12 Best Places for Adventure Travel in the World

Or, if you like to do things your own way, read our rundown ofthe best things to do in Iceland. For more inspiration, take a look at the best places to stay in Iceland and Rough Guides’ Iceland itineraries. Meanwhile, newbies will want to read our first-timers guide to Croatia, find out about the best things to do in Croatia and gaze upon the best beaches in Croatia. Tanzania’s adventure offerings extend to trekking in the Usambara Mountains, diving with whale sharks off Mafia Island, and exploring the chimpanzee habitats of Mahale Mountains National Park. Getting around Indonesia’s vast island chain requires careful planning, with domestic flights, ferries and local boats connecting the major destinations.

• There is lots to explore in Kyrgyzstan and most of it can be done on a budget and without crowds of other tourists.
• Sleeping under the stars, and getting to dive at the best times was incredible.
• Be prepared to see some of the most dramatic mountain views of your life, as well as being wowed at the culture and scenery.
• Ethno Houses Plitvice Lakes offers rustic elegance a mere 400 metres from the park’s highest waterfall.
• There’s a lot of adventure tourism activities around Pokhara now (as the industry has grown).

If the country is new to you, read our guide for first-timers to Oman, and find out what you won’t want to miss in Oman. To cover more ground without the stress of planning, you could consider booking a tailor-made Omani adventure trip. Keen photographers might also want to know where to see the country’s best waterfalls. Our Costa Rica travel tips might also come in handy for pre-trip inspiration. For more biking or hiking adventures, Viñales National Park is a must-visit, with its striking landscape of boulder-like hills exuding decidedly prehistoric vibes.

Best of all, tracks for vehicles are scarce to non-existent — travel here often means setting out in a pirogue or on your own two feet. Edinburgh has Arthur’s Seat, Rio has Sugarloaf, Cape Town has Table Mountain and the Bulgarian capital Sofia has Vitosha – a domed 2,292m (7,513ft) summit rising just on the edge of the city. In summer, it’s a popular retreat from the urban sprawl, but it comes into its own in winter, when snow clings to its upper reaches, and guided snowshoeing tours take place in the potted wilderness. Here It’s also become something of a scalp for cyclists — a little road slaloms its way to the summit with a punishing gradient of 7% over seven miles. See it as part of a 10-day cycling tour of Vietnam, pedalling past places like the pine forests of Bidoup Nui Ba National Park and up to the gates of Imperial Hue. Whether you’re into wildlife watching or more high-octane experiences, Costa Rica sure isn’t short of beautiful national parks for walks on the wild side.

You’ll get to experience the quieter, more authentic side of this fascinating country. For you, that could be hurtling from planes, scaling the world’s tallest peaks, or swimming hand-to-fin with sharks. Even immersing yourself in the local language or connecting with nature can offer meaningful adventure travel experiences. Alaska is the number one US destination for anyone who wants to venture into the icy wilderness.

Light a campfire (legally) and watch the stars and the lights in the northern sky which no man owns no matter how much they wish they did. Seriously though, Mongolia is a country of beautiful yet unforgiving terrain and the Mongolian people have unlocked its secrets, able to live nomadically and tend livestock amongst its deserts, plains, and hills. It’s also smack-bang between Russia and China so wherever you go, you’ll be off the beaten track. With nearly 2,000 miles of coastline, most of it completely uninhabited, this is one of the last truly wild frontiers in North America. Public transport is scarce, cell signal is spotty, and the places worth seeing often don’t show up on Google Maps.

One of the most amazing places to travel for adventure is PATAGONIA. Yes, I know, Patagonia is not a country in and of itself – it’s a REGION split between two other local produce catering Hampshire incredibly adventurous destinations – Argentina and Chile. As an avid adventure traveler myself, I had already compiled an excellent list of places to travel for adventure – many of which I have ticked off. But, naturally, there are always TONS more places on anyone’s bucket list.

So, what are my final thoughts on the 12 best adventure holidays in the world? Tourism is a double-edged sword and adventure tourism only takes a whetstone to the blade. Which means they are unaccustomed to – let’s say – the ugly side of Western tourism.

Some of my favorite coastlines to adventure are Big Sur, San Diego/La Jolla, Laguna Beach, San Louis Obispo, Point Reyes, and some great beach hikes in Southern California. Many people trek to Everest’s Base Camp in Nepal — fewer make the slog to the foot of the world’s second highest peak, K2 — where the approach is even more spectacular. It takes just over a week to trek to base camp one way — those wanting a taste of high-altitude can pack ice axes and crampons and extend their trip with a crossing of the 5,650m Gondogoro La pass.

There are several travel shops from where you can book your adventure activity. You can also book these activities from Kathmandu, the capital city. If you prefer less strenuous activities and warmer weather, head to the coast for surfing in Mancora or Huanchaco or try paragliding on the cliffs in Lima.

It may be one of the most unique accommodation experiences and views you will ever have. Much Better Adventures is consistently rated ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot with over 1000 verified trip reviews. Rough Guides connects you with vetted travel agents who create personalized trip plans from scratch based on your travel style, pace, interests, and budget.

Kauai, Hawaii: best hiking holidays

To get the most out of your trip, also read our guide on the best time to visit Galapagos Islands. Hardcore hikers will want to consider hiking Na Pali’s Kalalau Trail. Definitely not for the inexperienced or faint-hearted, this showcases why Kauai is regarded as one of the world’s best hiking destinations. If you’re travelling with little ones in tow, don’t miss our guide to visiting Mexico with kids. But that’s not all this city has to offer — discover more reasons to love Muscat. Read our overview of the most stunning national parks in America, and take a look at the inspirational Rough Guide to the USA’s National Parks.

They have some of the clearest water and most prolific dive sites (with the most sea life) on the planet. There’s a LOT of jungle to hike and explore, many successful fishing trips, and some different water sports around, too. Rotorua is home to the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world, mountain biking in the Redwoods and kayaking with glowworms. Also try hiking the Tongariro Crossing in volcano country, diving in New Zealand’s best dive site, Poor Knights Marine Reserve, or a canoe adventure down the Whanganui River.

Right, let’s talk about adventure holidays you can have while backpacking Europe. Are we talking about the stunning (and warm) Amalfi Coast or the tranquil (and warm) beaches of Portugal? Hah, nope, we are talking about backpacking Scandinavia, it’s back to freezing your tits off. And since you’re in Zimbabwe (and how often do you end up over that way, realistically) maybe explore the rest of the country. Victoria Falls is surrounded by gorgeous national parks and there are plenty of adventure safari tours to partake in.

#7 Baja California, Mexico: Adventures, Ocean Expeditions and Roadtrips

Stroll along the cobblestone streets in a quaint village for a different kind of adventure. From backpacking to snowboarding, paragliding to kayaking, there’s an adventure for anyone in Switzerland. Book a bike trip in the countryside, backpack through the Alps, and adventure on to your heart’s content. Taking a hot air balloon ride is the only way to appreciate Cappadocia’s unique landscape in central Turkey truly. Towering cones of rock dot this semi-arid region, and you can also see churches and Bronze Age homes carved into the rock faces.

You’ll hike the lunar landscape of Maiella National Park, looking out for the endangered Marsican bear, wolves and golden eagles. Scramble to the teetering summit of Corno Grande (2912m), the highest mountain in the Apennines. Canoe the crystalline Tirino River, and pedal across the remote Campo Imperatore plateau, known as ‘Little Tibet’ after the karst mountains surrounding it. Accommodation is in remote ecolodges and agriturismos; the food is as delicious as you expect it to be. Hike through the snowcapped Andes to the top of the world’s highest active volcano.