Treks · TOURS
A guide, a start time and a trail you would not find alone. These 15 are the guided days and overnights with the best record, with what each costs and how long you walk.
This full-day trip takes you from Chania to Omalos, then downhill through Samaria Gorge for about 17 kilometers. Guides such as Sara and Christina explain the route and keep an eye on the group. After the hike, relax, eat, or swim at Agia Roumeli before the ferry and bus ride home.
“The adventure through the gorge and our awesome guide”
Join Antonio, Renato, or another Etnaround naturalist guide for a seven-hour Mount Etna hike from Catania. Walk from Silvestri Craters toward Valle del Bove, see recent lava flows, explore a lava cave when conditions allow, and slide down volcanic sand. Shoes, poles, jackets, and rain gear are available.
“Best part was the views and Antonio. To be improved: could go even higher”
Travel from Catania to Mount Etna in a small group of up to eight. Taste honey, olive oil, wine, and other local foods, enter the Grotta dei Tre Livelli with a helmet and lamp, then walk among craters at about 2,000 meters for sunset. Guides may include Salvatore, Eduardo, Lorenzo, or Bruna.
“What can I say!! Salvo was outstanding! Real name Salvatore Mario Guiseppe :) That was the first fun fact that I remembered! Picked us up at our hotel in an air conditioned van, along with 3 other people who we got to know. Salvo told us many facts as we drove to the winery first of all this was superb! Wine, spirits, many tastings of honey, bread, oils, cheese it was great to sample everything. Then we ascended to the “middle” where there is a quad bike option. If weather permits you can add this option for a cost….or you can stay on the walking tour as planned. Half of…”
Leave your Bali hotel around 1:30 to 3:00 am, ride in a private air-conditioned car, and climb Mount Batur with your own guide. Tana, Jata, Oman, Donn, and Komang Ras are among the guides praised for patience and care. At the summit, enjoy sunrise, hot drinks, eggs, fruit, sandwiches, and cakes before descending.
“Fantastic trip! We enjoyed it once we were at the top of the mountain. Our guide Oman was very knowledgeable and helpful especially after I twisted my ankle he couldn’t do more to make the experience amazing as well a great breakfast and hot drinks to keep us warm.”
Cross Brazo Rico by boat, then spend about an hour walking Perito Moreno Glacier with crampons and a guide. You will also visit forest trails, cruise before the ice wall, and explore the glacier catwalks. English and Spanish guides are available, with small groups capped at about 10 people per guide.
“Absolutely incredible. We debated doing the minitrekking because it was so expensive compared to just the boat ride but we are so happy we decided to do it. The scale is absolutely insane and the experience of walking on a glacier doesn’t come by often. I would highly recommend! We lucked out with weather and the guides were incredible.”
Walk about 8 kilometers through Timanfaya’s volcanic terrain with a local guide in a group of up to nine. You’ll see lava flows, craters, volcanic plants, and dramatic viewpoints, then pause for Canary Islands wine and local snacks. Guides including Sandra, Andy, Claudia, and Sabrina lead tours in English, Italian, and Spanish.
“David was very nice and thoughtful, explaining the volcanic history of the island and even prepared a little breakfast for us. He made sure everybody understands what he explains even when no mutual language was spoken.”
Spend three days trekking from Sapa through Cat Cat, Y Linh Ho, Ta Van, and Giang Ta Chai. You’ll sleep one night at a Sapa hotel and one in a Ta Van bungalow, with local guides such as Su, Cat, Dao, and May leading the walks. Expect steep, muddy paths, village life, mountain views, and a long bus ride from Hanoi.
“Su is the best guide. She is very kind and sweet. She answered our questions with a smile on her face. Very friendly. She helped, and cared about everyone. She took us hiking all around and we saw the most incredible sights. Sapa is gorgeous, and she helped us see some of the best sights. I will never forget this beautiful and amazing trip. From the nature, to the culture and villages, it is a must see. Su was very patient and let us stop as much as we wanted to look at things and take pictures. She took great care of us. It was a much steeper/ harder hike…”
Start before dawn, ride from your Bali hotel to Mount Batur, and climb with a local guide to watch sunrise above Lake Batur and the caldera. Expect a moderate hike, bottled water, a flashlight, and breakfast cooked over volcanic steam. Guides such as Gunawan, Adi, Ricky, and Dyangu are praised for pacing, photos, and good humor.
“Great tour! We were collected from our hotel by our driver. At base camp we were given water and flashlights. We had a private tour guide for myself and partner, Dyangu was so lovely (even though we booked a group tour). At the top he maRead more”
Spend about nine hours exploring Doi Inthanon with a private guide and vehicle. Visit Wachirathan Falls, Thailand’s highest point, the Twin Pagodas, a Karen village coffee farm, and Pha Dok Seaw Waterfall. Guides such as Tong, M, Yut, and Ekky are praised for local insight, careful driving, and flexible pacing.
“We had an amazing private tour of Doi Inthanon today! Our guide, Tong, was absolutely fantastic — incredibly knowledgeable, entertaining, and full of fascinating stories about the national park, Thai culture, Chiang Mai’s history, anRead more”
Start before dawn at Mount Batur with a private English-speaking guide, then watch sunrise over Bali’s volcanic caldera. Your package includes a flashlight, poncho, hot tea or coffee, eggs steamed at the summit, and breakfast overlooking Lake Batur. Guides such as Ketut, Jero, Made, and Gede are available according to assignment.
“Absolutely worth the early wake up! The hike itself was a good challenge but definitely some level of fitness is required. Would recommend bringing a backpack, jumper and even wear leggings as it was freezing up the top! We were lucky our guide (Wankie) had brought us a blanket otherwise they do sell them for $5NZD at the top of the volcano.”
Spend seven hours exploring Mount Etna with a multilingual guide such as Lorenzo, Carmelo, or Tommaso. Walk around inactive craters, inspect newer lava fields, enter Grotta Lunga with a helmet and lamp, then taste honey, olive oil, wine, and other Sicilian products near Ragalna. Pickup and drop-off in Catania are included, while cable-car and 4x4 upgrades cost extra.
“I would highly recommend this trip. However you need to add the extra to go as high as you can!”
Spend 5 to 9 hours exploring North Bali with a guide such as Tia, Luhde, Kadek, or Putu. Walk through Munduk’s rainforest, cross Tamblingan Lake in a wooden canoe, visit Ulun Danu Tamblingan Temple, swim at Banyumala Twin Waterfall, and eat a traditional lunch at a family-run restaurant. Optional hotel transfers are available.
“We had a fantastic morning on this trip! Our driver, Edy, was right on time and incredibly patient while we finished our packed breakfast. He even suggested adding a visit to a nearby coffee plantation after the waterfall stop - and we’re so glad he did! We were able to sample a wide variety of locally made teas and coffees, which was an unexpected and delightful experience. Our guide for the tour was equally amazing. She spoke English confidently and had a deep knowledge of the area. She answered all our (many!) questions with enthusiasm and clarity, making the experience both informative and enjoyable. She was a pleasure to talk…”
Ride from Rifugio Sapienza to 2500 meters by cable car, continue by 4x4 to 2850 meters, then hike near the Barbagallo crater at about 3000 meters. An Alpine or volcanological guide leads the walk, and boots, socks, jackets, and helmets are provided. Plan on 4 to 5 hours, plus €45 for transport.
“The views on top of Mt Etna are out of this world stunning. Our guide Pepe, was very knowledgeable and we learned a lot about volcanoes. We took the gondola, then jeep and hiked the remaining way up to the top(3000 meters). We walked around the spines of the craters, through a lava channel and back down to the gondola. Although the tour says it’s a moderate activity, we would rate it strenuous. You should also not be weary of very close high altitudes. The spines are only 2 to 3 feet wide with drop offs on each side. We are all physically fit and agreed the hike requires strong…”
Travel from Chiang Mai to Mae Kampong with guides such as TK or Nee, then walk forest trails, visit a waterfall, taste edible plants, and seek wild gibbons with a local caretaker. The $77 small-group tour includes transport, coffee, lunch, village guides, and a conservation donation. Sightings are never guaranteed.
“We really enjoyed our trip today to Mae Kampong. Nee and Golf were great guides and hosts and made us feel very welcome! We saw the gibbons and enjoyed learning about different plants. When our son did not feel so well they kindly adjusted the programme a bit so he could still participate. It was great to get out of the city and be in nature with a bit cooler temperatures!”
You’ll travel from Hanoi to Sa Pa by limousine bus, then trek with a local Hmong English-speaking guide such as Soso, Sua, or Tung. Walk through Lao Chai’s rice terraces, stay in a basic Ta Van homestay, and continue through bamboo forest and Giang Ta Chai before returning to Hanoi.
“We loved visiting SaPa with Sha as our guide, she was so fun and knowledgeable and we loved exploring the villages and hiking trails with her! We particularly enjoyed the homestay and would recommend doing that instead of staying in a hotel in SaPa city. Highly recommend”
A Himalayan pass, a smoking crater, a forest or a village bed.
