The tantalizing idea of exploring new places is what drives many of us to book our next trip. Yet adventure is as much a state of mind as stepping out into the unknown. Here are eight ways to guarantee a good outing.
1. Go solo and say yes
Solo travel is, not surprisingly, booming. Why? When travelling alone you have a great incentive to meet new people, all with their own exciting ideas, many of whom will be happy for you to tag along. Allowing your plans to be influenced by your new companions is a direct line to the unexpected. You might jump on the next bus to an obscure town or become a deckhand on a yacht. Either way, saying yes can be the key to adventure.
2. Seek out local experiences
Meeting local people is the perfect way to get to the heart of the culture and customs of a country. Sites such as Couchsurfing and Airbnb will guide you to tourist-friendly locals keen to swap cultures. EatWith is a good way to connect with the eateries of a place, joining travellers with local chefs who host visitors for dinner in their homes.
3. Get off the beaten track with volunteering
As a volunteer through Helpx or Workaway, you can spend long periods of time with local families, far from the tourist trail. On a remote farm where your only neighbours are sheep, you’ll have no choice but to throw yourself into it. More importantly, you’ll see what life’s really like away from the tourist trail.
4. Find an alternative way to visit "must-sees"
Some places are definitely must-see destinations, but there are untraditional ways of experiencing them. The Salkantay trek has become a superb alternative to the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, while the lesser-known Lares is not far behind in popularity. In Cambodia, you can visit one of the world’s best-known temples, UNESCO World Heritage Site Angkor Wat, on an annual half marathon where competitors wind through the ruins.
5. There’s a different way to get from A to B
You don’t need to rely on planes or comfy tourist coaches. The most adventurous travellers do their exploring in many different ways. You could cover South America by motorbike, you could drive across Europe, you could do Laos from the sidecar of a motorbike, or in Spain, you could even hitchhike – if it’s safe. You might need to occasionally get out and push, or perhaps share the bus with livestock, but you’ll have some brilliant stories for the nephews and nieces!
6. Find places where adventure is the norm
Adventure is most likely to be found when travelling to a place already teeming with possibilities. For example, Mongolia is little-known but ideal for intrepid explorers seeking the nomadic lifestyle and a stay in a traditional ger. If you’re wanting some of the world’s last areas of complete wilderness, the more isolated parts of Patagonia’s Tierra del Fuego are a haven accessible only with your own vehicle.
7. Live off your back
There’s nothing like the freedom of being able to simply pick up your bag and go. If you’ve got a tent, sleeping bag and stove, you’re ready for whatever adventure comes calling. Whether it be hostel-hopping, camping or road-tripping, there’s nothing to stop you but do make sure you enjoy at least one night beneath nature’s finest light show: the stars.
8. Be at one with nature
As long as you’re determined and you’ve got some decent boots, you’re ready to make your own outdoor adventure, with a world of remote hikes and parks to explore. One of the world’s best bush walks is the 140 mile Larapinta Trail, from Alice Springs to Mount Sonder in Australia. It will take you 18–20 days. If you’re really serious, you’ll be wanting the United States’ Triple Crown, a 7,500 mile combination of countless national parks, desert plains and wet alpine. This walk combines the Pacific Crest Trail, the Continental Divide and the Appalachian Trail.
Title Image Credit: John Fowler (Image Cropped)