Top 10 Bucket List Adventures In 2017

Dare devils, thrill seekers, adrenaline junkies, inhibition ignorers and experience collectors unite! This is your comprehensive, go-to list of Top Ten Bucket List Adventures. Whether you go through them slowly, or all in one hit, your life will not be complete without these experiences.

10. RIDE A MOTORCYCLE THROUGH VIETNAM

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Number 10 on our list is for the wind-in-your-hair types. You know who you are. Zoom your way around this amazing country with the lushest and most diverse scenery in the world. From seemingly endless rice fields to untouched, emerald green mountain ranges, all the way to the big city. There are secrets to be uncovered in Vietnam for every traveler. Start in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh and check out the bikes advertised at the hostels.  From there, you have the chance to choose your adventure. The level of challenge and intensity is up to you. You can stay on the coastal highways, and enjoy the conveniences of modern life in the cities along the way. Or, if you feel a little more adventurous, go inland and experience rural Vietnam, where the kindness of the locals knows no bounds. Get started with the 7 Night Northern Vietnam Adventure and tick number ten off your bucket list right now.

9. TRUDGE THE SAHARA

Get in touch with your spiritual side (read: inner boho) by exploring the shimmering sands of the Sahara Desert. This desert is not for the faint hearted, measuring the same size as the United States. For the adventure seeker who prefers less adrenaline than most adventures but still wants a challenge, this is the task for you. Enjoy some final luxury in Southern Europe before taking a ferry to the Sahara. There is a certain romantic appeal about the lone person walking in robes across the scorching sands. Do you have what it takes to face the endless dunes?

8. WALK ACROSS NEW ZEALAND

You shall not pass! Just kidding, you can. Take a trek across the diverse terrain of New Zealand and truly connect with nature. Lace up those good-quality trekking boots when you leave Auckland, because this adventure can get pretty rugged. The best and safest option is to take one of the many Alpine treks offered by various tour operators. By the end, you’ll be able to walk away with more than a few stories for around the water-cooler. Leave the worries of the city behind you, and immerse yourself in one of the few places you can enjoy truly remote hiking. Say hi to Gandalf for us.

7. HITCH-HIKE TAIWAN

Start flexing that thumb, because there’s no better way to enjoy all this island kingdom has to offer than by hitchhiking. With developed roads going along the perimeter of the main island you can explore to your heart’s desire. Locals will be more than willing to help you get to your next destination, while they practice their English with you. Land in Taipei, and go full circle around the main island. End your journey by enjoying Taipei’s vibrant culture or bask in the sun on one of the nearby beaches. Arrive on an empty stomach, because Taiwan’s street food is renowned worldwide for a good reason.

6. ISLAND HOP IN THE PHILIPPINES

Ahoy! Get your stripes out for this island hopping adventure. Buy your own cheap sailboat in one of the many coastal cities and become a true sailor. Plan your own journey, stopping at all the random islands and see for yourself why they call this country ‘south-east Asia’s best kept secret’.  Don’t miss the pristine scuba diving in remote locations that you will uncover while you explore the seas. By the end of this adventure you will definitely have a love/hate relationship with your new ocean partner. Asking them to call you ‘captain’ may have been a step too far.

5. USE THE STARS TO NAVIGATE MONGOLIA

Time to get your ger on. The traditionally nomadic people of Mongolia instinctively know their way around this untamed country, and now it’s your turn. Whether it is by motorcycle, ATV, or by walking, the choice is yours. With a little bit of luck (and some knowledge of Mongolian language) it shouldn’t be too hard to succeed. Bring enough cash to get some supplies in the cosmopolitan city of Ulaanbaatar, and go where your heart leads you. This is a country with vast desert steppes and plains traveled in ages past. Experience what it is like to be a wanderer in a truly rugged and untouched place on a 7 Night Mongolian Adventure. Can you say Sain Baina uu (hello)?

4. MOUNTAIN CLIMB IN PATAGONIA

It’s no secret that Patagonia is a beautiful place full of wonder, but how many people can say they have scaled its mountains? With some of the world’s most challenging peaks, this is an adventure for the true thrill seeker. Try your hand at the Cerro Paine Grande and be one of the first to climb it (there’s only been four ascent successes in history). If you can conquer the peaks of Patagonia surely you can conquer any challenge this world can offer. Be sure to come here with plenty of prior experience, and some friends because you are not going to be able to do this alone. Everyone in the office will hate you upon your return, we guarantee it.

3. SURF THE WAVES IN NORTH KOREA

Cowabunga duuuuude! Visions of North Korea don’t normally conjure surfing, but with pristine water and almost no surfers, you can’t miss this opportunity! This is a chance to be one of the first surfers of North Korea. Engage in some surf etiquette with the locals and share the art of riding the wave together. Join the Uri Tours surf exploration camp and receive some pointers from the coach of the Chinese National Surf Team. This is truly a once in a lifetime experience in these uncharted waters, and a great story for the dinner table with friends.

2. RACE IN THE ISLE OF MAN

Number two on the list is for our fellow speed demons. The true test of your motor biking skills. The Isle of Man is a self-governing nation in the U.K. that hosts one of the most famous motorcycle races in the world. Join the race with some of the fastest land vehicles known to mankind around a 38 mile long lap.  With an average speed of close to 130mph you are constantly facing your own mortality.  The race has claimed over 200 lives, and if you’re prepared to accept this danger, then you are in for one of the rawest adrenaline pumping experiences available. View details on how to become an entrant on the official race website.

1. B.A.S.E. JUMP IN SWITZERLAND

For a historically neutral country, some might think that Switzerland doesn’t have much to offer in regards to excitement. However, there is nothing neutral about B.A.S.E jumping. Switzerland is a haven for B.A.S.E. jumpers around the world. There is no better way to enjoy the magnificent views of the Swiss Alps than by falling down them at terminal velocity. Some of its famous jumps have claimed lives before, so ensure that you’re prepared. Strap your GoPro to your head, so that you can post the video and relive the experience over and over.

BEFORE Travel designs, curates and operates unique and meaningful off the beaten path experiences. Visit their website at http://before.travel to book a tour and experience the world. They can also be found on Facebook and Instagram.

Author: Michelle Hyde and Chris Stair

Filed under: Inspiration | March 15, 2017