Those with a penchant for adventure and discovery will, no doubt, be seeking out all manner of creative ways to satisfy their needs during these times of limited travel.
Jumping on a plane and heading off to uncover another great travel escapade seems a little too distant at this current time, but things will change, and oh how our lust for those one-off experiences grows. Bucket lists are no doubt bursting with big ideas and our finest walking shoes are ready and waiting to be packed up and whisked off to another continent.
While you dream up and plan a selection of exciting trips to take when travelling is allowed once more, let us inspire you with a few more amazing travel ideas for your 2021 aspirations.
Mount Huashan Plank Walk, China
Those who suffer from a dose of vertigo will want to give this one a miss, but for the adventurous out there, those who crave excitement and a slightly more exciting travel tale to tell, the Mount Huashan Plank Walk is the thrilling experience you desire.
The plank walk is a highlight for many adrenaline junkies and is attached to the eastern side of the south peak of Mount Hua in China, which rises to 2,155 metres. Built 700 years ago, travellers will be pleased to know that the plank has been reinforced over time, and though the fairly thin walkway has no guardrail (yikes!), walkers will be required to wear a safety harness as they cross the 130-metre-long walkway with its sheer drop. Expect stunning views from the lofty location above the clouds and enjoy a selection of surrounding hikes and tours to make the most of the stunning location.
Chernobyl Story Tours
Those with an interest in historical events will understand the need to learn in order develop a greater appreciation for events of today, and also to honour what happened in the past. One such historical event that gripped and shocked the world at the time, and still does to this day thanks to a recent TV mini-series, was the Chernobyl disaster in 1986.
A steam explosion and resulting airborne radioactive contamination from the site in northern Ukraine and across Belarus, and other parts of Europe and the USSR caused devastating effects at the time and continuing health issues to this day. Those who are eager to learn more can visit Chernobyl and take part in one or multi-day tours of the power plant, church and abandoned towns with professional guides, while staying in the exclusion zone. Don’t worry though, radiation levels are low, and you are said to more likely be exposed to more radiation during your flight over than on a day spent there.
Get up close and personal with gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda
Those who love nature and wild animals will no doubt be enamoured with the enthralling primate that is the gorilla. The largest of the great apes, the two species (eastern and western, with lowland and upland subspecies) of gorilla are to be found in the forests of central Sub-Saharan Africa.
If witnessing their wonderful characteristics and learning of their unique lives via a nature documentary doesn’t quite fulfil your needs, then a visit to Rwanda or Uganda it is. Specifically, the mountain gorilla can only survive in the wild, so taking part in a gorilla trek to witness these wonderful creatures up close in their natural habitat will be something of a unique privilege.
Rafting the Colorado River at the Grand Canyon
The vast Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona in the USA averages at around 4,000 feet deep for all of its 277 miles, and this impressive natural wonder has intrigued and delighted visitors for years.
Forged by the Colorado River over millions of years, the red rocks of the Grand Canyon enthral around 5.5 million guests each year, but don’t be put off as there are plenty of ways to immerse yourself in its natural beauty and get your adrenaline pumping too. Hiking, cycling, even mule riding and helicopter tours, but our favourite has to be white-water rafting. There a varying trips you can take on the river, whether commercial or non-commercial and they vary in length of up to 25 days, but be warned, these are for experienced rafters and are rather limited.
