Christmas is, for many, the best time of year to set off on an adventure. Better weather in some destinations, better prices in others: more and more people decide travel during the Christmas holidays.
At Tuareg, we always prepare a special programme for them, opening new routes and adapting our best itineraries for those who decide travel at Christmas can make the most of these days.
We already have the first images and opinions ✅ of our first trip to China: Nature Walks in Eastern China. It seems we haven’t done too badly!!!
Alongside the cosmopolitan cities of the east, this route takes in the most spectacular sites in Central China: The pinnacles of Yangshuo and the Li River; the stone forest of Zhangjiajie and the Great Wall in the Jinshanling area. Masterpieces of nature that we will discover on varied, accessible walks, allowing us to get away from the local crowds.
We travel with a guide from our country who He's lived in China for years, he knows the language. and will help us understand the complex society of this destination.
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ARMAND N > September 2018 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
A varied trip packed with activities. A good balance between culture and nature.
The best of the trip:
An exceptional guide who showed great interest and complete dedication to the group, helping us enjoy the trip to the full. Among the visits, I would highlight Tianmen Mountain, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, the treks in Longsheng, the Guilin cruise and the bike ride to Moon Hill.
ALEJANDRO F M > September 2018 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Excellent. We felt comfortable from the start, and our tour leader made sure everything ran smoothly. The trip lived up to the expectations set, and sometimes exceeded them. Our guide played an important part in this too. We also enjoyed simple things, such as a bicycle ride. We would do it again.
The best of the trip:
The combination of different elements. Truly imposing cities with places such as the Imperial City and the hutongs. The way the trip was organised allowed us to walk along the Great Wall at a relaxed pace and enjoy it, just as we did in the Longji area. The natural sites we visited retained their power and some of their character, even within the “scenic area” format that drives tourism in China and makes them accessible to so many people. And our guide Guillem: without him, it would have been a different trip.
SUSANA L > September 2018 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I think those people who like to combine cultural visits with walks will love it. It is quite impressive the mix of the old and the new: places with hundreds of years of history next to the skyscrapers and the most modern technology.
The best of the trip:
The dedication and passion of our guide. Thanks to Guillem, we were able to do more activities than originally planned and gain an insight into Chinese culture. He also joined us for every meal not included in the trip, bringing us closer to daily life in the country. I think he made the difference between a ‘good’ trip and a ‘very good’ one. Apart from the human connections, I would highlight the visit to the Great Wall. It is spectacular and well worth the bus journey to escape the areas most visited by tourists. Walking along it with hardly anyone around is priceless. Another highlight was walking through the Longsheng rice terraces. Words cannot describe it. The landscape's changing geometry at every step makes it magical!
As the saying goes, September is the month for the rich, but perhaps October is one of our favourite months for travel. As autumn begins, many of our destinations take on distinctive colours, displaying shades you will not see at other times of year.
For those lucky enough to travel in October, visitors even seem to receive better treatment, with fewer people queuing and fewer visitors at the main attractions.
With the arrival of autumn the trekking season in the Himalayas and northern Southeast Asia welcomes the end of the monsoons and the arrival of winter. In South America, it is an ideal time to travel, similar to our month of June, with few visitors and more affordable prices at the main tourist attractions.
Last remaining places on SMALL GROUP trips with GUARANTEED DEPARTURES in October that still have availability*:
*The number of places available changes constantly. Please check availability when booking your trip.
The stages of this trek follow the “teahouse” trails, used by local people, through forests of bamboo and rhododendrons. This trip to Nepal is rounded off with visits to Pokhara, the valley of Kathmandu, National Park of Chitwan and the city where Buddha was born, Lumbini.
On this trip to Peru, we set off from Arequipa and begins the journey towards the Colca Canyon that continues to the lake Titicaca for overnight stays on the Peninsula of Capachica. The route continues through the Andes to Cuzco and the Sacred Valley, for ascend to Machu Picchu.
We started the trip in Yangon, the main city of Myanmar and we will fly to the religious Mandalay. From there we will sail towards Bagan to admire the plain of the 2000 temples and fly to the Lake Inle. We cross the lake and the mountains to reach a region recently opened to tourism, Loikaw and visits to its Kayah and Kayan ethnic minorities.
A trip to Italy to the east of Sicily and the islands of Stromboli, Vulcano and Lipari. A combination of spectacular walks in a Mediterranean setting and an introduction to volcanic phenomena and archaeological remains Greeks, Romans and Byzantines.
An intensive, active trip to Vietnam, seeking out rural villages in the Sapa mountains and on An Binh Island in the middle of the delta, combined with visits to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh. The journey ends in Cambodia, in the temples of Angkor. For those who want to end the trip on the beach, these days can be replaced with a stay on the peaceful tropical island of Phu Quoc.
With the arrival of autumn, many of our destinations reveal a new palette of colours. Ochre and brown dominate in the northern hemisphere, while the bright colours of spring bloom in the southern hemisphere.
Today we want to leave you some inspiring pictures for autumn travel. Click on the image to see our routes to the destination in the photograph. You can consult here all our autumn trips
Active travel, hiking and trekking. It's not just where we're going, but what we're going to do when we're there.
A single departure on 26 November, on which We'll travel. New Zealand North to South, travelling in a small group with a Spanish-speaking specialist guide. New Zealand’s islands offer a distinctive model of social organisation and magnificent natural scenery, with geothermal activity, unspoilt forests and spectacular mountains. the itinerary includes easy walks in the most scenic places, local visits and some free days when it is possible to undertake full-day walks or excursions or activities with little physical exertion.
The routes we offer, are guided tours of Thailand. All transport, transfers and excursions are accompanied, although in some cities Krabi, there are a few days without organised activities. What can you do on these free days?
Krabi, is a province in southern Thailand on the Andaman Sea. Its wonderful maze of islands forms an archipelago that many would think possible only in films.
As well as idyllic beaches that are the fantasy of any traveller visiting Thailand, climbers from all over the world come to Krabi year after year, attracted by the the area’s exceptional conditions for rock climbing.
Among all the corners of Krabi where you can go rock climbing, Railay stands out in particular.
This is a small peninsula that can only be accessed by boat. Here are huge limestone cliffs that challenge the most experienced climbers and tempt those keen to try it in the ROCK CLIMBING. There are more than 150 marked routes of different levels of difficulty. Hire of equipment, instructors and guides is available.
IDEAS FOR A TRIP TO THAILANDTravel to Thailand for 15 days to discover Bangkok, trek through ethnic minority villages and swim at the beaches of the south 15-day trip: Bangkok, a safari in Thailand's Khao Sok National Park, and Krabi or Yao Noi Island Ideas and excursions for free days in Thailand We give you 11 reasons to discover Thailand, on your own or with your family. Read comments and articles about Thailand |
The Trekking among Thailand’s ethnic minorities It runs through the far northwest, on the Myanmar border, in one of the most unexplored areas of the country.
Starting from Chiang Mai, during the trek we will walk through a mountainous region, with hills covered in dense tropical vegetation and a network of jungle trails connecting the villages of different ethnic groups (Karen, Lahu, Akha).
A combination of walks along trails connecting remote villages, bamboo raft journeys and elephant rides.
We offer a trek in Thailand with no fixed route; adapts to different times of the year. We walk on the first two days. On the third, the walk is followed by a stretch riding an elephant through the densest jungle, and on the fourth day we we travel downriver on bamboo rafts.
In our summer, during July and August, the rains transform the landscape. Everything is greener and the jungle denser, but roads and bridges may be closed, and rivers sometimes flood force them to cancel the rafting descent.
We head further afield in local huts where we eat and sleep during the trek have a space for travellers to stay, separate from the hut where the owners live.
They have raised floors and are usually made of bamboo and wood, with corrugated fibre-cement or palm roofs. The huts have a room with mattresses, pillows, blankets or duvets, and mosquito nets. Sheets are not provided, so we recommend bringing a sleeping bag liner.
The toilets are in an outbuilding outside the main dwelling so a good torch or head torch is essential at night to find your way safely: the generator runs only until a certain time, after which there is no electricity.
The villages we come across along this trekking in Thailand are semi-permanent, built in a particular spot and remaining there for only a few years. Moving the village every several years is part of the culture and tradition of Thailand.
Life in the villages is very peaceful. Sometimes everyone belongs to the same family, making it ideal for getting to know local people if we plan to go family trekking in Thailand.
The trekking guides are local people who have adapted to the arrival of tourism in their villages. They know the area well and take good care of visitors.
They are responsible for choosing the most suitable route depending on the condition of the trails, the weather and the presence or absence of other groups that may also have chosen to go Four-day trekking in northern Thailand.
Full board is included during the trek. Drinks are paid for separately and can usually be purchased at the house where we stay.
An assistant cook prepares meals with help from the women of the villages where we stay overnight.
They are based on the local dishes with fewer spices and less chilli. Rice, noodles, vegetable soups. They are simple and well prepared dishes with fresh fruit.
Luggage is left at the hotel, and you take only what you need for 3 nights.
It's very important. Wear good trekking shoes, a rain poncho and a daypack to carry our belongings. Here is our suggested packing list:
In the rainy season it is hotter, so focus on lightweight clothing and waterproofs.
During the dry season, nights can be cool, so it is particularly important to bring warm clothing.
If you want to discover more interesting facts about Thailand, come and travel with us. We still have places available (check the date of this post, as there are only a few left) for the trekking in Thailand in July and August. An ideal option for a family holiday, a solo trip within a group, or a holiday with your partner or friends.
Ideas for a Trip to Thailand15-day trip to Thailand: Bangkok, trekking among ethnic minorities and southern beaches 15-day trip to Thailand: Bangkok, a safari in Khao Sok, and Krabi or Yao Noi Island Ideas and excursions for days off We give you 11 reasons to travel to Thailand, alone or with your family. We give you 11 reasons to travel to Thailand TREKKING IN THAILAND: NEW ROUTE One new feature for 2019 is the redesigned trekking route in northern Thailand, a highlight of our 15-day trip: Bangkok, ethnic minority trekking and southern beaches. |
People often ask us about our favourite destination or the most beautiful place we have visited. The world is vast, full of wonderful, well-known attractions, but our favourite places are those that sometimes go unnoticed. Each is special for a reason: its setting, landscapes, ethnic groups, wildlife, activities, festivals or religions. The images in this post show 15 places to visit at least once in a lifetime
A journey to venture into the land of the grizzlies and the incredible glaciers; a place where they cross ice fields, stunning landscapes of lakes and alpine villages. Alternating between vehicle journeys, walks and snowshoeing, we will venture into the Banff and Jasper National Parks, two of the most spectacular parks in the Canadian Rockies.
We travel in March, perhaps the most beautiful month of all in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, and given the sheer scale of the region, the landscapes may have you reaching for another camera memory card: it will be hard to take your finger off the shutter. The pristine peaks, forests and lakes are still covered in snow, but at midday temperatures average 4 to 6 degrees, and daylight lasts until around eight in the evening. It is also the best season to see The northern lights in the area, weather permitting.
Calgary, was born during the oil boom but is now known as the gateway to the Rocky Mountains.
Located on the Valley of the Ten Peaks, one of the most spectacular in Canada, we can admire the views from its terminal moraine. Here we will have the chance to snowshoe up from the shore of Moraine Lake until Lake Minnestimma, following the trail through Larch Valley to Sentinel Pass.
A day of snowshoeing that will take us to the Mirror and Agnes Lakes to finally reach the refuge of the Plain of the Six Glaciers.
The crossing to Jasper National Park We will follow the famous road Icefields Parkway, considered by many to be one of the world’s most beautiful roads, with views of glaciers every 1.5 km. We will travel along the Columbia Icefield, one of the largest icefields on the planet outside the polar circles, as well as the mountain passes Bow Pass and Sunwapta Pass, with views of glacial lakes such as Peyto Lake, Bow Lake or Hector Lake, with colours that change throughout the day. A day when we will certainly make good use of our cameras.
The Maligne Lake is one of Jasper’s most famous and photogenic glacial lakes. Here we will begin our snowshoeing route along the trail of the Bald Hills. From high above, you can appreciate the grandeur of this lake and the many glaciers that feed it.
⇒ More information about our Easter trip to the Canadian Rockies
In a remote corner north of Tanzania rises an amazing mountain called Ol Doinyo Lengai, where the lava fountains harden in the air and then fragment like glass.
In the language Maasai means Mountain of God and is close to the Lake Natron and is part of the volcanic system of Great Rift Valley. The volcano lies in a section of the fault zone known as Sikes Grid. It is one of the most unusual volcanoes, being the only one to erupt natrocarbonatite lava. Unlike other lavas, these are rich in calcium, sodium and carbon dioxide, giving these eruptions some extraordinary properties.
Near Erta Ale volcano (‘smoking mountain’ in the Afar language) lies Lake Afrera. Its waters do not quench thirst, as it is a salt lake, but its minerals are a source of wealth. Water is channelled to its shores, where it evaporates, leaving fine white salt of the highest quality in the Danakil. Millions of years ago, the entire Danakil Depression was a vast sea. As it evaporated, it left enormous salt deposits, which are a source of wealth today.
It is worth visiting the salt workings to see the grid lines marking each property. After the salt flats, our next destination is Erta Ale volcano.
It is likely that many trips to Norway that you have heard of are in the Norwegian fjords near Bergen or Stavanger. These are the most popular fjords, which fill with tourists every year. After all, the Norwegian fjords in summer are a major attraction for visitors flying to this Nordic country, or spending their holidays in the fjords aboard one of the many cruise ships that sail along the coast in summer. The famous Preikestolen, or Pulpit Rock, is a particularly popular sight on the Lysefjord, near Stavanger.
The Etna, the most active volcano of Italy and one of the most active on the planet, is a must-see for any lover of vulcanology.
On our journey Hiking in the volcanoes of Sicily and the Aeolian Islands combine the opportunity to climb Etna, the visit to Stombroli and a combination of Greek, Roman and Byzantine archaeological remains.
Travelling by train, minibus, boat, ferry and above all on foot, we spend 10 days exploring this part of the Mediterranean, an endless source of inspiration for the Greeks and Romans.
To ascend to the Etna must be hired locally. Weather and volcanic conditions are decisive, and a local volcano guide is compulsory. The trek to Etna does not require exceptional fitness. With an elevation gain of 1,346 metres and a round-trip distance of 15 kilometres, our greatest challenge may be the altitude: we reach more than 3,000 metres. The whole route usually takes 6 hours in normal weather conditions.
When planning a trip of trekking or hiking, the sheer number of options and difficulty levels can feel overwhelming and make us give up before choosing a destination. To make choosing easier, we have classified all departures by difficulty and physical demands.
“The important thing is to finish as sane as possible to, at each stage,
have enough oxygen reaching my brain to send back a few
sensations and experiences”.
Pere Mongay combines his professional work as a trip planner at Viajes Tuareg with his enthusiasm for outdoor activities. He feels a need to explore the mountains, on foot in summer or on skis in winter. He has competed in disciplines as diverse as orienteering raids, ski touring and mountain running. He is now preparing to take part for the first time in one of the world’s toughest long-distance races, the Marathon des Sables. As he talks, his passion for his work and outdoor sports shines through.
What a pleasure it is to run, to put on a pair of trainers and head outside to clear your head after a long day at work. How healthy it is to let go of worries by running and exercising.
As you jog, you leave behind negative thoughts and accumulated tension; it’s a reset mental needs. I enjoy running: it gives me balance and lets me face everyday life with good humour and enthusiasm.
An activity you enjoy whenever your body and mind call for it becomes a routine requiring perseverance and discipline. Running for hours on end and getting kilometres into your legs is the minimum preparation for taking part in Marathon des Sables. With family and work commitments to consider, everyone has to juggle their time to find hours to train.
During the week, I manage to get out three evenings. I save Saturday or Sunday for three- or four-hour runs with my backpack on my back, my MP3 player, energy bars, plenty of water and... off I go!
It is hard to run in winter: you have to dress up in two tops, thermal tights, a hat and gloves, yet you still end up either freezing or wearing far too much. The classic image we all have of the jogging is the one where, on a hot afternoon, you pass along a seafront promenade among skaters and ice cream sellers with your walkman. The reality of training is different: lonelier, colder and harder. Normally it is at night, in the dim light of the street lamps, with fog or a little rain for company, and little noise apart from my inseparable comEvery step of the way...
