What is a Self-Guided Walking Holiday?

The label “self-guided”, as used by operators of walking holidays, is sometimes misunderstood. In the walking holiday business, a self-guided walking holiday is a walking holiday without a guide but where the operator of the holiday provides walkers with various other services.

Self-guided walking tours provide walkers with the reassurance of well planned itineraries plus tour packages which are often competitively priced and contain many helpful inclusions. They provide a wonderful hybrid option between a traditional guided trip (led by a tour guide) and completely independent walking. As the name suggests, self-guided tours offer flexibility and freedom which is impossible with a guided group tour following a fixed itinerary and scheduled departure dates.

There are many benefits of self-guided walking holidays. A prime reason to choose this option is that it enables travellers to experience active adventure travel with the safety net of a tour operator providing some or all of the following: vetted accommodation, luggage transfer, detailed track notes, maps, GPS navigation (where possible), any necessary transfers between track and accommodation as well as emergency support. Often breakfast is included and sometimes other meals.

Another enormous benefit of self-guided walking holidays is that walkers can choose the pace of their walk. Here, the staff at Walk Travel Advisory have a wealth of experience and can advise on suitable distances to walk each day depending upon your walking experience and fitness levels. We can also advise on good places for rest days along the route and organise any itinerary modifications with tour operators, on your behalf.

Luggage transfers enable walkers to walk with a light daypack containing only walking essentials, with the assurance that the rest of your luggage will be safely transported to your next accommodation. Freed of the burden of luggage, walkers can immerse themselves in the surrounding landscape and reap the rewards of slow travel.

Cost-wise, there are substantial savings as you are not paying to be accompanied by tour guides. Instead of a paid guide, your detailed track notes and navigation tools provide insight and guidance, with the backup of local emergency support if needed. In addition, self-guided walkers benefit from the lower prices on accommodation and luggage transfers that tour operators access through their repeat business.

Self-guided walking holidays offer an enticing blend of curated active travel and logistical support, at an affordable price. They are offered by a multitude of tour operators world-wide. With so many self-guided walking tour options on offer, Walk Travel Advisory can assist in choosing the walk and the tour operator best suited to your needs. For many walkers, self-guided walking holidays are quite simply the winning formula.