There are few adventures that are unique any longer. I, for one, am tired of seeing Las Vegas, the Maldives and other holiday spots litter our social media feeds. Great photography and great fun, but not a real adventure. We are sad when we hear someone say that they are going to go to so many places when they retire. Many people have become a viewer of photos rather than going out and doing it for themselves. Watcher of reels. Living their dreams through videos and pictures. It reminds me of elderly people looking over photos of times gone by and wishing time had not gone so fast. But this is worse. These are people that will never take an adventure. They live their lives by watching others. By dreaming their dreams.

They join travel blogs and travel sites so they can see what others are doing. They want to go. They could go. But they don’t. Not because they don’t have time or the money. We know many people with both but still never or rarely leave their homes. Not because of work. And not because of children. I am talking about middle-aged couples that have the time, money and resources.

And they still decide not to go anywhere. They decide to stop learning. And they decide to stop discovering.

They believe you have to be ultra-wealthy to see and experience what the world has to offer. You do not. They believe you have to be a world-class athlete to see and experience what the world has to offer. You do not. We can assure you that you do not need to be either of these to see unique and wonderful things in the world.

All you have to do is make a decision. To decide to go. It doesn’t have to be luxurious but go. Get out into the game. Join life. Make your own dreams come true.

We have outlined four adventures that are unique, life-changing and affordable. These four are some of the most incredible adventures you could do.

Trekking into the jungle to experience Gorillas is amazing experience.

Tracking Mountain Gorillas

Going on a Mountain Gorilla trek has to be on the top of many bucket lists. Traveling to the mountain areas of Uganda, Rwanda or the Congo. Encountering a mountain gorilla family is a great adventure and life changing. To be in the presence of these magnificent animals is awe-inspiring and humbling. We have put together different travel packages so everyone can enjoy this adventure.

We recommend Uganda as the place to see these incredible creatures. Uganda is a stable country. You can encounter Africa’s Big 5 besides gorillas and chimps and the scenery is beautiful. There are many other adventures you can do in Uganda. You can see the world’s most powerful waterfall. Boat down the Nile and encounter crocs and other wildlife. See the elusive Shoebill Stork that stands 5 feet tall. And encounter warm and wonderful people. We recommend Uganda to everyone no matter how fit you are, or your age. It is wonderful.

Go to LFTAdventures.com to book your Mountain Gorilla adventure.

Less than $2,500 per person for a 5-day adventure including all tracking permits for Gorillas and Chimps as well as searching for the Big 5 in Queen Elizabeth National Park.  Includes a private driver/guide, all food, accommodations, and permits.

I couldn’t believe I was a few feet away from 40 polar bears. This adventure is life changing.

Experiencing Polar Bears in the Arctic

Imagine flying in a small plane to the Arctic and staying in a tiny native village. By the end of two days, having experienced 40 to 60 polar bears. That is an adventure. That is something you will always remember and cherish. To see these magnificent animals is life changing.

The most popular places to see Polar Bears are Churchill in Canada. Svalbard which is part of Norway and Kaktovik in Arctic Alaska. We went to Kaktovik for an incredible adventure. Along the way we explored Denali and saw Grizzlies and Moose and the highest peak in North America. And the most incredible Alaskan and Arctic landscapes including the Brooks Range.

We have put together a once-a-year adventure. We take up to 6 people to experience Polar Bears, the Arctic and Alaska.

Go to LFTAdventures.com to see our Polar Bear and Arctic Adventure.

Less than $10,000 per person for all transportation within Alaska and internal flights to the Arctic.  Includes all tours such as a glacier landing, 90 miles inside of Denali and Polar Bear viewing.  Also includes all accommodations and most meals.   

Finding Tigers in India

Imagine getting up in the morning and taken on safari and encountering the elusive Tiger.  Tigers conjure up many ideas and have held a special significance to many cultures in the world. In many cultures, tigers are seen as powerful and dangerous animals. They are often associated with strength, courage, and bravery. To be in the presence of a wild tiger is an incredible, life-changing experience. You might also see elephants and leopards on your travels.  We traveled to India, where about 80% of the world’s wild tigers are.  The two national parks we visited were Bandhavgarh National Park which has one of the healthiest populations of endangered Bengal tigers and Kanha National Park.  Both parks are located in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.

The cost of this trip in 2023 was approximately $5000 for both Kati and I.  That includes flights to India, internal flights, experiencing the Taj Mahal and Agra, as well as 9 safari’s to track tigers in the wild.  All food, transportation and accommodations. We recommend booking with Pugdundee Safaris. They have great lodges, wonderful people and will help on choosing the right adventure for you.

The landscape, the wildlife, and the incredible sea life that you can only see around the Galapagos.

Experiencing the wildlife in the Galapagos

Everyone has heard of the ship Beagle carrying Charles Darwin and his book the origin of species.  Many of his findings were when he visited the Galapagos Islands.  The total amount of time Darwin spent in the Galapagos was 5 weeks and he never returned.  Almost 150 years later, Darwin is famous and so are the islands he visited.

I remember when planning to go to the Galapagos, almost everyone I knew was skeptical.  Most thought that you cannot visit the islands. Others did not know exactly where the Galapagos are. The Galapagos are about 600 miles west of Ecuador. From our home in Florida, it was a direct flight to Guayaquil, Ecuador. We then took about a 90-minute flight to the Galapagos. It was that easy.

We know some take a cruise and that can be expensive.  Also, we like to mix and mingle with the locals and get a real flavor for the areas that we visit.  And we do not like cruises.

But this was perfect.  We flew to the Galapagos and took day trips to the islands that we wanted to see.  We snorkeled almost every day with sea lions and other marine wildlife.  We saw blue-footed boobies, giant tortoises and even a blue whale.  Red crabs and marine iguanas were everywhere we went.  And the town of Santa Cruz was an amazing little place to explore and mix with the locals.  There are regulations on all islands and beaches so most times we felt we had them all to ourselves.  It was magical and not difficult to plan.  There are four inhabited islands and two airports.  From each of these, you can decide what islands you want to visit and what you want to see and experience.

We plan on returning even for a long weekend.  There were so many more islands that we want to visit.

If you want an adventure as well as a beach and snorkeling holiday, you cannot go wrong with going to the Galapagos.

We spent approximately $4,000 for two for flights from Miami and accommodations in the Galapagos (through Airbnb) for a week.  Also, that cost included 5 day trips, snorkeling, hiking and exploring different islands.  

Our Final Word

Whether it is trekking for Gorillas or Tigers in the Wild, seeing the incredible wildlife in the Galapagos Islands, or experiencing polar bears, our list covers it all and we have done it.  Imagine the stories you will have and the experiences you will do.  A few feet from a gorilla, or a mother polar bear with three cubs.  A Blue Whale crossing your path while sailing to see Blue Footed Boobies. Or watching a Tiger with its young. As Eleanor Roosevelt said, “THE PURPOSE OF LIFE IS TO LIVE IT, TO TASTE IT, TO EXPERIENCE TO THE UTMOST, TO REACH OUT EAGERLY AND WITHOUT FEAR FOR NEWER AND RICHER EXPERIENCE.” We believe that and hope more people decide to take her advice.

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