The Dream List

India
The Royal Jewels
The Arts
Design your own jewelry with Munnu Kasliwal, owner of Jaipur's famed Gem Palace and considered by some a twenty-first-century Fabergé. Kasliwal, whose family has been crafting jewelry for eight generations, including pieces for the Mogul court, personally helps two visitors annually choose the stones and settings for their pieces. For inspiration, you can even consult the royal jewels in Kasliwal's collection—bought back from faltering maharajas in the last century. Cost: $4,980, including three nights' accommodation. Source: Victor Biswas, International Ventures and Travel, New York City (800-338-2624; victor@ivat.com; ivat.com).

Feast for a King
Culinary, Local Traditions, History
Have a cooking demonstration of local Marwari cuisine by an executive chef from the royal kitchen at Jodhpur's Umaid Bhawan Palace. The palace is still the residence of the maharaja of Jodhpur, although some sections have been turned into a hotel and museum. Vegetarian Marwari dishes are traditionally very spicy and extremely rich, making maximum use of the ingredients available in Rajasthan's desert. You'll pick herbs in the royal garden, purchase ingredients from the city markets, and then watch the chef prepare a meal fit for a king but to be enjoyed by you. The best time of year for this is late September through early October. Cost: $425, including one night's accommodation. Source: Kay Merrill, Are We There Yet, Larkspur, California (888-300-0536, ext. 215; ).

Hosted by Headhunters
Local Traditions
Visit the Nagas, a tribe living along the Indo-Burmese border that gave up head-hunting only in the last century. The Nagas believe that the soul is found in the head and that capturing it brings good fortune, so they collected the heads of their enemies as well as their own ancestors. You'll spend a day with a Konyak warrior and an evening at a chief's home. Hardy souls can even glimpse the village's collection of heads. The weather is best October through April. Cost: $5,885, including airfare from Calcutta and one week's accommodation. Source: Sanjay Saxena, Destination Himalaya, San Rafael, California (800-694-6342; sanjay@destinationhimalaya.net; destinationhimalaya.net).

Arthur Elgort It may not be as fast-paced as the traditional game, but there's nothing like participating in elephant polo to give you a sense of India's grandeur.

Pachyderm Polo
Local Traditions, Sports
Take part in an elephant polo match on the grand lawn of a Jaipur home (this is available only in winter—summer is too hot). Following a brief introduction to and history of the unique sport, join a mahout on the back of one of the beasts for an exciting if not particularly quick-paced game with some of Rajasthan's prominent players. You'll finish with afternoon tea or cocktails with both teams. Cost: $3,500. Source: Ashley Isaacs Ganz (see Cambodia).

Tailing the Tigers
Wildlife
Track Bengal tigers (most visible from November through April) on elephant-back in Bandhavgarh National Park, with the president of the World Wildlife Fund—India, Divyabhanusinh Chavda. This big-cat specialist has written several books on Asia's lions and cheetahs, and will also help you spot clouded leopards, boars, jackals, foxes, bison, and monkeys in the park, formerly the private hunting grounds of the maharaja of Rewa. Cost: $1,000. Source: Pat O'Connell, Asia Transpacific Journeys, Boulder, Colorado (800-642-2742, ext. 242; pat@asiatranspacific.com; asiatranspacific.com).

Indonesia
The Lost Kingdom
Local Traditions, Philanthropy
Experience authentic village life in a remote hamlet that the Balinese consider a "lost kingdom": The village was isolated for centuries because of an ancient curse (don't worry—it's been lifted). To this day, it can't be found on any maps. You'll be taken to the local temple and school, where you'll watch children perform classical music and dance in traditional attire, and there will be a pig roast in your honor with homegrown palm wine. The weather is best from April through September. Cost: $600, as a donation to the community. Source: Jarrod Hobson, Asia Transpacific Journeys, Boulder, Colorado (800-642-2742, ext. 223; jarrod@asiatranspacific.com; asiatranspacific.com).

Japan
Spiritual Awakening
Local Traditions
Have a private morning zazen meditation session with a monk at a seventeenth-century Buddhist temple in Kyoto that's rarely visited by tourists. Beginning practitioners can start with an introduction to the techniques of Zen meditation; those more advanced can follow along with the monks. Later, tour the grounds and the temple with a head monk, perhaps followed by a meal. Cost: $600. Source: Ashley Isaacs Ganz (see Cambodia).

Slide show   Explore New Zealand Breathtaking and unique, New Zealand is the perfect travel destination. more photos

New Zealand
Secrets of the Maori
History, Local Traditions
Immerse yourself for a day in Maori culture with a direct descendant of Princess Hinemoa, the Juliet to Tutanekai's Romeo in a true romance. Starting in the town of Rotorua, you'll journey to the island featured in this Maori tale, then to a traditional burial ground. Finally, you'll visit the family's marae, or sacred meeting area, to learn more about historic and modern community life. Cost: $645. Source: Donna Thomas, New Zealand Travel, Langhorne, Pennsylvania (800-367-5494; nztravel@aol.com; newzealandtravel.org).

Thailand
Elephant Whisperer
Philanthropy, Wildlife
Meet with Sangduen Chailert, known as Lek, who founded the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai and was named one of Time Asia's Heroes of 2005. You'll go with Lek to market to buy the day's food for her more than 30 rescued elephants (some victims of land mines, others saved from logging duties), have lunch, and help bathe the animals in a nearby river. Time your trip to coincide with the dry season (October through March). Cost: $1,000, including a donation. Source: Andrea Ross, Journeys Within, Rancho Santa Margarita, California (877-454-3672; andrea@journeys-within.com; journeys-within.com).

Tibet
Saddle Up
Local Traditions, Sports
In Gyalthang, take your position on horseback among racing champs, heroes in this horse-dependent culture. Watch as they perform tricks—such as sliding down the side of the galloping horse to pick up a ceremonial scarf—in a festival timed to your summer arrival, and participate in a race down the valley if you dare. Cost: $700. Source: Guy Rubin (see China).

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