Cartago is the newest destination in Costa Rica which is capturing the attention of adventure travelers. In this area you can find active volcanoes, the most beautiful valley in Costa Rica, lakes, astonishing landscapes, beautiful rivers, historical buildings, gorgeous churches, magnificent national parks, natural hot springs and very lovely and kindly people. Come and discover “the old metropolis” of Costa Rica.

Irazú Volcano

Costa Rica has been a great destination for adventure and nature lovers for many years, and some regions of the country have been developed more recently to receive visitors. Many hotels and activities have been created to satisfy the tourism that comes to Costa Rica. Some of these places have become more crowded and some travelers don´t want to visit the most visited regions of Costa Rica for this reason. Now, travelers that that like to get off the beaten path have the perfect option in Costa Rica: Cartago. Here you can see active volcanoes, beautiful rivers, amazing valleys, magnificent national parks, natural hot springs and the most kindly people in all of Costa Rica. In Cartago you can learn about Costa Rican history and its culture, because Cartago was the first capital of the country. In the city you can visit official buildings, churches and museums.

How to get there: Cartago is located 45 minutes from the capital of Costa Rica, San José, and 1 ½ hour from the Juan Santamaria International Airport.

People: The local people in Cartago are very friendly, and they love to show visitors their city, you can take a walk in the center of the city and visit the fruit market and interact with the locals who will gladly explain all the names and uses of the fruits and vegetables.

Eating: Cartago has some good local cuisine; in restaurants here you can eat local specialties like the “Casado,” a simple but perfect blend of rice, beans, salad, and meat. You can drink a tasty coffee in one of the cafeterias located in the town.

Lodging: If you are looking to stay the night in Cartago, you have the option to stay in a hotel on the road to the Irazú Volcano or you can find a small hotel in Orosi Valley, the most beautiful valley in Costa Rica. There are no big hotels in Cartago, the options are small, locally-owned accommodations such as B&Bs, or hotels in historical houses.

What can you do in Cartago? The Irazú Volcano is the higiest active volcano in Costa Rica, with a summit elevation of 3,432 metres (11,260 ft). Within easy walking distance is the front of the crater. Then you can walk to the center of the city and visit the Municipality Museum to learn Costa Rica’s and Cartago’s history. Some interesting places to visit here are the Santiago Apostol Ruins or Los Angeles Church, along with other historical buildings.

Cartago is also very well known for agriculture in Costa Rica – In the Orosi Valley, you can take a tour to observe the growing and harvesting of different vegetables, fruits, and flowers before they come to the market. This village has a lot to show you: visit the colonial church built in 1743, go to the rainiest place in all Costa Rica, Tapantí National Park (hint: it´s a paradise for bird watchers and nature lovers!)

If you are looking for more active adventure, white water rafting and canopy tours by zipline are some great options: you can run the rapids at rio Grande de Orosi or fly between trees at Cerro la Carpintera!

Something very important to consider is that in Cartago for most of the tours and attractions you need a car or a guided. Like traveling elsewhere, it’s recommended to hire a local guide since they provide more information about the area and history. Some of these attractions are more difficult to find and if you go by yourself, you miss out on guides sharing their local knowledge and wisdom.

Cartago is a new destination in Costa Rica. We invite you to come and visit it. You will enjoy it.

What makes Bulgaria attractive and exotic is the mix of cultures and landscapes that you find in such a relatively small territory – from the Black Sea Coast to the high mountain ranges of Rila and Pirin National Parks. “Some of Europe’s finest highland scenery is found in the Rila, Pirin, Balkan, Sredna Gora and Rodopi mountain ranges, whose valleys harbor the kind of bucolic villages which have all but disappeared in Western Europe.

Hiking & Paragliding in the Balkan Mountain Range
This 700-km long mountain range has given its name to the whole Balkan Peninsula. There you can enjoy a 20-day Haute Route Trek on the main ridge of the mountain which descends to one of the most popular wild Black Sea Beaches (Emine and Irakli). You can also do it by biking, but get ready – it’s going to be tough. If you prefer air rather than earth, you are in the right spot for the best paragliding in the country!

Hiking & Biking in Rhodopi Mountains – the Land of Orpheus
The magical Rhodopi Mountains are known as the Land of Orpheus, the legendary hero who played his music in the heart of the mountains. If you are looking for wildlife, vast forests, huge lakes and gourmet food for your family holidays, this is your top destination in Bulgaria. There you can enjoy kayaking and biking at Beglika Lake or hiking through the remote Central Rhodopi villages with pristine views.

Trekking & Traverses in Pirin National Park (UNESCO Heritage)
Named after the mighty Slavic God Perun – god of thunderstorms and lightning – this mountain will charm you with its jagged peaks, strenuous traverses and wild areas. Another challenge is ‘trotting’ The Little Horse, a 0.50 meter-wide marble ridge. Be prepared to saddle it if you are afraid of heights!

Bike & Wine in the Rose Valley
Definitely one of the best places in Bulgaria for cycling is the Rose Valley. There one can ride along the rose and lavender camps and enjoys the scenery of the high Balkan Mountain range. A popular experience is cycling in the morning and wine-tasting in the afternoon, recommended period: May and June. Once you are in Bulgaria don’t miss the local wines: Mavrud and Shiroka Melnishka. The second is found in the area of Melnik, a Mediterranean type of village situated among sandstone pyramid scenery.

Winter Adventures and Hot Waters
Bulgaria is a land of 500 hot springs! You will be delighted by the great variety of thermal swimming pools, SPA centers, and balneology resorts. We recommend the unbeatable combination of winter snow walks/skiing and hot waters of the Rodopi Mountains, just try it!

Cycling & Bird-watching along the Danube River
The Danube is the second longest river in Europe. Here you can combine cycling along its shorelines with visits to medieval fortresses and ancient rock churches. The highlight for all nature lovers is bird-watching in the Srebarna Nature Reserve (UNESCO World Heritage). The fabulous Danube Delta (also UNESCO) is just on the other side of the river, in Romania.

One-day Adventures on the Eco-Paths of Bulgaria
Bulgaria offers a great deal of eco-trails perfect for one-day adventures. More than 50 eco-trails around the country attract visitors with their river pools (perfect for the summer heat), pleasant glades for leisure picnics, and easy walks offering wooden bridges, rocky valleys and panoramic views. Some of the best examples are: Smolyan Waterfalls in Rodopi and Byala Reka eco-tail in Central Balkan.

Climbing and Descents in the Gorges of Bulgaria
By far the most fascinating canyon in the country is the 300-meter deep Trigrad Gorge. There you can descent into the “underworld” through “Devil’s Throat cave” just as Orpheus did in his search of Eurydice. Or you can raise your adrenaline by rappelling down to the 40-meter abyss of Haramiiska Cave. Another climbing paradise is Vratza Nature Park and its 400-meter high calcareous wall. Many find it perfect for hiking, biking and paragliding as well.

Beaches and Cycling in Strandzha Mountains & The Black Sea Coast
Just on the border with Turkey and the sandy Black Sea coast, this mountain will charm you with its wild birds and flowers. Strandzha is a seaside Nature Park with great biodiversity and many endemic plants. We recommend cycling and camping from Strandzha Black Sea coastline straight to door of Orient: Istanbul.

Snow Adventures in Bulgaria
If you have already been all around Europe on ski vacations, it is about time you visit Bulgaria in winter. You can equally enjoy ski-mountaineering in the Rila Mountains with great views or off-piste skiing and traverses in the Bansko area. Why not trying a new adventure in the heart of Rila National Park? Skakvitsa Waterfall, the 80-meter high falls freezes from December till February and provides outstanding ice-climbing. If done as a two-day trip it can be combined with a hike to the sacred Seven Rila Lakes. Prefer more relaxed holiday with winter walking and snowshoeing in pristine pine forests? Head to Rila and Rodopi Mountains.

Villages, Hospitality and Local Cuisine
Apart from the natural wonders and plentiful activities, Bulgaria is known for its people, local traditions and delicious cuisine. The Bulgarian villages will charm you with its exotic tastes and aromas. While relaxing from your exhausting day adventures in any ‘mehana’, a traditional restaurant, you can easily learn how to dance ‘horo’ (a local dance) or simply enjoy a homemade dinner. One of the best examples of local cuisine is banitza (breakfast pastry), shopska salad, gyuveche and musaka. But don’t miss tasting the boza (sweet wheat drink), tarator (yogurt cold soup), and of course, rakia (the local brandy).

From a Maya immersion tour deep in the Lacondon jungle to a hacienda-hopping equestrian adventure in the Cintalapa ranchland, discover one of Mexico’s most magical and least-known regions with three YourLifeIsATrip.com insiders: editor Judith Fein, photographer Paul Ross, and publisher Ellen Barone.

1. Maya Past and Present

by Judith Fein

Searching for Maya history, archeology, cosmology and contemporary life, travel journalist Judith Fein explores Chiapas with archeologist and tour guide Yolanda Ruanova.

© Paul Ross.

What lured me to Chiapas? Maya ruins, living Maya and San Cristobal de las Casas. I wanted to be transported back to the Classic Maya period, which began in 200 C.E. and lasted until the empire collapsed six to seven hundred years later. I longed to walk through vast, abandoned cities that were hacked out of the jungle, and gaze up at monumental pyramids, stone palaces, temples, tombs and brilliantly-carved stone stelae. I wanted to walk along paths once reserved for royalty, and contemplate the cosmology and science of a highly sophisticated, pre-Colombian society.

Palenque was as huge, impressive and complex as I had imagined. The murals at Bonampak looked as though they had recently been painted, and the nobility, slaves and priests depicted were still alive. The approach to Yaxchilan was by boat, and, in the high-altitude palaces, I could almost hear the squealing of kids playing and smell the flowers in the gardens.

I longed to know more about the ancient Maya: what did they eat, how did they dress when they were not attending or performing rituals, what was their magic, what did it feel like to go to a ball game, and did they accept or bristle when they were subjected to their leaders’ rigid hierarchical rule?

When I met today’s Maya, in their traditional villages, I got hints of the lives of their ancestors. Some of the men still knew how to prepare the sacred drink, balche. Women drilled seeds individually to make necklaces, sometimes holding the seeds with their toes. Markets were bustling and colorful, and, in the church at San Juan Chamula, healers sat or squatted on pine needles, performing healings with candles, eggs and the occasional sacrificed chicken. Alas, my friends, photos were not allowed.

In San Cristobal, I took a tour of sacred art, ate regional specialties and sampled unusual drinks like Posh (a sugar cane and corn alcohol drink from the Highlands, where native Tsotzil Maya enjoy its powerful kick); Tascalate (a tasty beverage made from roasted corn spiced with cinnamon, achiote and cacao seeds); and refreshing Chia water—which is lemonade served with chia seeds.

Then I left the attractions of animated tourist centers and walked to neighborhoods where Maya people wore traditional clothes, shopped in local markets, created vibrant weavings, and gave me a precious glimpse into the world they came from and the survival skills they have developed to move forward into the future.

2. Maya Faces and Places

by Paul Ross

Meet Maya people and explore ancient Maya sites in the heart of exotic Chiapas with photographer Paul Ross.

3. Backcountry Adventure

by Ellen Barone

Travel behind the lens with photojournalist Ellen Barone in the highlands of southwestern Mexico for an equestrian adventure with Enduro Ecuestre, an equestrian outfitter based in San Cristobal de las Casas.

Read more about this adventure in Ellen’s recent article: Horse Sense – Learning to Trust On A Mexico Equestrian Adventure.

IF YOU GO:
Travel information on attractions, activities, and accommodations within Chiapas is available at, www.tourismochiapas.gob.mx

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Judith Fein is an award-winning travel journalist who has contributed to more than 90 publications. She blogs for Psychology Today, the Huffington Post, is the author of LIFE IS A TRIP: The Transformative Magic of Travel, and the editor and co-founder of www.YourLifeIsATrip.com. Her website is http://www.GlobalAdventure.us.

Paul Ross is a Santa Fe-based photographer and writer. See more of his work at www.globaladventure.us.

Ellen Barone is a respected resource for travelers seeking travel advice, vacation tips, gear and gadget reviews, and trusted recommendations. From the best hotels to exotic new destinations, her popular website, EllenBarone.com helps travelers plan memorable journeys and discover the world.

© Henrik Trygg / http://imagebank.sweden.se/

© Henrik Trygg / http://imagebank.sweden.se

© Peter Grant / http://imagebank.sweden.se

© Fredrik Broman / http://imagebank.sweden.se

West Sweden
The pristine archipelago of West Sweden is a perfect place for kayaking and canoeing, either if you are an experienced paddler or just want to learn through taking a course at one of the many kayak/canoe renters. Breathe the ocean air, get renewed energy and continue your coast adventure with climbing in some of the challenging granite walls of the Swedish west.

Many people have claimed that the Swedish oysters outside of Grebbestad are the best. Well, head out on the Swedish sea with an experienced skipper and get the delicacy directly from the source. Oyster safari is really something flavorsome, quoted as “a kiss from the sea”.

Biking with a view is one way to explain the experience of cycling along Göta Canal. No cars, no stress, only beautiful views and floodgates along Sweden’s longest canal.
Mountain biking with GPS? Yes, it sounds like it’s cheating, but the trails are not marked and if you wish you can go off-route to explore new roads and still know where your position. In Dalsland, technology and sports go together and you can choose between different levels of difficulty, from beginner to extreme off-road biking.

Skåne
Ride the flat and picturesque landscape of Skåne in high speed or just take your time on a bicycle to see the rich nature. Why not stop by the medieval castle Glimmingehus, eat a smoked herring in Kåseberga overlooking the old Ale’s Stones. To top it off, have your beachwear ready to take a refreshing dip in the ocean after a day on your bike.

Stockholm
Curious about the huge archipelago of Stockholm? Easy, you can see it in different ways and they are all adventures in their own way. To be close to the water and have the ability to create your own route, rent a kayak and pull your way through the clear waters of Stockholm archipelago with the wind in your hair. If into bigger things, literally, be the king or queen of the waters for a day by hopping on board a large 100-year old sailing boat that takes you on a day tour of sailing, in the inner archipelago.

Luleå
Experience the thrill of white-water rafting in one of Luleå’s and Sweden’s wildest rivers and get a smile on your face in the same time. During wintertime you have the possibility to experience a silent forest in the middle of the night by taking an arctic snowshoe walk, deep into the frozen mysterious forests of the north.

Lapland
Discover the most unique hotel you have ever seen, the ICEHOTEL, located in Jukkasjärvi in Kiruna, northern Sweden. A hotel made out of ice and snow, giving you the experience of sleeping in -5 0C (23 0F) with stunning unique design around you. Not only is the ICEHOTEL a unique experience, choose from a portfolio of both summer and winter adventures. Try activities like dog sledding and northern light tours in the winter to midnight sun hikes and river rafting in the summer.

Find yourself skiing in the midnight sun! Yes, it is possible due to the close proximity to the North Pole. Riksgränsen is actually the world’s northernmost ski resort and with its various skiing possibilities the term “happy skiing” is one that fits well.

To really see one of Europe’s last wildernesses, hike the Kungsleden trail in northern Sweden, a 450 km (280 miles) long trail with different sections and terrains. The “peak” of the hike would be climbing Sweden’s highest and wildest mountain chain Kebnekaise. Do the hike during winter and experience extreme wilderness, but be sure to remember to bring skis!

Useful Information:

WEST SWEDEN
West Sweden: http://www.vastsverige.com/en/West-Sweden/
Climbing in West Sweden: http://www.vastsverige.com/en/West-Sweden/Articles/Activities/Climbing-in-West-Sweden-/
Oyster Safari West Sweden: http://www.vastsverige.com/en/West-Sweden/Articles/Activities/Flavoursome-Oyster-Safari-in-Grebbestad/
Cycle along the Göta Canal: http://www.vastsverige.com/en/West-Sweden/products/59725/Cykla-langs-Gota-kanal-Hotellpaket-Asgarden/

STOCKHOLM
VisitStockholm: http://www.visitstockholm.com/en/
Paddling in Stockholm: http://www.visitstockholm.com/en/To-Do/Tips/Paddling-in-Stockholm/

LAPLAND
IceHotel: http://www.icehotel.com/uk/
Riksgränsen: http://www.stromma.se/en/Riksgransen/

SKÅNE
http://www.skane.com/en/frontpage

LULEÅ
http://www.visitlulea.se/?lang=en

When Santa Fe, New Mexico is mentioned, many may picture a desert town, hot, sandy, and filled with cactus. Those would be the folks who haven’t actually visited Santa Fe. In fact, New Mexico’s state capital and cultural epicenter is more of a mountain town, snug up against the Sangre de Cristo range of the Rockies. Santa Fe is surrounded on three sides by mountains and lined with extinct volcanoes on its western border making it geographically distinct and visually stunning.

Santa Fe itself is the second oldest city in the U.S. with a multi-cultural heritage, remarkable history, and a reputation for friendly people, exceptional art, and great food. The city’s environment is driven by its near-alpine location with clean air and 300 days of annual sun. Its close proximity to nearly limitless public lands makes it the ideal place to launch warm-weather inspired activities for three seasons and winter sports when the snow flies.

From the Santa Fe Plaza, the heart of the city, the Santa Fe National Forest boundary is 7 miles. At that point the forest opens into the Southern Rocky Mountains and the Pecos Wilderness and on into the adjoining Carson National Forest. This huge expanse offers endless hiking, horseback riding, backpacking, and exploration. Nearby rivers and streams provide kayaking, white water rafting, and outstanding fishing. Outfitters for all activities can be easily found in town.

The most compelling reason for active travelers to visit is the combination of Santa Fe’s distinctive cultural environment and its proximity to so much open space. The city is the ultimate base of operations for discovering Northern New Mexico and the diversity of its historic villages, centers of past and present Native American life, and many wild places.

Resources
Everything needed to plan a Santa Fe adventure can be found at www.santafe.org, from lodging and attractions to guides and outfitters.

Tour Operators offering New Mexico on www.Adventure.travel
Backroads
The Bavarian
Classic Journeys
Hidden Trails
Uncharted Outposts
The Wayfarers

Typically idyllic, the islands and waters of this new national park, which opened in September 2009, are unique in Sweden. Kosterhavet contains Sweden’s highest level of marine biodiversity and, with a deep fissure known as Koster-Väderö Fjord between the Koster Islands and the mainland, it is connected to an oceanic environment. Such deep water leads to a valuable range of marine species, including cold water coral. While Kosterhavet protects an area of 450 sq km, it is by no means off limits to visitors: through careful management a balance is struck to enable people to appreciate the area to the full.

The Sven Lovén Centre for Marine Sciences’ station at Tjärnö (formerly the Tjärnö Marine Biological Laboratory) not only carries out important research into Kosterhavet’s biodiversity but its staff enable visitors to get a fascinating insight into the park’s marine life by leading several guided tours. Taking to the waves, it’s possible to join an excursion on board a research ship, from which a remote controlled underwater vessel will beam back images to a screen. On foot, visitors can accompany a marine biologist to collect and examine creatures found on the Koster Island beaches. Walking is a wonderful way to get to know the Kosters and there is a great range of routes, across meadows and along cliffs and beaches, to try. Guided walks, available during the spring and summer, vary in length. Alternatively, just go for a ramble yourself and climb your way to the top of the Koster’s mini-mountain, at 45 metres, and drink in the far reaching views across the rocky outcrops and to the mainland.

The clear waters lapping at the edges of the Kosters are ideal for exploration by sea kayak and there are plenty of opportunities to paddle around. Whether for a morning, weekend or longer, the gneiss rock islands and islets throw up an almost endless range of routes to zigzag among them, looking out for sunbathing seals and passing birds on the way. So dense is the archipelago that in places only kayaks can pass between the islands, with pleasure boats avoiding them.

Seal safaris, to see the resident colony by boat; scuba diving; snorkelling and fishing are all part of the outdoor activities on offer in the Kosters. For a particularly tasty fishing trip, join a local fisherman in search of crayfish and help harvest the pots before returning to land and tasting your freshly cooked catch. For a different perspective, see Kosterhavet from two wheels. The car-free Kosters are ideal territory for cycling with a network of paths to pedal. Breathing in the sea air as you wind your way around the edges of South Koster, and making tracks into the green centre among the trees, is a relaxing way to soak up the natural beauty, peace and tranquillity of the island. Pull out your picnic supplies from a backpack and bask on rocks as you munch through them, or head to Sydkoster Hotel Ekenäs for a hearty meal. The family-run hotel’s Taste of West Sweden accredited restaurant offers a true taste of the west coast, with plenty of seafood on the menu. A comfortable place to stay, many of its rooms come with irresistible views of the seascape.

How to get there:

Most overseas visitors to West Sweden arrive at the coastal city of Gothenburg, and Kosterhavet is easy to get to from there. Hire a car, or take a train, and drive two hours north to Strömstad, from where a passenger ferry to the Koster Islands takes just 45 minutes.

Where to stay:

A range of accommodation awaits on the Koster Islands and in Strömstad such as Sydkoster Hotel Ekenäs on south Koster. On surrounding islands and in Strömstrad choose from hotels, cabins and campsites. For more information about visiting Kosterhavet go to www.westsweden.com.

The Pier at Next Hotel Satulinna

The Charms of Saimaa is a cooperation of 15 enchanting destinations around the Saimaa region. The variety of services offered includes distinctive hotel and farm accommodation possibilities, charming, high-class restaurants, delightful boutiques, and atmospheric steamboat cruises. Pick and choose destinations from the multitude to create the perfect Saimaa holiday just for you.

Next Hotel Satulinna is an early 20th century manor, which serves as a hotel, restaurant, conference venue, as well as sauna and spa village. At Satulinna, you have the possibility to enjoy the nature of southern Savo, bathe in a traditional Finnish smoke sauna, swim in the clear blue waters of Lake Puulavesi, and indulge yourself with a variety of beauty treatments. The former barn of the manor now serves as a restaurant in the summer time, serving food prepared using all-organic ingredients.

To combine your overnight visit with a true culinary experience, try Tertti Manor. In Mikkeli In this delightful manor hotel and gourmet haven in southern Savo, the charms of the past meet modern comfort. The manor dates all the way back to the 1500s and has been run by the same family for over a century. Tertti is known for its high-class cuisine. In 2010 The Finnish Gastronomic Society acknowledged Tertti’s achievements in consistently promoting high-quality gastronomy, as well as sustaining the authentic manor house atmosphere. One of the secrets behind Tertti’s cuisine is their passion for local and organic produce. The restaurant serves rye bread based on a 100-year-old dough root from local suppliers, partridge and other game hunted from the manor’s own forests, and salads and herbs grown in Tertti’s own garden.

The Ollinmaki Wine Farm

Continue to delight your taste buds at the Ollinmäki Wine Farm in Anttola. Ollinmäki is a producer of award-winning wines made from Finnish berries and fruits. At Ollinmäki, a Central European wine-making technique – with a healthy dose of Finnish pioneering spirit – is used to turn the berries into wine. In addition to the berries, the names of all the wines come from Finland as well, from an old collection of songs and hymns called Kanteletar.

For getting around Saimaa, leave your car ashore and travel back centuries on a nostalgic steamship cruise. Sightseeing cruises on the traditional handmade Finnish steamships S/S Paul Wahl or S/S Punkaharju offer an insight into the history of the Finnish inland lake. The tour takes you around the Saimaa Lake district and Savonlinna’s famous medieval Olavinlinna castle, home to the world-famous opera festival held at the height of summer each year. Daily cruises in the Savonlinna archipelago 1 June–31 August 2010, at noon, and at 2, 4 and 6 p.m. on the S/S Paul Wahl, and at 11 a.m. and 1, 3, 5 and 7 p.m. on the S/S Punkaharju.

These are only a few examples of the Saimaa region’s charming possibilities. For more information about the Charms of Saimaa, visit www.saimaancharmantit.fi.

For a complete six-day Charms of Saimaa Summer tour, check the Savonlinna travel website at www.savonlinnatravel.com.

For more information about tourism in Finland, go to www.visitfinland.com.

Kingo - photo by Trish Peck

Kingo, a 300 pound (140 kilogram) Western lowland gorilla silverback, and his six wives and children, live in the protected rainforest of Nouabale-Ndoki National Park in the northern Republic of Congo near its border with the Central African Republic. Scientists from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) began habituating Kingo fifteen years ago. At the time, gorilla research had been restricted to Rwanda’s and Uganda’s mountain gorillas, and very little was known about lowland gorilla behavior in the wild.

Compared to their mountain kin, lowland gorillas occupy remote and swampy forests and are hard to find. Wary by nature, they disappear in an instant at the first hint of danger. As unhindered observation is crucial to any wildlife study, habituation is a necessary scientific tool. With Kingo, habituation took ten years. Yet, creating this bond of trust with Kingo leaves him vulnerable to a human encroacher with violent intentions.

Just outside of Kingo’s Kingdom, a mere 16 square kilometer forested triangle, the surrounding forests are crisscrossed with logging roads. Logging, unless practiced responsibly, results in habitat loss. Logging roads also allow access to commercial poachers. Gorilla meat is highly prized in Central Africa in the misguided belief that it brings status and power. On a less critical note, any forest bush meat – gorilla, chimpanzee, mangabey, and antelope – is the means for growing human populations living on the shrinking boundaries of Central Africa’s forests to subsist.

Ba'Aka women

Diseases such as ebola, habitat loss, and the bush meat trade are the leading threats to the remaining numbers of lowland gorillas in Central Africa. The good news is that the WCS released new findings in 2009 that put the number of lowland gorillas in Central Africa as higher than was thought. Gorillas make simple sleeping nests in the crowns of trees every night. Working from a morning count of these nests, scientists believe (and hope) that over 100,000 gorillas are holding on in the forests of Northern Congo. Even if this number is optimistic, it supports the need to push forward with conservation plans.

Kingo’s ultimate survival is pinned on sustainable tourism. When science is complete, visitors, only two at a time, will be (and must be) Kingo’s primary means of support. Kingo was first introduced to the world, fully habituated, in 2007, and since then he has become famous in writing, news reporting, photography, and nature film making circles. A great many of his guests have come from among these professions. But 2010 brings change. Although science will continue for years to come, WCS has established formal tourism guidelines and improved infrastructure and Congo Wildlife Adventures was launched by MTT Inc as the first ever ground operation in Brazzaville to facilitate visits for everyone to Nouabale-Ndoki National Park, and beyond to Dzanga-Ndoki National Park in the neighboring Central African Republic.

Observe wild gorillas at Nouabale viewing platform

Undeniably, Kingo is Nouabale’s showcase.

David Attenborough has said “There is more meaning in exchanging glances with a gorilla than with any other animal I know.”

But there is much more to this travel experience too. The forests of the Congo Basin comprise the world’s largest rainforests after those of the Amazon Basin. They are therefore among the last of their kind on the planet, and of remarkable biodiversity. Kingo shares his kingdom with elephants, buffaloes, leopards, chimpanzees, birds, and ten species of monkey. And while it remains adventurous travel to get to the forests, they are now accessible.

Travel here means to walk in pristine forest of towering hardwoods amid whining cicadas; to pole a pirogue along tributaries and streams of the Congo River; to observe wild gorillas at forest clearings; and to spend time with the Ba’Aka, the indigenous pygmies who have been the foundation of Central Africa’s conservation programs from the beginning, for without their preternatural relationship with and their knowledge of the forest and its wildlife, habituating the timid Western lowland gorillas would never have happened. There is a poignancy to the traveler’s encounter with the Ba’Aka because these men once hunted gorillas or tracked gorillas for others to hunt. Now they work as trackers for scientists and forest guides for tourists. It is easier to keep wildlife alive if men who hunted in the past for their livelihood earn a salary guiding you through the forest.

Traveling by pirogue to Nouable

Beyond Nouabale’s forests, construction of a new road under a Chinese contractor is in progress which will link the north of the country and Nouabale’s once isolated forests to its capital Brazzaville. There is the worry that the road will serve as a conduit for the movement of contraband forest products. WCS worries how little time they have to establish a viable sustainable tourism program (perhaps no more than five years) in light of the enormous pressures from outside business interests. With so few roads in the Republic of Congo, and where internal air travel is costly and unreliable, improved infrastructure is a positive development. This road can certainly ease the way for Nouabale’s tourism, becoming another way that travelers can more easily travel back and forth to Kingo.

You can be a part of Nouabale’s new beginnings in sustainable tourism. You can be among the first to arrive.

© Tirol Werbung-Laurin Moser

If walking is your great love, you’ll meet your match on Tirol’s Eagle Walk.

“Those who walk a lot know their way around,” the German poet and aphorist Peter Sirius (1858-1913) once said. And right he is. Hiking is the best way to experience, enjoy and appreciate a country and its people, to discover its charm and character. Hiking in Tirol’s mountains allows you to discover the country’s soul. Those who do the Eagle Walk truly explore Tirol’s beauty. Consisting of 126 stages over a distance of 1480 kilometers with a total elevation gain of 87,000 meters, this walk of a lifetime takes you to Austria’s nooks and crannies, it’s most beautiful spots and most valuable cultural treasures.

Osttirol has joined the Eagle Walk!

© Tirol Werbung-Marlena Koenig

Since 2007 Osttirol also boasts its own small Eagle Walk. One part of Osttirol’s Eagle Walk takes you to the foot of Austria’s highest mountain, the Grossglockner. Grossglockner is centrally located on the trails that lead from Matrei in an easterly direction towards the famous Kals region, and has always held a special allure for hikers and mountaineers. The other part of the Eagle Walk leads from the National Park town of Matrei in a westerly direction to Virgental and the magnificent Umbal Falls, where the water of the Isel River cascades down the rocks. Leisure walkers can stick to the trails in the valley while more experienced hikers will prefer the hut-to-hut walks high above Virgental and near the ice world of the Venediger group.

The Eagle Walk trail is finished!

© Tirol Werbung-Laurin Moser

With the opening of the regional routes in the southern valleys of the Inntal in the summer of 2007 the Eagle Walk is now complete and it has been a great success since its opening.

You can now find Eagle Walks in Paznaun, Kaunertal, Pitztal, Ötztal, Stubaital, Zillertal and Tannheimer Tal. Other routes give access to Kaiserwinkel, the Kitzbühel Alps, the Tuxer Alps and Osttirol. The nice thing about the Eagle Walk is that it is as easy or as difficult as you want it to be. Both the young and old, the fit and not so fit can enjoy hiking as it is a joyful, healthy and an invigorating activity.

The Eagle Walk Stamp Card

© Tirol Werbung-Peter Umfahrer

Join in the hiking fun: no matter where in Tirol you are you will be near an access point to the Eagle Walk!  In order to earn the popular Eagle Walk Pin you need to collect a minimum of 5 stamps (= 5 Eagle Walk stages) in your stamp book. Every year, enthusiastic

Eagle Walkers have the chance to win one of 100 short break stays in the Heart of the Alps which are raffled off by Tirol’s hiking specialists, the Tirolean Hiking Hotels.

The Eagle Walk Folder of the Tirol Tourist Board

The Tirol Tourist Board published a new 87-page Eagle Walk brochure which provides detailed information on the hikes and includes a foldable map with data on the individual stages, the stamp card for the quiz of the Tirolean Hiking Hotels and a short description of each hike. The “Eagle Walk – Hiking in the Realm of the Eagle” brochure leads you to all the wonders and treasures Tirol has to offer and whets your appetite for hiking. Information: www.adlerweg.tirol.at

New Zealand isn’t exactly world-famous for many things. In fact, if you ask your average person to locate it on a world map, they’re likely to point somewhere in Europe or Africa (hint: it’s down near Australia). However, this little island nation is world-renowned for one thing – hiking.

This little pocket-sized paradise is home to some of the most amazing walks you’re ever likely to see, stuff that’ll knock the socks off even the most well travelled toes, with the most famous trails like the Milford and Routeburn drawing throngs of people from across the globe.

Among the visitors have been writers from lofty publications like the New York Times and National Geographic Adventure, who’ve penned superlatives like, “jaw-dropping”, “primordial” and “breathtaking” to describe their experiences.

However, what they and most other hiking visitors to New Zealand don’t realise is that the “great walks”, as these famous trails are known, are just the tip of the iceberg. Beyond their well-beaten paths there’s a whole world of adventure hidden away in the mountains. It’s just a matter of knowing where to look.

Over the last 14 years, the guides at Active New Zealand have explored almost every nook and cranny of the Kiwi backcountry. Here are some of their suggestions of where to begin your search for the ultimate off-the-beaten-track experience:

Siberia Valley

Mt. Pollux - © Southern Alps Air

If you’re looking to get into the wilderness but don’t have much time to spare, then a trip into the Siberia Valley is a great way to go. Thanks to a grass airstrip installed by deer cullers in the 1960s, this amazing spot can be accessed by light aircraft, getting you into the heart of Mount Aspiring National Park in swift and thrilling style.

Once on the ground you can relax and explore around Siberia Hut, take a day-trip to the iceberg-filled Lake Crucible, or for the more intrepid, set off on the three-day Gillespie Pass Circuit.

Whichever way you choose to go, when it comes time to return to civilization, the locals have devised an equally adrenalin-charged exit from the wilderness, thanks to a regular jet boat service on the Wilkin River.

Hump Ridge Track

Okaka Lodge - © Mark Banham

This track on the south coast of the South Island started life as an idea at a 1988 Tuatapere Promotions Committee meeting, aimed to bring visitors to this forgotten corner of the South Island (apparently the little town’s existing hook; “New Zealand’s sausage capital” just wasn’t working). Ten years later the Hump Ridge Track was a reality – and what a stroke of genius it’s proven to be.

The Hump Ridge follows historic logging and forestry trails through towering native conifer forest, alpine wetlands and windswept beaches. At times the going can be quite challenging – requiring six to seven hours of hiking each day, but the rewards are more than worth it.

If you’d like to make things a little easier on yourself, then for a fee, you can have a bag of gear delivered by helicopter to the next hut each night. This means you hike with a tiny pack of essentials, but have all the creature comforts waiting for you at the end of the day – sheer luxury!

Angelus Circuit

Hukere Stream - © Active New Zealand

Tucked away in the Nelson Lakes National Park, this trail is a brilliant introduction to tramping in New Zealand, with enough facilities to be user-friendly without losing the million-miles-from-anywhere feeling that makes the region so special.

Over three days you’ll experience Tolkienesque beech forests along the shores of Lake Rotoiti, pristine mountain streams, alpine meadows and the stunning alpine amphitheatre of Lake Angelus, a spectacular location for one of the route’s huts… and a “refreshing” spot for a swim if you’re feeling bold.

On a clear day, the Robert Ridge, between Angelus Hut and St Arnaud, can deliver some of the most spectacular ridge walking the country has to offer. This section of trail tiptoes along a moonscape ridge, past alpine tarns and rocky outcrops, all overlooking two glacier-carved lakes. Keep the camera handy here – it doesn’t get much better than this.

Cascade Saddle Route

Cacade Saddle - © Mark Banham

Be warned, this trip is not for the faint of heart. However, if you’re well prepared and reasonably fit then the Cascade Saddle is a must.

From a trailhead near Wanaka, this route leads you through the picturesque Matukituki Valley to the historic Aspiring Hut, before taking a sharp – and steep – left hand turn towards Glenorchy, climbing for more than a vertical kilometre to the trail’s high point.

The view from here is truly jaw-dropping; with Aspiring Hut barely visible below, Mt Tyndall and Plunket Dome risi from either side of the saddle, beckoning you to try for their summits -  while in the distance the shattered ice of the Dart Glacier creeps towards the valley floor.

On the far side of the valley, Mt Aspiring dominates the skyline. Draped in a flowing white gown of snow and ice, the peak seems close enough to touch, close enough that on a quiet day you could probably hear the chattering teeth of climbers on the summit.

Before you go

If an adventure in the mountains of New Zealand sounds appealing, here are a few websites worth checking out before you go.

Active New Zealand – These guys lead hiking, biking and kayaking tours throughout the country. Their guides offer a wealth of information on the New Zealand backcountry and were integral in writing this featured destination.

The official website of the Tuatapere Humpridge Track – containing all the information you could possibly want to know about this spectacular South Coast trail.

Southern Alps Air – The only way to fly when you’re in Mount Aspiring National Park. Actually there are a few others, but these guys are the best by a long shot.

The New Zealand Department of Conservation. The body charged with the immense task of maintaining all these trails and backcountry huts – Also a great source of information on safety in the New Zealand bush.