New adventures are out there, as this 2017 Adventure Hotlist from expedition company Secret Compass proves.

“We've got several adventurous world firsts lined up for 2017 and are introducing new expedition destinations from Argentina to northern Mongolia,” said Tom Bodkin, director of Secret Compass.

Former teammate and travel writer Tracey Croke said, “I had to coin a new term when writing about my expeditions with Secret Compass: explorism.

“Its international teams are full of adventurous travellers, going to incredible places to make history on their annual leave. It's about as close to being a real explorer as it's possible to get.”

The 2017 Adventure Hotlist

100% NEW FOR 2017

1. Bhutan: make a first ascent on a 5,400m mountain in this Buddhist Kingdom (WORLD-FIRST)
2. Argentina: live like a true gaucho on a self-sufficient, 100,000 acre estancia 
3. Chad: explore the Tibesti plateau and Emi Koussi, its highest volcanic peak
4. Georgia: learn Alpine skills then practice them in the Caucasus mountains
5. Iran: build up to a trekking ascent of Damavand, Iran's highest peak (5,610m) 
6. Mongolia: experience authentic cross-country skiing in the frozen, wild north
7. Mozambique: raft 250km of the Niassa Reserve's wildlife-filled Lugenda river (COMMERICAL WORLD-FIRST)

PIONEERING 2017 DESTINATIONS

8. Afghanistan: forge a route between the Wakhan's great Pamir mountains
9. Armenia: follow the contours of the Caucasus en route to Tatev monastery
10. Burma: climb SE Asia's most prominent peak in mythical Nagaland 
11. DRC: explore Virunga National Park and discover the peaks of the Rwenzoris (only run once before, in 2016)
12. Gabon: packraft the equator in the Ivindo National Park (only run once before, in 2016)
13. Iran: traverse the epic Lut desert, home to the world's hottest spot
14. Iraqi Kurdistan: scale Mt Halgurd (3,607m) and the Zagros ranges' high peaks
15. Kamchatka: explore Eurasia's high volcanoes on this bear-packed peninsula
16. Madagascar: adventure from peak to sea on this raft and trek challenge (only run once before, in 2016)
17. North Korea: discover the national parks of this very secretive state (only run once before, in 2016)
18. Panama: conquer one of the world's most notorious jungles – the Darien Gap19
19. Siberia: join the nomadic Nenets reindeer herders on an epic race for survival (only run once before, in 2016)
20. Sinai: join the nomadic Bedouin on an authentic, minimalist desert traverse (only run once before, in 2015)

Find all expeditions online here. 

UK WEEKENDS: EXPEDITION TASTERS

“Many people would love to cram more adventure into their lives but time, work and family restraints get in the way,” said Tom Bodkin, director of Secret Compass.

 “Our new UK mini-expedition weekends in Wales's Brecon Beacons National Parks are perfect for busy people who just have 48 hours to spare. Our first two weekends were a hit with four more planned for 2017.

"These weekends are also great for people who are preparing for one of our two or three week expeditions. They get to test out their fitness and their kit in a realistic, expedition-styled environment...while summiting Pen y Fan, trekking, packrafting, abseiling, sleeping in hammocks and more!"

UNUSUAL DESTINATIONS

“Many adventure companies offer itineraries in established regions that are well supported by local infrastructure and staff,” explained Kerry O'Neill, communications director with Secret Compass.

“Our expeditions differ. Rather than offering tick-box touristic experiences such as Everest, we strive to create entirely new ones and to do them in expeditionary style.

“Examples are packrafting Gabon's Ivindo National Park, scaling southern Armenia's highest trekking peaks, undertaking a peak to sea challenge in Madagascar or camping out in North Korea.

“While working in new destinations is challenging, being the only visitors on a particular mountain or river, or in a given desert or jungle, is an incredible feeling that our teammates love.”

“While Secret Compass is diversifying into some more traditional adventure challenges for 2017 – to be announced shortly – they will retain our goal-driven, self-sufficient and team-centred ethos.”

Fur further press information contact communications director Kerry O'Neill on 0207 096 8428 or via email.

------------

NOTES TO EDITORS

SECRET COMPASS EXPEDITIONS

Secret Compass redefines what is possible by creating pioneering projects in the world's wildest places. It's built around a team of trusted experts who combine a passion for exploration with industry-leading professionalism. Secret Compass reignites your primal need for adventure, providing the catalyst for you to come alive and achieve the extraordinary. Press enquiries: 0207 096 8428

SECRET COMPASS TV & FILM / SECRET COMPASS BRAND PROJECTS

Secret Compass TV and Film provides expert pre-production and in-country location management services to the TV and film industries - in the world's wildest places. Clients to date include the BBC, Nat Geo, Discovery, Animal Planet and Channel 4, in countries including Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, South Sudan and Siberia. Its Brand Projects arm works on capturing footage and creating branded content for companies including Mitsubishi, Jagermeiser, Nespresso, Sony and more.