
I was with trained guides-you can’t go out alone in a place where wild polar bears, black bears, moose, and wolves roam freely-and had been briefed on appropriate behavior in advance. For me, it happened just steps away from the Churchill Wild lodge. Let the views come to you along an aerial safari.Įxperience the Arctic with Churchill Wild in ManitobaĬhurchill Wild’s Polar Bear Safaris, the only walking safaris in polar bear territory, are proof that you don’t have to climb the highest mountains or trek the longest trails to find a thrilling experience.Įncountering a nearly 1 ton polar bear in the Arctic is one of the most memorable (and terrifying) travel moments one can have. The two-night Winter Walk is $1,389 AUD per person. How to book: The three-night wukalina Walk is $2,895 AUD per person. Of course, hikers aren’t the only ones drawn to this special place-keep an eye out for wildlife and you may spot wallabies, wombats, and other curious island inhabitants. The Winter Walk, offered May through September, provides a shorter two-night experience with both nights spent at the lightkeeper’s cottage. On the final night, you’ll rest your head at the restored lightkeeper’s cottage on the coast. For the first two nights, you’ll retire to a domed hut nestled in nature just steps from the shore. This four-day, three-night experience is well-suited for travelers that prefer to pair easy to moderate day hikes with meaningful cultural exchange, local foods, and cozy accommodations. palawa guides captivate guests with heartfelt stories and cultural knowledge, stopping to identify sites of significance and forage edible plants while traversing the forests and beaches of wukalina (Mount William National Park) and larapuna (Bay of Fires).

The setting alone is well worth the trip down under, but this supported hike offers more than good looks. Cycling the mountains with Wheel the World.Ī truly one-of-a-kind experience, the wukalina Walk is the only trek on the planet led by the palawa people, Tasmania’s indigenous population. The study also found that travelers with mobility-related disabilities spend $58.2 billion per year on travel-taking leisure trips at nearly the same frequency as travelers without disabilities-yet their access to many experiences can be severely hampered by tourism industry failures. A recent study by MMGY Global that documented the experiences of more than 2,700 American travelers with mobility issues alongside their caregivers and companions found that nearly everyone encountered problems with the various aspects of a trip, from flights to accommodations to transportation. It gets even more complicated for people with mobility-related disabilities. Whatever the reason-whether it’s time, money, physical ability, chronic conditions, or otherwise-you don’t have to be hardcore to be a hiker. And those folks shouldn’t be excluded from the great outdoors for opting for an augmented or assisted activity or a shorter, less strenuous path.

Not everyone can or wants to solo thru-hike the Appalachian Trail or climb Kilimanjaro.

Supported hiking doesn’t necessarily mean cushy glamping. Each participant had to put one foot in front of the other, trekking up and down mountains, crossing blazing hot asphalt-there were several days where my hiking shoes nearly melted on the desert blacktop-and trudging through steep dunes. And no matter how much help the team provided, they couldn’t hike the trail for us. We slept in tents most nights (often on rough, rocky surfaces), encountered snakes, scorpions, and packs of dogs, endured a range of temperatures, and went days (okay, maybe weeks) without a proper shower. And having people present to ensure my safety along the Jordan Trail didn’t somehow transform the hike into a luxury hotel stay. Instead, it makes these types of life changing journeys possible for those that can’t or don’t want to forge their own path. Sure, upping the suffering ante and risking your life may earn you bragging rights amongst a certain set, but, believe it or not, it’s actually not a requirement for enjoying the outdoors.Īdding support to a hike doesn’t cancel out a meaningful experience. Some hardcore hikers might roll their eyes at the mere mention of a supported hike, believing that “real” hikers go it alone.
