Madeira Island Walking: East to West with Walkers’ Britain & Europe 14 Jan 2026
A Month-By-Month Calendar to the Best New Trips Launching in 2026

World Expeditions UK

New year, new adventures... if you are looking for new travel ideas for 2026, World Expeditions along with its two European brands, UTracks and Walkers' Britain & Europe, and expedition cruise specialist On Water Expeditions choose below the top brand new trips for each month of the year… 
 
JANUARY > Trace Japan's ancient post route in the quiet beauty of winter 
Follow Nakasendo Way from Kyoto to Tokyo through tranquil, white-clad valleys and wander through beautifully preserved Edo-period villages, framed by snow-dusted forests. Each evening, you will enjoy warming seasonal cuisine at welcoming ryokan and soak in soothing onsen hot springs. 
- NEW! Winter Nakasendo Trail with World Expeditions (8 days) departs 23 January, from £2,590 per person; more departures available 
 
FEBRUARY > Traverse Madeira from east to west, north to south 
From Machico, known as the island's first settlement, this extended, flexible itinerary combines hikes across the south, north, east and west of the island for a deeper insight into Madeira's ever-changing landscapes – from volcanic ridges to peaceful valleys and dramatic Atlantic coastlines.  
- NEW! Madeira Island Walking: East to West with Walkers' Britain & Europe (15 days) departs daily in February, from 1,890 per person; more departures available  
 
MARCH > Journey through the clouds from Darjeeling to Bhutan 
A unique tour that links three distinct Himalayan regions into one rewarding itinerary – from the famed hill station to the iconic Tiger's Nest. Travellers will traverse dramatic landscapes and engage with diverse communities, deep into the cultural heartlands of Darjeeling, Sikkim and Bhutan. 
- NEW! Darjeeling, Sikkim & Bhutan Explorer with World Expeditions (13 days) departs 23 March, from £4,190 per person; more departures available 
 
APRIL > Walk Via Francigena's little-known section  
Via Francigena's southern section, from Rome to the coastal town of Terracina, traces a centuries-old cultural artery between northern Europe and the heart of Italy. Offering a more off-the-beaten-path experience, the Via Francigena of the South was first mapped in 990 AD by Archbishop Sigeric. 
- NEW! Via Francigena: Rome to Terracina with UTracks (7 days) departs daily in April, from £990 per person; more departures available 
 
MAY > Complete Australia's hottest new walk on Whitsunday Island – a first for the region 
The Ngaro Track links the iconic Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet, offering a unique opportunity to explore the rich biodiversity and Indigenous heritage of Whitsunday Island. The project was developed in close partnership with the Ngaro People, Traditional Owners of Whitsunday Island. 
- NEW! Ngaro Track Walk In Comfort with World Expeditions (3 days) departs 4, 5 and 18 May, from £1,130 per person; more departures available 
 
JUNE > Take your time on the 'slow' Coast to Coast 
This special 20-day extended version follows the complete route of England's iconic path but with the walking spread over 20 days. Adding an extra five days to Wainright's classic itinerary makes completing the trail more achievable, allowing for more time to savour the views. 
- NEW! Coast to Coast Rambler Walk with Walkers' Britain & Europe (20 days) departs daily in June, from £2,130 per person; more departures available 
 
JULY > Set sail for Canada's remote wild horse sanctuary 
Join a remote expedition to Sable Island, Canada's wild Atlantic outpost, approx. 200 miles southeast of Nova Scotia. Encounter iconic wild horses, see up close vast, shifting dune systems, explore shipwreck-laden shores and experience one of the world's most isolated nature reserves. 
- NEW! Sable Island: Canada's Wild Horse Sanctuary with On Water Expeditions departs 5 July 2026, from US$6,995 (approx. £5,200) per person  
 
AUGUST > 'Taste' the wild beauty of the Scottish Highlands 
The latest addition to the new Taste of collection – walk a section of the Rob Roy Way, in the footsteps of the legendary Highland outlaw; explore the impressive Blair Castle and its grand estate; and enjoy comfortable stays in boutique Highland guesthouses with flexible daily walking options. 
- NEW! A Taste of the Scottish Highlands on Foot with Walkers' Britain & Europe (6 days) departs daily in September, from £730 per person; more departures available 
 
SEPTEMBER > Soak up southern Italy's breathtaking coastal scenery on a new guided walk 
From the vibrant streets of Naples and the elegance of Capri to a walk to the crater of Mount Vesuvius, the ruins of Pompeii and the dramatic Amalfi Coast, this news walking holiday showcases the very best of southern Italy through a series of rewarding day walks. 
- NEW! Capri and the Amalfi Coast Guided Walk with UTracks (8 days) departs 27 September, from £1,480 per person; more departures available 
 
OCTOBER > Delve into Sri Lanka's culinary heart 
An extraordinary culinary journey through Sri Lanka's lively markets and spice stalls, with hands-on cooking classes and family hosted meals. Discover the source of Ceylon tea, visiting working plantations, explore sacred and historic sites and encounter Sri Lanka's remarkable wildlife.
- NEW! Taste & Spirit of Sri Lanka with World Expeditions (14 days) departs 18 October, from £3,490 per person; more departures available 
 
NOVEMBER > Cruise along the majestic Brahmaputra River into the heart of Assam 
Discover one of India's least explored regions as you cruise the mighty Brahmaputra. Known for its famed tea plantations, exquisite silk production and rich biodiversity, Assam is home to some of the last remaining habitats for the Asian elephant and the endangered one-horned rhinoceros. 
- NEW! In search of Rhino: Brahmaputra River Cruise with On Water Expeditions (8 days) departs 21 November, from US$3,710 (approx. £2,800) per person; more departures available 
 
DECEMBER > Uncover Azerbaijan's unique blend of ancient history and modern culture 
A land shaped by Silk Road trade, this new trip reveals Azerbaijan's contrasts – from the Caspian coast and Baku's ancient walled city to the snow tipped Caucasus foothills, mud volcanoes and ancient petroglyphs. Highlights include sharing a heartwarming homecooked pilaf with a local family. 
- NEW! Azerbaijan Highlights with World Expeditions (8 days) departs daily in December, from £1,790 per person; more departures available 
 
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For more information and bookings please contact:

World Expeditions: www.worldexpeditions.com, 0800 0744 135/+44 (0) 20 8875 5060
UTracks: www.utracks.com, 0800 0744 135/+44 (0) 20 8875 5069
Walkers' Britain & Europe: www.walkersbritain.co.uk, 0800 008 7741/+44 (0) 20 8875 5070
On Water Expeditions: www.onwaterexpeditions.com, 0800 0744 135/+44 (0) 20 8875 5060

* Travel to the starting point and from the finishing point of each trip not included in trip prices *

- Ends -
 
PR/media contacts: 
World Expeditions | UTracks | Walkers' Britain & Europe 
020 8875 5060 
Tom Panagos pr@worldexpeditions.co.uk  
Gordon Steer gordon@worldexpeditions.co.uk  
 
Notes for editors - About World Expeditions: 
- One of the first operators in what has become a popular area in travel, since 1975 World Expeditions has established itself as a leader in adventure holidays and cultural journeys.  
- Meticulously designed for those travellers who want to 'take the paths less travelled', more than 1,200 stand-alone itineraries are available across its portfolio, spanning all continents. 
- Always innovative, it was the first travel company to offer cycling holidays in India (1977), China (1978) and Vietnam (1990) and trekking trips in Mongolia (1980), Tibet (1981) and Japan (1999). 
- As of 2011 it is the only commercial company to offer the 150-day Nepal traverse of the Great Himalaya Trail, while in 2019 it became the first operator to offer selected sections of the Transcaucasian Trail in Georgia and Armenia. 
- An advocate of responsible travel, World Expeditions operates exclusive eco-campsites in the Himalaya (Everest, Annapurna) and Australia (Red Centre, Tasmania).  
- The European division of World Expeditions, active holiday specialists UTracks and Walkers' Britain & Europe, offers walking and cycling trips in more than 40 countries. 
- World Expeditions remains independently owned and a truly global company, with seven offices around the world, including the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.  
- In total, the World Expeditions Travel Group consists of 18 travel brands, also including Australian Walking Holidays, Great Canadian Trails and On Water Expeditions.