Solo travel is rising, comfort is finding its place in remote landscapes, and new formats like micro-expeditions and e-bike trips are opening up parts of the world that used to feel out of reach. Adventure travel company Much Better Adventures has revealed six travel trends unfolding as we move into 2026 – driven by newly-revealed booking data.
From tracking wildlife to travelling for flavour – which has become three times as popular this year – these are the six trends Much Better Adventures says are shaping how people will explore in 2026:
- Micro-expeditions
- Active wildlife-watching
- Going solo – on small group adventures
- Adventure, refined
- The e-bike adventure boom
- Food-first travel
Micro-expeditions that work around real-life
Micro-expeditions are growing in popularity as a way to experience big adventures within standard annual leave, without the need for a sabbatical or career break.
These properly wild trips open up remote places that traditional travel bypasses, such as Kyrgyzstan – where Much Better Adventures saw a 119% increase in travellers in 2025 and strong early booking signals heading into 2026.
Active wildlife watching
Wildlife trips are getting more hands-on, with a rise in rewilding and conservation-led adventures. Much Better Adventures saw a 25% increase in bookings for rewilding holidays in 2025. These include interest in bison tracking in Romania’s Carpathians, wolf tracking in Sweden, and combining treks like Kilimanjaro or the Annapurna Circuit with active safaris.
“These trips directly contribute to protecting the wild habitats they visit, led by experts with a deep connection to the wildlife” says Sam Bruce. “On rewilding adventures you learn what ties these places and communities together. And our safaris are active safaris – you’re not just sitting in a jeep, you’re out in the landscape, canoeing down the Okavango in Botswana, or visiting a crocodile conservation project doing crucial work in Nepal.”
Going solo – on a small group adventure
More people than ever before are travelling on their own – by joining a small group adventure. Much Better Adventures is seeing this trend first-hand, with over 70% of its 2026 bookings coming from solo travellers, with growing appetite among 30-50 year olds. It offers the best of both worlds: independence without isolation and freedom without logistical burden, allowing you to explore the world with like-minded people.
Sam Bruce says: “We have a huge number of solo travellers right across our trips. Small group adventures give people the confidence to explore wild places they might hesitate to visit alone, and it lets people take the initiative and go see the world. There’s no better way to bond than type two fun.”
Adventure, refined
Adventure isn’t just tents and basic bunks anymore – the adventure-curious have arrived, and they’re chasing those same wild days, but with a comfier place to rest and recover after a day of exploration. Think kayaking in Vietnam then sleeping on a boutique sailing boat, or walking to Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys and staying in a stylish cave hotel.
“Our customers tell us they want to get outdoors, immerse themselves in nature and have these epic experiences but also return each evening to somewhere extra comfortable. That mix of wild and refined feels especially resonant right now.” says Megan Devenish, Head of Adventure at Much Better Adventures. “Our new Premium Collection meets this rising demand and is a natural evolution of what we do best.”
The e-bike adventure boom
E-bikes are changing what’s possible on trips, making the beauty of long-distance remote routes more accessible without needing elite fitness levels. “E-bikes aren’t the easy option, they’re a tool to take you further than previously possible, helping fit big adventures into smaller windows.” says Vicky Leach, Adventure Expansion Manager at Much Better Adventures.
Much Better Adventures’ booking data shows strong demand for e-bike trips, with the most popular 2025 option being Hike, E-Bike and Wine in Italy’s Prosecco Hills, with 2026 interest led by routes through Jordan and Costa Rica.
Food-first travel
Some journeys start with maps, others start with meals. Much Better Adventures saw a 236% rise in bookings for “foodie” trips in 2025, with early signs the appetite for food-led adventures will continue into 2026. In Italy’s Prosecco Hills it’s wine after a day on two wheels; in Georgia, tarragon lemonade beneath 4,000-metre peaks; in Greece, gemista and tangy feta after a canyon hike.
“Our foodie adventures offer a chance to immerse yourself in the local gastronomy of a place,” says Sam Bruce. “Trying local dishes when you travel isn’t just about those new flavours, either. It’s also an insight into landscape and culture. Good cuisine can often tell the story of a place.”
“We’re seeing a massive surge in bookings from people who might never have thought of themselves as ‘adventurers’ before, but are now actively seeking out nature-based experiences in wild places,” says Sam Bruce, co-founder of Much Better Adventures.
