10 Best Mountains for Holidays

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Student Lifehacks
mountain holidays

Main topics in this article concern travelling, travel blogs, air travel, best mountains to visit, getaways, overseas adventure travels, highest mountains.

Why Mountains

If you like travelling and the spirit of adventures and you are not afraid of height, then mountains will offer you some of the best travelling experience ever! Clean air, beautiful nature, impressive views, untouched sceneries – what more can you dream of? It is a life-changing experience to spend self-sufficient time in the mountains that will alter your life forever!

It is a big holiday season coming up and we have prepared 10 mountain destinations with the most picturesque and breath-taking mountains that you can only imagine. We urge you to take some time off and to spend it following steep mountain tracks and hunting for fresh clean water – there is nothing else like this feeling.

Generally, people can be split into two groups: those who love mountains, and the others who do not. And usually, people who belong to the second group are those who have never had the chance to look down at the world from the top of a mountain!

People who have already done that are sure to understand really well the following things:  

  • Mountains offer you peace
  • Walking in the mountains is fitness training
  • Perspectives and insights from time spent in the mountains
  • Different understanding of beauty
  • Mountain fragrances
  • Your perspective of time evolves
  • Mountain air
  • Untouched nature
  • Understanding of weather
  • Exploration of the world

Travelling Advice

The most important part of getting ready for travelling is the actual packing bit. So many people procrastinate and leave it till the very last moment which leads to lost and forgotten items, inability to find the right clothes in the suitcase, paying for baggage overweight etc. In order to avoid these unpleasant consequences we advise you to start early and check these travel packing advice here — it will save you money on paying for extra baggage:

Other useful tips for travelling include:

  • Be flexible
  • Make a travel checklist
  • Note down common phrases of the local language — learning even a bit of a foreign language is advantageous
  • Take an extra camera battery and power bank for your mobile phone
  • Always buy travel insurance
  • Make photocopies of your passport and other important docs
  • Pack extra underwear
  • Plan your outfits
  • Keep your toothbrush, electronics, medications and extra pair of underwear in your carry-on baggage
  • It is important to stay hydrated on planes
  • Ask the locals about free public WIFI
  • Alert your bank about your travelling destinations
  • Use sunscreen
  • Prepare your travel kit first aid
  • Book your flights early to save money
  • Do not over plan your journey, leave some time for spontaneity

10 Best Mountains for Your Holidays

10 Best Mountains for Holidays 1
Designed by welcomia / Freepik

When we are talking about “the best mountains to visit”, what do we exactly mean by that? Most popular destinations selected by mountain lovers? Biggest and highest mountains in the world? Most challenging mountains for climbing up? Or the most geographically significant mountains that divide the regions? What are these mountain criteria?

We have made our selection of mountains that have been known for capturing the imagination of both locals and visitors. This is sure proof that you will enjoy your stay there and will maximise your travel impressions. If certain mountains have served as a source of inspiration for local folklore and continue to draw travellers from all over the world at different times of the year, then you know it is a must-see place on your travel bucket list! We are not really talking about the size here but rather about dynamic landscapes, local flora and fauna found in the area. Very often such mountains are protected by National Park of UNESCO World Heritage Site status. So here is a look at our picks for the best 10 Mountains in the World for travelling:

Mount Kilimanjaro (Tanzania, Africa)

This is the most renowned mountain in the world as well as the highest mountain in Africa and one of the famous Seven Summits. Its unprecedented height is 19,340 feet and the mountain is topped with glaciers despite being located just 190 miles of the equator. In local language Swahili, the mountain top is called Kipoo.

The first time the mountain was climbed in 1889 and after that, it became one of the most popular hiking destinations in the world. Travel weather is most of the times good making this mountain’s summit achievable for anyone who is fit and who has sufficient financial resources. If you have already found decent travel deals to Africa and are planning on climbing to the top, make sure you pay attention to your guide’s “pole pole” precautions meaning you are advised to walk slowly. Beforehand, get familiar with Kilimanjaro: The Trekking Guide to Africa’s Highest Mountain — the guide gives useful and often lifesaving tips on conquering this magnificent mountain.

Also, make sure you take the best travel camera with you to capture photogenic nature all around since hikers on this route will be able to see almost every climate from tropical to arctic.

Table Mountain (South Africa)

Table Mountain is a unique natural structure which reminds Gods’ piece of furniture. On this list, it is one of the smallest mountains on this list with only 3,558 feet in height. If you spent some time consulting Google for travel destinations in South Africa, then here is one of them for you! This picturesque landmark is more likely a tall plateau 2 miles across and each end of it drops off into cliffs. Unlike other mountains on this list, Table Mountain can be climbed via a cable car and offers the most unforgettable view over the gorgeous city of Cape Town.

Ama Dablam (Nepal)

Some of the biggest mountains in the world are often found in the Himalayas. This mountain range is 1,500 miles long and stretches from Pakistan and India to China, Bhutan and Nepal. It accommodates more than 50 mountains that are over 23,000 feet high. Ama Dablam is the third most popular peak in the Himalayas because it is relatively climber-friendly and permits climbing expeditions. It is 22,349 feet in height and is located in Nepal. Its peak was first reached by the team of US, UK and New-Zealand climbers in 1961. The mountain’s name is translated as “mother’s necklace” because locals saw “a mother protecting her baby” in the long ridges on each side of the summit. If you decide on last-minute travelling, be aware that climbing season here is from April to October and all climbers will need a climbing permit and a liaison officer.

Bogda Peak (China)

The Bogda Peak (or Bogda Mountain) is located in China and stands at more than 17,800 feet high. This mountain is particularly striking because of its incredibly steep sides sloping at 80 degrees. Despite this feature, the mountain has been climbed successfully numerous times. It is the highest mountain of a 2-mile long permanently covered in snow ridge that juts from the Tian Shan mountain range.

Mountain Everest (Nepal/Tibet)

The almighty Mount Everest is a part of the same Himalayas as Ama Dablam. Standing at 29,029 feet above sea level, Everest boasts with some of the most challenging climbing routes. It was given its name in 1865 by Andrew Waugh who served as the British Surveyor General of India and named it in honour of his predecessor Sir George Everest. In the media, Everest has been the most popular mountain for professional and amateur climbers for the past century despite altitude thickness, avalanches and difficult weather conditions. As of 2018, more than 300 deaths of people trying to climb the world’s tallest peak have been reported. But still, it is popular today as never before!

However, if you are not fit enough to climb the summit or your body doesn’t take anoxemia that well, you should immediately stop. Instead, you can relive the adventures (often ending dramatically) by reading one of the accounts about Everest, for example, Lou Kasischke’s After the Wind: Tragedy on Everest — One Survivor’s Story.

Mountain Fuji (Japan)

Mount Fuji is a stratovolcano which appeared due to a series of eruptions that left behind rock, ash and lava. It is wider than Road Island and almost 12,400 feet tall which is why it is so hard to see it completely. This mountain is famous for being difficult to be captured! You need to blame the clouds for obstructing the views! The Mount Fuji volcano is still active and attracts millions of tourists every year (Japan’s No.1 tourist attraction).

Zhangjiajie (China)

These mountains are advertised on all the travel channels and in travel agencies as the source of inspiration for the Hallelujah Mountains for the Avatar film by James Cameron. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is located in the north-western part of China and is part of the Wulingyuan Scenic Area which is protected by UNESCO World Heritage Site. Jaw-dropping views are guaranteed which you already know if you watched the movie! We advise to spend two to three days in the area and good shoes for walking are a must have!

Jotunheimen Mountains (Norway, Europe)

Once you have packed your travel bags, checked all the travel accessories including your travel pillow, read the travel journals on the Fjords of Norway – you are all set up for an exciting Scandinavian trip! If you are travelling around Norway, the Jotunheimen Mountains are an epic highlight of the Sognefjellet National Tourist Route. This country is a pricy place for holidaying so do not expect to find it among cheap places to travel to this summer. It is more of an American express holiday!

The best way to appreciate the northern beauty of the Jotunheimen mountains is through driving since the route takes you through the highest mountain pass of Northern Europe. The scenic vistas you can encounter on the way are simply amazing so expect to stop at every switchback to take more and more photos! Even more breath-taking views open up if you ascend to Jotunheimen (“the Home of the Giants”) which contains all of the 29 highest rocky mountains in Norway.

Kirkjufell (Iceland, Europe)

This is probably one of the most photographed mountains in the world. The “Church Mountain” from the Game of Thrones was inspired by these picturesque Icelandic mountain ranges. This 1,519-foot tall freestanding mountain is really impressive in summer months when it is fully covered in green.

The Pyrenees (France/Spain, Europe)

The Pyrenees dividing the Iberian peninsula from the rest of Europe can surely win the award for being the most picturesque mountains in the world. Stretching across Spain and France, they have numerous peaks at over 11,000 feet. These mountains are easily accessible from major cities like Barcelona. There are numerous hiking trails that traverse the entire length of the range letting you take some of the best photos in your lifetime!

Iliana K