Heading out on an adventure of a lifetime?
Trip tours have grown tremendously over the past few years. From booking your flight tickets and hotels to trek tours are gaining popularity with travelers from around the world. While there’s nothing better than hiking up mountain trails and taking in that fresh air.
Here’s the thing…
Embarking on a trekking adventure requires a lot of work. Booking your trip itself is only a small portion of your preparation. A life-changing adventure can quickly turn into a nightmare if you don’t plan properly.
Don’t worry!
With enough preparation anyone can go on an epic trek tour. Whether that’s hiking to Machu Picchu Peru on the Salkantay Trek or taking on a trek trail near you.
What you’ll learn:
- Why Trek Tours Are So Amazing
- 3 Things To Keep In Mind When Planning Your Trek Tour
- How To Prep For Trek Tours: Gear Up and Get Fit
- Safety Tips For Your Trek Adventure
Why Trek Tours Are So Amazing
Let’s start with the facts.
Adventure travel is huge these days. According to Fortune Business Insights, the adventure tourism market size is expected to reach USD 1.68 trillion by 2032. Which is a massive compound annual growth rate of 9.8%. From 2025 to 2032. People want to get out and explore nature.
But why trek tours?
Because they change you. Trekking provides an experience you can’t get from relaxing on a beach or shopping in a city. The physical activity combined with time outside allows your mind and body to reset. It can literally change your life.
And science says…
Participants who walked for 90 minutes had reduced activity in the part of the brain associated with depression. Additionally, those who went hiking on a regular basis had lower rumination levels. Rumination is the cycling of negative thoughts that keep people from sleeping at night.
Trekking gives you:
- An opportunity to burn over 400 calories an hour
- A challenge that pushes your body
- Stories that you will remember forever
Ready to start planning?
3 Things To Keep In Mind When Planning Your Trek Tour
Booking the perfect trek tour is simple. However, most people forget about some details. Spots like Machu Picchu become dangerously overcrowded every year because people don’t do their research.
Pick the Correct Trek for You
Take this into consideration first.
Not all trek tours are meant for beginner hikers. Just like you wouldn’t run a marathon with no training. Picking a trail that matches your skill level is extremely important. You don’t want to be stuck on a trek tour that’s too advanced.
Things to think about when picking your trek:
- Length of the tour
- How high will you be hiking?
- What’s the terrain like?
- When is the trek taking place?
Do your research on these topics before booking. Reputable companies will list all the information you need to know on the difficulty of the trek.
Book With A Professional Trek Tour Operator
Here’s a pro tip for all you first-time trekkers…
Who you book with is everything! A professional trek operator with local guides knows the trail better than anyone. They’ve gone over the route hundreds of times and know what to do if an emergency were to happen. Rest assured that when you book with a professional they’ve got you covered.
When looking for a trek operator, try to find ones that:
- Have excellent safety standards
- Employ certified guides
- Display good reviews from past trek participants
- Can answer all your questions
A professional operator will make your trek tour one to remember.
Plan Your Time
Maybe beginners overlook this step.
People try and do trek tours that are too high, too soon. Your body needs time to adjust to high altitudes. That’s why most trek tours have layover days to allow your body to acclimatize to the change.
Allowing extra time for your trip is crucial.
How To Prep For Trek Tours: Gear Up and Get Fit
Perhaps the biggest thing that makes or breaks your trek tour is the preparation. That includes the equipment you’re going to bring and how physically fit you are.
Packing List for Trekking
Pack light when going on your trek adventure.
Yeah, packing sucks. But when you’re hauling your backpack up a mountain every gram counts. You want to bring enough gear to stay safe without bringing 50 pounds worth of unnecessary junk.
Here’s what you should bring:
- Hiking boots
- Layers of clothing
- Rain gear
- Navigation gear
- First aid kit
- Hydration
- Sun protection
Hiking Boots
Ok, time to zoom in on hiking boots for a second.
Research published in PLOS One looked at injuries commonly seen by hikers and trekking backpackers. Their study found that lower limbs were the most common body part injured. With blisters and ankle sprains being the two most common lower limb injuries.
Having the proper boots can help prevent these injuries. Check out these hiking boot guides to find the perfect pair for your next adventure.
Get Into Shape
Unless you’re in amazing shape you should start preparing for your trek as soon as possible. The best thing to do is start training at least 8-12 weeks before your trip.
- Hiking cardio
- Leg strength training
- Core strengthening
- Pack some weight when you go on hikes
Start slow and work your way up. You don’t need to be Hercules by the time your trip rolls around. Just train your body enough to where you can handle the trek.
Safety Tips For Your Trek Adventure
Lastly, here are some safety tips to know before your trek.
Safety should ALWAYS be your number one priority when planning your trek.
Know The Risks
There’s always going to be risks when going on an adventure trek.
However, knowing what these risks are can help you prevent any accidents. The biggest risk while hiking is falling. Which accounts for almost half of all hiking injuries.
Other injuries include:
- Dehydration
- Heat exhaustion
- Altitude sickness
- Getting lost
- Weather conditions
Knowing what risks are possible will help you prevent them.
Preventative Measures
Now that the risks are clear, here’s how to prevent them.
Before your Trek:
- Leave your plans with someone back home.
- Double check the weather before you go.
- Learn about the evacuation process.
- Bring a form of communication in case of emergency.
During your Trek:
- Stay hydrated and eat.
- Always listen to your guides.
- Know your limits and speak up.
- NEVER trek alone.
By knowing these safety tips and following them, you’re sure to have a lifetime adventure of a lifetime.
Wrapping Up
Going on a trek tour is one of the best ways to spend your hard earned money. Not only will you get some fresh air and exercise but you’ll be creating stories that you’ll tell for the rest of your life.
Here’s a quick recap.
- Do your research when picking your trek.
- Book with a professional tour operator
- Make sure you allow enough time
- Prepare with the correct gear and physically train for the trek.
- Study up on safety tips.
It may seem like a lot to take in but that’s because you’re about to embark on an epic adventure. Don’t forget to share this guide to trek tours with everyone you plan on trekking with.
Now get out there and plan that trek trip.
