50 Adventures to Have in Your Lifetime
Walk on the Great Wall of China, swim with sharks, chase the northern lights…what’s on your travel bucket list? We picked out 50 unforgettable adventures that we plan to have in our lifetime. We hope this list inspires you, as well.
Tim and I spent months, years even, brainstorming this list. We wanted to come up with 50 travel-related adventures that not only sounded exciting to us, but are also doable for many people.
We know what it is like to have limited time to travel. So we wanted to include a good mix of life-changing multi-day adventures with spine-tingling, adrenaline rushes that can be done in a few days or less.
There are hundreds of activities we could have added to this list. It was very difficult narrowing it down to just 50…but here they are. 50 adventures we plan to do in our lifetime…want to join us?
Our 50 Adventures
COMPLETED | IN THE WORKS
#1 Hike the Zion Narrows
#2 Haute Route/Tour du Mont Blanc
#3 Bolivia Salt Flats
#4 Raft the Colorado River
#5 Conquer the GR20
#6 Swim with Jellyfish in Palau
#7 Svalbard
#8 Gorilla Trekking
#9 Hike Half Dome
#10 Drive the Karakoram Highway
#11 Hike the Dolomites
#12 Stand on Kjeragbolten
#13 Hike to Machu Picchu
#14 Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro
#15 Great Barrier Reef
#16 Tajikistan & Kyrgyzstan
#17 Hot Air Balloon Flight
#18 Tongariro Alpine Crossing
#19 Havasu Falls
#20 Camel Safari
#21 Galapagos Islands
#22 Journey Down the Nile River
#23 Annapurna Circuit
#24 Zip-Lining
#25 Dog Sledding
#26 Torres del Paine
#27 Aurora Borealis
#28 Tramping in New Zealand
#29 The Amazon
#30 Angels Landing
#31 Hike on a Glacier
#32 Petra
#33 Komodo Dragons in the Wild
#34 Hike Grand Canyon Rim to Rim
#35 Blackwater Rafting
#36 See the Wildebeest Migration
#37 Huayhuash Circuit
#38 Hike to Tiger's Nest
#39 Antarctica
#40 Rock Climbing
#41 Swim with Sharks
#42 Hike the Great Wall of China
#43 Drive a Racecar
#44 Everest Base Camp Trek
#45 Bungy Jumping
#46 Kalalau Trail
#47 Trolltunga
#48 Camino de Santiago
#49 All-American Road Trip
#50 Hike the Julian Alps
![A man trekking at the Zion Narrows in Utah.](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Zion-Narrows-1.jpg.optimal.jpg)
![A man staring at a mountain while trekking on the Haute Route.](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Haute-Route-Photo.jpg.optimal.jpg)
![A jeep crossing the Salar de Uyuni (Bolivia Salt Flats).](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Salt-Flats.jpg.optimal.jpg)
The Bolivia Salt Flats, also called Salar de Uyuni, is the world’s largest salt flat. It’s also one of the most surreal landscapes in the world. In March and April, the salt flats are covered with a few inches of standing water, creating an extraordinary, reflective landscape. During the remaining months, you can witness a vast, white landscape as far as the eye can see.
![Wide-angle view of the Colorado River and a bridge on it.](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Raft-the-Colorado-River.jpg.optimal.jpg)
![An aerial view of the GR20 trekking route in the island of Corsica, France.](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/GR20-Corsica.jpg.optimal.jpg)
![Jellyfish in Palau.](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Palau-jellyfish.jpg.optimal.jpg)
Float in the emerald water of a lake in Palau, completely surrounded by millions of jellyfish. It sounds crazy, right? Palau’s Jellyfish Lake is home to a population of jellyfish with a sting so mild you barely feel it (so I have read). But wouldn’t that be wild, swimming among these soft, golden jellyfish in the tropical paradise of Palau?
![A couple of men kayaking with snow-capped mountains in the background in Svalbard, Norway.](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Svalbard-Adventure.jpg.optimal.jpg)
![A gorilla in the forest with its arm raised.](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Gorilla-Trekking.jpg.optimal.jpg)
![A group of young trekkers in front of the Half Dome in Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park, California](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Half-Dome.jpg.optimal.jpg)
Half Dome is one of Yosemite’s most challenging and most memorable hikes. The best part is the final climb on the Half Dome cables. Not only do you get the thrill of clinging to the side of Half Dome, you also get to enjoy one of the best views of Yosemite from the top of the dome.
Read more: Hiking Half Dome in Yosemite, a Step-By-Step Guide
![A colorful truck carrying freight on the Karakoram Highway in Pakistan.](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Karakoram-Highway.jpg.optimal.jpg)
![A panoramic view of The Dolomites in Italy.](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Dolomites.jpg.optimal.jpg)
![A man standing on a small rock between two larger rocks.](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Kjeragbolten.jpg.optimal.jpg)
Hiking to Kjeragbolten, this giant boulder wedged between two cliffs, is our favorite hike of all time. Why? It’s not just because you get the chance to do something absolutely crazy, stepping out onto the boulder, it’s also because this hike is just downright fun. Do you dare?
Read More: The Complete Guide to Kjeragbolten
![A panoramic view of Machu Picchu in Peru.](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/MP-copy.jpg.optimal.jpg)
![A greeting sign on top of the Mount Kilimanjaro (Uhuru Peak) in Tanzania.](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Mt-Kilimanjaro.jpg.optimal.jpg)
Mt. Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa. Getting to Uhuru Peak, the summit of Kilimanjaro (5,888 meters, 19,318 feet) is a popular bucket list item for many travelers and adventurers. This climb is popular since little technical experience is required and the experience is amazing. Do you want to stand on top of Mount Kilimanjaro?
![A sea turtle at the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Great-Barrier-Reef.jpg.optimal.jpg)
![A hiker traversing the mountains in Central Asia.](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Tajikistan-and-Kyrgyzstan.jpg.optimal.jpg)
![A sky filled with hot-air balloons over the rocky landscape of Cappadocia, Turkey](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Hot-Air-Balloon.jpg.optimal.jpg)
![Dry and barren landscape at the Tongariro Alpine Crossing with small, acid-green water bodies.](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Tongariro.jpg.optimal.jpg)
Labeled as the best single day hike in New Zealand, some people even consider this hike to be the best single day hike in the world. Here is your chance to hike in the shadow of Mt. Doom, walk through an almost lunar landscape, and watch as semi-dormant volcanoes smoke just a short distance from the trail.
Read more: The Tongariro Crossing, New Zealand’s Best Single Day Hike
![Aerial view of the Havasu Falls waterfall in the Grand Canyon, Arizona, United States.](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Havasu-Falls.jpg.optimal.jpg)
Havasu Falls is a gorgeous oasis in the desert. The turquoise waters, roaring waterfalls, and orange and red sandstone cliffs are what make Havasu Falls simply fabulous. To get here, it’s a 10-mile hike one way, but your reward, and the whole reason for going on this adventure, is to spend a day, or two (or three!) exploring the waterfalls, swimming, and enjoying this awesome spot in the American southwest.
![A couple enjoying a camel ride in the desert.](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Camel-Safari.jpg.optimal.jpg)
![A Galapagos Giant Tortoise staring at the lens.](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Galapagos-Islands.jpg.optimal.jpg)
![Two statues of pharaohs in Egypt.](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Journey-Down-the-Nile.jpg.optimal.jpg)
![Annapurna basecamp in Nepal.](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Annapurna-Circuit.jpg.optimal.jpg)
![A group of people waiting for their turn on the zipline in a rainforest jungle.](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Zip-lining.jpg.optimal.jpg)
![A pack of dogs driving a sled in snow with two people on it.](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Dogsledding.jpg.optimal.jpg)
![A panoramic view of the Cordillera mountain group in Torres del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia.](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Torres-del-Paine.jpg.optimal.jpg)
![The Northern Lights shining in the sky.](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Aurora-Borealis.jpg.optimal.jpg)
![A boy and a man trekking in the mountains in New Zealand.](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Tramping.jpg.optimal.jpg)
![A woman in a red top standing at the base of a seemingly giant tree.](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Amazon.jpg.optimal.jpg)
![Angels Landing rock formation in the Zion National Park in Utah.](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Angels-Landing.jpg.optimal.jpg)
Angels Landing is the most popular hike in Zion National Park. The final climb of the hike involves scaling a narrow ridge high above the valley floor. With chain-assisted rock scrambling sections, stunning views, and vertigo-inducing heights, this really is a thrilling hike.
Read more: Angels Landing Survival Guide: Things to Know Before You Go
![A group of hikers hiking up a glacier.](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Glacier-Hike.jpg.optimal.jpg)
![Ancient architecture at Petra in Jordan.](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Petra.jpg.optimal.jpg)
Read more: The Best Things to See in Petra
![a Komodo Dragon staring at the lens in the Komodo National Park in Indonesia.](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Komodo.jpg.optimal.jpg)
![An aerial view of the Grand Canyon in the United States.](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Grand-Canyon-Rim-to-Rim.jpg.optimal.jpg)
![a group of people in a cave](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Blackwater-Rafting-Photo.jpg.optimal.jpg)
What is blackwater rafting, you ask? It’s a bit of a misnomer, but blackwater rafting is tubing down underground rivers in the semi-darkness. Sometimes, rappelling, rock climbing, and zip-lining are combined into the experience. It’s very unique and there are only a few spots in the world where you can do this.
Learn More: Waitomo Caves: Glowworms, Blackwater Rafting & the Best Tours
![A group of wildebeest in a dried up part of the jungle.](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Wildebeest.jpg.optimal.jpg)
![Snow-peaked mountains and a small lake at the fore with turquoise-blue water in Peru.](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Huayhuash-Circuit.jpg.optimal.jpg)
![A panoramic view of the Tiger's Nest in Bhutan.](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Tigers-Nest.jpg.optimal.jpg)
Read more: The Ultimate Guide to Hiking to the Tiger’s Nest, Bhutan
![A colony of penguins standing on the snow with a singular penguin at the forefront.](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Antarctica.jpg.optimal.jpg)
![A group of climbers climbing a tall rock formation with the ocean in the background.](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Rock-Climbing-Adventure.jpg.optimal.jpg)
![A shark swimming in the sea.](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Swim-with-Sharks.jpg.optimal.jpg)
![A group of tourists rests while walking on the Great Wall of China.](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Great-Wall.jpg.optimal.jpg)
The Great Wall of China makes it onto many traveler’s bucket lists, but to add some adventure to the visit, hike or camp on an unrestored section of the wall. You can do this as a day trip from Beijing or you can spend several days camping and trekking along the Great Wall.
Read more: Hiking Jiankou to Mutianyu on the Great Wall of China
![A family of four with a racecar in front.](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Drive-a-racecar.jpg.optimal.jpg)
![A family of four waves at the camera at the Mount Everest Base Camp with snow in the background.](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/EBC.jpg.optimal.jpg)
Read more: Trekking to Everest Base Camp in Nepal
![A woman in a purple jacket prepares to Bungy jump, while the guide in the back waves at the camera.](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Bungy-Jumping.jpg.optimal.jpg)
Read more: A Tale of Four Bungy Jumps
![Lush green views of the Kalalau Trail in Hawaii with the ocean in the background.](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Kalalau-Trail.jpg.optimal.jpg)
![A person on the edge of the Trolltunga (Troll's Tongue) in Norway.](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Trolltunga.jpg.optimal.jpg)
Read more: Hiking to Trolltunga: Everything You Need to Know to Have the Best Experience
![A trekker on the Camino de Santiago in Galicia, Spain.](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Camino-de-Santiago.jpg.optimal.jpg)
![A long two-lane road surrounded on either side by shrubs and plantations and rock formations in the background.](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Road-Trip.jpg.optimal.jpg)
Read more: 10 Days in the American Southwest: The Ultimate Road Trip
![A group of hikers trekking with a small mountain the background in Julian Alps, Slovenia.](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Julian-Alps-Adventure.jpg.optimal.jpg)
Triglav National Park, with it’s rugged, rocky mountain range, glacial lakes, and river gorges, is a playground for hikers and outdoor adventurers. Climbing to the top of Mt. Triglav, the centerpiece of the Julian Alps, takes two days and requires the use of rock climbing gear. For those with less time, take you pick from one of many stunning day hikes in the Julian Alps.
![The best travel adventures to experience by Earth Trekkers.](https://www.earthtrekkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/50-Best-Travel-Adventures-in-the-World.jpg.optimal.jpg)
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