go ahead tours eco tours direct mail launch
DESCRIPTION
ÂTRANSCRIPT
ECO TOURSexplore • learn • preserve
The serene waters of Lake Atitlan, Guatemala • 3 On the cover: Exploring Australia’s Daintree Rainforest
Go Ahead Eco ToursPositively imPact the Places you visit.
Get a closer look at vibrant communities while supporting conservation
programs and local economies. Our itineraries highlight businesses and
organizations that give back to the local people and support wildlife—
so while you explore breathtaking natural landscapes and engage in
authentic cultural experiences, you’ll also bring awareness and travel
dollars to meaningful initiatives.
your tour includes: Round-trip airfare • Hotels & eco-lodges • Expert Tour Director
Select meals • Private transportation
5
Eco Tours for every travelerWe offer three types of tour experiences for travelers seeking different
levels of eco-engagement, ranging from opportunities to delve into
conservation efforts and local traditions to getting a small taste of
ecotourism on the itineraries of our traditional cultural tours.
community & conservation p.7
Engage in activities that benefit surrounding
communities and fund wildlife conservation efforts.
Learn handicrafts and cultural traditions directly
from the locals. Travel on our most immersive
adventures, designed to make a positive impact.
safari, nature & Wildlife p.16
Go wild and give back, too. These nature-focused tours and safaris
lead you through picturesque landscapes and get you closer to diverse
wildlife, with the added benefit of knowing your travel dollars are helping
to sustain the conservation areas you visit.
sustainable highlights p.22
Experience a touch of ecotourism. This is a collection of sustainable
components found on the itineraries of our traditional cultural tours,
featuring activities that bring you closer to indigenous cultures and
endangered wildlife.
4 • Visit the homes of Kenya’s wild creatures
6 • An early morning bush walk in Kenya
the go ahead eco tours experience
Our Eco Tours feature destinations and communities that we’ve visited and experienced firsthand, ensuring
that your adventure is as genuine and memorable as it is eco-friendly. We’ll lead you off the beaten path, so you’ll
have more opportunities for authentic cultural immersion and to learn more about everything—responsible travel,
environmental initiatives, people, places, even yourself.
Do good. Sleep wellIt’s a little easier to sleep knowing that your
accomodations fund local schools or support
environmental initiatives. In addition to more
traditional hotels, we’ve handpicked a mix
of lodges and hotels that either help sustain
communities or the environment.
Learn from the bestNature lovers, history buffs, avid adventurers—
call them what you will, Tour Directors know
everything there is to know about the unique
ecologies and cultural traditions of the lands
and communities you’ll visit on tour.
A wildlife camp in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley • 7
A Tour Director lecturing in Costa Rica
8 • The women of Umasbamba show off their traditional handicrafts 9
COmmUniTy & COnSERvaTiOn
Do your part to ensure that the world’s most vibrant communities and environments stay that way.
This group of tours gets you closer to local people and rare wildlife.
No matter where you visit, you’ll know your travel dollars are helping to
preserve the serenity and authenticity of those places. And to make sure
that we leave as small of a footprint as possible, you’ll travel in small,
intimate groups, with as few as seven companions.
Travel like you mean it
Punta Gorda, Belize
2 niGHTS—CoTTon TREE loDGE
days 7-8 Embark on a half-day journey down the Rio
Dulce, a national marine protected area. Cruise toward the
Caribbean, navigating through the jungle and past local
villages. Stop at a community hot spring before arriving
in livingston, a town without road connections. Take in
the local Garifuna culture before boarding a ferry to Punta
Gorda, Belize and checking in to the award-winning Cotton
Tree jungle lodge. The next morning, visit Eladio Pop’s
organic farm, where he’ll show you his land and discuss
his personal conservation efforts. Taste cacao fruit, sugar
cane and other fresh-picked treats. Afterward, Eladio Pop
will invite you for lunch at his home, where his daughter will
demonstrate how to turn cacao beans into chocolate.
hoPkins, Belize
1 niGHT—JAGuAR REEf loDGE
days 9-10 Travel to Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary,
the country’s oldest jaguar sanctuary. A naturalist guide will
lead you through the trails in hopes of spotting the elusive
animals. Then, settle in to your Caribbean hotel in Hopkins,
where you can relax on the beach. The next morning, you’ll
board your flight home.
stay lonGer: add Flores & tikal
Begin your trip with 2 nights in flores, your base for
seeking out Guatemala’s expansive collection of ancient
Mayan ruins in Tikal and Yaxha.
antiGua, Guatemala
1 niGHT—HoTEl VillA ColoniAl
day 1 fly to Guatemala City and settle in to your hotel in
the beautiful colonial city of Antigua.
Santiago atitlan, Guatemala
2 niGHTS—PoSADA SAnTiAGo
days 2-3 Brush up on your bargaining skills in
Chichicastenango on a visit to Guatemala’s most famous
highlands market. Twice a week, the market attracts
indigenous farmers, weavers and other merchants from
throughout the region. Continue to Panajachel, gateway to
Lake Atitlan, and embark on a boat ride across the lake to
Santiago Atitlan, where you’ll check in to your eco-friendly
lakeshore lodge. The next day you’ll cruise along the lake
to San Juan la laguna to meet a local guide from Rupalaj
K’istalin, a community guiding association. Your guide
will show you the town and its local artisan cooperatives.
There, local women will teach you how to spin and dye
yarn and weave it into textiles.
Optional Excursion: San Juan la Laguna: Volcano Hike
& Bird Watching
antiGua, Guatemala
2 niGHTS—HoTEl VillA ColoniAl
days 4-5 Return to Antigua and discover the colonial
churches and evocative ruins of this unESCo World
Heritage site. Then, travel to San Miguel Escobar, near
Ciudad Vieja, for a morning on the coffee farm. Meet
a local farmer who participates in As Green As It Gets,
a nonprofit that strives to provide sustainable incomes to
local coffee growers via coffee exportation and tourism.
Tour the nearby coffee growing areas, then visit your
guide’s home for a demonstration of sorting, roasting and
grinding—followed by tasting. Each visitor will receive the
gift of a one-pound bag of local coffee.
rio dulce, Guatemala
1 niGHT—HACiEnDA TiJAx
day 6 leave early for Rio Dulce, and arrive at your jungle
lodge. Afterward, travel by boat to finca Paraiso, a local
farm with incredible waterfalls and hot springs.
goaheadtours.com/gcc • 1-877-354-815110 • Guatemala’s volcano-ringed Lake Atitlan 11
Guatemala to Belize: local traditions & tropical wildlife10 days • Community & Conservation • Breakfast daily, 5 lunches, 7 dinners • Expert Tour Director
Communities & Conservation Areas You’ll Visit on Tour:
• Rupalaj K’istalin, by Lake Atitlan
• As Green As It Gets
• Rio Dulce National Park
• Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary
• Cotton Tree Lodge, jungle eco-lodge
Above: Sorting coffee beans at a local farm
Below: Preparing chocolate from fresh cacao
Go online or call to customize your tour and view pricing for your departure city and date.
2013 Oct 19, Nov 9, 30
2014 Jan 25, Apr 5, Jun 21, oct 18, nov 8
Passport must be valid for at least six months after date of travel.
12 • A bush walk through the Masai people’s community lands
Communities & Conservation Areas You’ll Visit on Tour:
• Lewa Conservancy
• Il Ngwesi
• Masai Mara National Reserve
• Mara Naboisho Conservancy
• Talek & Ole Sere Health Clinics
• Basecamp Arts Center
• Lion Scouts & Koiyaki Guiding School
Above: Women creating sustainable jewelry
Below: A lion spotted in the Masai Mara
13
Kenya: sustainaBle communities & wildlife safari11 days • Community & Conservation • Breakfast daily, 8 lunches, 9 dinners • Expert Tour Director
naBoisho
2 niGHTS—BASECAMP EAGlE ViEW
days 8-11 En route to your next destination, you’ll have
the chance to visit the Ole Sere school and health clinic,
also supported by the Basecamp foundation. Then, make
your way to Eagle View, one of the newest camps at the
Mara naboisho Conservancy. upon arrival, listen to a
lecture about the conservancy and initiatives supporting
the local environment and communities. Afterward, meet
with the conservancy’s lion scouts and visit the Koiyaki
Guiding School, where locals are trained to be tourism
guides. End the day with a game drive and wake early
the next morning for a sunrise game walk through the
conservancy. After one final game drive, you’ll bid farewell
to your fellow travelers over dinner at camp. The next
morning, transfer to the local airstrip, watching for wildlife
on the way, and fly back to Nairobi, where you’ll connect to
your flight home.
stay lonGer: add zanziBar
& chumBe island
End your trip with 1 night on the island of Zanzibar and
2 nights on Chumbe island where you’ll stay at an award-
winning eco-lodge, visit a local school and explore the
forest trails along the coast.
nairoBi
1 niGHT—olE SEREni
days 1-2 upon arrival in the capital city of Kenya, you’ll
be escorted to your hotel and enjoy dinner.
il nGwesi
2 niGHTS—il nGWESi loDGE
days 3-4 following a flight north, you’ll be greeted by
safari vehicles for a game drive in lewa Conservancy, one
of the earliest examples of community-led conservation
in Kenya. Be on the lookout for lions, leopards, cheetahs,
elephants, impala and buffalo. The next morning, wake up
for an early morning bush walk in Il Ngwesi’s conservation
lands. In the afternoon, you can head to a rhino sanctuary,
where you might catch a glimpse of the elusive black rhino.
Later, visit a nearby community to learn about local history,
culture and traditions before enjoying dinner in the village
and setting out on an evening game drive.
Optional Excursion: Il Ngwesi Camel Safari Ride
masai mara
3 niGHTS—BASECAMP ExPloRER MASAi MARA
days 5-7 fly south to Masai Mara, where representatives
from Basecamp Explorer will meet you for a short game
drive on your way back to camp. After an eco-orientation,
embark on a game drive in the Masai Mara National
Reserve, considered one of Africa’s best-managed game
parks. Watch for the “Big five” of African safaris—leopards,
rhinos, buffalo, lions and elephants—and admire the vast,
stunning scenery of rolling hills, waving savanna grasses
and acacia trees. Wake before dawn for an early morning
game drive to see wildlife at its most active, followed by
a morning lecture about the Basecamp foundation and
its tourism-supported initiatives in the local communities.
You’ll then tour the foundation-supported school and
community health clinic in the Talek area before taking the
opportunity to meet some of the women who work at the
Bascamp arts center and browse their sustainable beaded
jewelry. The next day is free for game drives in Masai Mara
or to help plant trees in the Basecamp reforestation area.
Optional Excursions: Masai Mara Sunrise Balloon Ride, Basecamp
Foundation Tree Planting
goaheadtours.com/kcc • 1-877-354-8151
Go online or call to customize your tour and view pricing for your departure city and date.
2013 Aug 8†, Sep 5, oct 3, Dec 6
2014 Jan 30, Apr 10, Jul 24†, Sep 18, nov 13
† Dates fall during wildebeest migration. A visa is required to travel on this tour.
12 • Capturing daily life in a Masai village
daintree
3 niGHTS—SilKY oAKS loDGE
days 9-11 following a flight to Cairns, ride along the
famously scenic Captain Cook Highway, taking in the
rainforest to your left and sparkling Coral Sea to your right.
Your destination is Silky oaks, a boutique eco-lodge set
in the heart of the Daintree Rainforest, which has been
named a unESCo World Heritage site for its incredible
biodiversity. from here, travel to Australia’s northeast coast
for a close encounter with the only living organism visible
from outer space—the Great Barrier Reef. Board an
eco-cruise bound for Agincourt Reef, where a marine
biologist will teach you about the ecosystems contained
within the reef before letting you grab your snorkel for a
closer view of the marine life below. The next day, follow
the indigenous Kuku Yalanji people as they lead you on a
tour of their home in Mossman Gorge, one of the oldest
continuously surviving rainforests on earth.
sydney
2 niGHTS—PARKRoYAl DARlinG HARBouR C
days 12-14 After flying to Sydney from Cairns, you’ll have
free time to explore on your own or join an excursion to the
Blue Mountains national Park, a unESCo World Heritage
site. The following day, you’ll board your flight home.
Optional Excursion: The Blue Mountains & Katoomba
stay lonGer: add a sydney city stay
finish out your trip with 2 extra nights to spend in Sydney
as you like.
melBourne
3 niGHTS—ViBE SAVoY HoTEl C
days 1-5 Arrive in Melbourne on day three. After taking
some time to settle in, you’ll have the chance to mingle
with some of Australia’s most notable residents—koalas
and kangaroos. Join a researcher on a walk through the
country’s natural bushland, open plains and teeming
forests to interact with the creatures up close. The next
day, you’ll be free to explore Melbourne, perhaps hopping
on one of its iconic trams or walking through its lively,
art-lined laneways and arcades.
Optional Excursions: Melbourne’s Lanes & Arcades Walking Tour,
Colonial Tramcar Lunch & Ride
Freycinet, tasmania
2 niGHTS—fREYCinET loDGE
days 6-7 After landing in Tasmania, make your way to
the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. As a haven for injured
and orphaned wildlife, Bonorong has been helping to
rehabilitate animals in need since 1981. During a guided
tour, you’ll have the opportunity to care for and hand-feed
the sanctuary’s resident animals, gaining an up-close and
personal experience with creatures like golden possums,
sugar gliders and even the Tasmanian Devil. following
your tour, head to freycinet national Park and take in your
surroundings from your waterfront lodge. Spend the next
day continuing to explore Tasmania’s east coast on a
guided tour of the park.
hoBart, tasmania
1 niGHT—SAlAMAnCA inn C
day 8 Part ways with freycinet and board an eco-cruise
to Tasman island, part of Tasman national Park. The island
is comprised of the tallest seaside cliffs in the Southern
Hemisphere, rising a daunting 300 meters into the air.
Tasman is also home to one of the world’s largest colonies
of fairy Prions, making it an important Bird Area (iBA).
Afterward, experience the colonial charms of Hobart,
Australia’s second-oldest city and Tasmania’s capital.
goaheadtours.com/acc • 1-877-354-815114 • Strolling along the tranquil bays of Freycinet National Park, Tasmania 15
australia: wild tasmania & the rainforest14 days • Community & Conservation • Breakfast daily, 6 lunches, 7 dinners • Expert Tour Director
Communities & Conservation Areas You’ll Visit on Tour:
• Koalas & Kangaroos in the Wild
• Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary
• Freycinet National Park
• Tasman National Park
• Daintree Rainforest & Mossman Gorge
• The Great Barrier Reef
Above: Interacting with koalas in the wild
Below: Marine life in the Great Barrier Reef
Go online or call to customize your tour and view pricing for your departure city and date.
2013 Aug 22, Sep 5, oct 17
2014 May 15, Jul 17, Sep 4, oct 2
Passport must be valid for at least six months after date of travel.
cuzco
1 niGHT—ECo inn C
day 7 following your return to Cuzco, spend a free day
uncovering this unESCo World Heritage site, or join our
optional excursion and board the Vistadome Train for a
scenic ride to Aguas Calientes. from here, you’ll travel to
Machu Picchu to explore the lost City of the incas.
Optional Excursion: Machu Picchu
Puno
1 niGHT—CASA AnDinA PRiVATE CollECTion Puno
day 8 Ride through stunning Andean landscapes,
stopping to investigate the Incan ruins at Raqchi before
arriving in Puno, a small port town on the shores of
lake Titicaca.
lake titicaca
2 niGHTS—iSlA SuASi BY CASA AnDinA
days 9-12 Boat around lake Titicaca, anchoring to visit
local communities on uros and Taquile islands. later,
arrive at the peaceful and secluded Suasi Island, where
you’ll be free to wander the trails on your own or join
a guided walk to discover local flora and fauna. End your
adventure stargazing beside the bonfire before flying
home the next day.
lima
2 niGHTS—JoSE AnTonio C
days 1-2 After arriving in Peru and settling in to lima, get
to know the city’s historic center. let your Tour Director
lead the the way as you wind past colonial mansions and
Moorish balconies overlooking Lima’s atmospheric old
streets. Stop to admire the 16th-century Santo Domingo
Convent, boasting an ancient crypt full of relics.
Puerto maldonado
2 niGHTS—HACiEnDA ConCEPCion
days 3-4 Catch a flight to Puerto Maldonado, then travel
by canoe along the Madre de Dios River, an Amazonian
tributary, to arrive at your jungle lodge. Afterward,
maneuver across the hanging bridges of the Inkaterra
Canopy Walkway to see what goes on in the jungle
treetops. You’ll also learn how the walkway supports the
research of the inkaterra Asociación (iTA), an organization
responsible for many of the area’s conservation projects.
During a visit to Tambopata national Reserve, discover
why the region is called Peru’s biodiversity capital as you
navigate across Lake Sandoval, home to the endangered
giant river otter, blue-and-yellow macaw, red howler
monkeys, black caiman and one of the world’s largest
freshwater fish, the paiche.
sacred valley reGion
2 niGHTS—Sol & lunA
days 5-6 Observe butterflies in their natural habitat
before flying on to Cuzco, a colonial city built on the
foundation of incan palaces. from there, travel to
urubamba in the Sacred Valley of the incas. While in the
Sacred Valley, you’ll stay at Sol & luna, a boutique hotel
where 100 percent of profits support the eponymous
foundation and school. The next day, you’ll have a chance
to visit the Sol y Luna school. Afterward, meet with
umasbamba villagers, who will teach you their traditional
agricultural and weaving techniques.
goaheadtours.com/pcc • 1-877-354-8151
peru: the amazon & culture of laKe titicaca12 days • Community & Conservation • Breakfast daily, 8 lunches, 7 dinners • Expert Tour Director
16 • The Uros people who inhabit the floating islands of Lake Titicaca
Communities & Conservation Areas You’ll Visit on Tour:
• Inkaterra Asociación (ITA)
• Tambopata National Reserve
• Asociación Sol & Luna
• Umasbamba Village
• Suasi Island
Above: Crossing the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway in the Amazon jungle
Below: A local weaving demonstration in Umasbamba
Go online or call to customize your tour and view pricing for your departure city and date.
2013 Aug 25, Sep 27, nov 1
2014feb 22, Apr 12, May 3, Jun 7, Jul 26, Sep 6
oct 4, nov 15
international flight times are subject to change and may affect the number and location of hotel overnights.
17
Feel the incredible rush of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe
18 • A herd of elephants in Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Botswana & zimBaBwe: untouched africa12 days • Safari, Nature & Wildlife • Breakfast daily, 6 lunches, 7 dinners • Expert Tour Director
SafaRi, naTURE & WildlifE
Support endangered wildlife and irreplaceable environments through nature-focused tourism.
Travel to nature reserves and animal sanctuaries, where you’ll get
the unforgettable chance to interact with the local fauna and
support preservation efforts.
For the wild at heart
choBe
2 niGHTS—CRESTA MoWAnA SAfARi RESoRT & SPA C
days 7-8 Chobe national Park is best known for its
elephants: huge herds of them drink and bathe along the
winding Chobe River. As the sun sets, take in this surreal
sight while cruising down river. The next day, hop on
another game drive for a chance to spy hippos, hyenas and
baboons. And on an afternoon cruise, look out for
Nile crocodiles sunning themselves on the banks.
okavanGo delta
2 niGHTS—MoREMi CRoSSinG C
days 9-12 Arriving at the Delta, float down its channels
in a native mokoro (a traditional canoe). from the waters,
keep an eye out for giraffe, lion, leopard, jackal, impala
and red lechwe. Next, on a guided bush walk, trek through
the area’s rugged landscape alongside its grazing wildlife.
finally, commemorate your trip at a farewell dinner, and
embark on a morning boating excursion before flying
home from Maun.
victoria Falls
3 niGHTS—A’ZAMBEZi RiVER loDGE
days 1-4 Zimbabwe’s natural wonders beckon after your
overnight flight. in Victoria falls, explore a mile-wide waterfall
so powerful that locals call it “The Smoke That Thunders,”
and embark on a guided tour of local flora and fauna,
including elephants, zebras and even leopards. Then, see
compassion in action at Rose of Charity, an organization
that works to alleviate poverty and improve education.
Optional Excursion: Sundowner Cruise
hwanGe
2 niGHTS—iVoRY loDGE C
days 5-6 Everywhere you look in Hwange national Park,
there’s wildlife to be discovered. On your game drives
through its teak forest and open grassy plains, pay close
attention to your surroundings for a chance to see the
area’s elusive mammal and bird species. You’ll spot more
than a few buffalo, lion and plains game like kudu, eland
and waterbuck.
goaheadtours.com/bzb • 1-877-354-8151
stay lonGer: add caPe town
End your trip with 3 nights in South Africa, diving into the
culture and colorful markets of Cape Town before heading
to the Cape of Good Hope.
19
Go online or call to customize your tour and view pricing for your departure city and date.
2013 May 16, Jun 13, Jul 11, oct 17, nov 7
2014 Jan 16, Apr 17, May 15, Jun 19, Jul 10, oct 2, nov 6
A visa is required to travel on this tour.
Watch for Sally Lightfoot Crabs on the shores of the GalápagosLook out on the lush greenery of Monteverde
the GalápaGos islands & ecuador10 days • Nature & Wildlife, Land & Cruise • Breakfast daily, 4 lunches, 5 dinners • Expert Tour Director
costa rica: arenal, monteverde & Guanacaste9 days • Nature & Wildlife • Breakfast daily, 8 dinners • Expert Tour Director
are unlike any others, boasting some of the world’s most
diverse flora and fauna. Naturalist guides will highlight
the islands’ vast array of species, including iguanas,
cormorants, turtles, flamingos, sea lions, penguins and so
much more. The menagerie unfolds before you in stunning
color as you float from the olive-green beaches of Ballena
Bay to the lava flows and mangrove swamps of Punta
Morena. Snorkel with sea turtles, visit with giant tortoises
on the slopes of a volcano and enjoy an excursion to
learn about the geological history of the Galápagos. The
Bolívar Channel is a particular point of interest: whales and
dolphins are known to swim through this narrow passage,
and if you wish, you can grab a snorkel and some flippers
and join them.
Quito
2 niGHTS—MERCuRE AlAMEDA quiTo C
days 8-10 After exploring the islands to the fullest, make
your way back to quito, where you’ll prepare for your
Quito
3 niGHTS—MERCuRE AlAMEDA quiTo C
days 1-3 fly to Ecuador and spend your first evening
as you like. The next day, discover the cobblestone
streets and Baroque churches of colonial quito, the
sky-high capital of Ecuador. With the imposing sight of
Pichincha Volcano as a backdrop, your Tour Director
will introduce you to many of quito’s charms, from the
spectacular facade of la Compañía to the massive San
francisco Monastery, Ecuador’s oldest church. following
an excursion to two dueling monuments (each of which
lays claim to the equator), you’ll have free time to wander
through the old colonial center of quito and seek out the
city’s hidden gems at your own pace.
Optional Excursion: Otavalo
GaláPaGos islands cruise
4 niGHTS—MV GAláPAGoS lEGEnD
days 4-7 from Baltra to isabela, Darwin’s famous islands
goaheadtours.com/ecu • 1-877-354-8151
journey home. Depending on schedules, your flight may
depart at night or the following morning.
Optional Excursion: Antisana Volcano
stay lonGer: add Peru & machu Picchu
End your trip with 5 nights in Cuzco spent exploring Machu
Picchu and the Sacred Valley of the incas before finishing
your stay with 1 night in Lima.
toucans, monkeys and more. Consider joining our
optional sky walk to stroll through the rainforest’s canopy
on a series of suspended bridges. You’ll gain further
appreciation for the delicate balance of life in the cloud
forests on a full-day guided tour; then enjoy a stop
at Rancho Heliconia to learn about the region’s focus
on ecological responsibility.
Optional Excursion: Sky Walk
Guanacaste reGion
3 niGHTS—oCoTAl RESoRT
days 6-9 Devote some time to basking on the sugary-
sand beaches before your float down the placid Corobicí
River and full-day excursion to the highlands of Rincón de
la Vieja national Park, known for its geysers and sulfuric
lakes. You’ll also enjoy plenty of free time in Guanacaste—
so kick back, relax, slather on some extra sunscreen and
watch the world go by. After a final night in Guanacaste,
you’ll fly home the next morning.
Optional Excursion: Sailing & Snorkeling
san josé
1 niGHT—RAMADA PlAZA HERRADuRA
day 1 Board a flight to San José, where you’ll spend
the night.
arenal reGion
2 niGHTS—TilAJARi HoTEl RESoRT
days 2-3 Passing pineapple farms and the famed
Iguana Bridge, make your way to the Arenal region and
its eponymous volcano. Hike at the base of this mile-high,
continuously smoking peak, and open your ears to hear
the harmonies of the Costa Rican forest. You’ll also relax
in one of the nearby geothermal hot springs, a soothing
experience in the midst of a remarkable landscape.
Optional Excursion: Ziplining Tour
monteverde
2 niGHTS—El ESTABlo MounTAin HoTEl C
days 4-5 On your way to Monteverde, traverse Lake
Arenal and the lush surrounding rainforest teeming with
goaheadtours.com/crp • 1-877-354-8151
stay lonGer: add tortuGuero national
Park & san josé
Begin your trip with 1 night in San José and 2 nights
in Tortuguero national Park spent exploring Caribbean
villages and rainforest wilds on guided tours.
20 21
Go online or call to customize your tour and view pricing for your departure city and date.
2013Mar 11, Apr 8, May 6, 20, Jun 3, 17, Jul 1, 15, oct 21
nov 18, Dec 2
2014* feb 24, Mar 10, 24, May 5, 19, Jun 2, 16, Jul 14, 28
Aug 11, Sep 8, oct 6, nov 3
*2014 itinerary varies. international flight times are subject to change and may affect the number and location of hotel overnights.
Go online or call to customize your tour and view pricing for your departure city and date.
2013 Mar 16, Apr 6, Jun 22, Jul 6, Sep 14, nov 2, Dec 7
2014 Jan 25, feb 22, Apr 26, Jun 28, Jul 12, nov 1, Dec 6
Ngorongoro Crater, known as “Africa’s Garden of Eden”Keep watch for prides of lions in Amboseli National Park
Kenya wildlife safari13 days • Safari, Nature & Wildlife • Breakfast daily, 9 lunches, 9 dinners • Expert Tour Director
masai mara
2 niGHTS—SiAnA SPRinGS inTREPiDS CAMPS
days 7-8 Travel to the land of the Masai warriors,
where large prides of lions roam the fertile plains.
on two days of game drives, you just might see them
on the prowl, hunting the enormous herds of zebras,
wildebeests and gazelle that pass through the park
during their seasonal migrations.
nairoBi
1 niGHT—inTERConTinEnTAl nAiRoBi C
day 9 Pop back into nairobi to enjoy a night in a first-
class hotel and an exotic meal at Carnivore, one of the
city’s famous restaurants.
amBoseli
2 niGHTS—AMBoSEli SEnTRiM loDGE
days 10-13 Seek out Amboseli’s elephants in the shadow
of Mount Kilimanjaro. on three included game drives, you’ll
search for this national park’s elephant herds along with
nairoBi
2 niGHTS—inTERConTinEnTAl nAiRoBi C
days 1-3 Travel on an overnight flight to nairobi, where
you’ll go inside the estate that inspired Karen Blixen to write
Out of Africa, and say hello to the long-necked residents
of Giraffe Manor.
mount kenya national Park
1 niGHT—THE ARK
day 4 The wildlife comes to you at your hotel on the
slopes of Mount Kenya. You’ll relax and watch from the
safety of a secret viewing bunker as animals from near
and far bathe and drink at your lodge’s watering hole.
Great riFt valley
2 niGHTS—KiGio WilDlifE CAMP
days 5-6 Witness the teeming mass of flamingos at Lake
Nakuru. At their largest, these flocks contain upwards of
two million birds. You might also spot a playful monkey or
two cavorting near Nakuru’s shores.
goaheadtours.com/kes • 1-877-354-8151
its elegant cheetahs, clever hyenas and graceful impalas
before returning to Nairobi, where you’ll board your
overnight flight home.
stay lonGer: add tanzania
End your trip with 4 nights in Tanzania spent among
the rich wildlife of Tarangire national Park, the Serengeti
and ngorongoro Crater.
22
serenGeti national Park
3 niGHTS—SoPA loDGE
days 6-8 Set off for a game drive amongst the Serengeti’s
sweeping grasslands and open woodlands. Pass the
striking Moru Kopjes (Rocky Cliffs) and spy the Big five:
lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino. Then, traverse
the Seronera Valley and More Kopjes—stunning granite
formations rising out of the plains.
nGoronGoro
2 niGHTS—nGoRonGoRo SoPA loDGE
days 9-12 En route to the ngorongoro, stop at the
Olduvai Gorge, where Homo habilis (the handy man)
was first discovered. Then, descend 1,000 feet into the
ngorongoro Crater—covering 100 square miles and home
to 25,000 species, it’s been called “Africa’s Garden of
Eden.” After exploring the landscape, return to Kilimanjaro
Airport for your overnight flight home.
arusha
1 niGHT—ARuSHA HoTEl C
days 1-2 Jambo! After your overnight flight, travel on
to Arusha, where you’ll get a taste for Tanzania at your
welcome dinner.
taranGire national Park
2 niGHTS—KiRuRuMu TARAnGiRE
days 3-4 Descend into diverse lands, where predators
and prey fill baobab-dotted plains, and get to know the
indigenous Masai people who call this wild wonderland
their home.
manyara reGion
1 niGHT—KiRuRuMu MAnYARA
day 5 Explore an authentic Masai Boma village and
discover Lake Manyara’s starkly different landscape. Look
for the lake’s many flamingos gathered around the water
in a stunning swath of pink. Later, on your game drive,
keep an eye out for the elusive tree-climbing lions.
goaheadtours.com/tws • 1-877-354-8151
tanzania wildlife safari12 days • Safari, Nature & Wildlife • Breakfast daily, 8 lunches, 10 dinners • Expert Tour Director
stay lonGer: add zanziBar
End your trip in Zanzibar, spending 1 night in Stone Town
and 2 nights on the country’s beautiful eastern coast,
where you’ll retrace the history of the spice trade on a tour
of a local plantation.
23
Go online or call to customize your tour and view pricing for your departure city and date.
2013 Apr 22, Jun 24, Jul 15, Aug 5, Sep 16, oct 7, nov 4
2014feb 17, Mar 24, Apr 21, Jun 16, Jul 14, Aug 4
Sep 22, oct 6
A visa is required to travel on this tour.
Go online or call to customize your tour and view pricing for your departure city and date.
2013May 3, Jun 14†, 28†, Jul 5†, 19†, Aug 9†, 16, Sep 6, 27
oct 11, 25, nov 1, Dec 6, 20
2014Jan 10, 24, feb 7, Mar 14, Apr 11, May 9, Jun 6, 27†
Jul 4†, 18†, 25†, Aug 1†, 22, Sep 12, 19, 26, oct 3, 10
nov 7, 28, Dec 22
† Dates fall during wildebeest migration. A visa is required to travel to Kenya and Tanzania on the tour extension.
24 • Driving through the wilds of South Africa
thailand: the golden Kingdom
12 days • goaheadtours.com/taiChiang Dao Elephant Camp: Interact with Thailand’s gentle giants
south africa: a Journey of discovery
17 days • goaheadtours.com/safLake St. Lucia Eco-Cruise: Count hippos and crocs within the lake’s estuaries
neW Zealand: untamed landscaPes
15 days • goaheadtours.com/nzlMaori Cultural Tour: Watch Maori artisans at work and uncover local customs
on an optional excursion
australia: the great barrier reef to sydney
15 days • goaheadtours.com/atrKuranda Village & Rainforest: Visit local markets and soar on the rainforest
skyrail on an optional excursionSUSTainablE HigHligHTS
Discover our selection of cultural and nature-focused tours featuring one or more sustainable components.
Just a touch
making an impaCTGet to know some of the people and organizations you’ll meet on tour that are setting
the foundation for responsible travel in their local villages and environments.
Learn about more communities and conservation areas featured
on our tours at goaheadtours.com/eco
Communities & conservation areas
Basecamp FoundationWorking with host communities
in Kenya, Basecamp strives to
improve healthcare access, support
community conservation, mitigate
the impact of climate change and aid
education through its initiatives, which
include safari camps, a guiding school
and an arts and crafts center.
featured on: Kenya: Sustainable
Communities & Wildlife Safari, p.10
Mara Naboisho ConservancyMeaning “coming together” in the
Masai’s Maa language, Naboisho
consists of 50,000 acres of land leased
by 500 local landowners to five safari
camps, making it the second-largest
conservancy in the region.
featured on: Kenya: Sustainable
Communities & Wildlife Safari, p.10
Meeting locals in a Masai village in Kenya
Bonorong Wildlife SanctuaryAboriginal for “native companion,”
Bonorong’s mission is to nurture
injured and orphaned creatures.
located in Tasmania, the sanctuary
allows visitors to hand-feed animals in
need, including kangaroos, wallabies
and the endangered Tasmanian Devil.
featured on: Australia: Wild Tasmania
& the Rainforest, p.12
Asociación Sol & LunaThis spa and hotel raises money to
support the Sacred Valley community,
with 100 percent of profits being
redirected into schools and other
programs. The most visible example
is the Colegio intercultural, a private
school that welcomes children from all
walks of life.
featured on: Peru: The Amazon
& Culture of Lake Titicaca, p.14
Lewa ConservancyLewa is home to 10 percent of Kenya’s
black rhino population and 14 percent
of its white rhino population, not to
mention the world’s largest population
of Grevy’s zebras. The conservancy
also engages in community healthcare,
water management, micro-lending and
other social programs.
featured on: Kenya: Sustainable
Communities & Wildlife Safari, p.10
Inkaterra AsociaciónInkaterra and the Inkaterra Asociación
(iTA) have been supporting local
conservation efforts in Peru since 1975.
Together, inkaterra and the iTA fund
scientific research and ecosystem
studies, protect more than 42 acres of
rainforest and run sustainable lodges in
the heart of the Amazon.
featured on: Peru: The Amazon
& Culture of Lake Titicaca, p.14
Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuaryin 1986, Cockscomb became the
world’s first jaguar sanctuary. The
sanctuary has since expanded from
3,600 to 28,000 acres, and is a refuge
for hundreds of species of plants and
animals, each playing a reciprocal role
within the ecosystem of the rainforest.
featured on: Guatemala to Belize:
Local Traditions & Tropical Wildlife, p.8
As Green As It GetsAs Green As It Gets supports a
collective of small, independent coffee
growers, helping them to secure
financing, implement environmentally
friendly practices, pursue new markets
for their coffee beans and add to their
incomes through tourism.
featured on: Guatemala to Belize:
Local Traditions & Tropical Wildlife, p.8
The Great Barrier Reefoff the coast of queensland lies
the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s
largest reef system and largest single
structure made by living organisms.
The Reef is even more impressive by
the numbers—it’s composed of 2,900
individual reefs, 400 species of coral
and 900 individual islands.
featured on: Australia: Wild Tasmania
& the Rainforest, p.12
Il NgwesiThe Masai community had the vision of
using their natural resources to improve
the livelihood of their people and
conserve the area’s wildlife and culture.
With this in mind, they set aside 80
percent of their land for conservation
and also constructed an eco-friendly
safari lodge to bring in travel dollars.
featured on: Kenya: Sustainable
Communities & Wildlife Safari, p.10
Daintree Rainforest & Mossman GorgeAustralia’s largest tropical rainforest,
Daintree is home to the Aborginal Kuku
Yalanji tribe—the land’s indigenous
inhabitants. Known as “Rainforest
People,” many live in Mossman Gorge,
the oldest surviving rainforest at over
135 million years old.
featured on: Australia: Wild Tasmania
& the Rainforest, p.12
Private tours for grouPs as small as 8
Call for details1-877-204-9060
go ahead group travel
Travel free, earn cash and more when you bring your friends, family or community group.
With Go Ahead Group Travel, the 7th traveler goes free. That
means that when you recruit a group of just 6 travelers, you’ll start
earning free travel, plus group discounts, cash bonuses and more.
Interested in fundraising for your organization?
Ask a Tour Consultant for details.
Go to goaheadtours.com/groups or call 1-877-204-9060
to request more information
explore your worlddiscover 100+ tours at goaheadtours.com
To view Go Ahead’s complete Terms and Conditions, visit www.goaheadtours.com/terms. The tour operator for your trip is EF Cultural Travel Ltd. CST 2060043-20.
goaheadtours.com/blog facebook.com/goaheadtours twitter.com/goaheadtours pinterest.com/goaheadtours
Prsrt stdu.s. Postage
Paidgo ahead
tours
Go Ahead Tours | one Education Street | Cambridge, MA 02141
goaheadtours.com • 1-877-354-8151
MEMBER