Do you want adventure? Epic trips to add to your bucket list? Once-in-a-lifetime experiences? We’ve got ‘em. Mountain biking, rafting, hiking, climbing, responsible tourism expeditions and more in our adventure travel for 2023 list
Bored of the beach? Sick of city breaks? Tired of just being a tourist? Well, get ready for adventure! Whether you’re a beginner or an expert in the field of adventure holidays, we’ve got suggestions for everyone. Take a deep breath and let’s go!
Romania: mountain biking in Transylvania
Transylvania might not be the first place you think of if you want to go mountain biking, but the scenery is seriously stunning — Getty Images
Transylvania is nowhere near as horrifying as its mythical-sounding name suggests. In fact, it’s a beautiful region of central Romania with the town of Braşov a convenient hub. It’s easy to get to from most places in Europe, it’s relatively cheap, the riding can be brutal or relaxing depending on how much you feel like punishing yourself, and the views from the tops of the mountains and gorges are nothing short of spectacular.
You can either take your own bikes or rent them there; likewise, you can either start some of the trails in Braşov or rent a car/van to get you further out into the countryside. There are good maps and scores of routes, many passing hillside huts built on freshwater streams where you can stop, refill and refresh.
You may encounter wildlife, too. In the Piatra Mare Mountains, local shepherds still watch over their flocks, and there are also bears living in the forests. Watch out for those, obviously. Finally, no trip to the region would be complete without visiting Bran Castle. Supposedly “Dracula’s castle” (although there’s no evidence that Stoker meant this castle at all), it’s still a beautiful place to visit. Right then, on your bike!
Italy: rewilding adventures
You might even spot a Marsican brown bear on the Rewilding Europe program — Getty Images
Rewilding is the process of restoring natural ecosystems, encouraging biodiversity, and helping wildlife to return. It also aims to combat climate change by increasing the land’s ability to absorb carbon. The Apennine Mountains run the length of Italy, and the process is already in full swing. The dramatic mountain peaks and dense forests are home to wolves, deer, chamois, golden eagles, and the rare Marsican brown bear. Thanks to the Rewilding Europe program, you’ll get the chance to see all of these wonderful creatures in their natural habitat.
The scheme aims to introduce people to the landscape and its inhabitants on one of its rewilding tours, lasting between three and seven nights. Combining hiking, bird- and wildlife-watching, history and cultural experiences, the Italian adventure includes exploration of the deep gorges and mountain peaks, as well as meeting local people in the ancient hillside villages and trying food and wine from the region. For a mixture of adventure and culture, this really can’t be topped. Plus, if you wanted, you could combine it with a couple of days in Rome to start, end, or bookend your trip.
Chad: expeditions with the locals
This special, sandy area in the northeast of the country became a Unesco World Heritage site in 2016 — Getty Images
In the very heart of Africa lies the country of Chad. One of the poorest countries in the world, around 80% of the population relies on farming and cattle herding, using techniques that date back millennia. It’s ways of life such as this that the country hopes will attract tourists willing to learn about the over 200 ethnic groups in the region. The national government has, in the past, attempted to impose the idea of a national society, but, for most people, local or regional society remains the biggest influence.
Expeditions into the Ennedi Regions in the northeast of the country might mean encountering one such group: the Tubu, one of the continent’s most traditional peoples. In this rugged, martian landscape, characterized by massive, twisted rock formations, the Tubu herd huge numbers of camels between water holes and the Lakes of Ounianga, across some of the hottest and least hospitable terrain on the planet. This adventure will truly show you how humans have survived for centuries using just what the planet provides — even when that provision is disquietingly small.
Indonesia: sea kayaking
Sea kayaking is a really fun, surprisingly freeing way to explore the islands of Indonesia — Getty Images
Indonesia, with its thousands of islands, lends itself perfectly to being explored by boat. If you’d like to do this in a chilled, responsible way, there are companies that can rent you sturdy sea kayaks, and many routes and itineraries to choose from.
For example, the Thousand Islands chain to the north of Jakarta offers, if not a thousand, then certainly over one hundred islands to explore. Of these, 13 are fully developed, 23 are privately owned, 11 have resorts, two are national parks, and the rest…? Well, the rest are either bases for the local fishing trade, or simply uninhabited. Paddle away and find your little piece of personal paradise beside the calm, clear water.
You could also try places like Batam Island. Float gently through the tropical forests and steaming mangroves, past fields, spotting wildlife. For more wildlife-based exploration, head to the islands that make up Komodo National Park, home of the eponymous dragon. You can also surf, snorkel, scuba dive, or simply explore the islands on foot, and there are a number of eco-lodges and campsites to stay in. You could spend your life just floating dreamily from place to place. Nice idea, eh?
Morocco: climbing Mount Toubkal
Toubkal is the highest of the Atlas Mountains — Getty Images
At 4,167 meters, Mount Toubkal is the highest peak in the Atlas Mountains (and therefore in North Africa as a whole), and trekking to the summit is a decent challenge, especially in summer with temperatures topping out at around 40°C. A better idea might be to hold out until fall or winter when, not only will it be cooler, but the country gets fewer tourists in general. Whichever time of year you choose, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views over the Toubkal Massif after two days of hiking — the first to get to the Toubkal refuge from the village of Imlil (around seven hours), then a second day to hike to the summit (around four hours, with a three-hour descent).
Imlil is a 90-minute drive south of Marrakech, so you can combine your mountain adventure with a trip to one of the region’s most exciting cities. The medina — the walled city — dates from the 11th century, and is a teeming mass of people, noise, smells and controlled chaos. Market stalls, bathhouses, mosques, tombs and palatial ruins compete for space, and you’ll see something incredible wherever you walk. If one thing you don’t want to do in the mountains is get lost, here it’s inevitable — and the best way to experience the city.
US: rafting through the Grand Canyon
See the Grand Canyon in a way that most people don’t — Getty Images
Most views of the Grand Canyon are from above, either from the surface or, if you’re really splashing the cash, by helicopter or light plane. What not many people know is that you can see it from the opposite angle, too.
There are a bunch of rafting routes along the Colorado River, many of them heading through the Canyon, ranging from single-day trips to 18-day odysseys along 280 miles of water. There are various options for things to do along the route: camping, hiking, visiting archaeological finds and Native American sites, or stopping off in a couple of the bigger towns if you feel like taking a bit of time out.
Generally, the water is flat and calm — there are rapids at a couple of points, but they’re not hugely intense — and the point of the trip is not to scare yourself silly; more to really experience a part of the world to which people tend to come, take a few photos, and leave. At the level of the river, the majesty of the Canyon really hits home. It’s also perfect for any size group of people — all the way from two in one small raft, up to twelve spread across two or three vessels. Oh, and if you really want to add a bit of culture shock to your trip, Las Vegas is just down the river.
Faroe Islands: hiking to the northern lights
The Faroe Islands is one of the best places for catching the northern lights — Getty Images
Iceland? It’s been done — the nation’s push for tourism means that more people are going than ever before. So, what’s the alternative? Well, try the Faroe Islands for size.
The tiny archipelago of 18 islands sits in the middle of the chilly North Atlantic, and though under the sovereignty of Denmark, they’re a self-governing nation. The capital, Tórshavn, is home to around 20,000 people and is surrounded by a bay on one side, and backed by two mountains, Húsareyn and Kirkjubøreyn. It’s for mountains like these that a lot of the Faroes’ visitors come, with hiking and mountain biking being popular pastimes.
Indeed, there’s very little of the islands that’s not on some sort of slope; the village of Gásadalur, for example, was only accessible by hiking over a mountain until as recently as 2004 when a tunnel was built. As you explore the islands, you’ll come across tiny villages like this, many with stunning views across the sea, and dotted with buildings dating back to the Middle Ages. You’ll also meet a wide variety of birdlife, not to mention seals and orcas, and sheep, goats and horses that are particular to the island, having bred in isolation for around 1,200 years. And if you’re hunting for the northern lights, November to February is your best bet.
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