Why Humans Seek Adventure Despite the Risks

Nomadic Road writer Tarang Mohnot explores why we’re drawn to adventure despite the risks, blending science, storytelling, and firsthand experiences from the wild.

There’s something unreal about driving Madagascar’s RN5 for the first time. This notorious stretch is less of a road and more of a gauntlet—deep sand, slick red clay, steep ascents, and multiple pontoon crossings. Nomadic Road’s overland expedition plunges travellers straight into this chaos. 

Every year, many sign up voluntarily. In fact, it’s one of the most sought-after adventures that Nomadic Road organises every year.

To some, this may sound absurd. Why endure bone-rattling terrain when a comfortable holiday could leave you feeling rested? But that’s the thing. For those who crave extreme adventure travel, the struggle isn’t a downside—it’s the point. The grind is the appeal. The struggle is the draw. The tribulations are the incentive. To encounter problems is, paradoxically, to succeed.

The First Taste of Adventure

Once you’ve tasted adventure, it’s hard not to crave it again. My first brush with outdoor adventure was at 16, climbing a small peak in the Himalayas. It was a modest trek—four to five hours up, two to three hours down, at around 3,000 meters above sea level. But it stirred something in me. I wanted more—the adrenaline rush, the constant need to adapt, the sheer exhilaration of it all. Since then, I’ve only turned up the dial. Recently, I speed-hiked a 6,000-meter peak in Ladakh amidst a surprise snowstorm— the kind of challenge that defines extreme adventure travel. I’ve taken to outdoor bouldering, too, which mostly means launching myself up giant granite structures… and falling off them. (Naturally, with safety precautions in place.)

Adventure can take many shapes. It can mean venturing into remote territories, finding yourself in a place where you don’t speak the language or recognise the food, or simply doing something for the first time. But no matter the form, one thing remains constant: stepping outside your comfort zone. Taking a risk. Chasing the kind of happiness that only comes from pushing past the difficult. Maybe that’s why I never hesitate when my loved ones look at my travel choices and ask, "Why?"

The Science Behind Our Need for Adventure

So why do we keep seeking out discomfort? Why does the idea of risk—whether it’s physical, emotional, or cultural—draw us in instead of pushing us away?

Scientists have long studied the psychology of adventure travel. Research suggests that adventure and risk-taking aren’t just about thrill-seeking—they're deeply tied to human psychology and well-being. A study published in PubMed found that participants in outdoor adventure programs reported significantly lower stress levels, increased mindfulness, and higher life satisfaction. And again, there's no dearth of evidence supporting the benefits of spending time outdoors. A study highlighted in The Guardian found that simply walking in nature can enhance creative thinking by up to 60%.  

Beyond the science, there’s also something primal about it. Humans have always been explorers—pushing into the unknown, testing limits, and thriving on the challenge of survival. Today, our risks look different. We’re not braving uncharted oceans or mapping new continents, but the instinct remains. It’s why overlanding enthusiasts take on some of our most challenging expeditions across Mongolia, Peru, Bolivia, and beyond. And for those who seek adventure in other ways, it might mean summiting 6,000-meter peaks or setting off solo to a foreign country.

Over eight years, Nomadic Road has led overlanders across a spectrum of terrains that push the boundaries—from Mongolia's Gobi desert to Siberia's frozen lakes, Madagascar's lush jungles, the challenging mountainous terrains of the Andes, and more. "It's not uncommon for us to find ourselves stranded amid hailstorms, car breakdowns, rain, or pretty much anything else,” shares Venky in a candid conversation. But these moments often become the most memorable for travellers. It’s not just the thrill of overcoming challenges—it’s the realisation of what we’re truly capable of. That “Never knew we could do it, but we did” feeling lingers long after the journey ends.

I felt something similar on my recent speed hike I mentioned earlier. Just 300 meters from the summit, I smashed my knee against a rock. The wind was picking up, the snow was getting heavier, and for a moment, I wondered what I was doing there in the first place. But once I returned to the road head after successfully summitting the peak, the exhaustion gave way to something else—an unshakable sense of confidence. The storm had forced me to push past what I thought were my limits, and in hindsight, that’s exactly why it felt so satisfying.

Escaping the Comfort Trap

Modern life is engineered for predictability. The unknown has been reduced to something we "Google" rather than experience. But too much comfort breeds anxiety. When everything is predictable, we lose the ability to cope with real-world adversity.

Besides, stress in daily life often feels misplaced—our bodies react to emails, deadlines, and social pressures with the same fight-or-flight response once reserved for real danger. Anxiety becomes a constant hum in the background, triggered by abstract fears rather than immediate threats. But in nature, fear feels different. It’s raw, immediate, and deeply connected to survival. When you hear an unexpected rustle in the undergrowth or find yourself navigating a tough mountain in terrible conditions, your body isn’t overreacting—it’s doing exactly what it evolved to do.

The psychology of adventure travel helps explain why these experiences feel so fulfilling. Unlike the stress of daily life, which can feel overwhelming and endless, fear in nature comes with clarity. There’s no spiral of overthinking, just action and resolution. Once the moment passes, so does the fear, leaving behind a sense of accomplishment and a deeper connection to the wild. Yet another reason why so many people seek adventure expeditions.

Adventure Is Also About Awareness

The outdoors has a way of teaching us balance. Real adventure isn’t about charging ahead blindly but about reading the situation, making decisions, and knowing when to hold your ground.

I learned this firsthand on my speed hike. We had packed thermals and extra layers even though it was summer—something that felt excessive at the time. But when the snowstorm hit, that preparation made all the difference. We trusted instinct over assumptions and learned that in situations like these, preparing for the worst is always the best approach. Adventure teaches you that: how to prepare for the unexpected and how to plan for what you can’t see coming. 

That same awareness comes into play everywhere. When I’m bouldering, I don’t just throw myself up a rock—I check my crash pads, make sure there are experienced climbers around, and plan for the possibility of a fall.

Come to think of it, Nomadic Road’s adventure expeditions follow a similar approach. The goal isn’t to put travellers in reckless danger but to place them in situations where things can “go wrong” without real consequences. Whether it's a vehicle getting stuck in knee-deep mud in Madagascar or navigating Siberia’s frozen lakes, these moments force you to problem-solve in ways that a curated, predictable life never will. And that’s yet another reason why we seek them out.

Adventure recalibrates your sense of scale. It strips life down to what truly matters: movement, survival, problem-solving, and presence.

Given all of this, our urge to keep going—even when it feels risky or uncomfortable—no longer seems counterintuitive.

When the next adventure calls, don’t hesitate. Just go.