Six big-bucket trips to plan for 2027

From the Himalayan valleys of Bhutan to the remote islands of French Polynesia, these are the journeys worth clearing your diary for.

Perhaps you’ve always wanted to see the Galápagos Islands, or you’ve been quietly entertaining the idea of crossing Patagonia on horseback. Maybe it’s the Maldives’ lesser-known Pacific cousin that’s caught your attention, or a safari where the nearest other vehicle is several miles away.

These are the trips that acquire a life of their own long before anyone books a flight. They make their way onto wish lists, are discussed over Christmas dinner and occasionally prompt someone to announce that they’re finally going to do it next year. Which, as we all know, is an announcement that can be repeated indefinitely.

But 2027 is shaping up to be an excellent year to make good on a few of those promises.

The world’s more remote corners don’t always lend themselves to spontaneous travel. Some have short seasons, others have a handful of exceptional places to stay, and certain experiences require a surprising amount of forward planning. When you’re travelling halfway around the world, getting the details right matters.

We’ve chosen six journeys that deserve a little more than a last-minute search for flights. Some are wonderfully adventurous, others indulgent in the extreme, and a few will appeal to families with children old enough to appreciate just how extraordinary the world can be.

1. Bhutan

At Bhutan’s famous Tiger’s Nest Monastery, monks have been making the steep journey up the mountainside for centuries. The monastery clings to a cliff some 900 metres above the Paro Valley, and reaching it on foot takes several hours. It’s a useful introduction to a country where the most rewarding experiences often require a little effort.

Bhutan’s landscapes are spectacular, but its culture is equally compelling. Traditional dress remains part of everyday life, Buddhist monasteries are woven into the landscape, and Gross National Happiness is an established principle of government policy.

A journey through the country might begin in Thimphu before winding through mountain passes to Punakha, with its beautiful riverside dzong, and onwards to the quieter valleys of central Bhutan.

Six Senses Bhutan has five individual lodges spread across the country, each designed around its setting. They’re ideal for a longer journey, with private guides arranging everything from monastery visits to village walks and traditional Bhutanese experiences.

Why book ahead?

British travellers need to arrange a visa before arrival, and Bhutan also charges a daily Sustainable Development Fee, which should be factored into the budget. Some regions require additional travel permits, while the mountain roads and limited flights into Paro make a carefully planned itinerary especially worthwhile.

2. The Galápagos Islands

On the Galápagos Islands, sea lions sleep across walking paths, marine iguanas congregate on volcanic rocks and blue-footed boobies perform elaborate courtship dances in full view of passing visitors. The wildlife appears to have missed the memo about keeping a respectful distance from humans.

Around 1,000 kilometres off Ecuador’s coast, this extraordinary archipelago is home to species found nowhere else on Earth. A small expedition ship is one of the best ways to explore, travelling between islands with naturalist guides and stopping to snorkel, hike and observe wildlife.

Aqua Mare offers an intimate, superyacht-style experience, while Silver Origin was purpose-built for exploring the islands, with expedition facilities and expert guides.

It’s an especially memorable trip for families with older children. Watching giant tortoises in their natural habitat or snorkelling alongside sea turtles makes a persuasive alternative to another afternoon at the hotel pool.

Why book ahead?

Visiting the Galápagos involves a few extra formalities, including a Transit Control Card, park entry fees and mandatory travel health insurance. You’ll also want to choose your expedition route carefully, as different vessels visit different islands. Check travel vaccinations well in advance, particularly if you’re exploring mainland Ecuador too.

3. Namibia

At Deadvlei, ancient trees stand against a white clay pan, surrounded by some of the tallest sand dunes in the world. The contrast of black branches, orange sand and blue sky is so striking that photographs can look heavily edited. They aren’t.

Namibia’s scenery is full of such surprises. Along the Skeleton Coast, Atlantic fog drifts over desert sands and old shipwrecks. Further inland, desert-adapted elephants move through dry riverbeds, while the night skies reveal an astonishing number of stars.

andBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge is a beautiful base for exploring the dunes, with glass-fronted suites and an observatory for stargazing. In the remote northwest, Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp offers guided wilderness experiences and access to some of the country’s most extraordinary landscapes.

A fly-in itinerary is worth considering. Namibia is enormous, and travelling by light aircraft allows you to explore several regions without spending days on the road.

Why book ahead?

British passport holders should check Namibia’s visa requirements well before travelling, alongside any recommended vaccinations and malaria precautions for the regions they’re visiting. Distances are enormous, so arranging light-aircraft transfers and remote lodges in advance can make a considerable difference to how much of the country you see.

4. Patagonia

In Patagonia, checking the weather forecast is more of a gesture than a guarantee. Sunshine, rain and fierce winds can all make an appearance during a single walk, sometimes within the same hour.

Fortunately, the scenery provides ample compensation. In Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park, enormous granite towers rise above turquoise lakes, while guanacos graze beneath the mountains and condors circle overhead.

Explora Torres del Paine occupies a spectacular position beside Lake Pehoé, with guided excursions ranging from gentle walks to demanding hikes and horse riding. Across the border in Argentina, the Perito Moreno Glacier is another remarkable sight, its vast walls of ice occasionally breaking away into the water below.

You don’t need to be an experienced trekker to enjoy Patagonia, but it’s worth choosing accommodation with excellent guides and a good range of activities. The distances between regions also require thought, particularly if you want to explore both Chile and Argentina.

Why book ahead?

Patagonia’s main travelling season is relatively short, and exploring both Chile and Argentina requires careful coordination of flights, border crossings and transfers. If you’re planning more ambitious hikes, it’s worth allowing time to prepare physically and arranging suitable travel insurance for your activities.

5. Botswana’s Okavango Delta

An elephant crossing a river is an impressive sight. An elephant crossing a river a few metres from your canoe is an entirely different experience.

In Botswana’s Okavango Delta, seasonal floodwaters spread across the Kalahari Desert, creating a network of channels, lagoons and islands. Wildlife moves between the waterways and dry land, while guests can explore certain areas by traditional mokoro canoe, accompanied by expert guides.

The Delta is home to some exceptional safari camps. andBeyond Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge has a striking timber design inspired by a pangolin, while Wilderness Mombo is celebrated for its wildlife viewing. Wilderness Vumbura Plains offers both land and water-based activities when conditions allow.

Combining two camps in different parts of the Delta is often worthwhile. One might focus on game drives and big-cat sightings, while another offers boat excursions and a completely different perspective on the landscape.

Why book ahead?

Botswana’s seasonal floodwaters influence where and when certain safari activities are possible, so timing your visit is important. It’s also worth seeking travel health advice well in advance, particularly regarding malaria prevention and recommended vaccinations. Light-aircraft transfers and specialist safari arrangements are best organised together.

6. French Polynesia

Bora Bora’s lagoon is every bit as blue as the photographs suggest. Mount Otemanu rises dramatically from the centre of the island, overwater bungalows extend into the shallows and the surrounding reef creates a vast natural swimming pool.

But stopping at Bora Bora would mean missing much of what makes French Polynesia so fascinating.

Moorea has jagged green mountains, pineapple plantations and beautiful sheltered bays. Tahiti offers black-sand beaches, lively markets and a rich Polynesian culture, while the remote Tuamotu atolls are known for their coral reefs and extraordinary diving.

Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora is a classic choice, with spacious overwater bungalows and private-pool villas. For something more secluded, The Brando occupies the private atoll of Tetiaroa, with just a small collection of villas surrounded by pristine natural scenery.

A longer itinerary might combine two or three islands, using domestic flights and ferries where appropriate. Paul Gauguin Cruises also offers a beautiful way to explore the region without changing hotels at every stop.

Why book ahead?

Getting to French Polynesia from the UK involves a substantial journey, often with a connection through the United States, which may mean arranging an ESTA or appropriate transit documentation. Once there, domestic flights and boat transfers need to be coordinated between islands, especially if you’re hoping to visit the more remote atolls.

The Trips You’ll Still Be Talking About in Ten Years

The best travel stories rarely involve the thread count of the hotel sheets.

They’re about the sea lion that swam alongside you in the Galápagos, the morning light on Namibia’s dunes or the first glimpse of Tiger’s Nest Monastery through the trees. Experiences that stay with you long after the suitcase has been unpacked.

Getting to these places can require a little organisation, but that shouldn’t mean spending your holiday worrying about logistics. The right itinerary leaves plenty of room for unexpected discoveries, with the practical details taken care of before you leave.

At More Travel, we love planning journeys that go beyond the familiar, whether that’s finding the right safari camp in Botswana, arranging private guides in Bhutan or helping you explore several islands in French Polynesia.

If 2027 is the year for something extraordinary, visit us at our Stamford boutique or get in touch with our team.

Please note: Entry requirements and health recommendations can change. Our team can help with the practicalities of your itinerary, but we recommend checking the latest FCDO travel advice and consulting a travel health professional before departure.