Jul 11, 2023 BY AWE365 Team
When booking a vacation we all have a budget. But what if price was no object and you could plan the ultimate round the world trip for adventure? If you could sample action sports, in the world’s most stimulating environments what kind of extreme RTW travel would you plan?
Just where would you go and what would you do? You can tell us in a minute, but first it is our turn! As experts in all things extreme and adventurous we have picked some of our favourite activities in the best places around the world.
You’ll find many a travel itinerary for adrenaline seekers on the web. But it’s important to remember that everyone is different. The best day out for me might be uninspiring for you, or your idea of an adventure might be too terrifying for others.
This is our ultimate round the world trip taking in extreme sports and adventures along the way.
Let’s begin by scuba diving in the Maldives. Here, nestled among over 1,000 coral islands in the tropical Indian Ocean, you’ll find a unique underwater experience coupled with luxurious accommodation. Dive sites such as the Fish Head, Banana Reef and Maaya Thila are all renowned for their breathtaking biodiversity.
Venturing beneath the surface, you’re met with a plethora of vibrant, multi-coloured coral reefs, home to a dizzying array of marine life. From exotic species of fish, such as parrotfish, angelfish, and butterfly fish, to larger marine creatures like manta rays, turtles, and even whale sharks, each dive promises an unparalleled encounter with nature.
From here it’s onwards and upwards, and time for a bit of hard work (we never said it would be easy!). We’re off to trek Mount Kilimanjaro, at 5,895m above sea level, the highest point in Africa. And at around 4,900 m above its plateau, it’s the highest freestanding mountain in the world.
The trek takes six to nine days. The longer you allow the better chance of success as you can acclimatise to avoid altitude sickness. Along the way you can camp or stay in huts, but permits, guides and accommodation all need to be booked in advance. At the top the oxygen thins and you’ll push way above the cloud level for the view of a lifetime.
Now, if you think we’ve forgotten Everest, you’re wrong: it’s next on the list. But leave your mountaineering gear, we’re not going to climb it, we’re going to freefall over it with an Everest Skydive! This is a rare opportunity to do an oxygen assisted skydive, although it will set you back more than $25,000.
You’ll plummet to earth out of an AS350 B3 helicopter from around 7,300 metres (24,000 feet) with the world’s highest peak rushing past you. You’ll certainly get a view of Everest that Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay never imagined when they first summited the 8,850 metre (29,035 feet) peak in 1953.
After the ultimate freefall it’s time for a drop from closer to the ground. At 233 metres Macau hosted the world’s highest bungee jump for many years. It is now second to Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge Bungy (260m) in China. Why not do both while in that part of the world?
So toes near the edge, heart in mouth, now shuffle forward – the longer you leave it, the less likely it is you’ll leap. But it is worth waiting a few seconds longer – neurones on rapid fire – then leap. Down you fall, wind rushing past your face on the way down. Bounce, flip and back up; again, again, again!
All this land – we really need a little water to cool off. Where better than Australia and a spot of big wave surfing? Bells Beach, located in Victoria, is a renowned jewel in Australia’s surfing crown. Home of the world’s longest-running surfing competition – The Rip Curl Pro – it boasts powerful, perfectly formed swells courtesy of the Southern Ocean.
Bells Beach is a right-hand point break, producing waves suited to more experienced surfers. Swell is best during the southern hemisphere’s autumn and winter when large, fast waves give a thrilling ride under stunning cliffs.
Dried off, the Americas beckon. No ultimate round the world trip for adventure would be complete without a spot of overlanding. And where better than a tour of the Andes and Patagonia in Argentina? Here you can climb, trek, mountaineer, mountain bike, horse ride and much more in one of the best places for extreme RTW travel.
Begin in the vibrant city of Buenos Aires, taking in its rich culture and history. Then journey west to Mendoza to mountain bike, or horse ride, through the hills and vineyards. Next hit the Andes for trekking and mountaineering in the spectacular Aconcagua Provincial Park. Finally, travel south to Patagonia to climb, trek and mountaineer in Los Glaciares National Park.
Why not continue overlanding to Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world, to join a polar expedition to the end of the earth. We’re off to the Antarctic to climb in the Transantarctic Range that reaches over 4,500 metres. There are hundreds of unexplored icy peaks to climb and splitboard/ski tour. Add a spot of kayaking and wildlife watching – I hope you like penguins!
It’s time to thaw out with some Caribbean windsurfing or kitesurfing in Cabarete. Nestled on the northern shores of the Dominican Republic it has everything these sports need with consistent trade winds, at their peak from June to August. There is lovely accommodation, beautiful beaches and a great nightlife.
Cabarete’s Kite Beach, is renowned as one of the world’s top kitesurfing destinations. Beginners can venture out in the mornings when the winds are milder and the sea relatively calm. The afternoons bring stronger winds, ideal for freestyle moves and wave riding. The reef-protected bay creates flat-water near the shore and waves further out.
Now we feel the need for speed – downhill speed – so it’s further north to Whistler, Canada we go. With 4,757 acres (1,925 hectares) of skiable terrain it’s the largest ski area in North America. The nightlife is excellent, in fact a bit too good if you want to make first lift.
With an average of 10.8 metres (426 inches) of snowfall per year and 1,530 metres (5,020 feet) of vertical to play in, it’s one of the top ski resorts in the world. With excellent snowparks, superpipe and incredible off-piste expect high speeds, big air, ample powder and fun times.
Next we need to calm down a little. So let’s change pace and change continents, but still keep it exciting. Next up a wildlife experience beginning with gorilla trekking safari in Uganda.
The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is a large primeval forest located in south-western Uganda and home to the elusive mountain gorillas. Trekking through the forest with guides you learn all about them and should get to see them. When finished we may as well visit the open savannah for a traditional safari to see lions, elephants, giraffes and so much more.
It’s a fitting end to what has been the hardest, fastest and most extreme round the world adventure trip. And while it remains a fantasy trip, there’s enough inspiration and opportunity here to encourage everyone to get out in the search of adventures.
Now move down into the comments and tell us what you’d include in if planning extreme RTW travel without any budget constraints.
We hope you found this ultimate round the world trip for adventure inspirational. If you don’t have the budget for this (I mean who does?) then check out these adventure holidays worldwide for all sorts of exciting vacations!
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One response to “Extreme RTW Travel: Ultimate Round the World Trip for Adventure”
I would say that’s about right! No argument with any of your choices here!