Adventure holidays

Blaze a trail to Peru's Machu Picchu © Creative Commons / Christian Haugen

Mountain trekking, Peru

Explore the many faces of Peru, from the frenetic city life of Ecuador's Quito to the wild wonders of the Amazon jungle. This 18-day South American tour combines adventure and outstanding natural beauty. The hiking adventure starts in Cuzco where trekkers explore the Inca spiritual sites of Sacsayhuaman and Tambo Machay before heading to the ancient sites of the Sacred Valley. The next three days are spent on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, where you will climb the steps to the Sun Gate to watch one of the world's most glorious sunrises. Next it's time to explore the heart of the Amazon jungle with expert local guides before visiting the wildlife and spectacular scenery of the Galapagos islands.
Cost: From £2,019pp.
Website: www.gapadventures.com

High-speed thrills, India

Enjoy high-octane thrills against the backdrop of one of the world's most exotic countries on a 10-day jaunt through India. Admire views of an ancient fort in Rajasthan as you whizz through the air on a zipline. A pre-dawn hot air balloon trip over this colourful city guarantees spectacular bird's eye views. You'll continue your journey to Corbett National Park for an elephant safari through tiger-rich jungles. Finally, you'll head off to some of the remotest corners of the Himalayas for the chance to spin past jaw-dropping vistas on the back of an Enfield Bullet motorbike. These stunning landscapes and adrenalin-high thrills will leave you gasping in delight - literally.
Cost: From £4,799pp.
Website: www.blacktomato.co.uk

White water rafting, Uganda

The tourism titans of Kenya and Tanzania mean Uganda is often overlooked by wildlife lovers. However, this less explored country, known as the Pearl of Africa, offers incredible animal-spotting adventures. Your adventure holiday begins in the dense forests of Kibale where you'll follow a tracker in search of wild chimpanzees - the moment you hear their tree-beating antics is truly heart-stopping stuff. Then it's on to Biwindi Impenetrable Forest for some challenging hiking with one magical reward - the chance to encounter rare mountain gorillas. Back in bustling Kampala, grab your swimsuit for a white water rafting trip on the mighty Nile where you'll hurtle through a series of stomach-churning grade five rapids such as Rib Cage, Silverback and Jaws. Awesome.
Cost: From £2,349pp.
Website: www.adventurecompany.co.uk

Jungle river tour, Malaysia

Explore Malaysia's Taman Nagara National Park from all angles with a canopy walk and jungle boat tour, which includes three hours' gliding down the Sungai Tembeling river in a wooden boat, and tip-toeing your way through the rustling jungle canopy on a hanging bridge. For something a little wilder, venture off the beaten track into the Malaysian jungle with a four-day jungle trek in Endau Rompin National Park. After pitching your tent, spend the evening in the glow of the campfire, learn the ways of the Orang Asli indigenous group, and listen to the weird and wonderful sounds of the night time jungle.
Canopy walk and jungle boat: £168pp.
Campfire jungle trek: £256pp.
Website: www.malaysiatravelplan.co.uk

Husky safari, Finland

Learn how to handle a team of fluffy huskies and zoom over the soft Scandinavian powder on this Finnish adventure focusing on a five-day husky safari. After mastering your vehicle, the safari will take you through spectacular wintery scenery, peppered with deep green forests, shimmering frozen lakes and miles and miles of gleaming white snow. You'll be covering around 40km (24 miles) a day, and the remoteness of the location means there is also a good chance of witnessing the Northern Lights. After an exhilarating day on the snow, snuggle up at night in wilderness cabins that come complete with a Scandinavian sauna.
Cost: From £1,495pp.
Website: www.responsibletravel.com

From glaciers to geysers, Iceland

Explore Iceland's rugged south coast and the lively capital of Reykjavik on an eight-day tour. Ice-axe and climb your way up the massive Myrdalsjokul ice-cap, and marvel at the Solheimjokul glacier and the Skogafoss waterfall. The first couple of days are spent exploring the glacier and snowshoeing in the hills, offering inspirational views of the ice cap and ocean. Moving back west, the route takes in must-see sights: Gullfoss waterfall, the geothermal waterspouts at Geysir, and historic Thingvellir with its lake and volcanic rift scenery.
Cost: From £1,199pp.
Website: www.exodus.co.uk