The Road Less Traveled to Machu Picchu
Trek in the shadow of the snow-tufted Andean peaks of Peru's Cordillera Vilcabamba along the Camino Sancantay to legendary Machu Picchu. Recharge each evening at well-appointed, cozy lodges opened in 2008. The inns offer candlelit dinners, fine wines, down-feathered beds, personalized service, and hot showers. Incredibly, though you end at the Lost City of the Incas, this trek is more about the journey than the destination. Mountain Travel Sobek: "Machu Picchu Inn-to-Inn," 10 days; $4,695.
Camp Glacier
Learn about climate change, glaciers, grizzly bears, and the geology of Glacier National Park—fast becoming known as a global-warming laboratory—in a series of hikes led by scientists from the Glacier Institute on some of the area's most stunning trails, including the Highline. Hearty meals, lectures, and lively conversations at the rustic Field Camp round out each day. The outfitter has more than 180 trips under $1,000. Sierra Club Outings: "Glacier National Park: Grizzlies, Glaciers and Climate Change, Montana," 7 days; $1,195.
The Brontës' England
Evoked in the novels of the Brontë sisters, the wild, heather-clad moors and farmland of Yorkshire and Derbyshire have changed little in the last century. Explore this literary landscape on foot with Yorkshire native Alan Pinkney, punctuated by visits to the Brontë Parsonage Museum, the ruins of Top Withins Farm—of Wuthering Heights fame—and local artisans. The Wayfarers: "The Brontë Trail—England, Yorkshire, Pennines & Derbyshire," 6 days; $3,695.
Raft the Zambezi
Jen Eastwood vividly recalls the exhilaration she felt on this trip after rafting the mighty Zambezi with its Class IV and V rapids stacked up at
almost one per mile. "We were rounding the bend and started hearing this music. The people who live on the hill above where our camp was that night had come down and were singing and dancing in our honor. We pulled the boats up onto the rocks and joined them." The outfitter has long had a stake in Zimbabwe and its people—to the extent of helping local river guides launch a kayak rental business. Bio Bio Expeditions: "Zambezi Explorer, Zimbabwe," 13 days; $3,700.
Snorkeling With Humpbacks
Every summer, humpback whales migrate from Antarctica to their mating and calving grounds off Tonga. Based in beachfront digs on the island of Vava'u, you'll observe these endangered creatures in a variety of behaviors, including playful calves and courting adults, above water and below the surface, as you snorkel unobtrusively in a protected lagoon. Oceanic Society: "Tonga Humpback Whales: Soft-In-Water Encounters and Snorkeling," 12 days; $4,990 (includes airfare from Los Angeles).
Bike Mendoza
Surrounded by vineyards in the foothills of the Argentinian Andes, Mendoza is prime biking country. On dirt roads and pavement, you'll pedal four hours a day along rural trails, city parks, and high-altitude growing regions, leaving plenty of time for Malbec tasting, gourmet meals, and a traditional asado—guilt-free. DuVine Adventures: "Mendoza Cycling Adventure, Argentina," 6 days; $4,495.
Baja Paddle
Explore the rich marine life, volcanic shoreline, and cacti-dotted desert islands of Baja California's Loreto Bay National Marine Park by kayak, stopping to camp on remote beaches to soak in the sunset over a margarita and dinner. A necessary add-on: whale-watching in the gray whale nursing grounds of Magdalena Bay, where it's not uncommon for "friendlies" to nudge your boat to say hello. Sea Kayak Adventures: "Sea of Cortez/ Magdalena Bay Sea Kayaking and Whale Watching Combination Tour, Mexico," 8 days; $1,330.
Patagonia, Two Ways
From Chile's Torres del Paine National Park to the tiny Argentine village of El Chaltén at the foot of the peaks Torre and Fitz Roy (or vice versa), experience Patagonia by trekking and horseback-riding on both sides of the border in the unique style—with a focus on the journey rather than the destination—of this Santiago-based travel company. Explora: "Travesias in Patagonia, Argentina and Chile," 9 days; $5,806.
Deep Canyon Trek
The outfitter's new family adventure series takes the quintessential summer vacation—the Grand Canyon—to the next level, with a week of mule-supported backcountry hiking, including a trek through the remote Supai Village where the Havasupai people have lived for 800 years. Later, tribe members may visit your campsite to share stories about their culture and demonstrate the ancient art of building split-twig figures. REI Adventures: "Grand Canyon & Havasu Falls Family Adventure," 7 days; $2,319.
Polar Bear Country
Thanks to its conservation efforts and expert guides, the outfitter is the only one to have garnered a government permit to set up camp on this highly restricted ecosystem on the east coast of the Norwegian island of Spitsbergen. Timed to coincide with a six-week window when polar bears emerge from hibernation and ring seal pups—one of their favorite snacks—are on the coastal pack ice, this Arctic expedition combines low-impact snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and winter camping for an intimate look at the world's largest predators in their natural habitat. Abercrombie and Kent: "Extreme Adventures Norway: On the Trail of the Polar Bear," 9 days; $14,420.
Mongolia by Horse
Immerse yourself in one of the last equine-based cultures in the world on this horse trek through the meadows and forests of Mongolia's northern Hovsgol Province. You'll be warmly welcomed by the local Tsaatan, who live in yurts and herd domesticated reindeer. Nights are spent in tents and traditional ger camps. Nomadic Expeditions: "Northern Mongolia on Horseback," 15 days; from $3,415.
Fiji Surf and Turf
Fiji may be known for its pristine white sand beaches, but thrill seekers are lured by its rugged interior. This itinerary combines the best of both worlds, with a zipline canopy tour in the Namosi Mountains, white-water rafting on the Upper Navua River (a narrow gorge known as Fiji's Grand Canyon), and a couple of leisurely days spent snorkeling or diving at the Nanuya Island Resort in the Yasawa Islands. O.A.R.S.: "Highlands to Islands: Ultimate Fiji Explorer," 10 days; $3,795.
Kids With Camels
Join a camel caravan and Berber handlers in a trek across Morocco's high sand dunes to isolated villages, stopping to look for fossils along the way or a spot of mint tea with Saharan dwellers. Sleep
under the stars, book-ended by two nights in Marrakech. The trip is run with a mix
of French- and English-speaking families to
foster international friendship and language skills. KE Adventure Travel: "Les Petits Caravanniers Family Adventure, Morocco," 8 days; $745.
Kayaking Greenland
The remote eastern coast of Greenland has some of the best kayaking conditions in the Arctic. Spend two summer weeks paddling, trekking, and tent-camping under the midnight sun among its high mountains and deep fjords. Get to know residents of Inuit communities. In his downtime, outfitter founder Olaf Mather works with the United Nations to foster sustainable tourism in developing countries. Explorers' Corner: "Greenland Kayak Adventure: Kayaking, Hiking, and Camping in Eastern Greenland," 17 days; $3,890.
Biking the Maze
The Maze district of Canyonlands National Park is one epic mountain-bike ride, but notoriously difficult to access. This Vegas-based outfitter's signature trip goes deeper into this desert than most, thanks to customized support vehicles that burn veggie oil. The rugged landscape serves up plenty of technical challenges, including slickrock sections, with jaw-dropping scenery and ancient pictographs. As a final treat, bikers get a bird's-eye view of the terrain covered in a flight back to Moab. Escape Adventures: "The Maze, Canyonlands National Park, Utah," 5 days; $1,270.
Rocky Mountain High
This hiking adventure packs a ton of thrills—via ferrata (mountain route with fixed cables), zip line, high mountain bridges, a glacier walk with crampons and harness—all in the magnificence of the Canadian Rockies. While the tour uses gas-guzzling helicopters to get to remote alpine locations, the operator has actively tried to minimize flight time, install micro-hydropower systems in some of its lodges, and taken on stewardship of the wilderness, including assisting in the recovery of the woodland caribou. Canadian Mountain Holidays: "High-Flying Heli-Adventures, Bobbie Burns Lodge, Canada," 3 days; $1,931.
Himalaya Volunteer and Trek
Lend a hand in Nepal's Langtang region plastering and painting a village secondary school that has seen better days. Then you're off on a camping trek through the alpine wilderness that surrounds the sacred lakes of Gosainkund in the isolated Helambu region, where 19,000-foot-plus peaks reign, including Langtang and Ganesh. World Expeditions Community Project Travel: "Langtang School Project, Nepal," 17 days; $2,490.
Coast to Costa Rica
You've got two weeks to bike, hike, and raft 150 miles from the Pacific coast of Costa Rica to its Caribbean shores without the benefit of a motorized vehicle. No, this isn't the Amazing Race, but the outfitter's signature trip and one that shouldn't be taken lightly. "Many travelers have come back so empowered they've made life-
altering changes," says director Trish Sare. BikeHike Adventures: "Costa Rica, Coast to Coast Adventure," 15 days; $2,599.
All quoted prices are starting rates, per person, based on double occupancy, subject to change, and do not include airfare to the destination. Prices are accurate as of press time.