To see the falls in style, swoop above them in a Cessna on a flying safari, launched this year by Cazenove+Loyd. Guests stay at remote estancias and in a colonial jungle home. There are private chartered flights throughout the trip to scenic spots such as Paraná Lake and the falls themselves.
• £1,298pp for four days’ flying safari (020-7384 2332, cazloyd.com). International flights extra
Photograph: Andre Lichtenberg/Getty Photograph: Andre Lichtenberg/Getty Images/Getty
Most boat trips down the Colorado river use a raft, but the Grand Canyon Expeditions company has a two-week trip in a rowing boat, a Dory, just as the first river runner, John Wesley Powell, discovered it in 1869.
• $3,700pp (gcex.com). Flights extra
Photograph: Chad Ehlers/Alamy Photograph: Chad Ehlers/Alamy/Alamy
It’s not exactly how the Incas would have done it, but a mountain bike trip from Lake Titicaca to Machu Picchu is a truly exciting way to discover the Peruvian site.
• From £1,495pp with KE Adventures (017687 73966, keadventure.com). Flights extra Photograph: PR
You can explore the complex by bike (try experiencesoutheastasia.com); by horse (thehappyranch.com) or on your own two feet. To do the latter faster, join the Angkor Wat half marathon.
• This year’s race takes place on 5 December (angkormarathon.org) Photograph: PR
It’s all about night-time at Disney’s California Adventure Park this year, where the World of Color brings Disney animations to life with lasers, special effects and 1,200 fountains. And new this month, ElecTRONica celebrates Disney film TRON: Legacy (opening in Britain on 26 December) with a “dance party” featuring DJs, 1980s arcade games and lasers.
• A three-day park hopper ticket costs from $186 for adults and $165 for children (disneyland.com). For packages visit virginholidays.co.uk Photograph: Paul Hiffmeyer/AP
Hiking is the best way to see Petra and you’ll see even more of Jordan’s stunning landscapes on a trek with Tribes, starting from the Dana canyon, and taking in Feynan eco-lodge and Bedouin routes before hitting Petra.
• A nine-day trip, including six days’ trekking, costs from £1,600pp (01728 685971, tribes.co.uk). Flights extra Photograph: Panoramic Images/Getty
To get under Havana’s skin, you have to go through its music. Gap Adventures has launched a new trip offering travellers the chance to take part in two days of salsa and music lessons and record their own song in a studio, as part of a week-long tour.
• From £609 (08444 101090, gapadventures.co.uk). Flights extra Photograph: Getty
Reefsleep is unique accommodation that lets six visitors spend the night right on the Great Barrier Reef. The Reefworld pontoon is at Hardy Reef, 40 miles from the mainland.
• From £290pp (fantasea.com.au/page/reefsleep/index.html) Photograph: Grant V Faint/Getty
Launched this year, Scenic Fitness offers visitors the chance to see some of Sydney’s best sights while working up a sweat, with guided, tailormade running tours. Stay at the YHA Sydney, which has views of the bridge from the roof terrace and some of its rooms.
• Jogging from £34pp (+61 2 8065 2814, scenicfitness.com.au); yha.com.au, from £24 a night Photograph: David Noton/Getty
For a thrilling view of this natural wonder, forget the cable car – instead abseil down 112m on the world’s highest commercial abseil.
• A double descent package, with the second trip by mountain bike, costs £110pp (downhilladventures.com)
Photograph: Alamy Photograph: Coollife/Alamy/Alamy
