Adventure tour operator Explore Worldwide recently conducted a study to identify some of the world’s most underrated travel experiences. The company analyzed more than 350 lesser-known destinations and activities across over 130 countries, comparing TripAdvisor ratings with the number of reviews and relative Google search volume to highlight experiences that receive high praise but relatively little attention.
From hidden hikes and remote national parks to cultural sites and unique local tours, the study highlights 20 undervalued experiences that promise memorable moments for curious travelers seeking something off the beaten path.
Here are 20 of the world’s most underrated travel experiences:
- Schafberg Peak Hike, Salzburg, Austria
- Sable Island Tours, Sable Island, Canada
- Bungonia National Park Walks, New South Wales, Australia
- Gishora Drum Sanctuary, Gitega, Burundi
- Cynghordy Viaduct Walk, Llanfair-ar-y-Bryn, Wales
- Auyuittuq National Park Tours, Pangnirtung, Canada
- Melbourne Dumpling Walking Tour, Victoria, Australia
- Roots Yard Off-Grid Camping, Volta Region, Ghana
- Tada Falls / Ubbalamadugu Falls, near Chennai, India
- Keep River National Park, Northern Territory, Australia
- Great Stone Door Trail, Tennessee, United States
- Jokkmokks Fjällträdgård Botanical Garden, Norrbotten, Sweden
- Bambarakiri Ella Falls Suspension Bridge, Matale, Sri Lanka
- Desert Edge Tours, Queensland, Australia
- Bodega Cerro Chapeu, Rivera, Uruguay
- Purnululu National Park, Western Australia
- Mitchell River National Park, Western Australia
- Parque Nacional das Emas, Goiás, Brazil
- Mont Rouge Estate, Victoria, Australia
- Explore Navarino Island, Puerto Williams, Chile
Gishora drummers, Burundi © Torsten Pursche | Dreamstime.com
The study also compiled the top 10 most underrated travel experiences in North America, showcasing a mix of wild landscapes, cultural sites and outdoor adventures. The top 10 experiences in North America are:
- Sable Island Tours, Sable Island, Canada
- Auyuittuq National Park Tours, Pangnirtung, Canada
- Great Stone Door Trail, Tennessee, United States
- Wolf Creek Habitat, Indiana, United States
- Eudora Welty House & Garden, Mississippi, United States
- Kayaking River Yasica, Cabarete, Dominican Republic
- Views from Hamilton Park, New Jersey, United States
- Ron del Barrilito Tour, Bayamón, Puerto Rico
- Pacuare River Rafting, Cartago, Costa Rica
- Exploring Lake Willoughby, Vermont, United States
For readers interested in more detail, the original study presents additional lists of underrated experiences by continent and offers context on the methodology used to rank these hidden gems.