Such experiences whether an expedition or outdoor sports adventure are generally undertaken in remote, testing or sometimes even extreme conditions that entail a degree of risk, exploration, self-challenge and discovery.
By nature, venturing into the unknown and unfamiliar calls for a certain boldness to overcome fears, confront uncertainty and push oneself beyond usual limits.
The goal is not simply to reach a destination. More so, going on an adventure is about stepping outside of your comfort zone to test yourself and challenge your abilities.
Where do we start!
First up, we love how adventures show us what we’re truly capable of and, in fact, how able we really are.
Some advocate that adventures help us live well. How? Well, amongst the benefits, adventures:
- make us feel more alive, awake and free.
- fuel us with energy and exhilaration through exploration and discovery.
- enable us to learn and grow through new experiences and challenges.
- infuse us with courage as we learn to confront our fears.
- teach us about persistence and how to keep going rather than give up.
- show us how to embrace uncertainty and adapt to changing circumstances.
- push us to think outside of the box and find novel solutions to problems.
- train us to trust our own instincts, build inner strength and resilience.
- allow for introspection that enables us to discover new aspects of ourselves.
- broaden our horizons by exposing us to new cultures, skills and undertakings.
- help us appreciate the world and people around us on a deeper level.
- invigorate us with a sense of accomplishment that makes us feel empowered.
- deliver remarkable experiences, great achievements and lasting memories.
Given the above, it’s easy to see how injecting a little more adventure into our lives stretches our potential and helps us live more fully.
What constitutes an adventure is different for everyone but, fundamentally, it should start with a purpose.
For instance, some people are turned on by the idea of trekking through a mountain pass in a remote corner of the planet. Others get a sense of excitement from the thought of navigating a dense rainforest, polar area, open waters or desert landscape.
Either way, it helps to understand your values, motivations, interests and preferred level of challenge. You can then look into activities and locations that match your preferences.
With this in mind, it’s easy to appreciate why adventure travel often involves physical activities that test oneself whether it be climbing, cycling, hiking, sailing, kayaking or other activities that push the boundaries.
To begin, consider why you want to do the trip and what you hope to get out of it. Ask yourself, what type of adventure is likely to spruce up my life, shake me out of my daily comforts and make me feel more alive and connected?
Adventure trips comprise a broad, varied range of experiences and activities.
While some are mild, others are more extreme. Before jumping in, it therefore pays to be mindful of your skills and capabilities so you can choose a trip with the right level of activity.
Whatever your pursuit, make sure to do your homework, plan and prepare. However, to get your creative juices flowing, below is a list of popular adventure activities.
- Explorations
- Trekking
- Running
- Cycling
- Motor biking
- Canoeing
- Sailing
- Scuba diving
- Rafting
- Rowing
- Swimming
- Paddle boarding
- Surfing
- Coasteering
- Mountaineering
- Rock climbing
- Skiing
- Snowboarding
- Dog sledding
- Horseback riding
- Hot air ballooning
- Paragliding
- Skydiving
- Zip lining
- Bungee jumping
- Overlanding
- Canyoning
- Caving
- Camping
- Cultural expeditions
- Wildlife watching
- Mixed activities
It’s crucial to pack wisely and as light as possible.
Here’s a free adventure packing checklist that you can tailor for your trip.
Not to mince words, there are certain risks involved in adventure travel. It’s why you must conduct as much research as you can during the planning stage.
Risk management and putting safety first is a priority. Prior to setting out, factors to take into account include the following:
- Routes
- Itinerary
- Transportation
- Climate
- Security
- Local customs
- Language
- Health warnings
- Visas
- Insurance
- Equipment
- Fitness
- Nutrition
- Skills
- Budgets
It goes without saying that you should avoid conflict zones.
Plus, it’s a good idea to take photocopies of important documents (and leave copies at home) in case of theft or loss while on the road.
Part of having a rewarding experience is to ensure whatever you decide is right for you. After weighing up everything, never be afraid to reset parameters, seek clarification or ask more questions if you need too.
Adventure travel is often about trusting your instincts and planning meticulously, while also preparing yourself competently.
Feeling uncertain or apprehensive is perfectly normal.
Adventure and discomfort generally go hand-in-hand. Taking a leap of faith and jumping into a situation that’s unfamiliar or unknown is disconcerting. That said, life becomes far more interesting if you dare to conquer your fears and take the plunge.
So what do we suggest? Well, if you find yourself in a predicament where your fears are holding you back, take one committing action. AKA, purchase an airline ticket or book your place on that wild group adventure. Making such a significant commitment tends to be the hardest part of the journey. That being said, it’s what will shift you from thinking about it to actually doing.
Next, don’t overthink it but, instead, direct your energy and excitement into organising your outdoor adventure. Get into the nuts and bolts and build confidence by acquiring the knowledge and making arrangements. The point here is to focus on what you can control, not what you can’t.
Another tip is to surround yourself with supportive people. A good support team will help to push and propel you forward. Besides, it’s always beneficial to hang out with those of a positive mindset. Not only that, but they will also hold you accountable.
Yeah, we get it. Financial barriers are what often holds people back.
That said, many people who participate in adventures rarely have access to unlimited funds. What they do have, though, is willpower. Think about it. Professional explorers and trailblazers don’t let being cash-strapped stop them.
Nonetheless, you do need to figure out how much you need. Work out expenses like your:
- Flights
- Accommodation
- Activities
- Transfers and transport
- Visa/s
- Vaccinations
- Equipment
- Food
- Incidentals
Once you’ve an estimate, do not fret is you don’t have sufficient savings or earn enough to cover expected costs. Instead, think like a seasoned adventurer. Get proactive and find a way.
To this end, here are things you perhaps can do to finance your experience:
- Set up an adventure fund, cut costs and save.
- Fundraise through family, friends and work mates.
- Apply to a grant-giving organisation.
- Attain the financial backing of a charitable trust.
- Approach corporate sponsors with a unique selling point.
- Seek sponsorship-in-kind, e.g. for kit, gear, travel, insurance, etc.
- Run a crowdfunding campaign.
Should you secure funding from external sources, remember to thank your sponsors as gratitude goes along way.
Adventure sponsorship is a two-way relationship so it’s a good idea to give thought to what you can offer any sponsors in return, e.g.
- blog exposure
- social media advertising
- reports and articles for their company use
- photos and videos
- product reviews
- joint awareness for an important cause.
Blazing a Trail is a campaign to help those with an adventurous spirit discover the power of amazing experiences.
Expeditions, outdoor adventures and off-the-beaten track travel are not only a great way to challenges ourselves, but they help us build self-confidence, resilience and fulfilment.
Even better, adventure travel may give us a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
It’s great that you’re plucking up the courage to live more adventurously!
If you’ve got the guts, here’s some places and spaces to find more support and information.
You might also like our ‘Hit Lists.‘ They’re compilations of our favourite resources for adventurers from books and podcasts to masterclasses and much more.
