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P H O T O C R E D I T

traveler.nationalgeogra

P H O T O

C R E D I T

tours of a life time

Our ffth

u st Of

50 Of the

wOrd’s best

uded

expedtOs

Our ffth

u st Of

50 Of the

wOrd’s best

uded

expedtOs

➥t o u r s

s t a r t

h e r e

by Margaret Lofus

86 national geographic traveler | may - june 2010

Show of force:Visitors watchthe spectacleof Iceland’smassive Gullfosswaterfall.



traveler.nationalgeograp88 national geographic traveler | may - june 2010

j O s H

C O H E n / w I l D

P l a n E T a D v E n T u R E s ( u P P

E R ) , s I m O n

R u s s E l l / g E T T y I m a g E s ( l O w E R )

a n D y R I C H T E R ,b O b k R I s T

( P R E v I O u s

P a g E )

Tongariro Crossing, rafting on

the Rangitaiki River, and plenty

of opportunities to mingle with

Kiwis. Guests are welcomed in

the homes of Fleet’s friends for

several meals and an overnight at

a Maori marae, or meeting place.

Canyon Calling: “New Zealand—The

Best,” 15 days, $4,495; www.canyon

calling.com.v

B

Carnaval and MoreKicking off with Carnaval de

ruro, Bolivia’s most spectacu-lar festival, this journey immers-

es you in local rituals that are

still part of everyday life, such

as baking bread in a traditional

adobe oven at a working hacien-

da and shopping at the Tarabuco

Market, where even the younger

generation don traditional pon-

chos, sandals, and headgear.

There’s action too: Explore the

salt desert and cap your trip with

center in gra that works to abol-

ish the practice of dancing bears

on the streets of ndia. wil plan

vn:“India Ultimate Wildlife

Multi-Safari—Leopards, Tigers, and

Palaces,” 19 days, $7,198; www

.wildplanetadventures.com.N

C

To the YukonProspectors who wanted to try

their luck during the Klondike

Gold Rush had to build their own

rafts for the daunting journey

down the Yukon River to the gold-

elds in awson. ow, a geo-tourism venture is retracing their

route through this pristine wil-

derness via riverboat, oatplanes,

and private outposts on tradition-

al lands of the outtter’s First a-

tions partners. a riv Jony:

“Yukon River Geotou r,” 7 days,

$6,495; www.greatriverjourney.com.

CT RC

Natural Coastne of the founding fathers of

ecotourism, Michael Kaye rst

traveled to Costa Rica in the

1970s for the white water but

ended up launching a tour com-

pany that put this small Central

merican country on the map for

the adventure set. Kaye empha-

sizes rigorous guide training and

safety. From a hike in the Monte-

verde Cloud Forest Reserve to aboat ride through the rain forest

creeks of remote Tortuguero, this

itinerary gives you a taste of what

all the fuss is about. Coa rica

eiion:“Costa Rica Connois-

seur,” 9 days, from $2, 008; www

.costaricaexpeditions.com.v

T

Sahara AdventureWho knew Tunisia was a verita-

ble wonderland for kids? Wan-

der the troglodyte caves of Mat-

mâta—used as a backdrop for the

rst Star Wars movie—and oat

in the Chott El jerid alt ake.

Ride camels and dune buggies

in the ahara and spend a night

camping in the desert. pecial de-

partures are available for fami-

lies with teenagers. eo:“Tunisia

Desert Explorer—Family Holiday,”

8 days, $1,040; www.exodus.co.uk. v F

EW ZE

Kiwi SisterhoodEvery February, Cheryl Fleet,

founder of the company, leads a

small group of women to her na-

tive ew Zealand for two weeks

of active fun. There’s sailing in the

Bay of slands, horseback riding

on Pakiri Beach, hiking the

HW, ..

The Sacred Big Islandured by idyllic beaches,

killer surf, and a laid-back vibe,

most visitors to Hawaii barely

scratch the surface of its rich

indigenous culture and history.

This ative merican specialty

operator crafted a tour of the

Big sland that delves into what

Hawaiians hold sacred, includ-

ing the volcano Kilauea, home

of re goddess Pele; Mookini

Heiau, birthplace of King Kame-

hameha the Great; and theislands’ preeminent hula festival.

o aiv mica: “Native Hawaiian

Paradise,” 10 days, $3,197; www.Go

NativeAmerica.com.

ETHP

Beginnings of TimeWith the mysterious stone-carved

churches of alibela, fairy-tale

castles of Gondar, and EC

World Heritage site of xum—

WE’RE TREG G. Tour operators are reportingbig spikes in inquiries and bookings. But an uncertaineconomy, ongoing wars, and the fragile health of theplanet have, perhaps permanently, reordered priorities.Travelers now seek more perspective, meaning, andchallenge. They want to see the unvarnished reality of a place, not just the fantasy. uttters have responded

by dialing down the luxury and refocusing on core offerings. Their itineraries aremore innovative and experiential—aimed at developing lasting connections be-tween people. They’re also exible, leaving space to soak it all in, to explore, andto fully understand a place. Greasing the wheels of this evolution is social media.Tour companies and travelers are building community through blogs, Facebook,

and Twitter, posting on-the-ground reports, connecting tripmates before and af-ter travel, sponsoring contests, and raising funds for volunteer trips. ll of this addsup to great news for those who crave fresh, more intimate, and sustainable ways toexperience the world. —The Editors

a climb up the 16,500-foot volca-

no Tunupa. vn i: “Bolivia

Backroads and Or uro Festival,”

13 days, $2,790; www.adventure-

life.com.v

value

.. THWET

Southwest TreasuresKen Burns’s 2009 television

documentary on the history of

merica’s national parks was a

reminder that some of the world’s

most spectacular landscapes are

in our own backyard. From the

freestanding stone arches of Zionto the eerie hoodoos of Bryce

Canyon to the cliff dwellings of

Mesa erde to the magnicent

Grand Canyon, this ambitious

trip explores six southwestern

national parks, guiding travelers

to the sweet spots in each. dicovy vn: “Historic Parks

of the Amer ican Southwest,” 12

days, $2,599; www.discovery

adventures.com.v

thought by some to house the

rk of the Covenant—northern

Ethiopia has developed a nascent

tourism infrastructure. Travel in

the south, however, is more chal-

lenging but worth it to rub shoul-

ders with tribal groups that have

maintained many of their tradi-

tions. This custom trip takes in

both regions, with an emphasis

on sustainable actions that could

stem the country’s deforestation.

ica vn Conlan: “Ethiopi-

an Epic—Northern Ethiopia & the

Lower Omo,” 12 days, $2,998 (plusinternal airfare of $548 per person);

www.adventuresinafrica.com.v

EEZE

Andes RushFueled by adrenaline andarepas— enezuela’s tasty corn-

cakes—this multisport romp in

the ndes has participants trek-

king along high ndean switch-

backs, hurtling through misty

cloud forests on mountain bikes,

blasting down Class 3 white wa-

ter on rafts, and riding horses in

tropical grasslands that harbor

300 species of birds, howler mon-

keys, and the elusive jaguar. bik-

hik vn: “Viva Venezuela—

Mountain Biking, Hiking, Rafting,

and Horseback Riding,” 9 days, from

$2,099; www.bikehike.com.n v

Channeling MowgliThe tigers of Kanha ational

Park—the setting for Englishwriter Rudyard Kipling’sThe Jungle Book— are best viewed

astride an sian elephant, but

this wildlife-focused excursion

through northern ndia also has

you riding camels, rickshaws,

rafts, and jeeps to observe leop-

ards, rhinos, monkeys, mongoose,

and more at ve national parks

and wildlife refuges. highlight is

a visit to a sloth bear rescue

Cloc

rhino

river

and

Ethio

Joining a group departure?Find out the maximumnumber of people allowed

and also the minimumneeded for a trip to run.

KEY: nNew vValue FFamily Prices are based on double occupancy and are subject to change.

➥ti p



traveler.nationalgeogra90 national geographic traveler | may - june 2010

K a o s 0 3 / s I M E - 4 C o r n E r s I M a g E s ( u p p E r ) , j a y t I n d a l l / r E M o t E l a n d s ( l o w E r )

Meet the PeopleConnecting with the local people

is a key component of this cultur-

al odyssey through outh ndia’s

eccan Plateau and Malabar

Coast. Join a Kodava family in

a visit to their ancestral home in

the coffee country of Coorg; meet

with some of the 10,000 Tibetans

in the Buddhist enclave of Bylak-

uppe; and stay in a private home

in Tellicherry, where you’ll sam-

ple Moplah delicacies whipped up

by the host. ogaic eiion:

“Secrets of the Deccan and Malabar

—Karnataka to Kerala, India,” 14

days, from $7,295; www.geoex.com.

ECR

Galápagos and BeyondWith its colonial capital of

Quito, the mazon region, the

Galápagos islands, and indig-

enous villages, Ecuador is wor-

thy of several trips, but this one is

a great start. You’ll cruise down

the apo River, a tributary of

the mighty mazon, aboard the

30-passenger Manatee Explorer;

head up the Pan-merican High-

way to bargain at the textile mar-

ket of tavalo; explore the Ga-

lápagos from your base at the

Finch Bay Eco Hotel on anta

Cruz sland. Wind up with a stint

in historic Quito, the rst city in

the world to be declared a World

Heritage site by EC.

vn ocia: “Family

Encounters in the Middle of theWorld: Galápagos Islands, Amazon

Rainforest and Quito City,” 12 days,

$2,588 ($1,942 for children); www

.adventure-associates.com.n F vCB

Time Warpt may become a whole lot easi-

er to travel to Cuba in the future,

but here’s a chance to experi-

ence the island in all of its time-

warped glory. The travel arm of

this nonprot human rights orga-

nization has been leading educa-

tional tours here for more than 20

years. Find out how the country

became a model for sustainabil-

ity and celebrate ew Year’s Eve

in Havana. loal ecang raliy

to:“Sustainable Cuba,” 10 days,

$2,550, including roundtrip airfare

from Cancún, Mexico; www

.globalexchange.org.v

Remote Riverst’s only a matter of time before

aos’s Champasak Province—

think dramatic waterfalls, tem-

ple ruins that predate ngkor

Wat, welcoming hill tribes, and

a handful of new chic hotels—is

hyped as the next travel hot spot

in sia. For now, the only mer-

RGET & CHE

To the End of the EarthThe treacherous passage

around Cape Horn has long

struck fear in the hearts of thesaltiest sailors. The expedition-

ary ships Via Australis, Mare

Australis, and the Stella Austra-

lis (launching later this year)

take between 130 and 210 pas-

sengers there in style—with

picture windows in each cab-

in and a full complement of

outh merican wines (includ-

ed in the price). hips sail from

shuaia, rgentina, to Pun-

ta renas, Chile. You’ll listen to

talks by staff lecturers as you

sail close to blue-hued glaciers

and cruise through the Bea-

gle Channel, famously visit-

ed by Charles arwin before

he headed to the Galápagos s-

lands. t Magdalena sland

gregarious Magellanic pen-

guins—the largest colony in

southern Patagonia—will greet

you. Cco ali: “Ushuaia

to Punta Arenas,” 3 days, from

$840; www.australis.com.v

CE

Ethereal Icelands Le Boreal plies celand’s

coastal waters, you’ll discov-

er the eerie rocks that rise from

the ocean at júpalónssan-

dur, visit ake Myvatn with its

nearby geothermal elds full

of bubbling mud pots, boiling

springs and fumaroles; and ex-

plore remote urtsey sland,

formed by an underwater erup-

tion in the 1960s. aunched

this May, the 264-passenger

vessel was built using “clean-

ship” standards that include

an advanced positioning sys-

tem that keeps it in the same

offshore location without hav-

ing to drop anchor, prevent-

ing damage to seabeds. tack:

“Iceland: Land of Fire and Ice,” 8

days, $5,790; www.tauck.com. N

CT

Scotland by Sea Join ational Geographic ex-

perts aboard the 48-passenger

M.V. Lord of the Gl ens as it sailsaround the islands and through

the lochs and inland water-

ways of the Highlands. Explore

Culloden battleeld, where the

French-supported Jacobite forc-

es were brutally defeated by the

British in 1746, crushing Bon-

nie Prince Charlie’s bid for the

throne. Kayak the murky wa-

ters of och ess, alleged lair

of the world’s most storied sea

monster. nd walk among the

haunting Cuillin peaks in the

sle of kye. Expert commen-

tary and local delights await

back at the ship each evening,

including whisky tastings and

live cottish music. aional o-

gaic eiion/inla: “Scot-

land’s Highlands and Islands,” 9

days, from $5,990; www.national

geographicexpeditions.com.

I CTRT T the 3,000-plus-passenger behemoths that dominatethe seas, expeditionary vessels carry only a few hundred passengers. Excur-sions off the boat are typically included in the price. nd while the quar-

ters are comfortable, you’ll have to do without rock-climbing walls, casinos, or24-hour dining. These nimble boats can navigate waterways that larger shipscan’t access, opening up new destinations while treading gently on ports.

icans you’re likely to encoun-

ter are the ones in your own par-

ty on this private trip through the

country. tays include ala Phae,

a compound of six oating bun-

galows on the Mekong River, and

Kingsher Eco-lodge, a smallfamily-run nature retreat that do-

nates a percentage of its revenue

to a local primary school, where

travelers are encouraged to help

the schoolchildren practice their

English. rmo an: “Undiscov-

ered Southern Laos,” 7 days, $3,500;

www.remotelands.com.n

JP

Where the Wild Things Are Japan usually conjures up imag-

es of the frenzy of Tokyo or the

Zen of Kyoto, but there’s a wild-

er side to the and of the Rising

un that few travelers ever ex-

perience. From the thousands of

hooded and white-naped cranes

that ock to the island of Ky-

ushu to the playful Japanese ma-

caques, or snow monkeys, in the

mountains of agano, the coun-

try is full of natural splendor— best seen in the quiet of winter.

aal haia vn: “Wild

Japan,” 13 days, $8,495; www

.nathab.com.

TY

Piedmont PleasuresBookended by ctober’s annu-

al trufe market in lba and the

alone del Gusto in Turin, a bi-

annual fair put on by low Food

(the global movement founded in

nearby Bra to preserve cultural

cuisine), this food and wine tour

through taly’s Piedmont show-

cases the region’s bounty—Baro-

lo and Barbaresco wine, trufes,

hazelnuts, and mountain chees-es—and introduces you to the ar-

tisans behind it. The tour is led by

company co-founder and Pied-

mont native Claudio Bisio. a dolc

Via win to: “Slow Food Festa,”

6 days, $2,995; www.dolcetours.com.

TH FRC

Bike the VineyardsWith its rolling farmland, coast-

al vistas, and soaring mountains,

outh frica’s Western Cape is

choice cycling country. n this

loop from Cape Town through

wine country you’ll pedal some

20 miles a day, stopping to sam-

ple the region’s much-lauded

emillon and Pinotage. Recover

each night at elegant lodgingssuch as e Quartier Français in

the Franschoek alley, where one

of the country’s top chefs, Margot

Janse, presides over the kitchen.

n the township of Zwelitshe, local

students (to whom the outtter

lends bikes to use and maintain)

will lead you on an insider tour to

meet residents of this poor but

vibrant area. bl & roinon:

“South Africa Biking,” 8 days,

$6,995; www.buttereld.com.

RE

Nexus of HistoryThough much tourism

el remains dominated

pilgrims, more travele

ploring the country’s

EC World Hervaried geography, an

packed cities. Here is

mate private itinerary

it all together, from Je

ancient Western Wall

The Piedmontregion of Italyfeatures smalltowns suchas Barolo. InLaos’s Luang

Prabang (be-

low), founded

in the seventhcentury, Bud-dhist monkscollect alms.

Travel to Ice-land the waythe Vikingsdid: by boat.

Consid buying t

insuranon the nrefundaportion

your trAlso nd

what yohealth inance covabroad. may nee

policy to cany gap

expedtO Cruses

Sail into a Snug Harbor

a R C T I C -I ma g E s / g E T T y I ma g E s

KEY: nNew vValue FFamily

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traveler.nationalgeograp

D a v I D s a m u E l R O b b I n s

s T E v E w I n T E R / n g s I m a g E C O l l E C T I O n

( l E f T

) ,

j I m R

I C H a R D s O n

( R I g H T )


SME -CE voluntours are no more than feel-good forays forprivileged Westerners, whose very presence may tax already strainedresources. Below are ve that get it right. These outtters have created

a more sustainable model by keeping teams small and task-oriented whileconsidering the impact of do-gooders on the communities and environment.

R

Quest for the Snow Leoparddapted to live in the frigid

climes of the Central sian

mountain ranges, snow leop-ards have long, thick fur prized

by poachers. s a result, their

numbers have dwindled to

some 6,000. Track the elusive

species and its prey: the arga-

li (a mountain sheep) and the

ltai ibex. The data collect-

ed will help the conservation of

the endangered cat. Base camp

is at 7,500 feet amid the steep,

snowy peaks of Central sia’s

ltai Mountains. bio

eiion:“Mountain Ghosts,”

13 days, $2,690; www.biosphere-

expeditions.org.v

TZ

Gonzo Philanthropy

n his fresh take on voluntour-

ism, company founder Paul

von Zielbauer (a former New

York Times war correspondent)pairs rugged adventure with

good works. tineraries are in-

tentionally exible, and par-

ticipants, aka “roadmonkeys,”

raise money from their own so-

cial networks to fund the proj-

therapeutic waters of the eadea to the Bauhaus architec-

ture of Tel viv. ian o i:

“Essence of Israel,” 9 days, $7,700;

www.artisansoeisure.com.

CETR MERC

Maya, Then and NowFrom Big Falls, Belize, to Copán,

Honduras, this unique itinerary

traces the trade route of the an-

cient Maya’s most precious com-

modity—jade. long the way

you’re invited into the communi-

ties of the Mopan, Q’eqchi’, and

Chorti Maya, with stops at lit-

tle-visited archaeological sites,

as well as kayaking, snorkeling,

cave-swimming, and hiking. M-

oamican ecooim llianc: “Jade

Route of the Ancient Maya,” 9 days,

$2,850; www.travelwithmea.org.

RW & G

Track Mountain Gorillasiew some of the remaining

700 mountain gorillas on this

safari to three different parks:

olcanoes ational Park in

Rwanda, and Mgahinga and

Bwindi in ganda. The outtterworked closely with governments

here to develop responsible tour-

ism in the aftermath of regional

conicts, including training locals

to become guides. Volcano saai:

“Gorillas in the Virungas and Bwin-

di—Rwanda and Uganda,” 8 days,

$4,926; www.volcanoessafaris.com.

TH

Asia on Two WheelsMore than motorized modes of

transportation, bikes allow travel-

ers to participate in the everyday

life of a place, especially in Thai-

land, where biking is popular and

the people welcoming. Cyclists

on this circuit in the countryside

around Chiang Mai are some-

times invited into schools to give

impromptu English lessons, at-

tend weddings and funerals, and

learn to prepare traditional Thaifare. pal p & ill: “Thailand

Bike Tours—Northern Highlights,”

7 days, $1,495, plus $130 for bike

rental; www.pedalerspubandgrille

.com.v

CETR

Meet the StansGuided by veteran sia explorer

Roger Williams, this epic jour-

ney wends from rumqi, China,

to Tashkent, zbekistan, along

the legendary ilk Road. Trav-

el amid the towering peaks of the

Karakorum Mountains, stop-

ping at far-ung outposts, suchas Pakistan’s isolated Hunza

alley. Portions of the old road

here jut out from cliffs on can-

tilevered logs wedged into the

cracks of rock. t the desert oa-

sis of Kashgar, famous for its

unday market, traders still hag-

gle over everything from spices to

rugs to camels. wiln tavl:

“The Great Game—The Silk Road

through the Pamirs & Karakorum

with an ascent of the

self. nan tavl: “P

culaneum, and Classica

8 days, $2,090; www.a

travels.co.uk. v

BTW

On a Horse, of CourWhen longtime Botsw

dents PJ and Barney

brought horses to the

go elta for safaris m

years ago, few believe

ness plan would succe

equestrians from far a

come to the world’s la

delta to ride rabians

oughbreds through gr

plains and primeval mforests and to canter

side zebras, giraffes, a

beest. Riders must ha

down and be able to “

of trouble,” should the

Okavango ho saai: “

Itinerary,” 11 days, from

www.okavangohorse.co

P

The Whole Caminonce trod by religiou

the Camino de antia

postela, where the rem

apostle t. James are

buried, now mainly d

culturally curious. w

sisters who grew up in

touring business, the

one of the few that co

the entire route—558

Roncesvalles, in the P

northeastern pain, t

go de Compostela in

west. Riders must be i

to handle up to 70 mi

the saddle. einc p

“Cycling the Camino d

Roncesvalles to Santiag

$5,350; www.experienc

KEY

Insider TourMeet Kenyans who a

a difference in wildlife

vation in this behind-

custom safari from

the aikipia region. C

ing time at the avid

Wildlife Trust, where

ary ame aphne

cusses her efforts to re

rear abandoned baby

Mountains,” 26 days, from $10,995;www.wildernesstravel.com.n

EGYPT

Into the Western DesertYou’ve seen the Pyramids and

cruised the ile; now check out

the other Egypt on this overland

expedition into the Western es-

ert. ed by veteran desert guide

iaa hawki Michail, you’ll

camp in mobile tents, exploring

the striking scenery of this harsh

environment, such as rock carv-

ings that are thousands of years

old and aliesque white chalk

formations that rise out of the

desert sand like huge mushrooms.

comi & Kn: “Egypt—Traces

of Lost Civilizations,” 11 days,

$5,975; www.abercrombiekent.com.

TY

Pompeii RevealedYou don’t have to be an archaeo-

logy buff to be fascinated by the

stories of Pompeii. n the most

popular of this specialty oper-

ator’s offerings, archaeologist

guides provide access to the ruins

away from the crowds and frame

them in the context of the year

a.d. 79, when esuvius erupted

and all life in the area came to an

abrupt halt. The trip culminates

A woman and

child stroll the

streets of the

historic desert

town of Khiva,

Uzbekistan.

Help save the

endangered

snow leopard

by collecting

data on the

species in

Central Asia.

Whencomparingtwo similaritineraries,

look atinclusions,exclusions,and value-

addedservices.

Make the World a Better Place

VOuteer tOurs

B

C

S

/ Visit our website for photo galleries, booking strategies, a

list of deals, and links to the outfitters.

traveler.nationalgeographic.com


➥t ip

ects. The next expedition leaves

for Tanzania this summer. You’ll

climb Mount Kilimanjaro via

the emosho route—the least

traveled—and lend a handbuilding a shpond at a school

in Babati,Tanzania. roamonky

vn pilanoy: “Tanzania/

Kilimanjaro Expedition,” 15 days,

$4,595; www.roadmonkey.net.

EP

Trek for CharityThis nonprot organizes one

or more treks to raise funds for

a needy local orphanage. Par-

ticipants commit to raising a

pre-set contribution for each ki-

lometer they hike, not unlike

charity walks. This fall’s trek—

Everest Base Camp—is espe-

cially ambitious. The end of the

trip coincides with the Festival

of ights and a party at the

orphanage. tkking o Ki:

“Nepal Trek 2010—Everest Base

Camp,” 20 days; from $2 ,400;www.trekkingforkids.org.v

MY

Rain Forest WarriorsThe survival of Borneo’s di-

verse life-forms depends on its

tropical rain forests, which are

threatened by unsustainable

logging practices, the pressure

to convert to farmland, and se-

vere droughts caused by cli-mate change. Help the team at

the Royal ociety outh East

sia Rainforest Research Pro-

gramme record plant and ani-

mal specimens, including 2,500

species of orchids, orangutans,

pygmy elephants, and rhi-

nos. eaac ni: “Climate

Change and Landscape in Bor-

neo’s Rainforest,” 10 days; $1,850;

www.earthwatch.org.v

CH

Giant Panda-thontarting in hanghai,

travel by train to ichuan

Province and the Ya’an Bi-

fengxia Center for the Giant

Panda (the largest reserve of

its kind in the world). Gather

bamboo for the pandas’ meals

(they eat 10 to 20 pounds aday), clean their enclosures,

and gather behavioral data.

There’s also time for sightsee-

ing. plana fonaion:“Project

China,” 14 days, $1,899; www.

planeterra.org. n v



traveler.nationalgeograp

g a R E T H

m C C O R m a C k

D a n O b E R l a T z / a l a s k a

a l P I n E a D v E n T u R E s

Iguazu, Pantanal, and Rio Adven-

ture Overland,” 19 days, $1,110;

www.dragoman.com.v

THER FRC

Winging It

The stylish way to cover ve na-

tions (outh frica, Malawi, Zim-

babwe, Mozambique, Zambia),

11 ecosystems, and 3,200 miles

in three weeks is on a retrot-

ted C-3. The access is unbeat-

able, though pricey. Fly directly

between EC World Heri-

tage sites, remote safari camps,

and secluded lodges while enjoy-

ing a bird’s-eye view of the conti-

nent’s most spectacular scenery,

including Table Mountain, thewild coast of Transkei, and ic-

toria Falls. n the ground you’ll

meet locals from all walks of life,

including a outh frican ostrich

farmer and the king of the Zulu.

tavcoa:“Once in a Lifetime Africa,”

20 days, $34,900; www.travcoa.com.

PER

Hikes and BikesMachu Picchu is undoubtedly the

pièce de résistance of any trip to

Peru, including this one, which

features several hikes around the

nca ruins. However, the itinerary

packs in other thrills as well. Bike

to the salt pans of Maras, raft the

rushing rubamba River, and

kayak ake Titicaca at 12,500

feet to sla Taquile, where over-

nights are in guesthouses oper-

ated by local families. vnoa:

“Discover Peru,” 10 days, $2,698;

www.aventouras.com.v

TRKEY

Stroll through History

The country’s dazzling coastline

and Greek, Roman, and ycian

ruins are most often explored by

sea, from a cruise ship, or via tra-

ditional gulet. But here’s a nov-

el approach: Journey on foot

through the ntalyan Peninsu-

la, ycia, the ancient Greek city

of Ephesus, and stanbul. High-


Chat with Maasai elder Rakita

le kere about how his culture

is adapting to modern life. nd

meet the team at the l Pejeta

Research Centre, which is pio-

neering methods for locals and

wildlife to coexist peacefully.

pportunities to see the Big Five

(lion, leopard, rhino, elephant,

Cape buffalo) abound, including

an overnight in a blind to view

the nocturnal visitors of a popular

watering hole through night-

vision goggles. Micao saai: “Ken-

ya Conservation Safari,” 9 days,

from $5,995; www.micato.com.n

E

Coral Centralnorkel among more than 500

species of coral and 1,300 species

of sh in the waters surrounding

the Raja mpat rchipelago in

ndonesia’s West Papua prov-

ince—the heart of the so-called

Coral Triangle and one of the

most biologically diverse areas

on the planet. ccommodations

are aboard a 12-passenger tradi-

tional ndonesian schooner.

Ocanic sociy: “Snorkeling in Raja

Ampat Archipelago, Indonesia,” 11

days, $6,590 (including airfare from

Jakarta); www.oceanicsociety.org.

C

High Arctic AdventureWinding its way through the

tundra-covered hills of Canada’s

Bafn sland, the oper River

supports a lush array of rctic

wildowers and willow forests

and a dense concentration of

wildlife, including caribou, foxes,

wolves, and rough-legged hawks.

Hike, canoe, and raft on this trib-

utary, designated a Canadian

Heritage River, in 24-hour day-

light, winding up in the former

Hudson Bay Company trading

post of Kimmirut for an overnight

with villagers, many of whom are

still uent in nuktitut. Canaian

riv eiion: “Soper River, Baf-

n Island,” 10 days, $6,210 (includ-

ing round-trip airfare from Iqaluit);

www.nahanni.com.

RGET & BRZ

South America OverlandThe route between two of outh

merica’s party capitals is paved

with adventure on this no-frills

offbeat road trip from Buenosires to Rio de Janeiro, with stops

on both sides of the magnicent

guazu Falls and the fauna-rich

oodplains of the Pantanal. You’ll

thread your way up Brazil’s Em-

erald Coast, hitting the laid-back

islands off Parati with your most-

ly youthful compadres. The fun

doesn’t end if you time your trip

to make it to Carnival’s kick-

off in Rio. dagoman:“Buenos Aires,

lights include the Pisidian strong-

hold of Termessos, site of the

eternal ames of the Chimaera as

described in Homer’s Iliad; Myra

with its rock-cut cliff tombs dat-

ing to 500 b.c.; and a tradition-

al lunch in the mountain village

of Bezirgan, where you’ll breakkatmer— a savory atbread—with

locals. Cony walk: “Turkey:

The Lycian Way & Ephesus,” 9

days, $4,698; www.country

walkers.com.n

RE

Bonny Islands

solated from the mainland andravaged by the harsh tlantic

winters, the windswept islands off

reland’s west coast are home to a

hardy lot—and some say the last

vestiges of rish culture. The ge-

ology—barren countryside, rug-

ged cliffs, stark mountains that

rise from the sea—is best seen on

foot. This amble hits all the high

notes from chill sland with its

deserted famine village, to Clare

sland—where the cas

’Malley, the plucky

century “Pirate Quee

stands—to the ran

strewn with miles of st

built by early inhabit

l Jony: “Walking

Islands,” $3,295, 8 day

.boundlessjourneys.com.

CH

Into the Land of thePerform tai chi along

in a Beijing park; bike

villages and rice farm

banks of the ragon

a day at EXP 2010

This private odyssey

Middle Kingdom catilies who crave action

clude a village guesth

Yao minority village o

and the i River lodge

tainside retreat in a tr

al wooden ongsheng

ing north of Yangshu

to: “Spirit of China

Action Adventure,” 14 d

www.kensingtontours.c

JR

Desert OasisFrom mman to the

this cultural foray thr

opens doors normally

most travelers, includi

visit to the Royal ta

the capital, a meeting

man in Petra, a Bedo

off-road excursion thr

desert landscape of W

and a lesson in weavi

reed-and-banana-leaf

local women in Wadi

Clal Cooa: “The

of Jordan—A Cultural

11 days, $3,424; www.

crossroads.com.

MZMBQE

Africa's Secretfter years of civil wa

neglect, Gorongosa

Park (see story, page

home to a denser pop

game than the ereng

is making a comebac

to a public-private pa

Get a behind-the-scen

this ongoing restorati

as well as the now-thr

life, including the fam

gosa lions and endem

headed oriole. You’ll tcapital, Maputo; seasi

for a marine safari an

to snorkel with whale

the EC World

of lha de Moçambiq

rocki: “Mozambique—

and By Sea,” 11 days, f

www.reefstorockies.com

contributing editorMa

LOFTUS resides in Bos

FR ECE, our sister publication National Geographic Adventure stoked a seemingly insatiableappetite for adventure with its hair-raising tales, like trekking to the orth Pole during 24-hour dark-ness, learning to y in the ustralian utback, and experiencing shamanistic healing in the mazo-

nian jungle. The magazine’s print edition folded last fall, but the demand for hard-core thrills lives on (asdoes the website, www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure).Here are ve adventures that capture that spirit.

Push Beyond Your BoundariesGet on

the outtter'ssocial media

list tolearn about

promotions.Ask if the

tour you wantis close to full.

If not, theremay be roomto negotiatean upgrade

or a price break.

R

Pack Your Parkapend a day learning about all things rein-

deer—herding, driving, even riding. Then

man your own reindeer sled for a brisk od-yssey through the heart of iberia to the

orthern Hemisphere’s “Pole of Cold” in

ymyakon, the coldest inhabited place on

Earth. Rest up along the route in the homes

of the indigenous Evens and in camps,

where local guides share their ancestral

tricks for sleeping in the open without get-

ting frostbite. cic Oyy: “Siberia–Even

Reindeer Sledding Expedition,” 14 days, from

$5,210; www.arcticodysseys.com.

CETR

One Epic Ridefter introducing a cycling tour from Cai-

ro to Cape Town in 2003 to promote bikes

as a means of sustainable transportation

in frica, this Canadian start-up has set its

sights on history’s most storied route. Ride

to explore or race to compete on this 2,572-

mile expedition on the ilk Road, from s-

tanbul to amarkand, zbekistan. n 2011

the operator hopes to undertake the full

wd dVetures

Kayak Alaska’s

Twin Lakes,

accessible

only by float-

plane.

Visit thelighthouse on

Ireland’s Clare

Island.

➥t ip


6,200 miles to Xi’an, China. ccommoda-

tions echo the ancient caravanning expe-

rience: yurts, homestays, bush camps, des-

ert camps, and caravanserais. to ’iq:

“Silk Route Bicycle Tour,” 44 days, $5,485;www.tourdafrique.com.v

K, ..

Off the Gridmack in the middle of the four-million-

acre ake Clark ational Park—one of the

least visited parks in the .. with 5,000

visitors a year—Twin akes is accessi-

ble only by oatplane. Kayak, hike, and

camp in this backcountry best known for

its famous inhabitant, ick Proenneke, the

subject of the PB series Alone in the Wilder-

ness that depicted his Thoreau-like existence

here from 1968 to 1999. laka lin vn-

: “Twin Lakes Paddl e,” 7 days, $3,150;

www.alaskaalpineadventures.com.

BHT

First Commercial DescentThe culmination of years of negotiation

with the Bhutan government, this raft-

ing expedition down the rangme Chu—

the last unexplored river system in the

country—promises world-class white water

in the shadow of soaring Himalayan peaks.

ff the river, thrill-seekers are welcomed for

a feast and overnight at the family homeof guide gyen orji and at Enduchhol-

ing, the palace of the rst hereditary mon-

arch of Bhutan. bio bio eiion: “Drangme

Chu River First Commercial Descent,” 17 days,

$6,800; www.bbxrafting.com.n

RZ, ..

From Rim to Shining Rim

Most people take in the Grand Canyon

from a vantage point somewhere along its

rim, but nothing can come close to

the challenging and exhilarating experi-

ence of hiking the gorge rim to rim, staying

in lodges. trike out on the orth Kaibab

Trail toward the historic (and barebones)

Phantom Ranch on the canyon oor,

where you’ll rest up for the last hoorah—

a nearly ten-mile trek some 4,400 feet

up Bright ngel Trail. This tour debuts in

May 2011. izona Oack vn:

“Rim to R im Hiker,” 5 days, $1,995;

www.aoa-adventures.com.n

tours of lifetime m_j 2010final

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