Best of · HIKING & TREKKING
Every trip has one free day too few. These 10 hiking & trekking tours justify the slot, priced and timed so you can decide in minutes and get on with the rest of it.
Spend six hours exploring Tijuca Forest on a 6.2-kilometer moderate hike. Visit Taunay Waterfall, Morcego’s Grotto, Mayrink Chapel, coffee-farm ruins, and Baronesa Cascade. Guides such as Vini, Riccardo, Tito, and Renata explain Rio’s nature, geology, and past in English or Portuguese.
“the experience is worth every single penny and the guide is amazing.”
Join guide Onder for a four-hour small-group hike from Antalya to Termessos, a remarkably preserved ancient city at 1,050 meters. Walk among its theater, agora, tombs, cisterns, and mountain fortifications, with transport included and entrance paid separately at the gate.
“The tour guide, Onder, made this experience very enjoyable and educational. He was friendly, easy to contact and provided a cheap, helpful direct pick-up and drop-off service to and from our bnb. The actual tour was excellent! Onder taught us about the history of Termessos while helping us take photos of the beautiful scenery. He went above and beyond to provide us with extra information and recommendations for the rest of our stay in Antalya. Would highly recommend!”
Spend five days around Kathmandu with a guide, visiting Swoyambhunath, Pashupatinath, and Boudhanath before hiking through Shivapuri National Park to Chisapani, Nagarkot, and Changunarayan. This small-group trip suits first-time trekkers who want mountain scenery without a demanding high-altitude trek.
“Best of times! Prakash was concierge service, soup to nuts. He personally showed up multiple times for quality control. He was extremely flexible with our very last minute changes. Only minor area for improvement would have been a more comprehensive packing list, but we Read more”
Climb UNESCO-recognised Le Morne with a private guide such as Shah or Stephano. Expect a four-hour hike with steep scrambling, island history, rare plants, sea views, rest stops, drinks, and guide-taken photos. Proper shoes, water, and a steady head for heights are essential.
“I am a fit climber and did similar or more difficult tours. You can do the tour on your own, but I really recommend everyone doing the tour with a guide, because there are some tricky and dangerous parts of the track. The guide knows when to take breaks in the shadow and warns when a seemingly easy part but actuallly dangerous part of the track is ahead. Our guide Stephano was very friendly, funny and helped with advice for everyone, those more experienced and those who were a little bit afraid and little climbing experience, to master the entire track. Please don't wear crocks, slippers or flip flops on…”
Leave Barcelona by private, air-conditioned vehicle for Rupit, a stone village in the Collsacabra region. Walk its cobbled lanes, hike about 2.5 hours through the Pre-Pyrenees, see a 120-meter waterfall, and finish with breakfast and a three-course Catalan lunch.
“This is the highlight of our Barcelona stay. Having been here before twice, we decided to get out of the hustle and bustle city and what a pleaant surprise for us. Mariela, our guide, is just amazing. She's so knowledgeable with a passion for this trip. The hike was so amazing and we have shifted some serious calories 😅. The views were just out of this world. We finished our tour with the most scrumptious 3 course Catalunya food with good wine and liquor. Thank you Mariela for making this such a memorable day for us xx”
Join a small group of up to 14 for an 8 km hike from Tsumago to Magome, led by an English, Spanish, or French-speaking guide. Expect old post towns, forest paths, waterfalls, mountain views, and a packed-lunch stop. Guides such as Kim, Mir, and Paula have added thoughtful history and local insight.
“We had an amazing time, we really enjoyed the hiking. Our guides’ explanation was precious and clear. We were a small group and this also helped us to enjoy this trip. We were a family of three with a 2yo baby, the trail is feasible also for kids even though we suggest using a baby backpack carrier. We strongly recommend you trying this authentic experience instead of just visiting Magome and Tsumago.”
Walk about 2 miles through Garden of the Gods with geology professor Eric Billmeyer, learning to spot minerals, fossils, faults, and rock layers. This private, English-language hike lasts about two hours and includes water, snacks, hiking gear, and a geology gift bag for each child.
“It has been a couple of months since my trip to Colorado. My friend and I are still raving about our private geology professor! He is a great educator and adapts wonderfully to the level of his audience. He took us to places away from the crowds and we learned so much more that we would have reading guide books and signs.”
Join a four-hour guided hike from the Slave Route Monument to Le Morne Brabant. Guides such as Cedric and Gaël share Mauritian history, point out native plants and wildlife, take photos, and help you through the steeper sections. Expect a rewarding but demanding climb.
“The guide, Cedric, was terrific! It was a tough climb, but he helped us. His history lessons were very interesting along the way. I recommend everyone to choose Cedric!”
Travel from Antalya to Termessos National Park with guide Önder for an easy mountain walk of about 3 km and 160 meters of elevation. See the theater, agora, gymnasium, tombs, cisterns, gates, and mountain views. The tour lasts about four hours and holds no more than 14 people.
“Wow what an unforgettable tour to see an underrated site. Onder was probably the best guide I've ever had in any of my many tours in many countries. He was so very friendly and the conversation throughout the day was great. We talked about the history of Termessos as well as joking and talking about life, family and music. Please do not be intimidated when seeing the word "HIKE". Though it is high in the mountains it is easily accessible by car with only a short trek to the city. Today we were the only people on the mountain in total peace and quiet, as this site does not get…”
Leave Barcelona at 8:00 a.m. for Montserrat with a guide such as Frank, Jorge, Jesus, or Cinto. Visit the Benedictine monastery and Black Madonna, ride the Sant Joan Funicular one way, then hike past shrines and hermitages on mostly downhill trails in a group of no more than eight.
“This hike was great. Our Guide was patient and extremely knowledgeable giving us a full tour of the Monastary. The views on the hike were breathtaking, the snow capped Pyrennes, the Mediteranean in the distance. The Guide picked us up at the prearranged meeting point, my husband and I were the only two on the tour so received his full attention. He did not hurry us and we could follow our own pace. We were delivered back to our hotel in Barcelona mid afternoon. Wonderful day, highlight of our three weeks in Europe this past winter. Norma”
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