Where do your trips take you? If you’re more likely to be found rushing down river rapids or climbing bridges than taking guided tours to museums and cafes, you may fall into a special category of traveler: the adventure backpacker.
Invented in the mid 1980’s by White Water rafting enthusiasts from New Zealand, the sport of cave rafting, or black water rafting, has taken the world of spelunking and extreme sports by storm. Whether you’re interested in seeing bioluminescence up close and personal, or simple splashing through quick rapids in the pitch black darkness, black water rafting has everything an adrenaline chaser could ask for.
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Various types of footwear you may need to consider:
Closed toe sandals are best – waterproof uppers provide good coverage, cap toe keeps toes protected, rubber outer-sole supplies traction.
Trail running is the most versatile option, make sure shoes are broken in beforehand; all types are made from leather and provide a high degree of ankle and foot protection – designed specifically for rough terrain with stiff and supportive mid-soles. Protects feet from rough terrain and outside elements.
Best if built with heel contoured for stability, arch supports or anatomically contoured footbeds and padded collars. Keeps foot supported, provides smooth walking and ease on the joints.
It’s not a real trip unless it’s off the gridYou have considered using a t-shirt as a tourniquetWho needs a concierge when you have a Sherpa?State Department warning? That’s a travel triple dog dare!*Who needs photos when you can let your bruises tell your story Nap while sky diving? Yeah, that sounds like a good ideaHiking an active volcano? Just another nature walk.Your gear is packed in your trunk at all timesYou’ve gone to work sick so you can save your time off for a tripYou know how to ask for malaria pills in 6 languagesYou have photos or video of you on a rock faceYour internal compass can lead you to clean water or the You have heard of via ferratta 
Location: Everglades, Florida
Alligator wrestling is not actually wrestling. It consists of several carefully planned stunts to force the alligator to do specific moves, such as opening it’s mouth and holding it open as you place your chin atop of it.
Interactive tool brought to you by HCC Medical Insurance Services
You don’t guess things are OK. You don’t assume someone else took care of that. You don’t hope things will work out. Adventure travel isn’t for slackers when it comes to details that count. Knowing that your planning was precise before the big trip is as important as knowing your limitations when you engage your passions.
Adventure traveler Philip Golobish, an Atlas Travel Series Customer, shares tips from his two-week trek through Turkey. Philip advises anyone embarking on a travel adventure not to travel alone—bring a buddy to share the experience as well as to be there if an emergency happens. Travel insurance is Philip’s other recommendation. He says it not only protects you as an adventure traveler, but also provides peace of mind for your loved ones back home. Check out these videos for more adventure travel experiences.
The adventure traveler doesn’t stay in five-star hotels, dine in restaurants requiring a tie and jacket, or hire a chauffeur deliver him to destination hotspots. The adventure traveler plans for a vacation filled with adrenaline-pumping activities, once-in-a-lifetime challenges and scenic vistas. Proper attire, from waterproof boots to impact-resistant sunglasses, is a necessity. In addition, the adventure traveler must prepare prior to the trip by making various lists, packing documents and other potentially life-saving items such as a first-aid kit, rain poncho and quality compass.
Before setting off on your adventure, sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program at the U.S. State Department. You provide your travel plans and they keep the records, making it easier for your family to be notified if an emergency arises while you are out of the country.
Every traveler should also carry a contact list. This list should include emergency contacts, business contacts (if applicable), contact information of your travel companions as well as necessary email addresses and passwords. Make a hard copy and protect it in a waterproof sheath. Keep a digital copy on your phone or other mobile device as well.
A complete first aid kit is a must for adventure travel, and access to any medical prescriptions you need while abroad is equally important. Travel.state.gov recommends traveling with a letter from your doctor detailing any preexisting medical conditions and the names plus dosages of your prescriptions. Before leaving home, check with the embassies of the countries you’ll be visiting to ensure none of your prescriptions are considered narcotics within that country.
If you choose to travel with your cell phone, be sure to know how the cellular networks function in the country you’re visiting. Begin by checking with your provider for details on how to use the service and make it affordable. You could also leave your phone at home and purchase a pay-as-you-go phone. This option may be preferable for adventure travelers concerned with the possibility of losing their phone over the side of a mountain or into the depths of a raging river.
Water is essential for life but, unfortunately, water quality in some areas isn’t safe. Water-borne illnesses can cause gastrointestinal issues and in some cases lead to dehydration, severe illness and even death. Before your adventure travel, research the area you plan to visit at the Travelers’ Health page.
For many, a vacation is a time to kick back, relax, and enjoy spending time doing as little as possible. For others, the perfect vacation is an opportunity to go on physically grueling new adventures while exploring exciting locations, all the while being covered by travel sports insurance. If your definition of a perfect getaway falls into the latter category, the following sites are some of the best adventure travel buying guides.
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The relatively new sport of mixed martial arts, or MMA fighting, is taking the sporting world by storm. People are so thrilled by the mix of different fighting techniques that many have started amateur MMA gyms and competitions. However, many of these competitors lack mixed martial arts insurance coverage. As competitions in amateur MMA can lead you outside of the U.S., you should consider HCC Medical Insurance Services (HCCMIS) Atlas Travel policy, as it now includes mixed martial arts insurance at no additional cost.
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