How do you like the idea of traveling to cutting-edge destinations? You'd be joining a growing group of courageous travelers seeking out the unusual and uncharted. More developing nations are welcoming foreign tourists and increasingly stable political climates in some areas now boast a market of niche tour operators. Browse our top emerging destinations for 2014 and beyond.
Ethiopia
The geographically diverse country of Ethiopia has emerged in recent years as a popular destination for those seeking incredibly well-preserved art and ancient architectural sites. Traverse Lake Tana to visit the Simien Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before heading south to Omo Valley to visit some of Africa's last nomadic tribes.
Insider Tip: Small group travel is preferable in Ethiopia. Intrepid tour operator Travel The Unknown offers immersive itineraries such as hugely popular North Ethiopia in small groups of up to 12 led, by a guide. All details are prearranged leaving you to absorb the fascinating history and culture.
Plan Your Trip: Visit Tourism Ethiopia
Myanmar
A vibrant and bustling country, Myanmar has become a popular and safe choice for tourists seeking local culture and color. Buddhist influences pervade here, as saffron and pink-robed nuns and monks glide through the streets.
Insider Tip: Cultural itineraries are a speciality of India Travel Centre. Travel with a private guide and indulge in unique highlights such as Myanmar-style afternoon tea in a disused monastery on the banks of theIrrawaddy River.
Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor's Myanmar Guide
Sierra Leone
Descend the unexplored Mao River on packrafts, trek the Guinea border, and meet clans on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean.Sierra Leone is an exquisite country with brilliant beaches and wildlife-laden rainforest.
Insider Tip: Starting next year, Secret Compass, a niche agency run by former British military officers, is offering Sierra Leone on a 16-day itinerary. You must apply to join the expedition with a clear aim to push your limits.
Plan Your Trip: Visit Sierra Leone Travel and Tourism
Mozambique
This untouched corner of Africa offers a fascinating blend of Portuguese, Arabic, and African cultures in a country pleasantly devoid of tourists. Mozambique's buzzing cities are a good place to start before you head out to the white-sand beaches to visit the protected marine reserves teeming with sea life.
Insider Tip: Combine a visit to Mozambique with a trip to Kenya and Zambia. Tour operator Sunset Faraway Holidays has crafted a trip-of-a-lifetime that includesVictoria Falls in Zambia, a Kenyan safari in the Masai Mara, and a trip to the beach at Mozambique's Azura Quilalea.
Plan Your Trip: Visit Mozambique Tourism
Mongolia
While Mongolia has invested heavily in new infrastructure around the capital in Ulan Bator, the country still boasts a large nomadic farming population and huge tracts of undeveloped plains. Snow-capped mountains, dramatic gorges, and numerous Buddhist temples all add to Mongolia's appeal.
Insider Tip: Intrepid Travel offers a 15-dayWild Mongolia tour, which includes homestays and trips to monasteries and volcanic peaks.
Plan Your Trip: Visit the Mongolian National Tourism Center
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