The importance of getting fresh air is as vital for adults as it is for children. The change of scenery, getting outside, and being active while interacting with a variety of people are part of a healthy lifestyle.

“Kick-start your brain. New ideas come from watching something, talking to people, experimenting, asking questions and getting out of the office!”

– Steve Jobs

Hiking is an easy way to be active outside. Travelling, experiencing different cultures, and seeing the world from a different perspective, provide an opportunity for personal growth and an enriched understanding of our world. With our desire for both components, we have incorporated these two elements and created DeLuxe Hiking: tours that combine and balance active hiking and travel experiences.

Okay, but what is “DeLuxe Hiking?” What makes it “DeLuxe?” We’ve adopted the motto: Real Hiking, Real Culture, and Real Comfort, so let’s start there. Real HIKING means that these tours are for active adults who enjoy hiking. Being able to walk or hike for 10 km or more per day, for several days in a row, is important. The trails and trail segments are selected based on the rewarding views, and many are well-known “bucket list” vistas only accessible by foot. Another consideration for the selected hikes is that they are generally of moderate difficulty. These hikes are neither “a walk in the park” nor scrambling, so no special rock-climbing equipment is needed. "Broken-in” hiking boots, a day pack, and perhaps hiking poles are the only gear needed.

DeLuxe Hiking also incorporates the notion of Real CULTURE. These tours are not just hiking adventures – they include experiences with local entrepreneurs, historical and geological sights, and opportunities to sample the flavours of the region.

Real COMFORT incorporates more of the “DeLuxe” features for these hiking tours. Transportation during the tour is generally by motorcoach, so each guest can have their own “nest” for their gear, and they do not need to carry their luggage while hiking. The groups tend to be small, with around 20 people per departure. A feature of our tours is that we hire local professional guides in addition to the tour director, so it is possible to divide our guests into smaller groups based on pace. Also, by providing transportation to and from the trailheads, it is possible to hike point-to-point trail segments, and not just hike out-and-back or loops. Finally, with DeLuxe Hiking, we are not camping, rather, we provide comfortable hotel accommodations, sometimes at a boutique or unique property. After a day of hiking, enjoy a hot shower, savour a delicious meal, share stories with fellow guests, and sleep in a comfortable bed.

Thus, with DeLuxe Hiking, we are offering hiking tours that incorporate the transportation and logistics for a great hiking experience, we have included sightseeing elements for an enhanced appreciation of the region, and added comfortable hotel accommodations, so guests can have a good night’s sleep, and be refreshed and ready for the next days of adventures. That’s DeLuxe!