hi, we’d like to do a trek in Nepal, and we’re thinking of the Annapurna Circuit—it’s cheaper than the Everest trek. Our plan is to do it without a guide or porter. We’re used to the mountains, not so much to high altitude, but if we acclimate well, there’s no reason it should go wrong ;)

No guide = handling permits, transport, and accommodation on our own...

So my question is: is it possible to book lodges in advance before departure? Or, even better, day by day?

I’ve read some older posts, so I’m asking again to get up-to-date info on what’s happening now. We’re planning to go mid-November 2026 or March 2027.

Thanks for your tips! :)

Hi there, I’m planning a 6-day trip from Orléans to Tours. There are very few detailed maps to figure out the main stages and what you’ll find along the way. Even though I’ve downloaded the Miam Miam Dodo app, it’s pretty tedious (everything is split into small map sections). I’ve settled on the first leg: Orléans to Meung-sur-Loire, about 18 km. For the next one, I’m hesitating because I’d like to do around 20–25 km, but I see Beaugency is only about 10 km away, and Mer is almost 30 km. So, I’m stuck. On top of that, I’m torn between taking the GR 3 route or the GR 655 (south). If any of you know the area or have already done this hike/pilgrimage, I’d love to hear your tips for this section that goes through Blois and ends in Tours. For the last legs, I’ve planned Blois -> ? Chaumont (no accommodations) -> Amboise -> Tours, knowing the final stage is about 30 km.

Thanks in advance for your help! 😉

Hi, I’d like some advice on doing the Camino de Santiago—or part of it—from the Basque Country. Best,

Hi there,

I’m reposting about the logistics for Samaria Gorge. I’d love to get recent info, especially about whether it’s possible to park my car in Omalos, do the hike, and then catch a bus back to my vehicle. In theory, it’s doable, but when you check the KTEL website, there aren’t any feasible schedules listed. If anyone has recently organized this with reliable, verified details, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks in advance!

Hi there, for those who’ve been recently—is it possible to find other solo travelers in March on the island to share transport or room costs? It doesn’t seem easy to travel on a budget. If you have any recommendations for simple lodgings or places with dorms, I’d love to hear them. For those who’ve done multi-day treks while moving around: do you need to bring your own sleeping bag? I’d love to hear about itineraries you’ve done without a guide, just with a map and GPS. Thanks, and have a great day!

Hello everyone, dear Globetrotters,

Just a quick message to ask what the roads and trails are like in Sikkim in July and August, please?

I’m quite familiar with India during the monsoon since I’ve already slogged through it (Kolkata and the Ganges plain), and I live in Réunion where I do trail running, so I’m not too worried about walking in the rain... but my question is more about access and feasibility.

Do you think it’s still possible to get around easily in Sikkim (not too many roads closed) and have a chance of occasional clear views?

Ideally, I’d love to explore the north and west of Sikkim with views of Kanchenjunga. It’s not a big deal if I have to wait for moments when it clears—I’ll have time.

What do you think?

If you’ve got good reasons to check out the east of Sikkim, I’m all ears... ;-)

Have a great day, everyone, and thanks in advance,

Nico

Hi, Could recent travelers let me know the price for the 2D/1N trek in the rice terraces when booking directly on-site upon arrival? Is it possible to join a group? Thanks for your replies, best regards

Hello, I’d like to know what small gifts I could bring for women, children, and men in the Surma tribes of the western Omo Valley. Usually, I bring pencils, pens, perfumes, and cigarettes, depending on the country.

What do you recommend?

Philippe Departure on 11/13/24

Hi there, I’m looking for organizations that specialize in walking safaris, but not at the price points I’m seeing online. I’m after a truly immersive experience in the wild, with the option to sleep in very basic tents and help prepare meals... Ideal duration: 7 to 10 days. I’d rather avoid the super touristy destinations (Kenya, Tanzania, etc.). Thanks for any tips you can share! !

Hi there,

I’m planning to do the Mercantour crossing following the Randoxygène route in mid-July. I’m used to hiking in the mountains, but I sometimes get vertigo, for example on ridges with drops on both sides. I wanted to check if there are any T4 or T3-T4 sections and find out if there are any very exposed passages—and if so, where—so I can plan an alternative route. Can anyone give me some info on this? Thanks!

Hi there, We’re spending a month in northern Vietnam this coming November and we’d love to do some day hikes around the village of Mu Cang Chai to see the famous spiral terraced rice fields. We’ll most likely be staying in Mu Cang Chai itself and we don’t have a car. It’s really tough to find a route online. Any tips would be great. Thanks in advance.

Good evening everyone, Can you advise me on this? I’m looking for public transport between Le Hohneck and the village of Bonhomme, where I plan to leave my car. I’m hiking between these two points. Thanks so much for your help! Yves

Is wild camping possible? Are there campsites and places to restock along the way, and is water available? Thanks for your answers! Pierrick

Hi, has anyone been to the Api Himal region recently? Can you do the trek staying in lodges or tea houses in 2025? Thanks, Aichatou

Hi, I’m planning to go trekking in Armenia with a few friends. I’d love to get some recommendations for local agencies or names of French-speaking guides who organize multi-day treks. This destination seems pretty off the beaten path😕, which is exactly why I’m interested... Thanks.

Hello, I’ll be in Nepal from March 6th to 29th (we’re flying into Kathmandu via Varanasi and leaving via Delhi). I’m a bit confused about the regulations requiring a guide.

My wife and I (we’re 63 and 64) aren’t experienced trekkers—we’re more used to walking on terrain with very moderate elevation changes. I’m looking for fairly easy hikes, possibly day trips. Here are my questions: - Does the Poon Hill trek from Pokhara require a guide, or is it better to go through a local agency? (I’ve seen a lot of them offering 4-day packages) - I’d like to do a few multi-day hikes around Jomsom (Kagbeni, Mukitinath, Lupra, Marpha)... Do you need a guide for those, and can you find accommodations easily without booking in advance?

Last question—I’m really hesitant to lug around a sleeping bag or down jacket during our 6 weeks in India. Can you easily find these kinds of items at reasonable prices in Pokhara?

Thanks in advance for any tips you can share! Yann

Hi there, I’d like to spend a week in the Dolomites (4 days of trekking and a few day hikes). Unfortunately, it’ll be in August (no choice). My questions are: - For a first time in the Dolomites, which 4-day trek should I pick? I’d love the most spectacular and varied landscapes possible. Around 1,000m elevation gain per day. - Is it busier the first or last week of August? - Will it still feel "quiet" while hiking? Not like a conga line in August...?

Thanks so much for your help! !

Hi there, I’m struggling to get back into hiking and I’m considering tackling the GR5 from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean shores in August-September.

Since I can’t plan daily distances in advance, I’ll be bringing gear to bivouac.

I’m not familiar with this route and wanted to get an idea of water resupply options before setting off: are sources and streams still flowing easily in late summer on this GR, or should I prepare for long dry stretches? 😐

Hi there! I’m heading out in August for a two-day trek in the Vale do Pati. Do I need proper hiking boots, or will trail-running shoes do the job? Thanks in advance for your feedback! 😊😃

Hi everyone, we’re heading to Java in August, specifically to KAWAH IJEN. I’ve seen that there are new requirements like a medical certificate since 2024—is this still the case? Can our 6-year-old daughter do the ascent? Can she go down to see the blue flames at night with gas masks? If not, is it better during the day? Thanks for your feedback!

hi, is there (still) a ferry route between southern Turkey (Iskenderun) and Haifa? direct or not?

Hello, We’re heading to Laos in December 2025, and we want to do a multi-day trek—maybe even a week—to really take our time and make stops in villages since we’ll have our 3-year-old daughter with us.

We’re torn between the Luang Namtha region or Phongsaly for our big trek. We’re looking for the least touristy spot possible, we love mountains, so we’d like an area with varied landscapes, including rice paddies, and a chance to really connect with local ethnic groups. We’re after authenticity and only want to stay with locals. Which of the two should we prioritize? Any advice would be welcome to help us decide—it’s tough when you don’t know the area! Maybe there are other spots in the north worth considering for a beautiful week-long trek.

Thanks, fellow travelers

Hello everyone,

We’re planning to spend 15 days in early May in La Gomera, solely for hiking and exploring the island. We like to take our time and not rush to see everything. We’ve booked small hostels or hotels, and our itinerary will be: San Sebastian -> Playa Santiago -> Valle Gran Rey -> Vallehermoso -> back to San Sebastian

We’re hesitating about renting a car—it would certainly give us more flexibility compared to buses, but it also comes with a budget and responsibilities (parking, getting back to the car after a hike, driving fatigue, distances, etc.). Since hiking is our main focus, the ROTHER guidebook shows mostly hikes that are accessible by bus. Is the bus network reliable? Is it restrictive to go without a car, with 2 or 3 nights in each location?

Thanks for your feedback—we can’t decide!

Best, Thomas

I'd like to do all or part of the GR 11 in June or July. Spain.

What shoes would you recommend, given it'll be hot and it's a mountain hike?

Regular hiking shoes or sandals?

Thanks

Hi there, I’m really struggling to plan our two-week trip to Quebec. Our goal is to prioritize hiking for at least a week, but I could really use your help. Which parks should we prioritize? Thanks in advance!

Hi there, I’m traveling to Quebec with my husband and our 20-year-old son for 15 days in August. To finalize our itinerary, I’d love to know the differences between La Mauricie Park and Jacques Cartier Park. We have two days to dedicate to one of the two parks. Thanks so much for your feedback!

Hi everyone,

We’re leaving in 9 days for a two-week trip to Madeira, mainly to hike.

From my research, I’ve found that since last year, access to most trails—and systematically for the most popular ones—is now paid. You have to pay an access fee of 4.50 € per person per classified hike in 2026, and even 10.50 € for the most iconic hike: Pico Arieiro to Pico Ruivo. When paying, you also have to choose a day and a 30-minute time slot for your start time. Of course, this reservation is neither changeable nor refundable, even if the weather that day is terrible.

Personally, given the massive influx of tourists to the island in recent years, I don’t mind paying a fee to help maintain the trails. Similarly, setting a limit on the number of people who can hike them per day is certainly preferable to preserve this priceless heritage.

However, what’s much less fair is that in reality, most of the available spots are reserved: 1/ for Madeira residents (which is normal); 2/ for "economic operators" (meaning local tour operators). For example, if you’re a non-resident (independent tourist), no booking is possible for the Pico Arieiro hike for an early morning start before September! So, unfortunately, we’ll have to skip this hike. It’s the same issue for Ponta de São Lourenço, the 25 Fontes, Pico Ruivo... in short, all the most popular hikes. Oh well, we’ll skip those too!

So my question is: which hikes do you recommend where we won’t face the huge crowds that the others get? And where we can book the day before for the next day, taking the weather into account?

Finally, a quick accommodation question: we’ve booked the first week in Funchal, but I haven’t decided yet for the second week. Do you have any advice on where to stay in the south or north, preferably avoiding overly concrete-heavy and touristy spots?

Thanks in advance for your tips! 🙂

Pascal

Hi everyone!

New to this forum, I’m planning a pretty big project for 2028. I’m heading to Nepal to do a trek from Kathmandu all the way to Everest Base Camp (a cool 5,300 m 😄). This trek is a bit special because even though I’ll be part of a group, I’m going solo (so far, no problem—I’m used to it). But it’s my first real trek, and it’s also a humanitarian one: once I reach base camp, I’ll stay an extra week to help clean up the waste left by tens of thousands of climbers! Since I’m originally from South America, from two countries that share the Andes, I have a deep respect for mountains—they fascinate me. So Everest… it’s kind of the trip of a lifetime!

So, a little question for those who’ve done treks to Everest before… any tips for good mental preparation (I’m already working on the physical side)?

Thanks in advance for your advice! 🙂

Hello, I’m heading to Réunion in early October with my girlfriend for two weeks. Out of the 15 days, we’d like to do about 5 days of hiking—maybe a 3-day/2-night trek and two day hikes.

I’ve seen tons of hiking options online, but I’m a bit overwhelmed when it comes to choosing. Hikes like the Tour de Mafate trek, Piton des Neiges, Piton de la Fournaise… we’d love to do those too.

We’ll have a rental car if needed. No problem walking for 6 hours a day (we’re pretty active).

Which hikes would you recommend?

Thanks in advance!

Hi there. Is it legally possible to do this hike without a guide? Thanks.