Adventure Travel on a Budget

If you’re like me, when you think of adventure travel, the first thing you think of is how expensive it will be. It’s true, if you are thinking of climbing Mt. Everest or taking a solo sailing adventure across an ocean, the chances are that you are going to need some high end gear, spend a lot on logistics, and probably have lots of expenses you never expected too. But, it doesn’t have to be that way.

If you are helicopter skiing or doing any gear intensive travel, there really isn’t an easy way around the expense unless you are good enough or charismatic enough to get sponsors. Let’s face it, the vast majority of us aren’t either of those things. We’re just people who like to get high from the sense that comes with having a great adventure.

Adventure travel comes in many flavors- from the gear intensive to the gear free, though, there is one thing all adventures have in common. A sense of risking life and limb. Right?

The degree to which you are willing to take risks is really a bit of a factor in how much money you will have to spend. When I hitched across Canada with $4 and no gear, that was an adventure.

I was risking life and limb by accepting rides with strangers and by the possibility that I would be stuck on the prairies with no blanket or get attacked by a bear in the Rockies if no rides got me to the next point. How much did it cost me?

Actually, by the time I got to Vancouver I had increased my $4 to almost $20 and had great times with great people all the way. So, every adventure doesn’t have to cost you a fortune. Get that idea out of your head.

Another example is kayaking. Renting a kayak is usually less than $20 a day and during that day you can cover some serious territory. Think about this, a four day kayak rental is long enough for you to paddle up the treacherous Na Pali Coast of Kauai, hike in gorgeous rain forest, and spend time on beaches where you won’t see another soul. Add in food and you are talking about a life changing adventure that costs you less than $200.

The same can be said for snow shoeing in the Mt. Baker wilderness of Washington state, hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, or even just setting out for a long long walk. The thrill of adventure comes from danger and that danger can range from the unknown to pure adrenaline rushes like skydiving, kite boarding, and high speed downhill bike rides.

In terms of transport, you’ve made a good step towards reducing those costs by finding a site like TravelGrove. Accommodation can be budget like a hostel (usually less than $20 per night) or even free by using services such as Couchsurfing or Hospitality Club.

And if you want to get into the really serious adventure travel, don’t be shy about looking at things head on. For example, an all inclusive mountaineering course will cost you about the same as a standard vacation package. Why not give up the resort and learn something that will make your life more fulfilling for the rest of your days?

Of course, for the serious budget adventurers, all you need is the desire to go. Everything else will be provided along the way and that is really part of the adventure too.

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