Adventure Travel - 10 Best Places for Energetic Backpackers

This is a guest post by Poland based travel buddies Agness and Cez. Written in 3rd person and largely unedited by me, except #9 and #10.

When Agness and Cez travel they don't like to sit still – quite literally. For them, exploring the world isn't just about chilling on a beach, taking in a leisurely walking tour or swaying in a hammock (although, that does sound like bliss). They like to get out there and throw caution to the wind and get involved with more active and physical pursuits in each region they visit. It helps that the globetrotting duo are just as keen on health and fitness as they are on travel. They’re no couch potatoes, that’s for sure!

So, with their extensive experience of wandering the earth since 2011, they’ve put together a list of eight destinations that they believe offer an all-round experience for the adventure traveler. They’ve taken into account all kinds of activities and sports, so there’s going to be something here for everyone. Just one word of caution – make sure you’ve got adequate travel insurance before you go!

1. Australia
 You’re going to want to visit this adventure tourism hot-spot, which holds a regular place on such lists and it needs little introduction. With 25,760 kilometres of coastline to explore, you’re going to be spoilt for choice when it comes to activities, including surfing, skydiving and some (seriously) wild camping in the outback – one of the last great frontiers on earth. And don’t forget the Great Barrier Reef for some world-class scuba diving.

Balloon rides over Canberra, ACT

Besides water-sports, you can fly world war 2 planes, helicopters, try hot air balloon ride, try cross country train journey (GHAN), cuddle a Koala and so on. As far as adventure travel goes, Australia has it all.

2. The USA
In a country as vast and as varied as the US, you’re going to find pretty much anything you’re looking for when it comes to an active holiday. From mountain climbing in the Alaskan wilderness, hiking the Appalachian or Pacific Crest Trails, white-knuckle class 5 rafting in Colorado or any one of over 480 ski resorts across the country, you might have to flip a coin to decide!

There’s also some of the best rock-climbing to be had anywhere on earth. It’s no wonder most US citizens don’t have a passport!

3 New Zealand
Famous for its epic, mountainous scenery, and regarded as one of the most beautiful countries in the world, New Zealand has a lot going for it when it comes to the great outdoors. Adventure enthusiasts flocked to the country in the wake of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, keen to experience a similar, challenging journey to that of the Hobbits and co.

Hiking and climbing are extremely popular, but there’s no limit to what you can do here. Oh, and they invented commercial bungee jumping, so you know how crazy these Kiwis really are!

4. Spain
Having recently enjoyed an adventure travel experience in Costa Brava, it would be a sin not to include Spain on our list. With world-class rock climbing right across the country, to mountain-biking and kayaking, as well as Europe's premier skydiving centre, Spain has a good chance at taking the outdoor crown. It's hiking that is the most popular pursuit here though, with hundreds of people undertaking the famous, 780-kilometre Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route each year. Watch out for those blisters! Spain is now even more popular with Indian tourists, after the movie- Zindagi Na Milegi Dubara

Cez flying through the air at Empuriabrava, Spain

5. Kenya
One word – safari. There's an extensive choice for outdoor adventures in Africa, but Kenya has arguably the finest safari experience on the whole continent. Added to that, you're going to be rubbing shoulders with the energetic Maasai tribe – and their traditional jumping dance is enough to tire even the most enthusiastic travellers! Kenya’s little-known coast is also a centre for kite surfing, as well as having some top-quality scuba sites too. But be advised, some of these are quite expensive.

But it's the country's wildlife that people really visit for, and exploring any of the national parks is regarded as the trip of a lifetime.

6. Bolivia 
You've not downhill mountain biked until you've triumphed over the "death road" in Bolivia. A former highway through the jungle, it's so-called because of how many lives it's claimed falling from its narrow gravel track into the ravine below.

But there's more here than simply putting your life on the line in the saddle! The trek to the world-famous salt-flats is adventurous as it gets, through a Martian landscape that NASA astronauts train in. And with a little river called the Amazon cutting through the country – adventure is around every bend here.

7. Costa Rica
For such a small country, Costa Rica packs a big punch when it comes to exploring the great outdoors. And as it's so small, you can cram a lot in during one day, which is extremely useful considering how much is on offer.

The country is known as the birthplace of the zipline, and the pursuit attracts thousands of visitors a year to fly high through the stunning cloud forests, alive with colourful wildlife. Canyoning, white water rafting, and scuba diving are also immensely popular – and the climate is glorious too!

8. Thailand
The southeast Asian country is one of the most popular destinations in the world, attracting over 35 million visitors in 2017. It’s got it all when it comes to tourism, including some incredible outdoor adventure experiences. Jungle trekking, skydiving, white water rafting, scuba diving, kiteboarding, wakeboarding…the list of choices is endless. And visiting one of the many ethical elephant sanctuaries to bathe with these gentle giants is often the highlight of any stay in this wonderfully diverse and welcoming country.

Feeding the elephants in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Kawasaki Versys, Next to a brige, on an empty highway, North Thailand

Thailand is also popular for cross country bike tours. Do check by 7 days, 2000 kms bike tour experience from 2013 here.

9. UAE-Dubai
Dubai has its own share of adventures to offer. Dubai takes pride in being world's largest, longest, highest in anything they do. World's longest zipline, Desert Safari, Flyboarding, Skydive and a lot more. You can drive a Ferrari for about 140 USD. Visiting a falcon hospital will be a unique experience in Abu Dabhi.

10. The Philippines
Philippines doesn't often gets advertised as most adventurous destination, but I was impressed by its natural beauty at the Palawan islands. You can explore underground rivers, caves, go for long hikes, and indulge in a range of watersports and beach exploration in the Philippines. It is lot cheaper as well. One can easily spend a few weeks here comfortably.

Have Your Say
We're going to cover our butts here by saying this list is by no means exhaustive –  as we've definitely missed some great outdoor countries – but we simply don't have the space! However, we think there's a nice, global spread here and we’ll stand by it. But if you think you can come up with a better selection, we’ll turn it over to you!

Which countries would you have included and which countries would you replace? Let us know your thoughts!