No Restrictions: Top Global Destinations for Outdoor Adventure Seekers

Article Highlights:

• Top Adventure Destinations: A few of the best international locations for thrill-seekers, including activities like skydiving, trekking, and water sports.
• Increasing Popularity: There is a growing interest among travelers in seeking out new, remote and often riskier destinations for unique experiences.
• Comprehensive Services, Regardless of Activity: Unlike travel insurance, Global Rescue offers memberships with no restrictions on adventure activities.

No Activity Restrictions

For outdoor adventure tourists seeking thrilling and immersive experiences in international destinations, there are many options where they can engage in adrenaline-pumping activities, outdoor adventures and opportunities to explore the natural world.

According to a Global Rescue survey of more than 1,500 current and former members, the travelers’ appetite for exploring the world and seeking more adventure is increasing.

“Today’s travelers are traveling boldly and increasingly seeking out new destinations that are unspoiled, less popular, more remote and sometimes a little riskier,” said Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies and a member of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board at the U.S. Department of Commerce. “Adventure travel, luxury travel and other activity-focused segments will continue to see strong growth. Many places are at capacity or are over-subscribed and have waiting lists.”

No Activity Restrictions? So, I Can Do That?

It would be a hard lesson to learn that a travel protection provider wouldn’t deliver on their services because you were partaking in an activity you didn’t realize was on their restricted list, like rock climbing, scuba diving or backcountry skiing.

Most assistance and travel insurance providers refuse services if your injury or illness was caused by the above examples, as well as mountaineering, trekking, skydiving, spelunking, diving, parachuting, BASE jumping, ballooning, hang gliding, paragliding, skiing outside of a resort and beyond.

Global Rescue membership has no activity restrictions. At all. It’s an important detail to keep in mind as you consider the following list of the top international adventure destinations.

Top Travel Destinations for Outdoor Adventure Tourists

Queenstown, New Zealand

Queenstown is the adventure capital of the world, offering activities like bungee jumping, skydiving, jet boating and heli-skiing amidst stunning mountain landscapes and pristine lakes.

Global Rescue’s been there: When an elite U.S. free skier tore his ACL during a nasty fall in New Zealand, his future was uncertain. Global Rescue Operations personnel were there every step of the way, providing professional medical recommendations, emergency message relay, and most importantly, peace of mind. Global Rescue continually communicated with Jim about his son’s condition until Eddie was safely back to the United States and admitted to a local hospital.

Interlaken, Switzerland

Interlaken is a mecca for adventure sports enthusiasts, with opportunities for paragliding, canyoning, white-water rafting, skateboarding and skydiving against the backdrop of the Swiss Alps.

Global Rescue’s been there: An American member was skateboarding in a park in Visp, Switzerland, when he had an accident requiring corrective ankle surgery. Global Rescue arranged ground transport for the member to a hospital in Zurich where the surgery was performed. Like any extreme sport, skateboarding comes with its risks. But it also comes with impressive rewards, including witnessing remote corners of the world from a perspective that few ever will.

Banff National Park, Canada

Banff National Park is a playground for outdoor adventurers, with hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing and wildlife viewing in the rugged Rocky Mountains.

Global Rescue’s been there: One of the world’s most accomplished alpine climbers – and a Global Rescue member – was medically evacuated to safety after falling 80 feet during an ascent of Mt. Temple in Banff National Park.

Moab, Utah, USA

Moab is a desert playground known for its red rock landscapes and outdoor activities like mountain biking, rock climbing, canyoneering, and white-water rafting on the Colorado River.

Global Rescue’s been there: While traveling in Utah, an Australian member fell off a rock, suffering several injuries, including his legs. He was admitted to a trauma center in Salt Lake City and, following treatment for his injuries, he was transferred to a rehabilitation unit for a couple of weeks of physical therapy. He was deemed fit-to-fly provided he traveled on a lay-flat seat with a medical escort. Global Rescue medical operations concurred and arranged and paid for his air travel, lodging, ground transportation and wheelchair assistance through to his home in Sydney.

Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town offers a mix of urban adventure and natural beauty, with activities like shark cage diving, surfing, sandboarding, and hiking up Table Mountain for panoramic views.

Global Rescue’s been there: A member embarked on an eight-day motorcycle trip in South Africa but was injured after hitting rocks near Cape Town. He called Global Rescue, who transported him to a nearby medical facility for surgery. A critical care paramedic was sent to assist, and once Koval was fit to fly, Global Rescue arranged his return to New York.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica offers adventure activities like zip-lining, white-water rafting, and surfing.

Global Rescue’s been there: A member was severely injured while surfing and required air evacuation. Global Rescue transported him from San Rafael, Costa Rica, to Colorado for further treatment and recovery.

Nepal

Nepal is a trekker’s paradise, featuring iconic routes like the Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Circuit, and Langtang Valley, along with mountaineering and white-water rafting.

Global Rescue’s been there: An Argentine climber suffered severe frostbite and swelling at high altitude. Global Rescue quickly arranged an airborne evacuation from Mount Everest Camp 2 to a nearby hospital.

Patagonia, Chile and Argentina

Patagonia offers a rugged and remote landscape for outdoor enthusiasts, with activities like trekking in Torres del Paine National Park, ice climbing on glaciers, and kayaking in pristine fjords.

Global Rescue’s been there: a 78-year-old female member had a bad fall in the Torres del Paine National Park and contacted Global Rescue. She suffered a laceration and received stitches before resuming her trip. Patagonia is popular for adventurous overland motorcyclists, according to Ben Firsby, Tour Specialist with UK-based Magellan Motorcycle Tours. “Patagonia is new for us and has already proved incredibly popular,” he said.

Australia

Australia is a diverse adventure destination, with activities like surfing along the Gold Coast, hiking in the Blue Mountains and exploring the Outback on a 4WD adventure. Scuba diving opens the undersea world to certified divers for sought-after destinations, like Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, for underwater adventure.

Global Rescue’s been there: When a member suffered from underwater decompression sickness, also known as The Bends, Global Rescue medical operations moved quickly to get her the medical evacuation she needed.

These international destinations provide a thrilling and immersive adventure vacation experience for adrenaline junkies looking to push their limits, challenge themselves and explore the natural world in exciting and memorable ways. Whether you’re into extreme sports, hiking, water activities or wildlife encounters, these top adventure destinations offer a range of activities to satisfy your adventurous spirit.

No Restrictions on Activities

Whether you’re heli-skiing, paragliding, BASE jumping, cave diving, kiteboarding or anything else, remember to plan, prepare and get a Global Rescue membership for peace of mind. Unlike other providers, Global Rescue memberships do not exclude or restrict adventure activities from membership. It’s part of our No Restrictions approach to travel.