Off-peak travel is trending in 2026 as Brits seek more authentic experiences

New search data highlights a clear shift in traveller priorities, with growing interest in intentional, conscious and low-season travel. 

Searches for “authentic travel experiences” rose by 50% year-on-year from January 2025 to January 2026, while “travel low season” emerged as a brand-new search term in January 2026. Interest in “sustainable travel” also continues to climb, increasing by 23% in the past three months (1). Meanwhile, a study by the European Travel Commission found 9% of travellers are changing the months they travel, suggesting a growing demand for off-peak, less-crowded holidays.

Responding to this trend, award-winning, B Corp-certified adventure tour operator Wild Frontiers has launched its new Off-Peak Collection designed to help travellers experience destinations more responsibly, affordably and immersively, away from the pressures of peak season crowds.

From exploring the Silk Road cities of Uzbekistan in winter to discovering Namibia’s dramatic red dunes outside peak months, the Off-Peak Collection promises journeys that reveal destinations at their most genuine. 

Clare Tobin, CEO at Wild Frontiers and travel industry expert, shares her thoughts on why travelling outside the high season offers a more sustainable and meaningful travel experience:  

“Travelling off-peak allows for a more responsible way to explore the world. In quieter, less tourist-heavy periods, countries and their inhabitants relax and you can see them in a more natural state - fewer crowds mean more meaningful interactions, and the chance to experience traditions and cultures in their truest form. 

“That’s why our off-peak collection tours have been curated - to encourage travel outside of busy periods, spread visitor numbers more evenly throughout the year and significantly reduce pressure on local communities. 

“While the weather could be a touch more unpredictable, the rewards are often much richer: a gentler footprint, a deeper and more intimate sense of a destination and travel that supports both community and traveller by sustaining local livelihoods year-round, offering better value, and creating experiences that feel genuinely connected to place.” 

Wild Frontiers Top Off-Peak Group Tours 

Costa Rica & Panama: Canal, Coffee & Volcanoes (Green Season)

28th May 2026 - 10th June 2026, from £5,275 (based on two sharing). 

3rd September 2026 - 16th September 2026, from £5,275 (based on two sharing)

As travellers increasingly seek lower-impact alternatives to peak-season travel, Costa Rica and Panama’s green season, between May and November, is being re-evaluated as one of the most rewarding times to visit. Improved eco-lodge infrastructure and year-round tourism initiatives make travel during these months both comfortable and responsible. 

You can expect lush rainforests, dramatic waterfalls and excellent wildlife encounters, alongside iconic experiences such as the Panama Canal, Boquete’s coffee farms and Costa Rica’s Arenal and Poás volcanoes, all with fewer crowds and better value than high season.

Tanzania: Safari, Serengeti & Maasai Heartlands 

1st April 2026 - 10th April 2026, from £3,985 (complimentary £0 single supplement). 

15th April 2026 - 24th April 2026, from £3,985 (complimentary £0 single supplement)

As safari destinations look to reduce pressure during peak migration months, travelling outside the traditional high season is gaining traction as a more conscious way to experience East Africa. 

This off-peak Tanzanian journey offers exceptional wildlife viewing across the Serengeti, Tarangire and Ngorongoro, but with fewer vehicles and a deeper sense of connection to the place. Alongside game drives, travellers explore rainforest landscapes on foot and by canoe, and spend time in Maasai heartlands, supporting community-led tourism beyond peak safari periods.

Uzbekistan & Turkmenistan: Cities of the Silk Road

18th March 2026 - 1st April 2026 (includes Navruz Festival), from £4,175 (based on two sharing). 23rd December 2026 - 6th January 2027, from £4,175 (based on two sharing)

With major government investment in tourism infrastructure part of Uzbekistan's 2030 strategy, including a high-speed train to Khiva due to launch this September, the country is fast emerging as one of the most accessible and exciting cultural destinations for 2026. At the same time, Uzbekistan is bringing its heritage to life through landmark projects like the Center for Islamic Civilization in Tashkent and UNESCO recognition of Karakalpak yurts and the kobyz, making 2026 an ideal moment to experience its culture, history and modern connectivity at their peak.

Travelling in winter allows visitors to experience the Silk Road cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva without peak-season crowds, while clearer skies and striking architecture bring UNESCO sites to life. March departure dates are also timed with the Navruz Festival, marking the Persian New Year. This journey offers a rare chance to witness centuries-old traditions at their most authentic, before crossing into Turkmenistan to explore ancient Merv and the surreal Darvaza Gas Crater.

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Editors notes

For more information, please contact Georgia Pethick and Abi Herbert at wildfrontiers@lemongrassmarketing.com 

Methodology

(1)Search volume data was collected from Semrush on 12 January 2026.  

• “Authentic travel experiences” rose by 50% from January 2025 to January 2026.
• “Travel low season” recorded 0 searches in January 2025 and 30 searches in January 2026.
• “Sustainable travel” recorded 390 searches in October 2025, increasing to 480 searches in January 2026.

About Wild Frontiers:   

Wild Frontiers is a B Corp award-winning adventure travel company, founded in 1998 by travel writer Jonny Bealby. They specialise in immersive small group tours and unique tailor-made trips worldwide. Wild Frontiers believes sustainable and community-focused travel can be a powerful force for good; breaking down barriers, dispelling myths and bringing people from different cultures and communities together.   

From the ancient heritage of the Silk Road to the foothills of Pakistan, Wild Frontiers are experts in off-the-beaten-track travel and draw on their extensive local knowledge and array of contacts to give travellers the best experience possible. They are firm believers that travelling is all about the experience, and the beauty is in the details – the places you stay, the transport and route that gets you there, and the people you meet along the way.