Kiwi Curated
Take a Hiking Holiday
by Kim BudziakIn need of an escape, breathtaking vistas and a real chance to unplug? A trek-meets-time-out trip should be in the cards. After all, the best hiking vacations end with a trip to the spa.
Take a Hiking Holiday
First settled by Polynesian mariners in the Seventh century, Easter Island is the ideal spot to satisfy a love of nature, scenery and history, all in one. Hike through the UNESCO World Heritage Site to the famous Moai carved-stone statues before coming to rest oceanside, at explora Rapa Nui. Tired legs will love the LEED-certified hotel’s jacuzzi, or better yet, a trip to the massage hut.
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Hiking trails, waterfalls, dry forests and beautiful beaches are just a couple hours’ drive from Las Catalinas, a beautiful beach town on the Pacific Ocean in northwest Costa Rica. Explore the volcano and picture-perfect natural pools in Rincón de la Vieja National Park, then retire to Hotel Santarena, a boutique beach hotel perched on Playa Danta, and watch the sun go down.
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Take a Hiking Holiday
Wondering where to find awesome hiking trails? Look for ski destinations in the off-season. Case in point: the Zillertal Alps in Austria. Here, treks are as easy to come by as the natural spectacle. Stay at the design-forward Das Posthotel, where the pool has a mountain view and the hotel runs guided hikes that accommodate any skill level.
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Some hikes are more civilized than others. In fact, some hills are dotted with the history of ancient civilizations, such as the hills of Cappadocia, known all over Instagram for its air balloon-laden skies. This beautiful Turkish locale is also home to the restored monastery-turned-hotel, argos in Cappadocia. Spend your days exploring Uçhisar village and its moon-like landscape, then retire to your tunneled room for a glass of wine from the hotel’s own vineyard.
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If hiking the Inca trail to Machu Picchu is on your bucket list, head to Peru’s Sacred Valley, where trails, archaeological sites and the Urubamba River await. Here, nestled at the foot of the beautiful Andean mountains, the 50-room explora Valle Sagrado is a cozy modern lodge set on a corn plantation that’s a prime destination for a true disconnect.
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Southern Patagonia is home to incredible natural vistas and endless mountain backdrops. Start exploring in Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego, in the outdoor playground of Reserva Natural Cerro Alarken. The best hiking vacation here starts and ends with panoramic views from your room at Arakur Ushuaia. Here on the hotel’s expansive mountain perch you can rest tired legs and look out on big skies and sea views while you plot your next journey up a nearby rockface.
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Want to hike through Nepal? Leave a crowded Mount Everest base camp behind in favour of the river valleys and sweeping mountains of the Annapurna circuit. Once you complete the trek, set up for a lengthy and rewarding stay at The Pavilions, Himalayas, where the spa offers Ayurvedic services and an on-site organic farm supplies the restaurant’s nourishing and authentic Nepali dishes.
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The band Toto may have gotten it wrong in their “Africa” song (Mount Kilimanjaro actually doesn’t rise above the Serengeti), but that doesn’t make it any less worthy of a climb. One thing is certain, however, after climbing the Tanzanian giant, you’ll need a great place to crash. Look no further than the nearby Arusha Coffee Lodge. Set in the middle of a coffee plantation, the lodge will have you comfortably refueled and energized thanks to an African buffet and the freshest espresso.
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If European countryside, wineries and a slow steady pace are more your jam than an epic climb, head to Spain to tackle the Camino de Santiago trail. After you’ve collected the obligatory pilgrim passport stamps, check in at A Quinta da Auga, a former 18th century paper factory. If there were a hotel to overindulge in spa treatments at, this is it, where hydrotherapy reigns supreme.
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On the Chilean side of Patagonia, Torres del Paine National Park is outdoor adventure heaven. Here, hikes feel isolated but approachable, and the natural landscape willfully protected. Take this opportunity to fully turn off and check in at the Awasi Patagonia hotel, where the internet is only available in the main lodge and exploring analog is encouraged. When you need some contact, hang out at the hotel bar and enjoy a glass of wine with other guests.
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