In My Experience, 6 Wild Trips Were Totally Worth A Repeat, While 3 Were Enough For A Lifetime
Traveling has shaped who I am today, filling my memory bank with both incredible adventures and a few regrettable mishaps. I’ve camped under meteor showers, gotten lost in ancient ruins, and even had a close encounter with wildlife that still makes my heart race.
Looking back at these experiences, some trips left me immediately planning my return, while others taught me valuable lessons I’d rather not learn twice.
1. Backpacking Through Thailand’s Hidden Villages
My journey through northern Thailand’s remote villages changed how I view hospitality forever. Locals welcomed me into their homes despite our language barrier, sharing homemade meals and teaching me traditional crafts.
I hiked through bamboo forests to reach communities rarely visited by tourists, where electricity was scarce but smiles were abundant. The night markets filled with exotic fruits and handmade treasures still appear in my dreams.
If you’re seeking authentic cultural immersion without breaking the bank, this adventure delivers tenfold.
2. Camping in Death Valley During Summer
What possessed me to camp in Death Valley during July remains a mystery. The thermometer hit 118°F by 10 AM, and my water supply dwindled alarmingly fast despite bringing double what I thought I’d need.
Sleep proved impossible as the ground radiated heat throughout the night. Even my specially designed cooling towels became hot within minutes. Wildlife sightings were nonexistent – apparently animals had more sense than I did.
Though the stargazing was spectacular, the physical discomfort wasn’t worth the celestial show.
3. Solo Road Trip Along Portugal’s Coastal Highway
Driving Portugal’s N-125 coastal route with windows down and fado music playing remains my definition of freedom. I stopped whenever a hidden beach or cliff view caught my eye, with no schedule pressuring me onward.
Small fishing villages offered the freshest seafood I’ve ever tasted, often for less than €10. The locals shared secret spots not in any guidebook when they learned I was traveling alone.
Watching sunset from different coastal points each evening created a kaleidoscope of memories I’m eager to expand on a return trip.
4. Amazon Rainforest Expedition Gone Wrong
My Amazon adventure quickly turned into a survival test when our guide got sick on day two. Constant rainfall soaked everything I owned, including my supposedly waterproof gear. The humidity created a personal ecosystem in my boots – complete with growing fungi.
Mosquitoes treated my bug spray as seasoning rather than repellent. I developed mysterious rashes despite covering every inch of skin. Sleep became impossible with the cacophony of insects and my growing paranoia about what might crawl into my hammock.
The biodiversity was incredible, but I’ll appreciate it from documentaries henceforth.
5. Island Hopping in Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast
Croatia’s sapphire waters and limestone islands created the perfect playground for my spontaneous soul. I traveled by ferry between Hvar, Vis, and Korčula, each island offering distinct personalities despite their proximity.
Days blended into a perfect rhythm – morning swims in secluded coves, afternoons exploring ancient towns, and evenings savoring local wines under star-filled skies. The affordability surprised me most, with apartments overlooking the Adriatic costing less than chain hotels back home.
Every island left me wanting more time, marking this trip as unfinished business.
6. Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Four days of challenging terrain and thin mountain air created the perfect buildup to seeing Machu Picchu at sunrise. My thighs burned with each stone step, but ancient Incan ruins appearing around trail bends provided perfect recovery stops.
Camping above clouds while porters somehow prepared three-course meals using minimal equipment humbled me completely. The camaraderie formed with fellow hikers from across the globe added an unexpected layer of richness to the journey.
The final morning’s hike to the Sun Gate revealed Machu Picchu emerging from mist – a moment worth every blister.
7. Budget Safari in Tanzania During Rainy Season
My cost-cutting decision to book a Tanzanian safari during rainy season backfired spectacularly. Our vehicle got stuck in mud for hours while lions lounged uncomfortably close by. The budget tent leaked steadily, creating a midnight scramble to protect camera gear.
Game drives often ended prematurely as roads became impassable rivers. When we did spot animals, photography proved nearly impossible through rain-streaked windows and fog-filled landscapes.
The final straw came when our camp flooded overnight, sending me and my soggy belongings home three days early.
8. Winter Road Trip Through Iceland’s Ring Road
Driving Iceland’s Ring Road in February seemed foolhardy until I experienced the magic of having natural wonders all to myself. The northern lights danced overhead while I soaked in geothermal pools, creating moments of surreal perfection.
Navigating snow-covered roads added adventure, but the payoff of seeing waterfalls partially frozen into ice sculptures justified the white-knuckle driving. Local guesthouses offered homemade bread and insider tips about hidden hot springs not marked on maps.
The short daylight hours actually enhanced the experience, creating golden light for photography throughout the day.
9. Sailing the Greek Islands Without Experience
Learning to sail while island-hopping through Greece pushed me far outside my comfort zone in the best possible way. My first attempt at anchoring near Hydra had nearby boaters watching with barely concealed amusement.
By week two, I navigated confidently between Cycladic islands, discovering tiny harbors where fishermen sold their morning catch directly from boats. The freedom to change course on a whim led to finding abandoned beaches accessible only by water.
Mastering a new skill while experiencing Greece’s beauty created a powerful combination I’m eager to revisit with my improved sailing abilities.