Whether it’s walking, hiking or trekking, soaking up the culture and surroundings on a walking and hiking tour is the perfect way of exploring your chosen destination with that extra slice of pioneering spirit. Visit timeless locations, meet friends along the way and let our expert tour leaders take you on a hiking holiday at your own pace. Whether you want to conquer the mighty Inca Trail, explore the beautiful national parks of Patagonia or take on the Annapurna Foothills in Nepal, a hiking or walking holiday is the perfect chance for you to reconnect with nature. We have a range of tours that offer walking and hiking that are suited to both avid hikers and beginners.
Owen
Mission: Intrepid Traveller
Favourite Destination: Nepal
The key for me to enjoying any walking or hiking trip is preparation and acclimatisation.
Preparation
It is more than checking you have the right equipment to make your trek safe and comfortable, your body needs to be ready for whatever challenge you are attempting. Going to the gym three times a week is good for fitness but to prepare for a trek you need to be doing with long, preferably multi-day walks in the months before to build up the muscles that we just dont use when sitting at a desk every day – it is also a great opportunity to wear-in new boots or test any new equipment before hand.
Acclimatisation
Altitude affects everyone differently, but the slower you gain elevation the easier it is for your body to adjust to the lower oxygen. If you are trekking at altitude try to spend time at the starting location before the trek – for example stay a few days in Cusco before you hike the Inca Trail. Our guides are there to assist you and make the trek as comfortable as possible. It is not a race, take your time and enjoy the peace of being in nature.
Tucan Travel have a strict environmental welfare policy which offers guidelines on how every traveller can minimise their impact on the environment – from reducing, reusing and recycling. Our staff worldwide are passionate about doing our part and we implement this both on the road and in the offices. We also have strict rules within national parks to protect them from litter.
We are passionate about the ethical treatment of all porters on the Inca Trail and are continually monitoring their work conditions. Ethical tour operators will include a fair tip for the four-day hike in the tour costs to ensure that every porter gets an equal amount. This also means you don’t need to worry about carrying cash and how much is appropriate. There is strict guidance in place that limits the weight that porters carry and ensures that they are fully equipped with the right materials to make the trek safe and comfortable.
We want to ensure that we are supporting local communities and improving the destinations we are visiting, not leaving a negative impact. We only ever use local porters and local guides on our hiking tours, ensure that the accommodation we use on route is locally owned and always encourage customers to spend their money in smaller, local restaurants and shops.
The main goal of hiking is to connect with the natural environment and rural areas and cultures.
Stay hydrated and plan your meals or snacks to maximize your performance.
Hiking trails on a regular basis decreases blood pressure and cholesterol.
Having trouble sleeping you may notice that this relieved after a good hike.
January and February are excellent times to visit Sri Lanka. Adam’s Peak is located in the southwest of the country which during this time is warm and dry with plenty of sun. It also falls outside the monsoon season which makes it perfect for enjoying the walking trails.
March and April (as well as October and November) are the best months to trek in the Annapurna Foothills in Nepal as this is when dry season falls. However even these months don’t guarantee perfect weather – weather in Annapurna changes as you reach higher altitudes.
Early summer is the best time to hike or walk in Europe as it is generally cooler than the scorching middle summer months yet the weather is still pleasant and warm. Whether you want to wander around Plitvice Lakes or hike up Mount Srd in Dubrovnik, Europe is full of beautiful walks for all levels.
July or August is an excellent time to take on the gorilla trek in Uganda, since the weather will be pleasant and there is generally a lot less rain. However this is also the peak season and permits can sell out months in advance, so you need to plan well ahead.
September is the best month for taking on the Inca Trail. While the weather in the Andes can be unpredictable and you should expect rain at any time, September is normally dry and sunny with good hiking conditions. If you want to trek in October, aim for the start of the month.
Patagonia is best visited during these months since it’s the start of their summer and the weather is normally pleasant – even though it can always be unpredictable! All the National Parks are open by this time and the hiking trails are normally not as busy as in January and February when it is peak season.
One of the most common questions we get asked is what sort of footwear should I pack for a hiking or walking trip? In general we strongly recommend hiking boots, especially for hard trails like the Inca Trek and Patagonia.
Some walking trips you can get away with wearing walking shoes – similar to trainers they are designed with walking in mind and are much lighter in terms of comfort and weight.
A walk through a path or a beautiful scenic area with trees can improve your mood.
Hiking increases the level of oxygen to your body, which gives you an extra dose of energy.
Hiking lowers your blood sugar levels.
Hiking on a regular basis not only builds muscle but also fights osteoporosis and arthritis.
Check out these amazing offers and find your next solo adventure!
As a solo traveller, you can still get out into remote, untouched or even inhospitable parts of the world without restriction when you join a group tour. You can walk at your own pace with expert assistance and a moral boost when the physical demands take hold. All our walking tours have a [physical rating – anchor link to physical rating], so you can choose according to your fitness level.
Whether you are joining a tour alone or travelling with friends, it always pays to be rigorous with your pre-trip organisation. The remote nature of many hiking and trekking tours means no local amenities for that extra layer or forgotten pair of socks, and your friend can’t bail you out or lend you their toothpaste. Consider the logistics involved in your trip itinerary and the climate, and read over the suggested packing list and trek preparation to have what you need. Your tour operator and local guides will handle everything for you once you join; you can just lace up your walking boots and enjoy the scenery, wildlife and stargazing. Enjoy!
We are passionate adventure travelers who want to share the world and our travel experiences with everyone…
