Have you ever thought about what kind of traveller you are? Everyone has differing views on what travelling is all about. One person may be the explorer type and wants to discover new things every single day of their life. Others may just want to unwind someplace and “get away from it all” at an all-inclusive. Then there are those who want to live their life like an action movie, getting their kicks by finding themselves in extreme settings or keeping their heart racing. Find yourself in that last category? Then these eight adventure travel destinations are sure to pique your interest and give you that adrenaline rush you crave.
8 Adrenaline-Fueled Adventure Travel Destinations
1. New Zealand
It’s difficult to pinpoint what travel destinations in Middle Earth – ahem – New Zealand we should recommend. The country is simply filled to the brim with potential adrenaline-charged activities due to its immensely diverse landscape. For example, the islands are part of the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” and so have about 60 active, dormant, and extinct volcanoes.
Mt. Ruapehu in Tongariro National Park in particular is famous as a ski destination. If skiing on the side of an active volcano doesn’t excite you, we don’t know what will. Though, you could also go for the usual bungee jumping and sky-diving trips, or perhaps explore one of the many entrancing glow worm caves around the country.
In need of some expert adventure travel advice? Check out this article highlighting some of the best adventure travel companies in the world.
2. Zhangjiajie, China
If New Zealand is famous as a filming location for Tolkien-based trilogies, Zhangjiajie is known as the set of the movie Avatar (not the terrible air-bender one). The location is actually more spectacular up close, and you’ll have plenty of opportunities for excitement. Stare into the “abyss” from the tallest glass bridge in the world, or become a daredevil by zip-lining over the chasms and bungee-jumping all the same.
3. Greenland
You don’t need to drop from 15,000 feet in the air to get you into overdrive. Despite how calming it may seem at the surface, Greenland is one of those travel destinations where anything can happen. Sure, you can relax at one of the Unnartoq Hot Springs or gaze in wonder at the Northern Lights.
But you can just as well go whale-spotting on a Greenland cruise and audibly gasp along with the rest of the ship. While you’re at it, you can admire humongous chunks of the Eqi Glacier falling off into the sea. This isn’t your average ice cube, mind you. This glacier is 5 km wide, and the ice chunks breaking off can be as large as a ship!
If you’re looking for even more northern adventures with the family, think about exploring the waterfalls and majestic landscape of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula in Iceland, and the spectacular Blue Lagoon.
4. South Africa
Maybe the icy North isn’t to your taste. You may still have the pleasure of whale-watching in South Africa, along with safari adventures in Kruger National Park where you can find two of “the big five” game roaming the savannah.
This includes the African elephant and the king of the jungle himself, along with giraffes, zebras, and other interesting creatures. Though, to be honest there is something even more exciting in store for you – cage diving with sharks! An activity that’s not for the faint-hearted, obviously.
5. Chile
As one of the world’s most exciting adventure travel destinations, Chile is the land of extremes, much of it due to its interesting positioning on the South American continent. For instance, you can trek through the Atacama Desert and its Martian-like landscape (maybe hi-five the “Hand in the Desert” sculpture along the way) in the north of the country. Tip: Visit in the fall for the tapestry of flowers that bloom in the desert.
The southern section of Chile opens into the spectacular landscape of the mountains of Patagonia. From a distance, these incredible stone peaks seem reminiscent of a naturally-built fortress – hand-sculpted by Mother Nature. Pack up your travel backpack and enjoy a trek through the icy fjords in the area and you have just a small glimpse into the wildly diverse landscape of Chile.
6. Kathmandu, Nepal
Perched within the protective “walls” of the Himalayas, Kathmandu acts as a great headquarters for climbers looking to brave the roof of the world. You don’t need to climb all the way to the top of Everest, as there are plenty of other summits around that are probably easier. Even a trek to base camp can be quite an effort, and more than enough for those not big on altitude sickness.
Though, what are we saying? You’ve come here for the adrenaline rush – no point in holding you back from your dreams. If you’ve ever thought about a real rush, consider skydiving across the Himalayas. This is your chance to squeeze every last ounce of fun out of this destination, make the most of it!
7. Leon, Nicaragua
We have more volcano adventures lined up for you. This time instead of skiing on the side of the mountain, you get to go volcano boarding. Think of it as basically snowboarding (or sledding if you’d rather sit down), but instead of snow you have really small volcanic rocks. Sound pretty crazy? That’s because it is.
Don’t worry, though. You are given protective goggles and clothing for the ride, as the tiny volcanic pebbles can cut really deep through normal clothing. Especially since you’ll be going anywhere between 50 km/h to 70 km/h on the slope, depending on how well you manage the speed.
Obviously, if you’re not into climbing 45 minutes again for another go, you can simply go for some jungle trekking. The waters in Leon are also very fitting for some hardcore surfing. Make sure to practice your best moves beforehand – those waves can be quite a challenge.
8. Bulgaria
We end our article with one of the lesser known and underrated travel destinations around. It’s well-loved by Western visitors due to the cheap skiing resorts. However, don’t let the exchange rate detract from the sheer beauty of the mountain ranges. From Rila to Vitosha, hiking with trekking poles and biking across the craggy terrain in this region of Bulgaria is something that will put your endurance to the limit.
Things like surfing, jet-skiing, sea kayaking and parasailing can be enjoyed at the Black Sea during summer, for those who prefer that alternative. Ultimately, Bulgaria is a very well-rounded experience overall – not too risky, but you will surely not get bored either!
In case your adventure planning needs a kick-start, we’ve found these great wanderlust quotes to inspire you.
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What other travel destinations have fueled your fire over the years?
Guest Authors: Meet Agness and Cez – adventurous travel duo of eTramping. They are sources of knowledge for everyone who looks for intensive and unique travel experiences across the world. Hailing originally from Poland, they have been exploring the world since 2011 and it doesn’t seem like they are planning to stop anytime soon! They love to visit unique travel destinations such as Tibet and Antarctica. Follow their adventures on Pepo, Instagram and Facebook.
Photo credits: Pixabay
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