Island Peak or Imja Tse (6,189m / 20,305 ft) lies in the center of the Everest Region of Nepal and is the most popular of Nepal’s 33 designated trekking peaks. It’s a great summit for first time climbers who are looking for something a little more challenging then the Everest Base Camp Trek and a good peak to start with for those with more mountaineering ambitions in Nepal. The peak was first climbed in 1956 by a Swiss Team and was named in 1951 by Shipton’s party, who viewing it from Dingboche described it as “Island in a sea of Ice.” The summit itself sits almost in the middle of a large valley and is surrounded by giant peaks with Everest to the North, Makalu to the east and Ama Dablam to the west. What follows are nine tips to get you.
Ready to take you’re trekking to the next level? The Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) has designated 33 trekking peaks that can be tackled without an expedition permit. All of the trekking peaks are less than 7000m (22965 Feet) and most can be summated by anyone with a moderate experience level in mountaineering for a relatively small fee. Want to go above 7000m? You will need to pay quite a bit more as these peaks qualify as expedition peaks.
If you have a limited time for trekking but still want to see some of the Himalayas here are what we think are the 5 best short treks in Nepal. Note: Some of our itineraries on the website for these treks are longer as they include extra days in either Kathmandu or Pokhara. The times given here are the minimum requirements.
The Patagonia Region is one of the most sought after trekking destinations in the world. Nestled in a very remote location in the southern part of South America, more and more visitors are finding it easier to make the journey to see the “8th Wonder of the World”. As you can imagine, with over 250,000 visitors a year, the limited number of accommodations during the main summer trekking season fill up very fast. The park authorities are strict, and once the lodges and campsites are fully booked, they will not allow any additional trekkers to sleep inside of the national park. With this in mind, it’s important to know when to book and how far in advance you would need to plan your trip. .
After deciding to trek in Torres del Paine your next step is to decide which trek to do, the W Trek or the O Circuit. This blog will explore the similarities and difference between the two treks so that you can choose which one is the best fit for your Patagonian adventure.
The Annapurna Circuit is renowned as one of the world’s greatest treks. While most trekkers follow the standard route there are a number of interesting side trips that can be added or alternate shorter treks if one lacks time to complete the entire circuit. Here we give a brief summary of the Annapurna Circuit as well as the possible side trips and alternate routes.
Crossing over Thorong La Pass is both the highlight and the biggest challenge of completing the Annapurna Circuit. Trekking the Annapurna Circuit has changed a lot over the last twenty years as roads have replaced trails along a significant portion of the traditional trek. The stretch of the trek from Manang to Mulktinath over the pass is the last stretch of the circuit that remains completely roadless.
Everest or Annapurna Base Camp. If it’s your first time in Nepal you might be wondering which is the better trek? Having done both I would right out the gate say Everest Base Camp. However, if your worried about acclimatization, scared of flying small planes or don’t like colder temperatures then Annapurna Base Camp might be a better option. Here is a short review of both treks and the pros and cons of doing each. Keep in mind at the end of the day this is a bit subjective and that they both deserve to be included in a list of the world’s greatest treks.
Antarctica is one of the world’s most beautiful and breathtaking wonders, relatively untouched by humanity. It’s no wonder it’s so many people’s dream to visit this majestic land. But what really goes into planning a trip to Antarctica? Here are eight tips to help you make the most of your trip.
The trek to Everest Base Camp is the most popular in Nepal drawing upwards of 30,000 visitors a year for its incredible mountain views, excellent trails and comfortable tea house style trekking. Here we present a few options for those wanting to visit Everest Base Camp but at the same time get off the beaten track. These treks offer a sense of the undeveloped side of Nepal and the Himalayas that most travelers miss entirely on the traditional route.
While most of the planning and preparing for this 4 day trek is handled by us, it is important to bring necessary items to make sure your trek is as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.
Packing for Everest Base Camp can be stressful. There are strict weight restrictions on the flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, but you also want to be sure to pack all the essentials for the trail. In this article, we share our complete Everest Base Camp packing list from years of guiding thousands of treks to and from Everest Base Camp Moisture-Wicking T-Shirts Bring 2 long-sleeved and one short-sleeved moisture-wicking t-shirt for your base layer. Look for Capilene or Merino Wool as the fabric. Avoid cotton or cotton blends. This is because cotton absorbs moisture, making the fabric wet, heavy—and cold. Lower elevations may be warm enough that you’d rather wear the short-sleeved shirt, where you’ll want the long-sleeve shirt in the colder weather. Heavy Fleece Jacket Your fleece jacket will act as your middle layer, to be worn over your moisture-wicking base layer and under your outer shell. It’s also a good idea to find a jacket that is easy to zip and unzip—this way if it’s too warm to wear the jacket zipped but too cold to take it off all the way, you can unzip the jacket for a good balance of cooling and warming. Warm Outer Core […]
Read below for 9 tips to help you prepare for a challenging and life-changing journey on one of South America’s premier trekking routes!
#1- Book in Advance
Entry for the Inca Trail is limited year-round to 500 permits per day, which is split between an estimated 200 tourists and 300 accompanying trekking staff. Due to these restricted numbers, you will want to book a minimum of 6-8 months in advance.
The Galapagos has a gentle climate with beautiful weather and great varieties of activities to let you experience the natural wonders of these unique islands. With any of our Galapagos tours you will experience a great diversity of island ecosystems including cloud forest dry forest and sandy beaches. While the climate is always pretty comfortable the temperature and rain levels can vary significantly by season. Please see our blog post discussing the seasons of the Galapagos for more information.
Our primary itineraries all use the Galapagos Legend, a magnificent vessel that provides the most comfortable way to enjoy the islands. With a capacity of 100 guests, it balances the comforts a larger vessel without losing the intimate experience a smaller vessel provides. She three decks and a wide variety of spacious social areas, including a two tier bar and pool deck, the Charles Darwin panorama lounge, and a roof top restaurant providing the best of both Ecuadorian and international cuisine.
Deciding where to go in the Galapagos Islands is hard – the Galapagos Archipelago is huge. A network of nearly 20 major and minor islands, each with its own unique ecosystems, the Islands are far too large to fully experience on any single trip. We have chosen our itineraries with this in mind – each trip is built to explore and experience a smaller region more fully.
We offer 4 and 5 day cruise packages through the North, East, South, and Western Galapagos Islands. Each package highlights a different region within the archipelago, but choosing between them can feel a little overwhelming – here is a bit of information to consider as you’re planning.
The Galapagos Islands are a magical network of unique ecosystems and diverse wildlife. There are two primary ways that visitors explore the Islands: cruise boat and land tours. No matter how you make your trip you will find an adventure of a lifetime, but there are a few advantages to each option.
The Galapagos Islands are a year-round paradise. You will find beautiful weather and great options to explore and play no matter when you arrive. Since the Galapagos is such a diverse ecosystem, many guests choose to plan their holiday around the life cycles of the animals that make the Galapagos so special. Here is a quick guide on the big things happening each month in the Galapagos:
Once you decide you’re going to take on Africa’s highest peak there are a few things you’ll need to figure out before you set foot on the mountain. We help hundreds of climbers make their way to the summit of Kilimanjaro each year, and wanted to answer some of the most common questions we get as people prepare for their trip.
There are a number of great day trip options from Moshi to explore during a layover day or stretch your legs after a long flight to Tanzania. From local culture and food tours to day hikes and hot springs there are lots of fun options. Here are three favorites from our staff and past guests:
There are few harder jobs than being a porter on Kilimanjaro, and the history of the tourism industry in Tanzania unfortunately began with unsafe practices that left many porters and guides injured and unable to support their families. These practices created an unsustainable and unsafe environment for everyone working on the mountain
It’s been estimated that only 60–65% of people successfully reach the summit at Uhuru Peak from any of the seven major routes to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro, but this rate increases the more days that a climber adds to his/her trek, with success rates reaching around 85% for 8-day routes. After successfully summiting along with my four other trekking mates on the 7-day Lemosho trek, I’d like to give you seven tips for ensuring that you also have the very best chance of reaching the summit on your Trekking Hero adventure and can avoid the effects of altitude sickness:
A joining safari is exactly what it sounds like; you join up with different groups and trips that are going to the same locations all over the Serengeti. These types of safaris sound great at first glance, especially as a solo traveler, because you will get to meet new people every day from all parts of the world. They are generally very cheap to operate, and can be put together relatively last minute as well. There are many good things about the joining safari, but let’s talk about some of the issues that you will want to know about before making this decision.
For anyone not taking the Marangu route to Kilimanjaro, sleeping in tents is going to be a way of life on your journey to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Here are some things to expect during your time at Kilimanjaro campsites:
Mount Kilimanjaro lies in the tropics and the seasons are marked more by variations in rainfall then by changes in temperature. The main driving force controlling the climate is the migration of the Intertropical Convergence Zone or ITCZ. The ITCZ marks the convergence between the north and south trade winds and can be picked out in Satellite pictures as a broad band of thunderstorms which encircles the globe.
Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa attracting over 35,000 climbers annually. Trekkers can choose between seven different route options (Marangu, Machame, Lemosho, Shira, Rongai, Northern Circuit and Umbwe). Here we take a closer look at the Marangu, Machame routes which are the most popular options and combined account for nearly 85% of visitor traffic to the mountain. Each route offers a uniquely different experience so it’s worth getting the facts before you make a selection.
Wondering what the 15 greatest treks in the Himalayas are? Home to the world’s highest mountains most trekkers head straight for Everest Base Camp and while it’s a great option the opportunities for adventure abound among the peaks of the Himalayas of which over 100 exceed 7000m or 24000 feet. Here is a quick rundown of 15 great treks from Bhutan to India starting with Nepal.
No matter whether you have decided to sail through The Drake Passage or fly directly over it, your Antarctica adventure will typically begin at the southernmost part of South America in either Ushuaia, Argentina, or Punta Arenas, Chile.
Packing is always a crucial part of preparing for any adventure, but when you’re readying yourself to embark to the world’s coldest and windiest place, knowing what to bring becomes all the more important. Fear not, we’ve compiled a comprehensive packing list to ensure you’ll be as best equipped and ready as possible for your trip of a lifetime. You can download the complete packing list here:
AdventureHero in partnership with Antarctica21 offers a unique Air-Cruise package that offers guests the opportunity to fly over the often turbulent waters of the Drake Passage directly to King George Island. Skipping several days of cruising across the passage saves time keeps costs lower and allows guests to see more of of Antarctica. Sounds amazing, right? Now, before you book your trip of a lifetime, let’s take a look at the different ships offered. Antarctica21 has three vessels; The newer Magellan Explorer, The modern and comfortable Ocean Nova, or the more compact Hebridean Sky. Here is a brief overview and then a more detailed look at each ship. *Both Built in 1992 (Dates are when the ship was refurbished) Magellan Explorer Built in Chile to start service in 2019, the Magellan Explorer is a new and agile 5-decker expedition vessel custom built up to the latest Polar Code specifications for our Antarctica Air-Cruise. The ship features stabilizers, bow and stern thrusters, an ice-detecting radar, and an energy-recovery system, making for the most comfortable, safe, and environmentally friendly journey. The 90.7 m long, 16.2 m wide ship can fit a maximum of 100 passengers and offers 7 categories of elegant and […]
