Unusual guide
This unusual vacations guide steers clear of trends as it leads you on the path to eclectic adventures.
Top 10 expeditions around the world
What do our best expeditions have in common? For one thing, while they may roam some pretty inhospitable landscapes – deserts, rainforests, glaciers – there’s never any shortage of hospitality. Expect plenty of camaraderie around the campfire… once you’ve helped pitch the tents and collect the wood, that is. For another, these trips are packed with offbeat adventure, whether you’re taking in a spiritual performance at a private dervish lodge in Turkey or wrapping up for horse-drawn ice sledding in Mongolia.
But most of all, these trips are about the wonder of discovery. You’ll encounter places, cultures and experiences that most people never get close to. These are vacations for those who aren’t content just to see the world; they want to experience it too.
Read on for our top 10 expeditions of the world...
But most of all, these trips are about the wonder of discovery. You’ll encounter places, cultures and experiences that most people never get close to. These are vacations for those who aren’t content just to see the world; they want to experience it too.
Read on for our top 10 expeditions of the world...
1. Bengal tigers & Buddhism in Bangladesh
Often overlooked in favour of India and Southeast Asia, for a small country Bangladesh offers a large range of experiences. Explore the Sundarbans mangrove forests in the Ganges Delta by boat, with the chance to see dolphins, wander fragrant tea plantations, watch as fishermen use their trained otters to round up the catch, and immerse yourself in the effervescent atmosphere of the capital, Dhaka.
When to go: October to January
Our top trip: Bangladesh vacation
See all our trips: Bangladesh vacations
Read more: Bangladesh travel guide
When to go: October to January
Our top trip: Bangladesh vacation
See all our trips: Bangladesh vacations
Read more: Bangladesh travel guide
2. Javan rhino expedition in Indonesia
UNESCO-listed Ujong Julon National Park on Java, Indonesia, is the last habitat of the critically endangered Javan rhinoceros – and there are thought to be only 60 of them left here. On this expedition, the only one in the world that specifically tracks and documents these rhinos, you’ll travel by canoe to try and catch a glimpse of them on the river bank. The wider national park has 29 other mammal species, including leopards, and is a place of rare and stunning beauty.When to go: May, June and August
Our top trip: Javan rhino group expedition in Java
See all our trips: Java vacations
Read more: Java travel guide
3. Remote and pristine Amazon in Ecuador
Explore deep into the wilderness on this Ecuador expedition to the lands of the Achuar people, with an opportunity to learn about their lives and culture. Each morning you gather around the fire with your hosts to share your coffee, and your dreams. Roaming by kayak or motorised canoe you’ll see wildlife including monkey and caimans. Most importantly, though, responsible tourism in this region helps protect it from the ravages of oil and mining interests.When to go: June
Our top trip: Amazon and Andes expedition in Ecuador
See all our trips: Ecuador adventure vacations
Read more: Ecuador Amazon travel guide
4. Cruise & camp in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
“The Congo is the ultimate adventure,” says Jim Louth, founder of our expeditions specialist Undiscovered Destinations. “It’s a vast country and incredibly challenging to get around, with few good roads, which is why our trip goes by boat. Local people never see tourists. When I started this business, it was one of the places I most wanted to feature.” Now Jim has put together this unforgettable adventure of cruising and camping along one of the world’s great rivers.When to go: September to November
Our top trip: Congo river expedition
See all our trips: Democratic Republic of the Congo vacations
Read more: Democratic Republic of the Congo travel guide
5. Cruise the Northwest Passage
Follow in the wake of some of history’s great sea adventurers as you embark on a month-long expedition cruise through the legendary Northwest Passage. There are no guarantees made on a trip of this nature, but August is the best time to get through the pack ice as you journey from the maze-like waterways of Arctic Canada to the Beaufort Sea. Enjoy the company of a highly experienced crew as well as onboard experts in the region’s history and wildlife as you visit remote communities to learn about life at the top of the world.
When to go: August
Our top trip: Northwest Passage cruise
See all our trips: Arctic cruise vacations
Read more: Arctic cruises travel guide
When to go: August
Our top trip: Northwest Passage cruise
See all our trips: Arctic cruise vacations
Read more: Arctic cruises travel guide
6. Winter wilderness & ice festivals in Mongolia
Imagine going on a three day long expedition by sleigh along Mongolia’s largest frozen lake. You’re wearing a floor-length goatskin coat and felt boots, and riding in a hand-built sleigh. Your destination? Khovsgol Ice Festival, which takes place in early March. It’s bitterly cold in Mongolia’s low season but this wonderful trip is especially designed to give local people some income in winter months, and you an unforgettable experience.When to go: February
Our top trip: Mongolia tour: winter landscapes and Khovsgol Ice Festival
See all our trips: Mongolia adventure vacations
Read more: Mongolia travel guide
7. Wilderness kayaking in Canada’s Desolation Sound
It may be called Desolation Sound, but this calm stretch of water in the Canadian wilderness is anything but bleak. More like awe-inspiring. And for sea kayakers it’s nothing short of paradise, with a gorgeous Mediterranean climate in the summer, towering mountains for your backdrop, and islands for wild camping every night. To eat? The freshest seafood purchased from fishermen along the way.
When to go: August and September
Our top trip: Desolation Sound kayaking expedition
See all our trips: Sea kayaking vacations
Read more: Sea kayaking travel guide
When to go: August and September
Our top trip: Desolation Sound kayaking expedition
See all our trips: Sea kayaking vacations
Read more: Sea kayaking travel guide
8. Culture, nature & adventure in Madagascar
It may be the world’s fourth-largest island, while its lemur population is justly famous, but Madagascar still remains off the main tourist track. Lift the lid on Madagascar’s cultural and natural wonders with a relaxed tour by foot and by riverboat that takes in national parks and UNESCO World Heritage Sites but also little-visited, welcoming communities that survive by fishing and hunter-gathering.When to go: July to October
Our top trip: Madgascar vacation, overland adventure
See all our trips: Madagascar adventure vacations
Read more: Madagascar adventure travel guide
9. Cape Town to Cairo – overland
Epic in every sense of the word, the full duration of this overland tour the length of Africa would be 18 weeks in total, however most choose to do just one or two stages. This is very much a ‘hands-on, everyone mucks in together’ kind of trip. You’ll be camping the whole way, buying food in local communities, and sharing an incredible experience that leads to strong bonds forming between travelers.When to go: All year-round
Our top trip: Cape Town to Cairo overland tour
See all our trips: Overland truck tours
Read more: Africa overland travel guide
10. Stunning Snowman trek in Bhutan
Taking in no fewer than eleven mountain passes, all of them with an elevation over 4,500m, the Snowman Trek is the most challenging walking vacation in Bhutan. Joining a fully escorted small group led by expert local guides and accompanied by porters, you’ll spend 27 days making your way through remote corners of this fascinating Himalayan kingdom, spreading the economic benefit of tourism as you do.
When to go: October
Our top trip: Snowman trek in Bhutan
See all our trips: Bhutan walking vacations
Read more: Bhutan walking vacations guide
When to go: October
Our top trip: Snowman trek in Bhutan
See all our trips: Bhutan walking vacations
Read more: Bhutan walking vacations guide
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Take a flying leap out of your comfort zone with our expeditions travel guide.
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