10 Can't Miss Travel Experiences in 2026
In your 2026 travels, immerse yourself not only in a sense of place, but also in a sense of time. At WT, we’re gearing up for another year of unforgettable journeys to breathtaking places. Snorkel among playful sea lions in the Galápagos, spot the elusive northern lights in the Arctic, or witness a masked dance in Melanesia. From colorful cultural celebrations to rare wildlife encounters to breathtaking wonders of the natural world, here are some of the top moments you can savor on our 2026 journeys.
1. Watch the Rom dance of Ambryn
On this expedition cruise to Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, you’ll call at Ambryn, a remote island of volcanoes and lush jungles. In November, experience a rare privilege—witnessing the Rom ritual, a mesmerizing masked dance performed by ni-Vanuatu men accompanied by storytelling and rhythmic drums.
2. Hear Gnaouan music in the Sahara
On our Camels to Casbahs journey in Morocco, wander the vibrant bazaars of Fes and Marrakesh and set out on a two-day camel trek among the Saharan dunes. Our private Sahara tented camps include cozy beds, colorful Moroccan carpets, and unmatched desert solitude. And in the evening, enjoy a private performance of traditional Gnaouan music.
3. Sit with gorillas in Uganda
On both our Mountain Gorilla and Ultimate Uganda safaris, you’ll spend two full days tracking gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. With our expert ranger-guides, share a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with these gentle, intelligent, and curious creatures in their misty mountain home.
4. See the northern lights in Iceland
The month of July 2025 saw an 11-year peak of solar activity, making winter 2026 a particularly good one for seeing the northern lights. Take advantage of this solar maximum on our winter adventure in Iceland. You’ll snowshoe past glaciers, waterfalls, and volcanic craters by day and look for the aurora borealis by night.
5. Attend a Rajasthan festival
Visit India’s Rajasthan in January (Naguar Fair) or November (Pushkar Fair) to experience one of Asia’s most picturesque cultural events. The world’s largest camel and livestock fairs are a whirlwind of color, song, and dance. Temple visits, a Taj Mahal trip, and palatial accommodations add to this journey’s vibrancy.
6. Summit Kilimanjaro at sunrise
Make 2026 the year you hike Kilimanjaro! Our route takes the uncrowded trails, with extra acclimatization days, quieter camps, and full camp amenities—giving our travelers a 98% summit success rate. You’ll make your final climb to the “Roof of Africa” at sunrise. Afterwards, take one of our safari extensions.
7. Track pumas in Patagonia
Accompanied by our expert trackers, explore the rugged mountain trails of Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park, renowned for its jagged peaks and golden pampas. Spot and photograph wild pumas—often called the “ghosts of the Andes”—alongside an array of other incredible wildlife, from penguins and seals to guanacos and armadillos.
8. Snorkel with sea lions in the Galápagos
One of the most spectacular natural history destinations on Earth, the Galápagos offers wildlife encounters of a lifetime. Playful sea lions swim beside your sea kayaks, marine iguanas bask along the trail, and blue-footed boobies perform courtship rituals. Remarkably unafraid of humans, the animals let you get up close for incredible photo opportunities.
9. Ride a reindeer sleigh in Lapland
Finland’s northernmost region, Lapland, transports you to a snowy Arctic realm of log cabins, ice fishing, and fantastic frozen formations. A reindeer-drawn sleigh will whisk you away—and you’ll cook Lapland-style over a wood fire, bask in saunas, and (with luck) see the northern lights from your glass-ceilinged igloo.
10. Cross hanging bridges in Costa Rica
An active adventure awaits in this tropical world of cloud forests, waterfalls, and pristine beaches. Walking hanging bridges in Arenal Volcano National Park is one of the highlights, along with ziplining under rainforest canopy, boating through tranquil blackwater canals, and spotting wildlife like toucans, monkeys, and tree frogs.
June 19, 2025
