Whether seeing the Big Five in Kruger National Park is a lifetime ambition, sailing on the Nile, or seeing the Taj Mahal at sunrise escape the ordinary with us this winter.

1. See the Taj Mahal at sunrise
A visit to the Taj Mahal is a highlight of many first-time trips to India, it is still possible to have a very personal and unforgettable experience. The best time to see the Taj Mahal is at dawn – watch the sun rise over the iconic domes, when fewer crowds and the flattering first light guarantee an atmospheric experience.

2. Go Ziplining in Costa Rica
Take to the trees and see Costa Rica’s stunning forest canopy from a different perspective – by zipline. While ziplining in Costa Rica you’ll get up close and personal with the country’s wildlife, whizzing past birdlife and the occasional sloth.

3. Spot The Big 5 in South Africa
A safari is a classic bucketlist experience for many, and South Africa combines excellent game reserves, brimming with African safari animals and the all-important Big Five, with world-class beaches, buzzing cities, and rolling winelands. What’s not to love?

4. Walk the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route
On this walking holiday, discover the ancient pilgrim route of Camino de Santiago, which leads from the west Pyrenees to the Galican capital of Santiago de Compostela, passing through farmland and forests, and charming towns and villages.

5. Take a walking tour of Petra, Jordan
Jordan’s most impressive and famous historical site, Petra is a must-see for all visitors to the country. Enter the rose-red city on foot via the twisting Siq Gorge, whose vibrant-coloured walls reverberate with the history of ancient civilisations.

6. Snorkel with penguins and sealions in the Galapagos
Join a Galapagos Island Cruise for once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounters. Snorkel with penguins and sealions at some of the islands’ best snorkelling sites; see giant tortoises and watch the courtship display of the blue footed booby – it’s no wonder that the Galapagos has been called ‘the greatest wildlife show on earth’.

7. Stay overnight on a Kerala backwaters houseboat
Spend the night on a traditional houseboat on the Kerala backwaters. Explore river-side village life at a relaxed pace, and get under the skin of this tranquil area of rural southern India with a houseboat stay in Kerala.

8. Take photographs inside the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone
Discover the eerie site of the 1986 nuclear explosion on a Chernobyl Exclusion Zone tour. This fascinating region is a prime spot for urban photography – the town’s houses, supermarket and funfair stand just as they did on that fateful night over 30 years ago. Join an expert-led specialist photography trip, or choose a regular long weekend trip to Chernobyl and Kiev.

9. Join a Sahara Desert camel trek
Camel riding in Morocco is a fantastic way to experience this beautiful country. Saddle up and explore the high dunes of Erg Chebbi on camel back, and experience the sweeping sands of the Sahara in Lawrence of Arabia style.

10. Search for tigers in Ranthambore National Park
India is home to 70% of the world’s tiger population, and Ranthambore is its most famed park. Scattered through the park you’ll find temples and tombs, where you may also spot a tiger or a leopard hiding in the surrounding jungle. A family trip to northern India can combine the tigers, monkeys and sloth bears of Ranthambore with the Taj Mahal and highlights of Rajasthan.

11. Come face-to-face with mountain gorillas on safari in Uganda
Mountain gorillas are the main draw for visitors to Uganda, and a close encounter with these magnificent primates can be a moving experience. A safari in Uganda to see gorillas in the wild in Bwindi is best taken between December and February.

12. Sail down the Nile in a felucca
The best way to experience the mighty Nile is by travelling on it, rather than alongside it. Discover the awe-inspiring ancient Egyptian monuments that flank the river; let the kids sleep under the stars on the deck of the felucca Nile cruise or join an afternoon cruise to the Botanical Gardens, with a delicious Egyptian meal cooked fresh onboard.

13. Try delicious Vietnamese street food
Sip tasty Pho (beef noodle soup) from the street stalls of Hanoi’s Old Quarter or while in Hue tuck into Banh Mi – Vietnam’s take on the French baguette. Cycling trips really work up an appetite and our Cycle Saigon to Hanoi trip includes plenty of opportunity to sample delicious food along the route.

14. Experience Japan’s autumn colours of the Shogun Trail from a bullet train
From the spectacular mountain scenery of Hakone National Park to the rolling countryside of the tea plantations, and from buzzing Tokyo to traditional of Kyoto, Japan’s sights and cities burst into vibrant colour every autumn. Perhaps the best way to travel in Japan is by Japanese bullet train, which travels at up to 320km an hour and offers a high-speed rail experience like no other.

15. Walk or cycle around Angkor Wat temple
The sheer scale of this ancient temple complex in Cambodia, where 1,000 temples are scattered over 1,000sq km, is mind-blowing. At its heart stands the largest religious monument in the world, Angkor Wat, which has symbolised Cambodia and its people for almost two millennia. Explore the complex or foot, or take to two wheels and take the jungle route between the temples.

Original Post: https://www.exploreworldwide.ca/blog/july-2018/top-15-bucket-list-experiences-to-do-this-winter