Give Your Inner Adrenaline Junkie Something to Get Excited About
What do you travel for?
If the answer is to throw yourself headfirst into an adventure that keeps adrenaline flowing and your heart racing, you’ve come to the right place, because we’ve put together a list of destinations that will satisfy any adventurer’s appetite.
While adventure vacations usually involve a specific type of activity pursued over multiple days, perhaps you want to go somewhere that has a range of adventurous activities you can enjoy. Whether you’re looking to hike to the top of mountains, get up close to some of the planet’s most incredible creatures, or get your thrills from jumping out of a plane over iconic landscapes, these 10 countries easily rank as some of the most adventurous places in the world.
1. New Zealand
The Land of the Long White Cloud is home to pretty much every kind of daredevil activity your adventurous soul could crave. Skydiving over the gigantic Lake Taupo? Check. Hiking through the jaw-dropping Milford Sound? Check. Climbing the Franz Josef Glacier? Check. Skiing at breakneck speed down the slopes of the Remarkables Mountain Range? You betcha.
Your adrenaline levels are guaranteed to stay elevated the whole time you’re there. The adventure hot spots are Queenstown in the South Island and Rotorua in the North Island. Anywhere you go though, you’ll find hiking trails begging to be conquered and wild beaches where you can roam.
2. Peru
From the staggeringly high peaks of the Andes, to the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean and the steamy depths of the Amazon, Peru sets the scene for ultimate adventure travel.
You can spend one day floating down a river in the jungle, spotting pink dolphins and piranhas, the next climbing the Cordillera Blanca to see glaciers, and the one after that sandboarding down dunes in the desert near Nazca. No two days, or two adventures, are the same in Peru, making this the perfect adventure destination.
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3. Georgia
The soaring frosted peaks of Georgia’s Caucasus Mountains are pure bliss for trekking enthusiasts. The Greater Caucasus is Europe’s highest mountain range, and spellbinding hiking trails abound.
The country isn’t well known, making it the perfect destination for people who’ve been everywhere as you’ll get a taste of something new: hidden away in Georgia’s incredible landscapes are ancient cave cities where houses are carved out of stone, vineyards with wine-making traditions dating back 8,000 years and naturally carbonated mineral springs.
4. Namibia
The name Namibia means “vast place of nothingness” — which doesn’t sound like the most enticing adventure travel destination. When it comes to otherworldly landscapes and unique travel experiences, though, Namibia rules supreme. Thousand-foot dunes in the world’s oldest desert are a prime location for cruising in a 4×4 and watching sunsets.
Sand seas, dead tree valleys, and burnt-orange dunes plunging into the sea are just a few of the features of Namibia’s astounding natural beauty. Adventure here means exploring remote wildernesses and gazing in awe at the magnificent wildlife, including the world’s largest population of free-ranging rhinos.
Namibia is as much a spiritual getaway as it is an adventurous one. You’ll come away feeling challenged, yet oh so satisfied with your time spent here. The Skeleton Coast in particular is especially attractive as an adventure destination for couples.
5. Colombia
Colombia is more than just golden beaches. Here you’ll find deep jungles hiding lost cities, a desolate desert on the northernmost tip of South America, valleys populated with the world’s tallest palm tree, and isolated coastal towns where you’ll find turtles hatching on the beach and whales swimming just offshore.
It’s Safe to say that every day in Colombia is an adventure, whether you’re zipping through the dirt streets of a remote town on the back of a motorbike or discovering underground salsa bars in Bogota.
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6. Romania
Romania is still largely overlooked as a tourist destination in Europe, which means you’ll have the mountains and forests all to yourself. The Carpathian Mountains seem custom-made for hiking and camping trips, and going bear spotting is sure to give you your dose of thrills, while following in the footsteps of vampires is a whole different kind of adventure.
The medieval villages and some of Europe’s last virgin forests will make you feel as if you have been transported to another era.
7. Slovenia
Slovenia may be small but it packs a punch and easily holds its own as an adventure travel destination. One of the most famous spots to visit is Lake Bled, the idyllic lake with the church-topped island in the middle.
There is more to do here than just swim leisurely in the turquoise water. You can hike through the nearby Vintnar Gorge, or head over to the nearby Lake Bohinj to discover waterfalls and alpine pastures.
There are hiking trails galore in Triglav National Park, each one leading you through some of the most spectacular scenery in Europe. All the water means plenty of aquatic activities too, from canyoning to whitewater rafting and kayaking down narrow gorges carved out of rock from melted glacier water.
8. Chile
Chile is hands-down one of the most adventurous places to visit because of the sheer diversity of the country. As one of the longest nations in the world, Chile starts off with desert, trails into wine country, before turning into a lush lake region, and finally descends into the Torres del Paine, one of the premier hiking spots on the globe.
Adventure-wise, there’s not a lot you can’t do in Chile.
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9. Kyrgyzstan
The Tian Sian Mountains in Kyrgyzstan are a scenic wonderland. Trekking, whether on foot or on horseback, is the main adventure activity here. Deep valleys, hot springs and glaciers are typical of the region, and the scenery is unparalleled. The area is mostly untouched by outside influences, so you could find yourself sleeping in yurt camps and getting a glimpse of semi-nomadic life.
You can also be adventurous with your taste buds in Kyrgyzstan – in spring you can sample fermented mare’s milk, kumis, a popular traditional drink. Now is the perfect time to go, as Kyrgyzstan is one of the top destinations to visit in 2019.
10. Canada
Sparsely populated and with some of the most remote and stunning landscapes in the world, Canada is an adventurer’s dream. As well as some of the best ski resorts on the planet, here you’ll find adventures that push the limits.
Imagine kayaking with killer whales, chasing storms on Vancouver Island, hanging out with polar bears in Churchill, or canoeing through canyons and grizzly bear territory.
In 2017, Canada took adventure to the next level, with the opening of a trail connecting both coasts. The Great Trail covers 24,000 kilometers (half as long as the world is round) and 13 provinces and territories. Hike it, cycle it, cross-country ski it, or tackle it on horseback — however you approach it, the Great Trail is a highway to adventure.