Looking to plan the adventure of a lifetime? Here are a few far-flung trips everyone should do at least once.
When we talk wistfully about our bucket list trips here at i-escape, they’re not always exotic, far-flung itineraries. We all love a little weekend in Paris or a relaxing holiday in Mallorca.
But there’s something to be said for those big, once-in-a-lifetime trips – the epic adventures you know you’ll reminisce about for years to come. Yes, they take more planning, may be a splurge, but they’re so worth it in the end.
Here are the bucket-list trips that are either high on our lists or come highly recommended by our team of travel experts. From rattling through Vietnam by train to coasting down the Nile on a traditional dahabiya, these journeys combine culture, history and natural beauty for a truly unforgettable experience that may just change your life.
1 Spotting tigers in Rajasthan
The largest and most varied state in India, Rajasthan means ‘land of the kings’ and encompasses a dramatic swath of landscapes, colour and culture. Most travellers start in Jaipur, known as ‘The Pink City’ because of the reddish colourwash painted over many of the buildings. The grand City Palace, extraordinary Hawa Mahal and sprawling Amer Fort draw in tourists from all over.
But there’s so much to explore in Rajasthan beyond its capital city. The mighty Mehrangarh Fort in the famous blue city, Jodhpur; the gargantuan City Palace in Udaipur; the mirage-like sandcastle fort of Jaisalmer in the vast Thar desert. Not to mention all of the expansive countryside and rural villages in between. In this place, it’s one once-in-a-lifetime adventure after another.
The absolute can’t-miss experience though, is spotting tigers in the wild. Ranthambore National Park, just three hours south of Jaipur, has the highest population of Bengal Tigers in India, roaming free across the dry, deciduous forests and grassy meadows. The best time to see them is from April to June when they’re around the watering holes, or from January to March when they’re basking in the sun. The park is closed for the monsoon season from July to September.
2 A Patagonian pilgrimage
When it comes to wildly beautiful landscapes, Patagonia is hard to beat – especially in Torres del Paine National Park. One minute you’re trekking along the sheer cliffside, the next surrounded by dense forest, then breaking through the trees onto a pebble beach along the bluest water imaginable. Everywhere you turn, there’s some new vista to take in – distant snow-capped mountains, vast rolling hills, pearly blue glaciers.
There are different ways to approach a trek in and around Torres del Paine. For hardcore hikers there’s the O Circuit, a demanding trek that lasts 8-10 days. Then there’s the slightly gentler W Trek, a 5-7 day hike that connects the Ascencio, French, and Grey Glacier valleys. For both of these, you’ll stay in rustic campsites and pack your own food for the trail.
Or you can stay in one of the few retreats in and around the park, exploring the area on day hikes and horse rides and cosying up to a warm fire, a good meal and a comfortable bed at the end of the day. There are glamping options, from the luxurious Patagonia Camp to the slightly more rustic EcoCamp. Or for those looking for a more up-scale experience, there’s the minimalist and serene Awasi Patagonia and modernist Remota.
3 Vietnam by rail
The train line from Hanoi to Saigon, often referred to as the Reunification Express, was completed by the French in 1936 and ran until Vietnam was divided in 1954. It resumed again in 1976 as a unifying link and a brilliant way to experience the country’s astounding natural beauty, vibrant cities, charming culture and tantalising cuisine.
Hanoi is the perfect start to your Vietnamese adventure. Crumbling French colonial architecture leans against sleek buildings; an endless parade of scooters rumble past unhurried fruit vendors in conical straw hats; commuters in tidy suits slurp their morning Pho from little roadside tables. From here, it’s a short trip to the coast for a Heritage Line Cruise around the forested limestone karsts of Halong Bay or the off-the-beaten-track Han La Bay.
When it’s time to head south to the Central Coast, board the clackety overnight train to Danang. From here, it’s just a short taxi to Hoi An, with picturesque alleyways bustling with tourists and lined with lanterns. You can carry on to Nha Trang for some beachside relaxation, or go straight down to Saigon, a sleek mecca for cultural sightseeing, rooftop bars, and fantastic food. If you’ve got the time, you could even take a short flight to the beautiful island of Phu Quoc for white sand beaches and luxurious stays like Green Bay Phu Quoc and Chen Sea Resort & Spa.
4 Sailing down the Nile
Imagine – you’re in Egypt, sailing down the Nile on a stylish dahabiya, a traditional wooden sailboat, lounging back on embroidered cushions and taking in a mesmerising view of life on the river’s shores. Chandeliers sway above the deck, the sails strain against the wind, and a pot of steaming tea arrives with a tray of sweet treats. If there were any doubts about this being the trip of a lifetime, they’re far behind you now – caught up in the gentle wake. Even Pharaohs didn’t travel in such style.
It takes 6 days to sail from Luxor to Aswan on one of Nour el Nil’s swish fleet. You wake in one of their bright and spacious cabins, enjoy a leisurely breakfast in the sunshine, then disembark for a day trip inland. This could be anything from a visit to a Pharaonic quarry or the Temple of Horus at Edfu to having tea with a family of farmers or riding donkeys in the desert. You’ll have to pinch yourself repeatedly, especially when, after dinner one night, the crew gets up and sings for you – and all the magic of the Nile is brought to life.
5 Mayan ruins in Mexico
Mexico is a bucket list trip for so many reasons – the beaches, the culture, the food – but perhaps the most memorable addition to any Mexican itinerary is exploring the remnants of their ancient civilisations. On the ‘Yukatan Peninsula Loop’, you can tour several breathtaking Mayan sites, swim in dreamy blue cenotes, and immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Mexican heritage. (There’s even a new train that makes it easier than ever to hop between sites.)
If you fly into Cancun, we recommend heading straight up to Ser CasaSandra in Holbox: the perfect bohemian beachspot to set the tone for the rest of your trip. Then, travel on to Hacienda Chichen, next door to the well-known Chichen Itza and not far from Ikkil and Balancache for a swim in their underground cenotes. If you have the time, make tracks further west to the cobbled streets of Merida, with a stop in Izamal to visit the San Antonio de Padua convent.
Curving back around to the coast, make sure to stop in Uxmal and the impressive, delightfully remote Calakmul ruins, before arriving at Laguna Bacalar. This large, turquoise-rimmed lake, surrounded by dense tropical rainforest, is the ultimate spot for outdoor adventures and wildlife spotting. It’s also just down the coast from Tulum. Here, you can explore the ruins, relax on the beach, and soak up the last sunny dregs of your once-in-a-lifetime Mexican adventure.
6 African safari
Who doesn’t have an African safari on their travel bucket list? Seeing lions, elephants and gangly giraffes in the wild is the stuff of childhood dreams. There are plenty of beautiful destinations for a holiday like this, but whether it’s a romantic getaway or a big, multi-gen trip, you can’t go wrong with South Africa.
From the breathtaking heights of Table Mountain, to the cool, cosmopolitan streets of Cape Town; the rugged shores of the Garden Route to the rolling vineyards in Cape Winelands, South Africa is all your dream holidays wrapped into one. And that’s all before setting off on an epic safari adventure.
For a truly unforgettable experience, we love Marataba Safari Lodge. In this section of the malaria-free Marakele National Park in northern South Africa, you won’t have to contend with the crowds. This reserve has just two lodges and two camps within its borders, meaning you get a whopping 1,000 acres of wilderness per guest bed. Knowledgeable rangers and trackers are your guides across the plains where the Big Five roam, and on river cruises to see hippos. And with the peaks of the Waterberg Mountains in the distance, you have one of the most impressive backdrops South Africa can offer.
7 An off-grid escape in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is no stranger to the travel bucket list – this stunning and varied country is on plenty of them. There’s no shortage of life-altering experiences from stunning train journeys rattling through verdant landscapes to white sand beaches and mystical temples. It’s a destination for solo travellers, friends, couples, families – anyone in search of a transformative experience, immersed in nature and surrounded by wildlife.
If you are looking for that most elusive modern luxury – off-grid escapism – head to Gal Oya Lodge. In this little-visited corner of rural Sri Lanka, you sleep in thatched bungalows, eat in an open-sided restaurant overlooking the pool, and venture out on safaris with the naturalist you’re assigned on arrival. Just the digital detox we all need these days. The lodge is a great jumping-off point for the unique boat safaris on the nearby Senanayake Samudraya Lake. Spy slinking crocodiles and islands bursting with nesting cormorants and spoonbills as you look out for the star attraction: the elephants who wander to the water’s edge to drink and swim.
Like the idea? Check out more of our glamping options in Sri Lanka.
8 Trek in the High Atlas Mountains
When we think of Morocco, what comes to mind? Frenetic, colourful souks, camel rides through the desert, a warm and windy coast. But would you be surprised to find that 80% of Morocco is mountainous? The High Atlas Mountains are the source of most of the country’s water, forests, and endemic species. And while holidaymakers flock elsewhere, avid hikers make tracks to Mount Toubkal, the highest point in the country.
But for many, it’s more about the journey than the destination. Following centuries-old shepherds’ paths and stopping in remote Berber villages, ramblers get a unique look into the slower, simpler mountain life. And if you choose to stay in one of the hilltop kasbahs, you can fully immerse yourself in it.
Sustainably run Kasbah du Toubkal in offers a wide range of hikes to suit all abilities from day treks to multi-day itineraries (you can also tackle the slopes on a mule), as well as ski tours in the winter and camel excursions from the villages. The Kasbah itself sits astride a peak with panoramic views up to Mount Toubkal and across 3 valleys fringed with green orchards and earth-coloured hamlets.
Another option is Douar Samra which is perfectly placed for Atlas treks and consistently rated by our guests – and team – as one of the most memorable places they‘ve stayed.