Riding strange and exotic animals was a personal requirement of my trip, and looking back, I think I did a solid job of seeking them out and taking a few rides to remember. Did I miss any good animals?
Yaks only live above 10,000 feet, so you'd better be around some big mountains if you want to ride one. I was excited to take a short ride at a holy lake in Sikkim, India called Tsomgo Lake. Altitude, 12,000 feet. Yee-haw!
Luang Prabang, Laos offered my first experience riding an elephant, including a turn steering the beast while sitting atop it's neck. Later, in northern Thailand, I took another ride on a bigger one, but the operation in Laos seemed a little more animal-friendly to me.
I first saw some of the Jackass guys ride ostriches on their MTV show The Wild Boys. My chance came in the ostrich capital of the world - Outdshorn, South Africa.
I admit a horse isn't the most exotic of animals, however it'd been about 20 years since I'd ridden one, and was anxious to give it another go. I never did give myself a chance to gallop along a beach in South Africa, but there's always next time!
If you choose to see the Great Pyramids of Giza by any other mode than camel, well, you're missing out! It was well worth the hassle to arrange. Can a travel photo get any better!?
Bonus!
Since you can't really ride a snake, this photo is slightly out of place, but all the same, it was my first time holding the slithery reptile. Well worth the tip expected! Later, in Pokhara, Nepal, I had a smaller boa around my neck and a cobra peering me in the eyes.
