Trekking: A New Way to Travel

by Desperateblogger
(Manila, Philippines)

Back in 1953, when the Hunt Expedition of Sir Edmund Hillary climbed Mount Everest, the expedition had 14 legitimate explorers, 20 Sherpa and 360 porters to carry their supplies and equipment.

You can just imagine the huge amount of supplies carried by the 360-strong porters! The supplies and equipment were logged in at about 10,000 pounds ? which by that period's standards was pretty light packing. The Mt. Everest trek took years of planning and some failed and fatal attempts.

Today, planning a trek would be a stroll in the park by comparison!.

The number of trekkers is growing every year. Trekking has evolved into a more refined and delicate way for you, a traveler, to interact with the local people and immerse yourself to the culture.

Imagine! With just your own two feet as transport, you can explore the Andes, trace the steps of Hillary (Edmund, not Clinton!) or experience life in a Berber village. Trekking is one sure way to take in the beauty of the "less-traveled road" destination-wise, where it is possible and permissible for you to adapt to a slower paced life.

Your daily goal would be to put on your light hiking boots, sling on the ultra-light yet sturdy backpack then walk and breathe fresh air. I think there's no finer way to attune you more with nature than by trekking.

Admittedly, not everyone is into trekking. Why not? It's because trekking has always been thought in conjunction with roughing it out in the woods and the wilds. Not so! There are many different types of trekking available today.

You could go for the Boy Scout type of trekking where you sleep in camps, eat from tins, get bitten by mosquitoes and maybe rub noses with wild bears. Or! You can book yourself a trek tour from a reputable agency and choose the type of trek that you prefer.

Trek tours include seasoned guides and yes, porters, to carry your supplies and equipment. On most treks, your luggage, tent, food supply, porta-toilet, pots and pans are all heaved on a truck, llama, cart, mule, yak, camel or elephant it really depends on where you are trekking.

Some trek tours even have cooks who tag along to prepare you gourmet food. There are trek tours that basically have you walk from one hotel to another, which if you ask me, is not trekking but "hotel hopping".

Before you get all excited and start dialing for a trek tour agency, read up on the different trekking tours and their packages including their level of difficulty.

You would not want to be caught in the middle of a trek; on a cliff hanging on for dear life during heavy rains and thunder when all you wanted to do was hotel hop!.

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