Ultimate Botswana Luxury Safari

Posted on June 1, 2014 by Adventures Within Reach

For the best Botswana luxury safari experience, it has to be the 11-Day Botswana’s Great Wilderness Journey.

This is a small, intimate group limited to 8 travelers and led by a premier naturalist guide.  You have the same guide throughout the trip.  It covers the best of Botswana and Victoria Falls in luxury tented camps situated in private concessions.

This trip includes

  • 1 night in Victoria Falls
  • 3 nights in Linyanti (northern region)
  • 3 nights in a dry area of the Okavanga Delta
  • 3 nights in a wet area of the Okavanga Delta

The trip include an exceptionally diverse range of activities: wildlife viewing in the day and night, on land and water, by foot, boat, and open vehicle.

You will enjoy some of the most amazing accommodations in the area:

This is a group itinerary with set departure dates.  You can either start in Maun and end in Victoria Falls or vice versa.

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Ultimate Tanzania Luxury Safari

Posted on May 29, 2014 by Adventures Within Reach

Our favorite luxury safari in Tanzania has to be the 8-day Fly-In Luxury Tanzania SkySafari.

It includes 4 of the nicest lodges in the region:

  1. Arusha Coffee Lodge
  2. Tarangire Treetops
  3. The Manor at Ngorongoro
  4. Serengeti Migration Camp

Tarangire Treetops is one of the most unique accommodations as all the private rooms are built tree house style, and some are even in a baobab tree!  These accommodations also give guests a good variety from a bush camp feeling to an old English manor.

It also includes the 4 major national parks in the northern circuit:

  1. Tarangire
  2. Lake Manyara
  3. Ngorongoro Crater
  4. Serengeti

Activities on this safari include

  • Coffee plantation tour
  • Walking safaris
  • Night game drives
  • Maasai village visits
  • Bush lunches

When you add all the amenities, the SkySafari is great value.  It is also excellent for families as children are 50% off.

Full SkySafari Itinerary >>

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The Markha Valley Trek of India: In a Guide’s Words

Posted on May 25, 2014 by Adventures Within Reach

 

Stok-Kangri

We asked one of our leading Ladakh guides what he especially adores about trekking in the Ladakh region of northern India, especially the Markha Valley trek, a trek we offer from Mid-May to the beginning of October. That’s a period when the premier treks in Nepal, like the Everest Base Camp trek, are not the best due to the monsoon. If you like to travel in the summer months and want a high-altitude trek of a lifetime in a remote, rugged region, the Stok Kangri trek is a true gem!

Nimaling

The first time I climbed Stok Kangri (20,187 feet) via the Markha Valley route was way back in 1993. Ladakh was still an unknown area for international travelers mind and only a government Indian airline was operating in the region.

It was love at first sight. I love treks where I get to meet local villagers along with beautiful mountain vistas. And Markha Valley has it all. Sculpted canyons and fantastic rock formations, medieval villages, Buddhist gompas, mighty Himalayan rivers, the high altitude pastures of Nimaling and snow-covered peaks are just some of the features of this unique and exciting trek,

Every time I go back, I am captivated by this surreal multicolored landscape of white capped ranges with bright green patches of barley fields below, of locals working in the fields with their donkeys and mules, pasture lands laced with hungry yaks and sheep.

For the outdoor lovers, this trek has everything to excite your senses, with the optional ascent of Stok Kangri providing an unforgettable highlight to an amazing trip.

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Epic Treks not to be missed — Europe, Aconcagua, Ecuador

Posted on May 24, 2014 by Adventures Within Reach

Tour du Mont Blanc

Hike the Tour du Mont Blanc

Hike the Tour du Mont Blanc

The Tour of the Mont Blanc is the most popular trek in Europe and is considered one of the most beautiful and spectacular tours in the world.  The shorter trek can be done in 6 days.  We have group treks running weekly June-September, or private treks can start on any day for up to 12 days.

Hike the Tour du Mont Blanc >>

Aconcagua

Climb Aconcagua on the Normal Route

Climb Aconcagua via Normal Route

Trekkers are already booking their treks up Aconcagua.  The climbing period is November to March, and AWR has group departures December to February.  We recommend climbing via the Normal Route for the best chance of success.

Ecuador Peaks

Climb Cotopaxi and Chimborazo in Ecuador

Climb Cotopaxi and Chimborazo in Ecuador

This 14-day trip will visit 7 of the most famous volcanoes in Ecuador including Chimborazo at 20,700 feet.  The itinerary also includes the most famous tourist attractions in Ecuador including the old colonial city of Quito, the equator, the famous Indian market of Otavalo, and the charming thermal city of Baños.

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Bridges of Khumbu Valley

Posted on April 28, 2014 by Adventures Within Reach

Example bridges in the Khumbu Valley for the Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal.

1.8 suspension bridge (1) 5.2

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Exquisite and Untouched Bocas del Toro, Panama

Posted on April 24, 2014 by Adventures Within Reach

http://www.tranquilobay.com/landexcursions/beachgallery_files/stacks_image_983.jpgBocas del Toro, an enchanting archipelago off the eastern coast of Panama, is a destination that we are thrilled to offer our travelers!

Bocas del Toro Islands (“mouth of the bull”) offers tons of sun, a turquoise sea, a bounty of underwater life, a host of compelling, comfortable lodges and a laid-back Caribbean feel. We have helped travelers with our 9-day Panama-only trip to Bocas del Toro that include the lush, cloud-forest highlands of Boquette, bustling Panama City and Bocas del Toro. However Bocas by itself is a great “stand alone” Panama destination that is easy to add to almost any Costa Rica tour.

http://www.tranquilobay.com/snorkeling/index_files/tropicalfishcoral.jpgThe region is especially appealing for explorers seeking the high quality adventures of Costa Rica but also wanting superior snorkeling opportunities (Costa Rica isn’t known for its snorkeling). It’s also an excellent choice for seasoned travelers who love being on the ocean and who’d prefer to focus on one region in Panama.

http://www.tranquilobay.com/accommodations/accommodationsgallery_files/mainbuldingentry.jpgTranquilo Bay is an all-inclusive lodge that’s perfect for an extended stay of 5-7 nights. Based here, you can visit remote tropical islands, enjoy fabulous snorkeling, go sea kayaking at will, and also enjoy fascinating visits to the mainland to indigenous villages, pristine forests, and coffee plantations.

Most travelers though prefer a shorter 3 or 4 night stay at a lodge like the chic Eclypse de Mar or something more rustic and secluded like Al Natural.

While Bocas del Toro is increasingly popular a year-round destination, because it is so warm and humid year-round, the best time to visit is over the winter.

See also our 9-Day Caribbean Costa Rica and Bocas del Toro Adventurer, which is a great combination of these two great countries!

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2014 Trip Contest Winners Announced

Posted on April 23, 2014 by Adventures Within Reach

Congratulations to Srikanth Jandhyala and Kathy Pengelly for winning our 2014 Trip Contest!

Kathy on winning the 4-day Galapagos Cruise on the Anahi:

Kathy won the 4-day Galapagos Cruise on the Anahi.

Kathy won the 4-day Galapagos Cruise on the Anahi.

I am a high school Spanish teacher. I have taught Spanish for many years and have traveled to many Spanish speaking countries but I have never been to Ecuador! I have ALWAYS wanted to go the the Galapagos Island! It is so exciting me to have won this opportunity to go.

I think the Galapagos will be GREAT because I will be given the opportunity to see all the amazing animals that are there and learn so much more about the environment that is unique to the Galapagos.

Kathy will be able to Scuba dive in the Galapagos

Kathy will be able to Scuba dive in the Galapagos.

I love traveling!! I have traveled extensively throughout Europe and the United States. I have visited England, Spain, France, Greece, Turkey to name a few, and last summer I went to Thailand and Cambodia. I lived for many years in Mexico and traveled extensively there. I have led many student travel trips to Europe and enjoy sharing travel experiences with my students. It is very rewarding to see my students experience so many different languages and cultures.

I hope to share my amazing trip to the Galapagos with my students. I hope to inspire them to travel there as well and inspire them to study more about the amazing history and animals on the islands.

Srikanth on winning the 5-day Inca Trail Trek:

Srikanth Jandhyala, winner of the Inca Trail Trek

Srikanth Jandhyala, winner of the Inca Trail Trek

I am software engineer by profession. Outside of my regular work, I volunteer and organize events and fundraisers. I am a amateur photographer and travel gives me the complete freedom to be away form computer and looking through the lens. My portfolio can be found at http://flickr.com/photos/srikanth_jandy

While, Peru and Machu Pichu in particular always fascinated since I saw a poster of the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu in National Geographic magazine 13 years ago.  It has always been one of the top destinations on my list.

I participate in Marathons and Hiking on a regular basis and plan to use the cross training as part of the preparation for the Inca Trail hike. I also plan to do some longer multi-day hikes to Mt. Whitney and Mt.Shasha as part of the preparation and local hikes in the Bay area, California.

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Group Inca Trail Treks to Machu Picchu for 2014

Posted on March 24, 2014 by Adventures Within Reach

Classic Inca Trail

Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu

Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu

Inca Trail permits are now sold out through August 2014, so September is the earliest you hike the Inca Trail.

We have group departures every Wednesday and Sunday on the 5-day Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu and on the 4-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

You can also upgrade to the luxury 5-day Inca Trail Trek.

Salkantay Trek

Trek to Machu Picchu

Trek to Machu Picchu

Less crowded and arguably more beautiful than the “classic” Inca Trail is the Salkantay Trail.  You do not need a permit, so there is much more availability.

Group departures are every Wednesday and Sunday for the 5-Day Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu.

Luxury Lodge to Lodge

Luxury Lodge to Lodge Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

Luxury Lodge to Lodge Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

For the ultimate trekking experience, the Luxury Lodge to Lodge Trek to Machu Picchu is a great option.

This trek has set departures weekly March – December. Daily departures available for groups of 6 or more.

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Group Tanzania Safaris for 2014

Posted on March 22, 2014 by Adventures Within Reach
Group Tanzania Safari

Hippo on safari in Tanzania

We have several group safaris in Tanzania every month.  These 5-Day Group Safaris are a great value.

Here is the 2014 schedule of group safaris:

  • June: 18, 26
  • July: 5, 11, 15*, 17, 23, 26, 29
  • August: 1, 7, 13*, 16
  • September: 5, 12*, 17, 23, 29
  • October: 5, 11*, 17, 23, 29
  • December 20, 24, 28

The safari will run with a minimum of 2 people and a maximum of 6 people with guaranteed window seat.

December-March, you will visit Lake Manyara and the Serengeti Halisi Camp will be located in the Ndutu area (Southern Serengeti area for the migration). June-October, you will visit Tarangire and the Serengeti Halisi Camp will be in a more central part of the Serengeti.

*These safari dates run concurrently with our Group Kilimanjaro Trek.

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Group Treks on Kilimanjaro for 2014

Posted on March 20, 2014 by Adventures Within Reach
Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro

Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro

We have one group Kilimanjaro each month during high season.  These groups follow the 7-Day Machame Route.

Here is the 2014 group trek schedule:

  • 11 June
  • 8 July
  • 6 August
  • 5 September
  • 4 October
  • 27 December

The price is $1995/person for 2 people joining together or $2095/person for 1 person joining.

Group departures summit on a full moon except the December trek, which summits on New Years. Groups are limited to 10 people, but the average size is 5 people. Group safaris are also scheduled around these trekking dates.

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