There are four main categories of adventure travel to consider before planning your next trip:
Extreme or Thrill Tourism is the category most affiliated with adventure travel, consisting of locations and activities with a higher level of risk than other forms of travel. Backpacking, hiking, and whitewater rafting are a few activities associated with thrill tourism.
Accessible Tourism consists of exciting, adrenaline-pumping trips for travelers with disabilities.
Ecotourism is travel to exotic, endangered environments usually to support conservation efforts and research developments while experiencing remarkable natural ecosystems.
Cultural Tourism involves traveling to another country or region specifically to learn about the culture, history, and other lifestyle factors unique to that location.
If you're seeking a more adventurous trip, thrill tourism can provide the excitement you're looking for. Participating in activities like mountaineering and skiing are great ways to experience another country while testing your own boundaries.
Location also plays a huge part in the thrill of the adventure. The more extreme a destination, the more intense your experience will be. Some of the most extreme places to visit on earth include:
Accessible tourism can provide thrilling experiences to those with physical disabilities. There are countries with organizations specifically designed to support the physically disabled with similar adrenaline-pumping experiences while addressing additional needs.
While not as thrilling as extreme tourism, ecotourism gives a whole new meaning to adventure travel. You’ll have the opportunity to explore environments virtually untouched by humans, full of beautiful exotic plant and animal species. Ecotourism is like stepping into a time machine—to experience ecosystems that have remained unchanged for hundreds of years.
Ecotourism strives to provide amazing travel experiences while nurturing environmental and cultural conservation. Apart from the breathtaking scenery, travelers gain a firsthand experience of the local culture.
Not only is ecotourism a great opportunity to see rare sights, but it also reaps other benefits for travelers, locals, and the environment. These benefits include:
For more information, check out Pros and Cons of Ecotourism.
Considered as a less intense form of adventure travel, cultural tourism takes the adrenaline of extreme tourism and converts it into life-changing cultural learning experiences.
Cultural tourism may not have as many physical risks as extreme tourism, but it can present stressful situations that should be taken just as seriously.
For example, culture shock—the anxiety, feelings of frustration, and sense of alienation that can occur as a person attempts to adjust to a new culture—is a common side effect of cultural tourism. Remedies to help ease these negative feelings include:
Want to take your cultural experience to the next level? Consider working or studying abroad to immerse yourself into another culture.
Depending on where you're going and the activities you intend to participate in, you may need additional travel documents.
For example, if you’re traveling to Europe, you may need to possess a Schengen Visa to get through security. Check out additional Schengen information here.
In some cases, you'll need proof of medical insurance to acquire certain travel documentation. It's important to know whether or not your domestic insurance policy covers you internationally and whether is covers extreme sports like rock climbing, mountain biking, or surfing.
If you need international coverage, Atlas Travel is a great option to consider. It offers coverage for activities like:
For a full list of conditions and exclusions, click here.
For some adventure seekers, danger is included in the travel itinerary. They want to feel the rush of adrenaline as they climb steep cliffs or surf monstrous waves.
Danger or not, it's vital to prepare for any possible trip-related accidents. Make sure you:
Looking for additional coverage? Check out the benefits of Atlas Travel.
