OVER 50’S GUIDE TO ADVENTURE TRAVEL
Adventure travel today is about living fully, being active, and prioritizing joy, growth, and health. In my own experience, life after 50 can be one of the best times to embrace exciting new experiences, and to rediscover the thrill of trying something bold and adventurous.
Be assured, stepping out of your comfort zone doesn’t mean putting yourself in danger, because to me adventure travel is less about risk and more about rediscovery.
So, whether you’re newly retired, planning a sabbatical, or still balancing work and personal time, here is my Over 50’s Guide to Adventure Travel and my suggestions for 10 Adventurous Activities that can offer you physical and emotional benefits, as well as perhaps igniting a new passion!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- OVER 50’S GUIDE TO ADVENTURE TRAVEL
- 10 ADVENTURE TRAVEL ACTIVITIES
- 1. HIKING AND TREKKING ADVENTURES
- 2. SCUBA DIVING OR SNORKELLING ADVENTURES
- 3. BIKING ADVENTURES
- 4. CULTURAL ADVENTURES
- 5. VOLUNTEERING ADVENTURES
- 6. ROAD TRIP ADVENTURES
- 7. WELLNESS RETREAT ADVENTURES
- 8. WILDLIFE ADVENTURES
- 9. FOOD AND DRINK ADVENTURES
- 10. CLASSES AND WORKSHOP ADVENTURES
- WHY ADVENTURE AFTER 50?
- BEFORE YOU GO ON AN ADVENTURE
10 ADVENTURE TRAVEL ACTIVITIES
1. HIKING AND TREKKING ADVENTURES
Hiking and trekking are becoming more and more popular as it is a low-impact way to experience adventure travel in breath taking landscapes while challenging your body at your own pace.
Whether you’re walking a local trail from home, taking a day trip into nature, or heading for the mountains, hiking and trekking is scalable to your own fitness level.
I personally enjoy taking adventurous day hikes when I’m exploring a country. In Penang Malaysia, for example, I trekked up Penang Hill and enjoyed the flora and fauna of the ancient rainforest. Although, on that particular day, it was so misty at the top (700 metres above sea level) that I didn’t get to see or appreciate the fine views.
In Japan, on Miyajima Island, I spent a day hiking (535 metres above sea level) up Mount Misen (and also took advantage of the ropeway) to reach the sacred site of The Shrine of the Eternal Flame.
This year, I was thinking of doing the Camino de Santiago Pilgrimage ‘The Way of St. James’. There are many different hiking routes over differing distances from France, Portugal and Spain, all leading to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, in Northern Spain. But that particular trek is now so popular and overcrowded that I’m rather put off participating.
Instead, next time I’m in Japan, I’m seriously considering hiking part of The Shikoku 88 Temples Pilgrimage. It is a spiritual circular route on the Japanese island of Shikoku, visiting 88 Buddhist temples over a total distance of 750 miles.
If hiking and trekking appeals to you then I suggest starting with short local day-hikes and gradually work up to longer or more challenging and longer-distance treks. Invest in (affiliate links) a lightweight backpack and quality footwear and trekking poles for comfort and balance.
But, if you’re a traveller seeking more adventurous thrills, then perhaps Everest Base Camp, Annapurna and Manaslu Circuit Trek are on your travel bucket list and Nepal is calling you? Or, maybe you just want to step into the mountains and discover a new side of yourself, as you breathe in the fresh mountain air of the Himalayas?
If so, then you’ll want to consider taking an expert guided tour (sponsored link) with Royal Holidays Adventure – an experienced company who cater for many travel styles in exotic settings. They can provide trekking, hiking, off the beaten track, and scenic tours, in Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet, while also practicing responsible and sustainable tourism.
Why Try It: Guided trekking can offer fabulous opportunities to explore nature and wilderness and remote terrain – or even more challenging and adventurous environments – with companionship and in safety and with expert guidance.
The benefit of walking is proven to reduce stress and increase mental clarity and cardiovascular health as well as bone density, leg strength, and joint mobility.
2. SCUBA DIVING OR SNORKELLING ADVENTURES
Scuba diving offers an adventure in an entirely different world and learning to scuba dive is on many people’s wish lists, especially in the tropics when the water is clear and warm, and the underwater world is vibrant and colourful.
Many destinations have dive shops offering Discover Scuba Diving experiences and beginner certifications like Open Water Diver and Advanced Diver and warm water destinations like the Caribbean or Thailand offer calm clear waters that are ideal for snorkelling or diving.
If you’ve read some of my other posts, you’ll know that during our first years of travelling the world, my backpacking husband’s great passion was scuba diving.
While we travelled, he gained more and more scuba diving qualifications. In the Caribbean he trained for three months as a Dive Master, after which he went on to achieve Assistant Instructor then while in Thailand he became and Instructor. After ten years of training, he reached IDC Staff Instructor and then Course Director.
I am not a scuba diver myself, but I do love to swim in the ocean and to snorkel over a reef, which I recommend to anyone as a gentler and more accessible option, if deeper water and scuba is not your thing.
In my experience, snorkelling in the warm clear shallows over a coral garden, you can often see shoals of colourful fish going about their fishy business and observe turtles, crabs, and other crustaceans and aquatic life, just as you could if you were diving.
Why Try It: Being on the ocean is an adventure and exploring the mesmerising underwater world can boost mental wellbeing. Physically, scuba diving and snorkelling enhances breathing efficiency and lung function and offers a sense of weightlessness that’s easy on joints.
3. BIKING ADVENTURES
Biking is an adventurous activity that’s also scalable to one’s own fitness and energy levels and needn’t be as exhausting as walking because you can always choose to ride a bicycle with battery power!
Whether you’re cycling through Europe or exploring bike trails closer to home, biking is a heart-healthy, joint-friendly adventure that strengthens muscles, especially the legs and core, is great cardiovascular endurance and promotes balance and coordination.
Cycling is a wonderful way to really experience a country and I’ve taken to pedal power in many countries of the world and have photos to prove it!
I personally have enjoy cycling and, while in France recently, I rode my bike with friends along a riverbank pathway and through a park, stopping off for a light lunch along the way. It was a wonderful way to spend a sunny Sunday.
I’ve rented a bike to explore the small island of La Digue in Seychelles – where there are no cars allowed – pedalling through palm tree plantations, discovering incredibly beautiful beaches like the beach at Anse Source D’Argent – while befriending giant tortoises.
I’ve also cycled over the Golden Gate Bridge while spending a few days in San Francisco. And, in Central Vietnam, I’ve cycled from Hoi An to the beaches at Cua Dai and An Bang along the elevated pathways between the rice fields.
Why Try It: You can set off on your cycling adventure alone or you can consider a cycling tour. These can range from scenic day trips to multi-day excursions with sociable stop offs, comfortable accommodations, and support vehicles (with extra batteries if your electric bike should require a pitstop!).
4. CULTURAL ADVENTURES
One of my very favourite things to do is to explore cultural sites all over the world. Delving into a place of rich history, old traditions, and learning about the customs of different cultures is like seeing through a window into the past or reaching into another world.
I love museums and visiting places of cultural interest and I particularly enjoy the sites of ancient temples and old castles because their splendour is in the atmospheric, often spiritual, ruined but tangible history, you can touch and see for yourself.
I’ve often felt overwhelmed and emotional in places of cultural immersion – like in the Golden Temples of Chiang Mai in Thailand, in Egypt at the Museum of Antiquities and the Pyramids at Giza – and again at the vast Angkor Wat Archaeological Park in Cambodia.
Why Try It: Immersing yourself in the past by exploring ancient ruins, archaeological sites, and experiencing cultural heritage stimulates the mind and enhances global awareness and empathy. Cultural sites also promote walking and light physical activity.
5. VOLUNTEERING ADVENTURES
Why not combine travel with purpose by volunteering overseas? From teaching English as a second language, to helping communities build homes and infrastructure, to helping in wildlife conservation, volunteering brings the opportunity to make a positive impact and gain a deeper understanding of global issues. It’s adventure with heart.
There are lots of organizations that offer programs tailored to offer volunteering opportunities. I recommend you choose one that aligns with your passions and physical abilities and then do your research to make sure the work they do is not for profit but for the good of the cause they are supporting.
I once arranged to spend a day helping at The Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary in Borneo when I was researching for my book ‘The Backpacking Housewife’. And, I once spent a wonderful week volunteering at a Turtle Sanctuary while my backpacking husband was on a diving adventure.
I went to Perhentian Islands off the coast of Malaysia to help at ‘Bubbles’ Turtle Sanctuary. They take volunteers every year during the nesting season. It was a wonderful life-affirming and emotional experience for me that I will never forget.
Patrolling the beach at night under a full moon when a huge green turtle was heaving herself up the beach to lay her eggs, and in the daytime, seeing hundreds of baby hatchling turtles coming out of a nest and making their way to the ocean.
Why Try It: Volunteering your time and your expertise gives back to communities in need while you are experiencing a new culture and a sense of purpose and also adventure that can be incredibly rewarding.
Ideas for volunteering projects can include: wildlife conservation and monitoring – coral reef preservation and restoration – beach cleanups – reforestation and sustainable farming – building and infrastructure – clean water projects – teaching languages or sports – medical and wellbeing assistance. Etc!
6. ROAD TRIP ADVENTURES
I’m a lover of the open road and of road trips. So, of course, you’ll find many posts on road trips adventures on this website because being ‘on the road’ is not just about the destination but about the journey itself.
Road tripping gives a sense of freedom and independence and is often a flexible and affordable way to travel. If you have your own vehicle then a road trip can be done at your own pace. You can follow quirky road signs just to see what’s there and you can stop off where and whenever you want.
If you are travelling as part of a tour or on public transport, then there’s a great benefit to leaving the driving to someone else. For example, you get to relax and look out of the windows and see everything passing around you in a way you couldn’t if you were driving.
I’ve travelled through France several times by coach and by bus and I highly recommend traveling from Miami to Key West by Greyhound Bus. It’s a fabulous way to travel over all those bridges on Highway One and, of course, you can get off and stay overnight (we did on Key Largo) before travelling onto Key West (over Seven Mile Bridge) by Greyhound Bus the following day.
I’ve also travelled by tour bus from Las Vegas to The Grand Canyon South.
A fantastic trip of 275 miles (440 km) stopping off at Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, and at all those quirky little old towns like Flagstaff, the old Santa-Fe railroad town of Seligman, and the old road to Kingman, all on the historic Mother Road of Route 66!
Why Try It? Road trips turn the journey into the main event. Experience changing landscapes, quirky towns, and hidden gems you’d never find otherwise. There’s something mentally refreshing about being on the road. Long drives can give you time to think, reflect, clear your mind or just zone out with good music. Road trips can be full of surprises – unexpected detours might happen – but they can also make you feel alive and in the moment.
7. WELLNESS RETREAT ADVENTURES
Why not see the world while working on yourself? Turn a holiday vacation into a meaningful, soul-nourishing experience, by exploring new cultures through healing traditions.
Wellness retreat adventures are the perfect way to combine travel with recharging your body, mind, and soul. Step away from screens, notifications, and burnout. Reconnect with stillness, nature, and your inner rhythm.
I’m feeling interested in wellness retreats right now, as I try to process the grief of losing my darling backpacking husband, in a safe and supported place where I can reflect on how I might come to terms with a solo life after forty-five years of being one half of a happily married couple.
Right now, I’m considering yoga and meditation retreats in India or immersive sound healing and Chakra balancing in Bali. Or even ocean meditation on a remote tropical island beach. Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) amongst the ancient cedar groves of Japan. Or, maybe, nature-therapy at a jungle retreat with eco-living vibes in Costa Rica.
I’d like to feel grounded again and learn the tools for sustainable wellness with practiced breathwork, mindfulness, and clean eating. I’d like to detox physically and mentally, with a focus on diet, fitness, and sleep, so I can live a healthier lifestyle while I try and process my trauma and my life’s changes.
Maybe the geothermal spas, glacier treks, and wellness under the northern lights, are calling me from Iceland?
You might just like to escape stress, noise, and the pressure of daily life. Trade city noise for ocean waves, mountain air, or jungle sounds. To rewild your senses and to remember how it feels to just be.
Why Try It? A wellness retreat adventure isn’t just a trip — it’s an intentional pause. Give yourself permission to rest, reflect, and heal. Show yourself love by prioritizing your wellbeing. Leave feeling stronger, lighter, and more in tune.
8. WILDLIFE ADVENTURES
For many animal lovers, especially those with photography skills, the experience of an African Safari would be the adventure of a lifetime.
Seeing elephants, hippos, and big cats in the Kruger National Park, South Africa, with Big Five game drives and luxury bush lodges.
But there are so many other options, too, for wildlife adventures.
From river-based wildlife spotting in the Amazon (Peru, Ecuador, Brazil) or a jungle trek to see primates in Uganda or, as I have experienced myself, orangutans in the wild in Borneo.
Another amazing and exciting wildlife adventure that I’ve experienced was swimming with a whale shark, and with a pilot whale and her baby, and with a pod of dolphins – all on one mind-blowingly amazing day on the Caribbean Sea.
What’s on your wildlife travel adventure wish list?
The National parks – the Grand Canyon – Yellowstone – in the USA?
For me, it would have to include Galápagos Islands, Ecuador, seeing the Great Barrier Reef, Australia and taking part in an Antarctica Expedition Cruise to see penguins, seals, whales, and icebergs. And, I’d love to go to the Komodo Island, Indonesia to track Komodo dragons in their natural habitat.
Why Try It? Whether seeking adventure, meaning, or inspiration, a wildlife experience taps into our human desire to explore and to protect the natural world. Wildlife adventures can provide and a chance to reconnect with nature, experience rare and thrilling encounters, and support conservation efforts.
9. FOOD AND DRINK ADVENTURES
I love food and drink adventures. For me, it’s one of the best reasons to travel!
Whether you’re a hardcore foodie, a street food scavenger, or someone who just loves a good glass of wine with a view, there’s a whole world of delicious experiences out there.
If you, like me, you are a travel foodie, do check out some of my travel posts featuring food and drink experiences. For example, while housesitting and living in France – and trying all 365 varieties of French cheese – I wrote about (and mapped out) my favourite vineyard tour of wine chateaux in Bergerac.
In Penang – known as the Food Capital of Malaysia – I wrote (enthusiastically) about my Food Tour with Friends. And, in Taiwan, I sourced and sampled the famous Michelin Star Street Food at Ningxia Night Market in Taipei.
Enjoying world foods is a true pleasure for me as well as a great adventure.
You might enjoy pad-thai in Bangkok, mango sticky rice in Chiang Mai, grilled skewers. In Pattaya, delicious boat noodles in Koh Samui. In Singapore, hawker stalls and gourmet pop-ups. In New Orleans, USA, Cajun-Creole flavours during Jazz Fest or Mardi Gras.
Those of you with a sweet tooth would LOVE the amazing cakes at China House in Penang. In Austria, there’s Sachertorte and apple strudel. In Japan, try the unique and quirky varieties of KitKats, mochi, and traditional wagashi sweets.
For those of you who enjoy wine – adventure travel wine tours might also take you to destinations such as Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, The United States, Australia, Argentina, Chile, South Africa and New Zealand.
Beer lovers can enjoy brewery and craft beer adventures in Belgium for monastic breweries, trappist ales, and beer + chocolate pairings. In Germany for beer gardens, Oktoberfest, and brewery tours in Munich or Cologne. In Portland, Oregon beer lovers can enjoy IPAs, sour ales, and barrel-aged stouts.
And what about those of you who enjoy spirits and whisky? Well, I can absolutely recommend distillery experiences in the Highlands and in Speyside, Scotland.
Then, in the USA there’s the Bourbon Trail through the heart of Kentucky. And in Mexico you might like to try tequila or mezcal tours with agave field visits. In Japan there’s sake tasting and brewery visits in Kyoto or Niigata.
Why Try It? A food or drink tour offers the traveller a rich and rewarding adventure, blending culture, history, and sensory discovery into one unforgettable experience. Whether savouring world-famous wines, sampling bold whiskies, or exploring vibrant food markets, a culinary journey is a delicious and joyful way to truly experience the heart of a destination!
10. CLASSES AND WORKSHOP ADVENTURES
There are so many different opportunities available to travel and to learn. Whether you want to learn something new, like a language, or hone your talents and skills with a workshop, travel adventures that combine classes and workshops can be fabulous and purposeful.
A writing workshop is an amazing way to tap into your creative side or to pen your memoir while you travel. I once enjoyed a writer’s retreat in a house on the top of a cliff overlooking the sea in Scotland.
It was wonderful to be in such an inspiring environment and able to focus on my writing in my own room or in the beautiful conservatory with a view. And, during coffee breaks and mealtimes and over evening cocktails, it was fantastic to chat with other writers about writing.
What would be your focus for a class or workshop travel adventure?
Might it be a cooking classes? I once took a cooking class to learn how to make Taiwanese dumplings.
In Japan you can learn sushi rolling, ramen broths, or wagashi (sweet) making. Or perhaps Morocco for tagine cooking with market-fresh spices. Or in India, learning to make curries, samosas, and chai in a home kitchen?
Perhaps a photography class, where you’d learn how to shoot landscapes, action shots, wildlife, or local life with impact. Ideally, in Iceland (landscapes), Kenya (safari photography), Nepal (mountains), or Japan (urban + culture)
Maybe you prefer to learn something earthy and hands-on like wood carving, leatherworking, pottery, or natural dyeing. This might take you to one of the Nordic countries (knife-making), Japan (ceramics), Peru (weaving), or Guatemala (textiles).
Taking an art workshop while travelling could help you see the world differently and express what a photo can’t always capture. Sketching or painting landscapes, wildlife, and people on location could help you use colour and composition to express feeling and not just realism. Try Aboriginal dot painting (Australia) or Mola stitching (Panama) or perhaps Indigo dyeing or woodblock printing (Japan) or fresco painting or mosaic art (Italy or Greece).
Why Try It? Depending on where you are, you might also learn to train your eye to see beauty in a new light that enables you to capture the finer details of shadows, textures, and patterns.
OVER 50’S GUIDE TO ADVENTURE TRAVEL
WHY ADVENTURE AFTER 50?
I believe that there are many reasons why adventure travel is particularly beneficial for the 50 plus age group. New experiences stimulate the brain, keeping it sharp and engaged. Overcoming challenges, exploring new cultures, and pushing your boundaries can boost your confidence and combat feelings of stagnation, especially as we get older.
Plus, adventure travel provides opportunities for exercise that are far more engaging than a treadmill. Think hiking, cycling, swimming, and even gentle climbing – it’s all disguised as fun!
And, I always feel that stepping away from the everyday routine and immersing yourself in nature or a new environment, can significantly reduce stress levels.
As a newbie solo traveller, I know I’ll enjoy planning and travelling independently, but there are some situations and there are some destinations where I would certainly find organising transport difficult or feeling safe as a woman travelling alone. In these circumstances, I’d feel much more confident travelling as part of an organised tour group. Group travel adventures also offer fantastic opportunities to meet like-minded individuals and forge new friendships.
BEFORE YOU GO ON AN ADVENTURE
Before embarking on any adventure, it’s essential to consider your health, fitness level, and any pre-existing medical conditions. Consult with your doctor to ensure that you’re fit for the activities you have planned. Pack appropriately for the climate and terrain and always prioritize safety. Travel insurance is a must – read my post on Travel Insurance for Over 50’s – and be sure to inform your insurer of any planned adventurous activities.
THE BACKPACKING HOUSEWIFE RECOMMENDS TRAVEL INSURANCE
