Our Co-Founder, Sam, shares where you should go in 2026
New year, new horizons, new stories to tell. If you’re wondering where to go in 2026, the honest answer is that it depends what excites you. Adventure, wildlife, switching off, doing something completely different from your usual routine. That’s where the good trips start.
Here’s where I’d be looking across Asia right now, from places just opening up to others that are about to get a lot more attention.
If you’re looking for a true adventure in 2026, Nepal should be high on your list.
It is far more than mountains and trekking. You will find:
What makes Nepal especially compelling right now is access.
Previously restricted regions like Mustang are opening up, while new lodges such as Shinta Mani Mustang are raising the bar for comfort in remote locations.
Nepal is one of the best places to travel in 2026 for adventure, culture and newly accessible regions.
Shinta Mani Mustang offers a striking base for exploring Nepal’s remote Himalayan landscapes
So, say the word and we’ll whisk you away to her highlights, her hidden corners and into the very heart of her communities.
If you’ve never been before, have a peek at this sample itinerary of ours: Nepal, the ETG Way: Iconic Sights with a Twist.
It’ll give you a real feel for this country’s wonders like Kathmandu and Chitwan National Park, and more unusual experiences like incredible, immersive homestays that you simply can’t miss out on.
If you’re game, I recommend timing your trip to coincide with a festival, so you can get swept up in the action.
Everyday life in Nepal blends culture, comfort and extraordinary mountain scenery
Quick reality check. Indonesia has over 17,000 islands. You’re not “doing Indonesia”. You’re picking a slice of it and doing it well.
The trick is getting off-grid.
That’s why I like what Rascal Voyages are doing. Step onto one of their boats and suddenly your biggest decision is whether to snorkel, swim, or sit still with a drink and do absolutely nothing.
Once you’re on board, expect luxury with a laid-back vibe: your own rooftop deck with striped deckchairs for those endless views, a private chef who’ll memorise your favourite tipple, and bespoke day trips to the region’s best-kept secrets.
Rascal also sails around the lesser-seen Spice Islands, the Ring of Fire crossing, and Eastern Lesser Sunda, so you can take your pick between these pockets of paradise.
Sailing through Indonesia’s islands offers a laid-back way to explore remote corners of the archipelago
Komodo National Park will knock your socks off – it’s the wildlife wonderland that David Attenborough recently brought into the limelight on his recent BBC wildlife series, Asia. It’s brilliant, but it won’t stay quiet long.
If you want something more exclusive, go further. Raja Ampat is still the real deal. Wild, remote, and about as far from everyday life as you can sensibly get. Trust me, it’s the ultimate far-flung island escape, which most people can only dream about. To get an idea of what your adventure could look like, have a look at this new itinerary of ours: From Java to Raja Ampat: an Indonesian Extravaganza.
For 2026, Indonesia is one of the best places to travel for nature, marine life and that off-grid feeling people are craving.
Raja Ampat remains one of Indonesia’s most spectacular and untouched island escapes
Look, I know the idea of flopping on a beach for a week sounds tempting. But more often than not, you’ll be feeling restless in no time. Plus, with teens in tow? Forget it!
Sri Lanka is perfect for this because it just keeps giving. You can walk, climb, explore, eat ridiculously well, and still have time to collapse on a beach at the end.
The Pekoe Trail is the big one at the moment. A 300km network through tea country that’s getting a lot of attention, and rightly so. It’s one of the most enjoyable ways to see the island.
But the real magic is mixing things up. A bit of walking, a bit of wildlife, a bit of downtime. It never feels forced.
Wanderlust recently named it “the most exciting way to explore Sri Lanka’s green heart,” with National Geographic singing its praises, too.
It’s set to keep growing in popularity for 2026, but don’t worry – with our insider tips, we’ll lead you to the quieter stretches where it’s just you and the views. (And, again, if travelling with teens, walking together will spark conversations that you probably wouldn’t have in your usual routine at home – a bit like chats in the car – when there’s no pressure of eye contact!).
The Pekoe Trail is one of the most rewarding ways to experience Sri Lanka’s hill country
There are plenty more ways to get off the beaten track in Sri Lanka while walking: right the way from proper hikes to hidden waterfalls to simple scenic strolls through cascading tea-clad hills.
One of my favourite areas to go off-piste is the Knuckles Mountain Range, where we’ve just developed new experiences and found cool hotels for ETG travellers.
Sri Lanka’s hill country is made for slow travel and time spent simply taking it all in
If your travel wish-list doesn’t include seeing elephants in the wild in Thailand – then rewrite the list. It’s a uniquely wonderful experience that’ll live long in the memory.
Thankfully, with strides made by ETG-recommended ethical elephant sanctuaries and camps (listed in our guide to elephants in Thailand), it’s now possible to observe these gentle giants without any guilt.
Head north, away from the crowds, and you can:
Also, you’ll contribute directly to the Mahouts Elephant Foundation’s conservation efforts: win-win.
Seeing elephants in the wild is one of Thailand’s most meaningful travel experiences
These special experiences can be tied in with other hidden hotels and secret adventures like a visit to Khao Sok National Park.
Here, there are even more wild adventures: from bamboo rafting and night safaris to wildlife spotting (keep your eyes peeled for acrobatic gibbons, elusive tapiers, vibrant hornbills and other extraordinary birds).
Thailand is one of the best destinations in 2026 for meaningful wildlife experiences done properly.
Thailand’s rainforests are home to incredible birdlife, including the unmistakable hornbill
India rewards curiosity. If you stick to the obvious routes, you’ll still have a good trip. But if you push a little further, that’s when it becomes something else entirely.
Uttarakhand is a good example. People know Rishikesh, thanks in part to The Beatles, but beyond that there’s a whole region that feels barely touched.
You may fancy following in my footsteps by exploring Binsar National Park and staying at the blissfully secluded Nine Furlongs lodge but however you’d like to spend your time here, the towering Himalayan peaks on the horizon will wow you.
Northern India offers space, scenery and a very different pace of travel
With six national parks, Uttarakhand is a haven for wildlife spotters and one of the top places in India for seeing tigers in the wild. I love Jim Corbett National Park.
I’d say venturing into this region is a must for any traveller looking for both exhilaration and the luxury of time to relax and rejuvenate in scenic surroundings at some of the finest yet tucked-away hotels in India.
Kumaon is one of India’s quieter regions, perfect for those looking to go off the beaten track
I know it’s tempting to pack as much in as possible on your precious time abroad. Fly here, transfer there, tick off as much as possible. You can do that, but it’s not always the best way to experience the country.
Here at ETG, we always say less is more. Slowing it down changes everything.
Darting between cities on planes, boats, and cars can be a great way to maximise your time abroad, but often, it’s nicer to move at a gentler pace (and kinder to our planet, too). Take the Reunification Express from north to south and you start to see the country properly. Not just the highlights, but the in-between bits that make it feel real.
Sink into your seat and watch gorgeous landscapes glide by as you journey from the north to the south – from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City.
Travelling Vietnam by train offers a slower, more immersive way to see the country
Embrace the art of slow living in Hue by meandering around the calm countryside outside the city on foot or by bike, stopping off at ancient Garden Houses for a cuppa and a chat with locals.
Escape the crowds in Halong Bay by floating around the beguiling Bai Tu Long Bay instead. Unwind on a glorious beach on a serene peninsula south of Quy Nhon while staying at the impressive Zannier Bai San Ho.
Vietnam is one of the best places to go in 2026 if you want to travel more slowly and actually take it in.
Hue’s imperial architecture and relaxed pace make it a natural place to slow down and explore
If you’re still deciding where to travel in 2026, it helps to think about what you want from the trip.
The right destination is less about ticking boxes and more about how you want to feel while you’re there.
2026 is shaping up to be a brilliant year for travel across Asia.
Some destinations are opening up, others are evolving, and many still offer that sense of discovery that makes a journey unforgettable.
With the right planning, you can experience these places in a way that feels both seamless and genuinely immersive.
Let’s make it happen! Talk to us on 0207 924 7133 or alternatively, fill out an online enquiry form to start your journey.
