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Extreme getaways
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Summer’s here and it’s time to head out and have some fun, some extreme fun. There is a wealth of options when it comes to extreme getaways and Bespoke has found some of the best in the world and the Middle East for your enjoyment. Be it canyoning or ballooning, it’s all here.
White Water on the Zambezi
White water rafting’s a little passé these days, everyone has done it. However, this one’s a little different. The Zambezi is home to a variety of animals that can do you serious harm from crocodiles, to hippos to sharks. Yes, that’s right, sharks. Zambezi sharks have a special talent in life they can happily exist in fresh water. So you’re rafting in shark-infested water. Extreme enough for you?
www.bbxrafting.com
HALO Jumping
HALO stands for High Altitude Low Opening. It sounds a little bland, but what it means is that you’re parachuting/skydiving out of the back of an aircraft that’s flying somewhere between 25,000 and 35,000 feet. This is extreme skydiving. You’ll be hooked up to an oxygen tank and you’ll be falling like a stone for what will feel like days. There are so many ways to die while doing a HALO jump that they’d take a separate article to explain.
www.incredible-adventures.com
Everest Base Camp
Most of us are never going to be in the position to climb Mount Everest, but we can get a taste of the experience. A trek to Everest Base Camp is a trial in itself and only the fittest should even consider it. However, you can embark on a fully guided expedition to the jumping-off point for countless attempts at the summit. Even though you don’t climb the mountain itself, you’re still at a respectable 5,500 metres by the end of the trip!
www.worldexpeditions.co.uk
Live Underwater
The Poseidon Undersea Resort is the world’s first undersea luxury hotel. Located of a South Pacific Island, the site lies under 40 feet of crystal clear water and will be open for business in mid-2010. There are personal submarines, scuba diving and a range of watery activities to keep you entertained. Poseidon is a tropical vacation with a major difference.
HYPERLINK "http://www.poseidonresorts.com" www.poseidonresorts.com
Fly to the Edge of Space
At present authentic space travel seems to be limited to eccentric individuals who have been obsessing about it for years, however, there is an alternative. It’s possible to fly to the ‘edge’ of space, the point at which you become weightless. You’ll be 100 km above the surface of the Earth, between space and our atmosphere when the engines will shut down and you’ll experience zero-gravity. It’s the ultimate in extreme flight.
www.wildwings.co.uk
Deep Sea Expeditions
Travel beneath the sea around the Grand Caymans in your very own submarine. The Atlantis features a fully air-conditioned and pressurized hull, allowing you to enjoy the views of passing fish and coral. The co-pilot gives you a running commentary while the pilot maneuvers the vessel. Lessons are available and you can even pilot the Atlantis yourself.
www.atlantisadventures.com
White Water Sports in Morocco
Morocco might not seem like the obvious place to going kayaking or rafting, but you’d be surprised. At certain times of the year, the rivers in the Atlas Mountains provide raging torrents of water that are not to be taken lightly. Then there’s sea-kayaking and surfing to be taken in. All-in-all, Morocco is an up and coming destination, but not for those of a nervous disposition.
www.waterbynature.com
Sailing around Greece and Turkey
Cruising the Mediterraen in a private chartered yacht allows you to see the best of the region. Visiting the port of Marmaris, the island of Delikada and glorious Gocek Bay are some of the highlights of the trip. Wildlife abounds with sea turtles and other exotic sealife acting as your companions during your tour.
www.sailtogether.com
Off-road Like a Pro
So you’ve bought your Hummer, but can you drive your Hummer? Bahrain International Circuit will train up in the dark arts of off-roading in this beast of a machine. An instructor will sit by your side as you tackle a 32-obstacle course, pushing the limits of the vehicle to breaking point. Learn all the tricks of the trade and get the most out of this world-famous all-terrainer.
www.bahraingp.com
Ride Among Lions
Safaris are usually conducted in the confines of a 4X4 of some sort; this one’s a little different, in that you’re riding a horse among the beasts of the savannas. Southern Africa has a lot to offer, be it South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe or Zambia, you can tailor your trip to include safaris, Swazi villages and overnight camping. This is a safari with a difference.
www.hiddentrails.com
Dog Sledding Across Norway
Race across the frozen tundra of Norway pulled by your very own team of huskies and experience the ultimate man and dog bonding session in the harsh Nordic air. See the Northern Lights on an eight-day trip scheduled in either December or January. The temperatures are seriously low, the scenes incredible and the rush amazing. Not for the fainthearted, a soft spot for canines is a plus.
www.wildernessadventure.co.uk
Earthly Moonscape
Visit a spot on the ancient trade-route between Khasmir and Tibet, Ladakh in northern India. This high-altitude destination has been likened to the Moon, with its craters, high peaks and breathtaking views. Visit the monasteries of Shey, Tikse and Hemis and travel to exotic valleys, close to the Chinese border. On the way back fly over the Himalayas for a truly spectacular experience.
HYPERLINK "http://www.peregrineadventures.co.uk" www.peregrineadventures.co.uk
Walk Lebanon
Take in Lebanon’s breathtaking scenery with hike through the hills and valleys of this diverse country. All types and levels of hikes are available so there are no excuses. Local guides, local food, local services, all are used in these down-to-Earth, back-to-nature trips. A range of options are available and transportation is taken care of for you.
HYPERLINK "http://www.blue-carrot.com" www.blue-carrot.com
Sea Safari
Take a trip off the North-Eastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula and catch yourself a monster. Musandam GTs have been known to break rods, reels and tackle, they’re a true challenge to land, coming in at around 150cm, these are some impressive fish. Take out a 78ft dhow and bag yourself a real trophy while living the life on the high sea, the dhows are fully equipped with the latest mod-con’s and make this a fishing trip of a lifetime.
HYPERLINK "http://www.oceanactive.com" www.oceanactive.com
Big Cat Watching
If the name is anything to go by, Leopard Hills offers the chance to see big cats up close. This luxury resort is made up of 10,000 hectares of private land and makes up part of the ecosystem of South Africa’s Kruger National Park, one of the best nature reserves in Africa, famed for its abundant wildlife and exotic locales. Leopard Hills offers a truly luxury stay, with heated rock pools, private decks and beautiful glass-fronted suites. They offer a range of activities, and are sure to offer you a taste of Africa.
www.seasonsinafrica.com
Omani Canyoning
Explore the wadis and canyons of Oman and engage in some death-defying stunts as you hurl yourself off cliff faces into the swirling water of Wadi Bani Khaled South. Canyoning is starting to appear in the region and there’s nowhere better to enjoy it than in idyllic Oman. Canyoning involves jumping off rocks and boulders into a river, floating down that river, hopefully surviving some rapids on the way, and then jumping off another rock. Canyoning: a pure adrenaline rush and something that’s still off most people’s radar.
HYPERLINK "http://www.sultanat-d-oman.com" \o "http://www.sultanat-d-oman.com" www.sultanat-d-oman.com
Float Over the Desert
See the sights of Petra and Wadi Rum from a giant hot air balloon. These tours of the desert allow you to soar through the sky in a relaxed, luxurious manner. You’ll be up in the air fairly early and will be amazed by the serenity of it all. Enjoy world-famous sites from thousands of feet up. If it’s all a little too relaxing for you, there’s a range of other airborne activities available.
www.royalaerosports.com
Fly a MiG
Ever wanted to fly in one of the most iconic fighter jets of the Cold War era? Well now you can. There are an increasing number of companies that will let you fly one of these world-famous aircraft across the Russian skies. You’ll roar through the skies in a MiG 31 creating sonic booms and generally terrifying the local private pilots to your heart’s content.
HYPERLINK "http://www.incredible-adventures.com" www.incredible-adventures.com
