World's Top Adventures

The world over there is a myriad of amazing adventures that provide traveller’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Some of these are places that the individual will discover for themselves; others are more widely known but no less the fascinating experience for it. The following are trips that would take you much further than the back door, and the rewards are all the greater for it.

Galápagos Islands – Ecuador

A genuine paradise on Earth, the Galápagos Islands are a volcanic island chain 972 kms off the coast of Ecuador, famous for harbouring the unique and fearless wildlife that helped inspire Darwin’s theory of evolution. Until recently the animals have had very little exposure to humans and as a result they are so unafraid of visitors that you can observe them at close proximity. You can hike across varied volcanic landscapes to watch the courtship dances of blue-footed boobies and scarlet throated frigate birds. Walk with Giant Tortoises and see marine and land iguanas, and then slip into the water with Galápagos penguins, curious sea lions, sea turtles, tame sharks and tropical fish. Located on the equator and blessed with pleasant weather all year round, it is possible to visit this beautiful natural sanctuary at any time of the year.

Antarctica

For over two centuries Antarctica has exerted a powerful pull on curious scientists and courageous explorers. Almost totally covered in ice, this vast frozen land is the coldest, driest and windiest place on earth. Despite its inhospitable conditions, Antarctica is home to an amazing array of wildlife. Its immense glaciers and rocky shorelines are home to leopard, Weddell and fur seals, Adélie, king, chinstrap and gentoo penguins and sea birds of all kinds, including the magnificent albatross. Orca, blue, humpback and minke whales search for krill in the chilly seas surrounding beautifully sculpted icebergs and isolated islands. Departing on an Expedition Cruise from Ushuaia in Argentina, you can be one of the lucky few to step foot on the Antarctic Peninsula and perhaps even the continent itself, during the short austral summer from November to March.

Gorilla Trek – Rwanda

High on the flanks of the Virunga Mountains of Rwanda, mountain gorillas roam freely through the rainforest in small family groups. Trekking to meet these amazing creatures face-to-face represents the ultimate wildlife encounter and if you’re intending to visit east Africa then this is an experience not to be missed. Mountain gorillas are critically endangered with only about 700 left in the world, about half in the mountains of Rwanda, so visiting them in their own habitat is something only a few people will ever able to experience. Due to strict conservation controls imposed by the Office Rwandais du Tourism et des Parcs Nationaux (ORTPN) to protect the remaining gorillas, a limited number of permits are issued per day, and groups of 8 people can visit a family group on any given day.

Amazon jungle – Brazil

Encompassing 5.5 million square kilometres across nine countries in the northern reaches of South America, the Amazon is the largest tropical rainforest in the world. It performs important cleaning services including filtering fresh water and recycling carbon dioxide into oxygen, the rainforest plays a crucial role keeping the world’s climate stable. Home to ten percent of the world’s mammals and land-based plants the jungle also represents the largest and most biologically diverse collection of living things in the world. Our Amazon Expedition Cruise you’ll have the chance to explore the jungle by boat and on foot, swim off deserted beaches and learn about the diverse array of plants and animals from expert naturalist guides. There will also be an opportunity to meet indigenous residents of the forest to learn about their culture and the important survival skills that are passed from generation to generation.

Visit Machu Picchu – via the Inca Trail Trek or Lares Valley Trek – Peru

Machu Picchu is one of the most beautiful and enigmatic archaeological sites in the world, set deep in the Andes mountains of Peru. Known as the Lost City of the Incas, the citadel was originally completely self-contained, surrounded by agricultural terraces sufficient to feed the population and watered by natural springs. Located high above the Urubamba River, the cloud-shrouded ruins include palaces, baths, temples, storage rooms and some 150 houses, all in a remarkable state of preservation that will take your breath away.

To experience the wonders of Machu Picchu you can join a group tour with Tucan Travel or take an Independent Travel package and hike the spectacular Inca Trail or Lares Trek.

Inca Trail Trek
There are many Inca paths through the Andes, but the most famous is known simply as ‘the Inca Trail’, the royal route to Machu Picchu. Spread over 4 days, the spectacular 44 km trail crosses three stunning high passes and encounters many ancient archaeological sites, culminating at the famous Lost City of the Incas. In order to preserve the Inca Trail and its surrounds, the Peruvian authorities cap the number of trekking permits to 500 per day (including porters and guides). Due to these restrictions, permits must be booked in advance. The trail is closed in February for a cleanup.

Lares Trek
Hidden within the magnificent snow-capped Andes, the beautiful Lares Valley has all the natural beauty of the Inca Trail – magical mountain scenery and the legacy of the Incas – but without the busy tourist crowds. The Lares Trek is so far off the beaten track that it has changed little over the last 500 years and retains its authenticity, offering a glimpse of life the way it used to be in Peru. No permits are required and the Lares Trek is open all year-round.

All these adventures – as well as hundreds more – are available with Tucan Travel. Visit www.tucantravel.com for a full list of global adventure tours.