Have you been watching friends and colleagues prepare for the marathon and now you’re feeling the urge to do something epic too?

So why not give yourself a fresh challenge? We’ve picked out five unique adventures that will help you push your boundaries, reach new heights and spend more time outdoors, all with full support and great hospitality. So what are you waiting for? Go further afield and challenge yourself this year.

Find out how...

A wide ranging and exciting biking holiday beginning at the world-famous Victoria Falls and finishing in Cape Town. This is the perfect challenge for fit cyclists with a thirst for real adventure. Over three weeks, you’ll cycle across the wild Namib Desert, visit the stunning sand dunes of Sossusvlei and follow parts of the 'Long Way Down' route toward the awe-inspiring Fish River Canyon. This is a sustained biking expedition and the experience of a lifetime.

Dominating the Andes, Aconcagua is the highest peak in the world outside the Himalayas and is the second highest peak in the famed Seven Summits. Every year since 1999, KE have been successfully running expedition style holidays to Aconcagua and it remains one of our toughest and most thrilling adventures. In a group of no more than 12 with expert mountain guides and an excellent acclimatisation programme, this itinerary gives you the best chance to summit this mighty peak before finishing in Mendoza, where you can celebrate with some of the region’s excellent wine.

Quite possibly the greatest trail on Earth, Bhutan's incredible Snowman Trek follows the spine of the Himalaya between Bhutan and Tibet, from Paro in the west to Trongsa in the east. During the course of this unsurpassable 25 day trek, you will cross 11 passes in excess of 4,500m, including five over 5,000m – The Snowman Trek lives up to its reputation as one of the hardest treks in the world. You will have time to absorb some of the unique culture of this special Himalayan Kingdom, with visits to the spectacular cliff-face Taktsang 'Tiger's Nest' Monastery and the picturesque Punakha Dzong. This tough trek is the holy grail for seasoned Himalayan trekkers.

This Arctic winter wonderland adventure ski holiday will see you ski touring Nordic style along the famous King's Trail/Kungsleden of Sweden. You will cover more than 90km over the week on your skis, averaging 15km per day and skiing hut-to-hut, finishing each day in cosy mountain lodges. This is an exciting tour for competent downhill skiers looking for a new challenge or for those who already have cross-country experience.

Challenge yourself to walk the complete GR20 Haute Route, on the beautiful Mediterranean island of Corsica. This is one of the finest and hardest mountain walking routes in the whole of Europe. Over the course of a truly spectacular 2 weeks you will cover a total of 180km of mountainous terrain, with approximately 12,000m altitude ascent and descent, as you trek the entire GR20 route, from the pretty village of Calenzana near the northern coast, all the way down to Conca.