One of the hardest things about being an avid traveler is choosing your next destination. There are so many incredible places to visit in the world that it’s hard to pick your next adventure. The world is your oyster, and we want to help you narrow down your next adrenaline-filled expedition by laying out all the best adventure travels out there. From canoeing down the Amazon River and riding a volcano board down Cerro Negro to snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef, you’ll find your next bucket-list adventure below.
Hike to Mount Everest Base Camp
Hiking to Mount Everest Base Camp is one of the most popular adventure expeditions, and for good reason. As the world’s tallest mountain, Mount Everest has become a bucket-list challenge, but it’s no easy feat. There are two base camps for Mount Everest: one in Tibet, which is accessible by road, and the South Base Camp on Nepal’s side, which takes a minimum of seven days to hike to. Nepal’s South Base Camp sits at an elevation of 5,364 meters (17,598 feet) above sea level and only has an oxygen level of around 80%, coupled with cold temperatures, which means you’ll need to train for such an expedition. However, those who complete the trek will be rewarded with breathtaking views, interactions with Sherpas and their settlements along the trail, and the bragging rights to say you completed one of the world’s most difficult treks.
Jump off the Kawarau Bridge in New Zealand
Get your heart pumping and take a leap of faith off the iconic Kawarau Bridge in New Zealand, the birthplace of bungee jumping. This historic site offers a thrilling opportunity to jump from a 43-meter (141-foot) high suspension bridge, plunging into the stunning gorge below. For an added thrill, you can break the water’s surface and submerge nearly waist-deep during your jump. Lastly, you can choose to jump solo or in tandem with a friend. Either way, this unforgettable adventure is just a 20-minute drive from Queenstown.
Volcano Board Down Cerro Negro
Maybe you’ve shredded powder on a snowboard, but have you ever boarded down an active volcano? While this may sound like a scene out of a movie, it’s a completely real thing you can do, and one of the best places to do it is Cerro Negro in Nicaragua. This 167-year-old volcano is the youngest in Central America, but it’s also one of the most active, making it a thrill for any visitor. Tourists can trek one of the volcano’s challenging hikes and explore the crater edge before hopping on a specially made volcano board to slide down the ash-covered hillside. If you don’t fancy going down the volcano snowboard-style, you can also sit on the board for more control. Either way, we’re sure this will be one of your most memorable boarding adventures.
Admire the Northern Lights
For those less inclined to throwing themselves off bridges and sliding down volcanoes at high speeds, a trip to see the Northern Lights might be up your alley. This eye-catching display of dancing, colorful lights can be found during winter months in several northern countries, such as Canada, Iceland, and Sweden. However, it’s widely accepted that one of the best places to see the lights is in Tromso, Norway, as it’s right in the aurora zone of the Norwegian Arctic. The lights are mesmerizing to see in person and have captivated humans for thousands of years, with many Native American tribes believing the lights were the spirits of the dead who lived in the sky trying to communicate with the living still on Earth.
Walk the Camino de Santiago
The Camino de Santiago is an ancient medieval pilgrimage trail located in Europe that leads to the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral in Spain, believed to be the final burial place of the Apostle Saint James the Greater. However, you don’t have to be religious to hike this trail, as many walk for the challenge, camaraderie, and incredible views. There are several Camino Santiago routes, all varying in length and leaving from different countries like Spain, Portugal, and France. The Camino Primitivo, or the Original Route, stretches 328 kilometers from Oviedo, Spain, but the most popular route is the French Way, which leads 790 kilometers from St. Jean Pied-du-Port. Regardless of whether you hike or bike the routes, you’ll earn a Compostela completion certificate.
Swim in Nature’s Most Extreme Infinity Pool, Devil’s Pool
Forget Beverly Hills mansions; the sweeping views from this natural infinity pool in Zambia are truly breathtaking. Devil’s Pool is an adrenaline-pumping swimming hole located right on the edge of Victoria Falls—one of the world’s largest waterfalls. To reach the pool, you’ll need to trek over rocky paths and swim through the Zambezi River, but the effort is well worth it for the chance to peer over a 100-meter (320-foot) drop up close. Visits to Devil’s Pool are only possible with a guide and are available from August to January during the low-water season.
Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
There are only 10 countries in the world where you can have your Jane Goodall moment and come face to face with mountain gorillas, and Rwanda is one of those places. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is a life-changing experience as you’ll get to don your explorer hat and venture out into the jungle to spend days tracking down these fun-loving primates. Don’t get us wrong, though—gorillas are not animals to mess around with, which is why you’ll have to visit the gorillas with a guide and a valid permit.
Hike the Inca Trail at Machu Picchu
Another worthy bucket-list adventure is hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru. This challenging 43 km (26 mi) trek takes roughly four days to complete, winding through steep and rugged terrain. Those who reach the end are rewarded with the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Perched on a steep hillside, the 15th-century Inca city’s stone ruins are remarkably well-preserved. For this adventure, you’ll need to plan well in advance and secure a permit as they sell out months in advance.
Take an Expedition to Antarctica
Adventure trips to Antarctica are becoming more and more accessible, but it’s still one of the hardest places to reach on Earth. The easiest routes to get to Antarctica are by boat from Ushuaia, Argentina, or by plane from Punta Arenas, Chile, to King George Island, and by boat from the island to Antarctica. Even though touring Antarctica has never been easier, it’s not an adventure for the faint of heart, as visitors will need to endure the unpredictable waters of Drake Passage along with long daylight hours and cold, windy temperatures. Once you arrive, it’ll all be worth it as you’ll be standing in one of the coldest, most isolated places on Earth, surrounded by playful penguins, seals, and whales.
Go Underground at Hang Sơn Đoòng
You may not have heard of it, but Hang Sơn Đoòng, discovered only in 1990 and explored in 2009, is the world’s largest cave by volume—so big, in fact, that it has its own weather system. It wasn’t until 2013 that the Vietnamese government allowed adventure tours to operate in the cave. With only 1,000 slots available each year, these tours usually sell out two years in advance. If you’re lucky enough to snag a slot, you’ll spend six days cave trekking, camping, and exploring the diverse landscapes of this underground sanctuary, which experts have nicknamed the “Garden of Eden.”
Summit Mount Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro is the world’s highest free-standing mountain and Africa’s largest, standing at an impressive height of 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) above sea level. Summiting this mountain is no easy feat; it takes five to nine days to complete. While the average active person can trek to the top, research suggests that just over 65% of climbers don’t make it. Due to the elevation, hikers are very susceptible to mountain sickness, but those who reach the summit will be rewarded with a memorable view of Tanzania’s extraordinary landscape and three volcano craters: two extinct and one dormant.
Canoe Through the Amazon River
Immerse yourself in the beauty and diversity of the rainforest by taking a canoe trip down the Amazon River. The Amazon River is a fascinating wonder, holding the title of the world’s largest river by volume and being one of the longest rivers in the world (the Nile is also often considered the longest). It flows through four countries: Venezuela, Peru, Colombia, and Brazil. However, most canoe and kayak tours operate from Ecuador and Brazil, as they have a greater density of wildlife and easier access to the river.
Explore the Galápagos Islands
The Galápagos Islands are one of the most incredible places to visit in the world. Located off the coast of Ecuador, this series of islands is among the most unique areas on Earth, with a majority of its species found nowhere else in the world, including 80% of the bird species, 30% of the plants, and 97% of the reptiles and land mammals. A trip to this paradise is sure to be unforgettable; even Charles Darwin’s visit inspired him to develop his Theory of Evolution. To get the most out of the experience, it is recommended to spend seven to 10 days exploring the Galápagos Islands.
Kayak a Fjord in Norway
The fjords of Norway offer extraordinary landscapes, with deep, glittering lakes enclosed by vibrant mountainous terrain. Seeing these striking fjords up close is breathtaking, but exploring a fjord by kayak? That’s an epic adventure worthy of the toughest Viking. Fjord kayaking is suitable for all levels of paddlers, offering a serene experience on the calm lake waters. You can choose from a range of tours, from overnight canoeing and hiking trips to six-hour guided journeys and relaxed two-hour tours. Some of the most popular Norwegian fjords to paddle are Nærøyfjord, Sognefjord, Hardangerfjord, and Geirangerfjord.
Glacier Trek in Alaska
Marvel at Alaska’s glaciers up close by booking a glacier trek tour. Alaska is one of the best places to see giant glaciers, with over 100,000 glaciers covering roughly 5% of the state’s land. Glacier hiking is an exhilarating experience similar to mountaineering. You’ll learn how to use an ice pick, don specialty equipment, and strap on a hard hat as you traverse a landscape resembling another planet. One of the easiest glacier hikes is found two hours north of Anchorage at Mendenhall Glacier. However, depending on your sense of adventure, you might plan a multi-day hike to explore the landscapes and challenge yourself further.
Take a Hot Air Balloon Over Bagan, Myanmar
When you think of taking a hot air balloon ride, you might think of Cappadocia, Turkey. However, what many people overlook is that it’s not just the balloons but the surrounding landscapes that make these rides remarkable. The town of Bagan, Myanmar, is an ancient city dotted with over 2,000 ornate Hindu and Buddhist temples surrounded by lush forests and palm trees. Touring this UNESCO World Heritage Site is amazing, but flying over it in a hot air balloon? That’s pure magic.
Paraglide in Interlaken, Switzerland
For those looking to get their adrenaline pumping, consider heading to Interlaken, Switzerland, to learn how to paraglide! Switzerland is known for its jaw-dropping mountaintop views, and Interlaken is particularly famous for being located between the two most beautiful lakes in the country, Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. While you could explore the area by boat or car, a bird’s-eye view of the snow-capped mountains, tall waterfalls, and dazzling emerald-colored waters from a paraglide is sure to leave an impression. If you’re a first-time paraglider, don’t worry; a pilot will be with you the entire time so you can focus on enjoying the experience.
Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef in Australia
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and is a must-visit for ocean lovers. Located off the coast of Cairns, Australia, the Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest reef system, covering an area of 348,700 square kilometers (133,000 square miles). The reef is incredibly diverse, with over 30 species of whales, six species of turtles, 1,500 species of fish, and 17 species of sea snakes. While many scuba divers have the Great Barrier Reef on their bucket list, you don’t need to be a certified diver to enjoy the wildlife and ecosystems. Snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef is just as rewarding, with snorkelers often spotting beautiful creatures like reef sharks, giant turtles, schools of fish, and manta rays.
Road Trip Through America’s National Parks
America offers a wide variety of landscapes and ecosystems, and there is no better way to explore them than with a road trip through the country’s national parks. From California’s old-growth redwoods and the dry desert weather of Grand Canyon National Park to the East Coast’s Smoky Mountains and Everglades wetlands, the country boasts unique geography to explore. There are 429 national park sites in the USA, but only 63 have “National Park” in their name. The other 366 are subdivided into categories such as national seashores, national monuments, and national battlefields. Some of the most beautiful national parks in America include Yosemite National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Zion National Park, and Grand Canyon National Park.
Alright, adventure seekers, what’ll it be? A trip down the Amazon River, bungee jumping in New Zealand, or perhaps cruising around the Galápagos Islands? With so many extraordinary experiences in the world, it’s tough to choose your next bucket list activity. Regardless, we hope this list has helped you discover a new adventure or given you a starting point for your next exciting experience!