Thrilling Adventures To Try In Your Lifetime

The world has never been more accessible. From the Great Wall of China to the Galapagos Islands, from Himalayan peaks to the Caribbean, from the jungles of Borneo to the “Lost World” tepuis of Venezuela and from the Northern Lights to a total solar eclipse. Not to mention the South Pole itself. What was once the realm of explorers is now within reach of all of us.

Some are “soft” adventures, while others are more challenging. All will be unforgettable.

1. The Lost World and Angel Falls

Conan Doyle’s classic adventure novel was inspired by Venezuela’s “Lost World”, a region of dense jungle and rolling grassland dominated by immense sandstone table mountains known as tepuis. You’ll trek to the summit of Mount Roraima, a maze of blackened rock and babbling streams with unique plants and rare carnivorous frogs. Visit Auyán-tepui and see Angel Falls, the world’s highest waterfall, as it plunges 3,200ft.

2. Australia’s Red Center

Opened in 2002, the 140-mile (225km) Larapinta Trail from Alice Springs to Mount Sonder through the West MacDonnell Ranges is one of the world’s great bush walks. The trail can be done in shorter stretches, but why not go for the full 14-day experience? There will be challenging stages of up to 20 miles on some days, but you’ll carry only your day pack. 

3. Ladakh and Stok Kangri, The Himalayas

This tough trek requires stamina, but the rewards are immense. You’ll be eased in, acclimatising in Ladakh’s capital, Leh, and exploring villages and monasteries before building up the pace with treks over passes to Stok Kangri base camp in preparation for a night climb. Reach the summit in time to see one of the most spectacular sunrises in the Himalayas.

4. Ladakh and Stok Kangri, The Himalayas

This pioneering trek is about as adventurous as they come. With the aid of local trackers, you’ll traverse the mountains of Hemis National Park in Ladakh. This is physically demanding hike utilising basic local housing and camping, but the rewards will be spectacular.

5. Adventure in Oman 

Explore Oman from the air, flying a paraglider with a professional pilot from the top of Zighy Mountain. The adventure continues with rock climbing and mountain biking while exploring the Hajar mountains. Trekking, water skiing and kayaking add to the experience. In the evenings you will stay in a villa at Six Senses, Zighy Bay.

6. A husky tour in Finland

Explore the Finnish wilderness by snowmobile northwards from Kittila to the Norwegian border. This is followed by a two-day husky safari taking charge of your own team of four or five dogs, cooking over open fires and sleeping in a tent or wilderness cabin. A final day of snowmobiling follows the Victoria Trail along the Swedish border.

7. Rafting and rock climbing in the Pyrenees

This mixed week of trekking, white water rafting, canyoning, rock climbing and abseiling in the stunning scenery of the Pyrenees will blow away any cobwebs lurking in your soul. Stay in a beautifully restored farmhouse in the medieval village of Berdun in the heart of the Pyrenees.

8. Coast to coast across the United States

It’s the ultimate Jack Kerouac On the Road fantasy and most of us have wanted to do it at one time or another. So turn fantasy into reality and drive 3,000 miles (5,000km) from New York to LA, taking in Washington, Virginia’s Blue Ridge Parkway, Nashville, Memphis, Route 66, the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks, Las Vegas and Palm Springs along the way.

9. Motorbike across the Siberian wilderness

A motorbike adventure around the world’s deepest lake (Baikal) offers wilderness, sacred lakes, shamans, dips in gin-clear rivers, camping on silent plains, wild hills and empty valleys – not to mention Buryat culture, banyas, thermal springs and amazing wildlife.

Iconic travel destinations will always exert their pull but it is the journey itself and our experiences along the way that can turn a holiday into a life-changing adventure.

Read full article here : Telegraph.co.uk