Travel on foot (hiking)

Hi there, we’re planning to do the Valley of Roses trek without a guide. Which village should we start the trek from? Is the route easy to find? Will 3 to 4 days be enough? (We’re experienced hikers and good walkers.) Which stopover villages would you recommend?.....Thanks! FG

Hi everyone, and happy New Year! Can you find screw-on gas canisters for camping stoves in Turkey? Thanks in advance, and safe travels! David

Hey everyone,

I’m planning a hiking trip to India in 2025 with my wife and another couple.

We’ll most likely be leaving at the end of April (TBC).

This isn’t my first time hiking abroad, and I’ve often run into parasites that take advantage of the night to bother you (you know what I’m talking about, haha).

I’ve dealt with flies, mosquitoes, and all kinds of critters during my sleep before, but for this trip to India—which could already be pretty hectic—I really want to be prepared and avoid this issue.

If you know where I can find effective mosquito nets that won’t give me any trouble with mosquitoes, I’m all ears!

If you’re selling some yourself, feel free to reply to this post—we can chat about it!

In the meantime, I’ll keep looking for mosquito nets on my end.

Thanks! !

Hello, A few years ago, I visited Nepal. I have wonderful memories of it. My friend (77) and I (73) would like to go back. We’re still in good shape! But let’s not exaggerate either. So, we’re looking for a relaxed trek in the mid-mountains, in touch with the local people, passing near monasteries, and with beautiful views of the peaks. And no agencies! Can you give us some tips? Thanks a million

hi everyone, I’m a bit confused: we (3 adults in our sixties) are planning to do the Inca Trail to reach Machu Picchu on foot. Many websites say that walking poles are banned, but the agency we’ve chosen to go with offers pole rental! What’s the deal? Are the allowed poles the ones with a tip protector? Thanks for your answers! Alain

Hi there, we’re heading to Sri Lanka in early February for 15 days. We’d like to do a few days of trekking and thought we’d need an agency and a guide, but we’ve heard about the Pekoe Trail—a long-distance trail that’s supposedly well-marked. Is that accurate? Is it doable on our own? I’d love to hear from anyone who’s familiar with it. Thanks!

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, I’m interested in hiking in the city of Sefar. Has anyone here been there? Thanks for your replies. Didier

Hello

A brand-new project has just come up: spending 15 days in Costa Rica. If you have any recommendations for a French-speaking agency or guide, I’d love to hear them. I’m thinking of leaving in late February or early March. There’ll be two of us women on this trip. What are the most beautiful spots to explore? Preferably hiking spots. Véronique

Hi everyone. I’m planning a trip to Thailand for November. We loved the treks we did in Laos, Vietnam, and Myanmar so much that we’d like to repeat the experience in Northern Thailand. Most travelers who go trekking do it around Chiang Mai. But wouldn’t it be better to do it somewhere else (Chiang Rai?) to get a bit more authenticity? Any tips would be welcome (agency, guide, route, etc.). Thanks for your feedback!

Hi there, I’m planning to hike in China in July/August, no specific regions in mind yet but probably in the southwest. Can anyone tell me if it’s generally easy to do multi-day independent hikes and if wild camping in a tent is allowed? Thanks

Hi there, After a few treks in Nepal, I'm thinking about doing one in Patagonia. But when I see the prices, it’s a bit off-putting!!!! I was used to going with local agencies at really good rates and the same conditions as tour operators. Are there any agencies like that in Argentina or Chile? Thierry

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 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, Does anyone know a good local agency in Peru? I’d like to do the Ausangate trek and Machu Picchu. Thanks in advance for your replies. Didier

Hi there! Discussions are rare and not recent, so I’m giving this a little bump—hope some folks are still around! ;-) I’d love to head to Wamena and trek south through the Valley over 5-6 days on foot. From what I’ve seen, finding your way isn’t exactly straightforward, and it seems best to hire a guide. I’ve never done that before because the encounters just aren’t the same...

Has anyone here explored the area? Is it feasible to trek down along the Baliem River, from Sogokmo to Kulise, then to Wamerek, cross over, and head back up along the river?

I’ve heard you should bring supplies to offer your hosts, which I’m happy to do!

What do you all think? The carefree spirit of my 20s is long gone, but I’d love to find it again, even just for a little while. ;-)

Thanks so much in advance for any tips or advice! Juliette

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.

Spots where we can camp, bivouac, and find water sources

hi everyone,

we’re a group of 10 adults who hike together every year, and we’re looking for our next destination for October. Our main criterion is avoiding crowds, even if it means not being at the most wow-worthy spot. Is there still a chance to find some solitude in Madeira, or has it become difficult? Would Cape Verde be a better bet if we pick the right islands?

I know it’s a very personal opinion—super subjective depending on how much company you can tolerate—but it’s really our top priority.

Thanks for any recent insights; it seems like tourism in Madeira is really booming!

have a great day,

Sandra

Hi there, I’d love some tips for visiting the Chocó region near the Pacific in Colombia. I’m assuming I’ll fly in... Where should I stay? Where can I walk in the forest (without a guide)? Where can I see wildlife, go diving, hiking, and what are the best places to stay? Also, how do I get around, etc.? Thanks in advance! Bernard

Hi there,

I'm looking for hiking ideas starting from Valbonë.

No more than 500/600m of elevation gain, no more than 15 kilometers.

I don’t plan on doing the hike to Theth.

Thanks! 🙂

Hi everyone,

We started hiking the GR 34 a few years ago. At first, we did short hikes starting from our holiday home. Gradually, we had to drive to the starting point where we’d left off. Two years ago, we set off with our four boys (12, 9, 9, and 4 years old) for a 13-day trip, with 10 days of walking. We went from Pont-Aven to Bénodet (100 km). Challenge accomplished! We were so proud—especially the boys—and rightly so! This summer, we want to continue the adventure. We plan to pick up from Bénodet and go all the way to Pointe du Raz (~130 km). The boys are still motivated, though the youngest is a little less so. But he’ll have time to warm up to the idea. Do you know of any spots along this route (presbytery, bivouac, friends, campsites—but *really* cheap ones) where we can pitch our two small tents? Two years ago, we only stayed at campsites, and in the end, the bill was still pretty steep. We’d like to cut costs as much as possible. Thanks so much for your help! See you soon, Marie