7 adventurous summer holiday ideas

When most people think of summer holidays, they think of lying on the sand, beach in sight and an abundance of tropical drinks by their side. Well... each to their own, but we think summer holidays can be a bit more exciting than that!

If you’re looking for an out-of-the-ordinary break to kick-start the sunny season, this is a great place to start. Hand-picked by our passionate staff as their wish-list summer adventures, these destinations will mix up the fun in some of the remote and exotic places, with a dose of cultural and wilderness encounters for good measure.

Milestone memories

How better to remember your holidays than by celebrating with a milestone event, a bucket list addition, or a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Whatever you call it, there’s no reason why you can’t make the upcoming summer holidays the most memorable holiday of your life. There's no better way to do it than trekking to the famous Everest Base Camp and viewing the world’s highest mountain from the top of Kala Pattar!

This incredible 18-day trek takes you from Lukla, through the famous villages of Namche and Khumjung and past the Thyangboche monastery. You’ll soon forget the concrete jungles of the city as you take in the enormous mountains towering above you.

As you gain altitude, you’ll have a newfound appreciation for porters and local mountain villagers who live in the mountain communities, and will start the new year with fresh mountain air, giant mountains and a brand new perspective.

Away from it all

Why not treat yourself to an early Christmas present in 2019 on an unforgettable escape to one of the most remote locations in the world: Antarctica.

Our exclusive Antarctica Cruise with Dr Karl is an incredible charter aboard the M/V Ortelius that'll take you to the surreal landscape of Antarctic Peninsula to see the plethora of wildlife that thrives in these isolated parts.

On board you'll be travelling alongside the amazing and worldly Karl Kruszelnicki – renowned Australian science commentator, broadcaster, author and 2012 National Living Treasure, making it a rare voyage to experience Antarctica's famous wilderness and wildlife and have your questions answered by Dr Karl. With a variety of informal lectures from on-board experts, creative workshops, as well as a citizen science project with Dr Karl, it's not just your mind that will be blown away on this Antarctic cruise!

There are complimentary active options to camp on the ice, kayak, snowshoe (hike on the ice) and go on zodiac cruise excursions to marvel at the icebergs castles and steep glaciers that characterise the shoreline. It's definitely an adventure of a lifetime and one not to be missed!

White Christmas dreams

Have a white Christmas holiday that people in the far northern hemisphere would be jealous of! The eternal winter wonderland of Patagonia, the southern regions of Chile and Argentina, will leave travellers breathless as they take in the crisp, open expanses of the Patagonian Andes.

Passing glacial lakes, granite peaks, secluded basins and rolling grasslands, the fresh air and stunning views will simply not fail to inspire.

Take on a classic hike through the stunning Los Glaciares National Park to Cerro Torre and Cerro Fitz Roy, and trek the iconic ‘W’ route in the heart of Torres del Paine National Park. The Paine & Fitz Roy Trek is an awe-inspiring adventure which also includes a journey by boat to Balmaceda Glacier and Puerto Natales and opportunities to search for Patagonia wildlife.

Camping delights

The summer holidays can sometimes be overwhelming with Christmas extravagance. If you want to escape the hustle and bustle that comes with the festive season for a simple and fulfilling holiday, why not opt for a camping trip? Our Inca Trail Adventure will see you camping under the stars on the Inca Trail as you make your way to Machu Picchu – one of the most impressive feats of ancient architecture from the Inca Empire. Our campsites are away from the crowds and supported with an experienced and professional crew to ensure your holiday is a memorable one.

Close encounters with wildlife

Visit some of the world's best wildlife sanctuaries on a safari in the animal kingdom of Africa. On our South African Explorer, our experienced guides provide commentary and insight into some of the worlds’ most impressive and hard to access wildlife populations. This 21-day adventure will take you through the highlights of Africa – including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe.

Traversing the greatest parks, reserves and landscapes that Africa’s south has to offer, highlights include: spotting the 'Big 5' on exciting game drives in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and Etosha National Park; travelling to the spectacular Fish River Canyon; walking among the giant dunes of Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert; experiencing the Okavango Delta by traditional canoe (mokoro); camping along the lush Okavango River; and visiting the spectacular Victoria Falls.  It’s a summer to remember into the African wild.

Philanthropic Community Project

Why not dedicate part of your travel experience to volunteer work on a Community Project? After all, as Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give”.

Give back this summer holiday and visit Nepal to make a tangible difference to needful mountain communities. Our latest Rebuild Nepal project helps renovate and rebuild schools in Lura that were devastated by the 2015 earthquakes. Many communities across Nepal are still struggling to recover from the devastation caused by the 2015 earthquakes but you can help the rural villages get back on their feet and supporting local Nepali who earn their living from tourism. By volunteering your time and physical effort, this project will see you working alongside the Lura community to help build Manju Shree Primary School.

The trip also encompasses a beautiful trek in Solukhumbu, a part of the Everest region few have travelled.

Family Adventure

Want something more than your typical run-of-the-mill holiday the whole family can get excited about? World Expeditions' Family Adventures have a basket of highlights that are designed to excite, educate and entertain both the parents and younger travellers in your family. So, why not take the family on an adventure to remember on our 6-day Overland Track in Tasmania.

Celebrated as one of the finest walks in Australia, this active holiday traverses Tasmania’s stunning wilderness on a walk that both the young, middle-aged, and mature can enjoy. Suitable for first-time bushwalkers, but still fun and exciting enough for seasoned hikers, this family adventure will see the whole gang return home fit and inspired with a newfound appreciation for Australia’s home-grown beauty.

Looking for more summer holiday ideas? View our range of quality adventures that are guaranteed to go >

Where did you spend your holidays last summer?