12 emerging travel destinations that you have to visit in 2016

Anisha Shah is a broadcast journalist and photojournalist, specialising in travel to emerging destinations. After six years as a BBC radio and TV journalist, she's now a freelancer published across CNN, BBC Travel and Huffington Post. Tweet her @anishahbbc

2016 is all about emerging destinations. Wilderness, wildlife and culture; these themes will illuminate the year’s travel itineraries. Escapism and authenticity are key and nowhere offers them quite like fledgling and far-flung nations. Kyrgyzstan’s vast rolling mountains, Iceland’s wild natural phenomena, Madagascar’s prehistoric lemurs and Taiwan’s cultural treasure troves are some of the highlights marking the year ahead.

Whether it’s staring into the eyes of a wild gorilla in Gabon, joining indigenous tribal dances in rainforests of Papua New Guinea or drinking yak butter tea with nomads in a ger in the Gobi desert, unique experience is paramount. And with travel becoming more accessible, the world is conceivable.

Leaving no stone unturned, this is our pick of the 12 emerging destinations adventurers and trendsetters will love in 2016:

12. Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska

US National Parks hit their centennial in 2016, with celebrations across 409 parks of US territory. The network stretches from the remote South Pacific (American Samoa) to Alaska.

The latter, some of the hardest to reach, are also some of the most breathtaking. Wrangell St-Elias and Glacier Bay boast rainforests, glaciers, mountains and surreptitious bays, with very few visitors.

One accessible way to explore the region is by small ship such as Un-cruise. It whisks visitors on intimate ships into the heart of these frozen frontiers. Glacier Bay is part of a bi-national UNESCOWorld Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve.

Why Now? Celebrate 100 years of US National Parks in one of the remotest locations on Earth.

11. Japan

This is a beautiful and fascinating country having its day. Tourism to Japan is spiraling. Yet, many of Japan’s best sights are off the tourist maps. Spiritual-seekers desiring peace and virtually no tourists should head south to the island of Shikoku. Home to the 88 Temple route, Japan's most famous pilgrimage, the stunning Iya Valley, rugged Pacific coastline, gorgeous free-flowing rivers and mountain ranges, this is a region of vast beauty yet to be unearthed.

Why Now? Remote Hokkaido Island in the north will take the spotlight in 2016 with the debut of the high-speed bullet train, Hokkaido Shikansen, link from Tokyo. The vastness of Japan opens up here, with a very low population-space ratio. Hokkaido is an oasis of glacial lakes and picturesque countryside. Southern Fukuoka island will also be more accessible as new flight routes launch from Europe. Cyclists will find their haven on the picturesque 70km Shimanami Kaido, one of the best cycling routes in Japan.

10. Gabon

Africa’s Eden is a paradisiacal sanctuary in West Africa. Flying under-the-radar, Gabon is wedged between Cameroon and DR Congo. Safe and hidden, the former French colony nestles wild western lowland gorillas and forest elephants amidst thick dense mist-shrouded jungle. Progressive leadership has already protected huge swathes of coastal waters and land in Loango National Park, betting on a future of ecotourism.

Why Now? Go in 2016, before the world wakes up to Gabon. 2017 will welcome the African Nations Cup, which will increase visitor interest and demand improved infrastructure.