What’s the ONE wild, awe-inspiring journey you HAVE to expertise earlier than you die?
We requested outside lovers, thrill seekers, and globe-trotting dreamers to share the epic journeys that high their private bucket lists—and the deeper explanation why.
From racing throughout the Bonneville Salt Flats to locking eyes with a silverback gorilla in Rwanda, these aren’t simply adrenaline kicks—they’re the tales that stick, the moments that mark you.
Whether or not you’re planning your subsequent journey or simply daydreaming together with your morning espresso, these 16 outside adventures may have you asking: What’s my once-in-a-lifetime quest?
Take a Safari Tour in South Africa
My high bucket checklist outside journey can be to take a safari tour via the well-known Kruger Nationwide Park in South Africa.
Having the ability to see lions, cheetahs, and different African wildlife up shut can be unbelievable. I can solely think about what sort of humbling feeling this should give.
And it’s not solely the animals; the start of life on Earth stems from this area of the world. How unbelievable would it not be to go there and expertise that?
That’s one thing you’ll not discover wherever else.
Chris Oberman, Blogger, Shifting Jack
Expertise Automotive Racing at Bonneville Salt Flats
I’d like to expertise automobile racing on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah!
Driving throughout a mattress of salt the place the sky and the Earth meet on the horizon whereas breaking velocity data looks as if such an exhilarating expertise!
Religion Czarnecki, Journey Advisor, Travelista Travels
Hike the Dolomites in Northern Italy
My high bucket checklist journey consists of mountaineering the Dolomites, positioned in Northern Italy.
Since childhood, I’ve dreamed of visiting the mountain vary that mixes sharp peaks with serene meadows to witness its rugged magnificence myself.
The most important attraction of this journey lies in its alternative to disconnect from routine life whereas spending a number of days totally engaged with nature.
A bunch of hikers shared their emotions of accomplishment from ending the path and rediscovering themselves inside a unprecedented panorama.
The mix of breathtaking surroundings with genuine villages creates the proper journey vacation spot.
Nothing compares to savoring Italian delicacies as a pleasant reward after finishing a prolonged hike.
Renato Fernandes, Medical Nutritionist, Saude Pulso
White Water Rafting the Grand Canyon
White water rafting the Grand Canyon on the Colorado River has been on my bucket checklist for a very long time, and I’m excited to attempt it.
The considered paddling via highly effective rapids whereas surrounded by the superb canyons of seems like an unbelievable journey.
I’ve heard that the combination of peaceable waters and intense drops makes the journey thrilling and unforgettable.
Tenting by the river and having fun with the attractive desert views would make the expertise even higher.
In the future, I’m going to make it occur and really feel the joys of the Colorado River for myself.
Evan McCarthy, President and CEO, SportingSmiles
Trek the Kokoda Monitor in Papua New Guinea
If I might select one outside journey earlier than I go away, I must say trekking the Kokoda Monitor in Papua New Guinea.
I’ve heard tales of its difficult terrain, the dense jungle, and the unbelievable historical past behind it.
I consider it could be an incredible expertise to push myself bodily and mentally, whereas additionally paying respects to the courageous troopers who fought there throughout World Conflict II.
However I’m not getting any youthful. If I don’t do it quickly, life would possibly get in the best way.
I’m not simply looking for a thrill—I’m looking for perspective.
After years of illuminating automobile parks and warehouses, I wish to expertise what it’s wish to stroll at midnight, each actually and metaphorically.
Matt Little, Proprietor & Managing Director, Festoon Home
Hike Pico de Orizaba in Mexico
As somebody who has chased a number of the most breathtaking pure landscapes on the planet, one expertise that I’ve at all times dreamed of reaching is mountaineering Pico de Orizaba in Mexico, the nation’s highest level.
It could be about testing one’s particular person limits whereas taking within the surroundings.
The thrice-difficult hike to the highest, via a panorama surrounding the snowy cliffs, is extraordinarily difficult. However as an Aries, I like huge challenges and excessive adventures.
Someplace in between awe and a deep sense of accomplishment is the place you end up standing atop the snow-covered slopes, feeling the expansive horizon in entrance of you.
There are various adventures that I wish to have, but when I might verify one off the checklist, it could be Pico de Orizaba.
It’s not merely a bodily journey, however an emotional one—a reminder of the unbelievable issues nature gives.
Mariana Montes, Native Tour Information and Journey Author, Vibe Adventures
Swim with Whale Sharks in Donsol
I can’t enable myself to die with out swimming with whale sharks in Donsol, Philippines.
There’s no approach I’m leaving this planet with out that have.
I’ve thought of it for years. The thought of being within the open ocean, face-to-face with one thing that huge and historic, slows all the things down in one of the simplest ways.
My work is continuous, stuffed with deadlines and transferring targets. I would like a minimum of one second in my life the place I’m surrounded by one thing that doesn’t care about any of that, one thing that simply strikes via the water by itself phrases.
Spencer Romenco, Chief Progress Strategist, Progress Spurt
Sea Kayak By way of Channel Islands
My final bucket checklist journey must be sea kayaking via the Channel Islands Nationwide Park off California’s coast, tenting on every of the 5 islands whereas monitoring the seasonal blue whale migration.
This dream crystallized for me again in 2012 after I was coordinating a luxurious yacht constitution close to Santa Cruz Island and noticed an enormous blue whale breaching—fully remodeling my understanding of those islands from fairly coastal views to a unprecedented wilderness gateway that the majority Californians by no means expertise regardless of being in our yard.
What makes this journey so compelling is the exceptional biodiversity mixed with the bodily problem—navigating typically treacherous ocean currents between islands, sleeping on distant seashores the place island foxes would possibly go to your campsite, and experiencing the joys of paddling alongside the biggest creatures on Earth.
I’ve been systematically constructing the talents wanted—taking progressively tougher kayaking journeys alongside the Mendocino coast, studying navigation methods,and finding out marine wildlife patterns—as a result of the most effective adventures aren’t simply checked off a listing however actually skilled via preparation and presence.
Keep in mind that “the wilderness asks you to come back as you might be however go away higher than you arrived”—one thing I’ve discovered true whether or not planning adventures for shoppers or dreaming of my very own epic multi-island kayaking journey via this extraordinary marine sanctuary.
Joe Hawtin, Proprietor, Marin County Customer
Go to Antarctica’s Icy Wilderness
One outside journey I’d like to take earlier than I die is visiting Antarctica.
Exploring that untouched, icy wilderness seems like a dream come true.
Simply image it: stepping onto the large, frozen panorama, surrounded by huge glaciers and colonies of penguins, with seals lounging on drifting icebergs.
I can think about kayaking via these icy waters, getting up near the unbelievable blue colours of the glaciers, and taking a polar plunge into the freezing sea.
I can deal with the chilly and ice, however oh my goodness—the fee!
Between expedition cruises, gear, and journey logistics, it’s an journey that requires critical planning (and financial savings), however the likelihood to see one of many final actually wild locations on Earth can be price each penny.
Naima Ch, Advertising and marketing Head and search engine optimisation Specialist, Morse Code Translator
Sail Round Pacific Islands
Having had many adventures all around the world, I hold pondering of increasingly more experiences to have.
A few of the ones which are nonetheless excessive on my checklist are:
- Crusing across the Pacific islands: paradisiacal landscapes, cultural immersions, starry nights, and full disconnection.
- Going to the North Pole and seeing polar bears earlier than all of it melts.
- Climbing the GR20 in Corsica: it’s thought-about one of the difficult hikes in Europe, and I like a superb problem.
- Tenting below the celebs whereas mountaineering the Jordan Path: an remoted path with the interior awakening and journey that comes from a multi-day hike.
Juan Castells, Journey Blogger, Planet of Adventures
Embark on an Arctic Expedition
My final bucket checklist journey is to embark on an Arctic expedition aboard a solar-powered icebreaker, navigating via the frozen wilderness to witness the Aurora Borealis firsthand.
This dream has been on my thoughts since listening to a firsthand account from an environmental scientist who spent months within the Arctic finding out ice patterns.
He described the eerie silence of the frozen panorama, the sheer scale of towering glaciers, and the surreal great thing about the Northern Lights shimmering throughout the sky. The best way he spoke about it made me understand this isn’t only a journey—it’s an expertise that modifications your perspective on nature, exploration, and even the way forward for our planet.
However for me, this journey wouldn’t simply be about seeing the aurora; it could be about mixing journey with scientific exploration.
This Arctic journey can be the final word fusion of journey, sustainability, and scientific curiosity—and if I get the possibility to do it, I’ll be bringing again extra than simply recollections.
Murray Seaton, Founder and CEO / Well being & Health Entrepreneur, Hypervibe
Trek with Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda
The one outside journey I completely should expertise earlier than I die is trekking with mountain gorillas in Rwanda.
There are solely round 1,000 mountain gorillas left within the wild, and Rwanda’s Volcanoes Nationwide Park is one in all simply three locations on Earth the place you may see them.
Every day, solely about 96 persons are allowed to trek—eight guests per gorilla household, strictly for one hour. That’s it!
This stage of safety isn’t any accident; knowledgeable native guides and trackers begin early, following clues like nests and dung to find the teams, then radio again to coordinate the trekkers.
By the point you set off, the gorillas have been discovered, and the actual journey begins.
You hike via lush, misty rainforest on the slopes of the Virunga Mountains, usually at excessive altitudes.
It’s bodily demanding—however once you lastly lock eyes with a wild silverback, time stops. It’s silent, highly effective, and deeply human.
You watch younger gorillas play, moms groom their infants, and the dominant male survey his kingdom.
It feels much less like wildlife watching, and extra like being let into an historic, sacred world. And simply once you assume that you’re a minimum of 20 ft away from them, a big silverback brushes previous you, typically planting their knuckle in your ft.
Sanjay Nair, Founder, Safari Lab
Climb Mount Everest
I’ve at all times been fascinated by the concept of climbing Mount Everest.
It’s not solely one of many best outside adventures but in addition an emblem of perseverance and dedication.
Standing at 8,848 meters above sea stage, it’s the tallest mountain on the planet and attracts 1000’s of climbers yearly.
For me personally, reaching the summit of Mount Everest can be the final word achievement.
It could require months of bodily coaching and psychological preparation to tackle such an excessive problem.
However the reward can be priceless—standing on high of the world with breathtaking views and a way of accomplishment like no different.
However it’s not nearly reaching the summit. The journey to get there’s simply as essential. Climbing Mount Everest requires dedication, teamwork, and resilience. It’s a take a look at of bodily and psychological power, pushing one’s limits and overcoming obstacles.
Ryan Nelson, Founder, PropertyBuild
Journey a Bike Throughout Pamir Freeway
I’d like to trip a motorbike throughout the Pamir Freeway earlier than I die. I don’t imply a type of brief vacationer routes.
I imply beginning in Kyrgyzstan and taking it throughout Tajikistan, winding via the Wakhan Valley, and pushing via these brutal mountain passes the place the roads collapse and the air will get skinny.
That stretch is without doubt one of the most distant and unforgiving on earth, and that’s precisely why I have to do it.
There’s one thing about being on two wheels, uncovered to the weather, staring down cliffs with no guardrails, and understanding that each flip calls for full consideration.
I’ve watched movies of riders crossing rivers on nothing however a plank, mud clouds rolling behind them, snow within the distance, and villages that haven’t modified in generations. I would like that.
I would like the discomfort. I would like the silence. I wish to lookup and never see a single billboard or visitors gentle or cell tower.
Simply me, the street, and no matter comes subsequent. If I don’t trip the Pamir earlier than I’m executed, I’ll by no means cease excited about it. That one’s not only a journey. It’s a necessity.
Johannes Hock, President, Synthetic Grass Professionals
Hike Torres del Paine Circuit
Climbing the Torres del Paine Circuit in Chile has been on the high of my checklist for years, and I’m determined to make it occur.
There’s one particular cause it pulls at me: the sheer isolation.
I spend my days deep in planning, logistics, and decision-making. I’m surrounded by expertise, calls, and urgency. The thought of entering into a spot the place all the things quiets down and the one factor I would like to consider is the subsequent step on a path appears like precisely what I would like.
Torres del Paine is gorgeous and distant, which forces you to disconnect. No inbox. No conferences. Only a bodily problem paired with one of the dramatic landscapes on Earth.
A reset like that doesn’t occur on a weekend getaway. It comes from placing within the miles, coping with the climate, and watching these granite towers rise in entrance of you with nothing in the best way. I don’t wish to hold placing it off. That hike is one thing I wish to earn whereas I nonetheless can.
Kyle Sobko, Chief Government Officer, SonderCare
Camp on North Stradbroke Island
As somebody who has carved out a profession in creating memorable journey experiences, my bucket checklist journey can be a multi-day tenting journey on North Stradbroke Island, referred to as Straddie.
With its beautiful seashores, wealthy Aboriginal tradition, and various wildlife, it presents an immersive solution to reconnect with nature.
On Straddie, guests can get pleasure from all the things from watching koalas and kangaroos to participating with the native Aboriginal group on cultural walks. I’ve at all times been fascinated by the island’s mix of leisure and journey.
Given my background in hospitality and private dedication to buyer expertise, I see this journey as a solution to additional deepen my appreciation for what’s doable when nature meets service. It’s about experiencing the world via totally different lenses.
Cam Storey, Proprietor, Brisbane 360
Your story is ready.
The world is vast and wild and stuffed with moments that may shake one thing free in your soul.
Whether or not it’s standing beneath a sky stuffed with stars within the Sahara or feeling the thunder of waterfalls in Iceland, the precise journey doesn’t simply present you new locations—it exhibits you new components of your self.
So don’t simply dream about it. E-book the journey. Pack the bag. Say sure.
As a result of the most effective tales are those you truly reside.