Adventure Vacations & Richard Bangs Travel

Mazes of deserts, mountains and slot canyons mark the land around Joshua Tree National Park, an arid escape for rock climbers of the West Coast. Further north, the San Joaquin River Valley, Muir Woods and the Redwood National Park means adventure tours, hiking, biking and spectacular views.

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Telluride. Breckenridge. Vail. Aspen. The powder is unparalleled in these Colorado winter wonderlands. And during the summer months, when the slopes aren't primed for apres ski, the rafting and endless miles of hiking keep your appetite for adventure tours whetted.

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Teeming with jungles, caves and Mayan ruins, the region of Cayo is like something out of an Indiana Jones flick. Zip lines criss-cross the jungle, which usually come paired with a rugged trek to first base. Sport fishing off this coastal nation is the stuff adventure travel is made of, and stands up to even the most seasoned fishermen.

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With more rivers per square kilometer than just about anywhere in the world, Costa Rica shines in aquatic brands of wilderness and adventure travel. Surf, fishing and rafting get the adrenaline going, and for adventure tours of the animal persuasion, Tortugero beach is rife with sea life.

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The cinematic cragginess of this kiwi nation draws adventurers in droves. Primeval volcanoes and geysers near Rotorua wait to be discovered, and heli-hiking at Fox Glacier is unmatched in wilderness travel. For the braver thrill-junkies, shark cage diving at Kaikoura rounds out adventure trips to NZ.

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Built on a primal collection of geysers and hot springs, the first-ever national park at Yellowstone is a force of nature and a staple for adventure vacations and tours. From this untamed land reserve, a legacy of protected parks grew to include the massive chasm at the Grand Canyon, the swampy Everglades and the Hawaii volcanoes. Swim, climb, hike and test your boundaries on the path to adventure.