Top 5 Places to Visit for Adventurers
Different travellers travel for different purposes. I am sometime an adventurer but mostly a couch potato. However, here are some top travel choices, in my opinion, for adventurers from my own experience.
5. Peru
What I did: Lima, Huacachina, and Cusco, Inca Trail
What I recommend: If someone says Peru, the first thing you would think of would be Machu Picchu. However, Peru offers more that just Machu Picchu, so many trails and different kind of natural beauty awaits. I was only there for a week, therefore I can only recommend sandboarding in Huacachina and the Inca Trail, however many of my friends have explored the different paths.
Tip for Inca Trail: I don’t believe you can do the trail on your own as it is well protected and require a pass to enter. Therefore I would recommend booking a tour group well in advance - for us was 5 people and we had to book 3-4 months in advance to be on the same trip.
What can be skipped: Eating guinea pig (for me was interesting to try but my life is cool without it). One minor set back on why it’s lower on my list is I find that in recent years, Peru has become more touristic and commercialized than before.
Adventure Score: 3/5
Adrenline-Junky High: 0/1
Natural Beauty: 0.5/1
Toughness: 1/1
Surprises from the Elements (weather, nature etc.): 1/1
Level of Prepareness Needed: 0.5/1
4. Iceland
What I did: Blue Lagoon, and waterfalls
What I recommend: Ice ice baby! It’s a really cold place, take it from a Canadian. However, the views are spectacular if you are up for a little drive and some ice climbing. There are waterfalls of plenty and just stunning nature. Also, I recommend go check out the ice berg now while you still have a chance. If you go in the summer time, sun will be up for a long long time. I went in May and the sun set after 11:30 pm. Post-ice adventures, hit up the Blue Lagoon, near the airport for a relaxing time.
What can be skipped: Trying out puffins (it’s not exactly to my taste pallet)
Adventure Score: 3.5/5
Adrenline-Junky High: 0/1
Natural Beauty: 1/1
Toughness: 1/1
Surprises from the Elements (weather, nature etc.): 1/1
Level of Prepareness Needed: 0.5/1
3. Ecuador
What I did: Quitos, Galapagos Islands, and Baños
What I recommend: This is one of the most breathe taking place in on earth and one of my favourite countries in the world. Locals are some of the most humble and friendly people I have ever met. In term of adventures, I would recommend going to Baños (yes, bathroom) - you can try any extreme sport you can think of. It may be a 4 hour bus ride from Quitos but it’s worth it. The most impressive part of Ecuador has to be the Galapagos. I went with a tour group, and it was not the cheapest trip I went on. However, it was one of the first incidents where I see animals who were not afraid of humans. It is truly a paradise on earth - Plus, I got to swim with Free Willy on my birthday!
What can be skipped: Going up to see the El Panecillo in Quitos. It’s an interesting walk, especially when Google maps lead you down residential backyards.
Adventure Score: 4/5
Adrenline-Junky High: 1/1
Natural Beauty: 1/1
Toughness: 1/1
Surprises from the Elements (weather, nature etc.): 1/1
Level of Prepareness Needed: 0/1
2. Camino de Santiago
What I did: Bayonne to Bilbao
What I recommend: This is not for the faint of heart. It will require a lot of planning, a sense of adventure, and strong ankles. Also, highly recommend going on the trail with friends, because it is not as fun doing it alone. I did the trip with 3 friends, which is a good number to travel a trail for. We only did 9 days of the trip from south of France to Bilbao in Spain, which covers roughly 180 km. Technically you also don’t need a map, because once you’re on the path there will be yellow arrows that guides you all the way. But beware of investing in some good ankle support, because you’re not going on flat land … generally it is up and down hills roughly 100-400 m incline and descent each day. It is an endurance game, not a sprint.
I’ll share more of my experiences in a future blog post.
What can be skipped: There are long days on the trail, if you’re not mentally ready or need to take a break - take the bus that day and skip a day of walking.
Adventure Score: 4.5/5
Adrenline-Junky High: 0.5/1
Natural Beauty: 1/1
Toughness: 1/1 (I would give it a 3 out of 1 if I could)
Surprises from the Elements (weather, nature etc.): 1/1
Level of Prepareness Needed: 1/1 (I would give it a 3 out of 1 if I could)
1. Patagonia - Torres del Paine
What I did: Torres del Paine
What I recommend: Chile is one of my favourite countries in the world (haha, I realize I said that about a few of these countries already). It was the second time I did a multi-day trek. All I have to say is it is amazing place to visit. My recommendation would be go during the summer time: December - March, but try to hit it up at the end of March because you will need a few days to trek and in the summer time the weather tend to be unstable but end of summer the weather is bit more predictable. I did the W trek, but there is also the O trek. This is also a great place to view the ice bergs, please enjoy it as it is melting at a rapid rate.
What can be skipped: Tour guide, we opted for one but after going through the national park we realize it is relatively easy to navigate and doesn’t really need to be guided. If you have the money, maybe hire a porter to carry your backpack instead.
Adventure Score: 4.5/5
Adrenline-Junky High: 0.5/1
Natural Beauty: 1/1 (I would give it a 3 out of 1 if I could)
Toughness: 1/1
Surprises from the Elements (weather, nature etc.): 1/1
Level of Prepareness Needed: 1/1
