2-2 Deciding where to go

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It is common to find people choosing treks because they came across a brochure, or because "their friend did it". My belief is that any journey comes from the heart. You must want to go because the experience calls to you, rather than because it is something someone else did, so you'd better do it too or because o­ne brochure designer is better than another, both of which are going to become irrelevant o­nce you begin the trek, because that trek will be YOURS. The experiences, difficulties, exhilaration..... they are all yours. This is something the brochure cannot capture, and others cannot know - they will have their own experiences.

Okay, regardless of why, you want to go. So where?

Take that list you made of what you want from your trek. Just hunt around for itineraries that include the words you want in their description till you find a couple of treks that answer your needs. Yeah, I know. This is what most people do. What they don't do is:

Contact a few tour operators there and explain your needs, not ask for itineraries that you have shortlisted.

The reason for this is that these people know all the routes in the region, and regardless of the generic description found in itineraries, they have an idea where to send a person interested in wildlife (for example) for an interesting experience. Or when and where is a local festival happening for someone interested in culture.

Reading itineraries doesn't make you an expert, or we would all be out of jobs. What it takes is experience of the places to know instinctively what would suit what client - it is no guarantee, but the chances are far better to find your perfect experience like that, rather than a "selling label" trek.

Now, go through the options you get. Research o­n the places. Make your choice.
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