Adventure itinerary: 6 extreme activities to your bucket list

Its origin dates back to an ancient initiation ritual used by some tribes in Oceania. The world discovered it in the 80s of the 20th century and gave it the name of bungee jumping, which is, to this day, one of the most popular extreme activities among adventurers of modern times. After all, how to describe the feeling of diving headfirst into the void, held only by an elastic band around your ankles? Let's say the chill starts in the belly, but immediately invades the whole body, from head to toe. And how about doing it the other way around? The negative jump promises to project you up to 14 meters high in milliseconds! Do you have the courage to include it in your adventure tour?

There are 20 (endless) seconds of free fall at a speed of about 200 km/h, from a plane at an altitude of 3500 meters. After the initial terror and after opening the parachute, just fly peacefully with the Atlantic Ocean at your feet, over the charming Algarve coast. The jump is done in the company of a suitably qualified instructor, and the landing can be done on the beach, for a perfect experience. The scariest part is actually jumping out of the plane. But don't give up! Close your eyes, take a deep breath… and fly!

Going down the white waters of a river aboard a pneumatic boat, between rapids and several obstacles – radical enough to include in an adventure tour? If it seems easy or boring to you, it's because you haven't tried rafting and canyoning yet. There are several rivers in Portugal with all the conditions for the practice of these extreme sports, but, the experts say, the Paiva River is the most complete whitewater track in the country, with several sections and levels of difficulty. Challenge your more adventurous friends, appeal to team spirit and get ready for a few hours of pure adrenaline, in the middle of Nature.

In any adventure itinerary, the slide is a must-do activity – whatever your age and physical condition are, there are no excuses not to do it. It involves sliding suspended on a steel cable, at a speed of 65 km/hour, from one mountain to another. You can do it in a sitting position or in a Superman pose (our favorite). If you are in the “invincible” mood, be sure to try abseiling as well. With the help of ropes, gloves, helmet and other equipment used in mountaineering, you can climb mountains, large rocks, bridges or waterfalls. Will you take a chance on Everest next time?

Flying will be, perhaps, one of the most common dreams among mortals and this easily explains the fact that paragliding is one of the most suggested extreme activities in any adventure itinerary. You can do it on a beach or in the mountains – Serra da Estrela, for example, is considered the sanctuary of paragliding in Portugal. In the company of an accredited pilot, experience the sensation of gliding over the most beautiful landscapes, with no noise other than the wind.

Have you ever imagined yourself skiing in the waters of a lake, between jumps and breathtaking acrobatics? There are several companies in Portugal that provide all the necessary material, starting with the speedboat and the board. It's up to you to keep your balance as you slide through the water, pulled by the speedboat at a speed of around 80 km/h. Once you gain confidence, take a chance on a slalom, a jump or a somersault, and let the adrenaline run wild.