G Adventures names top destinations for 2025 with annual ‘Where to Travel’ list

December 2, 2024 – G Adventures has dusted off its crystal ball, crunched its booking data, tracked the latest travel trends and scoped out the hottest upcoming events to serve up its annual ‘Where to Travel’ list, highlighting destinations that are – or should be – top of travelers’ wishlists for 2025.

Having seen bookings rocket through October and November, combined with over 200 new trips launching and number of exciting new destinations joining the G Adventures product offering, it’s clear that 2025 is going to be a big year for travel. In line with the global small-group adventure operator’s commitment to community tourism, many of the ‘Where to Travel’ destinations include brand new itineraries that bring travelers to remote communities that haven’t yet had the chance to access the benefits of the tourism chain.

 

1. PAKISTAN

A brand new destination for G Adventures in 2025, Pakistan has shot onto the traveler radar in recent months, with its offer of incredible hiking, untouched landscapes and deep history. Working hand in hand with local communities, G Adventures has launched three new trips in Pakistan, focused on bringing tourism to the ancient Thallay La Trail. Having been the only link between the ancient kingdoms of Khaplu and Shigar for centuries, the trail was vital for the trading and survival of these communities throughout history. With the introduction of modern day roads, the trail was deemed redundant, used only by a handful of hikers each year, leaving many communities cut off and unable to access sustainable income. Celebrating the ancient history of the trail, the new trips will offer travelers the unique opportunity to spend the night in the original castles and forts of Khaplu and Shigar while hiking through mountain passes, past glaciers and through communities who, until now, have been unable to access the tourism chain.

 

GET THERE: G Adventures’ brand new Pakistan: Hike the Karakoram Mountains trip starts from $2,499** per person for a nine-day active adventure. Highlights include hiking alongside the villagers of the Thallay Valley through meadows and mountain passes, nights spent in Bukhma campsites, enjoying hearty home-cooked meals under the stars, relaxing stays in the historic Shigar Fort and joining locals for a game of cricket!

 

2. BOSNIA

Rich cultural heritage, stunning natural beauty, delicious food and a refreshing lack of crowds: this is just the start of a compelling list of reasons to visit Bosnia. Add in the fact that travellers can make a real impact in helping to boost this nation’s recovery, just by visiting, it’s clear that Bosnia should be high on any ‘where to travel’ wishlist. And thanks to a new visa-free travel policy, passport holders from 50+ nations no longer need a visa to enter Bosnia, making it easier than ever to plan a holiday there. This year, G Adventures collaborated with the Resilience Council and USAID Developing Sustainable Tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Turizam) to introduce new trips designed to create jobs, raise awareness about the region’s rich history, and encourage cultural exchange – a prime example of tourism supporting locals and assisting the recovery and sustainable development of a nation.

 

GET THERE: The new seven-day Bosnia and Herzegovina Uncovered trip starts from $1,499** per person and includes visits to a female-run apiary, local cheese farms, UNESCO World Heritage sites, hikes to ancient fortresses, visit Tito’s Bunker and explore the underground complex from the Cold War era and a graffiti art tour in Sarajevo.

 

3. TIBET

There’s no place like Tibet—a spiritual haven with breathtaking landscapes, ancient monasteries, and the warm hospitality of its people. While travellers must join a group tour or book a guide to visit, recent easing of visa restrictions by China is making it easier than ever to explore this extraordinary region. Now is the perfect time to get immersed in traditional Tibetan life, take in stunning views of Mount Everest, and marvel at the UNESCO World Heritage site Potala Palace as G Adventures re-enters the destination for the first time since 2020.

 

GET THERE – G Adventures’ Essential Tibet itinerary is priced from $2,999** per person for a 12-day trip exploring the best of the Himalayas from Chengdu to Kathmandu. Travelers will discover sacred temples, camp in yak hair tents at the base of Mt Everest, and learn how to make Tibetan momos on a journey that offers incredible vistas at every turn.

 

4. THAILAND

This fan favorite is a favorite for good reason: incredible food, warm hospitality, beaches, mountains, cities and a vibrant art scene. Thailand is no “undiscovered” secret, but its ongoing allure lies in the fact that the second, third and even tenth-time visitor will always be able to discover something new and surprising. Hit TV series, White Lotus, returns to screens in 2025 with a third series, and will see everyone’s favorite hotel opening its doors in Koh Samui, while Jurassic World Rebirth will hit the big screens with dramatic scenes filmed in Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai.

GET THERE: Travelers can experience these filming locations for themselves with G Adventures’ new eight-day Thailand Island Hopping – East Coast trip, launching in spring 2025. Starting from $1,549** per person, the trip offers the chance to meet local families, snorkel in crystal clear waters and see a more local, serene side to these ‘party islands’.

 

5. MOROCCO

New direct flights, the launch of remote active adventures and booming booking stats – Morocco has a lot happening right now. Whether it’s winter sun, a long weekend from Europe or an adventure that offers beach, desert and mountains all in one – there’s a long list of why travellers are opting to travel to this North African gem. G Adventures has launched 13 new trips in Morocco for 2025, from four-day Marrakech city breaks, to hikes in the high Atlas Mountains, that take a step away from the usual hiking trails and instead, visit rural communities, desert gorges and the Berber oasis of Amtoudi. The new Geluxe collection, which launched in 2024 and offers upgraded active experiences for more mature travelers, has seen Morocco take top spot on the most popular destination list. Plus, in 2025, solo travellers who may have been nervous to travel to Morocco solo in the past can take advantage of the new Solo-ish Adventures – a new collection of trips designed specifically for solo travelers, led exclusively by female Chief Experience Officers (tour leaders).

 

GET THERE: The eight-day Southern Morocco: Marrakech, the Atlas Mountains & the Sahara trip, as part of the Geluxe collection, starts from $2,299** per person. Travelers will enjoy incredible hiking, food experiences and OMG Stays, including a desert camp, with air conditioned tents, king sized beds and beautiful seating areas where travelers can relax under the stars.

 

6. PHILIPPINES

While tourism to the Philippines has been slower to recover compared to some of its Asia neighbours, the expansion of international flights is expected to bring pre-pandemic traveller numbers back to the islands in 2025. G Adventures will be relaunching in the Philippines next year, offering young, solo and culture-seeking travellers the opportunity to explore these unique islands with nine new trips, each heavily focused on interaction and supporting local communities. Often celebrated as a backpacker haven, the new trips will showcase the incredible nature, jungles, people and culture that make the Philippines an incredible destination for not just young, but all travelers. Focused on showcasing more than just picture-perfect beaches, experiences include visiting the new G Adventures-supported Dumagat Indigenous community project, where travelers will learn about Indigenous food and culture, natural medicine, trek to waterfalls and, on Roamies itineraries, even spend the night with the community.

 

GET THERE: The new 10-day Best of the Philippines trip starts from $1,999** per person and includes exploring Manila’s food scene with a walking tour through Chinatown, trekking with Indigenous communities and learning about traditional cooking techniques. They’ll also spend the day island hopping around El Nido, spotting turtles, rays and eels and visiting secret coves and watch fireflies illuminate the night sky in the mangroves of Puerta Princesa.

 

7. SOUTH AFRICA

Southern Africa is emerging as a must-visit destination for travelers seeking incredible value, especially for those with a passion for wildlife. Recent data shows a growing trend among older travelers seeking affordable safari experiences. To meet this demand, G Adventures has expanded its offering, making its fully refurbished fleet of ‘Lando’ overland vehicles available to all age groups in 2025. Previously exclusive to its youth tours, the Landos offer a comfortable and inexpensive way to explore the region’s wildlife-packed savannahs.

 

GET THERE – The unforgettable 15 day Southern Africa Overland Safari is priced from just $2,699** per person and explores the wilderness of South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe from the vantage of an overland safari vehicle. Highlights include spotting the “big five” in Kruger National Park, exploring the Okavango Delta in a traditional mokoro and a visit to one of the largest waterfalls in the world – Victoria Falls – with a traditional lunch at the Lusumpuko Women’s Club, which helps to provide support for local women.

 

8. GREECE

Although Greece remains a perennial favourite among travelers, exploring its quieter islands is becoming a rising trend. Smaller islands like Paros, Antiparos, and Naxos are stepping into the spotlight, offering a tranquil alternative to their busier neighbours. G Adventures travelers have realised that one of the best ways to avoid the crowds, support local communities and bypass the increasing tourist tax is by exploring by small boat. With numbers up 31% since 2022, G Adventures has introduced five state-of-the-art custom-built yachts for the 2025 sailing season, which visit lesser-known islands with flexible itineraries tailored to the group’s pace.

 

GET THERE: An eight day Sailing Greece – Santorini to Mykonos is priced from $1,479** per person with time for hiking, snorkelling and relaxing around the southern Cyclades including Sifnos, Ios, Antiparos, Paros and Naxos. On-shore experiences include exploring ancient archaeological sites and taverna-lined harbours while tucking into fresh seafood.

 

9. PORTUGAL

Defending its place on the Where to Travel list for a second year running, traveler interest in Portugal shows no signs of slowing down, with G Adventures seeing over 50% growth in the past two years. While beaches, charming streets and a buzzing culinary scene may be the first thing that comes to mind for Portugal, for those willing to look a little deeper, the lesser-visited mountain villages close to the Spanish border are one of Portugal’s best kept secrets. G Adventures’ new Geluxe collection gets travellers off the tourist trail and into the historic Schist villages, which are like portals back in time, with stone-crafted houses, castle ruins and historic trails, connecting the villages that travelers will hike.

 

GET THERE: The new eight-day Portugal: Village Walks & the Douro Valley trip, as part of the active upgraded Geluxe collection, starts from $3,999** per person with daily hikes between ancient villages and an OMG stay in a mountaintop Casa, where travelers can take in the views from their outdoor Nordic bath and firepit.

 

10. JAPAN

With the World Expo 2025 taking place in Osaka next year, eyes will be on Japan as they tackle questions around how we can better preserve and protect wellbeing and the environment. Having seen bookings for Japan sky rocket 150% over the past two years, G Adventures has super-charged its Japan offering with the introduction of 12 new trips for 2025, which are closely aligned with the World Expo theme, focusing heavily on physical activity, active experiences and lesser-visited, remote regions. From trekking the rugged peaks of Hokkaido’s Shiretoko National Park, where travelers can get their hands dirty digging their own onsen, stay in a traditional ryokan (traditional Japanese inn), hike through primaeval forest areas, to visiting often-overlooked islands in the south, where sea kayaking, days aboard a ‘sabani’ (traditional Okinawan sailboat) and hiking waterfalls are all on the agenda.

 

GET THERE:: The new 20-day Active Japan: Hokkaido Highlights & Okinawa Island Hopping starts from $9,599** per person and includes hiking Mt Fuji, visits to popular Tokyo and Kyoto as well as hikes in northern national parks and time on the tropical southern islands.

 

About G Adventures

 

Founded in 1990 by social entrepreneur Bruce Poon Tip, G Adventures is the pioneer of community tourism and leader in small group travel, offering more than 750 life-changing trips in 100 countries on all seven continents. G Adventures’ award-winning trips support communities, giving travelers meaningful exchanges with local people, cultures, landscapes and wildlife, while offering them the freedom and flexibility to explore on their own. G Adventures’ responsible approach to travel is demonstrated through its ‘G for Good’ social impact commitments, which include travel guidelines for children, wildlife and Indigenous people. The operator also has more than 100 community tourism projects built into its trips around the world, developed together with its non-profit partner, Planeterra, which was also founded by Bruce Poon Tip. In 2018, G Adventures was the first travel company to introduce an industry-leading ‘Ripple Score’ assessment which measures how many of a traveler’s dollars stay in the local economy, and in 2023 it announced its Trees for Days initiative which supports local environments and communities through tree-planting, with one tree per G Adventures’ traveler being planted per day. For more information on G Adventures, please visit www.gadventures.com.