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Vacation Ideas for the Adventure Traveller

Adventure travel means different things to different people. For some it is just experiencing something new and outside of their own normal comfort zone. For others it is seeking out adventurous activities such as certain extreme sports that other countries have to offer. For others it means heading away from civilization and seeking experiences off the beaten track. For the few it is a combination of all of these.

Adventure travel can be experienced as part of an organized tour or holiday or can be a vacation planned and implemented by the independent traveler. In some countries independent travel can be difficult or even nigh on impossible for single females or families with children. This is one of the reasons why so many companies are now offering adventure vacation alternatives that still provide ease, security and stress free options.

What you choose and how you choose to go about it will often be restricted by budget considerations, your fitness levels, the age and number of people in the party and your own sense of adventure. There are options for everyone and, as always when there is more market competition, cheaper organized travel is becoming accessible to a greater number of people. Adventure vacations are available from the highest luxury end of the market right down to the travel on a shoestring budget.

Trekking

This is becoming an increasingly popular form of adventure travel for many. Options range from gentle day to day rambles taking in stunning scenery to extreme trekking through mountain ranges. Expert guides can make these kind of trips enormously educational and culturally diverse. There are very large numbers of companies now offering trekking and walking vacations. Brochures, websites and travel agents abound with ideas and inspiration or you may know exactly where you wish to go and can then start looking for companies who cover that destination.

Trips cater for very great differences in fitness and abilities and it is important to match the trip to your own strengths in order to make it enjoyable and not an exercise in endurance.

Cultural highlights

Have you always been fascinated by the splendor of Asian temples? Perhaps the Inca or Ancient Egyptian civilization is something you would like to explore. Perhaps your lifetime dream has been to see the Terracotta warriors in China. Whatever your tastes there are options. Consider combining organized trips with independent travel for a personal tailor-made holiday that encompasses all you are interested in. These types of trips will expose you to some of the world’s most amazing sights or experience of diverse cultures. Trip types can be as simple as exploring the medieval castles of Great Britain to traveling and sleeping in the desert with the Bedouin.

Wildlife travel

Again, this can be as sedate or as adventurous as your own wishes allow. Wildlife themed vacations can include traveling through the jungle or rainforest and camping in the wild to gentle day trips that take you to see turtles nesting and hatching. Take your pick from boat trips that offer swimming with wild dolphins, kayaking down vast rivers spotting crocodiles, monkeys and birds or great African safaris where elephants, lions and antelope are your day’s experience.

Activity or experience vacations

This is another type of vacation that seems to have exploded over the last few years. This type of trip can address something you are already passionate about and take part in, such as cycling or climbing. There are also many types of activities available to those who have always wondered what it would be like to try or have always wanted to learn. Take your pick from learning to surf in the crystal clear waters of Costa Rica, sea kayaking in Sweden, learning to scuba-dive in the Red Sea, driving Jeeps through vast wilderness areas or driving a sled pulled by a husky team. There is no limit to the variety of this type of vacation and if you want to do it there is probably a company out there that will take you. Many offer a vacation that includes multi-activity opportunities such as white water rafting, abseiling, canoeing, archery and orienteering.

Adrenalin adventure

Bungy jumping, sky diving, snow-boarding, surfing, white water rafting, heli-skiing; are any of these on your ‘must do before I die’ list? If so then there are plenty of places where you can go and experience them either as a beginner or an experienced thrill seeker. Should you wish to experience more than one of or even all of these on the same trip, New Zealand is considered by many to be the adrenalin junky’s capital of the world. Kiwis have invented a whole new spectrum of ways to get your kicks through such means as a giant swing that sees you free-falling down a sheer cliff for 200 feet before being catapulted across the canyon strapped in a harness. Or maybe zorbing, where you are harnessed into a huge see-through ball and rolled down a big hill! The only limit is your capacity for absorbing fear.

Volunteering

This is a good option for those on a limited budget or who really wish to contribute something positive in their traveling. There are many companies that claim to be offering you the opportunity to volunteer and then ask you to contribute thousands of dollars for the privilege. Expect to have to pay something towards food and accommodation but steer clear of companies that are just trying to make a profit. Some of these companies actually manufacture volunteer roles and the work you will be doing is non-vital and pointless. Do your homework. It is often an idea to contact specific embassies to enquirer about genuine opportunities. Work can vary from helping with conservation projects to teaching.

For many people adventure travel has always been off the list for vacation consideration. However, many of the companies now offer specific options suited to families with infants, teenagers or single parents amongst others. Browse the Internet or local library for adventure travel vacation ideas and options and you will be surprised at what is available and often within your budget range.

Written by Outofstress.com expert author ‘Deneice Arthurton’