At Timbuktu, we love planning trips to celebrate life’s special occasions and, equally so, adventurous escapades to the furthest corners of the globe. And why not combine the two? We’re talking about epic, all-out journeys that will take you miles outside of your comfort zone and offer an entirely new perspective on life. Take a look at our anniversary ideas for adventurers and begin dreaming up your own bucket list trip.
Antarctica by land or sea
At the very bottom of the Earth, you’ll find the world’s largest desert, a place of ethereal glaciers, glimmering ice flats and hulking granite peaks. A trip to Antarctica simply cannot be achieved without a sense of adventure – just the journey there will leave your jaw agape, whether it’s soaring over the endless, indigo ocean or sailing in an expedition vessel. Choose to spend your time on the continent itself, waking every morning in your luxury camp and embracing the fresh feats of the day: scale blue ice glaciers; trek high above frozen seas; bike across the frozen flats and explore a maze of ice tunnels; visit a colony of Emperor penguins; and even get your passport stamped at the South Pole. On the other hand, if you choose to explore by boat, you can look forward to up-close encounters with seal colonies, kayaking alongside enormous whales, and polar plunges for the truly brave.
Gorilla trekking in Africa
Standing within a few metres of a gorilla is one of the greatest and most poignant wildlife experiences on Earth. The forests of East and Central Africa offer the opportunity to trek amidst the trees and find chosen gorilla families in the company of an expert guide and tracker. Embark on an adventure into Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest where a challenging hike will be rewarded with poignant moments spent in the gorillas’ company, or opt for a trek in Volcanoes National Park where you can also spot the rare golden monkey. Within the Congo Basin, you can seek out groups of western lowland gorillas on intrepid walks through the forests and baiis.
Explore Torres del Paine on foot
Hidden deep in Chilean Patagonia, Torres del Paine National Park is world-renowned for its sensational hiking trails. Explore the fantastical landscape over multiple days along one of the iconic routes, passing hanging glaciers and vast pampas, surreal rock formations and glistening lakes as you go. The most well-known is the W Trek, which takes you through the park’s most magnificent sights including its namesake towers and the imposing Grey Glacier. More experienced trekkers can embark on the challenging O Circuit, or really venture off the beaten track on trails through nearly untouched areas of Torres del Paine.
Escape to Reunion Island
A tiny speck sitting between Mauritius and Madagascar, Reunion Island was formed centuries ago when an ancient volcano collapsed, leaving behind an incredible environment to explore. You can even spend a night at one of the remote villages at the centre of a volcanic ‘cirque’ or hike to the summit of one of the most active volcanoes on the planet, Piton de la Fournaise. Reunion Island is also covered with luscious forests, and around every corner you’ll find cascading waterfalls to cool off in, rugged lava tunnels to climb through, and black sand beaches to bask upon. And the adventures don’t stop on land, either: in the water, delve beneath the surface on a snorkelling or scuba diving expedition, or take to the air on a helicopter flight.
Mobile walking safari in South Luangwa
Get to know Zambia’s terrain as few ever do on a multi-day walking safari through the remote and wild South Luangwa. Each day, you’ll cover roughly 10 kilometres, stopping to examine spoor, dung and other evidence left behind by the wildlife, and your experienced guides will share secrets, passed down through generations. One of the very best outfits is Robin Pope and their five-night walking expedition will take you into the northernmost reaches of the park. By day, you’ll follow the great Mupamadzi River, keeping your eyes peeled for larger creatures, and enjoy lunch with your feet in the cooling water. By dusk, you’ll have settled back into camp (it moves up to three times), ready to enjoy dinner cooked over the fire. If you don’t fancy a full-blown walking expedition, opt for a sleepout instead. The ‘Return to the Wild’ experience allows guests to spend the night in the heart of the Luwi Riverbed, dozing off beneath a four-poled mosquito net with the sounds of Africa filling the air.
Traverse the Inca Trail
A visit to the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu is worthy of a bucket list check in itself, but you’ll really feel like you’ve earned it after trekking the Inca Trail. This route forms part of an expansive system of trails that once connected the entire Incan Empire. Over four or five days, you’ll move through a host of different landscapes from mysterious cloud forest to plunging ravines, stopping to examine archaeological sites along the way. Each night, you’ll set up camp and fall asleep knowing you’re that bit closer to seeing the striking scenes of Machu Picchu. Standing at an altitude of 4,215 metres above sea level, the highest point of the trail affords you with stunning views of the Sacred Mountains and Valley of the Incas. Then it will be time for one last descent before you reach the palaces, temples and tombs of Machu Picchu.
Ride the rails in style
Sometimes the journey rivals the destination, which is certainly the case for a trip aboard Rovos Rail. With itineraries that range from two days to two weeks, there is a plethora of routes to choose from that range from Kruger to the Namib Desert, Southern to East Africa. As for your accommodation, you’ll be well taken care of in a beautifully-restored vintage cabin decked out in cherry-stained panelling. Most days, you’ll stop for an outing, which might include a game drive or historic walk. On your return aboard the train, the table will be laid for your next delectable feast, be it a three-course lunch, afternoon tea or a black-tie dinner, accompanied by champagne and post-dinner drinks in the lounge car.
Journey to the Andaman Islands
Far off the coast of India in the Bay of Bengal, the Andaman Islands are a world of their own. The archipelago is actually made up of nearly 600 isles, 26 of which are open to visitors. Just getting there is an adventure involving a flight from mainland India to Port Blair, before taking a private ferry to the island of your choosing. Havelock is among the most well known (if we can even call it that), and you’ll be greeted by paper-white beaches, lush forests and crystalline waters. Picturesque hikes, bioluminescent kayaking and diving with dugongs all await in this clandestine slice of paradise.
Discover the Amazon
A vast biome that spans eight countries including Peru, Ecuador and Colombia, the Amazon is the largest tropical rainforest in the world. Occupying the majority of Peru and almost half of Ecuador, there’s no end to the marvels you’ll discover in the world’s most famous rainforest. You’ll meander along treetop walkways, kayak down tranquil tributaries and across lagoons, and explore deep into the forest on foot. As you go, keep a lookout for thousands of species of birdlife as well as the mythic pink river dolphins, giant river otters, shrieking monkeys, snoozing sloths and much, much more.
An expedition to Easter Island
A tiny slice of land around 3,700 km off the coast of Chile, Easter Island has an imperceivable mystery about it. Giant moai figures (and their famous heads) occupy nearly every corner of the island, peering out from shamrock-green hillocks and standing to attention on rocky plateaus – you can even dive to see the underwater moai before lazing on a pink sand beach. Get to know the history of Easter Island as you explore aged, abandoned villages, or let your inner explorer out, hiking up volcanoes, riding horseback along remote trails and trekking through lava tubes.
Self-drive across Namibia
Whether you soar above the apricot dunes in a fixed-wing plane or zoom across the otherworldly landscapes on a self-driving expedition, Namibia has adventure in its veins. The Southern African country is one of the best places for a self-driven safari on the continent and as long as you have a few supplies and a good map, it’s an especially beautiful way to see the country. After picking up your 4×4 in Windhoek, make a beeline for the surreal scenes of Sossusvlei or head to Swakopmund for a few days of sandboarding, quadbiking and even skydiving. Enjoy the safari portion of your trip in the rugged Damaraland and Etosha, before spending time with the big cats of Otjiwarongo.
