The World’s Most Inspiring Tours For Intrepid Travelers

Traveling to the world’s most exotic places can be a very rewarding experience filled with excitement, education and adventure. Guided tours can add greatly to any trip by taking visitors to must-see landmarks throughout the region as informed tour guides offer fascinating facts about the history and people of the area. There are those intrepid travelers who prefer to go off the beaten path to seldom explored destinations that lift the spirits and ignite the imagination. The following tours are designed with the curiosity seeker in mind.

Gates of Hell

A fiery crater that has been burning in the Karakum Desert since 1971 with talks of it being shut down in the near future. This month, President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov ordered the government of Turkmenistan to begin researching how to put the fire out. This once little-known destination is one of the most popular trips offered by Atlas Obscura with its first departure selling out in less than 24 hours. With Turkmenistan as a whole getting just a few thousand visitors a year, this is a perfect time to book an adventure to one of the world’s most unusual hidden wonders.

Pyramids and Petroglyphs of Sudan

Crisscross the Nile to trace ancient Egyptian and Nubian history. Camp in the Sudanese desert of this epic overland journey to discover the ancient history and hidden gems of Sudan. Seldom visited and widely misunderstood, Sudan is home to some of the most spectacular historic artifacts and archaeological sites whose numbers exceed those that can be found in all of Egypt. Highlights include meeting Bisharin nomads and Nubian locals, visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Meroe and Jebel Barkal and traveling by 4WD through incredible landscapes to see the remains of ancient civilizations at Naqa and Musawwarat.

Madagascar, Africa

Unlike any place on earth, Madagascar’s capital Antananarivo is a city with strong French influence in its architecture mixed with hints of Malay-Polynesian feel in its people. It is truly one of the most fascinating capitals in Africa. Kensington Tours can take you across the wilds of Andasibe then fly to Anjajavy, which is the only Relais & Chateux property on the island. Here you can relax by the beach and enjoy Malagasy cuisine at its finest. At Anjajavy guests can also check out the Sakalava caves, ubiquitous baobab trees, Tsingy rock formation and if you are lucky you might even be able to spot an Aye Aye.

Georgia Signature

Start in the capital city Tbilisi, a buzzing and eclectic city full of architectural contrasts and a thriving restaurant scene. According to archaeologists Georgia is the oldest wine producing country in the world. Visit various regions and wineries, including the Kakheti region, where you’ll sample wines produced by the centuries-old Qvevri method. Visit the homes of local families and dine on homemade lunches consisting of typical Georgian dishes. Travel to Mtskheta, the religious center of Georgia, and visit the 6^th century hilltop Jvari Monastery and 11^th century Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. Explore the ancient cave town of Uplistsikhe, dating back to the Iron Age. Traverse the storied Georgian Military Road, one of the most scenic roads in the South Caucasus.

Salmon Falls Resort, Ketchikan, Alaska

Tours abound from Salmon Falls Resort and the ease of access means guests can spend more time reconnecting with nature and less time in the airport. Situated at the southernmost entrance to Alaska’s iconic Inside Passage, Ketchikan is beloved for its rich Alaskan culture and pristine wilderness. The Oyster Farm Tour offers a behind-the-scenes look at the Hump Island Oyster Farm while sampling the world’s finest oysters. Eco-Kayaking Tours affords paddlers of all skill levels the chance to enjoy several tranquil hours exploring the waters of Clover Passage by kayak and the potential to encounter wildlife including Sitka deer, Pacific porpoises and humpback whales.

Subterranean Slovenia: Caves, Cellars, and Secret Tunnels

Descend into the storied labyrinth of the Slovenian karst, where some of the world’s most famous caves snake below the ground. Highlights of this exhilarating tour include exploring the world’s second-largest mercury mine, witnessing fossils of prehistoric bears, taking a train that runs into the depths of the Earth and embarking on a nighttime dormouse hunt. Emerge in time to visit local vineyards, sample karst prosciutto, tour a medieval castle or two and skirt around the stunning, glassy waters of Bled Lake, cradled between the Alps.

Royal & Ducal Castles

The English nobility inhabit an opulent world that is open to only a select few. Join Abercrombie & Kent founder Geoffrey Kent on a tour of British historical dramas, from Downton Abbey to The Crown. Enjoy the privilege of being a personal guest on grand country estates, choosing from leisurely pursuits such as archery, fly fishing, clay pigeon shooting, a round of golf and strolling the magnificent gardens. Enjoy a special visit to Windsor Castle by permission of Her Majesty the Queen and is led by a member of staff who knows all of the castle’s ins and outs.