22 incredible trips for 2022

Jordan & Saudi Arabia (Shutterstock)

Explore’s Journey Through Arabia tour is currently the only trip on the market that transports visitors overland from Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea-hub of Jeddah, through desert and ancient cities, and then into Jordan. The route takes travellers through the some of the Middle East’s most fabled sights: exploring ancient the Nabataean cities of Hegra and Petra, camping out in the Wadi Rum desert while appreciating traditional Bedouin hospitality, and taking a boat trip to the 100 islands off Umluj, the ‘Maldives of Saudi Arabia’ – with marine life such as turtle and dugong – before finishing at the Dead Sea and Amman.

Who? Explore (01252 884709; explore.co.uk)
When? 19 March, 7 May, 10 Sept, 8, 15, 29 Oct, 19 Nov, 23 Dec 2022
How long? 11 nights
How much? £2,599pp (excluding int’l flights)

Museum in Mentis, USA (www.AmonFocus.com)

Some of the biggest milestones in the USA’s Civil Rights history may have began in seemingly inauspicious places – a bus, a high school, a bridge – but these spaces are now landmarks. On America As You Like It’s Journey to Freedom – Martin Luther King Tour, visitors will discover a living catalogue dedicated to the story of equality while travelling through the Southern states of Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee. As well as Civil Rights history, travellers will go on a musical journey through epicentres such as Memphis and Nashville. In between tracing some of the 20th century’s most momentous history and culture, visitors will get to enjoy a large slice of Southern hospitality along the way.

Who? America As You Like It (020 8742 8299; americaasyoulikeit.com)
When? Flexible
How long? 14 nights
How much? From £1,730pp (including int’l flights)

Gothic castle in Romania (Shutterstock)

Latin America expert Llama Travel is a Wanderlust readers’ favourite – your three-time Tour Operator of the Year winner – and is now applying its formula to Europe. Its Highlights of Transylvania tour is the perfect introduction to little-visited Romania’s mysterious past. Journey to some of Central Europe’s most remarkable gothic castles, notably the Bran (Dracula’s) Castle and Peleș Castle; explore the mountain bear sanctuary that lies in the heart of the Carpathian Mountains, then continue through Transylvania with visits to the traditional villages of Viscri and Biertan, as well as the richly diverse architecture of the medieval cities of Sighișoara and Sibiu.

Who? Llama Travel (020 7263 3000; llamatravel.com)
When? Departure on 3 May, 7 Jun, 5 Jul, 6 Sept & 20 Sept 2022
How long? 6 nights
How much? From £999pp (including int’l flights))

Pumpkin Island, James Vodicka (Shutterstock)

When Wanderlust readers finally get back to their Most Desirable Country in 2022, they can do so responsibly. During the time spent on Audley Travel’s Coast, Outback and Reef – The Eco-Friendly Way, they’ll avoid the hotspots while keeping one eye on their carbon footprint – for example, visitors could travel from Adelaide to Sydney via the Indian Pacific train, explore local boutique wineries by e-bike and kayak to see dolphins. But whether in the Blue Mountains, the Great Barrier Reef or the Flinders Ranges, there will be distinctive accommodation available with the highest environmental credentials, only matched by the comfort they offer – an experience to justify that top spot!

Who? Audley Travel (01993 838810; audleytravel.com)
When? Tailormade
How long? 25 nights
How much? From £6,145pp (including int’l flights)

Trek through Namibia’s most remote landscapes

Namibia’s extraordinary by day, but it’s an altogether different experience at night. ATI Holidays’ Take a Breath tour incorporates two overnight walking experiences, letting visitors trek through a pair of Namibia’s most remote landscapes – the NamibRand Nature Reserve and then the foothills of the Grootberg Massif. During the day, look for desert wildlife such as klipspringer, baboon and leopard, before a three-course dinner and sleeping under that African sky. This self-drive loop covers Sossusvlei, the Skeleton Coast, Damaraland and Etosha, giving visitors the chance to recharge at three new lodges with a focus on wellness, providing a moment to exhale, reflect and simply breathe.

Who? ATI Holidays (+264 61 228 717; ati-holidays.com)
When? Flexible
How long? 14 nights
How much? £5,000pp (excluding int’l flights)

Goree Island (Shutterstock)

Well off-the-beaten track and even further off mainstream travel’s radar, these two islands offer a mosaic of cultures, peoples, traditions, landscapes and ecosystems. A cruise here offers rocky volcanic promontories in the deep Atlantic, warmed by the dry Saharan winds in the north and lush, humid tropical rainforests further south. Hurtigruten Expeditions’s West African Archipelago Expedition first stops in laid-back Cape Verde, whose coral reefs are rich in marine life while providing bird-watchers with many rare endemic species. The tropical Bissagos archipelago meanwhile is now a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and is home to the Bijagos people, who’ve retained their ancient animistic beliefs.

Who? Hurtigruten Expeditions (020 8846 2666; hurtigruten.co.uk)
When? 27 November, 9 December 2022, 2 and 14 January 2023
How long? 12 nights
How much? From £5,190pp (excl int’l flights)

Bhutan’s Tigers Nest Monastery (G Adventures)

For the first time in 60 years the historic Trans Bhutan Trail will reopen allowing travellers to walk this ancient route for the first time. Taking trekkers east from Paro to Bumthang, G Adventures’ Highlights of the Trans Bhutan Trail provides an expert edit of the trail’s best portions, including the 3,100m Dochula Pass, Thinleygang Lhakhang temple, a number of key dzongs and stupas, the celebrated Tiger’s Nest Monastery and even a brewery. But not only does the trail allow travellers to hike through some of Bhutan’s most beautiful regions, but it will also provide valuable income and tourism to remote communities along the trail – a perfect example of the power of community tourism.

Who? G Adventures (020 7313 6936; gadventures.com)
When? From 1 May 2022
How long? 11 nights
How much? From £2,999 (excluding int’l flights)

Explore Scotland in a Land Rover

The North Coast 500 route has been a huge success since its launch in 2015, but this enhanced version of it goes slower, deeper and wilder. Starting in Inverness via the Cairngorms, and then into the far North up to Cape Wrath, Celtic Routes’ North Coast 500 encompasses ancient castles, mystical lochs and some of Europe’s most rugged coast line. At points, visitors will swap their specially prepared Land Rover for a kayak wildlife adventure, learn to fly-fish with expert guides, or head out to Handa Island Reserve and its incredible seabirds – including guillemots, razorbills and great skuas – as well as whales, dolphins and seals. The trail then weaves along the island-dotted west coast to take on the daunting Bealach Na Ba pass, before crossing to the Isle of Skye.

Who? Celtic Routes (07522 776160; celticroute.com)
When? Flexible
How long? 7 nights
How much? £1,450pp

Temple in Laos (© Aaron Boothe/ITG)

Be among the first to travel on Laos’ brand-new train line on InsideAsia Tours’ Laos by Train, journeying from Vientiane’s historic temples and monuments to the towering limestone karsts, lush green rice fields and blue lagoons of Vang Vieng. Away from the train, there are opportunities to experience Muang La’s pastoral serenity, float on a private boat along the Nam Song River and meet the Ikho, Hmong and Khamu communities that dwell 1,000m up the mountains. The end-of-the-line is spiritual capital Luang Prabang, where visitors can stop by the MandaLao Elephant Sanctuary, learn about family farming, visit a social enterprise buffalo dairy and enjoy a picnic beside the Kuang Si waterfall.

Who? InsideAsia Tours (0117 244 3380; insideasiatours.com)
When? Flexible
How long? 10 nights
How much? £2,661pp (excluding int’l flights)

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple in Busan, South Korea (Shutterstock)

South Korea is making a deserved comeback in recent years, having seemingly fallen off travellers’ maps, and its trove of wild landscapes help explain why. Bamboo Travel’s Adventure Korea private tour focuses on this, taking in some of the country’s most exciting scenery while exploring its array of cultural and historical treasures. Beginning in Seoul, this itinerary takes in the rugged east coast with a hike in Seoraksan National Park, a stay in a Buddhist temple in Busan and also gives visitors time to discover why volcanic Jeju Island was declared an ‘exotic’ fantasy in Korean TV smash Squid Game.

Who? Bamboo Travel (020 7720 9285; bambootravel.co.uk)
When? March to May; September to November
How long? 12 nights
How much? From £3,850pp (including int’l flights)

Bears in Alaska

The Kodiak Brown Bear Center is located in the heart of the 1.9 million acre Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, home to one of the highest concentrations of brown bears in the world. Windows On The Wild’s Bear Viewing on Kodiak Island trip offers opportunities to see Kodiak brown bear in their natural habitat, from viewing areas strategically located in the field as well as a custom-built catamaran. Visitors are based on Camp Island on Karluk Lake, boasting around 50km of shoreline and countless tributaries that create Kodiak’s high salmon concentrations, drawing the bears closer to be observed, photographed and understood from a safe distance.

Who? Windows On The Wild (020 8742 1556; windowsonthewild.com)
When? July to September
How long? 7 nights
How much? From £4,975pp (excluding int’l flights)

Pristine beaches in East Timor (Alamy)

Boasting rugged jungle landscapes, unique cultural identities, pristine beaches and colourful marine environments, it’s bizarre that Timor-Leste (or East Timor) still remains off most travellers’ to-do lists. Regent Holidays is aiming to rectify that situation on its Timor-Leste In-depth group tour. Among its highlights is the chance to take an outrigger to the uninhabited Jaco Island, located within Nino Konis Santana NP; looking for whales off the northern coast; visiting the 30,000-year-old Ili Kere Kere Caves; and hiking to Ariana Mountain. The trip finishes at Atauro Island, where there are opportunities to trek, dive and snorkel in waters that are said to be some of the best in the world.

Who? Regent Holidays (020 7666 1244; regent-holidays.co.uk)
When? 9 October 2022
How long? 12 nights
How much? £3,075pp (excluding int’l flights)

Watch the zebra migration in Botswana (Shutterstock)

Visitors arrive at Botswana’s national parks with the promise of lions, elephants, cheetahs and wildebeests. What’s less well known is that the country boasts the second-biggest migration in sub-Saharan Africa – 25,000 zebra, making the trek from the Chobe to the Makgadikgadi Pans. Abercrombie & Kent’s Spectacular Zebra Migration witnesses the drama as it unfolds against the backdrop of wide-open vistas of shallow streams, carpeted emerald plains and giant, ancient Baines’ baobabs. The experience ends at Leroo La Tau safari camp, set on the natural cliffs beside the Boteti River, where their water-side hide affords views of the zebra and hippo taking a cooling dip.

Who? Abercrombie & Kent (01242 547760; abercrombiekent.co.uk)
When? Flexible
How long? 3 nights
How much? From £2,215pp (excluding int’l flights)

Godafoss waterfall, Iceland (Shutterstock)

Working from home’s now just a regular part of post-pandemic life. But why work from your home? Discover the World’s new Work Away portfolio features accommodation in destinations that are perfect for combining work and play, like a cosy lodge in Iceland with views of an ice-capped volcano or a stylish log cabin deep in Lapland, where once you flip down your laptop lid you’re already in a prime location to step outside and witness the midnight sun or northern lights. Whether it’s just to stay for a week or several months, DTW will be able to organise a prime Nordic destination with a specially negotiated self-catering accommodation and that all-essential good WiFi.

Who? Discover the World (01737 214291; discover-the-world.com)
When? Flexible
How long? 7 nights plus
How much? From £869pp (excluding int’l flights)

Stay in Tahiti (© Tahiti Tourisme)

Leave the French Polynesian cliches to the tourists, and instead get an authentic insight into this South Pacific archipelago by island-hopping through its remote southern-most Austral Islands on Travel Nation’s Discover the Austral Islands trip. Staying in small Tahitian guesthouses on every stop, visitors will get an understanding of local life as well as tales of Bounty mutineers. But while French Polynesia is justly celebrated for its natural beauty and aquatic adventures, these islands are under-appreciated for their whale watching: on Rurutu, there’s even the extremely rare opportunity to snorkel with humpback whales.

Who? Travel Nation (01273 320580; travelnation.co.uk)
When? Flexible
How long? 16 nights
How much? From £4,245pp (including int’l flights)

See Gorillas in Uganda (Shutterstock)

One of three 2019 finalists for the Tusk Awards for Conservation, Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka is the ideal company to get up close with Uganda’s endangered mountain gorilla population with. For their Uganda Wildlife & Conservation Small Group Tour, Rainbow Tours is the only UK tour operator to join Dr Gladys and her team of experienced ranger-guides as they venture into Bwindi’s Impenetrable National Park for a full day of gorilla tracking as part of their efforts to highlight the plight of the Endangered Mountain gorilla. The itinerary also includes the chance to visit the Gorilla Conservation centre and monitor the movement of lions into conflict ‘hot’ zones.

Who? Rainbow Tours (020 7666 1260; rainbowtours.co.uk)
When? 5 October 2022
How long? 17 nights
How much? £8,575pp (including int’l flights)

Ryukyu islands, Japan (YellowWood Adventures)

The Ryukyu Islands of Japan spread from Kyushu in a perfect half moon-shaped archipelago down to Taiwan, with Okinawa its crown jewel. YellowWood Adventures’ Lost Islands of Japan adventure journeys to isolated Tokunoshima and Okinoerabu, islands never before visited by Western tour groups, as well as through prehistoric cedar forests cradled within the volcanic mountains of Yakushima. There visitors will discover the joys of a slow pace of life, sample the fiery locally-brewed shochu; taste the freshest of fresh sushi and swim in phosphorescent waters over coral reefs.

Who? YellowWood Adventures (020 7846 0197; yellowwoodadventures.com)
When? 22 Oct-2 Nov 2022
How long? 11 nights
How much? £3,299pp (excluding int’l flights)

Travellers in Italy (Bruno D’Amicis/Rewilding Europe)

Rewilding projects aren’t just of massive benefit to the local environment, as many travellers across the planet are increasingly testifying. Exodus Travels’ Rewilding the Apennines walking tour delves into the wild heart of Abruzzo NP, home to chamois, deer, wolves and golden eagles, as well as the rare Marsican brown bear. Visitors will enjoy the scenery on foot on some walking trails as well as experiencing the region’s ever hospitable people and their colourful and authentic culture. Led by skilled nature guides and sustained by some of the finest local food and wine, travellers can begin to truly understand the importance of using wildlife corridors to connect protected areas.

Who? Exodus Travels (020 3131 2785; exodustravels.co.uk)
When? 9 July & 3 Sept 2022
How long? 5 nights
How much? £2,349pp (including int’l flights; option for train travel)

Visit ancient temples and monasteries in Armenia (Shutterstock)

The little-appreciated Caucasus have long-deserved exploring in more depth, and Armenia – boasting a deep well of Euro-history – is very much a case in point. Cox & Kings’ Authentic Armenia private tour experiences the country’s distinctive culture and mountainous scenery. One day it could be visiting ancient temples and monasteries, such as the UNESCO-listed Etchmiadzin Cathedral, 9th-century Tatev monastic complex (reached by the world’s longest double-track cable car) or Garni’s pagan temple – dating back to AD1; the next, visitors could be taking in the Megerian carpet factory or stopping with locals who teach how to make Armenian vodka, gata (pastry) or traditional lavash bread.

Who? Cox & Kings (03330 603303; coxandkings.co.uk)
When? Flexible
How long? 6 nights
How much? From £1,995pp (including int’l flights)

Wrangel Island has the world’s largest population of Pacific Walrus (Shutterstock)

Russia’s most remote wildlife sanctuary, Wrangel Island boasts the world’s highest concentration of polar bear dens as well as the world’s largest population of Pacific walrus, but that’s just two reasons why this cruise is essential. Setting sail from Nome, Polar Routes’ Wrangel Island Safari will also let passengers spot migratory birds including snowy owls, snow geese and long-tailed skuas, as well as reindeer, musk oxen and Arctic fox. Having escaped glaciation during the last Ice Age, Wrangel is also a bonsai garden of some 400 plant species and boasts a human history as dramatic as the land. Explore the Chukotka coast, where beluga, grey and humpback whales feed and experience traditional Chukchi life.

Who? Polar Routes (020 3196 1000; polarroutes.co.uk)
When? July 2022
How long? 15 nights
How much? £10,600pp (excluding int’l flights)

Ruby Canyon, USA

Enjoy two sides of the ‘wild west’ by combining the glitz of Vegas with a rail journey through the glory of Utah’s unvarnished natural splendour. Beginning with Las Vegas’ larger-than-life pleasures, Flight Centre’s Iconic Vegas & Utah by Rocky Rail trip then stops at Zion NP, before overnighting at Bryce Canyon’s arid red landscapes and quirky hoodoos. Take in landmarks like the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Capitol Reef NP and Moab – famous for Arches and Canyonlands – ahead of hopping aboard the Rocky Mountaineer. While seated, soak in towering mountains, hear tales of the landscapes and sample delicious local cuisine while chugging towards Denver.

Who? Flight Centre (020 83366 464; flightcentre.co.uk)
When? April to October
How long? 8 nights (incl 2 days on the train)
How much? £3,669pp (including int’l flights)

Porto, Portugal (Shutterstock)

Sweeping Atlantic vistas, mountain sierras and ancient cathedrals and monasteries. Mouth-watering cuisine, world-class wines and the rich musical traditions. Portugal is finally getting the attention it deserves as a wildly diverse destination, and Wendy Wu Tours’s Portugal Uncovered winds down the length of it, starting with Porto in the north, then going through Geres National Park, the Douro Valley, Coimbra and Evora before ending in Lisbon; here visitors will go on a unique walking tour to experience the emotion of Fado music, discovering Old Lisbon while being personally guided by a Fado singer.

Who? Wendy Wu Tours (0808 258 0612; wendywutours.co.uk)
When? 14 May, 10 September, 8 October
How long? 11 nights
How much? From £2,450pp (including int’l flights)