Put Your Best Foot Forward

Whether it be nearing the summit of a mountain, feeling the might of surrounding peaks, making your way through hidden rain forests or listening to the calls from animals echoing all around, there is nothing quite like the thrill of feeling your heart pound in your chest. From a vehicle you see the world gliding past you; but on foot you see, feel, hear and smell the world for a much more tangible experience and it is one of the best ways to understand the intricacies of our natural world.

With so many different landscapes to explore, from dramatic mountain peaks to jungle and riverbanks, from plains full of wildlife to deserts and dry creek beds, no two treks will ever be the same, but we guarantee that you will remember each and every one.  Specialist walking guides will let you in on the secrets of your surroundings, with every step there is something new to learn, a new bird or animal to spot and a new unforgettable experience.

Do therefore have a browse of just five of our selected destinations below that offer unparalleled walking and trekking and we hope you enjoy reading about our favourite highlights in each.

As ever, we are here to help with your travel plans, just get in touch.

Toby Warren, Managing Director

The remote mountain Kingdom of Nepal contains more of the world’s highest mountains than any other country and is dominated by the soaring snow-covered peaks of the Himalayas. Nepal has a rich variety of trekking for all enthusiasts and a range of abilities and time-frames. From the tough challenge of Everest Base Camp to short one day hikes, there’s something for all capabilities.

You may choose to begin your trek by taking in many of the fascinating ancient temples and pagodas, at their best in the capital Kathmandu. Alternatively, begin your Nepal trekking holiday in the north, where Pokhara is a gateway to the breath-taking Annapurna range where winding paths link rural villages and yak pastures. The people are as varied as the landscapes with Hindu settlements gradually transforming into Buddhist villages and monasteries fluttering with prayer flags.

Adding colour to the lives of Nepalis are year round festivals which are celebrated with much pomp and joy. It is said that Nepal has more festivals than there are days in the year.

We can offer a variety of treks to choose from in Peru and most conclude with a spectacular arrival at Machu Picchu via a route that few travellers have the chance to experience. Fixed lodges rather than tents provide all the comfort you need for a good night’s rest between walks, which range from two to seven night journeys.

There is also the option to explore from the saddle, by bike or by horse, as well as a combination of 4×4 driving and trekking. Other journeys focus on yoga and wellness with special menus designed at each lodge and an experienced yoga instructor to conduct classes with an astounding backdrop of the mountains.

Whether you opt for a purely wild, nature-filled adventure or to get to the heart of the Sacred Valley’s fascinating culture, what we can guarantee is that each and every experience has been carefully designed by a team of Peruvians who are profoundly passionate about their country. Their aim is to show you the very best of this region, so that you will leave feeling as inspired about Peru and everything that makes it special as they are.

Fantastic game-viewing and other adventurous outdoor activities can be enjoyed across Zimbabwe, an unspoilt wilderness that is a favourite for travellers looking for authentic and uncrowded experiences. Mana Pools National Park is renowned for its walking safaris and hosts one of the biggest wild dog populations in southern Africa, while elephants enjoy free rein through a wide range of diverse landscapes.

Mana Pools is situated on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River where you will find John’s Camp, nestled amongst canopies of Trichelia and Mahogany trees. John’s Camp is Robin Pope Safari’s only camp in Zimbabwe, and is named after renowned safari guide John Stevens. Across the vast floodplains you can walk among giant African Bull elephants, dine amidst herds of buffalo, gaze upon prides of lion and, enjoy sundowners with hippos on the banks of the Zambezi River and bird watch over 400 species of birds.

Through rainforest, over mountain ridges, across open plains, beside lakes and oceans, Australia has so much to offer the hiker who’s prepared to pull their boots on and get stuck in.

One of our favourites is The Arkaba Walk, which is redefining the classic Aussie ‘bush walk’, adding luxury touches to a four-day private hike in the Flinders Ranges. Traversing these ancient ranges in outback South Australia, the Arkaba Walk is an experience that immerses walkers in the story of the land. 600-million years of geological history echo through the stratified layers of Wilpena Pound and the Elder Range, providing spectacular backdrops throughout the walk; the craggy standstone bluffs and dry creek beds lined with River Red Gums. Large numbers of Red and Western Grey kangaroos, wallaroos and emus are regular sightings along the walk, and the country is littered with the stories, and often heroic failures, of early pioneers who tried to eke a living from the harsh but beautiful country.

If it’s mountains you love, Morocco has them in abundance, rising from the Rif into the Middle Atlas and on into the extraordinary contours of the High Atlas. This is land custom-built for trekking as you follow quiet mountain trails amid Berber villages and fields of flowers.

Given the proximity of the mountains to Marrakech (approximately 40 minutes), the High Atlas are a popular destination to escape the hustle and bustle of the souks and the medina where the tranquillity of village life provides the perfect contrast to the hubbub of the city.

Trekking through the Toubkal National Park is highly recommended where footpaths and mule tracks mount through lush, irrigated terraces, apple orchards and walnut groves to villages where the Berber way of life has changed little for centuries and traditional values and hospitality are unaffected by the outside world.

One of our favourite places to stay is Kasbah du Toubkal, a magnificent mountain retreat spectacularly situated near the foot of Jbel Toubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa. For those up for the challenge, the climb to the peak takes 2 or 3 days, or there are many shorter hikes from the hotel which can be done by the day. The Kasbah has also opened a trekking lodge in a remote location in the heart of the High Atlas Mountains, where you can enjoy refuge and comfort on longer treks.