What's New at BikeHike for 2008-2009

Peru - Machu Picchu Lodge to Lodge

Hiking and Horseback Riding, 10-days Moderate

For those of you looking for a luxurious way to follow a less trodden Inca trail, this trip is for you. By day we trek through the Cordillera Vilcabamba, a spectacular mountain range in the heartland of the Andes that cradles the legendary Machu Picchu. By night we stay in four boutique luxury lodges, each a day’s hike apart. The luxury mountain lodges feature gourmet Peruvian cuisine, outdoor jacuzzis, comfy beds with down duvets and cozy lounges with fireplaces. The highest point we reach is a dramatic 15,200-foot pass between Salkantay, the second most sacred peak in Inca mythology, and Huamantay peaks. As we descend to lower altitudes we trek through misty cloud forests filled with tangled strangler figs, bromeliads, and orchids. After our trek, we head to the “lost city” of Machu Picchu for a day of discovering the exquisite ruins. We end with a train journey back to colonial Cuzco.
Dates 2009: Mar 4-13, Mar 18-27, Apr 1-10, Apr 8-17, Apr 15-24, Apr 22-May 1, Apr 29-May 8, May 6-15, May 12-21, May 20-29, May 27-Jun 5, Jun 3-12, Jun 11-20, Jun 17-26, Jun 24-Jul 3, Jul 2-11, Jul 8-17, Jul 16-25, Jul 22-31, Aug 6-15, Aug 12-21, Aug 20-29, Aug 26-Sept 4, Sept 2-11, Sept 10-19, Sept 16-25, Sept 23-Oct. 2, Sept 30-Oct 9, Oct 8-17, Oct 14-23, Oct 28-Nov 6, Nov 18-27, Nov 25-Dec 4
Price: $4399 USD (based on 1 traveller), $3999 USD (based on 2+ travellers) Land Only

Trish Sare Guiding Jan 26-31, 2009 Belize - Paddler's Paradise

Sea Kayaking and Snorkeling, 6-days Moderate

We are pleased to announce Trish Sare will be guiding the Jan 26-31, 2009 Belize – Paddler’s Paradise trip. This liquid adventure is built specifically for water enthusiasts. Launching out of Placencia, in Southern Belize, we have four days of paddling and snorkeling along the longest reef in the western hemisphere. In our sleek sea kayaks we navigate between a labyrinth of deserted islands scattered along the warm and clear Caribbean Sea. The ocean is rich and colourful, abundant with exotic tropical fish and coral walls that plunge deep into the earth. When we're not on the water, we're stretched out in hammocks, chilling beneath coconut palms in the refreshing ocean breeze. This trip has the perfect blend of activity and relaxation to feed your spirit and enrich your soul.
Dates 2009: Jan 26-31
Price:$1899 USD Land Only

Nepal - Everest Base Camp and Mani Rimdu Festival

Trekking, 21-days Moderate

There is no greater mountain than Everest, the world's highest peak at (29,028ft/8848m). This special departure is to Everest Base Camp, the foot of the mighty Everest summit and it's designed around the colorful Mani Rimdu Festival. This festival is a religious ceremony performed by the monks of the Tengboche monastery and is full of lively activities. Sherpas trek for several days to witness this important event. After exploring Kathmandu, we fly to Lukla where we begin our 16-day trek through Sherpa country. We hike along cultivated fields and through small villages, through the Khumbu Valley, savouring the high mountain views from the best possible campsites. We follow the Dudh Kosi before the hard work begins as we climb up to Namche Bazaar. There are rest days at the Sherpa capital of Namche Bazaar and Dingboche village, set below the spectacular peak of Ama Dablam to help adjust to the altitude. Once we reach Loboche, the temperatures will have dropped and we'll be walking over the Khumbu Glacier in a winter wonderland. From here, it's the stretch to Base Camp and lastly the final highlight, Kalar Patar (18,300 ft/5545m) with intoxicating views of Everest and the Khumbu Glacier cascading below. This trek is designed to fulfill the dream of many trekkers to experience the historic route to the base of the world's highest mountain.
Dates 2008: Nov 8 - 28
Price: $2699 USD Land Only

Romania - Transylvania Traverse

Mountain Biking, Hiking and Horseback Riding, 10-days Moderate

Romania - Transylvania Travers Romania. The name alone conjures up iconic images of Count Dracula, Transylvania, the Carpathian Mountains and old world Eastern European culture. It's a country where Western and Byzantine influences meet, shepherds still tend their flocks, horse drawn carriages are more numerous than cars, and medieval villages retain their traditional character. On BikeHike's Transylvania Traverse we explore the South East of Romania by mountain bike, horseback and foot. We'll show you ethnic diversity from Romanians, Hungarians and Saxons to Gypsies, Ukrainians and Poles and we'll learn about their traditions and beliefs. We'll sample the region’s local cuisine and wines in the ambiance of a medieval castle, visit Dracula's Castle and hike and bike in the legendary Carpathian Mountains, the backbone of Eastern Europe. Our trip to Romania and the Transylvania Alps is an artful blend of active adventure, traditional culture, exquisite scenery and ancient history.
Dates 2009: May 22-31, Jun 26-Jul 5, Aug 7-16, Sept 11-20, Oct 9-18
Price: $4299 USD (2 travelers) and $3799 USD (3+ travelers) Land Only

Laos - Multi-Sport Mecca

Mountain Biking, Trekking, Kayaking and Elephant Riding, 13-days Moderate

They say that variety is the spice of life and on this Northern Laos Sports Extravaganza, there is plenty of it. Our adventure starts and ends in the ancient royal city of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage site surrounded by forested mountains, the mighty Mekong River and golden Buddhist monasteries filled with chanting orange-robed monks. In 13-days we mountain bike into rural communities where time seems to stand still. We spend four days on foot, trekking high up in the magnetic mountains through Hmong and Akha hill tribe villages with overnights in family homes. We ride elephants through expanses of bamboo forests and float down the peaceful Nam Ou river in kayaks. This adventure to Laos is a trip into the past, to a quieter, less hurried time.
Dates 2009: Jan 18-30, Feb 15-27, Mar 29-Apr 10, Apr 19-May 1, May 17 - 29, Sept 6-19, Oct 11-24, Nov 22-Dec 4
Price: $2299 USD Land Only

Vietnam and Cambodia - Active Indochina for the Deluxe Traveler

Mountain Biking, Hiking, Sailing and Sea Kayaking, 12-days Moderate

This double dose of adventure in Vietnam and Cambodia is for those travelers wanting a luxurious experience in South East Asia. We stay in deluxe boutique hotels and on a Luxury Indochina Sailing Junk. The first eight days are in Northern Vietnam, kicking off in Hanoi, where we hike and ride cyclos around the bustling old quarter. We mountain bike through remote villages past mountainsides of terraced rice paddies, trek into the Sapa Region to see the colourful Dzao hill tribe and overnight in a cozy Eco Lodge high in the lush mountains. In Halong Bay we explore a labyrinth of limestone cliffs that rise out of the sea from the comfort of our sailing junk and in our sleek ocean kayaks. The last four days are in Cambodia, visiting Ankor Wat, the epitome of classical Khmer architecture. This 12-day ramble is loaded with comfort, culture, nature and adventure and is a sure bet to satisfy.
Dates 2009: Jan 21-Feb 1, Mar 4 -15, Apr 29-May 10, May 27-Jun 7, Sept 16-27, Oct 28- Nov 8, Nov 18-29, Dec 9-20
Price: $3599 USD Land Only