23 of the worlds best adventures for thrill-seekers

This is a country of frozen glaciers, towering volcanoes, jagged fjords, and skies lit up by the Northern Lights. It’s wild, raw, and unforgettable, perfect if you’re after a trip that’s anything but ordinary. The Great Lakes provide excellent sailing and kayaking, and Florida’s Everglades offer unique kayaking through mangrove tunnels and wildlife-rich wetlands. The United States boasts an extraordinary variety of landscapes and climates, making it one of the most diverse adventure destinations on the planet. Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers unparalleled wildlife viewing in a natural amphitheater teeming with lions, elephants, rhinos and flamingos. Trek through rugged terrain to encounter the ancient Komodo dragons in their natural habitat, then dive into some of the world’s most biodiverse waters, where manta rays, sea turtles and vibrant coral gardens await.

Get to the heart of Sri Lanka via jungle trails and wildlife reserves, hiking to spectacular viewpoints, rural villages and tropical beaches. On the website Clamber up the iconic Lion Rock of Sigiriya, tackle part of the long-distance Pekoe Trail, and hike to waterfalls near Kandy. Trek through remote, pristine forest in Gal Oya with the Vedda people – Sri Lanka’s last indigenous community. Spot wild elephants bathing, practice yoga serenaded by exotic birds and ride the train to the tea hills of Nuwara Eliya. Only a trickle of visitors make their way to Gabon, a little country on Africa’s west coast squished between Cameroon and the Republic of the Congo. Those who do, however, can quickly find themselves in remote wilderness — it may be small, but Gabon lays claim to 13 national parks.

Where to stay on Galapagos Islands

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 wedding catering New Milton wildlife destination. Often featured in Hollywood adventure movies, the Na Pali Coast is inaccessibleto 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.

  • Tulum’s archaeological treasures aren’t exactly off the beaten track, but their spectacular (and unusual) coastal setting makes them a must-visit.
  • The island’s coastline offers incredible surf, with beautiful Sri Lankan beaches to rest upon between riding those waves.
  • If you think Nepal is only about trekking, then you are quite wrong.
  • When staying in Greenland, there is no place I recommend more than the Hotel Arctic in Ilulissat.
  • California is also home to the highest mountain peak in the lower 48, Mt Whitney, which many people like to ascend over a few days.

Places to Travel for Adventure in NORTH AMERICA

To experience exactly that in a single trip, you might want to take the Mayan Trail. Tulum’s archaeological treasures aren’t exactly off the beaten track, but their spectacular (and unusual) coastal setting makes them a must-visit. Alternatively, if you want an all-out independent experience, discover more about wild camping in Oman, and dig into the in-depth Rough Guide to Oman. Ethno Houses Plitvice Lakes offers rustic elegance a mere 400 metres from the park’s highest waterfall. For years, I’ve split my life between being a hermit in my Bandung, Indonesia home and embarking on 2-3 month overseas adventures to change the scenery.

As opposed to the green north, southern Israel offers unique desert views. The Negev and Judaean deserts are extremely popular for hiking, but they’re also perfect for outdoor adventures like canyoning, rappelling, and rock climbing. If you want to make your time in southern Israel extra special, choose to stay at a Bedouin tent or lodge to learn about Bedouin culture and enjoy traditional Bedouin hospitality. Uttarakhand, India may not be a place that jumps readily to mind when you think of adventure destinations to travel. Uttarakhand is in North India, about a five hour drive north-east of the capital city, Delhi. It’s one of several states in India dominated by the Himalayan mountain range.

Trek the Salkantay Route to Machu Picchu

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.

But there’s time for a bit of R&R too, with dreamy waterfall swims and leisurely soaks in hot springs. The species count in the hundreds of thousands (you read that right) will have wildlife enthusiasts ready to book a plane ticket. Australia is well-known as a home to kangaroos and koalas, but you might also catch a glimpse of a cassowary, kookaburra, or echidna. When it’s time to really get your adrenaline pumping, white water rafting, bungee jumping, or learning to surf at an iconic spot like Bondi Beach or the Gold Coast should do the trick. The country known for pura vida, a.k.a. the pure, simple life, is also one of the best places for adventure travel. You’ll find adventure around every corner, whether that’s on a sandy beach, in a dense jungle, or even high above a cloud forest or deep down in a cave spelunking.