Adventurous Hikes to Try On Your Vacation
There is no better way to celebrate graduation or enjoy your vacation than by taking a road trip to a famous hiking destination somewhere in the world. It's an American student tradition after all. The world is filled with multitudes of exciting locations from the deserts of Africa to the peaks of the Himalayas. Meet and make friends of people from all over the planet. Some destinations require booking in advance, as governments try to accommodate guests while minimizing damage to the environment. Many places require hiking permits. Guides and porters are available, but this option is largely based on individual preference.
Peru's Machu Picchu is one of the most popular hiking destinations in the world. While some venture here in hopes of experiencing the unusual mystical qualities of the location, others appreciate seeing and ambling through ruins established by native peoples around 500 BC. The unforgettable landscape varies from lush, thick tropical forests to desolate mountain terrain. Walk through ancient Incan tunnels and witness the various ruins that include Phuyupatamarku, Patallactu and Willkaraqay. The Inca Trail spans over 14,000 miles, much of which retains original Incan construction. Along the way to Machu Picchu, guests have the opportunity to stay at campsites and visit villages while gathering supplies.
Travel to East Africa and journey to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. The tallest free standing mountain in the world is fast becoming a popular destination for hiking adventures. Comprised of three extinct volcanoes, the summit rises to an elevation exceeding 19,000 feet. Hikers journey through changing terrain that includes thick rainforests, desert and the snowy summit. Hikers have six options of making it to the top of the mountain. The Machame offers visitors adventure and the chance to see amazing scenery. This trail has the reputation for being the easiest to complete. The Marangu is probably the most difficult, but the opportunity to stay in village huts overnight attracts many. The Lemosho offers danger and excitement requiring an armed guard accompany hikers part of the way because of the possibility of coming face to face with big game animals.
Nepal, the Himalayas and the Annapurna Circuit are famed locations that bring hikers from all over the world into Katmandu. After a day's worth of relaxation, sightseeing and acclimating to the elevation difference, a bus takes visitors to Besisahar, where the trails begin. Depending on the route choice, hikes last anywhere from one to three weeks. Many consider the Annapurna Circuit the Holy Grail of adventures, which takes guests on a 128 mile trek in a horseshoe shaped route. Modern development of the area includes some roads, but the varying terrains along the way present the possibility of altitude sickness. Hikers journey through unbelievably thick, tangled forests and down into the deepest and narrowest gorge in the world. The adventure continues up to the peaks of the summits and down into Tibetan Buddhist villages. The region offers breathtaking scenery, exotic wildlife and historic pilgrimage sites. Guests may stay at campsites, but teahouses provide basic lodging and meals. These facilities lie every three hours along the trail.