Where to go for a real adventure with teens?

[Chocguzel]

We need an Easter destination for next year. Somewhere with lots to see and do that feels really different.

Places we have loved before include:

• Vietnam - the kids adored cycling around the Mekong Delta, a street food tour by Vespa in Saigon and kayaking in Halong Bay. Some parts were too touristy though (I’m looking at you Hoi An)
• Morocco - we hiked the Atlas Mountains, loved running down the sand dunes of the Sahara and enjoyed the chaos of Marrakech.
• Botswana - safari was a hit, especially searching for hippos my canoe, but there was more time in cars between safaris than the kids really wanted.
• Oman - again they loved the desert but also hiking to deserted swimming Wadis. They loved the old forts and market towns too.
• Silk Route - we camped in yurts in the mountains of Krygistan which was stunning and they loved the history and ancient sites of Samarkand plus the chaotic bazaars. Another highlight was meeting people on the old sleeper trains.

So where next? It has to be a good Easter destination ideally with a mix of outdoor adventure in nature and interesting towns/cities.

Argentina, Japan, inter-railing round Europe

I love the idea of Argentina and Japan but they are so expensive. Two weeks in either destination is at least 50% more than all the destinations above including Botswana which was our most expensive holiday so far.

I like the idea of Europe by train but not at Easter ideally. The weather can still be biting in Northern Europe in March/April.

Belize

Sri Lanka?
You can do a tour, and bar flights, they rest is as cheap or pricy as you choose depending on accommodation and travel arrangements

Australia? The great barrier reef, rainforest, the red centre, surfing... a lot of travelling between destinations though...

A week skiing then a week elsewhere?

Peru is amazing, again though some travelling between destinations.

Or we also have done Singapore and Borneo which I recommend (saw Orangutan and stayed in several amazing hotels with activities)
Or an American road trip (did last year with two teenagers) Phoenix- Sedona-Grand Canyon- Monument Valley- Lake Powell (Antelope Canyon)- Moab (Canyonlands and slick rock)- Bryce- Zion- Vegas (this trip we went on speed boats, mountain bikes, Off roaring on slick rock, stayed with a Cowboy, hiked- it was fabulous but we weren’t keen on Vegas!)

Does it need to be warm?

If not, Iceland

It doesn’t have to be warm as long it’s then very cold and snowy. We don’t want grey and drizzle. I was worried Iceland could be just a bit cold and wet by Easter but if not then it could be a contender.

A US road trip sounds great but I think we will swerve the US while foreigners are being treated with such suspicion and contempt at the borders. I have worked in countries in their black list so I can’t get an Esta easily.

Borneo and Singapore sound great. I will investigate the Easter weather. The flight times are slightly off putting but maybe we just bite that bullet. It’s also what puts me off Australia. I take days to feel normal after too long in a place and ideally aim for under 12 hours.

The biggest cost with Japan is the flights at peak season. If you were able yo go a day or two before the Easter prices kick in Japan is really affordable.
I was surprised at how cheap it was.

We're going to Belize at the end of the month. We will be hiking, kayaking, snorkelling, exploring Mayan ruins. I plan to do the ATM cave but DH is swerving that one.

Albania?

Currently here and blown away by the versatility. It’s also dirt cheap.

Mozambique is also amazing but somewhat politically unstable. You can swim with dolphins, so amazing tuk tuk tours etc.

Railing and hiking across Canada?

Icelands also amazing!

Hiking the coastal path of wales. Show them you don’t need to get on a plane to have an adventure with stunning scenery.

We love the Pembrokeshire coastal path and they know it well. In fact we are just back from a few days on the SW coast path, so don’t worry, they know and love UK destinations but once a year we like to explore and experience somewhere really different.

Patagonia ? If you love hiking

Thailand
Costa Rica

Cambodia. Nepal. Chile. Peru/Bolivia - this would probably be my favourite - Machu Picchu and then the Bolivian salt flats.

Curve ball suggestion. But our teens loved Madeira last year. Hiking mountains and rivers, swimming in waterfalls, cliff jumping, whale watching. Not as far flung as your other adventures but definitely worth a look.

Guatemala and Belize for ruins, diving, kayaking, hiking. Antigua in Guatemala is a charming town. I have zero Spanish language skills but was able to travel independently with ease, not as part of a tour group.

Costa Rica also fantastic.

Best outdoorsy trip with teens was Vancouver and the Canadian rockies though. Everyone loved it.

Have not been to Argentina, Peru, Bolivia, Chile though, so I can’t compare.

Sri Lanka
Indonesia (Borneo or Raja Ampat sailing trip maybe?)
Costa Rica

Uganda for gorillas and white water rafting
Madagascar - I’m desperate to go for the wildlife
Malawi/Zambia are a bit more off the beaten track than Kenya/Tanzania/Botswana/SA but loads of great stuff
China - I don’t know if you still can but I once ziplined off the Great Wall!

I went to Iceland in April a few years back and it was a bit chilly but glorious sunshine, absolutely loved it.

@Chocguzel out of interest have you done your more adventurous trips independently or with a company? I'm keen on Oman and wonder about using a company for the first time.
I'm not sure about weather suitability but Sri Lanka, Borneo, Costa Rica and Kenya have been fab with my lot. Sri Lanka might fit your distance/time zone/flight time limits best although I think is the shoulder season. My favourite holiday to date.

Singapore!

Amazing food, different cultures and religions, rainforest to explore, loads of ww2 history and Sentosa island has universal studios, water parks etc. Best place we've ever been, so so much to do and see. So easy to get around on the MRT, people are so friendly and they speak English :)

Another vote for Costa Rica or Sri Lanka!

We did the Annapurna Sanctuary trek in Nepal at Easter two years ago, with some days in Kathmandu and Pokhara before and after. It was a great trip and felt like a real adventure!

Canada - we live in Montreal but one of our favourite trips is the Maritimes - Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.