There’s something totally liberating about being away from your home soil! People always say “live in the moment”, “enjoy each day like it’s your last”… but realistically who actually does that around their studies or 9-5 routine?! When you’re traveling these clichés suddenly make sense and become a way of life, rather than overused phrases that everyone aspires to do but somehow can’t manage. When it’s just you and your backpack, far, far away from home you can live in the moment, bask in the freedom and do things that would seem overwhelmingly ridiculous in ‘real-life’! Check out the next 10 of the best extreme travel adventures in the world!
Image: gadventures.com
1. Swim 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, thanks to coral bleaching and global warming. That means it's more urgent than ever to see it in all its glory—and understand what we are losing. Australia has been strict about closing its borders during the pandemic, but since this is a trip you need to plan way in advance for, why not set your sights on 2022 and beyond.
Image: passions.com.au
2. Go on a canoe safari in the Okavango Delta, Botswana
Going on safari in Africa is a no-brainer when it comes to seeking adventure, but where exactly do you start? Botswana's Okavango Delta is a must for first-timers and experienced safari-goers alike, thanks to its wealth of wildlife and topographical diversity. Hop on a mokoro canoe for the best, most intimate look at the roaming elephants, antelope, and cheetahs, among others. Stay at Xigera Safari Lodge, one of the most anticipated recent openings on the continent. You can expect 12 new elevated suites, a baobab tree house for sleeping under the stars, and tons of measures to make the property as eco-friendly as possible.
Image: journeysbydesign.com
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.
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 (bonus points for water visibility) or Gran Cenote for rock formations that resemble Gothic architecture.
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.
Some say repelling and some say abseiling… it’s both the same thing and involves dangling, or majestically bouncing down a rock face. Water-rappelling is nearly identical but you bounce Spiderman style down waterfalls. If you watched Bear Grylls putting celebs through their paces on Celebrity Survivor then you’ll have seen Costa Rica’s finest water-rappelling sites. You do get a little practice go and can be done with no prior experience at all! Whilst you’re in Costa Rica you may as well have a go on Latin America’s longest zipline (1.5km) and check out the rainforest superman style as you are clipped to the zipline by your back.
Get some face time with one of the ocean’s most misunderstood beauties – the Great White Shark! Jaws gave these sharks some seriously bad press and the only way to overcome any childhood fears is to come nose to nose with them in their territory. In the Southern tip of South Africa, around Cape Town and Mossel Bay, there are loads of opportunities to rub shoulders with sharks. Pick your organization carefully as baiting sharks isn’t cool and can make them associate humans with food. After spending time with the Great White experts I grew to love these majestic creatures… go on, get in there! If this isn’t high-risk enough for you, there’s another option… scuba diving with Tiger sharks and Bull Sharks in South Africa’s Protea Banks. Even for a shark lover, being on the bottom of the freezing ocean bed surrounded by the least-human friendly variety was a teensy bit scary!
I’m toying with not recommending this one… Ok, all I’m going to say is that if you do decide to go for it and mountain-bike La Paz’s infamous Death Road, do not Google or YouTube it in advance! Go in completely ignorant to what lies ahead and enjoy the terrifying yet exhilarating journey. If you’re not as fit as a fiddle, no worries as it’s nearly all downhill. Maybe practice squeezing a tennis ball, over and over in advance – because those brakes will get a hammering and your arms will become locked on for the 4-5 hour white-knuckle ride.
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 aboriginal First Nations community of Bella Bella and stopping for sea kayaking along the way. While Canada is currently closed to U.S. travelers, you can always plan ahead for a spring 2022 trip.
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.
