Travel video news

This past September, a group of trekkers and paragliders hiked to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa and took flight from the fabled "Roof of Africa." They climbed up the Rongai Route but upon reaching the top, they found the conditions to be difficult for flying. Eventually however, they were able to soar out into the crater of the volcano. This video takes us along for the expedition and final flight.

I'm a little late in reporting this news, but this story has been popping up in my news feeds again recently, so I thought it was worth sharing. The South American country of Chile recently opened what it calls the " Route of Parks ," a 1700-mile (2735 km) hiking route in Patagonia that connects 17 different national parks scattered across the southern region of the country. The route runs through a wide variety of environments and ecosystems, including five newly created national parks that haven't been explored extensively by trekkers yet. The trail runs from Puerto Montt in the north down to Cape Horn at the southernmost tip of the continent, passing through rainforests, open grasslands, and some of the most spectacular alpine settings on the planet. The Route of Parks trail actually connects three existing routes that have been in use for some time. Those trails include the Southern Way, the Patagonian Channels, and the End of the World Route. The link-up was made...

Anyone who has ever made he climb to the summit of Kilimanjaro will be able to relate to this clip, which takes trekkers up to the top of the highest mountain in Africa. Along the way, you'll see the sun come up, and the stunning landscapes of Tanzania emerge from below. And of course, the long day on the trail is paid off with standing at the Roof of Africa. This clip takes us on that final hike, providing some excellent images along the way.

Hikers and backpackers looking for the ultimate challenge may want to add Canada's newly finished Great Trail to their bucket lists. At 24,000 km (14,912 miles) in length, it is now the longest trekking route in the world, stretching across al 13 provinces and looping its way across some of the most spectacular landscapes that Canada has to offer. Best of all, this multi-use backcountry route is open to bikes, snowmobiles, paddling, and variety of other activities, making it even more accessible to those who want to explore its wonders. All told, The Great Trail, which is made up of not just hiking paths but scenic waterways too, wanders from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and north to the Arctic Ocean as well. The idea to create the route first originated back in 1992 when Canada was celebrating its 125th birthday. It has taken decades of planning and building to complete, but at long last, the entire route was fully connected a few weeks back. Now that it is done, the question is,...

Climbing Kilimanjaro �� Africa's highest peak �� is a bucket list adventure for just about any adventurous traveler. The non-technical trek to the summit is a challenge, in no small part due to the increasingly thin air as you approach the top. But, the hike is an amazing one for so many reasons, including the unique ecosystems �� five in total �� that you pass through on your way up and the amazing views you'll discover along the way. If you've been considering a Kilimanjaro climb yourself, but aren't sure what to expect of where to being, my friends over at Tusker Trail have a blog post you may want to have a look at. It is a First Timer's Guide to Climbing Kili  that shares some great information that I wish I had known before my first go at the mountain. Some of the insights shared in the post include putting the climb into perspective with a reminder that the mountain may be daunting, but it is far from impossible to climb. The article also emphasizes that you...

A couple of weeks back we shared the news that our friend Louis-Phillipe Loncke had completed his first-ever winter traverse of Tasmania. This was an epic journey that left him exhausted, pushed to his limits, and 15 kg (33 pounds) lighter than when he set off. The video below is from a new report aired in Australia that caught up with the Belgian adventurer just as he was crossing the finish line, providing some insights into what this journey was like.

Our friends at REI are back with another instructional video, this time sharing some tips on how to properly break in your hiking boots. There is nothing worse than setting off on a long hike or backpacking trip with boots that aren't quite comfortable on your feet just yet. But this clip will show you how to get them ready to take on any adventure, and keep your feet happy in the process.

Like a lot of great pieces of gear, trekking poles are one of those items that you don't really know you need until you've actually used them for awhile. But once you've become accustomed to having them, you don't really know how you lived without them. Once that happens, you'll be on the lookout for the best poles you can find, preferably ones that are lightweight, durable, and compact. That's exactly what you'll find in the new offerings from MSR , but best of all they come at a great price too. I've been testing the new Dynalock Ascent Carbon Backcountry trekking poles for awhile now, and have come away very impressed. Because these poles are made from carbon fiber, they weigh next to nothing, tipping the scales at a mere 9 ounces (.5 kg) each. That said however, they still feel substantial in your hand, providing a nice sense of durability and quality that you would expect from MSR. Part of that durability comes from the fact that Kevlar is used to...