Travel in all its forms is nothing short of amazing, whether it’s your first time visiting a new place or your 50th. There are so many things out there to see and do it can be really hard to choose. We all know those ultimate bucket list items, but where do you start?
An epic adventure can shake the very foundations of who you thought you were and what you are capable of. Or maybe it’s the sheer magnitude of what you are witnessing that changes your world forever.
Each bucket list adventure below will give you a unique opportunity to see more of the natural world, where you will be exposed to awe-inspiring nature and wildlife while getting out of your comfort zone. Which will you choose first?
Top bucket list adventures
Go snorkeling at the Great Barrier reef
One of the natural wonders of the world the Great Barrier reef may not be around forever. With warming ocean temperatures, ocean acidification and coral bleaching the reefs are in significant danger. But I firmly believe that seeing these beautiful areas teeming with fish will make you fall in love and want to protect this special place.
There are multiple tours that visit the reef daily. Natural Habitat tours and G adventures are two companies whose mission is to provide sustainable tourism opportunities while protecting habitats around the world and educating tourists. There are also regenerative tours that allow you to give back through volunteerism or donations.
Tips protecting the reef while snorkeling:
- Remember to where ocean safe sun screen, as the chemicals in some sunscreens can damage the reefs.
- Do not touch the coral
- Mind where your flippers are, they can damage the coral
- Do not kneel or sit on the coral
Go see the Northern Lights
The best way to see the aurora borealis (yet another natural wonder of the world – there are 7 in case you were wondering and 4 appear on this list) is to head to the lands of ice and snow, such as northern Canada or Norway. Norway, Lapland, Svalbard and Iceland are the best places to catch a glimpse of this incredible phenomenon. There are tours that will take you close to the arctic circle where you will go out each night and watch the sky.
Not only can you catch the northern lights, but the millions of stars and the milky way will leave you breathless.
There are many tour options, such as the Rødne Fjord Cruise, and you can look for more sustainable tours by looking for the eco-certification or tour commitment, communities commitments, and environmental policies.
Grand Canyon
Yet another one of the natural wonders of the world, this place took my breath away and brought tears to my eyes (I’m not kidding). The panoramic views of the canyon and the Colorado River are stunning and I cannot believe it is just there in the US. There are lots of great ways to enjoy this beautiful place. You can hike the rim-to-rim, camp, or visit the many observation areas.
I would highly recommend going in either spring or fall when it is cooler. This is also a better time because there will be fewer crowds. I visited in the middle of the summer and it was 110 degrees outside and the crowds were immense. But if you head off on any of the longer trails many of these crowds will fade away to the quiet of the canyon, just make sure to bring lots of water and dress appropriately for the heat.
Visit the Galápagos Islands
Going to the Galapagos is a unique experience that you will remember for a lifetime. It is the best spot to see wildlife in their natural habitat. Of course, one really good reason is to go for the marine life. Diving in the Galapagos is a bucket list adventure all on its own, with hammerhead sharks, sea turtles, marine iguanas and coral reefs, it is literally teeming with life. Then on land you have the charismatic blue-footed boobies and giant Galapagos tortoises.
The Galapagos is such a special area that you cannot visit without a tour guide. They are doing a great job protecting this pristine environment, so you should remember to show it the same respect and care. For sustainable tour operators, I look to the Galapagos Conservancy for recommendations. This organization has been doing work on wildlife conservation in the Galapagos for a long time and are keen to continue to protect the land, so I trust what they are recommending.
Going hiking in Torres del Paine national park
This is a top bucket list experience for many people. Hiking in Patagonia is an absolute must do for any adventure traveler. You can hike the W or the O trail to get those epic views and you can do it with a tour or alone, bringing all your gear with you. If you are used to multi-day hiking then I would recommend doing this alone, remembering to practice Leave no Trace principles but if this is your first time, maybe head out with a group.
The weather here is unpredictable and often extremely windy and can turn from one minute to the next. The best time to hike in the area is during their summer months from December to February. It’s warmer with longer days and less of the temperature swings, though don’t be fooled, the weather can still be very unpredictable.
Hike to Machu Picchu
This UNESCO world heritage site is one of the most popular destinations due to its unique beauty and the draw to the ancient ruins. Hiking the Inca Trail is an incredible and unique experience filled with amazing nature and rich culture with visits to villages to spend time with the local people in the area.
You do need a permit to hike this trail and you do need a guide. There’s been some controversy over hiking the Inca Trail, including as it relates to workers rights and trail maintenance, but its unique history continues to be a draw. There are other ways to get to Machu Picchu, including a train ride as well as other hiking trails. So, before heading out, do your research.
Here are a couple of options to consider:
- Inca trail (most popular)
- Salkantay Trek (great alternative to the Inca Trail)
- Lares Trek (more cultural experiences)
- Choquequirao Trek (more challenging, longer trail that also stops at another Inca site – Choquequirao
Whatever you choose, you will not be disappointed.
Hike to Everest base camp
The final natural wonder of the world on this list is the highest mountain in the world. This trek will certainly get you out of your comfort zone, with continuous elevation gains, but with stunning beauty all around. You need a variety of permits as well as a guide to take you on this trek, and if you go with a tour company they will take care of all the permits ahead of time, so you can just enjoy the trek. 
You will typically fly into Kathmandu and head out from there to the start of the EBC trek. If you have always wanted to see Sagarmatha (as the locals call her) but have never wanted to climb it, then this trek up to base camp is perfect. It also gives you insight into the lovely people who live there with a rich culture that is a must to learn about.
Rickshaw run
One epic way to see a country is in a little three wheeled cart known as a rickshaw. A company called the Adventurists provides a unique opportunity to do so and has mastered the art of this adventure and offers it to anyone willing to give it a go.
The idea is you and one or two friends head to the country of choice (India or Sri Lanka). You will be provided with your very own rickshaw and some introductory information on how to fix it and your off. You have a starting point and an end point but no in between route. It’s up to you.
The adventure lasts a week. At the end there is a huge beach party with food and drinks, celebrating the end of this wild adventure.
Want to have this epic adventure? Check out the Adventurists for more information and to sign up.
As part of this adventure, you are also required to raise money for their charity. A charity that provides clean water to underserved communities.
Gorilla trekking
This epic adventure is a definitely once in a lifetime experience that allows you to see some incredibly magnificent animals in their natural environment.
At one time, there were only a few hundred gorillas left in Bwindi National Park. Surrounding countries got together realizing the need to protect these incredible animals and with this partnership the numbers have rebounded.
Now you can trek out to see the gorillas with a skilled guide, along with the many other species that also call the Impenetrable Forest home.
Spend 6 days in Rwanda and Uganda taking various treks to see not only the mountain gorillas but other primate species, birds, and the immense nature in the impenetrable forest. For me this was an absolutely unforgettable experience. I was in absolute awe of these animals from the moment we spotted them and entered their world.
For more check out my guide to gorilla trekking in Uganda.
Diving with great white sharks
There are several places where you can go on this epic adventure. To dive with great white sharks head to Isla Guadalupe, Mexico (other top locations include South Africa and Australia).
Have you ever wanted to get up close and personal with the face of nightmares? For around $300 you can go on your very own dive.
You can take a liveaboard boat on a 5–6-day trip out to this uninhabited island off the coast of Baja California. This gives you the opportunity to experience 3 different cage dives and an up-close encounter with the creatures of the deep.
Plan to head there between July and November for the best chance to see the great whites.
One of the coolest parts of this trip is the chance to travel in a self-propelled cage. This gives you the opportunity to cruise around next to the sharks.
To book your epic adventure check out Nautilus Dive Adventures.
Trekking across Jordan
There are so many options when it comes to thru hikes it can be hard to pick one. But if you want to do something big, in a completely different setting than the usual walk in the woods, head out on the trek across Jordan.
This 425-mile journey takes you along a trail that was thought to have been walked by Jesus, Muhammad and Moses from Um Qais to the Red Sea.
Currently, there is no major infrastructure in place along this trail as seen with some of the other popular trails like the Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail.
But you will definitely be rewarded with some incredible experiences with locals and the countries magnificent scenery. So, trade in mountain views and dense forest of the AT for historic villages, dramatic desert sands and canyons and forested hills.
Due to the challenges of this hike (no infrastructure, trail blazes, cultural language differences) it is currently highly recommended you hire a guide to hike with you. To start planning your trek make sure to download the Jordan Trail Thru-Hike Guide.
Biking Slovenia’s Green Route
One of the best ways to see a country is at a more leisurely pace. The newly created Green Route in Slovenia is the perfect bike trip that shows off the best Slovenia has to offer, namely it’s sustainability achievements. This is why its one of the best things to do and should be on everyone’s adventure bucket list.
Though it may not be one of those “you might die if you do this challenge” it’s still a pretty epic adventure. You will bike through small towns, wineries, and national parks giving you a little taste of everything this country has to offer.
And the various cities advancements in sustainability has won them “Green Status” making it one of the topmost sustainable locations to visit.
You can do this bike trip solo or on a guided tour, depending how comfortable you are with traveling this kind of route and how you like to travel.
Concluding Thoughts
There are so many epic adventures out there on offer it can be hard to pick. These are just a few to get you thinking about what kinds of epic adventures exist and to show you how easy it is to have them.
That you don’t need to be some wild explorer or seasoned adventurer, you too can have these adventures.
I purposely left out the 7 summits and the many thru-hikes around the world. Not to take away from thees epic adventures but because this post is meant to show you how you can have an epic adventure without years of planning and training. It’s a starting point that will hopefully whet your appetite for adventure and leave you wanting more.
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