Hiking in Klein Drakenstein Mountains near Paarl, South Africa

Walking holidays

Follow your feet and find your happiness.

Hiking in Klein Drakenstein Mountains near Paarl, South Africa

A walk is all we need

Most of these walks are short and easily included within longer itineraries. You might want to make the focus of your holiday just walking, but you might prefer to include walks within a wider sightseeing, cultural or wildlife holiday. These ideas show you just a very few of the many options there are available to you, so always ask us if we can include some walking in your holiday if you’re keen to get out and about.

Walking through Rainbow Valley in the Atacama Desert in late afternoon when the rocks were a wonderful mixture of greens, reds and blues - amazing!

Walking in Mashatu Game Reserve, Tuli, Botswana

ARGENTINA: Los Glaciares National Park, Patagonia

There are many spots in Argentina's Patagonia from where you can take diverse hikes from a few hours to multiple days. Base yourself near El Chalten or El Calafate to reach Fitz Roy or Los Glaciares National Parks. Many trails are well-marked and some trails can be done self-guided (setting out from your base hotel), but we can also provide guides. Glacial lakes, rivers and waterfalls are framed by mountains and jagged peaks – this is take-your-breath-away scenery.

Suggested Places to Stay

Eolo Lodge Estancia Cristina

BHUTAN: Tiger’s Nest

This is a day hike taking 5-6 hours. You drive from Paro to the start of the hike to see this incredible monastery which clings to the side of a cliff. You can be supported by horses as far as the famous viewpoint, but not for the last section. What a sight and what an experience.

Suggested Places to Stay

Amankora Paro

CHILE: Patagonia

With a base at Puerto Natales or in/near Torres Del Paine National Park, there are many walks, hikes and treks of varying lengths and degrees of difficulty. This area is a smorgasbord of beautiful sights from lakes with icebergs, glaciers, mountains, rocky peaks, waterfalls and more. It’s also fabulous for flora, and has some wonderful birdlife and mammals too. There is a really superb choice of very good hotels too, so expect some pampering in between your hikes!

Suggested Places to Stay

EcoCamp Patagonia Tierra Patagonia

CHILE: Atacama Desert

You might not think that heading for a desert was the best decision if you wanted to walk, however, with the Atacama things are not all they might seem. This is desert, but it’s in a vast high altitude area which has a wonderful diversity of landscapes from salt flats to geyser fields, areas covered with ancient rock art, active volcanoes and bright blue lakes. You could easily spend a week or more here, trekking, cycling and even horse riding. You will definitely not be bored and there is a surfeit of awe-inspiring sights.

Suggested Places to Stay

Tierra Atacama Alto Atacama

Walking in southern Kenya with Maasai Trails

KENYA: Maasai trails

We can offer some amazing walks near the Maasai Mara with Maasai guides and donkeys to carry the camping gear. Treks can be different lengths but a 4-day trip is popular. The Loita Hills are a perfect place to walk, scenic but not too high. We walk for 4-6 hours a day, stopping for a leisurely lunch, and your Maasai guides will be fascinating company. This is a walk where you can see the landscape through the eyes of the people who live there. Wonderful.

INDIA: Meghalaya

This little-known state in north-east India is the place where you can find incredible living root bridges. Cherrapunjee is the wettest place on earth and that fact was the catalyst for this unique tradition of making these amazing living structures. Based on a hotel, take walks each day to see a different bridge. It’s utterly beguiling.

Suggested Places to Stay

Cherrapunjee Holiday Resort

INDIA: Western Ghats

Going from the town of Munnar, you can take wonderful walks through tea plantations and into the Western Ghats. Enjoy rolling hills, plenty of birdlife and even some mammals such as wild goats and nilgai. Hike for a few gentle hours, or take it more seriously with full-on, full-day hikes.

Suggested Places to Stay

Windermere Estate Spice Village

MALAWI: Nyika National Park

Walking in the cool rolling hills of northern Malawi’s Nyika Plateau is not only a liberating wander through wide open spaces, but you connect with the flora and fauna too. Its not unusual to see zebras, eland, warthog plus other wildlife and excellent birdlife. From September to April the grasses and wildflowers are just beautiful.

Suggested Places to Stay

Chelinda Lodge

Landscape at Giants Castle in the Drakensberg mountains, South Africa

SOUTH AFRICA: Drakensberg Mountains

Wild and rugged scenery, mountains and gorges, waterfalls and forests, caves with ancient San Bushmen rock paintings, great birding, and wildlife such as baboons, klipspringers and elands . . . the Drakensberg, shared between KwaZulu Natal and Lesotho, offer spectacular walking and much more. You can take gentle walks or strenuous treks here depending on what you’re looking for.

Suggested Places to Stay

Three Trees Lodge Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse Cathedral Peak Hotel

The mountains were spectacular and staying at The Cavern was perfect: amazing scenery, very good staff and the guided walks were very enjoyable. Hiking to the summit of Thaban Ntlenyana was a particular highlight.

Want to know more?

If this has sparked your interest and you'd like to know more, please get in touch with us. We'll be very happy to talk with you and perhaps send you a suggested itinerary for a suitable adventure or holiday. We look forward to hearing from you.

The Tribes Foundation

Simply by booking with Tribes, you are making a difference. Every booking helps with The Tribes Foundation, the charity we back with admin and funds. Most clients give additional donations which we always put to very good use with one of the wildlife, environmental or social projects we support.

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Highlights of Argentina

9 days from £3450pp plus international flights.

Three contrasting destinations, each outstanding, expert guides, specially selected hotels and time for independent exploration all in nine amazing days.

Explore vibrant Buenos Aires with your own guide
Optional dinner and tango excursion
See the awe-inspiring Perito Moreno Glacier
Thrill to the sight of the Devil's Throat at Iguazu Falls
Guided rainforest hikes

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Highlights of Bhutan

8 days from £1950pp plus international flights.

An exciting introduction to the culture, landscape and people of Bhutan on this nine day trip. A holiday to remember.

Mix of sightseeing and activity
Walk to the famous Tigers Nest monastery
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Learn about Bhutanese culture from your guide
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Explore three contrasting regions of Chile, with varied tours led by local guides, as you experience desert, lake and mountain scenery.

Admire the lunar-like landscape of Atacama's Moon Valley and enjoy incredible stargazing
Take a catamaran cruise in the beautiful Lake District and see the waterfalls and volcanoes
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Remote North East India

11 days from £2700pp plus international flights.

Explore the pine forests and unique living root of bridges of Meghalaya followed by safaris in Kaziranga National Park, home to two thirds of the world's one-horned rhinos.