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Pssst… The World’s Top 5 Hidden Travel Gems (…That should absolutely be on your Bucket List)
Landed here because you’re looking for the world’s best hidden travel gems? Welcome, adventurer…
Let’s face it – travel’s changed. Everyone and their dog has been for a bagel in NYC. You’ve already seen at least three pictures of those famous Santorini blue roofs on Insta this week. And as stunning as the Eiffel Tower is, we’re kind of craving something… more.
You know, those jaw-dropping places that make you feel like you’re discovering them for the first time. The kind of trips that feel like an adventure, not just a holiday. The sort of stuff that can change the way you look at, well, everything.
If you’re the type who’d rather wander the wild, meet mountain monks, or come eye-to-eye with gorillas in the mist… instead of sunbathing on a packed beach, this one’s for you.
Now it goes without saying that we’re pretty keen on all the trips we offer here at The Bucket List Company. There’s no better way to climb Mount Toubkal or trek to Everest Base Camp than with a group of likeminded adventurers.
But for those who want to do something that’s not on every adrenaline junkie’s Bucket List, we’ve rounded up 5 of our most incredible, underrated, and off-the-radar adventure. The kind that’ll give you stories for life (and maybe even a smug “I got there before it was cool” moment). Let’s dive in:
1. Bhutan – The Last Shangri-La
You know those places that seem too mythical to be real? Bhutan is that.
Tucked between the Himalayas, this tiny kingdom is fully focused on holistic wellbeing, measuring national happiness instead of GDP. No, that’s not even a joke.
It’s where monks chant in mountaintop monasteries and ancient festivals explode with colour. And the trekking? Next level.
Whether you’re scaling up to the iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery or soaking up valley views that’ll have your jaw on the floor, Bhutan is where peace meets epic adventure – and packed with hidden gems for your Bucket List. Plus, not many people can say they’ve been. Just saying.
One for your Bucket List – Check out our itinerary that takes you through the very best bits of Bhutan.
2. Uganda – Gorilla Trekking in the Misty Mountains
Explore Gorilla Trekking in Uganda »
There’s something almost spiritual about locking eyes with a silverback gorilla in the wild. And Uganda is one of the few places on Earth where you can do just that.
Our founder Keith put together a trip report following his trek to see the gorillas – if you’re wondering what this adventure’s like, it’s definitely worth a read here.
Trekking through the dense jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (yes, it lives up to the name) is sweaty, muddy, and… absolutely unforgettable. Throw in game drives, chimp tracking, swamp walks and the local culture, and you’ve got a trip that’s raw, real, and ridiculously rewarding.
Find out more about the Bucket-List-worthy hidden gem that is Uganda…
3. Patagonia – Wild, Windy, and… Wonderfully Empty
Patagonia is basically nature’s way of showing off.
We’re talking jagged peaks, ice-blue glaciers, vast open landscapes, and a silence that hits different. It’s remote, it’s rugged, and it’s a dream for anyone who loves a proper trek.
Including our very own guide Dave Blower, a BLC travel extraordinaire who’d had Patagonia at the top of his Bucket List for donkey’s years. Prepare for some gushy talk from one very awestruck guide when you read his trip report here. (Seriously though, gushiness aside, it’s worth a read if you want to know what Patagonia’s really like… And if you want to see Dave on a horse.)
On our Patagonia adventure, you’ll hike the Torres del Paine (a Bucket Lister in its own right), camp under the stars, and come back with thighs of steel and a camera roll full of “is this even real?” shots. This is the kind of trip that resets your soul.
4. Cappadocia – Fairy Chimneys and Underground Cities
Turkey’s got a lot going on – but Cappadocia is pure magic. Picture this: sunrise hot air balloon rides over surreal rock formations, cave hotels carved into the earth, and ancient underground cities waiting to be explored.
It’s a little bit mystical, a little bit Instagrammable, and a lotta bit unforgettable. And while most tourists are tucked away in all-inclusive hotels, hitting the beaches or shopping in Istanbul’s bazaars, you’ll be exploring a fantasy landscape straight out of a dream.
If you want to find out more about what this magical place is like, or you need more reasons to visit Cappadocia, click here for 10 of them.
Or if you want to see the dates we’ve currently got available to visit Cappadocia, click here to check out the trip page.
5. Jordan – Desert Adventures and Lost Cities
Indiana Jones knew what was up. Petra – the rose-red city carved into the rock – is just the beginning in Jordan. On a serious Bucket List Jordan trip, you’ll find yourself floating in the Dead Sea, hiking through the Wadi Mujib canyon, and sleeping under the stars in the Wadi Rum desert (think Mars, but warmer).
It’s a trip full of contrast – ancient ruins one minute, dramatic landscapes the next – and it’ll leave you wondering why more people haven’t caught on to how epic Jordan really is.
And if you’re also wondering whether it’s safe to visit Jordan, click here for our run-down.
Or to find out more about your potential Bedouin experiences, Wadi Rum jeep tour, Red Sea snorkelling and desert trekking, click here for our Best of Jordan itinerary. It really is an adventure worthy of your Bucket List.
Honorable Mentions for the Hardcore Adventurers…
Now you’ve got our top 5, we couldn’t resist sneaking in a couple of bonus hidden gems:
Langtang Valley, Nepal – Go trekking here »
A quieter alternative to Everest, but still packed with Himalayan drama. Plus, the local Tamang culture? Incredible.
Gokyo Lakes (Everest Add-on) – Do the EBC + Gokyo route »
If you’re doing Everest Base Camp and want to turn it up a notch – this detour takes you to glacial lakes that sparkle like sapphires, via the highest pass on the trek. Go big or go home, right?
Kilimanjaro, Lemosho style – Find out more here »
Sure, lots of people want to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, but the Marangu Route’s the usual way up. So why not find out more about climbing to the Roof of Africa on a less-trodden path?
So there you have it, our round-up of the 5 best Bucket List destinations that you might not have spotted on Instagram just yet, plus honourable mentions.
But travel isn’t all about the undiscovered. There’s a good reason why so many people want to trek the Great Wall of China, snorkel in the Maldives or hike the Inca Trail. Our best advice? Let your Bucket List be abundant. Add, add, and keep adding. You’ve got a lifetime to see and do it all – so where are you going to start?
If you’re craving something different – something deeper, wilder, and off the beaten path – these adventures have your name written all over them. (Or if you’ve got some classics on your Bucket List, and you want to do them in true Bucket List style – with likeminded adventurers, at cost-effective prices, and seeing all the best hidden gems along the way – we’re here to help.
With The Bucket List Company, you don’t have to figure it all out yourself. Just pack your boots, bring your curiosity, and get ready for the ride of a lifetime.
Take a look around, get to know our trips and itineraries, throw any questions you have in our direction – and book something! We’ve all got to start somewhere, so if you don’t do it now… will you ever?
