Clients looking for a peak challenge after the pandemic can take their pick of guided mountain trips, says Sasha Wood
Climbing a mountain is a lofty ambition for travellers looking for a challenge after being grounded by the pandemic. And with operators such as Exodus and Contiki reporting a rise in bookings for active travel in 2022, now’s a great time to sell a mountain‑hiking break in the great outdoors.
Many people are keen to conquer the best-known, such as Everest Base Camp in Asia or Kilimanjaro in Africa – both well-trodden routes served by expert tour operators. But there are plenty of lesser-known peaks to consider too in countries such as Argentina, Morocco, Malaysia, Cuba and Kenya.
Here’s our pick of the top mountains around the world to pique your clients’ interests and give a new meaning to your peak sales period.
1. Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Climbing above the clouds to watch dawn break across tropical Borneo from the island’s highest point is a soul-stirring experience that’s well worth the two-day endurance test to get there. Climbers set off across the humid jungle trails of Kinabalu National Park and follow a well‑maintained route to the top, passing through rainforests bursting with life up to cool, craggy plateaus on the mountainside.
Kinabalu Park is a Unesco World Heritage Site and only 135 climbers are allowed on the mountain each day. Guided tours to Kinabalu typically include several days’ immersion in Sabah’s incredible biodiversity, encountering orangutans, proboscis monkeys, sun bears and more.
Book it: An 11-day Sabah Adventure tour costs from £1,590, including three days in Mount Kinabalu National Park, with lodgings, guidance and summiting the mountain at dawn. International flights not included.
intrepidtravel.com
2. Everest Base Camp, Nepal
Summiting this holy grail for mountain lovers is too perilous for most mere mortals, but climbing to Base Camp is a more attainable challenge. Located in the Nepalese Himalayas, at altitudes in excess of 5,300 metres, the trek to the last outpost before the top of the world follows a route dubbed ‘the steps to heaven’ and has to be taken slowly with plenty of days to adjust to the high altitude.
After flying into the Himalayan hiking hub of Lukla, Sherpas lead the way through beautiful forests, villages and alpine meadows and across rushing rivers and glacial ravines, with the jaw-dropping scenery of the Himalayas rising all around.
Book it: A 15-day escorted Everest Base Camp Trek costs from £959, including accommodation, English-speaking local guides and assistants for the trek, porters, internal flights and transport in the destination. International flights not included.
gadventures.com
3. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
A classic do-before-you-die challenge, climbing 5,895-metre-high Kili isn’t a walk in the park but it’s also fairly doable for travellers with decent fitness. The stunning Tanzanian wildlife inhabiting the savannahs in the shadow of the mountain – giraffes, elephants, warthogs and water buffalo – make this adventure extra-special. There are seven main routes up Africa’s highest mountain.
The shortest, the Marangu or ‘Coca-Cola’ route, is a relatively gentle ascent with huts to stay in along the way, but this route provides less time to acclimatise to the altitude, so the going can get tough. The Machame Route is highly recommended for its slow pace and campsites all at a similar altitude, allowing climbers to follow mountaineering guidance to ‘climb high and sleep low’.
Considered the most scenic, the Lemosho Route takes about eight days to complete and climbs through green forests and moorlands before emerging in high alpine desert. The Rongai Route is probably the least crowded.
Book it: Exodus Travels offers two escorted tours scaling Kilimanjaro – the Rongai Route, from £3,899, and the Lemosho Route, from £4,749 – both including flights, guides, porters, hotel stays, full-service camping and park fees.
exodus.co.uk
4. Aconcagua, Argentina
The highest mountain you’ve never heard of, Argentina’s Mount Aconcagua is the roof of the Americas, and the tallest peak on Earth outside Asia. Ascending this Andean giant is highly recommended for clients looking for an epic challenge without the crowds that sometimes converge at Everest and Kili.
But the trek across the remote Patagonian wilderness to the summit is a long and tough one, requiring expert guidance and organisation. Climbers use fixed ropes and crampons to ascend Aconcagua via Vacas Valley, for instance, but no prior experience is required.
Book it: A 20-day Climb Aconcagua trip costs from £3,152 including a guide, transfers in Argentina, accommodation and camping, plus a cook and mountain meals. Flights are extra.
responsibletravel.com
5. Pico Turquino, Cuba
Cuba’s rainforested Sierra Maestra forms the backbone of eastern Cuba and feels like a lost world made for explorers. Its highest point, Pico Turquino, can be summited in a couple of days on a tropical mountain trek through a stunning wilderness of jungle-entangled slopes and waterfall-haunted valleys in Turquino National Park.
Hikers can stay overnight in rustic mountain shelters or opt for a more demanding day-hike from Las Cuevas, on the coast of Santiago de Cuba. A bronze statue of national hero José Martí marks the pinnacle.
A trek to the top also offers a chance to spot Cuban wildlife such as painted snails, tiny bats and Cuba’s national mascot the tocororo bird. Another highlight of the Sierra Maestra is a visit to Fidel Castro’s former mountain hideout.
Book it: A 15-day Parakeet: Cuba Beyond the Beach tour explores the Sierra Maestra and southeast region. Priced from £3,014, it includes guides, excursions, accommodation and some meals.
journeylatinamerica.co.uk
6. Toubkal, Morocco
The High Atlas is the stuff of legends, aptly named after the Greek god who held up the heavens. And ascending North Africa’s highest point at Mount Toubkal is tempting for intrepid travellers as it offers the chance to explore an almost mythical North African landscape of ancient kazbahs, Berber villages and green groves amid semi-arid hillsides.
All who come this way visit the fabled valley of Imlil en route to the top, and there are plenty of well‑organised guided trips that will escort clients to the summit safely and with minimum fuss.
Book it: A week-long Toubkal Climb tour costs from £445, including an expert leader, cook, accommodation and most meals, but not flights.
explore.co.uk
Best of the rest
Mount Kenya, Kenya
Africa’s second-highest peak makes a great alternative to Kili, without the crowds. But for a doubly difficult and deeply rewarding challenge, clients can scale both giants in one trip with KE Adventure’s 15-day Climb Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro tour from £4,615.
keadventure.com
Annapurna, Nepal
Northern Nepal’s Annapurna is the world’s 10th-highest peak, and the Annapurna Circuit has become popular with adventurers for its remote mountain passes and rhododendron-carpeted valleys. G Adventures offers a 15-day Annapurna Sanctuary tour with expert Sherpas from £703, not including flights.
gadventures.com
Mount Bromo, Java, Indonesia
Indonesia is the most seismically active place on the planet, and visiting the volcanic peaks in Java is an unforgettable experience. Hiking the rim of the crater of Mount Bromo is a popular trip for travellers, offering stunning views over the otherworldly volcanic landscape. Intrepid has a Jakarta to Ubud tour with a Bromo hike from £1,435.
intrepidtravel.com
PICTURES: Shutterstock/Jamoo, Juan Aceituno, Ingus Kruklitis, Daniel Prudek, DFLC Prints, intotheworldmap
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