Adventure holidays

Holidays

The growing popularity for holidays with adventure at their heart means that travellers are finding new ways to get the adrenaline pumping on their annual break. Travel writers David Atkinson, Chris Leadbeater and Marcus Waring – some of the UK's most experienced travellers – share their best tales of adventure and fun in the sun.

Kayaking in Vietnam

I’m not a particularly strong swimmer but, while on holiday in Ha Long Bay, northern Vietnam, I couldn’t resist the chance to take a kayak tour of the bay. I picked a reputable local agency with safe-looking equipment and gingerly climbed into my kayak on the first morning. After a safety briefing and a quick lesson on how to steer, we were off – gliding through the tranquil waters and passing the looming rocky outcrops that pepper the bay. I’ll never make an Olympic champion but, by facing my fear, I built confidence on the water and didn’t miss out on a memorable experience. Plus northern Vietnam was a fascinating destination with the French-inspired culture of Hanoi, the relaxed cruise around Ha Long Bay and the colourful hill tribes and trekking around Sapa. Sometimes you just have to grab the opportunities when they arise.
David Atkinson

Trekking in Bolivia

When I was researching my Bradt guide in Bolivia, I took a moderate-to-tough trekking trip with a local tour agency. But it was one with a difference. The guide wanted to try out a shorter route from high-altitude La Paz to the rainforests of Coroico that other travellers had not yet walked. It was virgin territory, the trail was deserted apart from a few llamas but it was pretty rough and ready at times. We stayed in huts along the way with local families and my shower at the end of a long, sticky trek was a bucket of water. But it was great to get off the main "gringo" trail and feel like we were breaking some new ground. Plus I learnt a valuable lesson: always pack wet wipes and lip balm. I now never leave home without them.
David Atkinson

MORE TH>N Travel Insurance covers trekking up to 2000m as standard. The Optional specialist sports and activities cover means that for an additional premium customers can extend cover for trekking up to 4000m.

Bungee jumping vs diving?

I suppose one person’s adventure is another's foolhardy death wish. I did a bungee jump in Bali a few years ago and swore I would never do it again (it was exhilarating after the event, terrifying at the time). A friend recently jumped from the Victoria Falls Bridge (which links Zambia and Zimbabwe above the famous water feature), and described it as one of the best moments of his life. So that appeals, in a way. Of course, adventure travel does not have to mean something as adrenaline-soaked as bungee jumping. I have scuba dived in the Caribbean, and would love to try it on the Great Barrier Reef. Similarly, there are many destinations where reaching them is an adventure in itself. I visited Kaieteur Falls in Guyana a couple of years ago – an astonishing wonder of nature, five times higher than Niagara and utterly remote, yet so spectacular that every second of the hot, sweaty, arduous journey was worth it. There are numerous other South American sights that have a similar call – Angel Falls in next-door Venezuela especially.
Chris Leadbeater

If you’re looking for scuba diving insurance, MORE TH>N Travel Insurance will cover you up to depths of 30m or 40m if an additional premium is paid. Cover is available for bungee jumping under the optional specialist Sports and Activities where an additional premium is paid.

Get off the beaten track

It’s all about finding the alternative places and trying the weirder activities there. Head to the inaccessible north-east of India, with game walks, trekking, eco-camps and challenging caving. Or what about volcano surfing in Nicaragua? At Cerro Negro visitors can surf down the side of the active volcano over warm ashes, wearing flame-retardant clothing and reaching 60km/h. Although a softer adventure, specialist cruises are gaining popularity. You can take a small ship expedition in Papua New Guinea, which gives travellers a chance to reach places that are inaccessible overland. According to a Royal Yacht Association survey, kitesurfing is booming. Thanks to the strength of the euro, Turkey is a great option and one of the top short-haul destinations is Alacati on the Aegean coast. The pretty village is ideal thanks to the strong, reliable Meltemi wind.
Marcus Waring

Remember to make planning the first part of your adventure

Extra research is needed with adventure holidays. Always check what fitness and experience is required. With the Indian trip, the caving is not suitable for amateurs. For the volcano surfing, you don’t need exceptional fitness but do need to check your insurance – it is regarded as the same as sandboarding or snowboarding. For the Papua New Guinea cruise, your general health and adequate adventure travel insurance are vital. Despite an onboard doctor, your insurance must cover the evacuation costs, which could involve a helicopter. Some policies don’t cover this. Also always check the kit-list for what to bring – travellers will need to cover up in the remote villages, for example, to comply with local custom. With kitesurfing, choose a school with experienced, certified instructors that follow an internationally recognised training program, such as the IKO (International Kiteboarding Organization). And you will probably need to take out additional 'extreme sports' cover.
Marcus Waring

While you're busy dreaming of distant lands don't forget to buy worldwide or European travel insurance! MORE TH>N offers a range of cheap adventure, diving or cruise travel insurance options, from single trip holiday insurance to annual policies. Once you've bought your cheap travel insurance then you're free to enjoy your holiday.

Note that Kayaking, Kite surfing and sanddune surfing are covered by MORE TH>N Travel insurance when the optional Specialist Sport and Activity cover is selected an additional premium paid.