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support Inca Trail porters

American human rights activist and hiking guru Marinel de Jesus moved to Peru full-time.

Right now she’s fundraising to put together a documentary on mistreatment of porters on the Inca Trail.

KM 82 is the documentary that will tell the porters’ stories directly to the world and reveal the inequities behind the trekking tourism industry.

The women porters have recently become a part of the trekking industry and we want to support their voices to ensure that porter conditions improve and that they can work safely on the trails.

Details on indiegogo.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

The Inca Trail is one of the world’s best hikes. But this is one of many problems which makes us prefer the Salkantay Trek to Aguas Calientes followed by a visit to Machu Picchu. Salkantay can be done independently carrying your own backpack. For the Inca Trail you must be guided.

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I’m hiking Nepal November 2019

by BestHike editor Rick McCharles

I’ve hiked most of the major trails you can do independently in Nepal.

What next?

  1. The Royal Trek
  2. Khopra Ridge Trek
  3. Makalu Base Camp

I’m flying to Pokhara, bypassing polluted Kathmandu this time.

After getting some dental work done there, my plan (so far) is …

The Royal Trek

  • maximum altitude 1730m
  • foothills of Annapurna, north of Pokhara
  • great views of Fishtail, when weather permits
  • independent hiking using teahouses (but carrying a tent)
  • 3-4 days
  • I’d warm-up with a dayhike to Sarangkot
Fishrail (Machhapuchhare)

Khopra Ridge Trek

  • maximum altitude 4660m
  • bus from Pokhara to Nayapul to start
  • independent hiking using teahouses (but carrying a tent)
  • 5-8 days
  • I might actually join a guided Khopra trip with INDIAHIKES
Khopra Ridge on Annapurna

Makalu Base Camp

  • maximum altitude 5,250m
  • Makalu Barun National Park and Conservation Area
  • flight from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar and jeep to Num to start.
  • Makalu is the 5th highest mountain in the world
  • independent hiking using teahouses (but carrying a tent)
  • 13-16 days
Makalu Base Camp

This is a first draft. I’m certain it will change. Because I’m doing this trip independently and solo I can change on a whim.

Leave a comment if you have any advice.

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climb Mt Kenya in 2020

Mount Kenya is the second-highest in Africa, after Kilimanjaro.

It’s about  150 kilometres (93 mi) north-northeast of the capital Nairobi.

I’m looking at using Mt Kenya as an acclimatization hike immediately prior to Kilimanjaro.

Mt Kenya takes 5 days and reaches a high point of 4985 metres over a trek of about 50 kilometres. 

So far I’ve been talking to Adventure Alternatives and have been very happy with their response. And they’ve been quite flexible to help me fit in this climb just before Kili.

My rendezvous with the Kili group in Arusha is September 7th.

DETAILS – Mount Kenya Traverse 

30th August – 3rd September

Price starts at £1,095pp ($1355) plus extras. Much less expensive than Kili.

Mt Kenya

Click PLAY or watch it on Vimeo.

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Manaslu Circuit Trek, Nepal – guided

I contend that Manaslu is as scenic as the Everest Base Camp trek.

And it’s far less crowded. Less developed.

A sidetrip to Tsum Valley is a recommended add-on.

The downside? Independent trekking is not allowed on the Manaslu Circuit. You must be guided.

You can hike to Everest independently.

Click PLAY or watch a NEST Adventure promotion on YouTube.

Contact Rajendra (Raj) Khanal nestadventure@gmail.com for a quote on cost.

nestadventure.com

And check our Manaslu Trek information page.

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NEW – Red Sea Mountain Trail, Egypt

You can day hike here independently. But the multi-day trip must be guided.

Located west of the beach resort town of Hurghada, the Red Sea Mountain Trail is created from a network of ancient routes used by local Bedouin tribes over the years. Owned and operated by the Khushmaan clan of the Maaza, Egypt’s largest Bedouin tribe, the trail aims to bring travelers away from Egypt’s main tourist path and to the clan’s traditional territory. The trail benefits the Bedouin community by creating jobs and helping preserve the culture.

“We want the Red Sea Mountain Trail to diversify Hurghada’s tourism and create a space for slow, immersive travel in which the Bedouin can . . . communicate their rich knowledge of their homeland to outsiders,” …

Egypt Opens 105-Mile Hiking Trail in the Red Sea Mountains

Cost is about $80 / day and up.