There are two kinds of vacations that attract two kinds of people. First, there’s the “lay on the beach and tan while sipping a cocktail” vacationer. Then there’s the active “grab a backpack and climb a mountain” type of traveler—of course, you could always be versatile, though! Relaxing vacations are nice, but the great thing about an active adventure is that it’s good for the mind, body, and soul.

Aside from the obvious benefits of exercise, the ascent up a mountain is a rewarding experience. Getting drunk on the beach is fun, but it really can’t compare to testing the limits of your body and the camaraderie of hiking with a group up a difficult path. There are many group tours you can join to do various hikes around the world, and for the LGBTQ+ traveler, there are some great group tours and gay treks. Here are five incredible options for gay adventure seekers.

Summit Africa’s Tallest Peak

If you’re up to the challenge of summiting the seemingly insurmountable, then Out Adventures' Kilimanjaro Gay Climb is for you. Africa’s tallest mountain can be found in Tanzania, a country known for its diverse people, who speak more than 100 different languages, as well as its varied landscape, featuring tall mountains, deep lakes, lush forests, vast plains, and several islands, including one of our favorites, Zanzibar.This climb will take you through the scenic route, which also allows more time to acclimate, guaranteeing a higher rate of success. This nine-day adventure can also be accompanied by a Tanzania Luxury Safari for those who want to take advantage of being in one of Africa’s most biodiverse countries.

Hike Through The Jungles in Costa Rica  

If it's a challenging adventure hike through an exotic location you seek, Costa Rica is calling your name. Out Adventures runs a Gay Costa Rica Adventure Tour that sets out from the capital, San José, for seven days of adventures in the wilds of Costa Rica. Your hikes will take you over lava fields, through humid rainforests, and around active volcanoes. It seems a shame to just walk in such an exotic location, so you’ll also zipline across canyons, sail and snorkel off the coast of Costa Rica, and even make time for deep jungle meditation and a cooking class.

Brave the Rugged Landscapes of Patagonia

Patagonia in Chile is one of the world’s most sought-after hiking destinations due to its rugged beauty—and who doesn’t like a bit of rugged beauty? On Out Adventures' Gay Chile Tour , you’ll spend four days in Torres del Paine National Park hiking from campsite to campsite along the same trails used by guanacos and prowling pumas before finally reaching Grey Lake, famous for its massive glaciers. The trip also includes a visit to Chile’s Atacama Desert, the driest place on Earth. Make sure you bring your water bottle!

Follow the Inca Trail to Peru’s Most Famous Ruins

One of our personal favorite trips was visiting Cusco in Peru on our way to see the infamous ruins of Machu Picchu. The city is a quaint Peruvian town with colonial charm and a popular stop on the way to the Incan ruins. The Inca Trail & Machu Picchu hike is not quite like the previously mentioned two, as this is an easier task with more of a “glamping” experience. Before the four-day hike, you’ll even have the opportunity to enjoy gay nightlife at a gay bar in Lima. For a gastronomy adventure, you’ll want to try cuy, fried or roasted guinea pig. We found this Peruvian dish tastes better than it looks. This nine-day trip exploring the Andes Mountains while developing camaraderie with your group is sure to be a memorable experience.

Seek Out Gorillas and Golden Monkeys in Rwanda

Hiking doesn’t need a purpose to be fruitful, but seeking out gorillas in the Virunga Mountains of Rwanda is certainly a fun one. With Out Adventures' Gorilla Tour in Rwanda, you can take a trip that includes a day in the capital city of Kigali before venturing out for a trek into the forested slopes of the Virunga Mountains to find these endangered gentle giants. Then, you’ll embark on a trek to seek out Rwanda’s endangered golden monkeys, also known as blue monkeys, in Volcanoes National Park. There are only 5,000 believed to remain in the world, and they are easily identified by the bright orange fur spread across their bodies.

Discover Portugal’s ‘Best Kept Secret’

Looking for some insider travel info? There’s so much more to Europe to discover, and the Azores are Portugal’s best-kept secret. Condé Nast Traveller recently touted the archipelago as “the secret gardens of the Atlantic—lush and green, thick with temperate forests which feel almost like a rainforest, alive with birds and a rich wildlife.” Meanwhile, Lonely Planet recently published an article titled “This Other Eden: The Azores, Europe’s Secret Islands of Adventure.” The Azores are considered a hiker’s paradise, and one of the easiest ways to take in the islands’ verdant countryside is with a good old-fashioned hike. The islands feature plenty of well-marked paths, including an epic ascent up Portugal’s tallest mountain, Mount Pico.

Complete The Camino de Santiago in Northern Spain

Spain has incredible attractions that draw visitors to destinations all over the peninsular country and its islands. Being one of the most gay-friendly nations in Europe and the world, it’s no surprise that Spain offers plenty of year-round activities for the LGBTQ+ community. With an abundance of warm and sunny days, you could spend months exploring the big cities and Spanish countryside. However, given that you probably have only a short time to visit, you’ll want to pick the best and most exciting options.

For adventure travelers seeking a gay hiking trip, consider joining a gay group tour to hike one of the most famous journeys in Europe: the Camino de Santiago. Start off in Madrid, one of the world's most gay-friendly destinations, and enjoy the vibrant city before heading north to hike the final leg of the Camino de Santiago. This world-famous pilgrimage takes you through the beautiful landscapes of Galicia, a region well-known for its delicious wines, cheeses, and seafood. Finish your journey in Santiago de Compostela, where you can visit the world-renowned Cathedral of Saint James. By ending your trek here, you’ll qualify for the Pilgrim’s Compostela, a certificate of completion for this exhilarating excursion.

Pick Your Adventure

If an active vacation is right up your alley, then you’ve got three great gay tours to choose from. As a gay traveler, it’s important to be mindful of your safety when traveling abroad, especially to developing countries where LGBTQ+ laws have not yet caught up with the Western world.

So what do you think? Which gay hiking tour interests you the most? Have you done any of these treks? Let us know in the comments below!