Best Adventure Holiday Destinations Around The World
From climbing Kilimanjaro to sailing around the Greek Islands, I’ve got some of the best adventure holiday destinations for thrillseekers and culture vultures.
Fancy a ride through Saigon on a vintage Vespa, or trekking to Everest Base Camp? Perhaps waterfall rappelling in Costa Rica is more your thing – it sounds pretty impressive anyway! Adventure holidays usually involve some challenging activities, but they can range from cruising around the Galapagos Islands in a luxury yacht, to climbing the 618 steps on Skellig Michael! I have listed some of my top adventure holiday destinations below, which include top attractions as well as authentic experiences off the beaten track.
Adventure for some means getting outdoors and hiking, while for others it could be tasting unique foods in Asia. I have tours where you stay with local families and jungle lodges, but I also have luxury adventure holidays and cruises too. Hopefully there will be something here to inspire you to take your next adventure!
1. Everest Base Camp
For many, the ultimate adventure holiday involves some sort of achievement at the end – whether that is cycling across Europe, walking the Camino, or trekking to see the gorillas in Rwanda.
Trekking to Everest Base Camp and climbing Kilimanjaro are arguably two of the most exhilarating adventure holidays, and they may be more accessible than you think.
Dublin-based company Earth’s Edge organises small-group adventure expeditions to Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Base Camp, Kilimanjaro, and many more high-altitude destinations. They are the only company in the world that has an expedition leader and doctor on all expeditions.
Prices: 18 days Everest Base Camp from €4699pp and 12 days Kilimanjaro trek from €5099pp include a training weekend, flights, transfers, accommodation, park fees, meals.
See more here2. The Galapagos Islands
In the age of sustainable tourism, the remote Galápagos Islands are the holy grail. Some of its creatures are found nowhere else in the world, and visitor numbers are restricted, making them even more appealing for adventure lovers.
Located off the coast of Ecuador, the best way to visit the islands is by cruise ship. Many cruise companies have expedition ships, including luxury cruiseline, Celebrity Cruises whose Celebrity Xpedition ship holds just 48 people.
You can also book a small group tour (max 16) which includes flights and overnights in Quito, as well as adventure activities such as snorkelling, and a hike up to the SIerra Negra Volcano, one of the world’s largest craters.
Price: 9 night trip from €4869 includes flights, accommodation, speed boat and all transfers, selected meals and excursions.
See more here3. Rwanda
Seeing the mountain gorillas in Rwanda was one of my best travel experiences. It was on my bucket list for a long time and I finally got to see them this year. The gorilla trek is surprisingly suitable for most fitness levels, and I think anyone looking for unique holiday adventures would love it.
Rwanda offers much more than just gorilla trekking, with National Parks such as Akagera which have the Big 5. You can also enjoy a host of watersports on Lake Kivu, and visit its fascinating capital, Kigali.
We booked our trip with Travel Counsellors who organised a private guide to collect us in Kigali and bring us to Volcanoes National Park for the gorilla trekking. Trips to the game reserves and Lake Kivu can also be arranged.
See more here4. Antarctica
Wouldn’t it be nice to follow in Tom Crean’s footsteps and see glaciers, icebergs, and incredible wildlife in one of the world’s most unspoilt destinations?
Irish travel agency John Galligan Travel specialise in Antarctica cruises and include everything from a limo from your home to the airport, all flights, transfers, hotels and an all-inclusive, ultra-luxury expedition cruise with Silversea Cruises.
Price: 12 Nights from €11,200, Includes 2 Nights Santiago, 10 Night All Inclusive Cruise, gratuities, WiFi and more.
See more hereG Adventures offers less expensive options on their own G Expedition ships but flights, drinks, gratuities and selected excursions are excluded. Prices from €4514pp.
See more here5. Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a country on my own bucket list. As well as spectacular scenery and amazing beaches, it is a top destination for adventure tourism. This 16-day small group tour brings you to Costa Rica’s volcanoes, rainforests and beaches, and balances excursions with plenty of free time.
You will visit Manuel Antonio National Park where you can swim or kayak through the mangroves, or even take surfing or sailing lessons.
A visit to the Arenal Volcano will surely be a highlight where you can enjoy activities such as rafting or waterfall rappelling while you spend two nights in a Jungle Lodge in the Sarapiqui Rainforest. You will also get the opportunity to walk across the Sky Walk and zipline through the jungle!
The tour ends with a few days in the coastal town of Puero Viejo de Talamanca where you can relax and snorkel in the Caribbean Sea.
Price: 15 Nights from €2699pp includes flights, accommodation, selected meals and excurions.
See more here6. India
TDactive Explore tours allow you to visit top attractions but also offer plenty of adventure for active travellers. This epic tour combines iconic sights such as the Taj Mahal with rural Indian experiences – this epitomises what adventure holidays are all about.
Cycle through the streets of Old Delhi at sunrise, and later through the Indian countryside to see spectacular views of the Taj Mahal. Enjoy a guided tour of the pink city of Jaipur, hike between ancient forts there, and take a tuk-tuk ride back to your homestay afterwards.
As well as seeing India’s highlights, you will discover the true taste of India with an interactive culinary workshop in a local farm and enjoy an early morning yoga class. This trip also includes a flight to Varanasi to take a cruise on the holy Ganga River, where you will witness a Hindu religious ceremony and visit a local weavers village.
Price €2549pp includes flights, transfers, 10 nights accommodation (2 nights in Delhi, Jaipur, Dausa, Agra and Varanasi) on a bed and breakfast basis and 6 evening meals, and excursions.
See more here7. Cambodia & Vietnam
Wendy Wu Go Beyond Tours include destinations off the beaten track with authentic and cultural experiences.
This 21 day tour allows you to discover two fascinating countries in one unforgettable trip. Starting in northern Vietnam, you will hike through the rice terraces of Hoang Su Phi, cycle through the beautiful village of Hoi An, paddle the round basket boats, and try traditional farming with a local farmer.
You will also ride through Saigon on a vintage Vespa, and enjoy a night-time food tour, visit the stunning Halong Bay and the Cu Chi Tunnels.
The highlights continue in Cambodia with a tuk tuk tour around Angkor Wat and a morning cruise on Tonle Sap Lake, visiting a local village and observing the way of life of these lake communities.
Price: €6395 for 21 days includes flights, accommodation, meals, excursions and no single supplement.
See more here8. Route 66
Considered one of the best drives in the world, the American road trip Route 66 is a bucket list adventure holiday for sure.
Spend 15 nights driving from Chicago to Los Angeles and stop in Missouri, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Grand Canyon and Las Vegas, before spending two nights in Santa Monica, where Route 66 officially ends.
Why not add on a few nights in a Dude Ranch for the ultimate American adventure holiday.
Price of €2999pp includes return flights, fully inclusive car rental, and hotels as per the itinerary. Duration, hotels and route can be changed to suit your requirements.
See more here9. South Africa
South Africa is one of my favourite holiday destinations and the iconic South African road trip is one of the best adventure holidays with family as well as friends.
I suggest you start your holiday with a minimum of three nights in Cape Town. See Cape Town from the top of Table Mountain, visit Robben Island, dine at the V&A Waterfront and take a spin as far as the Cape of Good Hope.
Read: How to plan the perfect South African road trip
Once you leave Cape Town you can choose to visit the nearby Winelands for a couple of nights or drive along the Garden Route stopping in the whale watching town of Hermanus, the beach resort ot Plettenberg Bay and the beautiful town of Knysna.
Read: Top 5 South Africa holidays from Ireland – Price from €1699
I visited a lesser-known gem called Cape St Francis – make sure to put that piece of heaven on your ist too. Your final stop is usually a game reserve, and there are many to choose from, depending on your budget.
This fully guided tour with Travel Department includes a stay at the luxurious Kariega Game Reserve with meals and excursions and you can save a further €75pp with my code TTE75
See more here10. Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is one of Asia’s most diverse countries and one I would return to in a heartbeat. As well being a top adventure holiday destination, it is packed with 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, wonderful wildlife, stunning scenery and beautiful beaches.
One of the top activities to do in Sri Lanka is to climb the 660-feet tall rock fortress of Sigiriya. I did this many years ago and it was a moment I will never forget! Sri Lanka is also home to the highest concentration of leopards in the world and it is one of the best places to see elephants – there are almost 6,000 of them in Sri Lanka.
Read: Top 10 things to do in Sri Lanka
There are many package holidays to Sri Lanka that usually include a beach stay, but you can make your own adventure by taking the train from Kandy to Ella, spending some time in the cultural centre, Yala National Park and the stunning Tea Plantations.
I have linked two holidays below, a beach stay with safari where you can add on stays as above, and a guided adventurous tour that includes most of the highlights.
Safari & Beach See Guided Tour11. Canada
Did you know that Canada is the second largest country in the world? It goes without saying that a country packed with great cities and a vast wilderness is ideal for an adventure holiday. There are many parts of Canada to choose from but Alberta’s jaw dropping lakes and mountains provide amazing adventure holidays for families and adults.
Read: Top Canada Holidays in Alberta – Rocky Mountains, Banff, Lake Louise & More
A trip that is on my bucket list is a self-drive road trip from Calgary to Edmonton, through the heart of the Canadian Rockies, visiting Banff, Jasper and Lake Louise. Driving the Icefields Parkway is a must, as is a ride on the Ice Explorer onto the glacier and a walk the Glacier Skywalk. White water rafting and grizzly bear spotting can only add to the adventure!
This trip from Tropical Sky takes in all of the highlights as well as a two-night stay in Waterton Lakes National Park – a lake cruise here will bring you into Glacier National Park Montana USA.
Price: 10 Nights from €2229 including flights, hotels and car hire.
See more hereAdventure Holidays Europe
With most European countries easily accessibly with direct flights, adventure holidays in Europe are becoming more and more popular. I have selected a small sample to tempt you below.
12. Iceland
Iceland has been a popular destination for many years, particularly during the winter time, as visitors chase the northern lights. However, visiting Iceland during the summer does have its advantages. It has 18 – 23 hours of daylight, so there is more time to explore its natural wonders! It is packed with hot springs, glaciers and fjords, and visiting them during warmer temperatures is a lot more pleasurable.
Read: Top 10 Coolcations in Europe to avoid high temperatures
The remote highlands and Westfjords are spectacular, you will find glaciers, volcanoes, fjords and waterfalls here, it is Iceland at its best, and a paradise for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. Iceland is one of the best places in Europe to go whale watching and the summer is the best time to see them.
There are daily flights from Dublin to Reykjavik with Iceland Air and five times weekly with Play Airlines, so it is a destination that is easy to book independently depending on your own holiday style.
Search Flights Search hotels13. Croatia
When I think of the type of adventure holiday in Europe that I would like – this is right up there. Croatia has a stunning coastline and what better way to appreciate it than on a bicycle.
I came across this seven-night trip along the Dalmatian Coast where you can visit the beautiful islands of Hvar and Korcula by bike and ferry too. You can choose to upgrade to an e-bike for a more relaxed experience.
Read: Best places to stay in Croatia
See more here14. Greek Islands
Adventure holidays can be relaxing and luxurious too and I can’t think of a better summer adventure than sailing to some of Greece’s most idyllic islands.
Read: 20 Top tips for Island hopping in Greece
This small group tour is one of G Adventures Geluxe tours where you stay in premium hotels and enjoy more inclusions and meals than their standard tours.
Your trip starts in the Greek capital where you visit the Acropolis and overnight before setting off on an adventure to some of Greece’s most unspoilt islands. Visit the lesser-known Tinos and Naxos by ferry, hike to traditional villages, enjoy a food tour and sailing and snorkeling trip before finishing your trip in Santorini, where you can choose to hike from Fira to Oia or enjoy a scenic drive with a guide.
Price: 9 nights €4599 including accommodation, transfers,meals and excursions. Excludes flights.
See more here15. Italy
When locals built terraces on top of small fishing villages in Liguria in the 11th century, little did they know that the Cinque Terre would become a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most famous coastal trails in the world. I was fortunate to visit three of the five villages, and hiking between them is the best way to explore the whole area.
The 11 km Blue Trail connects Riomaggiore to Monterosso al Mare and is a combination of easy paved paths and steep climbs. It may not be long, but the idea is to hike between the villages and spend time in each one for a combination of adventure and relaxation.
Read: Where to stay in the Cinque Terre and top things to do
From hiking the Cinque Terre to exploring the medieval town of Matera, exploring the Dolomites to walking the Tuscan hills, Italy is a country that is ideal for an adventure holiday in Europe.
Search Flights Search hotelsI hope my top adventure holiday destinations will help you plan some holiday adventures soon. While every effort was made to ensure accuracy, descriptions and prices are subject to change. Some of the links in this post contain affiliate links where I receive a small commission if a booking is made, but at no additional cost to you.
