From a national reserve in Kenya that sits beyond the usual safari circuit to a greener side of Jordan, here’s how you can explore some of Intrepid’s latest Not Hot List destinations.
As overtourism continues to put pressure on some of the world’s most popular places, other remarkable destinations remain under the radar – not because they have less to offer, but because travellers keep gravitating towards the same familiar favourites.
In an effort to counteract that, every year Intrepid spotlights these lesser-known places that deserve more attention with the Not Hot List: a compendium of emerging destinations and inspiring new places to go. But it isn’t just about finding the next ‘undiscovered’ destination. It’s about highlighting where tourism can genuinely make a difference – the places that are ready for more visitors and where your travels can have a positive impact on the communities that call them home.
Dive into the details by reading the full report and discover a selection of five new trips below set to bring the Not Hot List to life in 2027.
1. Spot rare wildlife in Samburu National Reserve, Kenya
Samburu National Reserve has long sat in the shadows of Kenya’s busiest national parks, welcoming just one-tenth of the visitors who head to the Maasai Mara each year. But go beyond the most famous spots and Samburu will reward you for it. ‘Samburu offers a different kind of magic – fewer vehicles and wilder landscapes, all wrapped up in a way that directly supports livelihoods and wildlife protection,’ says Intrepid East Africa general manager, Samuel Karani.
Intrepid’s new Kenya Safari Adventure captures that magic with two days dedicated to the lesser-known reserve. You’ll spend a full day on safari in search of the rare ‘Samburu Special Five’ (the reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, East African oryx and long-necked antelope known as gerenuk) – itself a welcome alternative to Africa’s more traditional Big Five. You’ll also learn about Samburu culture and traditions from the people who’ve called this region home for generations. Come nightfall, the adventure continues with an optional stargazing experience and bonfire storytelling session under the undisturbed night sky.
2. See Whitehorse, Canada with a First Nations guide
For a long time, Whitehorse has been one of those in-between places travellers stop at on their way to somewhere else – from the Indigenous salmon fishers and Klondike gold prospectors of yore to road trippers along the Alaska Highway. But this city has earned its place on the Not Hot List as a destination in its own right.
On Intrepid’s new Wild Canada & Alaska: Vancouver & Anchorage trip you’ll spend two nights in Whitehorse, learning about the city through an Indigenous lens on a guided tour with a local Tlingit guide from the Kluane First Nation. As you walk the city together, your host will share their First Nations history and give you an insider’s perspective on how cultural heritage and modern life coexist here. ‘The Yukon has wilderness that is vast and pristine because of the stewardship here by the Yukon First Nations people,’ says Amber Berard-Althouse, one such guide. ‘Visiting means stepping into history and feeling the land in a very meaningful way.’
The city still serves as a gateway to the surrounding Yukon wilderness – hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, skiing, bear spotting, stargazing, hot springing opportunities abound up here – and the new Arctic Canada Tourism Network is making it easier for travellers to explore year-round through a stronger and more sustainable tourism industry.
3. Get a taste of Sri Lanka’s tea culture along the Pekoe Trail
The new 300-kilometre (184-mile) Pekoe Trail in Sri Lanka is overseen by a non-profit organisation that aims to help spread the benefits of tourism directly back into the communities they visit.
With Intrepid, you can walk six standout sections on the new Hike Sri Lanka’s Pekoe Trail trip. Guided by your local leader, you’ll weave through the island’s tea estates and cloud forests, connecting with the local community and learning all about the region’s tea heritage along the way.
Intrepid leader, Shihan De Silva, backed the Pekoe Trail as a contender for the 2027 Not Hot List. He says, ‘The trail takes you through the heart of our Hill Country, through tea plantations, forests, mountains, small villages and communities. More importantly, you’re meeting local people and seeing how life really happens in the Highlands.’
4. Try beekeeping in Jordan’s Northern Highlands
When you think of Jordan, Petra, Wadi Rum and burnt-orange desertscapes probably come to mind. But there’s a greener side to the country hidden in the Northern Highlands, where travellers on the new Jordan Uncovered trip can find well-preserved ruins, established community-based tourism initiatives and a distinct lack of crowds.
‘Hospitality is one of the things Jordanians are most proud of and what makes this region truly special is the people,’ says Salam Shaqdeeh, Intrepid’s general manager for Jordan and Egypt. ‘You’ll stay in locally owned guesthouses, share meals with families and experience communities where tourism is helping to sustain rural livelihoods.’
Trip highlights include the chance to explore the Roman ruins of Umm Qais, walk through pine forests of Ajloun and meet a beekeeper to learn about the important role bees play in the Highlands – from supporting local ecosystems to sustaining livelihoods. You’ll even suit up and get among the hives to discover the traditional methods used to harvest honey today. The best part? You’ll finish with a honey tasting, fresh from the source.
5. Trek mountain trails around Mestia, Georgia
As tourism infrastructure in Georgia‘s high-mountain regions develops, the Mestia region – complete with world-class skiing, hiking and outdoor adventures – is becoming more accessible. Head here and you’ll find medieval towers, traditional Svan culture and trekking routes that weave through UNESCO-listed villages.
Travellers on Intrepid’s new 9-day Georgia: Trekking the Transcaucasian Trail trip will pass through these villages and be welcomed into family homes for meals along the way. As Intrepid leader, Merab Mchedliani, puts it: ‘Mestia is a place unlike anywhere else. Like [all] Georgians, Svans are incredibly hospitable people. They’ll do everything they can to make their guests feel comfortable, valued and truly welcome.’
Before setting off on the four-day trek from Mestia to Ushguli, you’ll take a short hike to Chalaadi Glacier, following forest trails until you reach a flowing river that leads to the glacier beyond. With the slopes of Mount Ushba towering overhead, the rugged scenery offers a glimpse at the types of wild Svaneti landscapes the rest of the trip has in store.
Make your adventure make a real difference by exploring the Not Hot List for 2027.
Photo credits: Jane Wynyard (header), Samburu Sopa Lodge, Government of Yukon/Cathie Archbould, Jordan Tourism Board and Tuul & Bruno Morandi.
