Galapagos/Ecuador Trip Report

Posted on May 20, 2010 by Adventures Within Reach
Kicker Rock, Galapagos

Kicker Rock, Galapagos

Galapagos Day 2:

Our morning excursion was a walk around the Darwin Bay beach and cove followed by beach and snorkeling time (about 2 hours total).

Genovesa Island is a volcano that collapsed into a crater, so now it is C-shaped, and we were parked in the middle of the “C”.  Hundreds of birds were gliding on the air over the cliffs of the island.

There were lots and lots of frigate birds with their red chests all puffed out.  We saw some of them doing their wing-flapping bird-calling mating dance, and even one couple making a match.

The guides do a great job talking about the animals, how the live, and how they interact.  The paths are well marked, so it is easy to walk around afterwards for more pictures.

The snorkeling was pretty good.  The water was warm enough, so I don’t think I will be using a wetsuit on this trip.

Animals:

  • Red-footed boobies
  • Frigate birds
  • Nazca boobies
  • Swallow Tail Gulls
  • Brown Pelicans
  • Yellow Crown Night Heron
  • Galapagos Dove
  • Sea Lions
  • Needle Fish
  • Sally Lightfoot Crabs
  • Galapagos Mockingbird

Read the full Galapagos Trip Report >>

Posted in Ecuador, Galapagos | Leave a comment

Brother and Sister Climb, Care and Change Lives on Mt. Kilimanjaro

Posted on May 19, 2010 by Adventures Within Reach

Mt. Kilimanjaro

The McReynolds siblings, Sara, of Wyoming, and Joel, of Nebraska  are combining their trek up Mt. Kilimanjaro this July with a volunteer excursion through Siouxland Tanzania Educational and Medical Ministry (STEMM).  STEMM, which bases its activities primarily out of Arusha, Tanzania, has been assisting local Tanzanians since 1996, and leading trips since 1997, providing both health care and schooling to thousands of local residents.

The pair will begin their trip with Adventures Within Reach on July 21st, climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro along the Machame Route (also known as the Whiskey Route). The summit (19,340 ft) of the tallest mountain in Africa, and the highest freestanding mountain in the world, can be  reached in under a week. The hike, though not technical, is long, strenuous and at high elevation, though Robin Paschall, owner of AWR, noted, “of the famous ‘Seven Summits,’ this is the easiest to get to and the easiest to climb.  It requires no technical climbing experience, and any moderately fit person can summit the mountain.”

The McReynolds will then join the rest of the STEMM volunteers in Arusha. As the organization leads two annual trips, once in January and once in July, the pair was fortunate to have found time to participate in this unique and meaningful venture.

“Despite lifespans in the mid 40’s and a mean annual income of less than five hundred dollars a year, [Tanzanians] demonstrate daily the joy of appreciating the blessings that God has given them,” says co-founder Dr. Steve Meyer. Since 2008 the organization has performed over 500 orthopedic surgeries, correcting disabilities and enabling individuals to walk again. STEMM has also helped to address the needs of orphans, a challenge in a country with 2 million of them. However, they send 1000 children to school each year, providing scholarships, as well as “food, shelter, clothing and love,” to those who reside in their orphanage.

As the McReynolds prepare to set out on their trip, they can look forward to both an astounding climb, as well as contributing their time to a worthy cause.  Meyer states, “We found in Tanzania a people who were in extreme need of a multiplicity of goods and services, and yet who seemed incredibly content, and taught us a great deal about priorities,” something these siblings will have the opportunity to experience firsthand.

Posted in Kilimanjaro, News, Sustainable Tourism | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Announcing our Very First Photo Contest

Posted on May 17, 2010 by Adventures Within Reach


With so many amazing photos coming in from all over the globe here at AWR, we’re having a tough time going through them and picking our favorites to add to the blog and website. Plus, whenever I start to look at pics of the friendship trail in Nepal, I just can’t seem to stop daydreaming for the rest of the day and I get nothing done! So, we decided to have a little photo contest amongst our facebook fans and see what you all can come up with. So, if you’d like to participate, just follow these simple steps by May 31st:

1) Become a fan of us on facebook:

2) Tag Adventures Within Reach in your favorite travel photo

3) Tell us you did it on our page

And you could win a gift bag full of goodies, including an awesome DVD (The Roof of Kilimanjaro), luggage loss protection service and more!!

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Open House Gala

Posted on May 11, 2010 by Adventures Within Reach

AWR Office on Pearl St. Mall in Boulder

Check out our new Facebook Event.

Our office has just moved into a new location on the Pearl St. Mall in beautiful Boulder — right next to Powell’s Sweet Shoppe – yum!

We’ve got a new staff on board to fill in the digs, and we’re planning a party to celebrate!

Our neighbors have offered to provide wine, while we’ll give you all the info on our latest deals and summer vacations for new grads, honeymooners, families and those who just can’t wait to book their next trip.

If you’re a former client, please feel free to come and share your experiences for a chance to win some great giveaways.

  • DATE: Friday, May 21, 2010
  • TIME: 5:00-7:00pm
  • LOCATION: 1200 Pearl St, Suite 60, Boulder, CO 80302
Posted in News | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Salkantay Trek September 2010

Posted on April 22, 2010 by Adventures Within Reach
Salkantay Trek in Peru

Salkantay Trek in Peru

Adventures Within Reach has a group coming together for the 8-day Salkantay and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu trek, starting the first Friday in September.  It’s an awesome adventure and includes a full day at Machu Picchu at an amazing price!

Contact us, if you are interested!

Posted in Inca Trail, Peru | Leave a comment

Machu Picchu and Easter Island July 2010

Posted on April 20, 2010 by Adventures Within Reach
Easter Island

Easter Island

Join Michael Marlow, Associate Professor of Science Education at the University of Colorado Denver, for a special tour of Peru and Easter Island!

Professor Marlow leads numerous groups every year to exotic destinations around the world.  Join him this July for a unique look of ancient civilizations at Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley near Cusco, Santiago, and Easter Island.

Itinerary

JUL 14: Arrive Lima late evening, welcome and transfer to hotel, overnight at Casa Andina Centro  Miraflores.

JUL 15: Early morning transfer to Lima airport, fly to Cusco, transfer to hotel, free afternoon, dinner at local Andean restaurant, overnight at El Balcon in Cusco (BD).

JUL 16: Morning walking tour of Cusco, afternoon tour of nearby ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Tambo Machay and Qenko, overnight at El Balcon in Cusco (B).

JUL 17: Full day tour of Chinchero, Maras and Moray, overnight at Tika Wasi Valley Hotel in Ollantaytambo (BL).

JUL 18: Full day tour of the Sacred Valley, visiting Pisac market and ruins and Ollantaytambo ruins and village, and, as time allows, Descanso recreation area, llama farm, or Awanacancha Textile Center, overnight at Tika Wasi Valley Hotel in Ollantaytambo (BL).

JUL 19: Transfer to train station for Vistadome train to Machu Picchu, free day in Aguas Calientes, visit the hot springs baths and outdoor market, or climb Putucusi Mountain, overnight at El Presidente Hotel in Aguas Calientes (B).

JUL 20: Guided tour of Machu Picchu, lunch in Aguas Calientes, afternoon return by Vistadome train to Cusco, transfer to hotel, overnight at El Balcon in Cusco (BL).

JUL 21: Transfer to Cusco airport for flight to Lima, fly to Santiago, welcome and transfer to hotel, overnight Hotel Neruda (B).

JUL 22: Guided tour of Santiago and free afternoon, overnight at Hotel Neruda (B).

JUL 23: Transfer to airport for flight to Easter Island, transfer to hotel, free afternoon, overnight at Hotel Otai (B).

JUL 24: Full day tour visiting Ahu Vaihu, Rano Raraku, Tongarik, Te Pito Te Kura, Ahu Ngau and Anakena Beach, overnight at Hotel Otai (BL).

JUL 25: Morning tour of Rano Kau and Orongo, Ahu Vinapu and Ana Kai Tangata, afternoon tour of  Ahu Akivi, Ana Tepahu, and Puna Pau, overnight at Hotel Otai (B).

JUL 26: Transfer to airport for departure (B).

Only $2995/person (land-only)

Posted in Machu Picchu, Peru | Leave a comment

Photos from Around the World on Flickr

Posted on March 8, 2010 by Adventures Within Reach

AWR has joined Flickr in a big way!  Enjoy our photos from

Posted in Bhutan, Inca Trail, Kilimanjaro, Machu Picchu, Nepal, News, Peru, Safari, Tanzania, Tibet, Trekking | Leave a comment

When To Go Where

Posted on February 24, 2010 by Adventures Within Reach

Not sure where to go when? Prime season is when the weather is typically the best. Low season is when the weather is the worst (rainy or cold), but also is typically cheaper and has fewer people. Shoulder season typically has unpredictable weather (maybe some good and some bad). July, August and at Christmas-time are the busiest months just about everywhere because most people travel in these times.

Prime season
Shoulder season
Low season

Holidays are a popular time to travel, but banks, museums, and other businesses may be closed including New Years Eve and Day, Christmas Eve and Day, Easter, and Good Friday. Also check for local holidays.

Tanzania

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Safari
Kilimanjaro
Zanzibar

Kenya

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Safari
Mt. Kenya
Mombasa

Uganda/Rwanda

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Safari/Gorillas

Peru

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Machu Picchu
Inca Trail *
Cusco/Lima
Cordillera Blanca

* The Inca Trail is closed in February.

Galapagos/Ecuador

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Galapagos
Cotopaxi
Mainland

Aconcagua

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Trekking

Costa Rica

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Tours

Bhutan

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Tours
Trekking

Nepal

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Tours
Trekking

Tibet

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Tours
Trekking

Haute Route

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Trekking/Skiing
Posted in Aconcagua, Bhutan, Ecuador, Europe, Galapagos, Inca Trail, Kenya, Kilimanjaro, Machu Picchu, Nepal, Peru, Safari, Tanzania, Tibet, Travel Advice, Trekking, Uganda / Rwanda | Leave a comment

Haute Route Hut-to-Hut (France-Switzerland)

Posted on February 23, 2010 by Adventures Within Reach
Haute Route

Skiing along the Haute Route

We are very excited to offer our first adventure to Europe!  The Haute Route is a unique experience that is worth doing at least once in a lifetime. The excellent mountain huts of the Alps will allow you to complete this winter adventure in what is considered the most famous ski tour of the world!

Winter Haute Route (ski touring)

Chamonix to Zermatt, the Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn. The High Route, or Haute Route, joins the two of the great mountaineering centers in the world – Chamonix and Zermatt – one overshadowed by the highest massif in Western Europe (with the Mont Blanc or “White Mountain,” at 15,781 feet), and the other by the most iconic, and probably the most elegant, of the Europe’s alpine peaks (the Matterhorn at 14,692 feet).

Haute Route

Haute Route hut-to-hut

Accompanied by experienced Swiss or French mountain guides, you will experience a true winter adventure traversing a majestic landscape crowned by the greatest concentration of 4000 meters peaks in the Alps. All while staying in the excellent system of mountain huts with half board and welcoming interiors, you’ll complete this high-altitude, winter adventure on what is considered among the most famous ski tours of the world.

The route takes a total of 7 days (8 days including your transfer from Geneva to Chamonix and a first overnight), with 6 nights in mountain huts.  Lodging options before or after the route can be arranged for clients who wish to spend extra time visiting the region or skiing.

  • Prices start at $2495/person

We also offer the summer Haute Route by foot and custom itineraries. Do you wish to do a shorter or longer variation of the ski touring Haute Route? Are you interested in other trekking possibilities in the regions around Chamonix and Zermatt? Are you interested in climbing a peak such as the Mont Blanc, the highest point in the Alps? Please contact us for more information and pricing.

Haute Route >>

Posted in Europe, Trekking | Leave a comment

Robin’s Bucket List

Posted on February 12, 2010 by Adventures Within Reach

I was at an Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) meeting yesterday, and the topic of a “bucket list” came up, which got me thinking about mine.  Here are my top 10.  I am only 40% complete!

  1. Climb Kilimanjaro
  2. See Machu Picchu
  3. Scuba dive in the Galapagos
  4. Hike to Everest Base Camp
  5. Sail in the British Virgin Islands
  6. Trek in Patagonia
  7. Cruise to Antarctica
  8. Hike to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery in Bhutan
  9. See the gorillas in Uganda/Rwanda
  10. Ski the Haute Route France to Switzerland

I would love to hear about your bucket lists!

Posted in Travel Advice | Leave a comment