The 10 best worldwide guided walks

The world offers thousands of remarkable walks that allow us to get up close to nature and experience new places through a unique lens. The opportunities are endless; from walking in the footsteps of the Incas in Peru, tracking down moose and grizzly bears in the Canadian Rockies, to trekking through the Himalayas of Nepal or discovering the local culture in Kazakhstan, Japan, and Cambodia.  

If you’re looking for some travel inspiration, we've selected our 10 favourite guided walks from around the world – all of which benefit from having a local leader, so you don’t miss a thing.

What for? Immersing yourself in Kazakh culture and enjoying meals with local families. 

From glistening alpine lakes and frost-bitten peaks to desert sand dunes and dramatic gorges, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan reward with incredible scenery. Having a local leader by your side means you’ll not only walk to standout sights like Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lakes, and Skazka Canyon, but you’ll also expand your knowledge on local culture and customs. On this guided walking holiday, you’ll experience welcoming hospitality and meals with local families, watch an eagle hunting demonstration, and spend a night in a yurt camp.  

Book it: Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan Adventures 

What for? Exploring the Wadi Rum desert and spending a night under the stars. 

Desert walks don’t get much better than in Jordan’s Wadi Rum – the otherworldly landscape David Lean set out to capture for his cinematic epic, Lawrence of Arabia. Wind-eroded granite and reddish-orange sandstone is pretty much everywhere you look. And there’s nothing like gazing at star-studded dark skies from a Bedouin tent. Our local HF Holidays Leader will organise everything for you, leaving you time to take in all of Jordan’s history, beauty, and culture. 

Book it: Treasures of Jordan 

What for? The history-steeped streets and valleys. 

Like a huge open-air museum, Old Havana has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status. Visitors can expect classic 50s cars cruising the streets, colourful Art Deco buildings, avant-garde street art, and lashings of faded grandeur.  The Cuban capital is nothing short of fascinating and our holidays here include a guided walking tour so you can take it all in. We’ll also head out into the countryside to explore the tobacco fields and rainforest of the Viñales Valley. A local leader will offer interesting and unique insights, especially at the island’s most soul-stirring and historic sites.   

Book it: Highlights of Cuba 

What for? Discovering both ancient and modern sides of Japan 

There’s so much to see and do in Japan, that having a local leader organise everything helps you to fit it all in. From a walking tour of Tokyo’s top sights to admiring Kyoto’s tranquil zen gardens to searching for Asuka’s ancient monuments and hiking the historic Nakasendo Way you’ll be able to focus on fully immersing yourself in the joys of Japan without having to do the navigating yourself.   

Book it: Walking and Sightseeing in Japan  

What for? Wildlife spotting and discovering a land of unrivalled raw wilderness. 

Exploring the vast Patagonian wilderness takes you walking beneath towering rocky pinnacles overlooking turquoise lakes. There’s the immense Perito Moreno Glacier to admire as well as the sheer faces of Mount Fitz Roy – an eye-catching centrepiece to this astonishing landscape. Guided walks with expert local leaders reward with standout wildlife spotting opportunities, too, including Magellan penguins and sea lions. Time spent in the capital cities of Buenos Aires and Santiago provide a complete contrast.  

Book it: Walking in Patagonia 

What for? Conquering the Himalayas. 

One of the world’s truly great travel adventures awaits in Nepal. Some of the highest peaks on the planet are packed into a nation no bigger than the UK. Walks here beguile with a heady mix of mountains, jungles, temples, and traditional villages. The benefit of joining an expert local leader is you’ll follow a lesser-known Himalayan trail east of the Annapurna base camp. And when it comes to trekking in this immense and awe-inspiring landscape, we’ll embark on our journey with a host of porters and assistant guides, so you’ll always be in safe hands.   

Book Nepal: Walking in the Himalayas 

What for? Following in the footsteps of the Incas.  

Peru is one game-changing walking destination. From the soaring snow-capped Andean peaks to the ancient ruins of the Sacred Valley and the colourful Rainbow Mountain, this South American gem rewards all those who venture here. The big draw is unravelling the mysteries of the short-lived Inca Empire by following the well-worn trails up to Machu Pichu. With a local leader by your side, you can trek a section of the classic Inca Trail and pass through the Sun Gate to gaze down upon this incredible Inca citadel in the sky - a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s most iconic archaeological wonders. 

Book it: On the Trail of the Incas

What for? Exploring the UNESCO-listed Canadian Rockies. 

Little prepares you for the Canadian Rockies, the section of the Rocky Mountains that spans British Columbia and Alberta. Surrounded by soul-stirring wilderness, thundering waterfalls, turquoise-green lakes, flower-filled alpine meadows, snow-capped peaks, and ancient forests, the walking opportunities here are nothing short of amazing. Our expert local leaders are on hand to help you spot wildlife, too, including the likes of grizzly bears, moose, caribou, and wolves.  

Book it: Among the Canadian Rockies 

What for? The incredible Atlas Mountain scenery and opportunities to experience Moroccan hospitality. 

From the spine-tingling buzz of Marrakech’s maze-like medina to the heart-stirring serenity of the peaks and valleys in the Atlas Mountains, you’ll walk amongst some of Morocco’s most captivating scenery. A land of Berber villages, fruit-rich orchards, dizzying orange-hued gorges, and impossibly green valleys awaits as we set off on a potpourri of walks from our base in the heart of the mountains. 

Book it: Walking in the Atlas Mountains 

What for? Hiking the forest-covered Kulen Mountains. 

Known as the Kingdom of Wonder, Cambodia has it all - stunning islands, temples, white-sand beaches, atmospheric cities, exotic wildlife, and untamed walking trails. And it’s the trails through the Kulen Mountain Range near Siem Reap that provide complete far-away-from-it-all hiking opportunities. A local leader will guide you through the jungle to hidden villages and ancient ruins of the Khmer Empire, including the incredible 12th century temple complex, Angkor Wat. 

Book it: Laos & Cambodia Uncovered