Outdoor adventures for your bucket list 2022

Now that travel restrictions around the world have eased off, many people are looking to add a new adventure to their bucket list. Slowly but surely, the world is returning to becoming a much more accessible place - and that means there are plenty of exciting things that can be done in the great outdoors. The question is, where should you take your next trip?

The world has no shortage of amazing outdoor adventures. Whether you want to go for a short day hike in the mountains or take a week to explore a remote wilderness, there are plenty of amazing destinations across the planet. The first step in finding an awesome adventure is looking at exactly what kind of trip you're looking for. Luckily for you, we've gathered a list to help you with that.

Here is a list of bucket list adventures that you definitely should add a bit of spice to your 2022.

Climb to Machu Picchu

Source: CNN Travel

Climbing to Machu Picchu is a great way to experience the harsh and brutal conditions of the Inca empire. The hike alone is amazing, but what makes it so special is being able to go all the way up into the clouds... And down.

Although the ancient Inca citadel is accessible by bus, there is the option of trekking along the 26-mile-long Inca Trail to not only put you in the shoes of Incans past but gives you the opportunity to reconnect with Mother Nature. Start the day with a drive up to the ancient citadel, which is near Cusco. The hike from there is breathtaking as you pass through towering Andean peaks and ruins as you follow the Inca Trail.

The entire trail takes about five days to trek, requiring camping pitstops, but some tour operators offer partial trail experiences that will cut down the trek to just 24 hours. To add the cherry on top of this bucket list adventure, time your trek to enjoy a beautiful sunrise along the ancient city – or end your day here with a sunset.

Explore the Grand Canyon via Raft

Source: Visit Arizona

The Grand Canyon is one of the majestic wonders of the world. At 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide and a mile deep, it's no surprise it's being called the "most magnificent canyon" in the world. Hiking across the canyon is certainly one way to explore it, but the most spectacular way to experience this natural wonder, worthy of people's bucket list adventures, is by river rafting.

Rafting allows you to explore this natural wonder from a completely different perspective, along the Colorado River. According to the Grand Canyon National Park, the best time to raft along the Colorado River is between the months of May and October.

It should be noted that there is a "weighted lottery" system to enter the Grand Canyon via private raft, and with that is a long waiting list attached. Fortunately, there are commercial tour operators that offer single-day to three-week adventures down the Colorado River. However, this bucket list adventure activity needs to be booked well in advance as spots are limited!

Walk Across a Glacier

Source: InterPatagonia

Hiking across a glacier isn't a bucket list adventure everyone will find, but it's certainly one you need to add to your list. These incredible structures made from solid ice are a sight to behold when you walk across them. For those looking for a slightly more rugged adventure than hiking, there are glaciers all around the world where people have walked across them.

Several companies offer glacier treks in the Himalayas of India, as well as hiking trips through Alaska's Glacier Bay National Park. But one trek you most definitely need to add to your bucket list is the Pento Moreno Glacier in the Patagonia region of Argentina. The glacier is 19 miles in length and a whopping 240 feet in height from the surface of the waters below. Pento Moreno is the third largest freshwater reserve in the world and is located in the Los Glaciares National Park.

There are multiple to enjoy this bucket list adventure. For the light of heart, you could simply hop on a boat to get a closer look at the magnificent ice structure. But, for a real outdoor adventure worthy of bucket lists, consider renting a pair of crampons and actually stepping foot on the ice itself!

Visit the Home of Via Ferrata

Via ferrata is an Italian term that directly translates to "iron path", and that's exactly what the sport entails. It's a type of sport that involves both climbing and hiking one's way across a network of iron pathways. Via ferrata is easy to learn, fun to do, great exercise and usually less risky than traditional climbing. It's becoming increasingly popular with adventurers who want a new challenge.

Although via ferrata is available across many countries, the best outdoor experience that needs to go onto your adventure bucket list is to visit what is considered the home of the sport – the Dolomite Mountains in Italy.

Legend has it that the sport was invented during World War 1 as a way for the Italian and Austro-Hungarian troops to traverse the tough, mountainous terrains of the Dolomites. Nowadays, via ferrata is a great way for those bitten by the outdoor adventure bug to get a breath of fresh mountain air and enjoy some absolutely gorgeous views.

Camp Under the Northern Lights

Source: Wildlife Archives

If you're looking for a more chilled-out way to embark on an outdoor adventure, this activity is for you. The Northern Lights, or the Aurora Borealis, are a phenomenon caused by solar particles interacting with the Earth's atmosphere, leading to an absolutely breathtaking nighttime show. These gorgeous green lights seemingly dance in the night sky and can only be seen in a few places on Earth.

This is a bucket list adventure that not only promises a great experience but also connects you to nature as no other experience could. One way to enjoy this stunning natural phenomenon is to camp underneath it – with one of the best places to do so is in the Finnish Lapland.

It's highly recommended to try to spot this unique wonder during the winter months, so consider booking your adventure with a reputable tour company that will give you all the equipment you'll need to have a comfortable experience. The Aurora Borealis is a natural phenomenon that needs to be experienced at least once in a lifetime, and it's sure to be a worthwhile addition to anyone's bucket list adventures.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many bucket list-worthy adventures to experience around the world – too many to stick into a singular list! No matter your choice of adventure, these bucket list-worthy activities will provide memorable and life-changing experiences that are well worth adding to your list.