Gifts for Hikers (That they’re sure to love!)

Summit of Misti Volcano

Whether you’re looking for gifts for Christmas or a Birthday we have some ideas for the best gifts for hikers.  No matter whether you’re looking for a unique hiking gift, a gift for casual hikers, hiking gifts for her, or hiking gifts for him we’ve got some ideas for that outdoorsy person on your list.

We love spending our free time hiking, trekking, and camping in the great outdoors and the mountains so we figured we’d put together a list of the best gifts for hikers. These are things we love and if your loved one is like us we’ve got you covered with some great gift ideas!

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Hiking in Bolivia: The Cordillera Real to Huayna Potosi

Trekking in the Cordillera Real

Bolivia’s Cordillera Real (or royal range) is an unrivalled destination for trekking in South America and exploring this mountain range is one of the best things to do in Bolivia.  We spent 8 days hiking in Bolivia and finished our trek by climbing Huayna Potosi

The 125km Andean mountain range rises to the southeast of Lake Titicaca and some of its glaciated peaks can be seen from Bolivia’s exciting capital La Paz. If you’re looking for some high altitude fun without the crowds seen in other parts of South America, the Cordillera Real are for you.

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RTW Update No.3 – All About Peru

Zentravellers at Machu Picchu

After an incredible 3.5 weeks in summer all the time Puerto Rico, and an awe-inspiring month in Ecuador that culminated with a blissful trip to the Galapagos Islands, it was time to move onto Peru. There we traded sandals and wetsuits for warm jackets and hiking boots. Indeed, we spent most of our time in Peru either hiking or recovering from hiking. We climbed to over 5100m in the wild and rugged Cordillera Blanca, moved through the ice-capped Salkantay Pass to reach the incomparable Machu Picchu, and walked down into one of the deepest canyons in the world. We also spent 2 weeks learning Spanish in the White City of Arequipa and sampled many delicious craft beers around the country.

In total, we spent almost 2 months in Peru and still are finding reasons to go back, despite spending half of our time there in less than perfect health…more on that later. But for now, Peru inspired us with its landscapes, delighted us with its tasty food and drink, and provided us with a glimpse into its rich history and culture.

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The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu – Everything You Need to Know to Plan Your Hike!

Machu Picchu after completing the Salkantay Trek

Machu Picchu is one of those travel destinations that seems to be on everyone’s bucketlist. Its soaring peaks and ancient streets steeped in rich history draw thousands of visitors each day, making it one of the most visited sites in the world. While there are many ways to reach Machu Picchu, trekking is by far the best route. Walking up to this incredible place allows one to savour the mystical site’s rugged natural beauty and intriguing surrounding and makes finally reaching the ruins an even greater reward.

There are many trekking options to get to Machu Picchu, each with their own set of pros and cons. When we were in Peru we chose to do the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu and will share more about this incredible 5 day, 4 night trek!

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Huaraz Trekking and Hiking – A Complete Guide

Zentravellers on the summit of Mt Mateo

Nestled in the impressive Cordillera Blanca range of the Andes, Huaraz is increasingly becoming a world-class destination for high altitude adventures as Huaraz trekking is some of the best in the world.  The hiking in Huaraz has led to it being called the trekking capital of Peru, which is hard to dispute.  It also offers a more budget-friendly and quieter alternative to crowded Cusco.

By far the biggest draw of Huaraz is trekking in the endlessly picturesque Cordillera Blanca and Negra ranges.  Popular hikes such as the Santa Cruz trek, Laguna 69, and the Huayhuash trek get all the attention, but there are a number of great things to do in Huaraz and more hikes than those three to explore!

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The Best Hikes to See Golden Larches in the Fall

Another summer hiking season has come and gone in Alberta but fall offers up one last chance to experience the Canadian Rockies in their full golden splendour. The locals call this time “Larch Madness.”  We always make a point to end our hiking season on this exceptionally high note and have a few recommendations for the best hikes for a range of abilities to see the golden larch trees in the fall!

Over the next couple of weeks the larch trees that line the mountainsides in Kananaskis and Banff turn a beautiful golden colour. They stand out amidst the evergreens and shine against the bright blue sky and granite peaks lightly dusted with snow. This special time of year only lasts a couple of weeks and is certainly a rewarding way to end your hiking season.

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Hiking (Responsibly) in Tonquin Valley

The Ramparts as you approach Amethyst Lakes

With so many stunning trails and views picking a highlight of Jasper National Park can be a challenge, but hiking in the Tonquin Valley must be a contender. The combination of sky-high views of the rugged “Ramparts” range jutting up from serene alpine lakes, and the chance to see rare wild mountain caribou make it as worthy a destination as any.

It is also an accessible backcountry trail that can cater to many ability levels and even be trekked on horseback. Considering all these factors, it’s easy to see why the Tonquin Valley is a popular area for locals and tourists alike. But it just may be getting a little too popular for its own good.

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