Hey {{first_name | Explorer}},

This is Adventure Fix, the newsletter that helps you discover extraordinary journeys and experiences across the globe.

For this final issue, I wanted to share something a little more personal. Instead of highlighting destinations or new trips, I’m sharing three moments from my own travels that shaped the way I see adventure, nature, and why we seek out the unfamiliar.

At the end of this issue, you’ll find a note about why Adventure Fix is coming to a close, and what’s next from here.

Here’s what’s inside today:

• An orca swimming beneath my kayak
• Sleeping under the stars in Antarctica
• A close encounter with giant mantas in the Revillagigedo Islands

Kayaking with Orcas in San Juan Islands

“Look straight on!” my husband called from behind me in our double kayak.

An orca leapt out of the water. And then another. And another. Three, maybe four, powerful black-and-white shapes slicing through the sea. My heart raced as I tracked their dorsal fins, and somewhere deep inside, my 7-year-old self was screaming with joy.

As a child, I had been obsessed with orcas. I watched Free Willy on repeat, drew orcas in every notebook, and collected figurines, dreaming of the day I might see one in the wild. Growing up in a suburban town in Northern California, the odds of spotting an orca outside of captivity were slim.

But now, years later, I was here in the San Juan Islands, living my dream.

The orcas came closer, then one breached and dove directly under our kayak. She rolled to her side, and our eyes met. For a suspended moment, the world fell away—the ocean, the kayak, the hum of the distant shore—until there was just us. I felt awe, humility, and an overwhelming sense of connection. It was wild, it was intimate, and it was exactly what I had imagined, and more.

That encounter didn’t just check a childhood dream off my list; it reminded me why I chase adventure. There’s a rare magic in stepping into the unknown, in connecting with life that is completely untamed. That day, I fell even more in love with seeing wildlife—not just for the thrill, but for the moments that leave you feeling alive and infinitely grateful.

Camping in Antarctica

Photo: Oceanwide Expeditions

I remember lying there, unable to sleep. We were camping on a stretch of Antarctic coastline, wrapped in heavy bags on bare snow. My face was so cold it almost felt warm, the kind of numb that settles in slowly and stays.

There were no lights. No buildings. No boats. No horizon of cities glowing somewhere in the distance. Just stars, sharp and bright, like someone had emptied a bucket of light across the sky.

And it was silent. Not quiet. Silent in a way I had never experienced before.

I realized I was hearing real silence for the first time in my life. There was no wind, no water movement, no distant hum of anything human. Just the faint ringing of my own ears. The sound of nothing.

In that silence, something in me unwound. All the background noise I didn’t even know I carried — the planning, the pushing, the subtle reaching for the next thing — just fell away. For a moment, I felt like I wasn’t thinking myself into existence. I was simply there. A part of the world instead of separate from it.

Nothing mattered, and somehow, everything did. Not the anxious kind of nothingness, but the peaceful kind — the kind where you remember that you don’t have to hold the world together. It will spin just fine without your effort.

I didn’t sleep that night. I didn’t want to.

The stillness was the experience.

That night taught me that adventure isn’t always about movement. Sometimes it unfolds in stillness, when the world goes so quiet that you can finally notice the awareness behind every thought. In that silence, I experienced myself not as the one striving or steering, but as the one observing. A presence that doesn’t begin or end. A knowing that has been there all along.

Diving with Giant Manta Rays in Revillagigedo

Out in Mexico’s Revillagigedo Islands, the ocean feels bigger than usual. The water is this deep, endless blue, and you drop into it knowing you’re in their world, not yours.

On one of the dives, I looked up and saw a shape gliding above me. A manta ray. Huge. Effortless. The sunlight filtered down through the surface, turning everything into layers of blue and light. The manta didn’t flap its wings. It just moved, like the water itself was carrying it.

It hovered right over me. I could see the spots on its belly. My bubbles floated up and touched it. Our dive guide told us they like that — that they sometimes seek it out. It felt strange at first to think my presence could affect a creature that big. But there it was, staying with me, as if we were sharing something.

The same guide had said, “They can sense your energy. If you’re anxious, they stay away. If you’re calm, they’ll come closer.” I don’t know if that’s scientifically true, but I believed him. So when the manta came in again, slow and close, I tried to think good thoughts. Steady ones. I remembered how in Peter Pan, they say you need happy thoughts to fly. So I tried that. I just thought: I’m grateful to be here.

Another manta moved in beside us, and suddenly I was surrounded by these massive wings drifting through the water like slow-motion birds. Swimming next to one felt simple. Natural. Like we were sharing the same pace for a moment.

There wasn’t awe or adrenaline — just a very quiet kind of connection. One of those rare moments when you forget to want anything. You’re just there.

For a moment, everything felt simple. Just the rhythm of my breath. The sweep of their wings. The sunlight. The ocean. Life reduced to its most elegant state.

And that’s the magic, I think — the reason we chase experiences like this. Not for the adrenaline. Not for the photos. But to remember how to be in the world. Curious. Open to unexpected joy. Available to wonder.

Adventure Fix has been a joy to create. Every week, I’ve loved sharing places that spark awe, encounters that stay with you, and the feeling of stepping into the world guided by curiosity. Thank you for letting me share my love of wild animals and wild places with you.

So why end it now?

It simply feels like the right moment. Not because the adventures have run out — they never do — but because I’ve reached a point where it feels right to shift direction. There are still countless experiences worth writing about, but some projects have a natural lifespan. And this one has run its course.

Which brings me to what’s next.

After three unforgettable years of publishing Adventure Fix, it’s time for a new chapter. We’re building something for this same community of explorers: GearSnag. It’s an adventure-focused app that helps you find premium outdoor gear for less — Patagonia, Arc’teryx, Salomon, and more. If Adventure Fix helped you discover where you might go next, GearSnag helps you gear up to get there.

It’s still about getting outside. It’s still about building a life shaped by exploration. Just in a new form.

Over the next few days I’ll tell you a bit more about the app if you are interested. If it’s not for you, I understand, you can hit the unsubscribe button at the end of this email to opt-out.

Thank you for reading.
For dreaming alongside me.
For believing in a world that is still full of wonder.

The newsletter ends here, but the spirit behind it doesn’t.

Adventure is not something you subscribe to.
It’s something you choose.

I hope you keep choosing it.
I know I will.

Keep exploring,

-Amanda

Hey {{first_name | Explorer}},

This is Adventure Fix, the newsletter that helps you discover extraordinary journeys and experiences across the globe.

Before we jump into today’s adventures, I wanted to share some news. Adventure Fix is nearing its final destination, next week will be the last issue. I’ll talk more about it then, but I wanted you to have a little notice before we wrap up this journey together.

Here’s what we've got for you today:

• Stays: Maliba Mountain Lodge

• Remote Places: Rapa Iti

• Adventure Cruises: Voyage to the North Pole

Maliba Mountain Lodge

Photo: Maliba Mountain Lodge

Maliba Mountain Lodge sits high up in the Maloti Mountains of Lesotho inside Tsehlanyane National Park, surrounded by steep peaks and waterfalls.

Getting there takes a bit of effort, the road winds deep into the highlands, but that’s part of what makes it special. When you finally arrive, it feels peaceful and remote in the best way.

The place itself is beautiful. The buildings are made of stone and thatch, so they blend right into the landscape, and the inside has this cozy, earthy feel with fireplaces, big windows, and decks that look out over the valley.

You can stay in a fancy mountain chalet if you want a bit of luxury, or choose one of the self-catering river lodges for something simpler. Either way, you’ll wake up to mountain views and probably want to stay in your robe a little longer than planned.

There’s plenty to do, but nothing feels rushed. You can hike straight from the lodge into the park—there are trails through forests, along rivers, and up into the hills for incredible views. Horseback rides are popular too, and there are local village visits if you want to get a glimpse of Basotho life. And if you’re just in the mood to relax, just sit on the deck and watch the clouds roll through the mountains.

What makes Maliba even better is that it’s not just a pretty place—it’s an eco lodge that actually walks the talk. They support local community projects and take care of the environment around them. It’s the kind of spot that fits perfectly into a bigger Africa trip, a comfortable, soul-soothing pause between wild adventures. You come here to slow down, breathe mountain air, and remember why you love traveling in the first place.

Explore more:

• Maliba Lodge - Tsehlanyane National Park (video)

• Staying at Maliba Lodge in Lesotho (blog)

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Rapa Iti

Photo: Valella Voyages

Visiting Rapa Iti feels like you’ve stumbled onto the edge of the world — and in a way, you have. It’s one of the most remote islands in French Polynesia, tucked far down in the South Pacific where hardly anyone goes. There’s no airport, and the supply ship only comes every few weeks, so getting there takes effort. But that’s exactly what makes it feel so special once you arrive.

The island itself is stunning — sharp green peaks rising out of a quiet, turquoise lagoon. You’ll find old stone ruins hidden in the hills, remnants of ancient fortresses built centuries ago. The main village, Ahurei, sits in a sheltered bay where life moves at its own pace. Kids play barefoot in the road, fishermen mend their nets, and everyone waves when you walk by.

There’s no real tourism here — no hotels, no restaurants, no tour desks. You stay with locals, eat whatever was caught or grown that day, and get swept up in their way of life. Days might start with a climb up one of the ridges for a crazy-good view, or a paddle along the coast. Evenings are quiet — maybe some stories shared over dinner, the sound of waves echoing in the bay, and stars so bright they almost don’t seem real.

Rapa Iti doesn’t just give you a trip — it gives you perspective. It’s a reminder of how peaceful life can feel when there’s nothing to buy, nowhere to rush, and nothing between you and the ocean but a handful of mountains and a sky full of stars.

Explore more:

• Rapa Iti: Southern Edge of the Pacific (article)

• Amazing Planet: Rapa Iti, Austral Islands (video)

Voyage to the North Pole

Photo: Russian Discovery

There are adventures, and then there are the kind that completely reset what you think is possible. Going to the North Pole is one of those.

Picture this: you’re standing at 90° North, literally the top of the planet, surrounded by endless ice in every direction. There’s no land, no landmarks, just a vast frozen ocean and the feeling that you’ve reached the end of the map.

The trip starts in Murmansk, Russia, where you board a massive nuclear-powered icebreaker built to crush through thick Arctic ice. As the ship pushes north, you can feel the vibrations every time it breaks through another layer. Days later, when the GPS finally hits 90° N, the captain announces it over the loudspeaker and everyone rushes out onto the ice. There’s a toast, a barbecue right on the frozen sea, and, for the brave, a quick (and shockingly cold) plunge into the Arctic Ocean.

On the way back, the ship stops in Franz Josef Land, a remote group of islands that feel like something out of another world. You might spot polar bears wandering along the shore, walruses piled up on the ice, or Arctic foxes darting across the snow. The landscapes are wild and untouched, and scattered across the islands are old huts and relics from the early days of polar exploration.

It’s the kind of journey that redefines what it means to “go remote.” You don’t just visit a destination, you voyage to the very top of the planet, to the point where adventure itself seems to have run out of map.

Explore more:

• North Pole: First-hand Experience (blog)

• Top of the World Cruise (tour) 

Sailing: East Greenland sailing at Kangertitivaq

Hiking: 5 days hiking in the Archipelago of Volcanoes

Podcast: How to feel fully alive

Diving: Diving with Coelacanth

Ancient World: Sigiriya

Where in the World

Photo: Daniel Kordan

Wanna flex your adventure geography skills? Guess where this pic was snapped!

Stumped? No worries. The answer is at the end of this email.

I’d love to hear what you think of this issue, scroll down to the poll to let us know.

Until next time…

Keep exploring,

-Amanda

Whenever you’re ready, here’s how we can help you plan truly unique adventure trips:

• Get inspired with our adventure eBooks.

• Plan your next trip with our tool Adventure Finder.

• Get the best outdoor gear deals from premium brands at Gear Snag.

 ANSWER: Mangystau, Kazakhstan

Hey {{first_name | Explorer}},

This is Adventure Fix, the newsletter that helps you discover extraordinary journeys and experiences across the globe.

Here’s what we've got for you today:

• Wildlife Encounters: Himalayan brown bears

• Kayaking: Grey and Serrano Kayaking Expedition

• Hiking: Fairytale Forests of Yakushima Island

Spotting Himalayan Brown Bears

Photo: Drenmo Lodge

Seeing a Himalayan brown bear in the wild is something that stays with you forever. These bears are incredibly rare,only a few hundred remain across the Himalayas, so spotting one feels like witnessing something ancient and wild.

They survive in just a few remote places, like Ladakh in northern India and Deosai National Park in northern Pakistan. Both landscapes are stark and beautiful, with sweeping plateaus, icy streams, and endless skies. It’s easy to spend hours scanning the slopes for movement before realizing that dark, lumbering shape in the distance is actually a bear.

They’re huge, but there’s something surprisingly calm about the way they move. Sometimes you’ll see one flipping over rocks looking for bugs or berries, or just wandering through the grass before vanishing into the cliffs again.

When you finally see one, it’s not just about the bear. It’s the thin mountain air, the total silence, and that feeling that you’re standing in a world that’s still truly wild. You leave with this quiet sense of awe, and maybe a bit of gratitude that places like this, and animals like the Himalayan brown bear still exist.

Explore more:

• Deosai National Park - Home of The Himalayan brown bears (video)

• Himalayan Brown Bear Expedition to Ladakh (trip)

Never Miss a Deal on Your Dream Gear

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Grey and Serrano Patagonia Kayaking Expedition

Photo: Walk Patagonia

Kayaking from Grey Glacier all the way to Puerto Natales is one of the most unforgettable ways to experience Patagonia. The trip starts up at Grey Lake in Torres del Paine National Park, where you launch your kayak right among floating icebergs that have broken off the massive Grey Glacier.

The water is cold and glassy, and the glacier looms ahead in shades of blue you didn’t even know existed. It’s quiet except for the creaking of the ice and the sound of your paddle cutting through the water.

From there, you follow the Grey River as it winds through canyons and past rocky cliffs, with the Paine Massif towering in the distance. The current carries you into the Serrano River, where the scenery shifts from dramatic mountain walls to thick southern beech forests and open valleys.

You’ll probably spot condors overhead and guanacos grazing along the banks. There’s a short section where you have to carry your kayak around a waterfall, but otherwise it’s a smooth, scenic float through the wild heart of Patagonia.

One of the highlights comes when you reach the Serrano Glacier. You can paddle across the lagoon filled with ice chunks and get right up close to the face of the glacier. Many people camp nearby and celebrate with a Pisco Sour made with glacial ice.

The final stretch takes you toward the fjord and eventually back to Puerto Natales. The river widens, the air gets saltier, and the snow-capped peaks fade behind you.

It’s a journey that ties together two of Patagonia’s most stunning glaciers — Grey and Serrano — and gives you a front-row seat to one of the most beautiful river routes in South America. By the time you pull up in Natales, you’re tired, happy, and completely blown away by what you just paddled through.

Explore more:

• Patagonia Kayak Expedition (video)

• Rio Serrano & Rio Grey Via Lago Tyndall (blog)

Hiking the Fairytale Forests of Yakushima Island

Photo: Lindblad

Hiking in Yakushima feels like stepping into another world. This little island off Japan’s southern coast is said to have inspired Princess Mononoke, and when you see it, you get why.

The forest looks straight out of a fantasy, massive cedar trees draped in moss, roots twisting across the trail, mist hanging in the air. Everything is green and alive. Even the rocks and tree trunks are covered in ferns and lichen. It’s quiet, damp, and somehow magical.

The trails wind through the forest, across creeks and wooden bridges, and up toward ancient cedars that have been standing here for thousands of years. The most famous one is Jōmon Sugi, it’s huge, and nobody really knows how old it is, but it’s definitely ancient. The hike to get there is long, but it’s worth every step. Along the way, you pass waterfalls, gnarled trees, and patches of forest so beautiful you have to stop and just take it in.

It rains a lot on Yakushima—locals joke that it rains “35 days a month.” But the rain is part of the magic. It keeps the moss bright and the forest misty and alive. If you bring good rain gear and take your time, the weather just becomes part of the experience.

Whether you’re exploring the Shiratani Unsuikyo ravine or hiking up to the old cedars, Yakushima feels wild and timeless,like nature still runs the show, and you’re just there to witness it.

Explore more:

• The Fairytale Forests of Yakushima (article)

• 4 Days Hiking In The Rainiest Place In Japan: Yakushima (vlog)

Expeditions: Ash Dykes Walked China's 4,000-mile Yangtze River 

Cycling: Swamp Thing Trail in Estonia

Unique Experiences: Solo ice skate backpacking in Alaska

Diving: Rocks of Life - Scuba diving in British Columbia

Longevity: How to surf till you're 100

Where in the World

Photo: Engle Ching / Shutterstock

Wanna flex your adventure geography skills? Guess where this pic was snapped!

Stumped? No worries. The answer is at the end of this email.

I’d love to hear what you think of this issue, scroll down to the poll to let us know.

Until next time…

Keep exploring,

-Amanda

Whenever you’re ready, here’s how we can help you plan truly unique adventure trips:

• Get inspired with our adventure eBooks.

• Plan your next trip with our tool Adventure Finder.

• Get the best outdoor gear deals from premium brands at Gear Snag.

 ANSWER: Yosemite National Park, California, U.S.

Hey {{first_name | Explorer}},

This is Adventure Fix, the newsletter that helps you discover extraordinary journeys and experiences across the globe.

Here’s what we've got for you today:

• Scuba Diving: Diving with Horseshoe Crabs on Pangatalan Island

• Hiking: The Great Dahar Crossing

• Wildlife Encounters: Spotting Markhors in Chitral Gol National Park

Diving with Horseshoe Crabs on Pangatalan Island

Photo: Laurent Ballesta

Diving around Pangatalan Island, known as the isle of horseshoe crabs, feels like slipping into another world.

The water is warm and clear, and right away you notice how alive everything is—colorful coral gardens, schools of fish flashing past, and then, on the sandy bottom, those unmistakable shapes: horseshoe crabs.

They look ancient, like something straight out of a time before people existed. Watching them move slowly across the sand, their shells catching the sunlight, is strangely peaceful.

The horseshoe crabs here are one of Pangatalan’s quiet success stories. A decade ago, the reefs were damaged and the island was stripped of trees. But the Sulubaai Foundation stepped in, rebuilding coral habitats and protecting the area from overfishing.

Now, when you dive, you can see the results firsthand, thriving corals, turtles gliding past, and these prehistoric creatures crawling through seagrass beds like they own the place.

Dives around the island are relaxed and shallow, perfect for lingering and observing. Sometimes you’ll spot juvenile fish darting around the horseshoe crabs, using them for cover, or see a crab bury itself halfway in the sand, just its eyes peeking out. When you surface, the island feels different too—calm, wild, and quietly hopeful.

It’s not a flashy dive spot, but it’s one of those rare places where you can feel nature recovering, and be part of it.

Explore more:

• Pangatalan: The Isle of Horseshoe Crabs (article)

• Pangatalan (expedition)

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The Great Dahar Crossing

Photo: Much Better Adventures

The Great Dahar Crossing is a long-distance hike in southern Tunisia that takes you across the rugged mountains of the Dahar region. It stretches about 120 miles (194 km) and is split into 12 stages, making it Tunisia’s first long trail built to international standards.

It’s not the kind of hike where you’ll find crowds or cafés along the way—this is remote, wild country. You’ll walk through red-rock ridges, stony desert plateaus, palm-filled valleys, and small Amazigh (Berber) villages where life moves at its own pace.

What makes the Dahar so special is how it blends nature and culture. You’ll pass old troglodyte homes carved right into the hillsides, ancient granaries built to protect harvests, and winding alleys that look like they haven’t changed in centuries. Every now and then you’ll spot fossilized seashells or even dinosaur footprints baked into the rock.

The people who live here are welcoming and proud of their heritage—you might end up staying in a family-run guesthouse, eating homemade couscous, and hearing stories about life in the desert.

You can hike the full route in about two weeks, but a lot of people just pick a few stages. One popular stretch goes from Toujane to Zmerten—it’s wild, rocky, and full of hidden valleys. Another great section runs from Ksar Hadada to Insefri, where you can see ancient rock paintings and fossil beds. If you climb up Kaf Ensoura, the highest point on the trail, you’ll get sweeping views of the mountains fading into the desert beyond.

It’s worth saying that this isn’t an easy trek. Parts of the trail are still being marked, so unless you’re confident navigating in remote terrain, it’s smart to hire a local guide. Water can be hard to find, and the sun can be brutal, so you’ll want to plan ahead and carry plenty. But that’s part of the magic—this is one of those rare hikes where you can go days without seeing another traveler.

You’ll find small guesthouses and even troglodyte lodgings along some sections, or you can camp if you’re prepared. The trail was created to support local communities, so staying and eating with families is a great way to give back while you travel.

If you’re looking for an adventure that’s completely off the beaten path—something raw, cultural, and full of wide-open desert beauty—the Great Dahar Crossing is it. It’s still under the radar, which means you get to experience the real Tunisia: quiet, rugged, and completely timeless.

Explore more:

• The New 194km Hiking Trail Across Tunisia’s Remote Dahar Region (article)

Spotting Markhors in Chitral Gol National Park

Photo: Nick Taurus

Seeing a markhor in the wild feels a bit like stepping into a mountain fairy tale. These wild goats live high up in the rugged mountains of northern Pakistan, Afghanistan, and parts of Central Asia — places where steep cliffs rise straight out of deep valleys and eagles glide through the sky.

With their long, twisted horns and flowing beards, markhors look almost unreal as they move effortlessly across rocky slopes that seem way too steep for anything to stand on.

Local guides in Chitral know exactly where to look, they’ll scan the cliffs and point out a faint shape you’d never notice on your own. Then suddenly, what looked like a patch of rock shifts, and you realize you’re looking at a markhor.

Sometimes you’ll see them in small groups, the males with their magnificent corkscrew horns, the females and young close by, blending perfectly with the mountainside.

It’s also a powerful story of conservation. Markhors were once critically endangered, but in Chitral Gol, local communities now protect them instead of hunting them. The success of that effort means visitors have a real chance of seeing this rare, national symbol of Pakistan in its natural habitat.

Watching a markhor standing against the backdrop of the Hindu Kush isn’t just a great photo opportunity — it’s a reminder of how much can change when people and wildlife coexist.

Explore more:

• The Magnificent Markhor (video)

• Chitral Markhor Wildlife Tour 

Wildlife: Where to see pygmy hippos in the wild

Cycling: Munda Biddi Trail

Mountaineering: Enchainment - Climbing all NZ's 3000m peaks in one continuous push

Culture: Traveling with Tsaatan reindeer nomads in Mongolia

Diving: On the trail of the Baikal Seal

Where in the World

Photo: Luca On Adventure

Wanna flex your adventure geography skills? Guess where this pic was snapped!

Stumped? No worries. The answer is at the end of this email.

I’d love to hear what you think of this issue, scroll down to the poll to let us know.

Until next time…

Keep exploring,

-Amanda

Whenever you’re ready, here’s how we can help you plan truly unique adventure trips:

• Get inspired with our adventure eBooks.

• Plan your next trip with our tool Adventure Finder.

• Get the best outdoor gear deals from premium brands at Gear Snag.

 ANSWER: Chaukhi Massif, Juta Valley, Georgia

Hey {{first_name | Explorer}},

This is Adventure Fix, the newsletter that helps you discover extraordinary journeys and experiences across the globe.

Here’s what we've got for you today:

• Stays: Masoala Forest Lodge

• Remote Places: Snares Island

• Hiking: Jebel Sham’s Balcony Trail

Masoala Forest Lodge

Photo: Masoala Lodge

Masoala Forest Lodge is one of those places you can’t just drive up to it—you get there by boat, and when you step onto the beach you’re suddenly between two worlds: the rainforest on one side and the Indian Ocean on the other. The lodge itself is small and low-key, with tented bungalows on wooden platforms.

The peninsula around it is packed with life. You can head into the forest and see red ruffed lemurs swinging through the trees, hear strange bird calls you’ve never heard before, and at night watch chameleons and tiny geckos appear in the beam of a flashlight.

If you’re into the ocean, you can just grab a kayak, paddle along the coast, or slip into the water to snorkel reefs full of fish. Between July and September, humpback whales even cruise by offshore, it’s the kind of wildlife mix you rarely get in one place.

Life at the lodge has its own rhythm. Days are shaped by the tide, by when you want to explore or when you just want to stretch out in a hammock.

Meals are fresh and simple with plenty of seafood, tropical fruit, whatever’s local—and usually shared under lantern light with the sound of waves in the background. It doesn’t feel staged or fancy, just very real and connected to where you are.

It’s not a resort in the typical sense, it’s more like being welcomed into a pocket of untouched nature.

People go for the adventure, but they leave remembering the sense of being somewhere truly wild, without having to give up comfort.

Explore more:

• Masoala Forest Lodge (website)

• Wild AYE-AYE footage at Masoala Forest Lodge, Madagascar (short)

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Snares Island

Photo: Liz Carlson

Visiting the Snares Islands isn’t your typical trip, it’s more like stepping back in time. These little islands sit about 60 miles (100 km) south of Stewart Island, and they’re one of the few places on Earth that have never been messed with by people.

No one’s allowed to set foot there unless they’re a scientist with a special permit. Even expedition cruises can only get close by boat, watching from the deck or from Zodiacs that circle just offshore.

At first that might sound restrictive, but it actually makes the experience even more special, you’re looking at nature exactly as it’s been for thousands of years.

From the water, the islands rise straight out of the ocean — steep cliffs covered in thick, bright green vegetation. It’s wild and almost jungle-like, full of giant tree daisies and ferns.

The air is alive with birds: albatrosses cruising by, sooty shearwaters swirling in huge flocks, and the islands’ most famous locals, Snares crested penguins. They’ve got little golden crests and tons of attitude, waddling over the rocks or diving through the waves. Fur seals lounge along the shoreline, and everywhere you look there’s movement and sound.

Most people come here on a longer Subantarctic cruise that also stops at places like the Auckland or Campbell Islands. When the weather’s calm, guides take small boats around the Snares to see waterfalls, sea caves, and dense penguin colonies up close.

It feels raw and untouched, like a secret corner of the world that somehow stayed wild. For a lot of travelers, the Snares end up being the highlight of the entire journey.

Explore more:

• The Snares (short)

• A Voyage to Snares Island (blog)

Discover Your Next Travel Adventure

Planning your next adventure?

Skip the hours of scrolling.

With Adventure Finder, you can instantly browse over 200 wild, remote, and extraordinary experiences — all handpicked by the Adventure Fix team. Filter by destination, activity, or season and start mapping your next journey in seconds.

Explore Adventure Finder

Jebel Sham’s Balcony Trail

Photo: Getty

The Balcony Walk on Jebel Shams — Oman’s highest mountain — is one of those hikes that completely blows you away without being ridiculously hard.

The trail runs along the edge of a massive canyon called Wadi Nakhr, often called Oman’s “Grand Canyon,” and the views are unreal.

It starts near the little village of Al Khitaym and follows a narrow path carved into the cliff, with nothing but open space dropping away beside you. The trail eventually leads to an abandoned stone village called As Sab, which looks frozen in time.

What makes this hike so special isn’t just the scenery, though that’s reason enough. It’s the feeling of walking through a landscape that’s both wild and deeply human. You pass old terraces, crumbling stone walls, and a few stubborn trees somehow growing out of the rock.

In the morning, the canyon lights up in soft golds and pinks, and the silence is incredible — except maybe for the sound of a few goats echoing across the cliffs.

It usually takes about three to five hours round trip, depending on how many times you stop to take photos (which will be a lot). It’s not too tough physically, but there are a few narrow sections that make your heart race a little.

The old village at the end is worth every step — a cluster of empty stone homes perched above the abyss, a quiet reminder of how people once lived up here.

On the way back, the views somehow look even better, especially as the light shifts through the day. It’s the kind of hike that feels adventurous without being extreme, and it captures the rugged, magical side of Oman perfectly.

Explore more:

• A Guide to Jebel Shams, Oman's Highest Peak (article)

• Balcony Trail - Massive Canyon Hike Jebel Shams, Oman (video)

Climbing: Arctic Ascent with Alex Honnold - climbing a 4,000 foot cliff

Animals: How can Puffins fly both in the air and underwater?

Parenting: Disaster Style

Film: Asgard Awaits

Deep Sea: Exceptional footage of Chaunacops and Dumbo Octopus in Palau

Where in the World

Photo: Max Pawlikowsky

Wanna flex your adventure geography skills? Guess where this pic was snapped!

Stumped? No worries. The answer is at the end of this email.

I’d love to hear what you think of this issue, scroll down to the poll to let us know.

Until next time…

Keep exploring,

-Amanda

Whenever you’re ready, here’s how we can help you plan truly unique adventure trips:

• Get inspired with our adventure eBooks.

• Plan your next trip with our tool Adventure Finder.

• Get the best outdoor gear deals from premium brands at Gear Snag.

 ANSWER: Rifugio Odle, Dolomites, Italy

Hey {{first_name | Explorer}},

This is Adventure Fix, the newsletter that helps you discover extraordinary journeys and experiences across the globe.

Here’s what we've got for you today:

• Migrations: Grey Whale Migration in Baja California

• Hiking: Climbing Ol Doinyo Lengai

• Natural Wonders: Pillars of Ulakhan-Sis

Grey Whale Migration in Baja California

Photo: SDM Diving

Every winter, something pretty magical happens down in Baja California—the gray whales arrive. They’ve just finished an epic journey from the Arctic, thousands of miles south, and suddenly these quiet desert lagoons come alive with spouts, splashes, and giant tails lifting out of the water.

What makes Baja so special is how close you can actually get to them. In places like San Ignacio Lagoon or Magdalena Bay, the whales don’t just tolerate people, they often swim right up to the boats. Sometimes a mother will even nudge her calf toward you, almost like she’s showing off her baby. Reaching out and touching a whale’s barnacled skin while it looks right back at you is one of those moments that stays with you forever.

Even if you’re not inches away, just sitting on the water and hearing the deep whoosh of their breath, or watching a calf practice breaching while the sun sets over cactus dotted hills, feels unreal. It’s wild, raw, and yet strangely peaceful.

Seeing the gray whale migration in Baja isn’t just another wildlife sighting, it feels like being let in on one of nature’s greatest secrets.

Explore more:

• Baja California: A Sanctuary for Grey Whales (video)

• How to Go Gray Whale Watching in Baja California (article)

Climbing Ol Doinyo Lengai

Photo: Horizon Guides

Ol Doinyo Lengai, the “Mountain of God” to the Maasai, is one of the wildest climbs you can do in Tanzania. It’s not as tall as Kilimanjaro or Meru, but it feels more raw and dramatic.

The volcano rises almost 10,000 feet (2,962 m) out of the Rift Valley, and instead of ice and forests, you get bare slopes, strange rock, and lava flows.

What makes it really different is the type of lava—it’s the only place on Earth where you’ll find carbonatite lava. When it erupts, it pours out looking almost like black oil, then turns into a pale, chalky crust.

Most people start the climb at night. You set off around midnight or a little later, hiking by headlamp and starlight. The trail is steep and slippery, with lots of loose rock, and it just keeps going up.

It’s tough—no shade, not many places to rest—but when you finally get to the top for sunrise, it’s all worth it. The view is insane. You can see Lake Natron shining below, the Rift Valley stretching forever, and if the weather’s clear, even Kilimanjaro and Meru in the distance.

Standing on the rim of an active volcano is something else. Sometimes you’ll see little vents steaming or fresh lava that’s still warm. It’s the kind of place that makes you stop and really take it in—you’re literally standing on a living, breathing mountain.

Between the climb itself, the crazy summit, and the deep connection the Maasai people have with it, Ol Doinyo Lengai isn’t just another hike. It feels like an adventure straight into the Earth’s core.

Explore more:

• Climbing Ol Doinyo Lengai (video)

• Hike Ol Doinyo Lengai: East Africa’s Most Challenging One-day Climb (article)

Discover Your Next Travel Adventure

Planning your next adventure?

Skip the hours of scrolling.

With Adventure Finder, you can instantly browse over 200 wild, remote, and extraordinary experiences — all handpicked by the Adventure Fix team. Filter by destination, activity, or season and start mapping your next journey in seconds.

Explore Adventure Finder

Pillars of Ulakhan-Sis

Photo: Russiatrek.org

The Pillars of Ulakhan-Sis are one of those places that stop you in your tracks.

Out in northeastern Siberia, these towering stone formations rise out of the tundra like a forest made of rock. Shaped by wind and ice over millions of years, some look like castle walls, others like giant statues, many stretching more than a hundred feet tall.

Reaching them isn’t easy—you’re deep in Yakutia, one of the coldest, most remote regions of Russia. That’s part of what makes them so special.

Few people ever see them, so when you do, it feels like stepping into another world. In summer, flowers bloom at their base; in winter, they’re dusted with snow, glowing under the Arctic sky.

For the Yakut people, these pillars have long been sacred, tied to legends and spirits of the land. They’re often compared to the more famous Lena Pillars, but Ulakhan-Sis is wilder and far less visited.

Standing there in the silence, surrounded by stone, you feel the raw scale and mystery of Siberia all around you.

Explore more:

• Snow Covered Stone Pillars of Ulakhan-Sis (article)

• Terra Incognita – An expedition to climb Siberia’s unknown towers (video)

Landscape Photo: Desert Frost

Wildlife: Markhor Documentary

Just for Laughs: Nature’s greatest dancers

Travel: Entering the world's strangest country

Unique Experiences: Finding a unique tribe in Pakistan

Where in the World

Photo: Robbie Shone

Wanna flex your adventure geography skills? Guess where this pic was snapped!

Stumped? No worries. The answer is at the end of this email.

I’d love to hear what you think of this issue, scroll down to the poll to let us know.

Until next time…

Keep exploring,

-Amanda

Whenever you’re ready, here’s how we can help you plan truly unique adventure trips:

• Get inspired with our adventure eBooks.

• Plan your next trip with our tool Adventure Finder.

• Get the best outdoor gear deals from premium brands at Gear Snag.

 ANSWER: The Lake Castrovalva area in Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico, United States

^{Photo Credit: Elephant Pan Skybeds}

I’ll never forget the night I spent on the Elephant Pan Skybeds in Botswana. Imagine lying in a proper bed with soft linens, a mosquito net gently draped around you but instead of a room, you’re on a raised wooden platform out in the middle of the bush.

There are no walls, no roof, nothing between you and the wild. Just below, a waterhole stretches out, and all night long, animals come and go like you’re watching a live wildlife documentary.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the entire sky exploded with stars. It feels like you could reach up and touch them.

Lay there listening to the soundtrack of the night — hyenas calling in the distance, elephants rumbling nearby, and the deep roar of a lion somewhere out in the darkness. It’s equal parts thrilling and peaceful.

During the day, explore the Khwai Private Reserve on game drives and walking safaris, spotting elephants, giraffes, and wild dogs.

But the night on the skybed? That’s the memory that will stick. Falling asleep under a sky full of stars while Africa hums and roars around you feels like the purest kind of magic.

If you want something unforgettable, something that makes you feel small and alive all at once, this is it.

Explore more:

• Staying at Skybeds in the Okavango Delta, The Most Amazing Room (blog)

• Skybeds in Botswana (video)

^{Photo Credit: Vladimir Medvedev}

Spotting an Amur leopard in the wild is one of the rarest wildlife experiences on Earth. These critically endangered big cats live in the remote, snow-covered forests of Russia’s Far East, mainly inside Land of the Leopard National Park near the border with China.

There aren’t many of them, less than 130 adults, so most “sightings” come from camera traps or spotting tracks in the snow, not just bumping into one on a hike.

Every now and then, though, luck strikes. In 2021, a camera caught a young female, Leo 117F, walking through the forest with three tiny cubs. For scientists, it wasn’t just cute—it was proof the population is bouncing back and actually breeding.

For travelers, the odds of seeing an Amur leopard are still incredibly slim, but visiting Land of the Leopard National Park offers the chance to explore the same wild landscapes they roam.

You might track their prints in fresh snow or even glimpse them on a park camera feed. Just being in the same forest as one of the rarest cats on the planet?

That’s enough to give you goosebumps.

Explore more:

• The Amur Leopard (video)

• Amur Leopard Safari in Russia (tour)

^{Photo Credit: Dave Takes Photos}

Macquarie Island is this wild, remote strip of land halfway between New Zealand and Antarctica, and it feels like the edge of the world. It’s only about 21 miles (34 km) long and 3 miles (5 km) wide, but it’s bursting with life.

It’s also the only place on Earth where rocks from the Earth’s mantle are exposed above sea level, a geological rarity that earned it UNESCO World Heritage status.

The wildlife is next-level. Around 850,000 pairs of royal penguins crowd the beaches here, along with huge colonies of king penguins. Lusitania Bay alone can have over 150,000 pairs.

Add in gentoo and rockhopper penguins, elephant seals the size of small cars, fur seals zipping around in the waves, and albatrosses nesting on the cliffs, and you’ve basically stepped into a real-life nature documentary.

Getting here is an adventure in itself. Most visitors arrive by expedition ship from Tasmania, sailing through the “Roaring Forties” and “Furious Fifties,” where the winds are as wild as their names suggest.

The weather’s unpredictable, cold, windy, often rainy, and there’s no Wi-Fi. Birds outnumber people by tens of thousands, and the whole place feels untouched by the modern world.

If you’re lucky enough to set foot here, you might find yourself at Sandy Bay on a calm day, surrounded by seals and penguins, the wind carrying the sound of thousands of seabirds. It’s raw, loud, smelly, and unforgettable.

Explore more:

• Macquarie Island is a wildlife paradise (article)

• Edge of Nowhere: Journey to Macquarie Island (documentary)

Hey {{first_name | Explorer}},

This is Adventure Fix, the newsletter that helps you discover extraordinary journeys and experiences across the globe.

Here’s what we've got for you today:

• Remote Places: Macquarie Island

• Wildlife Encounters: Amur Leopards

• Stays: Elephant Pan Skybeds

Macquarie Island

Photo: Dave Takes Photos

Macquarie Island is this wild, remote strip of land halfway between New Zealand and Antarctica, and it feels like the edge of the world. It’s only about 21 miles (34 km) long and 3 miles (5 km) wide, but it’s bursting with life.

It’s also the only place on Earth where rocks from the Earth’s mantle are exposed above sea level, a geological rarity that earned it UNESCO World Heritage status.

The wildlife is next-level. Around 850,000 pairs of royal penguins crowd the beaches here, along with huge colonies of king penguins. Lusitania Bay alone can have over 150,000 pairs.

Add in gentoo and rockhopper penguins, elephant seals the size of small cars, fur seals zipping around in the waves, and albatrosses nesting on the cliffs, and you’ve basically stepped into a real-life nature documentary.

Getting here is an adventure in itself. Most visitors arrive by expedition ship from Tasmania, sailing through the “Roaring Forties” and “Furious Fifties,” where the winds are as wild as their names suggest.

The weather’s unpredictable, cold, windy, often rainy, and there’s no Wi-Fi. Birds outnumber people by tens of thousands, and the whole place feels untouched by the modern world.

If you’re lucky enough to set foot here, you might find yourself at Sandy Bay on a calm day, surrounded by seals and penguins, the wind carrying the sound of thousands of seabirds. It’s raw, loud, smelly, and unforgettable.

Explore more:

• Macquarie Island is a wildlife paradise (article)

• Edge of Nowhere: Journey to Macquarie Island (documentary)

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We curate discounts from top names like Arc'teryx, Salomon, Patagonia, Osprey and more, then make them easy to find with smart categories and filters.

Updated daily so you can refresh your kit without the rabbit hole.

Browse today’s deals →

Searching for Amur Leopards in Russia’s Far East

Photo: Vladimir Medvedev

Spotting an Amur leopard in the wild is one of the rarest wildlife experiences on Earth. These critically endangered big cats live in the remote, snow-covered forests of Russia’s Far East, mainly inside Land of the Leopard National Park near the border with China.

There aren’t many of them, less than 130 adults, so most “sightings” come from camera traps or spotting tracks in the snow, not just bumping into one on a hike.

Every now and then, though, luck strikes. In 2021, a camera caught a young female, Leo 117F, walking through the forest with three tiny cubs. For scientists, it wasn’t just cute—it was proof the population is bouncing back and actually breeding.

For travelers, the odds of seeing an Amur leopard are still incredibly slim, but visiting Land of the Leopard National Park offers the chance to explore the same wild landscapes they roam.

You might track their prints in fresh snow or even glimpse them on a park camera feed. Just being in the same forest as one of the rarest cats on the planet?

That’s enough to give you goosebumps.

Explore more:

• The Amur Leopard (video)

• Amur Leopard Safari in Russia (tour)

Elephant Pan Skybeds

Photo: Elephant Pan Skybeds

I’ll never forget the night I spent on the Elephant Pan Skybeds in Botswana. Imagine lying in a proper bed with soft linens, a mosquito net gently draped around you but instead of a room, you’re on a raised wooden platform out in the middle of the bush.

There are no walls, no roof, nothing between you and the wild. Just below, a waterhole stretches out, and all night long, animals come and go like you’re watching a live wildlife documentary.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the entire sky exploded with stars. It feels like you could reach up and touch them.

Lay there listening to the soundtrack of the night — hyenas calling in the distance, elephants rumbling nearby, and the deep roar of a lion somewhere out in the darkness. It’s equal parts thrilling and peaceful.

During the day, explore the Khwai Private Reserve on game drives and walking safaris, spotting elephants, giraffes, and wild dogs.

But the night on the skybed? That’s the memory that will stick. Falling asleep under a sky full of stars while Africa hums and roars around you feels like the purest kind of magic.

If you want something unforgettable, something that makes you feel small and alive all at once, this is it.

Explore more:

• Staying at Skybeds in the Okavango Delta, The Most Amazing Room (blog)

• Skybeds in Botswana (video)

Unique Experiences: 10 days living with the world’s oldest living culture

Hiking: I slept in a Dolomites WW1 shelter

Kayaking: Paddling the Darien Gap

Diving: What it's like to dive with a walrus

Wildlife Encounters: The wildlife enthusiast's guide to Afghanistan

Where in the World

Photo: Viktor Posnov

Wanna flex your adventure geography skills? Guess where this pic was snapped!

Stumped? No worries. The answer is at the end of this email.

I’d love to hear what you think of this issue, scroll down to the poll to let us know.

Until next time…

Keep exploring,

-Amanda

Whenever you’re ready, here’s how we can help you plan truly unique adventure trips:

• Get inspired with our adventure eBooks.

• Plan your next trip with our tool Adventure Finder.

• Get the best outdoor gear deals from premium brands at Gear Snag.

 ANSWER: Huanillos Ruins, Chile

^{Photo Credit: Mikhail Mishainik}

Deep under the city of Yekaterinburg in Russia, there’s this wild place most people have never even heard of, a psychedelic salt mine that looks like something out of a dream.

Picture miles of tunnels swirling with vivid colors, blue, orange, red, yellow, all naturally formed in the rock. It’s not graffiti or paint.

These mind-bending patterns were created by minerals that settled here over 280 million years ago, back when the area was covered by an ancient sea.

The colors come from a mineral called carnallite, and when you see it streaked across the walls, it feels like stepping into some kind of underground art gallery. except it’s all natural.

These tunnels were once mined for potash, but now they’re mostly abandoned. A few brave explorers have gone in to take photos, spending hours (or even overnight) in the dark maze.

The catch? You can’t just show up and go for a tour. The mines are technically closed to the public, and getting in legally requires a hard-to-get government permit. Plus, it’s not exactly safe.

There are dangerous gases, unstable tunnels, and it’s pitch black without your own light. Still, for anyone obsessed with hidden worlds and weird natural wonders, this place is a total gem. Just be warned, it’s not for the casual tourist.

Explore more:

• Psychedelic Salt Mine (article)

• These psychedelic Ural salt mines are a real life acid trip (article)

^{Photo Credit: Pioneer Expeditions}

Hiking Mt. Boby, also called Pic Boby or Imarivolanitra, meaning “close to the sky”, is one of Madagascar’s best treks.

It’s the highest mountain on the island you can climb (8,720 feet / 2,658 meters), tucked into the granite peaks and wide plateaus of Andringitra National Park. This place feels worlds away from the beaches and rainforests most people picture when they think of Madagascar.

Most people do it as a 3-day hike, starting near Ambalavao. You walk through valleys and past waterfalls, camping around 6,500 feet the first night.

The big moment is sunrise at the summit on day two—it’s a steep, rocky climb in the dark, but the views at the top are incredible if the skies are clear. You don’t need climbing gear, but you do need solid boots, layers, and a bit of stamina.

The third day takes you down through the Tsaranoro Valley where you’ll see towering cliffs, quiet villages, and maybe even some lemurs along the way.

It’s not an easy trek, but if you want raw beauty and hardly any crowds, Mt. Boby is totally worth it.

Explore more:

• Climbing Madagascar's Second Highest Peak, Mount Boby (video)

• Madagascar Trekking: Climbing Pic Boby (blog)

^{Photo Credit: Andy Murch}

Snorkeling with salmon sharks in Alaska is totally unlike any other snorkeling trip. You’re not in warm, tropical water floating over coral reefs, you’re in cold, deep water in the middle of wild, remote Alaska, watching big, fast sharks zip past you. 

These salmon sharks come into Prince William Sound in the summer to feed on salmon runs, and yeah, they kind of look like mini great whites.

Picture this: you’re bobbing in frigid, olive-green Alaskan water, about 55°F (13°C), dressed head-to-toe in a wetsuit or drysuit, mask and snorkel on, drifting right off the boat.

Below you are salmon sharks—lean, muscular, torpedo‑shaped predators, sometimes up to 8–10 feet long, circling in the shallow waters near the boat’s shadow.

But it’s not just about the sharks.

The whole setting adds to the experience, those dramatic Alaskan landscapes, the icy blue water, the silence of it all. It’s not the kind of trip where you’re guaranteed to see wildlife every second, but that’s part of what makes it feel so special when you do.

It’s raw, it’s real, and if you're into wild experiences, this one’s hard to top.

Explore more:

• Snorkeling with a Pair of Salmon Sharks (video)

• Snorkeling with Salmon Sharks (tour)

Hey {{first_name | Explorer}},

This is Adventure Fix, the newsletter that helps you discover extraordinary journeys and experiences across the globe.

Here’s what we've got for you today:

• Wildlife Encounters: Snorkeling with Salmon Sharks

• Hiking: Climbing Mt. Boby

• Natural Wonders: Psychedelic Salt Mine

Snorkeling with Salmon Sharks

Photo: Andy Murch

Snorkeling with salmon sharks in Alaska is totally unlike any other snorkeling trip. You’re not in warm, tropical water floating over coral reefs, you’re in cold, deep water in the middle of wild, remote Alaska, watching big, fast sharks zip past you. 

These salmon sharks come into Prince William Sound in the summer to feed on salmon runs, and yeah, they kind of look like mini great whites.

Picture this: you’re bobbing in frigid, olive-green Alaskan water, about 55°F (13°C), dressed head-to-toe in a wetsuit or drysuit, mask and snorkel on, drifting right off the boat.

Below you are salmon sharks—lean, muscular, torpedo‑shaped predators, sometimes up to 8–10 feet long, circling in the shallow waters near the boat’s shadow.

But it’s not just about the sharks.

The whole setting adds to the experience, those dramatic Alaskan landscapes, the icy blue water, the silence of it all. It’s not the kind of trip where you’re guaranteed to see wildlife every second, but that’s part of what makes it feel so special when you do.

It’s raw, it’s real, and if you're into wild experiences, this one’s hard to top.

Explore more:

• Snorkeling with a Pair of Salmon Sharks (video)

• Snorkeling with Salmon Sharks (tour)

One Feed. All the Best Outdoor Gear Drops

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At GearSnag, we pull standout discounts on hiking, climbing, camping, and cycling gear from 100+ retailers—filter by sport or brand and find the good stuff fast.

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Climbing Mount Boby

Photo: Pioneer Expeditions

Hiking Mt. Boby, also called Pic Boby or Imarivolanitra, meaning “close to the sky”, is one of Madagascar’s best treks.

It’s the highest mountain on the island you can climb (8,720 feet / 2,658 meters), tucked into the granite peaks and wide plateaus of Andringitra National Park. This place feels worlds away from the beaches and rainforests most people picture when they think of Madagascar.

Most people do it as a 3-day hike, starting near Ambalavao. You walk through valleys and past waterfalls, camping around 6,500 feet the first night.

The big moment is sunrise at the summit on day two—it’s a steep, rocky climb in the dark, but the views at the top are incredible if the skies are clear. You don’t need climbing gear, but you do need solid boots, layers, and a bit of stamina.

The third day takes you down through the Tsaranoro Valley where you’ll see towering cliffs, quiet villages, and maybe even some lemurs along the way.

It’s not an easy trek, but if you want raw beauty and hardly any crowds, Mt. Boby is totally worth it.

Explore more:

• Climbing Madagascar's Second Highest Peak, Mount Boby (video)

• Madagascar Trekking: Climbing Pic Boby (blog)

Discover Your Next Travel Adventure

Planning your next adventure?

Skip the hours of scrolling.

With Adventure Finder, you can instantly browse over 200 wild, remote, and extraordinary experiences — all handpicked by the Adventure Fix team. Filter by destination, activity, or season and start mapping your next journey in seconds.

Explore Adventure Finder

Psychedelic Salt Mine

Photo: Mikhail Mishainik

Deep under the city of Yekaterinburg in Russia, there’s this wild place most people have never even heard of, a psychedelic salt mine that looks like something out of a dream.

Picture miles of tunnels swirling with vivid colors, blue, orange, red, yellow, all naturally formed in the rock. It’s not graffiti or paint.

These mind-bending patterns were created by minerals that settled here over 280 million years ago, back when the area was covered by an ancient sea.

The colors come from a mineral called carnallite, and when you see it streaked across the walls, it feels like stepping into some kind of underground art gallery. except it’s all natural.

These tunnels were once mined for potash, but now they’re mostly abandoned. A few brave explorers have gone in to take photos, spending hours (or even overnight) in the dark maze.

The catch? You can’t just show up and go for a tour. The mines are technically closed to the public, and getting in legally requires a hard-to-get government permit. Plus, it’s not exactly safe.

There are dangerous gases, unstable tunnels, and it’s pitch black without your own light. Still, for anyone obsessed with hidden worlds and weird natural wonders, this place is a total gem. Just be warned, it’s not for the casual tourist.

Explore more:

• Psychedelic Salt Mine (article)

• These psychedelic Ural salt mines are a real life acid trip (article)

Hiking: Hike to the best backcountry hike in the world

Diving: The magic of Hawaii’s night dives

Animal behavior: This leopard stands on 2 legs

Unique Experiences: Sunrise skydive from a hot air balloon 

Wildlife Encounters: Snowy owls of Logan Airport

Where in the World

Photo: Joerg Steber - Shutterstock

Wanna flex your adventure geography skills? Guess where this pic was snapped!

Stumped? No worries. The answer is at the end of this email.

I’d love to hear what you think of this issue, scroll down to the poll to let us know.

Until next time…

Keep exploring,

-Amanda

Whenever you’re ready, here’s how we can help you plan truly unique adventure trips:

• Get inspired with our adventure eBooks.

• Plan your next trip with our tool Adventure Finder.

• Get the best outdoor gear deals from premium brands at Gear Snag.

 ANSWER: Ciudad Perdida, Colombia

^{Photo Credit: Tierras Vivas}

Huayllay Stone Forest in central Peru is wild. It’s this huge high-altitude plateau, way up at almost 14,000 feet (4,200 meters), covered in massive rock formations that look like they’ve been sculpted on purpose.

Some look like animals, others like people or mushrooms or castles. It’s kind of like nature’s version of a surreal art gallery.

The coolest part? It’s not crowded. Hardly anyone goes there, especially compared to the big-name spots in Peru.

You can just wander around on your own, scrambling up the rocks, taking in crazy views, and spotting shapes in the stones. People have nicknamed a lot of them, but half the fun is coming up with your own.

You’ll probably see some llamas and vizcachas hopping around, maybe some highland birds too. And if you're up for it, you can camp there, just know it gets seriously cold at night.

There are some hot springs nearby, which hit the spot after a long hike in the thin mountain air.

It’s not the easiest place to reach, about five or six hours from Lima, but if you’re into weird landscapes and having a place mostly to yourself, it’s totally worth the trip.

Explore more:

• Huayllay National Sanctuary (article)

• Huayllay Stone Forest - The biggest wonder of Peru (video)

^{Photo Credit: Unknown}

Visiting Suwarrow feels like stepping onto a deserted island from a storybook.

It’s a remote atoll way out in the northern Cook Islands, and the only way to get there is by private boat. No towns, no shops, just two caretakers who live there part of the year.

Most people anchor off Anchorage Island and explore from there. There’s no phone signal or Wi-Fi, just white sand, palm trees, and a ton of seabirds.

The place is a protected sanctuary because so many birds come to nest—frigatebirds, boobies, tropicbirds, terns, you name it. You’ll probably spot turtles, coconut crabs, and reef sharks too.

The snorkeling is incredible, with bright coral and tons of fish, and sometimes even manta rays or dolphins. The caretakers are usually happy to show you around or share stories about the island.

Suwarrow has a wild backstory, there are old tales of shipwrecks, lost treasure, and a man named Tom Neale who lived there alone for years.

These days, sailors sometimes gather for beach potlucks and stories under the stars. It’s not easy to get to, but that’s what makes it feel so magical.

Explore more:

• Sailing to Suwarrow Atoll in the Cook Islands (video)

• Suwarrow Atoll: Cook Islands’ Only National Park (blog)

^{Photo Credit: Licinia Mochado}

There’s nothing quite like seeing a big tusker in the wild and Amboseli National Park in southern Kenya is one of the last places where that’s still possible.

These aren’t just any elephants. Tuskers are massive old bulls with tusks so long they nearly drag on the ground. Each one can weigh over 100 pounds (45 kg). They’re incredibly rare. There are only a couple dozen left across all of Africa and Amboseli is one of the few places where they still roam free.

Thanks to decades of research and protection by the Amboseli Trust for Elephants, these giants have been able to live long, mostly undisturbed lives. That’s part of why Amboseli is such a special place to see them.

When you do spot one, maybe Craig, one of the park’s most famous tuskers, it’s a moment you won’t forget. Picture a huge bull elephant lumbering across the open plains with Mount Kilimanjaro rising in the distance and those enormous tusks swinging with every step.

Your best chance of spotting a tusker is early morning or late afternoon, when the elephants are most active. And even if you don’t catch one of the true tuskers, Amboseli is full of elephants, families with babies, young bulls play-fighting, and older matriarchs leading the way.

Seeing a tusker out here feels like watching a piece of ancient Africa still holding on. It’s rare, it’s powerful, and totally unforgettable.

Explore more:

• Tuskers. Saving the last gentle giants (video)

• A close-up encounter with the Super Tusker Elephant, Craig in Kenya (article)

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This is Adventure Fix, the newsletter that helps you discover extraordinary journeys and experiences across the globe.

Here’s what we've got for you today:

• Wildlife Encounters: Big tuskers at Amboseli National Park

• Remote Places: Suwarrow Atoll

• Stays: Chisa Busanga Camp

Big tuskers at Amboseli National Park

Photo: Licinia Mochado

There’s nothing quite like seeing a big tusker in the wild and Amboseli National Park in southern Kenya is one of the last places where that’s still possible.

These aren’t just any elephants. Tuskers are massive old bulls with tusks so long they nearly drag on the ground. Each one can weigh over 100 pounds (45 kg). They’re incredibly rare. There are only a couple dozen left across all of Africa and Amboseli is one of the few places where they still roam free.

Thanks to decades of research and protection by the Amboseli Trust for Elephants, these giants have been able to live long, mostly undisturbed lives. That’s part of why Amboseli is such a special place to see them.

When you do spot one, maybe Craig, one of the park’s most famous tuskers, it’s a moment you won’t forget. Picture a huge bull elephant lumbering across the open plains with Mount Kilimanjaro rising in the distance and those enormous tusks swinging with every step.

Your best chance of spotting a tusker is early morning or late afternoon, when the elephants are most active. And even if you don’t catch one of the true tuskers, Amboseli is full of elephants, families with babies, young bulls play-fighting, and older matriarchs leading the way.

Seeing a tusker out here feels like watching a piece of ancient Africa still holding on. It’s rare, it’s powerful, and totally unforgettable.

Explore more:

• Tuskers. Saving the last gentle giants (video)

• A close-up encounter with the Super Tusker Elephant, Craig in Kenya (article)

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Suwarrow Atoll

Photo: Unknown

Visiting Suwarrow feels like stepping onto a deserted island from a storybook.

It’s a remote atoll way out in the northern Cook Islands, and the only way to get there is by private boat. No towns, no shops, just two caretakers who live there part of the year.

Most people anchor off Anchorage Island and explore from there. There’s no phone signal or Wi-Fi, just white sand, palm trees, and a ton of seabirds.

The place is a protected sanctuary because so many birds come to nest—frigatebirds, boobies, tropicbirds, terns, you name it. You’ll probably spot turtles, coconut crabs, and reef sharks too.

The snorkeling is incredible, with bright coral and tons of fish, and sometimes even manta rays or dolphins. The caretakers are usually happy to show you around or share stories about the island.

Suwarrow has a wild backstory, there are old tales of shipwrecks, lost treasure, and a man named Tom Neale who lived there alone for years.

These days, sailors sometimes gather for beach potlucks and stories under the stars. It’s not easy to get to, but that’s what makes it feel so magical.

Explore more:

• Sailing to Suwarrow Atoll in the Cook Islands (video)

• Suwarrow Atoll: Cook Islands’ Only National Park (blog)

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Huayllay Stone Forest

Photo: Tierras Vivas

Huayllay Stone Forest in central Peru is wild. It’s this huge high-altitude plateau, way up at almost 14,000 feet (4,200 meters), covered in massive rock formations that look like they’ve been sculpted on purpose.

Some look like animals, others like people or mushrooms or castles. It’s kind of like nature’s version of a surreal art gallery.

The coolest part? It’s not crowded. Hardly anyone goes there, especially compared to the big-name spots in Peru.

You can just wander around on your own, scrambling up the rocks, taking in crazy views, and spotting shapes in the stones. People have nicknamed a lot of them, but half the fun is coming up with your own.

You’ll probably see some llamas and vizcachas hopping around, maybe some highland birds too. And if you're up for it, you can camp there, just know it gets seriously cold at night.

There are some hot springs nearby, which hit the spot after a long hike in the thin mountain air.

It’s not the easiest place to reach, about five or six hours from Lima, but if you’re into weird landscapes and having a place mostly to yourself, it’s totally worth the trip.

Explore more:

• Huayllay National Sanctuary (article)

• Huayllay Stone Forest - The biggest wonder of Peru (video)

Natural Wonders: A rare ball lightning event in Alberta, Canada

Underwater: Freediving under ice with kimberlite

Travel: 60 photos of Pakistan that you won’t see in the news

Fun: River dolphins play with local children

Photography: Visiting the Amazon Rainforest with a $15,000 Lens. This is what was captured.

Where in the World

Photo: Real Himachal

Wanna flex your adventure geography skills? Guess where this pic was snapped!

Stumped? No worries. The answer is at the end of this email.

I’d love to hear what you think of this issue, scroll down to the poll to let us know.

Until next time…

Keep exploring,

-Amanda

Whenever you’re ready, here’s how we can help you plan truly unique adventure trips:

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 ANSWER: Yulla Kanda, India

^{Photo Credit: Chisa Busanga Camp}

Imagine waking up in a giant bird’s nest, perched high above the African floodplains, with nothing but wild Zambia stretching out in every direction.

That’s exactly what you get at Chisa Busanga Camp—a one-of-a-kind safari experience where your “room” is a beautifully crafted woven nest sitting about 12 feet off the ground.

It’s cozy, unique, and gives you epic views of the Busanga Plains right from your own private deck.

The whole camp is run on solar power, and even the safari vehicles and mountain bikes are electric, so game drives are quiet and you feel more in tune with the wildlife.

There’s a cozy little main area where you can hang out, grab a drink, or take a dip in the plunge pool between activities. At night, the fire pit is the perfect spot to relax, swap stories, and listen to the bush come alive.

Activities are all about getting out and exploring. You can head out on game drives, go for walking safaris, or ride e-bikes across the plains.

The wildlife is next level—lions, cheetahs, wild dogs, buffalo, and tons of birds.

If you're into birdwatching, it's paradise. And the guides are super knowledgeable, friendly, and clearly love what they do.

It’s not just another safari lodge, it’s an experience that feels thoughtful, intimate, and totally different from the big-name parks.

If you're after something remote, beautifully designed, and deeply connected to the land, Chisa Busanga checks all the boxes.

Explore more:

• Chisa Busanga Camp (video)

• Chisa Busanga Lodge Reviews (Trip Advisor Reviews)

^{Photo Credit: Parque Tepuhueico}

One of Parque Tepuhueico’s most exciting experiences is the chance to search for the “Five Little Giants.”

That’s what they call five of Chiloé’s rarest and most fascinating animals: the pudú, Darwin’s fox, monito del monte, kodkod, and the huillín (a type of river otter).

They’re all pretty small, but they’re a big deal—some are endangered, and most people have never even heard of them, let alone seen them in the wild.

Tepuhueico’s mix of native Valdivian rainforest, freshwater streams, and wild coastline makes it thhe best spots in the world to find them.

You head out with a guide, walking quiet trails, checking camera traps, and doing nighttime hikes where you might catch a flash of eyes in the trees.

Sometimes you’ll spot a pudú right from the road or see a Darwin’s fox trotting near the cabins. Other times, it’s about paying attention to the small stuff—tracks, calls, movement in the leaves.

Unlike many wildlife tours, this one isn’t about racing from sighting to sighting—it’s about slowing down, tuning in, and letting the forest reveal itself on its own terms.

Explore more:

• Parque Tepuhueico (website)

• The 5 Little Giants of Parque Tepuhueico (video)