Polar bear, Churchill, Manitoba
View polar bears from the safety of an Arctic Crawler on the tundra.
Photo Credit: Getty Images

Escape the Mundane with These 18 Incredible Adventure Vacations

View Polar Bears in the Wild in Churchill

Although you may not want to come to face to face with one unexpectedly, there’s nothing quite like seeing the mighty polar bear in its natural habitat. One of the best places for this is in Churchill, which lies on Hudson Bay in the far north of Manitoba, Canada.

This area is renowned for its bears that inhabit the region during late summer and fall. While there are several options, Lazy Bear Expeditions is one of the most popular, with overnight stays at the eco-friendly Lazy Bear Lodge. You’ll get to spend your days out on the tundra, tracking along the coastline, traveling in Arctic Crawlers made for the tundra.

Occasionally the bears come right alongside these vehicles to get a peak at visitors, just as curious as the humans inside. You’ll also have the chance to glimpse all sorts of other wildlife like Arctic fox.

Sea lion pup at Espirito Santo near La PazGo on an excursion in Baja California and you may even get to rub the belly of a sea lion pup.Photo Credit: K.C. Dermody

Snorkel with Sea Lions in Baja California

Situated near the city of La Paz in Baja California, Mexico, Espiritu Santo is a UNESCO-listed nature reserve, and a true paradise for nature lovers and outdoor adventurers. It’s surrounded by pristine, crystal clear blue bays and fiery red cliffs, and hosts an incredible array of marine life, making it one of the most unspoiled ecosystems on the entire planet.

Part of the region Jacques Cousteau referred to as the “world’s aquarium,” Espiritu Santo is filled with colorful tropical fish and sea lions. Join an excursion with one of the few tour operators permitted to visit this area — such as Baja Sur Tours — and you can even get out and snorkel with the 300 or so animals that live here, perhaps even rubbing the belly of one of the playful pups.

The tours also include a tasty lunch and opportunities to swim with whale sharks.

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Bugaboo Spire, British ColumbiaYou'll have the incredible views all to yourself.Photo Credit: Getty Images

Heli-Hike the Bugaboos

The Bugaboos of British Columbia, Canada are a spectacular mix of stark granite towers and stunning glaciers that have been enticing heli-skiers for more than a half century.  If skiing on diverse terrain among some of the most magnificent scenery on Earth is something that piques your interest, this may be your top pick as a stay at Bugaboo Lodge will place you right in the center of it all.

Only accessible via helicopter, you won’t have to worry about battling the crowds here. Instead you’ll be soaring down multiple ski runs both above and below the tree line in relative solitude, ideal for not only beginners but highly experienced heli-skiers.

After a long day out on the slopes, you can enjoy soothing those muscles in a hot tub while soaking up one of the most breathtaking views imaginable, followed by a delicious dinner paired with fine wine. In the morning, the aroma of blueberry pancakes are sure to lure you from your bed before you’re once again whisked off by helicopter into the jagged peaks of the Purcells.

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