Best places to go wilderness trekking

Trekking in wilderness areas involves extremes in climate, terrain and altitude. Treks explore parched desert valleys and mountain passes that require acclimatisation. Humid and dark rainforests, where your every step is watched by hundreds of tiny eyes, and rock-strewn geothermal landscapes shaped by volcanic activity over millions of years. But while these often fragile environments might be inhospitable, they’re certainly far from unoccupied. One of the most significant aspects of our wilderness trekking vacations is that they bring you into contact with remote communities that can make a valuable income from trekkers, such as by providing accommodation or porter services. Responsible travel in these places means treading carefully and respectfully.

Carmel Hendry, product manager at our partner Explore, on her favourite wilderness destinations: “My favourite wilderness areas to explore have been Guyana and Patagonia. They’re two very different experiences, as you have the vast open scenery of Patagonia and the dense rainforest of Guyana. Here, you see some really interesting indigenous community-led biodiversity. You stay in small villages and all the money earned goes back into local communities.”

Clara Gonzalez, from our Argentinian specialists Say Hueque, shares some practicalities on trekking in Patagonia: “Weather-wise, the ideal time of year for trekking in Patagonia is between October and April, but the most popular areas do get crowded in January and February, so I would suggest the autumn (March and April) or October and November. You may not get perfect weather, but that’s the trade-off. Some of the campsites we use are more rustic than others. For example, in Torres del Paine National Park you can expect more amenities than in less well-known areas. One campsite might offer sleeping bags so you can travel light, others might offer showers, and others are not as well-set up, so you might have a shared toilet block and that’s it.”

Marcus Eldh, founder of our partner Wild Sweden, recommends trekking in Sarek National Park: “I regard Sarek National Park as the most spectacular place for trekking in Sweden. It is surrounded by other parks, so there is no road in, no phone connection, no cabins. We camp and carry our own gear. But what there is here is the largest moose in Europe, wolverines, bears, lynx and golden eagles. It’s wonderful for wildlife.”

Kashka Lantis, from our partner Exodus Travels, explains the need-to-know about trekking the Markha Valley in Ladakh: “The Markha Valley is a strenuous trek, comparable to Everest Base Camp in difficulty. We rate it as challenging, which means you need to be confident in your physical condition. You’ll be walking on average 4-6 hours a day point to point, so there’s no turning back. There are a couple of river crossings on the trek as well so you really do need to be confident on your feet on rocks and uneven terrain.”