Adventure tourism is growing exponentially worldwide but you don’t need to conquer Everest to get an adrenaline hit. There are plenty of cheaper and less intense adventure holidays that are sure to get the blood pumping.
Say ‘aloha’ to Hawaii’s six islands
Hawaii is an adventure lovers playground with plenty of things to do. Adventure seems to be around every corner and this is why it is one of our top adventure trips 2019.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is home to one of the most active volcanoes in the world. From the park’s look out you can glimpse the glowing lava. Then its time to hike the smoking trails through old lava tubes.
To cool down, take to the ocean. In Hawaii, you can surf some of the best waves on the planet. You can also snorkel with fishes in Kealakekua Bay Park and spy turtles on the black sands of Punalu’u Beach.
Back on dry land, you can hop on two or four wheels and navigate the Onomea Scenic Drive. This road winds through tropical rainforest and leads you to some spectacular waterfalls. Here you can practice your rock jumping into the pools below.
Search flights to HawaiiBash some sand dunes in Dubai
For those with an adventurous streak, dune bashing in Dubai deserves your attention.
Escape the city and head for the desert when you can tackle the statuesque sand dunes in either a 4×4 SUV or a dune buggy. Expert guides and drivers will power the vehicles up the sand dunes till you are almost vertical. Then, with a quick turn of the wheel you’ll be surfing the crest of the dune before a stomach-churning drop over the other side.
For those who like to be control, you can enjoy the thrill from behind the wheel as you drive your own 4×4 through the desert dunes.
You can finish you desert drive with a traditional Emirati meal around a campfire underneath a blanket of stars.
Travel inspiration: Top things to do in Dubai!
Search flights to DubaiExperience ice caving in Iceland
Standing inside a glacier in Iceland is an incredible experience. However, most of the natural glacial ice caves are short-lived and melt in the springtime. Therefore, it is best to book this adventure trip 2019 from around mid-November until about mid-March. This is your plenty of time to plan and save!
A great place to start your ice caving adventure holiday is in Vatnajökull National park. Here you can explore the wonderous ice-world of Falljökull glacier, an outlet glacier from the Vatnajokull ice cap, one of the largest glaciers in Europe.
To explore the glacier you really need an expert guide but there are plenty of operators in the area.
You can explore the Vatnajökull National park without a guide. You can catch a bus or rent a car and discover the canyons, waterfalls and trails all by yourself. There is so much to do here that it will keep most outdoor enthusiasts entertained.
There’s also plenty to satisfy animal lovers too like the bird-rich shelter of Bæjarstaðarskógu and one of the best seal-watching spots in the country on Diamond Beach.
Travel inspiration: When is the best time to visit Iceland in 2019
Search flights to IcelandTackle Whistler’s tough mountain bike terrain
For the ultimate gravity-fed downhill biking experience, take to the trails of Whistler in British Columbia in Canada. Whistler offers an unbeatable experience that every mountain bike rider needs to visit at least once in their lives.
Whether you are a beginner or a pro or somewhere in between, Whistler is the place to be to test your mountain biking skills.
Thanks to its location in the heart of British Columbia’s Coast Range the ‘big mountain’ terrain reflects the same diversity that brings millions of snowsport enthusiasts and hikers here every year.
Whistler Mountain Bike Park is the granddaddy of bike parks. However, beyond the bike park are more freeriding choices than you can imagine, from newbie to gnarly. Many of the trails are built out of ski runs, but plenty are carved out between these runs.
These singletracks amongst the trees are where berms, braking ruts, jumps, and stunts come together to challenge your best instincts. This is where the real riding occurs.
You can rent a bike there or bring your own and there are lessons for all ages and abilities as well as group and family lessons and bike riding tours.
One of the best things about riding in Whistler is the aprés. Whistler knows how to throw an epic party.
Travel inspiration: Top 7 things to do in Vancouver
Search flights to VancouverRide the rapids in Chile
White water rafting is one of those activities that really get the heart rate up and the blood pumping. It usually gives the lungs a good work out too!
Rapids are classed from I-IV, with IV meaning ‘un-runnable’. Therefore the most exhilarating rapids are Grade V rivers. One such river is the Futalefú, in Patagonia, which passes through both Chile and Argentina. In fact, you can start rafting in one country and finish in the other.
Rafters here can plunge down magnificently clear glacier-fed waters whilst surrounded by lush green trees and towering mountain peaks. The river has sections to suit all abilities, from beginners to those looking for thrilling rapids.
Back on terra firma, there are plenty of other adventure actives to keep the adrenaline pumping including abseiling, canyoning, hiking, horse riding and ziplining.
Search flights to ChileDiscover Kazakhstan on two wheels
Kazakhstan is a destination that is all about the journey. And one of the most interesting ways to enjoy this journey is by bicycle.
Kazakhstan is a rugged and remote and that alone makes it an adventurous destination for 2019. If you want to get off the grid, this is the place to be. It is bordered by Russia in the North and China in the Southeast and getting here is half the fun. But once you are here in this fascinating country the rugged mountains, highlands and plains turn Kazakhstan into an outdoor adventurer’s paradise.
There are plenty of routes to choose from depending on your ability and how much time you have. You can opt for more flatter terrain on some good roads or take some of the more challenging routes.
However, if just cycling is too tame for you, you can also do helibiking where you can get a lift to the top of the Karkara mountain range in a Soviet-era military helicopter. You then let gravity and your skills take over for the thrilling ride back down.
In terms of logistics, you can bring your own gear and cycle the country independently or you can rent equipment there or you can take guided tour.
Search flights to KazakhstanHike New Zealand’s Great Walks
New Zealand is a fantastic country for outdoor pursuits and actives. With so much on offer it is a top destination for adventure trips 2019.
One of the most popular actives in New Zealand is hiking, tramping and walking. New Zealand actually has nine ‘Great Walks’ which are generally regarded as the country’s premier multi-day hikes. There are Great Walks on both the North and South Island and they vary in difficulty, terrain and length. Both what they all have in common is extraordinary scenery.
One of the most challenging walks is the Kepler Track. This is also the course for the Kepler Challenge – an ‘ultra-marathon’ trail running race of the entire track. It usually takes the winners around 5 hours to complete. At 60km, it should take use mortals around 3-4 days to complete.
Want to save some money? Read our Insider secrets – how to find the cheapest last minute flights around
Search flights to New ZealandGo bounderling in South Africa
About three hours north of Cape Town in a region called Cederberg is a place called The Rocklands. And it is should be high on any serious boulderer’s list of places to climb.
One of the best reasons to come bouldering here is because the sport is still in its infancy so you are getting in before it hits the radar. However, pros are already flocking here and putting up new climbing routes, which is helping develop the area into an even more memorable climbing destination.
Climbing here will see you use lots of dynamic movements as you negotiate many fun roof styled problems. And fun is most definitely the word to describe the style of bouldering in The Rocklands. This is also enhanced by the local wildlife you’ll encounter whilst climbing including baboons and Springbok.
Travel inspiration: When is the best time to visit South Africa in 2019
Search flights to Cape TownSail the sea around Croatia
Croatia has over 5,800km of coast (if its 1,246 scattered islands are taken into consideration). Therefore it arguably offers more sailing routes than any other European country. No wonder it is such a magnet with sailors from all over the world.
You can go island hopping in your own boat or rent one when you arrive. For those who don’t want to captain their own vessel, you can join a sailing adventure holiday or book out a ship just for your own use with your own captain. Croatia really does cater for all type of sailor.
Sailing in Croatia is a wonderful way to experience the true culture of the islands and people. You’ll discover tiny islands covered in forest and secluded sandy coves of the Dubrovnik archipelago. You’ll also great to take to the water for a swim or kayak and you’ll probably be accompanied by dolphins and tuna too!
Sailing in Croatia with all the water activities that come with it makes for a wet and wild adventure holiday in 2019.
Travel inspiration: Top 10 things to do in Croatia
Search flights to CroatiaTrying canyoneering in The Philippines
Canyoneering at Kawasan Falls on Cebu is one of the most extreme adventure activities you can do in the stunning Philippines.
The sport of canyoneering (canyoning) involves jumping into a fast-flowing mountain stream which then carries you downstream at high speed. Yippee! It is an extremely popular thrill in the Philippines particularly on the island of Cebu.
Cebu is home to Kawasan Falls, which is a trio of picturesque waterfalls that tumble into natural swimming pools and lagoons. These waterfalls are accessible via jungle trails. You hike up the trails, find the streams or natural slides and dive in. The water carries you along and then you get out and do it all again.
This is one activity where you really need to hire a local guide who will bring you to the right spots and tell you where and when to jump in. They will also provide you with a lifejacket if you want one.
Travel inspiration: When is the best time to visit the Philippines.
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