Adventure Holidays

What Are Adventure Holidays?
Adventure Holidays are a type of niche tourism generally involving exploration or travel to remote areas, where the traveller should expect the unexpected. Adventure travel, synonymous with backpacking, has experienced rapid growth in recent years as tourists seek out unusual holidays. Adventure holidays can also be associated with extreme sports such as snowboarding, cross country skiing, motorbike holidays, ballooning, safaris, river rafting and rock climbing. Many specialist travel agents offer adventure holiday or specialist activity holidays packages.
Can Anyone Be An Adventure Tourist?
Yes. But as an adventure tourist you may require a level of confidence, determination and fitness beyond a traditional package holiday. Adventure pursuits can be dangerous and involve pushing the body into new areas of stamina.
Is Adventure Tourism Popular?
Yes. Adventure holidays combining things like water sports, trekking and mountain-based activities like paragliding are booming all over the world. There are many specialist companies catering for exactly the type of adventure holiday that you need. Whether you need mountains, jungles, deserts, caves or underwater adrenaline rushes there are specialist flight deals, supervised holidays, remote cabin locations and the good news is all of them can be found online.
Can I Take The Family On An Adventure Holiday?
Many firms offer family adventure holiday packages. Adventure holidays can be a great way of improve the confidence of kids and helping them understand about team building, and the different ways of the world. Often family adventure tours can be arranged to exotic regions involving a group of families so it can be a great social occasion for the kids and adults too. Family adventure tours tend to be set at a different pace and should accommodate the different needs of the mixed age groups.

Where Are Adventure Holidays Popular?
Everywhere really - from Wales to Patagonia - but extreme tourism is especially booming in the former Soviet Union states such as Russia and the Ukraine. South and Latin America remains a popular destination too with countries like Peru, Guatemala, Chile, Brazil and Argentina offering remote and beautiful terrain to explore. Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Malaysia offer an experience never to be forgotten. While camel tours in Egypt, safari treks in Africa and discovery tours in the Himalayas and Northern Pakistan are the sort of experiences out there waiting to test your character.
Is Travel Insurance Essential For Adventure Holidays?
Yes. Travellers going to remote locations or exotic countries should always take travel insurance including healthcare cover. If you break a leg in a remote location you may need to be airlifted. You could find yourself in need of expensive medical care which insurance will cover. Insurers in some case will even fly relatives out to be by your bedside in the event of an accident or illness. Always shop around and take out the right policy for you. Specialist travel insurance is available for rafting, skiing, snowboarding, backpacking to remote spots and the full range of adventure sports experiences. Insurance will also cover you for the loss or theft of your valuables.
Do I Need Any Vaccinations?
Check what vaccinations you need for your chosen destination with your GP at least six weeks before you travel. Don't wait until a few weeks before leaving to get those vaccinations. Many require time to become effective.
Is The Water Safe To Drink?
Never drink water from a river or stream no matter how clean it looks. Many tourists on adventure trips or visiting foreign countries become very ill from drinking water that hasn't been purified. Always drink bottled water if you can or boil before you drink. Another tip is to take a water purifier, which is both lightweight and compact, and can be used to help sterilize water.
Should I Take A First Aid Kit?
It is a good idea to pack a small first aid kit. Plasters, pain killers, bandages and antiseptic are basics. You can even buy these from the pharmacist ready made up.
Any Other Tips To Stay Safe?
Stay in regular touch with your family and friends in the UK, especially if you are travelling alone or in a remote area. Leave details of your itinerary.
Respect local laws. There may be very serious penalties for breaking a law which might seem trivial to you or for doing something which may not be illegal in the UK. Plane spotting near military sites is not advisable.
Respect local customs and behave and dress appropriately, particularly when visiting religious sites, markets and rural communities. Travel guidebooks, tour operators and hotel staff are all useful sources of information.
Check that what you are bringing back to the UK is legal. You can get more information on bringing back meat, animal products or plants from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Be aware of local attitudes to alcohol and know your own limit. Accidents happen when alcohol is abused and you may become more vulnerable to theft or attack.
Never take drugs in a foreign country. The penalties may be severe including the death penalty.
Do some research. Research areas before travelling to find out about any potential problems.
Try to stay in accommodation in safer areas. In remote areas always close and lock your door at all times. Do not answer the door without verifying who it is.
Do not discuss your travel plans or itinerary publicly.
Travel light if you can in case you need to move fast.
Maintain a low profile by looking like a person of modest means. Dress down or very conservatively, and leave expensive items at home.
Be alert for people who may be watching your movements, and try to vary your routine. If you think you're being followed, step inside a shop or other safe place and wait to see whether the person passes by.
Try to look as though you know where you are going as this will prevent you from looking like a target.
Try to avoid dark or isolated areas.
Be cautious about hitch-hiking. Try not to hitch-hike at night. Although not advisable if you must hitch-hike, always hitch in pairs and be aware that drivers may expect payment in some areas.
Keep valuables, including passports and money, in a money belt concealed under your clothes or use hotel safes.
Take a mobile phone for emergencies and try to keep it concealed when not in use.
Keep some money in an outside pocket to avoid fumbling through your purse or money belt. Never wave around a sizeable wad of cash in public.
How Do I Prevent Insect Bites?
Adventure travellers in remote areas run the risk of diseases and illness from nasty insects. Malaria is the most well-known one but there are plenty of other horrible diseases carried by insects. The important thing is to research the areas properly where you are going. Take all necessary vaccinations. Teach yourself about the symptoms and what to look out for. You can also do a lot by being aware, using repellent, wearing suitable clothes. Always seek treatment immediately if you are concerned about the possibility of illness from an insect bite.
How Do I Prevent Sickness and Diarrhoea?
Stomach illnesses are common problems for westerners travelling in the third world but there are lots of sensible precautions you can take. You should aim to keep to a bland diet, eat well cooked food, and avoid dirty restaurants. You can also ask where any food is from. Try and eat local food and food which is popular with the locals. Always peel fruit. Avoid buffet food. Boil water and milk. Never eat reheated food especially rice. Try and eat food that you have seen being cooked yourself.
What Other Things Can I Do To Be Prepared For An Adventure Trip?
Get a good guidebook.
Check the news for reports of problems in the places that you plan to visit such as terrorism or kidnapping.
Take a valid European Health Insurance Card with you if travelling within the European Economic Area. The EHIC can offer free or reduced-cost emergency medical treatment, and can be obtained from any post office, online or by telephone. Make sure you apply for an EHIC before you go.
Check your passport is valid for your full stay if you are going on a lengthy trip.
Check entry requirements for British nationals with the Embassy/High Commission of the country that you are visiting. Get all necessary visas and permits before you go.
If you plan to work abroad, obtain a valid work permit before you leave. Check this out.
If you plan to drive abroad find out about the laws and driving licence requirements of the country to be visited.
Take enough money for your trip.
Take photocopies of important documents (e.g. passport, visas, tickets, medical certificates, driving licence) and keep them separately.
Consider taking a padlock and chain or a security harness to secure your baggage at airports, railway stations, on buses, etc.
Got Any Good Adventure Travel Recommendations?
Read Review Centre reviews which offer tips on adventure holiday destinations and specialist providers but here's a few tips to wet your appetite:
Andes
The famous Inca Trail is a super way to trek the Andes. You could always try a boat trip down the Amazon River.
Kenya
A hot air balloon trip in an African country gives you a special view of the wildlife and scenery.
Great Barrier Reef
Go scuba diving off the Great Barrier Reef
Iceland
Go whale watching in Iceland.
Chile
You could take a motorcycle through Chile and Peru and follow in the footsteps of Che Guevara.
Australia
Take a four wheel drive out into the Australian outback.
Alaska
Take a dog sled holiday across Alaska.