At Timbuktu, we believe special occasions call for a truly special celebration. Whether it’s a big birthday, anniversary or graduation, you deserve to mark your milestones with an experience that you’ll never forget. We’ve compiled some of the most memorable means of celebrating for you to peruse from bucket list treks to unique dining. Read on…
Go on a hot air balloon safari in Masai Mara
Hot air ballooning
There’s nothing quite like taking flight in the early morning light, soaring over the kind of landscapes that boggle the mind and will absolutely take your breath away.
Marrakesh
After a 30-minute 4×4 drive into the desert surrounding Marrakesh, you’ll tuck into a tasty ‘pre-breakfast’, watching as your impressive balloon is readied for flight. Gently, you’ll rise above the sun-kissed landscape, before the breeze becomes your pilot, taking you over tiny Berber villages and valleys, the High Atlas Mountains your constant backdrop. After an hour in the air, you’ll come back to Earth in time for a sumptuous Berber breakfast, followed by a camel ride in the nearby palmeraie.
Sossusvlei
Perhaps one of the most iconic destinations for hot air ballooning in Africa, Sossusvlei is a unique and utterly ravishing landscape – especially when viewed from the air. You’ll rise slowly with the sun, letting the balmy winds take you on a journey over miles of apricot-hued sands, dunes and mountains in the world’s oldest desert, eyes peeled for lone oryx or desert-adapted elephants. After an hour or so in the air, you’ll touch down near a waiting champagne breakfast, before enjoying a leisurely drive back to your lodge.
Masai Mara
What could be better than safari-ing across the grassy plains of the Masai Mara in search of epic wildlife? Well, how about taking it all in from the air. On a hot air balloon flight, you’ll float just above the trees, enjoying a bird’s eye view of the herds of wildebeest and elephant and swaggering lions below, completely undisturbed by your presence. Afterwards, you’ll land in the vicinity of a full bush breakfast where you’ll soak up the atmosphere and replay moments from your once-in-a-lifetime flight.
Take in the views while dining at the Grotto at Rayavadee
Unique dining
Of course, a delicious meal is a favourite way to celebrate any milestone but dining somewhere totally unique makes it an even more memorable way to mark the occasion.
Sandbank picnic in the Maldives
Just imagine hopping in a speedboat and zooming across the gin-clear waters of the Maldives, leaving your glamorous island villa behind for a while, before arriving at a private sandbank. Waiting is a delicious spread, best enjoyed in between dips in the sea and leisurely snoozes on the sand.
Dinner in an ancient cave
There is destination dining and then there’s the Grotto at Rayavadee, a magical enclave on the pristine Phranang Peninsula in Thailand. Tables are laid out in their finery within a million-year-old, stalactite-studded cave, with flickering candles providing the only light and ample atmosphere. With the Andaman Ocean lapping against the nearby shore, enjoy a feast of yuzu-drizzled lobster, lemongrass red snapper and tropical desserts.
Dining in the bush
From southern to East Africa, your days on safari can include a fantastic meal in the middle of the wilderness. Seated at tables draped in white linens with silver and crystal glasses glinting in the candlelight, you’ll feast on hearty, locally-inspired dishes and world-class wines, the sounds of nature filling the air.
Experience bathing in a traditional hammam in Morocco
A proper pampering
While it’s safe to say that (almost) everyone loves a good trip to the spa or in-room massage, there are destinations that offer unique experiences that go above and beyond.
Onsens in Japan
Mention Japan and the topic of onsens will likely follow along with oohs, aahs and plenty of envying sighs. These spring-fed baths are rich in minerals and a soak will leave rejuvenated and your muscles totally at ease. Some onsens are in the open air, surrounded by the tranquillity of nature, while others can be enjoyed in the privacy of your room.
Hammams in Morocco
If you’re after a one-of-a-kind pampering, then we’d bet there’s a hammam with your name on it. Originating in Morocco, these traditional bathhouses typically have multiple pools of varying temperatures and a hot steam room. While you can join the locals in a communal hammam (we’ve heard the experience is one to remember), private hammams will leave you as smooth as the marble they’re built from.
Ananda in the Himalayas
Far, far more than a spa, Ananda is the kind of place where you can escape everyday life, swapping your stresses and worries for a personalised treatment plan that’ll have your wellness levels at 110% by the end. With Ayurvedic doctors on hand, yoga in the lush gardens and service that’s second to none, it’s no wonder Ananda has become a place of pilgrimage just outside the holy city of Rishikesh.
Go on a trekking adventure in Torres del Paine
Epic Treks
To mark your special occasion, why not set out on foot, your sense of adventure and camera in hand to complete one of these bucket list treks?
Torres del Paine
The ethereal and always impressive Torres del Paine National Park boasts some of the most iconic trekking routes in the world. If you’re up for a multi-day adventure, the W Trek is the most coveted option, cutting through three splendid valleys with highlights that include the Base of the Towers, the beautiful French Valley and the Grey Glacier. There are also day hikes to all sorts of stunning viewpoints if you have a little less time (or energy!), but being surrounded by such scenery makes for a trip you won’t forget.
Mount Kilimanjaro
Standing at a lofty 5,895 metres-above-sea-level, Mount Kilimanjaro is both the highest peak in Africa and the tallest free-standing mountain in the world. The African jewel in the Seven Summits crown, the multi-day trek to the top of Mount Kili is rewarding, life-affirming and thrilling. There are seven routes to choose from to reach the top, each one with its own unique beauty and sensational vistas. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro doesn’t require any technical skills or specialised equipment, making it a very do-able addition to your bucket list.
Mount Bromo
An icon amongst Indonesia’s sky-scraping volcanoes, watching the sunrise over Mount Bromo is a moment as exhilarating as they come. After a relatively easy ascent, you’ll marvel at views of the bubbling crater and surrounding mountains in the early-morning mist. Afterwards, make your way across the incredible ‘Sea of Sand’, a vast expanse of volcanic ash and sand that wouldn’t be out of place on a Martian landscape.
Attend a blessing ceremony at Angkor Wat, Siem Reap
A cleansing ceremony or blessing
It is a privilege to gain insight into the culture of others and engaging in a spiritual ceremony or blessing is a deeply moving way to mark your next chapter.
Blessing by a monk at Angkor Wat
Simply visiting the sacred temples of Angkor is a milestone in itself (best get there at first light to avoid the crowds) but receiving a blessing from one of the Buddhist monks is truly special. After removing your shoes and taking a seat, you will be sprinkled with holy water as the monk chants a blessing for a happy life and good luck, often accompanied by the burning of incense. A coloured string will be tied around your wrist, which is encouraged to be worn until it falls off. A donation is also very welcomed by the monks.
Water purification ritual in Bali
In Indonesian culture, water is a symbol of strength and purification. In Bali, engage in an ancient ritual to cleanse your body and rid yourself of negative energy. At Tirta Empul, a historic, 1,000-year-old temple in north-east Ubud, your guide will take you through every step of the Hindu ceremony including the making and presentation of offerings, the recitation of traditional prayers and holy water rituals.
Spiritual cleansing in Bhutan
At one of Bhutan’s many monasteries, you can join a spiritual cleansing (Thrusel), which is believed to rid you of all bad spirits and restore your good luck. During the ceremony, selected herbs are burned and holy water (thrue-chhu) will be poured over your head. This is a rare chance to experience an authentic Bhutanese ritual, which for many locals, is the cornerstone of their day.
Onduli Ridge, Damaraland
Sleeping under the stars
Whether it’s a romantic interlude to celebrate your anniversary or a full-of-fun family event, spending the night under a blanket of stars is something you’ll never forget.
Nay Palad Bird’s Nest
A most curious structure rising from the plains of Laikipia, Nay Palad was designed to look exactly like a bird’s nest, except with all the luxury trimmings you could ask for. You can choose to sleep in the entirely wall-less bedroom or in the centre of the rooftop nest, falling into dreams as lions roar in the night and waking to the sight of animals arriving at the river for a drink. An immaculate breakfast spread awaits before you journey on.
Fly camping in South Luangwa
For the most adventurous of travellers, there’s nothing more exciting than spending the night beneath a mozzie net, the only thing between you and the wilderness. And that’s just what the Return to the Wild experience offers. You’ll enjoy a scenic walk to the dry Luwi Riverbed where your ‘camp’ will be set up for the night, complete with ice-cold G&Ts at dusk, a hearty, fire-cooked meal and a night’s rest only punctuated by the sounds of elephant munching nearby. After a breakfast of eggs and bacon, you’ll head onwards to your next camp on foot.
Onduli Ridge
Gazing across the rugged, endless sands of Damaraland, Onduli Ridge is glamorous yet totally at one with its surroundings. After a day spent driving, walking or biking your way across the landscape, there’s nothing better than falling into your pillowy, king-sized bed – it can be rolled out onto the deck for the ultimate star bed experience!
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