On foot to the roof of Africa

Cloaked in clouds at the break of a new day, the sleeping volcano of Kilimanjaro ranks among the most compelling sights in Africa. Rising 5,895m above the dry surrounding plains, it has challenged climbers ever since its discovery by a German missionary in the mid-19th century.

The ascent is no picnic (independent trekking is forbidden) and most organised hikes take several days, each introducing a new climatic zone: rainforest, open grassland, semi-desert and alpine. The two easiest routes (Marangu and Machame) take six days but, understandably, attract crowds. Luckily, there is a path less travelled: the Umbwe Route, followed by the Western Breach. It involves some scrambling – experience in mountain-trekking will come in handy – but the five-day climb doesn’t require ropes and porters will set up camp for you each night.

The lowdown: Jagged Globe (0845 345 8848, www.jagged-globe.co.uk) has a 13-day trip, including a ‘warm-up’ ascent of Mount Meru, from £2,660pp, full board, with flights and all permits.

Alternatives: The Marangu ascent comes with added comfort – huts to overnight in – on a seven-day climb with Footloose Adventure (01943 604030, www.footlooseadventure.co.uk); from £755pp, including meals but not flights.

* Wilderness Journeys (0131 625 6635, www.wildernessjourneys.com) has a 10-day climb taking the not-too-tough Shira Route from £1,995pp, full board, including flights.

* Take it slow and avoid altitude sickness on a nine-day ‘northern circuit’ ascent, from £1,759pp, full board, including flights, with Exodus (0845 863 9600, www.exodus.co.uk).

The highest peak in the alps

The Toblerone profile of Mont Blanc, on the border of France and Italy, is a beacon to hardy climbers and requires basic Alpine climbing knowledge – ropes and crampons are essential.

It is, however, achievable. Participants on a week-long trip will hone their mountaineering skills on nearby peaks before tackling ‘the big one’, and there is a two-to-one client-guide ratio on the final push to the 4,810m summit. The view from here is magnificent, with the snowy Eiger, Matterhorn and Monte Rosa dominating the glacial blue skies.

* KE Adventure Travel’s (01768 773966, www.keadventure.com) seven-night trip costs from £1,700pp, including food and airport transfers. EasyJet (www.easyjet.com) flies from Gatwick to Geneva.

* See www.alpseurope.com for more ideas on holidaying in the Alps.

Greet dawn at Machu Picchu, Peru

Enfolded in green forested mountains, the Lost City of the Incas is a spectacle that draws huge crowds. As early as 8am, the trickle of coaches arriving from the tourist town of Aguas Calientes below has swollen to a continuous convoy, merging with backpackers finishing the Inca Trail.

To contemplate this exotic citadel in peace, there are two options: a night at the Sanctuary Lodge, the only hotel on the mountain, where rooms start at a swooning £586; or a 4.30am rise, with a pre-purchased ticket, and a hike up for the 6am opening.

On arrival, follow signs across the Inca city and continue steeply to Huayna Picchu, 360m above the site. In Inca times, the high priests used to welcome in the new day up here – and those who make it this far may well have the place all to themselves.

* Journey Latin America (020 8747 8315, www.journeylatinamerica.co.uk) has an eight-night trip, including accommodation, flights and a visit to Machu Picchu, from £1,864pp.

* For more information on Machu Picchu, see www.peru.info

To the summit of Snowdon, Wales

On a clear day, the views from the highest peak in Wales are truly life-affirming – down over lesser peaks and the mirror-like surfaces of distant lakes. At a comfortable pace, it takes six hours to conquer (there and back), and there are six main routes, all of them well-marked. One of the quietest starts at the village of Rhyd Ddu, where The Cwellyn Arms has a fine range of guest ales to quench thirsts afterwards.

* A weekend hill-walking course, teaching navigation, route-planning and reading the weather, costs £185pp with Plas y Brenin (01690 720214, www.pyb.co.uk).

* For further information on walking and climbing in Britain, visit www.thebmc.co.uk

Times recommends

• 'New York has lost its edge'
• The UK and Ireland's 25 best Christmas events
• Chalet Chef 2010: the winners