By their very nature, adventure holidays are exciting, exhilarating and fun. To enhance a thrilling experience, simply add a great location – here are five of the top exotic destinations that guarantee you an adventure holiday of a lifetime.
Machu Picchu, Peru
Machu Picchu Backpacking
More than a hundred years after its discovery by the explorer Hiram Bingham, the 15th century Inca fortress and exceptional archaeological find at Machu Picchu attracts thousands of visitors each year. They come to see the ruins of this once great city, to learn about its history and generally enjoy the exotic location. Grab your walking boots and launch yourself on one of the most satisfying and magical hiking experiences ever – the four day trek from Cisco to Machu Picchu along the famous centuries old Inca Trail. Exploring the Urubamba Valley you’ll encounter the ruins of Inca cities along the way, crossing little wooden bridges and spotting more than just the odd llama.
Bali, Indonesia
Bali, Indonesia Backpacking
Bali is a well-known island tourist resort, and has an impressive history and cultural heritage. The wild side of the island has a stunningly rich variety of daring and exciting activities; reach for an oar and a white-water rafting experience on the River Ayung that will leave you breathless and exhilarated; try an Elephant Safari twilight ride in the Taro jungle or head for Mount Batur volcano for a 16-mile mountain cycling tour through lush green rice fields, past ancient temples and through tiny, picturesque Balinese villages. The surfing at Seminyak is superb and a stay at Seminyak Villas is a fabulous way to round off a perfect adventure holiday.
The Philippines, South-east Asia
Chocolate Hills of Boho, Philippines Backpacking
A country with myriad sports activities, the Philippines is a delight for keen scuba divers. Its pristine reefs are crowded with pygmy sea horses, and mandarin fish. Diving is possible all year round here as the water is always warm and the underwater landscape is dramatic. It features sheer downward slopes and unexpected rocks with high pointed peaks, where ghost pipefish and frogfish are abundant. Among the most famous island locations are Malapascua, Bohol and Pescador. To see a sardine swirl – Pescador is the place to be. If thresher sharks are more to your taste, head for Malapascua.
Roatan, Honduras
Gumbalimba Monkey Park in Roatan, Honduras Backpacking
From the landscape under the sea to a bird’s eye view of amazing rainforests and Caribbean panoramas, a zip lining adventure in Roatan ticks all the boxes for fun, thrills and an exhilarating ride at least 100 feet above ground level. This is a wild and heady trip, and at Gumbalimba Park even relatively young children can participate by being strapped to a guide for help with braking. It’s also a great area for spotting capuchin monkeys roaming at will and there’s a rehabilitation centre for monkeys and macaws here that children adore visiting.
Finnish Lapland
The Northern Lights over Finland Backpacking
A world away from safari parks, beaches and zip lining over tropical forests, wrap up warm and take a trip to Lapland to see the Igloo Village; there are igloos made of snow or glass and the biggest snow restaurant on the planet. The extraordinary Northern Lights (aurora borealis) light up Finland’s wintry sky and it’s no surprise they are one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Add an invigorating husky safari through Lapland’s majestic wilderness and a snowmobile excursion, and your winter exotic adventure holiday is complete.
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If you’re doing the organised 4 day trek, would you trek as much as Machu Picchu together with your backpack, or would you let it rest lower in Cusco?
I’m traveling to Peru and I wish to visit Machu Picchu. I must consider using a tour that provides something from the beaten path. Nothing worse than tripping around among vacationers only worried about appearing for photos instead of taking within the culture and scenery.
Which ruins would you rather explore, the Maya ruins in the Yucatan Peninsula (Chichen Itza, Coba, etc.) or the Inca Machu Picchu Piccu ruins and Cusco?