What makes south Asia a great destination for adventure holidays?

Thursday, 9 February 2012 11:05 AM

There are many reasons to visit south Asia, from being able to experience the area's vibrant culture to coming face-to-face with wild creatures. However, one of the biggest attractions of this region is being able to embark on Nepal and Bhutan trekking trips.

As this region is home to some of the world's tallest mountains, there are plenty of opportunities to stretch your legs, making trekking one of the most popular activities to take part in on a break here.

Go hiking in Nepal

Adventure treks in Nepal are perhaps the most popular reason for holidaymakers to visit this part of south Asia. Home to the Himalayas, you will be able to enjoy breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains and jutting peaks as you hike up the steep hillsides.

You don't have to embark on a trip to Everest Base Camp if you go trekking in Nepal though, and you'll find plenty of shorter hikes, allowing you to pick one depending on your ability and how far you want to walk.

Nepal is thought to be the steepest country in the world, so it is certainly a good place to exercise those calf muscles. However, the country, which neighbours India, isn't just worthwhile visiting so you can spend your days exercising in the outdoors; its incredible landscape means you will be able to enjoy breathtaking vistas along the way.

The changing ecosystems as you ascend the mountains' slopes will see you traverse through forests, past waterfalls and over steep peaks. On a clear day, you might be able to see the snow-capped summit of Everest, while the rest of the landscape of jutting mountaintops also makes for memorable images.

Trek in Bhutan

Nepal isn't the only south Asian country that is ideal for trekking and Bhutan offers fantastic opportunities to breathe in fresh air.

There are a range of different hikes you can opt for, from ones lasting just a day to those that take up to two weeks to finish. The longer treks are for ramblers who are keen on walking at heights of more than 4,000 m as this timeframe allows them to acclimatise well to the altitude.

If you are planning on going on the longer hikes, it is advisable to visit Bhutan in October and November or between March and May, as this is when the weather is best for you to climb slopes of this scale.

Get close to wildlife

South Asia isn't just a brilliant place to visit if you want to give yourself a walking challenge, as it is also home to some fantastic sights and things to see.

Something you should make time to do on a trip to the region is go on a wildlife safari.

This part of the world offers the chance to come close to some wild creatures, including birds, rhinos and even the Bengal Tiger.

In Nepal, you can expect to spot deer and monkeys at the Nagarjun Forest Reserve, while the Bardia National Park is an ideal location to head to if you are keen on going on an elephant ride through the jungle.

You could also spot other wild animals here, including gharial and mugger crocodiles hiding in the water, rhinos disguising themselves among tall reeds and an array of tropical birds. This is also one of the best places to spot Bengal tigers in Nepal, so make sure you head here if you're a fan of big cats.

These are just a few of the exciting things to do in south Asia; however, if you want to take a look at Bhutan or Nepal uncovered it is best to see it for yourself!

Mix adventure with volunteering in India or Sri Lanka

If you want to embark on a getaway with a difference, you may well have thought about overseas adventure travel. A popular choice among those keen to try a range of exhilarating activities during their break, such trips also allow you to explore exciting destinations. However, to make these journeys all the more rewarding, you could consider combining them with volunteering.

What can you expect on a Nepal trek?

If hiking through some of the most spectacular scenery in the world is something that appeals to you, it is certainly worth thinking about booking Nepal trekking tours. As well as getting to experience a dynamic array of terrain, there's also the opportunity to explore historic Buddhist and Hindu temples and other ancient sites.