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Top 10 Bucket List Adventure Holidays

This year, make your bucket list a reality. Push your limits, see the extraordinary and experience the adventures you’ve always ... Read more
Top 10 Bucket List Adventure Holidays

This year, make your bucket list a reality. Push your limits, see the extraordinary and experience the adventures you’ve always dreamed of.

Our KE Experts have been lucky enough to experience almost all of these trips themselves so don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions. Which one will you add to the top of your list?

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The Tour du Mont Blanc is an epic 170km trek around the Mont Blanc massif, showcasing a stunning landscape of snow-capped peaks, ice scarred mountains and tumbling glaciers. With its legendary high, steep mountain passes, this journey takes you through France, Italy and Switzerland, offering an experience that's truly hard to surpass.

You can choose to go self-guided and enjoy the trek at your own pace, or join a guided group on our classic 12-day trek completing the full circuit. If you fancy an extra challenge, why not take on our ultimate high level version to trek the high trails and stay in lofty mountain huts? Or, if you're short on time, then our one week 'best of' itinerary may suit you better as it cuts out some sections but still includes all of our favourite highlights and links them by short vehicle transfers.

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Since the unveiling of St James Tomb in the 9th century, millions of pilgrims have walked a Camino to Santiago to visit the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Today, people from all over the world embark on the Caminos, not only for religious reasons, but also for the challenge of completing a long-distance trail and the unique experiences the journey offers along the way. Discover the rural corners of France, Portugal, Spain and Galicia that you might never otherwise see and connect with fellow trekkers along the way

There are many ways to reach the iconic cathedral of Santiago de Compostela and our guide to walking the Camino de Santiago may help you choose the route that is right for you. Options include our two week self-guided Camino de Santiago the French Way or the Portuguese Way, or you can even cycle the route from Porto to Santiago. Alternatively, for those seeking a shorter adventure, our one week Camino walk from Tui is a perfect choice.

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Explore the National Parks of Patagonia

The Torres del Paine and Los Glaciares National Parks are without doubt two of the most spectacular trekking destinations in the world. Where the vast Patagonian steppe meets the dramatic peaks of the Southern Cordillera, the landscape reveals nature at its most breathtaking. Among the most iconic sights are the three granite towers that give Torres del Paine its name, alongside the striking, horn-shaped Cuernos del Paine.

The Classic Paine Circuit, or ‘O’ Trek, offers a full circumnavigation of the Paine massif, crossing the John Gardner Pass and following the shores of Lake Nordenskjöld: perfect for those seeking a remote and challenging adventure. For a less demanding trek, our Spires and Ice adventure takes on the W Trek and continues into Argentina’s Los Glaciares National Park, allowing you to experience the base of Mount Fitz Roy, the Perito Moreno Glacier and the dramatic skyline of Cerro Torre.

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Embark on a Wild Safari to see the Big Five

From spotting the "Big Five" to exploring untouched landscapes that stretch beyond the horizon, a safari is a journey into the heart of the wild - an unforgettable experience that promises to change how you see the world.

If this is your first safari, then take a look at the Best of Botswana Lodge trip. You will visit the Khama Rhino Sanctuary, paddle through the Okavango on Mokoro, witness some incredible wildlife in the northern parks of Moremi and Chobe before ending in the impressive Victoria Falls. If you have some time and you are up for a true adventure then the Ultimate Overland - Coast to Coast Southern Africa could be for you. This is an epic four week overland journey across five countries, from the magnificent sand forms of the Namib Desert to the bright azure blue waters of the Indian Ocean in Mozambique offering the best wildlife viewing, bar none, in Southern Africa!

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Trek to Everest Base Camp in Nepal

Very few of us will ever get to stand on top of Mount Everest (8,850m) however, the trek to Everest Base Camp (5,340m) is a much more achievable goal for those who dream of hiking in the Nepalese Himalaya – and probably on the majority of trekkers' bucket list!

Our most popular and bestselling trek takes the classic route from Lukla to Namche, via Thyangboche to Everest Base Camp. This trek takes 16 days making it ideal for those eager to complete this iconic route but have limited time. However, if time is on your side, then our 20-day Ultimate Everest Trek veers off after Namche and takes a quieter route via the Gokyo Lakes and the Cho La Pass. If you fancy a real challenge and are an experienced trekker at altitude, then how about taking the high-level route that crosses the Renjo La, Cho La and Kongma La before arriving at Lobuche, your final stop before your hike to Base Camp.

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Hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru

The iconic Inca Trail is a chance to follow in the footsteps of a great lost civilisation, a trek leading from the old capital of Cusco through the Sacred Valley to the ruins of Ollantaytambo and up to the Sun Gate overlooking mighty Machu Picchu. We've been taking trekkers on the Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu since 1997 and know the trail intimately. We pride ourselves in keeping away from the crowds and trekking responsibly to really offer the best Inca Trail experience. 

Although our 8-day Inca Trail trek is the classic way to reach Machu Picchu, there are thousands of Inca trails that cross the Peruvian Andes presenting a wealth of choices in routes, terrain and difficulty. Alternatives include Choquequirao to Machu Picchu, the Inca Trail and Beyond, the Salkantay Trail and Luxury Lodges to Machu Picchu - each one offering a unique way to experience and tick Machu Picchu off your bucket list.

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Take a Polar Voyage to Antarctica

The huge frozen landmass at the bottom of our planet is more than just spectacular icing on the globe. It is vast, remote, otherworldly and beautiful beyond imagination. Taking a polar expedition cruise is the only way to truly explore Antarctica.

We have six different Antarctic polar cruises from 8 days to 22 days, reaching as far east as South Georgia and as far south as the Antarctic Circle. You'll have opportunities to hike and kayak and spot some of the best-known animals from the southern continent, penguins, whales, seals and albatrosses. You'll travel with professional and highly skilled historians, marine biologists and naturalists on board who offer keen insight and a unique personal perspective to each and every adventure. 

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Visit the Iconic Tiger's Nest in Bhutan

The Tiger's Nest Monastery, also known as Paro Takstang, is one of Bhutan's most recognised spots and ranks highly on many bucket lists. A visit to Bhutan would not be complete without a climb to this gravity-defying, cliff-hugging monastery named for the monk who flew there on a flying tigress.

You can visit the Tiger's Nest on a variety of different Bhutanese treks, ranging from the moderate Druk Path Trek between Paro and Thimphu, to the  breathtaking circuit leading to Chomolhari Base Camp. For the ultimate challenge, consider the iconic, Snowman Trek itinerary, a 26-day adventure across 11 high passes. This is renowned as one the world’s toughest routes and each year only a handful of trekking groups complete this world-class circuit - will 2026 be your year? 

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Climb to the Summit of Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro is not only the highest mountain in Africa, but it's also one of the world's Seven Summits. You don't need any technical mountaineering skills or gear to climb Mount Kilimanjaro which makes it the most accessible of the Seven Summits for fit and well-prepared trekkers.

The most popular route is the Machame Route which we follow on our Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro trips. However, if you are looking for a quieter route then consider the Rongai Route which takes you through forest, farmland and open moorland and gives you an additional rest day at Mawenzi Tarn Camp. Alternatively, the longer Lemosho Route takes one of the most varied and least crowded paths on the mountain, allowing more time to acclimatise and enjoy the journey.

For the ultimate Kilimanjaro experience, the Northern Circuit is the longest and quietest route, circling the remote northern slopes of the mountain. This extended itinerary offers exceptional acclimatisation, fewer crowds and some of the most spectacular views on the climb.

Whichever route you choose, climbing Kilimanjaro promises an unforgettable journey to the roof of Africa.

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Trek Europe's Toughest Long-Distance Trail - Corsica's GR20

This spectacular trail stretches for 180 km and winds its way along the jagged spine of Corsica’s mountainous centre. Despite the rugged nature of much of the terrain, it is a trek that most confident regular walkers who are in good shape, have good stamina and the ability to move confidently and safely over rocky rugged mountainous terrain should be able to complete. 

Stretching from Calenzana in the south, to Conca in the north, it takes two weeks to trek the entire GR20. Covering 10-15km per day with 800-1,000m ascent/descent it’s a physically demanding route. Due to limited vehicle support, you’ll need to carry your sleeping bag, rain gear, food for the day, extra snacks and essential overnight items for 8 of the 13 hiking days. It’s no easy feat.

Some say this is one of the toughest treks in Europe but for those up to the challenge, the sense of achievement at the finish is second to none... If it's on your bucket list then check if the GR20 is for you.

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