Unsure of where to go to in 2023?
We chatted with our sales staff, checked with the marketing and PR team, and went through the adventure algorithm we've been processing for decades to get a sense of which adventure destinations are trending.
We've seen many countries fall in and out of our Top 10 over the years, and many of them—like Nepal—never lose favour. Some countries spike in popularity thanks to mentions in popular culture (remember how many Tibet films and books were out when Tibet was trending in the late 1990s?), while others, like Syria, sadly, almost disappear overnight due to war, while still others fall victim to natural disaster.
So, if you're stuck for adventure ideas in 2023 this list is a good place to start.
Japan: Land of the Rising Sun and winding pathways
Japan’s is eternally popular and apparently we have missed travelling there.
As soon as travel restrictions dropped every Japan trip jumped into our Top 20 web pages visited and bookings across our Nakasendo Way and Kumano Kodo Trail walks increased compared to our usually popular Backroads of Japan trip (our pioneering Japan walking itinerary).
The country's fascinating culture shines through on all of our active adventures in the Land of the Rising Sun. From woodland walks to backroads cycling, Japan offers myriad adventures with the backdrop of ceremonial teas and exotic foods.
Along Japan’s Nakasendo Way, our pick for those not sure of which trip to choose, you will visit incredibly quaint and charming post towns, and stay in their family-run boutique hotels called ryokan.
The Transcaucasus Trail: Georgia and Armenia
We dubbed the The Transcaucasian Trail the next BIG thing in trekking back in 2019, mainly because of the numbers associated with the trail: it stretches across four countries, it runs 3000km, and it connects 20 national parks.
The trail was dubbed one of the world's greatest places by Time magazine in 2019 and also attracted some other media attention. Word was getting out—and then the pandemic hit.
Now that travellers can return to the sections across Georgia and Armenia, they are.
Nepal: home of the world's best treks
When you can say that ten of the world’s 14 highest mountains are in your country, you can possibly also state quite confidently that the trekking is the best in the world, too.
Nepal is a perennial favourite. Some head there on their first adventure, others might build up to a multi-day experience at altitude, but ultimately it seems to consistently appeal to everybody and has a place on everyone's bucket-list at some point.
Nepal was the first international destination we returned to when travel restrictions eased, and we were touched to see so many repeat travellers return straight away in support of the local people.
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Vietnam: active tranquility
A land of bicycles and scooters, lanterns and rice paddies, modern Vietnam is a hustling, bustling colourful destination which has touched the hearts of travellers. It's another destination that seems to be an A-lister when it comes to trending destinations. Vietnam is very affordable, too, which means more travellers can access this warm and welcoming country.
Our Ha Giang Hike & Homestays trip is a great example of why Vietnam has such appeal. Hike a remote region between the Tay Con Linh and the Song Chay mountain ranges of North Vietnam and spend three nights on homestays with local families while exploring breathtaking mountainscapes.
Fiji: serious beach time
Just check out the picture below. After so many were locked down for so long, why wouldn't they be bursting to escape to a place that looks better than your dreams?!
Northwest of Fiji's main island is a stunning group of small volcanic islands—the Yasawas. Unspoiled, uncrowded, sparsely populated and spectacular, with no big resorts, shops or roads, the Yasawa Islands are something out of a tropical fantasy. Our Yasawas Ultimate Sea Kayak Expedition includes snorkeling reefs and wandering along deserted beaches.
Explore the emerald waters and white sand beaches of the South Pacific on one of our adventurous trips to the archipelago. We offer several options for travellers wanting to get themselves a serious dose of beach time.
USA: where the West is best
Like or hate their politics, everyone still has a place in their hearts for America.
For active travellers, the western states of the USA offer more geographically fanciful regions to explore (think Road Runner and Coyote), with a staggering array of geology as you travel from west to east and back again.
Our Best of the West is a grand tour of the best canyon and mountain country of the USA’s West. We visit five of America’s most spectacular National Parks—Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Bryce Canyon, Zion—and the ancient Sequoia forests in California, along with Monument Valley on the Navajo Reservation.
Oh Canada!
Pristine and sparsely populated, with vibrant cities, diverse cultures and landscapes of staggering beauty, Canada is an outstanding travel destination, and many people seem to agree for 2023.
A seemingly boundless realm of snowcapped peaks and imposing glaciers, unspoilt forests, labyrinthine coastlines, and isolated islands, this is truly nature’s playground.
The area around Banff and Lake Louise is especially spectacular, and here you’ll find eight national and provincial mountain parks boasting some of the best hiking trails in the Canadian Rockies.
On our Scenic Trails of the Rockies adventure, you’ll wander past startling turquoise lakes with crumbling glaciers below steel-colored peaks. You’ll be visited by sure-footed Rocky Mountain goats and soaring eagles. This one’s a true feast for the senses.
Galapagos: Wildlife & Beauty
Few places on earth are as revered as the Galapagos Islands off the northwest coast of Ecuador. Jammed full of wildlife both beautiful and strange, a visit to the Galapagos helps you understand why the area influenced Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution.
We have a number of different excursion options, from our first-class brand new yacht Solaris to our luxury cruiser Beluga. Join one of our cruises and you’ll instantly become a part of a tight-knit like-minded group of fauna adventurers.
South Africa: safaris & adventure
If your mind doesn't conjur up images of deserts, mountains, coastlines, and savanna, with just about every type of active adventure you might seek when you think of South Africa, then we can help you change that.
South Africa is a great jumping off point to Africa, however, instead of leaping north many travellers have decided to stay and explore the country's wildlife- and adventure-rich national parks.
Our South Africa Walking Adventure hits all the highlights of a real walking adventure in the Rainbow Nation: Kruger National Park, the Drakensburg Mountains, Zululand, Swaziland, and the Blade River Canyon.
Australia: your local world-class wilderness wonderland
Now that international travel has returned it doesn't mean everyone still wants to travel overseas for their next adventure holiday.
Australia is big, pristine, and wild, with varied landscapes to discover and our customer service levels and overall quality of experiences have highlighted during the pandemic that you don't always need to go far away for a real active wilderness experience.
And sure, trips here cost more than they do in Asia and other parts of the world due to the cost of labour as well as simple supply and demand factors, but the quality seems to be worth the price paid if the number of repeat travellers on our Aussie adventures is any indicator.
Browse all Australian adventure trips