Where to Travel in 2027: Hidden Gems, Epic Adventures and Emerging Travel Trends
Looking ahead to 2027, travellers are seeking lesser-visited corners of well-loved destinations, planning their adventures around cultural moments, and choosing rewarding adventures that offer a sense of achievement and transformation.
Curated by the experts at World Expeditions Travel Group's various brands - home to World Expeditions, UTracks, Walkers' Britain & Europe and Coast to Coast Packhorse - this guide brings together the anniversaries, new tours, book-now destinations and quiet alternatives to plan a 2027 trip around.
From a new guided Coast to Coast walk and a 1,000-year-old story on England's south coast, to an Alpine crossing, new walks in China and Japan and a wilder way to see Peru, here's where to go in 2027.
The Experts' Picks for 2027:
Carina Lightbody, Manager, Coast to Coast Packhorse & Sherpa Van – the Coast to Coast Cycle: “With the Tour de France coming to Britain next summer - including cycling through the Lake District in its second stage - 2027 is the perfect year to cross the north of England on two wheels! An exhilarating variation on the classic Coast to Coast adventure, the Coast to Coast Cycle route begins at Whitehaven harbour before climbing through the Lake District fells and across the wild Pennine moors, then enjoying some of the best descents in the country before rolling out to the North Sea at Tynemouth. You don't need to be a pro to do it, just up for an adventure, whether by mountain, road, hybrid or e-bike."
Els van Veelen, Brand Manager, Walkers' Britain & Europe – Haute Provence, France: "In 2027 we celebrate 30 years of running our Walking in Haute-Provence trip, yet it still feels like a wonderful secret. Sitting higher up in the southern Alps, it's cooler than the Provence of the postcards in the heat of summer, and wonderfully quiet. Our tour spends a day crossing the Gorges du Verdon, a spectacular river canyon with a series of connected, sparkling turquoise lakes that are very well maintained (for instance, petrol-powered boats are banned), then walking through fragrant lavender fields and Provençal markets before finishing in Aix-en-Provence. The tour is easily accessible by train, arriving in Nice and then departing from Aix.”
Gordon Steer, UK Manager, UTracks – Montenegro to Albania Coastal Cycle: "With Montenegro and Albania growing so much in popularity in recent years, I was keen to see what I'd been missing and recently tried the Montenegro to Albania Coastal Cycle. In one week you experience four very different countries, and the contrast is fascinating: Bosnia and Albania feel refreshingly unpolished compared with Dubrovnik, with Montenegro somewhere in between. Cycling is the best way to explore somewhere new, and the autumn colours made the riding even better. The final-day descent into Kotor was a highlight, as was the charming Hotel Tradita in Shkodër, and the warm welcome everywhere we went. I'm now a huge fan of the Balkans and can thoroughly recommend seeing a different side to the countries, on two wheels, in 2027.”
Nicola Croom, UK Sales Manager, World Expeditions - Nepal: “After Nepal's devastating floods in August 2026, it's more important than ever to continue to support the country's tourism industry, and we urge travellers to not avoid travelling to the unaffected regions. With that in mind, my pick for 2027 is the Gokyo & the Renjo La trek – an unusual trek to a lesser-visited, far quieter area of the Everest region with some of Nepal's best views, journeying through Sherpa villages, alongside the longest glacier in the Himalayas and witnessing the incredible turquoise Gokyo Lakes. Not only is World Expeditions the only UK operator to offer the trek, but it also features our exclusive Eco Comfort Camps, supremely comfortable camps in secluded plots with a stronger connection to this remote, beautiful landscape.”
Milestone Travel
The celebratory dates worth planning a trip around:
EAST SUSSEX, UK: 2027 Year of the Normans - Celebrating the 2027 Norman millennium anniversary and Bayeux Tapestry exhibition on display in the UK, Walkers' Britain & Europe is launching a brand-new, unique and exclusive walking tour along the south coast of England following in the footsteps of William the Conqueror. Just 2 hours by train from London, the walk will begin in the heart of 1066 Country at Pevensey Castle, journeying through rolling farmland, ancient woodland and historic villages to Battle Abbey, site of the Battle of Hastings. NEW: 1066 Country Walk from Walkers' Britain & Europe – from £790pp, runs from 12 March-29 October 2027
COAST TO COAST, UK: Alfred Wainwright's 120th birthday - Born on 17 January 1907, 2027 would have been legendary fell walker Alfred Wainwright's 120th birthday. His famous Coast to Coast Trail from St Bees in Cumbria to Robin Hood Bay in North Yorkshire was made a National Trail in 2026. NEW 13-day Guided Coast to Coast Walk for 2027: 12-24 June 2027, from £2,690pp with Walkers' Britain & Europe; and The Complete Coast to Coast Walking Adventure 18 day/17 nights self-guided with Coast to Coast Packhorse, Mar-Oct, from £2,084pp
SPAIN: 2027 Jacobean Holy Year - 2027 marks a Jacobean Holy Year on the Camino de Santiago, a year of huge significance and celebration to Christian Pilgrims, occurring whenever July 25th, the Feast of St James, falls on a Sunday (happening in a pattern of 11, 6, 5 and 6 years and only 14 times in a century). On 25th July in a Holy Year, the Sunday mass at Santiago Cathedral is even more special than normal and extra functions take place such as the opening of the Holy Door. Full Spanish Camino with UTracks (36 days) departs daily Apr-Oct, from £3,790pp
COLOMBIA: Gabriel García Márquez's 100th birthday - 2027 would have been the 100th birthday of iconic magical realist writer and treasured Colombian Gabriel García Márquez, who died in 2014 and hailed from the country's vibrant Caribbean coast. Colombia's Lost City Trekwith World Expeditions (10 days) departs daily year-round (excluding Sept), from £1,990pp
JORDAN: The Jordan Trail's 10th anniversary - Inaugurated in 2017, the 650km trail takes around 40 days to complete in total, starting at the northern tip of Jordan and ending in Aqaba in the south, but you can try a 10-day section on World Expeditions' Jordan Trail Experience, departures in Apr, May, Aug, Sept & Oct 2027, from £2,790pp
New Adventures:
Brand new tours for 2027:
THE COTSWOLDS, UK: Guided Cotswolds Walk – Walkers' Britain & Europe's first guided tour of the charming Cotswolds, this 9-day guided walk journeys through the heart of the picturesque English county with an expert local guide. Exploring on foot in an unhurried fashion, with plenty of time to linger, browse and people watch, this ultimate Cotswolds itinerary backed by the company's 30 years of expertise, blends the team's favourite trails, rolling countryside, honey-coloured market towns, historic houses and English gardens from Sudeley Castle to the Rococo Garden at Painswick. Best of the Cotswolds on Foot – Guided (9 days), departs 4 June and 24 Sept 2027, from £2,350pp.
GERMANY, AUSTRIA & ITALY: E5 Alpine Crossing - Active holiday specialist UTracks has begun offering the Oberstdorf to Merano section of the iconic E5 Alps Crossing, one of Europe's most celebrated long-distance hiking trails. Cross from Germany to Austria and on to Italy on foot, staying in authentic mountain huts and family-run alpine chalets, with highlights including the picturesque ascent to the Pitztaler Jöchl, (3,000m) and hiking beneath the Hirzer massif before descending into Merano, where Mediterranean influences replace the high alpine scenery. E5 Alps Crossing Hike: Oberstdorf to Merano with UTracks (8 days) departs twice weekly from 13 June to 12 Sept 2027, from £1,370pp.
NORWAY: Oslo Fjord Cycle - Discover the landscapes and coastal communities of the Oslo Fjord in a different way from the usual boat vantage: cycle from Norway's capital through forests, farmland, historic towns and quiet bays, with a brief foray into neighbouring Sweden. Learn about its Viking heritage, including the burial mounds near Borre and historic Tønsberg, regarded as Norway's oldest town and explore character-filled Scandinavian towns, from fortified Fredrikstad and waterfront Drammen to the harbors and cultural attractions of Horten and Moss. Oslo Fjord Cycle with UTracks (8 days) departs weekly from 5 June to 28 Aug 2027, from £2,150pp.
CHINA: China Three Gorges Hike - Carved through steep mountains as the Yangtze flows east towards central China, the gorges - Qutang, Wu and Xiling - form a corridor of towering cliffs, narrow waterways and deeply cut valleys. This active journey focuses on the mountain landscapes around Wushan and Fengjie, with rewarding hikes involving sustained ascents and steep mountain trails. Gondola and boat journeys connect several of the walks, and there are stops on route taking in the culture and food of Chengdu and Chongqinq.Three Gorges Hike, China (9 days) with World Expeditions, monthly departures in March, Apr, May, Sept, Oct & Nov 2027, from £1,850pp.
JAPAN: Hokkaido Winter Explorer - Experience the pristine winter landscapes of eastern Hokkaido on a seven-day adventure combining self-guided travel with locally guided winter experiences. Trek through snow-covered forests, snowshoe through Shiretoko National Park to the frozen Furepe Waterfall, discover the culture of the indigenous Ainu people, witness the iconic Red-crowned Cranes and stay each evening at traditional Japanese inns with relaxing onsen and regional Japanese cuisine. Hokkaido Winter Explorer with World Expeditions (7 days), daily departures from 1 December to 17 March, from £2,150pp.
Book Soon:
AUSTRALIA: Ngaro Track - A 32km route located in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area in the Whitsunday Islands, the trail takes its name from the Ngaro people, traditional custodians of this land, who have played an integral role in its construction. Trek the full route carrying a lighter pack, enjoy rare views over the Whitsundays that can only be reached on foot, summit Whitsunday Craig Summit (353m), learn more about the Ngaro people through the art installations and get an understanding of the unique biodiversity on the island. The trail opened in 2026 – when World Expeditions became the official and exclusive partner to offer it as a fully supported guided walk; permits are strictly limited to allow a maximum of 15 walkers per day, so book soon to avoid disappointment. Ngaro Track Walk in Comfort with World Expeditions (3 days), 2-3 departures monthly from April to October 2027, from £1,250pp.
FRANCE: Mont Blanc - More than 90,000 people reportedly walked the Tour du Mont Blanc in summer 2026, up from 75,000 in 2025 (according to figures from Les Amis de l'UTMB, reported by French newspaper Le Monde), and French authorities are proposing new measures requiring multi-day walkers to have accommodation booked in advance in order to better manage the growing numbers and to protect the environment and local communities. The advice is to plan early to ensure you can travel on your desired dates and book with a reputable multi-day hiking operator such as UTracks which arranges your accommodation along the route, together with luggage transfers and route notes. Mont Blanc Self-Guided Hike with UTracks (8 days), daily departures except Sun & Mon 17 Jun-11 Sept 2027, from £1,290pp.
BHUTAN: The country's Sustainable Development Fee - a mandatory daily tourism fee for all visitors - is currently set at the reduced rate of US$100 until 31 August 2027. Demand to the peaceful Buddhist country that famously prioritises Gross National Happiness over economic growth keeps growing; it welcomed more than 79,000 tourists from outside India in 2025, up 56% on 2024, with the US its largest source market after India. The first half of 2027 is the time to visit to ensure you make the most of the pre-review rate, and discover its snow-capped peaks, remote alpine wilderness, high altitude lakes, colourful markets and iconic Tiger's Nest monastery. Bhutan Druk Path Trek with World Expeditions (11 days), 10 & 28 March 2027, from £4,490pp.
Quiet Alternatives
'Destination dupes' for travellers who'd rather avoid the crowds:
UK: Instead of Pilgrims' Way, try St Cuthbert's Way – With pilgrimage travel (or 'shrinecations' as they're known on TikTok) becoming more mainstream, and 2027 a Holy Year on the most iconic pilgrimage of all, the Camino de Santiago, 2027 could be your year to take a transformational walking journey. The most well known in England is the Pilgrim's Way, a 153-mile route linking Winchester Cathedral with Canterbury Cathedral, but for a spiritual journey with a difference try the St Cuthbert's Way, following in the footsteps of 7th century monk, St Cuthbert, and connecting Scotland to England through the border country. The 62 mile route – which features on Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2027 List – runs from Melrose Abbey in the Scottish borders to the tidal island of Lindisfarne, off the coast of Northumberland, passing through the delightfully unspoilt Tweed Valley (home of the famous woollen cloth), the Cheviot Hills and the Northumberland Coast with its proliferation of castles and wide, sweeping horizons. St Cuthbert's Way with Walkers' Britain & Europe (8 days), daily departures 20 Mar-22 Sept 2027, from £990pp.
FRANCE: Instead of Chamonix, try Écrins National Park – While hikers have long been drawn to the Chamonix Valley, the area around Mt Blanc makes up just 1% of the total coverage of the French Alps, and there is so much more for hikers to discover elsewhere. Skip the buzzing trails of Chamonix – especially during the peak months of July and August when crowds descend for the UTMB – and instead head for the utterly peaceful alpine trails of the Écrins National Park in the southern Alps. Its distinctive 'bocage' countryside, open and accessible landscapes with easier walking options and dramatic Alpine scenery - not to mention its incredible local fromage, famous bilberry tarts and welcoming family-run French auberges - make it a must-visit French hiking destination for all abilities. Hiking in the French Alps: Écrins National Park with Walkers' Britain & Europe (8 days), daily departures from 19 May-22 Sept, from £1,230pp
PERU: Instead of the Inca Trail, try the Alpamayo Circuit – The spectacular Alpamayo Circuit through Peru's remote Cordillera Blanca is a quieter alternative to the Inca Trail; trekking beneath the iconic pyramid-shaped peak of Alpamayo, considered one of the world's most beautiful mountains, you'll cross eight mountain passes with elevations up to 4,850m, and camp beside glacial lakes, spotting Andean condors, visiting traditional Andean villages and hiking to the pre-Inca ruins of Willcahuaín. The Alpamayo Circuit, Peruvian Andes with World Expeditions (18 days), departures on 15 May, 19 Jun, 17 Jul and 28 Aug 2027, from £3,090pp.
AUSTRALIA: Instead of Tasmania's Overland Track, try Flinders Island – located roughly 55km off Tasmania's northeast coast, remote Flinders Island boasts the granite peaks, wild beaches and abundant wildlife associated with mainland Tasmania, but with far fewer visitors. On this scaled-down version of Tasmania, explore coastal walks where you can have entire beaches and trails to yourself, learn about its Aboriginal history, witness unique Australian wildlife and birdlife across its dunes, lagoons and woodlands and stay in World Expeditions' pioneering Eco Comfort Camps truly connecting you with the island's remote beauty in the lowest impact way. Flinders Island Experience in Comfort (4 days), departures on 17 Jan, 14 & 30 March 2027, from £1,770pp.
JAPAN: Instead of the Nakasendo Way, try the Michinoku Coastal Trail – a popular route loved for its preserved Edo-period samurai post towns and its fascinating historical and cultural highlights along the way from Kyoto to Tokyo, the legendary Nakasendo deserves a spot on every hiker's Japan wish list. But for those trekkers seeking quieter trails and a more wild, remote side of Japan, the Michinoku Coastal Trail in the Tohoku region is one to discover. Created to support regional recovery after the 2011 earthquake, the trail journeys through remote fishing villages, dramatic cliffs, forested headlands and past touching memorials dedicated to those who lost their lives, offering a unique window into traditional life in a part of Japan that not many international tourists experience. Michinoku Coastal Trail Self-Guided Hike with World Expeditions (7 days), daily departures from Apr-Oct 2027, from £1,490pp.
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