Looking for travel inspiration that goes beyond the typical tourist trail?
Here are 35 extraordinary underrated bucket list experiences that combine adventure, cultural immersion, and natural wonders.
From sleeping in transparent pods on cliff faces to tracking gorillas through misty forests, these bucket-list worthy moments will reshape how you see the world.
Scroll down to explore 35 remarkable journeys that deserve a spot on your bucket list.
35 Underrated Travel Bucket List Experience Around the World
Love bucket lists? Our list has a collection of some bucket list experiences that you might not have thought of before. Find our full list of ideas below.
1. See the Volcanic Landscape of Mount Bromo in Indonesia
Hike up Mount Penanjakan in pre-dawn darkness to reach King Kong Hill viewpoint for sunrise over Mount Bromo.
Then take a guided horseback ride across the Sea of Sand to climb the 253 steps to the crater rim.
Good to Know: Best visited May-October. Book transport day before.
2. The Three-Beach Vista of Padar Island in Indonesia
Trek the rugged trails of Pulau Padar in Komodo National Park for the iconic three-beach vista.
Next hop on a ranger-guided dragon viewing on Rinca or Komodo islands, then snorkel with manta rays at cleaning stations.
Good to Know: April-December best. Park permits required.
3. The Bubble Domes of Wadi Rum in Jordan
Traverse the red desert of Wadi Rum by camel to reach your transparent bubble tent.
Experience traditional Bedouin hospitality and desert cooking, then watch the stars emerge over the ancient landscape.
Good to Know: 4×4 tours available to remote formations. Book camps well ahead.
4. The Suspended Skylodge of Sacred Valley in Peru
Scale 400m via ferrata to reach your transparent Skylodge capsule suite anchored to Sacred Valley’s cliff face in Peru.
Dine suspended at 1,200 feet and then enjoy a night sleep in a glass capsule. Then descend via ferrata or optional zipline.
Good to Know: Advance booking essential.
Love the idea of sleeping somewhere unique? Find our post on the most unusual places to stay in the world.
5. The Snow Monkeys of Jigokudani in Japan
Trek through snow-covered forests to witness Japanese macaques soaking in natural hot springs at Jigokudani, perfect for photography.
Good to Know: Best December-March when snow coverage is highest. Easy day trip from Nagano.
6. The Golden Rice Terraces of Mù Cang Chải in Vietnam
Trek through the golden rice terraces of Mù Cang Chải during harvest season.
Stay with H’mong families in traditional homestays, learning farming techniques and helping with the rice harvest.
Good to Know: Best September-October, book homestays through local guides.
7. The Mountain Gorillas of Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda
Track mountain gorillas in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park with official guides, spending one strictly-timed hour with a gorilla family.
Good to Know: Permits ($1500) required, book months ahead. Best December-February or June-September.
8. The Glowworm Caves of Waitomo in New Zealand
Experience Waitomo’s glowworm caves in New Zealand through guided blackwater rafting tours, floating beneath thousands of glowworms.
Good to Know: Alternative dry walking tours available. Book ahead for peak season.
9. The Glass Skywalk of Tianmen Mountain in China
Ascend China’s Tianmen Mountain via the world’s longest cable car, climb 999 steps through Heaven’s Gate, and walk all three glass-bottomed skywalks.
Good to Know: Book cable car tickets ahead. Best March-October for clearer visibility.
10. The Ancient Trees of Deadvlei in Namibia
Climb Namibia’s Big Daddy dune pre-dawn to witness sunrise over Deadvlei’s ancient petrified trees and white clay pan surrounded by massive red dunes.
Good to Know: Best March-November for cooler temperatures. 4×4 access required.
11. The Blue Ice Caves of Vatnajökull in Iceland
Explore natural ice caves beneath Vatnajökull glacier in Iceland with certified guides, available November-March only.
Good to Know: Tours vary based on conditions; book ahead. Basic crampon walking skills taught by guides.
12. The Geothermal Wonderland of Wai-O-Tapu in New Zealand
Experience New Zealand’s most colorful geothermal park at Wai-O-Tapu at dawn, watching the Lady Knox Geyser’s daily eruption.
Then follow boardwalks past the technicolor Champagne Pool, Devil’s Bath, and bubbling mud pools.
Good to Know: Best before 10am to avoid crowds.
13. The Floating Monasteries of Meteora in Greece
Hike the ancient footpaths connecting all six Meteora monasteries in Greece, climbing stone steps carved by monks centuries ago to explore each monastery perched atop dramatic sandstone pillars.
Good to Know: Different opening days, modest dress required.
14. The White Terraces of Pamukkale in Turkey
Wade in Pamukkale’s white travertine terraces (designated areas only) and swim in the Ancient Pool among fallen Roman columns.
Good to Know: Visit early morning before crowds. Water shoes required. Accessible year-round but summer very hot.
15. The World’s Largest Cave of Son Doong in Vietnam
Descend into Son Doong Cave in Vietnam, the world’s largest cave system, camping underground for 4 days.
You will cross subterranean rivers, explore the cave’s own ecosystem and jungle where sunlight beams through sinkholes.
Good to Know: Limited permits, book 6-12 months ahead.
16. The Midnight Sun Trek to Trolltunga in Norway
Hike through the night under the midnight sun to reach Trolltunga, a dramatic rock formation hovering 700 meters above Lake Ringedalsvatnet.
Experience the surreal golden light that bathes the Norwegian fjords all night long.
Good to Know: Best June-July.
17. The Giraffe Manor of Nairobi in Kenya
Stay at Giraffe Manor in Kenya, where Rothschild’s giraffes visit morning and evening, poking heads through windows during breakfast.
Good to Know: Book 6-12 months ahead, two-night minimum stay usually required.
18. The Polar Bears of Svalbard in Norway
Journey into the High Arctic on an expedition vessel around Svalbard’s archipelago, searching for polar bears hunting on sea ice.
Witness massive glaciers calve into the ocean, and experiencing the midnight sun in one of the world’s northernmost inhabited areas.
Good to Know: Best June-September.
19. Sleep on an Ice Bed in Sweden
Experience Sweden’s Ice Hotel , sleeping in sub-zero art suites with thermal sleeping bags, including ice bar visit and winter activities like dog sledding.
Good to Know: Best December-April
20. The Arctic Beauty of The Lofoten Islands in Norway
Stay in a traditional red fisherman’s cabin (rorbuer) perched over pristine fjords.
Hike midnight sun-lit peaks to deserted beaches, and witness the Northern Lights dance over jagged mountains rising directly from the sea.
Good to Know: Best June-July for midnight sun, September-March for aurora.
21. The Rainforest Canopy of Danum Valley in Borneo
Stay at the Borneo Rainforest Lodge in Danum Valley Conservation Area, sleeping in canopy rooms above pristine rainforest.
Take guided dawn and night walks to spot wild orangutans, pygmy elephants, and rare nocturnal species.
Good to Know: Best March-October.
22. The Bioluminescent Bay of Mosquito Bay in Puerto Rico
Kayak through Mosquito Bay in Puerto Rico on clear, moonless nights when bioluminescence is brightest.
Good to Know: Book with licensed operators. Best two days before/after new moon. No swimming permitted.
23. The Coral Reefs of Raja Ampat in Indonesia
Explore Raja Ampat by traditional phinisi boat, joining 5-7 day trips including diving/snorkeling at world-class sites.
Good to Know: Peak season October-April. Various comfort levels available through licensed operators.
24. The Ancient City of Petra in Jordan
Walk the 1.2km Siq canyon into Petra early morning for fewer crowds, then climb 800 steps to the Monastery.
Good to Know: Full-site ticket allows night visits to candlelit Treasury. Best spring/fall. Multiple days recommended.
25. The Icy Wilderness of Antarctica
Join an Antarctic expedition cruise (November-March), with zodiac excursions to see wildlife and icebergs.
Good to Know: Drake Passage crossing takes 2 days each way. Optional kayaking available. Book 12-18 months ahead.
26. The Blue Ice of Franz Josef Glacier in New Zealand
Take a guided heli-hike on Franz Josef Glacier, including ice cave exploration (weather permitting), ending with hot pool access.
Good to Know: Morning flights have best weather. Available year-round but weather dependent.
27. The Glass Igloos of Kakslauttanen in Finnish Lapland
Sleep in a heated glass igloo under the Northern Lights in Finnish Lapland, combining husky safaris and reindeer farm visits.
Good to Know: Best September-March for aurora viewing, book well ahead especially December-February.
28. The Blue Fire Crater of Kawah Ijen in Indonesia
Descend into Kawah Ijen crater at night in Indonesia to witness electric-blue flames emerging from volcanic vents, then watch sunrise over the acidic turquoise lake.
You can also watch the local miners collect sulfur.
Good to Know: Proper masks required. Best visibility April-October.
29. The Wild Rivers of Kinabatangan in Borneo
Stay in riverside lodges along the Kinabatangan River, taking dawn and dusk cruises to spot wild orangutans building nests, pygmy elephants bathing at the banks, and proboscis monkeys leaping through riverside trees.
Join night walks to find sleeping birds and glowing fungi.
Good to Know: Best March-October when river levels are optimal.
30. The Great Migration of Serengeti in Tanzania
Witness the Great Migration river crossings in Northern Serengeti (July-October), staying at mobile tented camps that follow the herds.
Good to Know: Crossings unpredictable; multiple days recommended. Book peak season 1 year ahead.
31. The Dramatic Cliffs and Villages of The Faroe Islands
Hike to the floating lake of Sørvágsvatn, seemingly suspended hundreds of feet above the ocean.
Visit traditional grass-roofed villages clinging to steep cliffs, and take a boat trip to the towering bird cliffs of Vestmanna to spot puffins and gannets.
Good to Know: Best May-September for puffin viewing and milder weather.
32. The Dinosaur Fossils and Dunes of The Gobi Desert in Mongolia
Venture into the vast Gobi Desert to discover dinosaur fossils at the Flaming Cliffs where the first dinosaur eggs were found.
Sleep in traditional gers beneath some of the world’s darkest skies, and explore towering sand dunes in this ancient landscape.
Good to Know: Best May-September.
33. The Granite Peaks of Torres del Paine in Chile
Trek Torres del Paine W Circuit (4-5 days), staying in pre-booked refugios or camping.
Good to Know: Peak season October-March requires advance booking. All hikers must register. Various refugio comfort levels available.
34. The Traditional Dahabiya of The Nile in Egypt
Sail between Luxor and Aswan on a dahabiya (traditional sailboat), stopping at temples and villages inaccessible to larger cruises.
Good to Know: Best October-April. 4-7 day journeys available. Small group size means early booking essential.
35. The Safari Plains of Masai Mara in Kenya
Take a private hot air balloon safari over Kenya’s Masai Mara at first light, landing for champagne breakfast in the bush.
Then join a Maasai warrior walking safari to learn traditional tracking skills, staying at a conservancy camp where elephants wander through at night.
Final Thoughts on Unique Travel Bucket List Activities
These 35 extraordinary experiences prove that our world still holds endless possibilities for unique adventures.
Whether you’re scaling via ferrata to reach a transparent pod in Peru or searching for polar bears in the Arctic waters of Svalbard, each journey offers a chance to experience something truly remarkable.
Ready to explore more incredible destinations? Read our guides on:
