For many, a vacation is time to relax and unwind. Perhaps this means sipping your favourite tipple whilst listening to the crackles and pops of a roaring fire in the winelands? Maybe strolling barefoot along a golden sandy beach is more to your liking?
As much as we love these types of trips at TripMapper, we do crave an adventure every now and then. We have set out our top 5 adventurous experiences to date if you are so inclined!
Western Cape, South Africa.
Bloukrans Bungy Jump
Disclaimer signed and harnessed up we made our way to the bridge. The music was pumping and the nervous energy running through our veins. One by one we were called to take our position.
Making small talk with the guy who was making sure you were securely fastened may not be the most sensible thing to do, but it was a required distraction. Then…3,2,1 BUNGY!!
Launching yourself into the Bloukrans River Valley 200 metres below is nothing short of exhilarating. Whilst dangling and waiting to be ‘collected’ you will be overcome with a sense of triumph (and relief!). Be sure to muster up the courage to take in your surroundings, the view of the valley is breathtaking beautiful.
To find out more check out Face Adrenalin.
Kauai, Hawaii, United States of America.
Exploring Kauai by Helicopter
The island of Kauai is known as the ‘Garden Island’ for a reason. It is draped in lush green valleys, jagged cliffs, cascading waterfalls and tropical rainforest.
The helicopter tour is the ultimate way to see the dramatic beauty of the island. It is not a tour for the faint hearted but the amazing views will soon alleviate any pre-flight nerves. The Napali coast with its seacliffs plummetting into the vast turquoise waters of the Pacific ocean is a natural wonder to behold. Hawaii at its most dramatic.
If you fancy taking to the air we have listed a few tour providers below:
Big Island, Hawaii, United States of America.
Manta Ray Night Snorkel
Once aboard the boat we sped through the ocean as though chasing the setting sun. The pinkish purple sky with the luminous orange sun just peaking out from the horizon was the perfect start to this special encounter. Watching these majestic ocean giants gracefully glide through the water was truly mesmerising.
During our experience we held on to a floatation device to view the mantas from above. When picking a tour company for the manta ray experience please ensure it is one of Hawaii Ocean Watch’s preferred activity providers. These providers practice the highest ecological standards to create marine-life friendly encounters.
Anavilhanas National Park, Brazil.
An Amazon Adventure
The Amazon is an incredibly unique place. It is the world’s largest rainforest and the most biologically diverse place on earth. As one of earth’s last refuges for many species, you will feel incredibly blessed to spot a pink river dolphin, a sloth or a poison dart frog in their native habitat.
Calmly drifting along the River Negro whilst listening to a symphony of chirps, callings and rustling leaves is simply magical. You will not leave the Amazon Rainforest without feeling a sense of awe and having a strong desire to protect it.
We stayed at Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge for our Amazon experience. Offering a mix of adventure and relaxation, it is definitely worth checking out.
Bali, Indonesia.
Sunrise trek up Mount Batur
Mount Batur is an active volcano located on the island of Bali, Indonesia. For years visitors have been hiking to Mount Batur’s summit and we can understand why. An unforgettable sunrise awaits you at the top followed by glorious views of Mount Abang, Mount Agung and the caldera lakes. A fantastic reward for completing the 2 hour ascent.
Our guide kindly cooked us breakfast whilst we took far too many photographs and enjoyed the stunning view. The hard boiled egg, cooked in the steam from the volcano, a sliced banana sandwich and a caramel chocolate bar were an usual, but very welcome, energy boost. Ensure you keep your breakfast goodies away from the mount’s monkeys; they can be quite feisty!
There are a number of tour companies providing this experience, we have listed a few below. Do not forget a sturdy pair of shoes, a light jacket (the ascent can be chilly) and your camera.
Your TripMapper travel itinerary app will help you plan for and budget for all these epic adventures! Yes, that's right travellers, TripMapper is not just a trip itinerary app, it is a travel budget app too! In our humble opinion, it's the best travel planner app out there!
Editor's notes:
There are still some restrictions on travel due to COVID-19. Please check the latest guidance before booking and departing and always follow local health guidance.
- Before booking with a tour provider please do your research. Check out the provider’s website, read reviews (positive and negative!) and ensure they have strict safety precautions in place.
