Maybe you’ve always dreamed of pitting yourself against one of the world’s most famous physical tests, but never managed to slot it into your busy schedule. A sabbatical is a precious opportunity to fulfil that goal, allowing you ample time not only for the challenge itself but the all-important preparatory training and, of course, some well-earned rest and recuperation afterwards. Whether it is scaling an iconic mountain or completing a one-of-a-kind marathon, we can build the epic challenge of your dreams into your sabbatical. Working with only the very best local operators we will ensure that nothing is left to chance, allowing you to simply focus on putting your best foot forward.
CLIMB KILIMANJARO
There’s nothing like the feeling of standing at the top of Africa’s highest peak and gazing out across the dawn-lit clouds. Kilimanjaro is classed as a ‘non-technical’ mountain, so it doesn’t require specialised climbing equipment and training, but the trek to the summit is still a tough assignment. You’ll need to be fit enough to walk uphill for up to six hours a day and be prepared for the formidable altitude and ever-changing weather conditions. With the right preparation, however, you’ve every chance of succeeding - as Red Savannah client Bruce Beecham can vouch in his account of completing this epic feat at the age of 72. We are of course on hand to advise you on the very best time to go, what to pack and which of the seven routes will be right for you. You can also be assured that you will be in the very best hands along the way.
TREK THE INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU IN LUXURY
As much a journey through history as a test of stamina, the Inca Trail features on many bucket lists – and with good reason. This ancient high path undulates through the Andes, reaching an elevation of 4,200 metres at its highest point, before dropping down to the magical, lost-world ruins of Machu Picchu at the end. Accompanied by expert local guides and porters, you will spend four memorable days following in the footsteps of mighty emperors and their courts on the classic 26-mile route, traversing cloud forests and rolling grasslands, overlooked by remote Inca temples and fortresses. On the classic Inca Trail nights are spent in simple campsites but, should you prefer a few more creature comforts, you might want to consider upgrading to our Luxury Inca Trail experience, where you can soothe tired limbs in Jacuzzis framed by the backdrop of the Andes, and rest your head in beautifully appointed lodges.
CYCLE THE MIGHTY MEKONG IN LAOS
Laidback Laos in the heart of southeast Asia is a delightful destination to discover by bicycle. Hard-core cyclists can plunge into the country’s famously mountainous expanses, while those seeking cultural immersion and slow exploration will relish a sojourn along the gentler slopes of the Mekong Valley. Over nine days – or more if you like – you’ll pedal around 230 miles from the current capital, Vientiane, to its former one, UNESCO-listed Luang Prabang. With a minivan unobtrusively following behind with your bags, spare bikes and support staff, you can focus on the scenery and sights en route. Stop at sleepy villages to see the locals panning for gold, relax over bankside picnic lunches and sundowners, and watch the boats coming and going on the water. With its majestic temples, palaces and historic charm, Luang Prabang makes a fitting finale to the adventure. Linger in one of the city’s immaculate boutique hideaways for some well-earned after-cycling pampering.
RUN THE LEWA MARATHON IN KENYA
Whether you’re a regular runner or can barely find time to go to the gym, completing one of the world’s most famous long-distance races is a huge achievement and something that crops up on many wishlists. But not all marathons are created equal. While each is the standard 26.2 miles long, Kenya’s Lewa Safari Marathon has an unusual setting that presents unique challenges and rewards along the way. The route snakes its way around the rough dirt tracks of a wildlife conservancy – home to lions, leopards, wild dogs and more – following riverbanks, crossing open savannah and passing through dense acacia forests. It’s a far cry from the streets of London, Boston or Berlin. Getting to the finish line of this notoriously demanding event comes with an extra dose of satisfaction; just by entering, you’ll be helping support local communities and exemplary wildlife conservation projects.
HIKE TO THE TIGER’S NEST MONASTERY IN BHUTAN
Follow in the footsteps of countless Buddhist monks and pilgrims on the trail to the sublimely atmospheric Tiger’s Nest Monastery, perched high on the side of a cliff in Bhutan’s upper Paro Valley. At around three hours, it’s not the longest of treks, but it’s certainly steep enough to count as a challenge, and even the fittest will be grateful to pause halfway at the Takstang café. For a longer adventure, you could tackle a section of the Trans Bhutan Trail. Once a vital link across the country, this historic route reopened in 2022 after extensive renovation and is now one of the world’s top, lesser-frequented treks. Stretching for 250 miles, it passes through an impressive variety of landscapes, from rhododendron forests to remote mountain passes. We can arrange anything from a taster of the trail to a rewarding journey from Paro to Trashigang in eastern Bhutan.
CLIMB MOROCCO’S MOUNT TOUBKAL
On a clear day, you can see the distant dunes of the Sahara Desert from the summit of Mount Toubkal, North Africa’s tallest peak. At 4,167 metres – two-thirds the height of Kilimanjaro – it offers an irresistible taste of high-altitude trekking, complete with dramatic scenery and local Moroccan culture. Over two days and three nights, staying in comfortable private camps and accompanied by expert guides, you’ll follow well-marked trails that lead through remote Berber villages, cherry orchards and fertile valleys, past ancient shrines and rivers, to the rocky, snow-dusted slopes of Toubkal itself. Assuming you’re reasonably fit and healthy, you should reach the top early on the second morning to be rewarded by the unforgettable sight of the Atlas Mountains, stained red by the sunrise, stretching into the distance in all directions. Recuperate afterwards with a few days in a luxurious rural retreat or one of Marrakech’s elegant and intimate riads.
TREK TO EVEREST BASE CAMP
Standing on top of the world may provide the ultimate physical challenge, but the risks, costs and demands of getting to the summit of Everest put it out of reach for all but a few hundred serious climbers each year. A more accessible option is the trek to and from Everest Base Camp in Nepal, an 11-day odyssey that provides a generous dose of dramatic Himalayan vistas, strenuous activity and acclimatisation pauses. You don’t need to be an expert mountaineer to complete the walk, but the altitude still presents challenges and you need to be able to hike around six hours daily across sometimes rough terrain. We work with a highly respected local operator to make your experience as painless as possible, putting you in the hands of the best local guides and ensuring you have the right equipment to help you achieve your goal.
