‘Dare to seek the extraordinary’ with Richard Bangs’ 50 Best Adventures on Earth

The word “adventurous” often conjures up images of adrenaline junkies pursuing daring and heart-pumping exciting activities. Such individuals are willing to push themselves, often beyond their perceived limits, for the rewards that come from their bold endeavors.

If you recognize yourself in this description, check out Richard Bangs’ new book, 50 Best Adventures on Earth, for plenty of ideas to add to your high octane bucket list. But if this isn’t you, you’re still going to want to take a look at this book. The visually stunning photography and colorful descriptions are droolworthy and they might just inspire you to step outside your comfort zone. Baby steps…

Photo courtesy of Richard Bangs

Those familiar with the adventure travel world will most likely have heard of Richard Bangs. Often regarded as “the father of modern adventure and the pioneer in travel that makes a difference,” Bangs co-founded Sobek Expeditions (now MT Sobek) over fifty years ago. He was also part of the founding executive team of Expedia.com and served as president of Outward Bound. Plus, he executive-produced and hosted the Emmy-winning PBS series “Richard Bangs’ Adventures with Purpose.” Additionally, Bangs is the CEO of White Nile Media, Inc., a sustainable tourism development and media company that has worked with many major companies and organizations, from USAID to airlines, tourism boards and OTAs such as Orbitz and Expedia.

As a legendary adventurer, Bangs led first descents of thirty-five rivers around the world, including the Yangtze in China, the Omo in Ethiopia, the Indus in Pakistan and the Zambezi in Southern Africa. With friends, he explored untried, off-the-beaten routes, trails and waterways on every continent, spanning the range of adventure activities from extreme whitewater rafting to wilderness walking.

Photo courtesy of Richard Bangs

50 Best Adventures on Earth is Bangs’ 21^st book and it’s packed with extraordinary experiences that’ll take you into the wonders of the natural world and among fascinating human cultures. The author believes that firsthand experience is the best way to foster appreciation of the incredible diversity existing on this planet. He writes, “Then the appreciation becomes more than just academic; it becomes personal.”

For Bangs, adventure travel is good for many reasons: “It is good for the self and good for the globe. It expands the mind, tones the body, heightens awareness, and promotes understanding. And it is downright fun!”

As a proponent of adventure travel myself, albeit “soft” adventure, I heartily concur with the author’s views. Such pursuits make me feel alive and enhance my senses. They help to broaden my awareness and understanding of nature, wildlife and people, while elevating my consciousness and instilling confidence.

Photo courtesy of Richard Bangs

What I like about Bangs’ book is the variety of adventures, not only with the destinations spanning all seven continents, and types of activities, but with the range and level of these activities, from easy to strenuous. Each adventure includes a grading for its level of difficulty (from 1-5), which is explained in advance. And there are trips suitable for all ages and inclinations. So no, you don’t have to be an uber athlete. Many of the adventures only require you to be in good physical health, enjoy being active and willing to do some pre-trip training and planning.

At the “easy” level 1, the trips emphasize the scenic or cultural value of a specific region and use hotel or lodge accommodations, while traveling by comfortable van or bus. They might involve short hikes and/or gentle river floats. One of the trips in this category is a Botswana Flying Safari, where you’ll explore the landscape and abundance of wildlife within several game parks and the magnificent Okavango Delta. Flying from park to park allows more time to spend observing the array of incredible African creatures.

Photo courtesy of Richard Bangs

Activities for the “moderate” level 2 are geared towards active travelers who like to walk, hike and paddle at a more relaxed pace. Camping is typically involved and longer day trips and/or river trips with whitewater are usually included. But the degree of exertion is up to you. Cruising the Galapagos of Ecuador or doing a Narwhal and Polar Bear Safari up north of the Arctic Circle in Canada are possible options at this grade. Both involve seeing wildlife that are only found in these unique destinations, from blue-footed boobies and giant tortoises to polar bears, seals and whales.

Or you can do something wildly different and try Dancing at the Sing-Sing of Papua New Guinea. Tribal life and ancient customs take centerstage in this remote destination. The Sing-Sing is the country’s largest event. It celebrates diversity and tolerance and as a visitor, you will be immersed in a world of fire dancers, mud men, sorcerers and more. All this and a breathtaking landscape of volcanoes, rainforests, gorges and tropical fjords.

Photo courtesy of Richard Bangs

Trips rated “average” level 3 entail 3-6 hours of physical activities such as hiking and rafting, and camping is the norm. The hikes though can be of shorter durations and lower altitudes (below 6,000 ft.). There are plenty of choices here, including Kayaking the Sea of Cortez in Baja and Hiking Ireland North to South. Or on the exotic side, Explore Ethiopia, the Cradle of Man, and immerse yourself in age old tribal cultures amid rock churches.

Photo courtesy of Richard Bangs

If you live in the U.S. and want something closer to home, there’s Canoeing the Everglades. You’ll paddle the Everglades Wilderness Waterway, home to Florida wildlife like manatees, mangrove fox squirrels and of course, alligators.

At the “difficult” level 4, you should consider yourself an experienced adventure traveler and can handle full days of challenging and physically demanding activities. A physician’s certificate of health is generally required. There’s a slew of options to select from, such as hiking the Classic Inca Trail or Patagonia’s Paine Circuit, or Rafting the Zanskar, Little Tibet. The latter takes you to Ladakh, India, a “kingdom at the top of the world,” where you’ll find a river deeper than the Colorado through the Grand Canyon. It’s Shangri-La, complete with Buddhist temples, monasteries, ibex and snow leopards!

Photo courtesy of Richard Bangs

Or you can opt to go Dogsledding Through Gates of the Arctic in Alaska’s Far North. You’ll spend several days preparing for your expedition with lessons in dog handling, winter survival and camping techniques, before setting out on a nine-day journey within the dramatic setting of the Brooks Range. Polar traveler wannabes, this one’s for you!

At the top of the grading system is “strenuous” level 5. These trips are for the extreme thrill-seeker who is well-versed in experiencing ultra physically demanding activities. Tackle climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Rafting the Zambezi, Africa’s wildest river, or the Franklin River of Tasmania, the wildest river in the Pacific. These are not trips for the faint-hearted!

Photo courtesy of Richard Bangs

For each destination, Bangs provides detailed GPS coordinates and full-color photography, along with expert guidance, seasonal timing and essential gear. He also includes first-hand accounts of groundbreaking expeditions and comprehensive trip planning resources, from local guides to accommodation options. His knowledge of each location is extensive, allowing readers to use this book as more than a simple guidebook, but rather a “playbook” to actualize their adventure dreams.

50 Best Adventures on Earth will be available beginning early May on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million and Bookshop.org.