12 Big Adventures to Plan for Next Year

From trekking in Nepal to hiking Peru, start planning one of these bucket-list trips right now.

Author:: BACKPACKER Contributors and Editors
Publish date:: Nov 29, 2018

Spend a little or spend a lot. Tackle a big challenge or take it easy. Whatever you do, get out there. The world won’t give you an invitation, but we’ll do the next best thing with life-list picks from our scouts: pro photographers, travel writers, and staff. Now clear a spot on your calendar and fill it with one of these epic trips.

Rain is common in the Cordillera Huayhuash, but that means you get scenes like this. Photo by patitucciphoto

Hikers en route to the Gspaltenhorn Hut. Photo by patitucciphoto

You only need confidence—not technical skills—to climb this 150-foot ladder. Photos by Hagephoto

Camping near Chukhung, you get a view of Ama Dablam’s northeast face, a perspective that trekkers on the standard Everest route don’t see. Photos by Patitucciphoto

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah

You don’t need to leave the country to have a week of adventure you’ll never forget. Just head to southern Utah’s Escalante region and explore the sculpted sandstone playground along Hole-in-the-Rock Road. From a basecamp along the dirt road (primitive car-camping available; BYO water), spend a few days hiking the area’s legendary slot canyons. Many narrow to just a few feet wide and conceal eroded rock that’s more like art than geology. Try Red Breaks canyon (takes all day) and a loop connecting Spooky and Peek-a-boo slots (shorter). Next: Backpack Coyote Gulch, one of the Southwest’s premier multiday trips. It’s 13 miles down to the Escalante River, so allow three to four days to explore the canyon’s arches, amphitheaters, and rock art. Season Spring and fall; beware of flash floods. Permit Required (free) for all overnight trips Cost $500