While we love the magic of a spontaneous trip, let’s face it: There are certain trips that require a plan. Consider a place like Antarctica, only accessible a mere two months out of the year, or the Galápagos Islands, where there’s a strict number of visitors allowed per day. Many of the world’s most epic experiences require considerable research and legwork to pull off.
We've rounded up 12 trips that require a year or more of planning, but the investment is worth it for memories that last a lifetime.