The DRAKENSBERG, South Africa

I’ve hiked the Drakensberg (Dragon Mountains) escarpment of South Africa only once. Fantastic.

For example, my Giant’s Cup Trail (2 days).

Logistics are easier than you might think.

I travelled solo with Bazbus. Stayed in their recommended hostels.

Not once did I ever feel unsafe traveling there.

Harmen Hoek was there, hiking solo for 8-days in March 2022.

World Wide Hearts traveled and hiked extensively in the Drakensberg. Here’s their advice.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

related – Our favourite hike in southern Africa is not here — but rather on the coast:

Otter Trail

TOP 10 Hiking Towns ➙  Namche Bazaar, Nepal

BAD NEWS.  As of April 1, 2023 the Nepal government required that major treks can no longer be done independently.  Hiring a guide is mandatory.  The obvious alternative for independent hikers is the Indian Himalaya.    

UPDATE April 2024. The Everest region refused to enforce mandatory guides. Hikers are doing Base Camp independently.

Every hiker dreams of trekking in the footsteps of Hillary and Norgay. Climbing to Mt. Everest Base Camp Qomolangma (Tibetan), Sagarmāthā (Nepali) should be on your bucket list.

Here is the finest alpine scenery in the world, we reckon.

Namche Bazaar … at 3,440 metres (11,286 ft) … is the main trading center for the Khumbu region with many Nepalese officials, a police check post and a bank. …

Namche has a permanent population of around 800.

Almost everyone trekking in the Khumbu region will visit Namche Bazaar, as it is the gateway to the high Himalaya.

More interesting photos tagged Namche Bazaar.

Want more information? Check WikiTravel – Namche.

Everest Base Camp – Khumbu Ice Fall

Our favourite hike hikes out of Namche are:

• Everest Base Camp / 3 Passes
• Everest Base Camp / Kala Pattar
• Everest Gokyo

Everest seen from Kala Pattar

Many consider the mountain people and Tibetan culture an even bigger highlight than the peaks.

Flapping

Best months are from October to early-December, cold but normally with clear views of the world’s highest mountains.

Spring is also a good time to visit the Everest region, though the skies may be hazy. Some argue that pastures are greener in the Spring.

Check the trip report posted by besthike editor Rick McCharles, Nov. 2009 – Everest Base Camp / 2 Passes

Or start on our Nepal information page.

Waqra Pukará (horn fortress) in Peru

Waqrapukara or Waqra Pukara (possibly from Quechua waqra horn, pukara fortress, “horn fortress”) is an archaeological site in Peru located in the Cusco Region

It was declared a National Cultural Heritage Site by the Ministry of Culture in July 2017. The building is said to be an Inca sanctuary.

At 4,140 m (13,580 ft) you seriously need to be acclimatized to make the 10k trek roundtrip.

BBC posted a trip report.

Check Puyca Expeditions to see how you could be guided to the remote site.



Peru ➙ Choquequirao to Machu Picchu

Update for 2024.

I’ve hiked to and from Choquequirao independently. Excellent.

I’ve hiked Salcantay (or Salkantay) to Aguas Calientes independently. Then made the day hike early morning up to Machu Picchu.

BUT always wished I’d done the BIG adventure:

Trek Choquequirao to Machu Picchu, via Salcantay.

By 2024 organizing that is getting more complicated. And to do it independently, you should bring a tent.

Do your research and book Machu Picchu tickets long in advance.

Start with Meg’s trip report. 80 miles. 9 days.

On my trips I suffered biting ants in my tent on the way to Choquequirao. And terrible biting flies on Salcantay. Be warned.

Choquequirao to Machu Picchu Trek in 9 Days | A Real Expedition & Rewarding Journey

Climbing FANJINGSHAN, China

This would be an experience. 8000 steps.

The Fanjingshan (Chinese: 梵净山; pinyinFànjìngshān) or Mount Fanjing, located in TongrenGuizhou province, is the highest peak of the Wuling Mountains in southeastern China, at an elevation of 2,570 m (8,430 ft).  …

Fanjingshan is considered a sacred mountain of Chinese Buddhism,  ranking just below the Four Sacred Mountains of Buddhism. …

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

#7 best hiking region in the world is …

NEPAL

UPDATE.  BAD NEWS.  As of April 1, 2023 the Nepal government required that major treks can no longer be done independently.  Hiring a guide is mandatory.  The obvious alternative is the Indian Himalaya.    

A trip to The Kingdom of Nepal may well be the best hiking holiday of your life.  IF you want to hire a guide.

It’s the abode of the Gods.

The exotic Buddhist and Hiindu culture is as fascinating as are the world’s highest peaks.

Most trekkers are set on Everest or Annapurna, but there are many other great choices, especially if you sign on with a trekking company that can get you into restricted areas like Mustang.

Tourism is important to the Nepalis. Foreign hikers feel welcome as soon as they arrive. And hiking in the world’s highest mountains can be “easy” on “tea house” treks where you stroll with just a day pack.

Or, if you want the full mountaineering experience, sidetrip up, up, up towards the clouds.

The weather and conditions are much milder than you might expect. Best months to trek are Oct-Nov (post-monsoon) and April-May (pre-monsoon).

More information on our Nepal information page.

Our favourite hike in Nepal is Everest Base Camp / 3 Passes.

Some feel Annapurna is in decline as roads and motor vehicles are degrading the Circuit. That won’t happen to the Mt. Everest region. Check out the Nov. 2009 16-day Everest trip report by besthike editor Rick McCharles.

#3 Hiking Town – Namche Bazaar, Nepal

UPDATE.  BAD NEWS.  As of April 1, 2023 the Nepal government required that major treks can no longer be done independently.  Hiring a guide is mandatory.  The obvious alternative for independent hikers is the Indian Himalaya.    

Every hiker dreams of trekking in the footsteps of Hillary and Norgay. Climbing to Mt. Everest Base Camp Qomolangma (Tibetan), Sagarmāthā (Nepali) should be on your bucket list.

Here is the finest alpine scenery in the world, we reckon.

Namche Bazaar … at 3,440 metres (11,286 ft) … is the main trading center for the Khumbu region with many Nepalese officials, a police check post and a bank. …

Namche has a permanent population of around 800.

Almost everyone trekking in the Khumbu region will visit Namche Bazaar, as it is the gateway to the high Himalaya.

More interesting photos tagged Namche Bazaar.

Want more information? Check WikiTravel – Namche.

Everest Base Camp – Khumbu Ice Fall

Our favourite hike hikes out of Namche are:

• Everest Base Camp / 3 Passes
• Everest Base Camp / Kala Pattar
• Everest Gokyo

Everest seen from Kala Pattar

Many consider the mountain people and Tibetan culture an even bigger highlight than the peaks.

Flapping

Best months are from October to early-December, cold but normally with clear views of the world’s highest mountains.

Spring is also a good time to visit the Everest region, though the skies may be hazy. Some argue that pastures are greener in the Spring.

Check the trip report posted by besthike editor Rick McCharles, Nov. 2009 – Everest Base Camp / 2 Passes

Or start on our Nepal information page.

Peak of the Balkans Trail

Accursed Mountains. Three nations.

This 192km circuit will take you through the mountains of northern Albania, eastern Kosovo and southern Montenegro.

The ancient routes were cut during the cold war when tensions were high between Yugoslavia and Albania.

The German Development Agency through a project to support the communities of these three countries restricted the trail and turned it into an amazing touristic offer. The route offers a diversity of landscapes and cultural experiences. …

10 day Guided Hike

Read Peter Elia‘s trip report.

Best Hikes in Mexico

The S.W. USA one or our favourite destination in the world for hiking — but Mexico is not nearly as good, in our opinion.

Lonely Planet did choose 6 great hikes:

  1. Pico del Águila
  2. Volcán Paricutín
  3. Bacajipare Trail 
  4. Pueblos Mancomunados 
  5. Pueblo Fantasma 
  6. Cerro Don Lauro

The 6 best hikes in Mexico to explore volcanoes, canyons and ghost towns

Photo by Felipe Perez on Pexels.com

See our list of best hikes in North America.

#8 – Everest Base Camp / 3 Passes, Nepal

Everest Base Camp via 3 Passes is one of our top 10 hikes in the world.

Why?

Of dozens of fantastic treks in Nepal, the 3 Passes route is best of the best.

  • October to November best months
  • beginning of March to mid-May next best
  • 16-18 days minimum for 3 Passes. 21 days would allow for rest / illness / sidetrip / and other unanticipated delays.
  • if you don’t have time, it’s recommended 14 days just to get to Base Camp and back safely.
  • wonderful photographic opportunities
  • it’s fun to leave the main trails, take to the paths less traveled
  • very little gear is needed
  • you can easily get pack weight down to 10kg (22lbs)
  • walk with no tent, stove or food. Stay in lodges, eat in simple restaurants. Books are often available for rest days.
  • safe and easy to hike solo
  • no need to speak Nepali, only English
  • food is good and quite safe (compared with Kathmandu)
  • Everest is the goal. But our favourite peak is Ama Dablam, much more visible en route.

World → AsiaNepalEverest Base Camp

Ama Dablum

Click PLAY or watch a 1 minute preview on YouTube. 

For details click over to our EVEREST BASE CAMP / 3 PASSES information page.