HIKING AN TREKKING, “THE ROAD GOES ON FOREVER”
BY CLAY LARROY
A
vacation can soothe the soul and leave you renewed, refreshed, and invigorated.
Whether you are just now starting to plan your next vacation, or are merely
looking for travel
ideas and suggestions, read all the articles about travel. So take away some of
the stress of making travel plans, and get started thinking about the fun and
relaxing times you will soon be having on your next trip! When you are ready to plan an
exciting vacation contact me!
If you love nature and enjoy
getting a great workout, a hiking tour may be for you. Hiking tours, or
trekking tours as they are sometimes known, are about much more than just
walking. The most intensive treks can take days to complete, and they take you
to exciting places that can only be reached by foot. With trekking tours, you
can explore caves, remote mountain peaks, and villages seen by only a handful
of tourists - you can go just about anywhere.
Trekking tours are extremely
flexible and versatile, allowing you to choose the style of hiking, sights you
want to see, and intensity of the exercise. Not surprisingly, hiking tours
provide an excellent way to improve your fitness - a 130-pound person carrying
a 20-pound backpack can burn more than 1,300 calories on a four-hour hike.
Trekking improves the condition of your heart, immune system, and bone density
while building endurance and strength. Being outdoors in clean air provides you
with the oxygen you need to feel great, and the natural scenery can clear your
mind and reduce stress.
All that and a vacation too!
March on.
The experience of a trekking
tour is ideal for travelers who enjoy the outdoors. It is a great travel
opportunity for anyone who wants a unique, active vacation. Hiking tours vary
widely, and travelers can choose destinations, companions, and intensity levels
to custom-create the vacation of their dreams.
Many trekking tours involve
destinations in remote areas rich in wildlife or interesting scenery, taking
place on mountain trails, along oceans, or deep within forests. Trips also vary
widely based on travelers they attract: you"ll find tours for younger
hikers, older hikers, beginning and advanced hikers, and hikers who enjoy
different lifestyles. Since you will be spending a lot of time with your travel
companions, it is imperative to select a tour that includes hikers you will be
able to get along with easily.
It’s also important to select
an itinerary on par with your skill and fitness level. Hiking tours range from
fairly low-impact trails to very intense experiences that may include rock
climbing and other extreme sport opportunities. To stay safe and happy, choose
a trip that’s challenging but won’t overwhelm you (or your legs).
If you want to create your
own hiking tour, a travel consultant can help and can also ensure that you get
the hiking experience you want on your specific budget. In many cases, a travel
consultant will do much of the preliminary research for you, weeding through
the details of tours and destinations so that you have all of the information
you need to plan a hiking vacation. A qualified travel consultant helps you
decide what you are looking for in a hike and will explain all of the options
available, especially regarding the quality of tour companies, packages that
may or may not include transportation and lodging, and other travel logistics.
After talking with a travel consultant, you will be far more knowledgeable
about the opportunities available and will become aware of the best values.
Hiking tour operators can
offer guides, routes, logistical support, itineraries, equipment,
accommodations, emergency help, outdoor savvy, professional experience, safety
precautions, food, and additional activities. Some hiking tour operators offer
all of these features, while others may provide only basic emergency aid and
itineraries. When selecting a company, work with your agent to be sure you have
access to the amenities you need, safety assistance, and guides with hiking
experience that exceeds your own.
When planning a trekking
tour, you’ll need to decide where you want to go. This can be difficult,
because you’ll find hiking tours available on every continent. You can hike
through jungles, forests, volcanoes, mountains, swamps, and coastal areas. You
can even find urban hiking tours that take you to city ruins or major city
attractions.
If you have trouble deciding
on a destination, you could start by asking yourself what you want to see while
you hike on vacation. Some tour operators have itineraries offering spectacular
bird watching, rare plant hunts, prehistoric caving, or ocean walks. You can
also choose a tour based on the activities it supports: some trekking tours
cater specifically to photography enthusiasts, history buffs, artists, or
spiritual exploration. Some even offer access to extreme sports like white
water rafting and mountain biking - in addition to hiking. Choosing a theme
will help you narrow your options.
Once you decide where you
want to go, learn everything you can about the destination(s). Ask your travel
consultant for information or assistance in researching details about climate,
elevation, altitude, and terrain. Also find out how much hiking you will do
each day. Depending on what you find out, you may need additional equipment or
training to prepare you for the rigors of a hike. If you are hiking at high
altitudes, for example, you may need extra conditioning and a visit to the
doctor to ensure that your body can take the extra stress. If you will be
hiking along slippery trails, you may need to purchase extra-grip boots. The
company you eventually select should offer tips and lists for you to follow
when preparing and packing.
When considering hiking
tours, look closely at food, accommodations, and other factors that impact your
non-trekking time. Your tour operator may have chosen specific lodgings or camp
sites. Inquire about all of the hotels, B&B’s or camping grounds where you
will be staying. Similarly, the tour operator’s choice of food and preparation
methods are important, especially if you are a vegetarian or traveling in a foreign
country. If you have any special needs or requirements for lodging or food,
make sure the tour can accommodate those needs by informing your travel
consultant early on in the booking process. Find out exactly what costs the
tour price covers and if there are additional costs you’ll need to cover on the
hike. If you must take cash, remember to carry it on you at all times.
Before signing up for any
trekking tour, ask about the potential group size. Tour operators may sign up
small parties of less than 6 people, or they may choose to take large groups of
30 or more. Some tour operators operate private hikes for just one person or
for friends and family. Usually, the larger the tour group, the lower the cost
of the tour package. Larger groups may result in less interaction with the
leader, but they may also hikers to break off into smaller groups to achieve a
more intimate experience. If you are going on a trekking vacation mainly to see
wildlife, keep in mind that larger groups create more noise and so can scare
off animals and birds, so choose accordingly.
Most people who take hiking
tours are friendly and physically fit. Age ranges are typically from 18 to
about 60, although tours for older hikers are available. Hiking tours that
offer extreme conditions or extreme sports tend to draw younger hikers. Some
tours allow hikers to bring children, although many do not, so check before
booking.
REFERENCE SITES:
Hiking is the best workout!... You
can hike for three hours and not even realize you're working out. And, hiking
alone lets me have some time to myself.
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