by Janice Lynn Mather Adventure travel is alluring. But if you’ve never done it before you to walk the roads, kayak the rivers a, it can also be a bit Confusing and daunting. Don't fret: a gerat travel plan, preferable composed with input from travel planners, will help. Here are some tips on how to plan the perfect adventure travel trip: where to go, what to do, and how.

Choosing A Locale Perhaps you’ve always wanted to see the Rockies. Make it to the Grand Canyon. Experience Mexico’s Mayan history. An adventure trip is a great way to experience places of interest in a rugged, real way; rather than being tucked away in a neutral tour bus, adventure travel will allow you to walk the roads, kayak the rivers and seas, and bike the trails of your dream destination. And you’ll get a more full experience of your place of interest. Need adventure travel planning ideas? Check out websites like Big World Trips, where you can spin a virtual globe and get a random adventure recommendation. Choosing An Activity There are two ways to approach travel planning for an adventure vacation: go with what you’re comfortable with, or try something new. Equipment rental is always a possibility, so an adventure trip can be the ideal time to try new but easily mastered sports like sea kayaking. Many tour companies offer options for beginners, so even if you’re a first-timer, you can explore your destination at a manageable pace. Planning Do you prefer traveling with a tour company, or want to launch out on your own? If you’d like to go with a company, early travel planning will give you more time to comparison shop. However, if you have a flexible itinerary and open mind, cheap, last-minute deals are a great option. If you’re making your own arrangements, give yourself time to become comfortable with any activities you’ll be trying. You may not, for instance, want to make an unguided mountain biking tour on all-downhill trails your first encounter with the sport. Beforehand... You’ll want to get things in shape prior to heading off on a vacation. For starters, that means you. A 30-day tour of the Rockies is not the time to get used to hiking. Whatever sport you’re undertaking, you’ll be better off if you’re in reasonable shape beforehand. That way, you’ll be free to focus on the breathtaking views, and not on simply taking in enough breath. Also, since some adventures will have you performing strenuous activities at higher altitudes than you may be accustomed to, being in shape ahead of time will put you at a clear advantage. If you’re bringing along any gear of your own, you’ll want to make sure you’ve at least tested it out beforehand. Try out your new equipment in familiar home surroundings so you and it will be acquainted before you get on holiday. This will save time at the destination. Some equipment —hiking boots, for example — need to be broken in through everyday wear before your first hike, so your feet will be adjusted to, and comfortable in, them. Getting Gear For some adventures, you’ll want to have your own gear. Hiking is not like bowling; you won’t be able to rent your own ugly shoes on-site and still enjoy the event in relative comfort. In other sports, like mountain biking or kayaking, rentals are entirely possible. Tour companies will often have rentals arranged. However, if your adventure sport is one you plan to do often, getting your own gear may prove worthwhile. Comparison shop online, check local second-hand listings, or buy seasonal sports gear off-season to save on this investment. Cutting Costs The excitement factor of your adventure travel should be sky-high. The bill for them should not. Adventure trips can be bargain getaways, or shoot up to well over $10,000. Cost will, of course, be affected by the type of trip you opt for. If you’re touring, opt for shorter jaunts, and consider renting equipment for new activities if you can’t afford to dish out a few hundred to several thousand dollars investing in your own gear. If pressed for cash, look into travel planning options closer to home. Look into destinations within easy (and cheap) reach. Spice things up by enjoying familiar locales from a different vantage point; if you’ve only hiked in a nearby national park, try mountain biking or kayaking through that terrain instead.