Hiking Abroad

It’s a great decision to go hiking abroad. Especially, if the country is mountainous, hiking will be one of the best ways to explore it and feel it’s essence and nature. Yet, hiking abroad also has its peculiarities and challenges. Wherever you end up you should consider several factors concerning travelling and hiking abroad.

Research

Whether you will be hiking in your neighboring country or in another corner of the world, it is essential to do research before going there. As you are going to hike there, of course the first thing to consider is hiking-related information such as weather data, terrain and altitude gained and lost. However, you may also need to research about the nations living in that region and about cultures of those countries. That information will help you to interact with people easily and have topics to start a conversation.

People always love foreigners who are interested in their countries, so you may even obtain some friends in that country if you go there prepared. Knowing about the culture and some peculiarities of the nation may also be useful during hiking and being in wilderness. Local people may help you to hike in safe trails or to find the best routes if you meet them during your hike.

Clothes and equipment

Depending on where you go and how the weather is going to be, get well prepared for your trip. You are not an ordinary traveler who is going to stay in convenient hotels and travel in comfortable cars. Being a hiker means having comfortable clothes and equipment for hiking and living in wilderness. Hiking outfits and hiking boots are very important and you should choose them again concerning the weather of the country you are going to visit.

 

While choosing your backpack you should remember that you will be constantly getting in and out of old buses and trucks before or after your hiking. So, simplicity and durability are important factors to consider while choosing a backpack. Also, do not forget to take your hiking poles which may help you to walk easily especially in rocky places. Sleeping bag is also important if you are going to have a multi-day hiking trip and do camping.

Guided vs Independent hikes

If you want to have a stress free hiking trip, hike with a mountain guide and enjoy your trip without thinking about planning the trip and stuff like that. As you are hiking abroad you don’t know the language of the country, you don’t know the best places for camping and the best routes for hiking. So, if you hike with a mountain guide, stuff like getting there and away, route finding, navigation, potential campsites and language barriers are all taken care of by the people in charge. A mountain guide may also tell you about local people and share some interesting information about that region.

Hiking independently has advantages, too, as you do everything by yourself and learn about many details about that country. You choose your routes, the pace of walking, the breaks and the campsites. But for those who are not familiar with the country, it is recommended to do guided hiking as being in mountains may be dangerous for those who don’t know the peculiarities of those wild areas of the country.  For example, in mountainous countries like Armenia there are so many mountains and hiking directions that one may find it difficult to figure it out where to hike when he comes here for the first time. And that is the reason that we have so many special mountain guides who know the best places and help foreigners to have the best hiking experiences and being in the most beautiful mountains of Armenia.

Language

If you have decided to go hiking abroad try to learn some words and expressions of the country you are going to visit.  It will help you to build connections as well as call for help if you get lost in the mountains. It may also help you to ask for better routes and directions when you meet someone while hiking. Having some basic knowledge of the language may be useful and help you feel more comfortable in foreign mountains.

Consider these several factors, get prepared for your trip and have a wonderful hiking experience abroad. Do not miss the chance to hike in a new country and explore it from other perspectives. The nature of the country can be best examined by being there and hiking there.

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Hiking trips in Armenia