Lena

Scuttled as a dive wreck in 2003, this former illegal fishing vessel sits in 18 metres of pristine water off the coast of Bunbury and is teeming with hard corals and colourful fish.

Batavia

The pristine Abrolhos Islands has 54 shipwrecks in its turquoise waters, including the historic Batavia – home to the most horrific mutiny in maritime history. Coral and fish also abound in a rainbow of colours.

Cheyes III

Located just off Albany, the decks and gangways of this ex-whale chaser are littered with soft corals, sponges and countless colourful reef fish. Blue groper, harlequin and Queen Snapper all call this ship home.

SS Orizaba

The engines of this 140 metre ship flooded in 1905, and with boilers, deck plates, steering gear and a bow still intact, it’s an enthralling dive wreck off the coast of Rockingham. Perfect for novices.

HMAS Swan Dive Wreck

Measuring 112 metres in length, this spectacular dive site off the coast ofDunsborough was established in 1997 when the ship was sunk after 26 years of naval service. The wreck is teeming with Bullseye, King George Whiting and dhufish.

Sanko Harvest

At 174 metres long, this colossal dive wreck is widely regarded as one of the best dives in Western Australia thanks to the visibility of Esperance’scrystal-clear waters.

City of York

Just off the shores of Rottnest Island, this Glasgow-built iron barque lost a crew of 11, a cargo of timber and 5000 doors when it was shipwrecked off Rottnest Island in 1899. These days, it’s a fascinating, albeit eerie, dive site.

Gundrun

Sunk in 1901 in Shark Bay after a crewmate deliberately sprung a leak, this historic ship is the largest intact, undisturbed wooden wreck on the Western Australian coast.

HMAS Perth Dive Wreck

A 133 metre guided missile detector sunk off Albany’s King George Sound, which sits upright in 35 metres of water. A superb site for dive wreck enthusiasts.

South Tomi

Once a fishing vessel used to illegally catch Patagonian toothfish, these days the South Tomi is a premier artificial reef and dive attraction. Sunk off the coast of Geraldton in 2003, this fascinating wreck now boasts an abundance of corals and rainbow-coloured fish.

Summer is fast approaching and festivals are now at the top of people’s agendas as they plan their summer holidays.

If a music festival is not for you then how about visiting a world famous festival which first began in the 16th century?

The Palio de Siena, is an exciting horse race which takes place twice a year in the Piazzo Del Campo in Siena and is one of the most followed events in Italy. During the race, horses and riders, bareback and dressed in the appropriate colours, represent ten of the seventeen contrade, or city wards.

The race circles the Piazza del Campo, on which a thick layer of dirt has been laid, three times. It is not uncommon for a few of the jockeys to be thrown off their horses while making the treacherous turns in the piazza, and indeed, it is not unusual to see unmounted horses finishing the race without their jockeys.

Camino Ways, the walking and cycling holiday specialists, are now offering people the chance to visit the Palio de Siena by travelling on an exciting walking tour along the Via Francigena. The Via Francigena is an ancient pilgrimage route which has been walked for more than a thousand years and passes through England, France, Switzerland and Italy.

The route to the Palio de Siena takes 5 days to complete and traverses Tuscany along scenic landscapes – the most famous being the Val d’ Elsa – and typical towns and villages such as Colle di Val d’ Elsa, San Gimignano or Monteriggioni and of course, the city of Siena which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Whilst travelling along this beautiful route, you will stay in accommodation which has been hand-picked by the Camino Ways Team such as, the 4* Villa Bianca, the 4* Relais Della Rovere, a relaxing 4* restored monastery in Tuscany, and the 3* Hotel Minerva in Siena.

This exciting trip departs on 10th August 2012, with participants arriving in Siena on 15th August to enjoy the Palio de Siena on the 16th August. Prices start from €795pps.

Price includes: Accommodation as stated, luggage transfers from hotel to hotel, half-board during the hike, 1 extra night in Siena, a holiday pack and all taxes and charges.

Price does not include: Flights, airport transfers, insurance, dinner on first night or drinks.

To book, or for further information visit www.caminoways.com or call 01 525 28 86

Sportsfishermen from the US have long awaited a convenient way to get to Kamchatka, legendary worldwide for its unparalleled flyfishing. This volcano-studded peninsula, long isolated by geography and politics, is also expected to draw adventure travelers to experience its breathtaking landscapes, hot springs, unique wildlife, and the hospitality of its local Russian and native populations.  Regular service is expected to create countless new opportunities for business cooperation, as well as cultural and educational exchange between Eastern Russia and North America.

Schedules, prices, booking and tour information will be available after Yakutia Airlines receives final government approval to serve the route.

Bethel, CT

“Cannondale Tours is for cyclists that want to challenge themselves by riding world-famous routes, led by professional, experienced guides, while being truly immersed in a region’s culture. Guests will bike hard, eat and drink well, and sleep in style,” said Bob Burbank, Global General Manager, Cannondale. “DuVine Adventures has operated personalized cycling tours since 1996 and is the perfect partner for Cannondale Tours.”

During its inaugural year, Cannondale Tours will take place during key races and events, and guests will have behind-the-scenes access to pro athletes, teams, and a unique race experience. Guests will be riding the Cannondale SuperSix, the same bike that won the Giro and the Vuelta. After a day of riding pro courses, guests will be treated like the pros with a post ride massage and true Euro-Pro treatment, and have all the comforts of luxury travel, gourmet cuisine and world class wines.

“I enjoy riding my Cannondale and want others to experience the ride too.  I am proud to be rolling out Cannondale Tours powered by DuVine Adventures,” said Andy Levine, President and Founder of DuVine Adventures. “This is a well-thought out program designed to offer Cannondale riders a unique and memorable experience both on and off the bicycle. This partnership blends both companies’ strengths to offer loyal riders, who appreciate top-notch service and high-end quality, a travel experience like no other. Most importantly, these tours are exclusive to Cannondale enthusiasts and no other travel company can duplicate the value or the access of these offers.”

Cannondale Tours will begin June 6-11, 2012 with a trip to the French Alps and the Criterium du Dauphine. All tours give guests insider’s access to major races and events where Cannondale athletes will be competing, including the Italian Dolomites, USA Pro Cycling Challenge in Colorado, La Vuelta Espana, World Championships in Kona, and the Tuscany Challenge.

Ann Arbor, MI – JOURNEYS International’ s Trek to the Last Village in Burma (Myanmar) has been selected by National Geographic Traveler for a 2012  ”Tours of a Lifetime Award” as announced in the May issue of the publication. JOURNEYS, an ecotourism company founded in 1978, has been a consistent recipient of the award over the seven years it has been given.  The honor is awarded to tour operators for various categories of travel.

In 2011 JOURNEYS won for their “Apes, Arts and Dragons” tour in Indonesia, a program featuring encounters with Orangutans, Komodo Dragons, and the distinctive cultures and natural history of Java, Bali, Borneo and the Komodo Island area. That trip operates with multiple departures each summer.

This year’s award-winning trip is an adventurous, ten-day, hiking and cross-cultural trek in far northern Burma to the base of the easternmost portion of the Himalayan Range.  Working with their namesake operator in Burma, JOURNEYS Nature and Culture Explorations, small groups of participants, accompanied by a cook, porters  and multilingual local guides hike through valleys, foothills and virgin forests and stay in local villages in the Putao region of Burma.  The  trip can also be combined with more conventional sightseeing extensions to famous sites like Bagan, Mandalay, Inle Lake and the Yangon area.

“With the positive political news and growing traveler interest in Burma we felt a need for a different kind of trip that breaks away from the traditional tourist centers,” say Will Weber, founder of JOURNEYS. ” This is a trip to meet the tribal peoples of northern Burma who have had very little contact with Westerners before this, but who are very friendly and welcoming.”

Weber and JOURNEYS  have a long history of working with small private operators in Burma in offering travel that avoided government services and military obstacles to cross-cultural travel.

“The situation there is now much different,” says Weber who led a group on a “Last Village Trek” last year. “People feel free to speak openly and there are no restrictions on whom we speak with and no sense of overbearing military or police presence.  The problem Burmese have now is managing growth and the rush of development interest that has followed in the wake of political and economic liberalization.”

The Trek to the Last Village, however, in extreme northern Burma is not likely to see economic development or a big tourist influx soon. For much of the year the region can only be reached by air.  The best season for travel in the area is November through May.  JOURNEYS has offered a variety of group, customized and independent tour and travel arrangements in Burma since 1986. Travelers interested in visiting other areas of Burma should be aware that the expected  ending of US government sanctions has meant advance reservations are essential for still-limited accommodations and services.

First of all where is Nunavik?

Nunavik
Nunavik is Quebec’s superb arctic region. Come to experience fishing, hunting and the great outdoor adventures which await Nunavik visitors. Imagine 507,000 square kilometres of truly wild tundra, taiga forest, scenic mountains, majestic rivers and countless lakes!

Timeless Beauty
Nunavik is Quebec’s arctic region. An immense, pristine territory lying north of the 55th parallel and bordered by Hudson Bay to the west, Hudson Strait and Ungava Bay to the north and Labrador to the east. Imagine 507,000 square kilometres of truly wild tundra, taiga forest, scenic mountains, majestic rivers and countless lakes! This unspoiled region is home to a rich array of plants, fish and other wildlife, each species uniquely adapted to the North. Be prepared for a genuine outdoor adventure!

A Noble People
While the vastness of this immense region can easily prove unsettling for visitors, the cheerful and friendly manner of the region’s inhabitants, the Inuit, will quickly put you at ease. Nunavik Inuit will welcome you warmly to their corner of the world, introducing you to the distinctive characteristics of their cultural and linguistic heritage, art and history, as well as traditional clothing and tools.

Kangiqsualujjuaq

Meaning: Very large bay
Population: 735

Kangiqsualujjuaq is the easternmost village of Nunavik, located about 160 km to the north-east of Kuujjuaq. It is situated 25 km from Ungava Bay on the George River, nestled at the end of a cove called Akilasakalluq. Tidal movements reach as far upstream as the village so that, at low tide, water recedes almost entirely from the cove. Kangiqsualujjuamiut’s summer life is therefore closely linked to the rhythm of the tides. The village itself stands in the shadow of an imposing granite rock outcropping which rises to the north of the bay. Despite its northerly location, the valley sheltering the village is beautified by luxuriant vegetation. In the 1960s, the village even operated a small spruce lumber mill. For hunters, anglers and adventure lovers alike, the surroundings of Kangiqsualujjuaq are full of natural attractions. The calving grounds of the George River herd, the largest ungulate population in the world estimated at several hundreds of thousands of head, is nearby. The George River, as well as other rivers in the area, teem with fish, particularly Arctic char, Atlantic salmon and a variety of trout. At the site of the beautiful Helen’s Falls.

About 100 km to the east of Kangiqsualujjuaq are the Torngat Mountains. This range stretches for 300 km along the Quebec-Labrador border, between Ungava Bay and the Labrador Sea. Its eternal snow, glacial troughs, cirques, fjords and the majestic Mount D’Iberville which dominates the range at 1646 m make it an exceptional destination. The Koroc River, which flows from the Torngat Mountains all the way to Ungava Bay, as well as the Abloviak Fjord conceal countless natural beauties and are entrancing settings for hikers, canoeists and kayakers to explore.

Wildlife : caribou, black bears, foxes, seals, belugas, walruses, killer whales, narwhals, wolves and some polar bears in specific areas. To know more: http://www.nunavik-tourism.com/Wildlife.aspx
To know more about Nunavik: http://www.nunavik-tourism.com/default.aspx

Now that you know a lttle bit more about Nunavik (But please take notes that the only way to fully appreciate this fabulous region is to visit and explore Nunavik with the best guides: The inuit !

Let’s talk about the race :

A well-earned victory for the Spin Sport Plein Air team at the International Nunavik Adventure Challenge!

After three days of intense effort, the Quebec team Spin Sport Plein Air made up of Ian Beaulieu and Simon Côté won the very first International Nunavik Adventure Challenge. They completed the course in 13h34min39sec. The Quebecers finished ahead of the Americans (Out There) including Make Kloser quadruple world champion racing for the first time on an international with is son Christian Kloser 18 years old. and the French team (Endurance Mag).

For this third and ultimate stage of the race, participants could choose between skis or snowshoes. They had to cross a valley via a spectacular 200-metre zip-line and use their map to find their way across 55 kilometres of fabulous territory surrounding the Kangiqsualujjuaq village.

After spending a night in an Inuit camp that was all set up for them before the race (as a fun and well appreciated surprise) on the second night of the race, the teams returned to racing as of 8:30 a.m. under sunny skies and in -25°C weather. We must mention a kind gesture on behalf of the Spin Sport Plein Air team who showed exceptional sportsmanship at this stage by deliberately choosing to offer their faster skis to the Americans in order to guarantee a fair race. The Americans, who have yet to receive their luggage and equipment, were forced to race using equipment loaned to them by other teams such as Spin Sport Plein Air. “We knew that we had a chance to win the race and we did not want this victory to be based on equipment alone. Since the Out There team was leading the race with us, we decided to lend them our skis. It was a risky decision, but we are very proud that we did it,” said the captain of the team, Ian Beaulieu of Baie-Comeau.

At the end of the 3rd day of racing, Mont Torngate, Kangiqsualujjuaq’s local team, completed their first international adventure race in 17:38:48, in 7th place. Their great performance made everyone in the community really proud. They proved that they have the endurance and tenacity of their ancestors and Nunavik elders.

When Jobie Unatweenuk arrived back in Kangiqsualujjuaq March 27 after completing their first international adventure race, he said the feeling was “pretty good.” As he and his teammate David Unatweenuk started passing houses as they made their way to the finish line, people came out of their homes to cheer the pair on. Team Nunavik, the only local competitors, completed the race March 27 in seventh position, crossing the finish line to a line of more than 200 local residents cheering the duo on. That is more than 25% of the community ! “It was pretty good to see all the people waiting for us there,” Unatweenuk said. “The community has been really great, they’re very proud.”

Unatweenuk, who works for the local Torngat Mountains National Park, is no stranger to trekking, even snowboarding, and has participated in all of the previous Nunavik Adventure Challenge workshops and events held in Kangiqsualujjuaq. But this is was Nunavik Adventure Challenge’s first international event, pitting Unatweenuk against experienced racers from around the world. I really wanted to get into the international adventure,” Unatweenuk said. “Some of the courses were pretty tough, like the cross-country skiing and going down the zipline, but it was pretty fun.”Unatweenuk, at home in familiar surroundings, said the event also gave his community and region great exposure as an adventure tourism destination.

This first Nunavik International Challenge event hosted athletes from as far away as South Africa, Italy and France to compete in a multi-sport winter adventure race around the community of Kangiqsualujjuaq and its adjacent Kuururjuaq provincial park.

Team South Africa showed fantastic spirit throughout the race and amazed everyone by their endurance. Just imagine, 5 days ago they had never seen snow or ice before! “The team walked off the plane, took off their mittens and picked up a handful of snow for the first time,” he said. “It was fantastic, this was a childhood dream for them.”

For this first international race 4 women  were up to this big Challenge, 3 of them are mothers and are still adventure racers and athletes . Stephania Zartorri of Italia, Leanne Muller of Canada and Maggie Obed of Kangiqsualujjuaq Nunavik proved that you can be a great mother and a great adventurer. Salomon Bobkittens, of Nicky Cameron and Leanne Muller completed this international race in 5th place overall !.

One of the most surprising and inspiring aspect about of this first Nunavik international challenge was the fact that 42 teams of young inuit raced with the international teams during the first day of the event. To complete the race the had to go over four check points on skis, snowshoes, trekking, trail run on snow and cross a small river on a zip line. Those 84 young inuit adventure racers surprised all the international teams and medias by their talent and motivation. No international teams expected to see so many adventure small adventure athletes racing with them in a community of 750 peoples in the Great North of Canada. For the youths of Kangiqsualujjuaq it was their fourth community adventure race in 3 years. The sport of AR is a training platform for adventure tourism coaching and youth outdoor school. This program www.nunavikadventurechallenge.com proved to be really popular for the last 3 years with the young population of Nunavik  that 65 per cent of the community is under 25 years old.

Race organizers are very satisfied with the sequence of events. “The people of Kangiqsualujjuaq were fantastic. The efficiency of their technical support, a warm welcome, and all the factors which make for a great competition were present. Furthermore, the weather was on our side with three consecutive days of sunshine. We could not have asked for more,” said Jean-Thomas Boily, co-president of Endurance Aventure, the organization in charge of the event.

To complete this dream week, the event and the region had the privilege to receive great international and national media coverage’s. For the first time in North America, national television and radio stations follow an adventure raid on a daily basis. The CBC/Radio-Canada TV national crew was on land with the organisation and the racers. During their full week of adventure they produced more than 20 stories for national TV news, national sports TV news, morning and drive at home radio prime time shows. Those adventurous media specialists did a fabulous promotion for the region, the inuit nation, the event and the teams. After the event they said that they had an amazing adventure and that is was more exciting and challenging than covering Olympics games.

During next month the event will also benefit from media coverage in Europe through the following television stations: Eurosport, TV8 Mont Blanc, Montagne +, Sport +, and SKY TV.  All the media coverage’s will be on this page : http://www.nunavikinternationalchallenge.com/index.php/en/mediamenuen

To conclude

For everyone around the Globe that was wondering if the racers would ever encounter some polar bears on the race course. To answer to this question that we had several times, a big part of the organising team was inuit and worked really well to plan a safe race course that was not on the ice of the Ungava Bay were polar bears live and hunt.

But we felt that the adventure would not be totally complete without seen a polar bear, so our camera crew had the privilege of being guided on the helicopter on Ungava Bay, about 40 km out of town by the Kangisualujjuaq’s elder Willie Etok. We were hoping to successfully film a polar bear. Our wishes came true and we therefore have fabulous TV images of a polar bear walking on the same ice as the South African team. However, it surely wasn’t the polar bear’s first experience on ice!

The International Nunavik Adventure Challenge is the result of a precious collaboration between Endurance Aventure, the Kativik Regional Government, Nunavik Parks, the village of Kangiqsualujjuaq, Rossignol, the FCNQ, and the Nunavik Tourism Association.

For a six minute HD video resume : http://vimeo.com/39609385

For all details : www.nunavikinternationalchallenge.com

For pictures : http://www.enduranceaventure.tv/albums/nacinter/

For many videos : http://vimeo.com/user10547282/videos

For more infos do not hesitate to contact me: Daniel Poirier (819) 847-2197 ou par courriel : danielp@enduranceaventure.com

NAC INTERNATIONAL RESUME from Media Endurance Aventure on Vimeo.

Just as Monaco is synonymous with Ferraris and Formula 1 drivers, the Okavango delta in Botswana is all about big game viewing. What better way to view it than on an exhilarating horse safari. The riding can be fast and a real adrenaline buzz, so it’s no wonder the list of previous visitors to Macatoo camp reads like a veritable who’s who of the eventing world.

Most recent to experience this remote and stunning region of Africa is three-day event rider and five-time Olympian Mary King. “I’ve been on horse safari before but the riding was relatively quiet. The thrill of the Okavango delta has always appealed to me, I like a bit of excitement,” she says in her typically understated way.

For Mary King 2012 will be a high pressure year. With two horses on the Olympic short list – Kings Temptress and Imperial Cavalier – Mary needs good performances this spring to secure a place on team GBR for her sixth successive Olympics. But from speaking to her you would never know – she seems the epitome of calmness, a quality she says she gets from her mother.

“When In the Saddle asked me to host this holiday, I thought it was an amazing opportunity and a fantastic chance to spend some time with my family before the start of the eventing season. My horses probably enjoyed a week off from me riding them,” jokes Mary.

Getting to the Macatoo camp itself isn’t an experience for the faint hearted. After flying by light aircraft from Maun and landing on dirt airstrip in the bush, the final leg of the journey is by open-topped safari vehicle. There are no worries about snow or volcanic ash affecting your flight here, but elephants on the runway may cause a delay.

The tented camp is well equipped with en suite facilities and there is a real feel of being close to nature, with wildlife able to come and go as they please. The lack of mobile phone reception makes it the perfect place to relax and take some time out, recalls Mary. As well as her family – husband David and children Emily and Freddie – the group is diverse with riding-holiday virgins, veterans and non-riders.

The Okavango delta is the world’s largest inland delta, formed seasonally when the Okavango river floods into a 15,000km2 basin, forming an intricate network of islands, lagoons, grassland and waterways. Mary visited Botswana in February and, despite the high temperatures of up to 40 degrees centigrade some days, it was a good time to visit the delta with the water rising and running but still plenty of dry land.

The bush is green as the delta rises and home to a plethora of birds and wildlife. “We saw most of the big 5 – Lion, African elephant, Rhino, and Cape buffalo. Leopards were around, though we only saw photos of them on an overnight trail camera together with their prints on the ground,” says Mary. “The water is home to crocodiles which is an added adrenalin buzz when on horseback.”

“The riding was fast, with plenty of galloping across the plains and dodging in and out of bushes. It was breathtaking galloping alongside giraffes and watching them moving in, what seemed to us, slow motion compared to our horses.”

For Mary the highlight of the trip was the elephants. On horseback you can ride right up to the herd, she explains.

“The bull elephant turned and looked at us as we got close and trumpeted, flapping his ears in annoyance. As the bull elephant moved towards us in warning, the horses tried to spin in the knowledge this was a potentially dangerous situation!

Our experienced Guide made his horse stand its ground facing the elephant and there was a lot of shouting. He then took a few steps forward and after more ear flapping the elephant turned away and the danger had passed.”

Still buzzing after a long day in the saddle, back at Macatoo camp the fun continued into the night with favourite moments of the day shared over supper and Mary proving to be the queen of party games!

For further information on worldwide riding holidays visit the In the Saddle website www.inthesaddle.com Tel: 01299272997 email: rides@inthesaddle.com

Seattle, WA

Led by Dr. Steven Lee of the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and MIR founder Douglas Grimes, this tour provides exclusive access and insight into Russia’s Space Program. Space enthusiasts will not only witness the manned Soyuz launch at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan and tour a mock-up of the International Space Station (ISS) at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, but for an extra fee, travelers can attend actual cosmonaut training, which can include a ride on the world’s largest centrifuge, a zero gravity flight, or a chance to climb into a Russian Orlan space suit.

“We are elated to receive this honor from National Geographic Traveler,” said Grimes. “Having been born in 1960, I grew up during the “Space Race” and dreamed of being an astronaut. It has certainly been an honor for me to create a trip that offers such an intimate glimpse into Russia’s rich and historical space program.”

Aspen, CO – One World Trekking, a 24 year leader in Himalayan adventure travel, has been selected as one of National Geographic Traveler magazine’s 2012 “50 Tours of a Lifetime” for their Lost Valleys of NarPhu Trek in Nepal. This unique trek and cultural journey in the spectacular Annapurna region of Nepal is now featured in the May/June 2012 issue, as well as listed on a special Tours of a Lifetime landing page on the award-winning National Geographic website.

The selection process was competitive and the National Geographic Traveler editorial team worked long and hard to find 2012’s most authentic, most innovative, most immersive, best-guided, and most sustainable tours. “Our theme this year was transformation. The outfitters we selected are experts at creating trips that have the power to change lives – the lives of the traveler as well as the residents of the destinations,” notes executive editor Norie Quintos. “The trip is usually just the beginning.”

“The October 5 to 27, 2012 trip into the NarPhu Valleys is an adventurous trek in the Annapurna region for those wanting to explore hidden Tibetan valleys, trek off the beaten path and cross the challenging high passes of Kang La (5315 meters) and Thorong La (5416 meters). We call this the Ultimate Annapurna Trek”, says One World Trekking director Andy Crisconi.

National Geographic Traveler magazine has been surfacing the best tours and outfitters for travelers for the last seven years, as part of the magazine’s mission “to propel readers out of their armchairs and into the field.”

National Geographic Traveler has the largest audience of any travel magazine, with more than 7.5 million readers. Their readers love to travel, with the highest passport ownership, most international and domestic trips, and most outdoor recreation spending of any other travel title.

Since 1988, One World Trekking has been creating, organizing and guiding the classic treks and epic journeys of the great Himalayan lands. Specializing in small group and custom-designed adventure travel, One World Trekking has over two decades of experience traveling with groups to the far corners of Nepal, Tibet, China, Bhutan, India and the Karakoram Mountains.

For further information on One World Trekking and to view their 2012 program of Classic Himalayan Treks and Epic Himalayan Journeys, please visit their website at: http://oneworldtrekking.com/

View the details for the award winning trek to the Lost Valleys of NarPhu. October 5 to 27, 2012.

Elevate Destinations is delighted to announce that our “Australian Outback Solar Eclipse” trip has been selected as one of National Geographic Traveler magazine’s 2012 “50 Tours of a Lifetime” and will be featured in the May/June 2012 issue!

Read the article online

Our Australian eclipse tour runs from November 9-15, 2012 and benefits the Green Corridor Project, a long-term initiative aimed at restoring the health of the Barron River, through revegetation along riverbanks. Guests of Elevate Destinations to this ancient land not only have the once in a lifetime chance to view the solar eclipse on November 14, but they will also roll up their sleeves alongside new-found “mates,” working together on a community conservation project. The rate of $5,500 per person includes transfers, accommodations, some meals, guides, tours, and the eclipse celebration.

Eclipse viewing will be in the highlands above Cairns, adjacent to the World Heritage Rainforest on the northeastern coast of Queensland — one of the most remarkable bioregions of the world. Guests will see the eclipse near its easternmost point and for its maximum time period, in excess of two minutes. Noted American astronomer, educator, and author, Professor Stephan Martin, will accompany the tour as a guest host.

Learn more about this featured tour here.

Sign up before the end of April and receive a free signed copy of Stephan Martin’s book Cosmic Conversations, which explores interdisciplinary perspectives on the universe through interviews with scientists, spiritual leaders, indigenous elders, and cultural creatives. In addition, families and couples that sign up early will enjoy the privilege of a private stargazing experience hosted by Stephan Martin himself.