There are two kinds of vacations that attract two kinds of people. First, there’s the “lay on the beach and tan while sipping a cocktail” vacationer. Then there’s the active “grab a backpack and climb a mountain” type of traveler. Relaxing vacations are nice, but the great thing about an active adventure is that it's good for the mind, body and soul. Aside from the obvious benefits of exercise, the ascent up a mountain is a rewarding experience. Getting drunk on the beach is fun, but it really can’t compare to testing the limits of your body and to the comradery of hiking with a group up a difficult path. There are many group tours you can join to do various hikes around the world, and for the LGBTQ+ traveler there are some great group tours and gay treks. Here are five incredible options for gay adventure seekers.

Reach Everest Base Camp

The highest mountain in the world, Mount Everest, is the cream of the crop for many mountaineers. With Out Adventures’ Nepal & Everest Base Camp Adventure tour, you’ll hike to the base camp at 5,364 meters of the mountain's impressive 8,848 meters. The two week trip isn’t only about hiking, however. It also includes a view into Nepali life and culture. Explore the country’s capital of Kathmandu, see various temples and monasteries, visit Sherpa villages, and stay in simple tea houses. Do all this while getting to know your fellow like-minded companions on the adventure and developing bonds through the experience.

Summit Africa’s Tallest Peak

If you’re more interested in summiting a mountain, then Out Adevnture's Kilimanjaro Gay Climb is more for you. Africa’s tallest mountain can be found in Tanzania, a country known for it’s diverse people speaking more than 100 different languages as well as its varied landscape with tall mountains, deep lakes, lush forests, vast plains and several islands including one of our favorites, Zanzibar. This climb will take you through the scenic route which also allows you more time to acclimate, guaranteeing a higher rate of success. This nine day adventure can also be accompanied with a Tanzania Luxury Safari for those who want to take advantage of being in one of Africa’s most bio-diverse countries.

Gay Hikes Out Adventures Mount Kilimanjaro

Follow the Inca Trail to Peru’s Most Famous Ruins

One of our personal favorite trips we’ve done was visiting Cusco in Peru on our way to see the infamous ruins of Machu Picchu. The city is a quaint Peruvian town with a colonial charm and a popular stop on the way to the Incan ruins. The Inca Trail & Machu Picchu hike is not quite like the previously mentioned two as this is an easier task with more of a “glamping” experience. Before the four-day hike, you’ll even have the opportunity to enjoy gay nightlife at a gay bar in Lima. For a gastronomy adventure, you’ll want to try cuy, fried or roasted guinea pig. We found this Peruvian dish tastes better than it looks. This nine day trip exploring the Andes Mountains while developing camaraderie with your group is sure to be a memorable experience.

Gay Hikes Out Adventures

The Azores are Portugal’s ‘Best Kept Secret’

Looking for some insider travel info? There’s more to Europe to be discovered and The Azores are Portugal’s best-kept secret. Condé Nast Traveller recently touted the archipelago as “the secret gardens of the Atlantic – lush and green, thick with temperate forests which feel almost like a rainforest, alive with birds and a rich wildlife.” Meanwhile, Lonely Planet recently wrote an article titled “This other Eden: The Azores, Europe’s secret islands of adventure”. The Azores are considered a hikers paradise and one of the easiest ways to take in the island’s verdant countryside is with a good old fashion hike. The islands feature plenty of well-marked paths including an epic ascent up Portugal’s tallest mountain, Mount Pico. If you like the idea of hiking on some of the most beautiful trails in the Atlantic, check out Out Adventures’ upcoming Portugal Azores Islands Adventure. In addition to some cool gay hikes, the all-gay expedition traverses four of the islands, hitting major sites like Sete Cidades and Capelinhos as well as partaking in popular activities like whale watching. 

The Camino de Santiago in Northern Spain

Spain has incredible attractions that draw many visitors to places all over the peninsular country and its islands. Of course being one of the most gay-friendly nations in Europe and the world, it’s no surprise that the country has plenty of year-round activities to offer the LGBT community. With plenty of warm and sunny days you could spend months exploring the big cities and Spanish countryside, but given you probably have just a short time to visit you’ve got to pick the best and most exciting. For adventure travelers looking for a gay hiking trip, you should definitely consider joining a gay group tour and hike one of the most famous journeys in Europe: The Camino de Santiago. Start off in Madrid, one of the world's most gay-friendly destinations and enjoy the vibrant city before heading north where you’ll hike the final leg of the Camino de Santiago. This world-famous pilgrimage takes you through beautiful landscapes of the region of Galicia, well known for delicious wines, cheeses and seafood. Finish the journey in Santiago de Compostela, where you can visit the world-renowned cathedral of Saint James. By ending your trek here, you’ll qualify for the Pilgrim’s Compostela, a certificate of completion of the exhilarating excursion.

Pick Your Adventure

If an active vacation is right up your alley then you’ve got three great gay tours to choose from. As a gay traveler, you have to be aware of your safety when traveling abroad, especially to developing countries where LGBT laws have not caught up with the western world. 

So what do you think? Which gay hiking tour interests you the most? Have you done any of these treks? Let us know in the comments below!

Note: This article was written in partnership with Out Adventures, however, rest assured all opinions are 100% our own and we would never sacrifice our integrity for a sponsorship.