“Oooh, Machu Picchu!” Even my mom caught the hype when I told her we were headed there last week. As excited as she’s been about our travels, I think that was the first "Oooh!" of our trip she ever uttered. We kept our expectations low, however. Maybe it’s our reflex reaction to the prevailing travel wisdom: “Machu Picchu is the granddaddy of South American … [Read more...]
Favorite Treks from Around the World
A collection of our favorite treks from around the world, including unusual or offbeat treks that you may not have heard of before, but perhaps should consider for the stunning landscapes and immersive, cultural experiences. Many of the articles below are comprehensive "Beginner's Guides" that provide you with all you need to know to plan and prepare for the trek, from difficulty level to packing.
Are We Too Old to Be Climbing Volcanoes?
The weight of my backpack at 5:00 AM was brutal: 9 liters of water, 1 sleeping bag, and sundry other camping bits and bobs. And I was one of the lucky ones. Dan carried all that plus an old school (read: heavy) four-person tent. Even at this hour, it was steamy. Under the weight of my pack, I was glazed in sweat before we reached the crossroads for the chicken bus … [Read more...]
Nepal’s Annapurna Circuit: A Trek of a Lifetime
“What has been your best travel experience?” Often asked, but impossible to answer. However, if we were locked away and forced to choose just one experience in order to get out, the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal just might be it. … [Read more...]
Blue Eyes, Gold Teeth: The Fabled Land of the Svans
When you get there, you'll meet the Afghan at the telephone pole. These instructions given to us in Mestia by the Svaneti Mountaineering Tourism Center left us baffled. Is our mountain guide a member of the Mujahideen who’d lost his way and made his home in the mountains of Georgia? After all, in Svaneti just about anything seems possible. … [Read more...]
Svaneti: Why and How To Go
I tell you, the Svanetians are crazy. Their brains are deficient in oxygen. - A Tbilisi resident describing how the high altitudes of Svaneti have affected its people. Svaneti, the high Caucasus mountain region in the northwestern corner of Georgia, has a long reputation of fierce independence characterized by the 12th century defensive towers that still dot many … [Read more...]