The 10 Best Treks in the World: Pays Dogon, Mali

For all you hikers, backpackers, mountain climbers, and adventure-seekers out there, mapsales.com gives you the 10 best treks in the world.  Today we look at the villages of Pays Dogon, Mali. 

Mali is a landlocked country in Western Africa.  During the Scramble for Africa in the 19^th century, Mali was conquered by the French.  But prior to the French invasion, Mali was part of one of the largest empires in Africa.  If you visit Mali, make sure to bring a guide that speaks French, as English speakers are hard to come by (although they are growing in number).  Here’s a Mali wall map. 

Mali may be classified as a developing country, but it is also home to 4 unique UNESCO World-Heritage sites.  Pays Dogon is one of these four sites.  Pays Dogon is a region in south-central Mali renowned for its numerous villages embedded into cliffs and mountainsides.  Some of these cliffs stand 500 meters high. 

The Dogon people have inhabited this region for nearly 1000 years and have developed their own religion, language, and culture.  Trekking this region gives you access to rare cultural experiences and breathtaking views, but it is strenuous.  Local villagers hike up mountain trails in sandals, often carrying heavy loads of clothing or food on their heads.  But they are experienced.  If you’re planning on hiking the mountain trails of Pays Dogon, bring good hiking shoes and plenty of supplies.  This trek can take anywhere from 2 to 10 days. 

If you’ve made this remarkable journey, or are planning to make it in the future, use a wall map to commemorate your achievement.  Trace your hiking path onto a wall map to see just how grand your accomplishment truly is.  Maps also make great mementos of vacations and travel destinations. 

Want to map a journey you’ve taken? Contact us!  mapsales.com carries over 200,000 wall maps…including national park and road wall maps! 

Click here for more maps of the world!

The 10 Best Treks in the World: The Inca Trail of Peru

 For all you hikers, backpackers, mountain climbers, and adventure-seekers out there, mapsales.com gives you the 10 best treks in the world.  Today, we look at The Inca Trail of Peru. 

Peru Wall Map from mapsales.com

Though the Inca Trail may not be a particularly long trek, measuring only about 20 miles, its grandeur comes from its ancient status and its astonishing view.  It was created centuries ago by the Inca of Peru as a holy pilgrimage that prepared visitors to enter Machu Picchu.  

Today, the government only allows 500 people per day on the trail, and your spot has to be secured months in advance.  Hikers usually complete the trek in about 4-5 days.  Located in the Andes Mountains near the Peruvian city of Cusco, the Inca Trail gives hikers a unique view of Peru’s natural beauty.  Views of white-tipped mountains and high cloud forest combine with the magic of walking from one cliff-hugging ruin to the next – understandably making this South America’s most famous trail.

Though the trail may not be one of the longest hikes, it is strenuous.  The Inca Trail takes hikers up and down winding paths, usually climbing up a vertical mile from their starting point.  Dead Woman's Pass is the highest spot on the trail at 13,700 feet.  After passing an ancient stone viewing platform, which offers arguably the greatest view of the Andes in South America, you reach the dazzling white stone city of Machu Picchu. 

If you’ve made this remarkable trek, or are planning to make it in the future, use a map to commemorate the journey.  Trace your hiking path onto a wall map to see just how grand your accomplishment truly is.  Maps also make great mementos of vacations and travel destinations. 

Want to map a journey you’ve taken? Contact us!  mapsales.com carries over 200,000 wall maps…including national park and road wall maps! 

Click here for more maps of the world!