52 Dream Destinations: Adventure

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This was published 5 years ago

52 Dream Destinations: Adventure

Seeking an adrenalin supercharge? From conquering canyons to face-timing with mountain gorillas and husky-sledding and ice-fishing in the Arctic, this planet offers increasingly sensational options for sensation-seekers.

Updated

ANTARCTICA

ANTARCTIC PENINSULA

Via the Drake Passage

THE EXPERIENCE: You're sitting in your chic cabin, sipping champagne as icebergs drift by your open balcony doors. You would take more photos but you don't have much time: there's a massage on offer in the on-board spa, before a lecture on whales in the theatre. With four-course meals, cocktail bars, a pool, hammam and spa, it's quite a departure from the style in which Antarctic explorers such as Roald Amundsen travelled.

Ice floes form
beautiful natural
sculptures in
Antarctica.

Ice floes form beautiful natural sculptures in Antarctica.Credit: Nina Karnikowski

There's no place on earth infused with quite as much mystery and enchantment as Antarctica. The great white continent, our planet's largest frozen desert, tops most travellers' bucket lists. There's the serenity of the icy plains and sculptural glaciers, the sense of last-frontier adventure in this place where ice and weather dictate itineraries, and the thrill of seeing some of the world's most extraordinary wildlife – whales as big as buses, pudgy penguins and sleek seals.

Most magical of all is Antarctica's nothingness. Surrounded by all that silence and solitude, even the most cynical among us are forced to reexamine their place in the scheme of things.

Most journeys there involve crossing the Drake Passage, one of the world's most perilous bodies of water. Two days of seasickness, however, are forgotten the moment you see your first iceberg looming above you like some marble-hewn sculpture, or take your first crunchy steps across the continent past hundreds of curious penguins.

There are countless highlights, such as passing through the Lemaire Channel flanked by sheer, ice-draped cliffs, seeing whales breach beside you in Wilhelmina Bay and watching fur seals play among mist-shrouded whaling station ruins on Deception Island.

IDEAL FOR: Intrepid couples or solo travellers.

PRICE: APT's 15-day Classic Antarctica tour, from $16,490 a person; aptouring.com.au.

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-NINA KARNIKOWSKI

​LIKE THIS? Scenic Eclipse, a custom-built six-star yacht, will take 200 guests to Antarctica from late 2018; scenic.com.au.

There's little margin for error while mountain-biking through Devil's Throat gorge in Chile's Atacama Desert.

There's little margin for error while mountain-biking through Devil's Throat gorge in Chile's Atacama Desert.Credit: Mark Daffey

AMERICAS

CHILE

Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa

THE EXPERIENCE: Nestled in the shadow of a string of Andean volcanoes that separate Chile's far north from Bolivia, the dusty outpost of San Pedro de Atacama receives barely 10 millimetres of rain a year, making this – the Atacama – the world's driest desert.

Travellers swarm here, often staying at the Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa – a sprawling, adobe-style resort in the Catarpe Valley, a kilometre from San Pedro de Atacama. The hotel's design blends seamlessly into its barren surroundings and its restaurant chefs source local ingredients whenever possible, but it's the catalogue of 33 guest activities that impress the most.

These "excursions" are split into four categories – Contemplation, Astronomy, Adventure, Expedition – and you'll want to do every one. They range from half-day cultural outings visiting nearby villages to multi-day volcano ascents requiring time for acclimatisation. Mountain bikers can cycle through the Devil's Throat gorge. Hikers should opt for full-day, high-altitude walks among wild vicunas and flamingos, or through valleys sprouting cacti that are 10 metres tall. Perhaps a sunset tour through the Valley of the Moon and to Death Valley will suffice, followed by a sedate introduction to astronomy after dinner.

IDEAL FOR: Couples or families.

PRICE: From $US800 an adult a night (all-inclusive, including full activities program), $US170 a child under 18 a night; altoatacama.com.

-MARK DAFFEY

L​IKE THIS? Try Navarino island, which is as far south as you can easily go before Antarctica. A gorgeous Chilean island with the world's southern-most town, and stunning mountains.

Surreal rainbow-striped mountains in Peru.

Surreal rainbow-striped mountains in Peru.

AUSANGATE, PERU

Surreal rainbow-striped mountains

THE EXPERIENCE: Look at photos of Peru's Rainbow Mountain and you'll immediately reorganise your travel plans. Striped turquoise, turmeric, rose and lavender from mineral deposits, it's only by seeing it in the flesh that you'll convince yourself the images weren't photoshopped.

A four-hour drive from Peru's cultural capital Cusco and a few hours of hiking will get you there on a day trip. Consider taking five days to trek the Ausangate trail: at more than 5000 metres above sea level it will be truly life-changing and challenging. Luckily, the scenery en route – glacier-flanked valleys smattered with llamas and alpacas, mountains worshipped as gods – will make every step worth it. You'll likely only see a handful of other hikers the whole time, too.

Each afternoon, before the weather gets wild, you'll bunker down in traditional mud-brick lodges. Hot showers and fireside wines await, before dinner overlooking the mountains and glaciers. The ultimate reward, however, awaits back in Cusco: a feast that could include alpaca carpaccio, cuy (guinea pig) and pisco sours at Gaston Acurio's Chicha restaurant; chicha.com.pe.

IDEAL FOR: Couples, solo travellers, small groups. Moderate fitness required.

PRICE: Crooked Compass runs an 11-day Wild Peru itinerary, including the Ausangate trek, at $5769 a person; crooked-compass.com.

-NINA KARNIKOWSKI

LIKE THIS? Try World Expeditions' four-day Long Range Traverse through Canada's World Heritage-listed Gros Morne National Park. Think edge-of-the-world vistas, moose, caribou and wilderness camping. Keen for more rainbow mountains? Consider China's Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park, in Gansu province, which lie three hours from Gansu's capital Lanzhou.

NICARAGUA

This land of volcanoes and lakes is the perfect playground for active travellers

THE EXPERIENCE: Ready for a dose of the great outdoors? Then perhaps island hopping on an 8000-square-kilometre lake might appeal. Looking for more of an adrenalin rush? How about ash-boarding down the slopes of an active volcano? In Nicaragua, there is always another adventure waiting.

While fans of nature flock to the neighbouring Central American country of Costa Rica, Nicaragua – despite its verdant jungle and charming cities – has not yet worked out how to sell itself to travellers. That's just one of the things that makes it such an appealing destination.

Start your explorations on one of the country's impressive volcanoes. Take a hike through the cloud forests of Mombacho, where howler monkeys flit through the trees and pumas are reputed to prowl, visit the lava caves of Masaya Volcano National Park, or enjoy a hairraising ride down the ashy slopes of Cerro Negro.

Alternatively, there is plenty of surf action on the Pacific coast, and water sports of a different sort on mighty Lake Nicaragua, where you can kayak around some of the 400 islands. Keep an eye out for the local marine life, which includes turtles, caimans and the world's only freshwater sharks. If you need to chill out, try Jicaro Eco Lodge on the lovely Lake Nicaragua, then visit the pretty colonial town of Granada.

IDEAL FOR: Nature lovers.

PRICE: Jicaro Eco Lodge from $US264 a room a night; jicarolodge.com. Chimu Adventures has an eight-day Highlights of Nicaragua itinerary, starting from $2820; chimuadventures.com; nica-adventures.com; visitnicaragua.us.

-UTE JUNKER

LIKE THIS? With its picturesque forests, dramatic canyons and crystal-clear rivers, Bosnia-Herzegovina is heaven for hikers.

The Eye of the Needle offers a unique and spectacular canyoneering experience.

The Eye of the Needle offers a unique and spectacular canyoneering experience.

UTAH, USA

Eye of the Needle slot canyon

THE EXPERIENCE: Zion Adventure Company owns this land on Zion National Park's western edge, and from May 2018 will lead day trips to descend and ascend the Eye of the Needle canyon. The day includes a range of adventure experiences in the one spectacular location.

Your guide will teach you how to rappel and to climb a via ferrata. Throughout the day you'll rappel through waterfalls, so be prepared to get wet. The longest waterfall rappel is approximately 40 metres. From the top of your first rappel to the base of the canyon, you descend nearly 140 metres. The ascent back to the canyon rim is via ferrata: 472 iron staples anchored into the cliff face that you climb much like a ladder, but with safety equipment.

Go prepared: take a delicious lunch wrap from Cafe Soleil, on the main street of Zion's pretty hub town of Springdale. It serves good organic coffee, too.

IDEAL FOR: Anyone who is fit, not afraid of heights and able to carry a 10-kilogram pack all day. Recommended age: 16 and over.

PRICE: Two or more, $US299 a person; zionadventures.com.

-PIP COATES

LIKE THIS? In Zion National Park, do the 6.4-kilometre Narrows canyon hike through water (hire a dry suit if you're going in winter). No guide required.

Alps2Ocean cycle trail.

Alps2Ocean cycle trail.

AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

SOUTH ISLAND, NZ

Alps2Ocean cycle trail

THE EXPERIENCE: Hot tubs, snow-capped mountains, ethereal landscapes and stargazing await on the 301-kilometre Alps2Ocean trail. It starts, spectacularly, at the base of Aoraki (Mount Cook), NZ's highest mountain, tumbling (mostly) downhill through the foothills of the Southern Alps, past shimmering lakes, over icy rivers, traversing the Canterbury Plains, until reaching the Pacific at Oamaru.

Serious cyclists and novices will feel equally at home on the "A2O". Experienced aficionados can tackle all nine sections of the trail in four to six days; those with less time can cherry-pick highlights with the help of Cycle Journeys, which can arrange bike hire, transfer luggage and vehicles, and give encouragement when necessary.

En route, cyclists can rest up at A2O partner accommodation including SkyScape, a glass-roofed retreat for two on a sheep station offering the ultimate in stargazing. Just past midway, Valley Views Glamping offers respite in lotus belle tents with king-sized beds, luxury linen and home-cooked meals overlooking the Waitaki Valley. By day, cycle the trail and stop for lunch at wineries with a backdrop of snow-dusted alps; by night, soak weary legs in wooden hot tubs filled with heated glacier water. Magic.

IDEAL FOR: Sunday riders and Cadel Evans wannabes.

PRICE: From $NZ1289 for a six-day Lake Tekapo-Oamaru itinerary with Cycle Journeys; cyclejourneys.co.nz; alps2ocean.com.

-SHERIDEN RHODES

LIKE THIS? New Zealand's Great Walks system – featuring the nine best multi-day hikes in the country – is the envy of the world. This year a 10th Great Walk is being constructed, ready to open in 2019; newzealand. com/au/feature/great-walks-of-new-zealand. Alternatively, try wilderness and heli-adventures in the country's North Island region of Taupo, where off -grid trips include back-country fly-fishing, heli-hikes through the Kaimanawa State Forest, horse treks and rustic glamping at luxury lodge Poronui; taupo.info.

Wild Pedder takes guests deep into Tasmania's remote south-west.

Wild Pedder takes guests deep into Tasmania's remote south-west.Credit: Chris Crerar

TASMANIA

Wild Pedder

THE EXPERIENCE: When two young Tasmanian guides met and discovered they shared a dream of establishing the ultimate wilderness adventure in their backyard, the pair set about doing just that.

The result is Wild Pedder, a four-day walking and kayaking tour through some of the world's most remote wilderness, largely within Tasmania's biggest reserve, Southwest National Park. Beginning with a 90-minute drive from Hobart, the adventure traverses 35 kilometres of steep inclining and declining trails, passing beneath billion-year-old quartzite peaks and Tasmanian swamp gums, some of the tallest trees on earth. A paddle of 16 kilometres passes coves of pink beaches and through glacial-filled valleys formed tens of thousands of years ago. Each evening sees a stay in a remote luxury lodge, with three-course meals beside open log fires.

Your trip begins and ends in Hobart, so take time out to walk around Battery Point with its 19th-century cottages and buzzing rustic cafes, such as Kombi Cafe and Pollen Tea Room.

IDEAL FOR: Adventure-seekers of moderate fitness.

PRICE: $2265 a person; wildpedder.com.au.

-CRAIG TANSLEY

LIKE THIS? The Three Capes Lodge Walk is a four-day, fully guided walking experience along Tasmania's dramatic Tasman Peninsula; taswalkingco.com.au. Or try biking on a wilderness track with Blue Derby Pods Ride; bluederbypodsride.com.au.

Get up close and personal with mountain gorillas in the Rwandan jungle.

Get up close and personal with mountain gorillas in the Rwandan jungle.Credit: Adobe Stock

AFRICA

RWANDA

Africa's newest safari destination is leaving its dark past behind

THE EXPERIENCE: Everyone loves a comeback, which is one of the reasons why Rwanda is riding high. Since the country's 1994 genocide pushed it into the international spotlight and off holiday "must-visit" lists, the country has been quietly working on rebuilding itself. The results have been impressive across a range of areas, from public health programs to providing free Wi-Fi on public transport.

Inspired by the examples of Botswana and Bhutan, Rwanda is developing its credentials as a luxury destination. Blessed with one of Africa's most remarkable wildlife experiences – the opportunity to encounter endangered mountain gorillas – as well as lush landscapes of rolling hills and verdant jungles, Rwanda has welcomed fi ve-star operators such as One&Only Resorts, whose intimate lodges offer unique, remote experiences.

Wilderness Safaris' Bisate Lodge and One&Only's Gorilla's Nest are located close to the bamboo forests of Volcanoes National Park, where gorilla treks take place.

Rwanda also offers plenty of other wild encounters. One&Only has already opened Nyungwe House lodge in Nyungwe Forest, a bird-spotters' paradise which is also home to a large chimpanzee population, while conservation programs in Akagera National Park are boosting the small populations of rhino and elephant.

Finish your safari experience with downtime on the white sand beaches of Lake Kivu, one of Africa's Great Lakes.

IDEAL FOR: Safari junkies, been-there-done-that travellers.

PRICE: Nyungwe House from $US595 a person a night twin share; oneandonlyresorts.com. Bisate Lodge (Wilderness Safaris) all-inclusive rates from $US1155 a person a night twin share; wilderness-safaris.com; rwandatourism.com.

-UTE JUNKER

LIKE THIS? Try Ethiopia, where tour operators such as Bench Africa offer itineraries highlighting the dramatic scenery of Simien Mountains National Park, the monolithic rock-cut churches in Lalibela and visits to unique ethnic groups of Ethiopia in the Omo Valley; benchafrica.com.

Biking around the Dolomites.

Biking around the Dolomites.

EUROPE

ITALY

From Bolzano in the Dolomites to Venice

THE EXPERIENCE: Utracks' eight-day, self-guided, 275-kilometre cycle begins in the mountains of South Tyrol in Italy's north. It winds through alpine pastures, along rivers, between spectacular peaks and mountain resorts, then sweeps along cycle-friendly roads through valleys and vineyards to the Venetian plain and Venice. Utracks assesses this potentially hard ride with its 2010-metre total ascent as easy to moderate, thanks to that booming mode of transport, the e-bike.

Five years ago, such European adventures were for the robust. Now, companies like Utracks offer e-bikes on many of their guided and self-guided journeys and the hills are alive. The pedal-assisted eight-gear Shimano Nexus e-bike allows you to set your own pace. It also allows time to appreciate scenery like the Dolomites' Three Peaks of Lavaredo, explore chic ski resorts like Cortina d'Ampezzo, or kick back with a spritz in the prosecco capital of Valdobbiadene.

IDEAL FOR: Couples, families of different abilities or older cyclists.

PRICE: From $1730 a person; utracks.com.

-ALISON STEWART

LIKE THIS? Try a challenging 90-kilometre high-level walking and hiking circuit in Andorra. Known as the Coronallacs, it's said to rival the Tour du Mont Blanc for scenery and effort; coronallacs.com.

Snowmobiling is a popular guest activity at Harriniva Holiday Centre.

Snowmobiling is a popular guest activity at Harriniva Holiday Centre.Credit: Mark Daffey

FINLAND

Harriniva Hotel

THE EXPERIENCE: If you've ever hankered for a genuine white Christmas, then this is the place to have it. This family-owned resort in Finland's Arctic region is more cozy than luxurious, and you've come for the adventure.

Open year-round, the fun rises during winter, when temperatures dip well below freezing. Feathery snowflakes drift from the heavens by the bucket load, leaving the surrounding conifer and birch forests looking as if they've been wrapped in cotton wool.

Activities include adrenalin-charged husky sledding and snowmobile excursions, and ice karting across the river's frozen surface. An extensive network of cross-country ski trails fans out through the forest and evening snowshoe hikes are timed to maximise sightings of the Northern Lights. Ice-fishing, reindeer sleigh rides and wilderness cooking classes over an open hearth inside a tepee-like kota make for one merry Christmas indeed.

Stay in one of 64 pine-clad rooms, some with private saunas or in a cabin along the banks of the Muonio River, on the Finland-Sweden border. The restaurant offers local flavour, as does the bar, which attracts patrons from outside the hotel. And there's nothing more invigorating – or Finnish – than an icy dip in the river following an Aurora Wellness Centre sauna experience.

IDEAL FOR: Families.

PRICE: From $160 a room, activities extra; harriniva.fi.

-MARK DAFFEY

LIKE THIS? Stay in Norway's Lyngen Lodge, inside the Arctic Circle, from which guests commute by yacht to virgin ski slopes tumbling down into the Lyngen Fjord; lyngenlodge.com.

Mana Island, Fiji

Mana Island, Fiji

ASIA

MANA ISLAND, FIJI

North side of Mana

THE EXPERIENCE: Sydney-based Ocean Swim Safaris runs the annual Mana Fiji SwimFest (October 23-28), which includes two days of swim races and solo swims of one to 10 kilometres.

Whether racing or cruising, enjoy balmy 28ËšC water, turtles and schools of colourful fish. The only requirement is being able to swim one kilometre without stopping. Mana also offers scuba diving, sailing and reef snorkelling straight off the beach.

The Mana Spa is all tranquil indulgence, as is dozing off on the deck of your beachfront bure. Follow that with happy hour at the Vonu Bar and dinner under the stars at Kura Spa restaurant.

IDEAL FOR: Combining a tropical holiday with a swimming goal.

PRICE: From $2087; oceanswimsafaris.com.

-PIP COATES

LIKE THIS? Swim the Sibenik archipelago of Croatia's Dalmatian Coast; swimtrek.com.

Climber Andrew Lock.

Climber Andrew Lock.Credit: Rohan Thomson

SEVEN QUESTIONS FOR...

ANDREW LOCK, author and mountaineer

Favourite holiday activity? The excitement of exploring new terrain and experiencing new thrills. I'm not the type to sit on the beach but show me a national park, river or mountain bike trail … you get the picture. I can relax at home.

Preferred reading material? Books, for sure. Even when weight is critical on my expeditions, I always sneak in a few good books. Preferably non-fiction, maybe a biography or an account of some early Himalayan or polar explorers.

Cook in or dine out? At home I cook in but when I travel I eat out as much as I can, to experience local food cooked the local way.

Favourite travel gadget? I'm a multi-tool addict. My latest is a Leatherman with all the accessories – even MacGyver couldn't compete with this.

On the plane, do you drink or not? Drink. I love flying but I struggle to sleep. So it's on with the headphones to settle in for a movie marathon. The odd drink is quite permissible.

Your worst holiday? Nepal back in the 1980s. Hygiene was rudimentary and I picked up a succession of stomach bugs over a two-month period. I was so weak, I had to be helped up the stairs onto the plane on departure.

Favourite travel hack? Halve your luggage when packing, then halve it again. You can always pick up what you need over there but the freedom of a light pack is liberating.

-JULIETTA JAMESON

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