SUPER SIZE ME!
1 Go LONG…
Travel South America overland
Got annual leave to burn and a love of all things Latin? Now’s the time for that South American odyssey. Whether you choose to hop around on public transport, board an overland truck or do a mix of both, the route options are almost infinite; expect border hold-ups, landslides and bumpy roads, serendipitous encounters, warm camaraderie and breathtaking diversity. Allow six months to make a comprehensive circuit, taking in everything from Colombian coast to Amazon jungle, Inca ruins, Andean highlands, Argentinian pampa and Brazilian carnival spirit.
Or how about… Cairo to Cape Town, another continent-spanning adventure, doable in around four months by overland truck or reeeally long cycle (the annual Tour d’Afrique covers 11,000km).
2 Go HIGH…
Climb Kilimanjaro the slow way
Summitting Africa’s highest peak is a once-in-a-lifetime challenge, so do it properly. Rather than rushing to the top (and risking not making it at all), use the Northern Circuit route, which spends nine days on the mountain (as opposed to a more common five or six), allowing more time for acclimatization. The Northern Circuit is by far the quietest trail too – around 2% of Kili climbers use it – but has one of the highest success rates and arguably the best views: starting from the westerly Londorossi Gate, the route heads clockwise around Kili’s little-visited northern slopes to approach the 5,895m summit from the east, looping right around the mountain.
Morocco’s Mount Toubkal (4,167m) or Argentina’s Aconcagua (6,962m) are classic trekkable highs. For an offbeat option, try Pakistan’s Rush Peak (5,098m) – on a clear day, K2 can be seen from the
