Go the Extra Mile

2025 is the year of adventure. Consider getting off the beaten track, and discovering a few of our favorite unsung, far-flung regions of the world. From Kenya to Bhutan to Chilean Patagonia, here’s where to jet off next.

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Kenya beckons

Our Co-Founder, Henley Vazquez, recently ventured to Kenya with her family. Abercrombie & Kent curated her nine-day itinerary, which included game drives, visits to sustainable workshops, anti-poaching activities and more. 

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a woman in a black hat and sunglasses stands on a grassy African plain

Beyond the bush: Spend time in Nairobi

Nearby nature

There's so much to Nairobi, and Kenya in general, beyond safari and the bush. But these nature-based activities near the city are not to be missed.

  • Nairobi National Park: Kenya's first national park; it's small and mighty, with a diverse range of wildlife

  • Sheldrick Wildlife Trust: An established, beloved baby elephant rescue and rehabilitation program with an orphanage in Nairobi National Park

  • Giraffe Manor: An ivy-clad boutique hotel amid 140 acres of forest, with its own herd of wild giraffes

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Kenyan craft

Nairobi has some serious shopping game. The best part is that in many places, you can meet the artisans behind the handcrafted wares. Here's where to go.

  • Sandstorm: A high-end Kenyan brand that started out making safari tents, and now crafts leather and canvas goods

  • Langata Link Shops: A co-op space with over 150 vendors offering everything from natural skincare to handcrafted jewelry to tchotchkes

  • House of Treasures: Where world-class Kenyan designers sell fashionable clothing, block-print bedding, chic pajama sets, handbags and more

  • Ocean Sole: Where recycled flip-flops are turned into art

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Culinary culture

There’s no shortage of tradition: ugali and grilled meats abound for those interested. But the city's international influence also show up in its delicious and dynamic gastronomy.

  • Embark: An intimate and off-the-beaten-path dining experience helmed by chef Dennis Ang’ani, where high-touch service matches the exquisite menu

  • Cultiva: A vibrant farm-to-table mainstay that began as a popup

  • Boho Eatery: For sustainably sourced, nourishing lunches (get the halloumi)

  • Mamarocks: Artisanal burgers in casual environs

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Bhutan

The world’s first carbon-negative country has only been open to foreigners for 50 years. It’s famous for its peaceful, happy people, the majority of whom practice Tibetan Buddhism. Bhutan invented the Gross National Happiness (GNH) Index, a measure that addresses the holistic health of the population and extends beyond mere GDP. This is a sustainable way of life we can get behind.

As for sustainable activities, getting out in nature benefits both body and mind. Hike up to the Tiger’s Nest, the famed hillside monastery; explore the ruins and rice terraces of Paro Valley; bike along the Mo Chhu river; meditate with a monk and plant trees at a local monastery. With new flights from Dubai and new lodges springing up, it’s getting easier to get to the country.

Bhutan is not only for the active, culture-minded traveler, however. It’s becoming a destination for families and honeymooners, too. Whatever your reason for visiting, it pays to really dive into the local culture, unplug and tune in.

Bhutan entry requirements

  • You’ll need a visa to enter the country; it costs $40.
  • Travel insurance is required to apply for a visa; you should carry proof of your insurance that covers medical and accident risks.
  • There are no longer restrictions on how many visas can be issued.
  • Image courtesy of Fora Advisor Rochelle Hathaway (@tannedandtraveled)
a white-and-brown ornate temple perched on a cliffside
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Additional travel tips

  • Bhutan’s Department of Tourism charges a $100 daily fee to support sustainable development. The fee drops to $50 a day for kids ages six to 12. There are no fees for anyone younger than six.
  • Bhutan’s national currency is the Ngultrum (BTN); one US Dollar equates to about 80 BTN. We recommend carrying cash most places.
  • Please be mindful of photography. Always ask before taking pictures, and note that it's prohibited to photograph the interiors of monasteries.
  • Image courtesy of Fora Advisor Rochelle Hathaway (@tannedandtraveled)
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Chilean Patagonia

If you can’t resist Patagonia’s pull, we don’t blame you, especially considering the recent opening of an Explora lodge in Patagonia National Park. The founder of Northface, along with a former Patagonia executive, began purchasing Chilean land in 2005, with the intention of donating it to the country’s government to form a public park. There is perhaps no better setting for Explora to showcase its eco-conscious, adventure-forward sensibility.

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Beyond Patagonia

Atacama Desert

Atacama Desert

Bookings to the Atacama Desert, a plateau in northern Chile bordering the Pacific, have also more than tripled. We expect the upward trend to continue. And with the recent renovation of Tierra Atacama, a boho-chic lodge near Licancabur Volcano, and the relative newcomer Our Habitas Atacama, there’s no better time to get off the beaten path.

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Los Lagos

Los Lagos

Visit Los Lagos, Chile's lake region. Explore the mountainous, volcanic landscape dotted with deep-blue lakes. You’ll be in prime hiking territory, and the splattering of charming alpine towns will make you feel as if you’re in a South American rendition of "The Sound of Music."

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Wine country

Wine country

If you love wine, you’ll want to Chile's vineyards. Chile is on track to becoming a global leader in sustainable wine production. As you vineyard-hop, take in views of Aconcagua, the Americas’ highest mountain.

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Images courtesy of &Beyond Vira Vira and Nayara Alto Atacama

The adventure hotels we're loving