It’s travel that scares you shitless.
11 Terrifying Experiences Around the World
11 Terrifying Experiences Around the World
“Always do what you are afraid to do”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
We’re not in the habit of taking life advice from someone with a middle name straight out of Where’s Wally, but why is the 19th-century poet and philosopher kinda right?
Even though he was probably talking more about confronting emotional fears and we’re thinking more along the lines of sliding into caves barely big enough to fit small children, we reckon old mate was onto something. Sometimes, it is the things that scare us the most, that turn into the best adventures, the silliest stories and the greatest memories.
Especially when you’re travelling.
From visiting a creepy Japanese town full of life-sized dolls to hurtling over Class V rapids in Chile, we’ve rounded up 11 of the world’s most terrifying experiences for when you fancy chuckin’ a Waldo.
Read at your own risk.
Jump over the Bloukrans River
TSITSIKAMMA, SOUTH AFRICA
This isn’t some kiddie, ‘oh we’re just having a bit of fun,’ playground jump. The Bloukrans Bungy is where you come face to face with your fears… and laugh them right off the 216-metre ledge with you. Except it’s hard to laugh. Or even make any sound that’s not a terrified little shriek in the face of what you’re about to do.
The guys who are in charge of your safety (or death) will strap your legs together (and they'll feel like jelly). Your palms will start to sweat. But your mates are egging you on and there are iPhones pointing at you, ready to record your launch towards the rushing water below. This is it. The moment of truth is here.
The hardest part may be taking the step off solid bridge, but the free falling plummet as you wait for the cord to catch you is going to feel outrageously long. Like, long enough to have you wondering whether you should’ve written up a will and devised a funeral plan. But there’s euphoria and glory waiting when you feel the cord tighten and take in the breathtaking scenery of the river. And it makes for one heck of a story at every BBQ.
Jump over the Bloukrans River
TSITSIKAMMA, SOUTH AFRICA
This isn’t some kiddie, ‘oh we’re just having a bit of fun,’ playground jump. The Bloukrans Bungy is where you come face to face with your fears… and laugh them right off the 216-metre ledge with you. Except it’s hard to laugh, or even make any sound that’s not a terrified little shriek, in the face of what you’re about to do.
The guys who are in charge of your safety (or death) will strap your legs together (and they'll feel like jelly). Your palms will start to sweat. But your mates are egging you on and there are iPhones pointing at you, ready to record your launch towards the rushing water below. This is it. The moment of truth is here.
The hardest part may be taking the first step off the solid bridge, but the free falling descent as you're waiting for the cord to catch you is going to feel outrageously long. Like, long enough to have you wondering whether you should’ve written up a will and devised a funeral plan. But there’s euphoria and glory waiting when you feel the cord tighten and take in the breathtaking scenery of the river. And it makes for one heck of a story at every BBQ.
This guy has no fear.
This guy has the appropriate amount of fear.
Walk through the Gomantong Caves
SABAH, MALAYSIA
If you don’t look too closely, the Gomantong Caves appear to be your average, run-of-the-mill, cathedral-like chambers that are well worth a visit (and numerous posts on your various social media accounts). Don’t be fooled. Yes, these caves are stunning. Yes, they’re good for birdwatching, and yes, you might see an orangutan. But they’re also full of the creepiest of crawlies – bats, snakes, scorpions and giant centipedes.
Don’t get us wrong, the caves are still worth a visit. Just wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes so you don’t feel the cockroaches scuttling across your bare feet, or have the guano (bat poo that litters the floor) oozing between your toes. And all that shit carries a smell, so bring a nose plug*.
*We’re only half kidding about this.
Visit Nagoro’s ‘scarecrow’ village
SHIKOKU, JAPAN
Pediophob-ics, look away now.
Nagoro, nestled in Japan’s Iya Valley, might seem like the cutest little town. Elderly residents tend to their gardens, families wait patiently at bus stops and construction workers tend to road signs…except they don’t. The figures you see going about their daily life aren’t actually people, they’re human-sized scarecrows.
Like all scarecrows, the figures in Nagoro got their start as practical farming tools but have since become a way to remember the residents who’ve lived, moved away or died in the village. Yep, the scarecrows you see once had a human counterpart.
The village is kinda hard to get to and you’ll need to embrace the goosebumps that’ll undoubtedly pop up on your skin during your visit, but we reckon any destination where dolls outnumber humans 10:1, is a place you’ve simply gotta check out.
Visit Nagoro’s ‘scarecrow’ village
SHIKOKU, JAPAN
Pediophobics, look away now.
Nagoro, nestled in Japan’s Iya Valley, might seem like a typical village at first glance. Elderly residents work in their gardens, families wait patiently at bus stops and construction workers tend to road signs… except they don’t. The figures you see going about their daily life aren’t actually people, they’re human-sized scarecrows.
Like all scarecrows, the figures in Nagoro got their start as practical farming tools but have since become a way to remember the residents who’ve lived, moved away or died in the village. Yep, the scarecrows you see once had a human counterpart.
The village is kinda hard to get to and you’ll need to embrace the goosebumps that’ll undoubtedly pop up on your skin during your visit, but we reckon any destination where dolls outnumber humans 10:1, is a place you’ve simply gotta check out.
Just your average scarecrow couple.
"Hey there, wanna come outside and play with me?"
Kayak down the Futaleufu River
FUTALEUFU, CHILE
Kayaking down the Futaleufú River in Chile isn’t a paddle in the park – it’s a full-on battle against Mother Nature herself. This monster of a river is one of the most terrifying, challenging, adrenaline-inducing and exhilarating stretches of whitewater on the planet, and it’s not for the faint of heart.
The water roars and churns like it’s been possessed, throwing Class V rapids your way that’ll have you gripping your paddle and sending up prayers like it’s the difference between life and death – which, let’s be honest, it probably is.
Prone to flipping rafters like Sunday morning pancakes, this river will make you fight for your survival. But it’s also downright stunning. You’ll pass jagged peaks and lush forests during your journey, and while you’ll want to take in all of the natural beauty, your instinct will be screaming, “Who cares about the views, just stay upright.” Maybe on your second go.
Hike Mount Huashan
SHAANXI PROVINCE, CHINA
Okay, so you trekked to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro and thought, ‘Piece of cake.’ You trudged to the top of Annapurna and went, ‘I could have done that with my eyes closed.’ Maybe you even made it to Mt Everest without even breaking a sweat. But hiking China’s Mount Huashan is a whole ‘nother daunting kettle of fish.
Known as one of the world’s most dangerous hikes, this trail takes you along slippery iron stairs, up the side of steep mountains and across precarious planks no pirate would’ve forced their enemies to walk out on. But if your eyes ever make it off the wobbly chain you’re literally holding onto for dear life, the view is bloody breathtaking.
There’s over 2,100 metres of scenery below you and the little thatched houses and ramshackle villages that have popped up along the route are well worth focusing on if you’ve got a second to spare, which you probably won’t.
Caving in the Lava Tunnels on Reunion Island
REUNION ISLAND, MASCARENE
One of the best things about caving is knowing you don’t have to do it. Ever. You’re not going to get a gold star on your life’s homework for squeezing your body into a space that’s too small for you to fit in. The government won’t give you free housing in a suburb 10 minutes from the city if you spend an hour in a pitch-black cave. There’s literally no possible reason for anyone to want to map an underground system for fun, and yet we’d trade our logic for a crack at the Lava Tunnels on Reunion Island.
In our defence, these tunnels aren’t like the ones all over your TikTok FYP. They won’t fill up with water while you’re still in them or confuse you enough for you to lose your sense of direction. But they will reveal the geological history of this relatively unexplored island, and that’s pretty cool.
Formed by lava flows from nearby Piton de la Fournaise, these tunnels sparkle with a kaleidoscope of colours – think reds, blues and oranges – and boast hundreds of stalactites created from solidified lava.
Caving in the Lava Tunnels on Reunion Island
REUNION ISLAND, MASCARENE ISLANDS
One of the best things about caving is knowing you don’t have to do it. Ever. You’re not going to get a gold star on your life’s homework for squeezing your body into a space that’s too small for you to fit in. The government won’t give you free housing in a suburb 10 minutes from the city if you spend an hour in a pitch-black cave. There’s literally no possible reason for anyone to want to map an underground system for fun, and yet we’d trade our logic for a crack at the Lava Tunnels on Reunion Island.
In our defence, these tunnels aren’t like the ones all over your TikTok FYP. They won’t fill up with water while you’re still in them or confuse you enough for you to lose your sense of direction. But they will reveal the geological history of this relatively unexplored island, and that’s pretty cool.
Formed by lava flows from nearby Piton de la Fournaise, these tunnels sparkle with a kaleidoscope of colours—think reds, blues and oranges—and boast hundreds of stalactites created from solidified lava.
Stay overnight in the Lizzie Borden house
MASSACHUSETTS, USA
If the job was to give every single person who stays here PTSD for years afterwards, the guys over at the Lizzie Borden house have nailed the bloody brief. This house is full of history. It’s also full of dead bodies – at least it was in 1892.
Everyone alive during that time has well and truly followed Andrew and Abby Borden straight to Deathsville (hopefully not in the same violent way), but the house is still standing, and it saw everything.
And so can you. Part museum, part literal house of horrors, this creepy hotel lets you trace the footsteps of the unknown murderer, take in the décor exactly as it would’ve been, and sleep in the same room where one of the murders took place. Thankfully, not in the same bed (there is a line).
Stay overnight in the Lizzie Borden house
MASSACHUSETTS, USA
If the job was to give every single person who stays here PTSD for years afterwards, the guys over at the Lizzie Borden house have nailed the bloody brief. This house is full of history. It’s also full of dead bodies—at least it was in 1892.
Everyone alive during that time has well and truly followed Andrew and Abby Borden straight to Deathsville (hopefully not in the same violent way), but the house is still standing, and it saw everything.
And so can you. Part museum, part literal house of horrors, this creepy hotel lets you trace the footsteps of the unknown murderer, take in the décor exactly as it would’ve been, and sleep in the same room where one of the murders took place. Thankfully, not in the same bed (there is a line).
A fully dressed table really just sets the mood.
Nothing like a bit of healthy reenactment.
Take a swim in the Devils Pool
VICTORIA FALLS, ZAMBIA
Swimming right to the edge of Victoria Falls in Zambia kinda sounds like a dare gone wrong, but that’s exactly the type of thing that gets our blood flowing and aura points growing. All you have to do is wade into the appropriately named Devils Pool, stand as close to the 355-foot drop as you dare and snap a couple pics for the ‘gram. Easy enough.
Apparently, the chances of getting washed over the edge are actually pretty slim, so this is one experience that looks slightly scarier than it actually is. But you don’t have to let your friends back home know that.
Take a swim in the Devils Pool
VICTORIA FALLS, ZAMBIA
Swimming right to the edge of Victoria Falls in Zambia kinda sounds like a dare gone wrong, but that’s exactly the type of thing that gets our blood flowing and aura points growing. All you have to do is wade into the appropriately named Devils Pool, stand as close to the 355-foot drop as you dare and snap a couple pics for the ‘gram. Easy enough.
Apparently, the chances of getting washed over the edge are actually pretty slim, so this is one experience that looks slightly scarier than it actually is. But you don’t have to let your friends back home know that.
Who knew a crack in the Earth's surface could be so captivating?
"Look ma, I'm doing it backwards".
Drive the Karakoram Highway
PAKISTAN
Yes, when you get right down to it, the Karakoram Highway is just a stretch of road. But driving it is like staring danger right in the face and saying, “Is that all you’ve got?” This thing’s a beast, snaking through towering mountains and along sheer cliffs that’ll have your stomach dropping and your chest heaving: one slight turn of the wheel in the wrong direction could mean your car’s doing a swan dive into oblivion with you inside it.
Think narrow roads, no guardrails, surprise landslides and local drivers who seem to treat this death-defying highway like it’s a Formula 1 track. It’s one wild, heart-pounding ride, but it’s also dubbed the, ‘Eighth Wonder of the World,’ for its scenery, with its snowcapped peaks and roaring rivers. Just make sure your brakes have been recently checked.
Drive the Karakoram Highway
PAKISTAN
Yes, when you get right down to it, the Karakoram Highway is just a stretch of road. But driving it is like staring danger right in the face and saying, “Is that all you’ve got?” This thing’s a beast, snaking through towering mountains and along sheer cliffs that’ll have your stomach dropping and your chest heaving: one slight turn of the wheel in the wrong direction could mean your car’s doing a swan dive into oblivion with you inside it.
Think narrow roads, no guardrails, surprise landslides and local drivers who seem to treat this death-defying highway like it’s a Formula 1 track. It’s one wild, heart-pounding ride, but it’s also dubbed the, ‘Eighth Wonder of the World,’ for its scenery - snowcapped peaks and roaring rivers. Just make sure your breaks have been recently checked.
Walk across the Ai-Petri Bridges
CRIMEA, UKRAINE
The Ai-Petri Bridges in Ukraine set out to separate the lacklustre from the legendary, and they're doing a pretty damn good job of it. They look like bridges, but they're actually wobbly little death traps hanging between two jagged peaks in the Crimean Mountains. You’ll be dangling hundreds of metres above the abyss, and while the view is simply out of this world, the feeling in the pit of your stomach is accident-inducing.
The bridges cruelly sway with every step you take, and one little glance down at the sheer drop below will have saying, “Nope!,” 10,000 times while your feet slowly back off the creaky planks. Oh, and the ropes also groan. Not in a you-shouldn’t-have-had-that-second-helping-of-syrnyky kinda way. More like a you’re-one-gust-away-from-becoming-a-news-headline kinda thing.
Once you get past all that, the spectacular views—endless peaks and sparkling seas—will help get you to the other side. You’ll feel like you’ve conquered the world. Or at the very least, the Crimean Mountains.
*Note: get lost's thoughts are with everyone affected by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. We hope peace is immiment, and that we can get back to exploring this incredible part of the world very soon.
get in the know Apparently around 100 people plummet to their deaths while attempting to hike Mount Huashan each year. That's some hardcore stuff.
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