Richard Bangs has a lot of amazing credits to his name - he co-founded Sobek Expeditions in 1969, one of the original travel-adventure companies (it's now called MT Sobek). This award-winning company arranged small groups of adventurers into all sorts of experiences all over the world. If you browse the website (https://www.mtsobek.com/) you can find all sorts of options from luxury to roughing-it type trips.
The introduction lists out the activity levels (1 being the easiest up to 5 being strenuous) so you can decide where on the scale to focus on or to eliminate. Of course, most of the moderate trips can be customized to be harder or easier.
The book is then divided into locations starting with Latin America, Africa and the Middle East, Europe, Asia, Oceania, North America, and the Polar Regions.
Each suggested trip includes information on "Best Times" to go, "Activity Level", "Accommodations" (suggestions), "Features", and "GPD Coordinates". Then the trip is broken out into day-by-day itineraries which can be customized as well depending on how long you plan to visit.
Some level 1 activities include Botswana Flying Safari. Accommodations are "high-end eco-lodges" and you will definitely be paying the price for these luxuries. This is a 9 day itinerary but could easily be shortened.
Level 2 which is a little more strenuous than level 1 but is still good for all ages. Cruising the Galapagos falls into Level 2 with a lot of traveling from Quito to Galapagos and other nearby islands. Great for nature lovers.
Easter Island is another Level 2 activity. The five day itinerary consists of just exploring the island and some local's unique culture.
Cuba is listed as a Level 2 activity, but getting to Cuba is challenging. Keep this in your back pocket until they lift the restrictions to visit as a tourist.
Rafting Guatemala is a Level 4 and the accommodations lists Tents and Eco-Lodges. It's 10 days of what I'd call "roughing-it".
Climbing Kilimanjaro is a Level 5. Ironically, the accommodations sound better than Guatemala - "comfortable camping" and "comfortable hotels". This one is also 10 days.
Hiking Wild Scotland is a Level 3. The best times to attempt it is May through September before the weather turns sour. Hiking Ireland North to South is also Level 3 and runs along the same months. This one is a bit longer at 12 days.
Another Level 3 in America is Rafting the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. Despite the summer months, May through September, I've heard the water is ice cold. So arrive prepared. This itinerary is a long one at 14 days.
Overall, this is an interesting book to get some inspiration and trip ideas. You could easily customize the suggested itineraries to your own needs. I'd definitely look for it in your local library or share through inter-library loans.
Title: 50 Best Adventures on Earth
Author: Richard Bangs
ISBN: 978-1493085453
Pages: 272
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