Tag Archives: Gondwana Ecotours

Active Travel, Adventure Travel, bike trips, camping trips, National Parks

10 ‘No Passport’ Summer Adventures: From Backcountry Biking to Horseback Riding, to Northern Lights

No passport needed: Escape Adventures is offering a family-friendly, five-day camping and mountain bike adventure in Grand Canyon National Park that includes riding singletrack to Monument Point, hiking into the canyon on backcountry trails, pedaling across the Kaibab Plateau and conquering the Rainbow Rim trail before descending to Indian Hollow.

Forget crowded airports and currency exchange – “no-passport vacations” are the hottest trend this summer, with American travelers eager to explore incredible destinations right here in the United States. Recent reports show a surge in domestic travel, with 60% of people wanting to see more of their own country.

Here are 10 exciting “no-passport” summer adventures, from backcountry biking to horseback riding and chasing the Northern Lights:

Backcountry Biking in Utah: The Aquarius Trail Hut System offers a backcountry mountain biking experience like no other in the region. A system of five huts furnished with beds, a bathroom, a fully stocked kitchen and solar power has been strategically placed along a 190-mile route through some of Utah’s most scenic backcountry and best mountain biking trails. https://aquariustrail.com/

American Road Trip 2.0: Nothing is more rejuvenating than jumping in your car and heading out on an American road trip, and AdventureGenie is the world’s first AI-powered, end-to-end system for planning one. It offers the most immersive, innovative and intelligent adventure travel planning tools available. Whether starting from a curated GenieTrip or creating a fully customized and personalized journey from your own ideas, AdventureGenie has you covered. https://adventuregenie.com/

Alaska Lodge Adventure: Discover the rugged beauty of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park in Alaska on a guided five-day trip with Adventure Life that combines outdoor exploration with lodge-based comfort. Tour Kennicott Town and learn about its mining history, hike to a hidden lake or across a glacier, try ice climbing,  fly into the backcountry for a day of wilderness exploration, and paddle a packraft through pristine waters. https://www.adventure-life.com/alaska/tours/18770/wrangell-st-elias-national-park-lodge-based-adventure

North Rim of Grand Canyon: Providing gently rolling terrain of lung-expanding dimensions, the North Rim has been long-held as sacred ground to hikers and cyclists alike. Escape Adventures is offering a family-friendly, five-day camping and mountain bike adventure that includes riding singletrack to Monument Point, hiking into the canyon on backcountry trails, pedaling across the Kaibab Plateau and conquering the Rainbow Rim trail before descending to Indian Hollow. https://escapeadventures.com/tour/grand-canyon-north-rim-mountain-bike-tour/

Yellowstone Fly Fishing: Take an expertly guided float down the Yellowstone River on one of Flying Pig Adventures’ custom rafts while you enjoy the spectacular scenery, abundant wildlife and world-class fly fishing. Just outside Yellowstone National Park, the upper stretches of the river are lightly fished, but hold large numbers of native cutthroat, rainbow and brown trout. Private access to the river allows guides to take guests where the fish are without fighting the crowds. https://www.flyingpigrafting.com/yellowstone-fly-fishing

Wine Country Weekend: North of San Francisco, the winding Russian River meets the dramatic Pacific coastline, shaping if not sheltering a world all its own. Escape Adventures offers an idyllic three-day road biking tour in this romantic landscape, quilted with a colorful patchwork of old growth redwoods, fruitful vineyards, historic towns and beautiful gardens. https://escapeadventures.com/tour/napa-valley-weekend-road-bike-tour/

Cowboy Up in Montana: Settle in at the Circle Bar Ranch in central Montana for horseback riding and other classic dude ranch adventures. On the ranch’s 520 acres and nearby national forest land, ride a trusty steed through open prairies, across the Judith River or up a ridge for a breakfast cookout, go hiking, try fly fishing, sport shooting or archery, or tour a Yogo sapphire mine by UTV. At the end of the day, enjoy traditional ranch recipes and locally inspired dishes, and cozy accommodations in a historic cabin, the lodge or Ranch House. https://www.circlebarranch.com/

Jackson Hole Tiny House: Fireside Jackson Hole redefines the traditional vacation with its collection of sustainably built, LEED-certified luxury cabins. Experience the intimacy of a boutique hotel and ambiance of a private residence, set within the atmosphere of a wooded campground – all moments away from the majesty of Grand Teton National Park. https://www.firesidejacksonhole.com

Alaska Northern Lights: On Gondwana Ecotours’ Alaska Northern Lights Adventure, guests will get a dose of local culture by day and photograph the Aurora Borealis at night. Highlights of the tour include dogsledding through snowy forests, taking curling lessons from locals, enjoying a meal with homesteaders, soaking in a geothermal hot spring, learning how to photograph the Aurora Borealis, snowshoeing on private land, having tea with a family of reindeer herders and more. https://www.gondwanaecotours.com/adventure-tours/northern-lights-tour-fairbanks-alaska/

Big Sky Summer: In Big Sky, Montana, The Wilson Hotel serves as a basecamp for summer adventures on the edge of Yellowstone National Park. Hike through shaded forests and wildflower-filled meadows, raft or fly fish the clear waters of the Gallatin River, experience the adrenaline rush of lift-served mountain biking, and explore the natural wonders and wildlife of the park. Afterward, enjoy Montana fare at the upscale yet casual Block 3 Kitchen & Bar on site or burgers, sandwiches and entertainment at Tips Up. https://thewilsonhotel.com/

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Active Travel, Adventure Travel, Africa, benefits of travel, ecotourism

Gondwana Ecotours Introduces Safari Supporting Maasai,  Serengeti Conservation

Gondwana Ecotours’10-day Great Migration Serengeti Safari offers travelers a chance to witness the awe-inspiring Great Migration while actively contributing to the preservation of local communities and the environment.

(Homer, Alaska) — Gondwana Ecotours is proud to announce its 10-day Great Migration Serengeti Safari, an extraordinary journey into the heart of Tanzania’s wilderness. This adventure transcends the typical safari experience, offering travelers a chance to witness the awe-inspiring Great Migration while actively contributing to the preservation of local communities and the environment. This tour is designed for those who seek not just adventure, but a meaningful connection with the land and its people.

“This Great Migration Serengeti Safari is designed to minimize its environmental footprint, featuring activities that operate sustainably and contribute to the preservation of the Serengeti’s delicate ecosystem,” said Gondwana Ecotours Founder Jared Sternberg. “We work closely with local partners who share their commitment to environmental stewardship, and travelers are educated on the importance of cultural and environmental stewardship, empowering them to become responsible ambassadors for the planet. This safari is more than a wildlife spectacle; it’s a transformative experience that demonstrates how travel can be a force for good.”

A cornerstone of this safari, priced starting at $7,495 per person, is the exclusive access it provides to a Maasai community where Gondwana Ecotours is the only operator visiting. This isn’t a staged cultural performance, but an authentic opportunity to engage with a traditional way of life. Travelers are welcomed into the village, where they’ll learn about the Maasai’s deep connection to the land, their enduring traditions, and their vital role in local conservation efforts. This immersive experience fosters genuine understanding and respect, creating lasting memories and a profound appreciation for Maasai culture.

“Guests don’t just witness the Great Migration—they gain a deeper understanding of the challenges facing the Maasai people, wildlife, and the Serengeti ecosystem,” said Sternberg. “As part of the experience, Gondwana donates on behalf of each traveler to Friends of Serengeti, which funds initiatives that address conservation, vocational programs, human-wildlife conflict, and habitat protection.”
 
Gondwana Ecotours’ commitment to responsible tourism goes beyond cultural immersion. The company is dedicated to giving back, ensuring that every journey contributes to the well-being of the communities visited. A significant portion of tour revenue is directed towards carefully selected local nonprofits that support sustainable development and conservation initiatives. Furthermore, Gondwana prioritizes partnerships with local businesses, micro-businesses, and nonprofits that champion environmental practices, fostering a network of sustainable tourism.

“From eliminating 600+ single-use plastic bottles per trip to working with a locally owned operator that pays above-average wages, every element of this tour is designed to reduce impact and uplift local communities,” said Sternberg. 


Trip Highlights:

  • EXPERIENCE Tanzania’s most famous and diverse National Parks – from beautiful bushlands to the endless expanse of the Serengeti plains.
    • EXPLORE Ngorongoro Crater on an early morning game drive, home to Africa’s densest lion population and some of the last black rhinos in the world.
    • WITNESS one of the most spectacular mass migrations on earth! 
    • VISIT the Maasai, one of Africa’s most famous, friendly and unique tribes. Experience their culture, learn their traditions, and sing and dance with them.
    • VIEW wildlife from a guaranteed window seat in our pop-top Land Cruiser. Your expert safari guides will take you off the main roads looking for cheetahs, leopards, lions, elephants, and more.  
    • SAVOR delicious meals at our lodges and picnic lunches in picturesque locations such as under massive Baobab trees

Gondwana Ecotours specializes in small-group, guided tours to bucket-list destinations around the world. Sustainability is front of mind, and we are constantly working towards reducing our environmental footprint, both globally and locally. Our itineraries are carefully curated to include unique and fun activities that are grounded in meaningful encounters with nature, wildlife, and local culture, and that are physically suitable for most travelers. Touch down with a bush plane in a remote National Park to safely observe grizzlies in the wild. Encounter some of the last remaining mountain gorillas while your visit contributes to their preservation. Watch the Northern Lights dance in the sky with an Aurora Guide who can help explain the phenomenon and capture the moment. Witness the Great Migration on a Safari in Tanzania guided by local safari guides. Carefully walk on an incredible growing glacier in Patagonia. Explore the magnificent fjords of Western Norway.

Moe information at  https://www.gondwanaecotours.com

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Adventure Travel, Africa, camping-glamping, Cultural Travel, ecotourism, Responsible Travel, safari

Gondwana Ecotours Announces 10-Day Tanzania Great Migration Camping Safari

Gondwana Ecotours is introducing a new 10-day camping safari in Tanzania. Guests will visit four national parks (Arusha, Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater & Serengeti), get to know the Maasai Tribe, photograph amazing landscapes, spot the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, and elephant), and explore dense jungles. 

(New Orleans, LA) — Gondwana Ecotours is introducing a new 10-day camping safari in Tanzania. Guests will visit four national parks (Arusha, Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater & Serengeti), get to know the Maasai Tribe, photograph amazing landscapes, spot the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, and elephant), and explore dense jungles. This trip is full of culture and opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography. There will be a maximum of 18 guests on the tours, scheduled for July 13-22, 2020 and August 8-17, 2020 starting at $2,995 USD per person not including international flights 

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime safari with extraordinary wildlife viewing opportunities,” said Gondwana Ecotours Founder, Jared Sternberg. “We also pay Carbon Offsetting for each guest and donate to the Maasai Community Development Initiative on their behalf.”

One of the major highlights of this safari is visiting the Maasai, one of Africa’s most famous and historic tribes. Travelers will sing and dance with members of the tribe and tour a traditional hut. Another unforgettable moment is exploring the Ngorongoro Crater at sunrise before the crowds arrive. It is home to many lions and some of the last black rhinos in the world.

“We will enjoy picturesque picnic lunches in the parks near hippo pools, giraffes, baobab trees and beautiful lakes,” said Sternberg. “This safari is full of amazing wildlife and culture, and offers an opportunity to witness one of the most spectacular mass migrations on the planet.”

What’s Included in the Tanzania Camping Safari Ecotour:

All accommodations and equipment (4 nights at hotel, 5 nights camping)

All meals except for arrival and departure days

All National Park entrance fees in Tanzania (Arusha, Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater & Serengeti)

Unique activities with the Maasai tribe (dancing, singing, home tour and cultural exchange)

Guaranteed window-seat in a private Toyota Land Cruiser with a local guide/driver

Carbon Offsetting for each guest and donations to the Maasai Community Development Initiative

Chef-prepared meals and clean drinking water throughout the safari

All activities and excursions, including safaris and guided hikes

Airport pick-up and drop-off

For more information, visit Gondwana Ecotours at https://www.gondwanaecotours.com/tour/tanzania-camping-great-migration-safari/ or call 877-587-8479.

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