From night-time 4×4 tours in Sicily, cycling through Utah, and searching for happiness in Japan, we’ve got you covered for big trips in 2022
By Sophie Lam Travel Editor – January 7, 2022 7:00 am
Trekking in Bhutan
The 250-mile Trans Bhutan Trail will reopen this spring after more than 60 years of closure and significant repairs and upgrades by local workers during the pandemic.
The historic eastern Himalayan pilgrimage trail – whose origins go back more than 500 years, when it served Buddhist pilgrims heading towards Tibet – will be unveiled in March by the King of Bhutan and offers access to forests, mountain views plus hundreds of historic sites. Opens to international visitors in April, group treks offered by G Adventures. An 11-day Camp the Trans Bhutan Trail from £2,349pp excluding flights, gadventures.com
Cycling in the US
The otherworldly red-rock formations of Utah’s national parks form the backdrop to the new Aquarius Trail Hut System. The 190-mile backcountry adventure can be strung together by staying in five new, custom-made huts that each sleep 12 and have charging stations for e-bikes. Highlights include the tree-topped Aquarius plateau and Boulder Mountain, Red Canyon and Bryce Canyon National Park. Five nights from $929pp (£700) excluding bike hire and flights, aquariustrail.com
Swimming in Scotland
Over the course of a week, you could sightsee the 10 Outer Hebrides in unique fashion – by tall ship and swimming. From the historical comfort of a 102ft Brigantine square rigger, participants jump in for island crossings and coastal swims, covering between two and three miles a day between Barra and Mingulay. Departs 7 August, one week for £1,690pp, swimtrek.com
Climbing in Korea
A new Adventure Korea itinerary offered by Bamboo Travel packs in the bright lights of Seoul, Buddhist temples, Seoraksan National Park’s mountains and river trails, volcanic Jeju island’s beaches and the opportunity to climb the country’s highest mountain, Hallasan, which peaks at 6,388ft. 14 days from £3,850pp including flights, bambootravel.co.uk
Navigating in the Canary Islands
The Canary Islands can be stitched together during a voyage on board a 1902 two-masted schooner. No sailing experience is necessary, but guests are invited to learn the basics of the ancient practice of celestial navigation by night between La Gomera and Tenerife. By day, there’s snorkelling, swimming and hiking in national parks. One week from £990pp excluding flights, venturesailholidays.com
Winter camping in Scotland
Wild camping is a popular way to experience Scotland’s dramatic landscapes. A pack horse-supported trekking trip in Cairngorms National Park pauses each evening in Nordic tepees heated by woodburning stoves, where you can unzip and marvel at the dazzling night sky. Highland ponies carry the kit to camp each day, as you pass through wintry scenes of pines and peaks. Two nights for £635pp, scotmountainholidays.com
Diving in Iceland
The geologically fascinating Nordic nation is revealed on a new trip that takes guests diving in the Silfra fissure between tectonic plates, descending into a dormant volcano, visiting newly discovered glacial ice caves and witnessing the action of Iceland’s newest volcano, Fagradalsfjall. One week from £3,200pp excluding flights, fishandpips.co.uk