Asia/Pacific, bike trips

Pure Adventures Creates New Self-Guided Cultural Bike Tours of Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia

Pure Adventures has introduced new self-guided biking trips in Vietnam.
Pure Adventures has introduced new self-guided biking trips in Vietnam.

Pure Adventures, a pioneer in self-guided cycling vacations, is introducing bicycle vacations exploring culture and countryside in Southeast Asia.

“Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia are very affordable and accessible to cyclists,” says Loren Siekman, founder/owner. “Our knowledgeable bilingual, in-country guides help us arrange bike rentals, unique lodging, ride itineraries and local cultural experiences found nowhere else. All the new tours feel like self-guided trips but include a guide and support vehicle for every ride to enjoy two-wheeled explorations of brand-new worlds.”

Pure Adventures announces hand-crafted cultural immersions that are unique to this company and to the regions explored. Because these are not pre-set group tours, guests determine their own departure dates and are possible with just two participants. The trips can also be customized based on cultural and culinary interests.

Rates include lodging (upgrades available for an additional cost), all breakfasts, some lunches and dinners, luggage transfers from hotel to hotel, bikes and gear, sightseeing tickets, briefings, guides, support vehicles, airport transfers, and more. Inclusions vary by itinerary.  They will even help manage tourist visas!

Myanmar – Cycling Discovery of Old Burma: Marco Polo called Myanmar (Burma) “The Golden Land.” From Mandalay to Yangon (Rangoon), guests pedal up to 55 kilometers daily over nine days, along the way discovering the secrets of gold leaf that embellishes statuary and temples and the secrets of gold that are the kindness and generosity of the people of this long-neglected country. Short flights, including by hot air balloon, reveal the temple fields of Old Bagan, the ancient capital of the Burmese empire. Village life comes into focus while pedaling by carts pulled by oxen, or climbing to an extinct volcano, Mt. Popa, home of macaque monkeys and nats (spirits), or exploring a wine making venture and traditional silk weaving techniques of the Inthar people near Lake Inle. The pastoral world fades in Yangon (Rangoon), a bustling city that mixes up the stupas of ancient and modern Burma with British colonial architecture and modern edifices. Here is the country’s holiest shrine, Shwedagon Pagoda, a golden stupa covered with 60 tons of pure gold. This trip, available from October through April, is priced from $1,287 per person, double.

Vietnam – Central Coast Highlights Bicycle Tour: In Vietnam, guests biking some 45 kilometers daily over eight days explore south from Hanoi along the Central Coast, passing through cultures spanning more than 1000 years and bisecting daily village life. Travelers may opt to swim and kayak on Halong Bay, where some 1,900 islands and islets create a marine landscape of limestone pillars. At Hue, the former royal capital, monuments, tombs and pagodas reveal a vanished feudal empire. In a region rarely visited by tourists, guests cycle around Hoi An Town, following small paths linking rarely-visited villages, rice fields, shrimp ponds and coconut palms. Privately hosted meals and carefully selected lodgings enhance this carefully textured journey. Available year-round, this trip is priced from $1,972 per person double.

Thailand – Chiang Mai Cycling and Culture 7N Tour: Thailand unfolds while biking on average 45 kilometers daily over eight days. In Bangkok guests lodge overlooking the Chao Phraya River and pedal seldom-visited neighborhoods rife with open air markets and tea shops. A flight north to Chiang Mai reveals Doi Saket and the Lost City of Wiang Kum Kam, once the capital of the Lanna Kingdom. Guests have the fun of overnighting at a resort with treehouse accommodations. A morning cycle along Sri Lanna National Park secures a boat ride and transfers into kayaks, and perhaps a swim. This adventure is available from $1,250 per person double.

Cambodia – Siem Reap & Angkor Watt Cycling: This is a five (or three)-day stand-alone tour or it can be combined as an add-on with another cycling vacation in Southeast Asia. Guests bike from 25 to 65 kilometers daily. After touring the temples of Angkor Wat, guests bike into the countryside where children practice English on visitors. One stop is at a floating village; another stop is the Roluos Group, a series of Pre-Angkor temples; and yet another stop is at the ancient ruins of Beng Melea, undiscovered and untouched for centuries and only recently accessible to the public. This tour is available year-round. The per person double rate is from $393.

Seikman notes that these new biking programs, along with new self-guided walking tours in Japan, round out Pure Adventures’ calendar that now offers bicycle vacations year-round somewhere in the world.

For more information on all of Pure Adventures guided, self-guided and supported, self-directed tours, call: 800-960-2221 or 480-905-1235, Email: [email protected], or visit online: http://pure-adventures.com.

Pure Adventures was created to meet North America’s growing demand for high-quality, self-guided cycling tours. Pure Adventures leverages and utilizes local expertise for route development, sites to see, people to meet, where to eat, and shop and experience life as a local would. Pure Adventures award-winning tours are competitively priced and meticulously planned with substantial behind-the-scene support creating a unique combination that makes a bicycle adventure more easily accessible to today’s active traveler.

The company pioneered self-guided tours in Europe in 1994. Tours span Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Scotland, Slovenia, Spain, and Switzerland. Twenty programs are available in the American West.

Pure Adventures was recently recognized with a Best of Travel 2015 award by OUTSIDE Magazine for their California tours that elevated that state to the top destination in the category of Best Road Biking.

 

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bike trips

BikeTours Highlights 7 Hot Cycling Destinations to Keep Your Saddle Warm this Winter

Biking in Cambodia with BikeTours.
Biking in Cambodia with BikeTours.

Winter doesn’t have to mean hibernation or a break from travel or active vacations. In fact, it’s the perfect time to explore a balmy locale by bicycle, says BikeTours.com. This year, escape winter’s wrath in a warm and inviting cycling destination.

BikeTours.com, which offers more than 450 tours operated by local tour companies in 70 countries worldwide, suggests these seven hot active vacation destinations that offer great cycling, warm weather, unique culture, and charming villages and towns:

  1. Algarve, Portugal

The popular and leisurely Algarve Coastal Route tour spends a week along Portugal’s coast, featuring charming old fishing towns and beautiful beaches. From $860 with daily departures available.

  1. Catalonia, Spain

The 8-night Best of Catalonia Cycle Tour takes you along a converted railway from Ripoli in the Pyrenees to Sant Feliu de Guixols on the Mediterranean Sea. Stunning scenery, pine and cork forests, and bucolic farmlands dot the landscape. From $1,476 for self-guided (private guided tours also available). Daily departures available.

  1. Rajasthan, India

The 10-night Land of the Maharajas tour carries travelers through the princely states of India—along dusty roads, beneath towering camels, and alongside women adorned in brilliant colors. From $2,580 with daily departures available.

  1. Angkor Wat, Cambodia

The 4-night  Angkor Wat Experience tours the beautifully haunting and sprawling temple complex in Cambodia and is the perfect add-on tour to any trip in Southeast Asia. It’s also a fantastic main event, boasting one of the most remarkable and impressive sights in all of Asia. Sitting on more than 500 acres, it is truly best seen and experienced by bicycle. From $635 with weekly departures available.

  1. San Jose, Costa Rica

The 9-night Costa Rica Multi-Sport Adventure takes travelers cycling, hiking, zip-lining, sea kayaking, stand-up paddle-boarding and more through its infamously beautiful landscapes. From $1,500 with weekly departures.

  1.  Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

The 6-night Yucatan Bike Adventure through the Yucatan Peninsula is the perfect antidote to winter, offering cycling, snorkeling and ziplining in beautiful weather, while staying at luxurious and upscale accommodations each evening. From $1,985. Departures in January, April and October-December, 2016.

  1. South Island, New Zealand

Travelers experience the majesty of Aoraki and Mt. Cook and the sweeping tussocklands of the Mackenzie Basin during the five-day New Zealand Alps to Ocean tour out of Christchurch. The tour features cycling on quiet rural roads through gentle hillsides and flat easy riding on New Zealand’s South Island, the 12th largest island in the world. From $1,191 with departures January-April and October-December, 2016.

(Prices may vary due to currency fluctuations and are valid as of December 11, 2015.)

BikeTours.com represents local tour companies with more than 450 tours in 70 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania and the Americas. A team of tour advisors helps travelers choose, plan, book, and go on the tour of their dreams. Learn more at www.biketours.com. 

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National Parks

Insight Vacations Facilitates Visits to National Parks During 100th Anniversary Celebration

View from the South Rim, Grand Canyon National Park © 2016 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
View from the South Rim, Grand Canyon National Park © 2016 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Insight Vacations®, a leader in premium escorted journeys, is facilitating travel to America’s national parks which are commemorating the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service this year.

“Although it’s too late for independent travelers to book the coveted hotels inside the National Parks – rooms sell out years in advance – Insight secures the most scenic hotels in prime locations among the treasured landscapes of Yosemite, Mesa Verde and Yellowstone National Parks,” the company said.

The new 2016/17 USA, Canada & South America brochure features tours visiting 30 national and state parks. Here are some favorites:    

Yellowstone National Park: Gorgeous and seemingly limitless, Yellowstone is the quintessential National Park. Most famous for its geysers and hot springs, Yellowstone also offers more than 3,400 sq. ft. of sprawling forests and meadows. This park is home to the country’s largest collection of elk and bison as well as flourishing populations of wolves, grizzlies, antelope and moose. Go there on: “American Parks Trail” – Nine days reliving the rustic Wild Wild West. Other highlights include Grand Teton National Park, Custer State Park, Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial.  

The Grand Canyon: Even the most spectacular photos don’t do this view justice. One of the world’s seven natural wonders, this masterpiece has been crafted for the better part of two billion years (about half of the Earth’s total lifespan). The mighty Colorado River continues to carve through 277 miles of the canyon below, while the top rims play hide-and-seek with the clouds. Go there on: “Wonders of the American West” – 10 days exploring the American West’s most exquisite natural wonders and dazzling panoramas. Additional stops include Point Imperial, Lake Powell, Monument Valley, Mesa Verde National Park, Anasazi Heritage Center, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Bryce Canyon National Park and Zion National Park.  

Zion National Park: The climbing white-and-red cliffs of Zion Canyon make it one of Utah’s most vibrant natural landscapes. Zion enjoys a lower elevation, so lush vegetation thrives and majestic rock formations are offset by hanging gardens and meadows of mesa-top wildflowers. Go there on: “Enchanting Canyonlands” – Seven days exploring the colorful panoramic stage of the American Southwest. Enjoy ample time at each destination, including Bryce Canyon National Park, Lake Powell, Monument Valley, Glen Canyon Dam, Oak Creek Canyon and Sedona. 

For more information, visit www.insightvacations.com. For reservations, contact your travel agent or call Insight Vacations at 888-680-1241.

 

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European travel, heritage travel, Historic Places

Insight Vacations’ ‘British Royale’ Tour Offers Intimate Glimpse into British High Society

The Milestone Hotel is featured in Insight Vacations®, “The British Royale,” an elegant foray into British high society.
The Milestone Hotel is featured in Insight Vacations®, “The British Royale,” an elegant foray into British high society.

As “Downton Abbey’ winds down its final season, fans can extend their pleasure with a special tour from Insight Vacations®, “The British Royale,” an elegant foray into British high society. This journey, part of the escorted tour operator’s expanding portfolio of new portfolio of Luxury Gold Special Events, is limited to a single departure on Aug. 11, 2016 and guests booking before Feb. 29 will receive a $500 per couple air credit.*

“These popular Special Events represent the ultimate choice for discerning travelers,” said Phil Cappelli, president of Insight Vacations. “Our ‘England Featuring Downton Abbey’ tour sold out in a matter of days, but guests who wish to visit Highclere Castle (famous for its use in the show) can do so on ‘The British Royale’ along with a variety of luxurious experiences themed around the heritage of British royalty. This is a definite departure with limited seating, so interested guests should be sure to book now before it sells out too.”

In London, guests witness Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and the pomp and pageantry of the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. A Yeoman Warder leads a private viewing of the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London before drinks and canapés are served in the Hall of Monarchs. The Kent countryside and its fairytale Leeds Castle is explored before continuing on to Canterbury’s 11th century cathedral and Highclere Castle.

Her Grace the Duchess of Northumberland welcomes guests into her Alnwick Castle home, featured in the Harry Potter films, for a personal tour of the gardens and a locally-inspired lunch on the grounds. The magnificent Edinburgh Castle highlights elegant 18th century neoclassical façades and the Royal Yacht Britannia provides an insightful view into what life was once like aboard the Queen’s floating royal residence. The tour culminates with a  performance of the traditional Military Tattoo set against the floodlit backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.

Along the way, guests dine at private members clubs, private properties and renowned restaurants from London to Edinburgh. Unforgettable private performances and  five-star hotels provide the comfort and extravagance consistent with Insight’s Luxury Gold collection.

Insight Vacations® has been designing escorted travel itineraries for more than 38 years. Insight offers over 100 journeys across the European continent, covering more of Europe than any other operator. Insight Vacations also offers carefully curated itineraries in North America, South America, India, Bhutan, Nepal, Morocco, Egypt and Israel.

Luxury Gold by Insight Vacations is a collection of journeys that elevate travel beyond the ordinary. Guests traveling with Luxury Gold stay at the finest hotels, dine on the epicurean regional cuisine at featured Michelin-starred restaurants and enjoy an unmatched collection of once-in-a-lifetime experiences and sightseeing.

Each tour includes the services of an experienced Tour Director who acts as “traveling concierge,” and Signature Experiences that provide revealing look into the history and culture of each destination. The authentic flavors of each country are incorporated through included Signature Dining experiences, Insight hotels are handpicked for their high quality and desirable central or scenic locations and the Insight motorcoach is specially customized to provide Business Class legroom.

Created as a joint initiative between The Travel Corporation’s family of brands, The TreadRight Foundation is a not-for-profit that works to help ensure the environment and communities we visit remain vibrant and preserved for generations to come. To date, TreadRight has supported more than 35 sustainable tourism projects worldwide. The foundation’s guiding principle is to encourage sustainable tourism development through conservation, leadership and support for communities.

TreadRight’s past project partners include WWF, Conservation International and The National Trust in the UK. Current initiatives include sponsoring the National Geographic Society’s inaugural “World Legacy Awards,” helping to combat wildlife crime with WildAid, and empowering individuals with the Alliance for Artisan Enterprise. 

For more information, visit www.insightluxurygold.com. For reservations, contact your travel agent or speak with an Insight Luxury Gold Specialist at 888-680-1241.

 

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Adventure Travel, Africa, experiential travel, Wildlife travel

Wild Planet Adventures Marks 25th Anniversary With Exclusive African Safari

To celebrate its 25th Anniversary, Wild Planet Adventures has created a one-of-a-kind safari, Insider’s Africa: Meerkats, Gorillas, and Africa’s Rare 5
To celebrate its 25th Anniversary, Wild Planet Adventures has created a one-of-a-kind safari, Insider’s Africa: Meerkats, Gorillas, and Africa’s Rare 5

Creatures in the wild don’t magically appear at a safari guide’s whim. But it certainly looks that way for one company that specializes in safaris that require a high level of wildlife expertise, often seeking rare animals and conducted in non-commercial destinations.

Wild Planet Adventures has spent 25 years honing techniques to observe some of the world’s rarest animals in their native habitats. They make special arrangements for exclusive site access and feature exclusive activities that allow silent approach to animals. They bring together scientific researchers and biologist guides to take advantage of wildlife migrations, seasonal courtship, nesting and peak activity times for up-close encounters in virtually unknown destinations.

2016 marks Wild Planet’s 25th anniversary, and Director Josh Cohen wanted to create a special anniversary trip that would highlight Wild Planet’s wildlife expertise with their most ambitious wildlife experience ever.

“For our 25th anniversary we wanted to offer a very special safari that would thrill both new and experienced wildlife lovers with access to some of the rarest animals in Africa, a safari packed with unprecedented wildlife opportunities such as the ability to spend four hours with mountain gorillas (most permits only allow one hour). This one-of-a-kind 25th Anniversary safari is our new Insider’s Africa: Meerkats, Gorillas, and Africa’s ‘Rare 5”

This 12-day safari combines South Africa and Uganda; a convenient grouping since South Africa is often a required stop en-route to Uganda. The trip begins in a remote and non-commercial area of South Africa known as the “Green Kalahari.” This virtually unknown savannah lies south of the better-known Kalahari Desert and features dependable rainfall that supports some of Africa’s rarest animals along with rhinos, zebra and giraffe. The “Green Kalahari” is a prized area to track big cats such as cheetah and black-maned lions (Africa’s largest).

 

But what drew Wild Planet to this little-known destination is an unusual phenomenon; from May to September some of Africa’s rarest nocturnal animals forage during the day instead of night, making it the best place to enjoy close encounters with members of Africa’s “Rare 5”- pangolin, (scaly anteater), aardvark and aardwolf. There are also 2 colonies of habituated meerkats, allowing for exceptionally up-close encounters of one of the world’s most popular and adorable creatures. This is just the kind of specialized wildlife expertise that Wild Planet is known for.

On Day 5 guests depart South Africa for Uganda to enjoy unprecedented access to one of the rarest animals on the planet, the mountain gorilla. Uganda is home to the highest concentrations of primates on earth, and the majestic gorillas are amongst the most coveted of all wildlife encounters. Only 840 mountain gorillas remain, of which at least 60% are in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Here, in typical Wild Planet Adventures’ style, special arrangements allow its guests to spend four times the amount of time that is normally allowed in close contact with mountain gorillas.  This extended viewing time allows travelers to intimately experience the gorilla family as they wake up, hunt, patrol, play, fight, copulate, and breastfeed.

“It took some effort to secure the longer gorilla permit,” said Josh Cohen, Wild Planet Adventures founder. “We have arranged for an exclusive, unprecedented four-hour, researcher-guided permit which allows us more intimate time spent with the gorillas than any other safari operating today. Travelers will also join researcher teams for a full day Chimpanzee habituation safari and nighttime walking safari in Kibale National Park (home to over 12 species of primates), enjoy safaris for tree-climbing lions and the “Big 5” in Queen Elizabeth National Park and visit the famous “Mountains of the Moon.” The final highlights are the intricate courtship and mating rituals of the stunning Kob antelope, and a colony of adorable banded mongoose, cousins of the meerkats.”

This is an ideal second safari to Africa for travelers who have already seen the Big 5, even though the trip also includes those must-see animals. So it’s a perfect celebration of Wild Planet’s wildlife expertise for their 25th anniversary.

The per person double rate starts at $9,998. Guests fly by private plane from Johannesburg or Cape Town to Tswalu Kalahari, a private, sustainably operated luxury game reserve. On Day 5 guests transfer by plane to Entebbe, Uganda. Both mid-range and upscale accommodation options are available for the Uganda segment. 2016 Departures are May 16, June 26, July 19, Aug. 21, Sept. 17 (11-day trip) and Oct. 11, 2016, and private departures are also available on custom dates. For information.

25th Anniversary Season

Wild Planet’s 25th Anniversary season is packed with more of its signature wildlife features than ever. Its carbon-neutral safaris emphasize conservation and sustainability. Their expert wildlife guides go the extra mile to increase the chance of wildlife sightings and rare animals in destinations not often accessible to the general public. The company’s comprehensive itineraries balance diverse and complex wildlife habitats with key cultural experiences, allowing travelers the most comprehensive wildlife safaris possible in each destination.

In April 2014 Wild Planet Adventures received its fifth “Worlds’ 50 Best Trips” award from the editors of National Geographic Traveler for its “On the Jaguar’s Trail; from the Pantanal to the Amazon” wildlife safari in Brazil. Previous National Geographic Traveler awards went to Wild Planet’s Thailand, India, Panama wildlife eco-tours and its ultimate African safari in Zambia. Wild Planet Adventures is also recognized by other top travel publications for its wildlife-focused itineraries in Africa, Borneo, Brazil, Costa Rica, Galapagos, India, Laos, Nepal, Panama, Peru, Thailand and Zambia.

For detailed itineraries, exciting wildlife photos and video galleries and booking information, visit www.wildplanetadventures.com, call 1-800-990-4376 or email [email protected].

 

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Asia/Pacific, cruises, expeditionary cruises

Pandaw to Launch New Ship on Upper Mekong

The Yunnan Pandaw is schedule to start cruising on the Mekong in September 2016.
The Yunnan Pandaw is schedule to start cruising on the Mekong in September 2016.

Pandaw, a luxury river cruise operator, has announced the launch of a brand new ship, the Yunnan Pandaw, from September 2016.

The ship will become the sister to the Laos Pandaw and will sail on the Upper Mekong from Vientiane (Laos) to Jinghong (China) or visa versa on an exclusive 14-night journey.

The Yunnan Pandaw will have 12 air-conditioned main deck and two upper deck staterooms, each with private bathrooms, kimonos, slippers, safe and luxury linens and toiletries. Public areas include a stunning observation deck and dining room.

As with her sister ship, the Yunnan Pandaw will be built in Pandaw’s traditional teak and brass and have an ultra-low draft and high powered engines to enable her to navigate the mighty Upper Mekong. She will bring the number of ships in Pandaw’s fleet to 16.

“We are very excited about the addition of the Yunnan Pandaw to our fleet, which we are building in response to demand,” Pandaw’s founder Paul Strachan said. “The journey from Vientiane to Jinghong is only possible with Pandaw and is one of the most memorable.

“The Upper Mekong is one of the most scenic rivers in Asia. Travelling through lush jungle and friendly village communities where elephants can often be seen from the ship. In China, we visit the impressive Menglun Botanical Garden, discover Chinese tea plantations and meet some of China’s minority communities that live in Yunnan Province.”

Pandaw’s departures on the Laos Mekong, from Vientiane to Jinghong, abroad the Laos Pandaw have been sold out for some time. The new ship will therefore provide welcome extra cruise availability.

Travellers can combine the Upper Mekong cruise with Pandaw’s seven-night Classic Mekong cruise from Saigon to Siem Reap and sail the Mekong from China to Saigon and vice versa. For those taking this extended journey, Pandaw offers a complimentary three-night stay in Siem Reap, including guided visits to Angkor Wat.

Cruise only prices start from $5670 per person based on two people sharing a main deck twin cabin. To book, call your travel agent or book via www.pandaw.com.

Founded in 1995 by Scotsman and Burmese historian Paul Strachan with the re-building of an original Clyde-built steamer called Pandaw, the company can trace its roots back to the original Irrawaddy Flotilla Company, which was founded by Scots merchants in 1865. Still a family-run company, Pandaw was the first company to offer expeditions on both the Irrawaddy and Chindwin Rivers and has almost 20 years’ experience navigating three of the great rivers of South East Asia.

Pandaw operates cruises in Burma, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and China from June to April.

Contact [email protected], www.pandaw.com.

 

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Adventure Travel, hiking, National Parks

Austin Adventures’ Offers Special National Park Adventure Combining Grand Canyon and Havasu Canyon

Havasu Canyon
Havasu Canyon

Austin Adventures, a trend-setter in luxury multisport and active family vacations worldwide, offers hiking programs into Arizona’s Havasu Canyon and its legendary travertine pools and waterfalls. This spring it is offering a special departure guided by its two most accomplished trip leaders that combines for the first time a South Rim of the Grand Canyon hike with in-depth exploration of the waterfalls and wonders of one of Arizona’s most iconic destinations, Havasu.

“We have taken our already popular Havasu Basecamp Adventure and enhanced it with more quality time in the Grand Canyon,” explains Dan Austin, company founder and president. “And the kicker is that two of our most beloved senior guides will be leading this very special departure.”

Guests on Austin Adventures’ five-day/four-night tour will enjoy the company and services of Outside Magazine’s top family guide, Kasey Austin, along with master guide Matty (K) Kirkland who has been with the company since its inception.

“We wanted to create a special Grand Canyon departure in tribute to the centennial of the founding of America’s National Park System,” Austin says. “Families with kids 10 and older will find this appealing as the March date dovetails nicely with many school spring break schedules.”

The Arizona South Rim & Havasupai Adventure on Mar. 19-23, 2016 begins and ends in Scottsdale, AZ. The first day is spent exploring the Grand Canyon’s South Rim starting at Desert Watchtower followed by a hike on the South Kaibab Trail. Tonight guests enjoy dinner perched along the rim at the historic El Tovar Lodge.

A three-hour drive the next morning brings the group to Hualapai Hilltop and the trailhead for the 10-mile descent into Havasu Canyon. Numerous switchbacks dive deep into the red sandstone labyrinth until a level streambed is reached. When the vegetation turns lush as the Canyon widens at mile eight, guests enter Supai, one of the most remote villages in the United States. Here, the mail still arrives by packhorse. It’s then a short hike past two spectacular waterfalls to the deluxe basecamp, home for the next three nights. Note: At trip’s end, those not wishing to hike back out may request (for an extra fee) conveyance by helicopter or horseback.

Basecamp is a serious affair with a well-stocked backcountry kitchen, oversized tents and plush sleeping bags and pads. Its centralized location is the key to full exploration and enjoyment of the Canyon.  The creek that carved Havasu spills over five major falls, the biggest of which, Mooney Falls, drops over 190 feet. The water temperature of about 70 degrees remains relatively constant throughout the year. Over millennia, the high mineral content and carbonate precipitate in the water has created countless pools, dams and drops. With new formations forming all the time, the flow of the creek is ever-changing.  Day hikes are certain to culminate with a swim in the turquoise waters.

“Teal blue waters, lush foliage, squash and wild grape vines growing like weeds, pomegranate and apricot trees lining the dusty path and waterfalls all around. So unexpected and so beautiful!” –wrote one recent guest.

The per person, double occupancy rate of $1,998 ($280 single supplement) includes lodging, all meals, trailside snacks, fully trained, first-aid certified professional guides, vehicle support and land transportation during the trip, Austin Adventures T-shirt, water bottle, luggage tags and luggage service, packing information, taxes, dining and housekeeping gratuities, and national park entrance and permit fees. Because this is a spur of the Grand Canyon, hiking permits, that can be hard to obtain, are included.

For more complete trip details see www.austinadventures.com/packages/arizona-south-rim-havasupai/.

For more information on all of the 2016 destinations, trips and itineraries offered by Austin Adventures visit www.austinadventures.com, call (800) 575-1540 or email [email protected].

Based in Billings, MT, Austin Adventures (formerly Austin-Lehman Adventures) has spent more than 40 years building an international reputation as a provider of scheduled small group tours and customized trips to all seven continents. In 2013, Austin Adventures joined the Xanterra Parks & Resorts® portfolio of experiential leisure offerings that includes operations in Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Zion, Crater Lake, Glacier, Rocky Mountain and Petrified Forest National Parks; Mount Rushmore National Memorial; Furnace Creek Resort in Death Valley National Park; and five Ohio State Park Lodges as well as the Geneva Marina at Ohio’s Geneva State Park. Xanterra Parks & Resorts also owns and operates Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Va., the Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel in Williams, Ariz., the Grand Hotel in Tusayan, Ariz., Windstar Cruises, VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations, Country Walkers and Austin Adventures.

 

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family-friendly adventures, National Parks

National Park Foundation Grants Support White House’s ‘Every Kid in a Park’ Initiative

Grants from the National Park Foundation, part of its Open OutDoors for Kids program, support the White House youth initiative, Every Kid in a Park © 2016 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Grants from the National Park Foundation, part of its Open OutDoors for Kids program, support the White House youth initiative, Every Kid in a Park © 2016 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

More than 140,000 kids will have the opportunity to visit federal public lands and waters in the 2015-2016 school year, thanks to 186 grants from the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America’s national parks. These grants, part of the Foundation’s Open OutDoors for Kids program, support the White House youth initiative Every Kid in a Park.

“It is inspiring to see the National Park Foundation and many other partners step up to support our goal of getting fourth graders and their families into parks, public lands and waters that belong to all Americans,” said U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell. “These generous grants will ensure children across the country have an opportunity to experience the great outdoors in their community while developing a lifelong connection to our nation’s land, water and wildlife.”

The 186 grants announced total $1.1 million and provide funding to remove barriers to accessing our nation’s public lands and waters, with a special focus on underserved and urban communities. With cutbacks in school funding for field trips, this strategic funding will help provide comprehensive access to all federal sites, including national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, marine sanctuaries and more.

“We have long known that kids learn better when they have opportunities to practice what they are learning in school, and parks and public lands offer them great opportunities to get their feet wet while collecting water samples, studying wildlife in its natural habitat, or exploring the places where history happened,” said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. “These grants provided by the National Park Foundation will connect schoolchildren with public lands and waters, taking the lessons out of their schoolbooks and bringing them to life.”

National Park Foundation grants, supported by Disney, have made it possible for more than 400,000 students (including this year’s grantees) to visit national parks and other public lands and waters. Since 2014, Disney has been the lead sponsor of Open OutDoors for Kids, opening a world of possibilities, inspiration and adventure for young people.

“We want to help people everywhere, from all backgrounds, discover how national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and other public lands and waters are relevant to their lives, and the best way to do that is to give people the opportunity to experience them first-hand,” said Will Shafroth, president of the National Park Foundation. “Through our grants that provide funding for transportation and in-park learning, we are able to connect youth and their families to these special places and inspire people across the country to find their park which, in turn, can foster a lifelong connection to all that public lands and waters have to offer.”

The National Park Foundation is leading the on-the-ground efforts for Every Kid in a Park in collaboration with the National Park Service, Forest Service, Department of Education, Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Collaborations between schools, teachers, youth groups, Friends Groups, and other partner organizations make each grantee’s project possible. Examples include:

Boston African American National Historic Site (Massachusetts)

  • More than 600 fourth-graders in the Boston Public Schools system will visit the park and learn about the importance of the African American community in Boston and the fight against slavery.

Libby Dam and Lake Koocanusa (Montana)

  • More than 170 fourth-graders will use a stream table model with conservation district partners, visit with a wildlife rehabilitator and see live birds of prey, learn about animal track identification, tour the dam and outdoor recreation areas, and go on a nature hike and scavenger hunt.

Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area (Idaho)

  • 100 fourth-graders from Reed Elementary School will hike in the footsteps of those who traversed the Oregon Trail.

Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary (Michigan)

  • Approximately 650 fourth-graders from local schools will get hands-on experience exploring underwater shipwrecks with robots, taking water samples in the Thunder Bay River, and learning the effects of climate change with NOAA scientists.

Pisgah Ranger District (North Carolina)

  • More than 150 fourth-graders from local schools will have the opportunity to be “gumshoes” and travel back to 1905 to learn tools and traditions from mountain culture, including washing clothes with a washboard and forest water.

Patuxent Research Refuge (Maryland)

  • 500 Baltimore, Prince George’s, and Fairfax county public school fourth-graders will participate in wetland observation and water quality sampling, outdoor wildlife and habitat games , an educational tram ride, and a woodland scavenger hunt.

Saguaro National Park (Arizona)

  • 2,550 fourth-graders from Tucson schools will explore the Hohokam culture by creating petroglyphs, digging into the past with archeologist tools, tasting foods of O’odham and Mexican cultures, and engaging in homesteading chores like those of the Hispanic and Anglo-American settlers. Students will also learn about hunting and gathering during hikes through the park.

The National Park Foundation thanked Disney for its generous support of Open OutDoors for Kids.

Individuals, foundations, and corporations can visit www.nationalparks.org/everykidinapark to contribute to the National Park Foundation’s efforts to support Every Kid in a Park. You can also view the full list of grantees, and their projects, on the same website.

To participate in the Every Kid in a Park program, fourth graders nationwide can visit www.everykidinapark.gov and download a free pass.

The National Park Foundation is the official charity of America’s national parks and nonprofit partner to the National Park Service.  Chartered by Congress in 1967, the National Park Foundation raises private funds to help PROTECT more than 84 million acres of national parks through critical conservation and preservation efforts, CONNECT all Americans with their incomparable natural landscapes, vibrant culture and rich history, and INSPIRE the next generation of park stewards.  Find out more and become a part of the national park community at www.nationalparks.org.

 

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ecotourism, Nature Travel, Sustainable Hotels, Sustainable Travel

National Geographic Unique Lodges Collection Doubles to 45 Destinations on 6 Continents

Lizard Island resort in the Great Barrier Reef, is the only development on the island, accessible exclusively by plane and filling only 40 rooms at a time (photo by National Geographic Travel).
Lizard Island resort in the Great Barrier Reef, is the only development on the island, accessible exclusively by plane and filling only 40 rooms at a time (photo by National Geographic Travel).

Since launching in January 2015, National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World has nearly doubled the number of properties in its impressive collection, increasing its geographic breadth to the Canadian High Arctic, Brazil’s Atlantic Forest, the Seychelles, the mountains of northern Greece and beyond. The collection began with 24 charter members and accepted 14 in June and seven over the past few months, bringing it to 45 lodges — and counting. These extraordinary properties were selected for the outstanding guest service and experiences they offer, and for their leadership in sustainable tourism and commitment to protecting cultural and natural heritage. They must undergo a rigorous vetting process and a site audit to become part of the collection.

Lodges joining the collection include:

With the additions this past year come a wide range of new opportunities for travelers, such as walking safaris with world-class guides at The Bushcamp Company in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park, horseback riding and hiking in the shadow of a volcano at Mexico’s Hacienda de San Antonio, and cooking classes with a renowned chef in Alaska’s backcountry at Winterlake Lodge. At all of the properties in the collection, guests who book their stay through the National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World online site (www.NationalGeographicLodges.com) are treated to a special, exclusive experience, such as a meeting with the son of a traditional shaman at Pacuare Lodge in Costa Rica, or a private catered dinner in a grove of ancient milkwood trees at South Africa’s Grootbos Private Nature Reserve.

The owners and managers of the lodges are some of the world’s leading minds in sustainable tourism. By bringing them together, the collection has created a vibrant forum for the exchange of ideas, innovations, and best practices. At a gathering of members in May 2015, topics of discussion included an air conditioning system run on coconut oil and deep sea water at the Brando in French Polynesia, and an initiative at Sukau Rainforest Lodge in Malaysian Borneo to ward off wild elephants using bees—creating an income generator for local communities while reducing conflicts between humans and wildlife.

The award-winning website features detailed descriptions of each lodge as well as a variety of rich content: profiles of staff members, favorite recipes from the lodge chefs, and stories about conservation initiatives and community projects sponsored by the lodges.

“We built National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World to serve as a shining example of sustainable tourism around the world, and we are thrilled to see the remarkable growth of the collection this past year. By providing such fantastic guest experiences while demonstrating how travel can be a force for good, we hope to elevate sustainable tourism and inspire others to join us,” said Lynn Cutter, National Geographic’s executive vice president for Travel. “We look forward to providing travelers with even broader array of unique opportunities around the world as we continue to expand our collection in the years to come.”

National Geographic Unique Lodges offer travelers a full-service experience from booking to checkout. On the Unique Lodges website, travelers can search for lodges by region or by activity — such as birding or kayaking — and find the lowest rates available. They can request a reservation or book a National Geographic Private Expedition that features a Unique Lodge, such as an expedition to Costa Rica that features a stay at Pacuare Lodge and Lapa Rios Eco Lodge, or a trip to the Greek Isles that includes three nights at Kapari Natural Resort on Santorini, with an option to continue your trip at Aristi Mountain Resort and Villas. Or they can create a custom itinerary that incorporates a stay at a Unique Lodge.

Here is a complete list of National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World members:

For more information about National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World, visit www.nationalgeographiclodges.com. Lodge owners may apply to join the collection at www.nglodgesapplication.com.

National Geographic Travel creates authentic, meaningful and engaging travel experiences through National Geographic Traveler magazine; National Geographic Expeditions; National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World; travel books; maps; digital travel content; and travel photography programs. National Geographic Traveler (six issues per year) is the world’s most widely read travel magazine and has 17 international editions. National Geographic Expeditions offers a variety of unique travel experiences led by top experts to more than 80 destinations across all seven continents. Travel opportunities include family and student expeditions, active adventures, journeys with G Adventures, private jet trips and voyages on the six expedition ships in the National Geographic-Lindblad fleet, as well as photography workshops, expeditions and seminars. The National Geographic Travel digital group, shares its inspiring and authoritative digital content such as trip ideas, photo galleries, blogs and apps with its @NatGeoTravel community of 6.5 million. National Geographic Travel books bring readers curated travel advice, photography and insider tips. Follow National Geographic Travel @NatGeoTravel on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest, Instagram and Google+.

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cruises, expeditionary cruises

Lindblad Expeditions to Acquire Via Australis Ship for Galapagos Islands Expeditionary Cruises

Lindblad Expeditions H.oldings, Inc. is purchasing the Via Australis to be operated in the Galapagos Islands, affording guests such experiences as swimming with sea turtle
Lindblad Expeditions H.oldings, Inc. is purchasing the Via Australis to be operated in the Galapagos Islands, affording guests such experiences as swimming with sea turtle

Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc., a global leader of expedition cruises and adventure travel experiences, is purchasing the Via Australis to be operated in the Galapagos Islands.  Lindblad expects to take possession of the ship in spring 2016 and following a signification renovation will deploy the ship during the third quarter of 2016. Lindblad, which is spending $18 million to acquire the ship, plans to spend up to $10 million to refurbish and outfit it. The Via Australis will replace the National Geographic Endeavour.

“The Via Australis will be the ideal platform for our Galapagos expeditions far into the future.  Opportunities to acquire high quality expedition ships on attractive terms are infrequent so we seized this one,” said Sven Lindblad, President and CEO of Lindblad.  “The Via Australis will provide us with increased profitability on the same route through more operating days, revenue enhancement opportunities, operating efficiencies and cost savings compared to the National Geographic Endeavour.  Additionally, it will require significantly lower capital expenditures for the foreseeable future.”

“The most important elements of a Galapagos experience are the islands, the animals and the sea that surrounds them, so the ship that provides access to these things matters greatly,” Lindblad added.  “The Via Australis is ultra-efficient to operate and was built with the same sensibility that matters so much to us, with a focus on the world outside.  To that end, she has great viewing from all public spaces.  Her ability to launch and deploy landing craft is fast and seamless.  She is exceptionally quiet and maneuverable, a great asset when approaching marine life.  And I’m particularly pleased that this ship will be well received by our crew who work very hard and are critical to expedition success.”

The Via Australis will be renamed bearing the National Geographic name.  After refurbishment, some key features of the Via Australis:

  • 50 cabins: 46 double cabins and 4 single cabins.  Maximum capacity of 96 guests.
  • As the primary focus is the world outside, all public spaces are designed for maximum viewing with quick, easy access to decks to respond to bridge announcements of phenomenal sightings of nature and wildlife.
  • An open and ample top deck provides an unparalleled location for gathering, dining, relaxing and stargazing.
  • A spacious main lounge and a forward-viewing additional lounge with large windows and immediate access to the outer decks provide guests many comfortable options to relax, read or view the wildlife and scenery.
  • A fleet of Zodiacs and sea kayaks outfitted to transport guests easily into the wild, remote places being explored.  The efficient Zodiac loading platform can deploy two landing crafts at the same time in order to safely and swiftly put guests ashore, in the water, or on a cruise through the surrounding landscapes
  • A fully equipped fitness room and a wellness spa.
  • State-of-the-art A/V system for the highest quality presentations, including National Geographic photography instruction.
  • Well-appointed and improved crew quarters.

Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc. is an expedition travel company that works in partnership with National Geographic to inspire people to explore and care about the planet. The organizations work in tandem to produce innovative marine expedition programs and to promote conservation and sustainable tourism around the world. The partnership’s educationally oriented voyages allow guests to interact with and learn from leading scientists, naturalists and researchers while discovering stunning natural environments, above and below the sea, through state-of-the-art exploration tools.

 

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