BY Abdul Aziz MondalJun 7, 2023

The Smokies are a delight for those with a dash of daring in their DNA. It laps rough-hewn peaks, emerald tapestries of woodlands, and a cornucopia of creatures both large and small. Sit back, grab your favorite beverage, and let us walk you through a sampler of some Smoky Mountain marvels, from lung-expanding hikes to pulse-quickening aqua antics. The Magic Of The Smoky Mountains The Smoky Mountains, true to their name, wear a shroud of mystical blue fog that heightens their age-old allure. This ageless range of mountains holds a mesmerizing mosaic of sights. It offers verdant woods stretching to the horizon, valleys plunging into deep shadows, and waterfalls leaping in cascades. It also has a veritable zoo of wildlife going about their business. Whether you’re an admirer of Mother Nature, a thrill-seeker, or a reflective wanderer, the Smoky Mountains extend a warm welcome. The charm of the Smokies lies in their staggering diversity. Imagine a bustling feathered metropolis of over 200 bird species, an underwater neighborhood of 50 fish species, 39 varieties of reptiles slithering and basking, and 65 kinds of mammals scampering and prowling. This bursting-at-the-seams diversity paints a vibrant canvas of life, a cornerstone of the Smoky Mountains experience. Hiking Trails That Will Take Your Breath Away The Smoky Mountains roll out a staggering 800 miles of trails that cater to every degree of hiking prowess. Each track has its allure, with a fair few leading you to stunning vantage points. These structures whisper tales of yore, and the waterfalls serenade your journey. One of them is the crest of Mount LeConte, where you will encounter views that will leave you speechless. When you come to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, camping is a must! It offers a front-row seat to the wilderness and lets you savor the mountain quiet once the sun dips below the horizon. Imagine bedding beneath the watchful boughs of giant trees and waking to a dawn chorus of birdsong. It’s an experience that’ll etch itself into your memory and will add a pinch of magic to your mountain trek. Rushing Rapids: Whitewater Rafting In The Smokiest Whitewater rafting in the Smoky Mountains is an adrenaline-pumping experience that combines the thrill of navigating through turbulent waters with the joy of witnessing stunning natural beauty. The Pigeon River, with its fast currents and series of rapids, offers an exhilarating rafting adventure. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced rafter, various rafting trips are available to cater to different skill levels. Safety is a top priority during these trips, with experienced guides leading the way and providing necessary instructions. As you paddle through the turbulent river, you will also enjoy the picturesque landscapes, dense forests, and a sense of camaraderie that comes with facing the rapids together. A Bird’s Eye View: Zip-Lining Adventures The Smoky Mountains are just as impressive from the air as they are from the ground. Zip-lining in the Smokies provides an unparalleled perspective of the mountains as you soar through the treetops and over ravines. Not only is this an exhilarating experience, but it also offers a unique vantage point to appreciate the beauty of the Smoky Mountains. Many zip-lining companies offer tours of varying lengths and difficulty levels, accommodating everyone from beginners to seasoned adventurers. Along with the thrill of speed and height, you’ll also have the chance to learn about the local flora and fauna from knowledgeable guides, making it a wholesome and enriching adventure. Galloping Through The Wilderness An adventure in the Smoky Mountains wouldn’t be complete without a horseback ride through its scenic trails. Riding on a horse allows you to travel at a slower pace. It provides ample time to appreciate the beauty of your surroundings. Trails pass through quiet forests, across sparkling streams, and along the ridges of the mountains. They offer breathtaking views along the way. The stables within the park provide trained horses suitable for riders of all experience levels. Guided horseback tours offer a unique opportunity to learn about the history and ecology of the park from experienced guides, making it an engaging and educational adventure. Pedaling Through Panoramas A bicycle journey through the Smoky Mountains is nothing short of extraordinary, plunging you headlong into the splendor of these towering landscapes. The park has several cycling-friendly trails that meander through dense woods, trace bubbling brooks, and circumvent historical edifices. The Cades Cove Loop Road, temporarily off-limits to motorized commuters for part of the week, is a favorite among the pedaling populace. It offers awe-inspiring views of the mountains and a chance to encounter local wildlife. Saddling up for a ride through the Smokies enables a truly intimate communion with nature. The steady rhythm of cycling tunes you into the symphony of the woodland, the aromatic perfume of the trees, and the ever-changing backdrop of breathtaking vistas, making it an overwhelmingly gratifying escapade. Fishing: The Quiet Adventure For those who find their thrill in the calm and collected, fishing in the Smoky Mountains is a joy unmatched. With a staggering 2,100 miles of streams bustling with trout and other piscine populations, the park presents an array of opportunities for fishermen. Fishing offers a serene pastime and a platform to admire the natural beauty of the streams and their surroundings. Each year, the park issues thousands of fishing permits, contributing to the conservation efforts in the Smoky Mountains. It’s a rewarding way to enjoy nature while helping to preserve the biodiversity of these majestic mountains. Winter Adventures: Snow Sports In The Smoky Mountains With winter’s arrival, the Smoky Mountains don a cloak of shimmering white, morphing into a haven for winter sports buffs. Whether it’s zipping down the slopes skiing and snowboarding at Ober Gatlinburg - Tennessee’s solitary ski resort - or embarking on a journey of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing across the park, the Smokies are bursting at the seams with frosty escapades. The bracing chill of winter air, the distinct crunch of snow beneath your boots, and the exhilarating rush of swooping down powdered slopes - winter in the Smokies is nothing short of a fairy tale. A dusting of snow over the Smoky Mountains adorns the landscape with a pristine beauty that elevates its allure. The Unforgettable Wildlife Experience One of the Smoky Mountains’ treasures is the chance to observe an array of wildlife thriving in their natural homes. Whether it’s the iconic black bears that are synonymous with the park or the elk, who made a comeback in the park in the early noughties, the park teems with opportunities for wildlife watching. Stumbling upon a deer nibbling at the meadow’s edge or spying a coyote skulking in the underbrush - watching these wild beings in their natural theatre is a humbling experience. But bear in mind these creatures aren’t part of a petting zoo, so maintaining a respectful distance is crucial for both your safety and theirs. Conclusion The Smoky Mountains roll out a carpet of endless outdoor escapades for those with an adventurous spirit. The Smoky Mountains are a cornucopia of exhilarating exploits. You can clamber up hiking trails and set up camp or plunge into water sports. You can also take in the beauty of the wildlife or relish the icy thrill of snow sports. No matter what you do, it guarantees a memorable adventure that will leave you with an insatiable itch for more. So buckle up and prepare to lose yourself in the enchanting wilderness of the Smoky Mountains. Read Also: Planning A Beach Holiday In 2023? Here Are 5 Things To Buy In Advance 7 Creative Truck Cap Camping Ideas To Use In Jungle Adventures 6 Outdoor Activities You Can Have In Arizona

BY Mony ShahOct 9, 2023

The Everest Base Camp journey, located in the heart of the Himalayas, is a tribute to human endurance and the overwhelming appeal of nature's grandeur. This renowned trek leads explorers through Nepal's magnificent Khumbu region to the base of Mount Everest's highest mountain. The trail winds past secluded Sherpa settlements, historic monasteries, and lush rhododendron forests, providing insight into the local inhabitants' distinct culture and traditions. For those looking for a more off-the-beaten-path adventure, the Manaslu Circuit Trek surpasses the beauty of Everest. This journey, located in Nepal's western ranges, encircles Mount Manaslu, the world's eighth-highest peak. Trekkers will pass through various scenery, from terraced crops and picturesque communities to severe high-altitude hills. This trek's rich cultural exposure is one of its distinguishing aspects, as it passes through traditional Tibetan-influenced villages inhabited by welcoming Gurung and Tibetan people. The walk also offers a unique look into the preservation of ancient Buddhist monasteries, adding a spiritual component to the adventure. The attractiveness of the Manaslu Circuit resides not only in its magnificent mountain views but also in its potential to be completed in one day. Differences Between Everest Base Camp And Manaslu Circuit Trek; Permits And Restrictions: Permits for the Everest Base Camp Trek: Trekkers must get a TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System) card and a Sagarmatha National Park permit. The trek has no explicit altitude restrictions. However, hikers should be aware of the possibility of altitude sickness. Permits for the Manaslu Circuit Trek: Trekkers must get a special permit called the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit, the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), and a TIMS card. The Manaslu Circuit Trek journey takes you through a restricted area and requires you to be accompanied by a registered guide. The Larkya Pass's highest point is 5,160 meters (16,930 feet) above sea level. Culture And Ethnicity: Everest Base Camp Trek: The trip provides insight into Sherpa culture with visits to traditional settlements such as Namche Bazaar and Tengboche. The primary religion is Buddhism, and numerous historic monasteries are along the path. Manaslu Circuit Trek: The Manaslu Circuit Trek travels through communities populated by a diverse range of ethnic groups, including Gurungs, Tibetans, and Magars. Tibetan Buddhism has influenced the culture, and several Buddhist monasteries and chortens exist. Scenery And Landscapes: Everest Base Camp Trek: The Everest Base Camp Trek provides breathtaking vistas of the Everest range, including peaks such as Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam. The walk winds through rhododendron trees, glacial rivers, and high-altitude scenery. Manaslu Circuit Trek: The scenery on the Manaslu Circuit Trek is varied, ranging from lush green lowlands with terraced fields to alpine meadows and high mountain passes. Manaslu, Annapurna II, and other peaks in the Manaslu range provide stunning views. Crowds And Infrastructure: Everest Base Camp Trek: The Everest Base Camp trek is one of the most popular in the world, and the paths can be congested during peak seasons. Infrastructure: Along the road, there are well-developed teahouse lodgings that offer a variety of amenities. Manaslu Circuit Trek: The Manaslu Circuit Trek is less crowded than Everest, providing a more secluded experience. Its popularity, however, is gradually growing. While there are tea houses along the way, infrastructure must be established in the Everest region. Both treks offer unique and awe-inspiring experiences, and the choice between them depends on personal preferences, time constraints, and the kind of trekking experience one seeks. Day-by-day itinerary For Everest Base Camp Trek And Manaslu Circuit Trek; Day-By-Day Itinerary For Everest Base Camp Trek: Day 1: Kathmandu To Lukla (2,860m/9,383ft) Followed By Phakding (2,610m/8,563ft). Early morning flight to Lukla, one of the most exciting airports in the world. Begin your trip to Phakding by passing through beautiful scenery along the Dudh Koshi River. Day 2: Namche Bazaar Acclimatisation Day In Namche Bazaar, you can rest and acclimatize. Hike to the Everest View Hotel for spectacular views if time allows. Day 3: Trek From Namche Bazaar To Tengboche (3,860m/12,664ft). Trek through rhododendron forests with breathtaking views of Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam. Visit the famed Tengboche Monastery, one of the world's highest. Day 4: Tengboche To Dingboche (4,410m/14,468ft) Descend to the Imja River and ascend to Pangboche. Continue to Dingboche, with spectacular views of Island Peak and Lhotse. Day 5: From Lobuche To Gorak Shep (5,140m/16,863ft) And Everest Base Camp (5,364m/17,598ft). Trek to Gorak Shep, the final town, before arriving at Everest Base Camp. Continue to the legendary Everest Base Camp, a truly fantastic achievement. Gorak Shep to Kala Patthar (5,550m/18,208ft) to Pheriche (4,371m/14,340ft) on day nine. Hike to Kala Patthar early in the morning for the best sunrise views of Everest and the surrounding peaks. Descend to Pheriche for some much-needed relaxation. Read Also: Prepping For Your Winter Trip To Salt Lake City Day-By-Day Itinerary For Manaslu Circuit Trek: Day 1: Kathmandu To Soti Khola (700 Metres/2,297 Feet) Drive from Kathmandu to Soti Khola through picturesque villages and terraced fields. Day 2:Soti Khola To Machha Khola (930m/3,051ft) Begin your trip by following the Budhi Gandaki River via Gurung settlements and lush forests. Day 3: Machha Khola (1,410m/4,626ft) To Jagat Continue along the Budhi Gandaki, past terraced fields, and Gurung communities. Day 4: Jagat To Deng (1,804m/5,919ft) Cross the Deng River after trekking through woodlands and terraced farmland. Day 5:Namrung To Samagaon (3,530m/11,581ft) With views of the Manaslu range, ascend through rhododendrons and pine trees. Day 6: Dharamsala To Larkya La Pass (5,160m/16,929ft) To Bimthang (3,720m/12,205ft) Early start for the challenging ascent to Larkya La Pass, offering incredible views of Himlung Himal, Annapurna II, and Manaslu. Descend to Bimthang for a well-deserved rest. Please note that itineraries can be subject to changes due to weather conditions, the group's pace, and other unforeseen circumstances. It's always recommended to be flexible and consult with experienced guides for the most up-to-date information. Tips For A Successful Trekking Experience; Physical Preparation: Being in good physical form is critical before beginning on a hike. Regular cardiovascular, strength, and endurance workouts can prepare your body for the rigors of trekking in various terrains and elevations. To lessen the danger of altitude sickness, it is also recommended to gradually acclimate to higher elevations through shorter treks or day walks. Nutrition And Hydration: Maintaining energy levels throughout a journey requires staying well-hydrated and well-nourished. Bring a reusable water bottle and a water filtration technique with you to ensure a clean water supply. Bring light, nutritious items like trail mix, energy bars, dried fruits, and fast meals. Focus is more important at higher elevations, where appetite may be reduced. Safety And Communication: Travel with an experienced guide or in a group, and always listen to and obey their directions. Carry a fully charged phone or satellite communicator in an emergency, and notify someone at home or the base camp of your itinerary. Familiarise yourself with the route, landmarks, and potential emergency exits. Weather Awareness: Stay informed about the weather conditions throughout your journey. Pack suitable rain, snow, and extreme temperature gear for rapid weather changes. Keep an eye on weather forecasts and be flexible with your plan if safety reasons require changes. Mindset And Attitude: Maintaining a positive and adaptive mindset is critical for a successful trek. Accept the obstacles, take in the gorgeous surroundings, and cherish the one-of-a-kind experiences that trekking provides. Listen to your body and be ready to change your plans if necessary. Keep in mind that the trip is just as important as the destination. By following these guidelines, Trekkers can improve their chances of having a safe, fun, and successful trekking trip. Always prioritize safety and respect for the natural environment and the local populations you pass through. Conclusion; In conclusion, embarking on a trekking adventure, whether to the or along the Manaslu Circuit, promises a transformative journey through some of the most awe-inspiring landscapes on Earth. Each trek offers its own unique set of challenges, cultural encounters, and panoramic views. Whether you choose the iconic Everest Base Camp Trek, with its Sherpa villages and unrivaled views of the world's tallest peak, or the more secluded yet equally stunning Manaslu Circuit, with its diverse terrain and rich cultural tapestry, both promise memories that will last a lifetime. Ultimately, a successful trek is a testament to the human spirit's capacity for exploration and endurance, leaving trekkers with a deeper appreciation for the magnificence of our planet. Whether you're drawn to the allure of Everest's grandeur or the untamed beauty of Manaslu, each step taken in these majestic landscapes is a step closer to an experience that will forever be etched in your memory. Read Also: Best Restaurants In Honduras To Visit While Traveling Indian Buffet Near Me In Florida – Best Buffets For You Top 15 Restaurants In Colombia You Must Visit While Traveling

BY Diana WilliamsonOct 4, 2019

In Afrikaans, a kloof is a narrow mountain river valley or a canyon. And South Africa off-the-beaten-path adventures have followed a course parallel to the antics of European and American canyoneering enthusiasts.   Kloofing is following a mountain river from its beginnings down through waterfalls, rapids, whirlpools, hiking, and climbing your way in between swims. It’s a bit like high diving, hiking, and being put through a spin cycle—all at once. If you are still confused, I am referring to Southern Africa and its off-the-beaten-path adventures.   Do you want to know about more hidden gems in Southern Africa? Keep reading!  THESE Are the Best Southern Africa Off-The-Beaten-Path Adventures Southern Africa, with its eclectic culture, has been attracting tourists to its iconic monuments and natural landscapes. Here are some off-the-beaten-path adventure spots you must add to your itinerary list.   1. Kloofing Near Cape Town  In the mountains behind Betty’s Bay, a short drive from Cape Town, are South Africa’s two best kloofing day trips.   Choose between the regular route, where you’ll have to leap 20 feet off a waterfall into the pool below, or Suicide Gorge (heads up: this means a leap of 60 feet).   To date, no one has been hurt seriously on a kloofing trip. However, if you’re subject to vertigo and aren’t at least halfway fit, then don’t do it.   The company Day Trippers will provide guides, wetsuits, lunch, transport, and moral support.  2. Lesotho on Horseback  The mountain kingdom of Lesotho, in east-central South Africa, serves up stone villages atop remote hillsides.   Villagers, called Basotho, live draped in blankets and robes, almost like ancient Greeks. Shepherd boys sit on the slopes, playing flutes. Vultures and eagles cruise overhead.   In Lesotho, the horse remains the chariot of choice, and this is how you’ll want to get around as well.   Semongkong Lodge, near Maletsunyane, southern Africa’s highest waterfall, offers horseback treks for several days. You’ll stay in timeless Basotho villages and ride some of the subcontinent’s steepest terrain.   The Basotho ponies, schooled in a special “tripling” gait, are tough, sure-footed, and afraid of nothing. A tip: Book a trek that coincides with Semonkong’s horse races. They’re wild spectacles involving carefully nurtured thoroughbreds, child jockeys, and epic bouts of drinking.  3. Hike Chimanimani To Make The Most Of Southern Africa Off-The-Beaten-Path Adventures  As South Africa fills with travelers, more and more are heading into Zimbabwe, and several areas have been developed for hiking, fishing, riding, and other types of tourism.   But the mountainous Eastern Highlands, east of Chimanimani in southern Zim, are hardly developed at all, and that’s their appeal. Besides, this area, part of the Lebombo Mountain range that marks the border between Zimbabwe and Mozambique, provides year-round cool relief from the heat of the plains below.  For the serious hiker, a stiff climb-in is rewarded by an upland paradise of high pastures, waterfalls, forests of flowering protea trees, and caves large enough to sleep in.   Because the water up here is pure and drinkable, you can live here for days if you bring enough food with you. The only downside: Don’t cross over to the Mozambique side of the mountains, as old land mines from that country’s now-defunct civil war are still scattered on the range’s eastern slopes. Stick closely to the maps (available in Chimanimani village).  4. Learn Polo-Cross  Hugely popular in Zimbabwe and a growing equestrian sport around the world, polo-cross means falls, body crunches, and glancing blows with the lacrosse stick.   But those with a go-smack-em attitude and sufficient riding experience can learn this fast and highly skilled equestrian sport on trained horses at Mopani Lodge, near Kwekwe in the Midlands area.  Relax between sessions by riding out on the ranch (which has a cross-country course if you still need an adrenaline fix) or just by sunning at the pool. And because of the favorable exchange rate, what would be an extremely expensive riding holiday anywhere else in the world has become one of adventure tourism’s best bargains.  5. Hunt with Bushmen  If you’re after Southern Africa off-the-beaten-path adventures, you can’t do any better than traveling with the Ju’Hoansi. Ju’Hoansi is the last Kalahari Bushmen clan to pursue the traditional hunting and gathering lifestyle.   They’ve decided to open to small-scale tourism in their remote Namibian locale. You’ll camp near the Ju’Hoansi village of Makuri, go hunting with the men, and gather with the women.   This is no theme-park experience: If the hunters stick an animal with an arrow, you may have to track it for up to two days and then carry out your share of the meat. If you love hunting, you can take the best hunting bow with you.   You must also carry your own water and food. Don’t just spend a couple of days here: Allow at least a week for the people to become comfortable with you. If you’re lucky, they may also invite you to attend a trance dance, at which miraculous healings often take place.  6. Dune Boarding  The seaside town of Swakopmund, where the Namib desert falls into the sea, has become southern Africa’s dune-boarding capital. You’re driven out to the foot of a mountain-sized sand dune, given a large oblong sheet of hardboard, some furniture polish, a pair of heavy industrial gloves, and some welding goggles, and the next minute you’re flying almost vertically downward.   It feels suicidal; even on the easiest descents, the board can pick up speeds of 60 or 70 km (about 43.5 mi)/hr. Steeper ones are much faster. Then you graduate to jumps, finally ending the day with the “Knucklegrinder,” an 800-foot whoosh down to a hard gravel plain.  7. Ride the Namib  It’s easily one of the most spectacular rides in the world: You’re galloping through the Namib Desert, the world’s oldest, surrounded by 2,000-foot-high, blood-red sand dunes.   Thousand-year-old plants that resemble exploded cabbages grow on gravel plains that see rain once in a century. Lonely canyons echo the barking shout of baboons and the nighttime cough of leopards.   Then, suddenly, green oases spring up, overgrown with camelthorn and tamarisk trees, where herds of desert antelope gather in the shade. Continue to sun-blasted mountain ranges where ice-cold springs bubble straight from the rock.   Trot through this barren wilderness with Reit Safari, which offers 10-day rides on Namibian Hanoverians (German horses) and rehabilitated mustangs, starting on the mountains west of Windhoek, Namibia’s capital, and ending in the ocean of the aptly named Skeleton Coast.  8. Earthwatch Cheetah Project  The lion really can lie down with the lamb—or at least the cheetah can. So, the biologists of this Earthwatch cheetah conservation project believe, anyway. Your job: to assist in live-capturing and radio-tracking cheetahs and other big cats on the wilderness ranches of central Namibia—the last place on earth where cheetahs still exist in reasonable numbers.   Local ranchers used to shoot them on sight. However, now many are cooperating with the study, which seeks to prove that cats only rarely hunt livestock if their natural prey is readily available.   You, the paying volunteer, have the satisfaction of contributing directly to the conservation of these cats while at the same time experiencing the adventure of chasing after and handling them.  9. Bike the Botswana Pans  Why would anyone want to bike through the Makgadigadi Pans—two vast, shallow expanses of mud? In the scorching Botswana summer, they fill with rain, releasing millions of tiny brine shrimp, which in turn attract breeding flocks of pink flamingos.   In the dry winter, they bake to a hard white crust. A perfect surface across which to go roaring on a quad bike. So wide are the pans that when out in the middle of them, you can’t see the “shore.” And the stars in this part of the Kalahari are unrivaled.  From Jack’s Camp, a luxurious place at the edge of the pans. You take quad bikes out to a table set out in the middle of the emptiness to find dinner laid and ready. By day, you go walking, look at the game, and pick wild foods with a Bushman guide called Cobra.   If you go during the sweltering summer months, you can’t quad bike the pans (too glutinous). However, you do see the flamingos. Further, if you’re lucky, you might see the eastern Kalahari’s summer zebra migration.  10. Deep Kalahari  If you have at least two weeks to explore Southern Africa off-the-beaten-path adventures, hire a 4×4 and blast off into southern Africa’s most remote country. The bigger-than-Switzerland Central Kalahari Game Reserve and the Aha and Tsodilo Hills.   This is rugged driving on some of the toughest tracks in Africa; you must know what you’re doing in a 4×4. You must carry all the fuel and supplies.   And if you get stuck, well, suffice to say it’s best to go in a convoy of two vehicles. Highlights of this once-in-a-lifetime trip include the desert lions of Deception Pan.   The Bushmen communities at Molapo and Xai-Xai (where you can go out with the hunters). The stalactite-filled caves of Drotsky’s Caverns and the ancient rock paintings of the Tsodilos. When you emerge at Shakawe at the northern edge of the Okavango Delta, you’ll forget what civilization looks like.  Final Words on Southern Africa Off-The-Beaten-Path Adventures  With dense vegetation, rugged cliffs, and fascinating wildlife, the Southern Africa Off-The-Beaten-Path adventures promise an unforgettable experience. These trips are also about learning about various fascinating cultures and respecting nature.  So, if you plan to visit Southern Africa soon, you can visit any of the places I have discussed here. Don’t forget to share your experience once you come back! Happy journey!   Read Also: Planning A Hunting Trip To Africa – Here’s What You Should Know Top 12 Amazing Sahara Desert Animals You Need To See Beginner Tips For Your First Camino de Santiago.