Activity and Adventure Holidays

Adventure means different things to different people. For some, it’s standing on a mountain summit after a rewarding day’s trek. For others, it’s charging down a river through white-water rapids, skiing untouched powder or diving beneath tropical seas. The beauty of activity and adventure holidays is that they can be as exhilarating or as relaxed as you choose.

At Original Escapes, we believe travel should be about creating experiences that stay with you long after you’ve returned home. Our philosophy is simple: Original Escapes – Original Adventures. Whether you’re looking for a gentle walking holiday, a challenging trekking expedition or an adrenaline-fuelled adventure on the other side of the world, we’ll help create a journey tailored to you.

Visit Original Escapes to discover how we can create your perfect activity or adventure holiday.

Why Choose an Activity and Adventure Holiday?

Activity holidays offer a more immersive way to experience a destination. Rather than simply seeing a place, you become part of it. You’ll walk through landscapes that few visitors reach, paddle along remote coastlines, cycle through countryside untouched by mass tourism or discover wildlife in its natural habitat.

From luxury adventure holidays and family adventure holidays to specialist trekking expeditions, today’s active traveller has more choice than ever before.

New Zealand – The Ultimate Adventure Playground

Few destinations can rival New Zealand for sheer variety. Snow-capped mountains, dramatic coastlines, ancient forests and crystal-clear lakes create the perfect backdrop for adventure.

Queenstown has earned a worldwide reputation as the adventure capital of the world. Here you’ll find bungee jumping, skydiving, jet boating and some of the finest white-water rafting anywhere on the planet.

For those seeking a slower pace, Rotorua combines geothermal wonders with excellent hiking, mountain biking and forest adventures, making it ideal for active travellers of all ages.

Costa Rica – Rainforests, Volcanoes and Wildlife Encounters

Costa Rica is a dream destination for travellers who enjoy combining outdoor activities with spectacular natural scenery.

Around Arenal Volcano, visitors can hike through lush rainforest, soar above the canopy on zip-lines and tackle thrilling river rafting adventures. The surrounding hot springs provide the perfect place to relax afterwards.

Monteverde Cloud Forest offers a completely different experience, where hanging bridges and elevated walkways allow visitors to explore one of the world’s most fascinating ecosystems from above the forest floor.

Switzerland – Alpine Adventure in Every Season

Switzerland offers some of Europe’s most iconic mountain scenery and remains one of the best destinations for active holidays.

Interlaken sits at the heart of the Swiss Alps and provides access to paragliding, canyoning, hiking and mountain biking, all surrounded by breathtaking alpine landscapes.

In winter, Zermatt becomes a paradise for skiers and snowboarders. During the summer months, the same mountains transform into a haven for walkers and mountaineers, all beneath the watchful presence of the magnificent Matterhorn.

Canada – Big Landscapes and Endless Possibilities

Canada’s vast wilderness provides endless opportunities for outdoor adventure.

Banff National Park is one of the country’s crown jewels, offering spectacular hiking, canoeing, mountain biking and wildlife watching against a backdrop of turquoise lakes and towering peaks.

Whistler may be best known for its exceptional skiing and snowboarding, but its extensive summer trail network has also made it one of North America’s premier mountain biking destinations.

Australia – Adventures Above and Below the Water

Australia combines incredible marine environments with rugged wilderness and wide-open spaces.

The Great Barrier Reef remains one of the world’s most extraordinary diving and snorkelling destinations, offering unforgettable encounters with colourful coral reefs and abundant marine life.

Meanwhile, Tasmania rewards adventurous travellers with dramatic coastal walks, kayaking expeditions, mountain trails and some of the most unspoilt wilderness found anywhere in the Southern Hemisphere.

Norway – Fjords, Mountains and Arctic Beauty

Norway’s dramatic scenery makes it one of Europe’s finest destinations for activity holidays.

The Lofoten Islands are renowned for their spectacular mountain landscapes rising directly from the sea. Hiking, kayaking and wildlife watching are all popular here, while winter visitors may be rewarded with views of the Northern Lights.

Elsewhere, Norway’s famous fjords offer glacier walks, scenic cruises and some of the most rewarding hiking trails in Scandinavia.

Iceland – Adventure Among Fire and Ice

Iceland feels like another planet. Volcanoes, glaciers, geothermal springs and vast lava fields combine to create one of the world’s most unique adventure destinations.

From Reykjavik, travellers can enjoy glacier hiking, whale watching, ice climbing and volcanic exploration. The country’s compact size makes it easy to combine multiple adventures into a single itinerary.

For keen walkers, Landmannalaugar offers some of Iceland’s most spectacular trekking routes, passing colourful volcanic mountains, geothermal valleys and natural hot springs.

Peru – Ancient Trails and Epic Landscapes

Peru offers a remarkable blend of adventure, history and culture.

The famous Inca Trail remains one of the world’s greatest trekking experiences, winding through dramatic Andean scenery before arriving at the legendary citadel of Machu Picchu.

Beyond the mountains, the Amazon Rainforest offers opportunities to explore one of the most biodiverse environments on Earth through guided wildlife expeditions and river journeys.

South Africa – Wildlife and Adventure Combined

South Africa is one of the few destinations where travellers can combine world-class adventure activities with unforgettable wildlife encounters.

Kruger National Park offers incredible safari experiences, while the famous Garden Route combines beautiful coastal scenery with hiking, surfing, kayaking, whale watching and even one of the world’s highest commercial bungee jumps.

Nepal – The Home of Himalayan Trekking

For many adventure travellers, Nepal represents the ultimate trekking destination.

The journey to Everest Base Camp is one of the world’s most famous adventures, offering stunning mountain views, fascinating local culture and an overwhelming sense of achievement.

The Annapurna Circuit provides an equally rewarding experience, with ever-changing landscapes ranging from subtropical valleys to high-altitude mountain passes.

USA – Adventure on Every Scale

The United States offers a huge variety of adventure travel opportunities.

Colorado attracts visitors year-round with exceptional skiing, mountain biking, hiking and rafting. Its national parks and mountain towns provide countless opportunities for outdoor exploration.

Hawaii offers a completely different adventure, where volcanic landscapes, tropical rainforests and pristine coastlines create the perfect environment for surfing, snorkelling, hiking and whale watching.

Chile – Patagonia and Beyond

Chile’s incredible geography stretches from some of the driest deserts on Earth to the glacial wilderness of Patagonia.

Torres del Paine National Park is widely regarded as one of the world’s finest trekking destinations, offering dramatic mountain scenery, glaciers and crystal-clear lakes.

Further north, the Atacama Desert provides opportunities for stargazing, sandboarding and exploring extraordinary landscapes unlike anywhere else on the planet.

Japan – Where Adventure Meets Tradition

Japan offers a unique combination of outdoor adventure and cultural discovery.

Hokkaido attracts winter sports enthusiasts from around the world thanks to its legendary powder snow, while summer brings excellent hiking and opportunities to explore its national parks.

The historic cities of Kyoto and Nara offer a gentler form of adventure, where ancient temples, forest trails and centuries-old traditions create unforgettable travel experiences.

Find Your Perfect Adventure

The best activity and adventure holidays aren’t always the most extreme. Often, they’re the experiences that connect you most closely with a destination — whether that’s walking through the Himalayas, kayaking beneath Norwegian cliffs or watching the sunrise over the Andes.

At Original Escapes, we specialise in creating tailor-made adventure holidays that reflect your interests, abilities and ambitions. From luxury trekking holidays and active family adventures to once-in-a-lifetime expeditions, we’ll help you discover the world in a way that’s entirely your own.

Ready to start planning your next adventure? Complete our Enquiry Form and let our travel specialists create a bespoke itinerary designed around you.

Original Escapes – Original Adventures.