January is the peak time for travel bookings, and it’s at this time that we also set our New Years Reoslutions. 

Perhaps you’re looking to inject more adventure into the coming year, get into shape, eat better, or just take a vacation to stave off those the post-Holiday blues. 

‘Travel more’ is on most people’s list of resolutions, but which type of trip to choose? 

While it might be tempting to lounge by the pool for a week sipping cocktails, consider whether you can tick off more of those resolutions – maybe an adventure or survival trip could be better!

With the pandemic having scuppered most travel plans in the last couple of years, the closest many of us have come to adventure is playing survival games online or watching Bear Grylls documentaries on YouTube.

But let’s put our optimistic hat on for a second and envisage a brighter 2022 and pick out five unique trips that could challenge you this year!

5 Adventure & Survival Trips to Challenge Yourself

The Peaks of the Balkans

Difficulty: Moderate to Expert

Touting itself as the world’s newest transnational hiking experience, the Peaks of the Balkans trail was set up by Albania, Kosovo, and Montenegro to showcase the region’s stunning natural beauty.

The trek goes across shepherd’s paths and footways, taking in untouched alpine majesty. You’ll also traverse the wonderfully-named Accursed Mountains on your guided tour.

The trek organizers have won awards for the scheme, which serves to highlight one of the world’s underrated regions for adventure vacations. 

Rock Climbing and Yoga in Morocco

Difficulty: Moderate

Specialising in adventure travel, Much Better Adventures has added several new trips to its 2022 itinerary, and its options for Morocco catch the eye.

Unusually, it has combined rock climbing with a yoga retreat. You can learn how to scale the iconic Todra Gorge in the Atlas Mountains, then avail of sunrise and sunset yoga lessons.

If you want something different in Morocco, Much Better Adventures also has a “3 Peaks” challenge for the Atlas Mountains. Both trips can be completed in a few days. 

Live with the Bürtkitshi in Mongolia

Difficulty: Moderate

This could be a life-changing experience, as the Bürtkitshi of western Mongolia remains one of the most remote peoples on earth.

It’s important that such trips are carried out with respect, but the organizers, Black Tomato, ensure that is the case. You’ll travel across Mongolia, learning the ways of the Burtkitshi, flying hunting eagles, and, hopefully, gain a new perspective.

According to Black Tomato, the ideal trip would be about seven days. 

The Matriarch Adventure, Namibia

Difficulty: Easy

Sorry, guys, but this is for women only.

The idea was conceived by Catherine Edsell, who has set up a series of adventure vacations designed to get “women into the wild”. The concept is not about excluding men, but empowering women to share unique experiences together.

Edsell has done Ted Talks on the subject, and she is an inspiring figure. The Matriarch Adventure is her flagship program, and it sets off to explore the wilderness and wildlife of Namibia in October 2022. 

Climb Denali in Alaska

Difficulty: Extreme

Mount Everest might be the highest peak in the world, but as National Geographic points out, the greatest base-to-apex vertical is Denali in Alaska.

This is not for the faint-hearted, as the hike takes three to four weeks and you’ll face Arctic conditions regardless of the season.

But it is a challenge like few others on this earth, and you will feel a wonderful sense of achievement if you complete it. It’s also not a cheap vacation. But if you have a climbing bucket list, this should be at the top of it.