Perhaps the pinnacle of iconic adventures, it’s hard to beat the sense of achievement felt at the entrance to Everest Basecamp. A mecca for anyone who feels the pull of the mountains, its Nepal’s jaw-dropping range of the Himalaya which makes this journey so special, home to both the indomitable Sherpa people and some of the world’s greatest mountaineering legends. As a lodge-based trek just shy of two-weeks long, it’s also the perfect introduction to Himalayan trekking, where you’ll likely fall in love with this high altitude world of snow-drenched peaks, crystal clear air and fluttering prayer flags.

>> Everest Basecamp Trek

>> The Ultimate Everest Trek

CLIMB KILIMANJARO 

It’s pretty incredible that one of the world’s most impressive mountains, a member of the seven summits, is an achievement that anyone who’s up for a challenge (and doesn’t hate the idea of trekking) can aim for. The best part is that reaching the top of Kilimanjaro is about so much more than its membership in the seven summits; it’s the highest free-standing mountain in the world, it’s teeming with different terrains and eco-systems, and you’ll remember the journey to the top with your team of dedicated porters for life. 

>> Kilimanjaro Rongai Route

>> Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro

 

SEE MACHU PICCHU IN PERU

Over 600 years ago the Incas decided to construct a citadel in the clouds of the Andes, and years later it’s become the pinnacle of Peruvian wonders that travellers flock to see. What was it built for? No one knows. All we do know is that it’s absolutely magnificent. The best way to experience it is combined with a trek in the Andes, walking the trails the Incas themselves forged. To make your trip extra special you can also visit the Galapagos Islands, Lake Titicaca by train or the Peruvian rainforest. Just check out 'Extend your holiday' tab on the trip pages. 

>> Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

>> Trek from Choquequirao to Machu Picchu

VISIT THE LOST CITY OF PETRA IN JORDAN

Another ancient wonder, the lost city of Petra lies nestled in a basin among the mountains of the Arabah valley. Beautifully hewn from sandstone, its immense columns, monasteries and treasuries are like nothing else on earth. What’s more, an adventure to see this marvel will give you chance to explore the beauty of Jordan. Trekking from Dana to Petra along the Jordan Trail is one of the best ways to experience both, as walking on Bedouin trails through the desert will take you to the ‘back door’ of Petra, and allow you to experience the monastery with barely any other visitors.

>> Jordan Trek Dana to Petra

>> Cycling Jordan Dead to the Red Sea

HIKE A LONG-DISTANCE WALKING ROUTE

Walking point to point, day after day, is simultaneously one of the most challenging and most rewarding adventures out there. There’s a reason long-distance routes are found everywhere, from the Scottish highlands to America’s Appalachia and beyond; sometimes you need nothing more than to walk, eat, sleep, walk, in the heart of the natural world. Our top recommendations for this kind of challenge include the classic Tour du Mont Blanc or for something a little gentler but just as rewarding, how about walking part of the Camino de Santiago, guided or self-guided. We have a couple of one and two week holidays on different Camino routes. Our best-selling is the Portugese Way - Porto to Santiago de Compostela. 

A LONG-DISTANCE CYCLING ROUTE 

If cycling is more your speed for some good old fashioned, type 1 fun, then you can get the same joy and sense of satisfaction as completing a long-distance walk on two wheels too, whether it’s a classic sportive route, a journey through somewhere completely new, or an epic cross-country, three-week ride. Road cyclists can choose from European musts like a tour of Gran Canaria, or going further afield and exploring Sri Lanka from end to end. For the ultimate challenge, consider the epic Victoria Falls to Cape Town adventure route, where dedicated roadies and off-roaders alike can jump on mountain bikes and discover some of Africa’s most incredible sights.

>> EXPLORE CYCLING ADVENTURES

TREK HUT-TO-HUT

The only things which can make a long-distance route even better is stopping in mountain huts along the way. Tiny refuges and well-appointed lodges allow you to stay immersed in dramatic scenery and stunning nature, offering an off-grid sense of wild adventure. Go higher than most and try the ultimate Tour du Mont Blanc, a version of the circuit which utilises stunning Alpine huts, or an Italian high-level route, where you can bag plenty of peaks alongside sleeping perched beside lofty glaciers, pictured. Outside of the Alps, you can enjoy these same thrills by completing the Jotunheimen traverse in Norway (which, by the way, means your holiday in Norway becomes exceptionally affordable), or in Slovenia on route to the nation’s highest peak, Triglav.

>> EXPLORE MORE HUT-TO-HUT ADVENTURES

GO ON A CROSS-BORDER ADVENTURE 

Maximise your adventure with a cross-borders journey. Not only will you leave with plenty more stamps on your passport, packing a number of countries into one trip will allow you to experience contrasting cultures in fascinating areas of the world. We recommend heading to the Balkans for some incredible multi-country adventures, be that walking in the borderlands or trekking through the mountains, or the Baltics, where you can pack wonderful day-walks, colourful city tours and visiting beautiful national parks across 4 countries easily into a 10 day adventure.

>> EXPLORE THE BALKANS

GO ON A POLAR VOYAGE

It’s on many travellers bucket lists to see one of the Polar regions, and there are plenty of reasons why. They’re the ends of the earth, the most unreal, wild places left on the planet. They’re home to staggering scenes of drifting ice, snow-capped mountains and gloriously vast landscapes, along with a range of unique and wonderful wildlife. Whether you go to experience a world far-removed from civilisation, spot polar bears or walk amongst penguins, you’ll leave with a sense of awe, wonder and a desire to preserve these magical places in any way you can. We recommend a small-group expedition ship or schooner to explore with minimal impact. In the Arctic, you can enjoy an expedition cruise or hike and sail adventure around the realm of the Arctic, Svalbard and Norway, whilst in the south, you’ll depart from Argentina to voyage to Antarctica, where mountains, ice and sea collide. 

>> Svalbard Hike and Sail

>> Spirit of Shackleton Expedition

>> EXPLORE POLAR ADVENTURES

SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

Ok, so we can’t actually guarantee these – it’s a cosmic thing. But we can put you in the best destinations to give you the best chance to be present when they grace the skies…and if you’re lucky, you’ll be there for one of those indescribably magical moments, where they dance so brightly you’re kept awake at night. Two of our favourite ways to go hunt them down include a hike and sail adventure, and a cross-country ski tour. Head to Tromso, the Arctic’s vibrant cultural hub, and from there set sail on a week-long tour of the fjords, mountains and coast of Norway on an intimate 33-passenger ship, where if they appear, you’ll be able to view the lights from the deck of ship. In Sweden, Abisko is said to be one of the best places to see them in the world, so you’re in with a good chance on our epic skiing the Kungsleden adventure. Days in the wilderness and a remote hut-to-hut journey plunge you into an Arctic wilderness, where the northern lights are far from the only ethereal highlight.

>> CHOOSE A NORTHERN LIGHTS ADVENTURE