34 six of the best ADVENTURE destinations


Adventure holidays aren’t always about extreme sports or remote wildernesses, but rather the opportunity to indulge in an unusual, daring or exciting experience, says Laura Gelder


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landscapes has reignited New Zealand’s appeal as an adventure destination. This make a plethora of experiences and activities possible, despite the relatively compact size of the country. A recent video collaboration between Tourism New Zealand and Red Bull shows someone skydiving, snowboarding, mountain-biking, bungy jumping and jet boating – all on the same day! SELL IT: Explore’s Walking in New Zealand option is a 20-day adventure starting in Auckland and ending in Christchurch, with highlights including Abel Tasman National Park, Mount Cook and Milford Sound. The small group tour is from £4,850pp with flights. explore.co.uk


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Peru is made for adventures. The lofty mountain peaks of the Andes draw trekkers and climbers who wind their way through the Cordillera Blanca past alpine lakes and Andean villages. Back down in the humid lowlands is the Amazon Basin with its rivers and jungle – hosting an incredible biodiversity – and the Peruvian desert, with sand boarding in the dunes and surfing off the beaches. SELL IT: G Adventures has an eight-day Peru itinerary incorporating the spectacular Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu. Beginning and ending in the former Inca capital of Cusco, it includes four nights’ hotel accommodation and three nights’ camping. From £769pp, excluding flights. gadventures.co.uk


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PERU Another country known for its varied topography,


NEW ZEALAND The Hobbit trilogy which showcased the epic


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SCOTLAND A great domestic option for adventurers,


Scotland’s highlands are popular with trekkers and bikers, who can attempt the UK’s highest peak, Ben Nevis, or the entire West Highland Way. Scotland has over 790 offshore islands, some of which have white-sand beaches which would put their Caribbean counterparts to shame. Sailing and kayaking on Scotland’s lochs and surrounding seas is great for novices and experts alike. SELL IT: Wilderness Scotland now sells through the trade with commission starting at 10%. Its five-night sea- kayaking adventure on Scotland’s West Coast is from £775pp (mid-June departure). The itinerary is based from a hostel but camping is possible. It’s suited to those with some kayaking experience. wildernessscotland.com


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ANTARCTICA An expedition cruise to Antarctica isn’t for the


faint-hearted as it involves a few days at sea before an impressive cast of pristine mountains and bays, penguins and whales, glaciers and sunsets come into view. Highlights often include the jumping-off point, Ushuaia (the southern-most city in the world) the Drake Passage and the South Shetland Islands for bird watching. SELL IT: An Antarctic Circle Quest expedition cruise includes 12 nights onboard a perfectl comfortable ship. The itinerary takes in the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula and unlike some cruises to the region it also crosses the Antarctic Circle. It departs from Ushuaia in Argentina and is priced from £6,200, excluding flights. exodus.co.uk


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SOUTH AFRICA Extreme sports are no newcomer to South Africa,


which until recently had the world’s highest bungy jump. But adventures aren’t just for adrenaline junkies. Safari options abound, of course, and can be done by jeep, horseback or walking. But wildlife lovers can also swim with seals in Plettenberg Bay, see great white sharks and penguins and even ride ostriches. Soft adventures perfect for families range from zip-lining to quad biking. SELL IT: KE Adventure’s guided Garden Route Family Adventure in South Africa covers almost 500 miles between Port Elizabeth and Cape Town. It’s suitable for children aged eight and over. There’s the chance to swim most days. Land- only prices are from £1,495pp. keadventure.com


few words but the USA’s adventure options are extensive, well managed and accessible to all. National parks like Yosemite, Yellowstone and the Rocky Mountains offer great hiking trails and camping facilities. Watersports lovers can raft on the serious white-water of the Colorado River or sail off the coast of Florida. Wildernesses range from the swamps of the Deep South to the arid deserts of Arizona and Nevada. Your clients can also ski in the mountains of Utah or surf off the beaches of Hawaii. SELL IT: Grand American Adventures’ 12-day Alaskan Adeventure departs Anchorage and takes in Denali National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park, with stays in rustic cabins in the Alaska Range and a wilderness camp in the remote Kachemak Bay. grandamericanadventures.com


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USA It’s hard to sum up such a huge country in these


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