Each of our tours has been labelled with both an activity and a tour style, to help you understand how the trip works and what to expect.
Walking & biking tours come in many shapes and sizes! And in addition to things like the activity level (how easy or challenging the trip will be) and the accommodations level (what to expect from your accommodation) the actual format of the trip itself can vary a lot.
Self guided active vacations are at the heart of the Macs Adventure ethos as we believe the best way to explore the world is on your own terms. We deal with the logistics, book your accommodations, transfer your bags and map your route on our user-friendly smartphone app. All you need to do is walk or bike to the next stop and have a great time. There is no guide, no set time to get up and going, no group to keep up with, just you and everything you need to make your trip a rip-roaring success. Try the West Highland Way, the Alpine joy of the Tour du Mont Blanc or pilgrimages across Spain to Santiago de Compostela.
Our aim is to make every trip as personal and immersive as possible. We want you to get the absolute most out of your experience and on some of our trips we offer personal, private guides so that you have the experience of completing the journey with a trusted leader at your side. Sometimes you need a guide because the route is too wild to travel alone. Alternatively, there are some areas where a local guide can show you the hidden gems and give depth and context to your experience. We can accommodate a variety of group sizes into our privately guided trips. Whether you want to get a group together to get up to Everest Base Camp, or you want to go solo to reach Annapurna Sanctuary, we will escort your adventure in style.
There are some parts of the world where travel as part of a small guided group is the only way to go. For example, if you want to walk the Inca Trail, local regulations stipulate that you hike with a qualified and registered guided. Wherever we offer small-group tours, we maintain the Macs ethos of flexible travel by ensuring we choose the best available local guides and we try to offer as much independence as possible. The porters and guides who transport your packs along the Inca Trail are invaluable, and your guide on the Laugevegur Trail in Iceland will keep you safe and share their knowledge of the wilderness with you.
Choose the best of both worlds! Our Independent Adventures offer a mix of self guided freedom and the added insight of a guide. You will still enjoy flexibility and independence, but some activities and visits will be guided to enhance your experience and enable you to visit remote areas or take part in fun but technical activities. For instance on our Cotopaxi Trails tour in Ecuador, you are free to walk on your own and at your own pace, however on the first day we will take you on a guided tour of Quito to introduce you to this amazing city. On the last day, we will arrange for a guide to take you up to the snowline on Cotopaxi, the highest mountain in Ecuador and an active volcano!
Enjoy the best of a large region by car and on foot. Day hikes in the best places and itineraries usually inn to inn, with mapping provided. No bag transfer. Car hire offered as an option or included.
Mix the joys of travel by train with the best walks accessible from the rail-line. Travel inn-to-inn by train and enjoy hikes from each stopping point. Allows you to see more of the destination as you are traveling overland but also on foot. A very sustainable way of traveling. Rail fare included - no luggage transfers as you can take bags on the train.
Follow a traditional pilgrimage trail, usually inn-to-inn in classic Macs style with luggage transfer. For many a spiritual experience rather than an active adventure as the aim. History and camaraderie of other pilgrims is often a highlight. The most famous of all pilgrim trails is the Camino de Santiago.
The classic Macs Adventure style - follow a route/trail by walking or biking from place to place each day, over-nighting in characterful accommodations, which is usually a small hotel or guest-house style of lodging (see more about our accommodations levels here). Your luggage will be transferred each day (unless otherwise specified), leaving you to enjoy the day's activity at leisure.
Usually in remote mountain areas - hike from hut to hut (often known as "refuges"). Luggage transfer is sometimes included but this is often not available on some days, due to the remote locations. Your itinerary will always specify this. Facilities are often shared, and rooms may be dormitory style. Generally these are harder hikes and suited for experienced hikers in stunning alpine terrain.
Classic Macs Adventure style, very similar to Inn to Inn, but lingering in the best places - staying 2 or more nights in each accommodation to enable more exploration. More relaxed style of walking or biking vacation as you could opt to skip a day's activity, but this format still offers a sense of journey.
Stay in one comfortable lodging - no re-packing needed! A relaxed option which will include day walks or bike rides from your hotel, so you can change the order of the daily activities, or spend the occasional day resting in the hotel or exploring the town. Great for less experienced adventurers, or those who want relaxation or flexibility.
Move daily from place to place, but with a cook and camp crew who will set up tents each night and provide food and camaraderie. Usually guided.
Stay on a comfortable river barge, your floating hotel for the duration of the trip, which means no packing and unpacking as your cabin follows you along the bike path! Ride on a mix of dedicated bike paths and low to medium traffic roads. Often (but not always) these vacations offer a guide.
Routes designed to be ridden on road bikes - all on tarmac, the majority or all of the riding is on roads used by vehicles, longer distances with more ascent and descent.
Routes designed to be ridden on mountain bikes - Often on off-road tracks and trails, some of the riding may be technical so experience and skills are required, occasional on-road sections.
Leisure biking routes where we offer the option to hire an e-bike - Enjoy an extra power boost from the battery to assist on hills and if you are feeling tired!
Multiple activities will be available to enjoy! This might include kayaking, horse riding, or sailing.
Use our tour search to find a route or destination of choice and use the filters to narrow down your search to the ideal activity and tour style.
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