Santa Cruz Trek: Walk in the Shadow of Giants

Although trekking might not be traditionally associated with travel to Japan, this technologically advanced nation is surprisingly rich in stunning countryside, beautiful mountain landscapes and well-maintained nature trails. As such, there are loads of fantastic trekking opportunities to be had. The best part? While exploring Japan's well-marked trails you're sure to come across ancient temples, spectacular volcanic peaks and a wide range of absolutely breathtaking views. Apart from multi-day trekking, there are also several alluring one-day hiking trails in Japan which can be completed even by novice hikers. Trekking in Japan really is a must-do and to help you out, we've come up with the top six routes for you to try. Let's take a look!

Peru is home to several wondrous sights that are the top of many travelers’ bucket lists. This complex and stunning country is home to colonial-heritage cities, dense Amazon rainforest, and a wealth of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and cultural attractions. Things to do in Peru range from exploring the dense jungle and deep canyons of the north to city-hopping and admiring pre-Columbian artwork on the coast so you will need a Peru travel itinerary that focuses on your tastes. Whether you’ve got just a few days spare to focus on one area of Peru, or you’re lucky enough to have a few weeks set aside for traveling, there’s plenty of Peru adventures to choose from. Peru itineraries will have you hiking through Manu National Park, one of the most bio-diverse areas on the planet, sampling ceviche, the country’s national dish and finding your way to the ancient Incan city of Machu Picchu on an adventure of a lifetime!

The Kumano Kodo trail is a network of spectacular paths that crisscross their way across the largest peninsula in Japan, the Kii Hanto. The beautiful trails in Kumano Kodo lead through lush forest, along sandy beaches, and up glorious mountainsides, offering breathtaking views over the peninsula. Previously used as pilgrimage trails to reach the sacred site of ‘Kumano Sanzan,’ the trails are now predominantly used as exceptional hiking routes. Offering many routes, each varying in difficulty and length from half-day walks to multi-day treks, the Kumano Kodo has something for everyone!

While Chile offers plenty of things to do, adventure-seeking holiday-goers from around the world flock to Chilean Patagonia to complete the Torres del Paine Treks. Amongst the three trekking routes in the Torres del Paine National Park — the W trek, the O trek, and the Q trek, the Torres del Paine W trek is the most sought-after. Also known as the W circuit, the trek is popular for the up-close view of Las Torres; the iconic rock formations for which the park is famous. It also offers spectacular views of glaciers and skyscraping mountains. The fact that all these sights is packed into a relatively short and easy trek compared to the other two, contributes to the Torres del Paine W Trek’s attractiveness.

Many visitors travel to New Zealand in January, as the country enjoys pleasantly warm weather. The month is ideal to enjoy outdoor activities, such as trekking Northland's Waipoua Forest, sailing in Auckland, or surfing in Shipwreck Bay. New Zealand also hosts many outdoor festivals and events, such as the World Buskers Festival in Christchurch.

Home to the magnificent Himalayas, Nepal offers a multitude of breathtaking trekking opportunities for adventurers of all levels. From the legendary trek to Everest Base Camp to the enchanting Annapurna Circuit, as well as lesser-known (but no less spectacular) trekking trails, such as the Nar Phu Valley trek, Nepal has something to captivate every trekking enthusiast. We have curated this list of the best treks in Nepal.

Is this the year that you finally make travel a priority and start ticking those long dreamed of lands off your bucket list? With travel more accessible than ever before, chances are your dream destination list is getting longer and longer, making it increasingly harder to decide where your next vacation should be. We’ve put together this guide to help you discover the best places to visit. Whether you are travelling on a shoestring budget to cheap holiday destinations or seeking a bit of luxury, and no matter if you are travelling solo or bringing the whole family along, we’ve got all the top, must-see destinations right here. You simply have to decide which to visit first.

May is the end of one of two high seasons in Nepal and one of the best times to explore. As it’s pre-monsoon season, the weather in Nepal in May is favorable and the long days and clear conditions make it an excellent time to go on a trekking holiday, especially if you’re hitting up the Himalayas and Annapurna Circuit. Want to know what to expect from a Nepal trip in May? Read on and let’s find out.

The oldest official trekking trail in South Africa — the Otter Trail is the best trek in the country. Located entirely inside the Tsitsikamma National Park, the trail is right in the middle of the famous Garden Route, another one of South Africa’s most famous attractions. The diversity of the route is what makes it so unique. The Otter trekking trail winds along breathtaking coastal cliffs, in addition to dense and untouched forests, offering trekkers the best of both worlds. Admire the striking rock outcrops, explore the caves, or go for a dip in one of the naturally formed rock pools while trekking here on your trip to South Africa. Piled high with fauna and flora and graced with impressive waterfalls, and many rivers and streams, this is a place of pure, uninhibited beauty. Over the course of the trek, visitors can enjoy bird watching, wildlife spotting, and tidal pool paddling. Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled for the Cape Clawed Otter, for which the trail was named!

Located in the imposing Cordillera Blanca, Laguna 69 is considered to be one of the exquisite lakes, out of more than 400 lakes in the Huascarán National Park. Reaching Laguna 69 makes for a tough but rewarding one-day hike. Simply given the number 69 at the time of the creation of the park, the name has stuck on. The day hike up to this sublime body of water high in the mountains has become one of the most popular Cordillera Blanca hiking trails.

Located in the region where the tropical Andes meet the Amazonian lowland forest and covering almost two million hectares, Manu National Park in Peru is one of the world’s greatest biodiversity hotspots. Recognised by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve in 1977, the area is home to a staggering variety of plant and animal species, including giant otters, capybaras, peccaries, tapirs, jaguars, caiman, 13 different species of monkeys, over 1000 species of birds and over 1300 species of butterflies. Manu National Park is divided into three zones, the ‘cultural zone’, the ‘reserved zone’ and the ‘restricted zone’. Visitors are permitted to enter the cultural zone independently, where there are several native communities that welcome tourists. Access to the reserved zone is only possible through one of a very small number of tour companies that are allowed to operate there. The restricted zone is an area of pristine forest still home to a number of uncontacted tribes and is not open to tourists.

September brings the joys of spring in Peru. The weather is warm and remains dry in most parts of the country, making it an ideal time to explore the country. Visiting major attractions like Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley is more manageable during this time of year. Moreover, sparse foot traffic means that you have better chances of capturing picture-perfect images during your trip to Peru in September.