The Most Dangerous Tourist Destinations on the Planet

Mount Everest's death zone has the highest entrance price for climbing. It could cost you your life. Spending over 16 hours in this perilous area increases the risk of never returning home. If you endure 48 hours there, you may never see your family again. The altitude exceeds 26,000 feet, and winds can roar at 62 miles per hour, sweeping everything away, including climbers. Only one person has survived this extreme environment with the help of supplemental oxygen. Oxygen is scarce, and without it, the maximum survival time is around 21 hours.

This record was set by a remarkable climber who reached Everest’s peak 10 times. His fastest ascent took just under 17 hours. Yet, Pemba broke this record by climbing to the summit in 8 hours and 10 minutes. These incredible feats are not for everyday adventurers. Both climbers are Nepali Sherpas, who have genetically evolved to thrive at high altitudes.

Despite the dangers, people continue to flock to the death zone. Since climbing records began being recorded, over 300 lives have been lost there. Last year alone, 18 people tragically perished, and as of July 2024, the death zone has claimed another eight lives. Strangely enough, this area resembles a graveyard. Recovering a body from such a treacherous spot can cost families a fortune. Just the oxygen needed for the operation can reach up to $20,000.

The retrieval mission requires a team of 12 people, each using oxygen cylinders that cost around $400 each. The risks involved cause many private companies to decline these dangerous requests. In recent efforts, authorities managed to recover four bodies and a skeleton from the area. One of these belongs to someone who died in 2017, remaining in the death zone for seven long years.

Moving to another destination: El Caminito Del Rey in Spain may seem easy compared to Everest’s death zone. It has reportedly claimed only six lives, but it still feels eerie. Picture standing on a narrow, crumbling walkway only three feet wide, suspended over a river 330 feet below. This narrow path hugs the side of a cliff, constructed with rudimentary and unsafe techniques over a century ago.

The original builders were prisoners on death row, who sought reduced sentences in exchange for their labor. They hung off the mountain with ropes, risking their lives to connect workers to local hydroelectric power plants. Construction began in 1901 and finished in 1905. King Alfonso XIII famously crossed it in 1921 during a dam inauguration.

By the early 2000s, the walkway faced closure for renovations that lasted over a decade. After four years and €9 million, it reopened in 2015, gaining a reputation as the world’s most dangerous walkway due to tragic accidents in the late 1990s.

Now you can stroll along a 1.8-meter path that clings to the gorge’s edge. And remember, the true death toll on this walkway remains uncertain.

For something that appears safe at first glance, consider cliff diving. At just 889 feet tall, this cliff is meant for brave jumpers. Imagine dropping a watermelon, creating a vivid splash below. That’s the kind of impact athletes experience when they leap from heights equivalent to an eight-story building. The thrill of Red Bull cliff diving comes with serious fitness requirements.

Your eyes are your ultimate guide as you make the leap. The impact? Expect to feel about 5G on landing. For comparison, during a turbulent flight, you rarely feel more than 1G. That adrenaline can leave you lightheaded, even feeling oxygen-starved as all the blood rushes to your head.

Now let’s dive into the deep Blue Hole in Egypt. This location is popular among free divers but has claimed around 200 lives in recent years. Despite being an average dive spot, diving through its submerged arch is dangerous. An estimated 130 divers lost their lives there between 1997 and 2012.

Egyptian authorities have placed a police officer at the Blue Hole to ensure divers are with certified guides. The arch lies 170 feet below, requiring the proper gear and knowledge. Recreational divers typically max out around 100 feet, making it crucial to track your air supply carefully. Misjudging your air can lead to dangerous situations, especially during decompression stops.

That’s a wrap on today’s adventure. If you enjoyed this thrilling exploration, give this article a like and share it with friends. For more exciting content, click on these article and stay curious!