Travel Guides

Of the 2,500 daily visitors to Machu Picchu, only 400 are permitted to scale Huayna Picchu, the peak that towers above the northern end of Machu Picchu. For the best views of Machu Picchu as well as the opportunity to discover seldom-visited areas of the site, the Huayna Picchu hike can be a memorable addition to your visit. You just need to make sure you book early! Note: For more to do in Machu Picchu, see our list of things to do in Machu Picchu and also check out when is the best time to visit Machu Picchu.

With its abundance of flat lowland coastal parks and challenging mountain hikes, Costa Rica is arguably one of the world’s most adventurous hiking and trekking destinations. Imagine hiking in Costa Rica through the rugged, untamed trails of Cerro Chirripo, and losing your heart in the sights and sounds of the jungle. Conjuring up a more ideal hiking adventure than this one is hard. In this post we take a closer look at some of the best places to go hiking in Costa Rica, essentially assisting you in planning the most perfect Costa Rica tour! When it comes to hiking in Costa Rica, you can choose hikes in all corners of the country.

For those of you who want a taste of trekking in the high Andes before visiting Machu Picchu but are not willing to compromise on comfort, the Machu Picchu lodge trek is perfect for you! The Machu Picchu lodge trek offers all the pleasures of trekking in the mountains – with luxury accommodation, a comfortable bed, a good meal and a glass of wine awaiting you at the end of each day’s exertions. Now, doesn’t that sound lovely?

Tasmania is a wild island south of mainland Australia teaming with fascinating history, scenic wilderness, and culinary gems. Once known for its tragic past as the remote island to where Australia’s convicts were exiled, Tasmania is now one of the best frontiers for adventure and boutique tours in Australia. The island is vast and the sights are immense, so plan your trip wisely with this guide of the best things to do in Tasmania.

Machu Picchu is undeniably Peru’s premier tourist attraction and few visitors to the country fail to make their way to the hilltop ruins of the ‘Lost City of the Incas’. Almost everyone has seen pictures of the enigmatic ruins nestling on their perch on top of a mountain, surrounded by swirling wisps of cloud. However, not everyone is so familiar with the highlights and unmissable sights within the complex. Here are 13 things to do in Machu Picchu to make your visit worthwhile (in no particular order). Note: Since Machu Picchu has seasonal weather, please do read our guide on the best time to visit Machu Picchu that can help plan your next adventure!

The island of Bali in Indonesia is one of the world’s most picture-perfect destinations. Featuring some of the best beaches with crystal clear waters, mixed in among historic temples and even a monkey sanctuary, there are plenty of things to do in Bali. It may be paradise, but with so much to offer it is easy to not be sure what to do in beautiful Bali. Here are the top 12 things that we think cannot be missed in no particular order.

If you’re looking for the ultimate experience, it doesn’t get better than Umbwe. Your legs, thighs and calves will curse you all day long, but your eyes and senses will delight at the scenery on display.Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all! The most mesmerizing scene can be found early in the trek, as you leave the rainforest behind and walk between skinny heathers. Narrow this ridge may be, but the mouth-watering imagery on each side ranks as the second-most dramatic views that Kilimanjaro has to offer. Relentlessly uphill, yet mesmerizingly beautiful The Umbwe Route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the south. It is an extremely steep and direct climb that goes all the way to Barranco Camp before turning east and traversing under the Southern Ice Field. Sure, the scenery is mesmerizing and the slopes stay untouched, but this private climb is never easy. The most challenging route You ascend quickly to a higher altitude and that’s never easy. The Umbwe route doesn’t offer easy acclimatization and this means that the route specifically caters to experienced trekkers and strong hikers only. Camping in the Kilimanjaro Umbwe route

As the newest kid on the block, its obvious that the Northern Circuit Route Kilimanjaro is nothing if not hip. It offers 360 degree views and boasts of untouched slopes that have very little footfall. The scenery is spectacular and the summit success rates are mind-blowing. Simply put, Northern Circuit Kilimanjaro is probably the one of the best ways to climb the mountain.The most scenic route with little to no traffic The journey starts at the Londorossi Gate (Moshi). You follow the Lemosho route for a couple of days, passing the rainforest zone, before ascending to the Shira Ridge and crossing the Shira Plateau. You depart from the Lemosho Route near Lava Tower and head towards an area that most will never get to see. The ONLY route to travel north around Kili At this point, you circle around towards the northern slopes of the mountain to get into untouched surroundings. The climb is entirely unique and the scenery often tends to take the breath away. You’re likely to encounter very few travelers here, so the experience is extremely rewarding as well! Highest summit success rates The route takes you past western forests and southern planks deep into the northern plains. It lets you walk on remote slopes and enjoy quiet, seldom-used camps. As a result, Northern Circuit Kilimanjaro can be extremely expensive. But if you have time on your hands, and wish to enjoy a connoisseur-like experience of the mountain, this is probably your best bet of doing so. Above the clouds on Kilimanjaro

Starting near the Kenyan border, the Rongai Route is the only approach that starts from the north of Mount Kilimanjaro. It is considered one of the easier routes with a gradual climb to the summit.A remote alternative to the crowded Marangu While Rongai takes a minimum of six days, a seven-day itinerary is recommended as one day should be spent for acclimatization. The scenic diversity is not as great as the western routes, but Rongai is the only route in which you get to experience African wildlife during the early stages of your climb. Combines African wildlife with exotic treks The Rongai route starts at a fair distance from from Moshi, making this route more expensive, as transportation costs to and from Moshi must also be included. The route takes you past pristine rainforests and African wilderness, and despite feeling drier, it’s actually quite scenic and beautiful. Just don’t make the mistake of comparing the scenery to the western routes. Preferred route during the rainy season Although the route is gaining popularity of late, climbers who seek a remote hike can expect low traffic. However, the trail will join the Marangu route at Camp Kibo and the descent is common for both routes. If you’re looking for a nice quiet hike up the mountain without having to deal with a lot of traffic, this is the route for you. Dawn Hut in Kilimanjaro National Park

Alice Springs was built around a series of springs that were found in the middle of a desert in the Australian outback. Now, Alice Springs is one of the largest towns in its territory and tourism is major part of the economy. This is a destination that caters to a range of travelers, from budget backpackers to luxury travelers. There are many things to do in Alice Springs that give you the chance to experience the rich history of the town and the beautiful natural landscapes surrounding it. Check out our list below.

Iceland is a nature lover’s paradise, full of incredible landscapes and natural wonders that you simply won’t find anywhere else on earth. While there are plenty of reasons to embark on different Iceland tours, the diverse hiking trails in Iceland are icing on the cake. With so many incredible trails to choose from, it can be hard to decide which to tackle during your visit to Iceland. To help make it easier for you, we’ve put together a list of the top 10 short day hikes in Iceland. The best part? You don’t need any permits for these day hikes! Note: If hiking is not your thing then check out the best things to do in Iceland and some of the great things to do in Reykjavik.

Unlike other trails, the Lemosho Route starts at a very low altitude. It is a long and difficult, but it is lets you gain elevation gradually and introduces you to mesmerizing natural beauty at every step.An easier alternative to the Shira Route Approaching the mountain from the west, the route begins with a long drive from Moshi. The minimum duration for this route is six days, but 8 days is ideal, so climbers get time to get acclimatized and enjoy the panoramic views from multiple sides of the mountain. Antelopes, buffalo and elephants can be seen on the lower slopes During the first two days of the trip, trekkers traverse through beautiful rainforests, where small animals such as the Colobus and blue monkeys are visible. In comparison to the Machame route, which simply intersects the Shira Plateau, Lemosho crosses the Plateau from east to west, providing marvelous views of Kibo Peak. Elephants in Kilimanjaro National Park Scenic views with relatively low traffic Other attractions that can be explored while trekking the Lemosho Route include the Lava Tower, where climbers get to enjoy panoramic vistas and the Great Barranco Wall, which presents a difficult and thrilling challenge. Climbers will rest overnight in tents and after reaching the summit, the descent is made on the Mweka Route (designated descent trail for the other routes). Extremely high success rates After a few days of climbing, the Lemosho route 7 days itinerary merges with the Machame route all the way up to the summit and the descent down Mwaka. Due to the extra days on the lower altitudes, this is the best trek in terms of acclimatization.

The Marangu Route, also known as the “Coca Cola Route Kilimanjaro” because of the availability of Coca Cola in the tea huts back in the day, is the easiest of all the Kilimanjaro routes due to its gradual slope and the removal of obstacles to create a well-defined path. One of the easiest and most popular routes The sleeping huts found here are quite comfortable, which eliminates any need for camping. Also known as the “Tourist Route” because of its popularity and relative ease of ascent, Marangu is ideal for people who prefer walking on well-defined paths rather than secluded steep slopes. Because of its ease, Marangu is much cheaper than other routes as well. The oldest route on the mountain The minimum number of days from the base to the summit is 5, but it is highly recommended that trekkers spend a day or more for acclimatization for safety reasons and a greater chance of a successful summit. All along the route, there are dormitory-style huts where trekkers can rest overnight. Views from Marangu Route, Kilimanjaro National Park The best route during rainy season The ascent and descent are on the same path making it the most crowded and one of the least scenic of all the routes, as it only goes through a single part of the mountain. So, only take the Marangu route if you don’t mind crowds. Granted Marangu is not the greatest choice of routes, but it is the best route during the rainy season because hut accommodations are generally preferred to camping in wet grounds.

Approaching Mount Kilimanjaro from the southwest, the Machame Route is the second most popular of the Kilimanjaro routes. It is also known as the “Whiskey Route Kilimanjaro" since it is more arduous than the “Coca Cola” (Marangu) route owing to its longer and steeper walks, and lack of sleeping huts.Higher success rate than Marangu Beginning at the south-west side of the mountain, the route takes around six days to complete; however, seven days is advised for a day should spent for acclimatization for safety reasons and for a higher probability of a successful summit. Climbers will sleep in designated campsites in tents. Trekkers have two options to reach Uhuru Peak. Majority of the trekkers choose the long Barafu Trail that offer the scenic view of the Rebmann Glacier. The other route is on the Western Breach Route, which is more thrilling and traverses through Lava tower and the Arrow Glacier. Scenic beauty and sheer diversity The trail starts off by traversing through the lush, green rainforest to the moorlands and then to dry and dusty Shira Plateau. After climbing up to the Uhuru Peak in the Arctic climate zone, the descent is made on the steep Mweka Route, which allows trekkers to experience the dry mountain desert and the lowland forest. So, take this route if you want a more challenging and scenically varied trail to the mountain and don’t mind crowds.

The image of the towering funnel of Mount Kilimanjaro is burnt into most people’s memories. After all, once viewed, it is a sight one is unlikely to forget. However, a lot of people are not aware of the fact that Mount Kilimanjaro is not just the mountain itself- it is also the national park surrounding it. This 291-square-mile park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and houses a number of attractions you should not miss while on a trip to Tanzania. Here are some of the top things to do in Kilimanjaro National Park.