Extreme sports holidays come under the category of adventure travel, and we live in a world with a plethora of options when it comes to high octane vacations. Before you pack your bag and take the plunge, take a look at these five highlights of the extreme sports world:
1. Dog sledding (Greenland)
Let's dive straight in at the cold end! Dog sledding in the stunningly beautiful arctic landscapes of Greenland is a great way to test your fitness and your endurance in rock bottom temperatures. Your command of the beautiful pack of Greenlandic sled dogs that act as your engine will have to be strong, but you will be able to learn the art of 'mushing' from the local Greenlanders, who have spent centuries living off the land in this magical part of the world.
2. River surfing (Queenstown, New Zealand)
Ask anyone on the backpacking circuit and they will tell you that Queenstown is the extreme sports capital of New Zealand. You can try your hand at anything from bungee jumping to heli skiing, but one of the most popular options is river surfing, which involves making the most of the white water on the Kawarau River with rock jumps and standing whirlpools all part of the fun. Once you have reached a high level, take a lightweight board and ride the waves like a pro.
3. Shark dive (Honduras)
In the Central American state of Honduras lies Roatan, the biggest of its Bay Islands. There you can sample what it is like to swim with sharks by taking the world famous shark dive. You will come eye to eye with any number of 10 to 15 female Caribbean Reef sharks, that will not pose a threat to you, but might give you one of the most exhilarating experiences of a lifetime. Expert staff give you an ultra detailed briefing, and you will also have the option of taking home some stunning photographs of you facing down one of the world's most feared creatures.
4. Log rafting (Sweden)
Sweden is a country known for its calmness and tranquility, but if you want a more adrenaline pumping way of taking in its charms, opt for building your own raft from logs and then heading off down the Klarälven River. If you don't have the time, you can buy a ready-made one, and using paddles and poles, your group can negotiate its way through one of the world's most beautiful landscapes.
5. Hang gliding (Georgia, USA)
Rising Fawn in Georgia, with its mix of hills and mountains, is recognised as one of the best places on Earth for hang gliding. Instructors can start you off on the less intimidating hills, before graduating you to higher elevations. And you will have one of the best views - taking in the Chattanooga Valley and Lookout Mountain - in the south of the US to look forward to. Soar through the sky without a care in the world with the wind in your face, and experience the weightlessness that comes with swooping through the air as you survey the picturesque scene below.
You should note that many standard insurance policies do not cover adventure travel, which tends to fall under specialist packages. If you have any questions on whether certain activities such as scuba diving, moped riding, bungee jumping etc. are covered on your policy, please don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01243 784000.
