Adventure Travel for Beginners

Looking to catch an adrenaline rush on your next vacation? These five thrilling destinations will get your heart pounding.

In recent decades, adventure travel has become a distinct and growing niche in vacationing. Instead of lying on the beach with a coconut cocktail, travelers are signing up to explore the outdoors and push their personal boundaries.

Adventure travel doesn’t have to be dangerous or extreme. It’s more about experiencing nature in an exhilarating way. It can be as simple as a hike through a dramatic wilderness or as wild as bungee jumping into a gorge. The level of exploration and excitement is up to you.

Global Air Charters’ fleet of luxury airframes will deliver you these exotic destinations refreshed and ready to conquer any challenge. Contact our flight coordinators today to start making your arrangements.

Here are five locations that will give you an ideal introduction to the world of adventure travel.

Mountaineering in Chamonix, France

You’ve dreamed of ascending the Alps but you’ve only gone bouldering at your local gym. Head to Chamonix to take your climbing skills to the next level.

In the shadow of the famous Mont Blanc, Chamonix is the birthplace of “Alpinism.” The area is suffused in mountaineering history — it was the site of the first ever Winter Olympics in 1924.

There are several beginner-friendly peaks, like the Aiguille du Tour, along with glacier walks and other excursions with overnight stays high in the mountains. There are several guide companies in the area, and you’ll meet a whole community of adventurers to encourage you along the way.

Arrival: Geneva Airport (LSGG). The drive into France takes a little over an hour, but the views are stunning.

Bungee Jumping in Queenstown, New Zealand

The birthplace of commercial jet boating and bungee jumping, Queenstown has christened itself the Adventure Capital of the World. If you’ve never done it before, there’s no better place to take the plunge than where it all began. The Kawarau Bridge is a 43-meter leap over a river in a jaw-dropping natural setting.

The Kawarau River also offers plenty of opportunities for jet boating and whitewater rafting. And after a day of adventure, you’ll be in the middle of New Zealand’s wine country. The Central Otago region is world-famous for its pinot noir.

Arrival: Queenstown Airport (NZQN)

Sandboarding in Huacachina, Peru

The village of Huacachina is like something out of a dream. It’s a small oasis built around a natural desert lake, surrounded by the largest sand dunes in South America. Travelers often rent dune buggies to cruise around the desert and then drive to the top to go sandboarding.

Snowboarders can shred down the dunes like they would normally, but even beginners can take a ride laying down on the board. We recommend taking an evening excursion to watch the sun set in the desert.

Huacachina is a remote destination which makes the experience that much more special. Taking a day trip from Lima is the best way to reach it.

Arrival: Jorge Chávez International Airport (SPJC)

Canyoneering in Zion National Park, Utah

If you’re looking to dial up the challenge on your next nature hike, canyoneering adds an extra layer of adventure. This type of trekking involves hiking, rappelling, light climbing, and sometimes swimming through narrow canyonlands.

Zion National Park is the best place in the states for a canyon adventure. A guided tour through Pine Creek Canyon will teach you the essential rope skills. You’ll traverse slot canyons, secluded pools, and rappel down cliff faces for the hike of a lifetime.

Arrival: St. George Regional Airport (KSGU)

Paragliding in the Soča Valley, Slovenia

The emerald-colored Soča River is considered one of the most beautiful in Europe. You can get an excellent view of it carving along the Julian Alps by paragliding over Slovenia.

We think Slovenia is becoming the next great tourist destination in Europe. The views high over Lake Bled are idyllic. Several towns in the river valley offer a slice of untrammeled wilderness for hiking.