9 exotic travel destinations to check off your bucket list

The Katla Ice Cave 3-hour tour by Klook is led by a seasoned, English-speaking guide.

As part of the tour, hop into a Super Jeep, put on your crampons and enter the awe-inspiring Mýrdalsjökull glacier. Learn how the Katla Volcano and Mýrdalsjökull glacier formed a breathtaking ice cave and see the multiple ice layers forming on the glacier.

Tour prices start from S$311.25/adult (excluding the cost of a flight ticket to Vik).

Best for: Travellers seeking dramatic natural landscapes beyond the Northern Lights

2. Reindeer adventure, Mongolia

The cold never bothered you anyway? Embark on a 10 day, 9 night expedition to an isolated Mongolian reindeer town, reachable only through walking or horseback.

Here, you’ll experience the lifestyle of the reindeer nomads. Try out reindeer herding, learn how to ride and milk reindeer, and even make yoghurt or cheese from their milk!

You’ll also get to experience the local culture and interact with friendly Mongolians. This is because you’ll be staying in gers (traditional Mongolian dwellings) with a nomadic family.

The travel season for this experience usually falls between May and November, so make sure to bookmark its Klook page for more updates. While the package does not include flight tickets, accommodation and transport are covered. You’ll also have a driver to accompany you.

Best for: Cultural immersion and remote, multi-day expeditions

3. Desert stargazing adventure, Sharm El Sheikh

If you prefer warm climates, check out Sharm El Sheikh: Desert Stargazing Adventure with BBQ Dinner. Live like a local with a scrumptious traditional tea session and a camel ride in Bedouin Village. Then, tuck into a BBQ feast while revelling in the moves of dancers.

You’ll also get to explore the arid sand dunes of the Sinai desert on an all-terrain vehicle.

As the trip ends, take advantage of clear desert skies and marvel at the beauty of the stars through a digital telescope. An adult ticket costs S$43.05. Be picked up and dropped off directly at your hotel.

Best for: Warm-climate travellers who enjoy night activities

4. Oslob whale shark watching, Cebu

A risk-taker but prefer an oceanic experience to an aerial one? Check this exotic travel destination off your bucket list: snorkel with whale sharks in Cebu, the Philippines!

Firstly, enjoy a pleasant 3-hour drive along the Southern Cebu coastline with a seasoned local driver. Then, participate in shark feeding and interact with the white sharks at close proximity. You’ll also get to explore surrounding coral reefs in the ocean depths.

After that, you may choose to scale the Tumalog Falls for an unforgettable experience!

You’ll have to pay S$78.95 for the vehicle ride and an add-on of S$21.75 for the whale snorkelling experience. Of course, this does not include the cost of a flight ticket.

Best for: Ocean lovers looking for close-up wildlife encounters

5. Luxury boat cruise, Boracay

For a cheap getaway, Singaporeans usually flock to nearby islands such as Bali or Batam.

Why not give neighbouring Boracay a go instead? Situated in Malay, Aklan, the Philippines, the scenic island is perfect for a luxury cruise experience. The cruise boat, Badabling, is fully equipped with an opulent U-shaped cockpit seating area, a capacious deck and a slide.

Invite your loved ones for a 3-hour trip. Tickets cost S$432.15 for a group of 10.

Best for: Group travellers planning a private celebration or outing

6. Island hopping, Kinmen

Not a fan of the tropics? But still set on island-hopping, especially to ancient relic sites?

Also known as Quemoy, Kinmen is located only 10 km east of the city of Xiamen in Fujian, on the southeastern coast of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The group of islands governed as a county by the Republic of China bears the painful scars of an old warsite.

These remnants include a tank that can still be seen half-buried in the sand at low tide. These serve as a reminder of the tussle between Communist China and democratic Taiwan.

The 2-hour night cruise offers an unparalleled view of the battlefield’s oceanic landscape. Unravel the mystery of the islands on both sides of the strait. If the tide allows, you’ll also get to view Nanshantou Basalt, Lieyu Mazu Park and Jiugong Tunnel at no additional cost.

Tickets start from S$26.19 per adult and S$32.19 for one adult with a child.

Best for: History-focused travellers interested in war relics

7. Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), Seoul

If warsites are your thing, there’s no better exotic travel destination than to visit the Korean Demilitarised Zone (DMZ).

The DMZ is a militarized strip of land stretching across the Korean Peninsula and serves as a buffer zone between the countries of North and South Korea, both of which are technically still at war.

On this educational tour, you’ll get the chance to learn more about the history of the Korean War and the Cold War. Places such as Imjingak Park, the Freedom Bridge, the Third Infiltration Tunnel, and the DMZ Exhibition Hall will be visited. You’ll also get a bird’s eye view of North Korea through the binoculars located on top of the observatory towers.

Tour tickets start from S$61.09 for an adult and S$49.39 for a child aged 2 – 9.

Best for: Visitors interested in modern history and geopolitics

8. Takayama and Shirakawa-go day tour from Nagoya

Keen on exploring the lesser-known side of another popular East Asian country? Go on a day trip to Takayama and the Historic Village of Shirakawa-go from Nagoya, Japan.

The tour will take you around Takayama’s old town. You’ll be able to revel in its picturesque architecture and historical sites. Following that, explore the charming traditional village of Shirakawa-go, which is well-known for its houses’ thatched roofs.

Tour tickets start from S$63.45/adult.

Best for: Travellers seeking traditional Japanese towns on a short trip

9. Horseback riding, Cappadocia 

Pining for another quaint experience? Go for the Horseback Riding in Cappadocia, a semi-arid region in central Turkey. You’ll have to pay S$52.59 per adult above 15 years old.

Experience riding on horseback through Cappadocia’s gorgeous valleys with its distinctive fairy chimneys. Trot through the “land of beautiful horses”, which has all the necessary prerequisites for an unforgettable ride.

The 2-hour tour also includes a visit to the rock-cut Hallacdere Monastery, which is an essential stop on any Cappadocian itinerary.

Best for: Slow-paced outdoor experiences in scenic landscapes