The best treks in the world are no walks in the park. But they’re sure to challenge you physically and mentally, while amplifying your view of a country.
Without further ado, here are the 6 best treks around the world to take in 2020.
Inca Trail, Peru
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The 33km (20 mile) ancient trail to the hilltop
citadel of Machu Picchu was laid by the Incas and brought to mainstream attention by
Hiram Bingham when he ‘discovered’ it in 1911. In the centuries since, millions of hikers have flocked to catch a glimpse of the (not so) ‘lost city’, and as a consequence daily hikers on the trail were restricted to just 200 in 2018. The result is a more tranquil experience for those fortunate enough to get permits, and increased protection for the archaeological site, which was suffering under the strain of its popularity (and hikers should still take extra care to
make sustainable choices when visiting).
Pays Dogon, Mali
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The land of the Dogon people’ is one of
Africa’s most breathtaking regions.
A trek here can last anywhere between two and 10 days, and takes in the soaring cliffs of Bandiagara escarpment inlaid with old abandoned cliff dwellings.
Dogon villages dot the cliffs and are an extraordinary highlight of the journey.
The Dogon are known for their masked stilt dancers, intricately carved doors and pueblo-like dwellings built into the side of the escarpment.
GR20, France
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This demanding 15-day (168km, 104mi) slog through
Corsica is legendary for the diversity of landscapes it traverses. There are forests, granite moonscapes, windswept craters, glacial lakes, torrents, peat bogs, maquis, snow-capped peaks, plains and névés (stretches of ice formed from snow). But it doesn’t come easy: the path is rocky and sometimes steep, and includes rickety bridges and slippery rock faces — all part of the fun.
Created in 1972, the GR20 links Calenzana, in the Balagne, with Conca, north of Porto Vecchio.
Indian Himalayas, India
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Fewer folk trek on the Indian side of the world’s greatest mountain range. So, if isolation’s your thing try trekking in
Himachal Pradesh. Hardcore
hikers can try teetering along the mountain tops for 24 days from Spiti to Ladakh. This extremely remote and challenging walk follows ancient trade routes. The bleak high-altitude desert terrain inspired
Rudyard Kipling to exclaim, ‘Surely the gods live here; this is no place for men’.
Routeburn Track, New Zealand
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See the
stunning subalpine scenery of New Zealand’s South Island surrounding this medium three-day (32km, 20mi) track. At the base of New Zealand’s Southern Alps,
the trail passes through two national parks:
Fiordland and
Mt Aspiring. Highlights include the views from
Harris Saddle and atop Conical Hill — from where you can see waves breaking on the distant beach.
The main challenge for this popular hike is actually securing a place among the limited numbers who are allowed on the track at any time.
The Haute Route, France-Switzerland
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Leading from
Chamonix in France through the
southern Valais to Zermatt in Switzerland, the
Haute Route traverses some of the
highest and most scenic country accessible to walkers anywhere in the Alps.
The summer Haute Route walk (which takes a different course than the more famous winter ski touring route) takes around two weeks to complete. It mainly involves ‘
pass hopping’ and demands a high level of fitness, with every section containing a high hoff factor.
Use XcelTrip to take your first step toward ticking off these treks from your bucket list and book your tickets to experience these
6 best treks around the world to take in 2020 to make memories that last a lifetime.
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