Question 1

What insurance do I need for extreme sports while on vacation?

Accepted Answer

Standard travel insurance usually excludes extreme sports such as bungee jumping, skydiving, climbing, paragliding, and diving deeper than 40 meters. Specialty insurance from providers like World Nomads (starting at €50 per trip) or ADAC Auslandskrankenversicherung Plus covers many adventure activities — check the specific list of sports in the insurance terms. For diving accidents, DAN (Divers Alert Network) offers a specialized diving accident insurance (starting at €65/year) that covers hyperbaric treatments — regular health insurance often does not. For skiing off-piste (freeride, heliskiing), there are additional insurances available from Alpenverein (starting at €67/year) or Snowcard. Also, check if your credit card includes travel accident insurance — some premium cards also cover high-risk sports.

Question 2

Where are the best places in the world for bungee jumping?

Accepted Answer

The Bloukrans Bridge in South Africa (216 m) is the highest commercial bungee jump in the world and costs about €70. The Kawarau Bridge in New Zealand (43 m) is the birthplace of commercial bungee jumping (starting at 150 NZD). In Europe, the Verzasca Dam in Switzerland (220 m, known from the James Bond film GoldenEye) offers the most spectacular jump (starting at 255 CHF). The Europabrücke near Innsbruck (192 m) is one of the highest jumps in Europe (starting at €159). Stockhorn in Switzerland offers bungee jumping over Lake Thun. In Macau, you can jump from the Macau Tower (233 m, starting at €350). Safety standards vary greatly — choose only established providers with proven safety records and current TÜV inspections. Health requirements: No high blood pressure, no heart problems, no weight over 120 kg.

Question 3

How safe is skydiving (tandem jump) for beginners?

Accepted Answer

Tandem skydiving is statistically very safe: The accident risk is about 1 in 500,000 jumps — significantly safer than driving to the airport. You are strapped to an experienced tandem master who controls everything — you need no prior experience. A tandem jump costs between €200–280 in Germany, in popular outdoor destinations like Interlaken (Switzerland) it costs 350–450 CHF, in Dubai starting at €550, and in New Zealand starting at 250 NZD. The jump occurs from 3,000–4,500 m, with freefall lasting 30–60 seconds at speeds up to 200 km/h, followed by a glide of 5–8 minutes under the parachute. The minimum age is 16–18 years (depending on the country), and the maximum weight is 90–110 kg. Book a video/photo package (extra €80–150) — it's worth it, as you will hardly remember the moment otherwise. If you have a fear of heights: Freefall feels different than standing on a tall building — there is no reference point, so the typical dizzy feeling is absent.

Question 4

What are the most challenging and beautiful trekking tours worldwide?

Accepted Answer

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (Peru, 4 days, about €450/person with permit) is a classic — limited to 500 people per day, book 6 months in advance. The Annapurna Circuit in Nepal (12–21 days, starting at €30/day all-inclusive) offers breathtaking Himalayan panoramas with the highest point at 5,416 m (Thorong La Pass). The W-Trek in Torres del Paine (Chile, 5 days, starting at €500) combines glaciers, lakes, and granite rocks. Climbing Kilimanjaro (Tanzania, 5–9 days, €1,500–3,000) requires no technical experience but good fitness and acclimatization — the success rate on the Marangu route is only 65%. The GR20 in Corsica (16 days, 180 km) is considered the most difficult long-distance hiking trail in Europe. For beginners: The Laugavegur in Iceland (4 days, 55 km) or the Tour du Mont Blanc (11 days, 170 km).

Question 5

How do I prepare for a diving vacation?

Accepted Answer

The PADI Open Water Diver is the globally recognized entry-level certification and costs €300–500 (3–4 days course including pool and open water dives). Popular and affordable places for the diving certification include Koh Tao (Thailand, starting at €250), Utila (Honduras, starting at €280), Hurghada (Egypt, starting at €300), and Dahab (Egypt, starting at €250). Before the course, you need a medical fitness certificate for diving (costing €40–80 from a sports doctor) — asthma, heart problems, and certain ear conditions may be disqualifying factors. There must be at least 18–24 hours between diving and flying (24+ hours for repeated dives) to avoid decompression sickness — do not plan your last dive on the day of departure. The best diving spots include the Great Barrier Reef (Australia), Raja Ampat (Indonesia), Maldives, Red Sea, and Komodo (Indonesia).

Question 6

Is white-water rafting dangerous and who is it suitable for?

Accepted Answer

White-water rafting is classified into 6 difficulty levels: Grade I–II (easy, for families with children from 6 years), Grade III (medium, for sporty beginners from 12 years), Grade IV (difficult, experience recommended), Grade V–VI (extreme, for professionals only). Popular rafting destinations for beginners include Imster Gorge (Tyrol, Grade II–III, starting at €50), Verdon Gorge (France, Grade II–III, starting at €40), Soča (Slovenia, Grade II–IV, starting at €35). For adventure seekers: Zambezi (Zambia, Grade IV–V, starting at €100), Futaleufú (Chile, Grade IV–V, starting at €80), Colorado River (USA, Grade III–V, Grand Canyon multi-day tours starting at €2,000). Swimming skills are mandatory, and life jackets and helmets are provided. The main risks are hypothermia in cold glacial water, bruises from rocks, and rarely shoulder/arm injuries while paddling — choose a certified provider with experienced guides.

Question 7

Where can I learn to surf as a beginner?

Accepted Answer

The best surf spots for beginners offer gentle, consistent waves (whitewash), warm water, and sandy bottoms: Fuerteventura (Canary Islands, year-round, surf courses starting at €40/day), Peniche and Ericeira in Portugal (May–October, starting at €35), Bali/Kuta Beach (Indonesia, year-round, starting at €20), Taghazout in Morocco (September–April, starting at €25), and San Sebastián in Spain (June–September, starting at €45). A beginner surf course typically lasts 3–5 days and costs €150–300 including board and wetsuit. Surf camps offer complete packages (course + accommodation + meals) starting at €400–800 per week. A softboard (foam board) is best for beginners — it forgives mistakes and minimizes the risk of injury. Wear sunscreen with SPF 50 (reef-friendly!) and a rash guard to prevent abrasions.

Question 8

What safety rules apply to canyoning?

Accepted Answer

Canyoning (canyoning with rappelling, jumping, and swimming) requires a professional guide — never attempt it alone. Check the weather: Sudden rain can flood narrow gorges in minutes (flash floods) — the leading cause of death in canyoning. Wear a wetsuit (at least 3 mm), helmet, life jacket, and special canyoning shoes with non-slip soles. Popular canyoning destinations for beginners include Lake Garda (Italy, starting at €60), Ötztal (Tyrol, starting at €70), and Sierra de Guara (Spain, starting at €45). Swimming skills are mandatory, and fear of heights can be problematic (rappelling from 5–30 m waterfalls). Clarify your physical fitness before the tour — canyoning requires good basic fitness, flexibility, and cold tolerance. A reputable provider will give you a detailed safety briefing and check the equipment before each entry.

Question 9

How much does a safari expedition in Africa cost?

Accepted Answer

Costs vary greatly depending on the country and comfort level: Budget safaris in Kenya or Tanzania (camping, group travel) start at €150 per day, mid-range (lodge, small group) from €250–400/day, luxury safaris (private camps, private guide, bush flights) cost €500–2,000/day. A 7-day safari classic in the Serengeti/Ngorongoro with lodge accommodation costs from €2,000–4,000 excluding flights. Botswana's Okavango Delta is more expensive (from €500/day) due to limited capacities and exclusive camps. South Africa's Kruger National Park is the cheapest: self-drive safari with rest camp accommodation from €60/day. The best time to witness the Great Migration in the Serengeti is June–September, for South Africa June–October (dry season, animals gather at waterholes). Book through specialized safari operators like Natürlich Reisen, Diamir, or Duma Travel — they know the best camps and routes.

Question 10

How safe is paragliding and where are the best flying areas?

Accepted Answer

Tandem paragliding is very safe — the passenger is connected to an experienced pilot and only needs to run/run/run during takeoff. Accidents are rare and usually due to weather errors or technical failures. The most beautiful tandem flight spots worldwide include Ölüdeniz (Turkey, starting at €60, 30 min flight over the Blue Lagoon), Interlaken (Switzerland, starting at 170 CHF, Alpine panorama), Pokhara (Nepal, starting at €80, Himalayan view), Cape Town (South Africa, starting at €100, Lion's Head), Chamonix (France, starting at €120, Mont-Blanc massif). In Germany, Oberstdorf (starting at €130) is a popular starting point. Tandem flights last 15–30 minutes and require no prior knowledge. For solo flyers: A paragliding license (A certificate) costs about €1,500–2,000 and takes 5–10 days of training. Wear warm clothing even in summer — at 2,000 m, it can be 10–15 °C cooler than at ground level.

Adventure & Extreme Sports