Your Guide to Walking and Trekking Adventures

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

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.

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