First there was glamping, now it’s all about gliking.
While this might just look like another made up word, according to comparethemarket.com.au, this is the latest trend in the travel arena.
Gliking refers to the practice of glamorous hiking and biking, appealing to those with a sense of adventure, but who prefer to relax rather than rough it.
The emergence of gliking means that more people will now have access to explore a whole host of territories on two feet and two wheels, knowing that at the end of the day, it’s a warm meal and comfy bed to come home to.
But while there’s plenty of luxe involved in these trips, every travel expedition comes with its risks, says the travel insurance comparison website’s spokesperson Abigail Koch.
“It is great that people want to get back to nature and explore new places, but it is important to remember that any activity holiday, no matter how luxurious, comes with certain risks,” she said.
“Many basic insurance policies will not cover you if you are trekking above 3000 metres or if you’re injured while biking on terrain that is considered extreme. We encourage people to compare travel insurance policies and read the product disclosure statements carefully, so they fully understand what is and isn’t covered.”
Check out some of the companies bang on target with the gliking trend.
Overland Track, Tasmania – Cradle Mountain Huts Walk
This six-day, 65km hike begins at Cradle Mountain and winds through mountain passes and dense forests before ending up at Lake St. Clair National Park.
Ideal for first time hikers, the daily seven to 12km trek is rewarded with luxury private hut accommodation, hot showers, three course dinners and a selection of local wines.
California Wine Country Luxury, USA – TrekTravel
Explore the world-renowned Napa and Sonoma valleys on bike, clocking up about 65kms worth of riding a day, enjoying luxury accommodation and local cuisine along the way.
Given you’ll be riding through the valleys, the terrain is pretty hilly, so if you’d prefer a relaxing jaunt then perhaps an electric bike is worth considering.
The Milford Track, New Zealand – Ultimate Hikes NZ
The Milford Track has been described as the “world’s finest walk”, traversing wild fiords, mountain peaks and dense woodlands.
It pays to have a reasonable level of fitness to take on this 54km trek but rest assured you’ll get to enjoy a three-course dinner at the end of each day, as well as a snug bed within a private lodge.
A Feast for the Senses, Vietnam – Butterfield & Robinson
Riding between 20km and 50km a day, this six-day tour enables you to explore Vietnam’s local cultures all the way from the north to the south of the country.
A mixture of biking and flying, means you’ll be riding past rice paddies one day, war memorials the next, to then find yourself sipping champagne on a private beach outside of a luxurious hotel.
Marrakech & The High Atlas Mountains in Style, Morocco – Macs Adventure
Accompanied by your own qualified mountain guide, this trekking holiday promises lively souks, gardens and snow dusted peaks. With between three and five hours walking per day, you can tailor the trek to your fitness abilities.
