The rarest travel experiences. The toughest. The most memorable. The one-offs and the ones that won’t be around forever. These are the real must-do-before-you-die journeys of a lifetime.

Trek the Tour du Mont Blanc

The Tour du Mont Blanc is an epic 170-kilometre walk around the Mont Blanc massif, a dazzling landscape of snow-capped peaks, ice scarred mountains and tumbling glaciers. Its high, steep mountain passes are legendary and its wildness alluring. A walking journey through three different countries proves hard to beat and the highest mountain in Europe, a fabled dome of snow and ice, is your guiding star.

You can book onto our one or two week self-guided options giving you the opportunity to take things more at your own pace, or join a guided small group and walk the entire route on our classic 12 day journey. If you fancy more of a challenge, on our ultimate high level version you trek the high trails and stay in lofty mountain huts. If you're short on time then our one week 'best of' itinerary may suit you better as it cuts out some sections but still includes the best stages and links them by short vehicle transfers. 

TREKKING THE TOUR DU MONT BLANC

Walk the Camino de Santiago

Since the unveiling of St James Tomb in the 9th century, millions of pilgrims have walked a Camino to Santiago to visit the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Today the Caminos are undertaken by people from around the world not just for religious motivations but for the challenge of completing a long distance trail and for the experience of the journey along the way.

The completion of Camino is a spiritual journey for many as you leave the stresses of everyday life behind and discover rural parts of France, Portugal, Spain and Galicia you may never otherwise have visited. For others, it may be for a challenge, to get away from the busy daily routines or to tick off the Bucket List.

There are many ways to walk to the famous cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, and our guide to walking the Camino de Santiago may help you choose which route is right for you. There are options including our 2 week self-guided Camino de Santiago the French Way or the Portuguese Way, bike the route from Porto to Santiago, or you could look to join our small group 8 day guided Camino de Santiago trek. 

WALKING THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO 

Walking the Paine Circuit in Patagonia

The Torres del Paine National Park is without a doubt an absolute highlight for everyone visiting Chile. Where the vastness of the Patagonian steppe and the steep peaks of the Southern Cordillera meet, nature shows its most breathtaking side. 2,000m high peaks rise out of the vast steppe abruptly; huge glaciers, deep blue lakes and wind-blown, gnarled southern beeches determine the picture. Some of its most iconic sites are the 3 granite towers from which the park takes its name and the horn-shaped peaks called Cuernos Del Paine.

The Classic Paine Circuit is a wonderful way to explore the park to its fullest. It's a complete circumnavigation of the Paine massif, trekking over the spectacular John Gardner Pass and hiking along the serene Lake Nordenskjold. You can also cross borders with Argentina, Chile and Patagonia with a combined trek in the Torres Del Paine, Fitz Roy and magnificent Perito Merino Glacier as well as seeing the Best of Chile on a journey from the Atacama Desert all the way down to the Torres Del Paine National Park. 

 ADVENTURE HOLIDAYS IN PATAGONIA

Wild Safaris

If this is your first safari, then take a look at the Best of Botswana Lodge trip. You will get an excellent feel for the size of the continent with the drive from Johannesburg, you also visit the Kharma Rhino Sanctuary and paddle through the Okavango on Mokoro. You will see some incredible wildlife in the northern parks of Moremi and Chobe before ending in the impressive Victoria Falls.

If you have some time and you are up for a true adventure then the Great Southern Safari, camping, 21 days, would be brilliant for you. It takes in ALL the main areas, including Vic Falls, the elephants in Caprivi, the sand dunes and wildlife of Namibia, and Okavango and magical northern parks of Botswana. Or how about exploring this incredible on two wheels on our Victoria Falls to Cape Town bike journey

ALL SAFARI HOLIDAYS

Trek to Everest Base Camp in Nepal

Very few of us will ever get to stand on top of Mount Everest (8,850m) however, the trek to Everest Base Camp (5,340m) is a much more achievable goal for those hiking in the Nepalese Himalaya – and probably on the majority of trekkers bucket list.

Our most popular and best-selling trek takes the classic route from Lukla to Namche, via Thyangboche to Everest Base Camp. This trek takes 16 days making it ideal for those eager to complete this iconic route but have limited time. However, if time is on your side, then our 20-day Ultimate Everest Trek veers off after Namche and takes a quieter route via the Gokyo Lakes and the Cho La Pass. 

If you fancy a real challenge and are an experienced trekker at altitude, then how about taking the high-level route that crosses the Renjo La, Cho La and Kongma La before arriving at Lobuche, your final stop before your hike to base camp.  

Eager to start planning? Check out our Guide to Everest Base Camp.

TREKKING TO EVEREST BASE CAMP

Hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru

Ruins perched seamlessly in cloud forests, challenging mountain passes with snow-capped Andean views and friendly Peruvian staff. The iconic Inca Trail is a chance to follow in the footsteps of a great lost civilisation, a trek leading from the old capital of Cusco through the Sacred Valley to the ruins of Ollantaytambo, and up to the Sun Gate overlooking mighty Machu Picchu. 

We've been taking trekkers on the Inca Trail since 1997 and know the trail intimately. We pride ourselves in keeping away from the crowds and trekking responsibly. 

Although our 8-day Inca Trail trek is the classic way to reach Machu Picchu, there are thousands of Inca trails that criss-cross the Peruvian Andes presenting a wealth of choices in routes, terrain and difficulty. Alternatives include Choquequirao to Machu Picchu, the Inca Trail and Beyond, the Salkantay Trail, and Luxury Lodges to Machu Picchu.

HIKING INCA TRAILS 

Take a polar voyage to Antarctica

The huge frozen landmass at the bottom of our planet is more than just spectacular icing on the globe. It is vast, remote, otherworldly and beautiful beyond imagination. 

Taking a polar voyage is the only way to explore Antarctica and we've 6 different Antarctic polar cruises from 8 days to 22 days, reaching as far east as South Georgia and as far south as the Antarctic Circle and the Shetland Islands. You'll have opportunities to hike and kayak and spot some of best-known animals from the southern continent, penguins, whales, seals and albatrosses.

You'll travel with professional and highly skilled historians, marine biologists, and naturalists on board who offer keen insight and a unique personal perspective to each and every adventure... There is always someone on hand to answer your questions and provide greater insight and appreciation of the world at its extremes.

ADVENTURES IN ANTARCTICA

Visit the iconic 'Rose-Red City' of Petra

Petra is one of the 7 wonders of the world and a 10,000-year-old city hidden in the desert - and in real life, it's more incredible than you can imagine. Famous for its rock-cut architecture, it is also called the "Red Rose City" because of the colour of the stone from which it is carved. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985 and is a symbol of Jordan, as well as Jordan's most-visited tourist attraction.

It's no wonder that this iconic site is high on people's bucket lists, and how better to experience the lost city of Petra, than to walk or cycle there through the desert. You have the option to follow the most famous section of the Jordan Trail, one of the world's finest short-distance routes, or explore the rocky towers, echoing canyons and mountains of the dramatic Wadi Rum.

If you want to tick your Bucket List off on two wheels, then take an epic north-to-south cycling journey from the Dead to the Red Sea or enjoy our multi-active ultimate Jordan adventure which also encompasses walking, canyoning, and camel riding. You can even take the kids on a family adventure where they can float in the Dead Sea and sleep under the stars in the desert. 

ADVENTURE HOLIDAYS IN JORDAN

Go in search of the Northern Lights

The Aurora Borealis, more commonly known as The Northern Lights, are one of the world's most spectacular natural phenomenon that features highly in many people’s Bucket-Lists. Green lights are the most common, though you could see swirls of pink, red and purple if you're lucky.

If you want to see this amazing light show, travel sometime between October and March, and because of its unpredictable nature, it’s fair to say that you stand as much chance of seeing them from a vantage point in Sweden as you do from a frozen lake in Finland.

Our holidays, such as cross-country skiing inside the Arctic Circle in Sweden, or our ultimate Finland activity week are designed to take you away from light pollution as much as possible and give you the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights.

NORTHERN LIGHT ADVENTURES

Climb to the summit of Kilimanjaro

Why do 40,000 people a year seek to climb the world’s highest freestanding mountain? Kilimanjaro is not only the highest mountain in Africa, but it's also one of the world's seven summits and the tallest mountain on the African continent. You don't need special mountaineering gear which makes it technically the easiest to climb of the Seven Summits and climbing Kilimanjaro is like walking from the equator to the North Pole in a week, providing dramatic changes in vegetation and animal life day by day.

The most popular route is the Machame Route which we take on our Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro trips. However, if you are looking for a quieter route then consider the Rongai Route which takes you through forest, farmland and open moorland and gives you an additional rest day at Mawenzi Tarn Camp. Or, you could think about taking the Lemosho Route which is 2 days longer but takes one of the quietest and most varied routes on the mountain, and gives you extra time to acclimatise.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CLIMBING KILIMANJARO

Trek Europe's toughest long-distance trekking trail - Corsica's GR20

Stretching from Calenzana in the south, to Conca in the north, it takes 2 weeks to trek the entire GR20.  This spectacular trail stretches for 180 km and winds its way along the jagged spine of Corsica’s mountainous centre. Despite the rugged nature of much of the terrain, it is a trek that most confident regular walkers who are in good shape, have good stamina and the ability to move confidently and safely over rocky rugged mountainous terrain should be able to complete. 

To walk the complete route of the GR20 you will be covering 10-15km per day (the longest day being 25km), with 800-1000m ascent/descent. This equates to around 7-8hrs of walking each day. As the route cannot be fully vehicle-supported, you will be required to carry your sleeping bags, rain gear, the day’s food and additional snacks for the group, along with essential overnight items on 8 of the 13 walking days. 

Our ‘highlights' itinerary allows us access to all the best sections of the northern GR20. Though the itinerary is shorter, the days are still long, testing and they certainly retain that element of challenge that makes the GR20 so special.

The GR20 is a challenge, some say one of the toughest treks in Europe. If it's on your bucket list then check if the GR20 is for you. 

TAKE ON THE GR20

Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda

Make the most of your wildlife experience in one comprehensive holiday. A once-in-a-lifetime trip offering the opportunity to see gorillas in their natural habitat in both Uganda and Rwanda. Staying at local lodges with character and in amazing locations, you will get to enjoy the natural and wildlife wonders this twin-country itinerary has to offer along with expert wildlife guides.

SPECIAL GORILLA SAFARI

Mountains and Volcanoes of Papua New Guinea

Embark on an extraordinary expedition in Papua New Guinea, where towering peaks await conquest, diverse cultures beckon exploration, and unforgettable memories unfold amidst stunning landscapes. Summit the highest peak in PNG and one of world's volcanic seven summits. Walk alongside and glean insights from local guides who possess expertise in Papua New Guinea's unique flora and fauna.

Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of the Melpa tribe, dedicating a full day to experiencing their traditions and way of life. Explore remote areas seldom visited by tourists, trekking through untouched terrain that unveils the hidden treasures of this captivating destination. Engage in bird watching at Kumul Lodge, a sanctuary where the famous Bird of Paradise frequently graces the skies, offering a mesmerising glimpse into the rich biodiversity of the region. This is an adventure from our Pioneer collection and truly a once in a lifetime experience - make your 2024 extra special with this adventure. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS ADVENTURE

Visit the iconic Tiger's Nest in Bhutan

The Tiger's Nest Monastery, also known as Paro Takstang, is one of Bhutan's most recognised spots and a must-see on many a Bucket List. A visit to Bhutan would not be complete without a climb gravity-defying, cliff-hugging monastery named for the monk who flew there on a flying tigress.

Any level of trekker will be thrilled by spectacular landscapes, whether it’s the short and sweet Druk Path Trek in Bhutan from Paro to Thimphu, completing the superb circuit to reach Chomolhari Base Camp, or the famous Snowman Trek itinerary, a 26-day adventure across 11 high passes. This is renowned as one the world’s toughest routes and each year only a handful of trekking groups complete this world-class circuit - is 2024 your year? 

 ADVENTURES IN FASCINATING BHUTAN 

 If you would you like to know more about any of the above holidays, then give us a call on +44 (0) 17687 73966 or USA/Canada toll-free 1888 630 4415. We offer trusted holidays with financial protection and flexible booking conditions.