23 of the worlds best adventures for thrill-seekers
Later, you’ll head to the Cuillin Mountains to hike to the summit of Blà Bheinn, for panoramic views over Skye. At night, you’ll wild camp in remote spots, savouring the quiet side of this popular island. Explore South Africa from the Drakensberg Mountains to the Wild Coast of the Rainbow Nation, paddling and swimming along the way. Tackle amazing trails through the iconic rock formations of the More details Drakensberg, including Sentinel Peak and Amphitheatre.
Costa Rica, Central America
Best of all, tracks for vehicles are scarce to non-existent — travel here often means setting out in a pirogue or on your own two feet. Edinburgh has Arthur’s Seat, Rio has Sugarloaf, Cape Town has Table Mountain and the Bulgarian capital Sofia has Vitosha – a event catering Hampshire domed 2,292m (7,513ft) summit rising just on the edge of the city. In summer, it’s a popular retreat from the urban sprawl, but it comes into its own in winter, when snow clings to its upper reaches, and guided snowshoeing tours take place in the potted wilderness. It’s also become something of a scalp for cyclists — a little road slaloms its way to the summit with a punishing gradient of 7% over seven miles. See it as part of a 10-day cycling tour of Vietnam, pedalling past places like the pine forests ofBidoup Nui Ba National Park and up to the gates of Imperial Hue. Whether you’re into wildlife watching or more high-octane experiences, Costa Rica sure isn’t short of beautiful national parks for walks on the wild side.
Hike in Chile
- The entire country of New Zealand is ideal for intrepid types, but if it’s an adrenaline rush you seek, head to Queenstown.
- Time to just spend some time without your phone and watch the northern lights dance across the sky.
- If you enjoy hiking and trekking, then you’ll love the Blue Mountains near Sydney, or you could consider driving along the Great Ocean Road in Victoria or getting a delicious Aussie brunch in Melbourne.
- Taking a hot air balloon ride is the only way to appreciate Cappadocia’s unique landscape in central Turkey truly.
- Now, just over 65 years later (less than the lifespan of a person) over 8000 people have summited the peak.
Get up close to majestic glaciers from a kayak and hike amongst the insanely beautiful fjords and mountains. You’ll take turns on polar bear lookout and brave the ‘Polar Plunge’- a (quick) dip in the Arctic Ocean. Trek through Italy, France and Switzerland on one of the world’s great hikes.
Mind you, this is the final-boss-level mountaineering I’m talking about. Beyond the whales, there are endless things to do here, snorkel among manta rays, explore untouched coral gardens, or just kick back on some of the world’s most STUNNING beaches. French Polynesia isn’t just an adventure trip—it’s a slice of heaven on Earth.
Search
Yep, these massive creatures will cruise right up to your panga for a good old-fashioned head rub. No one really knows why, but it’s become a signature Baja experience. So, now you know number one on your list of adventure activities to do in Costa Rica. The further out you get to where the whiteys don’t go, the more spectacular and strange Nepal becomes. It’s no secret that accommodation can get pricey in New Zealand, if you’re looking for an epic hostel to save a few bucks and meet fellow travellers, I stayed at Adventure Queenstown Hostel.
Kathmandu, the vibrant capital, serves as the gateway to Nepal’s adventures. The city is rich in history and spirituality, with UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Durbar Square and Swayambhunath Temple providing a fascinating glimpse into Nepalese culture. One of the most blissful things about visiting Iceland is seizing the opportunity to relax and unwind in some of the most stunning natural environments in the world. If you do all 12… geez, dude, legend; you’re a braver human than me.
Albania, in my humble opinion, is one of the most underrated countries in Europe. It’s tucked down the southeast of the continent, and due to its rocky recent history, travellers often opt for its neighbours. However, it’s slowly but surely making a name for itself – especially amongst the adventurous. And if you don’t feel like walking then saddle up a reindeer – and go disappear… safely.
Put Thailand on your personal map if you’re looking for one of the best adventure trips in the world. A wide range of adventure opportunities exist in the midst of a tourist-friendly country, making Thailand a great destination whether you’re just getting into adventure travel or you’re a seasoned expert. If flop-and-drop vacations that involve doing as little as possible don’t cut it for you, then you need somewhere made for adventure. Whether you prefer marine life to land-based wildlife or waterfalls to the wilderness, these destinations should inspire your next intrepid trip. Israel is probably not the first country that comes to mind when thinking about adventure destinations, but it actually offers dozens of amazing adventure travel activities for anyone to enjoy.
Canyons, mountains, coasts, great lakes, rivers, prairies… it’s all there. There’s a lot of adventure tourism activities around Pokhara now (as the industry has grown). You can learn to Paraglide, go trekking, and there’s some dope rafting around too. On this adventure you’ll trek 59 miles (95km) of the newly created High Scardus Trail, a long distance trek through the ‘Soul of the Balkans’. On your five day trek you’ll hike through the rugged Sharr Mountains along the border between Kosovo and North Macedonia, passing glacial lakes, alpine plateaus and towering limestone cliffs. You’ll tackle two mountains, Ljuboten (2498m) and Tito (2748m), and camp under the stars.
Galapagos Island still gives an unparalleled insight into the mechanics of nature at one of the world’s most treasured wildlife destinations. Today the archipelago’s matchless wildlife, stunning scenery and unique history make it arguably the world’s premier wildlife destination. Often featured in Hollywood adventure movies, the Na Pali Coast is inaccessible to vehicles, which means you’ll have to get into Jurassic Park mode to see its staggering rock spires. Take your pick from paddle-boarding, kayaking, or booking a private plane or helicopter trip that offers exhilarating views of both the coast and Waimea Canyon.
So if you’re looking for the best places to escape alone, the Scandinavian/Nordic countries have got you covered. Hike, bike and snorkel this unique archipelago and encounter its special wildlife, on an adventure immersed in the natural world. Come face to face with the Galapagos’ most famous resident, the giant tortoise, and snorkel with reef sharks and sea turtles.
Kyrgyzstan boasts incredible hiking trails spanning mountain ridges, grassy glades, and pristine lakes. One of the most popular is the 3-day trek to Ala Kul Lake which ends in a little village sitting on natural hot springs. There are also incredible options for horse trekking and skiing throughout the country which are really affordable. The Rocky Mountains run along the border of Alberta and British Columbia, two of Canada’s best adventure destinations. Most travelers heading to the Rocky Mountains fly into my hometown, Calgary, Alberta. I always recommend they begin their trip at Winsport, the sporting facility that hosted Calgary’s 1988 Winter Olympics.
