Intrepid’s 2026 Not Hot List

Don’t follow the crowds, lead them. Tourists tend to congregate in the same hotspots, leaving a wealth of beauty and intrigue undiscovered. That’s why Intrepid Travel created its yearly Not Hot List: it’s a way to spotlight unsung locations, support more communities, and spread the positive economic and cultural impacts of thoughtful travel more evenly.

Discover the lesser-known, but no less fascinating, destinations to explore in 2026.

[Tiwai Island, Sierra Leone. Photo © Intrepid Travel]

Tiwai Island, Sierra Leone

Having welcomed fewer than a million overnight visitors in 2024, Sierra Leone is aiming to become a sustainable travel leader through a 10-year strategy. Intrepid’s eight-day Sierra Leone Adventure takes in the rainforest-enveloped Tiwai Island with a local guide and boat rides down the Moa River, as well as Freetown, Boma Community Village and the Banana Islands.

[Tien Shan Mountain Range, Kyrgyzstan. Photo © Liz Carlson]

Tien Shan Mountain Range, Kyrgyzstan

Long traversed by nomads, Kyrgyzstan’s efforts to encourage tourism while preserving its cultural heritage are drawing ever more international adventure-seekers. The 10-day Trekking the Tien Shan Trails trip winds through remote valleys, glacial lakes and yurts, introducing participants to local nomadic culture and spectacular high-altitude scenery.

[Vis Tourist Board. Photo © Vis Island, Croatia]

Vis Island, Croatia

Vis is embracing small-scale travel that celebrates its unspoiled charm and relaxed lifestyle, and the top-selling eight-day Explore Croatia trip now includes an overnight stay on the island. Visitors can swim and snorkel its coves and caves, wander its villages, and enjoy a food and wine tasting at a local family property.

[Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey. Photo © Intrepid Travel]

Southeastern Anatolia, Turkey

Studded with UNESCO World Heritage sites and historic cities like Şanlıurfa and Gaziantep, Southeastern Anatolia is poised for a post-earthquake tourism revival. Intrepid’s immersive 11-day Eastern Turkey Explorer trip embraces the region’s warm hospitality and rich food culture – including baklava-making lessons and street-food tours with local experts.

[Expediciones Sierra Norte. Photo ©  Sierra Norte, Mexico]

Sierra Norte, Mexico

In Mexico’s less-visited highlands, eight self-governing Zapotec villages are reshaping sustainable tourism with an authentic glimpse into Indigenous culture, turning it into a sustainable force for good through locally led programmes. The five-day Hiking in Mexico: Zapotec Villages of Oaxaca itinerary includes stays in ecolodges and hikes through carefully stewarded nature.

Ready to embark on a journey full of authentic experiences? Book an Intrepid trip with your AMEX card before end of February 2026, and get 10% cashback (up to GBP 100) on your travels*

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