Top 8 ultimate destinations for unforgettable trekking holidays

Can’t get enough of the great outdoors? We know the feeling! Who wants to lounge around on a beach when you could be exploring some of the most beautiful trails in the world? Our favourite trekking holidays are just what you need if you love to stay active. We head all over the world, using the best form of transportation you’ll ever find — your own two feet. Grab your best pair of hiking boots, and let’s hit the trails together…

An epic journey up Morocco’s highest peak

Let’s start in North Africa, where the desert heat is enough to deter all but the most dedicated hikers. Don’t worry, as you don’t need to be super brave — or crazy — to tackle Mount Toubkal. That’s because it’s located in the Atlas Mountains, which is quite a bit cooler than the nearby Sahara. In fact, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got some warm gear. Up at the summit, temperatures can drop as low as a chilly 5°C, but what else can you expect at 4,167 metres above sea level?

It’ll take us two days of hiking to get to the top of Mount Toubkal. Let’s be clear: this is not a gentle stroll through a country park. Instead, you’ll be pushed to the limit, hiking for six to eight hours each day along rugged mountain paths. The rewards are priceless, though. You’ll see the famous pilgrimage destination of Sidi Chamarouch and the delightfully traditional village of Armed. On the second day, from base camp high in the Atlas Mountains, you’ll be able to admire one of the most spectacular sunrises of your life before continuing with the ultimate challenge: reaching the peak.

Our trek to Mount Toubkal takes five days, including the chance for some much-needed R&R in the legendary city of Marrakech. This is one of the best walking holidays you’ll find on the African continent — are you up for the challenge?

If you feel the call of Africa, read What to see in Morocco.

A thrilling adventure across Peru

Peru is one of those countries that has become famous for trekking holidays, as adventurous travellers from all over the world try to conquer Machu Picchu. The journey to the legendary lost Incan city is not an easy one, as it will take you up to altitudes that you’ve probably never experienced before. Even regular hikers will find themselves gasping for breath up here, where the air is thin. You’ll forget all about that when you finally gaze upon the majestic ruined city, though. There’s nowhere on earth quite like this stunning ancient citadel.

Trek travel in Peru doesn’t just stop with Machu Picchu. The Colca Canyon is a great introduction to high-altitude trekking. Twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, this imposing mountain path is around 3,400 metres above sea level. Check out the views, watching for llamas, alpacas and even the odd condor circling high overhead.

There’s also the glorious Rainbow Mountains, which are every bit as spectacular as their name suggests. They’re a true natural wonder, with irregular stripes of vivid colours for you to admire. Once you’ve been to Colca Canyon and the Rainbow Mountains, you’ll be ready for the big daddy: Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail.

Our 12-day Peruvian adventure tour is ideal for anyone looking for intense hiking holidays. You’ll see some of the best sights in the country and really learn to embrace high-altitude trekking, all while meeting some awesome people along the way!

In Peru, there’s much more than you think – What to see in Peru: 10 unmissable places

Discovering the Dolomites in Italy

The best trekking holidays don’t always mean flying off to the other side of the world. In fact, you can enjoy some spectacular walking tours without even leaving Europe. Here’s a case in point: the stunning Dolomite Mountains of northern Italy.

So many visitors to Italy never go beyond the cities, but there’s so much more to this enchanting country. Take a hike up the dramatic Mount Lagazuoi. With its peak a jaw-dropping 2,752 metres above sea level, this is a challenging climb. There’s plenty to keep you entertained along the way, though. You’ll follow a World War I-era tunnel carved into the mountain, leading you up to the top, where you can tuck into some local Italian cuisine at the summit. Pasta never tasted so good!

The rugged, striking rock formations of the Dolomites make the perfect backdrop for days of hiking. Visit the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, three iconic peaks that create a bold panorama against the clear blue sky. The hiking here isn’t quite as intense as on some of our other trips, so this is a great choice if you’ve never gone on solo walking holidays before. Ease yourself in before you start tackling the more difficult trails in other destinations.

We’re taking you on an eight-day adventure across the Dolomites. Prepare to be dazzled by high-altitude lakes, fairytale castles and dizzying mountain peaks. Get ready to discover a totally new side to Italy!

A trek through the Nepalese Himalayas

What list of the best trekking holidays would be complete without Nepal? After all, this tiny, mountainous country is where you’ll find the granddaddy of them all: Mount Everest. Tackling the world’s highest mountain is an extremely expensive and dangerous endeavour — and not something that the casual hiker should really consider. Still, there are lots of other great trails in Nepal, and we’re happy to show you some of the very best.

Let’s kick things off with Ghandruk, a traditional village nestled high in the Annapurna Mountains. It’s a picturesque location, but it’s also the ideal starting point for adventures at altitude. The trek to the village takes around five to six hours, depending on your speed, but be warned! The second part of the journey is almost all climbing up stairs. If you’ve been looking for the perfect butt workout, then here it is!

From Ghandruk, it takes a full day of hiking to reach Chhomrung and, beyond that, Annapurna Base Camp. All day, you’ll be surrounded by the lush green scenery of the high Himalayas, with dramatic mountain peaks everywhere you turn. If you think it’s beautiful by day, just wait — the real treat comes in the early evening when you can enjoy a Himalayan sunset that you’ll never forget.

Our nine-day trip to Nepal is one of our favourite guided walking holidays. There are three full days of trekking to satisfy hardened hikers, and along the way, you’ll be able to immerse yourself in beautiful scenery and the remarkable Nepalese culture.

A freezing hike across Chile and Argentina’s Patagonia

Patagonia is a name that conjures up all kinds of evocative imagery. This cold, windswept region sits in the very south of South America, shared between Chile and Argentina. It’s a land of freezing lakes, stunning glaciers and rugged mountains — and it’s our next choice for one of the very best trekking holidays.

We love treks in Patagonia, where the surrounding landscape is so beautiful it just might bring a tear to your eyes. Famous destinations like Mount Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre, and the spectacular Laguna de los Tres are all worth the effort — and believe us, there is quite a bit of effort involved. You may be in a very cold part of the world, but you’ll still be working up a sweat!

Hiking isn’t the only attraction in this area, either. You can try the southernmost white water rafting in the world, go birdwatching, or just enjoy the surprisingly rich craft beer scene that you’ll find here at the very end of the world. There’s also plenty of wildlife to watch out for along the way. Only very lucky travellers will catch a glimpse of the elusive puma — but don’t despair, even if you miss out on this big cat. You’re bound to see some adorable penguins waddling around and playing on the glaciers.

Our tour of Patagonia packs an awful lot into just 13 days. You’ll visit two countries as you head south to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Along the way, there’s plenty of hiking, nature and adventure sports — enough to keep even the most determined adventurer happy.

Yes, but when? WHEN??? Come on, read here: Best time to visit Patagonia.

Hill-walking in England’s Lake District

Not sure if full, intense trekking holidays are for you? Why not start with something a little easier? We love the rolling hills of England’s beautiful Lake District. This was the landscape that inspired some of the country’s greatest artists and poets, from William Wordsworth to Beatrix Potter, creator of Peter Rabbit. You might just find yourself under its spell after a few days exploring here.

While the Lake District may sound like a gentle, laid-back place, it’s actually an ideal location for anyone who wants an active holiday. Try a hiking trail that takes you around Lake Windermere, where you’ll enjoy stunning views every way you turn. After that, you might well feel inspired to try something a little more adventurous — and we’ve got you covered there, too. The Lake District is the perfect place to go canyoning for the very first time. This involves abseiling down waterfalls and gorges and taking leaps of faith — quite literally, as you’ll be jumping down into natural pools.

After all that excitement, head to a traditional tea room for scones with cream and jam — this is England, after all! There’s no better way to relax and get ready for another action-packed day ahead.

Join us to discover the thrills and spills that lie behind England’s genteel exterior. Our Lake District tour offers five days of fun and excitement, and we hope to see you there!

Delve into the Amazon rainforest in Ecuador

Yes, we’re back in South America for the next entry. What can we say? This continent is just perfect for trekking holidays, thanks to its rich nature, incredible wildlife and varied scenery. It doesn’t get much more varied than our trip to Ecuador, on a journey that will take you from the towering Andes Mountains to the lush Amazon rainforest.

On this epic trekking trip, you’ll be able to enjoy hiking in very different locations. Start off in Cotopaxi National Park, where you’ll follow trails through a rugged, all-natural landscape. There are over 90 species of bird that call this nature reserve home, so don’t forget your binoculars. As you wander the winding trails, you’ll always be able to admire the park’s main attraction: the imposing Cotopaxi, one of the world’s largest active volcanoes. It’s usually covered with snow, and climbing it is quite a daunting task. Better leave that one to the pros and stick to the foothills — there’ll be enough adventure along the way.

There’s even more excitement when you get to the Amazon rainforest. This lush, dense carpet of green remains one of the most unspoiled places on the planet. Hike through the rainforest, listening to the chatter of monkeys and the sounds of birdsong. If you’re comfortable with hikes, take a daring canopy walk on suspended bridges high up among the trees. You can also try whitewater rafting down the river, an activity that’s sure to get your pulse racing. Just watch out for the piranhas!

Our trip to Ecuador lasts 11 days, and in that time, you’ll see the peaks of the Andes, the thrill of the Amazon, and even have the chance to explore some cities. It’s a great introduction to one of the world’s most fascinating countries. We hope to see you there!

What do you know about Ecuador? Read 14 Amazing things to do in Ecuador.

The otherworldly landscapes of Bolivia and Chile

The last entry on our list of top trekking holidays is one that you really ought to add to your bucket list. We’ll be visiting some of the most magical places on the planet as we travel from Chile to Bolivia, taking in sights that barely seem believable. Nope, this is not AI — it’s just the work of Mother Nature, and it’s truly spectacular.

Some of the highlights of this adventure include the Atacama Desert and Valley of the Moon. At 4,000 metres above sea level, this is a desert landscape like nowhere else in the world. You’ll feel like you’ve landed on the surface of Mars as you explore its eerie rock formations and shifting sands. This is one of Chile’s most mesmerising attractions, and no trip to the South American nation would be complete without spending some time here.

You’ll find plenty of interesting things in Bolivia, too. We love the Eduardo Avaroa National Park and the Red Lagoon, but best of all is the Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt flat on the planet. There’s nothing like this anywhere else on earth — and it’s the perfect place to stretch your legs and check out the local trails.

In just 12 days, our Bolivia and Chile expedition will let you explore two countries and discover some truly out-of-this-world scenery. It’s the perfect group tour for anyone who’s hungry for adventure.

Which of our hiking holidays will you be joining? Whether you’re a seasoned trekker or a total newbie, we’ve got something that’s right for you. Wherever you go, you’ll be surrounded by like-minded adventurers all looking for the trip of a lifetime, making this a holiday you’ll never forget.