Tell me more!
Adventure travel is all about being brave, taking a step into the unknown and trying something completely different. This can involve taking part in new, physical activities and challenges such as trekking, bungee jumping, rafting or zip-lining, anything that gets the adrenaline pumping. Maybe this year, decide to shun the Costa Del’s and embrace a completely foreign culture or, throw yourself into an alien environment such as a rainforest to see how you cope in changeable conditions without your usual luxuries. Adventure travellers enjoy their holidays with a big splash of risk!

The stuff you need
This depends greatly on the type of experiences you have got planned - if you are going to try new sports then it's worth checking out with your instructor ahead of time whether you need to supply any equipment yourself. When visiting dramatically different cultures, do plenty of research beforehand and familiarise yourself with things such as local customs, festivals that coincide with your stay and how not to cause offence to the locals (e.g. a modest dress code may be required at all times despite soaring temperatures). If you are taking a step into an unknown environment such as a rainforest, jungle or ice trek, it is common sense to prepare well in advance, getting yourself appropriate training such as fitness or medical. Such extreme environments can provide a very real danger (which is often the reason for taking part) and you need to decide if the thrill of the adventure is worth possibly risking your life and some limbs! Plan ahead and prepare as much as possible to get the maximum high from your experience.


Cool stuff you can do
Once you have dipped your toe into adventure travel, you may never take another conventional holiday again! Being brave enough to try something new builds confidence in your own abilities to master a new skill, embrace a different society or have an experience completely out of your comfort zone. You may have dismissed these opportunities in the past because you thought you were too old, too scared or too wimpy to give it a go! Set yourself goals like learning to abseil to help overcome your fear of heights, push your current skills such as swimming to the next level by trying out wild swimming in a river. Use an adventure holiday travel company to join you up with an organized group trek through the wilderness, this can inspire you to fill up a backpack and set off with your friends next time round. The is no end to your future adventures once you have taken the plunge!

People in the know!
gapyearforgrownups.co.uk
pebblesadventuretravel.com
explore.co.uk 

Interested in this? Why not check out bushcraft and survival, camping, canoeing and kayaking, caving, climbing and mountaineering, cycling and mountain biking, gliding, kite surfing, mountain boarding, sailing, scuba diving, surfing, trail and fell running, wild swimming 

Give skiing an adventure travel twist!

Ever wondered about bungy jumping? See if this tips you over the edge...!