The Complete Guide to Trekking
Know exactly what trekking costs, what gear you truly need, and whether it fits your life before you spend a dime.
by Alumigogo Books
non-fiction
The honest, no-hype guide to starting trekking: real costs, real gear, real effort - and whether it's right for you.
About this book
You've seen the Instagram photos: sunrise over a ridgeline, a steaming mug of coffee beside a tent, someone smiling at a summit. But what does trekking actually cost beyond the pretty pictures? How much time do you really need to commit? And do you genuinely need that $300 backpack, or is that just marketing?
This guide answers those questions with real numbers and plain language. You'll find honest budget breakdowns from shoestring to comfortable, a starter-gear list that separates what you actually need from what you can upgrade later, and a week-by-week plan for your first month on the trail. You'll read what a real trekking day feels like - the blisters, the pointless climbs, the moments of quiet that make it all worth it - so you can decide with your eyes open.
Written for complete beginners, not weekend-warrior experts, this guide will help you figure out if trekking deserves your time and money before you spend either one. No vague inspiration. No gear-shaming. Just the truth from someone who's been doing this for a decade.
Reader Reviews
Michelle Anderson
★★★★★I bought this because I was tired of Instagram influencers making trekking look effortless and cheap. This guide gave me real numbers - actual gear costs, actual time commitments, actual calorie burn. I was convinced I couldn't afford this hobby, but the budget breakdown changed my mind. I've done three day hikes since finishing it, and I'm planning my first overnight. Worth every penny.
Edward White
★★★★★Solid, honest advice. The chapter on gear alone saved me from buying a $250 backpack I didn't need. My one complaint is that it could have gone deeper on navigation skills, but for a complete beginner like me, it was the perfect starting point. The cost tables were especially eye-opening - I was budgeting way too much.
Thomas Robinson
★★★★★It's fine, but I felt like some sections were padded with common sense. Yes, of course you need good boots. Yes, of course you should check the weather. I was hoping for more specific trail recommendations or actual training plans. The gear comparison table is useful, though, and the cost breakdowns seem realistic. Just didn't blow me away.
Ryan Anderson
★★★★★As someone who's been meaning to start trekking for years but always chickened out, this guide hit the spot. The typical-session chapter was the most honest description I've read - the frustrated moment two hours in when you question your choices, then the view at the top that makes it all worth it. The checklist for the first weeks helped me actually start instead of just reading.
Amy Williams
★★★★★I appreciated that this wasn't a sales pitch. I expected the author to push expensive gear the whole time, but instead there were clear budget tiers and honest advice about what to skip. The self-assessment in chapter two convinced me I have the time after all. Just finished my first solo day trek last weekend. This guide got me there, step by step.
Kathleen Wilson
★★★★★Decent overview for someone who's never considered trekking before, but if you've already watched a few YouTube videos, you'll find a lot of familiar territory here. The author's enthusiasm is genuine, and the cost breakdowns are helpful, but I wanted more specifics on navigation, safety, and what to do if things go wrong. As an absolute beginner, I learned some things, but I'm still at step one.
Amanda Thomas
★★★★★This is the guide I wish I'd had three years ago when I first got curious about trekking. I wasted over $300 on gear I didn't need before I knew better. The comparison tables alone are worth the price of the book. I've since recommended it to four friends who are all now trekking regularly. The honest tone - like a friend telling it straight - is exactly what the hobby needs.