10 Little Known Adventure Destinations You Never Thought to Explore, But You Should!

Our planet is a treasure-house of places, both beautiful and adventurous. From trekking, bungee jumping, scuba diving, snowboarding to mountain climbing, river rafting and kayaking, there is no end to the amazing adventurous activities one can do in any part of the world. While every country offers a particular kind of adventure, there are some that awaken the true spirit of adventure in the traveler.
Known to be some of the most off-beat and underrated travel destinations, the following places are quickly gaining popularity for the thrills and adventures one can experience there. From exploring the snow-capped mountains of Finland and paragliding in Kyrgyzstan to kayaking in Sri Lanka and surfing in Hong Kong, the following places in the list have been specially curated keeping in mind the exhilarating adventure activities and escapades you can take part in.

Here are some of the 10 little known adventure destinations you never thought to explore, but you should:

1. Kyrgyzstan

Mostly surrounded by mountains and breath-taking landscapes, Kyrgyzstan is not just unique, but also quite different from other places in the world. It is one of the very few places that are still unspoiled and pristine. Best for trekkers and those who love outdoor activities, Kyrgyzstan also offers experiences to those who are interested in water sports.

Some of the adventure activities one can experience here are:

Mountaineering
For fans for climbing and mountaineering, Kyrgyzstan is quite a favourable place to go to. Surrounded by many mountain peaks, like the Lenin Peak or the Khan-Tengri Peak, it is considered to be a mecca for adventure seekers.

Snowboarding and Skiing
You can also choose to go skiing at Karakol Ski Resort, which is the largest ski base in all of Kyrgyzstan. With many marked trails and spectacular views of Lake Issyk-Kul and the Tian Shan mountains, this will be an experience like no other. You can also snowboard here, with fresh, powdery white snow lying around the area.

Paragliding
Go for a morning paragliding session and get a bird’s eye view of the region’s amazing landscape, and the stunning mountain ranges. All the sessions are done in tandem, where the pilot and passenger fly together.

Kayaking on Issyk-Kul Lake
Spend your day kayaking and paddling on the Issyk-Kul Lake in Przhevalsk Bay. Known as the Pearl of Kyrgyzstan, this lake offers beautiful views of the Tian-Shan mountain ranges that engulf the lake.

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2. Hong Kong

With innumerable adventures that allow tourists to enjoy the mysteries and magic of the scenery around them, Hong Kong is one place that has adventure tours catering to every type of traveller. Also known as a paradise for an adventure lover, Hong Kong has an abundance of activities including canyoning, mountain biking and much more.

Some of the adventure activities one can experience here are:

Hiking
Take a hike to Lantau Peak, the second-highest mountain range in Hong Kong. With a marked trail that winds its way further from the city with each step, this hike is not for the faint-hearted. You can also see the famous Tian Tan, along with the rich flora of the Lantau Island during this hike.

Canyoning
You can also choose to go canyoning in the mountainous terrains of the New Territories. Having many plunge pools and waterfalls, this area is best for those who want to experience something new, risky yet fun.

Wakeboarding
Hong Kong is famous for its water sports, one of which is wakeboarding. You can set off from the pier and wakeboard at Sha Kiu Tau, which has white sand beaches on its shore, along with the pristine blue sea.

Surfing
Big Wave Bay in Hong Kong is known around the world for being one of the best places to surf. It is a sheltered cove which has numerous green hills surrounding it and giving the adjacent beach an idyllic and tranquil feel, best for surfing.

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3. Austria

A year-round destination, Austria has great snowy slopes and ice-capped mountains that make it a haven for skiing lovers. Catering to many adventure junkies from across the globe, this offbeat destination is a haven for exhilarating activities and experiences, guaranteed to make you come back for more.

Some of the adventure activities one can experience here are:

Skiing
You can choose to enjoy a day out in the snow by skiing in Kirchberg, which not only has some of the best ski trails in the world but also attracts many snowboarders and skiers from all over the world. Skiing is also one of the most popular adventure activities in Austria.

Hiking to The Ice Caves
Go hiking to the Werfen Ice Caves, also known as the largest ice caves in the whole world. Being 42 kilometres in length, you can also get private guided tours of the cave which are not only adventurous but also very memorable.

River Rafting
For those who prefer water sports, rafting on the Salzach is one of the most popular adventure activities you can choose to go to Austria. Going through cold white water, heavy gushes, as well as tiring passages of paddling, rafting experience here, is one that will remain in your minds for a long time.

Mountain Climbing
Challenge the adventurer in you, by going on the many routes available for mountain climbing in Austria. You can also choose to climb to the summit of the Kitzsteinhorn glacier. There are many low-lying as well as high peaks that many climbers from all over the world come to the summit every year, from all over the world.

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4. Costa Rica

Home to over five per cent of the world’s biodiversity, Costa Rica has some of the best adventures in the world, including surfing, ziplining or even extreme hiking and bungee jumping. There is no shortage of adventure in this country located in Central America. With lush green rainforests, pristine sandy beaches as well as a wide range of exotic flora and fauna, Costa Rica is a hotspot of adventure activities.

Some of the adventure activities one can experience here are:

Ziplining
Soar over the jungles of Costa Rica with its world-famous ziplines. Boasting of exhilarating and terrifying experiences, this is one of the top preferred adventure activities in the region. Tourists can also get views of the gushing rivers, hillsides and valleys while ziplining from thick cables.

Rainforest exploration
Be it during the day or the night, make sure that you explore the thick rainforests of Costa Rica. Known to be some of the most idyllic and beautiful rainforests in the world, you can also find stunning waterfalls, small streams as well as amazing exotic wildlife during your exploration.

Scale a Volcano
A part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, Costa Rica has numerous volcanoes, some of which are active, and others dormant, but could awaken in the future. You can climb or drive to the tops of these volcanoes. One of these is the Poas, where you can even look over the edge into the huge volcanic craters.

White Water Rafting
Costa Rica is the best place in the world to ride the rapids, posing challenges to even the most experienced river rafters. Be it paddling along the gentle rivers or trying to tame the Reventazon, there is something for every level of rafter here.
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5. Bolivia

Having many surreal and breath-taking views of nature, Bolivia is known for amazing mountain treks and trails. Having both snow-capped mountains and high-altitude deserts including thick jungles, Bolivia is a paradise for adventure enthusiasts.
Some of the adventure activities one can experience here are:

Sandboarding
With many soaring dunes in the region, you can go sandboarding in Lomas de Arena. This area has the greatest number of dunes in all of South America, with the heights of some dunes reaching up to 12 meters or more.

Ziplining
You can pass through the skies of the Amazon while having views of the tranquil and beautiful scenes underneath. The best place to zipline in Bolivia is Yolosa, a small town with a 1500-meter zip line that goes through the valleys and forests of the area.

Abseiling
With abseiling, you can scale a building just like your beloved Spider-Man. Adventure junkies can get a chance to jump from 15-storey buildings experiencing an adrenaline rush like no other.

Snowboarding:
You can experience a one-of-a-kind adventure by snowboarding on the glaciers tucked amidst the Bolivian Andes. This is sure to provide you with spectacular views of the adjoining mountains and will take your breath away.

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6. Zimbabwe

Known for beautiful landscapes, mountains, boulders, rivers and forests, Zimbabwe is one of the most underrated countries when it comes to adventure activities. It has activities that you will find nowhere else in the world, along with one of the best natural wonders of the world, the Victoria Falls. It is known as Africa’s adventure capital and is a must-visit for all adventure enthusiasts.
Some of the adventure activities one can experience here are:

Bungee jumping
You can experience a one-of-a-kind adventure while diving off the Victoria Falls Bridge. The 111 metres fall is sure to fill you up with pure adrenaline rush.

Gorge swinging
For those who have always wanted to swing off the edge of the world, you can do so at Victoria Falls. The gorge here is more than 300 metres wide and 120 metres deep. You will also have to freefall 70 metres into the gorge with over 90 metres if pendulum swings over a valley.

Canopy Tour
For those who are not scared of heights, you can enjoy a bird’s eye view of some of the most beautiful landscapes and natural sights by traversing across 9 different slides along with a walkway on a cable bridge. This is sure to give you the feeling of walking between the clouds.

Canoeing
You can also enjoy canoeing in the Mana Pools Canoe Trail and take in the wonderful landscapes and sceneries of Zimbabwe. The trail takes you through the majestic wilderness of the region, offering you sights, sounds as well as smells of what is Earth’s last natural boundaries.

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7. Sri Lanka

Known as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is one of the best places in Asia for an adventure seeker. Rich in flora, fauna as well as different landscapes and terrains, the country has a wide range of adventure activities to offer to people.

Some of the adventure activities one can experience here are:

Surfing
With the abundance of beaches in the country, there is no doubt that it is a haven for surfers who come here from all over the world to tackle the different waves. From Arugam Bay to Unawatuna, there are numerous beaches where you can go surfing and have an amazing adventurous experience.

Wildlife Safari
Sri Lanka is rich in different wildlife species, which stand out amongst the other great features of the country. You can choose to go for an elephant riding tour or a wildlife safari in the Habarana region or Yala National Park. Moreover, some safaris also take you to the ocean side, where you can catch a glimpse of the blue whales, dolphins and other exotic sea creatures.

Wakeboarding
One of the most famous water sports here is wakeboarding. Experience the warmth of the Sri Lankan waters and feel the excitement and adrenaline rush through you.

Scuba Diving
Another adventure activity that has made Sri Lanka famous is scuba diving. You can not only learn diving here but also plunge into the deep waters of the Indian Ocean to see the colourful and spectacular marine life.

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8. Colombia

Considered to be an ideal location for some of the most adventurous activities in the world, Colombia is a preferred destination for adventure seekers. From hiking to bungee jumping and rappelling, there is an abundance of different types of adventure activities here.

Some of the adventure activities one can experience here are:

Dip in the Totuma Volcano
The Totuma Volcano in Colombia is known for its one-of-a-kind volcano mud bath, which has rich properties of the thermal water along with subterranean minerals. This is an adventure in itself especially considering that you are bathing in the mud along with other people in a lagoon.

Trekking
Trekking is another famous adventure activity in Colombia. A trek to the Lost City of Ciudad Perdida is famous among tourists around the world. In this trek, you can get to sleep in hammocks, and also see stunning views of the Sierra Nevada mountains from the Lost City.

Mountain Climbing
Famous adventure activity is climbing Mount Monserrate which gives off breath-taking views of Bogota from the top. The climbing route is stunning as well, with the occasional vendors and restaurants available for refreshment.

Diving
Having two coastlines, islands and coral reefs, Colombia has some of the best diving spots in South America. One can see lionfish, sea turtles, tropical fishes and other exotic sea creatures from the diving spot near Tayrona National Park, along with Providencia. You can also get to see sunken pirate ships from the diving sites at some islands here.

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9. Norway

There is a lot that Norway has to offer to the world, some of which includes the different adventure activities available here. This Scandinavian country is a paradise for those daring enough to ski, hike or surf in the extreme terrains of the region. Nicknamed the Happiest Place on Earth, Norway and its never-ending wilderness will surely awaken the adventurer in you.

Some of the adventure activities one can experience here are:

Arctic Whale Watching
You can get to watch the different types of arctic whales, including the humpback, killer and fin whales, along with sea otters and eagles from up close in northern Norway. This place is ideal for exploring the many lakes and water bodies where you can not only do ice fishing but also spot exotic wildlife.

Hiking
The most popular adventure activity in Norway is hiking on the tallest mountain in Bergen. With steep trails that offer majestic views of the different oceans, fjords and small houses lining the forests, you also get to be up close and personal with nature and its marvels here.

Paddling
A great adventure experience you can get here is paddling in the deepest fjord in Norway. With continuous rain, paddle through the Sognefjord, which is 127 miles from the cold Atlantic Ocean. You can also explore the adjoining village of Skjoldn in your sea kayak.

Biking
Go biking in the rugged mountainous terrains of Norway. For an ardent cyclist, this country is a cycling paradise, with many different routes that pass-through valleys, fjords as well as glaciers.

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10. Finland

Finland is a place best known for being an adventurous and outdoor destination. Having numerous campsites and adventure activities, it caters to travellers of all types.

Some of the adventure activities one can experience here are:

Trekking and Hiking
With many different forests, trekking has somewhat become the national identity of Finland. Its 40 national parks have a plethora of trails for trekkers and hikers. These trails also offer spectacular scenery and have a network of campsites and small huts located within them for the safety of the hikers.

Mountain Biking
With wilderness and mountains in abundance, mountain biking has become a popular adventure sport in Finland. Cyclists can now ride their bikes on any area that is not specifically forbidden. Moreover, the different terrains also pose the challenge that many adventure seekers look for in their holiday.

Ice Climbing
The Korouoma Canyon in Finland is known around the world for giving travellers and adventure enthusiasts a chance to do ice climbing. The waterfalls here freeze during winter which makes it easy for tourists to learn the basics of ice climbing. It has well marked and established routes for beginners as well as experts.

Rafting
Go river rafting in the Ruunaa Rapids in the Lieksa region of Finland. Best for all types of rafters, Finland has many rivers and streams for tumultuous or safe river rafting. The river adventures here are one-of-a-kind, and offer experiences that you will never forget.

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