Interactive Kilimanjaro Map
We have just posted our new Interactive Kilimanjaro map!
It is used to track Kilimanjaro climbs using a Spot tracking device.
You can have this device on your trek and status updates will be posted to your Facebook account!
The new airport in Quito, Ecuador (Tababela Airport) opened on February 20, 2013.
This new airport will be used to service all our Ecuador tours and Galapagos cruises.
Travel time from the new airport into the city center of Quito is 1-1/2 hours in good traffic (up to 2+ hours with traffic).
The departure taxes from the new Quito Airport will increase, but these will just be incorporated into all flight tickets. Therefore, flight prices will increase slightly.
We are happy to announce our Antarctica Cruise Contest!
This is a buy-one-get-one free offer to one lucky winner, who will be chosen in April 2013.
Includes: Antarctica cruise on the M/V Plancius for up to 20 days starting and ending in Ushuaia, Argentina in any cabin based on availability for the 2013-2014 Antarctic expedition season
Excludes: Flights, fuel surcharge, optional activities and excursions, tipping, and any personal expenses.
Note: Standard expedition terms and conditions (including cancellation policies) apply, which are available upon request. Deposits are non-refundable.
Contest Dates: January 1, 2013 – March 31, 2013
Contest Notes: Contest is open legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia who are at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of entry. Limit one (1) entry per person, per email address, and per household for the duration of the Contest Period, regardless of method of entry.
The Matterhorn Reflected in the Riffelsee
We love the Alps and we love Zermatt! I’ve written about great hikes near Chamonix, and now I’ll share my five favorite hikes above Zermatt. These are great hikes for independent hikers and could be considered the top-five or best hikes in Zermatt! I’d recommend them to anyone finishing our Summer Haute Route Hiking or our Summer Haute Route Glacier Trek itineraries. They would also be great hikes for folks looking for a change of scenery after completing the Tour du Mont Blanc!
Most of these great hikes stop in little hamlets above Zermatt. Read below to learn about these hikes and tips such as where to find the best cinnamon ice cream in the Zermatt valley!
1) Schwarzsee to the Hörnli Hut (base of the Matterhorn)
The Hörnlihütte and the Matterhorn
This hike takes you to the base of the Matterhorn’s most famous climbing route and the hut where climbers spend the night before heading to the summit. It is a must-do hike weather permitting. Make sure to inquire in town about conditions, as the trail can be dangerous if covered with ice.
Take the gondola up to the Schwarzsee station. As an ambitious day hike you can also start from town by heading through either Furi or Zmutt. Upon returning to Schwarzee you can decide whether to take the gondola back to town.
It is possible to spend the night at the Hörnli hut, but I recommend it only as a day hike. Of course you can relax at the hut in the late morning to watch for climbers returning from a summit attempt! If you want to try to reach the summit, contact us about hiring a guide.
Hiking time roundtrip from Schwarzee: 4 to 5 hours
2) Zermatt to the Gornergrat via the Riffelsee
The Monte Rosa and the Gorner Glacier
This hike takes you through the beautiful larch forests above Zermatt, past tree-line and all the way to the Gornergrat above the scenic Gorner glacier. The Gornergrat is the site of the end of a mountain train line and the site of a hotel, so it is easy to take the train one-way back to Zermatt (40 chf one-way, 20 chf with the half tariff card or a SwissCard). The view from the top offers some of the best vantage points of the Monte Rosa, the Lyskamm, Castor, Pollux and the Breithorn. All of Zermatt’s 4000 meter peaks in full splendor!
There are several ways to reach the Gornergrat. I recommend starting in Winkelmatten or taking the train up to Riffelalp – note: the hike up to Riffelalp is a wonderful stroll through the forest! From Riffelalp, take the trail furthest to the south above the Gorner valley. Once you arrive at the Riffelsee under the Riffelhorn there is one main trail leading to the Gornergrat.
If you want to hike back down to Zermatt I recommend taking the trail that descends across the ski slopes and leads to Findeln. Note that hiking down will likely take about 3.5 hours.
Hiking time one-way: approximately 4.5 to 5 hours with stops.
Food tip: If you take the train down from Gornergrat consider stopping off for dinner at Riffelalp. The restaurant across from the 5-star hotel has delicious Rösti with Bratwurt. You can then hike down into town before dusk (about 45 minutes) or get back on the train.
3) Zermatt to Trift and back to Zermatt
Hiking up the Triftbach
I’ve done this hike several times. I’ll describe heading up on the northern most trail through avalanche barriers, but note that the hike is also great in reverse.
Start across the train tracks and angle northwest above the northern edge of town. The trail wanders up through avalanche barriers to a high point before descending to the splendid Trift Valley and the Hôtel du Trift. The hike back to town descends the Triftbach (a Bach is a stream), by the Edelweiss hut and then into town near the church. You can extend the hike by exploring above the Hôtel du Trift. Ambitious hikers can make it all the way to the Platthorn and the Mettelhorn.
Hiking time roundtrip without Mettelhorn: 4.5 hours
Food tip: Be sure to stop off at Edelweiss (or Alterhaupt) for a Rösti or a piece of pie! A quick hike up to Edelweiss for lunch is also great if you are short on time or are looking for a mellow hike on a rainy day.
Overnight: You can spend a night at the Hôtel du Trift to split the hike up into two days and explore the trails higher up the valley, for example to the Mettelhorn. If you are lucky Hugo Biner, the hut warden, might play his Alpenhorn! You can also sleep at Edelweiss, a hut that has hosted famous climbers including the great Edward Whymper!
4) Zermatt to the Oberrothorn and return via Findeln
The Oberrothorn
To complete this hike in a relaxed day, first take the tram up to the Unterrothorn, then descend the ski slope to the Oberrothorn trail. This trail is an out and back to the summit. When you return to the start of this trail, descend the ski slopes to the south, eventually ending at Fluealp. From Fluealp return to Blauherd by the beautiful Stellisee. From Blauherd you can continue hiking down to either Sunnegga or to town or take the gondola and the Sunnegga train back to town. It is also possible to hike all the way from town to the summit and then take the lift back down, but note that hiking from town to the summit is almost 6000 vertical feet! So it would be an very ambitious hike!
Hiking time from Unterrothorn to the summit and back to Blauherd: 4.5 hours
Be sure to stop at the Stellisee for a picturesque lake with views of the Matterhorn. On a calm day you can get a picture of the Matterhorn’s reflection into the lake! Should you have any leftover bread from a picnic, throw a few crumbs into the water… you’ll be surprised by what lives in this alpine lake! (hint: big trout)
Food tip: On your way back to town stop off in Findeln for a drink or an amazing piece of Apfelstrudel at Chez Vrony. If you opt to ride back into town on the train, I recommend a stop for apricot pie at Fluealp where you can also spend the night.
5) Zermatt to Chalbermatten and return via Zmutt and Zumsee
The view up the valley from Chalbermatten
This hike is an out and back hike under the north face of the Matterhorn. It’s a classic and takes you through the picturesque hamlet of Zmutt. You can turn it into a loop of sorts by starting via Eldelweiss and taking the high contour through Hubel. I highly recommend this option!
Hiking time roundtrip: 4 to 5 hours
Food tip: Just before the final stretch of trail back into Zermatt, be sure to make the 15 minute detour up to Zumsee. Stop off at Max und Greti’s for Zermatt’s best cinnamon ice cream! They also have a full menu if you are hungry or didn’t stop for food in Zmutt.
There are many great hikes above Zermatt, and these are some of my favorites!
Humpback Whale/ Photo © Jamie Scherbeijn-Oceanwide Expeditions
On our 10-day whale-watching theme voyage in Antarctica on the Plancius, March 20 to 29, 2013, we still have space available in the twin window cabins and the superior cabins.
For new reservations only, booking a full twin window cabin or a full superior cabin (two berths / two persons in one reservation), we are offering a 30 % discount per person on the following cruise fares:
Detailed Itinerary (Ushuaia to Ushuaia)
Gentoo penguins/ Photo © Erwin Vermeulen-Oceanwide Expeditions
DAY 1, departure: In the afternoon, we embark in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world located at the Beagle Channel and sail through this scenic waterway for the rest of the evening.
DAY 2-3, at sea: During these two days we sail across the Drake Passage. When we cross the Antarctic Convergence, we arrive in the circum-Antarctic up welling zone. In this area we may see Wandering Albatrosses, Grey Headed Albatrosses, Black- browed Albatrosses, Light- mantled Sooty Albatrosses, Cape Pigeons, Southern Fulmars, Wilson’s Storm Petrels, Blue Petrels and Antarctic Petrels. Near the South Shetland Islands, we spot our first icebergs.
DAY 4-7, Antarctica: We will sail directly to “High Antarctica”, passing the Melchior islands and the Schollaert Channel between Brabant and Anvers Island. On Cuverville Island, a small precipitous island, nestled between the mountains of the Antarctic Peninsula and Danco Island, we will find a large colony of Gentoo Penguins and breeding pairs of Brown Skuas. If we land on Danco Island we can observe Chinstrap Penguins and possibly Weddell and Crabeater Seals. In Neko Harbour we will have the opportunity to set foot on the Antarctic Continent in a magnificent landscape of huge glacier and enjoy the landscape during zodiac cruises. When sailing to Paradise Bay, with its myriad icebergs and deep cut fjords, we will have the opportunity for zodiac cruising between the icebergs in the inner parts of the fjords. In this area we have good chances to see Humpback Whales and Minke Whales. After sailing through the Neumayer Channel, we hope to get permission to visit the British research station and post office Port Lockroy on Goudier Island. Close to Port Lockroy we may also offer a landing on Jougla Point with Gentoo Penguins and Imperial Shags. We sail through the spectacular Lemaire Channel to Pleneau and Petermann Island where we can find Adelie Penguins and Blue-eyed Shags. In this area, there are good chances to encounter Humpback Whales, Minke Whales and Fin Whales. A visit to one of the scientific stations in Antarctica will give you an insight about the life of modern Antarcticans working on the White Continent. Further south we may visit the Ukrainian Vernadsky Station, where we will receive a warm welcome from the station crew. Sailing north through Neumayer Channel we arrive at the Melchior Islands with a very beautiful landscape with icebergs, where we may encounter Leopard Seals, Crabeater Seals and whales.
DAY 8-9, at sea: On our way north we are again followed by a great selection of seabirds while crossing the Drake Passage.
DAY 10, arrival: We arrive in the morning in Ushuaia and disembark.
For passengers with flexibility there are some excellent specials: save up to $400 per person on select Galapagos cruises!
Discounts on the Anahi 16-passenger Catamaran for February and March departures:
On the Galapagos Legend or the Corals on select dates: 10% off or a free cabin upgrade!
Enjoy special rates on the Luxury Athala 16-passenger Catamaran, for departures on March 16, April 20 and 27, and May 11, 2013.
We are always learning about new specials, so contact us to learn about more Galapagos specials!
South Georgia with famous explorers, March 20 to April 6, 2013
The M/V Ortelius
This is a “once in a lifetime” opportunity to join the passenger expedition vessel “Ortelius” for an 18-day voyage to South Georgia with two famous Polar explorers and guest speakers onboard. The well-known Polar explorers, Børge Ousland (from Norway) and Thomas Ulrich (from Switzerland), will be onboard as guest lecturers and guides of a small team of ski crossers who follow the historic footsteps of Shackleton. This voyage on the “Ortelius” will start on March 20, 2013 in Ushuaia, Argentina and ends on April 6, 2013 in Montevideo, Uruguay.
The voyage to South Georgia will have the following highlights:
30 % discount offer: For new reservations, we offer a special 30% discount on all cabin prices (availability allowing). New bookings will also receive a free signed copy of Børge Ousland’s book “Greatest Polar Journey” or “Northern Passage”onboard the Ortelius (as long as stock lasts).
2-FOR-1: For new reservations, book one space at full price and the second person travels free!
Prices:
Note: all prices reflect 30% discount. Rates are for the cruise only. All cabins aboard “Ortelius” have private bathroom. Prices incl. all meals, free use of rubber boots, all excursions and zodiac transfers and services of our expedition staff, all harbour and landing fees and a transfer from the vessel to the airport. Prices, both the 30% offer and the 2-for-1 offer, exclude flights, pre and post tours and a fuel surcharge of $425 per person. For the 2-for-1 offer, final price for 2 people will reflect 30% increase to the discounted rates above.
Forests and Glaciers above Chamonix, France on the Tour du Mont Blanc
The Tour du Mont Blanc is our favorite trek in the French and Swiss Alps and our recommendation to anyone embarking on their first trip in these amazing mountains. We offer an 8-day itinerary with 6 days of hiking, covering the highlights of the trek in France, Italy and Switzerland. Many dates are already guaranteed for this summer!
Experienced guides from Chamonix lead these treks. We also offer the following variations of the Tour du Mont Blanc along with the Haute Route trek to Zermatt:
View all our treks in the Alps >>>
Contact us to plan your adventure in the Alps!
The Cody Hickerson Memorial Foundation is sponsoring a charity climb on Kilimanjaro supporting in September 2013.
All proceeds for the charity climb will to the Make A Difference Now orphanage in Tanzania.
SEP 20: Arrive Kilimanjaro Airport, transfer, overnight Parkview Hotel
SEP 21: Rest Day, overnight Parkview Hotel (B)
SEP 22-27: 6 Day Rongai Trek
SEP 28: Rest Day – free day to visit “Make a Difference Now” programs or alternate local culture events, overnight Parkview Hotel (B)
SEP 29: Rest Day – free day to visit “Make a Difference Now” programs or alternate local culture events, overnight Parkview Hotel (B)
SEP 30-OCT 4: 5 Day Tanzania Safari
OCT 5: Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport, Depart (B)
$3860/PERSON TOTAL
Includes 6 day guided Kilimanjaro Climb, 5 day guided Safari, airport transfers, hotels, and meals during the climb and safari.
Adventures Within Reach organizes Kilimanjaro charity climbs for many great causes.
We are delighted to announce a trek organized by David Noyes in support of Innocent Eyes Project, which advocates for child education programs in developing countries.
Photographer David Noyes leads Kilimanjaro trek “for a cause”
March 1 – 9, 2013, award winning photographer and travel writer David Noyes will lead a Mount Kilimanjaro summit trek in Tanzania to support his new charitable organization Innocent Eyes Project, Inc.
“It is impossible to travel into poor or isolated corners of the developing world and not be touched by the innocent eyes of a young child,” commented Noyes. “As a photographer and travel writer, I have been fortunate to visit some of the world’s great places. I am starting Innocent Eyes Project, Inc. in 2013 to financially assist grassroots child education programs working in developing countries. It is my way of giving back just a little bit to the people and places that have shaped my life,” he continued.
In 2000 the World Education Forum in Dakar committed 164 nations to achieving free universal basic education by 2015. While a tremendous amount has been done there is still a lot to do. Two billion children, 85 percent of the world’s total, live in the developing world. Their futures and those of their children depend on whether they go to school and how much they learn. UNESCO reports that 100 million children of primary school age (15 percent of the worldwide total) are not in school. Sub-Saharan Africa now accounts for half of the world’s out-of-school children.
“During my travels, I met some very special people who saw a need, addressed a problem and were determined to make a difference in the lives of children who live below the radar of governments and international aid organizations,” said Noyes. Many of these hero’s are American travelers who partnered with a local individual or community to build a school or library, hire a teacher, help pay for books, supplies and uniforms, or cover the tuition for a child in need. With targeted donations to programs that have a proven record of success, we can do some wonderful things in local communities that will create a ripple effect and touch the lives of thousands.”
Planned with Colorado based adventure travel tour operator Adventures Within Reach, the trek will follow the Machame Route with 3-nights in Moshi. This trek will be the first of what Noyes says will be an annual fundraising event that will make a difference in the lives of children and allow trekkers to share one of the great experiences in the world.
A graduate of RIT and Harvard University, David Noyes has received 12 North American Travel Journalist Association (NATJA) awards for his photography and travel writing including the Grand Prize for Photography in both 2010 and 2011. He was also awarded a prestigious 2010 Lowell Thomas Award for his article “The Sacred City of Shiva” about Varanasi, India. Noyes has lead several photo safaris to East Africa, Nepal, and India. He has trekked the Inca trail to Machu Picchu and the trail to Everest Base Camp in Nepal.
You can see more of David’s work at www.noyestravels.com.
For more information about the trek email david@noyestravels.com
Innocent Eyes Project 2013 Kilimanjaro
Make a difference in the lives of children and experience Africa on this extraordinary led by award-winning photographer and travel writer, David Noyes.
Trek Highlights
March 1: Arrive Kilimanjaro Airport, transfer, overnight Bristol Cottages or similar
March 2: Rest Day (visit a local school with Make a Difference), overnight Bristol Cottages or similar (B)
March 3 – 8: 6 Day Machame Trek
March 3: Machame Camp (BLD)
March 4: Shira Camp (BLD)
March 5: Barranco Camp (BLD)
March 6: Barafu Camp (BLD)
March 7: Summit, Millenium/Mweka Camp (BLD)
March 8: Return to Moshi, overnight Bristol Cottages or similar (BL)
March 9: Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport, Depart (B)
***NOTE: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
Pricing
$1,845/person for the Kilimanjaro trek
$240/person for 3 hotel night(s) in Moshi
$160/person for Kilimanjaro Airport transfers
$1,000 donation to Innocent Eyes Project
$3,245 TOTAL (Price does not include flights to Kilimanjaro Airport.)
Price includes
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