Walking & Trekking
There are now more walking options than ever before, from woodland rambles along leafy lanes to challenging mountain, gorge and ridge walking. There are guided walking holidays and independent options and a vast number of companies offering walking holidays – particularly in Europe. All trips are graded so you can select a walk that will suit your level of fitness, from easy – for the recent couch potatoes – through to moderate walks and of course for the more adventurous there are serious treks and mountain walks.
Accommodation ranges from hotels to country inns, B&B’s to chateaux, farms to historic town hotels. Many are family run and are much enjoyed for giving a real close-up experience of local life. Some trips are based on camping – particularly those in National Parks. No holiday is complete without memorable meals - usually continental breakfast is included, some lunches - often picnics are included and dinner is also often included unless there is a good choice of local restaurants that will add further flavour to your holiday.
In Europe, Independent holidays let you discover the heart of your holiday region, in your own way and at your own pace. You receive a comprehensive route map and will usually move hotels/inns every two days. Often you will spend one day walking to your destination and the following day exploring locally. Your bags are transported for you so you only need carry the minimum. You have the freedom to walk at your own pace, stop when you choose, and experience the countryside and discover the secrets of the world around you.
Guided walking holidays are usually small groups and they have a leader who understands the special pleasures of discovering their country on foot. You can be sure of a warm welcome, and an expert interpretation of the region. Motor vehicles are on hand to get you to the best walks. Groups are usually small in number and usually range from 8 to 16 people.
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Recommended - Walking
Self Guided Secret Trails of Provence
Discover the colours and flavours of Provence and the Luberon on this wonderful, week-long walk. The Luberon Mountains offer a new discovery: 1000 year-old villages in some of Frances most beautiful valleys. Highlights include the towns of Gordes, Bonnieux and the beautiful L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and Fontaine de Vaucluse. Walk past the ruins of ancient stone farmhouses to the tiny medieval village of Lacoste, enjoy a forest loop walk with views from the Alps to the Mediterranean and a walk through the beautiful valley to picturesque Gordes, perched atop the cliff of the Vaucluse plateau. Enjoy poppies and wildflowers, picnics and winetasting and delightful cafes and antique shops.
- 7 days from NZD $1995
- Self Guided Walking Tour
- Minimum of 2 people
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- Telephone 0800 269 000
Self Guided Camino de Santiago
A longer stretch of the Camino. Whether it’s spiritual enlightenment you seek or simply an exhilarating walk through Spain’s beautiful northwest, you won’t forget this brilliant ramble. Your tour starts in Leon , exploring on through Astorga, Molinaseca, Cacabelos, O Cebreiro, Sarria, Portomarin, Lestido, Melida, Arzua, Rua and ending the tour in Santiago de Compostela. Walking between 3-6 km each day, the tour is self-guided so you will be able to enjoy the picturesque hamlets, historic sites, rolling hills and warm Galician hospitality all at your own pace.
- 16 days from NZD $3,395
- Self Guided Walking Tour
- Minimum of 2 people
- Terms & Conditions apply
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- Telephone 0800 269 000
Guided Walking at Sarlat
This guided walking holiday offers walking in the world-famous scenery of the beautiful Dordogne.Walk beside the celebrated Dordogne River through beautiful rolling scenery and enjoy walks to the fairytale chateaux at Castlenaud and the fortified towns of Domme and Le Roque Gageac. Stay at the charming Relais de Moussidière, highly praised for its delightful ambience and excellent cuisine.
Sarlat itself is a delightful small town with cobbled streets and an atmospheric medieval centre and of course we visit the world-famous cave paintings at Lascaux
Includes: Accommodation in ensuite rooms, halfboard meals and a full programme of guided walks with 2 options every day
- 7 nights from GBP £669
- Guided Walking tour
Contact us Now
- Telephone 0800 269 000
Recommended - Trekking
Annapurna Mountains & Wildlife
Trekking in the Annapurna region showcases the cultural and physical diversity of this beautiful corner of Nepal. Our lodge based trek passes through terraced hillsides, picturesque villages and rhododendron forest, with the Himalaya forming a magnificent backdrop. Our trek begins a short drive from Pokhara at the village of Lumle before descending through terraced hillsides into Modi Khola Valley. Views of the ‘fishtail’ peak, Machhapuchhare, and Annapurna South dominate the skyline as we trek via the village of Upper Ghandruk to Tadapani. We ascend through magnificent rhododendron forest and then climb above the tree line to Deurali for a spectacular panorama of three 8000-metre peaks - Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Manaslu. Our journey continues along the ancient salt trade route to Ulleri before we return to Pokhara to relax by the beautiful Phewa Lake.
- 13days from NZD $2,220pp
- Small Group Trekking tour
- Moderate level
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- Telephone 0800 269 000
Everest Base Camp & Gokyo Lakes
The Gokyo and Khumbu Valleys are arguably the most dramatic and interesting of the Everest region. This trek explores friendly Sherpa villages, visits monasteries, seeks wildlife and unveils dramatic mountain scenery. We have two days in Kathmandu to experience one of Asia’s most fascinating cities before flying to Lukla, the starting point of our trek. We follow the Dudh Kosi Valley to Namche Bazaar and then trek into Gokyo Valley. The trail ascends gradually and we enjoy a series of short trekking days to ensure proper acclimatisation, walking beside the moraines of Ngozumpa Glacier and turquoise lakes to reach our lodge in Gokyo. From here we can climb Gokyo Ri (5360m) to a view of all of the region’s 8000-metre peaks including Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu – a breathtaking panorama. From Gokyo we trek via Phortse and Dingboche to rejoin the main trail to Everest, which we follow to Gorak Shep. It is from here we make the round trip on a rugged trail to visit Everest Base Camp. However to get a better view of the mountain and a 360 degree panorama of many other Himalayan peaks, the short but steep climb to Kala Patar is the highlight for many on this trek. Here the climbing route up the mountain can be seen, showing the immense scale and difficulty involved for any climbing team attempting to climb Everest. Our return route heads back to Lukla via the beautiful Thyangboche Monastery.
- 20 days from NZD $2,595pp
- Small Group Trekking tour
- Moderate to Hard level
Contact us Now
- Telephone 0800 269 000