You don’t have to be a professional climber to experience the dizzying sensations of conquering mountain peaks. There are trekking routes of varying difficulty all over the world that will allow you to fully enjoy wild nature and get closer to the highest peaks of our planet.
Explore the amazing Lycian Way, feel like a real climber on the way to Everest Base Camp, or admire the snow-capped peaks on a trek around Mont Blanc. We have made a selection of the seven most picturesque trekking routes in the world.
Hike to Mount Fitzroy, Argentina
Mount Fitzroy, located in Patagonia, is one of the most popular trekking spots. Your journey will begin in the small town of El Chaltén, which is considered the unofficial capital of trekking. Here you can rent equipment, find guides and get information about weather conditions and trail conditions. One of the most popular routes is the ten kilometer trail to Laguna de los Tres, which leads directly to the base of Mount Fitzroy.
The entire route to Mount Fitzroy features a variety of landscapes – from forests and plains to rocky cliffs and glacial plateaus. Enjoy views of five-thousand-meter mountains and glacial lakes, and watch guanacos – descendants of modern domesticated llamas – wandering across the plains.
It is worth noting that to trek to Mount Fitzroy you must be in good physical shape and have mountain climbing experience. We recommend traveling with an experienced guide or joining an organized group for safety and comfort.
When is the best time to go
In the Southern Hemisphere, summer lasts from December to February and is considered the best period for trekking. The days during this period are warm and sunny, but be prepared for the variability of the Patagonian climate. Temperature changes, wind, rain and sun can change each other within one day.
How to get there
Prepare for the fact that the road to El Chaltén will not be easy. First you need to fly to the capital, Buenos Aires. There are no direct flights from Russia to Argentina, so you will have to travel with transfers in Turkey, Brazil, Ethiopia and the UAE. The cost of tickets from Moscow in both directions starts from 120,000 rubles*.
Next from Buenos Aires, fly to El Calafate, a popular tourist city in Patagonia. Ticket prices start from 7,200 rubles*. From there you can take a bus to El Chaltén for 13 US dollars (approximately 1,000 rubles*). Travel time is about three hours.
Entry rules
All COVID restrictions have been lifted. Russians do not need a visa for trips of less than 90 days.
Trekking to Everest Base Camp, Nepal
Nepal is a great option for your first introduction to trekking. You will be able to follow the trails leading to the highest mountains in the world without having to spend the night in a tent or carry a heavy backpack with provisions on your shoulders. Almost all routes in the Himalayas pass through mountain villages where there are guest houses for overnight stay. In addition, the porter service is very developed in Nepal – for 20-25 US dollars (about 2,000 rubles*) per day, a porter will carry your personal belongings.
The route to Everest Base Camp includes ascents and descents through mountains and passes, rice fields, valleys of flowers and small villages. Along the way you will meet Buddhist monasteries and monks in colorful robes. When embarking on such a journey, be sure to pause along the route to enjoy the views: snow-capped peaks that rise straight from the green plains, huge glaciers disappearing into the fog, and, of course, the majestic silhouette of Everest itself.
When is the best time to go
The most favorable periods for hiking are spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October). In the summer in Nepal there are monsoon rains, in the winter there are often snow storms in the mountains, and the temperature drops to –20°C degrees.
Spring is the ideal time to travel through the valleys: routes lead through the jungle, picturesque villages and rice fields at an altitude of up to 4,000 m. It is at this time that you can catch the blooming of rhododendrons.
How to get there
There are no direct flights from Russia to Nepal; you can fly with a transfer in Qatar, the UAE or India (a visa is required, issued electronically). The cost of tickets on the route Moscow – Kathmandu in both directions starts from 70,000 rubles*.
Next you need to take an internal flight from Kathmandu to the village of Lukle. There are flights every half hour, but planes only fly in good weather.
Entry rules
All COVID restrictions have been lifted. A tourist visa is issued upon arrival. Other types of visas must be obtained at the consulate.
Around Mont Blanc, France, Italy, Switzerland
Tour du Mont Blanc is one of the most popular treks in Europe with a length of 170 km. This is a mountain route, so it can only be completed in summer in 7-12 days, depending on weather conditions. Already in the fall, some of the trails are covered with snow, and in winter the ski season starts in those places.
Your journey will begin in the small French town of Chamonix, from where you need to make the transition to the village of Les Contamines with an indescribable alpine flavor. The route then passes through the Swiss Vall Ferret valley and strikingly beautiful green pastures. The view of the powerful peaks of Mont Blanc and its neighboring mountains is impressive, and the trail gradually climbs to the Col de l’Iseran pass.
Another iconic point on the route is the Bosson glacier on Italian territory, which drops almost to the level of Chamonix (1,500 m above sea level), making it the longest in the Mont Blanc massif.
Tour du Mont Blanc is suitable even for those who are far from camping life. The route passes through mountain villages where there are hotels, apartments, cafes and restaurants.
When is the best time to go
The main trekking season begins in mid-June and ends in the first weeks of September. In summer, the temperature in the mountains rises to +30 °C during the day and drops to +5 °C at night. There can be strong winds at altitude. With rain you never know: you can only look at the weather forecast in advance and hope that it will come true.
How to get there
First you need to fly to Geneva. There are no direct flights from Russia, so be prepared for a connection in Turkey, the UAE or Egypt. Tickets will cost at least 57,000 rubles*.
The next step is a bus to the city of Chamonix, where the popular ski resort is located. The last leg of the journey is a taxi or a walk to the small French village of Les Houches, where the route begins.
Entry rules
Russians will need a Schengen visa.
Mountain Mountains, Uganda
Located on the border of Congo and Uganda, these mountains are the highest in Africa. The ridge is 120 km long and 50 km wide and includes six main peaks up to 5,109 m high. Most of the time, about 300 days a year, the mountain peaks are hidden in the clouds.
The trekking route passes through the territory of the Rwenzori National Park. It’s convenient that there are mountain shelters where you can spend the night and have a full meal. Get ready for serious changes in altitude: rising higher into the mountains, the hot African summer quickly gives way to a cold, snowy winter.
A special feature of the route is the opportunity to immerse yourself in the stunning diversity of nature. You will visit tropical jungles, walk through amazing savannas, see picturesque mountain lakes, rocks and caves as if from another planet.
Trekking in the Moon Mountains is also a unique chance to get to know the unique flora and fauna of East Africa. For example, black-and-white colobus, bearded monkey and crested turaco live here; many species are listed in the Red Book.
When is the best time to go
The dry season is considered to be the period from December to March. In the remaining months it often rains, which makes staying in mountainous areas uncomfortable.
How to get there
First you need to fly to the city of Entebbe. There are no direct flights from Russia, so you will have to fly with a transfer to the UAE or Qatar. Return tickets from Moscow cost from 70,000 rubles*.
Rwenzori National Park, home to the Mountains of the Moon, is located near the town of Kasese. There are buses from Entebbe.
Entry rules
Russians will need a visa, which can be applied for online. It allows you to visit not only Uganda, but also Kenya and Rwanda for up to 90 days.
To the foot of Belukha, Russia
This trek is considered the most beautiful walking route in Russia. Belukha is the highest mountain (4,509 m above sea level) in the Altai Mountains, surrounded by many myths and legends since ancient times.
The most popular trail is Akkemskaya. It has a stable but gentle climb, and the route is mainly through dense forest. There are areas where you need to move along river flows with rock slides, cross water streams flowing into the slope along a bridge or ford if the bridge is blocked. There are virtually no panoramic points along the way, but approximately in the middle of the second day a view of Belukha opens up from the trail.
The second option is the Kucherlinskaya trail, which runs along the river of the same name. Along the way, you can see petroglyphs in the Kuilyu Grotto, where about a hundred rock paintings more than 5,000 years old have been preserved in a rock niche. The biggest obstacle on this route is the Kara-Turek pass (3,060 m), which is usually overcome in two days. At altitude there are often snowfalls and strong winds, so for beginners this will be a real challenge.
When is the best time to go
The hiking season in the Altai Mountains begins at the end of June, when the snow cover recedes. The warm weather in the mountainous areas ends quickly – already in mid-August the first frosts at night begin. Therefore, it is better to plan your trip before the end of summer.
How to get there
Most of the routes to the foot of Belukha begin in the village of Tyungur. The nearest airport is located in Gorno-Altaisk. Ticket prices from Moscow start from 17,000 rubles* in both directions. Travel time – 4.5 hours.
Tyungur can be reached by public transport or private car.
“Path of Angels”, USA
Bright Angel Trail is a hiking trail located in the Grand Canyon National Park in the United States, Arizona.
It starts at the cliff of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, where a breathtaking panorama opens up. From here you can see the pink and red hues of the canyon, which change depending on the time of day and year. As you descend the trail, you will cross several natural terraces with dry meadows and sparse bushes. These places are distinguished by their unique flora and fauna; here you can find various species of birds, snakes and even deer.
Continuing your descent, you will find yourself in the “Indian Garden” – a small oasis of greenery with clear streams and magnificent views. Here you can relax and enjoy the silence. As you begin your return ascent, you’ll see the entire panorama of the Grand Canyon, which is truly breathtaking. Depending on the time of year, you can see snow covering the peaks, or watch the colors play on the rocks during sunset.
The route has developed infrastructure. There are several campsites for accommodation that are worth booking in advance. Almost all of them have a vast territory, there are special areas for setting up tents and making a fire.
When is the best time to go
The most comfortable time to travel is from May to September, when the weather in Arizona is warm and clear.
How to get there
First you need to fly to Las Vegas. There are no direct flights from Russia, so you need to choose flights with transfers in Turkey and Qatar. Ticket prices start from 166,000 rubles* in both directions. In Las Vegas, we recommend renting a car and driving to the Grand Canyon.
Entry rules
All COVID restrictions have been lifted. Russians need a visa to visit the country. Now it is more convenient to submit an application at the consulates in Armenia and Kazakhstan.
Lycian Way, Turkey
This is one of the most popular trekking routes in Turkey. It is located in the southern part of the country, the route extends for a length of about 540 km between the cities of Fethiye and Antalya. Depending on the chosen pace, it can take you from 25 to 30 days to complete.
The Lycian Way is an amazing combination of cultural and natural attractions. During the trek you will encounter a huge variety of landscapes: sandy beaches, rocky coves, mountain ranges and views of the Mediterranean Sea. Specific sites worth visiting on this trail include the ancient cities of Olympos and Myra, the Goynuk and Saklikent canyons, Oludeniz Beach with its famous Blue Lagoon, and the city wall and amphitheater of Patara.
Of the settlements through which the trail passes, the villages of Kabak and Faraliya with preserved historical buildings are interesting.
When is the best time to go
You can walk along the trail almost at any time of the year, but from June to the end of September the air temperature rises above +30 °C, so it may not be entirely comfortable with a heavy backpack. The best time to go is from late February to May or November. During this period, the heat subsides, but it is not yet cold in the mountains.
How to get there
You can start your hike from three settlements to choose from. The official start of the trail is located in the village of Oludeniz. The nearest airport is in Dalaman. Ticket prices from Moscow start from 25,000 rubles* in both directions.
Entry rules
All COVID restrictions have been lifted. Russians can stay in Turkey without a visa for up to 60 days.
*Prices are current at the time of publication.
