Adventure Travel Myths
Travel By Subhasree Nag

Adventure Travel Myths Debunked: Don’t Let These Cliches Ruin Your Experience 

Planning a trip for the first time comes with nervousness, scary thoughts, and second-guessing! And if that is an adventurous trip, these thoughts are even more. This is the scenario because of various adventure travel myths that have existed for a long time. Getting out of your comfort zone is never easy. And it gets even more different when you hear all these myths, which scare you or put you in a dilemma. So, here are some of the adventure travel myths that might stop you from planning a beautiful trip. It might be difficult to break out of your comfort zone, but it is exhilarating. Every once in a while, you must go on a trip. And for an adventurous trip, there is no set rule that you must be an athlete or an extreme sports lover. So, let's get on with it and debunk the myths so you can have a fantastic trip. Biggest Adventure Travel Myths People commonly believe that adventure travel is costly, dangerous, and risky. However, this is not always true. It might cost you a bit more if you are looking for luxury. Moreover, I have heard travel stories from all over the world that debunk these myths. Let me share some of the myths I was told before I started my adventure trips. I Have To Be Athletic! People often tell me you are not really athletic, so adventure travel is not really for you. Well, there is no hard and fast rule that you must be into adventure sports to go on a trip. Unless you are someone who likes to look into the world through their window, you are good to go. All you have to be is a bit active and enjoy the experience. You can include some leisure days in your itinerary if you think the entire trip is getting hectic. But if you like a good challenge, get on with the seasonal activities and make this your lifestyle. Adventure Travel Is Expensive This is just not true. I was told that it would be costly and what I found out was the expenses could be easily managed. If you are going on a trek, there will be times when you will have to stay in tents. Other times, you can just level down the accommodations a choose a hotel according to your budget. Moreover, if you pick an off-season to travel, then the prices are automatically low. Be it the travel cost, accommodation, or booking the slot in a group with which you want to go on the trip. You can travel cheap. You must plan accordingly. I Always Have To Stay In A Tent I was told I had to always stay in a tent, and there was no other option for an adventure trip. There are travel groups who carefully choose everything to enhance the entire experience. Depending on your budget, you can book comfortable hotels, boats, and trains when you go on a cultural journey or plan a soft adventure. Also, if you are going on a multi-day trek, you might have to stay a few nights in a tent. But these days the campsites are also organized and comfortable. It contains all the amenities like a good washroom and a comfy bed, and they take a group of cooks to take care of all your meals. Offbeat Places Are My Only Choices People told me that going on an adventure trip is about choosing offbeat places. But it is absolutely false. Adventure has nothing to do with offbeat locations. You can have some amazing experiences in the most popular areas, around the iconic sites. Of course, going offbeat could present you with something you did not expect. But that does not mean it is the only way to have an adventurous trip. Well, even though I believed that pushing my limits would be the way to an amazing journey but found out to be wrong. I Would Have To Learn Foreign Languages Another adventure travel myth that people told me was that knowing a different foreign language was a necessity. Knowing the local language is obviously a positive point, but not a necessity. All I did was learn some of the popular phrases and a few words. The locals never expect you to talk in their dialect. You can always try some sign language, drawings, and hand gestures to make the people understand what you are trying to say. If you are unable to do that, get help from a tour guide, and they will help you communicate with the locals or your hosts. Food Restrictions Are A Big Negative Point I am a person who is allergic to a lot of food, and people told me that is a significant reason why adventure travel is not for me. However, all I had to do was inform my travel consistent of my allergies and diet. The cooks that accompanied us were well-trained, and they took care of my dietary preferences. Moreover, I carried some necessary medicines with me, which is essential for all trips, in case something happened. Adventure Travel Is For Young People Only This is the biggest adventure travel myth that I have come across. Back in 2018, the Adventure Travel Trade Association published an article revealing that a big percentage of adventure travelers range from the age of 50 to 70. They are the ones contributing 41% of the adventure travel market. On average, the age of an adventure travel enthusiast is 49. So, if you think you are not of the age and adventure travel will be hard on you, you are mistaken. How Could I Miss The “Stranger Is Danger” Theory? This is one of the most common fears people would try to inject into your mind. Well, even if there are instances of this being true, there are obviously some exceptions. I discovered that strangers have been more kind and helpful than your friends and folks. However, carrying a paper spray and a Swiss knife can help you and put your mind at ease. Also, you have to be welcoming and willing to communicate with a stranger. If you are an introvert, you can choose to be on your own, but let me tell you, communicating with a stranger is easier than you know. Are You Willing To Go On a Trip Now? Well, adventure travel myths could have stopped you from planning a trip, but now you know these are just myths. Life is short, and if you are thinking of doing something, you should. Traveling is a way of living, and something of a way to get some air. So, no matter the kind of trip you want, a luxury or an adventurous one, you should just go for it. Be fearless but take precautions. Take the necessary precautions, and you can have an amazing trip. Read Also: Popular Solo Female Travel Myths Debunked Common Fears I Had Before I Started Traveling Solo

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