There have been several trips that have loomed on my mind for sometime, so I decided to make a list of the top five adventures I want to go on. Some of these maybe be adventures you have heard about before but I would be surprised if you have heard of all five unless of course you heard them from me...
Number 5
Egypt to South Africa - 6-9 months
I planned to backpack from Egypt to South Africa at the beginning of this year but I had two major milestones get in my way. The first being the change of political climate and our president banning travel to four of the countries I would have had to cross through. Second, I only had three months while this is possible to complete in three month I didn't see much of a point to spend a few days in each country just to say I did so.
One of the major reasons I wanted to go on this trip was at this point I had never been anywhere in Africa and this would be a great way to see how diverse the culture is throughout the continent. While I am not going to spend a ton of time diving into each step of this trip I will share what my points of interest were. In case you wanted to see more of this trip Val did a tremendous job of blogging her adventures on this same trip.
Egypt - Pyramids ( Shocker right?)
Rwanda - Track the Mountain Gorillas
Tanzania - Witness the Great Migration in the Serengeti
Zambia - Victoria Falls
South Africa- Great White Shark Cage Diving
While the above list is brief the uniqueness of these activities and differences between countries are what lead for this trek to be put on my list.
Number 4
Cinque Terre, Italy - 1-2 weeks
Cinque Terre is a Italian national park that is about 12.5 miles long that goes traveling through five villages. (Cinque Terre translates to five lands) The best part of this hike is that it travels along the coast for gorgeous views. Further more this creates quite the convenient hike to be able to complete the 12 miles and stay the night in the villages along the way. I can only imagine that there is no better way to end a day of hiking than to explore a local Italian village to find some authentic hole in the wall food.
While there are a few options on ways to hike to these villages I am sure that there is no wrong way. Italian culture, hiking, breath taking views, and authentic Italian food is what puts this spot at number 4.
Number 3
Mt. Everest Base Camp Trek - 12 Days
Start this journey off by flying into Lukla Airport which is settled in Nepal at 9,100 feet. Over the next 80 miles you hike through green hills, lush forest, gorgeous waterfalls, graceful rivers, and jaw dropping glacier lakes to eventually find yourself at the base camp located at 17,600 feet. Along the way you spend the night in teahouses providing food, water and shelter to seek warmth from cold dropping as low as -30 degrees.
Everyone always ask why just the base camp and not the summit? After all if you reached the base camp that means you just hiked 80 miles and to get to the summit is only 22 more miles. While yes you are very close to reaching that summit at 29,000 feet this is where the climb begins to become far more complicated. You just conquered 80 miles in 12 days but the next 22 miles will take another 26 days as you constantly have to climb up and then back down to adjust your body to the altitude. When you finally reach the next base camp right before the summit, you then could have to wait 10 - 14 days for the right weather. The summit in the coldest months drops down to -80 degrees and past the base camp there are no more tea houses to provide shelter.
If that is not enough to turn you away than perhaps the cost associated would. The permit alone to summit Everest is $11,000. Estimated spend on the crew is $25,000 - $50,000. I'm a budget traveler but this is not something to skimp on. There are currently over 200 bodies on the trek to summit Everest with many of these being inexperienced Sherpas risking it all in hopes of a big pay day. Everest Base Camp Trek is well deserved on the number three spot on my list combining exhilarating adventure, nature, and first hand look at the Nepal culture.
Number 2
W Trek - Torres del Paine, Chile - Patagonia - 5 Days
Patagonia is a region that spreads through the southern tip of Chile and Argentina. It has earned the nickname "The End of the World". This nickname comes from explorers that once said Patagonia contains valleys and glaciers that are so remote and so pristine that perhaps you are setting foot on untrodden ground .
A land of complete wander and bewilder looms so large in my heart that I actually have a tattoo of 2 GPS coordinates, one of which being Torres Del Paine located inside of Patagonia. The other GPS coordinate is for the home I grew up in. This tattoo is above my left knee and facing me, done so to serve a specific purpose. It is to remind me to never stop traveling till I reach the end of the world and to always return home.
Now to dive into the W-Trek. This trail takes five days traveling 50 miles. Throughout these five days you will be passing through raging rivers, emerald forest, stunningly transparent lakes, and all the while being surrounded by glaciers and mountains.On day five of your hike when you are almost done then you will have to venture across a flowing ravine, in the freezing cold.
This hike earned its spot at number two for its complete immersion in nature. A place so secluded that not only are shops, tea houses, and lodges none existent but so are other travelers. One of the extreme examples of the beauty of nature all to yourself.
Number 1
El Mirador, Guatemala 1-2 weeks
El Mirador has been debated as the largest Mayan city and is known as the lost city. El Mirador was once a trading post for the Mayans dating back to 200 BCE but to later be abandoned in 900 AD. It once boasted a population of an estimated 80,000 people! Currently the remains lie sunken and scattered through the the largest rainforest in Central America. The ruins are almost completely unexcavated and still very much lie under moss, fauna, and vegetation giving us the unique look at not only this ancient gem but a first hand look at a 1000+ years of nature reclaiming its rainforest.
There are two ways to take on this adventure. Hiking which will take around six days but to make it easier you can hire donkey to carry your belongings or if you want to explore past the focal points of El Mirador then you can take a horse. Via horse it takes 30-40 hours on horseback to get to the opposite end of this ancient city.
The highlight of El Mirador, besides the enticing hike through the rainforest to see ancient ruins, would be El Tigre. Standing at 180 feet tall with a 14 acre base, El Tigre is one impressive pyramid that a climb to the top will give you a lookout over this lost city that you won't soon forget.
The culture, history, nature, and wonder of this trek puts this adventure in the top five but nature reclaiming its land and swallowing up what was once a thriving trade center is what puts this as number one.
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