If it’s your first time hiking and, not knowing what to expect, you find yourself packing everything you can think of, and that's understandable - preparation is in fact key, and as a beginner you’ll have lots to prepare for before reaching the peak. On the other hand, overpacking can weigh you down and even become a liability, especially on a long trek. So read on to know what things are of the utmost importance and what things are less so, so you can start reducing the load of your rucksack.

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Himalayan nation, Nepal is a home of eight 8000ers out of fourteen including the world’s highest peak, Everest. Nepal is undoubtedly the best travel destination for those travelers who seek the walking adventures of different categories. Easy, moderate and challenging treks in every trekking region of the country are major highlights of Nepal, the nation known for Himalayan adventure.

Nepal has attracted thousands of trekkers from all around the world through wonderful landscape and the culture o

The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is popularly known as "Annapurna Sunrise trekking" and "Annapurna panorama trekking." It is the best way to introduce Annapurna region trekking, and is one of the popular and relatively easier treks in the Annapurna region that will take you through the beautiful villages and rhododendron forests. And furthermore, this trek can be done by anyone without the fear of acute mountain sickness (AMS).


It's idea for those who want to enjoy the Annapurna region in a short

photo :  SEASTOCK


With lush landscapes characterized by forests, deep fjords, and numerous lakes, Washington State the most northernly state in the continental US, and boasts some of the country's most scenic parks. 

(Some of the hiking in these parks is quite remote. I would highly recommend using a GPS device or a hiking watch that has GPS so you don’t get lost. If you plan on camping in the parks, keep in mind there are few if any facilities and you will need to bring in your own shelter. I

Canada is a country where you’ll find nature at its finest, from Barkley Sound in BC - every day out on the water said to be comparable to an episode of National Geographic - to the towering Cypress Hills, where the skies of Saskatchewan come to life.

Spend ten days exploring Alberta, from the world-famous Calgary Stampede to its equally lauded national parks: Banff an outdoorsman’s paradise and Lake Louise and Moraine Lake two of the most photographed locations in the world.

In a compelling journ

Climbing Mount Kenya, YHA Kenya Travel Mountain Adventures.

I have been whale-watching a few times (always a joy) and visited Anacapa Island, but our recent Channel Islands Outfitter trip to Santa Cruz Island was one of the highlights of my travels. Kayaking in February may not have been the ideal month to choose, but we were well-prepared thanks to the helpful information on Channel Islands Outfitter’s website, including to dress warmly for the hour-long boat ride to Santa Cruz and to wear a bathing suit and rash guard under their supplied (and warm) we

About three hours north of Tokyo, via Japan Rail's Yamagata Shinkansen, is Zao Onsen in Yamagata prefecture, one of Japan's largest ski resorts. Here winter sports are king, thanks to the area's excellent powder conditions and wide range of courses covering a large area. However, what sets this ski resort apart from others in the world, are the  natural hot spring onsen baths and the mysterious, natural Juhyo or "Snow Monster" ice sculptures.

Because of Zao's unique weather conditions, trees be

Frankfurt am Main is packed with excellent history, dining, culture, shopping, nightlife, and more. But there's also plenty to appeal to nature lovers, as well. The city is famous for its delightful gardens and parks, one of the most beautiful and large-scale is the Palmengarten botanical garden, ideal for a relaxing visit among exotic flora and lovely fountains.

Also very popular among visitors and locals alike is the expansive Frankfurt Zoo, enclosures,, pools, waterfalls and sculptures. Lamas

When it comes to hiking, admittedly I am an addict. Give me mountains to climb, lake shores to wonder, ridges to scramble across - anything that involves a pair of walking boots, a backpack and stunning views and I’m a happy gal. Living in the UK, I've hiked some fantastic routes which span all the way across the country, from the towering mountain of Snowdon in Wales to lower-range fells in the Lake District - and not forgetting the famous national parks in Scotland such as the Cairngorms. We

Colorado is home to a wide variety of scenery from desert to thick forests. With this variety there is something for everyone. During the summer you have the ability to choose from over 4,000 campgrounds! There are 44 state parks and one state forest. Plus you can be in the shadows of the Great Rocky Mountains that will give you a breathtaking view. So if you are into the outdoors, this is the place for you.

These are five of my favorite hiking trails and campgrounds.

Four Pass Loop

As the name sug

We’d been waiting for five minutes for our last passengers."What’s the betting they’re Americans, with white ankle socks and their belongings in carrier bags?" asked Carl, a fellow passenger. Guess what! He was right!

Impatiently, I looked at my watch. Only a quarter to six. And, for the first time, I realised the significance of the date. 6th May 2005 … and a year to the day since I got carted off to hospital.

My doctor said to call it a "cerebro-vascular accident". ‘Tell people you had a str

The dry tropical forest covering the western side of Rincon de la Vieja Volcano in Guanacaste, Costa Rica creates an interesting ecosystem for many different animals and plants than you would see elsewhere in Costa Rica.

The award-winning eco-hotel Hacienda Guachipelin, located at the base of the massive volcano, offers fun and fascinating Costa Rica nature tours. You can visit waterfalls and natural volcanic hot springs, go hiking in the Rincon de la Vieja National Park, learn about ancient cul

The buzz for the next Inca Trail hiking season is underway.  Permits for 2015 season will go on sale in early January.  (the exact opening day for the permit office is not known.  They open when they're ready!)  Last year, permits for hikes in the month of May sold out first.  Most of the month of May sold out opening day. 

It's recommended that people planning to hike the easy 1-day hike or the strenuous 4-day hike to Machu Picchu should reserve their dates now for April, May and June.  And any

Whoever built that hut meant it to last. Four-square and stolid, it stood on the mountain, defying anything the elements might throw at it. This was a real chalet, a world away from the tacky ‘shally’ of the holiday camp.

It was still used for its rightful purpose, too. From within came a lowing, and the dull ‘tong’ of cattle bells. In former times, there’d have been accommodation on an upper story for the herder and maybe his family, for it’s a long, hard climb from the village. But, today, if

History

Itatiaia National Park is the first and so also the oldest National Park of Brazil. It was inaugurated in 1937 and covers almost 30.000 hectares of the
larger Environmental Protection Area of the Mantiqueira mountain range.

Getting there from Rio de Janeiro is a +/- 200 km drive via the BR116 (Rio – São Paulo). The distance from São Paulo is about 250 Km. I’m
lucky to live in Volta Redonda, which is only 80km from the park.

Veu da Noiva (bride's veil) waterfall in Itatiaia

How to get ther