Special & Unique Bucket List Ideas for EPIC Travels

To be honest, learning to dive wasn’t really on my bucket list, but it was well and truly on my wife’s! On our three month sabbatical in Southeast Asia, I decided to book a three-day open water course for the both of us, to celebrate our wedding anniversary. And it turned out to be the most memorable experience of the entire trip.

Despite a fear of deep water and a weak swimming stroke, the three days went by without any incident on my part! Day one was in the pool – learning to use the kit, what to do in an emergency and some more basics. Day two took us out in the ocean for two incredible dives. We both started each of the first two days in a bit of panic.

The initial drop under the water is unnerving, and its easy for your body to fight this unnatural situation. But soon a calmness comes over you as you float off through the water.

On day three we did two more dives, which we really started to enjoy. And after an hour-long theory test, we were qualified divers!

This experience opened up a whole new world for us. Our planet’s surface is over 70% water, so to really be able to see it, you need to get under the waves. The feeling of weightlessness, vibrant colors, strange noise and unusual creatures left us truly awestruck. And determined to incorporate diving into our future travels.

The Philippines surprised me as no other country has ever before. When I started looking at unusual experiences, there were numerous ones that were equally thrilling and worth adding to my wish-list.

One of them was located in Palawan, the Puerto Princesa underground river. Only a few people were allowed per day as it was a UNESCO World Heritage site.

It was an underground river that was recently discovered and not easy to get to. Once we were at the national park, we were then taken by a speedboat to an island.

After reaching the island, we then had to walk to get to the entrance of the cave through a small forest. Tiny boats holding not more than 5-7 people entered the cave at a time.

The cave was pitch dark and the guide had a flashlight to show us the formations in the cave.

There were beautiful formations created due to stalactites and stalagmites inside the cave. Some looked like vegetables, and others like animals. There was even a tiny island inside the cave, which had a formation that looked like a church. People were not allowed to step on to the island due to the presence of bats there.

A surreal and utterly unique wonder, one needs to visit to believe for themselves, which is only open during the summer months, details are updated frequently depending on the weather hence one would need to check availability and pre-book to confirm spots.

Click here to find out more & book Puerto Princesa underground river tour now

The Andong Mask Festival is a yearly 10-day festival which happens at the start of autumn and during Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving). Andong is often referred to as the cultural capital of South Korea due to its rich history which comes from the Andong Hahoe Hanok Village and the Mask Dance Festival. The festival dates back to the 16th century and was originally used to chase away evil spirits from the Hahoe Village. Only later in time, the festival turned into an occasion where the commoners could make fun of higher ranked officials and noblemen through their performances.

The festival takes place on two locations, in downtown Andong and in the Hahoe Village which is located just outside Andong. During the festival, various performances and activities are held. Some of them include – the traditional Hahoe Byeolshin-gut Tal-nori (traditional performance with characters like the stepmother, the grandmother, the monk, an innocent girl, a wise Man and the drunkard) and Seonyu Julbul Nori (traditional fireworks). 

The Andong Hahoe Village is UNESCO Heritage and therefore a must bucket list experience, especially during the mask dance festival. 

Volunteering for a week at Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, Thailand, was, without a doubt, the most epic bucket list experience I’ve ever had. As an animal lover, getting up close and personal with elephants was something I had wanted to do for a long time. And Thailand seemed to be the ideal place to fulfill that experience.

But, elephant tourism is a touchy subject, as it’s often done at the expense of the elephants’ well being. The trick was to find a reputable place that put the elephants first and was committed to the rescue and conservation of the species. Enter Elephant Nature Park.

Elephant Nature Park was founded by Lek Chialert and she now runs it with her husband Darick. Lek and Darick are both intensely passionate about protecting not just elephants, but all animals. Elephant Nature Park is a sanctuary for elephants, dogs, cats, buffalo, horses, birds, and even deer.

As a volunteer, my day started with breakfast at 7:00 am followed by work from 8-10 am. Morning chores included cleaning the elephant enclosures and making food and feeding the elephants.

After a long lunch break, we went back to work from 1-3 pm either cleaning up the park, cleaning water tanks, or going on an elephant walk, where we walked around the park and visited with all the different elephant groups learning about each elephant and their history.

It was just such a great atmosphere to be in.

White Nights in St. Petersburg

Contributed by Lesia Joukova from Dutch Wanna (Find her blog on Instagram)

St. Petersburg, Russia is one of those destinations you have to visit at least once in your life, preferably for more than a couple of days. The city is well-loved by all culture seekers and there are many things to do in St. Petersburg. But if there is one thing you can’t miss, it is watching the bridges of the Neva river as they part during the White Nights.

Because of its Northern location, the city benefits from an unusually long light day and it doesn’t get pitch dark at all. The White nights last from the second week of June to the beginning of July and during this time people line up at the Neva embankments to enjoy the spectacle or join a night boat tour that passes underneath the giant bridges as they open. The most popular spot is the embankment next to the Palace bridge which offers amazing views of the Peter and Paul Fortress. Make sure to come in advance to get a chance to scout the perfect spot: you won’t be the only one who wants to enjoy those sights!

Unique Bucket List Ideas in Africa

Kruger National Park Safari

Contributed by James from This Travel Guide (Find his blog on Twitter)

Hot air balloon flight in Egypt

Contributed by Patrick from German Backpacker (Find his blog on Facebook)

Flying in a hot air balloon was a major bucket list item for me for many years. And I was very happy to finally tick it off in Luxor, Egypt this year. In Luxor, hot air balloon flights are very popular especially for sunrise, since the landscape looks super beautiful. I was flying above the Valley of the Kings and Queens, saw some historic temples from the top. And it was impressive to see the lush, green Nile area right next to the dry and hot desert from the air.

I was picked up very early by Magic Horizon – which I fully recommend – and we drove in the van to the balloon landing spot. After some preparations, the balloon took off right in time for the first daylight and the views and the overall experience was truly magical. The captain was very nice and explained a lot about Luxor as well as how he’s actually steering the balloon. Sometimes we went down for a bit and almost touched the ground and the flat house roofs, then we went up again and had a great view of the whole landscape.

It was a lot of fun and after 45 minutes, we touched down right in the desert.

I was a bit nervous since the landing is supposed to be the most difficult and dangerous part, but everything worked out well and it’s been a great and safe experience.

Flying in a hot air balloon is an experience you should certainly have at some point!

Click here to find out more & book your Hot Air Baloon Safari in Luxor now

Shark Cage diving in South Africa

Contributed by Sion and Ben from Globetrotter Guys (Find their blog on Instagram).

South Africa is known for cage diving. And as far as bucket list experiences go, this should be on everyone’s list.

This is a surreal experience and it is not quite as scary as you may think. You will always be provided with a full briefing of what to do and everything is very straightforward.

Once out to sea, the people running the trip will start throwing chum to help attract sharks. It’s surprisingly hard to attract them and they clearly do not want to stick around, so when you do get a chance to get in the cage, you better be quick. This is part of the reason why it ended up not being that scary, you could tell the sharks really were not that interested in you as much as you’re interested in them.

The water is ice cold but you are fully suited up with wetsuit, mask, and gloves. When they give you the go ahead, you slide into the cage and hold on to the bar.

We were very lucky and a huge 10-foot great white shark came close to the cage. The water was quite murky but you could make out the huge scale and size of the shark as it was only 1 meter from us! This quite literally took our breath away.

The main place to do this in South Africa is Gansbaai. You will most likely book this from Cape Town or Hermanus and get an early morning shuttle to the boat. The cost is approximately $130 per person.

We can’t recommend this enough, a truly exhilarating, once in a lifetime experience!

Click here to find out more & book your Shark Cage Diving Tour in Cape Town now

Helicopter ride over Victoria Falls

Contributed by Kathryn Rossiter from Becoming you. (Find her blog on Instagram)

During our visit to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, there was one experience that had been on my bucket list forever… A helicopter flight ride over Victoria Falls!

This Flight of Angels is the most incredible way to experience Mosi-oa-Tunya – the original name given to the waterfall which means the Smoke That Thunders.

From the sky you will gain a different perspective on why it carries that name, you’ll marvel at just how wide this waterfall is (the widest in the world), how magnificent the snaking Zambezi river is. And how powerful the earth is as you take in the huge zig-zagging crack in the earth that created the falls. If you’re lucky enough you might even spot a pod of hippos from the sky!

Surely one of the most memorable experiences in Africa (although it’s a competitive list!), a helicopter flip over Victoria Falls won’t come cheap. But if you value experiences over stuff then this is an experience of a lifetime that you don’t want to miss.

Click here to find out more & book your Victoria Falls tour in Zimbabwe now

Hot Air Balloon Safari in Kenya

Contributed by Meghan and David Mullen from Half This World Away (Find their blog on Facebook).

A huge bucket list item of ours was to take a ride in a hot air balloon; and there are fewer places more magical to do this than Kenya, Africa.

For our honeymoon last year, we decided to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure to Kenya. We wanted to go on a safari and we spent 4 days in the stunning Masai Mara National Park. Seeing wildlife up close is a surreal experience and it felt like we had fallen into a David Attenborough documentary. Our days were spent under the hot Kenyan sun watching zebras graze lazily on the dry grass and cheetahs chase down their prey. There was one activity, however, that made this trip extra special.

As a wedding gift, we received a hot air balloon ride at sunrise over the Masai Mara. And the only word I can use to describe this experience is WOW!

Hovering above the African plains watching the sunrise over this huge expanse is probably the most incredible thing we’ve ever done.

Not only did we get to watch the animals from above, but we gained an appreciation for just how huge this region of Kenya is. The sky changed from a burning orange to a dusky pink before our eyes, and before we knew it, what felt like the whole of Africa was awake beneath us.

As far as bucket list experiences go, this is definitely one we will never forget!

Climbing Kilimanjaro

Contributed by Nat Took from Natpacker (Find her blog on Twitter).

Climbing Kilimanjaro had been on my bucket list for some time, and in 2015 I ticked this item off my list. I choose the Machame Route, which meant five days ascending and two days descending. This slightly longer route allows your body to adjust to the altitude better, as each day you climb high and sleep low.

The first few days, the walk was easy and slow. The guides keep you at what feels like a snail’s pace so that you conserve your energy for the days ahead. As the days get harder, the guides keep your spirits up, encouraging you all the way.

Summiting was obviously the most difficult part. We started at about 10 pm and spent the rest of the night climbing. The aim is to reach the summit for dawn. It was cold and dark, and the path was steep. The altitude hit me at some point on the way up and I literally just sat down. It was a terrible feeling. After I’d recovered the rest of the summiting still seemed to go on forever.

Once I spotted the summit I gained that push of extra energy. It was the hardest thing I’ve done getting to the summit, but I am so glad I managed it. I reached the summit mainly through determination and it was exhausting. One of my thoughts at the top was “I’ve got to get all the way back down now…”

Click here to find out more & book your Kilimanjaro Trek now

Unique Bucket List Ideas in North America

Helicopter ride over Niagara Falls

Contributed by Anisa from 2 Traveling Texans (Find her blog on Youtube)

Niagara Falls makes many people’s bucket lists, some consider it the 8th wonder of the world. For me, I didn’t want to just see Niagara Falls, I wanted to take a helicopter ride over it.  Of course, you can see the Falls on several other more budget-friendly attractions like a boat tour, the Cave of the Winds, and Journey Behind the Falls, but I felt like flying over Niagara was something I just had to do.  It would give me a better perspective of the Falls.

I finally ticked it off my bucket list June 2017 with Niagara Helicopters. It was the perfect day to fly, a light wind and just a few clouds.  You don’t need to book in advance, they operate on a first come first served basis. We got our tickets for the Classic Ride and stood in the short line.  In less than 10 minutes, it was our turn. They took the obligatory photos and we boarded the helicopter. We were lucky to get the front seats. They strapped us in and we took off!

Our Niagara Falls helicopter ride was only 12 minutes long, but the aerial view of the Whirlpool Rapids, Rainbow Bridge and of course Niagara Falls were spectacular. We enjoyed the taped audio narration which included some interesting facts about the area.

The highlight was when the pilot circled over the Canadian Falls so that everyone in the helicopter got an amazing view.  Our helicopter ride over Niagara Falls was a special experience that we will always remember.

Click here to find out more & book your Niagara Falls Helicopter Ride now

Scuba Diving in Mexico’s Cenotes

Contributed by Crystal Egan from Castaway With Crystal (Find her blog on Facebook).

If you scuba dive or have ever thought about diving, then this is definitely a bucket list experience for you!

When I found myself in Mexico in my travels I heard talk of some scuba diving unlike any other. Diving that takes you out of the ocean and into a whole new world underground.

The Cenotes in Mexico are world famous among the cave diving community. The cenotes are a type of sinkhole that connects by underground caves. They were sacred to the ancient Mayan people who used them not only as a source of life but also as graveyards and a place of sacrifice. One cenote near Tulum, Pet Cemetary, has the preserved bones of an ancient camel easily viewable to divers. Another, El Pit, is 119 meters deep. There is a layer of gas that sits suspended at 40 meters with a single, giant tree branch snaking out of the mystical gas-line.

This is a natural adventure park for divers of any level. There are open cenotes filled with colorful fish and mangroves where you can learn to dive, magical deep cavern dives for the more experienced and highly technical cave dives for the people who live and breath these types of adventures.

The Yucatan in Mexico is the only place in the world where you can do this type of diving (or snorkeling, if you prefer) and the entire land mass is like a giant sponge just waiting for you to explore!

Additional Read: Best Scuba Diving Locations in the World

Click here to find out more & book your Mexico Cenotes Tour now

Driving a Lamborghini on a racetrack in Chicago

Contributed by Sara from Our Kind of Crazy (Find her blog on Instagram).

If you know anything about us over here at Our Kind of Crazy, you know we are all about the bucket list experiences.  Last Summer, we were able to check off a bucket list item that I never knew was even on my bucket list, until I heard about it.  I had the opportunity to drive a Lamborghini Huracán.. on a racetrack!! 

We were in Chicago for the Summer, and I heard Xtreme Xperience would be in a few towns over. And we could actually drive these awesome race cars for 3 laps around a racetrack in Illinois.  I was so excited to see that we were able to drive a Lambo, and my fiancé drove a Porsche 911.  Now, I’m not a huge car expert, but all I know is that car is FAST! We had a quick lesson and then we able to ride as a passenger in the lead car before heading out to drive ourselves. 

The lead car experience was actually one of my favorite parts of the day, and I definitely recommend booking that as well (or book it for yourself if you don’t want to drive and are out there with a friend).

After three insanely fast laps around the track with a professional driver, it was my turn to take my sports car out and let it rip. It was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life.  

Hiking a 14,000-foot Mountain in Colorado

Contributed by Alison Roberts-Tse from Up&AtEm Travel (Find her blog on Instagram ).

Hiking a fourteener (14er) is a great travel bucket list item for nature enthusiasts and fitness fanatics alike. Although 14,000-foot mountains are scattered about throughout the USA in a handful of states, climbing one in the Rocky Mountain State of Colorado is especially poignant. As this is where Katharine Lee Bates penned the poem, “America, the Beautiful”, which became a touching, patriotic anthem when paired with music.

Although the scenery above the tree line is rather barren and monotonous, when Bates merged through the tree line on Pikes Peak, she was overcome with the beauty of the surrounding nature.

Although it is possible to drive up some fourteeners to enjoy the view, hiking up the mountain is a much greater physical achievement – and it will make the views much more rewarding.

Plan to spend a whole day on the mountain and pack the essentials to successfully hike a 14er. Although you won’t want to carry too much weight in your pack, you can enjoy a little picnic at the summit, where you’ll feel like you’ve reached the top of the world. If you’re practically an Olympian, you can sprint in the famous Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon. Otherwise, opt for an easier mountain trail, like the one found at Quandary Peak. However, the trailhead notes that there is no such thing as an easy fourteener!

Hot Air Balloon Festival in California

Contributed by Constance from The Adventures of a Panda Bear (Find her blog on Instagram).

What’s more amazing than seeing 30 hot air balloons launch into the air? There is nothing quite like it and we were in awe the entire time!

It was such a magical experience to see the entire process from start to finish – attaching the basket, unfolding the balloon, filling it the balloon, and the lift off!

If you’re a morning bird and early riser, I highly recommend arriving as early as possible. You can get there before daybreak and see the propane gas burning brightly against the dark sky.

To see this hot air balloon festival in Northern California, we went to the Hot Air Balloon Classic in Windsor, Sonoma County. The festival usually takes place annually in mid-June over a weekend (Saturday & Sunday). The best way to see the festival is to stay in the area the night before so that you can easily wake up at 4 am and make your way into the festival. There will be crowds and a ton of traffic but it is all worth it when you get to watch them set up, and see the first balloons launch at 6:30 am.

Seeing a Wildflower Super Bloom in Southern California

Contributed by Dhara from It’s Not About the Miles (Find her blog on Instagram ).

Every year, wildflower enthusiasts in California wait with bated breath to see if it will be a super bloom year: a year when wildflower bloom is a massive spectacle in many parts of the Golden State. So massive that sometimes the bloom is visible on satellite imagery from space! It all depends on how much rain falls during the preceding winter and early in the spring. Peak wildflower season begins in late February in the deserts of southern California and progresses to other areas and higher altitudes as the year rolls on.

We were fortunate to be able to witness a superb look at the Carrizo Plain National Monument, a vast uninhabited plain that lies barren for much of the year and then bursts into life in the spring of a good bloom year. The plain is in southeastern San Luis Obispo County, a 3-hour drive from Los Angeles.

We visited when reports on wildflower-tracking websites told us bloom would be at its peak; and boy, were they right!

I’ve never seen so much color in Nature. As far as the eye could see, the earth was covered in yellow. Hillsides at the edge of the plain were clothed in huge swathes of color: yellow, orange, purple. It was an amazing sight.

Lupine, poppies, California goldfield, phacelia and numerous other species contribute to the color here.

There were thousands of other visitors at the site, all there to drink in the once-in-several-years spectacle, and to take tons of photographs. I am so grateful to have been able to witness this beautiful miracle of nature and to cross this experience off my bucket list!

Skydiving over Florida

Contributed by Ruby Escalona from A Journey We Love (Find her blog on Pinterest).

Skydiving has never really been a priority bucket list item of mine, so when I saw a Groupon for a discounted skydiving experience, I jumped on it: there isn’t any time like the present, right? And also, that was a good call to action on why I should do it. After all, I’m only going to be young once.

The thing is, I had to go on that airplane twice: my first time, I was strapped, ready to go, and on the airplane, when a sudden turn in weather meant that they had to abort the jump, so when it was rescheduled, I had a moment to think if I’m really going to go through with it. Thank goodness I did because that experience has been one of the best in my life. The feeling of flying and free falling was fun, and I knew I’ll be safe with my tandem buddy.

Hiking in Grand Canyon to see Havasu Falls

Contributed by Allison of She Dreams of Alpine (Check out her blog on Instagram)

Havasu Falls is definitely one of those must-do bucket list places to visit in the United States. Once a hidden gem of the Grand Canyon in Arizona, Havasu Falls has quickly become one of the most popular hikes in the United States. It’s very competitive to get hiking permits to, so be sure to plan well in advance.

People come from all over the United States in order to see the beautiful, crystal blue waters and the 5 amazing waterfalls along this iconic trail. The hike is roughly 25 miles long round trip if you hike all the way down to Beaver Falls which is the final waterfall of the hike, and you should plan to spend 3 days doing this hike. The hiking is relatively easy, but there are some tricky sections to the trail. The effort is worth it though! All 5 of the waterfalls along the trail are absolutely breathtaking and like nothing else you can see in the United States. Be sure to put the Havasu Falls hike high on your bucket list! You won’t regret it!

Hiking Diamond Head in Oahu, Hawaii

Contributed by Valerie from Maple Leopard (Check out her blog on Instagram)

In 2015 my daughter graduated from high school, and we decided to do a mother-daughter trip to the island of Oahu. I had been to this tropical oasis three times in the past. Each time I went, I would gaze in awe at the majestic Diamond Head Crater. Inside I had an intense yearning to climb the mountain but never made it up there on any of these trips.

Once we arrived, we picked a day and went for it! My bucket list dream finally came true. It was a very strenuous and steep climb, and oh my so scorching hot! Ah, but the view up top was so worth the climb!

When I reached the top of Diamond Head: I can’t even fully describe the euphoria we all felt. It was incredible to say the least! It was one of the most stunning sights I’ve ever laid eyes on.

Even if you are not a seasoned hiker, it’s a doable trek. I don’t hike much at all, and was able to make it up without any problems. I highly recommend this beautiful experience. It’s one that will forever be with you.

Dog Sledding in Canada

Contributed by Sherrie Fabrizi from Travel By A Sherrie Affair (Find her blog on Facebook).

One of the most fun things about travel can be completing bucket list items. I think what can make it even more enjoyable is when you help your Mother check one off her list.  My Mother had a small bucket list of travel that she wanted to complete with my Father, however, sadly my Father passed away before she could complete her list.  So, all of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren decided to fulfill one of her top dreams, the Canadian Rockies in the winter time.

My Mother, I discovered has no real fear of doing anything!  It was actually hard to keep up with her at times.  As we made our way across the Canadian Rockies by starting in Vancouver, taking a train to Jasper and then continuing to Lake Louise and Banff.  By the time we had gotten to Lake Louise she already had me crossing the Capilano Bridge and going on a glacier walk in Jasper (3 hours in 20-degree weather…burr..).

Next up when we arrived at Lake Louise my daring Mother, wanted to try dogsledding. Did I mention she is 80 years old?  What an experience, it was exhilarating to do!  The trainers were very informative and made you feel totally comfortable. I was happy to see that they truly had a great affection for the dogs.

Being a dog owner all my life, I can attest that these dogs were in fantastic shape and loved to run.  The sites of tall, thick, dark evergreen trees with untouched snow piled on each branch was something out of a movie.

I will return one day with my husband to experience it for himself.  But for now, this is my Mother’s and my special bucket list item- checked off.

Read the full post on her Lake Louise travel on her by blog Travel By a Sherrie Affair.

Hiking to see an active volcano in Guatemala

Contributed by Pilar Suquilvide from El Antitour (Find her blog on Instagram)

Our overlanding journey from Canada to Panama in a renovated RV has certainly taken us to very exciting destinations in this past year. However, we believe no experience has been as epic as volcano hiking in Guatemala.

Central America is famous for its vast array of volcanos, which even has its own name! The CAVA (Central America Volcanic Arc) goes all the way down from Guatemala to northern Panama. We knew, then, that we couldn’t visit this area without hiking one. Our pick was majestic Acatenango Volcano, which towers over 13,000 ft (almost 4,000 m) above sea level. Even though Acatenango is no longer active, his partner is: Volcan de Fuego (Fire Volcano) has eruptions every 15 to 20 minutes which you can enjoy front row once you get to the top.

However, this is not an easy task: it will take you at least 6 to 7 hours of uphill struggle to reach the Acatenango campsite, which will be a test to your body, mind, and soul. Stops are scheduled every 20 to 30 minutes, proof of how hard this is. Plenty of water, comfortable shoes and an experienced guide are all musts in this excursion.

Lots of determination and a positive group of people around to cheer you along the way are also advisable!

This is not a hike for the faint-hearted, but it’s oh so worthy once you finish. The moment you lay eyes on the imposing Volcan de Fuego, you’ll forget about any pain you’ve endured to get there. After all the hard work, we were rewarded with privileged views of lava and ash going up in the air, which lasted all night long and well into the morning, when it was time to head back.

Never before had we seen an active volcano, and this is certainly an experience we will never forget. Climbing Acatenango was challenging, yes, but even after all the pain we can only smile thinking about the whole thing now.

Unique Bucket List Ideas in South America

Sailing boat Panama to Colombia

Contributed by Ruben Arribas from Gamin Traveler (Find their blog on Facebook).

Those who travel to South America always include Panama and Colombia to their itinerary. Both countries are surrounded by spectacular natural beauty and have diverse and colorful cultures. Panama is a surfing paradise while Colombia is a mountainous adventure land. Traveling to either of these countries is already a bucket-list-worthy experience. But do you wanna know what made my travels there unique?

For 5 nights, I spent the night sailing and sleeping in a sailboat around San Blas Islands while on the way to Colombia from Panama. We also met and interacted with the Guna people (also known as the Kuna Yala), an indigenous tribe in the Caribbean.

There were no hotels in the area when I visited and the water was crystal clear. I had so much fun swimming, snorkeling and just immersing myself in a place so far from urban comforts yet so rich in authentic human experiences.

If your heart belongs to the sea and you love learning about cultures very different from yours, sailing from Panama to Colombia is something you will enjoy. I would do it again if I could, for sure!

Death road in Bolivia

Contributed by Steven and Jenny from Tales from the Lens (Find their blog on Facebook).

One of the most popular activities in Bolivia is to take a downhill bike ride on a route known as the Death Road. Located between the city of La Paz and the Bolivian Amazon, it has been given the nickname because of the perilous drops of 1,000m from the mountainous roads to the valley below. Oh and this road accepts two-way traffic on a route that is only wide enough for one car. Add in the blind hairpin turns, deep potholes and a tendency for rock and landslides and you can understand why the death toll here was so high.

Attracted by the thrill, Steven decided to do the ride to celebrate his 28th birthday. The tour starts at 6 am where a bus takes you up to the highest peak at 4,650m, where you suited up and prepared to cycle down to the town of Coroico at 1,525m. Once, the bikes are set up, the guides take you through a traditional ceremony to calm your nerves and ask mother earth for protection. After that, you are off. First taking the paved road to get used to the bike and then onto the old gravel road. Only 56km of the road is part of the tour. The views from the road allow you to see some of the most beautiful forests in the region, however, on this day a storm was passing through, meaning visibility was low and making the route even more dangerous.

During the 5-hour cycle, you experience what it was like for locals to traverse these mountains, as you will need to cycle through rivers, under waterfalls, avoid potholes and the remains of landslides, all the while staying away from the edge and the drop below.

In the end, everything was fine, the guides are well-trained mountain bikers and take safety incredibly serious. At any time a rider can stop cycling and jump in the van that follows the tour. These days, cars rarely use the road, as a new motorway has been created but the lure of cycling the death road remains.

To read the full story of what to expect when cycling the death road, check out this article on Tales From the Lens.

See the Largest Mirror in the World to Uyuni Salt Flats, Bolivia

Contributed by Thais Saito from World Trip Diaries (Find their blog on Facebook).

One of the things at the top of my bucket list was to see the largest mirror in the world at the Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia.
Well, I was very lucky because I didn’t know it had a dry season and a wet season. They’re both gorgeous, but the mirror is only seen during the wet season.

We visited it in March 2017, at the peak of the wet season, and it was so worth it!

We hired a private tour (we’re in six people and we fill up a car anyway) and got picked up at the salt hotel we were staying at and drove to the salt flats. At first, we could see the salt mixed with sand. It was beautiful, yes, but nothing compared to what was yet to come.

Little by little, the ground became more and more white. And it started reflecting the sky. And we were there, in heaven. It was clouds under and above us, and all we could see was the blue skies and its white fluffy clouds.

The floor wasn’t soft, it was rather harsh and it hurt. The salt crystals had incredible geometric forms and they were pointy.

Having lunch there, in the middle of the desert, surrounded by nothing but the sky, nothing and nobody around us, was amazing.

It was worth all the altitude sickness, the roadblocks, the train, and the buses we needed to get there.

Just the best experience in the world!

Click here to find out more & book your Uyuni Salt Flats Tour in Bolivia now

A visit to the End of the World in Patagonia

Contributed by Travels With Talek (Check her out on Facebook).

When I was around 6 years old I asked a relative where he was going.  “To the end of the world,” he said. I thought that was a real place and I became fascinated with it; what was it like, what did people eat there, was it cold? I remember how excited I became at the thought of going there and determined someday I would. 

 This year I traveled to the Argentine and Chilean Patagonia. I navigated the Straits of Magellan and the Beagle Channel and circumnavigated Cape Horn. I also visited Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost town on earth.  Ushuaia really capitalizes on its unique geographic position.  There you will find the Hotel at the End of the World and the Train at the End of the World and other of southernmost examples.   

We took a cruise to navigate the waterways and sailed through canyons of icebergs toppling down into the icy water.

Witnessing the calving of an iceberg when a piece splits from the main berg and crashes into the water with a thunderous sound is an amazing experience.  

We learned about the history of the Yamana people that populated the region and their customs and culture. The local wildlife was especially interesting; llama-like guanacos, Magellan Penguins, and dolphins cavorting beside our vessel.  

It took a few decades, but I finally made it to the end of the world and found out what it was like. It was even better than I imagined!

Click here to find out more & book your Ushuaia, Argentina tour now

Diving with Hammerhead Sharks in the Galapagos Islands

Contributed by Thea Wingert from Zen Travellers (Find her on Instagram).

Few destinations inspire as much awe and wanderlust as the Galapagos Islands. This far-flung enchanting archipelago rests over 600km off Ecuador’s Pacific Coast and remains a world apart. The islands feature otherworldly landscapes carved out by thousands of years of volcanic activity, and a tremendous diversity of unique plants and wildlife. By far, my favorite part of visiting the islands was getting up close and personal with some of the amazing local wildlife both on land and under the sea.

While the slow-moving giant tortoises are charming in their own way, and the silly blue-footed boobies are delightful when they dance to show off their bright blue feet, it was diving with hammerhead sharks that were a dream come true. These incredible creatures swarm close to rock formations to feed and divers can get a good look at them if they’re so lucky.  We had such luck when we dove at Kicker Rock off the coast of San Cristobal Island.

We hung onto rocks to avoid being swept away from the current and waited for the swarms to come to us.

Our patience paid off and a group of about 15 hammerheads soon came to feed only 5 meters away from us! Not only did we see hammerheads during this dive, we also swam by endemic Galapagos sharks and beautiful black-tipped sharks.

While there is so much to see and do in the Galapagos Islands, diving with 3 kinds of sharks was by far the highlight.

Switzerland is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. The country has some of the breathtaking locations which looks like they have been taken out of a fairytale book. Visiting Switzerland was on our bucket list. And on the top of the bucket list was a scenic train ride through the surreal locations of Switzerland.

We were based in Geneva and the route from Geneva to Bern or Interlaken (where most of the top Swiss attractions are located) is dotted with breathtaking scenic vistas.

Meadows with cows grazing, the shimmering Lake Geneva and the snow-capped mountains, the vineyards, small charming villages with chalets, you’ll not be able to take your eyes off the window.

While every train ride in Switzerland is scenic there is a specific train which takes you through the most beautiful locations in Switzerland – the Golden Pass Train. The train runs between Montreux and Lucern via Interlaken. There are two kinds of trains running on this route – panoramic and Classic. While Panoramic trains have huge windows to offer a panoramic view of the vistas, the classic trains have a vintage feeling in the interior. Both are unique experiences. 

Read the full post on places to visit in Switzerland in their blog Go Beyond Bounds.

Click here to find out more & book your scenic train ride in Switzerland now

I decided I wanted a picture of me standing on top of Kjeragbolten the moment I saw an epic shot of it on Instagram. I started to do some research about a trip to Norway and soon I was at the airport ready to cross off a bucket list moment from my list. The hike to the rock is beautiful. It goes through lots of different scenery and terrain. In many places, there are chains helping the hiker’s way up the trail. Good hiking boots are essential on this hike.

You will find many streams, that are safe to drink from, so they are perfect to refill your water bottle, saving you carrying too much weight. After about 2,5-3 hours of hiking, you will reach the top. Standing on Kjeragbolten was the scariest experience in my life. It felt amazing doing it, and I am very proud of myself every time I look at the photo of me standing 1000 m above Lysefjorden on the rock. However, if you are even a bit uncertain or you suffer from vertigo I suggest you should not risk your life for a picture. The 12 km round trip Kjerag hike itself is worth the effort as it has spectacular scenery along the way.

If you’re an adventure traveler, the Kimberley region in Western Australia should be high on your bucket list.

Virtually undisturbed by human activity, the Kimberley is a pristine outback wilderness. Characterized by red rock mesas, crystal clear swimming holes, waterfalls cascading through tall gorge walls, and thousands of miles of untouched coastline.

To give you a sense of its scale, the Kimberley is three times the size of England, and roughly equal to the size of California. Its population is about 50,000 people – so, outside of a city, you’ll be hard pressed to find another human.

You can explore the region by land, by air, or sea, but taking a land route gives you the most immersive experience by far. I took a two-week trek with Kimberley Wild Expeditions from Broome to Kununurra and back to see as many of the sights as possible.

Our main route followed the Gibb River Road, a mostly-unpaved former cattle transport track accessible only by 4x4s. The Gibb provides vehicle access to many of Kimberley’s famous sights including Tunnel Creek cave, Windjana Gorge, Bell Gorge, Manning Gorge, and El Questro Wilderness Park.

There’s even a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the region in Purnululu National Park. The sacred, eroded beehive domes of the Bungle Bungle Range form one of the finest examples in the world of a sandstone cone karst landscape. Walking amidst these giant domes is an otherworldly experience.

The Kimberley left me awe-struck and wanting to dive deeper into hidden corners I haven’t explored yet. Anyone who has a love of nature and a thirst for adventure absolutely needs to find their way here.

Visiting an active Volcano in Vanuatu

Contributed by Eloise from My Favourite Escapes (Find her blog on Instagram)

Visiting Tanna Volcano in Vanuatu had been on my bucket list since I first heard about it. Imagine standing a few meters away from explosions of lava while staying on a remote island in the Pacific. The sensations are incredible. Never had I felt the power of nature more than that day. 

In that region of Tanna Island, life is rhythmed by Mount Yasur, the volcano. You can hear it roar days and night. It’s a gem for the local economy. The volcano ashes give them very fertile soil. And as one of the world’s most accessible volcanos, it brings dozens of tourists to their remote region every day. After a 4WD drive, visitors only need to walk a few minutes to get to the top of Mount Yasur.  

You may wonder how safe it is to be next to an active volcano. Let’s say is not at all as dangerous as it sounds if you follow the rules. Accidents remain rare, and a local guide is in charge of showing the way and reminding tourists about the potential dangers. They monitor the volcano activity closely and limit access to keep people safe when the action increases or if the weather conditions are not suitable.