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! 🙂

Hi everyone,

I’m just at the very beginning of my research, so I’m coming straight to you for some info. I’d like to visit Morocco to discover a bit of the country. I’ve just found out about the Toubkal circuit, which I’d love to do in January/February. I’m open to going independently with a tent, food, etc., and also open to whatever other possibilities this circuit offers that I don’t know about yet... Could you share any random tips or info? I’d also love to hear your opinions? What I like about this circuit is that it’s fairly accessible and seems interesting for many reasons. I’ll leave it to you to share your thoughts—thanks in advance for your help! 🙂 Wishing you all lots of exciting plans for the new year ahead!

Nicolas

Hey everyone,

My plan for next November is to head back (yet again) to the Annapurnas to complete a route I’d always promised myself I’d do one day. Here’s the breakdown:

1. Start from Sikles and join the Annapurna Circuit by first going through Kori, then the Namun La (or Namun Bhanjyang). It’s a bit of a forgotten route, and I haven’t found much info on it—no .gpx files or firsthand accounts. Still, I’ve roughly mapped it out using different sources.

2. After that, I plan to head up to Phu to do the direct Phu Pass/Naar Pass traverse to Naar. It’s doable in 2 days, but why not in 1 if the weather’s good and I set off early enough?

3. Finally, I’ll head toward the Mesokanto North Pass (after a short camp at Tilicho North BC) to descend the entire Gandaki Valley down to Nayapul.

I’m obviously looking for any tips or feedback (if you’ve got any), and maybe a travel buddy who’s up for a little off-the-beaten-path adventure. 😄

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, We’re heading to South Africa in August 2025 and planning a classic loop that I’d love to finish with the Drakensberg (I’m a big hiking fan) before returning to Johannesburg to catch our flight. I’ve got 3 nights for this part of our trip. But I’m wondering if it’s actually a good idea to hike in the Drakensberg in August, since it’s the Southern Hemisphere winter (I’m from Réunion and we hike year-round there, but I don’t know what the climate’s like in South Africa, especially the Drakensberg). I’m particularly worried about getting stuck because of snow and missing our flight... ;) I’ve read so many different things that I’m totally confused! If it’s okay to hike at this time of year, what would you recommend? I’m torn between Champagne Valley and Royal Natal National Park. Thanks in advance for your firsthand tips! Malijp

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!

Thanks! :-)

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.

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

hi there (mid-August 2025), I’m arriving in COLCA CANYON from PUNO by bus to stay for 3 days I’ll be on foot what’s the best place to sleep since I’ll be hiking then I’m taking a bus to AREQUIPA but I can’t find any info about it only thing I’ve seen is that I’ll find a collectivo in CHIVAY can you give me some tips to organize this as smoothly as possible thanks ISABELLE

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

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

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 there, my partner and I want to hike the GR34 over several years, in stages of 8 to 10 days of walking during May or June. We're 53 and 55, pretty fit, and used to hiking. Our goal is to complete the whole trail starting from Mont Saint-Michel, but maybe some sections aren’t worth it? So I’ve got a few questions about logistics: - backpack size and what essentials to pack - where to sleep affordably (camping, hotels, or a mix?) Thanks for your tips!

Hello,

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

Hello, We’re planning a family trip (4 strong hikers, all adults) to Kashmir-Ladakh in August 2026! We’d like to explore and do some treks—challenging but without technical difficulty (we’re not mountaineers).

To start, do you have any tips or recommendations for 4- to 6-day treks in Himalayan landscapes? Which town or village should we start from? We’ll figure out how to get there later. Should we hire a local guide?

We’re just starting to organize, so we’re open to all your advice. Is it possible to spend a few days in a monastery?

Thanks so much for your replies! See you soon,

Laurent

Hi there, Could anyone give me some tips on 2-day treks in these areas? We're heading there in November... Thanks so much!

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

Hey everyone!

I’d like to explore the northeast of Madagascar, using bush taxis, boats, and my own two feet.

I already have an ideal itinerary in mind, but I’d love to know if it’s doable at a relaxed pace in one month. The goal, of course, is to avoid being constantly focused on time and days and to travel spontaneously.

I’m aware that the roads are rough and there are a lot of unexpected delays, which isn’t a problem in itself. I just struggle to estimate the *time* it takes to get between stops.

Potential itinerary:

Tana – Sainte Marie Island (4 days) – Maroantsetra (3 days) – Masoala Park (8-day trek?) – Antalaha – Marojejy Park (3 days) – Ambilobe – Nosy Be (5 days) – Tana

The days listed are just rough averages. Cities don’t interest me, and I don’t plan to visit Tana.

I’d really appreciate any info or tips from you all! 😊

Thanks in advance,

Romain

Hi everyone, let me introduce myself—I’m Claudy Georges, and I’m from Belgium. I’d like to take on the Camino de Santiago. I’d love your thoughts on the type of gear to bring, especially smartwatches. I’m torn between the Amazfit T-Rex and the Garmin Fenix 7. I’m a total beginner and get lost easily, so having good gear is key. Could you shed some light on this for me? Thanks in advance.

Hi there, My partner and I are planning to hike a section of the GR10 this summer, mostly staying in campgrounds. But at Col d'Ibardin, where we’ve planned a stop, there’s only one guest room that’s pretty expensive... Does anyone know if there are any bivouac spots in the area? Thanks

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

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, 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!

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!

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

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, 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, 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!