7 immersive trips to ignite your sense of adventure

From active volcanoes and dense jungle to incredible wildlife and deserted beaches, an immersive adventure in Costa Rica will thrill all the senses. No one knows this amazing country, and its sense of ‘Pura Vida’ - or ‘Pure Life’ -better than the locals, and Not In The Guidebooks offers a series of expertly-crafted, personalised trips which will reveal its lesser-seen side, creating memories that last forever.

If you’re looking for a wildlife-focused holiday, you couldn’t have picked a better destination; Costa Rica may be one of the world’s smallest countries, but it’s one of the planet’s most biodiverse, home to around half a million different species.

Picture yourself trekking through misty cloud forests one day and exploring mangrove swamps the next, spotting astonishing creatures from cheeky capuchin monkeys to the iconic, red-eyed tree frog or the resplendent quetzal. And you don’t need to worry about the effects of your visit - NITGB’s sustainable travel approach ensures your adventures help preserve this incredible biodiversity.

Choose a trip like Costa Rica East to West or Costa Rica’s North Pacific Coast, and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a nature documentary. Many trips combine varied adventures, with a mix of beach stays, boat tours, ziplining and waterfalls, sure to appeal to travellers with varying interests.

One of Africa’s most magical countries, Morocco is full of ancient cities, buzzy souks and some of the warmest hospitality you’ll ever encounter. Situated between desert and ocean, it offers a mix of Middle Eastern, European and sub-Saharan cultures, creating a unique proposition for the adventurous traveller.

You could be exploring the snow-capped peaks of the Atlas Mountains, sleeping under the stars with Berber tribespeople, plunging deep into maze-like medinas, or surfing some of the best waves in the country. Whether you’re looking for shorter breaks or a multi-day itinerary, NITGB works with their local hosts to curate the perfect experience for you.

Try the 6-day Moroccan adventure from Marrakech to the desert, which will take in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ait Ben Haddou - a fortified village whose buildings are made from red clay - the charming city of Ouarzazate, famous for its well-preserved kasbahs and vibrant film industry, and Marrakech itself, where you’ll visit the Bahia Palace, Koutoubia Mosque and the Saadian Tombs.

Or choose to visit the Northern Cities of Morocco, which takes in the enchanting, blue-washed alleys of Chefchaouen, a traditional, hands-on cooking class in Fes and a scenic hike to the gushing Akchour waterfall, nestled in the Rif mountains.

Offering everything from epic stretches of coastline with white-sand beaches to fascinating history and culture, Vietnam beguiles with its mix of urban and rural life. There aren’t many countries where you could be trekking through lush jungle on the hunt for the largest cave on earth one day, and the next be sampling the famous street food of Hanoi.

On a trip crafted by local host Thao, who has been working with NITGB for several years, you’ll see everything from iconic rivers, floating villages, imposing mountains and diverse wildlife. And with NITGB you’ll be supporting local communities, minimising the effects of tourism leakage.

Embark on the Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh ultimate 14 day trip, where you’ll discover the magnificent caves of Ha Long Bay by boat, visit the Imperial City of Hue, and experience the colourful chaos of Hanoi, seeing local landmarks such as the Ngoc Son temple on Hoan Kiem Lake and the train tracks which run through the Old Quarter, and enjoying a traditional water puppet performance and some of the best street food you’ll ever have, from pho to banh mi and bun cha.

Or marvel at nature on a trip to North Vietnam: it includes a visit to the UNESCO heritage site of Trang An, a spectacular landscape of limestone karst peaks permeated with lush, green valleys.

This magnificent country has so much to offer, you might not know exactly where to start. Rated in the top ‘Most Desirable Places to Visit for Adventure’ by Wanderlust, you’ll find rare wildlife, delicious cuisine and some of the most breathtaking views in South America.

With so much to learn from the country's impressive biodiversity, cultural heritage and welcoming locals, NITGB’s Colombia itinerary will show you some of the country’s most authentic and culturally rich areas, avoiding the tourist traps and helping you connect with its vibrant local communities.

The Ultimate Journey through Colombia, crafted by local host Andrea, showcases the best of the country. You’ll take in exciting, colourful cities such as Medellín and Cartagena, exploring their old towns, culinary history and cultural traditions, including music and dance. There will also be time spent in the capital, Bogotá, often called the ‘beating heart of Colombia’, which blends colonial churches, gleaming skyscrapers and mountain backdrops.

Don’t miss the Gold Museum, which showcases ancient artefacts, or the museum dedicated to the iconic works of artist Fernando Botero. There is plenty of jaw-dropping nature to enjoy, too, from the verdant coffee regions to the resplendent Cocora Valley, home to the iconic Wax Palm - the tallest palm tree in the world - and the beautiful Rosario Islands, a paradisaical escape with crystal-clear turquoise waters and white sandy beaches.

Perhaps one of the ultimate destinations for adventure, Thailand - known to many as the Land of Smiles - also offers ancient temples, vibrant cities, rolling hillsides and picture-perfect beaches. NITGB’s Ultimate Family Thailand Experience curates the best parts of the country, as well as some unforgettable immersive experiences. Exploring the dynamic, bustling capital, Bangkok, is a given; you’ll see it from the unique perspective of a traditional long-tailed boat, cruising down narrow klongs, passing wooden stilt houses, and admiring ancient temples.

You’ll also get the opportunity to spend the night on your own jungle raft on the River Kwai, in Kanchanaburi, a ravishing mountainous area close to the Burmese border, and visit an elephant sanctuary. This sits within the beautiful Erawan National Park, best known for the seven-tiered Erawan Falls which tumble into jade-green pools, perfect for a refreshing dip. The Park is also home to several impressive caves including the magnificent Lava Cave, filled with huge chambers containing large stalactites and stalagmites.

An escape to Eden comes at Koh Kood, a Bounty-advert-beautiful island lined with palm trees, white sand beaches, and warm, translucent sea. NITGB also offers a Luxury Wellness Retreat, where you can enjoy sunset yoga and take sound baths on the beach, participate in dynamic fitness sessions, and try Muay Thai to enhance your confidence and energy levels.

From the mighty snow-capped Andes to Incan ruins shrouded in mist, crashing Pacific waves and the dense, lush Amazon rainforest, you could spend months in Peru and barely scratch the surface. It boasts rich and varied natural landscapes you’ll want to lose yourself in, plus cities full of history and character, such as Cusco, as well as the iconic Machu Picchu.

NITGB offers the bucket-list, Ultimate Authentic Peru Adventure, where you’ll experience the real heart and soul of the country on a 14-day adventure of a lifetime. Marvel at giant condors soaring over the Colca Canyon, one of the world’s deepest river canyons; with a wingspan of up to 10ft, these magnificent birds are one of Peru’s most iconic creatures.

Mythical Lake Titicaca is another stop on this incredible trip; the highest lake in the world, at an elevation of 12,500ft above sea level, you can bike along the shoreline, or explore the Uros floating reed islands and meet the local communities who live there, gaining an insight into their way of life. Alternatively, embark on the Luxury Peruvian Adventure, where you’ll embark from Cusco towards Machu Picchu on the exclusive, deluxe Hiram Bingham train. It takes you to the lost Inca citadel in style, with an elegant dining car and observatory from which to take in the unmatched scenery.

The very definition of a tropical island paradise, the Maldives are composed of around 1,200 islands offering rich experiences, from snorkelling with turtles, dolphins and whale sharks, to trips to private islets and experiencing authentic Maldivian culture and cuisine. NITGB’s local host cares passionately about their local environment and communities, which their holiday itineraries reflect. There is also great focus on sustainability, so you can ensure your visit is helping, rather than harming, the environment.

There are several trips to choose from, including a 7-night Maldives Discovery Cruise, where you’ll be on a private charter boat, sailing daily through the Indian Ocean, snorkelling around colourful coral reefs, hopping ashore onto local islands and tasting Maldivian cuisine such as hedika, a mix of small snacks. You’ll also learn about the conservation projects, both in and out of the ocean, that the communities are supporting.

Or Experience the Real Maldives, a 14-night trip based in one place - Hanimaadhoo - from where you can undertake a range of activities and excursions. Experience first-hand conservation monitoring while snorkelling with marine biologists, learning about the local flora and fauna and how to protect them. You’ll also get to meet the locals through authentic guided tours at Hanimaadhoo and Utheemu Island, explore tropical forests and kayak through mangroves, and indulge in a beach barbecue.