You can go on a walk, or you can go on an adventure! There is not much in the world that is more exciting than adventure travel. When you are taking part in adventure travel you are taking risk, you are getting out there and finally living life to the fullest. Living life on the edge is a popular phrase that describes adventure travel. When was the last time that you actually did that? Probably a long time ago right? Well there is no time like the present to change things for the better and to experience all that life has to offer.
What Is Adventure Travel? Adventure Travel is one-step above normal travel – meaning adding a little bit of adventure, or challenge, in your exploits. What Make Adventure Travel so exciting that that element of risk you add and the adrenaline that it creates.
There are all kinds of great vacations that you can take when it comes to adventure travel and not all of them are associated with death defying stunts and danger. Sure, some of them may have an element of danger, but if that is not your thing then you do not have to choose them. Everyone has a different comfort level and adventure travel just means taking a trip that is exciting, one that is a little out of your normal travel behavior. You do not have to go and climb Mount Everest or anything like that to have a good time with adventure travel.
Is Adventure Travel Dangerous?
Some of the best adventure travel has barely any danger to it whatsoever. Have you ever climbed through the ruins of Greece, or hiked in the Amazon, or even gone surfing in Costa Rica? If not, these are great ways to get your feet wet with adventure travel. With this kind of adventure travel, you will be able to have a great time and not do anything “too dangerous”. Just things that excite you and thrill you to the bone.
Can you imagine taking a trip to some exotic locale and then experiencing some of their ways of life? Have you ever heard of Zorbing? It is something that they do in New Zealand, and it is so much fun. All you do is climb into a giant ball similar to a great big beach ball. You just climb in it and they roll you down the hill.
Of course, there are activities that can be ranked as highly Dangerous. Like feeding a live alligator, or free-climbing the Half Dome in Yosemite. The key is to slowly increase your level of risk (and danger) that you are comfortable with.
Safety should always be your number one priority. Have fun, enjoy the trill, but do it safely.
Adventure Travel involving locations (Destination)
Think about some exotic places you would like to visit in your lifetime. Some of the locations you might be thinking about are very easy to get to and require very little physical activity, but are still very exciting to see (like the Great Pyramids). Others destinations are more about the adventure of getting there rather than the actual location (i.e. reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro).
Here is just a short list of location-based adventures.
- Pulpit Rock. Located in Norway’s beautiful Lysefjord, is one of the most popular hikes in Norway. Only about 3 ¾ miles long, it offers great views and allows you to get as close the edge as you are willing.
- Kjerag Norway. Located in the same Lysefjord, this hike takes you to the highest peak in the area. What makes this hike so exciting is the Kjeragbolten boulder. This is a boulder wedged between two larger mountains and sits over 3000ft above the waters below. Feeling vary adventurous, step onto the boulder for a once-in-a-lifetime photo.
- Mount Huashan. Located in China, this has several of the world’s most dangerous hikes. There are five peaks in the area and some have routes that take you on cliff faces with thousands of feet drops. Pictures of the Plank Walk will cause nearly everyone to take pause and reconsider.
- Kilimanjaro. Located in Africa, this is highest mountain on that continent, making it one of the seven summits. It is not a technical hike but does take a few days and requires you to confront high-altitude situations.
- Easter Island. Standing face-to-face with these giant heads would be an incredible adventure. Why are they there? That is part of the experience and the reason so many travel there.
Adventure Travel involving Animals
Coming face-to-face with a dangerous wild animal will start the heart pumping for sure. Whether it is in a zoo or in their natural environment, you can find a level of excitement just for you.
- Swimming with the Sharks. Many of the cruise adventures offer swimming or snorkeling with the sharks. Just make sure you keep your wounds bandaged or you could be their next lunch.
- Playing with wild Chimpanzees. Rwanda offers a tour that takes you into the Nyungwe Forest to view Chimpanzees in their national habitat.
- Swim with the Whales. Down in Australia and New Zealand, you can get guided tours that allow you to swim with the giants. Anywhere from Humpback Whales to Whale Sharks.
- March of the Penguins. Melbourne, Australia is a very popular location to watch thousands of penguins move to and from the beach.
- Live Alligators. The Florida Everglades is a great place to see wild Alligators. You may even get a chance to hold a live alligator for a special photo op.
Adventure Travel involving Specific Activities
- Skydiving – The choice of jumping out of a perfectly good airplane and floating down to earth (hopefully) using a parachute. The level of excitement comes with whether you are solo or tandem. In addition, whether you do a static line or you free-fall for a ways before pulling your chute will add to the pucker level.
- White Water Rafting – Being part of a team who will face the challenges of rapids and boulders along the river is what makes this a great adventure travel experience. Some sections of the river are very mild (class 2 rapids), while other sections can have class 5 rapids that can be very risky.
- Base Jumping – Whether you are using a wingsuit or just a plan old parachute, this adventure is near the top of the list as being the most risky. However, with great risk comes great thrill.
- Dirt Bike Riding – I participate this type of adventure travel the most. With trails ranging from easy to extreme, it is the extreme sections that really put you to the challenge. Put your skills to the test and get out (with friends) on the more challenging trails in our country.
- Rock Climbing – This is another activity we participate in often. Challenges range from small with a top rope in place, to extreme when you are the lead climber. It is quite a rush when you conquer a class 5.10 pitch and live to tell about it.
- Kayaking – A kayak is a very small boat, usually for a single person, that you propel yourself using paddles. Where the adventure comes in is a little bit of skill when your kayak tips over, or when you shoot the rapids and waterfalls of a river.
- Caving – Also called spelunking is exploring cave systems. Caving can involve ropes (going up or down) and water (like scuba diving). Resent news about the soccer team trapped and rescued in a cave shows the type of dangers caving can have.
- Via Ferrata – While researching Via Ferrata, a popular climbing route found in the Alps and certain other locations involving cables and iron steps, I found one right here in Telluride Colorado. This is my daughter on the steepest section of the trail. Even though you are protected with your harness, it gets the blood pumping, as you look straight down about 800 feet.
You see adventure travel is something that everyone can enjoy, no matter what their danger tolerance happens to be. If you are sick and tired of the same old same old, then you need to find out some more about adventure travel today. Start planning your next trip abroad now, with a little more adventure in mind. It is always fun to try something new and exciting so go for it and have a blast!
Related Questions
What is the Telluride Via Ferrata? The Via Ferrata is an assisted climbing route usually involving iron hand and foot holds and a cable you connect to for protection. The Telluride Via Ferrata is about 2 miles on the side of a box canyon near the famed Bridal Veil Fall above Telluride.
Donald Clever
President
Camp Wild Ride ®
www.campwildride.com
