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In fact, it was Rosalind who first introduced us to Wildland Trekking’s international hiking trips and suggested the Iceland itinerary. As an introvert, I had never considered group travel. Yet over the years since, I have come to find the lifelong friendships made with other travelers and my knowledgeable guides, to be even more impactful than the actual destinations I’ve visited.

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Because of all of the uncertainty around COVID, we actually didn’t pay much attention to the trip itinerary, focusing instead on making sure we had all our paperwork in order. Our Grand Canyon trip was a “Level 3” difficulty and was very doable after following Wildland’s training guide, so we followed a similar routine to train for this leveled up tour. 

After a missed connection in Frankfurt and over 7 hours spent on the train into Geneva—we opted to take the train rather than wait for a new connecting flight that wouldn’t take place until the next day…looking back, we should have just stayed at the airport—we made it to Les Houches, crossing the Switzerland/France border by taxi.  

I was expecting charming mountain towns with shutters on the windows and big views of the mountains from every vantage point. And frankly, the trip did not disappoint. It took our group a half hour to walk a few blocks on the first day because there were so many photo ops to be had.

There are luggage transfers throughout the trip, which means most nights we were packing up our bags and bringing them to a drop zone at our hotel, or when available, directly to the vans. What I didn’t realize about the itinerary though, is that most often we were hiking directly to the next village or town, and our luggage would meet us at our chalet for the evening. 

It was empowering to walk from village to village, being able to cover that kind of distance in a single day.

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In an increasingly globalized world, experiencing other cultures can teach you ways to contribute to your own society. Studies have shown that traveling makes people healthier, more creative and imaginative, and can effectively reduce stress and depression. These effects are so well known that Canadian doctors have even begun prescribing time in Canada’s National Parks! As the travel industry grows, it is increasingly important to consider the impacts of traveling on the special places that we know and love.

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Whether it’s your first time embarking on an adventure-for-one or you’re a seasoned pro, there are questions you must ask yourself before leaping into a solo trip. “Real world” anxieties tend to get the best of even the most cool, calm and collected traveler. However, if you’re willing to break down that internal barrier, a limitless world of possibilities opens up. 

Behind each door is a new opportunity for self-growth and exploration. A rare chance to get to know yourself and discover what it is that truly sparks the curiosity within. So what should you consider to ensure the best possible experience for me, myself, and I? Before diving into options, begin by asking the following questions: 

What am I looking to gain from this experience?

Maybe the answer right now is simply, “I’m not sure.” That’s okay! In your daily life, start to take note of what it is you’re seeking from a getaway. Maybe you’re often stuck behind a computer at work and a serious break from screen time would help you feel recharged. Feeling overwhelmed by social situations or relationship troubles? Maybe a location that offers solitude is what you need right now. Whatever it may be, start to become aware of your surroundings and daily stressors in order to figure out exactly what it is you are seeking to gain from your solo venture.

What activities am I looking for?

So you’ve done a little soul searching and you have a goal in mind for your trip. Now for the fun stuff: what outdoor activity do you find most enjoyable? While this article is primarily focused on hiking trips (and I personally think a good hike is the best medicine for any situation), there are many options when it comes to getting outside. Below I will highlight a variety of adventures offered by both Wildland Trekking and Intrepid Travel that will be sure to check off some of your adventure boxes. Whether it’s staying in historic lodges, cooling off in waterfalls, trying your hand with a boat and paddle, or challenging yourself to a multi-day backpacking trip, there’s no right or wrong way to satiate your personal travel bug. 

Have I done the research?

We’re getting closer. You’ve narrowed it down to a few options…but they all sound so cool! How do you know which is the right choice? Well, good news for you, our country’s National Parks and protected lands aren’t going anywhere any time soon. You can always plan another vacation! However, a huge factor in having an enjoyable experience is timing it correctly with the seasons and weather for each specific region. For example, if you can only get time off from work in March, you may consider a desert trip as temperatures are mild and optimal for hiking. Looking for a summer vacation? Consider escaping to the mountains or the rivers, which would typically be snow-covered in the winter months. 

Along with planning around the seasons comes the convenience of the location. Research local airports and transportation options, as some trip locations are more remote than others and may take up more travel time. 

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In addition to the vast wilderness, Norway is a country with a rich history, unique culture, and exciting folklore and legends. Small, picturesque villages dot the Norwegian landscape. You may see coastal fishermen’s cabins painted red, yellow, or white. Or, keep your eyes open for tiny brown cottages with flower-covered roofs that blend into the mountain landscape so seamlessly you almost can’t find them.

When you put all this together, you have a fascinating land in the “Home of the Giants” which is just begging to be explored. Allow the timeless hamlets to take you back to when Viking ships commanded the high seas. Picture yourself as an intrepid explorer, venturing out into the unknown. You’re sure to feel awestruck by all that Norway has to offer with a Wildland Trekking trip!

All-inclusive World Class Hiking Vacations

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Hikers across the globe are dying to know: will international trekking make a comeback in 2021? With news of vaccine rollouts and enthusiastic travelers cooped up at home waiting for the go-ahead, we have reasons to be optimistic. Adventure travel — specifically hiking and camping based tours— seem to be the perfect COVID-friendly vacation option. But will countries be ready to open their borders for international travel in 2021? 

Trekking: the ultimate social-distanced activity? 

International trekking is looking grim through the beginning of the year (Wildland Trekking just canceled their spring Nepal tours), but many hikers still hold out hope for their 2021 summer plans. 

While the general tourism market may not recover until 2024, the adventure travel sector is likely to ramp up in 2021. And one of the top activities in this niche? Hiking. This generally low-risk activity takes place outside, in small groups, and requires minimal technical assistance. Your guide might readjust your pack or talk you through a steep section of trail, but you won’t be attached together with a harness as you throw yourself out of a plane. 

Not only do outdoor activities keep too-close-for-comfort interactions to a minimum, but many people have recognized the benefits of fresh air after so much time indoors. According to a recent Tripadvisor report on the outlook of the travel industry, “More than half (52%) [of survey respondents] say they are more likely to take an outdoor/nature trip than they were before the pandemic.”

Recently, Karen Rosenblum, who runs a travel service called Spain Less Traveled, has seen an uptick in interest and requests for the Camino de Santiago. “In my Travel Spain! Facebook community, a lot of members have been asking for tips for walking (and cycling) the Camino. Noticeably, I’ve received more requests from prospective clients who are interested in trekking in Northern Spain. A lot of the less popular routes, such as the coastal “Norte” route are getting more attention as travelers are looking to plan trips where social distancing and solitude will be possible.”

As hiking vacations gain popularity, guiding companies have been adapting their offerings to accommodate new requests. “Most travel companies are re-imagining itineraries to limit interactions,” says Marc Christensen, founder of Brilliant Ethiopia. “The focus is on private tours in more rural areas. Itineraries have less emphasis on cities as people try to keep away from populated areas. This puts hiking and trekking at the heart of a COVID-secure trip.” 

Each country will dictate its own rules 

While trekking may be a great option for your next travel adventure, the question of ‘where to go’ remains. Domestic travel may have increased throughout 2020, but international travel is still flatlined. 

However, if the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that no two nations respond the same. And we can’t expect that to change when it comes to international trekking. 

Some countries may require proof of vaccination (see: vaccination passports) and a negative-COVID test upon entry, while others may still opt for the 14-day quarantine. (Steve Cundy, co-owner of Wildland Trekking, mentions that a lengthy quarantine would negate any chances of trip operation in that country.) 

“International travel will most likely limp out of this in many different phases depending on a country’s need for a tourism economy and general feelings of COVID-related risks,” says Chris Hoge, the director of International Operations for Wildland Trekking.

For example, Australia-based Qantas Airlines plans to resume its international flights in July 2021 after months of regional-only traffic. However, low-income countries with limited vaccine access may be slower to welcome visitors until they can vaccinate their own population. Even in the U.S. and the U.K, which were among the first countries to approve the vaccine, most of the general public isn’t likely to receive it until summer. (If you’re looking for a country-by-country guide to reopenings, check out this article by The Points Guy.) 

Like many tour directors, Hoge has his hands full as he tries to determine the outcome of Wildland’s International trips. (Wildland operates in 11 countries, including New Zealand, Tanzania, Nepal, Peru, Norway, and Iceland.) He’s been monitoring each destination’s border policy, current covid situation, local laws, policies, and the general cultural feelings about the pandemic. 

“It is a large confusing world of constantly changing information,” Hoge says, “But I feel certain that some destinations (like Canada and the EU) might open up more quickly than others because they have more vaccines being available to their population.”

Hikers are booking tours for late 2021 

This tumultuous past year has unveiled the fragility of international travel. People who once took travel for granted are now planning bucket-list adventures. 

Last week, Torben Lonne, travel expert at DiveIn, found himself browsing the internet for adventure trips. ”The moment I realized vaccination would start soon, I began making plans. When I tried to book a tour for summer 2021, I found that several trips are completely sold out.” 

Recent bookings of Wildland International trips substantiate Lonne’s anecdote. “During our end of 2020 promo, we booked 76 guests on international trips,” Hoge says. “So the desire is starting to build more and more with American travelers.” All of these bookings were for July and later, with most falling in the Fall and Winter months.

However, for many, hesitancy still runs deep. Nikki Webster, from Brit on the Move, thinks that hikers need to be cautious if they leave their country’s borders. “What happens when it goes wrong? You are in a foreign country while there is a pandemic, and you get hurt. How do you know that the hospitals are equipped to deal with you and that you won’t be exposed?”

Despite these concerns, many Americans are feeling the pull towards travel. Jyoti and Nirmal, avid hikers from California, spent 2020 hiking in U.S. National Parks. “This year, we plan to hike in Europe, India, and the ‘Stans. We’ve already made several flight reservations and are ready for lift-off.”

Additionally, we polled our Wildland Instagram followers on their attitudes towards 2021 travel. Out of 349 respondents, 62% said they were planning on traveling internationally in 2021, while only 38% said they would wait until 2022. 

“It does seem like the appetite and demand is there, but some of the uncertainty around it all is keeping people from following through with travel.  It seems most people booking trips are more hopeful than convinced in the ability to actually go on their trip,” says Hoge. 

When you book your trip, do it with a reputable company 

While bookings are on the rise, Christensen thinks that hikers should use their best judgment when booking international tours. “Travelers should make sure they have a backup plan. What is your travel company doing to protect your trip in the event of cancellation due to coronavirus? Most companies are offering credit vouchers, but you need to know the limitations of these vouchers. Some are lifetime vouchers, others just 12 months. Can you apply the voucher to another destination? If so, where?”

He continues, “Travelers should also check the payment schedules and avoid paying for anything in full upfront. You should be able to book with a deposit and delay full payments. This gives you more time to gauge the viability of your holiday as the departure date approaches, without having to commit to a trip months in advance.” 

While companies like Wildland Trekking and Brilliant Ethiopia offer generous booking policies, some tour operators are not so lenient. 

We still have a long road ahead of us 

Wildland Trekking has numerous hiking tours scheduled overseas this year. Pre-pandemic, the most popular countries were Peru and Patagonia. Now, travelers are booking more tours in destinations such as the Alps, New Zealand, and the Canadian Rockies. “We are staying positive and think it will be possible to operate international trips in 2021,” says Hoge. 

But the reality is, no one knows for sure what 2021 will bring. “I think if you asked 50 travel experts their thoughts, you might get 50 different answers,” says Hoge. “The one thing we have learned is that the pandemic makes the rules, and normalizing international travel will be a long winding road to recovery.”

So, for now, all we can do is keep our fingers crossed and get out on our local trails. 

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