For some, a vacation is the time to slow things down, to take a break from the hectic pace of our lives with a healthy dose of inactivity. That’s not you, though, is it? You’re the kind of person who finds relaxation in exhilaration, in the search of incredible views, exotic destinations, and one-of-a-kind triumphs. You’re not content to lounge on a beach when there’s a trail to be explored, a river to ride or a mountain to be dominated. For the adventurer in you (or your family) here are 15 vacation ideas that are designed to push you to your limits.
1. Machu Picchu, Peru
Located in the mountains high above Peru’s Sacred Valley sits Machu Picchu. Cloaked in historical mystery and breathtakingly beautiful, Machu Picchu is a worthwhile destination for both the bold and the curious. A relic of the Incan civilization’s astonishing architecture and technology before their conquest at the hands of the Spanish, Machu Picchu is also a perfect goal for hikers looking to go abroad for their next adventure. Sure, you can take a train or bus there these days, but it is so much more rewarding to climb the arduous but achievable Inca Trail, one of the best treks the world has to offer.
2. Riding the Maze, Utah
Dare to go where others will not; get ready to ride the Maze, the most remote district in Utah’s Canyonlands National Park. Escape Adventures provides multi-day riding tours across the vast expanses of the Maze throughout the Spring and Fall. Some of the most rugged and beautiful terrain in the world will sprawl out before those willing to undertake this five-day camping adventure.
3. West Coast Trail on Vancouver Island
Hikers will find fewer trails as rewarding or challenging as Vancouver Island’s West Coast Trail. Originally built in 1907 as a way to help ease the rescue of shipwreck survivors, the West Coast Trail is now the destination for fit folks seeking awe-inspiring vistas and close encounters with wildlife. While the trail has been upgraded in recent years to accommodate less experienced hikers, it still takes some skill and determination to get through this five to seven day remote adventure.
