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, 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

Hi there, I’m ready to set off on the Peaks of the Balkans trek from June 18 to July 3. I’m used to long distances, elevation gain, and self-sufficiency. The last thing holding me back is overcrowding. Have any of you done it recently? Could you give me some insight on that and any other tips that might be useful? I’ll be arriving in Tirana, and any advice on getting to Theth would be a huge help too. Thanks for your replies. Alain

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. 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!

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 everyone, and so glad Voyage Forum is back up and running! my partner and I, along with some friends, are planning a trip to Peru in May 2025. I’ve got some questions about the Machu Picchu excursion. we’re in our 60s and 70s, and while we’re pretty fit at European altitudes, I’m a bit worried about hiking above 2,500 m! that’s why we didn’t hesitate to skip the 4-day Inca Trail trek. but I’m wondering about the 2-day "short Inca Trail" offered by some agencies—basically one day of hiking with visits to a few sites, and the second day, the classic Machu Picchu visit. has anyone done it? do you need to be in top shape? thanks for your tips

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

Hi, I'd love to know where we can observe wildlife, birds, and nature in Colombia... Like going on a hike without a guide, immersing ourselves in the forest, far from tourist spots. I want to avoid places that are specially set up, since you usually don’t see much there. Thanks in advance! Bernard

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 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! :-)

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

Hello, In August 2025, I’d like to take a 4-week trip with my husband to Sulawesi Island, from south to north, off the beaten path. I’ve spotted two agencies that offer a tour matching my expectations: Altaï Indonesia and Azimuth Adventure Travel Ltd. Which one would you recommend? Thanks in advance. Laurence

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

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

Hi there, I’m planning a trip to Rwanda with a focus on hiking and using local transport. Could anyone share or confirm the entrance fees for the national parks? - Volcanoes National Park: Is it possible to visit without the $1,500 gorilla trek? - Nyungwe Forest National Park - Akagera National Park: $100 per person per day + $40 for a car

Is there an entrance fee for the Congo Nile Trail? If anyone has great tips or recommendations for this trail and other hikes in the country, I’d love to hear them. Thanks so much!

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

Hello,

We’re planning a 3-week trip to Laos, focusing solely on the north. Our main goal is to do two 4-day treks in two different areas of Northern Laos.

We land in Bangkok on December 12th and will head straight to Chiang Mai before crossing into northern Laos at Huay Xai. Our journey will start there, ending in Vientiane, with a stop in Luang Prabang and the surrounding area. We’ll then take a night train from Udon Thani on December 30th to catch our flight back in Bangkok.

Right now, we’re mainly looking for reliable contacts to organize our two treks. From what we’ve read so far, trekking options exist around Luang Namtha, Phongsali (if it’s not too cold during that period, since we’ll have our 3-year-old daughter with us), or near Muang Ngoi and Nong Khiaw, as we’ve seen there are possibilities in that area too.

If we can organize both treks with the same contact, that would be perfect.

We’d prefer to avoid big agencies with a high-street presence and instead work directly with a local who knows their stuff and can give us good advice. We want to combine stunning landscapes (we love hiking) with cultural encounters in local villages.

We’d love to hear your tips and experiences—maybe some areas are better than others, less crowded, or more challenging (though we’re keeping in mind our 3-year-old, who’s used to hiking but we don’t want to put her in any danger).

That’s the gist of our plans for now! Looking forward to hearing from you, fellow travelers

Hi there. I’ve hiked the GR trail mentioned in the title from Wissembourg all the way to Menton. Now I’ve got the section from Wissembourg to Rotterdam left. But I can’t find any maps for this route—I’m looking for someone who’s done this part of the trail. Thanks in advance! 😊

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

Hi, I don’t know Switzerland at all and was wondering if Vallée des Joux and especially Dent de Vaulion are packed early in the morning or late in the afternoon in July and September? If so, do you have any quieter spots to recommend in the area, or in Luxembourg (yes, I know it’s not the same country 😉)? Thanks a lot!

Hi there, I'm looking for some nice hikes to do on foot around Fréjus. Thanks

Hi there, Once again, I’m turning to VoyageForum to kick off my trip planning—this time, it’s Croatia! I’m treating my 29-year-old daughter to a trip where we’d love to combine hiking and snorkelling. I’m not sure if we can focus on just one region, but that’d be ideal since we’ll only have 10–15 days in August this year. Could anyone point me in the right direction for a first lead? Are transport links easy to navigate? Is it better to go with Airbnb or a hostel? Thanks in advance for your tips! Laurence from Bayonne

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 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

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, 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

We spent a few days in Tajikistan with a Tajik guide, Remy Fayziddin, who speaks French and welcomed us into his home in his village of Voru. This village is very remote, located in the heart of the Fan Mountains, and reaching it in an old 4x4 is already a real expedition. We stayed with this guide in the purest Tajik tradition: it was a very enriching experience because the Tajiks are extremely welcoming. We were able to go on a trek on the Kulikalon Lakes plateau with the guide—it was truly stunning. Then we took another walk around this village of Voru, which is nestled in a valley at over 2,000 meters in altitude. This immersion in the village was very interesting and also very moving because we were able to discover a world so far removed from our own, yet where people truly live together and can all count on one another. Our guide is very involved in the development of his village and in welcoming travelers into his home, as well as sharing his knowledge of the region through organized treks—it’s a way to develop his village. We came back enchanted by this stay (even if the sanitary conditions weren’t always easy…). - But that’s just a detail compared to everything we discovered: breathtaking landscapes and incredibly endearing people! !

Hi! In March, we’ll be spending two weeks in the Drakensberg region and Golden Highlands National Park (Clarens). From what I understand, you have to pay to hike if you're in a national park. I can’t find the rates or info on whether there are multi-day passes if we hike for several days. Could you help me out, please? Thanks