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50 bucket list family adventure trips.

Forge lifelong memories on a one-of-a-kind journey together.

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Take the kids on the transformative trip of a lifetime.

Whether you want to push your limits on a heart-pounding African safari, surf trip, ski retreat or national park vacation, there are plenty of boundary-pushing vacations well-suited for families of all ages, interests and budgets. While some places cater to clans craving enrichment with cultural cred and striking natural wonders, others lure thrill-seeking families in pursuit of adrenaline-pumping activities and wildlife encounters in far-flung locales. No matter your goal, the best memories will be "when you're taking in awe-inspiring sights and doing things you never knew were possible," says Leigh Barnes, the North America regional director at Intrepid Travel, an adventure outfitter. With that in mind, these 50 once-in-a-lifetime trips are guaranteed to give you – and the kids – a fresh perspective.

While San Diego may not spring to mind as an outside-the-box bucket list vacation destination, with ample opportunities to learn to surf along gentle breaks, a spectacular 70-mile coastline and an iconic zoo filled with 3,500 fascinating animals and a safari park in nearby Escondido, the Southern California hot spot is a crowd-pleasing playground for thrill-seekers of all ages. Head to La Jolla to take a lesson at an acclaimed surf school or catch pros skimming the waves. And for more leisurely outdoor exploration, tag along on a sailing lesson at Mission Bay Aquatic Center, visit Balboa Park or grab your camera and take family photos at Sunset Cliffs Natural Park as the sun goes down.

Oahu, Hawaii

You may associate the Aloha State with seaside landscapes, opulent hotels and secluded sands filled with honeymooners. But here's a secret: Oahu's famous North Shore offers plenty of unforgettable, action-packed experiences for adventure-loving broods. In winter, the area draws pro surfers with its massive swells. But if you arrive in summer, you can enjoy calmer waves and learn how to skim the waves together. At Turtle Bay Resort , you and the kids can enjoy private or group surf lessons, take guided surf tours, try your hand at stand-up paddleboarding or bond while kayaking, horseback riding or biking. After soaking in the great outdoors, check out must-see historical attractions, like 'Iolani Palace and Pearl Harbor in Honolulu.

In Sydney , you'll find rip-roaring adventures catering to every adventurer in your group. After visiting classic attractions such as the Harbour Bridge, the Sydney Opera House and Bondi Beach, embark on a kayaking expedition in the harbor or venture to Sydney Olympic Park, where you and the kids can swing across a zip line or take an archery lesson. For more thrilling pursuits, hike in the nearby Blue Mountains (about a two-hour train ride from Sydney), where you can marvel at the Three Sisters rock formation and inspiring waterfalls. And if you're traveling with animal lovers, you can't miss checking out the Australian Reptile Park and Wildlife Sanctuary (about an hour drive outside of the city), which houses kangaroos, koalas and wombats.

Costa Rica offers endless opportunities for exhilarating encounters in the wild. While daredevils may want to glide through a canopy of trees on a zip line, nature enthusiasts can take in enchanting butterfly farms or hike through lush rainforests. Jeremy Brady, the national sales manager at small-group adventure tour outfitter G Adventures, suggests Costa Rica for families with kids under age 10 looking for a blend of high-octane activity, cultural immersion and wildlife-viewing. Get your heart racing as you zip line or stroll along the misty Sky Walk (a hanging bridge) through Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, which teems with howler monkeys, colorful birds, sloths and 2,500 plant species. Then soak in the sunshine and surf along the Nicoya Peninsula.

With dramatic glaciers, fascinating wildlife and awe-inspiring landscapes, Alaska captivates nature lovers of all ages. Whether you're dreaming of catching sight of the northern lights or cruising past glaciers and whale-filled waters in Kenai Fjords National Park, you have plenty of reasons to take the kids to Alaska. On National Geographic's eight-day Alaska: Denali to Kenai Fjords Family Expedition (from $5,845), you and your crew can take guided hikes to a ridgeline summit in Denali National Park and Preserve's interior and take a cruise through the Kenai Fjords, where sea lions, orca and gray and humpback whales are often spotted. After an exhilarating day outdoors, you can enjoy downtime at Denali Backcountry Lodge.

The Galápagos

With its spellbinding landscapes and captivating creatures – from giant tortoises to penguins to sea lions – the Galápagos Islands have long enamored thrill-seekers in pursuit of one-of-a-kind wildlife adventures. Barnes highlights Charles Darwin's playground as an ideal choice for wildlife-loving broods looking for an off-the-beaten-track getaway. With Intrepid Travel's eight-day Galapagos Family Holiday package (prices start at $2,680), families can get an adrenaline rush as they "witness some of the rarest creatures in the world, snorkeling at one of the largest sea lion colonies, spotting giant tortoises and looking out for marine iguanas, whales, dolphins and sharks," Barnes explains. For unforgettable, up-close animal counters, you won't want to miss Tortuga Bay on Santa Cruz Island or snorkeling near Santa Maria Island.

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Kauai, Hawaii

Kauai may draw outdoorsy couples with its captivating coastlines and postcard-worthy sunsets, but the less-trodden tropical paradise isn't just a romantic hideaway. Budding thrill-seekers will find plenty of adrenaline-pumping pursuits to pique their interest, whether they're itching to try their hand at surfing at Hanalei Bay, traverse the Waimea Canyon or swim in the Queen's Bath, a lava rock-bordered tide pool on the island's north shore. Everett Potter, a columnist for Forbes and author of the website "Everett Potter's Travel Report," highlights sea kayaking, snorkeling and zip lining as classic adventure-filled recreational pursuits the whole crew will enjoy.

Washington, District of Columbia

Not just a mecca for high-profile politicians, the nation's capital offers world-class cultural attractions and a dizzying array of family-friendly museums, from the National Museum of History to the National Gallery of Art. Breaks from admiring the District's marbled monuments can include catching a show at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and wandering along the Tidal Basin (arrive in spring to catch sight of pink-hued blooms draping the city). And for more thrilling escapades, venture 15 miles outside of the District to the Billy Goat Trail, where you can enjoy biking, climbing and hiking, or tack on a trip to Virginia's Shenandoah National Park, just 75 miles outside of the nation's capital.

Glacier National Park, Montana

Get away from it all and soak in the snow-capped peaks, alpine glaciers and plummeting waterfalls on an epic family adventure in Glacier National Park. On Backroads' five-day Glacier Family Multi-Adventure Camping Tour (from $1,998 per person), horseback riding in Many Glacier Valley, peddling among glacier-sculpted valleys and taking in riveting vistas on Going-to-the-Sun Road are on the itinerary. If you would rather craft your own itinerary, a few must-sees include the Trail of the Cedars, which is suitable for all skill levels and is conveniently located near Lake McDonald Lodge, and Grinnell Glacier, a photogenic hike that weaves past Logan Pass. Best of all, youngsters can tag along a variety of ranger-guided programs, including snowshoe hikes in winter.

Iguazú Falls, Brazil and Argentina

With 275 jaw-dropping waterfalls, UNESCO Heritage status and the chance to enjoy biologist-guided jungle treks and river kayaking expeditions, it's no wonder these cascading falls along the Argentina-Brazil border hold a firm place on the adventurer's bucket list. If you don't mind misty surroundings, consider visiting during the less in-demand rainy season (December to February). There are plenty of ways to experience the falls in their full glory, but for an upscale, stress-free option, consider embarking on an guided tour. At the new all-inclusive Awasi Iguazú, an eco-friendly resort, you can stay in a rainforest villa and take a guided excursion to the waterfalls and beyond.

Croatia offers a winning blend of historical attractions, architectural gems and cinematic backdrops. For a memorable family adventure, Barnes highlights Croatia as an out-of-the-ordinary pick. Intrepid Travel's nine-day Croatia Family Holiday trip (from $2,195 per person) "takes families beyond Dubrovnik and guides them through less-visited but equally adventurous sites like the vineyards, olive groves and tranquil coves of Korčula Island, the Renaissance architecture and beautiful beaches of Hvar Island and the waterfront promenade of Split," he explains. If you're looking to up the thrill factor, take the kids to Krka National Park in central Dalmatia to marvel at striking waterfalls. And no trip would be complete without strolling through Dubrovnik's iconic Old City or checking out Diocletian's Palace in Split.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina

Great Smoky Mountains National Park – the country's most popular national park, with roughly 10 million visitors each year – tempts adventurous families with seemingly endless opportunities to embrace the great outdoors. Whether you and the gang want to enjoy horseback riding, hiking or biking expeditions, there are a number of activities to keep you busy. For the ultimate bonding experience, time your trip for late May or early June, when 19 different species of fireflies flash in sync to create a bright flickering color against the evening sky at the Elkmont Campground. If you can't snag a pass, which are distributed via a lottery system, take the kids to other can't-miss attractions, such as the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail and Grotto Falls.

With its geothermal hot springs, active volcanoes, iconic lagoon and surreal landscapes, it's no wonder Iceland holds a top spot on many traveler's lists. On Intrepid Travel's seven-day Summer Iceland Family Holiday trip (prices start at $2,850), you can soak in the country's spectacular natural attractions, from bubbling geysers to cascading waterfalls to icy glaciers. Highlights include meandering through a glacial lagoon, riding the rapids along the Hvita River (participants must be 11 or older) and trekking on a glacier in Skaftafell National Park. And though you and the kids might feel jet-lagged once you arrive, you can recharge in the Blue Lagoon before embarking on an adrenaline-fueled trip.

Dramatic coastlines, awe-inspiring parks (Acadia National Park, we’re looking at you) and rugged landscapes beckon to adventurers of all ages. Potter suggests embarking on a multiday sea kayaking trip on the coast of Maine for an unforgettable getaway. He highlights the 375-mile Maine Island Trail – a recreational water trail that links more than 200 isles and sites – as an especially worthwhile adventure. For more land-based excursions, take the kids to Acadia for heart-pounding hikes and bike rides. Trekking to the staggering 1,560-foot Cadillac Mountain, exploring the robust 57-mile network of carriage roads and snapping family photos at Otter Cliff are must-dos. After embracing the great outdoors together, kick back at a family-friendly hotel like Balance Rock Inn .

Queenstown, New Zealand

When it comes to choosing an action-packed family-friendly destination, it's hard to top this fun-loving city. Adventure junkies of all ages can unleash their inner daredevil with snowboarding, kayaking and biking. If you and the gang aren't afraid of heights, climb aboard the Skyline Queenstown, a mountain cable car that soars 1,500 feet and offers awe-inspiring vistas of Coronet Peak, Queenstown and the Remarkables from an observation area at Bob's Peak. In winter (June to September in the Southern Hemisphere), you can enjoy world-class skiing and snowboarding at the Remarkables, located about 15 miles from Queenstown. And in summer, consider paragliding with a reputable company, such as GForce Paragliding, Coronet Peak or Skytrek.

The Azores, Portugal

While most jet-setters have heard of Lisbon, the Azores ' under-the-radar archipelago offers unique experiences for nature-loving families. Barnes highlights Intrepid Travel's eight-day Azores Family Holiday trip (from $2,610) as ideal for those who want to "visit working farms where agriculture is a core part of the local economy, hike up majestic volcanoes and swim with dolphins off the coast of São Miguel [Island]." If you would prefer to travel on your own, head to São Miguel to explore natural geothermal springs or make your way to Pico, which boasts a 7,700-foot summit – the highest in the country. For more relaxing outdoor pursuits, visit Varadouro, a coastal town on Faial Island with a craggy coastline and black basalt rock-framed pools.

Switzerland

For a quintessential active alpine getaway – complete with hikes to snow-capped peaks, glacial lakes and serene meadows – add Switzerland to your travel list. Adventure travel company Backroads offers a six-day Switzerland Family Walking & Hiking Tour during the summer season (from $4,498 per person), where you can admire glistening glaciers and enchanting waterfalls, explore Zermatt (and take in awe-inspiring vantage points of the Matterhorn) and explore Gornergletscher glacier's ice field. While the hikes are challenging, you and the gang will be accompanied by experts. Plus, at the end of each day, you can retreat to upscale accommodations, making it an ideal choice if you're looking to experience the Swiss Alps in comfort.

Nairobi, Kenya

Few family adventure trips can rival spending a week on a dreamy safari. If you're traveling with budding wildlife lovers, splurge for a stay at one of the Elephant Watch Camp's eco-friendly tents within the Samburu National Reserve. Dedicated guides at the camp highlight elephants passing by and offer immersive activities, such as treks to the Ol Doinyo Mountain, walks with Samburu warriors, game drives and camel treks. Aside from roaming elephants, leopards, cheetahs, lions, zebras and giraffes are often spotted across the 70-square-mile reserve.

Machu Picchu, Peru

For intrepid families, Peru is a must-see bucket list destination, Brady says. After all, it's hard to match taking an expert-guided tour through the Amazon, Machu Picchu and Cusco. On G Adventures' nine-day Peru Family Experience (starting at $1,999 per person), participants ages 3 and up can raft, kayak, hike and bike on a naturalist-led tour in the Amazon jungle before taking the train from Cusco to Machu Picchu to catch sight of the "lost city of the Incas" and admire sacred temples and agriculture areas. After taking in commanding views of Machu Picchu's ruins, visitors can enjoy other must-see attractions in Cusco like the Sacsayhuamán ruins or explore the lively Plaza de Armas.

Cinque Terre, Italy

Imagine waking up to colorful cliff-side villages gazing over the Ligurian Sea and spending your days exploring together as you soak in breathtaking backdrops followed by pizza and gelato. While Cinque Terre 's cluster of five villages may be a popular romantic retreat, the charming small towns afford a once-in-a-lifetime family adventure as you hike from village to village. Though some treks are steep and not well-suited for novices or the faint of heart, fret not because you and the kids can opt to board a train or arrange a private boat tour. Consider booking a private tour with a venerable outfitter like Country Walkers to hike along olive-flanked paths, snorkel in the Ligurian and trek to medieval castles without sweating the details.

Jetting off to Bali with your brood to explore sacred temples and towering volcanoes might not seem like a practical family getaway, but with many immersive activities geared toward the young – and the young at heart – there are plenty of draws for planning the trip of a lifetime. With Intrepid Travel's Bali Family Holiday with Teenagers package, travelers can stay active with heart-pounding adventures, Barnes says. "In between snorkeling, hiking and whitewater rafting, take part in cultural excursions like chocolate-making at a Balinese factory [on the tour]," he says. If you would rather arrange your own itinerary, don't miss taking the kids to Uluwatu Temple or getting acquainted with Sumatran elephants at Elephant Safari Park.

With dramatic cliffs, ancient ruins and picturesque trails, the Emerald Isle is an adventure-lover's playground. After getting your culture fix in Dublin, take the kids to a real-life fairy tale by staying and sleep over in one of Ireland's enchanting castles. At the sprawling 450-acre Dromoland Castle Hotel & Country Estate in County Clare, the whole crew can partake in archery, falconry, tennis, mountain biking and other recreational pursuits. And at the 800-year-old Ashford Castle, you can up the family fun factor with zip lining, carriage rides, falconry, horseback riding and other kid-friendly pursuits. After embracing the great outdoors, little ones ages 12 and under can get pampered with personalized bedtime story books, homemade cookies and even a LEGO menu.

Jaw-dropping landscapes punctuated by scenic fjords and magnificent glaciers tempt nature enthusiasts of all ages and interests to jet off to Norway. With G Adventures' seven-day Norwegian Fjord Trekking excursion (from $2,299), participants ages 12 and up can take a guided hike along the frosty Buer Glacier and explore the Trolltonga Troll's Tongue formation, which rises 2,300 feet over Lake Ringedalsvatnet. And while even finicky teens will be hard-pressed to find a reason not to immerse themselves in their surroundings, other draws for planning an action-packed trip to Norway include the chance to spot reindeer at Jotunheimen National Park and admire walruses and polar bears in Svalbard, nestled between Norway and the North Pole.

South Africa

If an African safari is on your bucket list, journey to Kruger National Park with a reputable outfitter that can guide you to pristine game reserves to spot the Big Five: lions, Cape buffalos, leopards, rhinoceroses and elephants. Brady highlights a 12-day G Adventures expedition in partnership with National Geographic Journeys (starting at $3,059 per person) from Cape Town to Victoria Falls as especially enticing. Guided by a knowledgeable expert, participants can marvel at penguins on Cape Town's Boulders Beach and take the picturesque wildlife safari drive in Kruger National Park to spot giraffes, lions and elephants. Spectacular wildlife-viewing aside, the trip offers the chance to explore Victoria Falls by kayak, river safari, canoe or whitewater rafting expedition.

If you want to raise culture-loving kids, it's a great idea to skip across the pond to Paris. But if you've already gotten your art fix at world-renowned institutions in the City of Light, such as the Musée d'Orsay, the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower, skip Paris and take in an active getaway in the lesser-known Dordogne region in southwest France (about a 90-minute drive east of Bordeaux), which teems with castles, caves and storybook châteauxs. Youngsters will enjoy exploring the labyrinth-like gardens of Marqueyssac, checking out the 25 painted caves and 147 prehistoric sites in the Vézère Valley and releasing any pent-up energy cycling, canoeing and hiking in one of 33 parks and gardens in the area.

A trip along the Salmon River is a guaranteed one-of-a-kind adventure trip for all ages, Potter says. Along the Salmon River, you'll create long-lasting memories as you plummet through Class III rapids. The best way to experience the area's inspiring desert scenery on a heart-racing rafting expedition is with an experienced outfitter like O.A.R.S., he adds. The company offers four- and five-day trips on the lower Salmon River. If you're a first time rafter, consider the company's Gorges of the Lower Salmon River Rafting Trip (from $899 per person), which is designed for ages 7 and up. By day, you can enjoy whitewater rafting, swimming, paddleboarding and wildlife spotting, and after dark you can bond beneath the stars at riverside campsites.

Vail, Colorado

If your family comprises avid powder hounds and snow bunnies, Vail should top your travel bucket list. You and the gang can enjoy the ultimate snowboarding and ski break at Vail Ski Resort. And after shredding powder, take the kids to the Eagles Nest Wilderness or venture to neighboring Beaver Creek for kid-friendly activities like nature hikes from the Beaver Creek Nordic Center. Best of all, the area offers a variety of family-friendly accommodation options, from the Sonnenalp , which offers movie nights and arts and crafts at its kids club, and The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch , which offers marshmallow roasting around a fire pit and a Ritz Kids program with ski lessons, photography, scavenger hunts and other activities.

With world-renowned attractions – from Kyoto's iconic Buddhist temples to Tokyo's neon-lit cityscapes and skyscrapers – Japan's best places to visit beckon to culture-loving globetrotters of all ages. Barnes highlights Intrepid Travel's 11-day Japan Family Holiday (from $4,910 per person) as an especially memorable adventure. On the trip, travelers "can take part in activities few have the chance to experience, such as cooking okonomiyaki on a Tokyo Bay boat cruise, taking a dip in the soothing waters of the onsen (Japanese hot spring baths) in Hakone and learning the art of calligraphy," he explains. If you're craving more memorable experiences, take on a few extra days in Tokyo to check out can't-miss gems, such as the Sensoji Temple, the Imperial Palace and the Edo-Tokyo Museum.

Niagara Falls, Canada

Thrill-seeking families in search of impressive waterfalls will be hard-pressed to find a more dramatic photo op than Niagara Falls . And while you should expect tourist kitsch (and heavy crowds), the magnificent natural wonder is a quintessential bucket list attraction for good reason. Whether you want to see the striking falls on a Maid of the Mist boat tour for a spray-filled ride to Horseshoe Falls or from a sky-high observation with a Journey Behind the Falls tour, there are many ways to experience the falls in all their splendor. Beyond the falls, check out kid-friendly attractions such as Niagara SkyWheel and Old Fort Niagara.

Morocco charms visitors with its colorful markets in Marrakesh, its dramatic dune-filled desert landscapes in the Sahara and its elaborate architecture in Casablanca. For a one-of-a-kind, action-packed trip – that doesn't require a small fortune – Barnets highlights a budget-friendly Morocco Family Holiday eight-day itinerary. The tour (starting at $665) includes camel riding along sandy dunes, exploring the iconic Djemaa el Fna main square and taking a respite at Zaouit Ifergane, a relaxing oasis with swaying palms. Carve out extra time in Marrakesh for plenty of kid-friendly enticements, such as treasure hunting for souvenirs and catching performances at lively bazaar market stalls, admiring the ornate mosaics at El Badi Palace and strolling through the cacti-filled Le Jardin Majorelle.

With its dramatic cliffs, striking fjords and plunging waterfalls, Denmark offers plenty of thrilling diversions for adventurous families. Aside from checking out Copenhagen's must-sees, such as the Little Mermaid statue, the Tivoli Gardens and Strøget, you and the kids can retreat to the enchanting Frederiksborg Castle in Hillerød or walk among the cinematic cliffs flanking the isle of Møn's eastern coastline. On National Geographic Expeditions' nine-day Denmark and Norway Family Expedition, suited for ages 7 and up (starting at $6,590), highlights include peddling in the mountains outside of Bergen, learning about Scandinavia's fascinating seafaring heritage with an expert archaeologist, taking the Flåm Railway from Oslo to Myrdal and embarking on a scenic cruise along Sognefjord.

For a mix of art, history, ancient ruins and idyllic beaches, embark on an unforgettable odyssey in Greece. Make Athens your home base for visiting must-see attractions such as the Acropolis and the Parthenon. Or if you would rather leave the logistics to an expert, consider booking National Geographic Expeditions' 10-day round-trip Greece Family Expedition for ages 7 and up (starting at $5,990 per person). The trip includes guided tours at iconic attractions in Athens, sightseeing in Delphi and a stop in Santorini – the volcanic isle known for its striking cliff-side sunsets, blue domes and whitewashed buildings. Even better, youngsters can enjoy cultural immersion with the Kid-to-Kid Connection program, where participants can interact with Greek locals and participate in hands-on activities.

When you imagine Thailand, picture-perfect beaches, golden temples and opulent resorts may spring to mind. But the country's diverse landscapes, lush forests and lively markets beckon to fickle teens looking for blend of culture and adventure. On Intrepid Travel's 11-day Highlights of Thailand tour for participants ages 15 and up (starting at $1,795), you and the kids can enjoy an interactive cooking lesson in Chiang Mai, cycle past ancient ruins and visit Friends of Asian Elephant, a hospital that aims to protect animal welfare in a safe habitat in Sukhothai. For a more adrenaline-fueled journey, consider embarking on an eight-day biking expedition with outfitter Backroads that weaves past temples and rice fields in the Golden Triangle.

Yellowstone National Park

One of the America's most prized national parks, Yellowstone's striking natural wonders and surreal geothermal features, from its bubbling hot springs to its rust-colored canyon walls, entice visitors of all ages to embrace the great outdoors. And with versatile wildlife-viewing opportunities and more than 3,000 square miles of waterfalls, canyons and geysers, Yellowstone offers plenty of ways for adventure-seekers to experience its sprawling natural playground. A fun, family-friendly way to take in the park is with a rafting trip along the Yellowstone River or an expert-led backcountry hike. If you want to stay at one of Yellowstone's lodges, you can enjoy other bonding experiences like dinner cookouts around a crackling campfire.

The Pyrenees, Andorra and Spain

Forget the Alps. For an awe-inspiring, heart-pounding hike, consider an out-of-the-ordinary trip in the Pyrenees, the beautiful mountain region tucked between Spain and France. Barnes highlights Intrepid Travel's eight-day Summer Pyrenees Family Holiday package (starting at $895) as a choice option. On the trip, designed for ages 10 and older, activities include whitewater rafting, zip lining, biking and hiking. Highlights include peddling to Engolasters Lake in the Cortals Valley and embarking on an exhilarating whitewater rafting journey across the border in Spain from the village of Sort ("luck" in Catalan). If you have a stringent budget, the off-the-beaten-path, bucket-list adventure is attached to a reasonable all-inclusive rate that includes accommodations, meals, daily activities and transportation.

Tanzania, East Africa

If you're traveling with wildlife lovers, you may be hard-pressed to come up with a more memorable family vacation than a safari. On Intrepid Travel's eight-day Tanzania Family Safari (from $2,095 per person), "families can take a safari across the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater for a chance to watch the endangered black rhinoceros in their natural habitat," Barnes says. "They can see an astounding array of animals in the Serengeti National Park, too, and pass through the ancient homeland of the Maasai," he adds. Aside from game drives at dawn, educational opportunities abound, including learning about the Great Rift Valley, the destination for the Great Migration, when about 2 million wildebeest, gazelles and zebras traverse the Serengeti.

Borneo, Malaysia

Animal-loving families in search of the ultimate off-the-beaten-track wilderness adventure should consider venturing to Borneo. "In Borneo, families have the chance to see animals up close at an orangutan rehabilitation center, a monkey sanctuary and a bear conservation center," he explains. On Intrepid Travel's 10-day Classic Borneo itinerary for ages 10 and up (prices start at $2,074 per person), you can meet traipse through jungles and float along the Kinabatangan River, which is home to macaques and orangutans, among other fascinating creatures. "Families will stay at an eco-camp in the thick of the jungle and will enjoy a homestay in a Malay village," he adds. Other bucket-list worthy highlights include exploring an authentic tea plantation and snorkeling near Manakan Island to admire colorful coral and tropical fish.

For quality family bonding time in the great outdoors, Potter suggests taking youngsters to a dude ranch out West. Lone Mountain Ranch in Montana, which is tucked between Big Sky and Yellowstone, is an especially attractive choice for broods with its wide range of kid-friendly activities, including cross-country skiing, dog-sledding, horseback riding, mountain biking, fly-fishing and white-water rafting. "The trails are incredibly well-groomed," Potter adds. If you're planning a summer escape, consider the Summer Discovery Package, which includes a tour of Yellowstone, hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, horseback riding, all meals and an Outdoor Youth Adventures Program designed for ages 4 to 12, where kids can connect with like-minded peers and enjoy age-appropriate activities.

You – and the kids – have seen dreamy pictures of the spectacular sandstone rock formations and iconic domes, buttes and arches in Utah's five famed national parks: Arches, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Canyonlands and Capitol Reef. For an outdoor adventure the kids won't soon forget, head to Arches to admire one of the 2,000 famed spires the park is known for, such as Delicate Arch and Balanced Rock. For more unforgettable backdrops, check out Bryce's surreal hoodoo rock formations, or if you're feeling brave, hike the challenging Narrows in Zion National Park. Consider making nearby Moab your base camp to enjoy ample opportunities for stargazing, hiking, biking and rafting, among other outdoor escapades.

Northern India

Northern India offers the right mix of captivating landscapes, iconic attractions and fascinating wildlife, catering to explorers and culture vultures of all ages. On Intrepid Travel's 10-day Northern India Family Holiday expeditions (starting at $1,080 per person), you can cross plenty of world-renowned attractions off your bucket list, from the Taj Mahal in Agra to India Gate in New Delhi to the elaborate City Palace in Jaipur. The trip also includes a stop at Ranthambore National Park, where you can meander past storied temples and embark on early morning game drives to look out for antelope, leopards, gazelle and Bengal tigers. If you have extra time, tack on a few extra days to experience Delhi's vibrant bazaars and attractions.

Sayulita, Mexico

Sayulita – the little-known surf town along the Pacific that's often overshadowed by popular Puerto Vallarta – is a dreamy escape for an off-the-beaten-track adventure trip removed from heavy tourist crowds. Aspiring surfers can take lessons along the beach with reputable surf schools like Lunazul Surf School & Shop. And for more exhilarating adventures, take the kids on a jungle biking trip with outfitter Wild Mex Wilderness and Surf Mexpeditions, which offers tours geared toward moderate and advanced riders. Other outdoor activities can include soaring through treetops on a zip line in the Sierra Madre forest, beachside yoga and snorkeling. Wrap up your days with a stay at an authentic casita vacation rental or boutique hotel like Villa Amor.

Tasmania, Australia

For some of the best nature- and wildlife-viewing on earth, take the kids to Oz. With sublime backdrops, unique geological features and diverse wildlife (think: wallabies and Tasmanian devils), Tasmania offers an extraordinary trip for adventurers of all kinds. You and the kids can sprawl along sandy beaches and admire striking granite mountains before hitting the trails at Freycinet National Park, including the challenging but rewarding Wineglass Bay Lookout trail. For less adrenaline-pumping pursuits, consider venturing to the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park, near Hobart, where you can feed the local four-legged residents and admire other animals, like kangaroos. Paddling by kayak along Coles Bay at sunset with a reputable outfitter like Freycinet Adventures also offers a memorable outdoor excursion.

On the surface, St. Lucia, with its palm-lined beaches, lavish resorts and rum cocktails, may not seem like an ideal destination for families. But don't let its romantic reputation throw you off. Outdoorsy travelers of all ages will enjoy adrenaline-fueled rainforest hikes, treks to the Piton Mountains and touring the island's active drive-in volcano at Sulfur Springs Park. If you're looking to splurge, consider taking your crew to Anse Chastanet (open to guests ages 10 and up or 6 years or older from July to September), a luxury resort that boasts room with plenty of age-appropriate activities, from jungle biking to guided hikes to open-water dives at the surrounding marine reserve.

If you're looking for a transformative, off-the-grid trip, a cruise to Antarctica should top your travel list. The adventure-focused cruise line Hurtigruten offers voyages from the Drake Passage to the Antarctica Peninsula. And travelers get the chance to hike along remote, unspoiled landscapes, marvel at melting icebergs and admire Gentoo penguins, leopard seals and other fascinating creatures. On the 14-day Frozen Land of the Penguins itinerary, youngsters ages 7 to 13 can also learn about the geological makeup of the Southern Ocean, join sustainable-driven community services onshore and attend enriching historical, environmental and wildlife-focused educational lecture series centered on climate change with the Young Explorers Program.

Grand Canyon National Park

If you're searching for an inspiring outdoor adventure in one of America's prized national parks, the Grand Canyon is a no-brainer. Marveling at the crimson- and ochre-hued, 277-mile-long chasm and soaking in its natural and geological splendors is nothing if not enchanting. Potter suggests planning a whitewater rafting trip along the Colorado River with a reputable guide to give kids the chance to experience the grandeur, striking side canyons and streams of the Grand Canyon. On O.A.R.'s five-day Grand Canyon Rafting – Whitmore Wash to Lake Mead (starting at $2,440 per person), participants ages 7 and up can hike, horseback ride and take a helicopter ride above the Grand Canyon.

Vancouver, British Columbia

If you want a mix of cosmopolitan gems and outdoor wilderness on your next family getaway, set your sights on Vancouver, where daily activities can include everything from learning to surf to soaring over the peaks of Grouse Mountain on a zip line tour. For less extreme but equally stimulating adventures, take a canopy walk along the 450-foot-long, 230-foot-high Capilano Suspension Bridge, where you can admire striking evergreens and forest and river vistas as you traverse seven suspended footbridges. If you would rather stay on terra firma, bike or walk in Stanley Park, pausing at Brockton Point to marvel at the totem poles. When you need a break, recharge at Granville Island Public Market.

Petra has long attracted history lovers and serious daredevils. After all, it's the iconic setting from the 1989 hit "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade." On Intrepid Travel's eight-day Jordan Family Holidays (starting at $1,435), you'll get off the beaten track and "journey beyond Petra to Wadi Rum on a four-wheel-drive safari," Barnes says. Plus, travelers have "the chance to camp in the middle of the desert under the stars," he adds. The trip begins in Amman Jordan, continues onward to Jerash for a hike weaving past ruins dating back more than 2,000 years, then on to Petra and Wadi Rum to take in spectacular rock formations, before wrapping up at the Dead Sea.

For an outside-the-box adventure in Southeast Asia, Brady highlights Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand as choice destinations. Whether you want to trek through the Cardamom Mountains, admire the ancient temples at Angkor Wat or explore Phnom Penh's outdoor markets, there are plenty of inspiring landscapes and historical attractions to cross off your list. On G Adventures' 17-day Essential Vietnam & Cambodia trip (starting at $1,959), participants ages 12 and up cruise along the Mekong Delta in Ho Chi Minh City, float in a junk boat on Halong Bay and visit the Angkor Wat temple complex. Best of all, the guided trip caters to novice hikers, with light walking and hiking.

Trekking to Mongolia with kids on a nomadic adventure offers an unforgettable vacation. With the 14-day Discover Mongolia G Adventures trip in partnership with National Geographic Journeys (from $4,199), activities include visiting the Flaming Cliffs paleontology site, marveling at Mongolia's wild horses at Hustai National Park and touring the Erdene Zhu monastery with a Buddhist monk. Best of all, the trip offers plenty of learning components with educational lectures and visits to camel-herding families. And Mongolia's remote and diverse landscapes – from the isolated dunes in the Gobi Desert to the dramatic Altai mountains, green valleys and striking gorges in Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park – do not disappoint.

(M.M. Sweet | Getty Images)

Sea of Cortez, Mexico

For a one-of-a-kind outdoor excursion, consider sea kayaking in the Sea of Cortez, Potter says. The venerable travel outfitter O.A.R.S. offers a Baja Sea Kayaking and Whale Watching expedition that includes a mix of paddling near the cliff-flanked coast of Espíritu Santo, swimming with sea lions at a rookery and whale spotting at Magdalena Bay as Pacific gray whales migrate from the Arctic. On the nine-day trip (from $1,395 per person), you can also catch sight of sea turtles, dolphins and manta rays and paddle on an expert-led kayaking excursion before exploring rugged sand dunes along the Baja coast. Best of all, guests of all ages can stay engaged after the sun goes down with evening lectures.

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Home » Budget Travel » 21 Insane Bucket List Adventures You MUST Experience in 2024

21 Insane Bucket List Adventures You MUST Experience in 2024

There’s nothing I love more than dreaming about bucket list adventures, especially when they’re around the corner. If you’re reading this, you too, are likely in the need of some seriously epic inspiration right about now.

Don’t worry–you’re in for a heck of a virtual (which will hopefully turn into the real thing soon) adventure!

Whether it be a dream trek somewhere in the mountains of South Asia, or an unreal road trip through a can’t-miss national park, our planet is filled with bucket list trips that you’ll remember for a lifetime.

These are the types of journeys that stay with you forever, adventures that push your limits and make you reconsider what’s truly possible… AKA the best type of bucket list experiences.

So with consideration for all types of travelers in mind, here are 21 travel bucket list ideas that will be sure to make this year the most memorable yet!

The 21 Best Bucket List Adventure Ideas (to Knock Your Socks Off!)

Epic adventures for your travel bucket list, kinda’ crazy bucket list ideas, unique bucket list ideas you’ll never forget, top-tier adventure bucket list ideas, what to pack for the bucket list trip of a lifetime, bucket list inspo achieved.

Crazy adventures, travel bucket list trips, wild experiences: you’ve dreamed it, you can do it. From the best destinations for adventure travel to the most absolutely insane adventures you can have, here are 21 ultimate bucket list ideas to change your life.

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Travelers, these are for you. Pack up and get ready for some of best international adventures around.

1. Road trip the Karakoram Highway

You can’t talk about bucket list travel destinations without mentioning Pakistan. It’s only adventure travel’s crown jewel, after all. And what better way to experience its magic than via a road trip through the 8th Wonder of the World, the Karakoram Highway? 

From the delicious history, culture and food of Lahore to the unbelievable beauty of Gilgit Baltistan , the entire country is epic, but the Karakoram Highway alone is enough of a reason to make a backpacking adventure in Pakistan a bucket list trip ASAP. 

The famous Karakoram Highway (which connects Pakistan with China) coasts along some of the most beautiful views I’ve personally ever seen. The iconic Passu Cones along with a multitude of other mountains and iconic scenery will greet you. 

Other must stops along the highway include:

• Hussaini Suspension Bridge
• Attabad Lake
• Batura Lake
• The Passu Glacier
• And if you like meat, the best restaurant I may have ever visited in my life: the Yak Grill near the Passu Cones!

A week is enough to get a good feel for the highway (including the Karakoram National Park where hundreds of yaks and marmots live), though you’d need a lifetime to truly get to know Pakistan.

484 pages with cities, towns, parks, and ALL the out-of-the-way places you will WANT to know. If you truly want to discover Pakistan , download this PDF .

2. Take in India by train

Traveling through India on its extensive railway network is a life-changing experience. I experienced it in 2019 (or part of the country anyway) and to say it’s a bucket list adventure is a massive understatement.

India is truly a multitude of worlds within worlds, and traveling by train is the best way to see it all. You can visit almost every part of the country via India Railways, except for some of its more mountainous regions. 

Start your trip in New Delhi, head to Rajasthan, and keep making your way south until you hit India’s magical beaches and coastline. Make a U-Shape to hit the East Coast, and don’t forget about Northeast India, the 7 sister states that will make you feel like you’re in a different country altogether.

3. Self-drive through Namibia 

Have you heard of Namibia? If not, you should! This African beauty should be on every stargazer/astrophotographer’s collection of bucket list countries. 

But even if you’re not too keen on either of those things, odds are you’ll love a self-drive through Namibia.

Exploring Namibia with your own vehicle will also allow you to go for a full-on independent safari–all at your own pace. 

The real highlight of a Namibia self-drive is a camp-out at NamibRand . The nature reserve is one of only a few gold-certified dark sky reserves, meaning on a clear night with little moonlight, you’re in for the best star show of your life!

4. Experience the magic of Bhutan 

Bhutan should be at the top of every traveler’s bucket list destinations list. The South Asian Kingdom borders both India and Tibet and is one of the few countries in the world that makes visitors pay a minimum daily rate.

While this might sound rather hefty at $250/day, Bhutan uses the money to preserve its heritage and provide for its citizens. It’s also the world’s only carbon-negative country! 

Taking a trip to Bhutan is tricky, but the rewards are well worth the effort. The beauty of Bhutan’s landscapes, delicious food, ancient and well-preserved historical sites, and a culture very few have been able to experience–it’s truly one of those places that’s worth saving up for. 

If you do make it to one of the most incredible countries in the world, must-do’s include:

• Entering the beautiful Tiger’s Nest monastery
• Checking out the phallus-fixated village of Sopsokha,
• And heading out on a trek or two. 

Since the $250/day package requires a guide, you can either choose a fixed route or exert some control over your itinerary.

5. Go Backpacking: Travel the world on $10/day!

And now for what I consider to be the best of all possible bucket list adventures: traveling the world on $10 a day . 

Traveling on a low budget in epic countries taught me more about life and the world than 18 years of school ever did. Eating street food, finding out what a hostel was, making unforgettable memories in the most beautiful of places…these are but some of the benefits of traveling the world on a shoestring. 

It forces you out of your comfort zone, thrusts you into new ways of life, and is absolutely 100% guaranteed to bring about some crazy adventures. If there’s just one thing on this adventure list that you ACTUALLY end up doing, let it be this one.

Everybody needs to try budget travel. At least once.

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The type of adventure ideas that really scream “bucket list.”

6. Sail to Antarctica 

Being the most unexplored continent by far, Antarctica is one of those bucket list trips of a lifetime. Unknown, dangerous and infrequently visited, a sailing trip to Antarctica might just be in a category all of its own.

A place where you can see nature at its most raw and wildlife at its least disturbed, a trip to Antarctica comes at a high price tag, and a high amount of penguins to be seen.

The journey will take you through rough seas to quite literally the end of the earth. But all that it entails is well worth the reward–there’s no bucket list inspiration on Earth quite like Antarctica!

7. Cycle the Pamir Highway 

Vast, magical, high and about as remote as it gets, the Pamir Highway (or M41) is typically ridden from Osh in Kyrgyzstan to Dushanbe in Tajikistan (or vice versa if you prefer).

Its highest point is over 4600m, and the landscapes along the way make the Pamir Highway an essential travel bucket list item. The sights you’ll see in Central Asia and, particularly, while traveling through Kyrgyzstan are nothing short of otherworldly.

While you can hitchhike, self-drive, or hire a driver, the most extreme way to see the highway is undoubtedly from the saddle of a cycle. 

With the ability to wild camp anywhere along the way, you’ll get to see Pamir at its rawest, and feel pretty damn accomplished after cycling over 1200 km through two countries!

8. Up the fear factor by bungee jumping in New Zealand

An extreme bucket list adventure that will be sure to REALLY get your heart pumping is the famous bungee jump in Queenstown, New Zealand. At 134 m high, the Nevis Bungee jump is made for adrenaline junkies. After a 35-minute 4×4 ride, you’ll find yourself at the highest bungee point in all of New Zealand.

Any last thoughts or prayers?

Joking! But you might want to keep in mind that dropping 134 m in less than 10 seconds might raise your blood pressure a little! There are TONS of companies in Queenstown to check off this crazy bucket list idea with, and you can expect to pay around $200.

9. Go paragliding in Interlaken, Switzerland

Yes, paragliding might be one crazy bucket list idea, but isn’t that the point of an adventure?

Switzerland is known for its state-of-art paragliding locales, and Interlaken is one of the best areas in Switzerland to head to if you’re serious about getting a taste of life as a bird. 

Clearly, paragliding isn’t something to be taken lightly! If you’ve never done it before, you’re going to need some lessons and a guide for your first few flights. 

Luckily, Interlaken has dozens of companies to choose from to help you make the most out of this big bucket list adventure!

6. Embark on a journey to K2 Base Camp

So you’ve probably heard of the EBC (Everest Base Camp) Trek, but have you heard of the trek to K2 Base Camp, a journey that allows you to get up close and personal with the 2nd highest (and MOST DANGEROUS) mountain in the world? The amount of incredible hikes in Pakistan is truly impressive, but few can compare to K2.

Known as the Savage Mountain, K2 has only been successfully summitted a handful of times due to its insane weather conditions and numerous other technical difficulties. But while reaching the summit is for trained professionals, you can make it to the basecamp with only moderate fitness.

While it certainly can be categorized as one of those extreme bucket list ideas, this trek is perhaps the most beautiful in the world as it allows you to take in some other-worldly scenery. 

Due to its extreme nature, you need a NOC and a licensed guide to check the K2 Basecamp Trek off this bucket list adventure. But, well, that feeling of pride…?

That lasts a lifetime .

The type of bucket list trips that you might not even have considered.

11. Get on the saddle of a horse in Mongolia

Mongolia is one of the wildest countries in the world: with rolling grassy plains that make up thousands of kilometers in area, it’s a landscape that’s best seen via horseback. 

Riding through the Mongolian plateau on four legs might just SOUND like one of those crazy bucket list ideas, but it’s seriously doable. If you’re extra experienced on the saddle, you can even potentially opt to go on a solo ride. 

But for most of us, arranging a trek with a Mongolian company is the best (and safest) option. Ulaanbaatar –the capital–is the best place to start your trip and plan further. Surprisingly, there are a few decent hostels in Ulaanbaatar , so it’s a decent base.

But keep in mind that travel in Mongolia is extremely seasonal–this is a bucket list country best experienced during the summer.

12. Get up close to volcanoes in Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula

Russia’s Kamchatka peninsula is well known amongst Russians but is often left off of most other travelers’ adventure bucket list. The 1,250 km long peninsula is made up of some of the world’s rawest landscapes, tons of wildlife, and even active volcanoes.

Kamchatka is located in Russia’s far-east and has a dramatic climate with a short window of opportunity to visit. July-August is the best time to soak it all in, though you’d be able to manage without catching hypothermia any time from May-September. 

Make sure you don’t miss Klyuchevskaya Sopka , the highest volcano on Kamchatka as well as the highest active volcano in all of Eurasia!

13. Fly over Bagan, Myanmar, in a hot air balloon

Myanmar is a magical place to visit , but Bagan is an especially magical place. Over 2,000 ancient temples, pagodas, and a ton of greenery fill the ancient city which is best viewed at sunrise from above. 

Each morning, the sky above Bagan becomes filled with balloons, which is undoubtedly the best way to view this one-of-a-kind landscape. 

Personally, I’m a fan of the temples at sunset, but be sure to check them out at both breaks of day to see which one you prefer yourself. You can also visit the inside of some of the pagodas!

Balloon rentals can be arranged at MANY places nearby (including your Bagan hostel).

14. Visit the Ancient Angkor Wat

Cambodia’s signature bucket list inspo is a 900 year old temple complex that used to be covered in gold. 

Angkor Wat is located not far from the center of the city of Siem Reap which in and of itself is quite a small area of Cambodia to stay . The best way to take in the spiritual, ancient structures is via tuk-tuk, or better yet bicycle. Both are easy to rent from any accommodation in Siem Reap, but you can also do it online beforehand!

For the best adventure list experience, try to make it to Angkor Wat for sunrise. Cambodia is generally hot AF year-round, but it’s on another level in the summer. 

To enjoy the temples without feeling like you’re quite literally melting, visit during the “cool” months of December-February. 

It will take days to see all the temples, and whether you buy the 1, 2, or 3-day pass is entirely up to you, but make sure you don’t miss these specifically: Ta Prohm (where jungle meets history), Bayon , and of course, the namesake Angkor Wat which will greet you upon entry!

15. Drive across the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia

Covering an area of more than 4,000 square miles, the Salar de Uyuni (AKA the famous Bolivian salt flats) is the largest in the world of its kind. It’s truly impossible to describe just HOW flat the region truly is. Basically, it’s one of those bucket list adventures that truly feels extraplanetary. 

Uyuni can be explored by bicycle, car, or with a tour. You also have the option to hire a driver if you prefer.  Salar de Uyuni is one of the best things to do while traveling in Bolivia , but also just one of the more unique bucket list adventures out there. It’s certainly not every day that you’ll have the opportunity to soak in one of the planet’s rarest landscapes.

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Bucket list trips that are sure to be remembered for years to come.

16. Trek to Machu Picchu, Peru

The secret city of Machu Picchu is known by all travelers–it’s one of those bucket list travel adventures everyone has had their eye on at one time or another. And for good reason–the trek to the ruins is truly one-of-a-kind. 

The best part is that there are MANY routes that lead to Machu Picchu, all of varying difficulty and length. The 26-mile Inca Trail is by far the most popular, and while beautiful, that means your experience will be far from private. A permit is also required to tread along the famous Inca Trail. 

For those that are looking for lesser-touristed Incan sites , off-beat alternatives include the difficult Vilcabamba Traverse or via the infrequently visited ruins of Choquequirao . Keep in mind that the dry season runs from April-October, and trust me take that seriously–you don’t want to hike in a downpour!

17. See the Great Barrier Reef

Situated along the North Queensland Coast, travellers on Australia’s East Coast will find the Great Barrier Reef. It’s hard to miss–it’s the longest in the world. Visiting the Great Barrier Reef is one of the world’s most well-known bucket list ideas. 

The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system. Stretching along over 2,000 km and containing nearly 3,000 individual reefs, this is a bucket list adventure that you seriously won’t find anywhere else in the world. Because it’s one of a kind.

There are many places to choose to base yourself near the Great Barrier Reef, and considering it’s so long, there are plenty of stay options as well. 

Cairns is considered to be the main gateway to the reef, though if you’re on a budget you can opt for the more wallet-friendly Townsville .

18. Trek through Patagonia 

Patagonia in Argentina is one of the most stunning places you can trek IN THE ENTIRE WORLD. Period . 

The Torres del Paine Circuit (located in Torres del Paine National Park ) is the most popular of the dozens of hiking trails in Patagonia and will give you unreal multi-day views of jagged, snow-covered peaks and glacial lakes that come in shades of blue you never even knew existed.

The entire trek is about 80 km (50 miles) and the highest point is just below 1200 m. Though the distance may sound daunting, the altitude isn’t that high meaning anyone of average fitness should be able to enjoy this bucket list adventure.

19. See the Northern Lights in Scandinavia 

A bucket list for travel can’t leave out seeing the Northern Lights–this epic phenomenon is a top Earthly-adventure that you really have to see to believe! As great as photos are, they simply cannot do them justice. 

Finland, Norway, and Sweden are some of the best places to see the Northern Lights due to their polar locations. But don’t make the mistake of thinking you can see them all year-round; the window for Aurora Borealis sightings is within October-November and February-March . 

Self-guided trips and tours are both possible, if you decide to head out on your own make sure your itinerary dates are generous, it’s not a given that the lights will be visible every night.

20. Summit  Mt. Kilimanjaro

Few mountains can compare to Tanzania’s Mt. Kilimanjaro. Trekking to its summit is undoubtedly something to put on your once-in-a-lifetime adventure bucket list. At 5,895 meters, its summit is the so-called “roof of Africa” and will prove to be a meaty challenge. 

Unlike other bucket list adventure ideas, Mt. Kilimajaro can NOT be done independently. Luckily, there are dozens upon dozens of companies to choose from when booking your adventure tour.

When selecting a company, keep in mind you’ll get what you pay for in terms of comfort and food. Combine it with an independent backpacking trip through Tanzania to get the most out of flight prices!

21. Road trip through America’s National Parks

With 63 parks to choose from, America’s national park system is in a class of its own. Each of the very different park options offers a different kind of adventure bucket list item to experience. 

From seeking out alligators in the Florida Everglades to experiencing the White Sands Park in New Mexico to the many, many hiking opportunities each of the 63 holds, there’s no better way to see the US than via a road trip through some of its best natural assets. 

If you’re planning to visit a ton of parks, your most wallet-friendly option is to buy an annual pass, which will quite literally save you hundreds that you could be spending on other bucket list adventures!

You can’t show up to a bucket list trip of a lifetime unprepared! A good set of backpacking gear (and good travel insurance) goes a long way.

Here are some of our top recommendations on what should go in your pack, and as always, we recommend World Nomads Travel Insurance to protect it all with.

Osprey Aether 70L Backpack

Ya can’t go backpacking anywhere without a blasted backpack! Words cannot describe what a friend the Osprey Aether has been to The Broke Backpacker on the road. It’s had a long and illustrious career; Ospreys don’t go down easily.

Feathered Friends Swift 20 YF

My philosophy is that with an EPIC sleeping bag, you can sleep anywhere. A tent is a nice bonus, but a real sleek sleeping bag means you can roll out anywhere in a and stay warm in a pinch. And the Feathered Friends Swift bag is about as premium as it gets.

Grayl Geopress Filtered Bottle

Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator – so you can enjoy a cold red bull, or a hot coffee, no matter where you are.

Petzl Actik Core Headlamp

Every traveller should have a head torch! A decent head torch could save your life. When you’re camping, hiking, or even if the power just went out, a top-quality headlamp is a MUST. The Petzl Actik Core is an awesome piece of kit because it’s USB chargeable—batteries begone!

First Aid Kit

Never go off the beaten track (or even on it) without your first aid kit! Cuts, bruises, scrapes, third-degree sunburn: a first aid kit will be able to handle most of these minor situations.

And Pack Some Damn Travel Insurance!

Ok, so you can’t pack travel insurance BUT it’s absolutely daft not travel without it. You truly never know what’s going to happen on the road, and if something not so ideal does, you want to make sure you (and your wallet) are protected.

Do you want to be another sad case on GoFundMe of an adventurer who thought they were too cool for travel insurance?

Didn’t think so.

We highly recommend you choose from one of the top travel insurance companies that has a good reputation for assisting travelers in far out lands.

Here at The Broke Backpacker, we always recommend World Nomads for all your trust travel insurance needs. Check out our World Nomads review so you too can protect yourself, your valuables, and your trip!

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

And there, you have it: 21 absolutely epic bucket list adventures that are sure to tingle your travel senses! From road trips to climbing some crazy mountains, to seeing some of the world’s most unique landscapes, these adventure list ideas have something for every kind of traveler.

So what are you waiting for? Plan the trip, book the flight, and cross off those bucket list destinations!

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Samantha Shea

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Machu Picchu is absolutely mind blowing! Then when you factor in the various treks you can take just to get there, you gain an appreciation of the tenacity and intelligence of this ancient Indigenous society. Can’t wait to knock off the other trips recommended on this list! Angkor Wat especially.

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Adventure Bucket List: 50 Crazy Ideas & Things to Do

No bucket list, whether for travel or for life, is complete without some items that seem a little crazy; dangerous, even. Perhaps you find yourself in need of even making an entire adventure bucket list, solely dedicated to the craziest and most adrenaline junkie type of activities you could possibly come up with?

To get you started on planning your next adventure, I’ve compiled a list of some crazy and adventurous things to do that can give you great ideas. Some of these may seem easy, while others just might get you nervous just thinking about them.

PS: I must preface this list by saying participating in these adventures is at your own risk!

Adventure Bucket List: Crazy Ideas & Things to Do

1. air boat across an alligator swamp.

Because if something goes wrong with this activity, it can go really wrong, this has deservedly earned its spot on an adventure bucket list for anyone. You can trust, though, that rather than being dangerous, it’s likely going to be a lot of thrilling fun, possibly with some gator sightings to be made. Just do your due research to find the tour that best soothes your nerves ahead of time.

2. Arrive By Seaplane

Some places in the world, such as the private islands on Maldives, can only be reached by a seaplane that will take-off and land on the water. Make a plan to visit an island or a similar sight with this in mind and you’ll find yourself adding a bit of additional thrill to your journey.

3. Base Jump With a Wingsuit

This one is definitely for those looking for the most crazy bucket list ideas! You’ll don on a wingsuit, get on the edge of a high point – such as somewhere on the Alps where this is a particularly popular sport – and then you leap off it. The purpose is to glide back onto the ground with the help of the webbing-sleeved jumpsuit, but this is understandably an incredibly dangerous sport to try and tackle.

4. Bungee Jump

Bungee jumping is a classic bucket list item for any daredevil out there. It’s possible to try out almost anywhere in the world, and if you happen to be particularly adventurous, you might want to choose to do it precisely based on where the nature around you is the most spectacular to look at as you are falling off that ledge attached to a large elastic cord.

5. Cage Dive with Sharks

Also featured in some thrilling movies, cage diving into waters with sharks is not for the fainthearted. Thankfully, it is also a lot more fun and a lot less dangerous than what the films make it seem like, as long as you join a reputable tour for it. A truly unforgettable adventure, especially when you do it in one of the World’s best places to shark cage dive !

6. Catch a Wave Surfing

While this may not be the craziest item on this bucket list, it does take a fair bit of practice to learn how to surf. And especially when you’re just getting started, it’s particularly thrilling to see whether the approaching wave is one you’ll catch successfully – or whether the wave’s going to catch you instead! The feeling that comes from catching those waves once you’ve finally got the handle on surfing is such a great and exhilarating feeling.

7. Cliff Jump

Another great item to get added and then checked off your adventure bucket list is cliff jumping. You’ll want to do your due research ahead of time for approved spots, and maybe go with people who know what they’re doing, but finding gorgeous spots for cliff jumping is the easy part of this. If you love water and aren’t scared of heights, maybe this one’s for you to try out?

8. Dive to a Shipwreck

The sea is vast and filled with treasures like shipwrecks to be explored. Not only is this one adventurous and memorable activity, but it requires a lot of practice and skills with diving before it should even be considered. But once you’ve got all that down, diving down to explore a shipwreck is a lot of people’s dream come true!

9. Dog Sled

While cold weather may not be many of our things, it’s undeniable that wintery scenes and landscapes aren’t absolutely beautiful, not to mention filled with totally awesome winter bucket list activities . Dog sledding is perhaps from the most family-friendly end of them, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a thrilling activity in its own right, even for us adults.

10. Eat Fire

You’ve probably seen a performer or two eat fire before, and already got curious back then over how easy they make it seem. It’s a really cool act to master, especially with all the possible tricks you can do while eating fire, but this one’s crazy enough you definitely don’t want to start learning without a supervision from someone who’s mastered it. You can start by read this article: How do fire eaters eat fire?

11. Eskimo Roll in a Kayak

“Do what now?” may be the first thought that crossed your mind upon reading this one, but knowing how to Eskimo roll in a kayak is actually a useful skill to know! Of course nobody wishes for their kayak to roll over in the first place, but you never know what could happen, so perhaps it’s a good time to learn this before you hop into your kayak again. 

12. Explore a Cave

Could this adventure bucket list item be your next on your hobby list ? As with many other hobbies, to get into exploring caves, you’ll also want to start off easy and gradually move towards more challenging ones. Best way to go about this is to find a caving club near to where you’re living and join them for one of their easiest caving trips. Even if you want to progress to exploring caves independently, a great rule of thumb is to never do so alone.

13. Flip on a Trampoline

We’ve all jumped on trampolines here and there when we were kids, and these days it’s easier than ever to get one added onto your backyard or to go hang out at a trampoline park. But flipping on a trampoline isn’t something all of us can do, so why not make it a fun challenge for yourself to learn how to flip on a trampoline, and then do it?!

14. Fly on a Trapeze

Trapeze acts are performing acts we’ve all seen and admired from afar before, but it’s totally possible to get your own turn to shine as you fly on a trapeze! Especially for those of us who are afraid of heights, this can come across as quite a crazy bucket list item idea, but it’s thankfully possible to try out in a safe supervised environment. In fact, the Internet is full of websites offering just that and you can read about my experience here: A day at trapeze school: a circus-style aerial class .

15. Flyboard

In the last couple of years, flyboarding has really become a hit among water sports lovers. It is a water sport where propulsion drives you up in the air. Seems like it’s possible to do in so many spots these days, especially around Southern Europe and Dubai (I went flyboarding in Cancun, Mexico !). It’s not quite like riding a banana boat, though; you’ll have to spend a little bit of time learning the basics and even then it can be a challenge to successfully do it. However, it’s a fun and adventurous, but relatively safe way to challenge your mind and body once you get properly started with it. 

16. Free Dive for Abalone

You’re not allowed to scuba dive in order to catch abalone, which certainly makes this a unique adventure to try. This extreme sport is especially popular around Northern California, though it may be possible to do elsewhere too—and also illegal in some other places. Find a good spot for abalone, don on your swimwear, and get diving! 

17. Get a Tattoo

Although getting a tattoo isn’t among the craziest of ideas on this list at first glance, putting permanent ink on your body – and being in pain throughout the experience – is quite crazy after all, if you ask me. Many do it on a whim, but I do recommend you at least give it enough thought to come up with a tattoo you won’t regret five minutes later, let alone the next fifty years. Maybe check out on of these 27 Beautiful Tattoos That Tell Their Own Travel Stories for inspiration.

18. Go Bamboo Rafting

While opting for a bamboo raft may not make for an adventure as exhilarating as jumping on a whitewater raft would, it’s still a great and memorable, unique adventure in its own right. Not to mention it’s environmentally friendly! You can go bamboo rafting in Jamaica and Thailand’s Chiang Mai, but China’s Yangshuo is perhaps best known for it. 

19. Go Bobsledding

If you’re looking for a thrilling winter sport to try out with a friend or a loved one, bobsledding is a great one to give a go with. You’re going down narrow and icy tracks in high-speed with a sleigh that’s powered simply by gravity – what isn’t adventurous and exhilarating in that?!

20. Go Fat Biking

Fat bikes have such brilliantly thick tires they allow for biking in environments that’d be difficult on a regular bike, such as a thick forest or snowy grounds. That means that with your fat bike, you can take it off-road and go explore areas you otherwise might’ve only walked through or choose not to visit at all. 

21. Go Heliboarding

Are you a lover of snowboarding and downhill skiing, and now looking to kick it up a notch with it? Then you’ve got to hop on board a helicopter to reach a more remote slope, and then jump off it to ski or board all the way down. Talk about crazy bucket list ideas, this one is certainly not for the faint of heart! 

22. Go on a Police Ride Along

While this will likely not turn out to be as crazy of an experience as portrayed in some movies, it’s still a thrill to hop into a police car and spend a day shadowing officers on the job. It will definitely give you a more authentic image of what their job’s like than any TV show or movie could! 

23. Go on a Survival Weekend

This can be a hardcore challenge especially those of us entirely accustomed to the city life. It’s not dangerous by any means, but you have to camp outdoors, and essentially will have to also pick and hunt your food. It’s a great experience to make you in general more resilient and resourceful in life. 

24. Go Paragliding

Paragliding is an awesome and adrenaline pumping way to see your surroundings from the air! You’ll usually fly with an instructor attached to you and the paraglide, so whilst an extreme sport of sorts, it’s by no means one that’s particularly dangerous. Of course, if you’re experienced in this, you may fly on your own, too.

25. Go Whitewater Rafting

Now, this is the more adventurous way to go rafting. Although moving through a stream, sometimes at high speed, may seem like a dangerous activity, if you choose your course right and go with the right crew, you should lose nothing, and only be gaining spectacular memories! This cool activity can be done all around the world, from the US to Turkey to South Korea. 

For an even more adrenaline rush, try Tidal Bore Rafting Nova Scotia’s Bay of Fundy Tides !

26. Go Windsurfing

To get the best of both surfing and sailing in one fell swoop, why not add windsurfing to your adventure bucket list? It’s fun and thrilling, but also easy and safe enough for even a beginner to try out. Since even kids can start learning windsurfing, this can be a fun activity for the whole family to do together! 

27. Go Zorbing

Although many of us have probably yet to try this one, I’m sure you’ve all heard of zorbing, where you place yourself into a big, transparent orb, then roll down a hill in it. I’d say if you’re looking for crazy bucket list ideas, this is a good one to add to it!

28. Hang Glide

If paragliding isn’t enough for you, time to amp up your time in the air and go hand gliding! A hand glider is non-motorized, so it is simply you and your body controlling the movement of the glider. This can definitely feel like a crazy and scary activity, but you’ll at least be attached to your glider by a harness, so suddenly losing your grip and falling off the glider shouldn’t be an issue of concern.

29. Join the Mile High Club

Yup, you all know what this one’s about, right? Being intimate while flying in a plane is certainly on a lot of people’s sex bucket list . It may be a little bit dangerous, because it just may get you in trouble with the airline you choose to score the achievement on. So, better make it worth the while and bring on your best moves and spirit!

30. Kite Surf

Here’s another surfing-like water sport to get your adrenaline pumping with! You may not need just as badass skills to stay standing on your board as you would with surfing, but controlling that kite while flying through water and air is a game of its own to master. It’s possible to kite surf through snow and ground, too. 

For the ultimate experience, complete this on at one of the 10 Best Places in The World to Kite Surf !

31. Parasail

An alternative to paragliding, especially if you happen to be scared of heights, is to go parasailing instead. You’ll still be gliding in the air with a parachute attached to you, but instead of controlling your own movement, you’re attached to a boat driving you all around a water-area, like a lake or sea. 

32. Play a Game of Paintball

Looking for an activity to do with your friends that’s fun, but also challenging? Then paintball may be an amazing choice! The object is to shoot guns with paint-filled capsules at your opponents before they tag you! It can get a little painful, so dress up in many layers! 

33. Rappel Down a Mountain

Climbing up a mountain is one thing, and rappelling down a mountain is another. Both are a challenge, and especially for those of us scared of heights coming down a mountain may prove to be much scarier than getting high up in the first place. Tackling a mountain, especially heading down one, just may be the next adventure you go on. 

34. Rappel Down a Waterfall

Even more exhilarating than rappelling down a mountain is to rappel down a waterfall. This is an extreme sport that has been gaining a lot of popularity over the last decade, and numerous tours are being arranged these days to conquer waterfalls like this. It’s by no means an easy feat to complete and therefore another great and adventurous way to challenge yourself. 

35. Rappel into a Cave

You can also go exploring those caves we talked about above by rappelling into one! This is the way to go if it’s a cave with an opening only at its top. It’s a tad bit scarier than just walking into a cave, but can honestly be a lot of fun, not to mention picturesque.

36. Ride a Bull

Yes, to some extent it may still be possible to ride a bull in the way you’ve seen cowboys do in rodeo. But do note that this one does have potential to go awry. If you’re up for the challenge, find a way to do it; if you’re OK with a less thrilling experience, then find a bar with a mechanical bull.

37. Ride ATVs

Riding an ATV, whether it’s near your home or whilst somewhere on a trip, is another fun and easily accessible adventure to add to your list. If you’re completely new to it, I do encourage trying it with hired professionals for the first time, but if you end up getting your own ATV to ride down the line, many driving adventures can be had with this. 

38. Ride in a Hot Air Balloon

Riding high in the sky in a hot air balloon will give you a birds-eye view of the landscapes below. 

39. Ride in a Luge

Now here’s an experience you don’t hear everyone talk about, or might even know what it is yet! A luge is a self-driving car system, kind of like a go kart, except it relies on gravity and a downhill path to move. The only ride in the US is available in Michigan and it’s rather different from a traditional luge ride; to get the real thing, your best bets are Queenstown in Australia and Sentosa in Singapore.

40. Ride on a Scary Roller Coaster

Every big amusement park in the world seems to be equipped with at least one roller coaster these days that’s absolutely wild in how steep it can get or how fast it can go. Oftentimes it’s a combination of both! If you’re a thrill seeker, try to find the scariest roller coaster possible to tackle next. And if you’re one of those who’s been too fearful to get on that one particular scary roller coaster, now’s your chance to right that wrong!

41. Sail a Boat

Despite it seeming like a rather peaceful activity, sailing a boat can be surprisingly strenuous, and is most certainly always its own little challenge. If you’re looking for items for your adventure bucket list, but aren’t too much of a thrill seeker, this is a great one to add to your list.

42. Scuba Dive

Even if your scuba diving adventure doesn’t take you to exploring a shipwreck, at least not immediately, it’s always a fun adventure to embark on once you’ve learned its basics. There’s a lot of beauty to be discovered undersea, and while you can explore some of it by snorkeling, diving gets you properly close and intimate with life under the surface. 

43. Skydive

We’ve already covered paragliding and its equivalent forms, but skydiving is really where it’s at if you want to get as high in the air as possible. This is a truly gutsy hobby to embark on, but it can be incredibly rewarding if you just have the patience and courage for it. If this is just too scary for you, then how about having an indoor skydiving cxperience ?

44. Snowboard

Alternatively, you can go with skis as well. Either way, as long as you are going down a snowy hill, you’ll be doing a tremendous job checking this one off your bucket list. The world is full of amazing resorts with incredible slopes available, so you’ll likely end up going through a few of them once you get properly addicted to snowboarding or downhill skiing. 

45. Swim with Stingrays

While you’re advised to stay away from stingrays you come across in the wild, this is a fun and memorable activity you can do on a tour specializing in swimming with them. It’s possible elsewhere as well, but the most famous, and therefore most reputable, for swimming with Stingrays is Stingray City in the Cayman Islands .

46. Swim with Whale Sharks

Unlike the sharks you meet while cave diving, with whale sharks you don’t have to worry about them suddenly gaining interest in your flesh. Yes, they’ve got big mouths, and with everything we know of sharks you’ll probably be really nervous to get into waters with them. However, these gentle creatures are on a plankton diet, so you should be able to get in and out of the water with all of your limbs attached. 

47. Take a Geocaching Adventure

All you need to embark on a geocaching adventure is a GPS, which most of today’s phones come ready with, and perhaps some clothing and shoes appropriate for the weather. While the main purpose of geocaching is to find geocaches in your area, it can easily take you to places you’ve yet to discover, leading you to catch two birds with one stone. 

48. Try Skijoring

In this wintertime sport, you’ll be on skis, but instead of moving using ski poles to help you move, you’ll be attached to a dog, or a horse, or possibly a vehicle that’ll be pulling you forward. This originated in Norway, and is today mostly conducted as a competitive sport. 

49. Walk a Suspension Bridge

Suspension bridges are bridges where the deck of the bridge hangs on vertical suspenders attached to suspension cables above the deck. Even Brooklyn Bridge and Golden Gate Bridge are considered to fall under this category, so just by walking through those you can tick this item off your list. However, I encourage you to challenge your adrenaline levels and instead go for a bridge like Sidu River Bridge, for example. 

I walked this cool one while in Guyana :

50. Walk on Hot Coals

Also known as firewalking, walking on hot coals isn’t just a popular catchphrase, it’s an actual performance-type activity some skilled folks can do. But it’s possible for you to also learn firewalking, or at least try once! Though perhaps do so with a trained professional, so you don’t actually end up burning yourself.

51. Walk on the Wings of an Airplane

And yes, I’m talking about doing this while the plane is in the air! Just the thought of it may get goosebumps popping up all over your body, am I right? It’s actually considered relatively safe, though, as you will receive training for it and will also be attached to a harness all the way through.

52. Wrap a Snake Around Your Neck

Perhaps not the first thing you ever thought you’d do in your life, but turns out that sometimes the opportunity simply presents itself. Maybe don’t try to do this with any random snake you find in the wilderness, for both your and the snake’s safety, but it’s quite likely you’ll get lucky and find a moment where it’s possible to find yourself with a snake wrapped around your neck.

53. Zip Line

Finally, no adventure bucket list is complete without zip lining included in it. This is an extreme sport where you are attached to cords that “zip” you from one tree to the next. It has grown so popular over the years it seems to be possible to do just about anywhere – so easy to check off your bucket list! And while it can get your nerves on overdrive before setting off, it’s usually totally safe to do. 

How many of these adventure bucket list ideas have you already managed to complete? How many were you already planning on doing, and how many more dreams did just get added to your crazy bucket list?

While compiling bucket lists may seem like a corny idea, they can give an amazingly clear picture of all the things you want to complete in life, besides just getting that dream job and dream apartment. Going on adventures should be a big part of all of our lives, too! 

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through my links, I earn a commission that helps to keep this blog running—at no extra cost to you. For more information read my full disclosure .

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8 thoughts on “Adventure Bucket List: 50 Crazy Ideas & Things to Do”

Hello! Every Traveler would love to read your blog like me. This blog is one of the best blogs that you’ve written, which took me here to leave a comment. Though I’m an adventurer, I will never wrap a snake around my neck! But would love to get the Bird’s eye view of the landscapes below by riding in a hot air balloon. Every adventurer will have a dream of trying bungee jumping at least once in a lifetime so as for me. I even want to swim with sharks. Your travel blogs are awesome and I’m looking forward to more such blogs to read.

Glad you liked the articles

Hey, It’s an Amazing Post. I liked it and I love to share it.

VERY GOOD EXCELLENT

Really liked your post, so unformatted. I am always for your new posts.

thanks for giving such a great information for us, keep sharing and keep it up

I was actually surprised that I’ve done more on this list than I thought haha I’ve zip lined, I’ve rode a bull (mechanical), I’ve done parasailing, walked across a suspension bridge and explored a cave! I love the print out too, really awesome.

Really good bucket list !

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32 Awe-inspiring Adventurous Bucket List Ideas You Gotta See to Believe

Posted on Published: June 3, 2022  - Last updated: November 20, 2023

Are you ready for it?! (cue the intense move music) These adventure ideas will have you exploring beautiful landscapes, seeing unique places and maybe even get some adrenaline pumping! Here are the best adventurous bucket list ideas you can’t miss.

This post may contain affiliate links. For more info, see my  disclosures .

From exploring Antartica to road tripping through Andalucia, volcano boarding in Nicaragua to bungee jumping in New Zealand, this adventure list is going to blow you away!

These are unbelievable adventure ideas where you’ll see incredible landscapes, nature and culture. Oh, and the hidden spots you haven’t even heard of are a fun twist, too!

If you’re interested in staying local, check out these adventure vacations in the US . Otherwise, get ready to go global with this mega list!

Adventure Bucket List map

If you’re a visual person, this map will help you plan. These adventure ideas are all over the globe. Pinch and zoom for more details – and of course, check out the guide below!

Let’s dive into the list!

Adventurous bucket list destinations

Gah! I’m so pumped for you to check this list out and start planning your next adventurous getaway! Starting the list off with a few favorites.

Oh, and by the way, since I haven’t done it all yet, I asked some of my favorite travel writers to help out on this list of the most adventurous bucket list ideas. You’re going to love them!

1. Hike the NaPali Coast in Kauai

Region: North America Fly into: Lihue Airport, Lihue

It’s one of the most gorgeous coastlines in the world! The NaPali Coast on the island of Kauai, Hawaii is where rugged mountains dive into the sea.

The Kalalau Trail is routinely listed as one of the most dangerous hiking trails in the world! Completely undeveloped, the only thing out there is you, the trail and the ocean.

This full hike is not for the faint of heart. Most adventure travelers take 2 days to hike the 11-mile Kalalau Trail along the breathtaking coast. It requires a permit and reservations to camp overnight.

Nicknamed ‘the garden isle’ the terrain on the NaPali Coast is lush and simply stunning. You’ll be hiking through a dense rainforest so bring all the proper hiking gear and be sure you’re in great shape. From natural beaches to hiking along cliffs, this is an experience of a lifetime!

If you’re looking for some of the beauty without all the extreme danger, you can always hike the first 2 miles of the Kalalau Trail , to Hanakapiai Beach. This is 4 miles round trip and is more of a moderate hike, perfect for an afternoon. You’ll still need reservations for Ha’ena State Park to access this beautiful hiking destination.

While you’re on the island of Kauai, be sure to visit – and hike the Waimea Canyon ! Known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, it’s massive in size, considering it’s on an island.

And of course, check out the water activities and the best beaches for snorkeling in Kauai like Hanalei Bay, Anini Beach and Kiahuna Beach. Kauai is full of adventure, and you’ll want to spend at least 5 – 10 days there to see the highlights.

Recommended by me – Nikki of Inspired Routes – follow on Pinterest

2. Desert Safari in Wadi Rum (one of my favorite adventure ideas!)

Region: Middle East Fly into: King Hussein International, Aqaba

Are you looking for an adventure bucket list activity that will take your breath away? Then look no further than a desert safari in Wadi Rum. This Jordanian desert is unlike any other place on Earth, and a safari here is sure to be an unforgettable experience.

Wadi Rum is known for its dramatic red sandstone mountains and vast empty valleys. It’s a place where you can truly experience the silence and stillness of the desert.

A safari in Wadi Rum is the perfect way to explore this unique landscape and a worthy addition to every Jordan itinerary .

There are many ways to experience a desert safari in Wadi Rum. You can hire a 4×4 and go off-roading, however, it’s strongly recommended to book a tour with a local guide. This will not only ensure your safety but also give you a more authentic experience.

There are many different activities that can be included in a Wadi Rum safari, such as camel riding, hiking and sandboarding.

If you’re up for a real adventure, you can also spend the night in the desert under the stars. There are many camping options available, or you can stay in a traditional Bedouin camp.

Wadi Rum is located in southern Jordan, about a 3-hour drive from the capital city of Amman. The easiest way to get to Wadi Rum is by car, but you can also take a bus or a shared taxi from Amman.

Alternatively, Aqaba is the closest major city to Wadi Rum and you can fly into King Hussein International Airport. From Aqaba, it’s about a 45-minute drive to Wadi Rum.

Whichever way you choose to get there, a desert safari in Wadi Rum is one of the top adventure ideas, and one you won’t want to miss!

And, if you’re looking for more amazing adventures a little further south, be sure to add a safari in South Africa to add to your bucket list!

Recommended by Kriszti of She Wanders Abroad – follow on Instagram

3. Road trip through Norway

Region: Northern Europe Fly into: Bergen, Norway

If you love the journey more than the destination, the Western Fjords are a wonderful place for a Norwegian road trip . Starkly beautiful, with glistening deep blue fjords, dramatic mountains, ancient glaciers and waterfalls everywhere you look, this is a country to travel through slowly as you explore at each new landscape. 

Taking in iconic Norwegian sights as you drive. The roads of western Norway will take you through some of the longest road tunnels in the world, over ice cold fjords, along the spectacular Atlantic Ocean Road, and up the snaking Trollstigen Mountain Road to picture perfect Gerainger.

Along the way you can explore Norway by hiking, cycling, paddling and zip lining. Or try your hand at climbing the via ferrata, to get to some of the best spots.

Fly into Bergen, Norway’s second largest city, for the start of this road trip and head north to Loen on the edge of Lake Lovatnet. There you can swim and kayak in the glacial waters, and catch the sky lift for incredible views of the blue-white Jostedal Glacier.

From here, the stunning UNESCO Geraingerfjord calls, with its steep walls, blue depths and wild waterfalls.

Next up Trollstigen will challenge even the most experienced drivers with its 11 hairpins and 9% gradient . You’ll make your way for Atlanterhavsvege, for the Atlantic Ocean Road, which runs between 7 islands like a silver ribbon.

From Trondheim, pick up the wonderfully scenic Kystriksveien Coastal Route north until you reach the Arctic Circle, on the fjord boat between Kilborghavn and Jektvik. The ocean is endless, the fishing villages picturesque and the sky may reward you with the Northern Lights.

From there, it’s a hop and a skip (for Norway anyway) to Tromso and Nordkapp, the furthest north you can dive in continental Europe. Look out for moose on the road, they’re a common sight this far north!

Road tripping through Norway absolutely needs to be on your adventurous bucket list!

Recommended by Izzy of The Gap Decaders – follow on Facebook

4. Bungee jump in New Zealand (heart-pumping fun on this adventurous bucket list)

Region: Oceana / New Zealand Fly into: Queenstown Airport

Flinging yourself off a bridge whilst tied to a rubber band should definitely sit on any adventure bucket list, and there’s nowhere better than New Zealand to tick this one off!

Bungee jumping, although technically hailing from a tribe in Vanuatu, was first made commercially available in New Zealand by AJ Hackett. It was Hackett who put New Zealand on the map as an adventure destination and as the real home of bungee jumping.

The main reason you should pick New Zealand as the place to try out bungee jumping is for the epic scenery. If you’re going to try bungee jumping, then why not pick the most beautiful place in the world to do it?

You’ll want to make your way to Queenstown in New Zealand’s South Island. As the adventure capital of the world, bungee jumping is one of the top  things to do in Queenstown  thanks to the official AJ Hackett Bungee Centre being located here.  

To get here you’ll need to either drive or fly to Queenstown airport. The Bungee Center is located a 15-minute drive from the airport, or 20-minutes from the city center.  Most people rent a car in Queenstown, however there is a bus that departs from the city center.

Bungee jumping in New Zealand itself is, naturally, a fast-paced adrenaline rush.  The build up can take a bit of time while you book your tickets, get a safety brief and get strapped into the harness. However, the activity itself lasts just a few seconds as you free-fall to the water – where you can opt to be dunked or not.

Once this is all over, then the good news is you’ll be in one of the best places in the world, packed with gorgeous hikes, world-class vineyards and countless other adventure activities if bungee jumping wasn’t enough.

Five days is the perfect length of time to spend in Queenstown. However, if you’re visiting New Zealand then it’s definitely worth giving yourself at least a few weeks (ideally longer) to explore the whole country.

Recommended by Delilah of Our Travel Mix – follow on Instagram

5. Cage dive with Great White Sharks

Region: Oceana / Southern Australia Fly into: Adelaide Airport or Port Lincoln Airport in North Shields

One of the best adventure ideas in Australia is cage diving with Great White Sharks. Diving with the biggest and strongest predators in the ocean, the Great White Sharks provide the required adrenaline for thrill and adventure seekers.

The activity happens at Port Lincoln, a city located on the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia. Port Lincoln is a popular place for its fishing industry, sea lion colonies and Great White Sharks population.

Even though one can drive from Adelaide to Port Lincoln, there are 2 quick ways to get to Port Lincoln. One way is by taking a short flight ride from Adelaide airport and the other way is by taking a ferry from Lucky Bay.

Operated by Calypso Star Charters, the divers are taken to a place that have a huge number of Great White Sharks. It is an entire day tour from Port Lincoln. The cage is then dropped into the ocean and the divers get into the cage one after the other.

As the Great White Sharks live in colder waters, the best season to do the cage diving is between March and May. And it’s advisable to wear thick wetsuit and hood for protection against cold water. 

Seeing the ocean’s powerful predator underwater is a unique and daring experience! As the Great White Sharks swim around the cage, they look stunning and massive. The best part of the dive is also seeing other abundant marine life.

Recommended by Raksha of Solopassport – follow on Instagram

6. Stay in a Treehouse in the Amazon Rainforest

Region: South America Fly into: Iquitos International Airport, Iquitos

Spending a few nights in an honest-to-goodness treehouse is most little kids’ dream. Now, the Treehouse Lodge in Iquitos, Peru is making sure it’s on every adult’s adventurous bucket list too!  This trip can be done as a couple, friends or even as a part of a larger trip while exploring the Amazon jungle with teens .

The Treehouse Lodge is a unique experience that’s located in Peru’s Amazon Rainforest. It features 10 private treehouses that come in all different sizes and heights off the ground. The tallest treehouse is 67 feet off the ground!

Each treehouse has a cold-water shower, sink, toilet and beds. This is “glamping” at its finest!

You’ll be treated to monkeys swinging from the trees outside your treehouse, and some of the treehouses even have river views – which means you’ll be able to see pink dolphins swimming by. (You may even want to add earplugs to your  Peru packing list , as the monkeys can be quite feisty some nights!)

The stay here is also all-inclusive (excluding alcohol). So, you won’t have to worry about paying for your meals or excursions while you stay at the Treehouse Lodge either. And the excursions are AMAZING.

You can go wild-life spotting, swim in the Amazon River, fish for piranhas, visit a local village, go boating through the forest during the wet season, or hiking in the rainforest during the dry season (the best time to visit Peru ) …. just to name a few. 

Spending 2 nights at the Treehouse Lodge is considered the ideal amount of time. You’ll need to fly into the Iquitos airport.

Then, the Treehouse Lodge will assist in transferring you 90 minutes by car to a waiting boat. This boat will then take you on a 90-minute ride, deep into the Amazon Rainforest. Just getting to the Treehouse Lodge is an adventure in and of itself! 

Recommended by Lindsey of Have Clothes, Will Travel – follow on Instagram

7. Hike Rainbow Mountain in Peru (one of the most photo-worthy activity vacations)

Region: Northern South America Fly into: Alejandro Velasco Astete Cusco International Airport, Cusco

Peru is home to many amazing natural wonders, but one of the most spectacular is Rainbow Mountain .

Located near the city of Cusco, the mountain gets its name from the colorful mineral deposits that cover its surface, creating a spectrum of colors that is truly stunning.

I have to be honest: hiking up Rainbow Mountain is no joke. Although the trek to Rainbow Mountain is challenging, it is well worth the effort. The views from the summit are simply incredible!

Visiting Rainbow Mountain usually takes a full-day trip, and it is really recommended that you go with a group. Around Cusco, you will find dozens of tourism agencies offering the tour for about 70 soles (that includes breakfast and lunch!). The tours usually leave pretty early, around 4 in the morning, in order to beat the crowds.

At over 5,000 meters (16,404 feet) above sea level, Rainbow Mountain in Peru is one of the most unique and breathtaking landscapes on Earth. The mountain is also home to a wide variety of wildlife, including llamas and alpacas, which you can easily spot when hiking!

If after getting to the top of Rainbow Mountain you feel like you could still walk a little bit more, you can stretch the hike all the way to the Red Valley, which is located right behind the mountain.

Hiking the Rainbow Mountain in Peru should be on everyone’s adventurous bucket list!

Recommended by Cami of Travel Cami

8. Dhoni Cruise in the Maldives

Region: South Asia Fly into: Male International Airport

This next activity is one of the best adventure ideas if you love the ocean!

The best way to explore the Maldives off the beaten path is on a traditional Dhoni cruise. Dhonis are the traditional boats of the Maldives and were formerly mainly used for fishing and local transportation but now you can also do multi-day cruises on a Dhoni.

The best way to get there is to fly to Male. From there it is only a few minutes by boat to the starting point of your Maldives Dhoni cruise through the South Male Atoll.

During this cruise, you’ll experience the underwater world of the Maldives on daily snorkeling trips. You’ll encounter numerous colorful fish, crustaceans, squids, and turtles. If you’re lucky you’ll also dolphins, nurse sharks, Stingrays and Manta Rays.

Furthermore, you’ll have the opportunity to snorkel at a shipwreck and visit inhabited and uninhabited local islands and remote sandbars. Besides that, you can relax at picture-perfect beaches and enjoy the sunset. At night the Dhoni always anchors in bays where you will spend the night on the boat.

Onboard you get breakfast, lunch and dinner daily as well as tea and coffee with or after meals. Juice, fruit and pastries between meals are also common.

You have the choice between a traditional Dhoni and a premium Dhoni. The traditional Dhoni offers space for 8 passengers and 5 crew members.

The premium Dhoni is designed for 14 passengers and 6 crew members. It’s more than twice the length of the traditional Dhoni, more comfortable and has more space and storage space per passenger.

No matter which Dhoni you choose, a Dhoni cruise offers you the opportunity to experience the Maldives off the beaten path. You will also get a deep insight into the country, its culture and the underwater world of this island archipelago.

Recommended by Vanessa of Travelling Colognian – follow on Facebook

Adventure bucket list ideas

Can you believe this list?! And we’re just getting started! Only about 25% done, let’s keep going for more spectacular sights and epic adventures!

9. Road trip through Icefields Parkway in the Candadian Rockies (one of the most adventurous getaways on this huge list)

Region: North America / Canada Fly into: Calgary International Airport, Calgary

The Icefields Parkway is one of the most scenic drives in the world and connects  Banff National Park  with Jasper National Park. Not only are the views incredible but there is plenty to see and do along the way. It’s one of the best adventure ideas in North America!

The Banff to Jasper drive one-way takes around 3.5 hours, but you’ll want to reserve a whole day for this trip. If possible, more than a day is recommended. 

You can drive the Icefields Parkway in either direction, but  starting in Banff and ending in Jasper is the most popular route. Getting to the Icefields Parkway is relatively easy with the nearest airport being Calgary International. 

There are many stunning lakes along the Icefields Parkway. Bow Lake is the first lake you’ll come to and is beautiful first thing in the morning. Peyto Lake is another bright turquoise glacial lake that is a must see on the parkway. 

The Columbia Icefields is the biggest icefield south of the arctic and is where Banff and Jasper National Parks meet. Here is a great place to stop and stretch your legs. You can opt to take an Ice Explorer tour on the Athabasca Glacier or simply take in the sights at the Toe of the Glacier hike. 

North of the Icefields are some amazing waterfalls such as Athabasca Falls and Sunwapta Falls. Both are very popular in the summer so getting here earlier is recommended. 

If you are wanting to take a hike, both the Wilcox Pass and Parker Ridge hikes are gorgeous and both feature stunning glacier views. 

If you are venturing out on this bucket list road trip, filling up your car before you leave is the best way to go. The only gas station along the Icefields Parkway is at the Saskatchewan Crossing, open seasonally, and prices here are quite high. 

Recommended by Rachael at A City Girl Outside – follow on Instagram

10. Hike to Everest Base Camp

Region: Southern Asia Fly into: Kathmandu Tribhuvan Airport in Kathmandu

This next hike absolutely should be on your adventurous bucket list!

The trek to Everest Base Camp is about 110 kilometers (68 miles) over around 14 days and the walking isn’t difficult. However, it’s the altitude that makes this tough and a major bucket list item ! 

Most treks start from Lukla at 2,800m, (9,186 feet) which trekkers fly into from Kathmandu, Nepal.  It’s the most dangerous airport in the world and incredible to fly into. 

The hike up Everest can be very intense! As you slowly acclimatize on the way up (it’s dangerous to go too quickly), you’ll eventually arrive at Everest Base Camp at 5,364m (17,598 feet) . It’s important to take it slow and to ensure that you drink lots of water, to try and avoid altitude sickness.  

Most trekkers will go straight to Everest Base Camp. However, it’s worth taking a detour to see the Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri (5,483m / 17,988 ft) and you’ll escape the paths which are most heavily trafficked.  

It’s also worth ascending Kala Pattar(5,545m / 18,192 ft) for stunning views of base camp and Everest.  

Acclimatizing on the way up allows you to check out places like the Khumbu Valley with hospitals and schools built by Sir Edmund Hillary. There are stunning monasteries to visit too, at Tengboche and Dingboche.

Most tours will not let you join if you don’t have appropriate  travel and medical insurance . Helicopter evacuations for altitude sickness cost in excess of US$5,000 and must be paid for before the helicopter takes off!

Recommended by Sarah of A Social Nomad

11. Epic adventures in Antartica (fantastic idea for activity vacations)

Region: Antartica Fly into: Ushuaia Airport, Argentina, then boat to Antartica

One amazing adventure destination that many people dream of visiting, but few actually get to experience, is the incredible continent of Antarctica. It’s an amazing place unlike any other on Earth.

About 10,000 people visit Antarctica each year to see its untouched beauty and experience the nature unique to this continent.

You can visit Antarctica only between November and March. Most people visit via cruise ship from Argentina, but there are options to visit from Australia and New Zealand.

Look for smaller ships that carry fewer than 500 passengers. These ships allow for more time on land. Some of the larger ships do not allow people to go on land and you will miss the opportunity to walk a safe distance from penguins and seals! 

The pristine beauty of the continent is well known, but there are also a variety of things to do in Antarctica.

Adventure lovers will enjoy hiking dormant volcanoes and kayaking past icebergs near penguins and seals. If you’re truly brave, you can take a  polar plunge in Antarctica  or even go camping on the ice.  Every one of these activities will leave you awestruck at the breathtaking beauty of Antarctica!

Many trips to Antarctica visit the Antarctic peninsula but don’t go further south. A 2-week cruise from Ushuaia, Argentina would allow you ample time to see the peninsula and potentially cross the Antarctic Circle at 66°30′ South. 

It’s not easy to travel to Antarctica, but it’s an experience that you’ll remember forever. If it’s been on your adventure bucket list for a long time, put it at the top and make sure you visit this amazing place!

Recommended by Pamela of The Directionally Challenged Traveler – follow on Facebook

12. Gorge hiking in Crete

Region: Southeastern Europe Fly into: Chania International Airport Ioannis Daskalogiannis, Heraklion Airport N. Kazantzakis or Athens International Airport

Greek island hopping is endlessly fascinating – whitewashed villages, startling blue water, fantastic beaches. Choosing just one can be difficult. However, very few offer the incredible hiking and natural scenery of Crete, the largest island in Greece.

Big, mountainous and extremely rugged, the ridge running the length of Crete features over a dozen outstanding gorges where highlands rainfall makes its way down to the ocean. These gorges are also very diverse, from easy strolls through lush palm forests to tricky descents involving ropes, ladders and plenty of scrambling.

The most famous canyon in Crete is the world-renowned Samaria Gorge . Boasting exceptional scenery, moderately challenging terrain and a well-oiled infrastructure (transfers to the trailhead, boats and buses from the bottom), it draws hikers from all over the world in high season.

A lesser known and arguably better choice, however, is the stunning Aradena Gorge. Not far from Samaria Gorge but infinitely quieter, this is one of the best activities to add to your adventure bucket list.

The difficult trail leads down from a superbly photogenic bridge, over and under a fascinating collection of boulders and pools, ending with a gentle walk along the coast to  spectacular Loutro , considered by many to be the most beautiful village on Crete.

Of course, there is no need to stop there, as avid walkers can make their way around the entire island. You’ll want a week or more to check out other highlight gorges such as narrow Imbros, lush Patsos, historic Zakros, lovely Agia Irini, peaceful Richtis and the difficult climbs and waterfalls of Ha Gorge.

Crete has international airports in Chania and Heraklion. It’s also conveniently connected to Athens and many other Greek islands by ferry.

Crete is very large and has only very basic public transportation so if you plan to tackle some of these amazing gorges it is best to rent a car. This amazing island is also one of the best Greek islands for couples to visit – especially adventurous ones!

This is by far one of the best bucket list travel adventures in Europe!

Recommended by Dean and Laynni of Routinely Nomadic – follow on Instagram

13. Zipline in Costa Rica (a personal favorite activity on this adventurous bucket list)

Region: Central America Fly into: Juan Santamaría International Airport, San José

Ziplining is one of the most intense, adrenaline-pumping activities in Costa Rica. People come to Costa Rica from all over the world to experience some of the longest, fastest and most scenic zipline courses on earth. 

There are several places you can experience adventure activity A few popular spots include the things to do in Monteverde like the Cloud Forest, Manuel Antonio National Park and the Arenal Rainforest.

These immense ecosystems are home to some of the world’s most incredible floral and fauna. And with 90 percent of Costa Rica’s animals living in the upper levels of the country’s rainforests, a zipline canopy tour is the best way to see some of the native wildlife safely. 

You can spot native birds like toucans, howler monkeys and even sloths as you soar through the air on a steel cable. Some of the ziplines reach speeds up to 50 miles per hour and are almost 1 mile long!

Although they promise a thrill ride, the zipline courses are still incredibly safe, so even if you are visiting Costa Rica with kids , you can be assured your whole family will have a blast and do so safely.

Allow approximately 3 hours to complete one of the guided zipline adventures in Costa Rica. Be sure to wear close-toed shoes, clothes you don’t mind getting dirty and mosquito repellent .

Pair ziplining with a hanging bridge trek through the rainforest, a beautiful waterfall hike, or a dip in one of Costa Rica’s natural hot springs and you’ve got the perfect vacation for adventure travelers. There’s so much to do in the country; here’s a fun 7 days Costa Rica itinerary to plan your ziplining and other adventures.

While ziplining in Costa Rica is just a day trip, you’ll want at least a week to explore this beautiful country. Visit the best beaches in Manuel Antonio , swim in the hot springs near Arenal Volcano National Park or go whitewater rafting on the Pacuare River.

Editor note: ziplining was one of my favorite things to do in Costa Rica! Be sure to book your tour in advance as they sell out, especially during peak travel season.

Read next: 26 Incredibly Fun Things to Do in Manuel Antonio Costa Rica You Gotta See to Believe

Recommended by Melissa of Parenthood and Passports – follow on Instagram

14. Road trip through the Dolomites

Region: Southern Europe Fly into: Venice Marco Polo Airport or Munich International Airport

The Dolomites in the Northern Italian Alps are one of the most impressive sights you’ll find in all of Italy! It’s a bucket list destination for lovers of hiking and mountainscapes.

But what makes The Dolomites one of the best areas to visit around the globe? Well, the Dolomites are unique in appearance, being formed from volcanic and dolomitic rock. They have 18 peaks and rise above 11,000 feet above sea level and take up 6,155 sq mi of space. 

To properly visit this impressive UNESCO World Heritage Site, taking a  road trip through the Dolomites  is highly recommended. 

Over the course of the first couple of days, some of the most impressive things you will get to see and do are visiting St. Valentine Church and the church of Santa Magdalena, visiting the rainbow lake called Lago di Carezza, swinging on a mountain swing at Malga Sanon and hiking to Saltria.

The last few days in the Dolomites will be spent hiking Gardenia Pass. You’ll want to stop at several impressive lakes including Lago di Landro, Lake Misurina, and Lago di Braies. At Lago di Braies you can even rent a rowboat and go out on the water! 

Before you go make sure to pack warmer gear, especially in the winter. Just note it can also be cool up in the mountains even in summer. Also, never go hiking without a great pair of hiking boots ! 

Five days is the minimum amount of time you will need to be able to stop at many of the most scenic spots. That will give you enough time for hikes, eating, Dolomites tours and resting thrown into the mix. 

The closest airport to begin your adventure is either the Venice or Munich airport. There are plenty of hotels in all of the popular regions of The Dolomites but many of them do close during the off-season so research this ahead of time!

Editor note: this road trip reminds me of the epic scenic drives in Colorado , USA with its incredible scenery! So beautiful!

Recommended by Chelsey of Chelsey Explores – follow on Instagram

15. Hike in El Chaltén, Patagonia

Region: South America Fly into: El Calafate Airport, Santa Cruz

For adventurous getaways in Argentina, you must head south to Patagonia. From novice trekkers to professional adrenaline junkies, hiking in the Patagonian Andes should be on every outdoors lovers’ Argentina itinerary .

And out of Patagonia’s many natural wonders, El Chalten stands out. This is the hiking capital of Argentina and all of the tiny village’s many trails all lie within a national park, Parque Nacional de los Glaciares .

To get there fly into El Calafate. This small city is 3 hours from El Chalten and also part of the national park. Consider spending a couple of days here before moving on to El Chalten to see the country’s famous glaciers.

Once in El Chalten, more time is better. Spend at least 5-6 days here . But 10-14 is ideal for the hiking obsessed and to include more rest days or to allow for chances of inclement weather.

The best time to visit is in the warm summer months from December through February and the shoulder seasons of Fall and Spring. Warm temperatures and long days in the summer allow hikers to cover more ground. In fact, Patagonia in Argentina makes the lis of one of the best countries to visit in February .

All of the hikes in El Chalten are day hikes and free of charge. Hikers can base themselves in the many cabins and hostels in town, embarking each morning into the mountains to see glaciers, lagoons, and rugged peaks.

The most iconic hike in El Chalten is Laguna de los Tres. This difficult trail leads to Mount Fitz Roy and its turquoise lagoon. Other adventure activities include glacier treks, horseback rides, and white water rafting. 

Recommended by Erin of Sol Salute – follow on Instagram

16. Scuba dive in the Komodo Islands (one of the most unique items on this adventurous bucket list)

Region: Indonesia Fly into: Komodo International Airport, Labuan Bajo

The Komodo National Park is found off the coast of Flores Island and is fast becoming the most popular  place to visit in Indonesia and one of the best adventure ideas on this list.  Famous for its resident Komodo Dragons and spectacular landscapes, it’s the perfect destination for any adventure traveler.

But what makes the Komodo Islands even more appealing is the tropical marine life and vibrant underwater world that surrounds these islands. It’s a diving mecca with manta rays, sharks, turtles and more.

The best way to experience the Komodo Islands is on a scuba diving liveaboard that takes you to all the iconic sites over 2 or 3 days. Choosing a liveaboard option also ensures that your group is first in the water, so you can enjoy the magnificent dive sites with very few people around.

The best time to visit the Komodo Islands is between June and September. These months provide clear, sunny skies and optimal diving conditions – but one thing you can’t escape is the notoriously strong currents that will make your dives even more thrilling!

To get to the Komodo Islands, you’ll need to fly into Labuan Bajo in Flores. There are daily flights from Bali and it’s easy to add a trip to the Komodo Islands to your Indonesia itinerary.

Recommended by Carryn of Torn Tackies

Adventure ideas

We’re at the 1/2 way point. Is your personal adventure bucket list full yet?

Between incredible road trips and adrenaline-pumping activities, we’ve got a lot more to see!😊

17. Hike to the Lost City in Colombia

Region: Northern South America Fly into: Simón Bolívar International Airport in Santa Marta or Rafael Núñez International Airport in Cartagena

One of the best adventure activities in the world is visiting Ciudad Perdida, which translates to Lost City in English. It’s an ancient city that was only discovered around 50 years ago and is located within the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range.

What makes this place unique is that it can only be reached by foot as part of a 4-day trek through the jungle.

The trek can only be done as part of an organised tour, as the path crosses through lands owned by indigenous tribes. However, there are several tour operators that offer tours to the Lost City, which include the tour guide, food, accommodation and transportation to the starting point of the hike.

Most tours depart from Santa Marta, where you either fly to directly or you can fly to Cartagena instead and take a 4-hour bus ride to Santa Marta.

It’s not an easy hike, so you will have to have at least a moderate level of fitness, but it is totally worth it! Especially since the Lost City can only be reached as part of a 4-day hike, it makes it even more unique once you reach your final destination. 

Make sure to bring sunscreen , mosquito spray and of course comfortable clothing. But try to bring as little as possible, as you will have to carry your luggage around throughout the hike. The rest of your luggage can be left at your accommodation in Santa Marta, or you can leave it at the tour company. 

Other than hiking to the Lost City, which should be included in your Colombia itinerary , there are also many other incredible things to do around Santa Marta, such as visit Tayrona National Park, or travel to Minca, a village located in the mountains.

Recommended by Becky of Becksplore – follow on Twitter

18. Go scootering in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam (another favorite on this list of adventure ideas)

Region: Southeast Asia Fly into: Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Ho Chi Minh City

If you like offbeat adventure and gorgeous scenery, zooming on a scooter across the Mekong Delta of Vietnam should absolutely be on your adventurous bucket list! The delta is famous for the fern-lined Mekong River, which runs through China, Myanmar, Thailand and Cambodia before reaching Vietnam.

Fun fact: more than half of Vietnam’s food comes from the lush, green rice paddies surrounding it the Mekong Delta.

To reach the Mekong Delta, you’ll need to fly into the bustling Ho Chi Minh City , rent a scooter there and make the one and a half hour drive south. Once you’re flying down the bumpy dirt roads, you’ll have a variety of options to explore within the delta itself.

Visit the floating market in Mỹ Tho or Cai Rang to taste a stunning array of fruits and veggies and pick up some fresh Vietnamese coffee. Explore the Cần Giờ Biosphere Reserve, protected by UNESCO,  where you can float through a mangrove island or see an island, home to over 2,000 monkeys.

Take a boat to Thoi Son island and visit (and taste!) the rambutan, longan and sapoche orchards that line its shores.  The highlight of exploring the Mekong Delta is simply puttering around its network of dusty backroads and catching boats and ferries to explore the islets and small towns dotting the delta.

But be forewarned – between many roads not appearing on Google Maps and the river’s seemingly constant criss-crossing of the land, navigating the area is certainly for the adventurous, and those who aren’t in hurry!

While you can easily take a daytrip from Ho Chi Minh City to the Mekong Delta, it’s best savored over at least a couple of days, to truly get to know the beating heart of Vietnam.

Recommended by Jessica of Uprooted Traveler – follow in Instagram

19. Trek for orangutans in Borneo

Region : Indonesia Fly into: Bali + 2 regional flights

One of the most extraordinary adventure travel experiences that you should add to any Indonesia itinerary is to go to Tanjung Puting National Park in Borneo and trek for wild and habituated orangutans. These majestic creatures are endangered and are under daily threat of extinction as their natural jungle habitat is being cleared for farming.

By visiting Borneo and exploring the jungles for orangutans, you are not only seeing animals that may potentially be extinct one day, but you are also helping support the local economy. By doing so, you are making tourism a viable economic alternative to farming. 

Borneo is the 3rd largest island in the world and the largest island in Asia. It is made up of 3 countries – Indonesia, Malaysia and Bhutan. Tanjung Puting National Park is part of Indonesia.

Tanjung Puting National Park is the largest and most diversified coastal tropical heath and peat swamp forest in the world. It offers remarkable wildlife including crocodiles, snakes and incredibly, 9 different primates, including the Proboscis monkey and orangutans. 

Reaching Tanjung is not easy. It isn’t far from Bali, but there are no direct flights to Pangkalan Bun, the closest airport to the National Park. Instead, you have to take two flights from Bali, then drive 20 minutes to the Port of Kumai, followed by a 2 hour boat ride on the Java Sea and Sekonyer River, a very narrow river just feet from the shores of the jungle.

You have 2 options for exploring Tanjung National Park. First, stay on a Klotok, a traditional Indonesian river boat. You will eat and sleep on the boat, and use it to travel along the river. Second, stay in a traditional hotel and eat breakfast and dinner there. Then, take the Klotok with a guide during the day for your ecotour. 

Your day to day experiences are the same. You glide along the river catching sight of crocodiles, spectacular birds, Proboscis monkeys, and the occasional wild orangutan. Orangutans are incredibly shy so it is rare to see completely wild ones. 

Throughout the day, you stop and hike in the jungle, often to scientific outposts that study orangutans. Here the orangutans are “habituated.” That means that they are wild – they are free to come and go as they please – but for whatever reason, they are used to being around humans.

Maybe they were taken as pets as babies, or their mothers were killed while their jungle homes were being cleared for farming. In these situations, you get to be mere feet away from the orangutans as they live their day. They are calm and no longer shy. It’s an absolutely thrilling experience. There is nothing between you and the orangutans! 

You should stay between 4-5 days. There is so much to see and discover in Tanjung Puting. Every day you wake up and can only wonder which animals you will stumble across or what other authentic experiences that you will have. 

Recommended by Nicole of Go Far Grow Close – follow on Facebook

20. Travel solo in Pakistan (one of the most adventurous getaways on this list!)

Region: Middle East Fly into: Islamabad International Airport in Islamabad

If you’re looking for a truly killer adventure bucket list item, look no further than a backpacking trip in Pakistan! These days, Pakistan is safe for travel and those that make it to this infrequently visited country are truly in for a treat. 

Thousands of glaciers and some of the planet’s tallest mountains make for some truly incredible trekking opportunities. You can cross glaciers, putz around in empty meadows, see the second-highest mountain in the world (K2), and camp at some of the highest alpine lakes in existence.

What sets Pakistan’s incredible nature apart is the fact that it has yet to become highly commercialized–only a few spots attract tourist groups, and it’s very easy to be alone in nature.

The true adventure of a trip to Pakistan is all of the spontaneous happenings that occur along the way, which is why this country is best explored independently. That’s when you’ll likely get invited into strangers’ homes, and get a taste of the most incredible hospitality on Earth.

To really get a feel for the vastly different regions of the country, you should absolutely try to spend at least a month exploring. The best time to visit Pakistan is definitely from May-October, when the true highlight of the country–Gilgit Baltistan–has the most pleasant weather.

If you love mountains, focus on Hunza and Skardu. If you’re looking for a bit of culture in a completely raw city, make sure you don’t skip Peshawar and Lahore, both of which are true historical icons. 

While it’s a bit newer to tourism and thus more difficult to travel to, the Upper Chitral region of the KPK province will easily steal the hearts of adventure travelers. Epic landscapes, amazing people and virtually zero package tourism will almost make you feel like you’re in a movie!

To enter the country I recommend flying into Islamabad International Airport, and the best airport to access Gilgit Baltistan is via a domestic flight from Islamabad to Skardu International Airport (as of present they have yet to begin actual international routes.)

Travelers can also access GB via the Gilgit Airport, however this is a much smaller airport with miniature planes so flights are often cancelled even due to clouds. The Upper Chitral region does not have a functional airport. The best way to access it is by road either from Islamabad, or via the Shandur Pass that connects it with Gilgit Baltistan. 

Recommended by Samantha of Intentional Detours – follow on YouTube

21. Hike Antelope Canyon

Region: Western USA Fly into: Las Vegas McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas or Flagstaff Pulliam Airport in Flagstaff

Hiking through Antelope Canyon in Arizona has to be on your adventure travel bucket list because this slot canyon is one of a kind. It’s one of the world’s most beautiful slot canyons!

There are lots of beautiful slot canyons in Arizona  to choose from, but Antelope Canyon is one of the best for its wave-like walls, gorgeous colors and the light beam that shines down from the thin opening at the top.

To get to Antelope Canyon, the closest airport to fly into is either Las Vegas or Flagstaff. From there you will need to rent a car and drive the 3-5 hour drive to Page, Arizona where the canyon is located. 

To visit Antelope Canyon, you will need to book a tour through one of the operators in the area. Antelope Canyon and the other slot canyons in the area are located on Navajo land, so your ticket price will include the mandatory Navajo tax.

Each tour operator has a different meeting place where the tour will begin and they will transport you to the canyon where you will be led by a certified guide through the canyon. If you’d like to see more than one slot canyon, some tour operators include visits to other amazing canyons in the area so make sure to check out their offerings.

Because of the nature of the hike, you cannot bring any hiking backpacks into the canyon. It’s recommended to bring water though, so if you don’t want to carry water, have a water bottle carrier for your  reusable water bottle . 

There are some other amazing things to visit in the Page area such as Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell and Vermillion Cliffs National Monument. You’ll want to spend at least 2 days in the area to check out everything Page has to offer! 

This is by far one of the best bucket list travel adventures in the USA!

Recommended by Jessica of Unearth the Voyage – follow on Instagram

22. Hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia (a must-do on this adventure list)

Region: Middle East Fly into: Kayseri Erkilet Airport in Kayseri

Taking a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia, Turkey is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that should be on everyone’s adventure bucket list.  Hundreds of balloons fill up the sky each sunrise to view the unique Cappadocia landscape.

The 3 mile-long valley that the balloons float over is full of fairy chimneys and caves and will provide the most unique view ever!  The fairy chimneys are rock formations in the shape of long spires that have been formed by wind and erosion.

There are so many of them that the area has been nicknamed Love Valley because of all the phallic rock shapes spread out across the landscape.

Make sure to capture that amazing photo with the fairy chimneys in the background, surrounded by colorful hot air balloon dotting the skyline as the sun starts to peak over the horizon.

A typical hot air balloon ride will last 1 hour. Your whole experience lasts a lot longer since you will be picked up from your hotel at 3:30am with your eyes still half-shut from sleep. The balloon operator will take you to the big field to watch your huge balloon inflate right in front of those sleepy eyes. 

The size of that balloon will amaze you! Your eyes will be wide open after that with nothing but amazing views of peaks and valleys, close encounters with adjacent balloons and even a spectacular sunrise to go with it.

Cappadocia has many hiking trails, UNESCO heritage sites , archeological discoveries and cave hotels for accommodations. After you complete your sunrise Cappadocia balloon adventure there will be no shortage of other things to do in this area of Turkey. You’ll want to spend at least 2 – 3 days to see the major sites in the area, but you can spend a week and still not see it all!

Recommended by Michelle of Moyer Memoirs – follow on Instagram

23. Hike for wildlife in the Sumatran Rainforest

Region: Indonesia Fly into: Kualanamu International Airport, Medan

Trekking through the Sumatran rainforest is one of the best adventure ideas in travel! 

There are a couple of national parks to choose from, but Gunung Leuser National Park is the best place to visit. 

This park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the best places in the country to see the Sumatran Orangutan.  Gunung Leuser is home to a variety of wildlife including elephants, rhinos, tigers, gibbons, sun bears, and leopard cats. 

If you’re looking to trek through this national park, then Bukit Lawang is the best place to stay. It’s located on the edge of Gunung Leuser and is where most of the treks start.

You can either choose to go on a one-day hike through the rainforest, or you can go on a multi-day hike ranging from 2 to 10 days. 

The longer you spend hiking through Gunung Leuser National Park, the higher chance you’ll have of spotting some of the rarer wildlife. Try to find the Sumatran rhinoceros, and the Sumatran tiger. 

In order to go trekking through the Sumatran rainforest, you’ll first need to hire a licensed guide or go on a tour. A permit is also required to enter the park.  

During your time in Bukit Lawang, you can even go tubing down the Bohorok River. 

Jungle trekking in Gunung Leuser National Park is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, as it’s one of the most biologically diverse areas in the world.

To get to Gunung Leuser, you’ll first have to fly into Kualanamu International Airport which is located near North Sumatra’s capital, Medan. 

Bukit Lawang is located 130 km (81 miles) from the airport, and there are several ways to get there. You can either catch a shared taxi from one of the airport counters organize a private transfer, or use the public buses.

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24. Hitchhike on the Iron Ore Train in Mauritania (one of the most unique activities on this adventure bucket list)

Region: Western Africa Fly into: Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport in Nouakchott

If you’re looking for the ultimate experience to add to your adventure bucket list, then you absolutely must consider adding hitchhiking on the iron ore train through the Sahara Desert in Mauritania .

Mauritania is a country in Western Africa that borders Western Sahara and Mali. This country’s biggest claim to fame is that fact that is home to the longest and heaviest train in the world: The iron ore train.

This incredible train is 2km long (1.2 mi) and travels a 700km (434 mi) route that runs deep into the Sahara Desert to the iron ore mines in Zouerat. 

This train travels through one of the most intense and remote environments in the world, and you can hitchhike on it. This train is by no means a passenger train!

Its massive train cars carry rocks from the mines in the desert to the Atlantic Ocean, and that’s it. However, you can legally jump onto the train and ride on the rocks for hundreds of kilometers. It’s the ultimate adventure for thrill-seekers!

If you plan to complete this intense ride, there are a few things that you need to know:

• It’s incredibly uncomfortable on the rocks.
• The heat can unbearable if you don’t plan for it.
• The iron ore will get in everything, including your eyes so you absolutely need to bring ski goggles.
• You will need your own plan for water and bathroom needs.
• The train has no schedule, and it may not stop for you to be able to jump on.

Making this incredible adventure happen can be an incredibly complicated task if you don’t have the help of a local guide.

To get to Mauritania, you will need to fly into the capital city of Nouakchott. From there you will need to hire a driver to drive you deep into the desert cities of either Chuom or Zouerat (depending on the point you have chosen to jump onto the train).

After spending the night on the train, you will arrive in the coastal city of Nouadibou and will need to hire a driver to take you back to Nouakchott. The whole excursion could be done in 3 days if you’re rushing it. 

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More activity vacations

In the final stretch here. Grab something to drink and keep checking out these incredible adventure ideas. Oh, and hats off to my fellow travel writers who are really bringing their ‘A’ game on this list!

25. Climb the highest peak in the Caribbean, Pico Duarte

Region: Caribbean / North America Fly into: Las Americas International Airport in Santo Domingo or Aeropuerto Internacional del Cibao in Santiago

The Caribbean is famous for tiny beautiful islands, gorgeous beaches and welcoming people, but not that much for crazy adventures in nature. At the most, you can find activities on most islands, such as ziplining, diving or rainforest walking.

But if you’re looking for adventure bucket list ideas in the Caribbean, you shall head to the Dominican Republic, which offers some of the most exciting hikes in the entire subcontinent.

One of them is the hike to the highest peak in the Caribbean, the Pico Duarte. It is more than 10,000 feet tall and is only accessible by a 14-mile hike (one-way; 28 miles in total) through completely untouched and pristine terrain.

While competitive hikers do the trip in 2 days, it’s recommended to plan 3 days for the entire trip . This allows you more time to enjoy the fascinating scenery while spending 2 nights in a tent or a basic mountain shelter at La Compartición base camp at around 8,800 feet altitude.

The hike is not technical, it is just a long and steady climb up, hence self-motivation and at least a decent physical shape are recommended. Over 5800 feet in altitude change are awaiting you on the first day up to La Compartición.

The second day is an easy one with just about 2.5 hours of hiking. It’s 1.5 hours to summit Pico Duarte, 1 hour back to the base camp, before going all the way down on day 3.

During the hike and especially at the peak, you get rewarded by amazing views over the completely unpopulated central mountain area of the Dominican Republic.

For climbing Pico Duarte, you have 2 options. The cheaper (but very time-consuming) one is to organize equipment and food on your own and head to the trailhead in La Cienaga (Jarabaoca). You just have to take the mandatory guide to enter the national park.

The second and much easier one is to book an organized excursion, which is offered by some of the accommodations in Jarabacoa or by several tour operators. The best airports to fly to are Santo Domingo or Santiago Airport.

When heading for the Pico Duarte trek, it is recommended to include the tour in a road trip through the Dominican Republic .

Like this, you are flexible and can also head on some more extremely adventurous day and waterfall hikes. Check out as Salto La Gritona (the second-highest waterfall in the Dominican Republic) close to Bonao, La Rejolla hike (a combination of 4 incredibly beautiful waterfalls) close to Puerto Plata or the 7 beaches hike in Las Galeras.

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26. Road trip through Andalucia, Southern Spain (one of the most unique road trips and adventure ideas)

Region: Southern Europe Fly into: Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport, Malaga

This next road trip absolutely must be on your adventure bucket list!

Road tripping through Andalusia is a unique experience. If you love visiting historical buildings, seeing unique landscapes and eating local food, this adventure is for you!

Start your road trip by flying to Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport, a great base to travel to other cities and towns. 

From here you can visit Nerja, a beautiful whitewashed town building with stunning views of the coast. Next you’ll see Granada, where you will find the Alhambra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site .

Then Seville, which is the capital of Andalusia and birthplace of flamenco. Continuing your road trip through Cordoba, a beautiful city to visit the Mosque and Andalusian courtyards. Finally you’ll get to Cadiz, one of the oldest cities in Spain. 

To make the most of your time in Andalusia, you will need at least 7 days although 14 to 15 days is perfect to see key attractions in major cities and a few villages. 

If you love discovering hidden gems and travelling to off the beaten track destinations, add cities like Almeria, Jaen and Huelva to your itinerary. Of course, you can also stop in the small towns like Setenil de las Bodegas, Mojacar and Frigiliana for extra sights, food and cultural experiences.

The best time to go on a road trip through Andalusia is spring or early autumn as the weather is good and there are fewer crowds. The worst time to do it is in summer (July and August) as temperatures reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit which makes exploring and sightseeing very difficult. 

When packing for traveling through Andalusia, bring comfortable shoes because there are many pebbled streets and hills, especially in towns.

Recommended by Cristina of My Little World of Travelling – follow on Pinterest

27. Go volcano boarding in Nicaragua

Region: Central America Fly into: Augusto Cesar Sandino International Airport, Managua

If you like adrenaline-pumping activities, volcano boarding in Nicaragua is a must! There are only a few places in the world where you can ride down a volcano. Plus, everything in Nicaragua is affordable so it won’t hurt your wallet.

After flying into Managua airport, it’s just a 3 hour shuttle or private car to the  historic city of Leon . You’ll reach the site of Cerro Negro, a volcano that’s smooth enough to board down.

Cerro Negro, which means Black Mountain, is an active volcano, with visible smoke and scents of sulfur on sections of the trail. Black ash comprises most of the volcano, setting up ideal conditions for boarding. 

Multiple tour operators run daily trips to hike up and slide down the volcano. The guides provide all the gear to comfortably volcano board: a jumpsuit to cover your clothes, protective headware and goggles, and the board! Most will follow up with a video file to relive and share this adventure bucket list activity.

Volcano boarding in Nicaragua is a half-day experience and includes hotel pick-up and drop off, guided hike, instruction and the ride itself. The board allows for foot braking to control speed. Some opt to surf down the volcano, but most sit on the board and go, sledding downhill as fast as they can.

Wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes and bring your filled reusable water bottle . The hike is uphill and Nicaragua can be hot.

While volcano boarding is reason enough to visit Leon, the city is worth a stay-over. While there, take a walking tour to learn the history and see the street art. Don’t miss a visit to the cathedral with a rooftop so pristine you can only walk on it barefoot!

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28. See wild chimpanzees in Tanzania (one of the best adventure activities in the world, for sure)

Region: Eastern Africa Fly into: Kigoma Airport

Most people picture the sandy beaches of Zanzibar and the 4WD safaris in the Serengeti when they think of Tanzania. But a much more off-the-beaten path alternative to those crowded places is Gombe National Park.

Although you might have heard of it due to the renowned Jane Goodall, this park gets in a year the same amount of people Serengeti gets in a day!

There are a few ways to get there. The easiest is to fly to Kigoma. A much more adventurous, fun way is to take a pre-Great War train. It’s the infamous Central Line railway, and  cross the entire country overland  from Dar es Salaam. 

Once you get to Kigoma, you’ll need to jump into a boat that will take you north for a few hours through the beautiful Lake Tanganyika to the border with Burundi, where Gombe National Park lays . Although the whole journey is exciting, here’s where the real bucket list adventure begins. 

You’ll be greeted by park rangers, and before you’re shown around the accommodation, you’ll meet the friendliest inhabitants of the park: the baboons. 

But the star of the show are the chimpanzees. To see them you’ll hike up the mountain rainforest for hours, surrounded by a dense jungle that will open up as you reach the hilltop.

Along the way the park ranger that guides your hike will tell you about the families of chimps that live there. In a single hike you might see a family or two in their natural habitat. 

You’ll get to witness them jumping around trees, finding food and grooming each other. It’s such a breathtaking way to see our closest relatives up close!

Since the protected area is so far away and hard to access, count on at least 2 days in Gombe. Although you can stay for as long as you’d like (and your budget allows). 

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29. Hike Volcan Acatenango in Guatemala

Region: Central America Fly into: La Aurora International Airport, Guatemala City

Near the city of Antigua, Guatemala is the famous Volcan Acatenango. This stratovolcano has been dormant since the early 20th century, and as a result, it’s safe to hike.

In recent years, hiking Acatenango has become popular with those who love activity vacations because when you reach the summit, you’re treated to incredible views of an actively erupting volcano: Volcan Fuego.

Volcan Fuego is directly next to Acatenango. Since 2002, it has been having small eruptions every day. When at the summit of Acatenango, you can see these small eruptions in action. You’ll have views of the smoke, ash, and lava as it explodes from Volcan Fuego’s crater. And, you’ll feel the earth trembling and shaking as well. 

Hiking Volcano Acatenango to see Fuego erupt is super challenging because most of the journey is on a steep incline that becomes tougher the higher you go. With the total elevation gain being 5150 ft, the final hour of the trek is especially grueling.

At that stage, you’re at high altitude, and you’re trekking through volcanic sand rather than solid ground. But it’s worth the pain for unprecedented views of an erupting volcano!

To climb Acatenango, you’ll join a guided tour out of Antigua. The hike is usually done over the course of 2 days.

On the first day you hike to base camp where you spend 1 night. The overnight is special, because in the dark you can see lava erupting out of Volcan Fuego very well. The following day you summit Acatenango, before hiking back down and returning to Antigua.

Hiking Volcan Acatenango is the perfect adventurous bucket list item to combine with a visit to Antigua, as well as other beautiful regions of Guatemala like Lake Atitlan.

Recommended by Erin of Pina Travels – follow on Instagram

30. Climb Mount Etna

Region: Southern Europe Fly into: Catania Airport

Mount Etna is one of the most active volcanoes and one of the most interesting natural wonders in the world. Moreover, it’s one of the hikeable volcanoes in Europe. 

Being as high as 3,326 m / 10,912 ft, Mount Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe outside the Caucasus region. 

How high you can hike depends on the current volcanic activities. The highest crater you can climb now is situated at 2,900 m / 9,515 ft.

If you’re an adventure aficionado and fit hiker, surely you want to hike Mount Etna. For hiking Mount Etna, you need a whole day. 

You reach Mount Etna from Catania by bus provided by the bus company called AST. From other locations, you will need to have a car to reach Mount Etna.

The first bus from Catania, which is the closest city to Mount Etna, the bus departs at 8:15 from Plazza Giovanni XCIII. The distance is only approximately 35 km / 22km from Catania to the Sapienza Refuge at Mount Etna. A two-way ticket costs only 6.60 €.

You can start your hike from 1,923 m / 6,310 ft where the bus drops you, at Sapienza Refuge. For the entire hike, you will need 5 – 6 hours. 

In case, you want to save time, you can take the funicular to 2,500 m / 8,202 ft. 

The landscape on the way up is stunning and naturally diverse. The beginning is very steep and rocky. Then, the landscape changes after 2,500 m / 8,202 ft.  Everything is black and sandy as the black lava changed the landscape.

As you get higher on the mountain, the terrain makes you feel like you are on the moon. It’s sandy and on the sand, there are huge blackish rocks scattered everywhere. 

Then, you can see several volcanic cones and at times you see nothing because the steam clouds coming from the fumarole cover everything. That’s really scary actually. 

The highlight of this epic hike is the colorful crater situated at an altitude of 2,900 m / 9,515 ft. Walking around it is an out-of-the-world experience. 

The weather keeps changing minute by minute as you move up and around the volcano. It can be sunny, then all of a sudden, it can be colder, foggy, cloudy, windy, rainy, or snowy. It’s seriously one of the weirdest places in the world! 

You can definitely see why this makes it on the adventurous bucket list destinations around the world!

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31. Boat ride through the karst scenery in Ninh Binh (some of the most stunning sights and adventure ideas)

Region: Southeast Asia Fly into: Noi Bai International Airport, Hanoi

Located in northern Vietnam and just an hour-and-half away from Hanoi is the beautiful town of Ninh Binh. Once there, you will be surprised that such a small town in Vietnam is packed with so much natural beauty.

Tam Coc is hands down one of  the best places to visit in Ninh Binh . Boating on a meandering river passing through the karst mountains is an experience any traveler would cherish forever and absolutely must be on the top of your adventure bucket list ideas!

Interestingly, the boat trip is guided by the rowers who push the oars with their feet! Y ou will embark on a gentle cruise taking you through limestone caves, pagodas, and old stone bridges.

As the place gets quite busy with daytrippers from Hanoi, it’s best to come early or late evening. Trang An Grottoes is another attraction quite similar to Ninh Binh but unique for the caves you will pass through.

About 5km from Tam Coc is the majestic Hang Mua Peak, a viewpoint like no other. Bear in mind you will have to do a short but strenuous trek to reach the top. From the peak, you will be rewarded with sweeping views of Tam Coc’s karst scenery.

Also popular amongst visitors is the Bich Dong Pagoda, a temple surrounded by forest and located inside a cave! In fact, the whole Tam Coc is dotted with charming mountainside pagodas. 

The best way to get around the area is by a bike ride, slowly taking in the scenic countryside. And to get to Tam Coc from Ninh Binh railway station rent a motorbike.

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32. Visit Mt Bromo, an active volcano

Region: Indonesia Fly into: Abdul Rachman Saleh Airport, Malang

One of the best activity vacations is located in Indonesia, and one that you’ll love!

Mount Bromo  is an active volcano on the island of Java. The magnificent attraction is inside Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, a place that draws nature lovers to see steamy calderas, drive around green valleys and enjoy stunning views of the park.

Bromo is in the eastern part of Java, Indonesia. It’s 3 hours away from the city of Malang and about 4 hours from Surabaya, the country’s second-largest city.

Both cities have an airport and are connected to Jakarta and Bali. However, since Malang is the closest, it’s the best one to stay to explore the park.

Once in Malang, you can hire a guided tour to visit Mount Bromo. Tours usually start with a 1 am hotel pick-up and a Jeep ride. So, it’s important to dress in layers, as it gets cold at night.

After the 3-hour drive, you arrive at Bromo while it’s still dark and the sky is shining with stars. Then, it’s time to wait for the sun to rise bringing an epic and unforgettable scene of smoky peaks in the misty morning.

You can see why this makes it on the adventure bucket list activities around the globe!

Following the sunrise, the tour continues to explore other parts of Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park , like the green mountains of Teletubbies Hill and the sandy landscape of Whispering Sands.

When you return to the city, you can also explore other attractions of Malang . See Kampung Jodipan, a small village with colorful houses, rainbow-painted umbrellas and vibrant murals.

And if you prefer more natural attractions, head over to Tumpak Sewu, an incredible waterfall with several cascades at almost 120 meters in height. You’ll want at least 3 days to explore Mount Bromo and the surrounding area.

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Adventurous bucket list

Well, that’s a wrap! This beautiful place we call earth has amazing activity vacations around the world. So whether you’re looking for adventurous getaways for the weekend or you’d like to explore a corner of the world for weeks or months, you’re sure to have a thrilling time!

Let’s take a look at the best adventure activities in the world again, in a quick list!

Adventure bucket list:

• Hike the NaPali Coast in Kauai
• Desert Safari in Wadi Rum
• Road tripping through Norway
• Bungee jump in New Zealand
• Cage dive with Great White Sharks
• Stay in a Treehouse in the Amazon Rainforest
• Hike Rainbow Mountain in Peru
• Dhoni Cruise in the Maldives
• Road trip through Icefields Parkway in the Candadian Rockies
• Hike to Everest Base Camp
• Epic adventures in Antartica
• Gorge hiking in Crete
• Zipline in Costa Rica
• Road trip through the Dolomites
• Hike in El Chaltén, Patagonia
• Scuba dive in the Komodo Islands
• Hiking to the Lost City in Colombia
• Go scootering in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam
• Trek for orangutans in Borneo
• Travel solo in Pakistan
• Hike Antelope Canyon
• Hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia
• Hike for wildlife in the Sumatran Rainforest
• Hitchhike on the Iron Ore Train in Mauritania
• Climb the highest peak in the Caribbean, Pico Duarte
• Road trip through Andalucia, Southern Spain
• Go volcano boarding in Nicaragua
• See wild chimpanzees in Tanzania
• Hike Volcan Acatenango in Guatemala
• Climbing Mount Etna
• Boat ride through the karst scenery in Ninh Binh
• Visit Mt Bromo, an active volcano

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Tuesday 9th of August 2022

loved all the great ideas

Wednesday 10th of August 2022

Aw that's so great to hear, Tianna! Hope you found your next adventure! :)

Anita Beyond The Sea

Monday 8th of August 2022

I love this! I'm definitely taking some ideas for my own bucket list! I've already had the chance to check some but still so many I need to do!!! :)

Sunday 24th of July 2022

Done a couple, so many mor to go! So glad about the relative freedom of travel again

Agreed! Sounds like you've got some exciting adventures ahead :)

Saturday 23rd of July 2022

These are some fantastic adventurous bucket list ideas! Wadi Rum is on my list as well, but I think I'll pass on the bungy jumping

Ha I hear ya on the bungee jumping! Glad you found this list inspirational 💛

Saturday 11th of June 2022

I started out strong by checking off the first 5 things on the list, but most of the others I havent done yet! Looks like there is so many amazing things to explore! I'd love to go to Tanzania!

Tuesday 14th of June 2022

Ah so cool Lisa! Sounds like it's time to plan another adventure ;)

28 Adventures to Travel For, From Glacier Chasing in Greenland to Sand Surfing in the Sahara

By Caitlin Morton

As much as we love lounging on a faraway beach or revisiting our favorite city for the tenth time, sometimes our passports need some adventure travel—we’re talking about those once-in-a-lifetime trips that push us way outside our comfort zones. Adventure travel is a great way to see more of the world, while also testing your physical limits, and coming home with a lifetime's worth of stories to tell at parties.

Below, we’ve rounded up some of the most incredible outdoor adventures for intrepid travelers, ranging from climbing Machu Picchu to skydiving in Dubai . Even if you don’t consider yourself a daredevil, you’ll still find activities that feel exciting (hello, camping under the northern lights) without too much physical—or emotional—exertion required. So fasten your seatbelts, grab your best pair of hiking boots , and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime.

All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

Boat under the Iguazú Falls

South America’s Iguazú Falls, located on the border of Brazil and Argentina, make all other waterfalls look like mere trickles in comparison. The system of more than 200 cascades (reaching heights of around 270 feet) can be viewed from surrounding walkways and catwalks, but we’re fans of the more adventurous vantage-point—hopping on an Iguazú Jungle inflatable raft and sailing directly under the exhilarating, high-pressure falls.

Climb to Machu Picchu

No adventurer’s must-visit list is complete without Machu Picchu , the famous Incan citadel located in the Andes. While the site can be accessed via train and bus, more active travelers can take the five-day trek along the entire 26-mile-long Inca Trail. Or, thanks to local tour operator Sam Travel Peru , you can get dropped at kilometer marker 104 and do the whole experience in 24 hours .

Sand surf in the Sahara

The dunes of the Sahara are colossal, untouched, and tailor-made for extreme sports. The desert’s rows of barchans (meaning “crescent-shaped dunes” in Turkic) have ideal shapes for sand surfing (descending the slopes on a surfboard) and sandboarding (descending the slopes on a snowboard)—and those views don’t hurt, either. Stay at Erg Chigaga Luxury Camp in Morocco, which offers sandboarding in addition to other desert activities like camel rides and quad biking.

Heli-hike in British Columbia

With CMH Heli + Skiing , you can helicopter to the steepest and deepest powder in Canada for backcountry skiing. However, come summer , the company’s guides take guests on multi-day hiking trips to terrain otherwise inaccessible, along ridgelines, through alpine meadows, and to stunning viewpoints. While these high-altitude adventures are not for the faint at heart, the accommodations are quite comfortable, with log-hewn lodges complete with full-service restaurants, spa treatments, and a rooftop hot tub to relax in before another day on the trail.

Jessica Puckett

Hannah Towey

Karthika Gupta

Hot air balloon over Cappadocia

A hot air balloon ride over central Turkey’s Cappadocia region provides 360-degree views of the famous limestone spires and “fairy chimneys”—something you can't get at the ground level. We recommend booking with Kapadokya Balloons , the first company that introduced hot air balloon tourism in Cappadocia. Services include transfers to and from your hotel, snacks, full insurance, and a champagne party after the flight.

Hunt for glaciers in Greenland

Greenland is relatively expensive and tricky to get to, but well worth the effort—especially since it’s one of the most untouched landscapes on the planet. Exhibit A: the hundreds-year-old icebergs and glaciers floating off the mainland, which you can get up close and personal with during a cruise excursion. ( Hurtigruten and Cruise Norway offer these sailings.)

Hop across Botswana on a mobile safari

While most safari camps stay in one place like a traditional hotel, the private canvas safaris by  Barclay Stenner Safaris are totally mobile, meaning you can pick up and move locations based on weather conditions and wildlife movements. The outfitter’s Botswana itinerary moves across the country to fauna-rich areas like the Okavango Delta and Makgadikgadi Salt Pans—get ready to follow groups of lions, hippos, elephants, and more.

Paraglide over Turkey’s Blue Lagoon

Oludeniz has one of the most beautiful beaches in Turkey, with pebble shores and a “blue lagoon” of aquamarine hues. The beach also happens to be one of the world's best places to paraglide, thanks to stable weather and gorgeous panoramic views. The launch site for most companies is from Babadağ mountain, with jumping-off points reaching 6,000 feet above sea level.

Explore the Great Barrier Reef

Divers and snorkelers everywhere need to experience the Great Barrier Reef at least once in their lifetime. Not only does the site have more than 400 different types of coral and 1,500 species of fish, but the natural wonder has been rapidly eroding due to coral bleaching and global warming . That means it’s more urgent than ever to see this sight in all its glory—and to understand what we are losing.

Swim through Mexico’s cenotes

Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula features a wealth of unique natural beauty, particularly when it comes to its cavernous cenotes. Floating in one of these natural sinkholes is an incredible experience, as is diving through the underground cave systems . When in Tulum , visit Dos Ojos (“Two Eyes”) to view one of the planet’s most beautiful underwater sites or Gran Cenote for rock formations that resemble Gothic architecture.

Free-fall over Dubai at 120 miles per hour

Dubai is one of the most over-the-top cities in the world, so are you really surprised that skydiving is one of its most popular activities?  Skydive Dubai is a company located near Jumeirah Beach, offering tandem skydiving for beginners and solo jumps for licensed divers. If you thought Dubai’s skyline was impressive already, just wait until you see it while falling from 13,000 feet in the air.

Scale Half Dome at Yosemite National Park

The Half Dome trail through Yosemite may be one of the most intense hikes you’ll ever take, stretching for 16 miles and ascending more than 5,500 feet. The final 400 feet are the trickiest—hikers must climb up the steep slope with two steel cables as their only support—but the breathtaking views from the top make the effort (and terror) worth it. Afterwards, stay at The Ahwahnee, one of the most beautiful national park hotels in the country.

Swim with great white sharks in South Africa

The fishing town of Gansbaai is often considered to be the birthplace of great white shark cage diving, an activity that would make most adrenaline junkies drool. Cage diving is totally safe (despite what some low-budget shark movies might lead you to believe), but we dare you to keep your heart rate in check as you come face-to-face with an apex predator.  Marine Dynamics is one of the most popular cage diving operators in town, with a marine biologist and videographer joining every tour.

Bungee jump in New Zealand

New Zealand practically invented adventure sports when the Kawarau Bridge Bungy opened in 1988. Here you join around 38,000 annual visitors to take the 140-foot jump from the South Island's historic, steel-framed Kawarau Bridge—an activity in which the views are almost as thrilling as the fall itself.

Climb Mount Fuji

Solitary Mount Fuji is probably Japan’s most iconic natural wonder , rising 12,388 feet above villages and reflecting on lakes’ surfaces. You can get views of the landmark from many places, like Lake Kawaguchi in Fujikawaguchiko and even the Park Hyatt Tokyo , but it’s the views from the mountain that will give you the most bragging rights. Visit from early July to mid-September to take advantage of the official climbing season, when the designated trails and paved roads are free of snow.

Go volcano boarding on Cerro Negro in Nicaragua

If you’re looking for action sports and adventure, we recommend booking a flight to Nicaragua right now. There you can kayak, surf, zipline through the jungle, and even sled down the side of an active volcano. Intrepid travelers love to climb up the 2,388-foot Cerro Negro and then “volcano board” back down (an activity where you sit or stand on a piece of plywood and slide your way down the slopes). You'll want to go with a guided group tour with this one. Bigfoot Hostels is one of many operators for excursions—for $25, you get transportation to the volcano, boards, safety equipment, snacks, and your speed clocked by a radar gun.

Take a white-knuckle drive in Norway

Who says your adrenaline can’t pump from the comfort of your car? Trollstigen is one of the world’s most popular (and  terrifying ) highways, known for its steep gradient and hairpin turns. The one-lane road passes such impressive wonders as the 1,050-foot Stigfossen waterfall, but be sure to pull over before you gawk and snap photos. There are several viewing platforms along the road that will let you take in the sites without risking a crash.

Dive Belize’s Great Blue Hole

Known for its circular shape and strikingly deep blue color , the Great Blue Hole is a 1,000-foot-wide sinkhole in the middle of Belize’s Lighthouse Reef. While an aerial shot is enough to convince anyone of its beauty, scuba divers are the ones who get to experience the wonders that lie beneath: massive, 40-foot limestone stalactites and stalagmites that formed during the last glacial period.

Go canyoning in the Azores

Portugal’s Azores Islands are equal parts adventurous and beautiful, inviting travelers to get up close and personal with nature while hiking, biking, and swimming. If you want to really push the envelope, try canyoning—an activity that has you rappel down a waterfall while navigating slippery rocks and fast-flowing water. Azores Getaways offers a comprehensive and easy-to-book experience. Training, equipment, on-site instructors, and snacks are all included in the excursion, which will no doubt become one of the most memorable of your life.

Kayak through Torres del Paine National Park

Chile’s Patagonia region is one of the most beautiful spots on the planet, and there are plenty of ways to explore the area. But while most people experience the sights while hiking, you can get a slightly different view from the water via a kayaking trip.  Kayak en Patagonia offers several tour options ranging in duration and difficulty levels, but all let you paddle past towering mountains, rugged glaciers, and other incredible vistas.

Sleep under the northern lights

Ah, the elusive northern lights . So many factors are at play when it comes to seeing the technicolor phenomenon—location, time of year, weather conditions—but it’s hard to lose with an excursion to Finnish Lapland. The Arctic area is one of the planet’s best for aurora viewing, especially if you get to sleep in an igloo hotel at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort or mobile Aurora Bubble Sled . Up your viewing chances by planning a trip between December and March.

Go heli-skiing in Alaska

If you’re a seasoned traveler who’s conquered every black diamond slope in North America, there’s still one snowy adventure left to vanquish: heli-skiing. There’s nothing quite like hopping in a helicopter and being dropped onto untouched snow at the top of a mountain—especially in a setting as formidable as Alaska’s Chugach Mountains. The experienced guides at  Valdez Heli Ski Guides (VHSG) will help make this dream a reality, taking you to some of the best runs of your life and then letting you unwind (hot tub and massages included) at the cozy  Tsaina Lodge .

Snorkel between continents in Iceland

Iceland is one of the best countries in the world for adventure travel , with opportunities for everything from glacier hiking to snorkeling and diving. For the latter, head straight to Thingvellir National Park along the country’s Golden Circle route , where two tectonic plates slowly pull apart at the rate of about two centimeters (0.8 inches) per year. The phenomenon results in the Silfra fissure, a stunning rift valley where travelers can snorkel or dive in impossibly clear (and cold) waters. Tour company DIVE.IS offers tours for divers and every level of snorkeler—including those with no prior experience—and will snap an underwater photo of you touching two continents at the same time.

Float along the Amazon

Some remote destinations are best seen from the deck of a boat, and that includes the upper Amazon River. Aqua Expeditions ’ luxury cruises through the Peruvian stretch of the river tour the area’s wildlife and culture at a delightful, leisurely pace. You'll even have chef-prepared gourmet meals and five-star suites with floor-to-ceiling windows. Looking for something a little less luxe? Amazon Adventures offers kayaking trips along some Amazon tributaries, where you can fish for piranhas and camp out in the rainforest.

Surf ‘The Pipeline’ in Oahu

Oahu’s Banzai Pipeline (commonly referred to as The Pipeline) is easily one of the most sought-after surfing spots in the world. Located off the coast of the island’s north shore in Ehukai Beach Park, the surf reef break averages waves measuring nine feet high. This activity is definitely not for beginners, but even non-surfers will get a thrill out of watching the many surf competitions that take place at The Pipeline—all from the safety of a sunny beach.

Spot elusive wildlife in the Great Bear Rainforest

Canada’s Great Bear Rainforest is the largest intact temperate rainforest in the world—and one of the most magical, with elusive species like sea wolves and Kermode bears roaming its 21 million acres. Outer Shores Expeditions will take you on a nine-day excursion aboard a schooner, departing from British Columbia’s First Nations community of Bella Bella and stopping for sea kayaking along the way.

Soak in the planet’s most extreme infinity pool

Located on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia, Victoria Falls attracts thousands of tourists each year. One of the biggest draws here is the Devil’s Pool , a naturally formed eddy sitting at the very edge of the falls, where daring swimmers can splash around between August and January (depending on water levels, that is). Given that a slippery rock barrier is the only thing separating you from going over the edge, this site is easily the planet’s most extreme infinity pool .

Camp in Antarctica

Antarctica is truly the final frontier when it comes to adventure travel, providing untouched landscapes, unique wildlife, and more activities than you’ll know what to do with (like cruising, caving, and thermal spring soaking , to name a few). If you can get yourself to Punta Arenas, Chile, Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions will fly you to Antarctica for three days of skiing and hiking before setting you up for a South Pole sleepover.

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15 Epic Adventures You Must Add to Your 2023 Bucket List

We haven’t been everywhere… yet. But, we have been to over 60 countries over the course of 7 years, and we’ve been able to check quite a few adventures off our massive combined bucket list (plus a few extras).

So we’ve compiled a list of our 15 favorite epic and awe-inspiring around-the-world adventures that you must add to your bucket list in 2023!

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or booking through one of our links we may earn a small commission (don’t worry, it’s at no extra cost to you).

The Best Bucket List Trips in the World

1. myanmar: bike through the temples of bagan.

Bagan is an ancient city located in the Mandalay region of Myanmar (the country formerly known as Burma). It is home to the remains of over 2,000 surviving temples and pagodas during the height of the kingdom between the 11th and 13th centuries. But, it’s estimated that there were over 10,000 in the region!

You can view the amazing landscape of the region from the sky in an air balloon, by renting a bicycle from one of the many shops in town, or directly from your hotel. Cruise around on your bike through the lush greenery of the unspoiled region and then hop off at the pagodas that pique your interest to explore inside.

Head for higher ground to get spectacular views during sunrise and sunset. It will be an amazingly adventurous bucket list trip that you’ll never forget!

2. Turkey: Float in a Hot Air Balloon in Cappadocia

Sure, you can take a hot air balloon ride pretty much anywhere in the world. But generally, you’re just a solo balloon floating above the clouds in awe of the beautiful scenery below. In the Cappadocia region of Turkey, there are hundreds of colorful balloons that take to the sky just before sunrise.

You’ll sail high above the otherworldly landscape, get close enough to the “fairy chimneys” to touch, and then dip low into the valleys to get an up-close view of the cave houses. All while being surrounded by hundreds of other balloons, which makes the already epic scenery appear to be something out of a fairy tale.

You’ve never seen anything like it before and you won’t find an experience like it anywhere else!

3. Egypt: Stand in Awe Beneath the Pyramids of Giza

If you are an ancient history buff, a visit to Egypt is an absolute must! Just outside of Cairo in the city of Giza, you’ll find the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World – the Great Pyramid of Giza.

Three pyramids make up the Giza pyramid complex and all are quite spectacular to see in person. The ancient Egyptian pharaohs believed that upon their death, they needed assistance in reaching the afterlife. So they had elaborate mummification processes and massive tombs filled with jewelry, treasures, and even a full-sized boat that you can see on display in the Khufu Boat Museum in the complex.

The Great Pyramid was the tallest man-made structure in the world for over 3,800 years. And as you get close to it, you realize that all of the stones fit together perfectly, with a mean opening of the joints of only 0.5 millimeters. How they managed such precision remains a mystery to this day.

4. USA: Swim beneath Havasu Falls in Arizona

Havasu Falls is in an area of northern Arizona near the Grand Canyon that is managed by the Havasupai Native American tribe. Permits to visit the area go on sale on February 1st each year and sell out almost immediately as this is arguably one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the entire USA!

But ticking this one off of your bucket list isn’t exactly easy. You’ll need to trek 10 miles through the dusty canyon from the parking lot with all of your food, gear, and supplies , and then set up camp along the river. After all of that hard work, you’ll be ready for a dip in the crystal clear blue water that flows down the five awe-inspiring waterfalls.

Every day will offer a new adventure – whether it’s swimming underneath the iconic Havasu Falls, lounging in the tide pools above, or hiking down the slightly treacherous path to Mooney and Beaver Falls – you’ll never get bored in this pristine wonderland!

5. Peru: Hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Most of the hundreds of tourists that visit Machu Picchu each day opt to sleep in, take the train to the ruins, walk around for a few hours, and then head back to town for an early dinner. But that’s not the way the Incas did it, so why should you?

Take the 26-mile road less traveled and choose a three, four, or five-day trek on the Inca Trail to really experience the wonder, magic, and history of the area!

You’ll marvel at the beautiful mountain scenery that rises above and the lush forests below. And you’ll walk across the original paving stones of the Incas while seeing other less-preserved ruins along the way. By the time you finally reach the Sun Gate on your last morning with spectacular views of Machu Picchu far below, you’ll know that you’ve really earned it!

6. Indonesia: Summit Mount Rinjani

Mount Rinjani is an active volcano rising 12,254 feet above the island of Lombok in Indonesia. There is a caldera on the volcano that is filled by the crater lake known as Segara Anak and also fed by a hot spring. The water mixing between the two creates the perfect temperature for an afternoon dip along with the three-day, 21-mile trek.

The scenery along the Mount Rinjani trek changes dramatically each day, and you’ll continuously be in awe of the amazing landscape of this massive volcano.

While it’s possible to trek Mount Rinjani on your own, most hikers choose to go with a tour group since they’ll provide you with the trekking gear you’ll need to make it to the top. Plus they’ll cook for you and wake your exhausted butt up at 3 am to push for the summit.

Once at the top, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking sunrise views of the entire island below. It’s difficult, but an incredibly rewarding and bucket-list-worthy journey!

7. Argentina: Walk on the Perito Moreno Glacier

The Perito Moreno Glacier is located in Los Glaciares National Park in the Argentinian Patagonia region. The glacier is 97 square miles (19 miles in length, 3.1 miles in width, with an average height of 240 feet above the surface of the water), and is the third-largest reserve of fresh water in the world.

You can view this massive act of mother nature in a number of ways. You can see it from the large viewing area across the lake. You can hop on a boat to get a close-up view of the massive chunks calving off. Or, for a real bucket list hike, you can strap on a pair of crampons and trek across a portion of the mammoth piece of ice.

There are two trekking options; a “mini-trek” that takes about an hour and a half, or a “big ice trek” that takes about five hours. Both are rewarded with spectacular views of the ice formations of the glacier and with an ice-cold glass of whiskey (literally, your whiskey is chilled by a tiny chunk of the glacier).

Your photos from this trip won’t even look real!

8. Bolivia: Drive across the Salar de Uyuni

Covering an area of more than 4,000 square miles, the Salar de Uyuni (aka Salt Flats of Uyuni) is the largest salt flat in the world! It is estimated to contain approximately 10 billion tons of salt, of which less than 25,000 tons is extracted annually.

The region has an extraordinary flatness with elevation variations within only one meter over the entire area, which makes depth perception in photos nearly impossible to gauge.

To visit this area, you can join a tour group and see all of the standard sights including the train cemetery and a cactus island in the middle of the flats. Or, better yet, hire a private driver for several days and stay in a salt hotel where everything from the dining tables to the walls to the bed you sleep in is made out of salt (we licked them all, just to be sure). The private driver offers you the freedom to cruise around the giant flats and make as many stops as you want along the way!

You’ll never forget your salty bucket list adventure, and you’ll have hilarious photos to document the fun!

9. India: Fall in Love with the Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is a marble mausoleum in the city of Agra in Northern India. The Mughal emperor Shah Jahan commissioned the 42 acre complex to house the tomb of one of his wives (his favorite wife), Mumtaz Mahal, whose name means “Jewel of the Palace”. She died during complications while giving birth to their 14th child, and while on her deathbed, Shah Jahan promised her that he would never remarry and would build the richest mausoleum over her grave.

The Taj Mahal took 22 years and 22,000 workers to construct. Now one of the Seven Wonders of the World, English poet Sir Edwin Arnold described it as “not a piece of architecture, as other buildings are, but the proud passion of an emperor’s love wrought in living stones.” The beauty that you see in photos can’t even begin to compare with seeing this wonder in person.

10. Jordan: Explore ‘The Lost City’ of Petra

Petra is known as “The Rose City” due to the rose-colored stone that it is carved from and “The Lost City” because it was, well, lost for hundreds of years. It is also one of the “New” Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Dating back to the third century BC, Petra was nothing but an arid desert and mounds of sandstone before the Nabataean people descended on the area. Creating a virtual oasis with their inventive water collection techniques and carving impressive facades at the entrance of cave dwellings, Petra became home to some 20,000 Nabataeans at its peak.

The ruins of Petra are a majestic archaeological wonder to behold – not just because of their massive size and intricate designs – but also to consider exactly how they were carved. You can see small etch markings lining the sheer rock face of the Treasury. Imagine men precariously perched 120 feet up, painstakingly scratching away at the sandstone!

Site excavations have been ongoing since the early 1900s, and over 800 monuments have been identified and listed. But surprisingly, archaeologists have explored less than half of the site to date!

Today Petra is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world! It was also chosen by the Smithsonian Magazine as one of the “28 Places to See Before You Die” – how about that for your bucket list?

11. Namibia: Go on a Self-Drive Safari

Getting the opportunity to see wild animals from the comfort (and safety) of your vehicle is an adventure that is on most people’s bucket lists. But the exorbitant cost of a safari sways most until they are retired and finally have the funds to spend.

But Etosha National Park in Namibia allows you the opportunity to do a self-drive safari, which drastically reduces the cost and makes it more accessible to everyone.

Etosha National Park covers an area of 8,600 square miles and is home to a wide range of animal species. You may be lucky enough to spot wild elephants, rhinos, lions, giraffes, leopards, zebras, antelope, and loads of bird species. Plus you can do the tour at your own pace, spending as much time as you want to gaze at the amazing landscape.

A trip to Namibia is an epic adventure that you’ll never forget!

12. Morocco: Spend a Night in the Sahara

Imagine trekking out to the middle of the desert on a camel, to a tent where you will spend the night. You look around and all you see are miles and miles of sand dunes as far as the eye can see. And you have no idea where you came from or how to get back.

That’s exactly the kind of bucket list experience that you can have in the Sahara Desert in Morocco. You can hire a trusty guide and a camel to pack out your luggage in the small town of Merzouga. Your guide will take you several miles into the dunes to a desert camp where they’ll prepare an amazing dinner and you’ll sleep in a tent under the stars.

Be sure to wake up early in the desert – it will be one of the most spectacular sunrises you’ll ever get the opportunity to witness!

13. USA: Survive a Week at Burning Man

Burning Man is an annual event that takes place during the week before Labor Day every year. An enormous salt flat in Nevada is transformed into “Black Rock City” where people spend a week partying, and essentially surviving in this dusty wasteland.

Started in 1986 by a small group of friends who got together on a beach in San Francisco to “burn the man”, it has since amassed to over 70,000 who stand in awe as the 40-foot “man” burns at the end of the week.

The only things for sale at Burning Man are ice and coffee. Everything else is gifted by the kind-hearted souls that attend. And you must bring anything and everything you’ll need to survive for a week – food, water, shelter – everything.

You’ll meet some crazy, amazing people and have an awesome time rolling around on your bike, checking out the epic art installations. It’s truly a bucket list experience of a lifetime!

14. Ecuador: Swim with Sea Turtles in the Galápagos

The Galápagos Islands are an archipelago of volcanic islands in the Pacific Ocean, west of Ecuador. Having been described as a unique “living museum and showcase of evolution”, the islands were studied extensively by Charles Darwin due to their vast number of endemic species.

There are around 25,000 people that live on the islands, but they are far outnumbered by the animals that call it home. These 19 islands and the surrounding marine reserve are home to some of the highest levels of endemism (species found nowhere else on earth) anywhere on the planet. About 80% of the land birds, 97% of the reptiles and land mammals, 30% of the plants, and more than 20% of the marine species in the Galápagos are endemic.

Now a UNESCO World Heritage site with a focus on conservation, the Galápagos Islands are a popular tourist destination for spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities. And since the area is protected, the animals do not see humans as being a threat. So you’ll often share your personal space with lazy sea lions or snorkel alongside curious sea turtles.

You can’t see so many different species up-close-and-personal anywhere else in the world!

15. Iceland: Chase the Northern Lights

A visit to Iceland during the winter months will give you the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights! This natural astronomical phenomenon is on the bucket list of many, and Iceland is one of the few places where you can appreciate them.  

Caused by solar particles colliding with the earth’s magnetic fields, the Northern Lights – or Aurora Borealis – is a spectacular nighttime light show. The light patterns are bright with faint green colors glowing and dancing in the sky. 

Norse mythology suggests the Aurora Borealis were merely the reflections from the Valkyries’ shields and armor, or simply the Bifrost Bridge leading fallen Viking warriors to Valhalla.

For a better chance to experience them, go out to the wilderness and stay in the countryside. All you need to do is wait and see. 

No matter what, you’ll simply love this marvel and your photos will be breathtaking!

So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start planning your bucket list adventures!

Planning an epic trip around the world? Check out our favorite books and travel guides.

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About the Author:

Val grew up in Portland, Oregon but moved to Oahu on a whim back in 2013. She sold her house and all of her belongings and bought a one-way ticket. Since then she’s taken two around-the-world trips and has visited 60-ish countries while living out of a duffel bag. Val started documenting the Wandering Wheatleys travels back in 2013 as a way to update friends and family about her whereabouts and to relay humorous daily interactions. The only readers were her mom and her mother-in-law but that didn’t stop her! These days you’ll find Val dreaming up future trips, creating new travel content, managing a team of amazing travel enthusiasts, and chasing around her two adorable but naughty kids.

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10 thoughts on “15 epic adventures you must add to your 2023 bucket list”.

Your list is amazing. I’m going to nix the biking aspect of Bagan, since I am not able to do that anymore, but that aside, yeah, I want to do most of these ideas! Hot air balloons, swimming beneath waterfalls, exciting self-drives, swimming with turtles, yes please. I have been to Machu Picchu twice, once in the 1980s when it was very very quiet, and once in this decade, when it was much busier. No hiking for me, but still an awe-inspiring place. We were lucky with our visit to Petra that it was during a volatile time in the region and most travellers cancelled their visits, not good for the local tourism industry but from a selfish perspective, meant we had Petra almost to ourselves. Taj Mahal I’ve been to a few times, and yes, it’s an amazing place, though I would love to have it to myself for a day if only I could!!!!

This looks like a super awesome bucket list! I’ve only done two myself – Inca Trail + Havasu Falls. I’d love to add walking on that Glacier in Argentina to my list of accomplishments too! I’ve stood on a glacier in Iceland and Alaska, but I am always up for adding more, while we still can.

I don’t like the term bucket list – it’s just too threatening for someone my age! There’s plenty for me to see and do though – and the first thing on my own wish list is to visit the Galápagos Islands for the wildlife- and perhaps catch the salt flats of Bolivia en-route. Sounds amazing

Wow, that’s a great bucket list right there! I love your photo of the deck of cards and you at the Salt Flats, very clever. I really want to hike the Inca Trail and visit Petra. Cycling around the temples in Myanmar sounds like a great idea too

I haven’t done any of these, and to be honest, Machu Picchu and Galapagos are the only ones that are on my list currently. But now I’m thinking that the salt flats in Bolivia and Petra in Jordan should also be on there. I loved your photos – very inspirational!

What a sad thing for me.. I haven’t done any of these. Not even the Taj Mahal in my own country. When I get a little freer I am going to do all of these. The Salt Flats experience seems to be amazing… licking to be sure 😀 😀

I feel so embarassed I haven’t tried any of these either! However, this is the second post I am reading today about Cappadocia and I feel that I need to go there as soon as possible! Petra has also been on my bucket list for ever and hopefully I will make it there next year. I haven;t heard about Havasu Falls before and they do seem gorgeous! Adding them on my list too!

All adventures you listed are so thrilling. I have done biking in Bagan and loved it to the core. And Taj Mahal is exactly 200 KM from my residence. Its motivating that i have done two from this list. One day I would like to hike Inca Trail and visit Petra.

Great list! I have done most of your proposed advantures already. And thanks to this post I have added a new one on my wish list : Havasu Falls! I did not know such beautiful falls existed so close to Grand Canyon, great finding!

What an awesome bucketlist – Bagan is also at the top of mine – I’ve been wooed by those romantic photos of hot air balloons over a thousand traditional temples at sunrise. And on the theme of hot air ballooning, Cappadocia is also on my list lol it’s like we have the same mind!

All of these experiecnes are on my bucketlist – though I did take the train to Machu Piccu instead of the trek last year, and honestly it was pouring at the time so I was quite glad I wasn’t miserable and wet!!! Swimming with sea turtles in the Galapagos is one of the highlights of my life though, so if you can prioritize that you won’t be disappointed!

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An Epic Adventure Bucket List to Complete This Summer

Geof Wheelwright is a freelance travel and technology journalist and the writing team manager for Amazon Web Services. His work has been featured in The Guardian, The Independent, Time Magazine, Newsweek, Popsugar, Sunset, Geekwire, and Travel + Leisure .

There's nothing wrong with a summer spent at the beach . But if you want more than tan lines and sand-covered clothes, consider embarking on one (or all) of these incredible seasonal adventures. After all, bucket list trips are like snowflakes. And for this one, we've ditched the tame and the far-flung in favor of a high-octane, thrilling series of experiences you can complete on your summer break (or maybe during your summer Fridays).

Whether you're a fan of sun and sand, fresh mountain air, or sweeping desert vistas, there's a potential adventure for you. Very ambitious travelers can even try checking off every item on this wild, once-in-a-lifetime list. Consider, for example, spending a balmy weekend in June scuba diving around the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, off the Florida Keys. Or getting extra muddy during the Tough Mudder competition in New York. Regardless of whether or not you want to get high (parasailing or hang gliding) or go low (spelunking in Kentucky) we promise your summer stories won't be the least bit boring. And the pictures you share on Instagram won't look like every other snapshot of beach umbrellas and pool floats .

Hiking in the Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is one of those places that initially leaves you feeling like you’ve walked onto a movie set—an action movie set, specifically. And there’s this other thing: it’s mind-bogglingly huge. Not only is it a mile deep, but it's also 277-“river miles”-long and up to 18-miles-wide. Incidentally, it's also a bit of a challenge to get to, with only three spots where you can reasonably get into the Canyon: the North Rim, the South Rim, and the West Rim.

A vast majority of hikers start at the South Rim, from which there are two major trails—the 12.8-mile-long Rim Trail and the 6.6-mile Greenway trail. Each is broken down into sections of varying difficulty. The Hermit Trail , for example, is a rocky, steep, and challenging route that starts at an elevation of 6,640 feet. The recommended day hike destination is 2.5 miles away at Santa Maria Springs (4,880 feet). If you’re up for an overnight hike, you can do the seven hours of hiking needed to go from the trailhead to Hermit Creek (a distance of only 7.8 miles).

Whitewater Rafting on the Colorado River

At the base of the Grand Canyon is the Colorado River, a famous spot for whitewater rafting. (You don’t actually have to hike into the Grand Canyon to do a whitewater rafting trip, however, as there are many spots along the 1,450-mile-long river where you can start your adventure.)

One of the most popular places to begin is at Lee’s Ferry in Arizona. The trip from Lee’s Ferry to Phantom Ranch is a great way to experience the Colorado River rapids, as well as get a view of the Grand Canyon that you just won’t see any other way. Be prepared, however, to spend a little time on this experience. It's often considered a six or seven day adventure . And you may want to take a few shorter, gentler trips before tackling this one, which features no less than 19 major rapids over the course of an 87-mile journey.

Rock Climbing in Joshua Tree National Park

Irjaliina Paavonpera/Travel + Leisure

A trip to California's Joshua Tree National Park may be as close as many of us get to visiting another planet, with its strange plants and massive, lunar-like boulders littering the landscape.

While there are countless trails over the rocks that can be tackled with just a good pair of hiking boots, more daring travelers can use the park's 400 climbing formations for advanced rock climbing. If you want help navigating the 8,000 trails (or you need assistance with the ropes, helmets, and footwear, get in touch with one of the local climbing schools (such as the Joshua Tree Rock Climbing School or Joshua Tree Climbing Guides ).

Scuba Diving Off the Florida Keys

If you’re new to scuba diving, the Florida Keys region is a fantastic place to get started. One hot spot for divers visiting the Florida Keys is John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. It bills itself as the country’s first underwater state park and—together with the adjacent Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary—spans 178 nautical square miles.

More important than its vast size, this state park is home to the only living coral reef in the continental United States. Sea life here is so rich and abundant you may want to take a little time to brush up on your marine biology before your trip. According to the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) , there are 40 species of living coral in the park along with some 650 varieties of fish.

Parasailing in California

If parasailing is on your bucket list, there are few more iconic places you could take to the skies than Marina Del Rey. Surrounded by places like the Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach, and Malibu, parasailing on this stretch of California coastline will let you float high above these iconic destinations.

Check out Marina Del Rey Parasailing , which allows up to three people at a time and flies them at either 500 or 800 feet above the ocean.

Surfing in Hawaii

Is there anything more quintessentially Hawaiian than hopping on a surfboard and riding the waves? Travelers looking to check this off the bucket list should be sure to choose a beach that best matches his or her abilities. If you’re a beginner—and don’t mind wiping out in front of large crowds—then the venerable Waikiki Beach is a good choice.

Here, there are many places to rent boards , as well as to take lessons. For a quieter learning experience, check out beaches on the North Shore of the island, like Hale'iwa Beach Park). Here, a two-hour group surf lesson at Surf Hawaii – Surf School , for example, will cost you $85.

Summer Skiing in Oregon

There’s something really special about skiing—fresh powder and all—in a short sleeve shirt with the summer sun warming your face. That’s what you’ll find at Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood , in northern Oregon. While a lot of the summer mountain skiing happens within the freestyle ski and racing camps that run between June and September, the mountain does offer the general public access to some of the runs on the Palmer Snowfield every summer.

Bungee-jumping in California

If you have an urge to jump off a bridge while tied to a giant rubber band, there's a place in California for you. This abandoned, so-called Bridge to Nowhere, just 30 miles from downtown Los Angeles, was reborn as a permanent bungee-jumping site in 1989. To jump just once with a full body suit, you’ll pay $99—and then an extra $50 for each additional jump.

Dune Riding in Arizona

Believe it or not, you don't have to go to another country to speed along miles and miles of sand dunes. You can do that at the Imperial Sand Dunes National Recreation Area outside of Yuma, Arizona. Here, visitors are even allowed to rent and ride all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) on the dunes. Given that you probably won’t have your own ATV when you reach the dunes, you can rent from places such as Jet Rent in Yuma.

Spelunking in Kentucky

If you’ve ever wanted to explore life underneath the Earth’s crust, Kentucky’s Mammoth Cave National Park is the place to go to realize your dream. Known as the “world's longest known cave system," with more than 400 miles of explored caves, Mammoth Cave is also one of the country’s oldest attractions.

Last year, it celebrated 200 years of offering tours. For the best bucket list experience, consider the Grand Avenue Tour, which will take four hours or more, and requires you to climb 700 stairs.

Hiking in Washington

On a clear day in Seattle, look to the southeast and notice a 14,410-foot, white-capped mountain rising in the distance. That lofty peak is Mount Rainier, an 85-mile drive south of Seattle.

There are a lot challenging climbs in Mount Rainier National Park —the most extreme of which will require you to have a lot of experience and special equipment. The good news is that you don’t necessarily have to summit the mountain. Instead, take one of many day hikes on the 260 miles of trails around the mountain. A favorite is the Glacier Basin Trail , a seven-mile journey (round-trip) that runs along an old mining road and includes a viewpoint where you can see the massive Emmons Glacier.

Tackle a Tough Mudder in New York

For endurance runners who love a challenge, there are few experiences that get the blood flowing more than a Tough Mudder event. This 10- to 12-mile obstacle course features 20 or more complications designed to test your fitness, strength, endurance, tenacity, and willingness to get really muddy.

The obstacles include things to climb over, swim across, go through, and crawl under. Admittedly, none of them are really easy or pleasant. If you’re in the New York area this summer, sign up for the Tough Mudder event in Glenwood, New York.

Mountain Biking at Whistler

Whistler has shed its reputation as a destination exclusively for winter sports enthusiasts. Now, during the summer, some of its steep and challenging runs are repurposed for adventurous mountain bikers. As a result, it now plays host to the Crankworx World Tour every summer. Here, you can watch some of the best mountain bikers in the world take on amazing terrain in the former home of the Winter Olympics. You can also make your own mountain biking adventures at Whistler by tackling one of the many tough trails open to the public in the summer months.

Hang Gliding Over the Great Lakes

Hang gliding is a tough sport. But that’s also part of what makes these tiny, wind-powered crafts so appealing to adventurers. For visitors to the Great Lakes, there’s a well-established hang gliding company called High Perspective , just outside of Toronto.

They offer both tandem flights (where you’re strapped into a hang glider that’s flown by an experience professional) as well as a beginner training course. Unfortunately, crossing this item off your summer adventure bucket list won't come cheap. A single tandem flight on a weekday will cost you CDN $160, plus tax.

Water Skiing in Florida

There are lots of great places across the country to go water skiing. But if you’re going to make this the final item on your bucket list, why not pick one of the more exciting venues to try it in?

That would be the Swiss Waterski Resort in Clermont, Florida, which is well-known for its water skiing instruction (and resort accommodations, 18-hole golf course, and proximity to the theme parks of Orlando). The resort also offers water skiing lessons to visitors, meaning you don't need to factor a resort fee into the final cost.

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Step deeper into the animal kingdom while respecting all of its inhabitants. Our incredible collection of 20 wildlife-focused tours is endorsed by the world-renowned ethologist.

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The thrill of adventure. The awesomeness of hostels. Get ‘em both on these immersive small group trips for 18 to 35-year-old travellers.

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Best Adventure Travel Companies

This is our roundup of the best adventure travel companies. This article is for those of us who love to travel, but don't have the time or energy to spend on figuring out complicated logistics. 

There are hundreds of adventure travel companies operating all over the world, from Andorra to Zimbabwe, that cater to a wide range of different travel styles and preferences. Booking a trip through an adventure travel company can save hours of frustration and help you have a fantastic experience.

We’ve taken a systematic approach to ranking these tour operators, taking into account everything from popularity, to online reviews, sustainability commitments, and the company’s breadth of trip offerings, so you can be confident that you’ve found the operator that’s right for you.

Let’s get to it!

Want to book your next adventure with a local guide?

These are all individual travel operators, but if you want to book direct with a local guide, check out the trips on Skyhook. 

Best Adventure Travel Companies In the World

#1. g adventures (9.8/10), best small group adventure travel operator.

G Adventures is one of the world’s largest and best adventure travel companies, with over 700 different trip offerings around the globe. Although they take over 200,000 travellers out on adventures each year, they’re actually best known as a small group travel operator with a high focus on sustainability and authenticity.

Instead of shuttling travellers from tourist attraction to tourist attraction, G Adventures takes small groups of guests off the beaten path and give them the chance to have quality interactions with local people.

G Adventures eschews fancy hotels and western-style meals for more local options. Their tours are best suited for the traveller that’s interested in stepping outside their comfort zone for a more authentic travel experience.

#2. Audley Travel (9.2/10)

Best tailor-made adventure travel company for luxury.

Audley Travel believes that the best way to see the world is to explore it in your own way. That's why they specialise in creating travel experiences that are tailored to the individual needs and desires of any given traveller.

Instead of selling you a pre-packaged experience, anyone travelling with Audley Travel starts their journey with a conversation with a specialist, who will figure out what your budget is, where you'd like to go, and how you want to travel, so you end up with an experience that's perfect for you.

This top-of-the-line service means that guests adventuring with Audley Travel can expect luxury accommodation and itineraries crafted just for them. Of course, this type of service doesn’t come cheap, but if you’re looking for custom luxury travel, Audley Travel might be for you.

#3. Exodus Travel (9.2/10)

Runner-up: best adventure travel company for small groups.

Exodus Travel offers an amazing range of different travel experiences that focus on active adventure and education about a country's culture and environment. Each of their 500 different trips builds in a variety of outdoor activities, whether that be hiking and biking or winter sports.

Exodus takes guests to more than 90 countries on all seven continents, so they've got something for everyone. Plus, they've made a commitment to travelling responsibly, with respect to both the environment and other cultures, when bringing guests to some of the world's most fascinating places.

#4. Intrepid Travel (9/10)

Intrepid Travel was founded nearly three decades ago by two Australian friends who set off for a journey around Africa. They gave up traditional Western comforts for an authentic travel experience like no other. It is this ethos that started Intrepid lives within the company to this day. Intrepid takes over 100,000s of travellers on over 800 different trips on every continent in the world.

These days, Intrepid specialises in small group travel to some of the world's most remote places. As their name suggests, they focus on out-there adventures that are off the beaten path, yet committed to sustainability.

They run trips to suit a wide range of different travellers and travel styles, but everyone travelling with Intrepid should be ready for an adventure like no other!

#5. National Geographic Expeditions (9/10)

Best operator for expert guides.

The name ‘National Geographic’ is synonymous with amazing photography and ground-breaking scientific research. Nat Geo brings the same quality found in their magazines to their adventure travel trips .

Each Nat Geo trip is designed for people of a specific interest group, whether that be food, culture, wildlife, or active adventure. There’s a Nat Geo tour for pretty much everyone.

What sets Nat Geo apart from other tour operators is their commitment to hiring only true experts to run their trips. So, when you book on an African safari, you’ll be accompanied by an actual researcher that’s dedicated their life to studying the very animals you’ll see.

#6. Urban Adventures (8.8/10)

Best city adventures.

Sometimes, the best adventures happen in the heart of a city. Although the idea of “adventure travel” usually conjures up imagines of high mountain peaks or vast desert landscapes, Urban Adventures firmly believes that there’s a lot to explore and learn from inside some of the world’s greatest cities.

Urban Adventures has a trip for everyone, whether you’re a foodie or an active traveller. They’ve got shopping tours, beer tours, and multi-city tours, so it’s not difficult to find a trip that piques your interest.

Urban Adventures will create a custom itinerary just for you. You can be sure that you’re getting the city adventure you’ve always dreamed of.

#7. World Expeditions (8.8/10)

Runner-up: best small group adventure operator.

World Expeditions wants to take you to some of the world’s most amazing places via the path less travelled. They’re committed to providing high-quality travel experiences that focus on responsible tourism and supporting local communities. World Expeditions brings travellers to every continent but leaves behind the touristy areas for some seldom seen places.

They focus on cultural immersion and active adventures, but they cater their trips to travellers of all different ages and different activity levels so you can find a trip that's right for you. Plus, if you have a dream trip in mind, they'll even help you craft an entirely custom made itinerary and make it happen.

#8. TrailFinders (8.2/10)

Best adventure travel agency.

Trailfinders offers a variety of different tours that have garnered them a worldwide reputation. While they have a selection of pre-packaged trips, where Trailfinders really shines is in creating tailor-made travel itineraries because they know there’s nothing better than a bespoke travel adventure.

Trailfinders is known for its fantastic customer service, from actual travel experts who have actually been to the places they sell tours. You can be confident that you're getting an itinerary that's right for your needs. They offer everything from a weekend getaway to months-long holidays and everything in between.

#9. International Expeditions (8.2/10)

Best eco-travel operator.

If eco-friendly small group travel sounds like your kind of adventure, then look no further than International Expeditions . The company is committed to sustainable tourism and conservation efforts both in their offices and on their trips.

International Expeditions create award-winning travel experiences to over 20 different countries. They focus on facilitating authentic interactions with local people and cultures.

On an International Expeditions trip, you’ll be accompanied by an expert naturalist and expedition leader who are local to the area you’re travelling to. This means that with International Expeditions, you’ll get information and service that you could never find in a guidebook.

#10. Kuoni (8/10)

Runner-up: best luxury & tailor-made travel company.

Kuoni is one of the best adventure travel companies for luxury custom travel that's designed specifically to meet your needs. Whether you're looking for a guided small-group tour or a carefully designed experience, Kuoni is there to make your dreams a reality.

Where Kuoni really shines is in its customer service. For travellers from the United Kingdom, you can visit their offices and have a chat with one of their destination experts. If you're someone who wants to plan a trip and a pre-packaged tour won't cut it, Kuoni's adventures just might be for you.

#11. Flash Pack (8/10)

Best adventure travel company for 30-40-somethings.

Are you between the ages of 30 and 49? Do you frequently travel alone but wish you had adventure companions like you? If you answered yes to both of those questions, then Flashpack is the best adventure travel company for you.

Other tour operators place people on a trip together simply because they wanted to go to the same place at the same time. Flashpack specialises in connecting travellers in their 30s and 40s with other like-minded adventure enthusiasts. You can explore the world in style without having to go about it alone.

#12. Wild Frontiers Adventure Travel (8/10)

Runner-up: best operator for expert guides.

Wild Frontiers was founded by renowned travel writer Jonny Bealby with a mission to bring travellers to amazing places and introduce them to the fantastic people and cultures that make these locations so special.

The company specialises in small-group travel. Itineraries are organised by regional experts that have been to the places you’ll journey to.

Wild Frontiers offers a wide variety of different tours to some truly remote places, but they’re also happy to tailor-make an itinerary, just for you. On a Wild Frontiers trip, you’ll stay active and experience some of the world’s most remote places like a local.

#13. Trek America (7.8/10)

Runner-up: best small group adventure travel operator.

North America is home to some incredibly diverse landscapes, from the deserts and canyons of the Southwestern United States to the jagged, snow-covered peaks of the Canadian Rockies. There's so much to see and do in the USA and Canada and one of the best ways to experience it all is on a Trek America tour.

Trek America offers road trips in the USA and Canada for young international travellers who want to see the big cities, stunning national parks, and everything in between on their next North American holiday.

Tours vary from just three days to three months. Trek America has something for every active young traveller looking for an adventure holiday in North America.

#14. KE Adventure Travel (7.8/10)

KE Adventure Travel started out as the premier adventure tour operator in the remote Karakoram Mountains of Pakistan. Since then, they’ve expanded their range of offerings to include trips to popular destinations such as the Himalaya , Mount Kilimanjaro , and the European Alps . Hike, bike, climb, and adventure to your heart’s content.

KE Adventures specialises in organising active travel holidays to nearly 90 countries. On a KE Adventures tour, you'll head off the popular trails toward hidden valleys and isolated villages and immerse yourself in the culture of the local people for an authentic travel experience.

#15. Classic Journeys (7.8/10)

Although they may be called “classic,” Classic Journeys ' tours are anything but standard. Classic Journeys is dedicated toward making sure that every traveller on their trip has the experience of a lifetime.

Most Classic Journeys' trips go to popular locations, like France , New Zealand , and the Galapagos . However, they give you a chance to see these places in a different way.

Classic Journeys’ itineraries give you a unique perspective on some of the world’s most popular travel destinations. Classic Journeys' high-end trip offerings include options for families and solo travellers, too, so there’s really something for everyone.

#16. Austin Adventures (7.8/10)

Family-owned and operated, Austin Adventures is a pioneer in small group active holiday adventures around the world. Austin Adventures prides itself on hiring only the highest-quality tour guides and all of their trip itineraries have been fine-tuned. 

The best part about Austin Adventures? Their trips are priced at an all-inclusive rate. You don’t have to worry about shelling out more money after you arrive at your destination. Trips come with a departure guarantee, so you don’t ever have to worry about last-minute cancellations due to low enrollment.

#17. Abercrombie & Kent (7.6/10)

Abercrombie and Kent have been guiding guests on luxury adventure tours for over 50 years, so it’s no surprise that they’ve made it onto our list of the best adventure tour operators.

Abercrombie and Kent will take you quite literally anywhere you want to go in the world. You can choose from one of their pre-set luxury small group tours or ask about a custom itinerary and tour, just for you.

The defining feature of any Abercrombie and Kent tour is luxury. When you book a trip, you can rest assured that you'll be staying at the best hotels and travelling in the most comfortable way possible.

#18. Butterfield & Robinson (7.6/10)

Butterfield and Robinson  offer prescheduled journeys in dozens of countries on nearly every continent.

Their trips focus on hiking, biking, and other outdoor pursuits during the day, but ensure that you still get to enjoy the comforts you expect from a luxury travel company. Butterfield and Robinson  offer a bespoke travel service, so they can design a luxurious active holiday that’s just right for you.

#19. UTracks (7.6/10)

Best active european adventure travel company.

Photo by Sam & Jo

UTracks ' tours are all about exploring Europe in your own way. Dedicated to leading the industry as an active European holiday tour operator, UTracks offers over 400 different small group tours  in nearly 50 countries.

Plus, they have a range of self-guided tour options, so you can skip the hassle of planning logistics and just worry about having an amazing time on your trip. All of UTracks’ trips focus on either walking, cycling, boating, or winter sports, so they’ve got a little bit of something to please everyone.

#20. Natural Habitat Adventures (7.4/10)

Runner-up: best eco-travel operator.

Natural Habitat Adventures specialises in nature travel, bringing visitors to some of the world’s most remote places, so you can see first-hand the beauty of the natural world. Natural Habitats even partners with the World Wildlife Fund to design sustainability and conservation-focused tours for their guests.

Natural Habitats itineraries are wholly unique, and their expedition leaders are some of the most experienced guides out there. Plus, their trips have very small group sizes, with an average of just nine guests per tour, so you can spend more time enjoying nature and less time avoiding tourist crowds.

#21. Explore! (7.2/10)

Explore! has been guiding visitors around the world for nearly 40 years. In that time, they’ve grown from offering just six tours to their current selection of over 600 tours.

Offers range from your classic group excursions to active family adventures. They offer trips in over 130 countries, each of which gives you the chance to learn more about the unique culture and environment in the region you choose to visit.

On every Explore! tour, you'll be guided by locals, who can provide you with information and service that you just can't get from a travel blog or guidebook. Explore! has been fine-tuning their itineraries for nearly four decades, so they have the skills and expertise necessary to create some fantastic active holidays.

#22. Peregrine Adventures (7.2/10)

Peregrine Adventures is the premium small group adventure travel section of the better known Intrepid Travel Company. Like Intrepid, Peregrine is dedicated to offering travellers an off-the-beaten-path experience, so you can get an authentic feel for a place during your holiday.

Where Peregrine stands apart, however, is that their maximum tour size is just 12 people. This means you'll get a much more personalised experience. Peregrine hires experienced local guides, hand-picks their accommodation, and travels in smaller, private vehicles.

#23. Tucan Travel (7.2/10)

Best latin american adventure travel company.

With over three decades of experience under their belt, Tucan Travel is no newcomer to the adventure travel game. Tucan Travel offers first-time travellers and seasoned globetrotters a choice of over 200 different tours in 70 countries. We rate them as the best adventure travel company for Latin America.

Tucan Travel also caters specifically to solo travellers, who make up over half of their total clientele. Tucan Travel is committed to offering affordable active holidays that are focused on sustainable and responsible travel.

#24. Kandoo Adventures (7.2/10)

Best hiking adventure travel company.

If you like to hike, Kandoo might be the adventure tour operator for you. Kandoo pitches themselves as a world expert in adventure trekking, and with trekking tours to places such as Aconcagua, Bhutan, Kilimanjaro, Machu Picchu, and Nepal, there’s no doubting that they know what they’re talking about.

Kandoo's trips are specifically designed to bring small groups of hikers to some of the world's most remote and famous high-altitude trekking destinations. They're perfect for the adventure traveller with a bucket list.

The team at Kandoo is also committed to responsible travel. When you book with them, you can be confident that your local guides and support team are all adequately compensated and respected.

#25. Adventure Alternative (7/10)

Runner up: best hiking adventure travel company.

Photo by AJCHO

Adventure Alternative was founded almost thirty years ago by Gavin Bate, a mountaineer and International Mountain Leader with decades of personal climbing, trekking, and international travelling experience under his belt.

These days, they focus on providing the highest quality adventure travel experience to their guests. Whether that be on a trip to the jungle, the desert, or the Arctic.

All of the Adventure Alternative’s trips have a focus on hiking, so they’re best for anyone looking to stay active and off the beaten path on their holiday. They’re also more than happy to help you plan a private expedition whatever your personal trekking challenge.

#26. REI Adventures (6.8)

Photo by NW Boating

REI Adventures is the adventure travel subsidiary of Recreational Equipment, Inc., one of the largest and most popular outdoor gear stores in the United States.

REI’s mission is to get people outdoors. They’ve dedicated themselves to providing over 150 different trips to every continent to help their guests have the experience of a lifetime.

REI trips are active adventure expeditions that bring guests to some of the remote places in the world. They’re led by top-notch guides, many of whom are local to the places you’ll be travelling in. The emphasis at REI Adventures is on environmentalism and authentic experiences.  You won’t find any cookie cutter trips with this company.

Ranking Methodology

Criteria & scoring.

To rank the adventure travel companies on our list we used 5 main criteria, as follows: 

We researched the web traffic statistics as measured by SimilarWeb.com and social media audiences as measured by followers on Facebook and Instagram, and subscribers on Youtube. We created a popularity score for 1. Web Traffic and 2. Social Media presence on a scale of 1-3. Total available points: 6. Weighting: 5%

Review Profile

We analysed the public review profiles of each of the travel companies focusing on the major independent 3rd party review platforms like Trustpilot, Tourradar, Stride, Tripadvisor, Feefo and Facebook. We divided our review score into two parts: 1. Size of Review Profile, and 2. Overall Quality of Reviews. Each part was scored on a scale of 1-3. Total available points: 6. Weighting: 80%

Responsible Travel Practices

We reviewed each travel operator's website and read their statements about responsible travel / ethics / sustainability. We then scored each operator on a scale of 1-3. Total available points: 3. Weighting: 5%

Awards and Accreditations

We explored each travel operator's website to uncover evidence of accreditations like ABTA, ATOL, ATTA and AITO (among others), and official awards / recognitions from the travel industry. We then scored each operator on a scale of 1-3. Total available points: 3. Weighting: 5%

Breadth of Offering

We analysed the breadth and scale of each operator's tour offerings, focusing on the number of tours offered, countries covered and number of activities. We then scored each operator on a scale of 1-3. Total available points: 3. Weighting: 5%

We recognise that smaller travel companies would struggle to compete on some of the criteria above.

For example, a small tour operator would most likely have significantly less web traffic and a smaller social presence than a big travel operator. Equally, they would likely have a smaller scale and breadth of offering.

To provide a level playing field, we therefore weighted our overall score heavily towards 3rd party reviews - a criteria that all operators can fairly compete on.

The total review score counts 80% towards the overall score, with the rest of the criteria accounting for 20%.

Table of Adventure Travel Company Data

Below is the raw data we captured for each adventure travel company during our analysis. Please note, metrics like traffic, social media followers and reviews are dynamic and change overtime. The data below is a snapshot of these metrics as of April / May 2019.

We will revise these numbers annually. 

About the author 

Mark Whitman

Mark has trekked extensively in Asia, Europe, South America and Africa. He founded Mountain IQ in 2014 with the sole aim to be the best online information portal to some of the most popular mountain destinations around the world. When not writing for Mountain IQ, Mark is out exploring the outdoors with his wife!

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great article.. thanks for the information…

Hello Mark,

Do you have any experience with a travel company called 10Adventures? We are planning a hiking trip through Tuscany and I cannot find any reviews.

Hi Marianne, I’m not familiar with this company, but you may want to look at the Italy trips on our platform, Skyhook: https://skyhookadventure.com/go/italy

We work with local guides to offer great value adventures at unbeatable prices.

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The 11 Best Road Trips in the World

There’s nothing quite like hitting the open road on an epic adventure, especially on these incredible stretches of highway

Heading out the door? Read this article on the Outside app available now on iOS devices for members! >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}'>Download the app .

I love a good road trip, especially in the mountains of Colorado, where I live. It’s when I do some of the best creative thinking, and it feels like the possibilities for exploration are endless. Should I hike a fourteener tomorrow? Cross the border into Utah to go mountain biking?

I scoured the globe to put together this list of the most stunning drives you could imagine, from the snowcapped peaks of Chilean Patagonia to the windswept west coast of Ireland. I’ve completed a handful, driven parts of many of them, and the rest are on my bucket list. I also chose these road trips for their proximity to adventure, and include essential details like the best hikes, beaches, and accommodations along the way. Buckle up.

The Dempster Highway to the Arctic Ocean, Canada

Miles: 550 Road terrain: Mostly gravel Best time to go: The Dempster Highway is open year-round, but traditional summer festivals in the Arctic towns and the aurora borealis viewing in winter are seasonal highlights.

Truly rugged and remote, this overland expedition traverses dramatic tundra landscapes, boreal forests, and mountain ranges en route to the Arctic Sea. Begin in the gold-rush outpost of Dawson City, Yukon, and load up on supplies—the unpaved gravel road is a known tire eater, so be sure you have a spare and a four-wheel drive car. From there the Dempster Highway heads north through the historic Klondike region, crosses the Arctic Circle, and enters the Northwest Territories, where you’ll have panoramas of what’s known as the polar Serengeti, a wide-open wilderness teeming with caribou, moose, and grizzlies.

Along the way, you’ll pass through Indigenous communities such as Tsiigehtchic, reached by ferry in summer after the snow melts. If you’re traveling during August, you can watch canoe races and listen to traditional music during Tsiigehtchic’s Canoe Days celebration. By the time you arrive in Inuvik, Canada’s largest community north of the Arctic Circle, you’ll have logged 457 miles. Pitch your tent or park your teardrop at Happy Valley Territorial Park (from $28), perched on a bluff overlooking the Richardson Mountains and the nation’s largest river, the Mackenzie.

Pick up the final stretch of the trip in town, the Inuvik–Tuktoyaktuk Highway, an 86-mile gravel road that winds past the Pingo Canadian Landmark, a collection of pingo (mounds of earth-covered ice) more than 100 feet high, and ends in the Inuit shorefront hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk.

Scenic Byway 12, Utah

Miles: 122 Road terrain: Paved Best time to go: Early spring and early fall

This expanse of highway connects Bryce Canyon to Capitol Reef National Parks , traveling through Dixie National Forest and the northern part of Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument. The whole thing could be completed in three hours, but given its proximity to so many perfect playgrounds for hiking, paddling, biking, and fishing, I suggest a four-day road trip. Bookended by Panguitch to the west and Torrey to the east, this designated All-American Road bisects multiple ecosystems,  from sage flats to slickrock deserts, and sleepy rural communities like Boulder, where you should stop for a meal at Hell’s Backbone Grill . The photo opps are endless, but Powell Point Vista, between the towns of Henrieville and Escalante, affords some of the best views of the area’s distinct Wasatch Limestone formations. If I could overnight in one place along the way it’d be Ofland Escalante , which has a drive-in theater, a pool, and a food truck (from $99).

The Romantic Road, Germany

Miles: 220 Road terrain: Paved Best time to go: Spring or fall

Germany’s Romantische Strasse, or Romantic Road, could be the backdrop of a Grimm’s fairy tale, with its turreted and crenelated castles, red-roofed villages, and lake-dotted countryside in the Alpine foothills. This scenic byway across Bavaria connects the baroque town of Würzburg with the pastel-hued town of Füssen. The former is home to the Unesco-designated Würzburg Residence, one of the nation’s most opulent palaces, while Füssen is five minutes from what many consider the route’s highlight, King Ludwig’s Neuschwanstein Castle , which was the inspiration for the palace in Disney’s Sleeping Beauty . If you want to stretch your legs, you can tackle the hike to Mount Tegel, located behind the castle, or take the cable car up and explore the trail network at the top.

Along the way you’ll pass plenty of beer gardens—the riverfront Lechgarten in the hamlet of Landsberg am Lech is a must-stop—the vineyards of the Franconia wine region (pick up a bottle of dry, white Silvaner), and spend a few hours rejuvenating in the historic spa town of Bad Mergentheim; at the Best Western Premier Parkhotel ($150), you can take advantage of the indoor pool, spa, and gardens.

The Explorers Way, Australia

Miles: 1,864 Road terrain: Paved (and remember, Aussies drive on the left-hand side) Best time to go: Australia’s fall, March through May The ultimate outback odyssey, the Explorers Way is a road trip through Australia’s Red Centre. Much of the drive follows the Stuart Highway, named after 19th-century explorer John McDouall Stuart, the first European to successfully traverse the continent from south to north. Stuart’s expedition took nearly a year, but two weeks is ample time to complete the journey from Adelaide in South Australia to Darwin in the Northern Territory.

I highly recommend detours to Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park to stand in awe of the 2,831-foot-high monolith sacred to Aboriginals and to Litchfield National Park, teeming with waterfalls and wildlife like dingo and wallaby. Dedicate at least a day to explore the Aboriginal art galleries of Alice Springs, the Northern Territory’s second largest city and the approximate midway point of the route. When you reach the Top End, toast your trip with a bush negroni at Willing Distillery in Darwin or celebrate with a bush safari at Bamurru Plains Eco Lodge (from $2,425, all-inclusive), just northwest of Kakadu National Park, home to more than two dozen walking trails .

Atlantic Road, Norway

Miles: 22 Road terrain: Narrow, paved Best time to go: The coast is most dramatic in September and October

Norway has 18 designated national scenic routes, but the fact that the Atlantic Road was selected as the stage for the James Bond film No Time to Die is a testament to its wow-factor beauty. Officially known as Atlanterhavsvegen , this drive links the village of Kårvåg on Averøy Island with the fishing village of Bud on the mainland via an archipelago connected by eight low-lying bridges. Few roads bring you so close to the ocean: roll down your window and you’ll likely be kissed by sea mist.

Essential detours include the coastal path at Vevang to see Jan Freuchen’s “ Columna Transatlantica ,” a sculpture scattered across the rocks and heath-covered hills, and the glass-walled viewing platform at Askevågen, which affords spectacular mountain and ocean vistas. Strømsholmen Seasport, located between the towns of Kristiansun and Molde, offers scuba diving, fishing excursions, and wildlife safaris on the water. It also has four waterfront cabins that sleep up to ten people (from $55).

The Ring Road, Iceland

Miles: 820 Road terrain: Mostly paved, with some stretches of gravel Best time to go: Late spring or early fall

Stretch after stretch of otherworldly landscapes unfold along this famed 820-mile loop , also known as Route 1. It shows off vast lava fields, tumbling waterfalls, spouting glaciers, and bubbling geysers. You’ll want at least seven days to enjoy all the attractions and adventures along the way, and if you do the drive in May, June, or July, you can take advantage of nearly 24 hours of sun.

Most road-trippers start in the capital, Reykjavík, the city closest to Keflavík International Airport. You can tackle it counterclockwise or clockwise, but if you do the latter first, the scenery crescendos from pretty to jaw-droppingly gorgeous. If there’s one thing you shouldn’t miss, it’s a detour to the northern Troll Peninsula, which loops around the headlands past the end of the Skagafjörður fjord.

On the southeastern coast of Iceland , take time to explore Jökulsárlón, a glacial lagoon studded with icebergs, and nearby Diamond Beach, named for the brilliant chunks of ice that sparkle like gems against its black sands. The geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon, just 20 minutes from the airport, are the perfect final stop. Or tack on an adventure—maybe kayak in a glacial lagoon or ride an ATV along the beach—with outfitter Icelandic Mountain Guides .

Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland

Miles: 1,600 Road terrain: Narrow, winding, and paved (you’ll also driving on the left-hand side here) Best time to go: summer to take advantage of longer day-light hours

One of the longest coastal routes in the world, the Wild Atlantic Way hugs the Emerald Isle’s rugged and spectacular west coast for miles, from its northern terminus on the Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal to its southern terminus in the town of Kinsale in County Cork. The route is broken into 14 stages, and you’ll want to budget a minimum of five days to complete it.

There are loads of opportunities to stretch your legs on untouched swaths of beach near soaring sea cliffs. Those at Slieve League jut up 1,972 feet at their highest point; follow the Pilgrim’s Path from Teelin village 1.5 miles to the tops, and after pop into town for lunch. You’ll have plenty of options, but I highly recommend the award-winning Rusty Mackerel pub (rooms are also available from $54). The iconic Cliffs of Moher, in the lunar-like Burren region, are one of the natural treasures of Ireland, with a five-mile (one-way) coastal walk that connects the charming villages of Liscannor and Doolin.

On Achill Island, explore Keel Beach, a nearly two-mile stretch of golden sand. When I visited, the waves were pumping and I rented a board and a thick wetsuit from Soundwave Surf School . If the water’s calm, you can rent a stand-up-paddleboard. If your final destination is County Cork, celebrate with a pint at Levis Corner House , a pub in Ballydehob that’s been run by the same family for a century.

Pacific Coast Scenic Byway, Oregon

Miles: 363 Road terrain: Paved Best time to go: Late spring, early fall, or winter

Most people associate the Pacific Coast Highway, or PCH, with California, but the storied road spans from Canada to Mexico. Some of the best lengths, in my opinion, are in Oregon, where the road skirts virgin beaches, craggy mountains, and rocky coves, through a series of quirky seaside resorts and sleepy fishing villages. You could zip along all of it in 10 to 12 hours, but five days is the better plan, stopping at the many parks and public lands along the route. Ecola State Park (sea stacks, tidepooling, wildlife-watching) and Oregon Dunes Recreation Area (whose sweeping sandy expanses are said to have been the inspiration for Dune’ s planet Arrakis) are both top of my list.

About 30 miles northwest of the city of Bandon is Cape Arago; this short detour off the byway takes you through the South Slough National Estuarine Reserve, home to more than 150 kinds of birds and many good hiking trails . In the town of Coos Bay, I like to overnight at the modern cabins at Bay Point Landing ($235). The next day, you can drive 24 miles east to the remote Golden and Silver Falls State Natural Area and hike 1.4 miles to the top of Golden Falls for an eagle’s-eye view of the cascading waterfall and old-growth firs. Schedule your journey for spring and winter and bring your binocs—you can often spot the blows from migrating gray whales as they surface off the coast.

The Garden Route, South Africa

Miles: 124 Road terrain: Paved Best time to go: June to December, when you can spot whales from shore

This ocean-hugging highway showcases the Western Cape’s outrageously beautiful beaches, lush forests, national forests, and abundant marine life. Just under two hours’ drive from Cape Town, the former fishing village of Hermanus Bay is the gateway for the Garden Route. I always stop here to take advantage of the excellent land-based whale-watching between June and December. Continue three and a half hours east on the N2 highway to the harbor town of Mossel Bay, the route’s official starting point. Spend some time trekking around before heading out on your drive; my favorite is the 2.5-mile out-and-back trail from Pinnacle Point to Oyster Bay.

Wilderness National Park , approximately midroute, is a great spot for birdwatching and kayaking and has accommodations that include campsites (from $20), cabins (from $50), and a bed-and-breakfast (from $90). A half-hour farther east is Plettenberg Bay, nicknamed the Saint Tropez of South Africa for its palatial beach homes. Just south is Robberg Nature Reserve , a nice picnic spot where you can observe seal colonies. Spend a day exploring Tsitsikamma National Park , which boasts a 50-mile-long shoreline and an interior with 500-year-old trees. Looking to burn off some energy after hours in the car? I suggest the Otter Trail. South Africa’s oldest hiking trail takes five days to complete and begins near the Garden Route’s eastern terminus at Storms River rest camp.

Queenstown to Milford Sound, New Zealand

Miles: 180 Road terrain: Paved, two-lane highway Best time to go: New Zealand’s fall, March through May, is perfect for hiking Described by Rudyard Kipling as the “eighth wonder of the world,” Milford Sound is big nature on steroids. The drive on the South Island from Queenstown along State Highway 6 (a.k.a. the Southern Scenic Highway) and then State Highway 94 (Milford Sound Highway) will get you there  in just over four hours, but slow down to marvel at the waterfalls and alpine lakes framed by mountains. Te Anau is the halfway point of the drive and an ideal place to overnight, refuel, and stock up on food as there are no services farther en route to the sound. The lakeside town is also the gateway to the glacier-carved wilderness of Fiordland National Park and the jumping-off point for the Milford Track, arguably one of New Zealand’s most famous Great Walks , so consider tacking on a few extra days.

The Carretera Austral, Chile

Miles: 770 Road terrain: Rugged, pock-marked dirt, requiring four-wheel drive Best time to go: Austral spring and summer, November to March  

Waterfalls tumbling from hanging glaciers. Forests of lengua trees and turquoise lagoons. Ancient marble caves and flamingo-filled lakes. The wild backdrop of Chile’s Southern Highway (Route 7) is an adventurer’s fantasy. Also known as the Carretera Austral , this road cuts through remote, mountainous wilderness in northern Patagonia. Set aside at least two weeks so you can take time to visit Queulat National Park and Pumalín National Park , both located along the route.

Puerto Montt, a bustling town in the Chilean Lake District, is your starting point. It’s considered Chile’s seafood capital, so attempt to score a table at Pa Mar Adentro Restaurant and try the caldo curanto , a traditional seafood stew, before starting your journey south.

Coyhaique, the capital of Chile’s Aysén region, marks the route’s midway point. Take a day here to trek the trails of Reserva Nacional Coyhaique, home to two beautiful lakes, Los Sapos and Venus. Campsites are available in the Casa Bruja section of the reserve ($5), or continue a couple hours south to General Carrera Lake and hole up at the family-run  Mallin Colorado Ecolodge ($170). The owners serve terrific farm-to-table meals and partner with local guides who lead kayak trips to the Marble Caves and treks across Exploradores Glacier.

Rumbo Sur Hotel ($190), in the isolated terminus town of Villa O’Higgins, is a comfy final base surrounded by hiking trails and glaciers. A 4×4 is recommended, as most of the road is unpaved.

Outside travel columnist Jen Murphy hates driving but will happily sit shotgun on any road trip. Last fall she navigated on a weeklong mother-daughter road trip through southwest Colorado.

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15 us bucket list trips in 2024 for adventure lovers.

In this article, we will list the 15 US bucket list trips in 2024 for adventure lovers . If you want to skip our discussion about the travel industry and adventure travel, go to 5 US Bucket List Trips In 2024 For Adventure Lovers . 

The global tourism industry is rebounding. It already reached 90% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023 and is expected to surpass it this year, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization. The United States has been leading this comeback of the global tourism industry, with the t ravel and tourism sector contributing $2.6 trillion to the economic footprint of the country in the year 2022. The US Travel Association also reports that the United States had reached 84% of 2019 visitation levels by December 2023. 

In our piece about the best cheap summer vacation destinations in the US , we saw how an increasing number of Americans expressed a desire to travel in the summer months. Most travelers prefer domestic travel due to rising international travel costs. Summer travels often entail adventure vacations , which we are going to look at later in this article. 

The United States offers diverse vacation experiences , including those for adventure lovers . The country has a plethora of hiking trails , national parks, waterfalls , and mountains for those who love to seek adventure. Adventure tourism is a large segment of the overall tourism market . The people in this segment seek outdoor activities and natural experiences . According to Allied Market Research, the global adventure tourism market size was estimated to be valued at $324 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach $2 trillion by 2032, growing at a compounding annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.5%.   Adventure travel in the United States alone is quite significant. It contributes $887 billion annually to the US economy, with millions of Americans participating in outdoor activities each year. 

The United States, although one of the most adventurous places in the world , does not top the list of adventurous countries. Many experts and adventure enthusiasts agree that New Zealand is the most adventurous place in the world . According to a survey conducted by Booking.com, New Zealand consistently ranks as the top destination for adventure tourism. Adventure tourism also contributes significantly to the economy of the country, with activities like bungee jumping, skydiving, and extreme sports. 

While the US is not the most adventurous place in the world, it ranks pretty high on the list. The variety of travel experiences within the United States combined with the rising cost of travel makes domestic vacation an attractive option for American travelers . This is one of the reasons why, despite the rising costs of everyday lives, Americans are spending a substantial amount on travel. In 2022, the total travel spending in the country reached $1.2 trillion as travelers started looking to travel smarter, exploring hidden gems, and opting for cheaper alternatives. 

While the global travel and tourism industry is rebounding, the pace has been slower than expected amid inflation and rising travel costs. Companies, such as Airbnb, Inc. (NASDAQ: ABNB ), which are associated with the travel and tourism industry suffered slightly because of inflation. Airbnb, Inc. (NASDAQ:ABNB) is a leading short-term rental company that faced significant shifts in the year 2023. People were starting to wonder whether the company was on its way to dying out after a report published in Bloomberg reported available revenue per room in areas of Orlando and California dropped by 6.4% and 17%, respectively, in the first half of 2023. However, the company recently reported a positive revenue surprise for the fourth quarter of 2023, which depicts that Airbnb, Inc. (NASDAQ:ABNB) and the travel industry are on the rise. The company reported a revenue of $2.22 billion and outperformed market expectations by $53.47 million. 

With that backdrop, let's look at the 15 US bucket list trips in 2024 for adventure lovers . 

Pixabay/Public Domain

Methodology 

To curate our list of the 15 best bucket list trips in 2024 for adventure lovers, we looked at 5 ( 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ) sources on the internet. We used a consensus methodology in which we gave the highest priority to the number of times each adventure destination appeared on our sources (frequency). However, we also wanted to account for the ranking of each destination in our sources while giving each an equal weightage. So, we used our previously devised ranking factor and added it to the frequency to arrive at the Insider Monkey Score. The higher this score, the higher the destination ranks on our list. We used the following calculation for our ranking factor: (15/sum of rankings*100). The ranking factor is devised in a way that it is always greater than zero but less than one. So, if source A has an Insider Monkey Score of 3.25, 3 is its frequency and 0.25 is the ranking factor. 

By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a similar consensus approach we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years ( see the details here ). Whether you are a beginner investor or a professional looking for the best stocks to buy you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders.

15 - Everglades, Florida 

Insider monkey score - 1.050.

Everglades is one of the most unique destinations in the world with a diverse ecosystem and exciting opportunities for outdoor activities . Rangers-led tours give adventurous travelers a chance to experience swamp lands up close. You can also zip through the lily-covered water in an airboat and immerse yourself in nature. 

14 - Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Insider monkey score - 1.074.

Located in the southeastern corner of Massachusetts, Cape Cod is an arm-shaped peninsula that extends to the Atlantic Ocean. It offers a wide range of activities for visitors to enjoy such as whale watching and water activities like paddle boarding, kayaking, fishing, and windsurfing. Cape Cod is also renowned for its bike paths and hiking trails. 

13 - Juneau, Alaska

Insider monkey score - 1.075.

The capital city of Alaska is 13th on our list of 1 5 US bucket list trips for 2024 adventure lovers. The city offers a host of activities for visitors, including a whale-watching experience, exploring glaciers, hiking on over 250 miles of trails, and sea kayaking. Another popular activity in the city is fishing which is planned around the salmon migration. 

12 - Niagra Falls, New York 

Insider monkey score - 1.150.

No list of adventure trips for adults in the USA is complete without mentioning Niagra Falls, which consists of the following three waterfalls: The Horseshoe Falls, The American Falls, and the Bridal Veil Falls. It is a renowned natural wonder located at the southern end of Niagra George. It spans the border between Ontario, Canada, and New York State. Some of the adventure activities in Niagra Falls include the Maid of the Mist boat tour and standing at the cave of the winds behind the Bridal Veil Falls. 

11 - Adirondacks, New York 

Insider monkey score - 2.004.

Adirondacks, New York is 10th on our list of 15 US bucket list trips in 2024 for adventure lovers . It offers a stunning natural landscape with a plethora of activities for visitors to enjoy. Some of the adventure activities that you can do in Adrionacks include Aerial Adventure courses such as ziplines, white water rafting, Rock climbing, Canoeing, and Kayaking. 

10 - Telluride, Colorado

Insider monkey score - 2.006.

Telluride, Colorado, is among the top 10 US bucket list trips in 2024 for adventure lovers. It is a picturesque town nested in San Huan mountain that offers visitors a unique mix of history, culture, and adventure. Telluride is a hub for outdoors enthusiasts with activities like hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and kayaking. 

9 - Moab, Utah 

Insider monkey score - 2.008.

Moab, Utah is one of the best places for family adventure vacations in the USA. It is a city located in the Western United States and is known for its dramatic scenery. Moab offers a host of outdoor recreational opportunities, such as hiking, mountain biking, offroading, rafting, and rock climbing. 

8 - Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Insider monkey score - 2.010.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is 8th on our list of 15 US bucket list trips in 2024 for adventure lovers . The location is known for its stunning natural beauty and offers a wide array of adventure activities, including paragliding, White water rafting, horseback riding, and white water rafting. 

7 - Vail, Colorado 

Insider monkey score - 2.021.

Nestled in the Eagles Count, Vail, Colorado is known for its stunning natural beauty and is the home of the Vail Ski Resort. The city offers a host of adventure activities for visitors throughout the year. In winter, visitors enjoy thrilling ski experiences. However, in summer, the town transforms into a serene European-style village where adventure seekers can go on mountain trails along rugged paths and enjoy scenic horseback rides. 

6 - Yellow Stone National Park, Wyoming

Insider monkey score - 2.038.

Yellow Stone National Park is sixth on our list of 15 US bucket list trips in 2024 for adventure lovers . It was established in 1872 as America's first national park. It is primarily located in Wyoming but extends to Montana and Idaho. The park is on top of a dormant volcano and is known for tourist attractions like Yellowstone Grand Canyon. The park also offers a host of adventure activities such as hiking, biking, wildlife viewing, fishing, Water activities, and rafting. 

Click to continue reading and see 5 US Bucket List Trips In 2024 For Adventure Lovers .

Suggested articles: 

13 Alternatives to Disney World For a Family Theme Park Vacation

25 Best Cheap Summer Vacation Destinations In The US

Top 20 Business Travel Destinations in The World

Disclosure: none. 15 US Bucket List Trips In 2024 For Adventure Lovers is originally published on Insider Monkey.

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Moscow Metro and Swan Lake

A few days ago, I went with Elena and Becky on a trip around the Moscow metro, the second most heavily used metro system in the world. I didn’t know much about it before, but it’s an architectural marvel in and of itself, a gorgeous relic from Moscow’s Soviet past and Stalinist architecture in particular. We rode around the central brown line, a circle of 12 stations that Stalin oversaw the creation/renovation of in the 1930s and 40s. All are ornately decorated with different themes (sports, French palatial architecture, Lenin portraits, etc), in a way that was intended to remind the average rider of all the ways their government was giving back to them for their hard work. Apparently, they all have an emphasis on “verticality”, essentially meaning that either the ceilings are very lavish, or the art on the walls is dimensioned to draw the eye upwards, reminding metro-goers of the place of Stalin in their lives. Below are pictures of my favorite stations.

All of the stations are fairly deep underground, hence scarily steep escalators.

Series of mosaics depicting key moments in the formation of the Soviet Union. If I get more time later I’ll dig up the names of these stations…

Bolsheviks unite!

From a station dedicated to different sports.

These gates are meant to emulate a temple, in a departure from pre-WWII atheistic style.

Becky, Elena, and Mother Russia

From a station dedicated to unnamed soldiers: this one is of an infantryman.

Station of Unnamed Soldiers

Station with fancy French ornamentation and ceiling paintings.

I was surprised by the amount of Greco-Roman inspired decoration.

And finally, my favorite: a series of geometrical stained glass windows.

To top off our time in Moscow, last night we managed to get student rush tickets (for 100 roubles, or $3!) to closing night of Swan Lake at the Bolshoi Theater. The seats were terrible (it’s hard to explain how bad, but we had to stand for most of the show) but the ballet was incredible. We found out about the existence of student rush tickets/the process to get them very randomly, and as I haven’t found the process documented anywhere else, here’s a quick description: if you go to the Bolshoi at any given day starting at 6 am, you can put your name (and your group’s names) on a list for tickets to the day’s performance (it hosts ballet and opera performances on alternating days). A queue starts forming outside the theater at 2 pm, roughly based on the order of your name on the list, and tickets are handed out at 5:30 pm. Although this rushing system applies to all students, the ticket attendees might give you a hard time by refusing any non-Russian IDs (this actually happened to me, and I was only able to go as Elena’s boyfriend Luke kindly gave his up his ticket for me).

Fun fact: the Bolshoi is featured on the 100 Rouble note, and the insignia in front of the theater on the bill displays a hammer and sickle. Although hammers and sickles are still common sights around the city, the Bolshoi happens to have since switched its insignia to the logo of the modern Russian Federation, the double-headed eagle. Credit to Becky for noticing.

Seating in the Bolshoi: the big box on the right is known as Stalin’s Box. Apparently he fancied himself a connoisseur.

Exterior of the Bolshoi at Night

Random photo of the day: a small bakery at which we bought a jam bun and a small bag of glazed wheat rolls. Tiny bakeries like this are all over the place (including in the metro stations, with fully functioning mini-ovens!), and make me feel perpetually hungry as I walk around.

Bkycho (Delicious)!

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Post navigation, 2 thoughts on “ moscow metro and swan lake ”.

You used the word “Queue”! Goodness, you’re becoming so Eurasian!

When in Rome…

(I actually had no idea that queue was a particularly European word. But I buy it.)

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Moscow Metro Tour

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Description

Moscow metro private tours.

• 2-hour tour $87:  10 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with hotel pick-up and drop-off
• 3-hour tour $137:  20 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with Russian lunch in beautifully-decorated Metro Diner + hotel pick-up and drop off. 
• Metro pass is included in the price of both tours.

Highlight of Metro Tour

• Visit 10 must-see stations of Moscow metro on 2-hr tour and 20 Metro stations on 3-hr tour, including grand Komsomolskaya station with its distinctive Baroque décor, aristocratic Mayakovskaya station with Soviet mosaics, legendary Revolution Square station with 72 bronze sculptures and more!
• Explore Museum of Moscow Metro and learn a ton of technical and historical facts;
• Listen to the secrets about the Metro-2, a secret line supposedly used by the government and KGB;
• Experience a selection of most striking features of Moscow Metro hidden from most tourists and even locals;
• Discover the underground treasure of Russian Soviet past – from mosaics to bronzes, paintings, marble arches, stained glass and even paleontological elements;
• Learn fun stories and myths about Coffee Ring, Zodiac signs of Moscow Metro and more;
• Admire Soviet-era architecture of pre- and post- World War II perious;
• Enjoy panoramic views of Sparrow Hills from Luzhniki Metro Bridge – MetroMost, the only station of Moscow Metro located over water and the highest station above ground level;
• If lucky, catch a unique «Aquarelle Train» – a wheeled picture gallery, brightly painted with images of peony, chrysanthemums, daisies, sunflowers and each car unit is unique;
• Become an expert at navigating the legendary Moscow Metro system;
• Have fun time with a very friendly local;
• + Atmospheric Metro lunch in Moscow’s the only Metro Diner (included in a 3-hr tour)

Hotel Pick-up

Metro stations:.

Komsomolskaya

Novoslobodskaya

Prospekt Mira

Belorusskaya

Mayakovskaya

Novokuznetskaya

Revolution Square

Sparrow Hills

+ for 3-hour tour

Victory Park

Slavic Boulevard

Vystavochnaya

Dostoevskaya

Elektrozavodskaya

Partizanskaya

Museum of Moscow Metro

• Drop-off  at your hotel, Novodevichy Convent, Sparrow Hills or any place you wish
• + Russian lunch  in Metro Diner with artistic metro-style interior for 3-hour tour

Fun facts from our Moscow Metro Tours:

From the very first days of its existence, the Moscow Metro was the object of civil defense, used as a bomb shelter, and designed as a defense for a possible attack on the Soviet Union.

At a depth of 50 to 120 meters lies the second, the coded system of Metro-2 of Moscow subway, which is equipped with everything you need, from food storage to the nuclear button.

According to some sources, the total length of Metro-2 reaches over 150 kilometers.

The Museum was opened on Sportivnaya metro station on November 6, 1967. It features the most interesting models of trains and stations.

Coffee Ring

The first scheme of Moscow Metro looked like a bunch of separate lines. Listen to a myth about Joseph Stalin and the main brown line of Moscow Metro.

Zodiac Metro

According to some astrologers, each of the 12 stops of the Moscow Ring Line corresponds to a particular sign of the zodiac and divides the city into astrological sector.

Astrologers believe that being in a particular zadiac sector of Moscow for a long time, you attract certain energy and events into your life.

Paleontological finds 

Red marble walls of some of the Metro stations hide in themselves petrified inhabitants of ancient seas. Try and find some!

• Every day each car in  Moscow metro passes  more than 600 km, which is the distance from Moscow to St. Petersburg.
• Moscow subway system is the  5th in the intensity  of use (after the subways of Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai).
• The interval in the movement of trains in rush hour is  90 seconds .

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow tour.
• + An exciting pastime, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility during the walking tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow.

Write your review

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The Best Carry-On Travel Backpacks for Any Adventure

Whether used solo or packed alongside other bags, the best travel backpacks we’ve tested hold plenty of stuff and make it all easy to access.

By Will Sabel Courtney and Ben Bowers

Every product is carefully selected by our editors. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission.  Learn more

An excellent carry-on-sized travel and adventure backpack can be a packing game changer. Whether used solo for shorter trips or carried along with other luggage for extended journeys, the best options offer plenty of storage space for clothes and a slew of easy access and protective pockets for water bottles, laptops, and other personal items.

Having spent many days on airplanes crisscrossing continents and oceans for work and play alike, here are the best carry-on travel and adventure bags we’ve tested and recommend hovering in the 35–55 liter size range.

Carry-On Travel & Adventure Backpacks We Recommend

Best Overall

Best Rollaboard Replacement

Best Bargain

Best Multi-Use

Smartest Feature Set

Most Distinctive Option

• Made in America

Most Versatile

Best for Awkward-Sized Gear

How We Test Travel & Adventure Backpacks

Our tester journeyed far and wide on numerous trips by plane, train and automobile with these backpacks, loading them up with apparel, gadgets and gear to see how they handle the stress. They were loaded and unloaded into luggage racks, trunks and back seats alike, carried on long walks to and from terminals and destinations, and left to bash about in the closet between trips.

For many of the tests, he loaded it up with a typical array of clothing and equipment one would need for a business or personal trip of several days time: an extra pair of jeans or slacks, 2–3 T-shirts, 1–2 overshirts or button-downs, a pair of sneakers, gym shorts and shirts, a DSLR camera , iPhone charger and Apple Watch charger and of course, several changes of undergarments.

To learn more about our testing methodology and how we evaluate products, head here .

Best Overall Travel Backpack

Peak Design 45L Travel Backpack

• Can expand from a 35L day bag into 45L multi-day gear hauler
• Offers many ways to load & access contents
• Backpack straps can hide conveniently out of site via magnets
• Weather proof shell
• Main pouch less accessible than some other bags on the list
• Cinch straps only work okay
• $299 at Peak Design
• $299 at Huckberry
• $299 at REI
• $299 at Backcountry
• $299 at Amazon

Peak Design’s travel backpack has been a top pick of ours for a while now , and suffice it to say, it’s still impressive. You can tell it’s a premium product from the first moment you lay hands and eyes on it; it looks and feels nice, from the action of the zippers to the smooth, almost waxy waterproof exterior to the soft, gentle gray fabric of the interior. But look closer, and you’ll find more features you might have missed the first time; hidden magnets seamlessly tuck away the backpack straps when not in use. (Just be sure you check the straps’ length every time you pull them back out, as they can slide out longer a little more easily than some bags.)

Of course, none of that would matter if it weren’t capable of carrying a bunch of gear. Luckily, this bag excels at that. Two main pockets easily enable the carriage of several days’ worth of apparel, while smaller slots for everything from toiletries to cables to headphones to laptops are found inside. There are grab handles for one-handed toting, multiple zippers for easy entry from several angles, and slots for water bottles on the sides, of course. We also love that unlike most other options on this list, this bag can contract down to a smaller-sized bag 35 L capacity for shorter trips or bulk up to a 45 L if you need to bring more along (or wound up acquiring a few items while out on the road.) All in all, it’s probably as close to the perfect travel backpack as you might find on sale today.

Best Rollaboard Replacement Travel Backpack

Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro 40L

• Designed to maximize allowable carry-on space
• Opens and packs like a carry-on suitcase
• Featured padded hip belt with side pocket for better weight distribution
• Accessing items in main compartment can be awkward on the go
• Lacks luggage pass-through sleeve
• Slightly heavier than other options
• $350 at Tortuga

Tortuga’s Travel Backpack Pro is regarded as one of the best travel backpacks for good reason. Its rectangular shape lets the bag maximize its available storage capacity while ensuring its dimensions fall within standard airline carry-on guidelines. The primary storage compartment also opens as a suitcase to reveal a large mesh zipper compartment side and a spacious main compartment. Depending on your use case, this design detail can be a pro or con. On the one hand, it’s great to lay the bag flat on a bed and unzip the clam shell zipper to reveal and grab whatever’s inside quickly. However, quickly grabbing something buried deep inside the main compartment can be difficult if you don’t have enough space to lay the bag fully flat. The bag’s space-maximizing design also means its physically and aesthetically a bit more boxy than other options we recommend. Tortuga sells a smaller 30L capacity version of the same bag if 40L feels too big for your needs.

Best Bargain Travel Backpack

Aer Travel Pack 3

• Features handles on all sides
• Tons of pockets, including a hidden one for Airtags / Tracker
• Includes luggage handle pass-through strap
• $249 at Aer

Aer’s Travel Pack 3 is a little more affordable than the Peak Design entry, but don’t hold that against it; this bag is a lot like the above model. There are an abundance of pockets; you won’t have any trouble finding a place for everything and putting everything in its place. And while it doesn’t look or feel quite as premium when standing next to the Peak Design bag, it still has the quality and appearance of a high-end product.

On the downside, the orientation of the main pouch can make opening it and filling the bag a bit trickier than some other entries on the list, and the magnetic clips for the chest strap and cinch straps feel like an unnecessary complication. It’s also a little smaller than other recommendations on this list. Still, overall, it’s a great choice for a few days on the road.

Best Multi-Use Travel Backpack

Yeti Crossroads Backpack 35L

• Made from thick, abrasion resistant nylon
• Stable luggage pass through sleeve
• Removable external straps for lashing on other gear
• Sold in multiple smaller sizes
• Laptop sleeve is a little smaller compared to other bags
• Less water resistance than other options
• Lack of DWR coating also means its more prone to staining
• $250 at Yeti

Yeti’s approach to backpacks is the same as its coolers . The brand’s Crossroads Backpack is a durably constructed and capable bag with a slightly less techy aesthetic than other recommendations on this list. It also includes a unique feature mix that makes it great for airports, city travel, and outdoor adventures.

For work-related trips or voyages within city limits, it’s got padded organization pockets for various items, including a laptop, and opens clamshell-style for easier packing. In cases of outdoor adventuring, it also features a pair of removal external straps for toting along other items like a rain shell, ground cover, or a lightweight camp chair. There’s also a pocket big enough to fit a 26 oz water bottle, although it’s located inside the bag, which might be a controversial decision for some. We lack the fact that Yeti sells smaller 22 L and 27 L versions of the bag for those interesting in something that’s closer in size to a more traditional backpack.

The Travel Backpack with the Smartest Feature Set

Matador GlobeRider 45L Travel Backpack

• Features a highly adjustable outdoor backpack style harness for optimizing carrying comfort and weight distribution
• Stowable main backpack straps can tuck away for checking
• Dedicated internal compartment that's great for keeping dirty / worn shoes from the rest of the bag's contents
• Looks more technical / camping oriented than other options
• Bigger compared to other tweener-sized options
• $350 at Matador
• $350 at Huckberry
• $350 at REI
• $350 at Backcountry

Smart design details distinguish all of Matador’s products, and their premium  GlobeRider 45 travel and adventure backpack  puts this part of the brand’s DNA on full display. While the sheer variety of features makes this bag stand out, its outdoor-grade harness, complete with adjustable load lifters, a contoured aluminum framestay, and a backpacking carry harness, make it one of the best travel backpack options for anyone who expects to walk long distances carrying it. The harness is also stowable behind the padded back panel, which can help prevent the bag from being caught up in machinery if you decide to check it. 

We also love the larger, built-in internal organization pocket that’s sizeable enough to keep a pair of dirty hiking boots separated from other packed items and the internal shockcord securement system on the other side for keeping contents in place when the bag is open. There’s even a “smugglers pocket” tucked away behind the back panel for keeping critical items like a Passport out of harm’s way.

Most Distinctive Travel Backpack

Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Travel Pack

• Available in more colorful outdoorsy-styled versions, including a randomized Del Dia option
• Includes removable raincover
• Includes strap for carrying crossbody
• Designed to work perfectly with Cotopaxi packing cubes and accessories
• Includes a lifetime warranty + repairs
• Less open space for cramming gear inside
• $220 at Cotopaxi
• $220 at Amazon
• $220 at REI

We gravitate to more unremarkable colors in bags. Still, if you prefer your equipment to stand out or like owning something unique,  Cotopaxi’s Allpa 42 L is an excellent option . It’s available in various standard colors, most of which mix and match various bright shades to give off a classic outdoorsy vibe. But there’s also the option of buying a one-of-a-kind  “Del Dia” version  made from leftover parts and pieces from other companies’ production runs. While you can pick the primary color you are interested in, the different colored elements of the bag are determined on the production line based on available materials. The result is an aesthetically unique bag that’s also more sustainably produced. 

But don’t assume the appeal of this bag is all aesthetic. It also offers plenty of practical travel-centric details, including various internal zippered organization pockets, a removal rainfly for foul weather protection, and a removable waist belt. Its primary harness straps can also be tucked away for easier checking. 

If you want to enter the Cotopaxi travel ecosystem fully, the bag is also specifically designed to fit the company’s packing cubes and fanny pack.

Best Made in the USA Travel Backpack

GoRuck GR3 45L USA

• Ridiculously sturdy and tough
• Simple design
• Harder to access laptop and other pockets on the go
• Expensive compared to bags with bells & whistles
• $455 at goruck.com

GoRuck is known for building bags that are sturdy as hell, and meant to go through it, too. The canvas skin feels thick enough to resist tiger claws. That’s not to say it’s harsh on the wearer; 201D Cordura straps and back panels feel plenty soft even over the long haul. We tested the smaller GR1, but even that 26-liter bag punched above its weight, proving large enough to carry our usual kit without much trouble; the 45-liter GR3 will no doubt prove capable of taking whatever you throw at it, inside or out.

With only one main compartment and a couple rather small pockets, it’s a bit harder to stash smaller items in their own areas — you may have to rummage through your underwear to grab your laptop — but if your priority is making sure everything in your bag stays safe and sound no matter what, GoRuck has you covered. Be aware that this bag is often sold out.

Most Versatile Travel Backpack

Osprey Farpoint 55 Travel Pack

• A built-in secondary pack is great for day trips
• Massive capacity
• More affordable than other options
• Re-assembly of constituent bags can be tricky when full
• Forces you to split your gear up between two bags when packing
• $220.00 at osprey.com
• $176 at Backcountry Gear $220 (20% off)
• $215 at Amazon
• $220 at L.L. Bean

Nerd alert: What does the Osprey Farpoint 55 have in common with the USS Enterprise-D from Star Trek: The Next Generation? (Which, coincidentally, first aired with a pilot called “Encounter at Farpoint.”) Well, both starship and backpack can separate into two separate vessels if the need arises. In the case of the Osprey, that means the smaller, secondary pocket detaches to become its own daypack, perfectly sized for short hikes and office visits. Combined, the complete bag is a mammoth beast, capable of taking on a stunning amount of gear; if you tend to pick up souvenirs on your trips, this bag is for you.

On the less-appealing side, it’s a bit difficult to get into the main bag when “assembled,” and that assembly process can be tricky when both bags are stuffed. Combined, the overall package is bulky; it’s not an issue when wearing it (or at least it wasn’t for our six-foot-four-inch tester), but it does generally necessitate splitting the bag into its constituent parts on the airplane, stowing the big part in the overhead and the small one under the seat ahead.

Best Travel Backpack for Awkward-Sized Gear

Patagonia Cragsmith Pack 45L

• Giant pocket and wide opening make for easy packing
• Light compared to other bags
• Not as optimal for business travel as some other bags
• No true dedicated sleeve for laptops or tablets
• $152.99 at Patagonia $219.00 (30% off)

Of course, any list of high-quality backpacks wouldn’t be complete without a Patagonia entry. The Cragsmith may be made for rock climbing, but it’s also a good fit for travel, with ample capacity in a giant central compartment as well as secondary slots for other gear. That said, the lack of a second main compartment may be a turn-off for some, and the relaxed sleeve on the inside of the main cargo bay is better suited for rope than a laptop. But if you want a sleek travel backpack from one of the best names in outdoor equipment, the Cragsmith should treat you right.

Key details to consider before deciding on the right travel or adventure backpack for your needs.

• Do you plan on using your travel or adventure backpack frequently in conjunction with a rollaboard? If yes, we recommend keying in on options that feature a luggage pass-through sleeve. This will allow you to take the bag off your back and more easily roll it with your suitcase during extended treks in the airport.
• Do you plan on using your travel backpack off the beaten path or expect to be exposed to the elements for longer stretches? If yes, look for options made with DWR coatings or sold with an included rainfly as well as sealed zippers for added water protection.
• Do you plan on walking/hiking long distances while wearing the travel backpack? If yes, we recommend focusing on backpacks that offer integrated waist straps or, even better, more adjustable/tunable harnesses. Both features will allow you to distribute the weight of the bag better and for more comfort. 
• Do you plan on ever checking your travel backpack on an airplane? While less critical than the other considerations, bags with stowable straps and harnesses are better suited for checking. It’s an unlikely risk, but extraneous straps can get caught in conveyor belt machinery while being scanned.
• Do you prefer packing with packing cubes and smaller bags? If so, then we recommend looking at backpacks with less built-in organization pockets to maximize what you can carry. If you’re in the opposite camp, then many of the options that include a variety of pockets and zippered compartments can help you quickly find whatever you’ve packed.

An easy rubric for gauging the right sized carry-on adventure backpack for your needs.

If you are hoping to use a single backpack for a trip lasting more than three days, we recommend focusing on bags with a capacity of 40 L unless you are an extremely light packer.

A handy list of approved carry-on sizes for major U.S. domestic airlines

Approved Carry-on sizing reference table last updated 4/9/2024

To learn more about how big (or heavy) your carry-on can be, refer to our broader guide to the best carry-on suitcases for every trip .

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40 facts about elektrostal.

Written by Lanette Mayes

Modified & Updated: 02 Mar 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Elektrostal is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving community, Elektrostal is a city that has much to offer. Whether you are a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about different cultures, Elektrostal is sure to captivate you.

This article will provide you with 40 fascinating facts about Elektrostal, giving you a better understanding of why this city is worth exploring. From its origins as an industrial hub to its modern-day charm, we will delve into the various aspects that make Elektrostal a unique and must-visit destination.

So, join us as we uncover the hidden treasures of Elektrostal and discover what makes this city a true gem in the heart of Russia.

Key Takeaways:

• Elektrostal, known as the “Motor City of Russia,” is a vibrant and growing city with a rich industrial history, offering diverse cultural experiences and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
• With its convenient location near Moscow, Elektrostal provides a picturesque landscape, vibrant nightlife, and a range of recreational activities, making it an ideal destination for residents and visitors alike.

Known as the “Motor City of Russia.”

Elektrostal, a city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia, earned the nickname “Motor City” due to its significant involvement in the automotive industry.

Home to the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Elektrostal is renowned for its metallurgical plant, which has been producing high-quality steel and alloys since its establishment in 1916.

Boasts a rich industrial heritage.

Elektrostal has a long history of industrial development, contributing to the growth and progress of the region.

Founded in 1916.

The city of Elektrostal was founded in 1916 as a result of the construction of the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Located approximately 50 kilometers east of Moscow.

Elektrostal is situated in close proximity to the Russian capital, making it easily accessible for both residents and visitors.

Known for its vibrant cultural scene.

Elektrostal is home to several cultural institutions, including museums, theaters, and art galleries that showcase the city’s rich artistic heritage.

A popular destination for nature lovers.

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes and forests, Elektrostal offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching.

Hosts the annual Elektrostal City Day celebrations.

Every year, Elektrostal organizes festive events and activities to celebrate its founding, bringing together residents and visitors in a spirit of unity and joy.

Has a population of approximately 160,000 people.

Elektrostal is home to a diverse and vibrant community of around 160,000 residents, contributing to its dynamic atmosphere.

Boasts excellent education facilities.

The city is known for its well-established educational institutions, providing quality education to students of all ages.

A center for scientific research and innovation.

Elektrostal serves as an important hub for scientific research, particularly in the fields of metallurgy, materials science, and engineering.

Surrounded by picturesque lakes.

The city is blessed with numerous beautiful lakes, offering scenic views and recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

Well-connected transportation system.

Elektrostal benefits from an efficient transportation network, including highways, railways, and public transportation options, ensuring convenient travel within and beyond the city.

Famous for its traditional Russian cuisine.

Food enthusiasts can indulge in authentic Russian dishes at numerous restaurants and cafes scattered throughout Elektrostal.

Home to notable architectural landmarks.

Elektrostal boasts impressive architecture, including the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Elektrostal Palace of Culture.

Offers a wide range of recreational facilities.

Residents and visitors can enjoy various recreational activities, such as sports complexes, swimming pools, and fitness centers, enhancing the overall quality of life.

Provides a high standard of healthcare.

Elektrostal is equipped with modern medical facilities, ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services.

Home to the Elektrostal History Museum.

The Elektrostal History Museum showcases the city’s fascinating past through exhibitions and displays.

A hub for sports enthusiasts.

Elektrostal is passionate about sports, with numerous stadiums, arenas, and sports clubs offering opportunities for athletes and spectators.

Celebrates diverse cultural festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal hosts a variety of cultural festivals, celebrating different ethnicities, traditions, and art forms.

Electric power played a significant role in its early development.

Elektrostal owes its name and initial growth to the establishment of electric power stations and the utilization of electricity in the industrial sector.

Boasts a thriving economy.

The city’s strong industrial base, coupled with its strategic location near Moscow, has contributed to Elektrostal’s prosperous economic status.

Houses the Elektrostal Drama Theater.

The Elektrostal Drama Theater is a cultural centerpiece, attracting theater enthusiasts from far and wide.

Popular destination for winter sports.

Elektrostal’s proximity to ski resorts and winter sport facilities makes it a favorite destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.

Promotes environmental sustainability.

Elektrostal prioritizes environmental protection and sustainability, implementing initiatives to reduce pollution and preserve natural resources.

Home to renowned educational institutions.

Elektrostal is known for its prestigious schools and universities, offering a wide range of academic programs to students.

Committed to cultural preservation.

The city values its cultural heritage and takes active steps to preserve and promote traditional customs, crafts, and arts.

Hosts an annual International Film Festival.

The Elektrostal International Film Festival attracts filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from around the world, showcasing a diverse range of films.

Encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

Elektrostal supports aspiring entrepreneurs and fosters a culture of innovation, providing opportunities for startups and business development.

Offers a range of housing options.

Elektrostal provides diverse housing options, including apartments, houses, and residential complexes, catering to different lifestyles and budgets.

Home to notable sports teams.

Elektrostal is proud of its sports legacy, with several successful sports teams competing at regional and national levels.

Boasts a vibrant nightlife scene.

Residents and visitors can enjoy a lively nightlife in Elektrostal, with numerous bars, clubs, and entertainment venues.

Promotes cultural exchange and international relations.

Elektrostal actively engages in international partnerships, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic collaborations to foster global connections.

Surrounded by beautiful nature reserves.

Nearby nature reserves, such as the Barybino Forest and Luchinskoye Lake, offer opportunities for nature enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the region’s biodiversity.

Commemorates historical events.

The city pays tribute to significant historical events through memorials, monuments, and exhibitions, ensuring the preservation of collective memory.

Promotes sports and youth development.

Elektrostal invests in sports infrastructure and programs to encourage youth participation, health, and physical fitness.

Hosts annual cultural and artistic festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal celebrates its cultural diversity through festivals dedicated to music, dance, art, and theater.

Provides a picturesque landscape for photography enthusiasts.

The city’s scenic beauty, architectural landmarks, and natural surroundings make it a paradise for photographers.

Connects to Moscow via a direct train line.

The convenient train connection between Elektrostal and Moscow makes commuting between the two cities effortless.

A city with a bright future.

Elektrostal continues to grow and develop, aiming to become a model city in terms of infrastructure, sustainability, and quality of life for its residents.

In conclusion, Elektrostal is a fascinating city with a rich history and a vibrant present. From its origins as a center of steel production to its modern-day status as a hub for education and industry, Elektrostal has plenty to offer both residents and visitors. With its beautiful parks, cultural attractions, and proximity to Moscow, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this dynamic city. Whether you’re interested in exploring its historical landmarks, enjoying outdoor activities, or immersing yourself in the local culture, Elektrostal has something for everyone. So, next time you find yourself in the Moscow region, don’t miss the opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Elektrostal.

Q: What is the population of Elektrostal?

A: As of the latest data, the population of Elektrostal is approximately XXXX.

Q: How far is Elektrostal from Moscow?

A: Elektrostal is located approximately XX kilometers away from Moscow.

Q: Are there any famous landmarks in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to several notable landmarks, including XXXX and XXXX.

Q: What industries are prominent in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal is known for its steel production industry and is also a center for engineering and manufacturing.

Q: Are there any universities or educational institutions in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to XXXX University and several other educational institutions.

Q: What are some popular outdoor activities in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal offers several outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and picnicking in its beautiful parks.

Q: Is Elektrostal well-connected in terms of transportation?

A: Yes, Elektrostal has good transportation links, including trains and buses, making it easily accessible from nearby cities.

Q: Are there any annual events or festivals in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including XXXX and XXXX.

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Worth the drive: 5 unique museums in NY to put on your road trip list

Some of the most famous museums in the world make their home in New York City, but there are plenty of other museums across the state that are worth visiting.

If you’re aiming to get out of town this spring or summer and happen to be looking for road trip ideas, here are five museums in New York worthy of packing up the car and hitting the road.

1. Bannerman Castle

Where: Pollepel Island, Beacon; 4 hours, 35 minutes from Rochester

Hours and tickets: Open May-October; Tour and event prices vary

A site steeped in history, Pollepel Island — also known as Bannerman’s Island — is home to Bannerman Castle, an abandoned military surplus warehouse. The castle, built by Francis Bannerman VI in 1901, operated as both a home and storage facility for his business during the 20th century, but today hosts a number of walking tours and events during its open months.

2. National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum

Where: 25 Main St., Cooperstown; 2 hours, 45 minutes from Rochester

Hours and tickets: Open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Ticket prices vary

Baseball fans the world over may already know about the National Baseball Hall of Fame, where the sport’s most iconic players and moments are enshrined. Open nearly every day of the year, the museum features 250,000 photographs, 40,000 items and more than 14,000 hours of video for fans.

3. Trailsides Museum and Zoo

Where: 3006 Seven Lakes Drive, Bear Mountain; 4 hours, 30 minutes from Rochester

Hours and tickets: Open daily 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; $1 donation for trail admission

A largely self-guided nature trail, Trailsides Museum and Zoo offers the chance to learn about local ecology and wildlife, as well as opportunities to see native animals in a natural habitat. Visitors will also be able to walk a paved section of the Appalachian Trail and see a tribute to American poet Walt Whitman.

4. Northeast Dirt Modified Museum & Hall of Fame

Where: 1 Speedway Drive, Weedsport; 57 minutes from Rochester

Hours and tickets: Open Sunday and Thursday, noon-5 p.m.

Founded in 1992 by Glenn Donnelly, the Northeast Dirt Modified Museum & Hall of Fame is home to a vast collection of stock car racing memorabilia, classic cars and honorees who have made history in the sport. The museum, located next to Weedsport Speedway, also hosts several events and fundraisers throughout the year.

5. Hallwalls Contemporary Art Center

Where: 341 Delaware Ave., Buffalo; 1 hour 11 minutes by car, 1 hour 45 minutes by rail from Rochester

Hours and tickets: Open Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

The Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center, commonly known as Hallwalls, is a nonprofit museum dedicated to showing works from diverse artists to better serve the public.

“We are dedicated in particular to work by artists which challenges and extends the traditional boundaries of the various art forms, and which is critically engaged with current issues in the arts and — through the arts — in society,” according to the center’s website. “… we believe that the right of freedom of expression for artists, and for free access to their works by interested individuals, must be protected as a fundamental and necessary condition of our mission.”

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Gear up for solo travel adventures with the Mymanu CLIK S translation earbuds, now $90

Ready to travel on your own but not comfortable with your grasp of your destination’s local language? You can make language barriers disappear with a pair of  translation earbuds .

With the ability to translate 37 different languages to eliminate language gaps, the Mymanu CLIK S could become your new travel best friend. Through April 21, they’re on sale for only $89.97 (reg. $157)

These translation earbuds earned the 2019 CES Innovation Award and a Red Dot Award for their ruggedness and ease of use. When connected to the MyJuno app, you can  translate audio of spoken language in 37 languages  and have written text read to you. Whether you’re immersing yourself in the language or just need a little help asking for directions on a trip, the CLIK S frees you to travel solo with confidence.

When you’re not translating, you can  use the CLIK S’s AptX® to enjoy high quality audio with low latency . They’re designed to handle the rigors of travel, boasting a water-resistant construction and compatibility with iOS and Android devices. The charging case gives you up to 30 hours of battery life, and you can use your voice assistant by pressing and holding.

Grab the  Mymanu CLIK S Translation Earbuds  for just $89.97 through April 21 at 11:59 PM Pacific.

Mymanu CLIK S: Award-Winning Translation Earbuds

Only $89.97 at Macworld

StackSocial prices subject to change.