We’ve teamed up with the experts at Exodus Travel to help you plan your 2023 adventures with an expert local guide and 12 diverse itineraries to suit every kind of traveller. So, which one will you book?
Travel doesn’t get much further flung than Patagonia, and on this 13-day journey with Exodus, you’ll visit both Argentina and Chile to gaze upon those glistening snow-capped mountains reflected in glassy lakes. You’ll hike to the iconic Towers of Paine in Torrres del Paine National Park, watch giant glaciers float past in Los Glaciares National Park and reach the peaks of Fitzroy Massif and Cerro Torre for uninterrupted views over the wild Patagonian landscapes. When you’re not out exploring nature, you’ll have time to soak up the lively atmosphere of Argentina’s capital, Buneos Aires, and will also travel to the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia.
From forest treks and dramatic coastal views to wildlife watching and wine tasting, this 12-day South African journey from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town takes in so much of the country’s diverse highlights. What would a visit to Africa be without a safari? At Addo Elephant National Park, you’ll head out on a game drive to spy the park’s namesake, as well as Black rhino, leopards, lions, buffalos, hyenas and more. Elsewhere, at Buffelsdrift, you can look out over a waterhole that’s visited by the likes of elephants, giraffes and springbok. If you’re visiting from Late August to November, head to Walker Bay to see Southern Right whales from the shore.
This stretch of coast is as dramatic as it is spectacular, and at Tsitsikamma National Park, you’ll soak up the coastal views, hike in the forest along suspension bridges and spot the many birds that call this neck of the woods home. After all that adventure, you’ll be grateful for some down time, glass in hand, in South Africa’s world-famous wine region. Finish up in Cape Town, heading to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve to see the likes of wildebeest, baboons and ostriches. Nearby, watch a colony of penguins waddle around Boulders Beach.
While most people understandably visit Jordan to explore the iconic Petra, there is much more to do. On this trip with Exodus, not only will you take in the bucket-list-topping sight of the Red Rose City, you’ll explore some of the country’s other highlights, too. On a guided visit around Jerash, you’ll discover one of the best-preserved Roman cities that the Middle East has to offer. At Mt Nebo, you’ll hear all about how this spot is believed to be the burial site of Moses. There will be time to relax with a floating experience in the salty waters of the Dead Sea and snorkelling excursion over kaleidoscopic coral reefs in the Red Sea. To really get off the beaten track, head out on a 4WD excursion into the remoteness of the desert to meet Bedouin people and camp out with them under the stars, supping on traditional food and listening to their stories.
Costa Rica’s contrasting and bio-diverse landscapes is what makes it so special, and you’re almost guaranteed wildlife sightings on a visit here. On this 15-day tour with Exodus, you will hear the scream of howler monkeys, see slow-moving sloths swing lazily through the trees, lock eyes with caimans and spot unique wildlife you probably never even knew existed. Exodus will arrange for you to have a naturalist guide by your side, who will find the best spots for seeking out the flora and fauna and will share their passion for this protected country with you.
As well as wildlife, the geographically diverse landscapes are every adventurer’s playground. Soak in natural hot springs and hike to la Fortuna Waterfall in La Fortuna. Trek through the clouds forest of Monterverde, Manuel Antonio National Park and Esquinas Rainforest Nature Reserve. And spend some time learning of the culture of the village of Copey where you can meet local families for lunch.
An undeniable highlight of the trip is Tortuguero beach where you may be lucky enough to see green turtles nesting. The whole of the Pacific coast is lined by golden beaches, where you’ll have time to put your feet up and feel the Pura Vida.
There aren’t many places in Africa as varied as Botswana, which is why Exodus Travels’ Wildlife & Wilderness of Botswana tour shows you the country in all its diverse splendour. No two days are the same here: one moment you’ll be paddling the Okavango Delta in a mokoro (dug-out canoe), the next you’ll be gazing at the stars over the pearl-white Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. A pair of binoculars will be your best friend as you spy Botswanan wildlife, including elephants in Chobe National Park, cheetahs and lions in the Savuti marshlands and leopards and red lechwes in Moremi Game Reserve. Determined to ensure no stone is left unturned, Exodus will have you hopping over the border to Zimbabwe to experience the thundering Victoria Falls, too.
(Paul Goldstein)
Intoxicating, mesmerising, the type of experience that makes your hairs stand on end: nothing can prepare you for the feeling you’ll get when you first spot a tiger in the wild. And on a visit to Exodus, you’ll aim to do just that, with visits to three of the best parks in India for seeing this elusive cat, and a total of 15 game drives.
You’ll start in Pench National Park, and as well as hopefully seeing the Bengal Tiger, you’ll have a chance of spotting leopards, monkeys, deer and much bird life. Next, you’ll head to Kanha National Park, often described as the greatest wildlife reserve in India. Covering some 1,945 square kilometres of grasslands, plateaus and rocky escarpments, the park provides a home for panthers, wild dogs, sloth bears, lizards, around 300 species of birds, and rare tigers. The final chance of seeing the striped cat is at Bandhavgarh National Park, where some 60-70 tigers live, the highest density of any of India’s reserves. End your time in India with a sunset view of the Taj Mahal, the perfect finale.
The expertise the team at Exodus Travels possesses mean they are better equipped than most to get you deep under the skin of a destination’s culture. The Inca Trail trip is a case in point. It not only has you treading the Inca Trail through the Sacred Valley but affords a close-up view of the iconic Machu Picchu on an early morning visit, before anyone else arrives. There will also be time to explore Cusco with its unique Inca-Colonial fusion architecture.
It doesn’t get much more sustainable than a walking holiday and the circuit of Mont Blanc offers one of the finest hikes in the Alps. On this eight-day tour with Exodus, you’ll take in the highlights of this route that links seven valleys, staying in a charming chalet each night where you can soak up views of France’s most famous mountain. Highlights include summit views across the Chamonix Valley from the top of Aiguilette des Possettes, crossing the Carlaveyron Natural Reserve and braving a walk across a dramatic suspension bridge that dangles across a white-water stream that tumbles from the Bionnassay glacier.
Arguably the most iconic trek in the world, Everest Base Camp is a real ‘do before you die’ travel experience, and Exodus can help you get there on this 16-day trip. You’ll start by acclimatising to the altitude, walking through Sherpa country past fields and villages, before reaching the dizzying heights where sites such as Thyangboche monastery and the peaks of Ama Dablam and Everest shift into view. As if reaching the Base Camp wasn’t adventure enough, you’ll also spend a day climbing Kala Pattar which gives you unparalleled views of the world’s highest mountain.
There’s nothing quite like exploring Croatia’s coast by cycle, taking the slow route past the shimmering Mediterranean, medieval towns, and pebbly beaches. On this journey with Exodus, you’ll spend a lot of time on the islands of Hvar and Korcula, following Roman roads and taking in sights such as gothic palaces and cathedrals. Your journey will end in the UNESCO-listed city of Dubrovnik. Located right on the Adriatic, this ancient, fortified city with its red-tiled roofs, cobblestones and churches is like stepping back in time.
Kerala is known for its tranquil environment and has long been enjoyed as a peaceful escape from the daily stresses of life. It deserves to be explored languidly, and it doesn’t get more languid than exploring the countryside from a bicycle. On this two-week trip with Exodus, you’ll pedal past lush greenery, culturally rich towns and sandy beaches. There will be time to seek out wildlife in the sanctuaries of Western Ghats and study intricately decorated temples in Kerala. You’ll cycle through tea plantations and swap your pedals for a houseboat on a cruise of the Keralan backwaters.
From the Roman town of Jerash all the way to the Wadi Rum desert, this bike ride through Jordan reveals its classic sights, its authentic culture and so much nature and wildlife. You’ll start with a historic ride through Jerash before heading to the foothills of the Jordan Rift Valley, the most fertile of Jordan’s regions. Take in the incredible sight of the Madaba mosaics before pedalling up Mt Nebo, where Moses is believed to be buried. You’ll also spend a couple of days admiring the colossal Petra before heading to Little Petra.
Next, you’ll head into the desert to cycle through the Wadi Araba before soothing those aching muscles with a swim in the fish-rich waters of the Red Sea. Finish your journey in the Wadi Rum at a Bedouin Camp where you will drink sweet tea, look up at the sky and fall asleep in a goat-hair tent.
Don't miss out! Book your 2023 adventure with Exodus before your perfect trip fills up.
Book now
Ever since leading a group through the Himalaya over 45 years ago, Exodus Travels has been leading the way in adventure travel. Nearly half a century on, Exodus has gathered all its experience and packaged it up in 500 incredible itineraries that are designed to turn you into explorers across more than 90 countries. Through its People, Places and Planet Plan and Nature Net Positive commitment, Exodus aims to positively impact destination communities and ensure all trips give back to nature far more than they take, the epitome of sustainable tourism.
Get the very best of Wanderlust by signing up to our newsletters, full of travel inspiration, fun quizzes, exciting competitions and exclusive offers.