the Mediterranean to montane rainforest. The ‘Supertrees’ (pictured) are the iconic image of this project, and twinkle every night at 7.45pm and 8.45pm in a dazzling light show. Set aside at least a few hours to explore this enormous site. Where: Adjacent to the Marina Reservoir, Singapore. When: Year round. How: This immense botanical garden can absorb a large number of visitors, so just show up on the day.

2 Float the temples of Bagan at sunrise, Myanmar (Burma)

The impressive temples of Bagan come in a dizzying array of shapes and sizes, and there is no better way to appreciate this historic spectacle than from the basket of a hot-air balloon, drifting across the Ayeyarwady plain. Take off in pre-dawn darkness and witness the sun bathe the spires of Bagan in its golden light for one of those breathtaking travel moments that linger long in the memory.

Where: Bagan, Mandalay Division, Central Myanmar.