6 Best Travel Destinations for Thrill Seekers

If you were to take a poll of all travelers asking the question, “Why do you travel?” you could expect to receive a diverse range of answers. Some travel to visit important historical and cultural sites, while others seek out natural beauty. For some travelers it’s all about the food and nightlife, yet for others it’s all about the art and architecture.

And then there are those who travel for a completely different reason: the thrill of chasing that next adrenaline-pumping adventure. If that sounds like you, read on - we’ve rounded up the 6 best destinations for thrill-seekers around the world.

1. Mount Huashan, Xi’an, China

This mountain in southern China is strikingly beautiful, with its numerous sacred temples and sweeping views...but be careful! It’s also known for being home to the world’s most dangerous hike: the infamous Plank Walk in the Sky. To reach the summit, you’ll have to scale a narrow, rickety wooden path bolted into the mountainside, with a straight drop below. You’ll be fitted with a secure safety harness, but this trip is certainly not for the faint of heart!

2. Cerro Negro, León, Nicaragua

Photo via Bigfoot Hostel Leon

If you’re looking to score some serious “cool points,” we’ve got the perfect activity for you: volcano boarding. Cerro Negro is an active volcano in Nicaragua, where thrill-seeking travelers can hop onto a metal toboggan and slide down the side of the volcano at speeds of up to 60 mph. You can even have your speed clocked by a radar gun to ensure optimal bragging rights.

3. Devil’s Pool, Victoria Falls, Zambia

Michael Baynes via Getty Images

During Zambia’s dry months (from August to January), a unique phenomenon occurs at the top of the 355-foot high Victoria Falls: a natural pool forms just near the edge of the falls, and it’s actually safe for swimming. The rocky ledge forms a barrier and protects swimmers from tumbling over the side. You can peek over the edge at the sheer drop as you feel the water rushing past you - it’s the ultimate infinity pool!

4. Mount Everest Base Camp, Nepal

The name alone of earth’s highest mountain conjures up images of snow-capped peaks, frigid winds, and intrepid mountaineers. But you don’t have to be an experienced climber to make the trek to Everest Base Camp, although you do need to be in relatively good shape and have a strong sense of adventure. The two-week journey takes you to an elevation of more than 17,000 feet at below-freezing temperatures, but reaching the base camp is the ultimate reward.

5. ZORB New Zealand, Rotorua, New Zealand

Photo via Zorb New Zealand

Get ready to roll! “Zorbing” is as fun to do as it is to say; just climb inside a giant transparent sphere, and roll down a track or slope to the very bottom. The spheres typically hold between one and three riders, so you can try it with friends or go solo. At ZORB New Zealand - the original zorbing company - you can choose from three tracks: the “Fast Lane,” the “Zig Zag,” or the mysterious-sounding “Drop.”

6. Stockhorn Cable Car, Interlaken, Switzerland

Photo via Interlaken Travel

This scenic town in the mountainous Bern region of Switzerland is a mecca for adrenaline junkies, and with good reason. It’s the prime jumping off point (pun intended) for activities like skydiving, hang gliding, paragliding, and canyoning, but perhaps the most well-known adventure takes place at the Stockhorn Cable Car Bungee. After taking the cable car up the mountain, you’ll jump from a height of 440 feet and freefall over an alpine lake, surrounded by the majestic Swiss Alps