Viator Travel Blog

Nepal is one of the most popular destinations in the world for trekkers. It is cheap compared to most other countries, has the world’s highest mountains, and offers hikers a chance to experience the unique cultures of Nepal’s highlands. Fully one-third of the great snow-capped Himalaya is contained within Nepal’s borders, and the opportunities to explore this vast zone are many.

My Small-Group Franz Josef Glacier Walk tour didn’t start on a glacier. Nor did it start on a helicopter. No, this tour started in the town center of Franz Josef, New Zealand, in the office of the tour guide, where excitement for what was coming escalated as I outfitted myself in glacier clothes.

While it’s a city full of culture and history, Granada also offers plenty of activities for the adventure traveler. Nicaragua’s neighbor, Costa Rica, is often considered to be one of the top Central American destinations for adventure travelers, but Nicaragua is an alternative since so much of the land is undeveloped. Today I spotlight five adventure things to do in and around Granada, Nicaragua.

Welcome to the 2012-2013 Viator Travel Awards: Adventure Activities Edition, your indispensable guide to adrenaline-pumping (some might say, fear-inducing), heart-pounding activities around the world. The following list represents the most popular adventure activities offered around the world, with tips on where you can do each one both near and far from home.

You could spend a lifetime exploring the Amazon’s vast interior, much of which is inaccessible and remains unseen by human eyes, but here is a list to get you started.

Israel has long been a destination characterized by its religious, historical and cultural attractions, all of which it has in abundance. Yet Israel has a very different side to it, one that may come as a surprise to travelers. Extreme and adrenaline sports are becoming huge business in the country and Israel has endless opportunities for thrill-seekers. Combined with its varied and dramatic scenery it makes for the perfect combination for an active, outdoor vacation with a taste of the Middle East.

For those looking for a more rounded and educational experience of Hawaii’s Big Island (or perhaps you’ve got a few kids in tow), consider these handful of learning activities that will keep you (and your kids) on your cerebral toes.

The Pacific Northwest is a backpacker’s dream. With more national parks, national forests, and other protected areas than you can shake a hiking stick at, the dark, damp forests and wild coastal stretches of western Oregon and Washington attract backpackers and hikers from around the world. Volcanoes, mountain meadows, sea stacks, and old growth forests beckon hardy hikers with the promise of pristine scenery and backcountry solitude. Here are our picks for the ten best backpacking trips in the Pacific Northwest.

If you’ve not heard of Madeira in Portugal before, you’re not alone.

Popular with older travelers because it’s hot and rain-free almost all year round, we were warned Madeira could be light on entertainment and more than a bit touristy. But, if you avoid the stacked apartment complexes and venture west along the coast, things can get a whole lot more adventurous.

Many travelers pride themselves on their ability to ‘go it alone’ or ‘get off the beaten track’, often bemoaning organized tour groups as unauthentic or formulaic. But while independent travel can be a life-altering experience, there are certain destinations and activities that simply aren’t available to the solo traveler. So whether you’re seeking an adrenaline-charged encounter or looking to tick a few adventures off your bucket list, here are 10 incredible experiences that you can only do with a little help from a tour company.