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).

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).