The Ultimate Adventure Travel Podcast

Jake
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Places & Travel

The Ultimate Adventure Travel Podcast is the show for people who want more from their travels than just ticking off the sights. Hosted by expedition leader and Ultimate Adventure Travel founder Jake Field, this weekly podcast is your guide to unforgettable group adventures — from Kilimanjaro and the Inca Trail to Everest Base Camp and beyond. Whether you’re preparing for your first big trip or looking to push your limits on your next one, you’ll find expert advice, real stories, and practical tips to help you get adventure-ready — physically, mentally, and logistically. Expect inspiring guests, honest insights, and plenty of motivation to get outside your comfort zone — and into the wild — with a group of like-minded people by your side.

  1. Everything Nobody Tells You About Everest Base Camp

    5d ago

    Everything Nobody Tells You About Everest Base Camp

    Most people researching Everest Base Camp hear the same things. "It's tough." "The views are incredible." "Watch out for altitude." But what is it actually like to spend two weeks trekking through the Himalayas? After leading multiple expeditions to Everest Base Camp, I'm sharing the things that rarely make it into the brochures, YouTube videos, or social media posts. From the reality of the Lukla flight and the surprising effects of altitude, to tea house life, yaks, toilets, mountain cafés, and the moments that make people fall in love with Nepal, this is the honest guide I wish every trekker heard before they went. Whether you're planning your own Everest Base Camp adventure or simply fascinated by one of the world's greatest trekking routes, this episode offers practical advice, behind-the-scenes stories, and plenty of insights from someone who's experienced it first-hand. In this episode:  Why the Lukla flight isn't as scary as the internet makes it seem  The surprising truth about Everest Base Camp itself  What altitude really feels like (and why it isn't always altitude sickness)  Why Nepal's porters deserve enormous respect  The reality of tea houses, toilets and showers  How much things actually cost on the trail  Why Ama Dablam often steals the show from Everest  The mental challenges of trekking at altitude  What nobody tells you about the journey back down  The real reason people keep returning to Everest Base Camp Enjoying the podcast? If you found this episode helpful, please consider leaving a review and following The Ultimate Adventure Travel Podcast. It really helps more people discover the show. If you know someone dreaming of trekking to Everest Base Camp, share this episode with them. It could answer questions they didn't even know they had. Thanks for listening, and I'll see you next week Ultimate Guide Links;  Get the Free Adventure Travel Starter Pack  Get the Kilimanjaro Guide  Get the Everest Base Camp Guide  Get the Mount Toubkal Guide  Instagram https://www.ultimateadventuretravel.co.uk/

    38 min
  2. Ernest Shackleton and the Endurance: The Ultimate Survival Story

    Jun 23

    Ernest Shackleton and the Endurance: The Ultimate Survival Story

    Shackleton: The Greatest Survival Story Ever Told What would you do if your ship became trapped in Antarctic ice, hundreds of miles from land, with no rescue coming? This week on The Ultimate Adventure Travel Podcast, we're diving into one of the most remarkable survival stories in human history. The story of Sir Ernest Shackleton and the doomed Endurance Expedition wasn't supposed to be a tale of survival. It was supposed to be a groundbreaking attempt to cross Antarctica from coast to coast. Instead, it became a fight for survival against crushing ice, freezing temperatures, starvation, isolation and impossible odds. After the Endurance was trapped and eventually destroyed by Antarctic ice, Shackleton and his crew faced a challenge that should have ended in disaster. Yet somehow, every single member of the expedition survived. In this episode, I break down the incredible journey from the Weddell Sea to Elephant Island, the legendary voyage of the James Caird, and why Shackleton is still regarded as one of the greatest leaders in history. Whether you're interested in exploration, leadership, mountaineering, adventure travel or simply extraordinary human stories, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Ultimate Guide Links;  Get the Free Adventure Travel Starter Pack  Get the Kilimanjaro Guide  Get the Everest Base Camp Guide  Get the Mount Toubkal Guide  Instagram https://www.ultimateadventuretravel.co.uk/

    28 min
  3. Touching the Void: The Survival Story That Shouldn't Be Possible

    Jun 16

    Touching the Void: The Survival Story That Shouldn't Be Possible

    What would you do if your climbing partner's survival meant risking your own life? In this episode of the Ultimate Adventure Travel Podcast, we dive into one of the most extraordinary survival stories ever told. The story of Joe Simpson and Simon Yates has become legendary in mountaineering circles and inspired the bestselling book and award-winning film Touching the Void. After successfully completing the first ascent of the West Face of Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes, disaster strikes during the descent. A shattered leg, a brutal storm, an impossible decision, and a fight for survival that continues to amaze climbers more than forty years later. This is far more than a climbing story. It's a story of resilience, friendship, leadership under pressure, and what happens when there are no good options left. Based on Joe Simpson and Simon Yates' remarkable expedition, this episode explores the climb, the accident, the controversial rope-cutting decision, and the psychological strength required to survive against all odds.  Enjoyed This Episode? If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow adventurer. For more stories from the world's greatest mountains, trekking destinations, and adventure expeditions, follow the Ultimate Adventure Travel Podcast. Ultimate Guide Links;  Get the Free Adventure Travel Starter Pack  Get the Kilimanjaro Guide  Get the Everest Base Camp Guide  Get the Mount Toubkal Guide  Instagram https://www.ultimateadventuretravel.co.uk/

    33 min
  4. The Ultimate Kilimanjaro Prep Call: Training, Gear, Altitude & Summit Night

    Jun 9

    The Ultimate Kilimanjaro Prep Call: Training, Gear, Altitude & Summit Night

    This week on the Ultimate Adventure Travel Podcast, we're doing something a little different. Rather than interviewing an expedition leader after the event, you're joining a real Kilimanjaro preparation call with James, who is just a few months away from attempting Africa's highest mountain. We discuss the questions that almost every future Kilimanjaro climber asks:  How fit do you really need to be?  How do you train around work and family life?  What gear is actually worth buying?  What does altitude feel like?  What should you eat on the mountain?  How do you prepare mentally for summit night?  What happens if you don't make it? If you're considering Kilimanjaro, Everest Base Camp, Mount Toubkal or any multi-day trekking expedition, this episode will answer many of the questions you're probably already asking yourself. Most Kilimanjaro content online comes from people who have already completed the mountain. This episode is different. You're hearing the questions, concerns, doubts and preparation process from someone who is still in the build-up phase. If you've ever wondered whether you're fit enough, prepared enough or capable enough of climbing Kilimanjaro, this is the episode for you. Ultimate Guide Links;  Get the Free Adventure Travel Starter Pack  Get the Kilimanjaro Guide  Get the Everest Base Camp Guide  Get the Mount Toubkal Guide  Instagram https://www.ultimateadventuretravel.co.uk/

    1h 8m

  5. Jun 2

    One Year of Podcasting: What I've Learnt, My Favourite Moments & What's Next

    One year ago, I sat down and recorded the very first episode of the Ultimate Adventure Travel Podcast. At the time, I had no idea whether anyone would listen. I didn't know if I would enjoy podcasting, whether I could stay consistent, or whether I would still be recording episodes 12 months later. Fast forward a year, and we're celebrating 55 episodes, countless hours of conversations, incredible guests, fascinating adventure stories, and a growing community of people who share a passion for adventure, travel, exploration, and personal challenge.  In this special anniversary episode, I reflect on the journey so far, share some of my favourite moments from the podcast, discuss the guests and stories that have had the biggest impact on me, and reveal what I've learned from a year of showing up every week behind the microphone. In This Episode  Why I started the Ultimate Adventure Travel Podcast  The reality of recording 55 consecutive weekly episodes  Lessons I've learned about consistency, storytelling, and adventure  My favourite podcast episodes from the past year  Guest highlights and memorable conversations  How podcasting has improved my confidence and communication  What I've learned from researching famous adventure stories  The future of the podcast and what's coming next  Thank You To everyone who has listened, downloaded an episode, shared the podcast, sent a message, left feedback, or joined me on this journey, thank you. Whether you've listened to every episode or this is your first one, your support has helped make the Ultimate Adventure Travel Podcast what it is today. Here's to the next 55 episodes. Connect With Ultimate Adventure Travel 🌍 Website: Ultimate Adventure Travel 📧 Email: jake@ultimateadventuretravel.co.uk 🎒 Download our free adventure travel guides and explore upcoming trips for 2026, 2027 and beyond. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow adventurer. Ultimate Guide Links;  Get the Free Adventure Travel Starter Pack  Get the Kilimanjaro Guide  Get the Everest Base Camp Guide  Get the Mount Toubkal Guide  Instagram https://www.ultimateadventuretravel.co.uk/

    42 min
  6. The Discovery of Machu Picchu

    May 26

    The Discovery of Machu Picchu

    Hidden high in the Andes Mountains, surrounded by cloud forest and towering peaks, sits one of the most famous archaeological sites on Earth: Machu Picchu. In this episode of the Ultimate Adventure Travel Podcast, Jake dives into the fascinating story behind the discovery of Machu Picchu, the rise and fall of the Inca Empire, and the legendary 1911 expedition led by Hiram Bingham III. From ancient Inca engineering and hidden mountain trails to jungle expeditions and the global obsession with “lost cities,” this episode explores why Machu Picchu continues to capture people’s imagination more than 100 years after it was introduced to the outside world. Jake also shares his own experiences trekking the Inca Trail and Salkantay Trek, explaining why Peru remains one of the greatest adventure travel destinations on the planet. Chapters 00:00 – Introduction  02:00 – Who were the Inca people?  05:00 – Inca engineering and road systems  07:00 – What was Machu Picchu actually used for?  10:00 – The Spanish conquest begins  14:00 – Why Machu Picchu survived  16:30 – Hiram Bingham and the age of exploration  18:30 – Local guides and the journey to Machu Picchu  21:00 – The discovery of Machu Picchu in 1911  24:00 – National Geographic and global fascination  26:00 – Theories and misconceptions about Machu Picchu  28:30 – The Inca Trail vs the Salkantay Trek  31:00 – Cusco, Peru and why the trip is so special  34:30 – Final thoughts and upcoming Peru expeditions Ultimate Guide Links;  Get the Free Adventure Travel Starter Pack  Get the Kilimanjaro Guide  Get the Everest Base Camp Guide  Get the Mount Toubkal Guide  Instagram https://www.ultimateadventuretravel.co.uk/

    33 min
  7. The 1996 Everest Disaster: Rob Hall, Scott Fischer and the Storm That Changed Everest

    May 19

    The 1996 Everest Disaster: Rob Hall, Scott Fischer and the Storm That Changed Everest

    Jake Field and Seb discuss the 1996 Everest disaster, including Rob Hall, Scott Fischer, Adventure Consultants, Mountain Madness, summit fever, commercial guiding, the deadly storm, and how Everest changed forever. Key Topics Covered  The rise of commercial guiding on Mount Everest  Who Rob Hall and Scott Fischer were  Adventure Consultants and Mountain Madness  Jon Krakauer and Into Thin Air Anatoli Boukreev and the oxygen debate  Doug Hansen’s second Everest attempt  Beck Weathers’ incredible survival story  The South Col summit push  Turnaround times and why they matter  Summit fever and decision-making at altitude  The storm of 10 May 1996  How commercial pressure may have contributed  What changed on Everest after 1996  Why Everest Base Camp is very different from climbing Everest  The role of guides, responsibility and safety  Whether people should still climb Everest today Chapters 00:01 – Welcome back and introduction to part three of the Everest series  00:41 – Why this story matters to the adventure travel industry  02:30 – Everest Base Camp vs climbing Everest  03:40 – Rob Hall and Adventure Consultants  05:20 – Scott Fischer and Mountain Madness  07:20 – Jon Krakauer, Outside Magazine and Into Thin Air 11:20 – Anatoli Boukreev and the oxygen controversy 14:20 – Doug Hansen and the pressure of a second attempt 16:30 – Beck Weathers and his survival story 17:00 – Summit attempt context: South Col, Camp IV and the death zone 18:20 – Turnaround times and why they matter 20:20 – Adventure Consultants and Mountain Madness team members 21:10 – Crowding, queues and the modern Everest comparison 25:50 – Fixed ropes, ice doctors and bottlenecks 28:00 – Rob Hall pushes on with Doug Hansen 29:30 – The storm arrives 30:40 – Summit fever and poor decision-making 32:30 – Hypoxia and altitude confusion 34:00 – Beck Weathers survives the night 35:45 – Rob Hall’s final satellite phone call 37:30 – What caused the 1996 disaster? 38:30 – Should Everest be commercially guided? 41:40 – Duty of care, safety and expedition leadership 45:40 – How Everest changed after 1996 48:40 – Should people still climb Everest today? 50:00 – Everest Base Camp, altitude preparation and The Altitude Centre 52:00 – How Everest has changed from Mallory to today 53:20 – Final reflections on the Everest series Useful Resources Mentioned Everest film Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer  Adventure Consultants  Mountain Madness  Everest Base Camp trek  The Altitude Centre Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to The Ultimate Adventure Travel Podcast and send in any adventure stories you would like Jake to cover next. Ultimate Guide Links;  Get the Free Adventure Travel Starter Pack  Get the Kilimanjaro Guide  Get the Everest Base Camp Guide  Get the Mount Toubkal Guide  Instagram https://www.ultimateadventuretravel.co.uk/

    55 min
  8. Hillary & Tenzing: The First Successful Everest Summit (The Full Story)

    May 11

    Hillary & Tenzing: The First Successful Everest Summit (The Full Story)

    Who really conquered Everest first? In 1953, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became the first confirmed climbers to reach the summit of Mount Everest. But the reality is far more complex than two men standing on top of the world. This episode breaks down:  The British obsession with Everest  The Swiss expedition that nearly beat them  The scale of the 1953 operation  The failed first summit attempt  The final push to the top  The controversy that followed This is not just a summit story. It’s a story about teamwork, pressure, politics, and one of the greatest achievements in adventure history. What You’ll Learn  Why Everest became such a major goal for Britain  How the route from Nepal changed everything  Just how big the 1953 expedition really was (400+ people)  Why the Swiss nearly reached the summit first  The role of Tenzing Norgay before 1953  Why the first summit attempt failed  How Hillary and Tenzing finally made it  What the Hillary Step actually is  Why getting down is always the hardest part  The truth behind “who reached the summit first”Documentary referenced- https://youtu.be/nDbE00gV20k?si=ZopG75jOMXjJRKTS Ultimate Guide Links;  Get the Free Adventure Travel Starter Pack  Get the Kilimanjaro Guide  Get the Everest Base Camp Guide  Get the Mount Toubkal Guide  Instagram https://www.ultimateadventuretravel.co.uk/

    1h 3m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The Ultimate Adventure Travel Podcast is the show for people who want more from their travels than just ticking off the sights. Hosted by expedition leader and Ultimate Adventure Travel founder Jake Field, this weekly podcast is your guide to unforgettable group adventures — from Kilimanjaro and the Inca Trail to Everest Base Camp and beyond. Whether you’re preparing for your first big trip or looking to push your limits on your next one, you’ll find expert advice, real stories, and practical tips to help you get adventure-ready — physically, mentally, and logistically. Expect inspiring guests, honest insights, and plenty of motivation to get outside your comfort zone — and into the wild — with a group of like-minded people by your side.

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