December 31, 2019 Uncover a wealth of hidden gems as you embark on walking and trekking adventures that take you firmly off the beaten track. Our local guides will lead you away from the usual tourist trails, imparting their knowledge along the way so that you’ll gain a deeper insight into the culture and history behind the places you visit. Take a look at where the best walking and trekking trails are to make the most out of your 2020 adventures. Undiscovered Atlas Best time to go: Owing to warm Mediterranean temperatures, January is a great month to visit Morocco as the weather is cooler, making trekking more enjoyable. Also, the almond trees come into bloom towards the end of the month. Trip Highlights: The ascent up Jebel Aklim is challenging, but you’re rewarded with unspoilt views of the High Atlas and Jebel Siroua. Explore the villages of the Aklim Range, meet the Berber people and learn first hand about their traditional way of life. Difficulty level: Moderate/challenging – rough trails with some demanding ascents and extreme temperatures. Secure your place: Undiscovered Atlas South Africa: Walking and Wildlife Best time to go: February is dry season in many parts of South Africa with pleasant temperatures, and it’s also the season when birds migrate from Europe and Asia. Trip Highlights: Hike among the Drakensburg Mountains and soak up some of the most dramatic scenery in South Africa. Experience a game drive through Kruger National Park to see the country’s iconic wildlife such as lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, giraffes and cheetahs. Difficulty level: Moderate – medium length walks on fair ground with some higher altitude treks. Secure your place: South Africa: Walking and Wildlife Mountains and Villages of Eva Birthday Departure Best time to go: On 15th March 2020, Exodus will be celebrating 20 years of travel with Thanos in the mountains and villages of Eva. Trip Highlights: Throughout this entire trip you’ll be introduced to the culture and traditions of local villages, by one of our travel veterans, Thanos, passing through olive groves and ancient Greek sites en route. The tour includes a celebratory evening with traditional music and wine tasting and a trip to the historic capital, Halkis. Difficulty level: Leisurely/moderate – mostly footpaths and undulating mountain terrain. Secure your place: Mountains and Villages of Eva Birthday Departure Everest Base Camp Trek Expedition Departure Best time to go: In April, pre-monsoon season, you can join the expedition departure for one of the world's most iconic treks. Trip highlights: Trek among the highest peaks in the world to Everest Base Camp where you’ll camp at the foot of Khumbu Ice Fall for two nights. Along the way you’ll visit an ancient hilltop monastery and witness staggering views. Difficulty level: Challenging –mountain tracks with several high suspension bridges. Secure your place: Everest Base Camp Trek Expedition Departure Tenzing-Hillary Everest Marathon with Paul Goldstein Best time to go: Each year on May 29th, this charity fundraiser marathon takes place to celebrate the first ascent of Everest in 1953. Trip Highlights: An extremely rewarding trek and run among the most famous peaks in the world. As you make your way to Namche Bazaar, you’ll journey through forests and traditional Sherpa villages. The ultimate highlight is completing the challenging marathon to Namche Bazaar. This year, you're joined by conservationist and award-winning wildlife photographer, Paul Goldstein. Raising much needed funding for the conservation of Bengal tigers and educational initiatives in India, show your support in 2020 to prove that the world's largest feline truly is "Worth More Alive". Difficulty level: Challenging – high altitude conditions on mountain terrain. Secure your place: Tenzing-Hillary Everest Marathon with Paul Goldstein Highlights of Provence Best time to go: June marks the end of the wet season in Provence and although it’s warm and sunny, it’s comfortable for walking. This is also the start of lavender season when the land is ablaze with purple flowers. Trip Highlights: As you walk towards Valensole plateau, the lavender-strewn landscape is a feast for the senses with the vibrant colour and heavenly aroma. During the tour, you’ll experience the bustling market of Forcalquier and walk along the Verdon Gorge where you’re greeted with idyllic scenes of turquoise waters. Difficulty level: Leisurely/moderate – varied terrain of tarmac and tracks with some ascents and descents from hilltop villages. Secure your place: Highlights of Provence Trails of Ladakh Best time to go: Each year Dakthok Festival takes place in July and the weather is moderately warm during this month. Trip Highlights: Overflowing with rich culture and traditional villages, you’ll be able to delve deep into the Tibetan way of life with village homestays and trips to see Buddhist monasteries. Explore the ruins of the Old Royal Palace at Leh, visit a Japanese Peace Pagoda and take in view of the Stok mountain range. Difficulty level: Moderate – a gentle trek with well-made trails and high-altitude conditions. Secure your place: Trails of Ladakh South Africa: Trails of the Garden Route Best time to go: August is a great time to explore South Africa due to its mild temperatures and whale watching season. Trip Highlights: Discover the diverse environments of the Alexandria Trail as you walk through sand dunes, forest and along the coast where you’ll have the chance to spot whales and dolphins. Reach the pinnacle of Cape Town with a hike up Table Mountain and soak up the panoramic views. Difficulty level: Moderate/challenging – varied terrain from coastal paths and sand dunes to mountain and forest trails, with some challenging hikes. Secure your place: South Africa: Trails of the Garden Route Bhutan: Druk Path Trek Best time to go: Depart in September to experience the colourful Thimphu Tshechu Festival. Trip Highlights: As well as trekking through ancient countryside and rhododendron forests from Paro to Thimphu with views of the Himalaya, you’ll experience the rich culture of Bhutan. Visit the Paro Dzong, a 17th century fortress, the “Tiger’s Nest Monastery” and the temples and markets of Kathmandu. Difficulty level: Moderate/challenging – remote trails which are narrow and rocky in parts with high-altitude conditions and steep ascents. Secure your place: Bhutan: Druk Path Trek Mont Blanc Highlights Best time to go: The crowds of tourists deplete in October meaning you can enjoy quieter trails on the trek. Trip Highlights: The walk to Aiguilette du Brevent lets you absorb snow-drenched scenes of the Chamonix valley and Mont Blanc from its summit. Following a rewarding climb to Grand Balcon Sud, the cable-car descent down to Chamonix is spellbinding with 360-degree views of Mont Blanc, glaciers and forests. Difficulty level: Moderate – Long treks on mountain terrain with some steep ascents and descents. Secure your place: Mont Blanc Highlights Lantang and Gosainkund Lakes Best time to go: On the 8th November, the departure from Kathmandu will be led by seasoned Himalaya veteran, Valerie Parker. Trip Highlights: This lesser-travelled route takes you among pretty and diverse scenery of mountains, lakes, glaciers and forests. Embark on the ridge walk to Gosainkund Lake, which boasts the most impressive views of the Annapurnas, Himalchuli, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal and Langtang Himal before you head to the sacred lake drenched in history and religious stories. Difficulty level: Moderate/challenging – mostly on rocky terrain with long, steep ascents and descents with high-altitude conditions. Secure your place: Lantang and Gosainkund Lakes Walking the Amalfi Coast Best time to go: Although temperatures are much cooler in December, the scenery is equally as beautiful, and where better to celebrate Christmas Day with a culinary feast? Trip Highlights: As you explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Pompeii, which was buried beneath volcanic ash for 1700 years, your guide will teach you all about the history of this magnificent Roman city. Witness the ruins of the homes and bathhouses and admire the ancient frescoes that remain on some of the walls. The notable “Path of the Gods” to Positanoboasts some of the most dramatic scenery with clifftop villages overlooking the Mediterranean. Along the way you can delve into the way of life and uncover the local traditions. Difficulty level: Leisurely/moderate – mostly low-altitude walking on tarmac or forest trails with some steep climbs on narrow paths and loose gravel tracks. Secure your place: Walking the Amalfi Coast
Undiscovered Atlas 62 reviews Trek amongst terraced valleys and oases of Morocco's isolated and remote southwest Walking & Trekking Suitable for: Age 16+ Activity level: Moderate / Challenging 8 Days from $949 USD Guided (Incl. Taxes) View More Details
South Africa: Walking & Wildlife 37 reviews Trek South Africa's Drakensberg and go on safari in Kruger Walking & Trekking Suitable for: Age 16+ Activity level: Moderate 15 Days from $3,749 USD Guided (Incl. Taxes) View More Details
Mountains & Villages of Evia - Birthday Departure Discover the real Greece on the island of Evia with walks through coastal paths, forests and gorges Walking & Trekking Suitable for: Age 16+ Activity level: Leisurely / Moderate Guided (Incl. Taxes) View More Details
Everest Base Camp Trek - Expedition Departures 5 reviews The iconic Himalayan trek to the foot of the highest mountain on Earth Walking & Trekking Suitable for: Age 16+ Activity level: Challenging 18 Days from $3,749 USD Guided (Incl. Taxes) View More Details
Tenzing-Hillary Everest Marathon with Paul Goldstein Compete in the Tenzing-Hillary Marathon from Everest Base Camp to Namche Bazaar Walking & Trekking Suitable for: Age 18+ Activity level: Challenging 17 Days from $3,579 USD Guided (Incl. Taxes) View More Details
Highlights of Provence 30 reviews A guided walking holiday through one of the most beautiful regions of France Walking & Trekking Suitable for: Age 16+ Activity level: Leisurely / Moderate 8 Days from $2,149 USD Guided (Incl. Taxes) View More Details
South Africa: Trails of the Garden Route 14 reviews Discover the wild beauty of South Africa’s Garden Route on foot Walking & Trekking Suitable for: Age 16+ Activity level: Moderate / Challenging 14 Days from $4,049 USD Guided (Incl. Taxes) View More Details
Bhutan: Druk Path Trek 24 reviews Trek the Druk Path, with stunning views of the surrounding Himalaya Walking & Trekking Suitable for: Age 16+ Activity level: Moderate / Challenging Guided (Incl. Taxes) View More Details
Mont Blanc Highlights 257 reviews Walk the best of Mont Blanc Circuit in France and Italy Walking & Trekking Suitable for: Age 16+ Activity level: Moderate 8 Days from $1,879 USD Guided (Incl. Taxes) View More Details
Langtang & Gosainkund Lakes 3 reviews An easily accessible Nepal trek; quiet trails, massive mountains and a holy lake Walking & Trekking Suitable for: Age 16+ Activity level: Moderate / Challenging 15 Days from $2,349 USD Guided (Incl. Taxes) View More Details
Walking the Amalfi Coast 367 reviews Discover the highlights of Italy's Amalfi coast on foot Walking & Trekking Suitable for: Age 16+ Activity level: Leisurely / Moderate 8 Days from $1,649 USD Guided (Incl. Taxes) View More Details