50 Adventures to Have in Your Lifetime (2024)

Walk on the Great Wall of China, swim with sharks, chase the northern lights…what’s on your travel bucket list? We picked out 50 unforgettable adventures that we plan to have in our lifetime. We hope this list inspires you, as well.

Tim and I spent months, years even, brainstorming this list. We wanted to come up with 50 travel-related adventures that not only sounded exciting to us, but are also doable for many people.

We know what it is like to have limited time to travel. So we wanted to include a good mix of life-changing multi-day adventures with spine-tingling, adrenaline rushes that can be done in a few days or less.

There are hundreds of activities we could have added to this list. It was very difficult narrowing it down to just 50…but here they are. 50 adventures we plan to do in our lifetime…want to join us?

For millions of years, the Virgin River has been carving its way through layers of rock, forming the Zion Narrows. This canyon twists and turns for miles, creating one of the most unique hiking trails in the world.This is the quintessential slot canyon hike, with towering canyon walls, turquoise water, and gorgeous views every step of the way.

Zion National Park

This is one of the world’s premiere trekking routes. For 7 to 10 days, you hike around Mont Blanc through the Alps in Italy, France, and Switzerland. It’s a challenging route, with a total of 10,000 meters of ascent and descent, but you are rewarded with stunning mountain scenery and visits to quaint, alpine towns.

The Bolivia Salt Flats, also called Salar de Uyuni, is the world’s largest salt flat. It’s also one of the most surreal landscapes in the world. In March and April, the salt flats are covered with a few inches of standing water, creating an extraordinary, reflective landscape. During the remaining months, you can witness a vast, white landscape as far as the eye can see.

Most people visit the salt flats on a 2, 3, or 4 day tour from Uyuni, Bolivia. It is also possible to take a tour from San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. It’s worth it to spend at least 4 days exploring the salt flats and the nearby landscapes. Eduardo Avaroa National Park is another unique landscape where you can see volcanoes, colorful lakes, and flamingoes.

The Colorado River twists and turns through five national parks and a handful of state parks and national monuments. Take your pick from one-day adventures to multi-day excursions. Enjoy the experience as you drift through desert canyons and past some of the best scenery in the US.

Rafting trips usually run from April through September. June, July, and August are the most popular months. Many companies require children to be at least 12 years old.

The GR20 has been touted as one of the toughest trekking routes in Europe. This trail spans the spine of the island of Corsica, France. It is not technically challenging but those who plan to hike this need to be very physically fit and ready to hike along rugged, uneven trails.

Days: 12 to 15 days
Where: Corsica, France
When: June through September

Float in the emerald water of a lake in Palau, completely surrounded by millions of jellyfish. It sounds crazy, right? Palau’s Jellyfish Lake is home to a population of jellyfish with a sting so mild you barely feel it (so I have read). But wouldn’t that be wild, swimming among these soft, golden jellyfish in the tropical paradise of Palau?

You can visit Palau year round, but the best months to go (when the weather is dry) are November to March. Stay in Koror and hire a tour to get you to the lake. In order to visit Jellyfish Lake, you do have to purchase a permit for $35.

Svalbard is a Norwegian island that sits on the northernmost region of the globe, not far from the North Pole. You can’t find penguins here, but if you’re lucky, you can see polar bears and walrus. Travel here if you want to kayak among glaciers, go hiking, sled dogging, or snowmobiling.

Longyearbyen is where you will spend most of your time. This is the location of the Global Seed Vault, where seeds of every plant are stored just in case some apocalyptic even occurs on our planet. During the winter months, go dog sledding and go on multi-day snowmobile expeditions. During the summer months (it gets up to a balmy 43°F), the snow disappears, so things to do include kayaking, hiking, and seeing the midnight sun. You can even take multi-day cruises around the island, looking for polar bear.

Trek through the steamy jungles in Rwanda or Uganda for an up close look at gorillas. It’s expensive and your time with the gorillas is short (you only get one hour on most excursions) but many people walk away from the experience awestruck.

First, you will need a permit, which costs $600 - $750. Then you will trek through the jungle to the troop and spend one hour with the gorillas. The entire trek can last from three to nine hours, depending on where the gorilla troop is located in the park.

You can do this all year round. July and August are peak season and conditions are wettest March through May.

17-mile hike with 5,500 feet of climbing. This is an extremely strenuous hike. The final 400 feet to the top involves climbing up the smooth granite surface of Half Dome. Avoid this hike if you have a fear of heights. Allow 10 to 14 hours to complete this hike.

Do you want to take on the most dangerous road trip on the planet? The Karakoram Highway (KKH) is the world’s highest paved highway, connecting China to Pakistan through the Himalayas. Not only is this journey dangerous but the landscape is spectacular.

The KKH is 800 miles in length. You will need visas for Pakistan and China. You can either travel by bus or rent your own vehicle. If you’re speedy, you can drive the entire distance in 4 to 5 days but give yourself more time to really enjoy the view.

The Dolomites, located in Italy, are one of our favorite places in the world to go hiking. The landscapes are simply breathtaking, the trails are a blast, and some hikes add in a via ferrata or gondolas to really keep things interesting.

The hike to Kjeragbolten is moderately strenuous. It is 12 km (7.5 miles) long with 500 meters (1640 feet) of climbing. There are several challenging sections of climbing using chains for assistance. And of course, there is the danger of stepping out onto kjerag. Allow 6 to 8 hours to complete this hike.

It’s one thing to arrive in Machu Picchu by bus or train, but it’s quite another to get there on your own two feet. You have multiple options to do this, including the classic 4 day Inca trail trek, the one day hike along the Inca trail, the Salkantay trek, and the Lares trek.

The 4 day Inca Trail is the classic route with three days of hiking and one full day spent at Machu Picchu. If you are looking for quieter trails and stunning scenery, consider doing the 5 day Salkantay trek. If you want a cultural experience, the 4 day Lares trek might be perfect for you. Learn more here.

Mt. Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa. Getting to Uhuru Peak, the summit of Kilimanjaro (5,888 meters, 19,318 feet) is a popular bucket list item for many travelers and adventurers. This climb is popular since little technical experience is required and the experience is amazing. Do you want to stand on top of Mount Kilimanjaro?

It can take 5 to 9 days to reach the summit depending upon the route you take. Choose your route wisely…not everyone who sets off on this journey successfully makes it to the summit. Picking your ideal route takes advance planning and adding an extra day or two to acclimatize along the way is recommended. Click here to learn more about the different routes.

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the Natural Wonders of the World, joining the list with sites like Mount Everest, the Grand Canyon, and the Aurora Borealis (all of which also make our top 50 adventures list). This 2,300 kilometer long reef supports a wide range of wildlife, including fish, birds, sea turtles, and sharks. Swimming among the colorful, tropical fish and coral is an unforgettable experience.

During your visit, you can do more than just scuba dive or snorkel. You can take a plane flight or go skydiving over the reef, ride an underwater scooter, or travel in a submarine. There are also lots of gorgeous beaches to visit in the area.

The mountainous landscapes of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan look breathtaking in their beauty. Both are a trekker’s paradise and we can’t decide which one we should visit first.

Ever since we saw photos of this country, it has been high on our list of places to visit. It’s very similar to Kyrgyzstan, with rugged, mountainous scenery and quiet hiking trails.

The Tian Shan mountains are a gorgeous, off-the-beaten-path to go trekking. Located along the Silk Road, spend several days exploring the mountain paths. If you get lucky, you might even spot a snow leopard!

Soar over gorgeous landscapes, get a bird’s eye view of the world, and enjoy the peaceful journey by hot air balloon. It’s something worth experiencing at least once in your lifetime and it can easily be worked into many travel itineraries, especially if you are in the right spot.

It is a 19.4 km (12 mile) point-to-point hike that is moderately strenuous. Allow 6 to 8 hours to do this hike.

Havasu Falls is a gorgeous oasis in the desert. The turquoise waters, roaring waterfalls, and orange and red sandstone cliffs are what make Havasu Falls simply fabulous. To get here, it’s a 10-mile hike one way, but your reward, and the whole reason for going on this adventure, is to spend a day, or two (or three!) exploring the waterfalls, swimming, and enjoying this awesome spot in the American southwest.

The first step, and the most challenging step, is being one of the lucky ones to get a permit. Permits become available for the year on February 1, and usually sell out almost immediately. Then reserve your campsite or lodging at Havasu Falls, strap on your backpack, and enjoy the journey.

Cross wind swept sand dunes, see stunning desert scenery, and journey away from the city lights into the desert, all while perched atop a camel. For a unique experience, book a multi-day camel trek, where you sleep under the stars or in tents in the desert.

Journey to the Galapagos Islands to see Giant Tortoises, marine iguanas, albatross, penguins, and Blue-footed boobies. What is the best way to see these animals? Get up close by snorkeling, kayaking, and diving or by volunteering with habitat restoration. You can even hike around Sierra Negra, the world’s second largest volcanic crater. It’s a trip of a lifetime.

First, you will have to fly to Ecuador. From Quito or Guayaquil you can take a second flight to the Galapagos Islands. Once in the Galapagos, you can tour the islands by cruise, stay on one of the main islands and day trip to the smaller islands, or combine the cruise and land experience.

You can visit the Galapagos year round. From December through May, temperatures are warmer, seas are calmer, the islands are greener, and this is the best time to see birds mating and sea turtles nesting on the beaches. From June through November, temperatures are cooler, the seas are rougher, skies are cloudier, and this is mating season for the blue-footed boobies and the best time to go diving.

This is another experience of a lifetime. Journey back in time as you travel along the Nile River. Visit King Tut’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple on the East Bank of Luxor, Philae Temple in Aswan, and other ancient Egyptian sites.

This is often voted as the best long distance trekking route in the world. This trek takes you from warm, tropical Nepal up into the Himalayas on a trade route. As you ascend higher, the landscapes are simply breathtaking in their beauty. Getting to Thorong La Pass, at 5,416 meters (17, 770 feet), is the most difficult but most spectacular part of the journey.

It takes between 15 and 21 days to hike the entire circuit. The length of the route is 160 – 230 km (100 – 145 miles) depending upon where you start and end the circuit. Thorung Pass is the highest point at 5416 m (17,770 feet). Many people do this with a guide and porter although it is possible to do this trek on your own.

Tons of fun and with no technical experience required, zip-lining is perfect for almost all ages. Soar among the treetops and feel like you are flying over canyons, rivers, and stunning landscapes. It’s an exhilarating experience and the perfect activity to add into your travel itinerary if you are looking for pure fun.

Wouldn’t it be cool (literally!) to drive a team of dogs across a snowy landscape? You don’t have to race the entire Iditarod for this experience, there are companies that let you experience mushing for several hours. But if you want a real adventure, how about a multi-day journey camping or staying in lodges along the way.

Patagonia is a hiker’s paradise. The Cordillera del Paine is the diamond in the crown of Patagonia. In Torres del Paine National Park, there are numerous day hikes to choose from. Take your pick from the 5 day “W” trek or the longer “O” trek where you also get to hike around the backside of the Cordillera del Paine (and leave the crowds behind).

The “W” trek is the shorter and more popular of the two trekking routes. You get to see the highlights but you will also be sharing the trail with a lot of people. If you have the time and the stamina, consider doing the “O” trek. You hike the “W,” and then spend an additional 3 to 5 days hiking around the backside of the Cordillera del Paine, making a full loop.

The Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, is something that makes the bucket list of many travelers. Getting to see these lights requires traveling to the Arctic Circle during the right time of year and keeping your fingers crossed for clear skies and favorable conditions.

You can see the Northern Lights from late November to late March in the Northern Lights zone (65 to 72 degrees latitude). The lightshow normally occurs between 10 pm and 2 am and lasts about 30 minutes, if it does occur. The Aurora Borealis doesn’t happen every night and some nights have a more vibrant show than others. It takes a little bit of luck to get to see those technicolor displays that we see in photographs.

New Zealand is home to some amazing multi-day treks. You can hike along mountain ridges, through forests and beaches, and through some of the most stunning scenery in the world. These long distance treks are called “Great Walks” for very good reason…which one do you want to do?

The Amazon rainforest is one of most biodiverse regions in the world. It spans over 5 million square kilometers in 9 countries in South America. You can cruise down the Amazon River, visit the small towns in the Amazon basin, or stay in a reserve within the rainforest.

5.4 mile hike with 1500 feet of climbing. This is a strenuous hike involving the use of chains. Portions of the trail are very narrow with 1000 foot drop-offs on either side. Avoid this hike if you have a fear of heights.

Strap on some crampons, grab an ice pick, and set off on a very cool adventure. This is like hiking, only now you are walking over crunchy blue ice through frozen landscapes, another unique experience to add to the bucket list!

Incredible desert scenery, red Martian sand, rock arches, bedoin camps, wild camels, desert flowers…this place is gorgeous!! We came to Jordan to see Petra but it was the Wadi Rum desert that really impressed us. Adding on a one day visit to Wadi Rum is the perfect way to add just a little more adventure (and more very cool memories) to your trip to Jordan.

Komodo Dragons are giant lizards that roam several islands in Indonesia. Komodo National Park, which is located in between Bali and Flores Island, is the place that these prehistoric lizards call home. Strap on your hiking shoes and go trekking into the jungle in search of these miniature dinosaurs.

Sure, it’s an awesome experience to see panoramic views of the Grand Canyon from an overlook. But if you really want an adventure, how about hiking from the North Rim, down to the Colorado River, and then back up to the South Rim? This is a long, challenging hike but it is an epic journey through one of the world’s most famous landscapes.

There are several different ways to hike from rim to rim. Most people do this in two or more days, breaking up the journey either by camping or staying in a lodge near the Colorado River. Those who are crazy or just like the idea of turning the experience into a test of endurance do the entire 24 mile journey as a day hike.

Watching the wildebeest migration is one of nature’s most raw and dramatic events. Every year, the wildebeest migrate from the Serengeti to Masaai Mara in search of water and food. The highlight of the journey are the river crossings, where crocodiles patiently wait, submerged underwater, ready to bring down the wildebeest as they enter the water.

The wildebeest herd migrates in loop through the Serengeti and Masai Mara over the course of a year. Calves are born from January through March in the Serengeti. During April and May the grasses dry up, forcing the wildebeest to leave the Serengeti and enter the Masai Mara in June and July. In August, the river crossings occur and then the “survivors” feed on the grasses of the Masai Mara. During the last months of the year, the wildebeest return to the Serengeti.

If you want to see the river crossings, your best chance is from late July through early September, although timing can change year to year, depending upon the weather and food supply.

If you want to hike among one of the most spectacular mountain landscapes in the world, put the Huayhuash Circuit high on your list. This 8 to 12 day trek takes you through stunning alpine landscapes in Peru, where you will hike past mountain lakes, snow-capped mountains, and some of the highest peaks in South America. It’s strenuous and difficult, but sometimes the best experiences are also the most challenging.

The route is roughly 130 km (81 miles) in length. You start in Huaraz, and alpine town in Peru. For most of the trek you are at altitude and you reach a maximum altitude of 5490 meters (18,012 feet) at Punta Coyoc Pass. You can do this independently or with a guide.

This is a moderately strenuous hike. It is four miles (6.5 km) round trip with 1,700 feet (500 meters) of climbing. Allow 5 to 7 hours for the entire visit, including time to visit the monastery.

Antarctica…the last great wilderness. This is the land of icebergs, penguins, and raw, arctic landscapes. It’s one of the best destinations in the world if you seek adventure. Kayak among icebergs, visit penguin colonies, go whale watching, hiking, and mountaineering, and even take a plunge into the icy waters…if you dare!

The most popular way to visit Antarctica is on a round-trip cruise from Ushuaia, through the Drake Passage, to the Antarctic Peninsula. This usually takes up to 10 to 12 days, depending on your tour company. The best time to visit Antarctica is between November and March, with the longest hours of daylight and the highest daytime temperatures.

Defy gravity and scale a rocky cliff. Not only is it a thrill, and a sense of accomplishment to get to the top of the climb, but you are rewarded with unique views from the top of the climb.

You can take lessons at a local rock climbing gym to learn the basics. However, there are many places around the world that offer climbing lessons for newbie rock climbers. We learned in Krabi, Thailand, one of the best places in the world for beginners.

We have been rock climbing in Krabi, Thailand,Mendoza, Argentina, and the Lofoten Islands, Norway. This photo was taken on Svolvaergeita in the Lofoten Islands. These are all great spots for beginners and those with advanced skills. There are tons of options, but other cools spots include Costa Blanca, Spain, Boulder Canyon, Colorado, and Kalymnos Island, Greece.

Swimming in shark infested waters…this is another “do you dare?” type of adventure. Hotspots include Beqa Lagoon, Fiji (for tiger sharks), Isla Mujeres, Cancun (for whale sharks), Cocos Island, Costa Rica (hammerheads and white tip sharks), and Gansbaai, South Africa (for great white shark cage diving).

We went great white shark cage diving in Gansbaai, South Africa. You simply put on a wetsuit and goggles, hop into the cage that is submerged underwater, and watch as enormous great white sharks swim up and bump the cage.

The hike from Jiankou to Mutianyu spans 9.5 km (6 miles). It is a moderately difficult hike, with some steep sections of climbing. The entire journey, including transportation to and from Beijing, takesa total of ten hours.

Wouldn’t it be really cool to drive a race car? Well, you can! For the ultimate adrenaline rush, drive a dragster at 130 mph or drive a NASCAR race car on a premier raceway.

This is a challenging, 11+ day journey. It is 83 miles (134 km) round trip, with a maximum elevation of 17,600 feet (5,380 meters). It’s not just the daily hiking that makes this difficult, but also the risk of altitude sickness and the living conditions in the teahouses on the way.

Maybe this is just a reason to add Hawaii to the list, but the Kalalau Trail is labeled as one of the most beautiful and most dangerous hikes in the world. Located on the island of Kauai, hike along the gorgeous coastal landscape of the Napali Coast.

22 miles round trip (11 miles one way) and takes most hikers two days to complete the hike. It can be hiked year round. Permits are required.

The hike to Trolltunga is long and very strenuous. It is 23 km (14 miles) out and back, with a very steep climb at the beginning of the hike. With this effort comes great rewards…this hike just may be one of your highlights on a trip to Norway. Allow 10 to 12 hours to complete this hike.

The Camino de Santiago is a pilgrimage to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia. There are numerous routes to get here, however, the most popular is the French Way (Camino Frances), starting in St Jean Pied de Port and ending 790km (490 miles) later in Santiago de Compostela. The Camino Frances takes you through quaint villages and the more lively cities of Pamplona, Logrono (the capital city of the Rioja wine region), and Leon. As you immerse yourself in the culture of northern Spain and make friends with other pilgrims along the way, this no doubt is an experience of a lifetime.

Spend 10 days driving through the epic scenery of the American southwest, or turn your trip into a transcontinental journey as you drive from coast to coast. A road trip through the United States is a quintessential trip that makes the bucket list of many travelers.

Triglav National Park, with it’s rugged, rocky mountain range, glacial lakes, and river gorges, is a playground for hikers and outdoor adventurers. Climbing to the top of Mt. Triglav, the centerpiece of the Julian Alps, takes two days and requires the use of rock climbing gear. For those with less time, take you pick from one of many stunning day hikes in the Julian Alps.

Visit beautiful Lake Bled, go white water rafting on the Soca River, take a walk along Lake Bohinj, or explore Vintgar Gorge. You could spend a week here and live a different adventure every day.