Category: guided hikes

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50 miles to Petra

An article by Trailblazer’s Tony DaSilva — World’s Best Hikes: Petra Through the Back Door, Jordan — caught my eye.

When I visited Petra in 1994, myself and an Aussie friend followed sheep herders down into the complicated gully system, assuming they would make their way down to water.

We were correct. And called it the “back door” to Petra.

This is a different back door.

details – Dana Reserve to Petra

50 miles, 7 days

… Go with Adventure Jordan, the local company that discovered this 50-mile route through the deserts, mountains, and peaks of Jordan.

Obama visited Petra — through the front door — just the other day.

petra_big

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Tsitsikamma coast – Dolphin, not Otter

The luxury, guided alternative to the famed Otter. Same gorgeous South African scenery.

For two magical days you can now hike the magnificent Tsitsikamma Coast with no heavy backpack, and spend three nights in comfort at different accommodation venues!

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

official website – Dolphin Trail

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Nepal – Machhapuchhre trek

Most days I’d list ol’ Fishtail 6,993 m (22,943 ft) as my favorite mountain in the World.

Machapuchare or Machhapuchhre (माछापुछ्रे) Lit. “Fish Tail” in English, is a mountain in the Annapurna Himal of north central Nepal. It is revered by the local population as particularly sacred to the god Shiva, and hence is off limits to climbing. …

It’s easily seen from Pokara.

Fishtail Luc

fishtail

Here’s a 15 day lower elevation guided Himalaya Trek called Machhapuchhre Model Trek. Looks a lot easier than most in Nepal. And much safer vis-a-vis risk of altitude sickness.

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best hikes each MONTH

Adventures Within Reach is a hiking company founded by guide Robin Paschall in 2000.

On their blog are posted trek recommendations for each of 6 months. (so far)

March
Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Runner Up: Cochamo Valley, Chile

April
Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Nepal

Runner Up: Haute Route Ski Tour, France & Switzerland

May
6-day Vilcabamba Trek and Machu Picchu, Peru

Runner Up: Trekking in Bhutan

details – A Trek For Every Month: Top Hikes Around The World

June
High Atlas and Mount Toubkal, Morocco

Runner Up: Best Of The Huayhuash Trek, Cordillera Blanca, Peru


July
Trekking in the Ladakh – Climbing Stok Kangri, India

Runner Up: Hut-to-hut Treks, Iceland

August
Tour du Mont Blanc, French, Italian and Swiss Alps

Runner Up: Cotopaxi and Quilotoa (non technical trekking), Ecuador

details – June, July & August

Personally, I’d like to know more about Cochamo in Chile.

Cochamo

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Choquequirao to Machu Picchu guided

The best way to get to Machu Picchu is via CHOQUEQUIRAO.

choquequirao-cover

If you want to be guided, here’s one recommended option.

Choquequirao trek to Machu Picchu Trek Private Service, 8 Days/7 Nights Program

Prices are per person : 2 people US$840, 3 people US$790, 4-5 people US$740, 6-8 people US$620, 9-11 people US$590, 12-16 people US$550.

details on Mythical Trails Peru

You can do that independently, of course.

And NOT CHEAT by taking the bus up from Aguas Calientes. Instead you climb in the dark, be waiting for the Gates to open. Then rush up to take photos before the hordes arrive.

Insect repellant essential at some times of the year.

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Ciudad Perdida (Lost City) trek

Daniel has a blog all about his year spent in the town of Soledad, Barranquilla, Colombia.

One Adventure took him on a 5-day guided trek to one of the best walks in the world.

Ciudad Perdida (The Lost City) is like the Machu Picchu of Colombia: located deep in the Sierra Nevada it is an old city built by indigenous people where their Shaymans (religious leaders) lived with their wives and families. …

… Some of us bitched about the ones marching on ahead to the front, others bitched about those coming up too slowly behind- and everyone bitched about bloody Mosquitos. …

… The terrain ranged from the clay sandy trails, to riverside walks and treks into deep jungle. Colourful butterflies seemed to constantly encircle us, we spotted a (dead) snake, and lots of tropical birds.

After night 2 the novelty of sleeping in a hammock had disappeared, and the reality of an uncomfortable nights sleep in the cold was hard to deal with. The food was great- our chef Yorman made great meals and often surprised us with treats of chocolate bars and lollipops. Everyone’s dietary needs were taken into account …

read more – CIUDAD PERDIDA / THE LOST CITY

They made it.

Lost City

related – our Lost City information page

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who’s NOT tramping New Zealand?

That would be me. 🙂

I’m NOT one of the 20 finalists in Air New Zealand’s Great Walker Challenge.

Click PLAY or watch my application on YouTube.

Twenty finalists have been selected. Some look pretty weak, to me.

I’m cheering Kolby Kirk to end up one of the final 4 who’ll be doing 9 Great Walks in 9 weeks.

He’d be an excellent choice.

Air New Zealand didn’t extend the courtesy of a thank-you for making application. This will be the last time I help promote one of their contests.

I saw the top 20 on Modern Hiker.

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Alpenwild – Swiss Alps Haute Route

Our #1 trek in the Swiss Alps is the Haute Route Chamonis – Zermatt.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Alpenwild is by far the largest tour operator leading the classic trek

They’ll have at least 11 guided groups summer 2013 and assist hundreds of self-guided clients.

They offer three different guided itineraries.

A typical price for a self-guided Haute Route in 2013 will be about $1800. The increase is largely due to the drop in the US$ against the Swiss Franc since 2009.

alpenwild.com

That’s a life changer. I did it independently in 2009. That’s tricky. With the self-guided option all transportation and accommodation is organized for you.

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Lost City trek, Colombia

Things have really improved at Colombia’s most legendary hike.

Check this detailed 5-day trip report.

The Tayrona people built La Ciudad Perdida over 1000 years ago. They called it Teyuna. The Spanish invasion pushed the natives high into the Sierra Nevada until they were so dispersed that their numbers dwindled and their cities were abandoned. The jungle reclaimed the Lost City…until tombraiders found gold there.

That’s on La Ciudad Perdida, the best starting point for organizing a trek.

Guides are still mandatory. It’s remote and still slightly dangerous territory, close to the border with Venezuela.

our Lost City information page

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Nepal – Lake Tilicho, Nar and Phu

… News reporter and anchor Erick Thompson and writer Erin Trainer joined a group of trekkers from Vancouver Island for a three week trek in Nepal.

In addition to hiking along the Annapurna Circuit, the group visited the world’s highest lake (Lake Tilicho) and the mythical valleys of Nar and Phu. …

… Quadra Island-based trekking guide Mick Bromley … has led dozens of treks in various countries but Nepal remains his first love.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

part 2

part 3

part 4