Every year we travel further, try new destinations, new experiences and new ways to do the trails we have done already. We try to squeeze even more excitement out of the locations we love. We leave some destinations thinking it wasn’t too bad and others, already planning our return.
In this article, we wanted to share with you five incredible trips to get you thinking about what you want to do on your next adventure holiday. These are five trips for those who seek an unforgettable adventure. So, if you haven’t done any of these trips you should consider adding them to your bucket list.
Canada: Jasper to Banff by Bike
Distance: 324 km (203 mi) / Duration: 4 Days
There aren’t many better ways to experience The Canadian Rockies than by bike. The bike trip from Jasper to Banff via Lake Louise takes the riders through areas of astonishing beauty. The sheer size of the mountains, crystal clear lakes, powerful waterfalls, the spectacular glaciers, and the deep green forests, full of wildlife, will leave you deeply amazed.
Riding a bike here makes it even more impressive, as it is just the right pace to allow you to admire the incredible views. This is a challenging trip to do, especially if you plan to do it on your own. Although it is still possible to go solo, we would recommend using a tour company with a support van. Having a support van means you can just focus on riding, knowing that meals, snacks and accommodations are taken care of. Another benefit of a supported tour is that you have somebody there ready to help if something goes wrong.
Switzerland: Chamonix to Zermatt
Distance: 191.5 km (119 mi) / Duration: 12-15 Days
Trekking the Walker’s Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt (C2Z) is a great experience for those who love a good challenge, beautiful nature, and amazing food. It is said to be one of the most beautiful hut-to-hut trails in the world. This 200 km trail typically takes 12-15 days and goes between two of the greatest mountain towns on earth: Chamonix and Zermatt.
While most of the hikers choose the Tour de Mont Blanc (TMB) when in this area, the Walker’s Haute route from Chamonix to Zermatt wins our hearts by allowing you to enjoy the solitude of the amazing alpine environment and the magnificent surroundings throughout the whole 200 km trail.
The Chamonix to Zermatt trek is a classic experience where you hike for the most of your day and find your way to the mountain huts or small, family-run hotels for delicious local food and accommodation. The trail is not as popular as Tour de Mont Blanc, which we think is a positive.
C2Z leads through 11 mountain passes with a total of anywhere from 21,000-28,000 m of elevation gain (depending on your route). This is a physically strenuous trek, so make sure you are in good physical condition and are okay to hike long hours daily.
Greenland: Arctic Circle Trail
Distance:160 km (100 mi) / Duration: 9 Days
The Arctic Circle Trail in Greenland is a true must for those who dream about wandering in the wilderness by themselves while being able to enjoy the beautiful surroundings of an arctic tundra without any other souls in the vicinity. While 85% of the country is covered in ice, this amazing hike takes you through a beautiful landscape that changes colors, formations, and views with each passing day. It becomes especially breathtaking as you approach the coastline.
Greenland’s Arctic Trail is another hut-to-hut trek; however, you must bring your own tent as some of the huts are small and may be full. It’s not a technically difficult hike, though it is isolated, so you should be experienced in trekking. Like many other greatest treks into the wilderness, you won’t get a cell phone signal here, nor will you find any shops or passers-by.
In fact, this is such an amazing place, that even during the peak season, you will rarely meet another person. If you wonder why, just imagine that Greenland is as big as Mexico with only a population of 50,000 residents. The capacity of the Yankee Stadium in New York is 54,000.
Nepal: Last Forbidden Kingdom
Duration: 11 Days
The Upper Mustang Trek in Nepal is a once-in-a-lifetime trekking experience. It was opened to tourists only in 1990 and is steadily gaining popularity. Although it’s a beautiful destination, it is still uncrowded when compared to the most popular hikes in Nepal.
This beautiful trek takes you through the old Nepalese villages and Buddhist temples, where you can immerse yourself into the local culture and experience the traditions, local food and the hospitality here. Along the way expect breathtaking views with every turn. Although the hike itself is not too strenuous, we can say it is quite strenuous due to the altitude. With every passing day, as you ascend, it becomes harder for your body to adjust. Therefore, we strongly recommend making sure you are in good physical condition and take your time with the Upper Mustang Trek.
USA: John Muir Trail
Distance: 350 km (217 mi) / Duration: 20 Days
The John Muir Trail (JMT) covers 350 km through three national parks of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range in California. The JMT is famous throughout the world as one of the most scenic trails on earth, boasting spectacular mountain peaks, blue alpine lakes and breathtaking meadows.
The John Muir Trail is not an easy trek and requires significant planning and preparations. The trek can take up to a month and goes through an astonishing 24,000 meters of elevation change. There are limited options for resupplying, so getting prepared is the main part of this journey.
The hardest part of hiking the JMT is typically getting the permit to hike it. This means that you will have to start planning your trip months in advance. And although it’s hard work getting all the stuff ready for it, finishing this trail is one of the best experiences one can ever imagine.
These are five bucket-list trips, but the world is full of incredible adventures. So, don’t wait, start planning your next adventure holiday today!