Walking high in the mountains of Peru was a step in the right direction for Intrepid Express winner Karen Tait. Not only did this journey help her discover a world beyond her own, but travelling with Intrepid turned some of her ideas upside down…
“For me, travelling is all about people and stories. When I heard that I had won a place on the Inca trail trip, I was of course ecstatic, but I never imagined just what a wonderful experience it would be.
Only one mountaineering team has successfully climbed the highest peak of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in China. This stunning massif forms the famous Tiger Leaping Gorge on one side and the views from all angles are worth every step, as Intrepid Express reader Belinda Mortlock discovered…
“As we slowly wound our way up the narrow rocky path through flowery shrubs and pines, I could not believe the drop in temperature compared to when we left the base of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, but even the cool climate could not distract me from the breathtaking views over the countryside looking down to Lijiang rooftops, a beautiful ancient village of the Yunnan province.
Intrepid has loved going with the flow in Thailand for twenty amazing years. Around every bend in the river there are more real life experiences to enjoy, even if they do take a turn for the wet, like Jennifer Mossman’s Thailand Hike, Bike and Raft adventure…
“We were expecting at least some of our group to get wet, because the bamboo rafts are a little wobbly and two people have to stand up to steer. What we didn’t anticipate was that the three-day water fights that take place in villages and cities to celebrate Songkran, Thai New Year, take place on rivers too!
In response to a recent blog question about climbing Mt Kinabalu in Borneo, we asked Intrepid’s Karen Porter for advice. Not just because she’s got the right name, but she’s been there, done that and loved every challenging step!
“Further to your comparison regarding Nepal’s Annapurna trek and Mt. Kinabalu, it would be of my personal opinion that if you can trek the Annapurna Circuit, you should have no problems with Mt Kinabalu. I have trekked the Annapurna Circuit, Mt. Kinabalu and Mt. Kilimanjaro and found all 3 treks require a certain level of fitness.
Tips to help survive your Nepal trek include training before you travel, wearing-in your hiking boots well and being prepared to rough it. Thor Harrison actually won his Annapurna Base Camps trip in an Intrepid Express competition and loved his Nepal experience, even though his adventure took an unexpected turn…
“The best way to describe the Annapurna Circuit and Base Camp trek - epic! From scenery, to culture, to people on the trail, and of course the physical challenge. After being spoilt in a grand old refurbished hotel in Bandipur, by the third day we were into the real trekking.
As the early morning light accentuates the dramatic silhouette of the mighty Himalayas, you desperately try to capture the calm beauty of the moment on camera. There is something about Nepal that brings out the photographer in us all, but as Intrepid’s Jo Manifold discovered, trekking the Himalayas also zooms in on some inner strengths…
“Every minute and inch of training that I did was worth it, because Nepal and trekking to Everest base camp was so much more amazing than I thought it could possibly be! After two months of training I set off to Nepal armed with my new hiking boots and an open mind.
Our trip started in the tourist district of Thamel in Kathmandu. My first impressions were of a manic place, but once I got to know the city I realised how wrong my notion was; with its laid back atmosphere and friendly people it would be difficult to not fall in love with the place. Kathmandu is truly a traveller’s paradise.
Walking Italy’s fabled Cinque Terre trails isn’t something you should simply tick off your list. Let yourself be swept up in the romance of the region and immersed in the colourful culture, is the advice of Intrepid’s local leader extraordinaire, Federico Campoli…
“Cinque Terre means literally ‘five lands’ and is a place known as one of the most beautiful and evocative in the world. A mix of many delightful natural and cultural ingredients make the Cinque Terre, a little corner of Italy in the Liguria region, absolutely unique, even in the eyes of the most routinist traveller.
Some people visit the ‘five lands’ because it is a renowned UNESCO World Heritage site, others simply for the beauty of the sparkling cobalt sea and charming pastel-coloured villages along the coast. Some travellers come to enjoy the exquisite, traditional and healthy food of the area, while others want to experience a little part of everyday life with the Ligurian fishermen. But whatever your reasons for being here, the best way to appreciate the true essence of this place is to walk through it.
World-class gymnasts, Dracula and Ceaucescu - that’s the most many of us know about Romania. But when Intrepid’s Tina Gerets decided to study in this East European country it opened up a beautiful world of adventures and walking in Transylvania was her favourite way to spend the weekend…
“I put in my application and was accepted at the University of Bucharest. While Bucharest has a lot of cultural attractions, like the many movie theatres and cheap opera and ballet performances, it is a big city like many others. So on the weekends we explored the Romanian countryside. One of my favourite places was the stunning medieval town of Brasov. A trail leads from the centre to the top of one of the mountains that surround the town. The view from the summit is simply breathtaking. On your way up you meet local families and friends going for a pleasant stroll and a picnic.
The view of Santorini as you approach from the ferry is truly spectacular. It’s postcard-perfect Greece with white and blue villages clinging to the cliff face and as Intrepid’s Danielle Watts discovered, it is an ideal place to slow down the pace and explore on foot…
“I had a picture in my mind of Santorini and it certainly didn’t disappoint. Located in the Cyclades group of the Greek Islands, in the shimmering blue waters of the Aegean Sea, Santorini is one of the most beautiful and popular islands to visit. On arrival you may be overwhelmed by the crowds at the port, vying for the attention and business of arriving tourists. But then it’s time to board the local bus, which slowly winds its way up the cliff face to the main town of Fira.
