Try These Awesome Traveling Ideas!

If you’re after an outdoor adventure, look no further. We bring you the white-knuckle tour of six continents.

Strap on the skins for one of the world’s wonderful ski activities when you tour between the famed Alpine lodges of Chamonix and Zermatt. Most skiers take around a week to finish the 140km, hut-to-hut route, bridging 20 glaciers and savouring views of many of the Alps’ highest and finest peaks. Expect more than a peaceful jaunt: the terrain is challenging, and climbs along the way total over 10,000m. If you prefer feet to skis, you could always wait around for summer and hike the Walkers’ Haute Route. Guided tours depart from Chamonix; count on paying for over US$2250 depending on group size. Basic mountaineering skills and the ability to ski off piste are essential.

2. Cycling the Icefields Parkway, Canada

Offering 230km between Jasper and Lake Louise and carrying out a lake-lined valley between two chains of the Rocky Mountains, the Icefields Parkway is known as one of many world’s most scenic roads. Cyclists also noticed it as one of the great mountain-biking tours. The eager can ride it in two days, but well-spaced outdoor camping grounds and hostels mean it can also be lingered over for four or five days. Expect mountains, lakes and a menagerie of mammals – goats, bighorn sheep, elk, moose and possibly even black and grizzly bears. Examine the route map at www.icefieldsparkway.ca; you could hire bicycles at shops in Banff , Alberta, for around C$40 a day.

3. Bungee jumping at Verzasca Dam, Switzerland

They call it the Golden Eye jump, because it was on this Ticino dam that Pierce Brosnan, aka James Bond, fell so far that so as to recreate the stunt you must submit yourself to the world’s highest commercial bungee jump, a leap of 220m. Make your classic swan dive or jump backwards, then experience a 7½-second fall that may border on eternity. Only later will you appreciate the truth that you’ve just relived the stunt once voted the best in movie history. Jumps are made between Easter and October. The Golden Eye jump costs €170 the first time and is half price if you do it again on the same day. You know what Bond would do?

4. Biking in Moab, USA

Moab is the mother of all mountain biking spots, its popularity riding on the slickrock (smooth, wind-polished rock) that makes mountain biking in this Utah town unique. The top of pops in Moab is the Slickrock Bike Trail, perhaps the most famous mountain-biking route in the world. This 20km loop crosses sandstone ridges across the town, a roller-coaster route of supersteep climbs and falling descents. If you’re anxious about whether you’re slick enough for the Slickrock Bike Trail, you could pluck up courage on the 3km practice loop. One-day or multi-day tour options are available. Bring your personal bike or rent one and go for broke; for sample rentals check out www.poisonspiderbicycles.com.

5. Mountain climbing at Krabi, Thailand

 

Fancy a tropical beach that’s more about cams than tans, and the location where the closest thing to a thong is your harness? You then should come to Krabi. This city on Thailand’s Andaman coast is blessed with spectacular karst formations, even in the middle of Krabi River, which makes it one of the world’s greatest climbing destinations. If you’re serious about scaling a cliff, you’ll want to head for Railay, west of the city. This peninsula’s vertical, pocketed limestone cliff s offer a liquorice allsorts of climbing features, including good overhangs and the occasional hanging stalactite. You’ll find overnight accommodation, guides and gear for hire at Ao Nang and Railay East Beach; over 650 routes have been launched in the area when the 1980s.

6. Kayaking on Glacier Bay, USA

The name alone ought be enough to entice any sea-kayaker, but the reality goes beyond even the moniker. In Alaska’s Glacier Bay, 10 glaciers flow down from the mountains, filling the ocean with an assortment of icebergs. The tour boat MV Spirit of Adventure can drop kayakers at various points in the bay, so you can just about paddle where you please. The truly hardy eschew the boat and paddle from Bartlett Cove to the glaciers of Muir Inlet (allow about two weeks). The blockbuster ‘bergs are in the West Arm, though outdoor camping there is limited. Beach camping on the Beardslee Islands allows you to extend your time with nature; kayaks and guides can be booked at www.glacierbayseakayaks.com.

7. Walking in Kruger National Park, South Africa

What better way to mingle with a hungry horde of lions, cheetahs, rhinos, elephants and giraffes in South Africa’s most well-known park than on foot? Kruger has seven wilderness walking trails, along that you can take guided overnight walks with armed guides. Of the trails, the Napi Trail is noted as the best for seeing the big five (black rhino, Cape buffalo, elephant, leopard and lion). Almost all the walks last for 2 days and three nights, spanning around 20km every day in a leisurely pace… unless, of course, you notice a lion behind you. A four-day walking safari rates between US$800-1000 for groups of no more than eight. For additional information visit www.krugersafari.com.

8. Hiking the Larapinta Trail, Australia

For 223km of desert excitement, set aside a fortnight to walk the Larapinta Trail through central Australia’s West MacDonnell Ranges, one of many oldest mountain chains in the world. Expanding between Alice Springs and Mt Sonder, the Larapinta winds through oasis-like gorges, over sharp quartzite ridge tops and across desert flatlands. Regular campgrounds and water tanks mute the desert’s ferocity but not its beauty – this is the Red Centre at its finest. Food drops can also be arranged to ease the load on your back. The full expedition costs AU$3960; book at www.treklarapinta.com.au.

9. Trek the Torres Del Paine, Chile

Similar to a fistful of broken fingers, Chile’s Torres del Paine rise more than 2000m from the Patagonian Steppes. For ‘real’ trekkers these ‘Towers of Pain’ are one of the most instantly recognisable features on this planet. The classic walk here’s the so-called ‘W’ trek, which takes about 5 days. Beginning at Laguna Amarga, the W climbs to the magnificent Torres del Paine Lookout, straight below the towers, and continues via Los Cuernos and Lago Pehoé to Lago Grey, famed for its flotillas of icebergs – some as big as houses. Trails are very well marked; trek in autumn or spring to avoid crowds. The ‘W’ trek can be completed in six days, including the return bus trip from Puerto Natales. Sunrise illuminates the Torres del Paine one by one, transforming them into slabs of gold.

10. Swimming with killer whales, Norway

 

Close your eyes and think of friendly dolphins and you might find it easier to roll overboard and into Norway’s Tysfjord. For 3 months each year, orcas settle into this fjord, chasing a feed of herring. Hard behind them are the whale-watching fishing boats and the few hardy snorkellers ready to brave both the Arctic waters and their visiting killer whales. For something slightly warmer, you may prefer to hire a kayak for a paddle among the cetaceans. To play with the orcas take a look at www.orcasafari.co.uk; tours depart from the UK.