This was published 5 years ago
Short adventure and culture holidays: Nine epic trips you can do in less than five days
By Ute Junker
Pretty as a picture: Beechworth in Victoria. The Murray to Mountains Rail Trail is one of Australia's loveliest cycling trails and takes just two days.Credit: SHUTTERSTOCK
As a nation, we are tripping out. We are travelling more than ever, hopping into cars and onto planes, taking trips of all kinds. We take city breaks and beach breaks. We book in a two-week jaunt across a foreign country this month, a quick trip down the coast next month.
But there are trips and then there are journeys. A trip and a journey can both take you from point A to point B, but it's a journey that will take you somewhere deeper. To put it another way: a trip changes the backdrop of your ongoing life story; a journey changes your life story.
However, journeys don't have to be arduous. They don't even have to take a long time. Ever had a holiday where you have connected with the culture in a meaningful way? That is a journey. Or had an experience that has tested your mental or physical limits, pushing you out of your comfort zone? That's a journey.
What about a trip into the great outdoors, in a setting so beautiful it lifts you clear of the everyday and changes your perspective? Yep, it's also a journey. Whether it lasts a day or three weeks, a journey will stretch you and refresh you in a way that an ordinary holiday just can't manage.
Here are nine journeys that will take you less than five days (and in some cases less than five hours).
THE SHORT
Need to keep it short? These journeys can be done in five days or fewer.
STAY WITH AN ARNHEM LAND INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY
THE DURATION
Five days
THE EXPERIENCE
If you have ever wanted to learn more about Indigenous culture, what better way than to spend time with a community on their homelands. The Yolngu people of Arnhem Land welcome visitors for multi-day stays, providing the opportunity to learn about traditional lore including storytelling and dance. Instead of a strict itinerary, guests get to take part in everyday activities with their hosts. These activities, which are often gender-specific, include everything from weaving or spear fishing to gathering bush foods and medicines. This is a rare journey that lets you explore a very different approach to life.
ESSENTIALS
Lirrwi Tourism's Crossing Country tour takes small groups to visit various Yolngu homelands. Accommodation is simple and itineraries are flexible. From $2399 twin share. See lirrwitourism.com.au
PADDLE THROUGH NORWAY'S FIORDS
Man with backpack relaxing on mountain summit traveling alone in Norway Lifestyle adventure vacations getaway above Naeroyfjord landscape aerial view SatFeb9cover - journeys - Ute Junker Credit: ShutterstockCredit: SHUTTERSTOCK
THE DURATION
Five days
THE EXPERIENCE
Some people find that the best way to leave their cares behind is to immerse themselves in natural beauty. For others, it is physical activity that recalibrates their system. A kayak-and-hike expedition through Norway's gorgeous fiords delivers both in the one package. On Nordic Adventures' three-day exploration of the World Heritage-listed Neroyfjord, some days are spent paddling through the water; on others, you will hike to the high summits overlooking the fiord, past cascading waterfalls fed by snowmelt from the highest peaks. At night feast on fresh barbecue at your campsite.
ESSENTIALS
Nordic Adventures' three-day exploration of Neroyfjord starts from NK4195. See nordicventures.com
ENJOY A GOURMET CYCLE THROUGH GOLD RUSH TOWNS
THE DURATION
Two days
THE EXPERIENCE
The Murray to Mountains Rail Trail is one of Australia's loveliest cycling trails. It winds its way for 100 kilometres through the Ovens Valley, studded with charming heritage towns dating back to the Gold Rush. After a hard day's riding, cyclists can feast on the area's superb food and wine. While the trail's spine follows the old railway line past Myrtleford and Bright, interconnected offshoots allow you to visit other highlights such as pretty-as-a-picture Beechworth, the scene of Ned Kelly's famous trial.
ESSENTIALS
Tour de Vines offers a two-day guided cycle along the Murray to Mountains Trail including winery lunches and wine tastings from $499 a person twin share. See tourdevines.com.au
THE VERY, VERY SHORT
Only have a day to spare? Try one of these quick-fix journeys.
DISCOVER LISBON'S HIGHS AND LOWS
Credit: SHUTTERSTOCK
THE DURATION
Three hours
THE EXPERIENCE
Lisbon is one of those cities just made for walking, with each of its patchwork of neighbourhoods boasting its own unique character. From Baixa with its grand buildings to chic hilltop Chiado, from the raucous Bairro Alto to the warren of streets in the Moorish quarter of Alfama, the best way to explore these atmospheric areas is on foot. Context Travel's local guides include historians, architects and chefs. As they lead you on a walking tour, they share historical perspective and current controversies, insights into architecture, food and much more.
ESSENTIALS
Context Travel's tours of Lisbon start from $US80 a person. See contexttravel.com
EXPLORE A LUNAR LANDSCAPE IN NEW ZEALAND
Credit: SHUTTERSTOCK
THE DURATION
Six to eight hours
THE EXPERIENCE
None of us is likely to set foot on the moon anytime soon, but a traverse of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a pretty good substitute, especially since you don't have to worry about the whole lack-of-oxygen situation. The striking volcanic terrain – think lava fields and giant calderas – doubled as Mount Doom for the Lord of the Rings films. Most people take the best part of a day to complete this otherworldly hike, which includes some steep sections along its 20-kilometre length. Hikers are rewarded not just with a portfolio of memorable photos, but also a real sense of achievement.
ESSENTIALS
Adrift Tongariro runs guided walks starting from $NZ205 a person. See adriftnz.co.nz
LEARN TO EAT (AND COOK) LIKE AN ITALIAN IN LECCE
Credit: SHUTTERSTOCK
THE DURATION
Four hours
THE EXPERIENCE
If there are two things that Italians take seriously, it is food and family. To get a feel for both, invest a couple of hours in a cooking class with a local. In the beautiful baroque city of Lecce, Gianna Greco – a qualified chef and sommelier as well as the custodian of her traditional family recipes – offers fascinating insights into how Italians really live. Many of her of cooking classes include a visit to the local market, where she greets vendors by name and shows you how to pick produce that is perfectly in season.
ESSENTIALS
Classes with Gianna Greco's Cooking Experience start from €150 a person. See cookingexperience.it
THE TALL
You don't need to don crampons to enjoy these journeys that come with a natural high.
RIDE THE RAILS THROUGH THE PERUVIAN HIGHLANDS
Credit: Shutterstock
THE DURATION
10 hours
THE EXPERIENCE
Whichever direction you take on PeruRail's Titicaca Train, you will end up somewhere spectacular. At one end of the line lies Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, where villagers live on man-made islands. At the other is Cusco, a Spanish colonial city built on top of the mighty capital of the Inca. However, a ride on the Titicaca Train is very much about the journey, savouring the joy of settling back into your elegant 1920s-style Pullman car and drinking up the magnificent views across the Andean highlands. At its peak, the rail line reaches an extraordinary altitude of 4300 metres.
ESSENTIALS
Tickets start at $US225 a person, including meals. See perurail.com
CONQUER YOSEMITE'S MOST FAMOUS PEAK
Credit: Shutterstock
THE DURATION
Two days
THE EXPERIENCE
Outlooks don't come much better than this. Reaching 2700 metres into the sky, Half Dome offers some of the best views in Yosemite National Park, across the Yosemite Valley, Mount Starr King, Clouds Rest, the Cathedral Range and the Sierra Crest. Getting there, however, requires serious exertion. Although it can be done as a (very long) day hike, most people will be more comfortable stretching it over two days. Essential equipment includes a permit that must be booked in advance but you won't need any climbing gear; steel cables are bolted in place to help climbers on the last 200 metres.
ESSENTIALS
YExplore offers two-day guided Half Dome hikes from $US670. See yexplore.com
SOAR PAST NEPAL'S HIGHEST PEAKS
Credit: Shutterstock
THE DURATION
30 minutes
THE EXPERIENCE
In Nepalese terms, 1600 metres is not particularly high, especially when you are standing with both feet on the ground. When you are flying through the sky, supported only by a large 'chute above you,1600 metres suddenly feels a whole lot higher. And when you are surrounded by peaks such as Dhaulagiri and Manaslu, towering above 8000 metres – well, nothing about this experience feels small. Nepal is one of the most spectacular places in the world to try paragliding. Strapped safely into a tandem harness with your instructor, you will ride the thermal currents like a bird, soaring and swooping as you drink in the spectacular views.
ESSENTIALS
Sunrise Paragliding offers a range of flights in the Pokhara Valley, from NRs8500. See sunrise-paragliding.com
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