Issue 171: Surfing Hippos

Hey Explorer,

This is Adventure Fix, the newsletter that helps you discover extraordinary journeys and experiences across the globe.

Here’s what we’ve got for you today:

• Hiking: Makalu Base Camp

• Wildlife Encounters: Surfing hippos of Loango

• Natural Wonders: Akzhar Mountains

Makalu Base Camp

The Makalu Base Camp trek is like stepping into a quiet corner of the Himalayas. It’s not as crowded as the more popular treks, but it’s as stunning—maybe even more so because of the solitude.

The route winds through wild, rugged landscapes with towering peaks, deep valleys, and tiny villages where life seems to move at its own unhurried pace.

You’ll pass through lush forests, cross rushing rivers, and eventually find yourself surrounded by snow-capped giants as you near the base of Makalu, the fifth-highest mountain in the world. It’s a journey that feels remote and untouched, a chance to see the Himalayas in their rawest form.

Getting to Makalu Base Camp isn’t easy, but that’s part of what makes it so special. You’re trekking in one of the most remote parts of Nepal, often on narrow, rocky trails that cling to the side of steep cliffs.

It’s challenging, sure, but the payoffs are worth every step. As you approach the base camp, the sight of Makalu towering above you at 27,837 feet (8,485 meters) is nothing short of awe-inspiring.

And standing there, with the wind whipping around and nothing but peaks and sky in every direction, you get a sense of just how vast and powerful these mountains are.

Explore more:

• Makalu Base Camp Trek - The Ultimate Guide (article)

Surfing Hippos of Loango

In Loango National Park, Gabon, hippos have been spotted doing something you’d never expect—surfing! Unlike typical hippos who stick to rivers, these unique ones venture into the Atlantic Ocean, occasionally catching waves along the shoreline.

This rare and surprising behavior has drawn the attention of wildlife enthusiasts and adventurers, offering a glimpse of hippos in a way most people have never seen.

From May through September, visitors have a chance to witness these coastal hippos navigating the waves.

This rare phenomenon may be an adaptive behavior that allows the animals to get to grasses and vegetation along the beach or even simply a natural curiosity that has led them beyond their freshwater domain.

Explore more:

• Surfing hippos of Gabon (video)

• The Surfing Hippos of Loango National Park (article)

Akzhar Mountains

The Akzhar Mountains, tucked away in southeastern Kazakhstan, are a hidden gem known for their stunning, vibrant colors. Imagine layers of red, yellow, and orange rocks stacked up like a painter's palette—it’s the kind of place that feels surreal, especially as the sun rises or sets and lights up the whole landscape.

These colors come from the minerals in the sedimentary rock, which have oxidized over time, giving the mountains their rich hues. For anyone lucky enough to visit, it’s like stepping into a living canvas.

What makes the Akzhar Mountains even more appealing is how remote and untouched they are. You won’t find crowds or tourist hotspots here; instead, it’s mostly quiet, with just a few villages scattered around and barely any roads.

It’s perfect for people who want to go off the beaten path and soak up some serious solitude. The mountains rise up from the plains, and seeing them in person makes you feel like you’re on another planet, with ancient rock layers telling stories from millions of years ago.

Explore More: 

• Multicolored Chalk Mountains of Akzhar (article)

• The Velvet Mountains of Akzhar (tour)

3 Epic Trails to Hike in 2025

If you are planning your next big trip for next year and are looking for a truly unique backpacking trip, here are 3 terrific hiking trails to plan do in 2025.

Some of them have limited availability so don’t wait too long to book if you want to go next year.

Yosemite Grand Traverse

Most people visit Yosemite as a day-trip, take a picture of El Capitan and the Half Dome, maybe go for a short hike among the crowds, and leave. Checked. “They’ve been to Yosemite”.

If you’re here I assume you’re looking for something different. Twice a year, you can set off on a 8-day adventure specifically tailored for nature enthusiasts.

It’s called the Yosemite Grand Traverse and it passes sites such as Isberg Pass, Clouds Rest, and Cathedral Lake, uncovering hidden treasures along the way that most visitors have never even heard of.

Everest Base Camp Rugged Luxury

If you can afford the price tag, this is arguably one of the coolest hiking trips you can take—if not the coolest.

Everest Base Camp is epic on its own, but experiencing it with an Everest summit guide, staying in luxury lodges along the way, and gaining access to the actual base camp where the summiteers stay takes it to a whole new level.

Hut-to-Hut Laugavegur Hiking Trail

I will be honest with you. Iceland is pretty, but if you don’t get out of the Ring Road, it sucks. Every summer, tons of tourists come to Iceland looking for their Instagramable shot. They don’t care about the outdoors or adventure. They just want the picture to post it on social media.

But here’s a little secret: the Ring Road serves a purpose—it keeps most tourists in one place. Step off that well-trodden path, and you’ll discover breathtaking landscapes, hidden hiking trails, glaciers, rivers, and biking routes, all waiting to be explored—with hardly anyone else around.

One of the best ways to experience this untamed side of Iceland is by hiking the Laugavegur Trail, staying in cozy huts along the way, and enjoying the side of Iceland most tourists never see.

Stays: ECHO, the world's most remote camp 

Wildlife Encounters: An intimate moment between man and animal

Film: Take an epic journey with the elk of Yellowstone

Photography: Ultimate Photography Guide to the Lofoten Islands of Norway

Unique Experiences: The Lost Spring of Whitianga

Where in the World

Wanna flex your adventure geography skills? Guess where this pic was snapped!

Stumped? No worries. The answer is at the end of this email.

I’d love to hear what you think of this issue, scroll down to the poll to let us know.

Until next time…

Keep exploring,

-Amanda

 ANSWER: Lena Towers, Russia