15 Crazy Bucket List Ideas for Adventure Travellers

A traditional vacation at all the usual tourist spots can be fun, but nothing beats a bit of adventurous travel. If you’re after crazy bucket list ideas, we’ve got just the list for you. 

Based on our experience offering some of the world’s most adrenaline-pumping adventure tours, we’ve compiled the best crazy bucket list ideas. 

No matter what you’re interested in or where in the world you want to travel, we encourage you to try a few of these experiences.

While climbing to the top of Everest may be off-limits for some, you can still add Everest to your crazy bucket list.

Hiking to the Everest Base Camp is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that lets you experience the majestic Himalayas up close.

The trek begins in Lukla, Nepal, and takes about 12-15 days. It covers a distance of approximately 130 kilometres round-trip. 

Along the way, you’ll pass through remote Sherpa villages, cross high-suspension bridges, and traverse rugged terrains while surrounded by some of the world’s highest peaks.

It’s a truly epic experience.

The base camp trek requires acclimatising to the high altitude, but it’s not necessarily the most strenuous hike. You just need to be prepared to trek for a long time.

The reward of standing at the base of Mount Everest, the world’s highest mountain, at an altitude of 5,364 meters, is unparalleled. 

If you’re after weird bucket list ideas, how about doing an ice-climbing adventure?

Ice climbing is an adventure that combines the thrill of climbing with the beauty of frozen landscapes.

Typically, you’ll climb up a frozen waterfall.

Norway is famous for its abundance of frozen waterfalls, making it a prime destination for ice climbers of all levels.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced climber, guided ice climbing trips are available to help you navigate the icy terrain and safely ascend the frozen falls. 

This lets you enjoy stunning winter scenery while taking on the physical challenge of climbing a frozen wall of ice.

Unlike regular rock climbing, you rely on picks for your grip, which is a crazy experience. This is definitely an unforgettable experience for adventurous travellers.

If you’re after crazy bucket list ideas for places to travel to, then Patagonia has got to be on it.

Patagonia, which spans the southern regions of Chile and Argentina, is a remote wilderness that offers some of Earth’s most breathtaking and rugged landscapes. 

Torres del Paine National Park in Chile is a highlight, featuring towering granite peaks, glacial lakes, and diverse wildlife.

Hikers can take on the famous W Trek or the more challenging O Circuit, both of which offer incredible views and an immersive experience in nature. 

Patagonia’s remote location and pristine beauty make it a paradise for adventurers seeking solitude and a deep connection with the natural world. It truly is one of the most wild places on Earth.

If you’re after an adrenaline rush, bungee jumping must be on your crazy bucket list.

Nothing quite compares to the exhilarating free-fall experience from dizzying heights. 

You can go bungee jumping all over the world, with many unique and breathtaking bungee jumps out there.

The Kawarau Bridge in New Zealand, the birthplace of commercial bungee jumping, is an iconic spot where adventurers can leap 43 meters into the beautiful Kawarau River. 

The Macau Tower in China offers one of the highest commercial bungee jumps in the world, with a plunge of 233 meters. 

However, one of our favourite spots is the Bloukraans Bridge in South Africa, where jumpers can spring from 216 meters and enjoy an awesome river valley view.

If this sounds fun, it’s part of our existing Garden Route road trip adventure. Check it out!

If you’re a keen hiker after the ultimate mountaineering challenge, then hiking some of the world’s highest peaks can be one of the most insane bucket list ideas. 

If you’re not a mountaineering expert, we recommend starting with Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

Standing at 5,895 meters, this is the highest peak in Africa, and it’s accessible to hikers without technical climbing skills.

Aconcagua in Argentina, the highest peak in South America at 6,961 meters, offers a more challenging climb but is still achievable for determined adventurers.

You just need the proper preparation and guided support. 

The Seven Summits, the highest mountains on each continent, present an even greater challenge.

While scaling all seven requires significant effort and expertise, some of these peaks, like Kilimanjaro and Mount Elbrus in Europe, can be summited by regular hikers with good guides. 

Achieving these summits gives you a massive sense of accomplishment and the rare opportunity to see the world from its highest vantage points.

On the topic of climbing mountain peaks, you don’t have to summit the world’s tallest mountains to tick off some crazy bucket list ideas.

The Three Peaks Challenge in the UK is a demanding and exhilarating adventure that involves climbing the highest peaks in England, Scotland, and Wales - Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis, and Snowdon - within 24 hours. 

This challenge involves hiking approximately 42 kilometres with a total ascent of over 3,000 meters.

It requires stamina, determination, and careful planning, but the sense of achievement you get when completing it is immense. 

This challenge tests your physical endurance, and getting between the peaks and hiking in the dark is a crazy adventure.

You will be rewarded with amazing views of the British countryside and a unique way to experience the diverse landscapes of the UK’s three highest mountains.

If climbing mountains doesn’t make it on your wild bucket list ideas, what about hiking active volcanoes?

Volcano hiking is a unique and thrilling adventure. It allows you to explore the otherworldy landscapes created by volcanic activity. 

Guatemala is one of the best places to hike and explore volcanoes, with numerous active and dormant volcanoes. 

Pacaya Volcano, near Antigua, offers a relatively accessible hike with the opportunity to see flowing lava.

Acatenango Volcano provides a more challenging trek, with the reward of stunning views of the neighbouring active Fuego Volcano, which frequently erupts, creating a spectacular display. 

Hiking up volcanoes in Guatemala is a physical challenge with the added excitement of active volcanoes thrown in.

Check out our eight-day best of Guatemala adventure for the chance to hike volcanoes in this remarkable country.

No roundup of the craziest bucket list ideas would be complete without paragliding.

Paragliding offers unparalleled freedom and adventure as you soar through the sky like a bird. Jumping off a mountain and taking flight is an unreal feeling, and soaring above mountains without an engine is a real thrill.

Various destinations worldwide offer incredible paragliding experiences, each providing unique scenery and challenges.

The Swiss Alps, for example, offer amazing views of snow-capped peaks and lush valleys.

Pokhara in Nepal is another popular destination. Here, you can glide over the serene Phewa Lake, with the Annapurna mountain range as a backdrop. 

Paragliding is a perfect activity for thrill-seekers wanting to experience the world’s landscapes from a bird’s-eye view.

Visiting the Arctic Circle is a true adventure, offering the chance to experience one of Earth’s most remote and extreme environments. 

The Arctic Circle spans multiple countries, including Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Canada, each offering unique experiences. 

In Norway, you can travel to the Svalbard archipelago, home to polar bears, glaciers, and stunning ice fjords.

In Finland, the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort offers glass igloos for comfortable viewing of the Northern Lights. 

Exploring the Arctic Circle lets you witness pristine and truly wild landscapes, encounter unique wildlife, and experience the stark beauty of the polar region.

Whitewater rafting is an exhilarating way to experience the power and beauty of rivers worldwide. It deserves a spot on anyone’s crazy bucket list.

Whether you’re navigating the rapids of the Zambezi River in Africa, the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon in the United States, or the Futaleufú River in Chile, each river offers a unique adventure. 

The thrill of conquering turbulent waters and the stunning natural surroundings make white water rafting an unforgettable experience for any adventure enthusiast. 

Guided trips are essential for river rafting to ensure you stay safe and get the expertise to tackle challenging rapids.

Check out our long list of fantastic river rafting and kayaking experiences if you’d like to add this to your bucket list.

Diving with great white sharks is one of the most thrilling and adrenaline-pumping adventures out there. This is undoubtedly on the roundup of scary bucket list ideas.

Locations such as Gansbaai in South Africa, Guadalupe Island in Mexico, and the Neptune Islands in Australia offer cage diving experiences that allow visitors to interact with these magnificent predators. 

The safety of the cage means you can have an up-close and personal encounter with sharks while staying safe. 

This adventure is perfect for anyone looking to experience the intense presence of one of the ocean’s top predators.

Travelling through Thailand is a fun adventure on any travel bucket list, but zooming through the country on a multi-day tuk-tuk adventure is worth adding to your crazy bucket list ideas. 

Exploring Thailand on a tuk-tuk is a unique and adventurous way to experience the country’s vibrant culture, bustling markets, and stunning landscapes. 

Tuk-tuks, the iconic three-wheeled vehicles, provide a fun and authentic way to navigate busy cities and mountain passes. 

They’re also perfect for exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations, interacting with locals, and immersing yourself in Thailand’s rich cultural heritage.

Exploring the Sahara Desert is a massive adventure that offers the chance to experience one of Earth’s most iconic and vast landscapes. 

From Morocco, it’s relatively easy to embark on a Sahara Desert adventure. 

You can join a guided tour from cities like Marrakech or Fes, which typically includes camel treks, overnight stays in traditional Berber camps, and the opportunity to witness stunning sunrises and sunsets over the dunes. 

You can also trek through the desert and sleep under the stars for a real adventure.

The Sahara’s immense sand dunes, star-filled night skies, and tranquil silence create an otherworldly experience. If given the chance, everyone should try to tick it off their bucket list.

You may have gone camping before, but have you ever camped in Iceland’s wild, glacial landscapes? This experience is worth adding to your crazy bucket list ideas.

Iceland offers some of the world’s most spectacular and remote camping experiences, with the Westfjords and Hornstrandir being prime locations for truly wild camping. 

The Westfjords, away from the main tourist routes, provide dramatic fjords, towering cliffs, and secluded camping spots. 

Hornstrandir, Iceland’s greatest wilderness, is accessible only by boat and offers vast, untouched landscapes, abundant wildlife, and a true sense of isolation. 

Wild camping in these remote areas allows you to connect deeply with nature, experience Iceland’s raw beauty, and enjoy the serenity of its most untouched regions.

Check out our Hornstrandir wilderness hiking and camping trip if this sounds like an adventure.

Sometimes, the best adventures are the ones that are totally unplanned and spontaneous. 

Booking a last-minute adventure can be thrilling and liberating, and it can definitely help you tick off some crazy bucket list items. 

Whether it’s a weekend kayaking trip, a spontaneous backpacking excursion, a sudden hiking expedition, or a climbing adventure, stepping outside your comfort zone and embracing the unknown is key. 

At Skyhook, we offer some of the world’s most exciting adventure travel experiences. It’s the easiest way to pick an adventure and go. 

Ticking off these crazy bucket list ideas may be intimidating, but they’re also all extremely rewarding.

Once you experience the thrill of the adventure, you’ll be hooked, and your crazy bucket list will probably never stop growing. 

Our best advice? Get out there and start the adventure. You’ll build up some incredible memories and accomplishments along the way.