Survival School Search

Whether you sail, hike or ski, you’ll enjoy nature more by being prepared. When selecting a wilderness-skills course, consider these factors.

By Laurel Kallenbach for Experience Life

• Length and level of training. One- or two-day courses offer an outdoor-preparedness overview, whereas longer courses (four days to three weeks) delve deeper so you can hone real skills.
• Physical challenge. At minimum, you must be able to hike a few miles a day with a light pack. For rigorous or high-altitude trips, train in advance for several months. Courses that simulate emergency hardships (hunger, thirst, extreme temperatures) require physical and mental prep.
• Terrain and conditions. Most courses teach skills that focus on deserts, mountains, woodlands or extreme weather conditions. Consider a course that supports your favorite activities (winter safety for skiers, summer survival for backpackers).
• Cost. Outfitters charge $100 to $200 per day. Budget for extras such as a knife, compass or metal drinking container, but don’t count on a lot of additional gear.

Laurel Kallenbach is a freelance writer and editor from Boulder, Colo. She is a regular contributor to Experience Life.

Experience Life magazine is an award-winning health and fitness publication that aims to empower people to live their best, most authentic lives, and challenges the conventions of hype, gimmicks and superficiality in favor of a discerning, whole-person perspective. Visit www.experiencelifemag.com to learn more, to subscribe, and to sign up for the Experience Life newsletter.

Fifty “Eco-Friendly” Ways to Experience the Unforgettable Nature of an O.A.R.S. Adventure

Angels Camp, California – O.A.R.S. (Outdoor Adventure River Specialists), announced today the release of their 2010 full-color catalog featuring “50 ways to experience the unforgettable nature of an O.A.R.S. adventure.”

Recognized by National Geographic Adventure Magazine as “The Best River & Sea Outfitter on Earth,” O.A.R.S. has been a leader in the whitewater rafting and adventure travel industry for 40 years. The California-based, eco-conscious organization provides exceptional whitewater rafting, sea kayaking, hiking and multi-sport adventures throughout the western U.S., Canada, Latin America and Fiji.

Beyond the stunning photography and the robust selection of nature-based adventures, what is most remarkable about the new O.A.R.S. catalog is the company’s demonstrated commitment to reducing their impact on the environment. This year O.A.R.S. downsized their print run and reduced the number of pages in their catalog in favor of better paper rather than more paper and introduced an easy-to-navigate online version of their catalog.

Steve Markle, O.A.R.S. Marketing and Partnerships Director, stated from Angels Camp, California, recently, “Conservation is the foundation of our company and we are committed to minimizing our footprint on the planet. This year our catalog is printed in the U.S. on New Leaf Paper Company’s Symphony Gloss, which contains 30% Post-Consumer Waste and is Elemental Chlorine Free. The cover stock is Primavera Gloss, which is 80% Recycled, 60% Post-Consumer Waste and Elemental Chlorine Free. Both the paper and the printer we’ve selected for this year’s catalog are Forest Stewardship Council chain of custody certified and we printed with vegetable-based inks.”

The number of pages in the company’s catalog may have decreased, but O.A.R.S. did not reduce their selection of adventures. New itineraries in 2010 include hiking the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River in Yosemite National Park and a new lodge-based sea kayaking adventure in British Columbia. Located northeast of Vancouver Island, Johnstone Strait is internationally recognized as the best location to see orca whales in the wild. Nearly 300 orcas (a.k.a. killer whales) congregate here each summer between June and September.

Additional vacation options in 2010 include O.A.R.S.’ signature rafting expeditions in the Grand Canyon and dozens of other national park adventures, Idaho whitewater rafting trips on the Wild and Scenic Salmon and Snake rivers, family-friendly vacations on Oregon’s Rogue River and the Green River through the Gates of Lodore in Colorado, as well as a variety of sea kayaking, hiking and multi-sport adventures varying in length from a ½-day to more than two weeks.

&Beyond Making a Positive Difference to Health

In addition to its founding values of Care of the Land, Care of the Wildlife, Care of the People, &Beyond strongly believes in promoting the wellbeing of its staff and the local communities.

Launched in 2003, ‘Positively &Beyond’ is an initiative designed to train &Beyond staff to counsel and care for people with life-threatening diseases, including HIV/Aids. The programme is run by Neil Orr, a research psychologist, and David Patient, who, after 26 years, is one of the longest documented HIV-positive survivors in the world.

The week-long course is based around the benefits of natural vitamins and minerals, affordable foodstuffs and the power of positive thinking. It takes into account that in Africa many people living with HIV/Aids come from impoverished rural areas, and focuses on affordable prevention and treatment.

The course teaches how to counsel those living with incurable diseases, how to identify unresolved feelings that pose obstacles to wellness, how to make affordable home remedies and how to promote nutrition through creating vegetable gardens.

On completion of the course, trainees transfer their newly acquired knowledge into their communities through workshops and one on one sessions promoting healthy living and a positive attitude.

In addition, &Beyond is particularly proud of two wellness programmes that focus on keeping staff healthy and motivated. The ‘Goal is Life’ harnesses Africa’s love for the great game of soccer to promote healthy activity and ‘Sing for Life’ celebrates the passion in modern African music, as well as the timeless traditions of African drumming, singing and dancing.
&Beyond has committed substantial funding to its health programmes, the first of their kind. These highly successful initiatives have seen &Beyond nominated for Best Community Service Programme at Virtuoso’s Best of the Best Awards in 2007, as well as for the Tourism for Tomorrow (Investor in People category) Awards in 2005.

Support and Track the Snow Leopard

World Big Cat Safaris, the privately-owned specialist safari-company, has launched a pioneering 15-day trip to Ladakh in the Indian Himalaya, in search of the rare snow leopard. The trip, for a group of up to 9 travellers, begins in Delhi on February 15 2010 and is priced from £2,950pp (2 sharing) or £3,600 for solo travellers. Leading the group is Dr Yash Veer Bhatnagar, director of The Snow Leopard Trust and a world authority on the rarest and most beautiful of wild cats.

The time of year and the location offer the best chance to see the critically endangered snow leopard, of which 4000 – 7500 are estimated to live in the mountain regions of Central Asia. In winter months they move to lower altitudes in pursuit of prey, and the Ladakh region sees the highest number of sightings. Other wildlife likely to be seen by the group includes Golden Eagle, Argali (impressively horned wild sheep), Bharal (blue sheep), Red Fox and Tibetan Magpie.

On arrival in Dehli (international flights can be booked independently or by World Big Cat Safaris) the group flies to Leh to acclimatise. At altitudes between 3500m and 4200m, the itinerary includes Husing – the snow leopard capital – the upper Rumbak Valley, Phyang Village, Ganda La and the remote village of Yurutse. Accommodation combines quality hotels (in the towns), tented camps and local houses in mountain villages, where guests will enjoy a fascinating experience of the traditions, cuisine and culture of a warm and hospitable people.

Cultural highlights of the trip will include Shey Palace and Monastery (a ruined palace with a spectacular 39-foot Sakyamuni Buddha, of gilded copper), Hemis Monastery (the largest and richest in Ladakh) and Stok Palace on the other side of the Indus. Views of the Zanskar Range and K2 on the return journey to Delhi are a memorable way to end this adventure of a lifetime. Travellers will need to be prepared for harsh weather and extreme cold, but a sighting of the snow leopard will more than make up for any hardship.

The price includes accommodation, most meals, internal flights (Delhi-Leh-Delhi), transfers, porters/ponies (to carry baggage), park/monument fees, local guides, insulated mattresses/sleeping bags and the invaluable knowledge of Dr. Yash Bhatnagar. The Snow Leopard Safari supports The Snow Leopard Trust and the local Ladakh communities.

For more information, please see the Track the Snow Leopards PDF Brochure.

RESERVATIONS : Tel: 01273 691 642 / www.worldbigcatsafaris.com

Cox & Kings Explores the Wilder Side of Jordan

TAMPA, FL (Nov 23, 2009)–Tour operator Cox & Kings announces a new Private Travel Journey “Hidden Treasures of Jordan.” The tour introduces Jordan to visitors who are looking to connect with the country’s untouched and undiscovered side–both its nature and people. Not only does the tour cover musts for a first time visitor, but also features stays at two new eco-lodges, benefiting local communities and assisting conservation efforts of several nature reserves within the country.

The rugged landscape of the Dana Nature Reserve, extending from the top of the Jordan Rift Valley to the desert lowlands of Wadi Araba, is carefully managed for sustainable use of natural resources and a minimal environmental footprint. The area contains a varied plant life, nearly 150 species of bird life and over 200 recorded mammals and reptiles, including the ibex and mountain gazelle. On a day trek, one will see the occasional Bedouin family herding their goats, camels and sheep through the stark landscape.

Guests on the tour stay at Feynan Lodge, one of the recent environmentally-friendly projects supported by the King and Queen of Jordan. Electricity is generated by solar power and light is furnished by candles and lanterns scattered throughout the 26-room lodge. Simply furnished rooms have an en suite bathroom with hot water and a walk-in shower. The menu uses fresh produce raised by local Bedouins. Evenings at the lodge end with mint tea served under the star on the rooftop terrace.

Near the Dead Sea, the marshland of Azraq Wetlands Reserve is being aggressively restored. Here, guests walk along the Marsh Trail with a naturalist to see birds migrating from Siberia and Scandinavia on their way to Africa. In ancient times the area was an important stopover for camel trains traversing the eastern desert.

On this 13-day, 12-night, program, guests will also tour the sites of Petra, Jerash, Madaba, and Kerak. The journey is priced from $6,145 per person double occupancy, includes some meals and all sightseeing with a private guide. The best time to visit Jordan is during spring or fall.

About Cox & Kings
Founded by Richard Cox in London, 1758, Cox & Kings is the longest running travel company in the world. Specialists in both small group and private, customized tours, their Exquisite Cultural & Wildlife Adventures cover Africa, Asia & Pacific, India & Beyond, Latin America, and Arabia & Northern Africa.

Contact:
Nicole Beattie
Cox & Kings
813-258-3323
nbeattie@coxandkingsusa.com
www.coxandkingsusa.com

African Homesteads Wins Global Gold at International Property Awards

New York – The African Homesteads at &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, took top honors last week at the International Property Awards ceremony in San Diego.

The African Homesteads won global gold in the most prestigious category, Best International Property, beating out finalists from the competition’s six geographical regions–Africa, Europe, Middle East, UK, Americas and Asia-Pacific. The International Property Awards are the largest celebration of the residential and commercial property industry worldwide.

Designed as the ultimate retreat for owners to share with family and friends, the 15 exclusive African Homesteads represent luxury value at the top end of the property market. Priced from US$6 million for a 70-year lease, each four-bedroom, 8,600-square-foot Homestead occupies a private 10-acre site, but owners have traversing rights over the full extent of the 56,800-acre Big Five Reserve. Expansive wooden verandahs and a large infinity pool at each Homestead offer magnificent views of the bush and the wildlife that passes through it. Each African Homestead is equipped with its own 4×4 safari vehicle and is managed by an &Beyond-trained team, including a ranger, tracker, chef and host who provide the unbeatable safari experience characteristic of &Beyond’s award-winning lodges.

“We are delighted that our innovative safari Homestead in one of the most naturally beautiful locations has been acknowledged as the best property offering in the world,” said Kevin Pretorius, &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve’s Regional Director.

To know more, please visit: www.africanhomesteads.com. And to learn more about &Beyond, visit: www.andbeyond.com.

Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards Recognizes Rivers Fiji For It’s Preservation of Cultural Heritage Practices

Angels Camp, California – Rivers Fiji, an O.A.R.S. (Outdoor Adventure River Specialists) affiliate organization, has been highly commended in the “Preservation of Cultural Heritage” category at this year’s Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards. Rivers Fiji, a whitewater rafting and multi-sport outfitter committed to sustainable tourism practices in the Fiji Islands, was selected as one of the top 35 companies out of more than 2000 nominations worldwide.

The Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards are the most prestigious and competitive of their kind in the world. They are a collaboration of the online travel directory responsibletravel.com, UK media partners Telegraph Travel and Geographical Magazine and World Travel Market (WTM). WTM hosted the awards ceremony earlier this month. The central tenet of the awards is that all types of tourism can and should be operated in a way that respects and benefits destinations and local people.

Rivers Fiji is the result of one of many O.A.R.S. Family of Companies’ sustainable tourism endeavours. George and Pam Wendt founded O.A.R.S. in 1969 with a goal to help people of all ages and abilities enjoy “the best outdoor experience of their lives.” This Northern California-based whitewater rafting and adventure travel outfitter is recognized as a leading environmental steward within the industry. O.A.R.S. was the first, and only, North American rafting outfitter to be 100% carbon neutral through the support of carbon offset projects that are inspected, verified and certified by independent third parties including Green-e, the Gold Standard, CDM, and the Climate, Community and Biodiversity Alliance. Because of O.A.R.S.’ eco-savvy reputation, they have been asked repeatedly to host education trips for congressional staffers, politicians and eco-celebrities. It is the 1998 founding of Rivers Fiji, however, that the company is most proud.
 
By supporting community development and environmental conservation, Rivers Fiji programs are not only “eco-friendly,” they define eco-tourism. With the help of 9 mataqali (landowning groups), 2 villages, a logging company, and the Native Land Trust Board (NLTB), O.A.R.S. and Rivers Fiji successfully established the Upper Navua Conservation Area in 2000. This unique public-private partnership protects the pristine Upper Navua River Canyon from future logging or gravel extraction in a 10.5-mile conservation corridor. In return, Rivers Fiji compensates the NLTB and landowners through lease payments, user fees and employment opportunities.

Rivers Fiji believes that empowering local communities in this manner makes its programs successful. “We have created full-time employment for the local people,” said George Wendt, President of the O.A.R.S. Family of Companies. “In fact, with the exception of our managing director, all of our employees are from the communities where we operate. Thus they have a real stake in the long-term sustainability of the places we visit and in Rivers Fiji as a sustainable tourism operation. Infractions by logging companies and plans for road development through the conservation area have been thwarted due to mataqali alerting Rivers Fiji management and local authorities.”

Steve Markle, O.A.R.S. Marketing and Partnerships Director, stated from the awards ceremony in London, “Historically Fiji’s tourism development has been focused on the coastal communities – with Fiji’s interior populations receiving little benefit. Rivers Fiji, however, provides economic alternatives for people whose previous development options were limited to logging and resource extraction. We believe Rivers Fiji has helped broadened Fiji’s overall perspective regarding the economic value of conservation as it relates to its people and ecosystems.”

Dr. Harold Goodwin, Director, International Centre for Responsible Tourism and Chair of Judges said, “Working our way through this year’s long lists, we were impressed by the willingness of so many organizations to take responsibility and to do what they can to help make better places for people to live in and better places for people to visit. Despite the economic difficulties being faced by the travel and tourism industry, responsible tourism continues to move ahead, and I’m continually impressed as more is achieved by more people. As judges we are all very aware of the great work that is being done by so many and our decisions are often very difficult and sometimes long debated.”

Hiking in the French and Spanish Pyrenees

Self-Guided French Pyrenees Hiking and Historic Tour de France Adventure: July 18 – 28, 2010
Book by December 1 to Secure Accommodations

Overview

Bredesen Outdoor Adventures will be offering a special one-time, 10 night/11 day, self-guided departure from July 18 – 28, 2010 that melds the best of our two existing French Pyrenees self-guided hiking itineraries with an opportunity to view two legs of the Tour de France as it passes through the Pyrenees. During this anniversary year of the Tour de France you’ll have an opportunity to see history in the making as the Tour celebrates its 100th year in the Pyrenees. This trip is rated moderate to strenuous.

Summary

• Ten nights, half board (breakfast and dinner).
• Minimum two star hotels and likely one three star hotel, all with private bath; friendly, traditional accommodations in beautiful settings with very good food
• Local transport and baggage shuttle included.
• Price: $2,300 USD per person double occupancy. Minimum 2 people. No single rooms available. Price reductions available for more than two people.
• Deposit of $500/person by the beginning of December in order to secure hotels.

More Information and How to Sign Up

Please email or call Deborah Lewis (dlewis@bredeson.com or 1-866-533-4361). Click here for a detailed itinerary.

The Hidden Spanish Pyrenees: Sierra de Guara (Private Guided Departures)
This trip will take place in the Natural Park of the Sierra de Guara, an area known for its gorges, beautiful hills, and history.

A World Heritage Site Hike: The French and Spanish Pyrenees (Private Guided Departures)

This World Heritage Site hiking trip brings us to both sides of this rugged and remote mountain area, a land full of legends and reported curing powers.

The Meridian Way: Self-Guided Hike in the French Pyrenees NEW

The trip is an eight-day self-guided adventure with baggage transfers that roughly follows the International Greenwich Meridian through the French Pyrénées starting in the foothills and rising to a dramatic finish at the Cirque de Gavarnie, a spectacular amphitheatre of peaks rising to over 3000 metres. Moderate to challenging days with the option of public transport between hotels if required.

Peaks and Valleys: Self-Guided Hike in the French Pyrenees NEW

This eight day self-guided trip with baggage transfers is also in the beautiful Haute Pyrenees. This trip varies from the previous one in that you will spend two or three nights at three locations and have a choice of a moderate or more strenuous hike each day.

Contact us toll free (U.S.) at 866-533-4361 or
+203-840-0295 (outside the U.S.)
info@bredeson.com

Gap Adventures Introduces New Ways to Explore the World with 2010 Trips

Toronto – Travelers looking to expand their horizons in new and interesting ways can look to the world’s leader in adventure travel for fresh experiences in 2010. Gap Adventures leaves no stone unturned and no corner of the world unreachable by adding dozens of new destinations, a new trip style and an expanded list of activity options.

From the winter meccas of Sweden and Finland to the jungles of Guyana and deserts of Tunisia, nine new countries make their debut including the Philippines, Syria, Burma, and the Netherlands. These new destinations boast carefully-crafted adventures – increasing Gap Adventures’ worldwide offerings by 185 new trips in 2010.

To complement the expanded trip offerings, Gap Adventures also has something new in store for the 18- to 30-something crowd. YOLO (You Only Live Once) is a new trip style giving recent graduates and young professionals the freedom to determine how they want to experience exotic destinations without exceeding their budgets. From the Java Bali Experience to Morocco on a Shoestring, adventurers can choose activities and cuisine to complement their interests. Camaraderie abounds on these international tours, with fun groups of young travelers experiencing authentic culture and cuisine together. With more than 80 trips including the new YOLO Voyage Galapagos and the Athens to Istanbul Adventure, travelers have a wide variety of options to embrace this exciting trip style.

For those seeking an unforgettable adrenaline rush, Gap Adventures shows adventurous travelers how to take their trip to the next level. With new mountain treks to Cordillera Blanca in Peru, or the scenic Tepuis and Mount Roraima in Venezuela, travelers can expect a once-in-a-lifetime physical adventure. The Mont Blanc trek in Europe and expanded Kilimanjaro treks in Tanzania have also been updated, promising a peak adventure experience. For those who hear the call of the sea, new sailing programs in Thailand and Belize are the answer with comfortable catamaran voyages to some of the best snorkeling and swimming spots in the world.

Travelers with a heart for volunteerism may opt to spend their time giving back to local communities in impactful ways while experiencing one of Gap Adventures’ 13 new Voluntours with the Planeterra Foundation. Founded by Gap Adventures to promote environmental responsibility and a connection to locals, Planeterra’s range of projects, span the arenas of health, education, employment skills training, cultural heritage preservation, and environmental conservation. All projects have the central goal of helping local people achieve a sustainable way of life in an environmentally sensitive manner.

For more information on new destinations to explore in 2010, visit www.gapadventures.com/new-tours or call 1-800-708-7761.

About Gap Adventures
Gap Adventures is a world leader in the adventure travel industry offering small group adventures on all seven continents and beyond to more than 100,000 global travelers annually. The award-winning trips, which focus on culture, nature and active travel, are ideal for those with a sense of adventure – people who want to leave the beaten path and authentically immerse themselves in a local culture or environment to experience the real world in a sustainable manner. Demonstrating its ongoing cultural, social and economic commitment to responsible tourism, Gap Adventures established the Planeterra Foundation, as a way the company and its passengers can give back to the communities visited. For more information, please visit www.gapadventures.com and www.planeterra.org.

“A Guide to Best Practices for Archaeological Tourism” Now Available for Free

On October 22, 2009, during the ATTA’s Adventure Travel World Summit in Québec, Canada, the ARCHAEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE of AMERICA (AIA), ARCHAEOLOGY MAGAZINE, and the ADVENTURE TRAVEL TRADE ASSOCIATION (ATTA) announced the completion of a manual of good practices for anyone interested in visiting archaeological sites. The guide outlines practices that allow for proper, sustainable archaeological tourism, giving visitors the opportunity to fully experience ancient sites while minimizing any negative impact. The guide is an important resource for tour operators who wish to incorporate archaeological sites in their tour packages, for tour guides who lead people through the sites, for tourists who want to see these sites first hand, and for site managers charged with the maintenance and protection of sites. In conjunction with adequate and properly funded site management plans, these guidelines will help ensure that the public enjoy the experience of visiting ancient places for generations to come.

The Guide is intended as a starting place, and all three partners in this endeavor encourage feedback, additions and suggestions to help to ensure it’s thoroughness, accuracy and ability to influence the way the tourism industry and travelers interact with archaeological treasures worldwide. You are encouraged to share this free guide throughout your teams, your entire supply chain and to your client travelers. Email info@adventure.travel with comments/feedback using the subject header: “Archaeological Tourism”.