Your walking holiday may be planned by yourself or purchased from a tour company specializing in this type of vacation. A common question is which company to purchase your walking holiday with.
Consider the following 7 items when purchasing a walking holiday:
1. Destination – you will not only want a destination that you personally find exciting but you will need to consider any flight or train connections to get you there. Are you looking for something exotic like the Inca Trail in Peru or a more traditional walking holiday in the English Lake District.
2. Years in business – how long has the walking holiday tour company been in business. Companies that have been in business for years have the experience to plan great routes which have been over time by other hikers. This is considered green travel and many walkers are environmentally sensitive, what is the policy of the walking holiday tour company?
3. Variety of walking – consider the level of fitness required on the walking holiday. Some companies only offer one walk each day for everyone and as long as that fits your level of fitness that is fine. Other companies offer easy, immediate and advanced walking so that you are challenged at your own ability and will be walking with other hikers of the same fitness level.
4. Walking leaders – how experiences are the walk leaders and how large is the group size. Can they point out local vegetation or historic sites? Do they know the best lunch and snack spots? Can they find their way? Are they qualified to handle any emergency that may arise during the walk?
5. Accommodation – consider the rating of the accommodation. You may prefer a more rustic type of accommodation and some companies specialize in using basic local hotels while others use 4 or 5 star properties. Which do you prefer? And how close is the accommodation to where your will be walking? How is luggage handled if you are moving from destination to destination?
Many walking holiday tour operators offer a single share program so that if you are traveling alone you can save on the price by sharing with another guest.
6. Meals – which meals and snacks are included in the base price. Food can be expensive in destinations such as Switzerland. If not included be sure to visit a grocery store on arrival to stock up. In addition some walking holiday tour companies have a welcome or farewell cocktail or wine party and other extra inclusions.
7. Local transportation is transportation from the railway station or airport to your accommodation included or can it arranged easily. Also are local buses or chartered coaches used to take you to the start of the walk each day.
In addition some most companies will have requirements regarding the insurance coverage.
The cost of walking holidays to a similar destination will vary between walking holiday companies but is usually a result of the quality and inclusions of your walking holiday.
Originally posted 2009-09-15 17:36:59.
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While you can certainly arrange your own walking holidays there are some huge advantages with guided hiking.
First, it makes more trails accessible to you as when you travel with a group a bus is frequently arranged to drop you off at the trail head and pick you up when finished. If you had arranged your own walking holiday you would be restricted to circle hikes or using local transport which can be a time consuming activity. In some destinations this limits the hike you are able to enjoy.
You won’t need to keep flipping through guide books andmaps every time you come to a crossing of the hiking trails. In many countries there is good signage, in others the hiking signs may be lacking or confusing. With a guided hike you are going to walk the most interesting trails as the guide knows where to find the best views, a historic site, a gentle or hard climb as may be desired. Not having to purchase maps and carry them is also convenient.
With guided hiking you are walking with an experienced person who can provide advice on improving your hiking techniques such as how to ascent a hill, navigation skills and other topics.. On a recent walking holiday in the Lake District in England our guides also used their experiences to discuss interesting things about the countryside we were hiking through. Topics included how the stone walls are constructed, history of an ancient stone circle, details on some of the plant life and the different types of sheep.
There is also the safety aspect. Should an injury occur on a guided hike the leader knows whom to call and can provide proper help immediately and something can be said for safety in numbers as well.
On a guided hiking trip you are going to be with other like minded people who can share some of their experiences with you as you walk along, at your lunch stop or a the pub after you are finished and are celebrating your day. Guided hiking is a very sociable activity.
On your next walking holiday consider a guided hike.
Classic Hikes of the World: 23 Breathtaking Treks
Price: $26.37
Pages: 224, Hardcover, W. W. Norton & Company
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