Traveling by airplane may not always be easy, but at least it tends to be familiar and safe. In most countries, the same goes for riding a train or driving a car. But there are plenty of offbeat ways to travel if you’re the kind of person who craves adventure and unusual experiences. If you’re thinking about mixing it up a bit on your next trip, consider the following travel methods:
– Camel. Once upon a time, riding on a camel was the best way to get around many parts of the world. Today, the animals have largely been displaced by other methods of transit. However, you can still find camel safaris in regions ranging from the upper Sahara to Mongolia.
– Freighter. Like the heroes of old adventure novels, you can still book passage to far-off places on a freighter. Traveling via a freighter has become more expensive, but if you prefer the slow pace of oceangoing travel and want the opportunity to see the world differently than most, you might want to consider it.
– River barge. For most of history, rivers were the highways of humanity, carrying goods and people long distances relatively quickly. Barges still ply the waters of most major rivers, and you can cruise on them in places ranging from Europe to South America.
– Elephant. In some parts of the world, elephants are used for transportation. In Thailand, for instance, you can go “elephant trekking” to tour the country’s interior.
– Dog sled. If your itinerary will take you to the colder parts of the world, you may be able to book a trip by dog sled. If you can stand the cold in places like Alaska and Norway, you’ll be treated to the beauty of snow-covered winter landscapes.
– The local specialty. Many countries and regions have a form of transportation unique to their resources and needs. In Cambodia, bamboo trains ply beat-up railways with electric motors. In South and Southeast Asia, three-wheeled tuk-tuks zip around cities. Old-fashioned junk boats ply the waters in Hong Kong. However, take extra care if you use local transportation, as it may be a bit more dangerous than that to which you’re accustomed.