Top Travel Destinations for Thrill Seekers

If your idea of an epic adventure involves spotting an array of endemic wildlife and exploring remote volcanic islands, the Galápagos Islands can offer all of that – and plenty more. This Ecuadorian archipelago contains many of the world’s best snorkeling and scuba diving spots, with crystal clear water giving you the chance to observe an array of wildlife, including sea lions, sea turtles, sharks and penguins, up close. On Culture Trip’s five-day express trip, you’ll kayak in the Itabaca Channel, have the chance to snorkel among sea turtles at Kicker Rock, and hike through lava fields on San Cristóbal island, as well as visiting a giant Galápagos tortoise reserve.

Featuring volcanoes, glacial lagoons and mighty waterfalls, Ecuador should be on every adrenaline junkie’s bucket list. On Culture Trip’s eight-day tour through the spine of the country, you’ll hike around the Limpiopungo glacial lagoon, go horse riding in Cotopaxi National Park, cycle the Baños Waterfall Route and trek around the rim of Quilotoa – an extinct volcano on the westernmost edge of the Andes, with an emerald green lake in its crater. Feeling brave? You’ll also have the chance to ride the iconic Swing at the End of the World and go white water rafting in the Amazon before returning to Quito.