This weeklong itinerary will take you to the north, away from the crowded south coast. On this trip, you will enjoy the volcanic Snæfellsnes Peninsula and the scenic and remote Westfjords.
When you think South Africa, you think African safari and of the ‘Big 5’ animals most people come to see. Or, perhaps, of its famous coastline, patrolled by Great White Sharks. But South Africa has much more to offer than this, especially when it comes to outdoor adventure travel.
Don’t just stick to the Golden Circle and South Coast. You may see some great sights, but you’ll spend a lot of time in lines and waiting for people to get out of your pictures. To see a side of Iceland fewer travelers see, spend some time in Snaefellsnes, the Westfjords, or the North of the country. You’ll appreciate more of Iceland’s beauty and culture than you can by sticking to the most-visited areas.
This one week tour of National Park of Cinque Terre lets you explore this UNESCO heritage site in all its glory. This is a unique area where houses are painted in vivid multi-colored shades and the sea is brighter than the sky. The hiking routes consist of ancient paths and mule tracks. Short train rides connect its five classic colorful fishing villages.
Colombia has tropical weather and a stable equatorial climate throughout the year. High seasons for tourism are December-February and June-August, coinciding the driest weather—expect big crowds and a festive atmosphere. Head to the Amazon rainforest during the second half of the year, when easily-navigable waterways bring more opportunities for wildlife spotting and hiking. And whale-watching season on the Pacific Coast starts in July.
In eleven days, learn about the rich Buddhist and Hindu cultural histories of Nepal by visiting sacred sites in Kathmandu and farther afield, in Lumbini. Balance the cultural attractions with outdoor scenic pursuits in Pokhara, such as hiking to vantage points for panoramic Himalayan views. If you’re feeling brave, you can even try paragliding above the lakes and mountains of Pokhara.
Isafjordur is home to some of the best hiking areas in all of Iceland. Whether you’re looking for short hikes with jaw-dropping views, day trips to remote areas, or multi-day backpacking treks where you can camp out away from it all, the heart of the Westfjords has it all. Here are a few hikes to that will really make your time in the Westfjords memorable.
Want to spend your holidays in a winter wonderland, see the northern lights, take a dogsled or snowmobile tour, hike on a glacier, or climb through ice caves? Iceland is the perfect place to spend some time this winter. While daylight is limited and the nights are long, you can experience some truly unique adventures without the big crowds of the peak season.
Dominated by volcanic peaks, some of them still active, Sicily and the Aeolian islands offer dramatic coasts and fertile interiors. Explore the beautiful Aeolian Archipelago—7 diverse islands including Lipari, Vulcano, and Stromboli—whose active volcanic cone dominates the horizon. End your trip with a climb to the top of Mt Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano.
Visit the island of Capri, the remains of Pompeii, and charming Naples on this active and culinary trip. Experience a landscape that varies from Mediterranean macchia (shrub) to cultivated terraces of citrus and olives, sampling fresh seafood, mozzarella, and pasta along the way.
Southern Peru has a long list of both natural and man-made wonders. Come for Machu Picchu, but depart with the memories of the beautiful places scattered across the high, southern altiplano: countless ruins, vibrant local communities, and natural wonders that will open your eyes to the beauty of Peru.
The country of Jordan awaits! This itinerary covers most of the major cities of Jordan along with the main experiences, and popular sites that one should see. You’ll experience Jordan’s great history and traditional culture, and enjoy the hospitality of its people.
Planning a trip to Jordan? Here's a list of the top ten activities to help give you an idea of great things to do. We've focused on unique things to do in Jordan that provide you with a more authentic experience.
The epic trek from Dana to Petra, rated one of the world’s best hikes by National Geographic, takes you through many of Jordan's distinct landscapes and major archeological sites. It's part of the national Jordan Trail, which runs the length of the country from north to south. Read on for a detailed description of the 9-day trekking itinerary.
The autumn 2016 Manaslu trekking season is about halfway done, so it’s a good moment to share detailed feedback about the trail conditions from a number of groups who booked their trek with kimkim. So far, everyone successfully completed the trek, despite the fact that conditions were challenging early in the season due to the monsoon extending well into September
Each region of Peru has its own weather patterns and trip-planning considerations. The busy season for Machu Picchu, Cusco, and the Sacred Valley runs from June-August, and you'll want to book far in advance. Try May instead—the rains have let up, and crowds are still manageable. Heading to the Amazon? Waterways are most navigable from September-November, and wildlife spotting is at its best. And you'll want to visit the coast between January-March.
In nine days, you’ll delve into Kathmandu’s beautiful cultural highlights, get active in the countryside and spend plenty of time relaxing in some peaceful spots, all at a leisurely pace.
Visit the Peruvian Amazon, one of the best places in the world to experience the rainforest. From multi-day river trips to nature walks, you’ll have the chance to observe a multitude of natural diversity and wildlife. Wherever you journey here, an adventure is guaranteed.
Between the hiking mecca of Huaraz and the tourist hotspot of Cusco, lies an immense swathe of Peru’s Andean mountains — the Central Andes. These mountains reveal a less-travelled, more authentic side of Peru, where you can veer off the beaten path and travel back in time to a more traditional mode of life.
Head to the Inca capital of Cusco to explore the colorful textile markets and small towns of the Sacred Valley. Spend a day exploring the ancient Machu Picchu ruins. Then, travel to Lake Titicaca. Lake Titicaca is one of the truly iconic destinations of South America, on par with the Amazon, Iguazu Falls, and the Galapagos. Situated in the heart of the Andes, Lake Titicaca is the largest lake in South America and universally touted as the highest navigable lake in the world.
If you want to see incredible waterfalls you don’t need to go very far: many of the most popular giants are only a brief walk away, and many can be seen from the car. While their easy access means larger crowds, they are popular for a reason and you should take the time to enjoy them.
Iceland is home to many incredible waterfalls, with several just off the main tourist roads. While this makes for easy access, it also means lots of people crowding around all trying to take the same photo. With a little extra time, you can leave the crowds behind and hit the trail to explore some of Iceland’s hidden wonders on your own.
Have only five days to explore Iceland? While it might be tempting to stay in Reykjavík and do day trips from there, we recommend heading out into the countryside using one of these unique itineraries that help you make the most of your time.
After exploring the markets and culture of Bogota, head to the colonial town of Villa de Leyva, famous for its Salt Cathedral located 200 meters underground. Afterwards, enjoy the majestic views of Chicamocha Canyon before heading to Rosario Islands for a taste of the coast.
On this 9-day tour, you'll get to explore the historical and cultural side of Bogotá before heading to the wax palm forests of the Cocora Valley. After spending some time on a local coffee plantation, head over to the beautiful city of Medellín, the home town of the famous Colombian artist, Fernando Botero. Finally, head north to the Pearl of the Caribbean, the colorful town of Cartagena.
In one week, enjoy the true diversity of Nepal: Kathmandu’s ancient cultural sites, a short trek in the Annapurna Himalaya, a lakeside stroll in Pokhara, and the quaint hilltop towns of Bandipur and Rupakot.
Explore the best of the west and south with this 7-9 day itinerary. Hike through lava fields, along cliffs, and up volcanoes in Snaefellsnes. Walk behind waterfalls, on black sand beaches, and on glaciers in the south, and finish with a tour of the famous Golden Circle with tips to avoid the big crowds.
Pack your short trip to Iceland with adventures away from the crowds while still experiencing the most popular sights. This itinerary is perfect for travelers who have lots of energy and want to make the most of a short visit to Iceland.
The North of Iceland may be the country’s best-kept secret. While crowds of tourists populate the South and Golden Circle, visitors to Akureyri and Lake Myvatn can enjoy the beautiful landscapes and wonderful volcanic areas all to themselves.
Lake Myvatn, in the northeast of Iceland, is packed with volcanic and geothermal wonders. Here are a few short hikes to explore pseudocraters, lava formations, craters, mud pools, and nature baths.
Escape the crowds of the south to experience Iceland’s most dramatic landscapes, where tiny fishing villages sit along calm fjords below towering flat mountain tops.
From the ice-capped summits of the Sierra Nevada glaciers to the lush tropical rainforest, discover Colombia's astounding biodiversity and contemporary cultures. This tour takes you from city culture to scenic mountain landscapes to the famous coffee region. Finally, experience Colombia as few do, on a river rafting expedition through lush forest.
In nine days, explore the ice-capped summits of the Sierra Nevada to the white sand beaches of the tropical Caribbean coast to discover a range of indigenous and contemporary cultures, as well as astounding biodiversity. Drive across city centres and take scenic mountain roads through the famous coffee region. Experience Colombia’s warm climate and culture by river and sea on rafting and sailing expeditions.
Take a 1-2 day trip to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula as a great alternative to the Golden Circle; avoid the big crowds and see more incredible sights along the way.
Explore the cultural highlights of the Kathmandu Valley before catching a scenic flight to the beautiful lakeside city of Pokhara. This trip combines a mixture of ancient history, great day activities for the more adventurous, and the chance to enjoy the more peaceful moments Nepal has to offer.
Peru — a nation with abundant natural diversity, from coast, to mountains, to jungle — has long attracted lovers of the Great Outdoors. The Peruvian Andes, running like a backbone down the centre of the country, contain mesmerizing variations in landscape that make for some of the best trekking in the world. Cloud forests, 5000m+ cordilleras (mountain ranges), the world’s deepest canyon and the striking remains of ancient civilizations all await.
Explore the beauty of Colombia's northern coast, from stunning Tayrona Parque to the colonial town of Cartagena. This 9-day itinerary starts and ends in Cartagena, with a variety of local activities including hiking, a visit to a coffee farm, touring through authentic local fishing villages and, of course, great salsa dancing.
Whether you are in Kathmandu for a short getaway or have a few days to prepare for (or recover from!) a Himalayan adventure, there is no need to stay within the confines of your hotel. Kathmandu has many unique things to see and do. In three days, you can see many of the Kathmandu Valley’s highlights, from markets, temples and cultural sites to sunsets, mountain views and hiking.
Paddle through majestic fjords below towering mountains as you spot seals, whales, and birds along the way. Here are a few kayaking options ranging from a couple hours up to a full week of exploring at your own speed.
The South Shore between Vik and Selfoss is full of many popular sights and destinations, quickly becoming one of the most popular areas of Iceland. Below are many of the highlights in order as you would approach them driving west from Vik towards Reykjavik. You start with several black sand beaches--each different in their own way and deserving of a stop--and end with a few breathtaking waterfalls.
The Drive from Egilsstaðir (east) to Vik (south) offers some incredible scenery past calm fjords, thundering waterfalls, beaches with interesting formations, cool cliffs, and spectacular canyons. While it’s possible to drive this stretch in a single (long) day, you would miss some of the best places that Iceland has to offer. Slow down, enjoy the journey, and spend your time exploring the unique places below.
A visit to Machu Picchu is the highlight of most people’s trip to Peru. In fact, this ancient Inca Citadel attracts over a million visitors each year. Many visitors get there by way of the classic Inca Trail. Yet, there are numerous treks that take you there, each unique in their own right.
Kathmandu is more than just a launch pad for trekking. Its cultural highlights, alone, warrant a visit to this Himalayan country. A melting pot of both Hindu and Buddhist traditions, you’ll find incredible woodcarving, painting, sculptures, a unique architectural heritage, and living traditions that surround you with color and prayer.
The classic trek route from Lukla to Everest Base Camp is beautiful but has become quite crowded and over-developed. Here are some highly recommended alternatives that take you off the beaten path and let you experience Mt Everest in ways that few people do.
Hit the trails made famous by the Anthill crew and Redbull Media in their two awesome mountain biking films from 2011 -12. Stark and stunning, the landscape is high altitude desert and your trails are on the ancient trading route from India to Tibet.
Lima has the attention of food lovers all over the world. But the Peruvian capital's culinary reputation creates a challenge for travelers: with so many great places to eat, where should you plan to go? Here are eight restaurants you shouldn't miss.
The Salkantay trek is one of Peru’s best alternatives to the Inca Trail. Trek over a beautiful mountain pass at the foot of Mt. Salkantay before stopping at a local organic coffee plantation, followed by a visit to the Llactapata ruins. Finally, get up early the last day to catch sunrise at the ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.
With snow-capped peaks and fabled Sherpa culture, the Everest region is famous for some of the best trekking in Nepal. If you don’t have the minimum 12 days it takes to do the Everest Base Camp trek, however, here are a few great shorter treks to choose from.
Experience the stark, barren landscapes of Lower Mustang dotted with Tibetan Buddhist cultural attractions on treks around Jomsom. Altitudes on this trek are not too high, and flying between Pokhara and Jomsom speeds up the journey. This is an ideal trip for trekkers who don’t have much time, or who would rather not do a very strenuous trek.
The Kalinchowk Adventure Itinerary combines a great 3-day trek in the Himalayan foothills, including mountain biking and rafting, and a taste of Kathmandu's cultural highlights. This is the perfect trip if you're short on time, but want to experience some of the best action sports Nepal has to offer. You'll move along trails with amazing vistas as well as get a closeup view of the Sherpa culture.
