ON FOOT · MOUNTAIN & SUMMIT HIKES
A summit day is mostly about the last hour. These 15 compare the ascent, how much of it a cable car or jeep takes off you, and what turns a group back, with prices and start times for each.
Leave Marrakech with a driver and guide for Tahanaout, Asni, Imlil, and Aroumd. Expect mountain views, a possible argan oil cooperative visit, mint tea, and tajine or couscous in a Berber family home. The gentle walk suits most participants, while a private option allows a more flexible day.
Leave Bali early for a guided Mount Batur sunrise hike with local guides such as Sar, Madi, or Meggie. Expect steep, dark trails, a simple summit breakfast, tea, coffee, water, trekking gear, and views of Lake Batur. Afterward, visit a coffee plantation and taste Luwak coffee before returning to your hotel.
“It was awesome! Our guide Jason was so lovely and also our driver Depa. Highly recommend the coffee plantation too! Super cozy”
Set out before dawn with a local guide such as Sar, Nova, Jordan, or Luna for Mount Batur’s steep sunrise trek. Enjoy breakfast and volcano views at the summit, then rest in warm hot-spring pools and visit a Temen coffee plantation. Hotel pickup is available from Ubud, Kuta, Sanur, Nusa Dua, Jimbaran, Canggu, Seminyak, and Denpasar.
“Garis was a fantastic driver and made sure we were always on time to all the activities and that there were no issues.”
Leave Marrakech for the High Atlas with a local guide such as Lahcen, Oussama, Ali, or Amina. Ride a camel, stop for mint tea, walk through Imlil Valley villages and orchards, then eat a fresh Berber lunch. The hike is moderate and flexible, with car transfers possible for anyone unable to walk.
“Fantastic tour from Oussama, a real expert in the region, where to go and answered any questions we had. Views were spectacular and the lunch was also great and very welcome after the hike. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a day trip away from the hustle of Marrakech!”
Hike Mount Etna with a certified volcanic guide, choosing a 3,000-meter route or a more demanding summit trek to about 3,400 meters. Expect cable-car views, lava flows, volcanic sand, crater rims, and Valle del Bove. Guides including Eduardo and Giuseppe explain the volcano as you walk.
“The trip was wonderfull, the guide Eduardo fantastic. We have spend an active and super good time. Eduardo was very helpful all Time. It was very informative trip. We very recomend to take a guide, You will have very good Time and get a lot of knowlegde about volcano Etna.”
Escape Tirana for Bovilla Lake and Gamti Mountain with a guide such as Altin, Artol, Ilmi, or Bris. Expect a bumpy rural road, a demanding 2 km uphill hike, a panoramic viewpoint, and free time at a mountain restaurant. The scenery is superb, but good shoes, water, and reasonable fitness are essential.
“Such a beautiful trip. The lake is beautiful. The guide Altin was amazing. Had a really good time. A must to do if visiting Tirana”
Reach 3000 meters on Mount Etna with a guide such as Antonio, Giuseppe, Michele, or Dario. Ride the cable car and 4x4, then walk across black volcanic sand to craters, recent lava flows, a lava channel, and the 2002 effusive vent. Expect 3 to 4 hours on uneven ground, thin air, wind, and changing weather.
“Our trip to Etna was fantastic—both my husband and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Antonio, our guide, was outstanding. He engaged warmly with everyone in the group and shared his extensive knowledge about Mount Etna and volcanoes in general. It was a truly memorable experience!”
Start in the dark with an English-speaking guide such as Roman, Sar, or Agus, climbing Mount Batur by headlamp for sunrise over Lake Batur and Mount Agung. At the summit, you get breakfast and hot drinks. After the descent, the Mt. Batur Lounge offers toilets, limited showers, and a place to rest before your transfer home.
“We had an amazing time , our driver ismail and leader Jordan were both amazing and made sure we had a great experience”
Leave Tirana by minivan for Lake Bovilla, stop at Bovilla Canyon, then hike toward Gamti Mountain and its panoramic viewpoint. The climb takes about 40 minutes, with steep rocky sections and a metal staircase near the top. Guides such as Desi, Irvi, Landi, and Daniel are known for friendly help, local stories, and taking good photos.
“This day trip was hands down one of the highlights of my trip, and that’s entirely because of our guide, Irvi. He is incredibly friendly, kind, generous, and genuinely cares about everyone in the group. From the very start, he made us feel comfortable and welcome. Irvi has an amazing sense of humor and kept the whole day fun and lively, while also sharing great knowledge and stories about the places we visited. He went above and beyond to make sure everyone was enjoying themselves, never rushed us, and always helped with photos, questions, and anything we needed. I honestly don’t think there is any other guide better than him.…”
Start before dawn for Mount Batur’s volcanic sunrise, guided by local staff such as Nopia, Ayu, or Made Rum. Hike steep, loose ground or choose a Jeep ride, then enjoy breakfast and a hot drink near the summit. Add the natural hot spring, waterfall, or jungle swing. Hotel pickup, group, and private options vary by package.
“Incredible hike up mount Batur with mister. He literally held my hand. Also great driver Kadek for the day.”
Join a small group of up to eight for a five-hour Etna trek with a volcano guide. Ride the cable car and 4x4 to 2,850 meters, then hike toward Bocca Nuova, the Central Crater, and Barbagallo Crater. Guides such as Simone, Alessandro, Basilio, and Vincenzo are praised for clear explanations and careful pacing. The route changes with weather and volcanic activity.
“This was an amazing experience and although quite cloudy on the day, it didn’t disappoint. Giuseppe was an excellent guide. Friendly and knowledgeable. The trek although long wasn’t particularly hard and suitable for any reasonably fit person. A must do if you want to get as close as you can to the summit of Etna.”
Leave Ubud around 2:30 a.m. with a driver, meet a local Mount Batur guide, and climb for about 1.5 hours to the summit. You’ll watch sunrise, walk near the crater, eat a light breakfast, soak in hot springs, and stop at a coffee plantation. Guides such as Nova, Roman, Andi, and Luna are praised for pacing, photos, and care.
“Great fun. Quite challenging but a wonderful experience. Highly recommend. My guide was wonderful, caring and supportive and absolutely loved her company I also wanted to give a special thanks to my driver, Eddy. Travelling on my own as a female in the middle of the night in a new country can be daunting, so it was truly appreciated that eddy was so communicative, punctual and made sure I needed for nothing.”
Start before dawn for a guided climb of Mount Batur, reaching the summit for sunrise, hot drinks, and eggs cooked by volcanic steam. Guides such as Ayu, Iwan, Nopia, and Nengah have helped hikers manage the steep route. Pickup, equipment, breakfast, and return transport are included, with time for Kintamani and Tegallalang.
“From the time Melta picked us up at 2am she made us feel very comfortable. The ride to base camp went smoothly and we were met with hot coffee and tea when we arrived. Our trekking guide was Iwan, who was brilliant and looked after us so well. He made sure we had the right equipment and helped us adjust it. During the trek in the dark he checked in on us and waited whenever we needed a rest. When we got to the top for sunrise he made us a large breakfast which he carried up all the way for us, including the water to boil eggs in! We…”
Join guides such as Antonio, Renato, and Maria for a seven-hour Mount Etna trek from Catania. Walk from 1,850 to 2,400 meters, see Silvestri Craters and the 2001 lava flow, look into Valle del Bove, explore a lava cave when conditions allow, and slide down soft volcanic ash. Shoes, jackets, poles, and transport are included.
“The weather is good. The guides are super nice. It was a very nice experience!”
Meet your English or Italian-speaking guide at La Terrazza Dell'Etna, ride toward 2,500 meters, then hike across ash and lava to the summit crater area at 3,000 meters. Guides such as Luca, Marco, and Manuel explain Etna's geology, manage the pace, and adjust the route when weather or volcanic conditions change.
“Fantastic day they took care of us, gave us hiking boots, jacket and helmet, taught us about Mount Etna and the different types of surfaces and helped us have a smooth day.”
Other ways to spend the day on foot
Rock, ice, forest or crater rim.
