Wanderlust Travel Magazine (UK)
Top 50 New Trips
Newly opened routes. Little-visited peaks. Expertly crafted itineraries. Only the freshest, most exciting journeys make it onto our list of the top picks...
From epic encounters with wildlife to exploring new frontiers, we’ve examined the top new trips of 2020 and passed our verdict – time to find out which ones made the cut!
Unforgettable trips to get your adrenaline flowing, muscles pounding and hearts soaring
NORWAY Go green in the Arctic
As temperatures rise in the Arctic, it’s easy to see why ‘green’ travel is a subject high on the global agenda. But for those of you who still dream of seeing the northern lights in Svalbard, Off the Map Travel’s Truly Green All-day Aurora trip lets you satisfy those desires in a sustainable fashion. Head to Longyearbyen and hop on e-snowmobiles powered by Arctic winds, let yourself be pulled under the aurora on a thrilling dog sled ride, and snowshoe into glittering ice caves. A trip right on the cutting edge.
Who? Off the Map Travel (0800 566 8901; offthemap.travel)
When? Flexible dates from November 2020 to January 2021
How long? 3 nights
How much? From £1,095 (excluding int’l flights)
COSTA RICA Zip through wild Costa Rica
£50 Squeezing maximum action OFF into a week-long break, Exodus Edits – the new specialist for busy professionals – has created a rip-roaring adventure through the Rainforests & Restful Retreats in Costa Rica. You’ll brave white-water rapids on a Rio Celeste tubing trip, swoop through pristine jungle on zip lines and seek out sloths and tapirs on wild forest hikes – before flopping into the
mineral-rich thermal pools of Rincon de la Vieja. Then, from the Bounty-advert beaches of Nicoya Peninsula, you’ll go dolphinspotting and beach-barbecuing on a catamaran jaunt – plus paddleboarding, surf lessons, and sorbet-hued sunsets every night.
Who? Exodus Edits (0203 733 5244; exodus.co.uk/exodus-edits)
When? 4 April, 16 May, 18 July, 14 November
How long? 7 nights
How much? From £1,499 (excluding int’l flights)
BRAZIL Find an undiscovered gem
£50 Tap into a seldom-seen side OFF of Brazil where diverse landscapes reign supreme. Tucan Travel’s Northern Brazil tour is your vehicle to this remote wedge, beginning in the pristine Portuguese heritage of Sáo Luís. The otherworldly lagoons and mangroves of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park soon come calling, as well as the sleepy village of Atins. Continue down the coast to protected Parnaíba and its wildlife-rich waters, finishing among the flour-white dunes of Jericoacoara – just two more natural wonders squeezed into this tiny strip of coastline. You’ll wonder why others haven’t yet discovered this part of Brazil, but you’ll be glad you did.
Who? Tucan Travel
(0800 804 8435; tucantravel.com)
When? Year round
How long? 9 nights
How much? From £2,939 (excluding int’l flights) CROATIA Get active on the Adriatic
Dotted along the Dalmatian Coast, Croatia’s idyllic Elaphiti Islands just north-west of Dubrovnik are best explored by both sea and land. Enjoy an active getaway on Artisan Travel’s Dubrovnik and the Elaphiti Islands Highlights trip. Paddleboard through the clear blue waters of the Adriatic Sea, then cycle through the countryside on Šipan island where you’ll be staying, taking in churches, chapels and olive groves along the way. Catch the ferry to Lopud for a day of hiking
through the woods and then walk the city walls as you sight-see in historic Dubrovnik. Glide through hidden coves and caves as you go sea kayaking in Koločep and then watch out for pods of dolphins as you take a sunset catamaran cruise.
Who? Artisan Travel
(01670 785085; artisantravel.co.uk)
When? Selected dates between 18 April and 10 October 2020
How long? 7 nights
How much? From £690pp (excluding int’l flights)
GEORGIA Go green in Georgia
At the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Georgia finds itself in an enviable position for travellers wanting a gateway to the Silk Road. But before you head off exploring that ancient trade route, make the most of your Georgia getaway on Wanderlust Journeys’ Discover Georgia trip with former Wanderlust World Guide Awards winner, Dario Ghirlanda, who promises a whirlwind walking adventure through Tusheti’s sprawling mountain scenery, cosmopolitan capital Tbilisi, Davit Gareja’s centuries-old monasteries and Kakheti’s celebrated vineyards. If that’s not enough, Wanderlust editor-in-chief Lyn Hughes said that last year’s trip to the region more than lived up to her expectations – especially the wine! Who? Wanderlust Journeys (020 3553 9934; wanderlust.co.uk/georgiajourney)
When? 25 July 2020
How long? 10 nights
How much? From £1,895 (excluding int’l flights)
CUBA Just add adrenaline
Ditch the classic car (or bus) window on G Adventures’ Cuba Multisport: Bike, Kayak and Hike and see the country as nature intended: through your eyes and with raw muscle power. Trade a vintage Cadillac for a bicycle and pedal Havana’s streets, as well as two-wheeling it through the lush Viñales Valley. Switch from bike to hike through the emerald Mile Cumbres reserve and the waterfall-striped scenery of Topes de Collantes, then swap for a paddle to kayak the calm ripples of Cienfuegos Bay. It’s not all go, though, with mid-trip relaxationstop at Playa Larga scheduled in too.
Who? G Adventures
(020 7313 6944; gadventures.com)
When? 1 October 2020
How long? 11 nights
How much? From £1,449 (excluding int’l flights)
FRANCE Relish a peaceful paddle
Headwater’s Canoeing on the Dordogne trip proves a multiday meander can be a delightful paddle rather than a demanding slog. Your glide along the calm and flat waters of the Dordogne passes blush-coloured cliffs, charming riverside chateaux and the Périgord region’s truffle woods. Pit stop along the way in historic boltholes to recharge your batteries, taking the time to explore the area’s villages, like Carennac’s fairytale cluster of cottages, gravity-defying Rocamadour’s medieval steeples and evocative atmosphere and the Benedictine abbey at Souillac.
Who? Headwater (01606 369121; headwater.com)
When? Flexible dates
How long? 8 nights How much? From £1,625 (including int’l flights)
PANAMA Self-drive the Pacific Coast
£50 Panama City is a buzzing OFF metropolis, but beyond the capital the country’s lesserknown routes offer diverse landscapes from beautiful beaches to highland cloud forest and dense rainforest. If you want to see a different side to the Pacific Coast, why not get behind the wheel on Journey Latin America’s Discover the Pacific Coast self-drive. As well as historic Panama City and the Panama Canal, you’ll discover soft white sands and Spanish-colonial towns along the Azuero Peninsula. See turtles come ashore on the crescent-shaped Playa Venao, cowboys on horseback in Boca Chica and take in coffee plantations and cloud forest in Boquete. Then board a boat to spot monkeys, sloths and toucans on Lake Gatún near Soberanía NP.
Who? Journey Latin America (020 8747 8315; journeylatinamerica.co.uk)
When? Flexible
How long? 12 nights
How much? £2,776 (excluding int’l flights)
JAPAN Go walking in a winter wonderland
During winter, Hokkaido transforms into a frozen playground, making it a must-visit if you’re travelling to Japan in 2020. KE Adventure Travel’s Winter Hokkaido: Japan’s Frozen North trip gives you an insight into the country’s wildest island. Learn all about the Ainu way of life with folk performances, then hunt for frost flowers on frozen Lake Akan. Explore the drift ice around the Shiretoko Peninsula, then go on a wildlife cruise on the Nemuro Strait in search of Steller’s sea eagles and foxes hiding in the snow. Your icy adventures conclude with snowshoeing in Daisetsuzan National Park and a wintery spectacular at the Ice waterfall festival. Delve into Japanese culture by tucking into Kaiseki dinners, soaking in a traditional onsen and hitting the neon-lit Sapporo.
Who? KE Adventure Travel (01768 773996; keadventure.com)
When? 16 Feb and 20 Feb 2020, 14 Feb 2021
How long? 9 nights
How much? From £2,495 (excluding int’l flights)
NEPAL Find a trekker’s paradise in Nepal
Up for a challenge? You’ll certainly find one on a Makalu Base Camp Trek with Mountain Kingdoms, which takes you through remote mountain passes and river valleys to reach the base of Mount Makalu, the world’s fifth highest peak. Avoid Everest’s crowds and trek into the real heart of Sherpa country, passing cardamom plantations, small farms and rhododendron forests on your way – before crossing Shipton La to find epic views over the Himalayas, including the snow-dusted summits of Everest and Lhotse. Experience some local hospitality by staying in teahouses along the way, gaining an authentic insight into the villagers’ way of life.
Who? Mountain Kingdoms (mountainkingdoms.com; 01453 844 400)
When? 18 April and 31 October
How long? 21 nights
How much? From £2,795 (including int’l flights)