Some of the best adventure expeditions combine high-adrenaline thrills with incredibly low visitor numbers — thrill seekers often feel like they have a far-flung corner of the Earth all to themselves (because they essentially do). Prime examples of this sort of trip include the awesome landscapes of New Zealand, Switzerland’s legendary peaks and valleys plus the surreal edge of the Arctic Circle with Canada’s Manitoba. For each, we’ve compiled what you can look forward to.
Franz Josef Glacier
New Zealand
In the minds of many, New Zealand is possibly the mellower little brother to the rowdy continent of Australia. Don’t be fooled — New Zealand is just as wild, if not more so. From spelunking under the cool shimmer of glowworms to launching out of a helicopter for the chance to carve up fresh powder down a mountain, the country is full of awe-inspiring outings. A quick sampler on the possibilities includes the following:
- New Zealand’s glaciers are numerous, magnificent and surprisingly accessible at low altitudes. With all that in mind, a glacier trek across the frigid alien landscape is more of a day trip than an odyssey, thanks to the heli-hiking options of Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier.
- Canyoning is simply enjoying nature’s waterpark, and the Waitakere Ranges in Auckland are overflowing with waterfalls, pools, streams and water-polished chutes for you to splash down.
- Fresh mountain powder is downright addictive to a certain kind of skier or snowboarder; a heli-ski operator will deliver you to frozen Valhalla with a scenic flight to the open bowls and steep chutes of the South Island. Once you’re hovering the untouched mountain of your choice, you’re free for takeoff.
- New Zealand is dotted with challenging peaks for those itching to mountaineer — there are 30 peaks taller than 9,800 feet. Sir Edmund Hillary (of Everest fame) trained on Aoraki/Mount Cook, but if you’re looking to carve your own story, rock-climbing the crags and cliff faces of Wanaka, Taranaki, Canterbury and Wellington are sublime choices.
- You’d be hard-pressed to find another destination as satisfying for spelunking as New Zealand. Walk or float through the otherworldly Waitomo Caves (of glowworm fame) on the North Island for a one-of-a-kind sight or enjoy a guided underground adventure in the South Island’s Nelson.
Five Lakes Walk in Zermatt
Switzerland
You’d think the Swiss Alps are alive with the sound of yodeling, but the most common noise is actually whoops of joy and delight. How could they not be? These typically picturesque white peaks transform into any outdoorsmen’s dream summer vacay the second the snow (mostly) melts, with some 40,000 miles of hiking trails and over 7,000 miles of cycling paths threaded throughout. In this way, there are no shortage of possible views or ways to experience them. Your trip is a kaleidoscope of serene vistas and mountainous play, each day bringing a new twist. Some of those days might entail a combination of the following:
- Hiking the fabled Five Lakes Walk in Zermatt, a six-mile loop that passes by the Stellisee, Grindjisee, Grünsee, Moosjisee and Leisee lakes while also offering constant Matterhorn views. It can feel foolish to declare one hike “the one” out of a country full of surreal hikes, but if you have a side quest to snap the souvenir photo of a lifetime, Five Lakes Walk is a strong contender.
- Mountain-biking down the ridiculously gorgeous Runca Trail in Flims, Laax. It’s a mere 3 to 4 miles, but this flow trail is engineered in such a way that all manner of rider — be they beginner or X-Games material — will find their flow state.
- Road cycling is the obvious alternative for those who prefer their scenic view with minimal bumps in the terrain. Luckily, Switzerland is a paradise for road cycling thanks to its combination of superb roads and unspoilt scenery. Depending on your desire for elevation gain, you have options: Many of the lakes are orbited by level cycling paths, and in the Mittelland you can climb hill after hill imbued with tradition. But, c’mon, you came all the way to Switzerland — don’t you want to try to tackle one or two of the 17 passes stretched across the Alps?
- For those who think cycling up the alps is too gradual a climb, the via ferratas are calling. Italian for “Iron Path,” these protected climbing routes comprise a fixed steel cable as it traces ladders, bridges and ledges fixed into the rock up the mountainside. It is worth considering your fitness level and fear of heights with any of these; thrill-seekers and experts alike will likely be drawn to the thrilling Mürren-Gimmelwald, what with its 600-meter vertical cliff face, long Nepal bridge and literal tightrope walk.
- For those hoping for the soaring views without all the climbing, rest easy knowing that the gondolas These scenic gondolas and cable cars are world-class — and how could they not be? Besides the stunning, one-of-a-kind views, each cable car has something of its own personality. For example: the Titlis Rotair rotates slowly as it ascends Mt. Titlis, while the open-air CabriO Stanserhorn is a double-decker with an open-air balcony that climbs Stanserhorn. On paper both offer a similar experience, yet in execution each is something wholly new and novel.
Polar Bear Tour
Manitoba
Canada’s northernmost territories are the stuff of legend — think Roald Amundsen, the Northwest Passage, neighborhoods comprised of icebergs and only the occasional beluga whale making a splash on the horizon. It is a world away from your everyday; a chance for the spirit of adventure to burn brightest. It’s for that reason that the town of Churchill is such a can’t-miss for the seasoned adventurer. There are no manmade roads to or from Churchill, but it does lie on the migration path of both polar bears and beluga whales, offering you the opportunity to spot wildlife few could ever imagine outside of a zoo.
- With tours to spot polar bears, you have options. One choice is to observe them from the safety of a helicopter in the sky (and this choice provides you with sweeping eagle-eyed views of the vast tundra in all directions), and another is by heavily-armored tundra vehicle (imagine a tour bus built like a tank). The truly fearless might choose a tundra walking tour — with this, an experienced guide will lead you to see the bears at ground level. Even from a safe distance away, it’s difficult not to have goosebumps at the ferocious majesty of these alpha predators.
- In comparison, tours to spot beluga whales are significantly tamer. You’ll only embark by Zodiac boat, zipping across the frigid waters (or depending on the weather, by kayak), to find some of the belugas that regularly visit the Churchill River. The most adventurous of the group will feel compelled to try AquaGliding™: laying flat on a floating mat tethered to the Zodiac, you are at water level with the friendly and ever-curious belugas as they breach to say hello via clicks and chirps.
Trust a Travel Agent with Your Adventure
You wouldn’t embark on any of the above without first doing your research and preparation — add the help of a travel agent to your essentials. Think of them like the rescue flare for airport delays and booking snafus; having a pro always on call means life can never thwart your best-laid plans. That, and our travel agents have strong working relationships with all the leading names in travel, translating to exclusive perks, amenities, discounts and savings you didn’t even know you were missing.
