Top 10 Adventure Travel Destinations for Thrill-Seekers

The World Is Your Playground

Adventure travel has exploded in popularity. More travellers than ever are choosing experiences over relaxation, seeking adrenaline, challenge and connection with nature. Whether you're a seasoned adventurer or looking for your first big thrill, these destinations should be on your radar.

1. Queenstown, New Zealand — The Adventure Capital

No adventure travel list is complete without Queenstown. Nestled beside Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by the Remarkables mountain range, it's the global home of bungee jumping (invented here in 1988), skydiving, white-water rafting, canyon swings and jet boating. In winter, add world-class skiing to the list. The scenery is so spectacular that The Lord of the Rings was filmed here.

2. Moab, Utah, USA

The red rock landscapes around Moab are a playground for mountain bikers, rock climbers and hikers. The legendary Slickrock Trail and the White Rim Road attract cyclists from around the world. Nearby Arches and Canyonlands National Parks provide dramatic backdrops for hiking and 4WD adventures.

3. Chamonix, France

The birthplace of mountaineering and home of Mont Blanc, Chamonix offers year-round adventure. In summer it's hiking, via ferrata, paragliding and mountain biking. In winter it becomes one of the most challenging ski resorts on earth — the Vallée Blanche off-piste route is a bucket-list experience for expert skiers.

4. Patagonia, Chile/Argentina

The end of the earth holds some of the most dramatic hiking on the planet. The W Trek and O Circuit in Torres del Paine National Park are world-famous for their stunning granite towers, glaciers and cerulean lakes. Pack for all four seasons — the weather can change violently in minutes.

5. Iceland

Iceland offers a unique combination of adventure and other-worldly landscapes. Glacier hiking, ice cave exploration, snorkelling between tectonic plates in Silfra, volcano trekking, white-water rafting on glacial rivers — and all under the midnight sun or northern lights depending on the season.

6. Nepal — Himalayan Trekking

The Everest Base Camp Trek and the Annapurna Circuit are two of the world's great long-distance hikes, taking trekkers through remote Sherpa villages, Buddhist monasteries and some of the highest mountain passes accessible without technical climbing experience.

7. Costa Rica

For jungle adventure in a politically stable, tourist-friendly environment, Costa Rica is hard to beat. Zip-lining through cloud forests, white-water rafting on the Pacuare River, surfing Pacific waves, and wildlife encounters with sloths, monkeys and sea turtles — all within a small country.

8. Namibia

The world's oldest desert meets a dramatic Atlantic coast in one of Africa's most extraordinary countries. Activities include quad biking on the Sossusvlei dunes, sandboarding, canyoning in Fish River Canyon (the second largest canyon on earth) and self-drive safaris in Etosha National Park.

Planning Your Adventure Trip

• Get travel insurance with adventure sports cover — regular travel insurance often excludes activities above a certain altitude or speed
• Book guides through reputable operators — local expertise is essential for safety in remote environments
• Use our packing list to prepare your kit list
• Plan finances with our budget calculator — adventure destinations can vary wildly in cost