Travel is changing all the time. More people are swapping crowded viewpoints and Instagram views for experiences that are unique, local and genuine. If you have ever planned a holiday and ended up spending your time stuck in a long line, thinking you made the wrong choice, then it is important to know there are other options to consider. Going on holiday and seeing all the trendy spots is fun, and is something you should do at some point. But a good balance is when you find unique and fun experiences that don’t mean spending the day in an overcrowded area. The best and most powerful travel memories are made in places where effort and curiosity lead the way, not tourist buses.
To help you plan and experience a great adventure, here are some of the best excursions around the world that you have to try.
Why going beyond tourist hotspots changes the way you travel
Staying off the beaten path doesn’t mean you are “anti-tourist”. There is a lot more to that. It is about travelling with intention. When you follow the typical tourist route, you tend to see more crowds than places, and it will cost you a lot more than it should.
However, when you seek out more adventurous, unique excursions, you enable yourself to:
- Experience the authenticity of places
- Support local communities
- Avoid crowds and over-commercialisation
- Create meaningful and personal stories, not generic ones or Instagram posts
When you seek out an adventure on your travels, you are encouraging more intention, fun and presence on your trip. These are the key factors that are going to make it stand out from the rest. Adventures tend to incorporate some kind of physical engagement, whether that is learning a new skill, getting out on the water or going for a hike – it keeps you in nature and grounded in the moment. You aren’t just an onlooker, you are a participant. This mindset makes the adventure a lot more exciting and a lot less stressful and overwhelming.
Top adventures to try around the world
Canyoning through hidden gorges
If you want to go places a typical traveller won’t ever see, then canyoning is a great idea. You will experience sliding down rock chutes, wading through narrow gorges and scrambling up waterfalls. You get to experience both awe and adrenaline.
Unlike your normal hike through the mountains and waterfalls, canyoning actually immerses you inside nature itself. You cannot just access any old route while you are abroad; you will most likely need an experienced local guide. This is to access fun routes, but also for safety. They will know the rock formations, water levels and seasonal changes. A local guide will make your experience a lot more meaningful.
If you love movement, water and rocks, then canyoning might be the adventure for you.
Multi-day trekking
Instead of the tourist hiking spots, why not opt for a multi-day trekking experience with a local guide? These take you out through the back mountains, away from the busy car parks and crowds, so you can experience how landscapes impact daily life for locals. These often include overnight stays in remote lodges, and you carry everything on your back as you walk to each one across the span of a week or two. You get to see places a typical person would not see, and get insight into regional traditions.
These provide you with a deeper, more meaningful experience and connections. You experience remote regions, unique wildlife encounters and a sense of accomplishment that goes far beyond a typical hike.
If you want both immersion and a challenge, and you love hiking and nature, then this is the excursion for you.
Alaska charter fishing
For a true wilderness experience, book onto Oasis Alaska Charters. Fishing in Alaska isn’t just about catching a fish, but the combination of adventure, skill and raw nature that few excursions can match. A charter will take you across open water surrounded by glaciers, mountains and untouched shoreline. The experience is deeply immersive and hands-on, with the support of knowledgeable locals who share insights into sustainable and safe fishing practices, ecosystems and tides. This turns the day into a living lesson about Alaska. If you want adventure with purpose, then this is a great excursion to choose from.
Kayaking remote coastlines and Fjords
Coastal kayaking lets you explore areas that people cannot reach by large boats or on the road. If you set off with a kayak, you can enjoy a paddle into sea caves, along rugged cliffs and across glassy fjords. You will experience all kinds of wildlife, from seals and seabirds to even whales. If you like slow adventures, nature and silent exploration, then kayaking in remote coastlines, like the Fjords, is an excellent adventure to choose from.
Desert adventures
Deserts are often misunderstood as empty, boring and hot. However, a guided excursion to the right places with the right activities can make it an experience like no other. These ecosystems are full of life and history; you just need to know where to look and what to do. You could be navigating the ancient trade routes or stargazing without light pollution.
The vastness of the desert becomes meditative when it is looked at in this way, rather than misunderstood as empty or boring. If you crave perspective and stillness, with a little adventure, then visiting the desert may be a good choice. They typically have adventure activities there too, so you can combine stillness and silence with fun.
The world has enough crowded tourist places that need to be seen and posted on social media. There is no doubt that some of these places are worth seeing; however, it is also important to experience the world away from the crowds and lines. Travelers who are willing to slow down, do something different, head off the beaten path, explore with respect and seek more meaning with their travels will have the adventure of a lifetime.
