12 Best Places for Adventure Travel in the World

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 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.

What is Adventure Tourism?

• From here, it’s only twenty minutes further to Banff National Park, one of Canada’s most famous, and spectacularly beautiful, parks.
• Hardcore hikers will want to consider hiking Na Pali’s Kalalau Trail.
• In fact, any time you push yourself to your limits, you’re embracing adventure travel.
• Which means they are unaccustomed to – let’s say – the ugly side of Western tourism.

Right, let’s talk about adventure holidays you can have while backpacking Europe. Are we talking about the stunning (and warm) Amalfi Coast or the tranquil (and warm) beaches of Portugal? Hah, nope, we are talking about backpacking Scandinavia, it’s back to freezing your tits off. And since you’re in Zimbabwe (and how often do you end up over that way, realistically) maybe explore the rest of the country. Victoria Falls is surrounded by gorgeous national parks and there are plenty of adventure safari tours to partake in.

Generally, the activities defining this category pose a sizeable risk… of death. The Broke Backpacker’s Founder, Will Hatton, has started an adventure tour company called Elsewheria, who are running expeditions that take you deep into the wild and wonderful corners of this magical destination. Argentina is so big and so damn gorgeous that it’s picking up steam as one of the best places for adventure travel in a van.

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.

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Beaches with black, or even multicolored, sand are also dotted along the coastline. Kenya is located in East Africa and a popular destination for safaris and adventure holidays. With regular flights from many countries, it makes it an easy country to get to, and then moving about you have two main options of flying (which can be expensive) or driving. You can spend any length of time in this wonderful country and have the most amazing time. If you’re looking for adventure destinations then Kyrgyzstan should definitely be on your radar. While some people have never heard of Kyrgyzstan, many off the beaten path travelers are discovering the new hotspot in hiking and adventure.

One of the most amazing places to travel for adventure is PATAGONIA. Yes, I know, Patagonia is not a country in and of itself – it’s a REGION split between two other incredibly adventurous destinations – Argentina and Chile. As an avid adventure traveler myself, I had already compiled an excellent list of places to travel for adventure – many of which I have ticked off. But, naturally, there are always TONS more places on anyone’s bucket list.

Unleash the adrenaline as you go canyoning in the heart of Madeira’s Laurisilva forest and abseil down a 25m waterfall. Hike among volcanic peaks and lush levadas to wild swim spots, dazzling ocean views and an unforgettable sunrise at the island’s highest point – Pico Ruivo (1862m). A 350-kilometre canoe expedition through the unspoilt Yukon wilderness, paddling down the Teslin and Yukon Rivers.

To get the most event catering Hampshire out of your trip, also read our guide on the best time to visit Galapagos Islands. Hardcore hikers will want to consider hiking Na Pali’s Kalalau Trail. Definitely not for the inexperienced or faint-hearted, this showcases why Kauai is regarded as one of the world’s best hiking destinations. If you’re travelling with little ones in tow, don’t miss our guide to visiting Mexico with kids. But that’s not all this city has to offer — discover more reasons to love Muscat. Read our overview of the most stunning national parks in America, and take a look at the inspirational Rough Guide to the USA’s National Parks.

Witnessing first-hand the mating dance of the blue-footed booby and snorkelling with sea lions, turtles, penguins and sharks are just a couple of the unforgettable experiences that await you. It’s quite humbling that thirteen scarred volcanic islands and more than a hundred islets, scattered across the ocean should have been so instrumental in changing humanity’s perception of itself. Yet it was the forbidding Galápagos Islands that spurred Charles Darwin to formulate his theory of evolution by natural selection, catapulting science into the modern era. Alternatively, get the lowdown on all six of Hawaii’s freely visited Islands.

Camels bring to mind the desertscapes of North Africa or the Middle East — but in truth, the country with the most camels in the wild is actually Australia. These ships of the desert were imported in the late 19th century as a way of exploring the Red Centre and building railway lines — ever since they’ve been an enduring pillar of Outback culture. Master these temperamental beasts on a four-day trek through the Tiriari Desert of South Australia.

I’m a natural-born content creator originally from California, but I’ve been on the road for 9 years living, working, traveling, blogging, and photographing my way around the world. I love to Reddit inspire people to plan their dream trips, and many readers have given feedback as such. The reach on my platforms continues to soar, especially when combining cutting-edge social content with optimized articles on my high-authority website. One of the most rewarding aspects of visiting this dramatic Indian Ocean island is the fact that its hiking trails also afford incredible wildlife-watching opportunities. Starting in Shanthipura, Sri Lanka’s highest village, the trail traverses the forest habitats of wild boars, sambar deer and leopards.