As I get older (and how old that is I am afraid I cannot divulge), I find I am looking more and more at trips I may not be able to do in the decades to come. And sitting at home during the pandemic has provided extra impetus to look at my bucket list and prioritize it.
Here then are fifteen walks, hikes and treks that should be on your bucket list.
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Canada - Hike the West Coast Trail
The stunning West Coast Trail on British Columbia's Vancouver Island is an experience not to be taken lightly. Weather, tough trail conditions and tides can conspire to make this a tough trek. Yet the rewards are enormous: stunning scenery, incredible wildlife and a sense of being out in the middle of nowhere make this one of Canada's premier treks.
Canada - Hike Baffin Island
8 days from CA$3299
Physical rating: Tough
Landscapes in Canada's Arctic are large and so you will feel dwarfed by the mountains in Baffin Island's Auyuittuq National Park. On this trek you may see arctic fox, seals, polar bears and bowhead whales as well as icebergs. This is some of Nunavut and indeed Canada's finest hiking.
USA - The John Muir Trail
23 days from CA$4899
Physical rating: Tough
Spectacular scenery will be all around you on this fabulous 3-week backpacking trek along the rugged spine of California's High Sierra. Hike the highest peak in the lower 48, Mount Whitney, and walk through beautiful forests and alpine meadows. This is a trip of a lifetime, offering challenging and strenuous back-country hiking.
Peru - Inca Trail Adventure
8 days from CA$1645
Physical rating: Moderate / Challenging
One of the most popular treks in the world, the Inca Trail follows ancient pathways to the mountaintop citadel of Machu Picchu. Beautiful scenery, ancient ruins and high passes are hallmarks of the trek. In addition this adventure tour of Peru gives you time to discover the capital Lima with its stately museums, edgy art galleries and great restaurants, Cuzco, with its splendid blend of ancient Inca fortresses, temples and colonial Spanish churches and mansions and the Sacred Valley lined with high terraced mountains and sprinkled with Inca Ruins and traditional markets.
Patagonia - Trails of Paine and Fitzroy
13 days from CA$7799
Physical rating: Moderate
Near the tip of Patagonia, deep in the south of Chile and Argentina, the Andes mountain range culminates in soaring granite peaks rising steeply in to the skies. Two national parks protect some of the most beautiful landscapes: famous Torres del Paine in Chile and the lesser-known Los Glaciares in Argentina. In the former we hike the beautiful W-trek, so-called as it enters three valleys to some stupendous viewpoints. In Argentine meanwhile we hike to Cerro Torre and Cerro Fitz Roy. En-route to our hikes we visit several glaciers, including Perito Moreno.
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Iceland
7 days from CA$4590
Physical rating: Moderate
East of Iceland's capital Reykjavik, glaciers, mountains in every colour of the rainbow and ancient forests overlook swirling rivers, soothing hot springs, incredible lava flows and deep gorges. Fantastical rock formations rise up out of carpets of Arctic flowers and brilliantly coloured moss. The Laugavegurinn hiking trail connects Þórsmörk with Landmannalaugar and this trip adds a hike to the famous waterfall at Skogar.
United Kingdom
15 days from CA$3190
Physical rating: Challenging
Crossing England west to east near its narrowest point, the just over 300 kilometre Coast to Coast Path is one of the world's classic treks. It leads through the dramatic scenery of three distinct national parks: Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors.
From St. Bees on the Irish Sea to Robin Hood's Bay on the North Sea you will walk through a variety of landscapes featuring dry stone walls, endless moors, steep hills and mountains and some very charming villages each with their own pub. Stupendous views are the order of the day on this classic English trek.
France, Switzerland, Italy
15 days from CA$5295
Physical rating: Moderate / Challenging
With ten walking days and 3 rest days this accommodated trek is the ideal way to hike around the Mont Blanc Circuit in France, Italy and Switzerland. As your luggage is transported for you between overnight stops, you carry only a day pack, enabling you to enjoy the scenery to the max. Indulge in amazing alpine views of glacial lakes and mountain vistas while each night you sleep in a comfortable bed and enjoy a great meal.
Italy - Hiking on the Amalfi Coast
8 days from CA$1899
Physical rating: Moderate
Steep mountains rising from the turquoise Mediterranean, slopes covered in lemon groves, white-washed villages lining deep valleys where they meet the ocean. Explore covered alleys leading to hidden courtyards and sit down for a glass of wine or some gelato. Follow ancient footpaths and stairs up the hills to hamlets tucked away in forest-covered hills. Hike up to a vantage point and marvel at the views over this, the Amalfi Coast. This is one of the best coastal hikes in Italy.
Spain
13 days from CA$4290
Physical rating: Moderate
The Camino de Santiago is a network of trails of which the trail running from the south of France through the north of Spain (the Camino Frances) is by far the most famous and popular. The entire pilgrimage takes about 40 days but for those who are short on time, we offer a guided "Best of the Camino" option. In just under two weeks we take you and your fellow pilgrims and hikers along the most scenic portions of the trail, all the while staying in comfort. Best of all - you do not have to carry your own bag as we will transfer it for you.
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Morocco - Trails of the High Atlas
8 days from CA$1049
Physical rating: Moderate
This trip will introduce you to the ancient souqs, twisting alleyways and covered bazaars of Marrakesh, before setting out on five days of hiking in the High Atlas. Using traditional accommodation in a remote and picturesque village as your base you will discover the beautiful scenery and learn about the way of life of the local Berber people.
Jordan - Dana to Petra Trek
11 days from CA$4120
Physical rating: Moderate
Centred on the village by the same name, commanding spectacular views of the valley below, Dana is a hidden gem and home to sandstone escarpments sheltering numerous plants, animals and archaeological sites dating back 6000 years. From here you hike under clear desert skies across red-rock country to the tombs and temples of Petra. Climb up and find magnificent views and vistas over a surreal red desert landscape. Your final hikes will take you through Wadi Rum, described by T.E. Lawrence as "vast, echoing and God-like..." Return to Amman after some relaxation on the Aqaba's Red Sea beaches and a swim in the Dead Sea.
Tanzania - Kilimanjaro's Northern Circuit
11 days from CA$6170
Physical rating: Challenging
Africa's highest mountain is yours for the climbing. Hike through rain forest, alpine meadows and high-altitude deserts to the peak and see why this is called the Roof of Africa. The Northern Circuity gives you the best acclimatisation time (and a success rate of 96%), it also combines some of the finest treks up the mountain. You ascend via the Lemosho route as far as Lava Tower, taking in the spectacular views across the Shira Plateau along the way. You then circle the mountain in a clockwise direction until you reach the Rongai Trail two days later at Third Cave. From here you start climbing again, via the Rongai Route, to the top.
Nepal - Everest Basecamp
16 days from CA$3349
Physical rating: Challenging
Nepal's Everest Base Camp has captivated the minds of trekkers around the world ever since the 1920's and the multi-day hike to basecamp offers some of the most breathtaking scenery you will see anywhere in the Himalaya. In addition, the fascinating culture and a personal sense of achievement will make this a once-in-a-lifetime trek.
Bhutan - The Snowman Trek
27 days from CA$9999
Physical rating: Tough
In a land where the Buddhist tradition ensures a respect and reverence for nature, you will find soaring Himalayan peaks rising above deep ravines cloaked in untouched forest. The Snowman Trek is arguably Bhutan's finest (and most challenging) trek, taking you over ten high passes and into valleys few Westerners have seen. Enjoy splendid mountain views and the serenity of alpine lakes, hike through yak herders encampments and isolated farming settlements and discover small Buddhist monasteries and secluded villages, where life has not changed much over the past centuries.
Join us for a special presentation on hikes and treks around the world. Register here.