In celebration of National Walking Month this May, the Meaningful Travel experts at Rickshaw Travel have compiled a list of their top trekking-themed bite-sized trips around the globe. From a twilight trail in Sri Lanka, to hiking across icebergs in Argentina, these walks offer exhilarating adventures with picture-perfect backdrops.
Sri Lanka: Join the pilgrimage to Adam’s Peak
A must-see for travellers for over hundreds of years, Adam’s Peak is located in the picturesque, lofty mountains of Sri Lanka. This climb starts at night and by following a twinkling pathway of lights, travellers will ascend into the clouds as they near the peak. Those embarking on this trek should have cameras at the ready as the golden sunrise begins to burn through the morning mist, exposing the majestic valleys below.
Duration: 2 days/1 night (flexible
Location: Sri Pada
Prices from: £78 per person – Simple accommodation
*Please note: This bite-sized trip cannot be booked individually, and must be booked as part of a longer Sri Lanka itinerary
Borneo: Climb the mighty Mount Kinabalu
The pride of Sabah, Gunung Kinabalu, is the highest mountain in South East Asia and stands proud with its grand peak soaring above the jungle below. This trek begins in the dense tropical rainforest of Borneo, twisting its way through various vegetation zones en route to the top, and includes an overnight stay in a mountain cabin, before travellers recommence the ascent to the top, arriving just before sunrise and in time to glimpse the sunlight beaming across the horizon.
Duration: 3 days/2 nights
Location: Kota Kinabalu – Mount Kinabalu – Kota Kinabalu
Prices from: £698 – per person – Simple accommodation
*Please note: This bite-sized trip cannot be booked individually, and must be booked as part of a longer Borneo itinerary
Peru: Follow ancient footsteps on the Inca Trail
This ancient Inca Trail is 44km in length and begins in the foothills of the Peruvian Andes, taking over five days to complete. Weaving through virgin cloud forest and never-ending valleys, guests will reach the top in time to see the mist lift above Machu Picchu, a World Heritage Site, at dawn.
Duration: 5 days/4 nights
Location: Cusco – Inca Trail – Machu Picchu – Cusco
Prices from: £698 – per person – Standard accommodation
*Please note: This bite-sized trip cannot be booked individually, and must be booked as part of a longer Peru itinerary
For those that are after breath-taking scenery on their Peru trek but who would prefer to avoid the Inca Trail crowds, there’s the glorious Salkantay Trail; known as the ‘other’ Inca Trail. It’s not the traditional route to Machu Picchu, but it’s just as jaw-dropping!
Duration: 4 days/3 nights
Location: Cusco – Salkantay Trek – Machu Picchu – Cusco
Prices from: £695 per person – Basic & simple accommodation
*Please note: This bite-sized trip cannot be booked individually, and must be booked as part of a longer Peru itinerary
Indonesia – Footsteps on the Volcano
With jaw-dropping views at every step, trekking up Mount Rinjani on the island of Lombok is a must-do experience for those who fancy a real challenge! Over four days, guests hike to the top of the volcano and camp on the crater rim, enjoying a night’s sleep on its slopes. With a final ascent to the volcano’s summit, travellers will be rewarded with a breath-taking sunrise and views of Lombok and the surrounding islands.
Duration: 4 days/3 nights
Location: Lombok: Sembalun – Rinjani – Senaru
Prices from: £265 per person – Basic & Standard accommodation
*Please note: This bite-sized trip cannot be booked individually, and must be booked as part of a longer Indonesia itinerary
Argentina – Sailing Amongst the Glaciers
Argentina offers the ultimate trekking adventure, showcasing some of the world’s most breath-taking landscapes. Travellers to this beautiful destination can immerse themselves in a world of endless mountains, piercing winds and giant icebergs whilst embarking on a trek across a frozen UNESCO World Heritage site in Patagonia. There is nothing quite like drifting between giant glaciers and watching huge chunks of ice break off in to the freezing water below.
Duration: 4 days/3 nights (flexible)
Location: El Calafate – Perito Moreno glacier – El Calafate
Prices from: £538 per person – Standard accommodation / £595 per person – In Style accommodation
*Please note: This bite-sized trip cannot be booked individually, and must be booked as part of a longer Argentina itinerary
Vietnam – Trek among the Hill Tribes of Sapa
For those travellers seeking a trek that combines awe-inspiring scenery with warm, local culture, this trekking experience in Vietnam ticks all the right the boxes. Guests will begin with an overnight train to Sapa, before beginning their hike through mist-topped mountains. For a real dose of local hospitality, travellers will enjoy an overnight stay in a genuine hill tribe home thereby offering an authentic glimpse into the charming highland life of Vietnam.
Duration: 5 days/4 nights
Location: Hanoi – Sapa – Hanoi
Prices from: £298 per person – Standard accommodation
Please note: This bite-sized trip cannot be booked individually, and must be booked as part of a longer Vietnam itinerary
Please note: All prices correct at time of release but may be subject to change.
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About Rickshaw Travel
Rickshaw Travel is an independent tour operator based in Brighton. They are committed to providing enriching, immersive travel experiences that take holidaymakers off the beaten path and into the heart of local communities.
Meaningful travel – or travelling in a way that everybody benefits from – is the core ethos of Rickshaw: the traveller benefits from enriching experiences where they learn something new (about the destination, culture, a skill or about themselves) and at the same time the local people, animals and/or environment benefit too.
Rickshaw Travel’s individual approach to independent exploration enables adventurous holidaymakers to visit the heart of a destination and experience the real spirit of a local culture. Rickshaw specialises in offering small-scale, authentic accommodation that truly reflects the character of each destination.
Rickshaw are proud to have built up a team of passionate Travel Specialists who each have extensive travel experience in their own dedicated destinations. They pride themselves on being open and honest about the places they have visited and are on hand to inspire and support travellers. The company’s style of travel is unique – Rickshaw’s dedicated Product Team has worked alongside the company’s in-destination partners to create a choice of carefully selected bite-size trips, typically 2-4 days long, which can be combined to create the perfect itinerary. Rickshaw’s bite-size trips include a range of local excursions, charming authentic accommodation and some transfers to ensure a hassle-free holiday. A minimum of three bite-sized trips must be combined to create a full itinerary
Protecting nature and wildlife – and encouraging travellers to do the same – is also key for the Rickshaw team. The company has partnered with World Animal Protection to develop an Animal Welfare Policy, has committed to supporting the end of elephant riding by signing World Animal Protection’s elephant-friendly pledge, and is in the process of auditing trips involving any type of wild animal interaction.
Rickshaw Travel now offers trips in 24 destinations across Asia, Central and South America, including Cuba, Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand, India, Costa Rica, Peru, Borneo, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Chile, Brazil and Japan. The company’s turnover and passengers carried increased by 50% from 2015 to 2017 and the company is aiming for a further 30% increase by 2019.
