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SOUTH AMERICATake a leaf out of Indy’s book and don’t bother following maps to buried treasure; “X never, ever marks the spot.” Instead, let us do the leg work as you delve into this prized possession of a trip, spanning 12 days. You’ll have to plunge your way down white-water rapids and climb the 350m (1,144ft) ancient Temple of Doom fortress at Sigiriya to get your hands on any plunder. On your less active days, you can teach the local kids all about the adventures of a part-time archaeologist when you visit a rural Sri Lankan school, and fend for yourself by cooking up some local delicacies at a cooking class – don’t fret, it won’t be eyeball soup and chilled monkey brains.
Want to set eyes on proboscis monkeys and orangutans, while avoiding sneaky capuchin spies? Don your hat and set off into the Bornean wilderness. Although we can’t promise no snakes, there definitely won’t be any poisonous dates anywhere near your cooking class exploring the secrets of traditional Dusun cuisine. In fact, the only dates you’ll be enjoying are days in the sun tasting Sabah brews at an organic tea farm or snorkelling among coral reefs off Kota Kinabalu. After 10 days, you’ll be able to say you’ve scouted out a Borneo pygmy elephant – the smallest sub-species of elephant in the world – and hiked up Maragang Hill for views of Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in Malaysia.
Still looking for the Holy Grail? Stop right there. Every adventurer needs time to recharge, and nine days in the waters of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula will do just that. Separate yourself from the mainland of Mexico – and the stress of retrieving rare relics – with some sunset yoga in Holbox. Like Indy, delve deeper into the world’s wonders and discover the ancient Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza and its mystic wonders, before cooling off with a swim in a cenote. A round of tasting “pox” – a centuries-old corn-based liquor – or a Tulum cocktail-making class may see you falling backwards off your chair. So, please, “sit down before you fall down”.
Make sure your rival doesn’t get there first with this Amazonian adventure. Start your eight-day trip by immersing yourself in the architecture of Quito and scouting out adventure companions over a Pilsener, Ecuador’s favourite beer. There’ll be no need to commandeer a horse when you head out into Cotopaxi National Park – you’ll be provided with one when you’re introduced to the Chagra cowboy culture of the Ecuadorian highlanders. A stay at Kuyana Amazon Lodge won’t see you sword fighting dangerous pursuers on rickety bridges, but you will trek through the rainforest alongside the Jatunyacu River – one of the main tributaries of the Amazon.
Unlike Dr Jones, the only thing you’ll be fighting in Egypt is your desire not to leave. Get lost in the wonders of handcrafted souvenirs and rich spices at the Khan El-Khalili Bazaar, before meeting potential lifelong friends (like Sallah) outside the Sphinx and Pyramids of Giza – the largest being the last surviving marvel of the Ancient World. Remembering that, “This… this is history,” unleash the archaeology professor in you when you embrace Hathor, the goddess of love, joy and beauty, in the Temple of Dendera. Tutankhamun will also be waiting for you at the Valley of the Kings, so it’s safe to say that you’ll definitely be in possession of some rare and precious memories with this Egyptian experience.