by Sara Wells

5 of the best Attenborough-style adventures in Asia

Go beyond your screen. Admire the astonishing animals in person.

Across Asia

I don’t know about you but here at ETG, we’re all absolutely glued to Attenborough’s new Asia series.

The man’s a legend for a reason, isn’t he? He nailed it when he said, “Of all the continents, Asia holds more riches than any other.”

If the thought ‘I’d love to see this in real life’ popped into your head while watching, I’m happy to say your dreams aren’t farfetched! I, along with the rest of the Travel Team, have been lucky enough to spot many of these curious creatures in the wild, so have the inside track on how – and when – to see them.

Here’s a taste of our trips that’ll up your chances of coming face-to-face with such spectacular wildlife and feel immersed in the drama of the natural world:

Massive mantas and flamboyant fish in Indonesia

Beneath the waves in Komodo National Park, you can spot Moorish idols and pass graceful manta rays gliding along with their young (before they escape for some R&R at the ‘cleaning stations’ run by butterfly fish!).

And then there are the technicolour reefs in the Coral Triangle – where ¾ of the world’s coral lives. Just mind-blowing. And, I promise, Indonesia‘s underwater world is even more mind-boggling in person.

(Credit: Rascal Voyages)

Experience this for yourself as part of our Komodo Adventure & Magical Bali trip.

Mountaineering matriarchs in Southern India

When you venture above the clouds into the fertile peaks of the Western Ghats in the sultry south of India, you’ll see the largest land animal – the Asian elephant – grazing in high-altitude tea plantations.

Up here, the matriarchs of the herds turn into mountaineers and climb to the highest points (for somewhat mysterious reasons… most likely to reach fresh grassland).

(Credit: Aravind Ram)

Camels and cloud forests in Oman

Astonishingly, the arid Dhofar mountains of Oman are transformed every summer by the khareef (monsoon).

The moist air rolling in from the tropics creates a unique Arabian cloud forest and within two weeks, the parched land bursts into life.

You can witness the sheer power of nature and say hello to camels – the greatest of all desert-adapted animals – as they nibble on the new-found greenery.

(Credit: ETG’s Becky)

Remarkable tigers and rare rhinos in Nepal

I was delighted to see Nepal – the latest destination to be added to our offering – on Attenborough’s Asia (Episode 1 & 4).

Thanks to impressive conservation efforts in this country, the tiger population has doubled in the last decade. It’s seriously thrilling to spot cubs play and pounce under their mother’s watchful eye, if luck is on your side.

What’s more, there are the one-horned rhinos to see here too, relaxing in waterlily-filled rivers or courting each other back on dry land. I, personally, have very fond memories of spotting rhino in Chitwan NP.

(Credit: Barahi Jungle Lodge)

Up your chances of glimpsing these curious creatures by following our Nepal, The ETG way itinerary.

Baby orangutans and miniature elephants in Borneo

Among the oldest on Earth, Borneo’s tropical rainforests are – as I’m sure you know – home to the orange orangutan.

You’re likely to see them foraging for food and on the lookout for a mate, and if you’re as fortunate as I was, you’ll spy baby orangutans high up in the forest canopy.

And there’s more adorable wildlife to see here like the teeny pygmy elephants, which are around the size of dogs. Sweet!