20/08/2019 | Category: Travel Insurance
Lying by the pool not your thing? Fear not, there are plenty of other ways to spend a holiday. Adventure holidays are growing in popularity as more people search for a holiday to remember.
When you are planning an active holiday it doesn’t have to involve scaling Everest (although you might want it to). Active holidays are all about doing something unusual or daring while you’re away. That could take you to some far-flung destination, but it could also mean you stay closer to home and do something a bit different that takes you out of your comfort zone.
Try your hand at kayaking, sailing, white water rafting, cycling, hiking, abseiling, rock climbing and more. Just pick your activity and get the active travel insurance to match. Get in touch with an active travel insurance specialist such as Insurance Choice to help you find the right cover for you.
If you’re looking for the best locations for your next active holiday, the world is your oyster. Here are a few active holiday destinations that will certainly get that adrenaline pumping.
You could walk the Great Wall of China, but why not really put yourself through your paces and run it? Widely seen as one of the most challenging marathons in the world, it includes 5,164 steps, but you’ll be rewarded with some truly breath-taking surroundings and views. It’s undeniably difficult and described by many as brutal, but don’t let that put you off. Other gruelling marathons include the Big Five, Petra Desert, Polar Circle and Iceland Volcano. Take your pick!
On many an adrenaline junkie’s bucket list, shark diving is one of the ultimate adventure holiday activities. How would you feel about coming face to face with one of the world’s most fierce predators? On Durban’s Aliwal Shoal, you get to see black tip sharks all year round and tiger sharks during the summer months. This is one of the few places in the world you can shark dive without a cage – only if you want to, of course. Or, you may prefer to snorkel to get the best shark interactions. It’s entirely up to you. Active travel insurance has never felt so necessary!
How do you fancy descending 120m below ground to explore the earth’s belly? Want more? What about if that subterranean world was a volcano. Take a tour into Iceland’s Thrihnukagigur volcano and explore its magma chamber drained of magma which is lit up to show the vibrant colours of purples, yellows and reds. The last time the volcano erupted was 4,000 years ago, but tours are only announced on a year-by-year basis. You know, just in case…
It’s one thing to look down into the Grand Canyon from a rocky ledge a mile above, but another to see the canyon from water level on the Colorado River. The official rafting route is 443km long, with plenty of side canyons, Puebloan sites, swimming holes and sandy beaches to explore along the way. Oh, and lots of wild water to enjoy as well. Securing a private rafting permit can take years, but there are plenty of commercial tours, which can range from one day to three weeks. Thrill-seekers, unite.
A secret city, set in the mountains, shrouded in mystery and legend. It’s easy to see why Machu Picchu is on many a holiday-maker’s bucket list. You can get there by train, but rocking up on foot is the way to do it. And that doesn’t mean you have to stick to the Inca Trail. You can hike via the less-visited ruins of Choquequirao, head along the Salkantay Trail or take on the challenge of the Vilcabamba Traverse. Set high in the Andes Mountains, depending on what route you take, your trek will last between four and 13 days. When comparing routes remember: the tougher the journey, the sweeter the victory. (And don’t forget to compare active travel insurance policies before you go, too).
Nepal is well-known as one of the world’s top mountain biking destinations. The trails are ancient – and there’s a huge number of them. In fact, kilometres of trails are just waiting to be discovered as the entire country is criss-crossed with well-trodden paths. Kathmandu Valley is where the Neplaes mountain biking phenomenon all began – choose from day trips close to town to more rugged adventures that offer no easy way out. Bring. It. On.
The 1,085m peak of Mount Snowdon in Wales is a real magnet for abseilers of all abilities looking to lower themselves over a sheer drop. With plenty of stunning starting points, the panoramic views as you descend are breath-taking. You can choose to abseil on the mountains or under them (exploring an old mining complex deep within the mountainside). And while you’re there, why not combine the abseiling with some rock climbing and ziplining too? It’s time to unleash your inner Spiderman!
There’s hardly an adventure sport not on offer in the self-styled adventure capital of the world. Take your pick from skydiving, mountain biking, jet boating, white water rafting, white-water boarding, zip lining, paragliding, canyon swinging and more. However, bungee jumping still rules the roost in Queenstown, with three jump sites ranging from 43m to 134m.
Or you might prefer the bungee catapult that fires you 150m across a ravine at 100km an hour, creating up to 3G of force. Try it out and you’ll have earned a trip to one of the region’s many vineyards and distilleries for some more low-key tasting activity. But don’t relax for too long, there’s too much to do!
When planning your next active holiday, remember: a standard travel insurance policy will only cover you for low-risk activities.
Whatever adventure holiday you decide on, you’ll want an active travel insurance policy to ensure you are covered every endorphin-releasing step of the way. It’s all about the small print.
At Insurance Choice, we can help you compare active travel insurance policies to find the one that covers you. With active travel insurance you can make sure you’re covered for the cost of medical treatment, increased cancellation cover (up to £100,000), plus cover for your baggage, equipment, personal possessions and cash.
Get in touch with the team at Insurance Choice today to get a quote on active travel insurance cover for your next adventure holiday.