Book NOW for $1 £1 €1 • Flexible Payments • No Change Fees • Private Departures Available
Walking & Hiking
Experiences for Travellers
Whether it’s walking, hiking or trekking, soaking up the culture and surroundings on a walking and hiking tour is the perfect way of exploring your chosen destination with that extra slice of pioneering spirit. Visit timeless locations, meet friends along the way and let our expert tour leaders take you on a hiking holiday at your own pace. Whether you want to conquer the mighty Inca Trail, explore the beautiful national parks of Patagonia or take on the Annapurna Foothills in Nepal, a hiking or walking holiday is the perfect chance for you to reconnect with nature. We have a range of tours that offer walking and hiking that are suited to both avid hikers and beginners.
Walking and Hiking Trips
Things you never knew about hiking
When you are trekking but not on a trail what are you doing?
hover to find out
Bushwhacking
Most popular hikes are on trails. But you don't necessarily need a trail to go hiking. If you don’t have a trail, you known to be ............
Things you never knew about hiking
Your .... will never look better?
hover to find out
Legs
Most hikes involve climbing up a big hill or even a mountain, then coming back down, a combo that's a great workout for your ..... Trekking up a mountain will strengthen your glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calves. But traveling downhill is what really leaves your .... sore, then sculpted.
Things you never knew about hiking
Hiking is known to lower the risk of what?
hover to find out
Heart Disease
Hiking is a powerful cardio workout that can: Lower your risk of ..... ....... Improve your blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Boost bone density, since walking is a weight-bearing exercise.
Three of our favourite walking and hiking tours
Patagonia Adventure
Duration:12 Days
Route:Santiago to Buenos Aires
Tour Code:HPSB
Top Three Responsible Travel Tips for your Hiking Trip
1
Bring as many non-single use plastic items as possible. This includes a reusable water bottle that you can use throughout your trip, a cloth bag that you can use for either shopping or dirty laundry, a shampoo and conditioner bar instead of plastic toiletry bottles and reusable/stainless steel utensils.
2
Always stick to the marked trails. They are created by experts and designed to protect the landscape and flora from getting destroyed. If you are camping on your holiday always check if free camping is legal or choose a campsite. Don’t pick the flora you find in the area and never disturb wildlife you come across.
3
Always ensure that you take out decent insurance that covers you for the type of hiking holiday you are undertaking and the destination. Accidents can and do happen, and in the worse case scenario if you do need to be airlifted off a mountain you want to ensure you aren’t left with a hefty bill.
Staff Top Tip
Owen
Job Title: Head of Operations
Favourite Destination: Nepal
The key for me to enjoying any walking or hiking trip is preparation and acclimatisation.
Preparation
It is more than checking you have the right equipment to make your trek safe and comfortable, your body needs to be ready for whatever challenge you are attempting. Going to the gym three times a week is good for fitness but to prepare for a trek you need to be doing with long, preferably multi-day walks in the months before to build up the muscles that we just dont use when sitting at a desk every day - it is also a great opportunity to wear-in new boots or test any new equipment before hand.
Acclimatisation
Altitude affects everyone differently, but the slower you gain elevation the easier it is for your body to adjust to the lower oxygen. If you are trekking at altitude try to spend time at the starting location before the trek - for example stay a few days in Cusco before you hike the Inca Trail. Our guides are there to assist you and make the trek as comfortable as possible. It is not a race, take your time and enjoy the peace of being in nature.
Tucan Travel's Responsible Hiking Policies
Protecting the environment
Tucan Travel have a strict environmental welfare policy which offers guidelines on how every traveller can minimise their impact on the environment - from reducing, reusing and recycling. Our staff worldwide are passionate about doing our part and we implement this both on the road and in the offices. We also have strict rules within national parks to protect them from litter.
Porters on the Inca Trail
We are passionate about the ethical treatment of our porters on the Inca Trail and are continually monitoring the conditions which they work in. We include a fair tip for the four day hike in our tour costs so that we can ensure every porter gets an equal amount and that you don’t need to worry about carrying cash with you and how much is appropriate. We limit the weight that our porters carry on the trail and ensure that they are fully equipped with the right materials to make the trek safe and comfortable.
Keeping it local
We want to ensure that we are supporting local communities and improving the destinations we are visiting, not leaving a negative impact. We only ever use local porters and local guides on our hiking tours, ensure that the accommodation we use on route is locally owned and always encourage customers to spend their money in smaller, local restaurants and shops.
Benefits of Hiking
Connect with Nature
The main goal of hiking is to connect with the natural environment and rural areas and cultures.
Burn Calories
Stay hydrated and plan your meals or snacks to maximize your performance.
Improve your Blood System
Hiking trails on a regular basis decreases blood pressure and cholesterol.
Relief from Insomnia
Having trouble sleeping you may notice that this relieved after a good hike.
Best Time to do a Hiking Holiday
January & February
January and February are excellent times to visit Sri Lanka. Adam’s Peak is located in the southwest of the country which during this time is warm and dry with plenty of sun. It also falls outside the monsoon season which makes it perfect for enjoying the walking trails.
March & April
March and April (as well as October and November) are the best months to trek in the Annapurna Foothills in Nepal as this is when dry season falls. However even these months don’t guarantee perfect weather - weather in Annapurna changes as you reach higher altitudes.
May & June
Early summer is the best time to hike or walk in Europe as it is generally cooler than the scorching middle summer months yet the weather is still pleasant and warm. Whether you want to wander around Plitvice Lakes or hike up Mount Srd in Dubrovnik, Europe is full of beautiful walks for all levels.
July & August
July or August is an excellent time to take on the gorilla trek in Uganda, since the weather will be pleasant and there is generally a lot less rain. However this is also the peak season and permits can sell out months in advance, so you need to plan well ahead.
September & October
September is the best month for taking on the Inca Trail. While the weather in the Andes can be unpredictable and you should expect rain at any time, September is normally dry and sunny with good hiking conditions. If you want to trek in October, aim for the start of the month.
November & December
Patagonia is best visited during these months since it’s the start of their summer and the weather is normally pleasant - even though it can always be unpredictable! All the National Parks are open by this time and the hiking trails are normally not as busy as in January and February when it is peak season.
Hiking Boots Versus Hiking Shoes
One of the most common questions we get asked is what sort of footwear should I pack for a hiking or walking trip? In general we strongly recommend hiking boots, especially for hard trails like the Inca Trek and Patagonia.
Some walking trips you can get away with wearing walking shoes - similar to trainers they are designed with walking in mind and are much lighter in terms of comfort and weight.
Hiking Boots
Pros
- Built for hard or rough terrain
- Generally better for gripping on slippery ascents or descents
- More likely to stay dry
- Better protection against rough ground
- Thicker soles
- Ankle support
- Longer-lasting wear
Cons
- Heavier to pack
- Heavier to wear
- Thick soles means you are higher from the ground with more likelihood to fall
- Movement can be less nimble than walking shoes
- Will need to be broken in before embarking on any hiking trips
- Can be more expensive (but there are good budget brands out there!)
Pros
- Lighter, easier to pack
- Good for sunny locations
- Low ankle cut so more breathable
Cons
- Less grip
- Will let in more water
- Will need to be replaced more quickly
- Less protection from rough ground or rubble
- Not suitable for steep hiking trails
Hiking Shoes
More Benefits of Hiking
Improve your mood & reduce stress
A walk through a path or a beautiful scenic area with trees can improve your mood.
Increases energy levels
Hiking increases the level of oxygen to your body, which gives you an extra dose of energy.
Prevent & control diabetes
Hiking lowers your blood sugar levels.
Increase bone density
Hiking on a regular basis not only builds muscle but also fights osteoporosis and arthritis.
Solo Trekking Holiday
A walking, trekking or hiking adventure offers real opportunities to experience and revel in the great outdoors. Join one of our escorted group hiking tours as a solo traveller and you have piece of mind that you’re not going to run into danger on the mountainside or out in the sticks while enjoying the serenity of being out in nature and in your own thoughts.
On our range of hiking tours we welcome every kind of traveller, from seasoned trekkers to those looking for something outside their usual comfort zone, with many joining as solos. There’s a social aspect of group hiking that really comes into its own when group members gather together around the campsite, or around the table at the local guesthouse and reflect on the stories of the day. Share the daily debrief, those challenging moments, judge the best photo captured or sorest pair of feet! There’s an undeniable sense of camaraderie which makes it fun and easy to travel solo on a walking tour.
Hiking is travelling with purpose, a rewarding way to spend your time out of office. Hiking tours are a brilliant way to get away from the humdrum of city life and enjoy some of the world’s most unusual natural landscapes. As a solo traveller you can still get out into remote, untouched or even inhospitable parts of the world without restriction when you join a group tour. You can walk at your own pace with expert assistance and a moral boost when the physical demands take hold. All our walking tours have a [physical rating - anchor link to physical rating] so you can make your choice according to your level of fitness.
Solo travellers on our group hiking tours don’t have to worry about depending on themselves, the only thing to bear in mind (and this applies to all hikers really) is that it pays to be rigorous with your pre-trip organisation. The remote nature of many hiking and trekking tours means no local amenities for that extra layer or forgotten pair of socks and your friend can’t bail you out or lend you their toothpaste. Take time to consider the logistics involved in your trip itinerary, the climate and read over the suggested [packing list] and [trek preparation] so that you have what you need. We’ll handle everything for you once you join, you want to be able to lace up your walking boots and enjoy the scenery, wildlife and stargazing in perfect darkness, away from city light pollution.
Walking and Hiking Blogs
Why a hiking holiday should be your next adventure
Pacing along on your own two feet might not be everyone's idea of a perfect getaway, but a hiking holiday is so much more than huffing and puffing up a mountain. Whatever your fitness level, there is a walking holiday for everyone. A walking adventure doesn’t have to mean mountains and altitudes; it could simply be moorlands, country paths or coastal walks, all with some stunning views. Below are some of the top reasons we believe you should consider a walking holiday as your next adventure.
Top 10 hikes to experience once in your lifetime
Whether you're a seasoned trekker or countryside stroller, the world has some simply stunning hikes and walks in the great outdoors just waiting to be conquered. From Peru to Bulgaria, Nepal to New Zealand, there are a whole host of countries out there with some truly breathtaking views and landscapes. Make this the year you witness some spectacular scenery, put the technology down and marvel at our phenomenal planet. A hiking holiday is the perfect chance to recharge and reboot, as well as give you the opportunity to enjoy what mother nature has blessed us with! Check out our top 10 picks below for the ultimate hiking adventure!
Go to Top
