G Adventures And National Geographic Partner To Offer New Line Of Travel Experiences

Pioneering travel companies join forces to offer National Geographic Journeys with G Adventures

National Geographic and award-winning Canadian tour operator G Adventures have joined forces

 to launch National Geographic Journeys  with G Adventures, a new line of experiential

trips to destinations all over the globe. With similar core values, an aligned sense of social

 responsibility, and a shared belief in the positive impact that  travel can have on the world,

 these two renowned brands will together offer  travelers a meaningful and accessible way

 to experience the world.

This travel partnership—which coincides with G Adventures' 25^th anniversary—combines National

 Geographic's more than 125 years of global exploration, science and storytelling with the fun,

 authentic experiences for which G Adventures is internationally recognized. The initial collection

 of 70 trips is designed for travelers who appreciate the freedom to roam, but seek the structure 

and security that comes with travelling in a group. Each group will be led by a knowledgeable local 

guide, and most will be limited to 16 guests. Travelers will have the opportunity to connect with

 local people and cultures while discovering places where National Geographic's scientists and

 storytellers have shaped history. 

"We are thrilled to be working with National Geographic—an organization that shares our values

 and a similar approach to travel—to offer our guests unique experiences that will forever change

 their expectations of travel," said Bruce Poon Tip, founder of G Adventures.

These two travel pioneers have worked closely together to create special experiences that bring

 travelers behind the scenes in incredible destinations—be it practicing a centuries-old tradition

 of throwing pots on a visit to a women's cooperative in Belize or joining a researcher on safari in

 South Africa to learn firsthand about a National Geographic-sponsored initiative to protect cheetahs

 and other big cats.

Forging true human connections will be an integral component of National Geographic Journeys

 with G Adventures. Travellers will have the opportunity to spend time in a family home in Jaipur,

 India; share a meal with a local author and her storytelling troupe in Botswana; meet a traditional

 weaver in Ecuador; and sip homemade limoncello with a farmer at his lemon orchard in Italy.

A 14-day trip to Costa Rica, priced from $2,099, includes meeting with a researcher from the

 Sea Turtle Conservancy, co-founded by a National Geographic grantee. Many trips will feature

 visits to projects sponsored by G Adventures' nonprofit organization Planeterra, which develops

 sustainable projects to support local communities. As with all National Geographic travel

 programs, a portion of the proceeds will support the National Geographic Society's nonprofit

 work in conservation, exploration, education, and cultural preservation.

"Our partnership with G Adventures adds an exciting and accessible range of travel opportunities

 to our portfolio of extraordinary ways to explore the planet. We're excited to invite travelers around

 the world to experience the destinations they've dreamed about, get to know people in other

 cultures and make a positive impact while doing it," added Gary E. Knell, president and CEO

 of the National Geographic Society. 

The new line will join National Geographic's suite of travel programs, which includes National

 Geographic Expeditions, National Geographic Adventures, National Geographic Student

 Expeditions, National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World, and more.

Next year's lineup of National Geographic Journeys with G Adventures will be published 

on Dec. 15, 2015, with departures beginning Jan. 5, 2016.

About National Geographic Travel National Geographic Travel is the travel arm of the National Geographic Society, one of the world's

 largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations, founded in 1888. 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; digital travel content; travel books; maps; and travel photography programs. National 

Geographic Traveler (eight issues per year) is the world's most widely read travel magazine

 and has 17 international editions. National Geographic Expeditions, the travel program of the

 Society, 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, 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 digitalgroup shares its inspiring and authoritative digital content 

such as trip ideas, photo galleries, blogs, and apps with its @NatGeoTravel community of 7

 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+.

About G Adventures Celebrating its 25^th anniversary in 2015, G Adventures is an adventure travel pioneer offering

 the widest selection of affordable small group tours, safaris and expeditions to more than 100

 countries on all continents. It was the first adventure travel company to offer 100% guaranteed 

departures in 2013. Powered by an international team of passionate travelers, the award-winning

 trips embrace authentic accommodation, exotic cuisine and local transport to put travelers on a 

first-name basis with the planet's people, cultures, landscapes and wildlife. The intimate, authentic

 and sustainable approach to small-group travel introduces travelers to the highlights of a destination

 while offering the freedom to explore it on their own. Whatever age, interest, ability or budget, G 

Adventures has a genuine life-changing experience.

For more information, please visit gadventures.com/journeys or nationalgeographicjourneys.com.

Africa’s Top 50 Safari Parks According to Thousands Of Travelers And Experts

The great migration of wildebeest at the Mara River, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

© attribution: AfricaImageLibrary.com

The Serengeti National Park, MalaMala Game Reserve, and Okavango Delta have been rated the best of the best in a study of more than 3,000 reviews from safari adventurists and industry experts.  

 

SafariBookings.com, an online marketplace for African safaris, published a definitive ranking of the 50 best Safari parks of Africa based on more than 3,000 reviews. A total of 2,234 reviews were contributed by safari tourists from 63 countries. Another 774 park reviews were written by renowned experts, including guidebook authors from Lonely Planet, Rough Guides, Frommer’s, Bradt and Footprint. These results include both first time and experienced safari-goers.

Tanzania’s Serengeti swept first place with an impressive rating of 4.89 out of 5, followed by South Africa’s MalaMala Game Reserve, and Okavango Delta in Botswana. South Africa held four of the top ten spots, more than any other country; however, its Kruger National Park only ranked 20th, which was a great surprise, as Kruger is highly regarded in the safari industry.

Serengeti was rated best for its variety of wildlife, abundance of predators, and spectacular wildebeest migration. Legendary MalaMala Game Reserve offers some of the best wildlife viewing of Africa, and its luxury lodges cater the rich and famous.

Okavango Delta is regarded for its scenic beauty. Its annual flooding transforms this otherwise desert area into a wildlife paradise of tranquil waterways. Kenya has almost 17% of the top 50 parks, but only the Masai Mara National Reserve is in the top 10. Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools was ranked 4th, which is significant when looking at all 138 parks that were considered for this top list.

Source: https://www.safaribookings.com/blog/258/ 

Natural Habitat Adventures Launches New Costa Rica and Nicaragua Nature Adventure

 

The world’s premier nature travel company, Natural Habitat Adventures (Nat Hab - http://www.nathab.com/), will host four departures of a new exploratory itinerary, Tropical Discovery: Costa Rica to Nicaragua, beginning in late 2015.

Just 10 guests per departure will explore wild regions of Costa Rica and seldom-visited Nicaragua, a country many visitors believe represents what Costa Rica felt like 50 years ago. The inaugural departure of this new 11-day adventure is set for Nov. 26, 2015. The per-person, double occupancy rate is $4,995; single supplement is $895.

“Costa Rica holds legendary status as a nature tourism destination,” said Ben Bressler,Nat Hab founder and president, “and Nicaragua is equally spectacular though far less known.”

A combined exploration of the two countries’ mosaic of tropical habitats showcases a vivid diversity of wildlife. Colonial Granada, established in 1524, is part of the mix too, adding a historical element as the first European city in mainland America. Bressler explained that this trip was designed in tandem with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to highlight a broad range of wilder, less-visited regions of these two nature-rich countries.

From the highest point on the Pan-American Highway (11,322 feet) through Costa Rica’s Talamanca Mountains guests access Savegre Mountain Reserve in a cloud forest rife with giant tropical oaks and some 600 bird species, including the rare and resplendent quetzal. A private boat cruise on the Sarapiqui River weaves through some of the best-preserved rain forest in Costa Rica, inhabited by a host of wildlife. And visits to two field research centers – La Selva, an international biological research station, and Tirimbina Rainforest Center, where the focus is on bats – offer guests a chance to interact with scientists studying tropical habitats and wildlife.

Just over Costa Rica’s northern border, vast Lake Nicaragua and the volcanoes that flank it offer multiple opportunities to examine the impact of volcanic activity on the natural environment. The itinerary includes a cruise among lava islets on the lake, an excursion to view nesting parakeets in the crater of the active Masaya Volcano, and a walk through old-growth dry tropical forest growing out of lava rock.

Morgan’s Rock, a 4,000-acre nature preserve on Nicaragua’s southern Pacific coast, provides a remote immersion in the tropical landscape. Nesting sea turtles are sometimes found along the mile-long beach while the forested reserve interior shelters spider, howler and capuchin monkeys, sloth, deer, agouti, reptiles, and indigenous and migratory birds.

While the itinerary’s focus is on nature and conservation, the history and culture of region’s peoples embellish the experience. These include one of the world’s best pre-Columbian rock art sites on Ometepe Island, the colonial textures of Granada, visits to handcrafted hammock and maraca workshops, and a home-cooked meal in the home of a Costa Rican family.

Accommodations are selected for authenticity and eco-sensitivity. In Costa Rica’s Talamanca Mountains guests stay at Savegre Mountain Lodge in the cloud forest. Another lodge, San Juan de la Isla, enjoys a lakefront location on Nicaragua’s Santo Domingo Beach in view of Isla Ometepe’s towering twin volcanoes. The ecolodge at Morgan’s Rock is part of a family estate engaged in low-impact agriculture and sustainable forestry practices.

Trip rates include all transportation and activities as described in the itinerary, an internal charter flight, accommodations, all meals, non-alcoholic beverages and purified drinking water, services of a Nat Hab Expedition Leader, local guides and lodge staff, airport transfers, most gratuities, all permits, entrance fees and taxes. The international gateway is San Jose, Costa Rica.

For information on all of Nat Hab’s trips, descriptive itineraries, date availability and reservations, call 800.543.8917 or visit http://www.nathab.com/. ClickHERE to order a copy of the 2015 catalog.

About Natural Habitat Adventures
Natural Habitat Adventures is a world leader in responsible adventure travel and nature-based ecotourism. Since its founding in 1985, the company has offered eco-conscious expeditions and wildlife-focused small-group tours to the planet’s most remarkable nature destinations. Inspired and created from years of scouring the planet for the singular and extraordinary, Nat Hab’s itineraries are artfully crafted experiences that are far from “typical.” Trips are guided by professional naturalistExpedition Leaders, and Nat Hab enjoys a longstanding reputation for hiring some of the world’s best guides. Conservation is at the forefront of everything NHA does, and its philosophy is simple: tourism must work with and benefit local communities, which will in turn find value in protecting natural resources and wildlife. NHA is proud to be the travel partner of World Wildlife Fund, sharing a mutual commitment to travel as a means of helping to protect the world’s wondrous natural places.

Follow Natural Habitat Adventures:
Facebook:     https://www.facebook.com/NaturalHabitatAdventures
Google+:       https://plus.google.com/+Nathab/
Twitter:          https://twitter.com/nathab
YouTube:      https://www.youtube.com/user/NaturalHabitatAdv
Pinterest:       http://www.pinterest.com/nathabpinterest/
Instagram:     http://instagram.com/naturalhabitatadventures

Follow us on Twitter: @TraveloreReport

5 Great Ways To Explore Peru, The "Land Of The Incas" In 2015

 Peru is popping up everywhere on the latest “best places to travel to in 2015” lists. According to Business Insider, Peru is one of 23 places one should visit this year, while National Geographic Traveler lists the country in its list of Top 20 destinations to visit in 2015 and the Los Angeles Times includes it on its list of 15 destinations for travelers to set their sights on in 2015. But months before these lists were created, the award-winning adventure travel company, Austin Adventures, decided to kick off the new year by dedicating the entire month of January to the “Land of the Incas.”

“We send guests all over the world, but in the past few months we’ve seen a substantial uptick in interest in our Peru packages,” said Dan Austin, President and founder of Austin Adventures (www.austinadventures.com). “And it’s not just from adult adventurers with Machu Picchu on their bucket lists. We noticed such a strong increase in demand from families with young children that we were inspired to create a new family-friendly itinerary that explores Machu Picchu from a kid’s perspective.”

“Peru Month” will run through the end of January, and one of the biggest components of the campaign will be a free webinar hosted by Dan Austin and his daughter Kasey Austin, Vice President of Operations and an award-winning guide who will be returning to Peru in March to train local guides.  The webinar, “Five Ways to Do Peru” which will take place on Jan.14 at 6 p.m. EST, will give attendees a crash course on adventure travel to Peru and will highlight the differences between Austin Adventures’ distinctive itineraries that visit the country. Click HERE for more details and to register.

Austin Adventures currently offers five Peru adventure tour packages includingInca Trail Glamping—a 10-day luxury trek to “The Lost City,” Salkantay Lodge-to-Lodge—a 7-day journey that explores the “back way” of getting to Machu Picchu,Machu Picchu—a 9-day vacation package for adults that involves hiking and rafting, and an all-new Machu Picchu Familypackage that  allows families with kids as young as seven to experience the Andes mountains, Incan mummies and chocolate-making in Cusco. Finally, the company offers a 5-day Amazon River Luxury Cruise that takes travelers deep into the jungle to float the Ucayali River, fish for red-bellied piranha and even savor a 5-star Peruvian dinner.

Starting in 2016, the company will also offer the “Sacred Valley of the Incas” tour which was designed by Mountain Lodges of Peru and will allow travelers to experience the Lares Trail, an alternative to the Inca Trail. Guests will stay at brand new lodges and a deluxe base camp scheduled to open in early 2015.

The 2015 scheduled departures range in price from $3,000 to $4,800 or $444/day to $844/day, per person, double. Austin Adventures’ adventure travel consultants can also create custom trips for a variety of budgets that accommodate all ages and depart at any time.

In honor of Peru Month, the company is also sponsoring a Facebook contest where the public is encouraged to enter for a chance to win an exclusive Austin Adventures gift pack including a copy of Mark Adams’ best-selling book, Turn Right at Machu Picchu.

As of 2015, Austin Adventures takes guests to all seven continents and offers several small ship cruises in addition to its extensive lineup of traditional multisport adventures. All of the 2015 scheduled trips can be found in the Austin Adventures award-winning adventure vacation catalogs. Custom vacations can be arranged by calling (800) 575-1540 or emailinginfo@austinadventures.com.

About Austin Adventures
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 2014, Kasey Austin, Vice President of Operations, was named the World’s Top Family Guide by Outside Magazine. In 2013, Austin Adventures joined the Xanterra Parks & Resorts® portfolio of experiential leisure offerings. Xanterra Parks & Resorts has operations in the Grand Canyon, including Grand Canyon Railway andThe Grand Hotel; 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 operates Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Va., Windstar Cruises, and VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations.

Follow Austin Adventures: 
Website:                     http://www.austinadventures.com
Twitter Page:             https://twitter.com/austnadventures
Facebook Page:       https://www.facebook.com/AustinLehmanAdventures
Blog:                           http://www.austinadventures.com/blog
YouTube:                  http://www.youtube.com/AustinLehman

The World’s Best Whale Shark Encounters Just A Short Flight From San Diego With Baja AirVentures

 

 The whale shark which is not a whale at all and only technically a shark is the largest fish on Earth.  This gentle giant can grow up to 60-feet in length all on a diet of algae, plankton, and krill. There are only a handful of places on the planet where they make predictable appearances during certain times of the year and luckily for North Americans, one of the best is but a two and a half hour plane ride from San Diego, CA with Baja AirVentures (http://www.bajaairventures.com/).

Observing and, yes, swimming alongside these docile creatures as they slowly feed can for some, be a life-changing experience. Like clockwork each year from August into October, whale sharks averaging 25–40 feet long migrate to the nutrient-rich waters of the Midriff Island region in the Sea of Cortez, home to Las Animas Wilderness Lodge.

Baja AirVentures flies its guests by private air from Brown Field in San Diego to the remote Mexican fishing village of Bahia de los Angeles, population 500. From there, boats shuttle guests another hour south to Las Animas Lodge situated on a private, turquoise cove rimmed by a mile-long crescent beach.

The self-sustaining, solar-powered retreat offers eight well-appointed beachside yurts with in-room solar shower and composting toilet, twin and king-size beds with comforters and high thread-count linens, and covered patios with hammocks. Lodging is built around a large centrally located palapa with a large attached patio which serves as kitchen, central dining area, cantina bar, and communal lounging and game area.

Guests spend up to five hours daily observing and swimming with whale sharks.  While the focus is on snorkeling with these creatures that naturally feed close to the surface, there are also afternoon outings to isolated islands and coves frequented by up to 10 species of whales (including fin and blue whales), as well as dolphins, sea lions, sea turtles and manta rays. Hiking, kayaking, sailing and fishing round out the remainder of the time at Las Animas.

But it is the spectacle of the migrating whale sharks that is the main attraction in the late summer and fall when water temperatures hover between an inviting 80F – 82F.

"There are people who travel the world over looking to snorkel with whale sharks,” says Baja AirVentures founder and president Kevin Warren. “We've had folks who've gone on our trips who also have been to Australia, Philippines, Thailand, and other known places they congregate but had yet the good fortune to swim with them. But here they accomplished that goal. Over the last five consecutive years, every one of our trips had successful encounters."

Bahia de los Angeles, just 300 air miles from San Diego offers the closest whale shark experience to North American shores and is one of the most dependable locations in the world where they make regular, predictable appearances.

Whale sharks can also be encountered during specific times of the year in the waters of Mexico's Yucatan (Isla Holbox), Honduras (Utila), Western Australia (Ningaloo Reef), Belize (Gladden Spit), Philippines (Donsol Bay), Mozambique (Tofo Beach), Seychelles (South Mahé), Thailand (Koh Tao), Maldives (South Ari Atoll), and Galapagos, Ecuador (Puerto Ayora).

Whale sharks live in all tropical and warm temperate seas but roam the oceans generally alone. However, large numbers will gather in areas with abundant plankton making them prime tourist attractions. The distribution of whale sharks indicates the presence of plankton and the overall health of our oceans. Whale shark numbers, however, are dwindling. The animal is currently listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List primarily due to over hunting (its fins can be valuable in the shark finning trade). The naturalist guides of Las Animas are careful to follow certain rules of conduct to minimize any impact on the animals during their interactions in and above water.

Operating year-round as an all-inclusive eco-adventure lodge, Las Animas offers six-day whale shark programs from August into October, departing San Diego on Monday and returning the following Saturday. All-inclusive programs run $2,495 per person, double occupancy (plus tax). The rate includes round-trip flight from San Diego, accommodations, all meals, beverages, guides, equipment and land and boat transportation.

Weeks during the 2014 season that still have good availability include; August 11–16, 25–30, September 1–6, 8–13, 15–20, 22–27, October 6–11, 13–18 and 20–25. For more reservations or details on the whale shark program and tour itineraries, call 1.800.221.9283 or visit:  http://www.bajaairventures.com/BajaWhaleShark.html. For information on any of the other vacation packages offered year-round by Baja AirVentures please visit: http://www.bajaairventures.com/.

Enjoy this video on whale shark encounters with Baja AirVentures:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkYxEjDZlss#t=24

Follow Baja AirVentures:
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BajaAirventures
Twitter:            https://twitter.com/BajaAirVentures   
Trip Advisor: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g1673264-d1792687-Reviews-Baja_AirVentures_Las_Animas_Wilderness_Lodge-Bahia_de_Los_Angeles_Baja_California.html

Follow us on Twitter: @Travelore Report

Best Times To See Africa’s Baby Wildlife

Often we are asked what is the best time of year to go to Africa if you want to see baby wildlife. Of course there’s nothing we all love more than a hopping skipping baby anything. They simply are a highlight for anyone wildlife viewing. Predators are all too hard to predict since they can give birth at any time of year and are not governed by the seasons or rains. With the cats it really is luck of the draw and you just have to pray they have had a litter when you travel. Elephants are the same, they can give birth at any time of year but can also hold off giving birth if there was a particularly bad drought or a shortage of food.

During the rains

Antelope however are different, sadly if you want to see antelope giving birth or babies you should try and time your safari with the arrival of the rains in that particular country. The antelope herds are all able to hold their young in until the rains have arrived, overnight there will suddenly be fresh grass and lots of babies running everywhere. They hop and skip and certainly don’t disappoint when it comes to viewing baby wildlife. Of course there is always a brutal side to nature and one should be prepared to see some unpleasant sights, but also some wholly joyous sights too.

February in the southern Serengeti

The Wildebeest Migration famously calves all at once any time from around February to mid March – some signal is obviously given out and all the Wildebeest cows begin to give birth, and it’s all over and done with in two weeks – quite extraordinary. Once again you just have to hope that when you’re on your safari in February you are there when it all happens.

There is nothing more heart warming than watching baby wildlife play together. Perhaps the most adorable of all are the hyena pups (which goes against rational thinking we know!) – they really are too sweet and are always playing and incredibly inquisitive, followed a close second by young elephants, which are absolutely hysterical. No matter when you travel to Africa you are bound to come across some young wildlife, but the above gives you the best chance of seeing as many as possible.

Images: Shutterstock

Contributed by Rose Hipwood , Managing Director of The Luxury Safari Company. A Luxury Travel Blog 

Follow us on Twitter: @TraveloreReport

5 Ideas for Adventure Travelers In 2014

Adrenaline-loving travelers looking to push the boundaries in 2014 have plenty of enticing destinations to choose from next year. Whether it’s the time-warped villages of Burma, or the far-flung shores of Antarctica (which, as it happens, will be in the spotlight for the 100th anniversary of Sir Ernest Shackleton‘s epic adventure), 2014 is sure to be filled with inspiration, adventure, and plenty of good photo ops.

Antarctica: In recent years, this frigid continent has drawn more and more adventure travelers who come to see awe-inspiring winter landscapes of icebergs, glaciers, and whales – and, of course, for the bragging rights of venturing to such distant horizons.

And 2014 could usher in a new crop of visitors, with the 100^th anniversary of legendary explorer Ernest Shackleton’s historic (although ultimately failed) expedition to make the first land crossing of Antarctica. In late 1914, Shackleton’s team was less than 100 miles from the continent’s Vahsel Bay when his ship went down in ice-filled waters, preceding Shackleton’s eventual rescue of his 27 crew members – an excursion widely regarded as the greatest adventure in history.

Follow in Shackleton’s footsteps on a trip with modern-day explorer Tim Jarvis and Intrepid Travel, which sponsored Jarvis’s 2013 recreation of Shackleton’s excursions, and which offers several other Antarctic journeys for travelers looking for a little more comfort.

Ecuador: Sure, this coastal country boasts the Galapagos – an epic destination for outdoorsy travelers since Charles Darwin put the biodiverse islands on the map more than 100 years ago as the inspiration for his theory of evolution. But Ecuador’s mainland has also been generating buzz as of late as one of South America’s under-the-radar gems, with an inviting blend of cosmopolitan appeal, colonial charm, and adventurous offerings like the 19,347-foot Cotopaxi, an active volcano that towers over the capital of Quito.

Burma: Yes, Burma, also known as Myanmar, is expensive. No, it’s not easy to reach or get around. But savvy travelers who want to experience Asia’s time-warped, last frontier should still make the trek despite all that. In recent years, developments such as more foreign exchange centers, ATMs, and Internet are evidence of a steady increase in tourism that’s expected to continue.

In June, the country unveiled a new master plan for tourism that projects more than 3 million visitors in 2015 and initiatives such as a new airport and other infrastructure improvements. Go there now, and you’ll still have Burma’s remote villages, welcoming locals, and vastly different customs and culture, almost to yourself.

East Africa: Seeing some of East Africa’s most exotic wildlife – gorillas along with the Big 5 – on the same trip will become much easier for travelers beginning in 2014, when changes to visa regulations in Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda take effect.

The new joint visa will go into effect in January 2014, costing $100, which promises a much cheaper, and far less complicated process for travelers moving between the three countries than the previous scheme. For those hoping to see the gorillas of Uganda along with the Big 5 in Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park, tour operators such as Africa Adventure Consultants have already introduced new offerings taking advantage of the joint visa.

Outer Space: In August 2014, Sir Richard Branson’s suborbital commercial flights will launch for the first time, with Branson and his two children as the first passengers. But if the quarter-mil ticket on one of Virgin Galactic‘s flights isn’t in your travel budget (ours either) for a trip of your own, you can experience the last frontier from Earth via a live broadcast of the inaugural journey on NBC’s The Today Show.

Contributed by Blane Bachelor,  http://blog.shermanstravel.com

Celebrity Cruises Launches Immersive Adventures In The Galapagos Including Dining At Family Farm And Joining Reforestation Project

 

Celebrity Cruises unveils authentic dining experience 
with locals and reforestation project in national park 

 Explorers can enjoy new vacation experiences when sailing to the Galapagos Islands with Celebrity Cruises. The modern luxury brand, celebrating its 10-year anniversary in the unspoiled region, has launched immersive and inspiring land excursions that range from dining on authentic cuisine prepared by local residents to contributing to the protected islands by giving new life to a native tree species.  

Building on 10 years of involvement in the Galapagos Islands, Celebrity continues its commitment to supporting and empowering the communities of the region with a medical clinic, fishing and agriculture cooperatives, and a partnership with the Galapagos Conservancy, which includes a matching program to double the value of guests’ donations. Now for vacationers, Celebrity has introduced more Galapagos experiences that include:

·        Authentic Dining in the Highlands – Dine on local fare at a family’s farm nestled in the lush highlands of Santa Cruz, Galapagos. Arranged exclusively by Celebrity, the immersive cultural experience directly connects vacationers with residents of the local community and the beauty of the island, its farms and even the giant tortoises roaming in their natural habitat.

·        Scalesia Reforestation Project – In close collaboration with the Galapagos National Park, in Santa Cruz, guests guided by Celebrity’s naturalists now can join a reforestation project with the goal to plant 5,000 Scalesia trees – an endemic tree that has lost much of its habitat in the Galapagos, adversely impacting wildlife that call the forest home. The Scalesia-saving project is the first-ever of its kind conducted by a cruise line with the Galapagos National Park.

·        Collaborating with Farmers for Onboard Menus – The one-of-a-kind dining menu onboard Celebrity Xpedition reflects Celebrity’s effort to preserve the natural conditions and support local growers and farmers in the Galapagos region. From Ecuadorian ceviche to roasted fish, soups and even desserts such as tres leches – a variety of the locally caught, sustainable fish and seafood, vegetables and fruits served onboard are fresh, organic and sourced from Galapagos fishermen and farmers.

·        Commemorative Book – Each modern explorer onboard Celebrity Xpedition between June 2014 and December 2015 will receive a complimentary coffee table book featuring fun, touching and inspiring stories and photos submitted via Facebook by past guests who have explored the islands with Celebrity Cruises, along with information on the Galapagos Islands environment and community. Vacationers whose stories were featured also will receive a copy of the exclusive book.

The new adventures are included when sailing onboard Celebrity Xpedition, in addition to the immersive Galapagos vacation itinerary that features daily naturalist-led lectures and excursions of the untouched islands, its highlands and beautiful beaches.

Planning a Vacation
Galapagos vacations range from seven to 15 nights aboard the 98-guest Celebrity Xpedition – select packages feature all-inclusive amenities, including adventure gear, chartered luxury air transfers and creature comforts such as gourmet cuisine, in-stateroom dining and cocktails. 

For more information or to book a Galapagos vacation, dial 1-800-437-3111, visit www.celebritycruises.com, or contact a travel agent. 

Wild Planet Adventures’ “On the Jaguar’s Trail” Named a National Geographic Traveler “Tour of a Lifetime”

A national magazine known for seeking out the unusual and exceptional in travel announced on April 10 that the wildlife specialty tour operator, Wild Planet Adventures’ has received its “Top Tours of a Lifetime” award. This is the fifth time in company history that Wild Planet has received this coveted award from the editors of National Geographic Traveler. 

The award as part of the magazine’s ninth annual “Worlds’ 50 Best Trips” recognizes Wild Planet Adventure’s “On the Jaguar’s Trail; from the Pantanal to the Amazon” wildlife safari in Brazil. Wild Planet operates wildlife eco-tours and safaris in nine countries and has now won this top honor for an unprecedented five of its nine destinations.

“On the Jaguar Trail” is featured in the magazine’s May 2014 issue and listed on a special Tours of a Lifetime page on National Geographic Traveler’s website. The magazine’s selection process looked for 2014’s most authentic, most innovative, most immersive, best-guided and most sustainable tours offered worldwide.

See: http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/tours/

“This year marks the 30^th anniversary of National Geographic Traveler, which has always looked at the world through the lens of culture, nature, and history. The tours we selected go beyond destination to add meaning and context,” said Norie Quintos, executive editor. “They open the mind to new possibilities, new connections, and new ways of thinking— all critically important given the world’s complex issues.”

Josh Cohen, founder/owner of Wild Planet Adventures, says that the way he designs trips, specific to wildlife lovers, sets his company’s explorations apart. “The big cats, such as the jaguars in Brazil, are among the most elusive of animals, yet our guests see them time and again in their natural habitats,” says Cohen.

“Our track record for seeing the world’s rarest and most elusive animals may well be the most comprehensive of any wild animal specialists leading tours today,” he adds. “We try to avoid unnecessary intrusion into an animal’s personal space or habitat to get a great photo. Instead, we rely on the tracking skills and wildlife expertise of some of the industry’s best guides and best practices. We take every precaution we know of to limit our impact so that when our guests witness, for example, a clouded leopard, the sighting is real and authentic.”

In addition to sighting jaguars in Brazil, guests on Wild Planet’s trips to India may observe tigers in the wild; in Zambia lions, leopards and cheetah are featured; jaguars of Peru are often sighted on tours into the Amazon region;  elusive clouded leopards are on the list inThailand and clouded leopards and marbled (small wildcats) cats award tour participants in Borneo.

Wild Planet Adventures is no stranger to awards. Fodor’s named its Costa Rica trip one of the world’s top 10 “must-do” trips, Smarter Travel singled out the company for the best new trips in India and Thailand, and National Geographic Adventure named the company “One of the World’s Best Tour Operators”.

About Wild Planet Adventures
The expert wildlife guides of Wild Planet Adventures go the extra mile to explore remote wildlife habitat and study wildlife patterns in destinations not often accessible to the general public. Thanks to the company’s comprehensive itineraries that balance diverse and complex ecosystems and habitats, guests enjoy wildlife and game viewing that is carefully aligned with animals’ seasonal, daily and nocturnal migrations.

Following a philosophy that interacting with nature has the power to transform lives, tours are conducted in Africa, Baja, Belize, Borneo, Brazil, Costa Rica, Galapagos, India, Laos, Nepal, Panama, Peru, Thailand and Zambia. Wild Planet Adventures is recognized by top publications in the travel industry for its itineraries that combine intimate encounters with wildlife and local culture.

For a more information and a complimentary 2014 catalog call toll-free 1.800.990.4376, or e-mail: trips@wildplanetadventures.com. To review current trips, schedules and itineraries log onto: http://www.wildplanetadventures.com/.

The Pachamama Alliance Announces Its 2014 Journey Schedule And Selection For National Geographic Traveler's "50 Tours of a Lifetime" List

Connect with the Earth, indigenous wisdom and your deeper self on a transformational journey of a lifetime.

 The Pachamama Alliance, a 501c3 organization whose vision is to bridge ancient wisdom with the modern

 world to bring forth an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling and socially just world, announces its 

schedule of 2014 Pachamama Journeys. Journey destinations include indigenous communities in the pristine

 rainforest of Ecuador, and to a special ceremonial center and community in New Mexico. The experiences are

 designed to expand the mind, open the heart, and stir the soul.

The journeys offered by the Pachamama Alliance are purposeful travel immersions that go far beyond conventional 

eco-tourism and adventure travel. The participant is invited into a deeper relationship with the people and lands visited,

 with a rare opportunity to connect with indigenous communities, traditions, and wisdom; engage in sacred ceremonies

 and deep reflection; and experience profound connection with the natural world while being held in a mutually 

supportive community.

The experience is not only transformative on a personal level; it is also connected to a larger vision for the world. 

Participants frequently report feeling deeply transformed after their participation in a Journey. Adam DeVito said,

"My journey into the heart of the rainforest with the Pachamama Alliance was one of the most potent experiences 

of my life. I had the feeling of being guided back in time as I went deeper into my own true self. I returned so alive 

and much more awakened to my life's greater purpose."

Vinit Allen, a participant to the sacred ceremonial grounds in New Mexico stated that "The Arawaka journey was

 incredible for me – I would even say life-changing. I can't recommend this highly enough! " 

The 2014 Journeys calendar from the Pachamama Alliance includes eight different journeys, each with a unique

 focus. Participants can explore earth-based spirituality, shamanism, or an immersion in the warmth and wisdom

 of the Achuar, Shuar, or Sápara peoples.

• May 3 to 9, 2014: Journey in the North: An Immersion in Indigenous Wisdom and Earth-Based Spirituality
• June 7 to 19, 2014: An Immersion with the Achuar
• July 10 to 21, 2014: An Intimate Journey to the Achuar
• August 7 to 19, 2014: Immersion with the Sápara
• August 29 to September 4, 2014: Journey in the North: An Immersion in Indigenous Wisdom and Earth-
• Based Spirituality
• October 1 to 13, 2014: Achuar Immersion with a shamanic emphasis
• October 18 to 30, 2014: Amazonian Immersion with the Sarayaku-Kichwa and Achuar 
• December 27 to January 8, 2015: An Immersion with the Sápara

The Amazonian Immersion trip in October has been selected for National Geographic Traveler's 2014 "50 Tours of

 a Lifetime," based on their criteria of "most authentic, most innovative, most immersive, best-guided, and most

 sustainable tours" in the world.

All of the journeys offered by the Pachamama Alliance help the indigenous communities maintain a sustainable

 livelihood, and help raise awareness of the gifts and wisdom they hold that is so relevant and vital to our present

 time and state of our planet.

Related Links

• Follow the Pachamama Alliance on Twitter and Facebook.
• See video on journey experience.
• Subscribe to our Blog.

About The Pachamama Alliance
The Pachamama Alliance is a non-profit organization based in San Francisco. Its mission is to empower indigenous

 people of the Amazon rainforest to preserve their lands and culture and, using insights gained 
from that work, to

 educate and inspire individuals everywhere to bring forth a thriving, just and sustainable world. To learn more, visit 

www.pachamama.org.