Most Extreme Tourist Attractions

(Source: oddee)

Extreme tourism or shock tourism is a niche in the tourism industry involving travel to dangerous places (mountains, jungles, deserts, caves, etc.) or participation in dangerous events. Extreme tourism overlaps with extreme sport. The two share the main attraction, "adrenaline rush" caused by an element of risk, and differing mostly in the degree of engagement and professionalism.
 

The Cage of Death (Australia)

Without the cage you wouldn't stand a chance swimming with a massive saltwater crocodile. But for brave punters who still want to get cozy with a feisty croc, a new Australian tourist attraction is offering the chance for a close encounter in the safety of a clear acrylic box dubbed the 'cage of death.'

Just 4cm of acrylic, a pair of goggles and a swimsuit, separate thrill seekers from the jaws of Choppa, a saltwater crocodile. The cage has no bars, unlike cages used in shark dives, which prevent the reptiles from gripping on, but deep tooth scratches are visible on the sides, deterring some hesitant participants. Top End tourists climb into the clear box before being lowered into Choppa's lair. They then spend 15 minutes inside the 9ft high cage and watch Choppa, who lost both front feet while fighting other crocodiles, try to take a bite out of them.

The attraction at Crocosaurus Cove, in the heart of the city of Darwin in the Northern Territory, has been given high marks by adrenaline junkies.
 


Cliff Base Jumping (Norway)

Norway has absolutely beautiful landscapes, including crazy cliffs that call to people to climb them and then BASE jump off the top. Here's a look at some of those incredible cliffs, as well as some insanely dangerous switchback roads to get to them in Norway. Thrill seekers, photographers, hikers and climbers take in these majestic views of nature. And then, there's BASE jumpers who have a much more extreme need for adrenaline. Charles Lindbergh once said of his adrenaline rush, “It is the greatest shot of adrenaline to be doing what you have wanted to do so badly. You almost feel like you could fly without the plane.” Here in Norway, as if they've turned into Superman, some adrenaline junkies do fly without a plane.
 


 

Iguazu Boat Ride (Argentina & Brazil)

Taller than Niagara Falls and twice as wide, the Iguazu cataracts are one of the most impressive sites that you will ever see in your travels around the world. 275 waterfalls cascade through the Argentine and Brazilian parks and once you see the Devil's Throat you won't regret the trip.

For 15 USD you can take an Iguazu boat ride that will allow you to thumb your nose at the visitors in both countries, as you motor right into the fury of the monstruous falls. Not only will you get absolutely soaked and feel, up close, the power of the falls, but you also get bragging rights, because no matter how you phrase it, the fact that you took a small boat and motored into the dump zone to receive a sheet of water from some of the biggest falls in the world, is undeniably sweet.

Note: In 2011, two US tourists were killed and five people were injured when one of the boats overturned. Seven tourists from the US, Germany and Colombia were sightseeing at Iguazu Falls in northern Argentina with a crew of three when their boat hit rocks and flipped over.
 


 

CN Tower Edge Walking (Toronto, Canada)

The CN Tower holds a Guinness World Record for its EdgeWalk attraction — the highest external walk on a building. The attraction allows people to walk hands free along a 1.5-metre-wide ledge that surrounds the top of the tower's main pod.

Walkers who venture out in groups of six are secured with a harness during their 150-metre stroll. The walk opened to the public on Aug. 1 2011 and officials say it has attracted thrill seekers from age 13 to 90.
 


 

El Caminito Del Rey Trekking (Spain)

Adrenaline junkies have been flocking to southern Spain to experience the 110-year-old El Caminito Del Rey. And you don't need to be an experienced climber either; the only requirements are that walkers should be at least twelve years old and have a good head for heights. The trail, also known as the King's Pathway, was originally built in 1905 for workers to travel between two hydroelectric power plants but was closed-off in 2000 after two walkers fell to their deaths.
 

 
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