Unforgettable Adventures Await with GoTravelDaily
The best adventures are experiences travelers hold dear for a lifetime and recount with reverence. They are trips you never forget and that become the standard by which all other adventures are measured.
Epic Adventures to Transform Your Life
Epic adventures change you in some way. However, life-list trips don’t require you to spend months traveling or mean you have to quit your job. Here are some big-impact, worldview-changing adventures: they all have elements of the unexpected, immerse you deeply into the culture and nature of the places you visit, and they’re all trips we promise you’ll never forget. The longest of these exciting journeys is just 14 days.
Namibia Safari by Bike
On H&I Adventures Namibian Bike Safari, you pedal within spitting distance of megafauna and visit the iconic ochre-painted indigenous Himba. Moreover, experiencing the Namibian landscape from the saddle of a bicycle not only makes you part of the landscape but also allows you to observe it in an immersive way. Cyclists will journey from Namibia’s stark, sandy Skeleton Coast to the Huab River, pedaling along singletrack stamped by wildlife and through lunar-looking farm and jeep tracks.
Along the way, you’ll spot various wildlife, including a dazzle of zebra, a herd of oryx, leaping springbok, gentle giraffes, and possibly a rare rhino. A dawn scramble up the highest sand dune in the world offers breathtaking views over southern Africa before you hop into a Land Rover in Etosha National Park with an expert guide to spot lion, cheetah, and more. You do not need to be an expert rider for this adventure; just be comfortable on a bike, fit, and ready to camp under the stars.
Cost: $4930
Duration: 12 days
Make it happen: H&I Adventures
Long Trail Thru-Hike
While most thru hikes require months to complete, Vermont’s Long Trail, located in the Northeastern United States, is a delightful exception. The original thru-hike was completed in 1930 and served as the inspiration for the longer Appalachian Trail. Winding approximately 272 miles along the spine of the Green Mountains from Massachusetts to Canada, this trail is remote, immersive, and challenging—yet doable within 14 days.
Beginning at the Massachusetts border, the trail initially shares the same corridor with the Appalachian Trail for about 100 miles. Next, the oldest long-distance backpacking trail in the United States diverges into stunning hardwood forests and over mountaintops. The trail traverses nearly every Green Mountain summit before reaching its terminus. Train up and pack light; though the Long Trail may seem short, it presents steep sections and challenging terrain.
Cost: Under $500, including provisions, and a shuttle to and from start to finish
Duration: Approximately 14 days
Make it happen: Green Mountain Club
Sail through the Norwegian Fjords to a Music Festival
The best way to experience northern Norway’s archipelagos is from a boat, making this eclectic excursion a delightful sampler of the region’s best, featuring one of the world’s top music festivals, only accessible by sea. Seil Norge embarks for the Træna Music Festival from the cozy Brightly painted Brønnøysund. The boats navigate through thousands of islands, islets, and reefs. Additionally, participants can learn to sail while enjoying fishing for dinner, kayaking, rowing, hiking, and even bagging seven summits in a day if they’re up for the challenge.
On shore, guests can feast on the day’s catch before re-boarding the ship to sail under the midnight sun. Other optional excursions include landing to learn about sustainable agriculture from local eider farmers and an eagle safari. If it sounds appealing, relax with a book or simply admire the sights and enjoy the salty ocean breezes from the deck. The fleet participates in Træna’s annual regatta, the Træna Ocean Race, followed by the three-day music festival.
Cost: $1698
Duration: 10 days
Make it happen: Sail Norway
Motorcycle through Ecuador from the Andes to the Amazon
Embark on a journey of 1000 miles along Ecuador’s Pacific Coast, through the majestic Andes Mountains, and into the lush Amazon jungle basin. The Freedom Bike Rental’s Andes to Amazon motorcycle tour allows you to navigate uncrowded backroads, including charming cobblestone streets. The carefully curated route crosses through the most biodiverse regions globally, set against the stunning backdrop of Ecuador’s highest peaks, Cotopaxi and Chimborazo, where rare vicuñas can be spotted grazing roadside.
Off the bike, guests will enjoy splashing in waterfalls and crater lakes, paddling and hiking through the rainforest with a local expert familiar with the region’s flora and fauna, and sampling delicious, freshly made chocolate at a cacao farm. Make sure to visit an indigenous community to learn hunting techniques with a blowgun and try your hand at panning for gold. Accommodation varies, featuring inns and boutique hotels including a world-famous bird lodge within the Nono Biological Reserve. Depending on your interests, you can also add a session with a shamanistic healer or adrenaline-packed activities like parasailing and bungee jumping.
Cost: $4395
Duration: 9 days
Make it happen: Freedom Bike Rental
Local’s Tour of Philippines’ Coron Island
Discover hidden beaches and coves, private lakes, and emerald lagoons, along with fresh native cuisine and comfy accommodations with Dream Boat Man’s Coron Island Life Expedition in the Philippines. This small, locally-owned guide service provides access to the region’s hidden gems.
The crew, all hailing from the Palawan Islands, prepares indigenous specialties and shares island lore before embarking on seaside camping under the stars or spending the night in thatched-roof cottages. Campfires and serene evenings are enhanced by live music and culminate in a private island party. Importantly, by staying, eating, and traveling locally, your adventure directly supports the local economy.
Cost: $495
Duration: 4 days
Make it happen: Dream Big Boat Man