There are several reasons to go on a trekking trip. I will explain each of these below.
Gorgeous Scenery and Sites
There are some amazing sites that you can only visit by trekking. You won’t be able to truly appreciate Patagonia until you are walking on a trail. I saw some cruise brochures advertising the amazing view of Las Torres Base in Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park. That’s false advertising! You can only reach Las Torres Base by walking 13.6 miles round trip, which will take a day. I don’t see how cruise passengers can arrive there on a shore excursion.
Yes, you can visit Machu Picchu by taking a train and bus ride. However, to see those ancient ruins on the way, you will have to walk the multi-day Inca Trail. By walking the Inca Trail, you also immerse yourself in the ancient Inca culture and interact with local guides and porters.
The Himalayas, the Alps, and the Dolomites all have their distinct scenery. We returned from each trekking trip awed by the great nature. Such deep appreciation won’t come from a train, bus or fly trip.
Sense of Achievement
After the completion of every trekking trip, we feel a sense of great achievement. We have done it! This is more than just a bragging right.
We also often need to get out of our comfort zone. For example, we had to forgo shower for 8 days when climbing the Kilimanjaro. There are no lodgings on the Inca Trail, and all hikers must stay in a tent. It’s a great relief to return to civilization with comfortable beds, hot water showers and flush toilets after the trekking.
Some trekking trips allow you to collect stamps on the way and to obtain a certification when completing. El Camino and Kumano Kudo are some of the examples. Rei is especially obsessed with collecting stamps and getting certificates.
Lasting Friendships
Rei and I mostly go on a trekking trip on our own or booking a group trip. Later we started to organize our own trips, going with friends who also enjoyed trekking. It’s a lot of fun going with a group of friends with common interests. Before the trip, we did the planning and the training hikes together. During the hikes, we had long conversations and shared more of our lives and experiences. This is a great way to build lasting friendships.
Additional Benefits
There are additional benefits such as enhancing your health and building up your endurance. You also broaden your knowledge by learning more about geology, geography and world cultures. Even though some trekking trips are expensive, you can always find other trips that are economic and enjoyable.
Happy Trekking!
(Click here to find out more about trekking.)
Amy 'n Rei 
