Jessie KohWe all know thrill-seekers who constantly tempt fate by seeking out the most extreme activities to try on holiday: bungee-jumping, sky-diving, you name it – the more dangerous it is, the more enticing they find it. There are some activities, however, that push the limits so much that they can pose an actual risk to your life (or at least make you wet yourself). If you enjoy courting death, the seven practically suicidal activities below should be right up your alley!
1. Drive on the World’s Most Dangerous Road: North Yungas Road (Bolivia)
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Image credits: http://bit.ly/1m7kT89
Nicknamed the “Death Road”, an estimated 200-300 people die on the North Yungas Road in Bolivia each year. This terrifyingly high death toll doesn’t deter travellers, however, and numerous tour operators in the area cater to tourists looking for a thrill ride.
The largely single-lane, 3.2 m wide road climbs up La Cumbre, a famous Bolivia mountain pass, at a height of 4650 m, and guard rails are essentially non-existent. Rain, fog, and dust clouds reduce visibility, with rain water also turning the road muddy and affecting road traction.
You are not limited to driving though – mountain biking is another popular activity carried out by tourists on North Yungas Road if you’re looking to further tempt death.
Check out this video of the road crumbling under the wheels of Jeremy Clarkson’s (of Top Gear) Range Rover as he was forced to the edge by another passing vehicle (around the 6:24 mark)!
2. Get Up Close and Personal With Lions and Tigers: Lujan Zoo (Bueno Aires, Argentina)
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For just ARS 130 (USD 18) at Lujan Zoo, you can pet and feed dangerous beasts like tigers, bears and cheetahs. Visitors are free to interact with the animals once they sign a waiver, and supposedly, the idea is that these animals do not pose a danger due to them being well-fed and accustomed to human contact. Yes, of course, the idea is that they are safe, and won’t maul you to bits if you accidentally provoke them. If you feel secure with such an assurance given, make your way to Lujan Zoo on your next vacation and try your hand at feeding a lion!
3. Take a Leap of Faith: Cliff Jumping (Krabi, Thailand)
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Does the idea of jumping off a 20m tall cliff sound enticing to you? If the answer is yes, the Phi Phi Islands in Krabi, Thailand is the place for you! Bear in mind that cliff jumping is an extreme sport fraught with dangers – jagged rocks in the water can easily cause fatal injuries, and the very act of hurling your body from a height into water bears the risk of spinal compression, concussion, lung collapse, and other more traumatic injuries if you do not get the landing right.
Take a look at the video below for a taste of how cliff jumping there is like!
Still up for it? Cliff jumping tours are available in the Phi Phi islands daily, for the reasonable price of THB 600 (USD 18.5).
4. Bungee Jump Into an Active Volcano: Villarrica (Pucón, Chile)
Bungee jumping off buildings is now too mainstream – experience the bungee jump of a lifetime and jump into a bubbling volcano! At the cost of USD 12 500, this activity is both reckless and exorbitant, and is definitely not for the faint-hearted (or the poor, for that matter).
A helicopter will fly you into the caldera (a large volcanic crater formed by the collapse of a volcano into itself) of the active Villarrica volcano in Pucón, Chile, where you will bungee jump and come within 213m of molten lava.
However, do note that prior to the jump, you’re required to sign a waiver, and this is stated in the FAQs: “Q: Could I die? A: Yes”. If you’re cool with it, go ahead – sign it and jump! For the wealthy adrenaline junkie, this is surely something for the bucket list!
Also read: 4 Daredevil Adventures for Hardcore Adrenaline Junkies
5. Be Chased by Raging Bulls: El Encierro (Pamplona, Spain)
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How does getting chased by angry bulls sound to you? El Encierro, the Running of the Bulls, takes place yearly in Pamplona, Spain, and involves running in front of a group of bulls that have been let loose in town. Goring by the bulls (which is potentially life threatening) is a very real possibility, with up to 10 people gored by bull horns every year. Despite this, El Encierro remains a highly popular activity in Spain, with the run being broadcast live each year on television, and many thrill-seeking tourists also make their way to this annual spectacle.
If you fancy yourself a fast runner, why not challenge yourself at the Running of the Bulls? Watch the 2013 coverage of the event below (warning: video content may be distressing)!
6. Deadliest Dive Site in the World: Blue Hole (Dahab, Egypt)
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The Blue Hole of Dahab, Egypt earned the nickname of “Diver’s Cemetery” for the number of diving fatalities that have occurred at the spot, with a death toll of at least 40 divers. Some maintain that the death toll could be up to the hundreds, accusing local authorities of deliberately underreporting the number of fatalities.
This underwater sinkhole’s accessibility has contributed to this number, with the dive spot being just off the shore and easily reached by divers. Most deaths have occurred due to divers’ attempt to get to and through a tunnel (named “The Arch”) from the Blue Hole into open water. The opening of The Arch is easy to miss, and divers may continue descending in search of it, increasing the severity of nitrogen narcosis. Divers looking to tempt fate continue to dive at this site, with many local dive centres taking tourists to dive at the Blue Hole almost daily.
7. Most Terrifying Hike in the World: Mount Hua (Shaanxi, China)
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Image credits: http://bit.ly/1kcrCte
Don’t look down! Looking at pictures of the hike path along Mount Hua is enough to make our knees weak – we can only imagine how it is like for those actually making their way along the narrow trail. Mount Hua in the Shaanxi province of China is one of the country’s Five Great Mountains, and besides its religious significance, it is also notorious for this terrifying hike trail.
As you can see from the pictures, a portion of the trail is made up of wooden planks precariously nailed together, with only a rail of chains to hold on to. Safety harnesses are recommended but not compulsory, explaining the trail’s reputation for fatal falls. For those suffering from acrophobia, Mount Hua is surely a nightmare come true. Would you ever dare to try this cliffside path?
Inspired? Challenge your limits with TripZilla’s adventure sports travel packages!
