Adventure Travel Destinations That Need To Be On Your Bucket List

Not everybody is made for lounging by the pool or getting a tan on the beach. Some people crave adventure. Do you dream about dangerous cliffs, breathtaking views of a mountain range or trekking to hard to reach places? Then these are six adventure travel destinations you should visit.

Trek to Machu Picchu, Peru

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For many people, Machu Picchu is a dream destination. The Inca’s built Machu Picchu almost 600 years ago and this magnificent city is still in an excellent condition, given its age. About 1.8 million people visit the site every year, so be sure to book your trip at least in advance.

There are several options if you want to trek to Machu Picchu. The most famous hike is the Inca Trail. This is by far the most popular trail and the same one that the Inca used many years ago. You will sleep in a tent during this four-day trekking. The entire trail is about 43 kilometers. This is the only trail that ends at Machu Picchu and not at the village of Aguas Calientes.

Besides the Inca Trail, there is also the Inca Jungle Trail, the Lares Trek and the Salkantay Trek.

Go on Safari in Tanzania

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Fancy seeing animals? Then a safari in Tanzania might be just the thing for you. Tanzania is home to two great nature parks to see wildlife: Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park. Here you can see the Big Five with your own eyes and meet the famous Serengeti tribe. Or how about the impressive wildebeest migration across the Grumeti River? Tanzania has it all.

Driving through Tanzania’s wild landscape is an adventure all in itself. Safaris are quite safe in general, as long as you stay in the car. Trust your guide, they know the area and the animals. Those not afraid of heights can also try a trip with a hot-air balloon.

Is a safari not adventurous enough? Why not try one of these alternatives?

Climb to the Mount Everest Base Camp in Nepal or Tibet

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Mount Everest is, without a doubt, the most famous mountain in the world. Many adventurers have tried to climb this beast, not all of them reached the top or made it back. The climb to the top should be left to professionals, but a trek to the Mount Everest Base Camp is also quite the adventure.

There are two Mount Everest Base Camps. The most famous one is located in Nepal. Every year, about 40.000 people make the trek from Lukla to this base camp. It is a difficult trek, but there is also the option to hire a guide or a porter. A porter is somebody who will carry your stuff, making it easier to make the climb. Because the trek is so popular, it is not that difficult to find the way, so a guide may not be necessary.

The second Mount Everest Base Camp is located in China. Because of COVID-19, the Chinese government closed the Base Camp, but it is expected to open once again after the pandemic is over. When the base camp opens again, a permit by the Chinese government is required to make the trip. This permit is on top of the permit required to visit Tibet. There are several travel agencies that cover the required permits and arrange vehicles, drivers and guides to make the trip.

However, those travel agencies are not cheap. Luckily, it is easy enough now to earn money while teaching English all over the world. For example, here is the ultimate guide to teaching jobs in China.

Swim between Continents in Iceland

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The Silfra fissure, located in Thingvellir National Park in Iceland, is a crack between two tectonic plates. Tectonic plates make up the Earth’s crust. In some places, they are broken. The Silfra fissure is one of those places, and it is the only place on Earth where you can swim between the North American and European continents.

The crack is a perfect stop for divers, for it is filled with crystal clear water. However, do bring a wetsuit, because the water is about 3°C year round. This is because the water comes from the nearby melting Langjökull glacier. Need some more inspiration for Iceland? Head over here to find out where to go in Iceland.

Spot Penguins in Antarctica

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There are about 17 different species of penguins that live on Antarctica. The most well-known species are the Emperor and the King penguin. Most people have seen some penguins at the zoo, but seeing them in their natural habitat is something else entirely.

Getting to Antarctica is not as easy as just taking a plane or a boat. The safest way to travel to Antarctica is to join a polar expedition. This is also the most environmentally responsible way, because most polar experts have knowledge about wildlife-viewing guidelines. The best time to make the trip is from October to March.

Zipline in Costa Rica

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Costa Rica was made for zip lining. The two hotspots of zip lining experiences are the Monteverde and Arenal. And these are not your normal ziplines. No, the ziplines in Arenal consist of no less than 7 different ziplines. The longest one is almost 800 meters long, which takes about 5 minutes to travel. The entire zip lining experience takes about 2,5 to 3 hours. Don’t forget to enjoy the view and the lush wildlife while zipping down, because Costa Rica is known for its many colorful animals and abundant plant species.

Whether you like old ruins or wildlife, hot or cold, walk or drive or zipline, there are more than enough ways to put some adventures in your travels. Take a deep breath and enjoy the adrenaline coursing through your body. Also, don’t forget to keep your eyes open, because otherwise you’re bound to miss some beautiful part of nature!

Feature image credit: Oli Russell-Cowan