For intrepid travellers who want to spend their lives exploring the world, age or ability should be no barrier to experiencing the incredible things this planet has to offer. We’ve taken a look at some of the world’s most bucket list-worthy trips that can be done by almost any adventurer. Here are 28 of our favourite accessible travel experiences.

The word “trek” might sound off-putting, but gorilla trekking in Uganda is surprisingly accessible. If you wish to see mountain gorillas in the wild but are less able-bodied, you can now be carried into Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in a sedan chair, travelling deep into the forest to come face-to-face with these wild primates. TravelLocal can facilitate this incredible experience, appropriate for all abilities and ages.

Safaris don’t have to be in bumpy 4x4 vehicles: for a smoother ride that’s perhaps even more spectacular, choose a flying safari. An airborne adventure with Aardvark Safaris will take you to some of the remotest areas of Namibia, or across the Serengeti in Tanzania. You'll fly over gorgeous landscapes before landing to spend the day wildlife watching and learning about the local culture.

While hiking to the top of Cape Town’s magnificent Table Mountain is an option, it’s certainly a tiring one. Instead, take the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, which will whisk you to the top in just five minutes. Once you reach the dizzying heights of Cape Town’s most famous mountain, enjoy fantastic views of the city, join a free guided walk and enjoy spotting a range of wildlife, from lizards to rock hyrax (known locally as dassies).

Take Switzerland’s most scenic train journey, winding through picturesque peaks, green meadows and postcard-pretty villages on foot, or by train on the Bernina Express. Ramblers Walking Holidays offers a nine-day trip that visits five small villages, with the option to hop on and off the train as you choose along the way. This means you can get the best of both worlds, enjoying the stunning views from a carriage when you're too tired to walk. 

Even if you’re physically unable to do a guided walk of Zimbabwe’s majestic Victoria Falls or take a dip in Zambia’s Devil’s Pool, you can still tick Victoria Falls off your bucket list on a thrilling helicopter flight with Giltedge Africa. Hop on board and gaze outside at the Zambezi gorge, beautiful baobab trees, the Batoka Gorge and, of course, the epic falls themselves. 

If you want the benefits of mountain walking without the physical strain, consider a trip to Mont Blanc with Adagio. You'll enjoy a glacial backdrop of awesome peaks, including Mont Blanc, while using Chamonix Valley’s vast network of cable cars, tramways and trains making sure the beautiful views are accessible for all kinds of traveller. Included in the trip is a flexible lift pass, so you can opt in and out of walks and other activities as you please.

Jumping out of a plane with nothing but a parachute on your back might sound like the kind of thing only extremely active travellers would be able to do, but in fact it’s surprisingly accessible. The record for the oldest skydiver in the world was 102 years old – set in 2017 – when Kenny Meyer jumped out of a plane in New Jersey, USA. You can also do a tandem jump if you’re in a wheelchair.

You don’t need to hike for several days to journey to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Machu Picchu. The easiest way to get there is aboard luxury train Belmond Hiram Bingham, which whisks passengers from Cusco to Machu Picchu in serious style. All the while, you’ll get phenomenal views, a gourmet lunch and traditional live music before arriving at the ancient ruins.

Journey down the Amazon River in style on a beautiful boat with KE Adventure Travel. What you do once you’re on board is up to you: choose to join daily excursions to see exotic wildlife, visit a manatee rescue centre or see the Amazon by night on an after-dark excursion. When it all gets too hot and humid – the rainforest is prone to high humidity – you can enjoy onboard presentations by experts. All excursions are included, and any walking involved is light enough for most. 

For a truly once-in-a-lifetime adventure that anyone can do, book a ticket on the luxurious Scenic Eclipse for a 16-day cruise from Buenos Aires to the vast Antarctic Peninsula. With zodiac boats, kayaks, a helicopter and a submarine on board, there are plenty of opportunities for epic adventures, from exploring beautiful waterways to meeting colonies of penguins. Even if you don't disembark, it's still worth the trip with this untouched wilderness for a view.

Travel to remote and largely inaccessible regions in total comfort with Golden Eagle Luxury Trains, which offers a trip on the Trans-Mongolian Express, journeying across Russia combined with a visit to the Mongolian national festival. While you go, you’ll effectively be in a hotel on wheels, with fine-dining menus, fully guided sightseeing, on-board activities and carefully planned excursions. Guests are transported from the train to each site, making access suitable for all.

Don’t miss experiencing one of Iceland’s most visited attractions for yourself. The Blue Lagoon is popular with tourists wanting to experience the mineral-rich geothermal waters, and luckily, the lagoon is very accessible. There are wheelchair-accessible changing rooms, shower chairs available on request and a separate changing room for those with special needs. Guests can also enjoy a massage while floating in the lagoon.

Experience the wonder of Costa Rica’s rainforest without having to move a muscle with a two-hour boat safari down the lower Peñas Blancas River. The slow pace allows nature lovers to enjoy the tranquillity of the rainforest, spotting and listening to a variety of wildlife in this tropical setting, while guides provide information about the animals and plants spotted en route. You're sure to catch sight of monkeys, toucans, lizards, caimans, iguanas and myriad species of birds.

Seeing the magical aurora borealis for yourself is an all-ages-appropriate adventure. Gondwana Ecotours carefully plans trips in Alaska for all kinds of traveller, using an 'aurora wake-up service' to make sure you get the most out of the skies. Hiking, snowshoeing and dog-sledding are options for more active travellers, and for those who would rather keep it simple, all you need to do to see the northern lights is simply step outside once you hear the aurora alarm. Guests with Gondwana see the lights at least once on every trip.

Over 6,288 feet above sea level, Mount Washington in the White Mountains of New Hampshire is often seen as a hiker’s destination – there's an eight-mile trek to the top. However, hiking isn’t the only way to reach the highest peak in the northeastern United States: ride the Mount Washington Cog Railway instead. The world’s first mountain-climbing cog railway, the train was built in 1869. The three-hour trip provides passengers with a history of The Cog as well as spectacular views on the way.

Despite the fact that the terrain at Grand Canyon is often rugged, rocky or narrow, there are plenty of ways to see the spectacular geological landmark for yourself. Get hold of a Scenic Drive Accessibility Permit at the entrance gate, which allows visitors with mobility issues access to some areas closed to public traffic. All hotels also have wheelchair-accessible rooms, and shuttle buses have wheelchair ramps.

Follow in the footsteps of Leonardo da Vinci and explore Umbria, Tuscany and Lake Trasimeno on an electric bike safari. The pedal assist provides 60% of the effort, meaning even if you’re not physically fit, you can still keep up with the group with ease. There are no hill climbs on the trip, so it’s all about taking in the views rather than working up a sweat.

You don’t need to be an able swimmer to make the most of Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Of course, you can snorkel if you wish, but it’s also possible to view the reef from a semi-submersible reef viewer, glass-bottom boat or underwater observatory. You could also try a “Helmet Dive” for a scuba-style experience without getting your hair wet.

Often associated with hardy polar explorers and adrenaline junkies, Greenland is more accessible than you think if you visit with a tour company like Wild Photography Holidays. Join a small group photography tour to the world’s largest island and experience Greenland’s otherworldly landscape for yourself. There’s a bit of walking involved, but otherwise all of Greenland’s most photogenic areas are reached by transfers in traditional wooden fishing boats or by plane.

Accessible safari company Epic Enabled’s tagline is “Don’t let disability keep you from travelling”, and their aim is to provide barrier-free safaris for everyone. Take a trip to Kruger National Park to be in with a good chance of spotting some big game, have close animal encounters and see incredible sunsets, with trips planned carefully around your particular needs and adapted accommodation organised for you.

Physical ability isn’t a barrier to learning to scuba dive, with the weightlessness of the water offering those with disabilities a sense of freedom. Dive Ability is a charity that enables those with disabilities to discover the world of scuba diving, with a number of courses and scuba holidays abroad opening up the fascinating underwater world to people of all ages.

Three times older than Machu Picchu, the pre-Inca city of Kuélap is 9,800 feet above sea level in northern Peru, and it’s a spectacular place to visit, with more than 400 buildings to explore and phenomenal views of the cloud forest surrounding it. Previously, getting there necessitated a gruelling hike, but new cable cars are now whisking visitors to the top in just 20 minutes.

One of the most phenomenal architectural achievements of all time, the Pyramids of Giza have to be seen to be believed. How the monumental structures were built is still a mystery, and whether you go inside the pyramid or admire it from outside, the sheer size and magnitude of the pyramid complex will leave you speechless. Wheelchair users can organise an accessible excursion with London Cab Egypt, though it's not possible to go inside the pyramids if you need wheelchair assistance.

Soar over magnificent mountains on a paragliding experience in Oman, where you’ll see long, sandy beaches and glittering waters from the sky. The activity might seem daunting, but it doesn’t require any level of fitness and typically paragliding companies are able to make this suitable for people with physical disabilities. Slovenia's northern mountain ranges, or Nepal's Himalayan peaks are some of the best for this kind of adrenaline adventure.

With ramps, elevators, lifts and step-free access, everyone can see the glory of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City for themselves. For a unique experience without the crowds, consider booking a private tour of the site, which will allow you to view the masterpiece after the usual hours of access.

Bungy jumping is one of the most terrifying ordeals a person could willingly put themselves through, but the experience is certainly not just for the young, able-bodied traveller. The oldest man to ever bungy jump was 96 year old, and it's even possible to experience the thrill in a wheelchair. 

To see one of the world's most recognisable sculptures for yourself, head to South Dakota's Black Hills and the Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Take the wheelchair-accessible Presidential Trail, just over half a mile long, to get in front of the sculpture and spot some local wildlife along the way.

Thanks to the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, lifts and wheelchair ramps were installed on the most popular part of the Great Wall of China, making the longest wall in the world more accessible than ever. Try to visit mid-week, when it's least crowded, so you can marvel at the 2,000-year-old wall, one of the oldest existing man-made structures. 

Want something different on your travel bucket list? Try some alternatives to the usual suspects with our guide here.