In times of natural disaster, nothing is more humbling than bearing witness to the pure, unadulterated power of the elements. The times when the ground crumbles from fissures and quakes, when mighty waves taller than skyscrapers barrel toward the shore or when the inextinguishable flames of a wildfire dance their deadly dance. Nature is powerful, and yet, despite its penchant for destruction, few things are as mesmerizing.
Of course, we know this. Ask anyone and they’re sure to have a story about a time they tested their luck against the elements. However, for some, simple pleasures like watching a powerful storm system roll in on a sizzling summer day aren’t enough; they want to get closer, more personal. Because, let’s be honest, the danger is part of the fun.
Luckily for the thrill-seekers, daredevils and adrenaline junkies, the travel industry knows this and is ready to deliver a bounty of ways to experience earth, water, air and fire in their most extreme forms — while ideally, maintaining some semblance of safety.
Looking for inspiration? These earth, water, air and fire experiences left us shaking in our boots.
Earth
Cycling Bolivia's Death Road
With vertical drops of over 1,500 feet, no guardrails and sloppy terrain, Bolivia’s North Yungas Road has earned the nickname “Death Road.” Twisting and turning for 37 miles — before the addition of a paved highway to safely divert traffic — the rugged thoroughfare claimed an average of 200 to 300 lives per year. Today, North Yungas has found notoriety among extreme downhill bikers who flock to the region to conquer its nearly continuous downward slope. While the death toll has reduced to an average of five fatalities per year, riders must remain vigilant as they often encounter poor visibility and natural roadblocks like mudslides and tumbled rocks.
Hiking Yosemite’s Half Dome
While one glance at the path to the summit of Half Dome, with its steep 45-degree gradient and questionable metal cable system, is enough to make most people go, “Nope,” it’s the driving force behind thousands of visits to Yosemite National Park each year. Soaring 8,800 feet above sea level, hikers of varying skill sets aim to scale the final 400 feet of the massive hunk of granite aided by nothing but their upper body strength and sheer determination. Making the already precarious hike even more terrifying is sometimes slippery terrain and long queues. According to observers, while many climbers make it to the top, an estimated 20 to 30% turn back.
Trekking the Sahara Desert
Boasting a dreamy color palette of orange and blue, the Sahara Desert, with its barren vegetation, ancient salt flats and ripping dunes, is a harsh and inhospitable domain. With temperatures that soar well above 130 degrees Fahrenheit by day and dip below freezing by night, the region is sparsely populated by humans. Perhaps it’s this same inhospitable nature that makes the extreme environment so irresistible to tourists, as “desert trekking,” multi-day walking trips, are sitting pretty at the top of many intrepid travelers’ bucket lists. That’s not to say this intimidating destination isn’t a treat. The Sahara, and its ever-changing landscapes, is widely considered one of the most interesting places in the world.
Water
Whitewater Rafting on the Zambezi River
Widely considered one of the best rivers for whitewater rafting on Earth, a day on the Zambezi promises a heart-pumping, clothes-soaking adventure. Participants begin their harrowing journey at the base of Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and the starting point for many whitewater rafters brave enough to face the powerful Class V — aka expert-level — waterway. From here, the only way out is through, as thrill-seekers traverse the magnificent Batoka Gorge via a series of challenging Class 3 - 5 rapids along the way. We won’t lie by assuring travelers they won’t end up in the drink; instead, some river guides refer to the waterway as “Slambezi” due to how many rafts are known to flip in its wake.
Exploring an Ice Cave in Iceland
With 130 volcanoes, 269 glaciers and over 4,000 mountains, Iceland is truly an adventurer’s paradise. The destination has so much natural splendor to explore, but one of The Land of Fire and Ice’s most unique offerings is its seasonal ice caves, the most impressive of which can be found at Vatnajökull Glacier. A captivating display of frozen stalactites and rippling ice walls, ice caves are rare formations created by running glacial waters that melt and freeze as the seasons start to change. For those lucky enough to experience them, these chilly caverns are nothing short of picture-perfect, making them a must-see in the winter months when they’re at their peak.
Swimming With Whale Sharks in Mexico
Weighing in at an average of 15 tons and spanning up to 39 feet in length, a spectacular beast lurks off the sunny shores of Quintana Roo. It glides and feeds for hours on end, waiting just beneath the surface, its dorsal fin revealing an intriguing array of spots and stripes whenever it peeks through. We’re talking, of course, about the curious whale shark, the biggest fish in the ocean, and perhaps the gentlest giant of the sea. Despite their size, it’s perfectly safe to swim alongside these incredible creatures, something people are especially known to do in the summer when whale sharks migrate to the Gulf of Mexico by the thousands.
Air
A Doors-Off Helicopter Tour in Hawaii
Instantly recognizable to film buffs, Hawai’i’s many dramatic landmarks — think Manawaiopuna Falls, Olokele and Waimea Canyons, the Na Pali Coast and more — are no stranger to the silver screen. Instead, aerial shots of these striking landscapes have been featured in countless films including favorites like “Jurassic Park,” “King Kong” and “Pirates of the Caribbean” throughout the years. And while there’s no denying the Islands of Aloha are gorgeous from any angle, there’s something to be said of the sweeping, Hollywood-approved, views one can only enjoy from way up high. Luckily for courageous travelers, taking to the skies is easier than ever with the destination’s wide array of “doors off” helicopter tours, an exhilarating excursion taking place from the comfort of, you guessed it, a helicopter with no doors.
Paragliding in Colombia
With its diverse landscapes and ideal conditions for the sport, Colombia is a popular destination among fans of paragliding. An excellent activity for risk-takers of every variety — from the all-out daredevils to the more selective of the bunch — tandem paragliding is often cited as one of the safer ways to satisfy an adrenaline rush. However, while the activity is considered relaxing by some, that’s not to say it won’t get participants’ blood pumping, especially as they cruise at altitudes several thousands of feet above solid ground.
Zip Lining in the United Arab Emirates
At 1.76 miles, Ras al Khaimah’s Jebel Jais Flight is the longest zip line in the world. And, with top speeds that reach up to 93 miles per hour, it’s also one of the fastest, reserving the daring pursuit for only the bravest of travelers. This heart-racing course begins from a futuristic-looking base perched atop the cloud-piercing Jebel Jais mountain peak where, upon stepping foot off the edge, thrill-seekers are sent soaring above craggy summits and scenic gorges. The zip line takes around 60 minutes to complete, and participants must conquer it in a belly-down position — a promise for an even more exhilarating experience.
Fire
Bungee Jumping Into an Active Volcano in Chile
Calling all mad lads, do you have what it takes to not only bungee jump but to bungee jump into the caldera of an active volcano? It may sound too wild to be true, but the Bungee Masters at Bungee.com offered travelers the opportunity to do just that when they signed up for the company’s “Volcano Bungee” tour in Pucón, Chile. While this stunt was unfortunately retired in 2018 — here’s to hoping they’ll bring it back — for the low price of $15,958.13 per person, the tour operator would fly the fearless to Villarrica Volcano where they’d then plunge 400 feet toward a pool of molten lava. And the excitement didn’t stop there. Upon completing the jump, participants were required to endure a long trip back to the airport, dangling from their bungee 150 feet below the helicopter at an average speed of 80 miles per hour.
Volcano Boarding in Nicaragua
A towering dune formed from volcanic ash and black sand, Nicaragua’s Cerro Negro is one of the only places on Earth primed for an unlikely activity: volcano boarding. Comparable to snowboarding or sledding — minus the snow — volcano boarders at Cerro Negro barrel down the slope of the 2,388-foot active volcano by manipulating their body weight on a thin plywood or metal board. While the looming threat of an eruption paired with Cerro Negro’s unfamiliar landscape is enough to make some travelers shudder, adventurous folks love taking the challenge head-on, often citing it as one of the most invigorating experiences of their lives.
Entering a Lava Chamber in Iceland
Dating back 4,500 years, Iceland’s Þríhnúkagígur is the only place on the planet where visitors can go inside a dormant volcano. And, while this particular journey toward the center of the Earth isn’t particularly strenuous, participants may feel a pitter patter in their chests as they load onto an open cable lift and descend 400 feet into the belly of the ancient landform, its mouth — and the exit — becoming a distant memory with every inch. However, for their intrepidity, tour-goers reap a great reward: the chance to walk the grounds of an actual volcano. It’s something few have accomplished, and from within the funnel-like mound, the wonder of geologic time is evident, its story painted in a smattering of yellows, reds, browns and greens.
Originally appeared in the Summer 2024 issue of The Compass magazine
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