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)?
So a little question for those who have already done treks to climb Everest... what advice would you give me for good mental preparation (I’m already handling the physical prep)?
Hello,
I admit I’ve never really thought about that.
If your body’s in good shape, your mind should follow... Though, true, mental strength plays a big role when it comes to pushing yourself. But that shouldn’t be an issue unless your fitness level is noticeably lower than the rest of the group.
The main challenge of the Everest Base Camp trek is the risk of altitude sickness (AMS), which varies from person to person... What makes this trek unique (compared to others) is that it starts at a certain altitude (2,860m) in Lukla.
Most people get there by plane...
My advice is to take it easy the first few days (even if you feel in great shape), especially on the second day (from Monjo to Namche Bazar at 3,450m). You can get AMS in Namche Bazar... Anyway, you’ll need an acclimatization day (sleeping at the same altitude) in this town and shouldn’t leave until your headaches are gone. But I assume you’ll have a guide who’ll give you tips.
The best mental prep is to set off feeling confident, and good physical training helps a lot with that. How? By walking regularly, quite simply. If possible, in the mountains if you get the chance.
PS: If you have the time and opportunity, and if you're in great shape, after Base Camp, check out the Gokyo Lakes (via the Cho La Pass).
I found these spots even more beautiful than Base Camp and way less crowded with trekkers!
Thanks for your reply! I’ve done my research on altitude sickness, and since I’ve already been up to 2,800 m without any issues (I’m Franco-Chilean and, when I get the chance—too rare, unfortunately—I love hiking in the Andes), I’m not too worried. Especially since the trek is very well organized, with a 24-hour acclimatization stop planned in Namche Bazaar, and a professional guide will be there to make sure everyone in the group (I’m doing the trek with a group I’ll meet on-site) is doing okay.
Anyway, I’ll be paying close attention to my body, and the trek organizers are already taking great care of me—even though I haven’t even arrived yet! 😉
Since I live in Normandy, for now, I’m sticking to the gym and coastal hikes, but I’ll be heading back to the cliffs of Étretat, which are pretty steep. You’re right, I should try to plan some short mountain getaways (when work allows)!
But you’re right to mention Acute Mountain Sickness—I know a lot of inexperienced climbers tend to overlook it, and it can be really dangerous! Fortunately, I’ll be staying at base camp for an extra week, which should help with acclimatization, and they can take me back down a bit if needed. 🙂
I’ve done my research on altitude sickness, having already gone up to 2,800 m without any issues
The issue isn’t reaching 2,800 m (by plane), but the climb from 2,800 to 3,450 m (Namche) too quickly!
Living in Normandy for now, I’m sticking to the gym and coastal hikes
Focus on hiking—the gym is just extra...
Luckily, I’ll stay at base camp an extra week, which should help with acclimatization
Once you’re at base camp, no more acclimatization worries!
I’ll try to schedule some short mountain trips whenever work allows!
Hi! In the Alps, there are plenty of spots with significant elevation gain and pretty steep slopes. Contrary to what you might think, hiking in the Alps is still quite physically demanding. You can head to Les Écrins and get close to the Barre des Écrins without needing an ice axe or crampons :)
I’ve done my research on altitude sickness, since I’ve already been up to 2,800 m with no issues
The problem isn’t reaching 2,800 m (by plane), but the climb from 2,800 to 3,450 m (Namche) too quickly!
Living in Normandy, for now, I’m sticking to the gym and coastal hikes
Focus on hiking—the gym is just extra...
Luckily, I’ll stay at base camp an extra week, which should help with acclimatization
Once you’re at base camp, no more acclimatization worries!
Thanks so much—I’ll be careful... I’ve seen that it’s mostly about endurance. I do hikes, but the gym (as a supplement) helps me work on muscle strength and cardio (especially breath control on a treadmill set to mountain mode at a slow pace). I’m also planning to buy an altitude-simulation hypoxia mask to prepare, so I don’t burn out too fast!
I’ll try to schedule some short mountain getaways (when work allows it)!
Hi! In the Alps, there are tons of spots with significant elevation and pretty steep slopes. Contrary to what you might think, hiking in the Alps remains quite physically demanding. You can head to Les Écrins and get close to the Barre des Écrins without needing an ice axe or crampons :)
Thanks so much for the recommendation—I’ll try to plan some little hiking vacations in the Alps, depending on my work schedule! :)
Well, for mental prep, I guess it’ll mostly follow physical prep!
On the Everest Base Camp route, there aren’t many steep slopes (well, according to my memories anyway).
No need to go to high altitude beforehand!
If you want to do a nice little trek in the summer, of course, try the Tour du Mont Thabor and the summit too (3,150 m, which doesn’t require any special equipment). This area is stunning—you cross a gorgeous narrow valley that’s half French, half Italian.
By the way, what month are you planning to do your trek?
The best periods are mid-October to mid-November and March to April... but those are also the busiest times! !
I'm going from March 28 to April 17, 2028, but everything's already arranged—my spot is locked in, and the Nepalese tour operator has been super attentive to all my requests (they're thrilled about my project). 🙂
I’m also trying to plan a little getaway to Mont Thabor, since it’s been ages since I’ve been in the Alps, and I don’t know that area at all!
The hypoxic mask can simulate altitudes of 3,000–4,000m, and it could be a great tool to better prepare my heart. Even though I played badminton for several years—which is good exercise—I’ve heard that even if the trek isn’t too steep, the gradual altitude can still affect your heart rate. Since I’ve never done a trek like this before, I’d rather stack the odds in my favor.
I’ll be getting a full ECG soon (just for a requested medical check-up), which will give me an idea of how my heart and lungs are doing. In the meantime, I’ll try to do as many hikes as possible around here before heading to Mont Thabor—I’ve got a good week in August, so I’ll try to sort that out quickly!
Thanks again for all the advice, and have a great day!
hi, consider bringing trekking poles if needed.
When climbing a slope, it’s like jogging—make sure to regulate your breathing at regular intervals.
Breathe in deeply and exhale so your heart can adjust to the effort.
To avoid getting out of breath.
The poles are useful on descents to distribute your body weight.
For ascents, they provide extra support points.
As for Mont Thabor, a good training session is to start from Modane and climb toward the Col de la Vallée Etroite—let me know what you think ;)
I have trekking poles, but since I don’t think they’re designed for the mountains (round tips, mainly for flat roads or maybe the beach), I was planning to buy new ones. 😉
From what I can tell, I should be able to go to Mont Thabor—I’ll check how far the accommodation is from Modane. Thanks so much for the recommendation!
Yes, breath control and pacing your breathing are super important. That’s what I’ve been working on, whether at the gym (which also helps me recover quickly) or on hikes. I really don’t want to end up being carried back down, supported by two Sherpas, on a donkey or yak! 😏
For the Thabor, I recommend starting from Nevache (several hostels and hotels) towards the narrow valley (a stopover): there are two really nice hostels there, including Les Rois Mages. This valley is stunning.
Then, the Thabor hostel and the ascent of Thabor—it’s very well marked and indicated, no problem. After that, continuing the "Tour" varies depending on the number of days you want. There are lots of lakes, it’s gorgeous! Of course, you’ll need to book the hostels along the route...
The return to Nevache is via the Clarée Valley.
Thanks! I’ll need to look into this a bit more because I might not be going alone, and the person who’d come with me isn’t up for multi-day hikes... Maybe there are day hikes I could do instead? Even if I do two hikes in different spots but come back the same day, it’ll help me get used to walking for several days in a row (I have a sedentary job).
I found accommodation 8 km away, but I can leave the car there to start my hike.
Thanks again for the suggestion—I’ll dig deeper and contact the tourist office. In the meantime, in Normandy, I’ve got plenty of hikes with varying elevation (even small ones) to keep me busy! 🙂
Back to my original post: I get that mental prep will depend a lot on my physical prep—learning to push my limits but also (and especially) to listen to my body.
About altitude sickness, my mom (who recently went up to 4,000 m by bus) told me there’s medication for it. I’ll look into that—it might be good to have in my first-aid kit!
I’ve seen so many documentaries on altitude sickness and how to avoid it that I’m not too worried! What scares me more is the amount of trash I’ll find at base camp....
hi! you can get to Modane by train, so if you’d rather not use a car, that’s an option.
As for altitude sickness, you can take Diamox, but please check with your doctor first.
And a quick health check-up before you go wouldn’t hurt either.
The full check-up is scheduled just before my departure for Nepal, don’t worry.
I’m already getting one done for other reasons before heading to the Alps, so I’ll be completely reassured 🙂
Yes, yes, I’ll ask my doctor about the altitude sickness medication—thanks for the name, I’ll note it down to ask him!
I had found accommodation a bit farther away, but I just found one right in Modane and it’s cheaper!
The car is mainly because I’m coming from Normandy, and it’s more convenient, especially if I’m traveling with someone. Plus, I won’t be stressed about missing trains 😉
Hello Nathou61,
I recommend documenting your journey in the mountains while respecting altitude acclimatization, especially starting from Namche Bazar, where people usually take a day to acclimatize by visiting the surrounding village. If you're taking the classic Everest route, it's better to take another acclimatization day in Dingboche as well. If you want to enjoy a pass and a beautiful lake in the Khumbu region, you can also go via Gokyo Lake, Gokyo Ri, and the Cho La Pass. I think this will help you acclimatize better before reaching Lobuche and Gorak Shep. It’s a really great idea to collect the waste left by expeditions at Everest Base Camp, but to bring it down, you’ll need to either have it carried by yaks or find porters on-site. I truly appreciate your fabulous efforts to keep Everest clean, healthy, and with fresh air. Wishing you all the success with this project—welcome to Nepal, Adventure!!!
Don’t worry, I’m not going alone—I’ll be with an organized group and a guide, and we’ll have two 24-hour acclimatization periods before reaching base camp. There’s an itinerary; I just need to print it out. 😄
Along the way, I’ll have gifts for the children in the villages we pass through (notebooks and pens). I’ve been told they’ll teach me how to offer them respectfully, following Sherpa traditions.
I love discovering new cultures and traditions!
The organizers told me they’ll handle taking the trash bags down from base camp. All I have to do is bring them and fill them up. Once there, we’ll figure out where to store them so they can be brought back down. I’ll be staying at base camp for a week to collect waste, and I’ll try to gather as much as possible while watching expeditions set off—it’ll be really interesting! 🙂
Sagarmatha fascinates me as much as I respect it, and if I can do something to help keep it this beautiful, then I’m thrilled!
Don’t forget (for training):
- It’s better to walk regularly, even on flat ground (at least 2 or 3 times a week), than to do long distances too sporadically. A short 4- or 5-day itinerant trek with a backpack is a plus.
- In Nepal, try to stay within your physical limits for the first 2 or 3 days, even if you feel particularly fit—especially since you’ll be tied to the group’s pace. Don’t push yourself. You should be able to chat comfortably while walking. Watch out—AMS (acute mountain sickness) creeps up sneakily.
Never set off in the morning if you have nausea or headaches! The big issue is that when you’re in a group, you don’t want to be a burden, so you keep going when you should really stop for a day.
When you’re managing your trek solo or as a couple, you follow your own pace—no time constraints—and can stay an extra day in the same place if needed.
If things get really tough, just descend 300 m (in elevation) to recover. Don’t push through.
Warning: taking meds like Diamox can temporarily mask AMS symptoms, not to mention the side effects...
Just so you know, you don’t need to go to the mountains to prepare for a trek in Nepal.
If you have access to a gym, a few hiking trails near your place (I’m sure there are some in Normandy), that’s more than enough.
In terms of preparation (without going to the mountains):
1. Use the stepper at the gym (stair climbing) and the elliptical bike (for cardio).
2. Walk and hike, trying to find hills to get some elevation gain +/-.
(From my experience hiking on the Breton/Norman coast, you can easily find significant elevation changes.)
The altitude you’ll find in the Alps won’t compare to what you’ll experience in Nepal (I know what I’m talking about—I live there). AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) becomes an issue above 3,500m... So no matter how much hiking you do in the Alps, you’ll rarely reach that altitude.
I’d recommend focusing on building great cardio (biking, running, races) and practicing carrying a backpack instead.
Thanks for the tips! I go to a gym with a coach who, knowing about my project, is helping me with muscle strengthening (my hamstrings tend to give out a bit too easily) and a lot of cardio (the stepper will come later—we’re following a personalized, progressive program, but I’ve got the rowing machine, bike, and elliptical, among other things). 🙂
Great idea to go on hikes while gradually adding weight to my backpack to get used to it!
For AMS (acute mountain sickness), I’ll prepare by asking my doctor for advice on medication, but in any case, I’ll be very mindful of the signals. From what I remember, I’ve been up to 3,000m without any issues, but I’ve never gone above 3,500m, so we’ll see—but I’ll be extra careful.
True, Normandy has plenty of hikes with varying elevation gains, so I can train on flat terrain or more winding paths and cliffs to test everything out.
A short week in the Alps would’ve been nice, but I had to cancel. I’ll go next year—even if it’s not the same, it’s still good extra training.
Mentally, I’m preparing alongside the physical training. The goal is to stay disciplined and keep progressing without getting discouraged or impatient! 😇
Hi Nathalie,
I’d say if your mind is ready, your body will follow. Unless you’re in poor health, of course.
You’ve definitely got time to prepare, and you’ll be in a group without having to worry about logistics, plus you won’t be alone since you’re traveling with others.
So, if it helps, I’ll share my experience and feelings...
Nepal isn’t new to me—I go there regularly, in fact, I’m heading back in November.
I’m 66, so not exactly young anymore...
I’m not a big athlete, just to be clear. I go to the gym regularly and live in the Paris area...
Most of my treks are with my husband (who’s even older than me!), and I’ve only done one with a porter. This autumn, I’m returning to the Khumbu solo with a porter-guide.
The trek you’re planning isn’t really difficult. There are a few steep sections (mountains at high altitude ), but honestly, nothing—absolutely nothing—unmanageable, and you won’t be crossing passes, which can be tough depending on the weather.
It’s a fairly popular trek with all the logistics that come with it. There are now some comfortable lodges, which helps.
Above all, it’s motivation that counts in this kind of "adventure."
And... the landscapes are stunning... (you can see lots of photos on my blog)
Hi there,
I’d add to all the great tips you’ve already been given that you might also consider a preventive course of rhodiola. I suffered from altitude sickness during my first trip to Tibet. I ended up in the hospital in Lhasa—I thought my head was going to explode. The Tibetans then told me about rhodiola, an adaptogenic plant. So I tried it before my second trip. I obviously can’t guarantee it was thanks to this plant that I had no symptoms, but if I had to do it all over again, I’d do exactly the same. 😊
Safe travels and good prep!
Hello,
I’d add to all the great advice you’ve already been given that you could also try a preventive course of rhodiola. I suffered from altitude sickness during my first trip to Tibet. I ended up in the hospital in Lhasa—I thought my head was going to explode. The Tibetans told me about rhodiola, an adaptogenic plant. So I tried it before my second trip. I obviously can’t guarantee it was thanks to this plant that I had no symptoms, but if I had to do it again, I’d do exactly the same. 😊
Safe travels with your prep!
Hello,
Great point about rhodiola—I’d heard about it on the Nepalese side too! 😊 That said, I see it more as a little bonus than a guarantee: the scientific evidence is still limited, but it doesn’t cost much to try, and it clearly worked well for you.
What really makes a difference for acute mountain sickness, based on my experience in Nepal and what local guides always say:
Climb slowly: above 3,000 m, avoid gaining more than 300 to 500 m in sleeping altitude per day, with a proper acclimatization day every 1,000 m or so.
“Climb high, sleep low”: you can go higher during the day, but descend to sleep a bit lower.
Stay hydrated (3 to 4 L per day), avoid alcohol, and don’t push the pace even if you feel fine.
The golden rule: at the first sign of worsening symptoms (persistent headache, nausea, dizziness), don’t go any higher and descend. No plant can replace that.
And with medical advice, Diamox (acetazolamide) remains the go-to preventive treatment—check with your doctor before you leave.
Your experience in Lhasa is a bit scary—I’m glad your second trip went well! In the end, the most important thing is to listen to your body and not rush to get to the top.
Safe travels with your prep! 😊
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Hi everyone,
I’m leaving on Monday, August 3rd for my very first long-distance trek: the GR223 from Coutances to Mont Saint-Michel, over 6-7 days (~11-14 miles/day), solo.
I’m looking for tips from people who know this section well (Coutances → Regnéville-sur-Mer → Hauteville-sur-Mer → Bréhal → Granville → Genêts → bay crossing):
Budget-friendly accommodations: I’m struggling to find affordable stopover lodgings (a lot of what I find online are expensive vacation rentals, not really suited for a solo hiker). If you have any great spots (hostels, hiker-friendly B&Bs, nice campgrounds), I’d love to hear them!
Bay crossing: Any feedback on guides/providers leaving from Genêts for the final crossing?
General tips for a first long-distance trek: What you wish you’d known before your first time, pitfalls to avoid, etc.
Hi,
We’re planning to do the 4-day trek from Mestia to Ushguli without an agency. The descriptions mention that there are accommodations at each stop, but we can’t find any details about them. Has anyone got info or feedback on this route?
I'm developing a free and open-source web app for planning walking and cycling trips (and even car trips). You can create a route by clicking directly on the map to add waypoints, and it can consist of multiple stages. The app provides tools to edit the stages and the overall route, and to display useful information (distances, altitudes, and elevation changes). A relief profile can be shown as a graph for a specific stage or the entire route.
Once the route is ready, it can be exported as a GPX file, which can then be used with a GPS or a mobile navigation app.
The app is built in JavaScript and runs entirely in the web browser. It uses the Leaflet library and several OpenStreetMap-based services. Initially developed for my personal needs (I enjoy hiking and cycle touring), I’d be happy to share it with anyone who might find it useful. It’s free to use, doesn’t require an account, and the source code is available.
We're planning to trek in Peru and Bolivia and would love to find some local agencies.
If you know any, could you share details on prices and, of course, the names of the agencies?
Which trek would you recommend?
Elocine
I'm heading out on a fully self-sufficient trek in Morocco (10 days) from Imilchil to Aghbalou.
Can I find screw-on gas canisters (Coleman, Primus) in Marrakech (any addresses?) or in villages between Imilchil and Aghbalou?
If not, are Butagaz canisters for camping gas (small 230g size) available?
Thanks in advance for your tips!
Hello, I’d like to embark on a little trip in my home country, Switzerland. I’ll start walking from La Cure, heading toward Le Noirmont first, then I’ll improvise my route—but it’ll probably follow the French border... at least as far as Lac de Joux.
I’ll decide day by day how much farther to go after that. My goal is to stay in nature as much as possible, wander around for as long as I can, and restock food in villages or towns along the way.
I’m thinking of mostly camping, but we’ll see if I end up in a hotel or another campsite depending on my route.
I’d love to reach La Chaux-de-Fonds on foot... maybe even Delémont.
The whole thing should take about a week, give or take.
I’ll be bringing my dog, and I’m preparing for this as soon as I’m ready.
Any tips to make sure everything goes smoothly for us? Things I should know—or avoid? What about shepherds with their flocks of sheep? And isn’t hunting season open right now?
I’m not sure if what I’m planning is even doable, which is why I’m asking around.
This’ll be my first time doing something like this—wandering in nature *and* with a dog. I’m really excited for this adventure... and I need it. Thanks!
We’re really keen on ecosystems and want to hike in "natural" ancient forests—not planted woods or areas heavily degraded by human activity. Travel guides (like Lonely Planet) don’t provide much info on this. Could you point us to the most interesting spots?
Thanks in advance for your tips.
We wish you happy holidays and a fantastic 2026, full of discoveries!
Claire and Albert
Hi, this might not be the right section, but I’d like to know if it’s possible to start mountaineering with another person without necessarily hiring a guide. We’ve done quite a bit of hiking but not mountaineering—we’ll just do a half-day glacier course. After that, we were thinking of starting with La Grande Motte and the Pointe de la Traversière, which were recommended to us. Honestly, for things like roping up and knots, I’ll learn at home with lots of videos and a book.
I’d love to know if anyone has done treks in the Rwenzori Mountains and how much it costs on average, what the infrastructure is like, the landscapes, and safety in the area. Thanks so much! I’m really looking forward to your replies.
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?
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,
We’re flying from Montreal to Lyon this August to go hiking in the French Alps. We’ve rented a car and will be staying at campgrounds. We’re planning to do day hikes and want to stay a few days in one spot, do a few hikes, then move on to our next camping spot. Could you share your favorite spots or any recommendations for places to spend a few days with great hikes?
A few details:
We arrive in early August and leave in early September.
We’re looking for day hikes (or shorter), moderate difficulty, with a cumulative elevation gain of no more than 1000m, and of course, beautiful scenery!
We’d prefer not to drive too much—maybe it’s best not to head too far south and deal with unnecessary heat?
Along the same lines, if you know of any great campgrounds where we can start our hike directly without needing the car, we’d love to hear your suggestions!
Hi there,
I’m planning to go hiking on this island and would like to know the best time to do it. I visited for a few days in November 2018—not for hiking but just to explore—and the weather wasn’t great, especially in the mountains. So, is a star-shaped itinerary doable if I rent a car and maybe use two different accommodations?
I’m not planning to join an organized group—just traveling with one other person and organizing things ourselves—unless you’d recommend a local agency or guide. Finally, even though I’ll be getting maps, a topo guide, and a GPS, I’d really appreciate your top hiking recommendations.
Thanks so much for your tips!
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!
I’m planning a trip around Cap Corse and the AGRIATES in 2026, from May 8th to 15th (there are still 2 spots left, by the way! Just DM me if you're interested).
I’d love to know which hikes are worth prioritizing in the AGRIATES. We’ll be staying in SALECCIA for two days as our base—what should we focus on from there?
A round trip to IGNHU beach? Any other suggestions?
For Ostricano, I think it’s too far for a round trip...
Thanks for your tips!
Have a great day,
Anie, Toulouse
I’d like to get some info about the GR10 Pyrenees traverse. I need help planning the daily stages and accommodations—my wife isn’t an experienced hiker but walks a lot, so I’d like to schedule shorter walking days and thus a longer overall trip in terms of number of days.
Could anyone give me some help and advice?
Best regards,
Hi there, I’m planning the Annapurna Circuit for March 2027 and I’m looking for a local agency with a local guide—preferably French-speaking—to arrange this trek for us. Any suggestions? Thanks
Hello!
We’re spending a few days in Toraja country at the end of May. We’d love to do a day trek—taking our time—on a route that’s stunning in terms of scenery, but not a level 5 in difficulty!
Any suggestions you can share, please?
Thanks in advance
I’d like to do the Mare a Mare Sud in May over 4 days. I’ve found quite a few places to stay along the route, but I’m stuck on the start and finish.
I’ll be arriving by plane on Sunday evening and would like to start pretty early on Monday morning. Ideally, accommodation right at the trailhead (Alzu di Gallina) would be amazing, but I can’t find anything. Any tips?
Also, for the transfer from Figari Airport to Porto Vecchio or Alzu di Gallina?
At the end, I’d like to pick up a rental car—any advice on that too?
I’m traveling solo by plane to Catania in May and plan to hike the northern side of Etna, starting from Linguaglossa where I’ll arrive by bus. After that, I’d love some info on how to get up to Piano Provenzana (shuttles or hitchhiking), since it seems there’s no public transport except in the summer. Can you sleep there in a free or cheap refuge, or camp? And how far up can you go without having to hire a guide? Thanks in advance. Bernard.
Hi everyone,
I’m heading to Morocco in August and we’ll start with a stop in Chefchaouen (we’re driving).
My question: can anyone suggest a 5-to-7-day loop hiking route from Chefchaouen in Talassemtane Park, ideally passing by the God’s Bridge? Or a paper guidebook that covers a few options?
We prefer wild camping and guesthouses.
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!
Hi everyone!
We’re planning a 15-day road trip to Scotland this summer, specifically to explore and hike on Lewis and Harris—places we’ve never been before. We’ve visited other islands on previous road trips in Scotland (we usually go in April for a week). This would be our first time in Scotland in the summer and for 15 days. We’re looking at late August to early September.
I’m currently drafting the itinerary. We’d be crossing from Ullapool and were thinking of spending 3 nights on Harris and 4 nights on Lewis.
Does that sound balanced to you? Is it better to keep the same accommodation on Harris and the same on Lewis to explore the area? I’d love to hear about any past experiences you’ve had on these islands.
Thanks!
Hi there, I’m trying to leave for 15 days very soon to São Vicente. I’m either looking to join an agency or figure things out on my own to go hiking on one of these islands or both. From what I’ve seen, it’s not easy to organize with local transport, so it gets expensive. Can I use the services of a small local agency? I’m looking for the simplest way to hike for several days. Also, how do you get from São Vicente to São Nicolau? Thanks in advance and have a great day!
Aichatou
I’ve been wanting to do this for several years, and this year’s the one. Next September, I’ll be trekking in Tusheti (Georgia), from Omalo to Shatili.
Of course, I won’t be renting a vehicle that’d just sit unused. No problem getting to Pshaveli, but from there to Omalo, it’s a dirt road (still the case?)
There must be some form of public transport since there are so many guesthouses, and not all travelers come in a 4x4.
If any of you have been to Omalo, could you confirm that these shared transports exist and how often they run?
we’re planning a trip to Yellowstone and hoping to do a three-day backcountry hike if we get a permit.
if any of you have done this before, could you let me know if it’s possible to find water along the way? And if we can transport it, are we allowed to use a stove?
