From crumbling castles and glistening lochs in the UK to the South Pacific islands with stars on the rise, these incredible treks across the globe will not only help you embrace different cultures but you'll also bask in the wonderment of nature. So trek through these awe-inspiring places in a new part of the world. Fall into a wanderlust spell. Happy trekking!
Location: France, Italy and Switzerland
The scenes at this spectacular 104-mile hike feature snow-capped mountaintops, mossy ridges and crystal blue lakes like photos ripped out of a storybook. You will encounter terrains such as ancient cobblestone streets, dirt trails and steep mountainsides towering 10,000 feet. While traipsing through France, pass the Church of Notre Dame de la Gorge, a beautiful Baroque-style chapel. In Italy, see the Aosta Valley, which has the highest peaks in the Alps, including the tallest and most majestic one: Mont Blanc.
Location: Bolivia
In Bolivia's remote southwestern corner, the world's largest salt flats offer those of us earthbound the opportunity to walk on clouds. For most of the year, the dried up prehistoric lake is a vast bed of crusty salt brine, but come wet season-usually January to March-a slick layer of rainwater transforms the horizon into a mirror the size of Jamaica (for real-it's more than 4,000 square miles).
Location: Kathmandu, Nepal
You are almost guaranteed to hear "climbing Mount Everest" as the answer to the question popped to any experienced hiker or mountaineer about what adventure ranks at the top of their bucket list. At 29,035 feet, it's the Earth's highest mountain. This particular trek starts and finishes in Kathmandu, Nepal and usually lasts about 14 days. Besides the stunning views of the Himalayas, you'll visit different Buddhist and Hindu sites along the way.
Location: Peru
In terms of the world's most iconic, historic attractions (think: the Eiffel Tower, the Colosseum, the Great Wall of China), mystical Machu Picchu isn't the most navigable or wallet-friendly, but the ancient Andean civilization is a sight unlike any other. In the Cusco region, the 15th-century Incan citadel sits perched on a ridge some 8,000-feet above sea level, hovering high above the Sacred Valley below. Getting in isn't a cinch-it requires a combination of bus and train rides, or if you're up for it, a strenuous multi-day trek along (some or all of) the 26-mile Inca Trail. But no matter your mode of transportation, Peru's most-visited site packs a punch worth your probable altitude sickness with well-preserved ceremonial sites and mountain-adapted architecture ready for exploring. \
Location: Moshi, Tanzania
Nestled in the northern border of Tanzania, Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the most sought-after summits in the world. It reaches 19,341 feet in height and gets its name from the Swahili word meaning "Mountain of Greatness." Kilimanjaro is actually a volcano with three main peaks: Mawenzi, Shira and Kibo, which is dormant, but you can still smell the sulfur emitting from the crater. Along the trail, you'll hit Uhuru Peak, the highest part of Kibo, where you'll see some majestic ice glaciers.
Location: Scotland
Many a movie and TV show has benefited from the Scottish Highlands' inherently cinematic landscape, think: The Dark Knight Rises, the Harry Potter franchise, Braveheart, Skyfall, and the Outlander series. To quickly cover ground on your way out of the central lowlands, ride the scenic West Highland Line from Glasgow to Mallaig, collecting postcard picture views of the glistening lochs and picturesque villages along the way. The medieval Urquhart Castle-on the banks of the infamous Loch Ness-in northern Inverness, Scotland's highest peak-Ben Nevis-near Fort William, and the waterfalls and fairy pools in the Isle of Skye.
