Bucket-List Experiences with Anantara

Are you a thrill seeker or a culture buff? Like active nature trips or just want to zone out to spectacular sights and sensations? Let our shortlist of bucket-list experiences help you create a once-(or twice)-in-a-lifetime holiday.

It doesn’t get much more out-of-this-world than walking with elephants in a tropical jungle. This touching wildlife experience draws you into the plight of Thailand’s gentle giants, who live onsite at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort with their mahouts and their families. Walk with them as they take their morning exercise, picnic by the river with elephant views and get to know what makes them tick with an ELE Learning Experience. 

Glide beside giants at Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas, with a truly remarkable experience at Hanifaru Bay. Here, in the UNESCO-protected Baa Atoll, manta rays swirl through plankton-rich seas, feeding in unique cyclone formations and barrel-rolling into the depths. You can snorkel or free dive alongside mantas from June to November. Or come anytime of year for a Maldives trip that’s more romance than adventure. Recharge your batteries and rekindle your passion with a trip to Niyama Private Islands Maldives. Set sail on a dhoni cruise for two, dine under the stars or just retreat to your pavilion for some quality time together in a tropical paradise. 

Kaleidoscope wonders of the deep await in the Gulf of Thailand. If you’re a keen diver and always wanted to swim with whale sharks, Sail Rock offers world-class expeditions into the depths. This stony pinnacle is an easy boat ride from Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan, and home to colourful nudibranchs, anemones and migrating whale sharks, amongst other exotic marine creatures. Dive the rock and other flourishing dive sites in the area, then return to beachside luxury at Anantara. 

If your bucket list includes conservation, Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort in Sri Lanka lets you interact with animals in a meaningful way. In addition to national park safaris, mangrove walks, whale watching and organic farming talks, you can take part in local turtle conversation activities. Sri Lanka’s Rekawa Beach is a prime location for nesting marine turtles, and hatchlings sometimes need a helping hand making it to the water safely. Join local volunteers in a ‘turtle watch’, spotting newly hatched turtles make a dash for the ocean.   

The Middle East is also ripe for bucket-list experiences. Combine adventure with nature with a sunset camel trek through Abu Dhabi’s Empty Quarter. Or explore the UAE’s rich mangroves with a kayaking tour. Or for something truly wild, head to Sir Bani Yas Island, home to Arabian Oryx, giraffes, gazelles, cheetahs and more. Safari across the savannahs, ride through the sands on an Arabian horse or stage an immersive dinner for two amidst wild nature. 

Dhofar in Oman offers up another once-in-a-lifetime travel experience with glamping in the dunes and on the beach. In the spirit of Bedouin tradition, overnight camping and dining under the stars provides an immersive desert experience, with accompanying guides to offer expert insights into astronomy, botany, bird watching and more. Discover ancient ruins, follow the Frankincense trail, opt to trek with members of the Mahra tribe and bed down each night in a plush private tent. At the end of your tented experience, refresh with hammam rituals and authentic luxury at Al Baleed Resort  Salalah by Anantara.