Top five backpacker experiences

Both countries offer numerous places to ‘get extreme’but one of the most beautiful is Airlie Beach in Queensland Australia.Although not as high as some places, the views over the Great BarrierReef and the Whitsunday Islands more than make up for this.

Bungee Jumping:The ultimate ‘thrill-seeker’ destination is Land of the Long WhiteCloud, New Zealand. Here is where commercial bungee jumping began andin Queenstown on South Island you can do the highest permanent bungeein the world.

The Nevis, is the daddy of all bungee jumps. You’ll dive out of a cablecar suspended almost 140m above a ravine and fall for 8.5 seconds,getting frighteningly close to the craggy riverbed below, beforebouncing back up to relative safety.

Shark Dive:Staying in the southern hemisphere, in South Africa you can get upclose and personal with the killing machines that is the Great WhiteShark. Although not exactly the most moral adventure you can go on,seeing as they actively bait the sharks, put your conscience aside forone day to admire the mighty force that is the Great White.

The freezing and murky water only adds to the effect making the shark’sunexpected appearance even more terrifying. You will no doubt replaythe Jaws music in your head throughout the whole experience.

Machu Picchu:Scattered across its landscape, Latin America has some outstandingremains of long-gone civilization. The best way to see them is on footand one of the best treks is the ancient Inca trail in Peru. Theweek-long hike will be hot, humid, wet then cold, but the finaldestination makes the pain worth it. Machu Picchu is truly breathtakingand watching sunrise over the remains is a sight few will see, but allwho have will remember it forever.

Mount Everest Base Camp:More trekking is required to get to Everest Base Camp. The landscapelooks more fitted to another planet and is just as inhospitable butthis place is unbelievable inspiring.

You’ll walk through the Nepalese Himalayas, up mountains, throughexpansive valleys and across vast glaciers seeing scenery unlikeanywhere else on earth. All the while Sherpa and local Nepalesevillagers make it look like a walk in the park, some park!

Just remember before you even consider doing any ofthe above, get yourself adequate insurance. Throwing yourself out of aplane and swimming with sharks are obviously pretty dangerous and yetbackpackers have no spare money to deal with accidents let aloneemergency service sea-rescues and hospital bills. So don’t risk yourlife, insure it.