Most Extreme Adventure Tours in the World
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In the age of social media, it’s easy to feel like every traveler is doing the same thing in the same place. But sometimes you want to forget there’s a road altogether and go where few others have gone before.
Numerous companies have begun to offer tours that meet the growing demand for extreme experiences in extreme places. Pushing the limits, these are the world’s most extreme adventure expeditions.
15. Kayak With Sea Lions in the Galapagos
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Destination: Ecuador
Hosted by: Classic Journeys
Starting price: $6,595
Book it: Online
The Experience: Kayaking With Sea Lions
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The Galapagos Islands are one of the most unique places on the planet. Their isolation has provided the perfect circumstances for the evolution of several endemic species like blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, Galapagos tortoises and Galapagos sea lions.
On this Classic Journeys tour, you'll get the chance to get up close with many of these species. You'll kayak with sea lions and sea turtles, or snorkel to see them underwater.
On land, you'll get to trek up to the world's second-largest volcanic caldera, learn about conservation and enjoy delicious gourmet meals.
The Experience: Surfing in Teahuppo
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Surfing is often considered an extreme sport, given the inherent dangers associated with trying to dominate the ocean. But when you do it in one of the most dangerous surf spots in the world, the danger — and thrill — is taken to another level.
The Tahitian village of Teahupoo is famous for its heavy waves, which can sometimes be over 20 feet tall. The reef's semi-circular shape can also make the waves very wide, almost forming a wall of water that can knock you down into the reef below with incredible strength.
You can book a half-day tour with Teahuppo Adventures for some incredibly fun, albeit risky, surfing.
13. Dive Between Two Continents
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Destination: Iceland
Hosted by: Dive.Is
Starting price: $225
Book it: Online
The Experience: Diving Between Two Continents
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Iceland is a country of extremes and encounters. It is also one of the only places in the world where you can dive between the tectonic plates of two continents.
Located in Thingvellir National Park, the Silfa fissure is the crack where the Eurasian and the North American continents separated. The fissure is submerged in clear glacial water with high visibility, making it perfect for diving.
You'll need to have a diving certification to enjoy the 40-minute tour. If you're absolutely bent on diving but don't have a certificate, plan ahead and get a two-day certificate and Silfa diving bundle.
You can also snorkel above the fissure, though we think diving deep into it is best.
12. Explore the Namibian and Antarctic Deserts in One Trip
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Destination: South Africa, Antarctica, Namibia
Hosted by: Wilderness Safaris and White Desert
Starting price: $98,405
Book it: Online
The Experience: The Namibian and Antarctic Deserts
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Rather than choose between two once-in-a-lifetime trips, let the collaboration between tour operators Wilderness Safaris and White Desert help you kill two birds with one stone.
In this amazing expedition, you'll visit literal climate extremes. The adventure starts in the beautiful city of Cape Town, where you can enjoy vineyards, beaches and nightlife. Then, you'll head to Antarctica, the driest place on Earth to see emperor penguins and icebergs galore.
The third leg of the trip will take you to the Namibian desert, where the strenuous heat will contrast with the freezing landscape of the South Pole.
11. Hike Mount Hua
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Destination: China
Hosted by: Klook
Starting price: $105
Book it: Online
The Experience: Hiking Mount Hua
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Famous for its absurdly narrow paths, Mount Hua, or Huashan, is one of the most extreme hiking experiences you'll ever have.
Many intrepid travelers come to Xian to climb the mountain by latching themselves onto the rock with skimpy metal chains. They then proceed to walk along loose planks while trying not to look down to the abyss right by their feet. Some of the planks are missing and have not been replaced and missteps have led to deaths — though we guess that's true of any hiking trip.
If you want to stay in the region for longer, you can do a four-day Xian highlights tour that includes the Terracotta Warriors, the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and Mount Hua.
The Experience: Heli-Skiing in Alaska
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Skiing in Alaska is already an awesome experience, but not many things can beat heli-skiing in the wildest state in the U.S.
The Chugach Mountains are part of the Chugach National Forest, not too far from Anchorage. They are remote and difficult to access, which is where a private helicopter comes in. This Chugach Powder Guides tour lets you get to places you wouldn't otherwise have access to and allows for changes in the itinerary based on weather conditions.
Once the helicopter has landed, you'll ski down the mountain in wild, rugged conditions. The amazing views from the air are an added perk. When you're not skiing, you can rest at the luxurious Alyeska Resort and enjoy four-diamond meals at the Seven Glaciers Restaurant.
9. Enter a Volcanic Magma Chamber
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Destination: Iceland
Hosted by: Gray Line
Starting price: $342
Book it: Online
The Experience: Entering a Magma Chamber
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Going into the magma chamber of a volcano does not seem like it would be possible, but Iceland delivers once again. For less than $500, you can hike to the top of the Thrihnukagigur Volcano and then be lowered through its crater into the magma chamber.
The lava that once filled the chamber has left its mark on the walls, displaying vibrant spots of red, blue and green hues. You'll be in the literal heart of a dormant volcano, whose center is deep enough to fit the Statue of Liberty.
This is undoubtedly one of the coolest underground experiences you can have.
The Experience: Canoeing With Hippos and Crocs
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Doing an African safari with National Geographic is guaranteed to be an adventure, no matter the country you visit. But what sets Zimbabwe and Botswana apart from other similar tours is the opportunity to navigate the Okavango River on a mokoro, a small traditional dugout boat.
As part of Botswana's breathtaking Okavango Delta, the river is teeming with life — and not all of it is very friendly. Hippopotamuses and crocodiles lurk within the water. These two species are famously aggressive, landing within the top 10 most dangerous animals on Earth.
Besides this fun excursion, you'll get to see the mighty Victoria Falls, do bush walks in different national parks and see land animals like lions, cheetahs and elephants.
7. Bike Bolivia’s Death Road
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Destination: Bolivia
Hosted by:Gravity Bolivia
Starting price: $125
Book it: Online
The Experience: Biking Bolivia’s Death Road
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Bolivia's North Yungas Road is most famously known as "Death Road" due to the dangers of traversing it.
As one of the most dangerous roads in the world, it was responsible for 200-300 deaths a year before the government built an alternative route for crossing La Paz to Coroico. Today, the road is mostly used by thrill-seeking tourists who bike its narrow, slippery and winding curves.
If you need to feel the nearness of death in order to feel alive, join a Gravity Bolivia tour through a 50-mile stretch. Be prepared for low visibility, no guardrails and a very, very steep fall.
6. Join a Survival Camp in the Amazon
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Destination: Guyana
Hosted by:Adventure Life
Starting price: $3,375
Book it: Online
The Experience: Joining a Survival Camp in the Amazon
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Touring the Amazon is always an adventure. One of the most biodiverse places on Earth, the massive rainforest spans eight countries, is hot and humid, and hosts a number of dangerous species like caymans, anacondas, jaguars and giant spiders.
But if you want an even more adventurous trip to the Amazon, we suggest this survival camp in Guyana. Perhaps the least visited part of the Amazon, you won't find large cities here like in Colombia or Brazil. Rather, you'll be able to visit indigenous villages and learn survival techniques from groups who have protected and survived in the jungle for centuries.
The Adventure Life tour will teach you how to "build shelter, make fire, find food" and other necessary skills in a place where those skills will definitely be needed.
5. Submarine Dive in Costa Rica
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Destination: Costa Rica
Hosted by: Undersea Hunter
Starting price: $5,410
Book it: Online
The Experience: Submarine Diving in Costa Rica
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If you're considering a diving trip to Costa Rica, we highly suggest going with Undersea Hunter. The 10-day tours will take you on a cruise to Cocos Island, where you'll get to spend multiple days diving and enjoying the nature on land.
But what sets this company apart is that its tours include the DeepSee Sub Dives, for which you have to pay an additional $1,500 plus. These dives take you under the sea on an actual mini-submarine with a 360-degree view of the underwater world around you.
How cool is that?
4. Ski In Antarctica
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Destination: Antarctica
Hosted by: Ski Antarctica
Starting price: Inquire with company
Book it: Online
The Experience: Skiing in Antarctica
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Going to the most remote continent is an expedition, even if you're just sailing through it. But imagine the absolute thrill of getting to ski in its wild landscapes.
The strenuous experience is not for rookies and definitely not for the risk-adverse. There are no built resorts or manicured slopes here (thankfully!), so it will only be you, your group and nature.
When you're not skiing, you'll get to see some of the continent's wildlife from a safe distance and enjoy an Antarctic sailing experience.
If you want other cool Antarctica experiences but aren't the best skier, G Adventures offers Antarctica cruises with possible camping and kayaking add-ons.
3. Bungee Jump Into an Active Volcano
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Destination: Chile
Hosted by: Bungee
Starting price: $15,958
Book it: Online
The Experience: Bungee Jumping Into an Active Volcano
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Chile's Villarrica Volcano is one of the most active in the country. Though its last major eruption happened in 1985, it has had numerous small eruptions since. No one knows when it will erupt next, which is exactly what attracts daredevils.
Here, you can bungee jump from a helicopter into the mouth of the volcano. We've seen people willing to put their lives at risk for the thrill of a death-defying stunt, but this takes things to a whole other level.
The complicated stunt was first done by Bungee for MTV. The company claimed 2018 would be the last time they stage the stunt, but then offered it on March 2020, though it's unclear whether it was canceled because of COVID-19.
We can't say if Bungee will be offering the stunt again, but given how much money people are willing to pay for it, someone else will start offering it soon enough.
The Experience: Navigating from Pole to Pole
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Navigate from the North Pole to the South Pole on an epic 93-day adventure unlike anything else you've ever done.
This amazing Hurtigruten expedition starts in Vancouver, Canada, making its way up to Alaska, the Arctic Circle and Greenland through the Northwest Passage. Then, it comes back along the East Coast of the U.S., stopping in New England ports like Nantucket before heading to Central America.
The ship will then cross the Panama Canal to go into South America, with stops in Ecuador and Peru. Visiting multiple ports along the Chilean and Argentinean Patagonia help prepare you for the last frontier: Antarctica.
Yes, the trip is over $50,000 per person. But if you have that kind of money, it's completely worth it.
The Experience: Climbing Mount Everest
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In 1953, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became the first confirmed people to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Since then, only 4,000 people have managed the feat.
If this ultimate adventure is a dream for you, RMI Expeditions can make it happen for a starting price of $74,000. The duration of the trip depends on many factors, so the company estimates 74 days, the first 16 of which are mostly spent climbing up to Everest Base Camp.
You'll then acclimate yourself to the altitude while practicing the skills you will need to reach the summit of the world's tallest mountain.
This challenge is for people who are truly committed. It is extremely dangerous and demanding, both physically and mentally. You will need to have previous experience climbing at high altitudes. But if you make it, you will have done something very few other people in history have managed to do.
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