Mt. Koya, or Koyasan, is a holy mountain in central Japan that is reachable as a day-trip from Osaka or Kyoto. Traditionally, Shinto pilgrims would walk from the base of Koyasan to the top, then stay in a temple accommodation at the summit. Now it is still common to...
Bukhansan National Park is a must-visit location just outside of Seoul city center in South Korea. Bukhansan national park is a beautiful escape into nature, it’s free to visit, and it’s easy to reach when going hiking from Seoul. If your Seoul itinerary has enough...
There is no better way to explore the culture and beauty of a country than to embark on a trek through its most scenic and remote regions. When visiting such a diverse continent like Asia, its amazing how many different landscapes you can treat yourself to an...
The immensely popular Mt. Takao day-trip from Tokyo might be a bit crowded for visitors looking to spend time in nature. Mt. Mitake is a perfect alternative day-trip from Tokyo where you can enjoy the Japanese countryside. The entire Mt. Mitake region, also a National...
Packing for a trek in Nepal or anywhere in the Himalayas is a daunting task. Your Nepal packing list should be robust but lightweight. Before you leave home, what should you pack for Nepal? When you arrive in Kathmandu, what should you buy? There are two objectives...
Miyajima Island near Hiroshima, Japan is full of not-to-miss sightseeing spots, and is definitely worth a stop on any Japan itinerary. Summiting Mt. Misen, the highest point on Miyajima, is one of the highlights of the island, and the views are definitely worth the...
The Mount Fuji summit is the top of Japan, reaching 3776m above sea level. Climbing Mount Fuji was traditionally done only by devout pilgrims, but now it has become a wildly popular bucket list item. During Mount Fuji’s short hiking season, people from all around the...
The Annapurna Circuit is an iconic, bucket-list trek in the Himalayas of Nepal. Over two weeks you’ll see jagged mountains, glacial plains, and fluttering prayer flags. You’ll reach an altitude of 5416m and stay with lovely Nepali families. There are many...
The Interlaken region of Switzerland is beautiful not only for its turquoise lakes, but also its impressive mountain ranges. Treks here are easily accessible by train, so everyone from avid trekkers to families can enjoy the views that the Swiss Alps has to offer. My...
The Eiger Trail is a UNESCO Heritage hike that runs along the North Face of the Eiger mountain, in the heart of the Swiss Alps. This hike is easily accessible from some of the most popular Swiss mountain villages including Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, and Grindelwald....
Hiking to Mt. Takao is a popular day-trip from Tokyo for people seeking time in nature. In fact, it’s SO popular that the Takao-san summit and the trails to get there are over-crowded. Adding another summit, Mt. Jinba, to your itinerary will give you the...
For people staying in Nepal for less than a month, it can be a grueling choice to pick just one trek: the Annapurna Circuit or Everest Base Camp.Both the Annapurna Circuit and Everest Base Camp take you on incredible, challenging journeys through the tallest mountains...
Imagine this: You’ve spent over 5 nights in the Himalayas, trekking with a heavy bag full of gear. You overcame various terrains and walked side by side with trekkers from around the world, as well as yaks and donkeys. After pushing yourself HARD, you finally...
The most popular trek in Myanmar is from a small mountain town, Kalaw, to Inle Lake. While the vast majority of people trek Kalaw to Inle Lake with a tour, it’s very possible to trek it unguided. In February 2019, Intrepid Road’s Marty and I trekked from Kalaw to Inle...
Trekking to Everest Base Camp (EBC) is a common bucket list item for trekkers and non-trekkers alike. When you’re planning a trip to the top of the world there are many things you should know, from safety, packing lists, and getting to/from the Everest Region. I...
The Annapurna Circuit is where I first met the guys from Intrepid Road, Marty and Joel. They were filming their way around the circuit, with plans of creating a YouTube channel. Now it’s live with videos of their trekking adventures from around the world! They...
Georgia is a country that is still wonderfully under-the-tourist-radar. This is a pleasant surprise, considering its close proximity to Western Europe and its beautiful mountain landscapes. During our hike from Mestia to Ushguli in Georgia, we hiked large stretches of...
Although it’s one of the most popular treks in Georgia, the trek from Mestia to Ushguli was still blissfully off the tourist radar. Trekking in October meant chilly nights, crisp mornings, sunshine all day, and fall foliage as far as the eye could see.I embarked on...
Mountain views from Theth village There’s a beautiful and highly recommended through-trek that’s popular with backpackers in northern Albania. It runs between two tiny mountain villages, Theth and Valbonë, and takes about 6-8 hours to complete.The journey starts and...
After completing two big treks in Nepal, I spent two months traveling Western Europe watching World Cup matches in June-July 2018. It wasn’t long before I was craving to be in the mountains again – so I was off to Switzerland! I had heard so many great...
The Annapurna Circuit is a scenic, village-to-village trek that’s one of the most popular treks in Nepal. Spanning over 200 km and reaching an elevation of 5416m, it’s not for the faint of heart. However, the Annapurna Circuit CAN be completed by any...
***Updated October, 2019*** The Three Passes Trek is an opportunity for casual trekkers to challenge themselves in the world-famous Everest mountain region. There’s no need to train years and spend thousands of dollars to be in the presence of Mt. Everest on the...
What started years ago as just a collection of trails between isolated Nepali villages in the mountains has turned into one of the most popular, iconic treks in all of Nepal: the Annapurna Circuit. If you are planning a trip to Nepal and have 2-3 weeks to trek, I...
This circuit around Interlaken, Grindelwald, and Lauterbrunnen in the Jungfrau region of the Alps was one of the most beautiful treks I’ve done in my life. And I’ve trekked the Himalayas! I highly recommend it for people who love being in the mountains! In...
ABOUT ME
Hi Everyone! I’m Erika van ‘t Veld, and I’ve been traveling around the globe since I quit my corporate America job in October, 2017. I hope to inspire others to travel by showing how cheap and easy it can be. You can read about my own experiences on my blog page too!
