⊗ Mt. Aspiring Packrafting ♦
Location: New Zealand, Otago, Mt. Aspiring National Park
Hike to the Aspiring hut and then packraft back to your car via the beautiful West Matukituki River – an awesome way to experience this excellent national park!
Lake Alta and the Remarkables ♦
Location: New Zealand, Otago, Queenstown area
Two lesser-known short hikes (Lake Alta and Shadow Basin Lookout) to awesome alpine views.
⊗ Rees Valley Packrafting ♦
Location: New Zealand, Otago, North Lake Wakatipu
Beautiful valley with nice packrafting options of varying degrees of difficulty.
Woolshed Creek Hut Loop ♦
Location: New Zealand, Canterbury, Mt. Somers area
⊗ Wilson Creek Canyon ♦
Location: New Zealand, Otago, Haast Pass area
Awesome swiftwater canyon with beautiful rappels, great jumps and slides, and pure New Zealand splendor!
Franz Josef Glacier Ice Climbing ♦
Location: New Zealand, West Coast, Franz Josef area
Awesome glacier accessed via helicopter; local guide companies offer nice ice climbing and glacier hiking options.
Cave Stream ♦
Location: New Zealand, Canterbury, Castle Hill Basin area
Awesome subterranean adventure through a 0.36 km cave following a stream with lots of small water features.
Ball Flats Hike ♦
Location: New Zealand, Canterbury, Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park
Great lesser known hike to awesome views of the Tasman Glacier.
⊗ Ice Cube Canyon ♦
Location: Nevada, Las Vegas, Red Rock Canyon
Awesome canyon in the Red Rocks area with loads of rappels through beautiful sculpted narrows; requires a strenuous approach.
⊗ Weeping Springs Canyon ♦
Location: Nevada, Las Vegas, Black Canyon Area
Excellent canyon with nice scenery, fun rappels, and an optional packraft exit.
Eureka Dunes ♦
Location: California, Northern, Death Valley (North)
Remote sand dunes offering beautiful scenery, nice camping options, and the potential to hear the dunes sing.
Ice Caves ♦
Location: Iceland, Southern, Vatnajökull area
Although every ice cave is different, and they constantly change, they’re always fabulous.
⊗ Keane Canyon ♦
Location: California, Northern, Death Valley (Beatty Junction area)
Technical canyon descent through an area with lots of great mining ruins
Ban Nakhang Xang Trekking and Caves ♦
Location: Laos, Central, Khammouane Province
Explore the stunning karst landscape of the Khammouane Province by trekking through the jungle and exploring rarely visited caves.
Tham Nong Pa Seuam ♦
Location: Laos, Central, Khammouane Province
Swim through a pristine cave filled with crystal clear aquamarine water and beautiful cave formations above and below the surface.
Kuang Si Waterfalls ♦
Location: Laos, North Central, near Luang Prabang
An incredibly beautiful multi-tiered series of falls with perfect pools of turquoise water, ideal for swimming. Pause on your way in (or out) to see the Asian Black Bears at the Bear Rescue Center!
Pappy’s Point Sea Caves ♦
Location: California, San Diego area
Explore the “secret” caves at Pappy’s Point including the famous “Rum Runner’s Cave”.
Bishop Pass Trail to Dusy Basin ♦
Location: California, Eastern Sierras, West of Bishop
Great hike to a picturesque mountain basin with alpine lakes surrounded by towering peaks – best done as an overnight backpacking trip.
Sunset Cliffs Sea Caves ♦
Location: California, San Diego
Excellent set of sea caves on the San Diego coast
⊗ Right Fork of North Creek (Hammerhead Approach)♦
Location: Utah, Zion National Park
Highly scenic, remote technical canyon best done as an overnight.
Maquoketa Caves State Park ♦
Location: Iowa, Eastern
State park with 13 non-technical caves that can easily be explored.
Hagia Sophia ♦
Location: Turkey, Istanbul
Iconic Byzantine-era cathedral turned mosque and now a museum; characterized by spectacular architecture and decorative elements including numerous mosaics
Blue Mosque ♦
Location: Turkey, Istanbul
Breathtaking Classical Period mosque, particularly notable for its stained glass windows and decorative tiles
Basilica Cistern ♦
Location: Turkey, Istanbul
Impressive Byzantine-era cistern supported by marble columns, two of which are notable for having Medusa heads carved into the bases.
Grand Bazaar ♦
Location: Turkey, Istanbul
One of the oldest bazaars in the world and featuring over 4,000 shops – a wonderful combination of history, culture, and modern wares.
Termessos ♦
Location: Turkey, Antalya Region
Well-preserved ruins of an ancient fortified city in the mountains including numerous impressive remaining structures
Cruzmoqo ♦
Location: Peru, Sacred Valley
Checkpoint and outlook for the Incan city of Tipon, with beautiful views, ruins of the city walls, and ancient petroglyphs
Hiram Bingham ♦
Location: Peru, Sacred Valley
Beautifully appointed train offering a luxury travel experience to and from Cusco and Machu Picchu
Tipon ♦
Location: Peru, Sacred Valley
Large, less visited Incan archaeological site characterized by huge terraces and an extensive canal system
Choquequirao ♦
Location: Peru, Cusco Region, La Convención Province
Backpacking through spectacular Andean scenery to the ruins of a remote and extensive Incan city
Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) ♦
Location: Belize, Western, Cayo District
Swim into a beautiful cave notable for its excellent cave formations in addition to remarkable Mayan artifacts
Grotto Canyon ♦
Location: Canada, Alberta, Banff National Park
Fun non-technical winter canyon hike that also offers ice climbing options and features hoodoos and a cave.
Balboa Park Archery Range ♦
Location: California, San Diego, Balboa Park
Little-known walking archery range set amidst the scenery of Balboa Park
Ruby E Wreck Dive ♦
Location: California, San Diego, Mission Beach
Advanced dive (due to depth) to a 1930’s era Coast Guard cutter beautifully covered in barnacles
Millard Canyon/Dawn Mine Loop ♦
Location: California, Los Angeles area, San Gabriels
Hike to a great abandoned mine at the end of a non-technical canyon which includes a nice waterfall
⊗ Eaton Canyon (Technical) ♦
Location: California, Los Angeles, San Gabriels
One of the best technical canyons in the area – like a descent of a technical waterpark with numerous slides and jumps and fun raps
Malibu Creek State Park ♦
Location: California, Los Angeles area, Santa Monica Mountains
State Park where Planet of the Apes and MASH were filmed; offers nice hikes and various fun climbing spots
⊗ Seven Teacups ♦
Location: California, Easter Sierras
Super fun Class C technical canyon with numerous jumps and slides
Zzyzx ♦
Location: California, South Central Desert, Northeast of Los Angeles
Abandoned buildings and infrastructure of a 1940’s era Health Resort on the edge of the Mojave Desert
Dog Sledding ♦
Location: Finland, Lapland
Cruise through beautiful frozen landscapes with your adorable team of sled dogs who are super stoked to pull you (or to pull anything, to be honest)
Nordic Skiing ♦
Location: Finland, Lapland
Cruise through beautiful frozen scenery like the locals do and escape from other tourists on back country trails
Kvernufoss ♦
Location: Iceland, Southern, Skógar/Vík area
Beautiful unmarked and less-visited waterfall – you can even walk behind it for bonus photo opportunities!
Fjaðrárgljúfur ♦
Location: Iceland, Southern, Skógar/Vík area
Stunning sheer-walled non-technical canyon lined with moss and clear water, perfect for hiking up-canyon in the watercourse
Gjáin ♦
Location: Iceland, Southern, Thjórsárdalur
Delightful hidden valley with nice rock formations and waterfalls
Black Sand Diamond Beach ♦
Location: Iceland, Southern, Vatnajökull area
Pristine black sand beach littered with ice chunks, creating a stunning and unusual visual effect
Jökulsárlón ♦
Location: Iceland, Southern, Vatnajökull area
Iconic Iceland location: beautiful glacial lagoon dotted with an ever-changing array of icebergs breaking off from nearby glaciers
Fimmvörðuháls ♦
Location: Iceland, Southern Iceland, Thórsmörk
Fantastic hike through stunning glacier and volcanic sculpted hills and mountains
Stakkholtsgjá ♦
Location: Iceland, Southern, Thórsmörk
Nice non-technical canyon that gets an intrepid top pick rating because of the great side canyon leading to an impressive hidden waterfall in a sculpted, high-walled chamber
Glymur ♦
Location: Iceland, Southwest, Northern Capital Region
Beautiful hike to an impressively tall waterfall tucked in an imposing sheer-walled canyon
Hraunfossar ♦
Location: Iceland, West, Borgarfjörður district
Lovely and unique set of waterfalls that appear to be magically pouring from the hillside
Stefánshellir ♦
Location: Iceland, West, Borgarfjörður district, Hallmundarhraun lava field
Unmarked non-technical lava tube cave with multiple entrances and side passages including a great ice chamber
Glen Falls ♦
Location: North Carolina, Highlands area
Three for one! Relatively short and easy hike to three waterfalls, with nice scenery along the way
Fort Jefferson ♦
Location: Florida, Key West area, Dry Tortugas National Park
Awesome historic island fort (complete with a large moat!) turned prison which held the Lincoln assassination conspirators
⊗ Pandora’s Box ♦
Location: Utah, Capitol Reef National Park
All day technical adventure through an extremely narrow canyon with challenging rappels
⊗ Cassidy Arch Canyon ♦
Location: Utah, Capitol Reef National Park
Relatively short approach to a rapid-fire series of beautiful rappels and canyon features, including the stunning initial free-hanging rappel from under the famous Cassidy Arch
⊗ Neon Canyon ♦
Location: Utah, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Famous technical canyon, renowned for the final beautiful rappel through the roof of the Golden Cathedral
Observation Point ♦
Location: Utah, Zion National Park
Hike to one of the most iconic views in Zion National Park – worth the elevation gain for these views!
⊗ Mystery Canyon ♦
Location: Utah, Zion National Park
Excellent technical canyon with great rappels, views, and varied terrain, ending with a final rappel over Mystery Falls into the Zion Narrows
Subway (Bottom Up) ♦
Location: Utah, Zion National Park
Great non-technical way to visit the most scenic portion of Zion’s iconic “Subway” canyon
Jubilee Mine ♦
Location: Nevada, South of Las Vegas, Nelson
Large abandoned mine with several shafts that can be explored without any technical equipment
The Fire Wave ♦
Location: Nevada, Las Vegas area, Valley of Fire State Park
Short hike with nice scenery to a fascinating slick rock sandstone formation with colorful striations
Coyote Buttes North ♦
Location: Arizona, Vermilion Cliffs National Monument
Fabulous area with outstanding rock formations, multiple natural arches, dinosaur tracks, and more!
Castle Hill ♦
Location: Massachusetts, Ipswich
Historic estate with extensive grounds and various outbuildings – perfect for exploring, particularly if you’re here in the off season and have the place to yourself
Frankenstein Trestle ♦
Location: New Hampshire, Bartlett area, Crawford Notch State Park
Hike to the scenic Frankenstein Trestle, which bridges a sheer cliff face along the Conway Scenic Railroad; particularly great during the autumn with fall colors
Green Hill Valley Elephant Camp ♦
Location: Myanmar, Western Shan State
Elephant conservation camp where you can wash elephants in the river and participate in reforestation efforts by planting trees
Moanalua Valley to Haiku Stairs ♦
Location: Hawaii, Oahu, Southeast
Excellent ridge hike with Jurassic Park-esque views leading to the top of the famous Haiku Stairs (where they can be legally viewed without trespassing) and World War II era top secret military radio station
Manta Ray Night Dive ♦
Location: Hawaii, Big Island, Kailua-Kona
Amazing night dive (or snorkel) featuring up-close encounters with manta rays
Nanue Falls ♦
Location: Hawaii, Big Island, Hilo Area
Rarely visited waterfall, perfect for Robinson Crusoe-esque swimming and jumping
Flowing Lava! ♦
Location: Hawaii, Big Island, Volcanoes National Park Area
If lava is visible and accessible, it’s the experience of a lifetime to go and see it up close. Kilauea (presumably) won’t erupt forever, so go if you can!
Prasat Pram ♦
Location: Cambodia, Northern, Koh Ker
Site of ruined temple buildings with extremely picturesque strangler fig on-growth
Preah Khan ♦
Location: Cambodia, Northern, Siem Reap Area
Excellent ruined temple left in a stabilized unrestored condition, complete with excellent vegetative growth on and around the ruins
Beng Mealea ♦
Location: Cambodia, Northern, Kulen National Park region
One of the Khmer Empire’s larger complexes, this site has a great Indiana Jones feel to it and sees few tourists
Cu Chi Tunnels ♦
Location: Vietnam, Southern
War memorial park at the home base of the Viet Cong Tet Offensive, where you can tour the tunnels and buildings used by the fighters
Son Doong Expedition ♦
Location: Vietnam, Phong Nha Ke-Bang National Park
Multi-day technical cave expedition through a massive and other-worldly cave
Sentinel Meadow ♦
Location: California, Yosemite National Park, Yosemite Valley
Easy hike providing several of the classic postcard Yosemite views
Upper Yosemite Falls ♦
Location: California, Yosemite National Park, Yosemite Valley
Historic trail to the top of Upper Yosemite Falls, providing outstanding views of some of Yosemite’s most iconic landmarks
North Fork of Big Pine Creek ♦
Location: California, Eastern Sierras, West of Big Pine
Great trail through mountain scenery to a series of lakes providing views of the Palisades and Palisade Glacier.
Tanbark Trail and Tin House ♦
Location: California, Big Sur, Northern
Great hike through redwood forests with a waterfall and great views, ending at the ruins of an old tin house
Mrauk U ♦
Location: Myanmar, Western, Rakhine State
Former capital of the ancient Arakine Kingdom, Mrauk U is a remote area with a fascinating history and excellent Indiana Jones-esque temples
Sunrise Balloon Ride over Bagan ♦
Location: Myanmar, Western Mandalay Region
Balloon ride providing outstanding views of the temples of Old Bagan and the Irrawaddy River.
Taunggyi Balloon Festival ♦
Location: Myanmar, Western Shan State
Huge festival with giant hot air balloons rigged with pyrotechnics.
Kealakekua Bay ♦
Location: Hawaii, Big Island, Kailua-Kona Area
Fantastic spot for snorkeling that generally sees a lower volume of tourists due to more difficult access
Doubtful Sound ♦
Location: New Zealand, Southland, West Coast
Outstanding remote fiord with beautiful scenery, wildlife, and opportunities for fishing.
Clifden Cave ♦
Location: New Zealand, Southland, Southern tip
Fun and easy cave with glowworms
Cathedral Caves ♦
Location: New Zealand, South Island, The Catlins
Fabulous sea caves
Curio Bay ♦
Location: New Zealand, South Island, The Catlins
Petrified forest tidal shelf and home to an easy-to-view colony of penguins.
Fox Glacier ♦
Location: New Zealand, West Coast, Fox Glacier area
Scenic glacier with blue ice and nice ice climbing opportunities
Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes ♦
Location: Alaska, Northern Alaskan Peninsula
Dramatic and beautiful active volcanic valley – home of the Katmai Crater.
Geographic Harbor ♦
Location: Alaska, Northern Alaskan Peninsula
Beautiful harbor with wildlife and nice fishing
Marin Headlands ♦
Location: California, San Francisco Bay Area
Explore a beautiful historic military area including old batteries and bunkers.
Goat Canyon Trestle ♦
Location: California, Anza Borrego Desert
Off trail hike to the famous and historic Goat Canyon wooden trestle
Distance: 6 miles round trip, 3000 feet of elevation gain