Travel + Leisure India & South Asia — May 2017

SLEEP IN THE WORLD’S MOST LUXURIOUS TENTS IN

Yala, Sri Lanka

Take a walk on the wild side, and step into the

protected jungle home of some of the rarest

animals on the planet in Yala National Park.

With one of the world’s most dense populations

of the majestic leopard, this Sri Lankan premier

ecotourism destination off ers the chance to

experience the untamed wild. See glorious

peacocks, mighty elephants, sloth bears,

sambars and crocodiles. Prepare to be stunned

by the varied ecosystem that shapes the home

of the rich diversity of animals. Your journey

will see you traverse rainforests that lead into

grasslands, and wetlands that open up to sandy

beaches. Hunt for signs of a lost civilisation

and have a peek into the region’s brilliant past.

Sithulpawwa, an ancient Buddhist monastery

with a history of over 2,000 years—among

many other temples—off ers insight into

the days of Sri Lankan kings and a thriving

civilisation. Opening this October is the ultra-

luxurious ‘glamp’ stay called Wild Coast Tented

Lodge by Resplendent Ceylon—the same hotel

group that also created the incredible Cape

Weligama property.

SPEND A NIGHT CRUISING ON THE

Mekong Delta in Vietnam

Known as the rice bowl of Vietnam, the

lush fi elds of the delta are crisscrossed with

tributaries of the Mekong River. Travelling by

boat here is the norm, with houses and markets

fl oating alongside. Cruising the languid waters

is a peaceful pastime, but spending the night

afl oat gives travellers the chance to experience

the peace of this region in new ways.

DIVE INTO THE EMERALD WATERS OF

Indonesian Papua

Defi ne your own path and be awed by

Indonesian Papua’s incredible landscapes and

the warmth of its diverse cultures. Dive- and

eco-resorts are set amid lush tropical forest and

some of the richest biodiversity found on Earth.

The Raja Ampat islands are some of the most

stunning in the world, with spectacularly clear

turquoise seas and lush foliage that blanket the

towering mountains. Delve beneath the depths

of the crystal waters to get up close and personal

From above: The
cocoon-like luxury
tents at Wild Coast
Te n t e d L o d g e ,
Ya l a , S r i L a n k a.
Opposite: Tourists
take a boat ride
in Van Long Nature
Reserve, Ninh
Binh, Vietnam.