As travelers seek new and different experiences, adventure tourism continues to grow in popularity. Adventure tourism, according to the Adventure Travel Trade Association, is a tourist activity that includes a physical activity, a cultural exchange, or activities in nature.
An adventure is an exciting experience that is typically a bold, sometimes risky, undertaking. Adventures may be activities with some potential for physical danger such as traveling, exploring, skydiving, mountain climbing, scuba diving, river rafting or participating in extreme sports.
Adventure trips can be taken to a number of destinations in the country, with each one being famous for a particular activity.
Queenstown, New Zealand: This incredible city is an adventure destination all year round. Take a helicopter ride over Milford Sound and Mitre Peak or jump out of the helicopter with skis strapped on for a more extreme experience. During summer the mountains open themselves up to mountaineers. Year round you can go bungy jumping, whitewater rafting, skydiving or jet boating. For an adventure at a slower pace, you can head up over the mountains in a hot air balloon or check out one of the award-winning wineries.
Cape Town, South Africa: Adventures on land, in the sea and in the air await you in Cape Town, South Africa. With impressive sand dunes along the coast, Cape Town is an excellent place to go sandboarding. This easy to learn activity is similar to snowboarding only without the wet, cold snow. Within the safety of a metal cage, watch these incredible creatures in their natural habitat. You can even ditch the cage, grab a board and surf the big wave beaches where below the waves the Great Whites wait. Well above the water you can also go abseiling at Table Mountain or take a gyrocopter flight along the coast.
Vancouver, Canada: The birthplace of freeride mountain biking, Vancouver is a great place to experience nature at high speeds. Pedal through the national parks across winding wooden bridges and down huge drops, or see it all from above on a zip line. If you’re visiting in winter you’ll never be far from a world-class ski resort. Whether you are an experienced skier or snowboarder or just starting out the British Columbian ski fields have something for everyone.
Kathmandu, Nepal: Nestled between the Himalayas, Kathmandu is the ideal adventure destination for anyone after a challenge. The obvious draw to Kathmandu is Mt. Everest- the highest point in the world and the ultimate challenge for any avid mountain climber. It is however only one of many summits that can be reached in the mountainous region. For those wanting to see the mountain tops without the climb, Mountain Flights and hot air balloon rides are another way to experience the beauty of the ranges.
Las Vegas, The USA: Adventure might not be the first word that comes to mind when you think of Las Vegas, but it should be. There are few places you can barrel-roll in a warplane or hammer around a racetrack in an exotic supercar – you can in Vegas! Wild rides don’t stop there, atop the tallest structure in Las Vegas there is a mini theme park and a slot machine themed zip line across the strip! Heading away from the strip, jump in a buggy and hammer across the sandy desert dunes or go ziplining in Bootleg Canyon.
Interlaken, Switzerland: Located in between two pristine lakes and close to a number of other alpine villages, Interlaken is the outdoorsman’s dream. Spend the summer hiking up the nearby mountains and the winter skiing down them. Take advantage of the gorgeous Lake Thun and Lake Brienz on a sailboat or canoe. Try something new like zorbing, rolling down a hill inside a large plastic ball, or go ice climbing for a real adventure!
Puerto Escondido, Mexico: Famous for its heavy barrels Puerto Escondido is the adventure surfers paradise. It’s also a paradise for non-surfers and has more to offer than just big breaks. Those looking for adventures can go snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking or take an eco-tours out into the jungles and mountains surrounding Puerto Escondido.
Voss, Norway: Voss is known as the extreme sports capital of Norway and for good reason. Skydiving, whitewater rafting and kayaking, paragliding and wind tunnel flying are just a few of the popular pastimes for locals and visitors alike in this beautiful part of the world.
Machu Picchu, Peru: There are many ways to reach the ruins and the route you take is up to you. The most popular trek is along the Inca trail, following in the footsteps of the Incas themselves. If you don’t get a permit in time to take the Inca trail, jungle adventures are the next best (arguably better) thing. A combination of mountain biking, rafting on class III & IV rapids, trekking into the backwoods of the Andes and zip lining through the jungle canopy on your way to Machu Picchu
Leon, Nicaragua: This historic City in Nicaragua makes the list as one of the best destinations for a volcanic adventure. Volano boarding has become a popular adventure activity in Leon. You climb the volcano, Cerro Negro, get on a board and slide right the way back down again. It’s like an extreme version of sandboarding.