18 Unique 2018 Wilderness Travel Trips

Wilderness trips will still have you see unique attractions; marvel at majestic landscapes, vibrant cities and iconic landmarks. But consider also going on excursions to surf incredible waves and test your physical limits. Exotic journeys, peculiar quick escapes, and seaside paradises will inspire a new year filled with irreplaceable experiences.

See the magical Sapporo Snow Festival  with incredible snow and ice sculptures of famous buildings, like Angkor Wat and the Parthenon — each lit from within and from outside. Japan: Snow Monkeys and Winter Cranes – Led by popular Trip Leader Kate Ulberg, this new trip for 2019 shows travelers the glories of Japan in winter, focusing on the natural side of the country. Japan Winter Explorer trip – This new trip from Peregrine Adventures also takes travelers to the Sapporo Snow Festival, as well as to see the Japanese snow monkeys in Hakodate and the red-crested cranes in Lake Akan. Other highlights include a chance to try kitakarou glass blowing and a visit to Japan's best whiskey distilleries and breweries.

One of Wilderness Travel's most popular destinations year after year is Antarctica, an opportunity to truly get off the grid to the ends of the earth and follow in the footsteps of famous explorers. Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falklands – Pretend you are an explorer like Ernest Shackleton and discover the world of Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic Isles on the Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falklands small cruise expedition. Massive colonies of king penguins await with all of their squawking and no fear of humans, as well as huge elephant seals basking on the beach and plenty of drifting icebergs. You'll also get to stop at Shackleton's grave site.

Both Peregrine Adventures, which caters to a 50+ demographic, and Geckos Adventures, which offers trips for those ages 18-29, are seeing a rise in interest in travel to Canada. In a September 2016 survey conducted by Geckos Adventures, American millennials listed Canada as No. 1 on their list of countries they'd like to visit. Canada Winter Festivals – This fun seasonal trip to Canada showcases some of the country's top winter festivals in Whistler, Jasper, Banff and Lake Louise. Highlights include a chance to try ice hockey at Canmore Hockey Club, snowshoeing Banff's backcountry, attending the Pride festival in Whistler, exploring frozen waterfalls and ice caves in Jasper and a sleigh ride at Lake Louise.

Iceland's Northern Lights – This new Iceland itinerary for 2018 is designed around optimum viewing spots for the Northern Lights. The trip includes Iceland-style adventure in the country's seasonally-long daylight hours from hiking to its famed waterfalls and trekking across glaciers to descending into a lava tube and soaking in its famous Blue Lagoon.

Expedition to Lapland – Lapland is not a destination on many people's radars, yet Wilderness Travel is seeing a high demand for travel to the arctic and Northern Realms, an area they have been visiting for 20 or so years. While lots are flocking to Norway and Iceland, Lapland is a destination many have not ventured to yet. On their new trip to the region, travelers can see reindeer and their herders up close and even be pulled like Santa in a reindeer-pulled sleigh, experience the Northern Lights, enjoy a Lappish smoke sauna, sample the local cuisine and experience mushing.

Explore America's wildest state. Alaska does have breathtaking mountains and many Siberian huskies but tourists may be surprised to find that the Last Frontier is much more than a piece of land that borders Canada, braves cold climate for a big part of the year, and has lots of bears. Alaska, which is the biggest state in the country with more than 663,000 square miles, is home to some of the most magnificent terrains in the U.S.  Try husky dog sledding, stay in lodges in the woods, get close to polar bears, try ice fishing, and explore places only accessible by boat.

This is one of the most beautiful mind-blowing escapes you should add to your bucket list. This is Tanzania's oldest national park. It's famous for its annual wildebeest migration. It's also one of the few places in Africa where the amount of lions is not declining. The best time to see them is between December and March. Take a safari style tour to view the lions. The park and Mt. Kilimanjaro make Tanzania one of the most visited countries in Africa.

The country is often overlooked and not enough Americans visit. Greenland's epic fjords and remote arctic tundra remain under the radar. With 300 clear nights, its visitors might have the magical Northern Lights all to themselves. But this massive island has something for every traveler. This is where you'll find some of the best opportunities for sea kayaking, ice cave exploring and rock climbing on the planet.

More than 25 percent of Costa Rica's total territory is contained in national parks and other conservation areas, protecting the country's diverse wildlife and preserving the nation's ecological heritage. If you're a thrill seeker, Costa Rica is definitely the place for you. Tourists get a wide variety of options in terms of ecosystem, climate, terrain, wildlife, scenery, proximity to urban centers, and more. For reasons why it should be your next adventure destination, click here.

Colombo is a popular stop for those looking to take in the culture without breaking the bank, but Sri Lanka has much more to offer than just that one city. The history and natural beauty are major draws. Sri Lanka is home to one of the largest concentrations of pygmy blue whales on earth. You can go on a unique safari that offers diving with blue whales, giving you a chance to get very close to them. Surfers will be happy, too. Arugam Bay's Main Point is known for its sweeping (400m – 600m) right hand point break.

Who hasn't heard of Scotland's natural beauty, copious wildlife, stunning shores and remote islands? You can see all of this in one day on a kayaking trip. The Shetland Islands are the northernmost archipelago of the U.K. Most of the 100 islands are uninhabited. Get close to dolphins, whales, birds and otters and explore caves and channels. Also, believe it or not you can actually see the Northern Lights from Scotland. Your best chance of catching them is up north in the Highlands or near Galloway Forest Park.

An underrated destination in Africa, Zambia should not be skipped. Visit in October, during the end of the dry season, to see incredible wildlife searching for water sources and roaming on preserved lands. Visit one of the wild national parks to the north instead for a guided safari that will put you close to elephants, giraffes, and lions, among others. Go on a superb canoe and walking safari in the Zambezi Valley and camp out under the stars on secluded islands. The Victoria Falls should be on your bucket list. This is one of the greatest attractions in all of Africa. It is classified as the world's largest sheet of falling water with a width of 5,604 feet and height of 354 feet.

This ancient city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered by many to be the heart of Laotian culture, according to Visit Laos. The small town is encircled by mountains and is almost 2,300 feet above sea level at the confluence of the Nam Khan and Mekong Rivers. It is definitely Laos' premier tourist destination and arguably Southeast Asia's most beautiful spot. Cascading waterfalls, mounting peaks and the famous for cruises Mekong River provide plenty of chances to swim, climb and sail your way through Luang Prabang.

Bali, which is often called the Island of the Gods, attracts adventurous travelers with its seashores, mountains, and volcanoes. Begin your day early by cycling to Mt. Baur, then ascending to the top for a sunrise experience. From here, climb aboard an elephant for a jaunt into the jungle where you break for lunch. Tackle six miles of 33 class II and III rapids past rainforests, gorges, and rice paddies. Try kayaking, jungle trekking, paragliding, horseback riding, and sea walking.

On the 10-day Botswana to Zimbabwe: The Great Elephant Migration, guests will experience the ultimate safari timed with the great migration of some 200,000 elephants through Zimbabwe, and spot wildlife by bike, on foot, in a canoe, via 4X4 and even by night. Starting in Botswana, one of the most renowned wildlife destinations in the world, travelers will gain access to the some of the least crowded areas and then cross a remote border into ZimbabweThere will be an opportunity to explore the most remote camp in Zimbabwe, enjoying views from a below-ground blind to see herds at close range.

Snow Leopards and Tigers of India –Spotting the mysterious and elusive snow leopard is challenging for the most knowledgeable tracker, but Wilderness Travel provides guests with the best opportunity to sight these animals of legend in India. While many people camp in search of the snow leopard, which proves cold and dark in March, Wilderness Travel has discovered a lodge built by the Snow Leopard Conservancy of India where trekkers can listen to talks from naturalist guides each evening and sleep in comfort after a long day on the hunt in addition to supporting the efforts to conserve this species.

Ancient Britain to the Channel Islands – Explore the dreamy Channel Islands of Great Britain, a group of remote islands that are closer to France than England. The trip has proven to be immensely popular and also includes a stop at Stonehenge at sunset, as well as the "Jurassic Coast," a World Heritage Site for its fossil-rich cliffs. Hikers can traverse the countryside that inspired Thomas Hardy's novels, as well as the South West Coast Path, one of the world's most striking trails, while enjoying locally-sourced food and ales, as well as stays at a 13th-century inn and 16-century farmhouse.

Te Araroa: New Zealand From Top to Bottom, Part 1 – On the Te Araroa, a trail that spans the entire length of New Zealand and in its entirety would take five months to complete, Wilderness Travel takes hikers along the best portions of the route over 14 days in Part 1 of the trip covering the North Island. The hike passes through Cape Reinga where ancient peoples believed the spirits of their ancestors departed for the realm of the dead, along coastal cliffs and remote villages, past the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, experiencing local foods, wine and craft beers. Unique to Wilderness Travel, the trip is an opportunity to explore the highlights of New Zealand's famous trail.