Tour groups are notoriously uncool. Picture a herd of seniors swarming over the Great Wall, fanny packs over stomachs and cameras in hand. Next stop: the souvenir outlet, followed by the buffet. No thanks.
Here are 11 unique Asia excursions that even the most worldly traveler may not have yet tried.
1. See Asia on a unicycle
Asia bicycle tours are popular, so why not raise the bar and get on a unicycle? Every year, Grasshopper Adventures leads up to 12 people on a week-long scenic trip. They’ve rolled through Vietnam, India and Laos; this August, don’t be surprised to see one-wheelers in Mongolia. (US$1,850 a person, including food and equipment.)
2. Marvel at Khmer architecture
Khmer Architecture Tours takes you off the tourist-beaten path to Phnom Penh’s most dazzling structures, such as 1960s villas in Toul Kork. You can even design your own walking tour, led by an English-speaking local architect or student. (US$1 for Cambodians; US$5-8 for foreigners.)
3. Be a Mumbai Slumdog
"Slumdog Millionaire" fans, this trip’s for you. Reality Tours and Travel brings visitors to Mumbai’s vast slum district, Dharavi, where the film was set. Eighty percent of the revenues fund a non-profit to promote education in India’s poorest areas. (US$10-130 per person.)
4. Take a gay-friendly vacation in Southeast Asia
“Pimping is not part of our concept,” emphasizes Purple Dragon, Asia’s largest gay tour operator. The company works with LGBT-friendly hotels and discreet guides so that customers never feel uncomfortable. Purple Dragon offers custom private tours to every part of Southeast Asia; prices vary.
5. Blaze through Japan’s pop culture
Forget about kabuki and tea ceremonies: Pop Japan Travel throws you into J-pop central. Shop for electronics in Akihabara, meet the designers of Lolita brand Angelic Pretty, or draw big-eyed girls in manga school. (Around US $2,000 for a week-long experience.)
6. Be a ninja or a sumo wrestler for a day
When “cultural activities” involve beating up other members of the tour group... sign me up! Japan’s H.I.S Experience lets you re-create your favorite fight scenes with samurai swords, ninja weapons and a school of sumo wrestlers. (Around US$160 a person.)
7. Soul-search in a Korean Buddhist temple
What better way to recharge your spiritual batteries than by living in a Korean temple, surrounded by Buddhist monks? Templestay makes arrangements for you to chant and meditate with the pros. (Around US$40-80 a night.)
8. Get a nip and tuck in Singapore
It’s no surprise that Singapore is a hub for patients seeking safe, cost-effective surgical procedures: the World Health Organization ranked its health care system best in Asia and sixth best in the world. SingaporeMedicine, a government-partnered site to promote medical tourism, has a list of approved agencies.
9. Learn how to cook in Bali
When Farah Remtulla vacationed in Bali with two friends, they signed up for a day class at Bumbu Bali cooking school. The group bought fresh ingredients at the market and whipped up a spicy feast. Remtulla says, “I informed the school that it was my friend’s birthday, so at lunch time the staff put a large, covered platter in front of her… and when she opened her present, there was a live chicken inside!” (US$75-80 per person.)
10. Dig through Silk Road relics
If you ever wanted to trade places with Indiana Jones, this is your chance. The scholars of Archaeological Tours guide you through remarkable Asian ruins. Most intriguing is the Silk Road journey, which weaves through China’s ancient caves and citadels. (Prices vary; most trips are around US$2,000 per person.)
11. Get trashed in Phuket and Singapore
As its name implies, Thirsty Swagman organizes the world’s biggest pub crawls. This April, the “Asia Annihilator” tour stumbled through Singapore’s bars, then raised a toast in Phuket for Thai New Year. (Starts at US$990.) Keep an eye out for next year's event or more Asia related mayhem.
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