Top 10 Ecotourism Vacations - Eco-tourism - Asia / Far East

The vast range of this exotic continent extends from the Arctic to the equator. Political instability has actually protected wildlife in some areas, while poaching and poor conservation efforts have literally wiped out many species. Still many wildlife reserves still hold some of the most endangered animals on planet earth. Asia is not only home to the Giant panda, but the Bengal tiger, the Komodo dragon, and the Sumatran Rhino.

1. Komodo Island, Indonesia

   The Komodo dragon, the closest relative of the dinosaur and the world's largest reptile, dominates this small island in Indonesia.

2. Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak

   Rare animals, including mammals, are still being discovered here every year. Sumatran rhinos, clouded leopards, Malaysian tigers, sun bears, and orangutans are spotted here by the lucky few. Also home to the largest cave system in Southeast Asia.

3. Jim Corbett National Park, India

   Founded by a former tiger hunter, India's first national park is one of the best places in the world to see the Bengal Tiger, as well as leopards, elephants, and monkeys.

4. Ranthambor National Park, India

   Rajasthan's dry deciduous forests are home to tigers, deer, antelope, wild boars, marsh crocodiles, and many rare trees and plants.

5. Tanjung Puting National Park, Sumatra

   This national park is home to the world-renowned orangutan rehabilitation center, as well as other numerous species that inhabit the dense jungle.

6. Wolong National Reserve, China

   The highlight of this wildlife reserve is the more than 150 Giant Pandas that make their home here, as well as 4,000 other species of animals.

7. Taman Negara National Park, Malaysia

   Raging rivers attract not just rafters, but herds of wild elephants and rare Malayan tigers.

8. Koshi Tappu National Park, Nepal

   This place is straight out of Temple of Doom. Apart from the 400 species of birds found here, there are water buffalo, gangetic dolphins, and two species of crocodiles.

9. Khao Yai National Park, Thailand

   Thailand's oldest national park encompasses five vegetative zones. Part from the several hundred wild elephants here, you'll run into bats, sambar, civets, lush flora, and caves and waterfalls.

10. Kratie, Cambodia

    The largest population of the extremely rare Irawaddy river dolphins can be found near this small settlement on the Mekong River in Central Cambodia.