The ‘adventure holiday’ is something of a recent phenomenon, but it’s a well-established market. In this article, we’ll name three stellar experiences that embody the spirit of adventure in all possible ways.
Before we kick off, let’s take a moment to acknowledge the pioneers of adventurous travel. People like Roy Sullivan, a US park ranger. Roy was struck seven times by lightning on seven different occasions. After the second strike, he began compiling an inventory of all the great, adventure-spirited things there were to do in the world – a list that has since been augmented by many passionate travellers (you can see it here). Or Karl Bushby, who’s been walking around the world since 1998 (he’s in Russia, 17,000 miles on). What separates us from these kinds of epic journeymen? Nothing! So here are some ideas to get you started.
- The Running of the Bulls, Pamplona.
Every year, from the 6th to the 14th of July, the fiestas of San Fermin dominate the streets of Pamplona, in the Navarra region of Spain. At the heart of this gaudy, joyous festival – of which the colour red pays a vital and central part – is the Encierro, or ‘Bull Run’. “What’s so adventurous about watching a bunch of bulls running around?” I hear you cry. In response: how would you like to be running around with them?
The Encierro is rooted in Spanish bullring history, but that’s not likely to fuss you much as you pelt the best part of a kilometer around Pamplona’s ancient streets pursued by several tons of furious cattle. While there are professional bull “shepherds” and dobladores (“bullfighters”) knocking around, they’re mainly there for crowd reassurance and control. As anyone who’s been in a confined space with a bull knows, there’s little that can be done to tackle the animal itself.
You can pick up official package holidays (so long as you’re over 18, fit and not averse to potential goring by frenzied beasts) on the Bull Run website. Good luck, and remember to post some pictures once you’re done. Extra points for getting a bull to autograph it, too.
- Adventure cruises
While a cruise may not be the first thing to spring to mind when pushed for an adventurous travel angle, there’s a lot to be said about ship-based extreme voyaging. For one, a cruise allows you to visit loads of destinations in a single trip, and could be coordinated with, say, Sullivan’s bucket list to deliver you to various wife-carrying running races (Eukonkanto) and near-death experience celebrations (like the one held in Santa Marta) around the world.
Moreover, cruises are often adventurous by their very nature. The Galapagos Islands allow you to capture spectacularly tame wildlife on camera (though don’t keep your hopes for Dodo-spotting high), Alaskan cruises would let you see Alaska’s oceans that are stuffed full of whales and it’s rumored there are some pretty tall mountains in South America. Keep it in mind.
- Meet the locals.
“Bustling Bangkok, vibrant Chiang Mai, hill-tribe trek, remote ethnic minorities, elephant trekking, bamboo river rafting.” There’s enough to whet any appetite. What extreme traveler’s journal would be complete without at least a passing reference to ingratiating oneself with native tribes? Taking time to get to know people might not seem all that extreme, but living among folk whose existence is so radically estranged from your idea of normality can challenge you, open your eyes and give you some new perspective on life. Hit up any one of the many adventure tours websites to engage a knowledgeable and friendly guide who’ll help you chart some unknown territory. Or, perhaps combine with a cruise to take in a few different native cultures in close proximity. It’ll change your ideas of what it means to be human – or, at the very least, help you find some penpals with a very different angle on everything.
