While most of the world heads inevitably towards the future, there are some fragile environments that resist the march of modernity and offer travel experiences that truly make time stand still.

Lonely Planet has compiled a list of timeless travel experiences, which are rooted firmly in the past and the here and now, and are so striking that, even if just for a moment, you will forget all about the modern world.

Topping this list is an encounter with the mountain gorillas of Rwanda and Uganda. Getting close to these ancestral apes is truly breathtaking, and though visitors will track the gorillas in their native jungle for as little as an hour, the experience is certain to endure a lifetime.

A less travelled destination set firmly in the past is the mystical Kingdom of Bhutan (or Land of the Thunder Dragon). Bhutan’s culture is underpinned by ancient Buddhist mythology, which is displayed spectacularly in the fort-monasteries of the Bumthang region. Throw some stunning Himalayan scenery into the mix and you have a truly timeless travel experience.

Other travel experiences mentioned in the list include Djenné Mosque in Mali, Brazil’s Amazon River, Antarctica, Mont St-Michel in France, Petra in Jordan and Lhasa in Tibet.

Read the full article on LonelyPlanet.com

Volunteering in the developing world can offer equally unforgettable travel experiences that let you escape the modern world. Find out more in our volunteer work pages.