Whether you're chasing wildlife, festivals or once-in-a-lifetime landscapes, be inspired to go beyond in 2027 with Wendy Wu’s annual travel Hotlist, counted down from 10 to 1.
Known as the "Door to Hell," this fiery crater glows in the middle of the Karakum Desert and has been burning for decades. Seeing it at dusk, with flames flickering against the darkening sky, is one of Central Asia's most surreal sights.
Step off the tourist trail for an evening in a local Cambodian village. Watch villagers weave baskets by hand, then sit down to a candlelit long-table dinner under the stars. Expect Cambodian classics like banana blossom salad and grilled pork, an ice-cold Angkor beer and live traditional music.
Surrounded by lush jungle and rolling tea country, this graceful stone viaduct near Ella is one of Sri Lanka's most photographed sights. Watch a vintage train wind across the arches, or ride the scenic railway yourself, one of the world's great train journeys.
Giant tortoises, sea lions lazing on white-sand beaches and the famous blue-footed booby: nowhere else lets you get this close to wildlife. It's the ultimate destination for nature lovers and photographers alike.
Authentic, immersive, and comfortable, there's no experience quite like sleeping in a traditional ger on the rolling green steppe. With horses grazing nearby and mountains on the horizon, it's a chance to experience nomadic culture and vast open landscapes, far from the crowds.
Indonesia spans more than 17,000 islands, each with its own landscapes, cultures, and traditions. Java captures that diversity in one place, with bustling cities, ancient temples, fertile countryside, and some of the country's most famous volcanoes. None is more spectacular than Mount Bromo. On tour, you'll watch the sun rise as this smoking volcano emerges from a sea of cloud, one of Indonesia's most dramatic sights and well worth the early wake-up call.
Held each year from late October to early November, Mexico's vivid Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead celebration turns the streets into a spectacle of colour, with skull face paint, marigolds, parades and music honouring loved ones who have passed. It's joyful, moving and unforgettable.
Each year Cusco comes alive for the ancient Inca Festival of the Sun, with elaborate costumes, ceremonial processions, drumming and dancing. It's a chance to see Inca culture celebrated in the heart of the old Inca capital. On tour with us you will Watch the procession and main spectacle in comfortable seating. The ceremony is performed entirely in the local indigenous language of Quechua, but fear not, your helpful guide will accompany you throughout, interpreting the ceremony and explaining the rituals and their significance as they unfold.
We tried our best, but we couldn’t choose just one aspect to focus on when it came to Japan - there’s so much to see and it’s got something for every traveller. From the snow-capped Mount Fuji, cherry blossoms in the spring, red torii gates, historic castles and ancient temples: Japan packs it all in. Add sumo on selected departures, taking part in ancient traditions like washi-paper making, tasting the incredible local food, and it's easy to see why it keeps topping travel wishlists.
As chosen by Wendy herself, taking out the top spot on places you need to see in 2027 is the otherworldly Zhangjiajie, and it’s not hard to see why. Towering sandstone pillars rising out of the mist, the landscape that inspired the floating mountains of Avatar, and a dizzying glass bridge spanning the canyon - Zhangjiajie is our number one pick for 2027.
All Wendy Wu Tours are fully inclusive: return international airfares and taxes, accommodation, transport, sightseeing, all meals on Classic Tours and visa fees for Australian passport holders (where applicable). Secure your spot with a flexible deposit, and see the Spring Travel Sale for savings of up to $3,500pp.
Call 1300 728 998 or visit wendywutours.com.au .