Climbing to the top of mountains travel guide
Bolted routes up natural rock walls or trekking trails leading between mountain huts and snowy summits; choose your climb, grow in confidence and discover life from a whole new angle.![]()
Imagine waking before dawn to make one final push to the 6,962m summit of Aconcagua in Argentina. Andean views will be absolutely breathtaking, in every sense; this is the highest point in South America. Perhaps you'd prefer to climb closer to the ground on a 300m rock face in Andalusia? You can stay in Granada and learn Spanish as well as tackling a huge variety of rock climbing routes on El Chorro. Summiting and rock climbing hold firm to the adage: 'because it's there', however, there's more to a climbing holiday than simply satisfying an urge. You'll really become enveloped in an area. Local guides and instructors will show you the ropes and explain a local community's relationship with the mountain, the rock face; with nature. Trek up Kilimanjaro followed by a safari or sail around the Dodecanese islands before rock climbing on Kalymnos – our climbing holidays guide is on hand to help you to the top.
WHAT DOES A CLIMBING HOLIDAY ENTAIL?
What is a climbing holiday?
We offer two types of climbing holidays: rock climbing, and hiking to the peak of a mountain, also known as summiting. Both types of climbing holiday can include more than one peak or rock formation. For example if you've got plans to head to Ecuador to tackle Cayambe (5,790m), you'll also summit Pichincha (4,784m) and Iliniza North (5,126m) as part of the same trip.
Summiting will invariably involve trekking – not rock climbing – at altitude, so acclimatisation and listening to guide instructions are both just as important as being fit and healthy; in mind as well as body. Depending on the duration of your holiday, you will be rock climbing or summiting at some point during each and every day. There might also be a rest day at the start and end of the trip. On some trips you can combine climbing with a different activity, learning Spanish and rock climbing in Andalucia, for instance, or sailing and rock climbing in Greece. Full instruction and training will also be part of an itinerary, meaning these trips are suitable for absolute beginners through to more experienced trekkers and climbers. Although many climbing holidays don’t require any technical knowhow you will need a reasonable standard of fitness to get the most out of a trip.
More about summiting
Climbing holidays that involve an ascent to the summit of a mountain will follow a set trail to the top. This can involve strenuous physical and mental exertion at high altitude, plus some scrambling over loose rocks. You might use crampons, ice picks and plastic boots. Local guides, porters and cooks might be employed, to reduce the amount of luggage you need to carry.
Climbs vary in difficulty. The ascent to the summit of Mont Blanc is only for experienced and very fit climbers, with some steep sections requiring 1:2 ratios of guides to climbers. Kilimanjaro, on the other hand, has a much more gradual incline and is suitable for confident hikers, especially if following the Marangu Route. However, you’ll still need to acclimatise before ascending. This will keep you safe, as well as increasing your likelihood of reaching the peak.
Who goes on climbing holidays?
Most of our climbing holidays are small group trips. Groups contain six people on average, with a maximum of around 12. Group members might have a mixture of abilities and experience but training can be adapted to all levels of fitness, skill and agility. Many experienced rock climbers enjoy the benefits of working with a local guide who can show them the types of route available, such as single or multi-pitch or with a specific grading. Some folks who've never climbed before will take part in basic training sessions and can take advantage of easier routes to build confidence. Of course, it helps if you're fit and healthy but it will surprise you just how much technique plays a role in climbing. Mental strength, too, is just as important as physical.
Who'll be teaching the ropes?
Climbing guides will usually be from the local area and professionally certified to expert level. It’s no exaggeration to say that some guides will have reached a particular peak on hundreds of occasions. They know not only how to teach beginners through to experienced climbers, but also about the places that you'll be visiting. Guides give travellers the chance to meet members of the local community and will often help to promote small businesses and form positive relationships between people living close to climbing sites and those visiting them as guests. Equipment will always be of the highest standard and safety instructions and international guidelines will be followed at all times.
Climb Mount Cotopaxi, Ecuador
Climb three stunning peaks, including Cotopaxi Volcano
From
£1576 to £1820
10 days
ex flights
Tanzania tour with Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar
Kilimanjaro, 5 national parks and Zanzibar beach break
From
US $4500 to US $6270
12 days
ex flights
Borneo Mount Kinabalu climb holiday
Adventure holiday to see wildlife and climb Mt Kinabalu
From
£3750
13 days
inc UK flights
Lemosho Route Kilimanjaro Climb
Eight days of trekking on Africa's highest mountain
From
£3035 to £3995
10 days
ex flights
Mount Toubkal classic climb, privately guided
Conquer the highest peak in North Africa - Mount Toubkal
From
£345 to £385
3 days
ex flights
Ecuador mountaineering holiday
Mountaineering & climbing tour, Ecuador's highest volcanoes
From
£2376
15 days
ex flights
Contact Us
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WHEN TO GO ON A CLIMBING HOLIDAY
Summiting mountains advice
Mont Blanc inspiration
Alistair Grice, experienced climber from our partner Exodus, shares his thoughts after successfully reaching the summit of Mont Blanc:
“I was fortunate enough to reach the summit of Mont Blanc (via the Gouter Route) in August 2015. I've made it to the top of numerous 4,000m-plus peaks with Exodus over the years, and I have to say, Mont Blanc is a unique experience in terms of the speed of ascent and the fickle nature of the weather window. Conditions are really unpredictable in this part of the French Alps during the summer. Suffice to say, excellent aerobic fitness and good levels of stamina are key to success as well as keeping one’s nerve on crossing the Grand Couloir. The rewards on reaching the top of Western Europe make Mont Blanc an experience not to be missed.”
And some reflections from our holiday reviews
Responsible Traveller, Anthony Harpur, climbed Mont Blanc
“The scramble up the side of "Le Grand Couloir" was unforgettable. My advice is to get fit before going. Upper body strength is very useful for the scrambling sections. We used local guides and stayed in eco-friendly refuges whilst on the mountains. This was one of the most enjoyable and rewarding holidays I have ever been on. The training was thorough and to the point. The guides were knowledgeable and friendly and the accommodation and food were excellent.”
Flexibility & fitness
Omar Camarero, from our partner:
“Climbing is much the same as other sports in as much as you can start from zero and work your way up. Our training can be adapted for all levels. We get experienced climbers that need just some guidance on where to find the types of route they like, such as single or multi-pitch, or with a specific grading. We also get people who’ve never climbed before who need some basic training and easy routes. In terms of physicality, it helps if you’re fairly fit, of course, but it's surprising just how much ‘technique’ plays a role in climbing. You can see people who might not be able to do more than a couple of pull ups successfully climbing 6+ routes. A huge proportion of climbing consists of training the mind rather than just the body. This is the reason why we’ve recently started yoga and climbing tours – they’re perfect match for mind control and body fitness.”
More Climbing articles
Adventurous travellers can shoot for the summit and experience a unique part of the world in a single trip.
Get to grips with the basics, discover what rock climbing entails and find out how to respect the rock.
All about Africa's second-highest peak, and how our holidays get you to the summit.
