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Strenuous hiking vacations

A choice of strenuous walking vacations from specialist operators. Fitness is important for these trips. You should expect to walk for between 6 to 8 hours per day. You will either have trekked before, or be confident of your fitness. See our full walking vacation classification.

Strenuous hiking vacations
Walking vacation in the Caucasus, Georgia
A fabulous walking vacation in the Causacus, from £1265 - £1295 (9 days) ex flights
Mount Kailash trekking vacation in Tibet
Trek Mount Kailish in Tibet, from £1595 (15 days) ex flights
Patagonia trekking vacation
Trek the third largest single expanse of ice on earth, from US $2020 (10 days) ex flights
Inca Trail trek & Cusco tour
Hike along the Inca trail and visit Cusco, from £625 (8 days) ex flights
Inca Trail tour
Hike along the Inca trail to Macchu Picchu, from £325 (4 days) ex flights
Hiking the Inca Trail
Fully supported Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu, from US $600 (4 days) ex flights
Trekking vacation in Venezuela
An adventure into territory virtually unknown, from US $2280 - US $2650 (15 days) ex flights
Hadrians Wall walking tours, England
Discovering the history and heritage of Hadrians Wall, from £475 - £799 (6 days) ex flights
Guided walking vacations in the French Alps
Guided walking from a historic chalet base, from £475 - £595 (8 days) ex flights
Annapurna trekking vacation, Rhododendron trek
Annapurna's diverse culture, flora & fauna, from US $594 (12 days) ex flights
Winter walking & snowshoeing, France
Get some clean alpine air, from £499 (8 days) ex flights
Annapurna Circuit & Tilicho Lake trekking vacation
Trek in the beautiful Annapurna massif region, from US $795 (18 days) ex flights
Langtang Valley trekking vacation, Nepal
Hike beyond the beaten path to the majestic Langtang Valley, from £925 (15 days) ex flights
Self guided walking vacations in Scotland
Self guided walks on Scotland’s classic treks, from £240 (4 days) ex flights
Mont Blanc walking vacation
Trek through picture postcard scenery, from US $1390 (10 days) ex flights
Alternative Inca trail treks in Peru
An alternative Inca Trail adventure, from US $635 (5 days) ex flights
Island Peak trekking holiday in Nepal
Climbing a peak in the Everest region of Nepal, from £1105 (20 days) ex flights
Himalayan trekking vacation in Mustang
Trek in Mustang, an area only recently opened to trekking, from US $1186 (17 days) ex flights
Peru walking and cultural vacation
Trek the cultural sites and mountain scenery of Peru, from US $4700 (14 days) ex flights
Kilimanjaro Climb, Serengeti safari and Zanzibar
Discover Africa's highest peak and most beautiful island, from US $4380 - US $4900 (17 days) ex flights
Walking vacation in south Western Australia
Remote and dramatic natural landscapes in Australia, from AU $2995 (5 days) ex flights
Scotland walking vacations
Walking in Scotland, from £725 (5 days) ex flights
Walking holidays in Spain
A walker's paradise, from €560 - €850 (8 days) ex flights
French Alps guided walking vacations
Challenging walking vacation in the Haute Savoie region of the French Alps, from £475 - £595 (8 days) ex flights

200 reviews for Strenuous hiking vacations4 star overall rating

These full and frank independent Strenuous hiking vacations reviews are from travelers who have booked directly through responsibletravel.com. They are not edited by us or any of the companies we work with. Find the real story, from real travelers below.

Self guided walking in Austria
Most memorable? Going up to 5 fingers and seeing the spectacular view after seeing the Ice Caves which were spectacular in a different way... Fantastic. (more)
From £110 - £155 excluding flights
Walking holidays in Spain
Everything about this vacation was excellent, and exceeded expectations. The walking was varied, the guide/s were knowledgeable and supportive, the food was simply wonderful, and my walking companions were friends by the end of the week. (more)
From €560 - €850 excluding flights
Sicily walking vacation
Being on stomboli while the volcano rumbled and spat - being so close to lava fountains was the most memorable part. (more)
From US $1480 - US $1540 excluding flights
Winter walking & snowshoeing, France
Most memorable? Stunning views from high up in the Parc National de Mercantour, well worth the effort of climbing 1000 metres. Also Liz's home cooking, delish!!!! Wonderful, would like do it all again and probably will before too long.  (more)
From £499 excluding flights
Walking vacation in the Caucasus, Georgia
The most memorable parts were the fantastic views from the escarpments and a chance visit at a local school during the TESFA walk, the view over the twin of Ayers Rock from the Ghiralta lodge (more)
From £1265 - £1295 excluding flights
Langtang Valley trekking vacation, Nepal
The most memorable part - Everything from arriving at the airport till leaving the airport. The Nepalese guide was FANTASTIC.  (more)
From £925 excluding flights
Mount Kailash trekking vacation in Tibet
Our vacation organisers took great care of us. Throughout they took great care of us - we felt that we were getting great personal service from a company that were treating us like friends. (more)
From £1595 excluding flights
Patagonian adventure vacation
The most memorable part of our vacation was camping in Mt Fitz Roy National Park; it was so beautiful and the walking was excellent. We had some really good mountain guides; lots of fun. (more)
From US $1961 excluding flights
Mont Blanc walking vacation
5 star - excellent guide and wonderful atmosphere with mule Nikita - guide handled Nikita with care. (more)
From US $1390 excluding flights
Snowhole expedition, Scotland
Most memorable was learning to self-arrest with an ice-axe - sliding head first and face down on an icy slope! (more)
From £382 excluding flights
Hiking the Inca Trail
Excellent! Doing the Inca Trail was a spiritual experience. Our guide, Wilo went out of his way to point out orchids, great photography spots and had fantastic knowledge of the history of the area. (more)
From US $600 excluding flights
Scotland walking vacations
Everything about this trip was great, but memories of the magnificent mountain scenery I'm sure will stay with me forever. (more)
From £725 excluding flights
Inca trail & Amazon Rainforest vacation
An optional visit to a farm in the rainforest was real eye-opener. The Libertador Tambopata lodges were excellent and gave you a real feel for the rainforest. (more)
From US $2980 - US $3150 excluding flights
Everest base camp trek
It was fantastic! I had a beautiful and relaxing time (even though it was a physical challenge. My guide was knowledgeable and fun and I met some great people along the way!  (more)
From US $1122 excluding flights
Annapurna Circuit & Tilicho Lake trekking vacation
It was an amazing experience, but a tough trek... Most memorable? Beautiful vistas and sunsets over the Annapurnas. Meeting locals, and a whole host of animals, along the way. Rowing across the still lake in Pokara. (more)
From US $795 excluding flights
Annapurna Circuit trek, Nepal
The scenery was the most memorable part. It provided everything I hoped for.  (more)
From US $2520 excluding flights
Inca Discovery
The most exciting part of my vacation was hiking through the Peruvian jungle and feeling like you were discovering the Incan ruins yourself. (more)
From US $1249 excluding flights
Himalayan trekking vacation in Mustang
I would rate my trip to the Annapurnas as being one of the best trips I've ever done. My guide & porter were excellent company, they took excellent care of me. (more)
From US $1186 excluding flights
Discover Yunnan vacation, China
Hmmm, hard to choose just one most memorable part since the whole trip was so great!...Overall my trip to China was one of the best vacations I've ever had. (more)
From US $1240 - US $1305 excluding flights
Peru vacation, Inca Trail, Cusco & Lake Titicaca
The most lasting memory will probably be our stay on Amantani Island on Lake TitiKaka. We stayed with a family without water and electricity and it was both enjoyable as well as being an eye opener.  (more)
From £2155 excluding flights

Vacation Reviews

We invite every traveler who books a vacation via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the vacations they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same vacation can have different views!

Read our review policy

Unedited reviews from other travelers

5 stars
I am reborn! Simply the best vacation I have ever been on
4 stars
Some great stories to tell the grandchildren. Would recommend to a friend
3 stars
Very enjoyable
2 stars
It was OK
1 star
A bit disappointing really

Walking vacation classifications

We organise our walking vacations by difficulty & the number of hours you walk each day to help you find the right walking vacation for your level of fitness.

Introductory walking
You do not need previous experience for these trips, but you do need to be in reasonably good health. If you enjoy walking, and will be able to walk for 4-5 hours per day then these trips will be for you. Although these trips are not at higher altitudes, and will have time for rest, remember that the walks will not be flat and that you'll enjoy them even more if you've built up a little stamina!
Moderate walking
If you have walked in the hills at home and are reasonably fit you will enjoy these trips, which will typically involve 5-8 hours walking per day. These trips might involve a day or two of harder and steeper walking, but generally walking conditions will be good.
Strenuous walking
Fitness is important for these trips, and you'll need to improve your stamina before you depart. You should expect to walk in mountainous terrain, usually at significantly higher altitudes than at home, for between 6 to 8 hours per day. You will either have trekked before, or be confident of your fitness.
Very challenging trekking
We recommend previous experience of trekking. You will need to be fit, have very good stamina, and be confident that you can to trek for many days without a break. You will be able to cope with difficult underfoot terrain such as scree, snow or difficult paths on steep mountainsides. Extremes of altitude and weather may also be encountered and walking days can be from 6 to 9 hours.
High altitude trekking
If you want to get away from it all and up into some of the highest and most spectacular mountain ranges in the world then here are some awesome treks for you! As you will be at altitude you will need to be in good health, and have good stamina and fitness for those uphill days. You should expect some long days, cold temperatures, high altitudes, and some tough terrain in simply spectacular scenery.
Climbing
A choice of climbing vacations from specialist operators. For these trips we recommend previous climbing experience, preferably at altitude or the confidence to learn as you go. You will need to be fit, have very good stamina, and be confident that you can climb in demanding conditions.
Wilderness trekking
We've selected these treks for you based on their remoteness and beauty. If you prefer to enjoy the solitude of the mountains away from too many other people then these treks are for you. You'll need a reasonable level of fitness and you will enjoy walking, but these trips are more about enjoying the surroundings than searching out really tough treks.
Walking safari
There is no better way of really experiencing wildife and wildlife habitats than getting out on foot to see and track game. Your safety will be paramount and you will be accompanied by expert guides. It might involve anything from a 3-4 hour walk from camp, to a mobile safari over several days moving from camp to camp. You'll will simply need to be able to walk for 3-4 hours.
Self guided walking
If you prefer to avoid groups and guides, or want create your own group, then a self guided walk is for you. No previous experience is needed.
Charity treks
Charity treks are ideal for people who don’t only want to travel responsibly, but also want to give that little bit extra and help contribute towards a favourite charity. All of our charity treks are either run by charities, or contribute a significant proportion of the cost of the vacation to a good cause.
Summer walking
Want to enjoy the fields, meadows and mountains in the summer sunshine? No previous experience required, just an enjoyment of walking and the outdoors.
Winter walking
Are you looking to get away during the winter months to enjoy an invigorating winter walk? No previous experience required, just an enjoyment of walking and the outdoors.
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