Asia's Top 10 Adventure Resorts

Agoda.com, an online travel company specializing in discount hotel bookings in Asia, unveiled its Top 10 “Adventure Resorts” in the Asia/Pacific region. The survey is a response to the emerging trend of “Adventure Tourism” which is becoming increasingly popular. Adventure travel includes physical activity, interacting with local culture, and engaging with nature. The Asian/Pacific region is an amazing place for adventure tourism because it is a vibrant and culturally rich expanse with a wealth of natural beauty.

Mr. Michael Kenny, CEO of Agoda.com remarked, “In the past, adventure tourism was only for a niche group of tourist, focused mainly on the activities themselves and generally not for the faint of heart. Adventure tourism has evolved and become increasingly popular because the activities are tailored to individual needs, including luxury accommodation in remote areas.”

“Present day adventure resorts strike a balance between comfort and luxury with challenging and exhilarating adventure activities. We hope Agoda’s Top 10 Adventure Resorts will provide good options for travelers that want a little more than just sitting by the pool.” Mr. Kenny added.

Agoda’s Top 10 Adventure Resorts are:

1.Taj Safari Resort, Mahua Khoti, India
Experience the thrill of twice-daily jungle safaris, nature walks with trained naturalists and elephant treks in India’s Bandhavargh Provincial Park, home to the highest concentration of tigers in Southeast Asia. The 12 luxurious village huts provide an ideal home base from which to explore some of India’s greatest wonders.

2.Amankora, Bhutan
Aman Resorts offers five opulent lodges strategically placed for a trek through pristine and mystical Bhutan. With each lodge offering something unique, guests may choose to stay at one or all of the lodges, while trekking through some of the world’s most remote areas. Itineraries can be designed according to guest’s specifications, thus providing an endless selection of breathtaking adventures.

3.Four Seasons, Golden Triangle, Thailand
Accessible only by riverboat, the Four Seasons has created 15 luxury tents in the heart of Southeast Asia. Thailand’s Golden Triangle, a remote region that borders Myanmar and Laos, is the ultimate adventure hideaway. This amazingly beautiful area offers a wealth of pulse pumping activities and experiences, including elephant treks, mountain hikes, and river tours.

4.Elephant Safari Park Lodge, Bali, Indonesia
Enjoy a gourmet breakfast, complemented by the sights and sounds of elephants migrating to a lake for their morning bath. Guests are encouraged to interact with the elephants by taking treks through the Taro forests, assisting in bathing, and spending time at the feeding and petting areas, while learning more about the life of these regal pachyderms.

5.Freedom Inn Niseko, Japan (website)
This tranquil retreat, situated in the scenic countryside of Hanazono, Hokkaido, boasts views of mountains, streams, and volcanic peaks. The recently opened Hanazono 308 Base Lodge and the Niseko United Ski lifts are just a short distance away, in addition to winter activities that include skiing, snowboarding, snow trekking, snowmobiling, and horseback riding. Guests are invited to relax at the hot springs bath located on the opposite side of the mountain for a truly refreshing experience.

6.El Nido Resorts Lagen Island Palawan, Philippines (website)
Explore the 45 islands and islets that surround this beautiful tropical resort and offering endless opportunity for adventure, nature appreciation, mountain trekking, and climbing. Miniloc Island is a great place for snorkeling and getting up close and personal with schools of fish right off shore. Kayak around the big and small lagoons or venture to Cadlao Island for trekking, and a walk to the inland lagoon at Nagkalit-kalit.

7.River Kwai Jungle Raft, Kanchanaburi, Thailand (website)
Let the world’s entire worries float away on the River Kwai at this tranquil jungle raft resort. Explore nearby caves and waterfalls via canoes or elephants and enjoy the thrilling yet peaceful surroundings. Guests are encouraged to get involved with the local Mon tribes, watch ritual dances, and partake in local customs.

8.Bamurru Plains Hotel, Kakadu, Australia (website)
Hidden in the Australian savannah, nine luxury safari-tent suites provide an ideal oasis from the fast pace of modern life. With no phones or televisions, only highly attentive staff, the resort caters to those seeking to be reacquainted with nature while leaving the chaos of city life behind, if only for a short while.

9.Laos Spirit, Luang Prabang, Laos (website)
Located in the mountains of Laos along the Nam Khan River, this eco-friendly resort offers refurbished French Colonial buildings as a home base for some of the best trekking and hiking in Southeast Asia. Experience the splendor of unspoiled nature and the welcoming qualities of the local people at this majestic mountain hideaway.

10.Hin Tok River Camp @ Hell Fire Pass, Kanchanaburi, Thailand (website)
Twenty rustic, eco-style luxury tents overlooking the River Kwai offer a fulfilling change to the luxury hotels of Bangkok. Just two hours outside of Bangkok, this resort is an ideal base from which to explore the nearby Lawa Cave and a myriad of inspiring attractions.

For more information regarding Agoda, please go to the website at www.agoda.com.

About Agoda
Agoda (www.agoda.com) is an online hotel reservations service which specializes in securing the lowest discount hotel prices in Asia. Agoda.com is part of Priceline.com (Nasdaq:PCLN). Agoda’s network includes 8,933 hotels in Asia and more than 50,000 worldwide. The staff of over 300 professionals, located throughout Asia, provides a first-rate reservation service that uniquely combines local knowledge and local connections to provide the best hotel deals to both business and leisure travelers.

In addition, Agoda customers participate in the Agoda Rewards Program, earning further discounts and free stays. Unlike programs that limit travelers to a single chain, the Agoda Rewards Program allows customers to redeem Rewards Points at thousands of hotels around the globe, at any time. A member of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), Agoda’s aim is to promote travel by making it more affordable and more accessible to more people.