By Michael Sheehan
Most people have included an element of walking or hiking in their vacations before, but many are relatively unaware of a niche market of tour operators that specialize in providing memorable experiences focused around walking and hiking all over the world. This kind of trip has not only established itself in the tourism sector but continues to attract new clients every day with innovative trip ideas and adaptations to fit every traveler’s need.
What Is a Walking Vacation?
Most tour operators agree that a walking vacation consists of getting a group together and traveling to a specific destination or region, with the focus on incorporating fitness walks and/or hikes with varying degrees of difficulty.
Peter Huysman, owner of the African travel company Ontdek Kenya, describes walking vacations as “guided soft adventure in areas of low tourist concentration.”
Dan Friesen, president of Vancouver, WA-based Walking Adventures International, explains that the trips are more than simply “walking all day long” but rather “a vehicle for exploring the destination. We focus on history, culture, and the natural environment that make a place unique,” he says. “Infrastructure and current events are also carefully looked at to ensure our participants will feel both comfortable and safe when they arrive and throughout their journey.”
The travel industry was dealt a major blow after the 9/11 attack in 2001. Now more than five years later, it seems like there is renewed hope for both travelers and tour operators, notes Cynthia Dunbar, manager for REI Adventures. She claims business has been steadily increasing: “Last year was up 30 percent and we have already had a 50 percent increase in participation so far this year. Hiking trips have been the primary activity focus, followed by cycling and then kayaking.”
Huysman, via email from Kenya, notes, “Past travel warnings related to 9/11 definitely had a negative impact for us, but the ‘9/11 effect’ is wearing off. With more awareness on the health advantages of having an active lifestyle, we have more people interested in our tours as they not only get a chance to walk but to see wildlife as well.”
Oh! The Places to Go
Most operators offer trips both domestically and internationally and will incorporate cultural or natural themes into an itinerary. Our nation’s parks — like the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, or Yellowstone — are a popular destination, regardless if you are visiting from Seattle or Paris.
For example, Scottsdale-based The Walking Connection guided more than 1,500 hikers through the Grand Canyon last year. One of the reasons this trip has been so successful, co-founder Gene Taylor explains, is due to their small group size.
“We believe in giving personal attention to our guests so it is imperative to keep our groups small, usually between eight and 14 people. That way we can plan a trip where everyone is comfortable walking or hiking as little or as much as they want.”
National Parks are not the only hot spots for savvy walkers. Walking Adventures International offers a yearly two-week trip that highlights the amazing fall foliage in New England.
In the Walking Adventures information packet owner Friesen notes, “We’ll connect with American history at places like Concord, where ‘shots heard round the world’ were fired, and Boston’s Freedom Trail for a walk through the Colonial era. Manhattan reflects America’s melting pot with shops, cafes, and restaurants representing nearly every region of the planet. All this against a multi-hued backdrop of the shades of autumn in our New England states!” With an itinerary like that, it’s no surprise that this is their most popular North American tour to date.
Who Goes
Walking vacations are for everyone — regardless of age. While most adults tend to be between the ages of 45 and 65, there are some travelers well into their 80s, claims Friesen.
Families looking for a healthy way to spend time together are also starting to choose walking vacations, says Dunbar of the REI Adventures she helps promote. Before you go, make sure the tour is appropriate for younger children, and that there are plenty of side attractions — outside of sightseeing — that make this kind of holiday memorable for all ages.
“As much as 70 to 80 percent of a tour company’s business comes from satisfied walkers seeking another adventure,” Friesen says.
This means walking tour companies continually strive to offer unique vacations, both at home and abroad.
REI Adventures, for example, now offers “Weekend Getaways.” These cater to walkers or hikers who prefer to stay close to home because of time or financial considerations. This supplement to their trip catalogue also makes it possible for families to participate, rather than adults exclusively.
How to Choose
Search the Internet for “walking vacation” and you’ll get a whopping 6.75 million choices.
Granted, not all of those are going to be companies offering tours, but how do you narrow down such a list? Ask friends, family members, or co-workers for a recommendation, or talk with experienced travelers: They can offer personal perspective into the positives and negatives associated with an operator and can really help set your mind at ease, according to Gene and Jo Ann Taylor, co-founders of The Walking Connection.
“The last thing that anyone wants when they go on vacation is stress. A good walking/hiking adventure company will handle all the details so all guests have to do is show up ready to enjoy an experience of a lifetime,” Gene Taylor says. “Don’t just book a trip online. Call the company and ask questions. Who is leading the trip? What are the travel times between ground destinations? How long are the walks/hikes? What is the pace? How many will be in the group? Will you have a local guide and company escort?”
These are the details that lead to a pleasant, surprise-free vacation, he adds.
Most tour operators recommend, or require, travel insurance. This protects both you and the tour operator, in case of cancellation, natural disaster, or some other reason why the planned trip does not take place. In addition, travel insurance can sometimes supplement personal medical insurance.
No matter what your age, timeframe, or experience level, walking and hiking vacations are a great way to meet new people and see some of the more unique places in the world.
Michael Sheehan is a freelance writer currently living in Ballard, WA. He is a Travel and Ecotourism graduate of the Recreation Program at Western Washington University. He can be reached at adventures1@gmail.com. |
Photo courtesy of Ontdek Kenya
Photo courtesy of Walking Adventures International
Photo courtesy of Walking Adventures International
Photo courtesy of Walking Adventures International
Photo courtesy of REI Adventures
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