Bring on 2014 with a bang ... by planning the trip of a lifetime

NEW YEAR resolutions shouldn't all be boring. Why not challenge yourself to get outside your comfort zone travelling?

Getting close to mountain gorillas in Rwanda is pretty spesh! Picture: Supplied

TAKING a trip often tops the New Year resolution list, but how often does it involve something that may be outside your comfort zone?

Intrepid Travel has compiled the top experiences around the world to challenge you in 2014. So whether you aim to challenge your mind, your body, your senses or your adventurous side, plan the New Year with a new travel challenge.

CHALLENGE YOUR BODY

Trek to Mount Toubkal

It's a tough two-day hike to the summit of North Africa's highest peak at 4167m in Morocco. On the way, you'll trek through gorgeous valleys, zigzag up mountain sides, admire glistening rivers and scramble up rocks, after which you'll be rewarded with superb views of the entire Atlas range. On a clear day it's even possible to make out the hazy outline of the Atlantic coast to the west and the sands of the Sahara Desert to the east.

Superb views, donkeys ... life is pretty darn good high up in Morocco. Picture: Intrepid Travel

Cycle Vietnam

Vietnam is the perfect country to travel on bike - start in Hanoi in the north and cycle your way down to Ho Chi Minh City in the south. It might be hot and humid and you're sure to work up a sweat, but those muscles burning in your legs will take you through rice paddy fields, karst cliffs, quaint villages, the seaside and more.

Join the locals or cycle on your own. Whatever you do, you'll love cycling through Vietnam. Picture: Intrepid Travel

CHALLENGE YOUR MIND

Learn a language

The locals love it when you try and twist your tongue around their language. 'Hola', 'Konichiwa', 'Bonjour' and 'Namaste' might get you a smile but having a conversation with someone in their language will earn you a friend and a lot of laughs!

Learn the history of Petra in Jordan

An ancient city carved into rose-coloured rock with cooling caves, impressive tombs, an amphitheatre and monastery, Petra is loaded with a rich history that will boggle the mind. Learn why it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the new Seven Wonders of the World and be blown away by its beauty.

Jordan will captivate anyone's yearning for history. Picture: Intrepid Travel

CHALLENGE YOUR SENSES

Colour yourself at the Holi Festival in India

Open your eyes to bursts of colour at the Holi Festival, or the Festival of Colour, in India. Become a human rainbow and get everyone around you involved with dry powder and coloured water in a massive celebration of goodness, marking the start of spring in March. You'll never see so many colours!

What's not to love about colour everywhere? Get colourful at Holi Festival in India. Picture: Intrepid Travel

Smell and taste Malaysia

Malaysia could very well be street-food heaven. With influences from China, India, Thailand and even Europe, Malaysia will reward your tastebuds with a spell of diverse flavours and gastronomic delights. Smell and savour the taste of the fragrant spices of a curry, the doughy goodness of dumplings, the hot chilli in roti canai and wash it down with tea from the Cameron Highlands.

Pack stretchy pants and go all out tasting everything in Malaysia. Picture: Intrepid Travel

CHALLENGE YOUR ADVENTUROUS SIDE

Get up close to mountain gorillas in Rwanda

As far as close encounters go, it doesn't get more thrilling than meeting the eyes of a mountain gorilla. The rugged, dense terrain and steamy climate of the gorilla's home is challenging for a mere mortal but standing meters away from this endangered species in the Rwanda jungle is immensely rewarding.

Visit a cloud forest in Costa Rica

The cloud forests of Monteverde in Costa Rica get water from the semipermanent cloud that covers the region. And it's the perfect place to go for a thrilling ride over the rainforest canopy on a zip line. For those faint-of-hearts a walk through the canopy on the Sky Walk will no doubt also leave a lasting memory.

A cloud forest? Does travel get more amazing than that? Picture: Intrepid Travel

Check out Intrepid Travel's challenging trips and get closer to your travel goal.