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This superb trek in the High Atlas mountains of Morocco takes us to the summit of Jebel M'goun in the M'goun Massif. Fractionally lower than better known Toubkal, it is the more scenic and less frequented of the two, and promises a wilderness experience that is definitely high alpine in grade (involving ascents of 1200 to 1500m on 3 days, and descents of 1200 to 1600m on 3 days). After a first night at Hotel Assia in Marrakech, we will drive to the lovely valley of Ait Bouguemez, staying the night in an auberge at Agouti (1760m) and taking our last shower for 4 nights! From here mules will carry our tents and gear as we make a circuit into the Central High Atlas, taking 3.5 days to get to the summit of Jebel M'goun, and 1.5 days to get back. The scenery will be magnificent and hugely varied - terraced green valleys, traditional Berber villages clinging to the hillsides, strange colours and rock shapes in the Karstic landscape, and breathtaking panoramas from the high cols - Col du Roughelt (2860m) and Col de Targdit (3200m) - as we make our way to our last camp before the summit (2900m). The ascent is non-technical but will involve an early start and 1200m of ascent in the thin air till finally we are rewarded at the summit (4068m) with a literally breathtaking panorama over the whole Central High Atlas. From here we return to our previous camp, then cross the Oumskiyk Pass the next day to reach Ait Bouguemez, enjoying a well-deserved hot shower at a lovely auberge in the valley before we return to Marrakech. We now have 2 last nights at friendly Hotel Amani just outside the centre of Marrakech, seeing the sights, visiting a few last souks, enjoying the small hotel pool, or just relaxing and taking it all in before we travel home.

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An opportunity to spend a week in the splendour of the Gran Paradiso National Park in Italy's Western Alps - with breathtaking views all around, alpine flowers, marmots, ibex and chamoix! There will be 2 guides to offer an intermediate and a high level choice each day (walking with a day pack only - your luggage is transported for you). We start from Albergo Gran Paradiso, Noasca, in the Valle del Orca; making our way over 2 days past beautiful lakes to Col del Nivolet at the head of the valley, with a night at valley refuge Le Fonti on the way. At Col del Nivolet we stop for 3 nights at Rifugio Citta di Chivasso, which is perched spectacularly above the lakes of Piano del Nivolet and a whole new alpine valley. This wonderful traditional refuge has dormitory beds, cold water washing, and excellent food in true Italian style. Here there are walks at both levels, with stunning views of glaciers and distant ranges including Gran Paradiso itself, or less rugged paths through flower-filled Piano del Nivolet. On the 5th day we return to Rifugio Le Fonti via an old royal game trail - perhaps the best day of all, then back past quaint deserted villages and frescoes to Noasca for our last night. The high walks are High Alpine on 2-3 days - with more descent than the normal high level grade.

The three nights of high refuge life are a wonderful experience, but resources at altitude are limited, and taking account of this is a necessary part of the holiday: use water sparingly, hand wash rather than shower every day; solar power only - no power sockets available; bottled drinking water.

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A new holiday for WalkingWomen in 2008, the Coast to Coast walk was devised by Wainwright to link the Irish Sea and the North Sea. It is a route rather than an official long distance path, walking 190 miles from St Bees Head through the Lake District, and across the Pennines, Yorkshire Dales, and North York Moors to Robin Hood's Bay on the east coast. It is one of Britain's most popular long distance walks and undoubtedly includes some of the finest upland scenery in England. On this holiday with Diane P and Sylvia we will complete the walk in 14 days, with daily distances ranging from 8 miles on two of the higher Lake District days to 19 miles as we near the end of our journey (average: 14 miles a day). The amount of daily ascent is greatest at the beginning - ranging from 550m-750m a day as we traverse the Lakeland fells and Pennines, then increasing again briefly as we cross the North York Moors to reaching Robin Hood's Bay with a great sense of achievement! 5 of the nights are spent in youth hostel dormitories and include evening meals. The other 10 are spent in 2-4 bedded rooms in small hotels and B&Bs where evening meals are not included (from £12). Packed lunches and luggage transport are included throughout - you carry a day sack only. This holiday is best reached by public transport - see below.

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This very popular De Hoope Whale Trail trip starts with a flight to Cape Town where we'll have 5 days enjoying this extraordinary city and beautiful walks like the Lion's Head, the Contour Path, Kirstenbosch Gardens, and maybe Table Mountain by cable car. We then drive to the stunning De Hoope Whale Trail above the Indian Ocean - a 5-day intermediate trek where you carry a day pack only and walk through the wild scenery and flowers of the De Hoope Nature Reserve to a stretch of coast where the Southern Right whales come inshore to mate or give birth. Sometimes up to 50 of these sea giants can be seen at one time from the cliff path where we'll be walking. We can also dip down to swim in rock pools and walk along beautiful stretches of beach before climbing to our next 'cottage' on the cliffs. These cottages are relatively comfortable in that each has a kitchen, shared rooms with bunk beds, solar power and warm water (usually!). After the trek, we stay at the Windsor Hotel in the small resort town of Hermanus for 2 nights - walking in a nature reserve, eating out overlooking the sea and whales, or taking a whale watching boat trip. We will then detour to Cape Point - the very tip of Africa - on our way back to our Cape Town B&B for the last night. In Cape Town before and after the trek there'll be time to visit Robben Island, the townships, the market, the Waterfront, and to eat out in great restaurants (eve. meals in Cape Town & Hermanus not included - from £10).

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Includes: Return KLM fight via Amsterdam; 14 nights away in total - 13 of them in SA; breakfast & packed lunches in Cape Town & Hermanus, all meals on trek; all transfers & transport to walks & trek; Luggage portage on trek; NP Conservation fees; Cape Point entrance fees. Atol No. 6497
Not included: 8 Cape Town & Hermanus evening meals, Table Mountain cable car, & non-walking 'extras' you might like to include like Robben Island visit & the Township tour (approx £47), or Whale Watching Boat Trip (approx £40).

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A change of grade and route for this popular Western Lakes trek in 2008 - great if you know you have the stamina for Slow High and would love to stay in Black Sail Hut and explore the beautiful Buttermere fells. We meet up at Keswick YH the first afternoon for easy rail access, then set off for Borrowdale YH the next morning along the fabulous High Spy ridge. From here our route takes us over Green Gable and Great Gable, with a scramble down the other side to reach our Ennerdale path. Black Sail Hut in Upper Ennerdale is always an experience - only the fells and the sheep, with no other habitation for miles. It has gas lamps in the dormitories, a coal burning stove in the little common room, a tiny kitchen where the warden cooks up delicious meals, and only one shower (with water heated from the stove). Between Ennerdale and Buttermere lies the High Stile ridge - our challenging route for the next day with the reward of superb views over Buttermere and Crummock Water. Then staying 2 nights at Buttermere YH we will have a chance to explore the exciting Grasmoor fells - or spend an easier day on Haystacks if we prefer. Finally we'll return to Borrowdale via Robinson and the stunning Dale Head ridge, hopefully with great views back over all our route so far. Our last walk will bring us back to Keswick via Watendlath and Walla Crag overlooking Derwent Water - an easier day, but please don't book your train home too early! Luggage is transported for you on each day except for the night at Black Sail where you carry a minimum of spare gear with you.

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The Tour of the Jungfrau region (TJR) is a horseshoe trek among some of the most spectacular scenery in all the Alps. It is a journey into the Bernese Oberland that will leave you awestruck: ridges, summits and passes, glaciers, waterfalls, gorges, beautiful mountain lakes, and always the extraordinary backdrop of the Eiger, Wetterhorn, Silberhorn, Mönch, and Jungfrau. Most of the places you stay are in atmospheric locations with breathtaking views, ranging from Alpine refuges with bunk beds and mattress platforms to comfortable small hotels with twin rooms. At certain points the trek includes short sections of fixed cables and some exposed sections that will stretch your comfort zone. No luggage transport is feasible, so you carry the extra clothes you need in your pack. At the mid point of the trek you'll walk the famous Eiger trail to the foot of the Eiger's north face where the summit will feel within arms' reach. Yet while this trek is strenuous, none of it is technical or at altitude. All bedding is provided so you'll only need a sheet liner. Spare gear can be kept to a minimum, and any unwanted travel gear can be left at the hotel in Interlaken where the holiday starts and finishes. Interlaken is a hub of outdoor activity surrounded by high peaks and turquoise lakes. You can catch the train there from either Geneva or Zurich airport, buying your ticket at the airport station for approximately £54 return. Alternatively you can do the whole journey by train from the UK, leaving in the morning and arriving in Interlaken at 19.35 for approximately £123 return. Whether you fly/train or train/train, we can help you book your tickets. The amazing mountain train from Interlaken to the start of the trek (and similarly finishing our journey back to Interlaken at the end) is included in the price. Guided by Sara B who will meet you in Interlaken station. Group size 8 max.

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The Pembrokeshire Coast Path is too long for most people to manage as one holiday, so here is another wonderful bite-sized portion walking southwest from Goodwick to Whitesands Bay near St Davids. It includes the fabulous wild sea cliffs of Strumble Head as well as easier stretches where lower cliffs and rocky shore give way to tiny harbours and sandy bays. The high cliffs then return as we round St Davids Head till finally we find ourselves looking down on Whitesands Bay and Ramsay Island offshore. In total the holiday covers 30 miles, with between 7-10 miles a day, and 'up's and 'downs' of 270m - 450m a day. You only carry a daypack as your luggage is transported for you when needed. The holiday starts with 2 nights in Goodwick at comfortable Ivybridge G/H (in ensuite twins & singles) while we walk from Goodwick to Pwll Deri, then Pwll Deri to Aber Draw. At Aber Draw we stay at Caerhafod Lodge (in 4-bedded ensuite bunk rooms), strolling down to the sea to eat out in the evening. The last 2 nights are then at the Eco Hotel in St Davids in a mix of ensuite & standard twins and singles. 2 nights here will give us time to visit this lovely little cathedral city and to eat out one evening. On the last morning, we could visit Ramsay Island one mile off the coast if there is time before your return travel. Ramsay is an RSPB nature reserve where hundreds of Guillemots, Razorbills, and Kittiwakes nest on its spectacular high cliffs, grey seals give birth to their pups in September, and we may see porpoises swimming offshore. (Cost £16 - not included as it depends on weather conditions). Goodwick can be reached by train, and there is a frequent bus service from St Davids to Haverfordwest mainline station for the return.

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Rum is a diamond shaped jewel of a place - an island of the Inner Hebrides of spectacular wildness and beauty. Its glaciated 'cullins' (high rocks), Askival, Hellival, Trollaval, and Orval, started life near the equator, and are the shattered remnants of a once huge volcano. Apart from its incredible scenery, Rum has been a nature reserve for over 40 years. We may be lucky and see otters fishing along the shores of Loch Scresort, or red deer and wild goats in the heather as we walk. Golden eagles often soar above the Cullins, while Shearwaters nest on their slopes and skim the sea in significant numbers. There are many fabulous high walks to choose from here, often off-path through the heather - along high cliffs overlooking the sea, onto peaks with stunning views, or looking north to the Skye Cullins from beautiful Kilmory Sands. To access the best parts of this island, we will stay for 2 nights in a bothy, walking there low level with 3 days' food and gear, living in very simple bothy conditions with water from a nearby stream and sleeping mats on the floor - a real Scottish walking experience! The rest of the time our base will be the hostel in extraordinary Kinloch Castle near Loch Scresort. Trains run from Glasgow to Malaig, and from Malaig you catch the regular Rum ferry which is a magical journey in itself. Guided by Sue M.

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