Want to do something different? Something more interesting than city hopping? Trip Advisor has ranked their most popular bucket list experiences. And we have chosen our favourites. Whether it’s hot ballooning above the ruins of Luxor, or watching the sun rise over Angkor Wat, or exploring the Northern Lights, pick one, get motivated and get out there!
Red dunes and camel safari
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Enjoy the red dunes of Dubai’s Lahbab desert and a full range of desert activities without having to do the research. Start with a 4WD dune bash, sand boarding, and an ATV ride. Visit the Bedouin-inspired Al Khayma camp for a camel ride, falcon interaction, and cultural activities before a starlit barbecue-buffet dinner and live shows to wrap things up.
Classic Inca trail trek to Machu Picchu
Cusco, Peru
Hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu along the ancient footpath of the Incas directly into Machu Picchu through the famous Sun Gate. Experience many historic Inca sites on the way, with expert, local, indigenous guides who share insider knowledge of their Inca culture. Cloud forests, stunning mountain scenery, gourmet chefs & scenic campsites await you on this pilgrimage adventure journey of a lifetime.
Hot air balloon ride over ancient ruins
Luxor, Egypt
Get a bird’s eye view of Luxor’s ancient sites from aboard a hot air balloon. Head up in the sky with a local guide to point out the sights and to tell you about their history and relevance.
Ziplining forest adventure
Rotorua, New Zealand
Lose yourself ziplining through Rotorua’s lush native forest that has stood for centuries. Voted TripAdvisor’s #1 Nature Activity in the world, this 3-hour adventure mixes fun, education, and conservation together to create unforgettable memories. Soar across 600m of ziplines and cross some phenomenal swing bridges. These vantage points will give you a whole new perspective on how special New Zealand’s native forests really are.
Sunrise Cappadocia balloon ride
Goreme, Turkey
Rising from the plains of Anatolia, Cappadocia is an ancient, fairytale landscape famous for its honeycombed underground cities and towering, chimney-shaped rocks. Get a bird’s-eye view of the unforgettable scenery from the region’s best vantage point: by hot-air balloon. You also enjoy a breakfast buffet.
Blackstone beach cliff jump
Aruba, Caribbean
Drive your own utility task vehicle (UTV) on this thrilling, heart-pumping off-road adventure. Get behind the wheel to explore Aruba’s rugged, desert terrain. Visit the Boca Cave Pool for cliff jumping—another exciting adrenaline rush.
Arenales caves and river adventure
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Spend an adventurous day exploring rivers and caves with this small-group tour of the Arenales Caves. You’ll hike through rivers, visit an underground cave, and get the chance to do some swimming. You’ll finish off your day of adventure with a hike to a small hidden spring.
Northern Lights photographic adventure
Tromso, Norway
Embark on an adventurous Northern Lights chase in Northern Norway. With a professional photographer as a guide and a small group, you’ll get plenty of attention and tips on how to capture the best possible photos of the Aurora Borealis.
Wilderness and wildlife glacier experience
Anchorage, Alaska
Get out of the city and deeper into the Alaskan wilderness. This tour takes you to Chugach National Forest, Beluga Point, Portage Glacier, and more to spot brown bears, wolves, bison, and belugas. Learn about the unique landscapes of Alaska from your expert guide.
Hike to the Lost City
Santa Marta, Colombia
Experienced guides from the region instructed by SENA are trained to provide cultural, historical and anthropological information on indigenous communities and the area. We work hand in hand with indigenous and peasant communities and are committed to supporting the development of the region through contributions that contribute to a better quality of life for the locals.
Arenal volcano tour
San Jose, Costa Rica
See the highlights of the Arenal area in just one day on this action-packed tour from San Jose. Visit a coffee plantation, stop at the La Paz Waterfall, dine on Costa Rican fare in a local restaurant, and go zip lining and rappelling through the rain forest and over the Arenal River. Then wrap up your day with a relaxing soak in a hot spring before returning to San Jose.
Discovery flight of the Molokai sea cliffs
Maui, Hawaii
Admire the world’s tallest sea cliffs from the air on this private flight from Kahului. Enjoy the comfort of your own private cabin that sits up to three people as you soar over the island of Molokai and its towering cliffs—the views from the panoramic, non-tinted windows are crystal clear and spectacular.
Desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga dunes and camel trek
Marrakech, Morocco
The 3 days desert tour starts from Marrakech and ends at the Merzouga dunes. Cross the high Atlas Mountains with its pass of Tizi Ntichka, visit the legendary world heritage site of Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, visit Todra gorges and Tinghir oasis, ride a camel in Erg Chebbi to watch the color changing sunset and sunrise. Spend the night at a Berbr desert camp.
Scenic flight of the Great Barrier Reef
Cairns, Australia
Get a rounder perspective of the Great Barrier Reef by viewing it from the air on this scenic flight from Cairns. Soaring over the UNESCO-listed reef allows you to take in its colors and appreciate its vastness. Enjoy unobstructed photo opportunities from your window seat as you take in such sights as Green Island, Upolu Cay, Vlassof Cay, and Michaelmas Reef.
Tandem paragliding flight in south Tenerife
Tenerife, Canary Islands
Rather than going to Tenerife’s famous viewpoints that often draw big crowds, this tandem paragliding experience allows you to take in panoramic views that most visitors miss. Fly over the island with a pilot who will assist you throughout the journey and provide expert guidance.
Blue ice cave adventure
Hofn, Iceland
Go off the beaten track and into an isolated, difficult to access, ice cave on this tour from Hali. In a small group of no more than eight people, this is a more personalized tour than most. Travel by Super Jeep to the location, then hike across rough terrain to explore a unique natural ice cave (selected, according to the conditions, on the day) within Vatnajökull glacier.
Riverside rafting on Clearwater River in Wells Gray Park
Clearwater, British Columbia
Plunge into a rugged landscape of white water and wilderness with a river rafting experience in B.C.’s Wells Gray Park. Launch into the pristine Clearwater River to hit a series of exciting rapids and chutes, where explosive Class III features send up churning waves and breaking crests. Slip into the water between heart-pounding white water, and soak up the serenity of British Columbia’s stunning interior.
Sunrise visit to Angkor Wat and nearby temples
Siem Reap, Cambodia
The UNESCO-listed temple of Angkor Wat is Cambodia’s most visited attraction and it’s even more magnificent beneath the glow of the rising sun. On this small-group tour, rise early to watch the sunrise over Angkor Wat, then benefit from the cooler weather and fewer crowds of the morning to explore the surrounding temples. Then, visit Angkor Thom, admire the Gate to Bayon, discover Bayon Temple, and see the Buddhist temple of Banteay Kdei.
Classic Serengeti safari
Arusha, Tanzania
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most-recognised parks in the world, visiting Serengeti National Park is a must while in Tanzania. This 3-day tour makes it easy to go by packing the park’s highlights into a short amount of time and offering budget camping accommodation, resulting in a more affordable adventure.
