While in Rio for the Carnival, we dedicated a day to visit Sugarloaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar), one of the city’s most iconic peaks. Our original idea—especially after discovering that the cable car ticket cost 130 reais per person—was to hike to the top. But then we realized that, rather than walking, the ascent involved a fair amount of technical climbing, without fixed ropes. … [Read more...]
Praia do Forno Hike, Arraial do Cabo, Rio de Janeiro
Praia do Forno, located in Arraial do Cabo, Brazil, is a secluded beach known for its crystal-clear waters, soft white sand, and lush green hills. Accessible by a short hiking trail or boat ride, this beach offers a more tranquil atmosphere compared to the busier shores nearby. Its calm, turquoise waters are perfect for snorkeling, revealing a vibrant underwater world of fish … [Read more...]
Trekking & Camping at Ala-Kul Lake in Kyrgyzstan without a Guide
Ala-Kul Lake, nestled high in the Tien Shan mountains of Kyrgyzstan, is one of the region's most breathtaking natural wonders. Perched at an altitude of 3,560 meters (11,680 feet), the lake is renowned for its striking turquoise waters, which change hues with the shifting sunlight. Surrounded by rugged peaks and glaciers, Ala-Kul is accessible only via a challenging multi-day … [Read more...]
Climbing to the Crater of Arenal Volcano
Arenal Volcano, standing at 1,670 meters (5,479 feet), is one of Costa Rica’s most iconic natural landmarks, located in the lush region of Alajuela Province. Once one of the world’s most active volcanoes, Arenal erupted regularly from 1968 until 2010, creating a dramatic landscape of hardened lava fields and fertile soil that supports an incredible array of biodiversity. The … [Read more...]
Zaamin National Park: Our Trip to the Mountains of Uzbekistan
It was still the first week of our journey through Central Asia, and so far, we had visited only Samarkand and Bukhara. While we were mesmerized by the exotic grace of these ancient cities, the relentless August heat of the arid Uzbek lowlands left us fatigued and drained. Longing for a cooler climate, we were delighted to hear about Zaamin National Park.Located in Uzbekistan's … [Read more...]
Dimitsana to Zygovisti: Menalon Mountain Trail Section 2
Following a pleasant hike from Stemnitsa the previous day, we woke up refreshed in the mountainous coolness of Dimitsana village. The plan now was to continue along the second section of the acclaimed Menalon Mountain Trail toward the village of Zygovisti. We had an easy morning in our hotel’s cute garden, packed slowly, and started.The route begins from the village center, … [Read more...]
Stemnitsa to Dimitsana, Lousios Gorge: Menalon Mountain Trail Section 1
Summer of 2024, I had a client/friend who tasked me with taking him on a two-day hiking trip in Greece. It would be his first-ever of the kind. We needed a beginner-grade route with sufficient shade for the summer heat and villages with amenities along the way. The Menalon Mountain Trail, in the Arcadia region of central Peloponnese, was an obvious choice.After a couple of … [Read more...]
Climbing Mount Grammos from the Greek Side
Part of the greater Pindus Mountain Range—the rugged spine of the Greek mainland—Mount Grammos (spelled Grammoz in Albanian) is an imposing mountain whose ridge defines part of the Greek-Albanian border. Its highest peak, called Maja e Çukapeçit in Albania and Tsouka Petsik in Greece, rises to 2,523 meters, making it the 10th-highest mountain in Albania and the 4th-highest in … [Read more...]
Climbing to Pieter Both Mountain Summit
I remember the first time we drove to northern Mauritius. We’d pulled over in the middle of the motorway and stared incredulously at this most astounding natural spectacle. Resembling a colossal cairn assembled by some skillful ancient giant, there towered Mauritius’s second-highest peak: Pieter Both.Pieter Both Mountain is part of the Moka Range that rises above Port Louis in … [Read more...]
Black River Peak Trail: a Hike to the Highest Point of Mauritius
The Black River Peak (more commonly referred to in French as Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire) is the highest mountain in Mauritius, at 828 meters AMSL. It lies within the homonymous range of the Black River Gorges National Park in the island’s southwest. After climbing the lower but more difficult and rewarding peaks of Pieter Both, Le Morne, and the Lion Mountain, I reserved … [Read more...]
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