Wilderness trekking travel guide

A sense of connection to the raw power of nature is one of the big draws of wilderness trekking vacations. That feeling of being alone in some of the most pristine landscapes on earth can be quite overpowering. Almost alone, that is. Many wilderness areas are far from uninhabited and trekking through them can offer a financial lifeline for people living in small, out-of-the-way communities.

“Life in Ladakh in the Indian Himalayas is often very harsh,” says Kashka Lantis, from our trekking experts Exodus Travels. “It’s all about maximising the opportunities available. Tourism plays a huge role in the local economy but there’s such a small window to benefit from it.” Our wilderness trekking vacations don’t just wow you with nature. They also provide valuable employment opportunities for local people through guiding, porter services, accommodation and food provision. In return, you gain fascinating insights into life in these remote quarters of the earth.

Keep reading our wilderness trekking vacations travel guide for me.

… creature comforts are important to you. Not all accommodation will be under canvas, but even if you’ll be sleeping in a refuge, guest house or a family’s village home, the accommodation will be simple. As a general rule, you can expect amenities to become more basic the more remote, and the higher in altitude, you trek. … you don’t want to do some regular long-distance walking before you leave. (Think 10km-plus at a time.) You don’t need to be super fit to take part in most wilderness trekking vacations, but it’s necessary to have a love of walking, to be confident over uneven terrain and to possess a base level of endurance. … you don’t know how your porters are being supported. With limited road access, many wilderness trekking vacations use porters to carry your clothes, bags, food and equipment along the trail. Exploitation is rife, from underpaid staff to carrying dangerously heavy loads in inadequate clothing. … you haven’t broken in your walking boots. The start of your trek is not the time to dust off your brand new boots for the first time – not unless you’re packing plenty of blister cream too. Make sure your boots have been well walked-in, preferably over some long-distance treks back home.

By their very nature, wilderness trekking vacations spend a significant amount of time in remote areas. Some will have very limited access to daily comforts while other more popular routes may have better infrastructure. You might camp every night, erecting your own tent (with help on hand, of course) or in simple guest houses. Campsites vary in the level of amenities, with some offering little more than a toilet block.

If you prefer a higher standard of accommodation, then opting for a wilderness trekking vacation based in one place, rather than a point-to-point itinerary, can be a good option. Some of the refugios and hotels in Patagonia’s Torres del Paine National Park, for example, make a comfortable base to come back to each night, while day hikes take you into the wild valleys, past enormous glaciers and around ice-blue lakes. You might even get an internet connection!

Depending on your destination and the length of your trek, you might prefer to become vegetarian, especially the more remote you go. When you’re trekking in the Markha Valley, for example, the tea houses at high altitudes will have supplies, including meat, brought in via yak – a journey that might take two or three days or more without refrigeration.

When you’re camping, your porters will go on ahead to set everything up for you, so you can be welcomed with a ready tent and hot cup of tea. You’ll enjoy a hot meal for lunch and dinner too – usually vegetarian, as it’s not ideal carrying meat for several days on the journey – but hearty. You’ll be eating curried vegetables, dhal. “Generally, we find people are amazed at the quality and variety of food that can be produced by our expedition cooks,” says Kashka.