Summer is the best season to experience Mongolia, traversing this vast country by horse and camel in the manner of the nomadic herdsmen whom you will meet along the way. Centuries of tradition come alive in archery, wrestling and horseback riding competition at naadam festivals, while fishing on the Onon River for humongous taimen and the Flaming Cliffs in the southern Gobi desert are further draws. Stay in luxury gers with your own private chef in the Gobi. 

Summer is the also the ideal time to experience the breathtaking terrain and awe-inspiring temples of Tibet. Lhasa, home to the phenomenal Potala Palace, is a great base for making day trips to nearby monasteries and hiking in the region’s dramatic mountains. It can be combined with the Kathmandu Valley, as direct flights now connect Tibet and Nepal. Likewise, the Indian Himalaya region of Ladakh offers rugged trekking and a treasure trove of Buddhist heritage along the Indus River. 

In Malaysian Borneo, cruise the Kinabatangan River through lush jungle for a chance to spot the endangered orangutan and proboscis monkey. Visit the Turtle Islands of the coast of Sabah, where each night hundreds of the reptiles crawl ashore to lay their eggs. Plunge into the turquoise waters around tiny Sipadan Island, whose abundant marine life and huge drop-off has made it a world-renowned diving destination. In family-friendly Bali, children will delight in traditional kite making and dance and gamelan classes with their Balinese peers. 

Embark on a canoe trip on the Gogol River, visiting local villages along the way and joining families in making traditional wooden masks, pottery and instruments. Helicopter over rugged mountains, jungles and volcanoes to visit remote tribes like the Asaro mudmen and Huli wigmen, and witness the spectacular Sepik Crocodile Festival, where thousands of tribespeople with extravagant costumes, face painting and piercings gather for jubilant song and dance. Discover a cornucopia of tropical fish amid Papua New Guinea’s world-class diving.