Known as “the Land of a Thousand Hills” and most commonly
associated with having access to the last of the endangered
mountain gorillas, Rwanda frequently ranks high on active
travellers’ radars. Only a smatter of countries have access to
these majestic apes and the newly opened luxury nature resort
One&Only Gorilla’s Nest vows
to offer the closest encounter yet – observing them from your own
private balcony. Not just reserved for monkeying around, Akagera
National Park boasts a complete savannah experience as an exclusive
Big Five safari destination. Catch rare encounters with lions,
black rhinos and elephants shadowed by galloping antelopes, while
riverboat cruises attract the attention of crocodiles and hippos.
Impressive nature reserves aside, this small African nation is
fiercely progressive; over half Rwanda’s MPs are women and plastic
bags were banned decades ago.

With a diverse geography spanning verdant rainforests, bubbling
volcanoes, gushing waterfalls and blonde-sand beaches, Nicaragua
is an explorer’s ultimate rush. No less than 19 volcanoes pepper
the country, some complete with lava-filled craters, while others
offer the chance to throw yourself down the volcanic ash on a
surfboard . Hike the San Ramon waterfall, located on the southern
slope of the Madera Volcano or paddle board across the mirrored
waters of Lake Nicaragua to the sounds of chattering monkeys and
birdsong in Zapatera National Park. The colonial town Granada is
dubbed the “Paris of Central America” and while this claim may
sound far-fetched, the beautifully painted Spanish churches and
exquisitely preserved colonial mansions certainly have a European
feel. End your adventure with a relaxing trip to the idyllic Corn
Islands just off the Caribbean Coast.

Topping the travel trends for several years now, Iceland
caters to all levels of explorer. Dip your toes in the geothermal
waters of the Landmannalaugar, head to Akureyri to jump aboard a
fisherman’s boat for a whale watching expedition or battle winding,
cliff hugging roads to visit the remote, seafront village of Vík í
Mýrdal with its famous black sand beaches and dramatic peninsula,
Dyrhólaey. Adrenaline junkies should head to Skaftafell, a hikers’
paradise and part of the Vatnajökul National Park. Ascend soaring
glaciers and sheer ice shelves while clambering over ancient
volcanic rocks. For a less extreme route, Falljökull (an outlet
glacier from Vatanajokull ice cap) is a mild ascent with reaching
views across ancient icefalls. Iceland’s striking terrain is best
explored via car as you’ll have the freedom to stop as and when you
please – which will be frequently.

City breakers will want to rest up in the cobbled streets of
Santiago
or tour the vineyards of the Casablanca Valley, but thrill-seekers
can set off in search of the Andes to the east, the Atacama Desert
in the north and the wilds of Patagonia in the south. Descend upon
the apocalyptic terrain of Valle de Luna in the bone-dry desert and
cycle from San Pedro to Atacama before stumbling across the vivid
turquoise waters of Laguna Cejar. Next, slow down a bit with
pisco-tasting and night stargazing at the often-overlooked Elqui
Valley, located in the north of the country. Many of the world’s
strongest telescopes are found here and with an average of 360
clear nights per year, intergalactic sightings top the agenda.
Those wild at heart will want to explore one of the most remote
terrains on Earth, Patagonia.
Venture across dramatic ice fields, whale watch in Puerto Madryn
and for a more intense white-knuckle water ride, kayak down the
gushing Torres del Paine National Park’s Grey Lake.

Awash with yoga and holistic retreats,
Nepal has a strong spiritual appeal, as well as being home to
the rugged trails of Mount Everest. Trekking through the country
will expose you to its rich culture, climaxing in the mountains
which are said to be home to some of the most sacred temples in the
world. Stroll through Bhaktapur Durbar Square in Kathmandu and
Patan will lead you to centuries-old monasteries and ancient
temples. Running alongside the borders of Tibet and China, the
Tamang Heritage trail (that starts in Langtang) passes through
Tamang villages, where descendants of the oldest tribe in Nepal
live. Finally, located in the lowlands of southern Nepal lies
Chitwan National Park, boasting the highest density of tigers in
Asia, stampedes of elephants and the odd elusive leopard stealthy
moving between the long grasslands.