Trips for trekkies: 5 top trekking holidays
Tuesday 24, August 2010
Looking for a trekking challenge? Stuart Mclachlan from Challenges Abroad gives us his top five treks around the world.
Machu Picchu, Peru
A trek to Machu Picchu takes you to the heart of ancient empire of the mighty Incas. Away from the oversubscribed Inca Trail lie a choice of spectacular alternative routes, including Salkantay, which takes you through stunning mountain passes and remote villages to reach a height of 4600m. Your ultimate destination is Machu Picchu, ‘the lost city of the Incas’, which is guaranteed to leave you spellbound.
Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
As the highest peak in Africa and the world’s largest free standing mountain, Kilimanjaro offers an exciting high altitude trekking challenge for the adventurous traveller. Rising through rainforest, past glaciers and finally to 5893m above sea level at Kilimanjaro’s snow-capped peak, this trek offers a truly unforgettable experience.
Everest Base Camp, Nepal
Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world making a trip to its Base Camp the ‘Holy Grail’ for trekking enthusiasts. Breathtaking views and towering peaks await you on this epic journey across the frozen wilderness of the Himalayas. After overcoming climactic conditions and high altitude, an unbeatable sense of achievement awaits at your final goal, along with a spectacular view of Everest’s imposing south face.
Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
For an alternative African trekking experience, an adventure through Ngorongoro Crater is hard to beat. Ngorongoro acts as a natural amphitheatre for a myriad of exotic wildlife, as well as the magnificent Lake Natron and Lake Empakai, which glisten amidst expansive African savannah and the Great Rift Valley. Although this is not a high altitude trek, ‘Ol Donyo Lengai’, an active volcano of spiritual significance to the Maasai, offers a challenging extension for the adventurous traveller.
Ladakh, India
Ladakh is an unexplored gem of northern India, offering the rustic charm of traditional Himalayan communities amidst incredible mountain landscapes and enchanting monastic culture. The region is also known as Little Tibet and its spiritual significance emanates from the ancient monasteries and palaces that lie scattered across its remote foothills. Ladakh is home to a range of high altitude trekking routes making it the perfect destination for lovers of the outdoors and culture alike.
ChallengesAbroad.co.uk specialise in overseas challenges that combine trekking and community volunteer work across the globe.
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