The sounds of konpa, Haiti’s version of merengue meets jazz, floated from the kitchen to our spot on the front porch. We sat around a large wooden dining table, fleece jackets zipped up, our hands cupped around mugs of Haitian hot chocolate flavored with star anise, cinnamon, and Haitian bergamot lime rind. It was impossible not to be caught up in the unexpected … [Read more...]
Favorite Treks from Around the World
Comprehensive trekking guides to our favorite treks around the world. This includes unusual or offbeat treks that you may not have heard of before, but perhaps should consider for the stunning landscapes and immersive, cultural experiences. Our trekking guides provide you with all you need to know to plan and prepare for the trek, from difficulty level to packing.
Gorilla Trekking in Uganda: A Beginner’s Guide
I followed just behind our lead mountain gorilla tracker. In the hush of the moment under the canopy, I remembered our guide’s advice earlier that morning: “On your way to the gorillas, don’t forget to enjoy the sound of the jungle. There’s nothing like it.” My focus had been on climbing through the tendrils, on getting there. I could feel the heat around me, the … [Read more...]
Ladakh: 9 Memories of Deep Himalayan India
Ladakh: a place we had dreamed about for well over a decade, a visit packed with expectations. What made this place remarkable wasn’t quite what we expected. Imagining Ladakh for all of those years, we focused on the landscape. Sure, Ladakh as a setting for just about anything did not disappoint. The physical beauty was more stunning – and more consistently so -- … [Read more...]
Crossing Gongmaru La Pass, Hiking the Markha Valley Trek in Ladakh
Tibetan Buddhist prayer flags greet us as we reach Ladakh's Gongmaru La pass. All the residual fatigue from climbing up to 16,800 feet/5,130 meters seems to evaporate once we've reached this place, our goal. It's been six days in the Markha Valley and we've been up and down -- and up again. We have to remind ourselves not to move around too quickly up here, not to … [Read more...]
Finding the Good Way: How to Meditate While Trekking at 15,000 Feet
This is a story of our re-discovery of a few of life’s truths amidst a seven-day trek in the Himalayas. "One foot in-front-of-the oth-er." … [Read more...]
Japan’s Mount Fuji: Following the Path of Pilgrims
This is a story about how sometimes it’s a good thing to take the long way, to miss the bus, and to find the shrine. … [Read more...]
Climb Kilimanjaro: Equipment and Preparation
How do I prepare for climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro? What equipment will I need? No shortage of digital ink has been spilled on this topic. Even so, every article we’ve read seemed to be missing a little something. Based on our Kilimanjaro climb experience, here are the nuts and bolts of what an average, ordinary hiker will need for a Kilimanjaro climb. We'll … [Read more...]
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro: Day by Day
Poa kichizi kama ndizi. -- Swahili for “Crazy cool like a banana,” the most appropriate response to “How are you?” while climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. So we climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro and shared some of the life lessons we learned along the way. But what did the climb look like? How did it feel? … [Read more...]
Climbing Kilimanjaro: Life Lessons from the Top of Africa
A few ideas on how climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to the top of Africa can teach you something about life. For some, climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro is another check box on a “to do” list. For me it turned out to be a journey -- in its own way, an epic exercise in achievement. … [Read more...]
El Chalten, Argentina: A Beer, A Walk, A Patagonia Slideshow
On the topic of trekking in Patagonia, the two names most bandied about: Chile's Torres del Paine and Argentina's El Chalten. Although their hunks of uplifted granite are similar enough, the prevailing style of hikes they offer are quite different. … [Read more...]
