Crisis management: Four cures for a midlife crisis

There comes a time in every man's life when he just needs to get away from it all. Hettie Harvey suggests four trips to get you back on track.

GET YOUR HEART RACING IN BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO

The problem The most exhilarating part of your day is negotiating the escalators on the Tube.
The solution Open-wheel tour car racing around the wide-open, rugged subtropical and desert landscapes of the Baja peninsula.
You'll feel like Steve McQueen in The Thomas Crown Affair.
The facts California-based Wide Open Excursions runs wild 'empowered adventure' trips where you get to drive its custom-designed Desert Challenge cars over, through, up and down every kind of terrain from silt beds and sand washes to water crossings, jumps and whoop-de-dos - not just fun but cool, too: Paul Newman was a regular. Seasoned guides offer driving tips so you can push yourself, and your vehicle, to the limit. At the end of each day you'll be dusty, dirty, hot, happy and exhausted. As Wide Open says: 'Every trip is a journey to the special place in each of us that longs to be set free.'
Extras Deep-sea fishing, snorkelling, scuba-diving, kayaking, surfing, golf.
The figures Excursions from $2,000pp, per day (00 1 949 635 2292; wideopenbaja.com).

TRY SOME SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT IN LADAKH, INDIA

The problem For you, enlightenment has withered to the brilliant lucidity you experience after several pints on a Friday night.
The solution A high-altitude trek through the Himalayan foothills of northeastern India.
You'll feel like Brad Pitt in Seven Years in Tibet.
The facts Original Travel runs this extraordinary trip on the 11,500ft-high plateau of Ladakh, also known as 'Little Tibet'. On the seven-night tour you'll sleep in traditional Tibetan-style village homes, surrounded by green fields and apricot, apple and walnut orchards - the perfect setting to let go of your iPods and iPads, allowing the spectacular scenery to work its magic on your wired mind. There are pristine glacial lakes, wide-open desert, sparkling rivers, lush valleys, and all against the majestic backdrop of the Himalayas. The trip also includes a visit to the 600-year-old Thiksey Buddhist monastery for early morning prayers and the chance to try meditation for yourself. You may not reach Nirvana, but this comes pretty close.
Extras Rafting on the Indus and Zanskar rivers.
The figures From £3,630 per person (originaltravel.co.uk).

EXPAND YOUR CULTURAL HORIZONS IN SYRIA

The problem The last time you did something culturally high-brow was when you tried to learn Na'avi after seeing Avatar.
The solution Exodus's Ride the Road to Damascus bicycle tour.
You'll feel like Lawrence of Arabia on wheels.
The facts Adventure travel company Exodus's trans-Syrian trip is a feast for the eyes and mind, and a workout for the legs. Cycling 45km a day around this famously hospitable country, you'll visit some of the world's most stunning historic sites, including the ruins at Palmyra, the Crusader castle Krak des Chevaliers, the Jabar citadel, the Church of St Simeon, Dead Cities, the medieval water wheels at Hama, and Damascus and Aleppo. With gentle rolling hills and mostly Tarmaced roads, you don't need to be Lance Armstrong to sign up.
Extras One night camping under the stars, Bedouin-style, in the desert.
The figures Nine-day trip from £1,299pp; next departures 16 April and 17 September 2011 (0845 863 9601; exodus.co.uk).

AWAKEN YOUR INNER ALPHA MALE IN NAMIBIA AND ZAMBIA

The problem The most manly thing you've done lately is to turn down the thermostat on your central heating.
The solution A fishing expedition on the mighty Zambezi river.
You'll feel like Bear Grylls - but in a good way.
The facts The Zambezi Safari and Travel Company runs this nine-night trip moving along the Upper Zambezi to Victoria Falls, finishing on the Lower Zambezi. You'll stay in comfortable lodges along the way so you'll save all your energy for wrestling the local catch, including bream, pike, giant catfish, Cornish Jack and the notoriously ferocious tiger fish. The trip includes three nights a little way upstream from 'the smoke that thunders' - Victoria Falls - before heading down to the lower river for three more nights of fly fishing. You have to use piano wire to catch a tiger fish, their teeth are so sharp; that should get some hairs sprouting on your chest.
Extras Game drives and a visit to Victoria Falls.
The figures From $4,675pp, based on two sharing. August to November is ideal for tiger fishing on the Lower Zambezi (01548 830 0591; zambezi.com).