Emerging Destinations For Travelers

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
REUTERS/Siegfried Modola



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
Courtesy of Sanctuary Retreats



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
Flickr/babasteve




Descend the unexplored Mao River on packrafts, trek the Guinea border, and meet jardin du mekong homestay 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
James Harrison/Shutterstock



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
Wikimedia Commons




While Mongolia has invested heavily in jardin du mekong homestay 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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