Wilderness Journeys - Blog

A Weekend in the Cuillin

2007-08-30 19:17:11

Simply a superb long weekend in the Skye Cuillin to celebrate our business mentor, Neil's, 40th birthday.

Saturday dawned wet and miserable in Kintail but with the drive to Elgol the sun worked its magic and the Cuillin were revealed in all their glory. Of more concern, was the brisk westerly wind which meant the planned sea-kayak in to Loch Coruisk was a paddle too far. However, thanks to David and the superb team at Bella Jane we loaded the kayaks on to their boat and, much to the amusement of the international contingent aboard, hitched a ride through the rising sea. As the winds dropped we enjoyed a fantastic evening paddle among the seals, cormorants and shags and even tried (with varying degrees of commitment and success) to break-in to the whitewater spilling into the sea from the UK's shortest river.

Sunday's plan was to ascend the classic Dubh Ridge, considered to be one of the UK's finest (and longest) low grade rock-climbs. Gearing up at the base of the route in the increasing gloom and rain, the most probable outcome looked like mid-morning coffee back at camp. Fearing the worst but hoping for the best we set off up the dripping gully which provides access to the main ridge. Some 6 hours later we were on the summit of Sgurr Dubh Mor having enjoyed an epic climb in dry and increasingly sunny conditions. The abseil off Sgurr Dubh Beag certainly ups the ante and halfway down must be one of the best situations in the whole of the islands.

For me this was something of a pilgrimage having dreamt of climbing the route in good conditions for many years. The return paddle the following morning in exciting conditions rounded off a superb and unforgettable weekend in the Cuillin. When the weather is good here, it is simply unbeatable.

To read about sea-kayaking holidays in Scotland, click here.

High Winds = High Adventures in Inverpolly

2007-09-27 10:46:08

The term adventure travel appeals to many budding holiday-makers these days, but whilst there are many that can ‘talk the talk’, when poor weather kicks in, there are less people who can actually ‘walk the walk’. Or in this case, ‘Paddle the Canoes!’

acted as Wilderness Chef and Assistant Guide on a tailor made canoe expedition in Assynt in September. This was for a couple who had walked down the aisle just a few days earlier and this was part of their Scottish honeymoon!! Our clients – Nick & Antonia – were great fun and were definitely up for all aspects of this challenge, including the weather!

Assynt is one of the country’s most beautiful areas and in fine weather the lochs can be flat calm with mirrored reflections of purple heather and iconic hills. Not so on this trip!! The storms started as we pushed our canoes off from the shore and into the wind and waves of Loch Veyatie. After 10 minutes of paddling our hearts out, I looked up only to find that the distance we had moved was so little that I wondered if my canoe was still attached to my car! I glanced across to our clients to find them grinning!! “This is what it’s all about” they screamed over the wind, and with that I knew that the next few days would be fine!

Over the next few days we battled against Force 6 winds and enough rain to have turned the Sahara green! However, the weather did abate for one full, magical day. We hiked to the base of Suilven to enjoy one of the most scenic views in Scotland. The wind was to our backs on the canoe journey back to camp and we cruised back with great speed.

Despite the weather, this was an amazing experience – which is usually the case when you go prepared! When I think back, I recall the evening we spent next to a fire on the beach, gazing at the blanket of stars above – as clear as I have ever seen them in this country. And the contrasting night in the storm, when we had dinner, fully decked-out in Gore-tex, sitting on the beach facing into the wind and rain, but laughing away, with stories being told and malt whisky being sipped straight from the bottle!

If you get the chance to visit this area by canoe, go for it! You’ll have a great time, and will almost certainly have better weather than we did!

To read about our canoeing and hiking trips in Inverpolly, click here.

Sleeping in birds nests in Tanzania!!!

2007-10-02 11:37:00

It’s not every day you get to sleep in a giant man made bird’s nest, on top of a tree, under the stars, overlooking a waterhole, watching in awe as herd upon herd of Elephant come down to drink from Tanzania’s Tarangire National Park. I frequently found myself pinching my arm to see if this was a dream and if I would wake up back at home in Edinburgh!

I was on a recce trip in Tanzania, helping to put together an extraordinary trip through Tanzania’s beautiful north. Tarangire is more off the beaten track than many of its northern neighbours – Manyara, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti, but time spent here gives you more of a feeling of the true African wilderness, reminiscent of days of old. Our days were filled with fascinating walks through the landscape where we learned how to read the spoor (the footprints left by passing animals) and spotting beautifully coloured birds. We climbed Oldonyo Sambu hill, where we gazed over incredible sweeping views. And we enjoyed a long peaceful morning spent next to a waterhole where we watched the daily ritual of the brave animals who nervously make their way down to drink at the water’s edge – one eye always on the lookout for approaching predators.

The highlight for me though was the night we spent atop a tree at the edge of a large waterhole. I clambered up this tree at dusk, half expecting this to be part of an elaborate joke, but upon reaching the top, I found to my astonishment a flattened out area filled with twigs and braches and big enough for 8 of us to sleep. Once we had our sleeping mats and bags in place (and the odd bottle of wine!), we settled down for the night. Too excited to sleep, we watched over the waterhole, lit by the brightness of the moon, as a variety of antelope quietly made their way down to the water’s edge to drink.

All of a sudden, the tranquillity of the night was shattered as herd upon herd of elephant came crashing through the undergrowth and on into the water. In all, there must have been at least 200 elephant and we watched, in awe, from the safety of our bird’s nest with the animals totally unaware of our presence. For me, this was a once in a life time experience and one I shall remember for many a year to come.

To read about options for tailor-made trips to Tanzania, click here.

All aboard for Adventure!

2007-10-08 11:59:09

I had the fantastic opportunity to join our Sailing & Walking – Knoydart, Skye and the Small Isles trip in September. The experience was wonderful right from the outset. The train journey to the trip meeting point went along the scenic line from Glasgow to Mallaig, including the section near Loch Shiel and Moidart made famous by the Harry Potter films. At the Glenfinnan viaduct the driver even paused to let passengers take photos!

The group was met at Mallaig station by our guide, the very knowledgeable and fun Steve. We were then welcomed aboard the Eda Fransden, the beautiful 65-year old gaff cutter which was to be our home for the next week. After a nice cup of tea and an explanation of how things worked onboard from our skipper, Richard, we motored out of Mallaig harbour.

Our first anchorage was in Loch Nevis which is south of the Knoydart Peninsula. We got a glimpse of a golden eagle soaring high above a hill and then were lucky to be invited to a wee gathering where we were able to meet some of the colourful local characters!

Our first walking expedition took us along the north shore of Loch Morar and back. Then we set sail up the Sound of Sleat to Isleornsay on Skye. Although all members of our group were novice sailors, everyone was willing to help hoist sails and so on – having to “tack” five or six times to get out of Loch Nevis was quite challenging, though!

From Skye, we sailed down past the Sound of Arisaig to a wee island called Eilean Shona. Here we had a good trek across the island followed by a visit to the ruined Castle Tioram. From Eilean Shona we sailed to the Isle of Rum where we anchored in Loch Scresort, had a nice walk in Kinloch Glen and also visited the eclectic Kinloch Castle. Then we motored round to the north-west coast of the island and saw loads of red deer hanging around on the beach and viewing us with some curiosity! We also managed to see a white-tailed sea eagle – an incredible sight which we would not have spotted without our guide. On the journey back up to Loch Hourn, north of Knoydart, we saw a minke whale, as well as some harbour porpoise and the usual guillemots, razorbills, gannets and kittiwakes (we seemed to grow used to seeing these!).

Our last walk of the trip was the most challenging and satisfying. We landed on the north side of Knoydart at Barrisdale and then walked up a long, steep pass. After coming down past Loch an Dubh Lochan, we stopped to eat our much-needed packed lunch. We started off again and after trudging through bogs and spotting badger prints, we reached the south side of the peninsula and the community of Inverie – home of the remotest pub on the British mainland! We had a well-deserved drink there and then went back to the Eda for our last night onboard.

I had a fantastic time on the trip and cannot speak highly enough of Richard, Rachel (the wonderfully talented cook), Karen (the very able first mate) and, of course, Steve the guide (who really is very good at what he does!).

You can read about this trip by clicking here.

Ireland's Champion Yak Wrestler!

2007-11-11 18:27:57

Well it's been a bit odd readjusting to UK life after another fantastic trip to magical Bhutan. This was my second visit to the country and our first biking group for the "Trails in the Himalayan Kingdom" itinerary.

There was a certain sense of trepidation - would I be able to remember the trails I rode some 18 months previous? Bhutan is hardly the "beaten track" but the itinerary includes rides which leave the country's main highway and tourist trail far behind. Experience showed that the wrong route selection could end up in a 10 hour epic which would test the patience of even our most adventurous clients!

Anyhow, it all worked out great and we have an amazing two weeks. For the full trip report including details of the Yak wrestling incident, please see our Bhutan trip pages.

You can read about our mountain biking trip to Bhutan by clicking here.

The Haute Route goes live

2007-11-11 20:33:16

It was with a certain sense of eagerness and excitement that our recent Haute Route film project received its "Scottish Premiere" at our recent staff training event.

It's fair to say that we're all pretty chuffed with the result. The production team did a great job and there is some epic footage from parts of the route including great stuff on the summit of the Pigne d'Arolla.

Our guide Robbie Fenlon and presetner Zay Harding are clearly the stars of the programme, although the supporting cast shouldn't go without a mention. Paul's fleeting cameo (one word - "Pizza??!!") was a stroke of genius and it is surely only a matter of time before such natural ability comes under the gaze of Attenborough, Dimbleby and others!

The programme, titled 'Ice Trekking in the Alps', is currently being screened as part of the Globetrekker series on the Travel Channel and Discovery throughout the world. All very exciting stuff!!

You can read about our Haute Route Ski Touring trips by clicking here.

Extreme Dreaming in Venezuela

2007-11-26 11:03:19

Following on from our work on the Haute Route film project, we were asked to provide the logistics for an episode of 'Extreme Dreams', a TV series which runs on BBC2 and is presented by Ben Fogle. After designing a challenging itinerary for the programme, I was lucky enough to be tasked with going to Venezuela with the cast and crew to oversee the project.

I spent just over 2 weeks in Venezuela, trekking through the savanna and jungle landscapes before arriving at our eventual goal, the mystical plateau mountain of Roraima.

This mountain was made famous by Arthur Conan Doyle and provided the inspiration for his book, 'The Lost World'. It's certainly an amazing place, where bizarre rock formations make for a rather spooky summit. Incredibly, around 50% of the plants and animals found on the summit plateau are found nowhere else in the world, making this a truly unique environment.

We had lots of adventures along the way, many of which I am sure won't make it into the final edit (!), which is due to be screened in February 2008 on BBC2.

Having experienced the magic of trekking on Roraima and the wonderfully friendly nature of Venezuela, I can certainly recommend it. You can read about our private Roraima trekking holidays by clicking here. We also run small group trips to the region around Angel Falls which you can read about by clicking here.

Ecotourism in Bolivia

2008-01-24 12:12:37

Having just returned from a recent research trip to the high Andes, I am looking forward to the various wilderness adventures scheduled for 2008.

The main purpose of my visit was to look at the scope for greater integration between adventure / ecotourism in South America and nature conservation efforts in many of the fragile and threatened ecosystems of the Andes. Wilderness Journeys has established relationships with several leading nature conservation organizations which are actively seeking to harness the benefits that sensitively planned ecotourism can bring to remote and important areas.

In poor countries such as Bolivia, the primary focus of the local people is to earn a living and provide for their families. As the world’s human population increases and the climate warms, the pressure to find farmland and water increases exponentially. The result is often deforestation for firewood and to clear-fell land for farming. Water courses are diverted to provide irrigation and with the erosion caused by deforestation, the water often fails to reach the communities further downstream. Poaching of rare wildlife, such as the Andean Bear and the puma, is a major issue, exacerbated by the fact the government has little funds for wildlife protection staff and many of the National Parks are severely under-funded.

The role of ecotourism and environmentally-focused adventure travel such as the experiences offered by Wilderness Journeys is to provide an alternative livelihood for local people, which serves to place a value on wild nature, intact habitats and ecosystems. A forest or Andean grassland must be of more value to the local people pristine and intact. A bear or a puma must be of more value as a subject for sensitive photographic tourism than as a carcass or a skin.

Our adventure in Bolivia’s Cordillera Apolobamba is a superb example of sustainable ecotourism in practice. The vast Apolobamba National Park, Ulla Ulla Vicuña Reserve and Madidi National Park together form one huge protected area which covers all of the ecological zones in the Andes and the Amazon: from the high glaciated mountains down to the Amazon rain forest. Wildlife you may encounter include condors, puma and the rare spectacled or Andean Bear. This trekking holiday has been designed to ensure you experience this region in all its splendour, and that your visit contributes to the financial resources required to protect this area and to benefit the local communities, who are its custodians and guardians.

But surely, you might ask, flying across the globe to visits such areas contributes to climate change, which in turn will increase the problems? Having spent the past 10 years working in ecotourism and on conservation related initiatives, I firmly believe that the overall effect of visiting such special wild regions far outweighs the negatives of flying. There is no question that we must all fly less. However, 20% of global emissions are caused by deforestation and habitat destruction. Ecotourism plays a vital role in providing an economic and practical counter solution.

We also believe that you can only love what you know. If you love something, you will want to protect it. Our journeys are designed to inspire our clients. We want you to have an amazing holiday, to get away from it all, to enjoy yourselves in incredible parts of the world. We want our visits to support the conservation of the ecosystems through which we journey. We want you to return invigorated, inspired and rejuvenated. We sincerely hope that having visited these areas, you will feel motivated to support their preservation in the future. This completes the circle of adventure, knowledge, understanding and motivation for future protection of the earth’s precious wilderness areas.

Pre Haute Route Practising!

2008-02-06 14:49:42

With my April Haute Route trip just around the corner now, I convinced myself that the best training that can be done for the trip, would be a week long, fully catered, chalet based ski trip in the Alps! I have just returned from France and the beautiful village of St Foy - with a handful of quiet runs, but located close to the resorts of Val D'Isere, Tignes and Les Arcs.

We enjoyed some fabulous weather which offered some incredible panoramas of the Alps and wonderful snow conditions which in turn, allowed me to practice my off piste technique and work on my fitness.

The Haute Route is a six day high altitude journey through the spectacular scenery of the Alps, from Chamonix to Zermatt and I am very much looking forward to joining a small group of our Wilderness Journeys Clients on the trip. We still have one place available on the trip and if you are keen to join us on this very special journey, please contact the office as soon as possible.

You can read about our Haute Route Ski Touring trips by clicking here.

Under Blue Skies in the Alps

2008-02-12 15:09:40

With our busiest spring yet of off-piste skiing and ski touring just around the corner, I took the opportunity to catch up with Robbie, Derek, Claire and the team in Chamonix at the weekend. Conditions are just great out there at the moment with the weather more like spring than early February.

The Vallee Blanche and all the variants are in good condition with the brilliant blue skies forecast to last well into the week. It was suprisingly quiet on Sunday and we had much of the route to ourself, skiing some nice windpacked snow around the Gros Rognon.

Yesterday was an absolute "belter" (Tim's ever enthusiastic words!) in terms of the weather and we finished the trip with a nice short tour around Les Contamines. This is a quiet family resort at a dead end valley. However, it also serves a fantastic range of ski touring terrain with amazing views of the Mont Blanc Massif. As such, it has become a favourite wee excursion on our intro backcountry skiing weeks. We opted for the Col de la Cicle which offers a gentle skin up with an exciting ski down into the forest and a run out through the beautiful nature reserve. It's a really special quiet corner of the Alps.

For any aspiring backcountry skiers out there, we still have places on our late March/early April introductory week and good availability on our new Zermatt Off-Piste week.

Paul

India's Shivling - the most beautiful mountain in the world?

2008-03-19 17:00:54

The wonderful mountain of Shivling, "the phallus of Shiva", may be the most stunning peak of the Garhwal region. Many consider it to be the most beautiful mountain in the world!

Its spectacular form is often compared to that of the Matterhorn as it rises as a sheer pyramid above the snout of the Gangotri Glacier. After British exploration of the Gangotri Glacier in 1933, a German expedition undertook a reconnaissance of Shivling in 1938. They reported "no feasible route" on the mountain due to its steepness and the threat of falling séracs.

Shivling was however first climbed on June 3, 1974 via the west ridge, by a team from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, led by Hukam Singh.

Our trekking adventure this September to the remote Kalindi Pass affords wonderful views of this mystic peak and entails a journey into a seldom visited and incredibly beautiful region of India. This pass was first crossed by Shipton and Tillman in 1934 and the route was only recently opened to visitors. There is a genuine feeling of mountaineering exploration and adventure.

The 3-week itinerary is a journey to some of the holiest places on the planet. Shiva, after whom the peak is named, is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. The magic of India, for me, is the connection that the Indian people retain with nature. Were it not for their tradition of worshipping deities which take a natural form, it is arguable that many of their incredible wild places and species such as the tiger, would have been lost a long time ago.

India is however changing rapidly and as the population strives towards the material possessions and lifestyle of the West, some of these ancient and mystical traditions and natural wonders will inevitably come under threat. There is no better time to visit India than just now and we hope that this journey will inspire you to value and protect our wild and beautiful places for future generations. Please click here for the full itinerary.

Into the Wild - Alaska

2008-04-25 11:23:15

I've just finished reading 'Into the Wild', the story of a young man and his journey into the wilderness of Alaska. Although the book tells the sad tale of how young Chris McCandless died on his adventure, it is a fascinating read and one which certainly makes me want to return to Alaska.

The book's author, Jon Krakauer, asks some interesting questions about why McCandless - and other people over the past few years - have given up their regular lives and ventured into the wilderness. There are no real conclusions - how can there be? - but one thing which is clear is that wilderness can have a great effect on people and should be valued as such.

It makes me think back to my last visit to Alaska and how I felt at the time. With some friends, I trekked into a National Park on a multi-day expedition. It was spring and the ranger told us that we were the only hikers in the entire park! It was a magical trip with lots of adventures - finding fresh grizzly tracks, coping with rivers in flood with snow-melt, not getting lost!

But an overwhelming memory was of the stillness. Being alone (except for each other) in a massive wilderness. Watching nature carry on, unaffected by our presence, and realising how small we were in this wilderness. The experience cleared my mind, refreshed my spirit and made me feel privileged to be there. The quotation by John Muir:

“I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in.” - suddenly made sense to me as we sat around our small campfire one evening.

If you enjoy exploring true wilderness regions, there are few better places to visit than Alaska. Our trip to the Valley of 10,000 Smokes is a wonderful trekking holiday in Alaska, backpacking through the wilderness and climbing some peaks too.

If you would like to read 'Into the Wild', you can buy a copy of the book by clicking here. A DVD of the film is also available.

Alpine Season 2009

2008-05-15 20:59:17

Greetings from the Alps where Robbie, Claire and I have been making the most of the inter-season to make grand plans for Winter 2009.

2008 was a busy season for us and thanks to all our new and returning clients for making it a memorable one. There were many highlights and it's difficult to choose. The definite low point was Tim (from the office) blowing his medial knee ligament on a Haute Route warm-up day. Probably the first and last time that he will follow the Fenlon at "guide-speed" in a white-out.

New plans for 2009 include a new itinerary in Norway offering the special experience of skiing from summit to sea and a new tour in the Gran Paradiso. I went there just last month and loved the solitude of the place with no lifts and few people. Added to that are some of the best huts in the Alps. On eating the Tiramisu at the Benevolo Hut I seriously had to contain a "mamma mia!" it was so good. This might be the only ski tour in the Alps where you could actually put on weight.

All 2009 dates and prices will be fully live on the website by the end of June. In the interim, please do give us a call if you would like to make an advance booking or discuss the new itineraries for next year.

Serengeti walking safaris!

2008-07-23 11:37:48

Wilderness Journeys are thrilled to offer an exciting new range of walking safaris in the Serengeti National Park in northern Tanzania. A little known fact is that only 15% of the Serengeti is currently accessible by tourists and the remaining 85% consists of a vast, pristine wilderness. Wilderness Journeys, in partnership with skilled local guides, are one of only a small selection of operators who have been invited to offer these fascinating experiences.

Our Serengeti walking safaris explore this undiscovered and enchanting region and we urge you to join us on one of these pioneering adventures as the great migration winds its way across the plains. The migration is generally in the northern part of the Serengeti from July to October and in the period from November onwards the great herds make their way south to the calving grounds of the south-east Serengeti where they remain from December to March. As the rain clouds gather, the herds being to stir and in April the journey north and west begins once again.

Our walking safaris operate from lightweight mobile camps, where delicious meals are served under the stars around a blazing camp fire. Every bush comfort is catered for, with hot showers and real mattresses and bed-linen, however this is still a true wilderness adventure which will remain with you for the rest of your days.

For details of our new walking safaris in the Serengeti please click here.

New videos on our Facebook page

2008-09-12 10:37:40

When planning an adventure holiday, it's always useful to see some images about some potential destinations. Films too can be very inspiring. We've recently uploaded some videos to the Wilderness Journeys page on Facebook. If you are a member of Facebook, simply sign in, search for 'Wilderness Journeys' and you can view our page and even sign up as a fan.

The new videos include some astonishing footage of a penguin being pursued by killer whales in Antarctica and the new promotional video for the Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival, which runs in October.

We will be be adding more videos to our Facebook page soon, as well as new photos and other use. Check it out today and sign up as a 'fan' to keep in touch!

Maasai Mara - Big Cat Live!

2008-10-10 15:02:21

Like many of you I am sure, I have been glued to the TV watching the recent Big Cat Live broadcasts from the Maasai Mara.

I was thrilled to see Jackson Looseyia featured as a co-presenter and the special emphasis which has been placed on Maasai culture and guiding. Jackson is one of the owners and senior guides at Rekero Camp in the Maasai Mara, where we often send our guests.

He also presented a short feature last night on the Koiyaki Guiding School, an exciting new community-owned Maasai guiding school in the northern Maasai Mara, which has been set up to train local Maasai men and women to become guides and thereby become involved in and to benefit from ecotourism in the region. Wilderness Journeys are the first UK operator to feature the stunning new Koiyaki Wilderness Camp, which has been set up especially to provide revenue for the Koiyaki Guiding School.

The camp, which is a stylish ecolodge in the Maasai Mara’s wild north, camp represents an intriguing new development in conservation tourism in Kenya and is the first community-owned ecolodge in the Maasai Mara. The Koiyaki wilderness camp offers safari guests a superb wilderness experience with beautiful accommodation, first-class guiding and spectacular views over the Maasai Mara. Guests at Koiyaki enjoy a range of safari activities including wildlife drives and walking safaris, all accompanied by skilled local Maasai guides who have been trained at the nearby Koiyaki Guiding School.

Having developed our Kenya programmes, I was involved in providing international marketing advice for the planning and development of the wilderness camp. To date, only 20 percent of guides in the Maasai Mara are local Maasai and if this incredible wildlife reserve is to survive the pressures of a growing human population and the corresponding desire for more agricultural land, it is essential that the local community benefit from ecotourism and see wildlife as a valuable resource.

We would encourage you to travel to the amazing Maasai Mara with us and if you do, to choose either Rekero Camp or the Koiyaki Wilderness Camp as your accommodation of choice.

The warm heart of Africa comes to Edinburgh

2008-11-21 09:57:21

On Thursday the 13 November Wilderness Journey's presented a special evening of Adventure and Safari Travel in Malawi, the warm heart of Africa.

The event took place in the vibrant surroundings of the newly opened Henderson's Gallery. As guests arrived they grazed on nibbles, drank wine, and expressed their affinity with Malawi. Many of whom had already travelled there and throughout the course of the evening would share their experiences.

After a brief introduction and slide show oaboutWilderness Journeys by Neil Birnie, our in-country Malawi safari partner Chris Badger took to the stage.

Chris Badger was a great guest speaker who chatted animatedly and passionately about the marvels of Malawi. Delving into Malawi's rich cultural, geographical and grass roots history with Scotland, Chris was captivating and enlightening. I personally was in admiration of his depth and knowledge which was phenomenal, he candidly interspersed his facts with amusing anecdotes which were entertaining and informative.

Our local partners in Malawi, headed by Chris are an instrumental and formidable force in supporting countless initiatives which support the local community of Malawi and preserve the country's natural outstanding beauty including its wonderful inhabitants.

It was great that the audience was so interactive and forthcoming with their experiences and Chris was more than happy to answer any questions posed.

All in all it was a lovely warm evening despite the chilling temperatures outside and this event will act as a platform for future Wilderness Journeys activities.

For more information on our Malawi trips click here.

Mountain Biking in beautiful Bhutan

2008-11-21 12:07:37

Fresh from Mountain Biking in Bhutan, Tim Francis - our guide - provides a vibrant and vivid insight into mountain biking in the Land of the Thunder Dragon:

My journey begins with the plane flight from Delhi to Paro which tickles the high Himalaya with unparalleled views of Everest and provides the perfect aperitif. The descent and approach into the Paro Valley, our starting point in Bhutan, is equally enticing with the valleys shrouded in a thin veil of clouds. This made the descent into the Paro valley even more spectacular as all of a sudden we were presented with a riot of colour and culture that just removes the past 24hours of travel toil in the snap of a dragons tail.

There aren't many other places on the globe that the visitor is happily snapping away as soon as they leave the cabin door! As per my last visit to Bhutan in 2007 the place was spellbinding in the most spiritual of ways. But what could be any better than the previous mountain bike trip?

Well descending to the campsite at Gangtey on a fantastic off-road trail with the sound of newly arriving black necked cranes only feet above your head just has to be a memory of a lifetime. But then there was the sun going down on the Bhutan Himalayas, illuminating the high tops with a glowing pink with Tibet in the background. And then there was the herd of yaks at Cheri Bridge. And also the rolling single track of the Punakah Valley and sublime descent from Talo. Let's just say I'm looking forward to the next trip!

Want to read more about our Mountain Biking trips in Bhutan? Click here for details.

Celebrate in Ecuador and Galapagos in 2009

2008-12-05 10:20:22

2009 is set to be a year of celebrations in Ecuador! There will be an astonishing number of pivotal historic occasions to rejoice in one year alone, so we hope that you will be able to join the parties!

Next year marks the bicentenary of Darwin’s birth and is also 150 years since his Theory of Evolution. The Galapagos Islands - known as the Enchanted Islands by pirates in days of old - is like nowhere else on earth. It is an adventurer's and naturalist's paradise with the cluster of islands defined by towering cliffs, volcanic moonscapes, emerald green coves and a vast array of magical and wonderful species including giant tortoises, sea lions and swimming iguanas.

It is no wonder then that the Galapagos Islands captured the imagination of Charles Darwin and provided the catalyst for developing the monumental Theory of Evolution.

Darwin aside, there are even more reasons for the Galapagos Islands to celebrate in 2009 as it will be 50 years since it became a National Park and also 30 years since it was crowned a Natural UNESCO Heritage Site.

Ecuador itself has many reasons to celebrate. Quito, its lively capital, was the first city in the world to receive World Heritage status. And as if that is not enough, next year Ecuador will be celebrating 200 years of Independence in August. If you enjoy experiencing authentic national celebrations, there really can be no better time to visit Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands than in 2009.

To tie-in with all of these celebrations, we are delighted to offer our first holidays in Ecuador and the Galapagos in 2009. After extensive research over the last couple of years, we now offer a once-in-a-lifetime sea-kayaking holiday in the Galapagos Islands.

We can also arrange customised walking and adventure holidays in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, and plan to announce further small group trips in Ecuador shortly, so keep an eye on the website for these new trips. In the meantime, you can find out a bit more about this fascinating country by clicking here.

Winter Photography Competition 2009

2008-12-09 12:22:52

A great start to the winter in the Northern Hemisphere.

The lifts have already started turning in the Alps and our Chamonix team has been making the most of the early season conditions, out touring and getting in shape for the coming winter. At mid-mountain, snow depths are already 1metre+ and some resorts are reporting nearly 2metres at the top. These early season snows can make a big difference by the time the spring ski touring season comes around, so let’s hope it continues.

Scotland’s certainly not been left behind, with the season kicking off at the end of October. The Met Office is forecasting the coldest winter since 2000. Looking back then, 2000-2001 was an amazing snow season with skiing well into May with many prized ski tours and plenty of the steeps in good condition. Sure it’s hard for Scotland to compete with the touring on offer in the Alps, but it’s a great place to take your first steps in ski touring and develop your mountain skills and knowledge.

For 2009, we will be running our first winter photography competition. We’re looking for all your best images in the category “A Wilderness Adventure”. Please send to polly@wildernessjourneys.com in jpeg format no larger than 3MB. The closing date for entries is the 31 March 2009. The winning entry will receive a personalised signed copy of Colin Prior’s fantastic book – The World’s Wild Places.

Skiing Under the Midnight Sun in Arctic Norway

2009-02-09 13:10:16

When 99.9% of the ski population have packed away their boots and got out their swimmers, some of us will be heading north (70 degrees north to be precise) to the Lyngen Alps and the Land of the Midnight Sun! As well as 24 hour daylight, the snow conditions are still fantastic during May with summit to sea skiing possible.

In May 2009 we'll be conducting a recce trip to the region, led by Swedish guide Jimmy Harvaldson. If you've done at least a week's ski-touring before and would like to be really "out there" exploring the Lyngen Alps with us then please contact Paul in our office on 0131 625 6635 or by emailing paul@wildernessjourneys.com and he'll talk through the details.

Some pictures from one of Jimmy's trips last year might just get you in the mood! Click here...

Botswana and The Great Flood

2009-03-12 12:02:06

If you, like me, were glued to the TV last night, I'm sure you will have woken up today with a burning desire to visit the incredible Okavango Delta of Botswana and experience the wildlife viewing and safaris there. The region was highlighted in the BBC series 'Nature's Great Events. If you missed it last night, it will be repated on Sunday 15th March at 6pm on BBC1. It is also available on BBC's i-player.

The story of last night's show was that of the flood ariving in the Okavango Delta. The wildlife already there eagerly awaited its arrival, while vast herds of grazing animals such as elephants, buffalo and zebra migrate to the Okavango in anticipation of its arrival. Of course, the lions know this so they go there as well to prey!

What was so fascinating about the region is that it remains so inaccessible and pristine today. A safari or wilderness adventure to Botswana is truly an adventure off the beaten track.

If you would like to visit Botswana, please have a look at our Botswana wilderness safari trip, or email Neil in the Wilderness Journeys office to discuss a bespoke trip.

Lake Malawi has its first ever Malawian kayak instructor

2009-03-12 12:02:48

Great news for the tourism of Lake Malawi as they now have their first ever Malawian PADI Scuba Diving Instructor, Patrick Phiri! In the past training has been carried out by South African kayak instructors as Johannesberg is one of the best places to get trained. Patrick himself has just returned from there having passed with honours all the examinations for full qualification.

Patrick is very keen to start his teaching in home waters and is determined to teach as many visitors as possible - who knows if you join one of our Malawi trips and are keen to discover the under water wonders of Malawi you may be lucky enough to have Patrick as your inspiring instructor!

The WWF's Earth Hour Needs You!

2009-03-24 15:55:10

The WWF Earth Hour needs your help; they want one billion people around the world to switch of their lights for one hour this Saturday (28 March) at 8.30pm.

By taking part you will show the world leaders that they need to take real action to tackle the problems of climate change. WWF’s Earth Hour is going to be the biggest mass participation event in history and already many people have signed up to switching their lights off. Not only this but some of the world’s most iconic landmarks will have their lights off including the Eiffel Tower and the Sydney Opera House.

The WWF believes that it is not too late to avoid the worst impact of climate change but we need to act now. If you are interested then there are plenty of ways to join in and show your support, for more information please click here.

A Place in the Wild

2009-05-21 15:47:48

A Place in the Wild, was a fascinating documentary which recently screened and covered the day to day activities of the Kicheche Laikipia Camp and the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. This series was of particular interest to us as Laikipia is leading the world in community-based ecotourism and we are proud to feature all of the region’s community-based tourism initiatives in our holiday itineraries.

Laikipia is one of the continent's conservation success stories with all of the wildlife living outwith national parks. Instead a system of remote wilderness lodges and surrounding private and community owned wildlife reserves ensures that eco-tourism is the principle driver of conservation in the region. The programme depicted the trials and tribulations of meeting the challenging objectives of the Conservancy capturing the wildlife and people that inhabitant this magical place.

In Laikipia we organise unforgettable multi-day walking safaris with Masai and Samburu warrior guides. You can combine a walking safari with a stay at one of the many stylish and remote wilderness lodges, which are often located on a rocky bluff or beautiful bend in the river. The swimming pools are some of the most spectacular in the world – “infinity” pools spilling over the rock face to the valley below. For a more vivid picture and itineraries available please click here.

Beautiful Bhutan

2009-05-21 16:32:27

Bhutan is a wonderfully cultural and religious place with a constant stream of fascinating festivals making it a fantastic place to visit all year round. The most prolific festival is the Tshechu festival on the 10th day of each month honouring Guru Padsambhava – ‘one who was born from lotus flower’ who championed the diffusion of Tantric Buddhism in the Himalayan regions.

During Tshechus, the dances are performed by monks as well as laymen. The Tshechu is a religious festival and by attending it, it is believed one gains merit and people come together and rejoice. Festivals aside there are so many reasons to visit the Kingdom of the Thunder Dragon and Louisa Bowles a recent client on one of our trips beautifully captures this.

"There are too many memorable moments to pick just one, but a few would be the sight of Jhomolhari by full moon at base camp, the sight of monks wandering freely around town doing their shopping, the calmness yet exuberance of Buddhist temples, the drama of the Dzongs and the beauty and serenity of the scenery. This was simply the best holiday I have ever been on”.

For more information on Bhutan please click here.

UP and away Adventures

2009-06-04 11:54:03

Pixar’s latest film UP is heading for heady heights in the film world as critics hail it to be Pixar’s best film yet. At first glance you might find the story rather strange - how can a 78 year old Carl Fredricksen possibly match the characteristic charm or the interest the way WALL- E? can. Well he does so, effortlessly.

By tying thousands of balloon to his home, 78-year-old Carl Fredricksen sets out to fulfill his lifelong dream to see the wilds of South America. Right after lifting off, however, he learns he isn't alone on his journey, since Russell, a wilderness explorer 70 years his junior, has inadvertently become a stowaway on the trip. Critics have applauded this hilarious comedy and we at Wilderness Journeys cannot wait to see it when it is released on 29 October.

Interested in making the animation come alive? See for yourself what adventures can be had in South America with Wilderness Journeys. South America is home to a vast and diverse area of spectacular landscapes and melting pot ecosystems. From the Andes to the Amazon – the variety of destinations, cultures and opportunities for experiences is limitless. In the actions of Carl Fredricksen you could be up, up and away on an adventure of a lifetime.

Only a click away

Countdown to World Tourism Day

2009-06-12 12:27:30

Announced today, the World Tourism Day will commemorate on 27 September 2009 its 30th anniversary in Ghana under the theme ‘Tourism - Celebrating Diversity’. Throughout Wilderness Journey’s journey sustainable tourism has been at the forefront of the business, we realise that green business is good business and hope that other businesses will follow towards a more sustainable future.

Other than adding perspective to the role of globalization in balancing tourism influx and environmental and cultural sustainability, this year’s theme also aims to shed light on the most human side of the industry – its capacity to build understanding, foster social inclusion and promote higher standards of living.

World Tourism Day is celebrated every year on 27 September. Its purpose is to foster awareness among the international community of the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political and economic value. The event seeks to address global challenges outlined in the UN Millennium Development Goals and to highlight the contributions the tourism sector can make in reaching these goals.

UNWTO Secretary-General a.i., Taleb Rifai, underscores tourism’s potential as a reliable job creator and contributor to economic wealth. “There is increasing awareness of tourism’s role as a productive activity and its undisputed potential to generate employment, government income and other benefits whether directly or through induced effects in the economy. Tourism is a global industry and as such has a responsibility to make positive contributions world wide.”

Together we can make Britain greener

2009-07-08 10:30:50

The 10 July is the first Green Britain Day which marks our stance in fighting climate change and making our life better for ourselves and the rest of the world.

Inspired by the forthcoming Olympic and Paralympics Games in 2012, Green Britain Day is there to encourage positive action and creating a green legacy. With all eyes on Britain in 2012 we want to show the world that we are at the forefront in the race against climate change.

Do something green for the team on the 10 July, it's up to you how much or how little you should do just as long as you participate in some sort of way. There are so many things than you can help with to do your bit in reducing the carbon footprint of Britain and help us all live more sustainable lives. It could even safe you a bit of money. Ideas can be as simple as persuading your neighbours or family to switch of their TV or Radio or throwing a lunch for friends and family and buying in locally sourced produce.

Team Green Britain Information

Complimentary tickets to The Tao of Everest

2009-07-21 10:47:23

In partnership with Tao of Everest, we would like to offer you complimentary tickets to one of the shows. All you need to do is choose a date, performances take place from 7 - 9pm between 7 - 13 August, at the James Clerkwell Maxwell Theatre.

The Tao of Everest has received critical claim all over the globe and is coming to Edinburgh as part of the Fringe Festival. Ian Woodall recalls the triumphs and tragedies of his experiences climbing the formidable Mount Everest. A powerful and poignant story, Ian shows how the insight gained on the mountain can enhance everyone's personal inspiration and practical leadership skills.

To hear this inspiring and evocative storytelling experience, please email ian@ianwoodall.com quoting 'Wilderness Scotland' with your preferred date (7 - 13 August).

'One hell of a storyteller' - Times Herald-Record

'Excellent, entertaining, fun and meaningful, your presentation felt like a movie' - Ernst & Young

Tao of Everest Information

Sea Kayaking in Greenland

2009-09-09 12:59:28

I am lucky enough to have just returned from our incredible sea kayaking expedition trip to Greenland and I am still finding it difficult to put into words just how amazing it was. This truly is a trip of a lifetime and I was blown away by the scenery, the great feeling of wilderness, the wonderful paddling and the friendliness of the Inuit.

It seemed that every day we paddled in increasingly more beautiful locations and our camp sites became even more spectacular. The trip took the form of a point to point sea kayak journey and we covered around 120 miles over 11 days. Paddling past enormous white and blue icebergs is something that will live long in my memory.

If you are looking for a sea kayaking experience that you will never forget, then I cannot recommend this highly enough. I had to pinch myself on regular occasions to see that I was not dreaming!

To read about the trip, click on this link: Sea Kayaking Greenland - A Polar Expedition

To view some of my trip photos, click here.

Wildest Dreams in Kenya

2009-09-17 09:06:07

The BBC’s Wildest Dreams was one of my favourite programmes yet, and if you feel the same as i did then you will be mourning its demise! For those of you who did not tune into this extraordinary programme, it was about nine wildlife enthusiasts who compete for the ultimate job to become a wildlife film-maker.

Over the series, presenter Nick Knowles and James Honeyborne judge the skills of the contestants in one of the natural world's greatest arenas – Africa. I was truly gripped each week by the new challenge which they faced from tracking elephant in the Botswana's Okavango Delta to filming 30,000 killer bees down a cliff.

Wildest Dreams for me was TV Gold, not only did it portray the trials and tribulations that can face a wildlife filmmaker but it also showcased the diverse beauty which beholds Africa.

With Wilderness Journeys you can experience your Wildest Dreams in real life. The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy was highlighted in one of the episodes, and Lewa features in many of our itineraries in Kenya. Going on safari to Lewa provides financial support to the conservancy and its work with endangered species.

In another episode, the remaining contestants film the big cats in the Maasai Mara, Kenya where we also run trips. For more information on our Kenya holidays click here. This could be your chance to play out your wildest dreams!

Wilderness Journeys Shortlisted for Major Award

2009-09-23 11:50:37

We were delighted to find out that Wilderness Journeys has been shortlisted at the Responsible Tourism Awards 2009. After being initially nominated by our clients, we were then assessed and were delighted to make it onto the final shortlist. The category we are a finalist for is 'Best Operator in a Mountain Environment'.

The winners will be announced at the World Travel Market on 11 November, so we will be keeping our fingers crossed as we wait to find out if we have won!

We were delighted to be nominated in the 'Best Operator in a Mountain Environment' category because we have worked hard to create some fantastic trekking holidays in the world's most spectacular landscapes.

Some of our favourite trekking holidays include:

With these fantastic treks to choose from, and many others too, there is a lifetime of adventure to be had on our trekking trips. Please contact us if you have any questions about these treks. And look out for some fantastic new treks being introduced for 2010!

Wilderness Journeys comes Highly Commended

2009-11-12 17:11:34

Wilderness Journeys is delighted to announce that it was highly commended by the Responsible Tourism Awards in the Best Operator in a Mountain Environment category. While we missed out on winning the award, we are not too disappointed as it means our commitment to sustainable tourism in the mountainous regions where we run many of our trips was still recognised at a very high level.

One of the key aspects of the award focused on our Environment and Community Fund. Through this fund, Wilderness Journeys has provided significant financial support to the development of a partnership between the UK-based environmental charity, the Wilderness Foundation and the Green Belt Movement – an inspiring Kenya charity dedicated to reforesting Kenya under the leadership of Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr Wangari Mathai.

Sustainable tourism is an integral part of our company and we focus heavily on community-based and community-involved tourism experiences, where the preservation of wildlife and natural forests is central to the livelihoods, customs and cultures of the local people.

For more information on our inspiring holidays in Kenya, please click here.

The world's rarest rhinos at Ol Pejeta Conservancy

2010-03-01 09:08:49

The two females and two males, have been flown from the Dvur Králové Zoo in the Czech Republic to Ol Pejeta, Kenya. The transfer is aimed at providing the rhinos with the most favourable breeding conditions in an attempt to pull the species back from the verge of extinction. It is thought that the climatic, dietary and security conditions that the rhinos will enjoy at Ol Pejeta will provide them with higher chances of starting a population in what is seen as the very last lifeline for the species.

The transfer marks the beginning of the "Last Chance to Survive", a project by the joint efforts of the Dvur Králové Zoo, Fauna and Flora International, Back to Africa, the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, the Kenya Wildlife Service and the Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

Currently listed as the most critically endangered rhino subspecies and the most endangered mammal species in the world, the northern white rhinos used to range over parts of Uganda, Chad, Sudan, Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo. By 1960 more than 2,000 northern white rhinos still existed, but excessive hunting for their horn, hide and meat has caused extreme depletion of their numbers.

Ol Pejeta, which is East Africa’s largest Black Rhino Sanctuary, has been assessed to be the best possible location for the northern white rhino's breeding project. Besides its proximity to the northern white rhino’s environmental stronghold, Ol Pejeta also offers well qualified and experienced staff to care for these species. The rhinos will be fitted with radio transmitters in their horns to optimise security and monitoring.

Among many other wonderful wildlife experiences our Kenya Safari – Wildlife Adventure includes a visit to the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, and there may also be an opportunity to see these extraordinary mammals.

Haute Route Ski Tour Video and Article

2010-03-17 12:36:00

Last year, Tom Robbins of The Observer joined us to attempt our ski touring trip on the Haute Route in the Alps. Tom's article has recently been published in The Observer, along with a video diary. He enjoyed an epic trip - this is something which is pretty much guaranteed on the Haute Route!

If you are a keen ski tourer, we still have a few places available on our Haute Route trips in March and April 2010. To check availability, visit our Haute Route page or call Tim in the office on 0131 625 6635.

You can read Tom's article and see his video diary on The Observer's website by clicking here.

As well as the Haute Route trip, we have an exciting range of alternative ski touring trips in France, Italy and Alaska, as well as courses for those of you who are keen to learn to ski tour or improve your skills.

We hope that you can join us for a winter adventure this spring!

Last Chance to See

2010-05-10 13:39:45

Back in March, I wrote about the crucial new breeding programme being introduced at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy for the northern white rhinos. Their plight is once again in the spotlight, the latest episode of Last Chance to See continues Stephen Fry and Mark Carwardine search for animals on the edge of extinction - the 'Northern White Rhino' is on at 10.00am on Tuesday 11th May on Eden. The general consensus among those in the know is that it is now extinct in the wild. Unfortunately, a deadly cocktail of poaching, civil unrest and corruption has lead to its tragic demise.

The northern white rhino is the second largest land animal on the planet, after the elephant. Weighing as much as 2.7 tonnes and towering as high as 1.8 metres at the shoulder, it is really big. A surprising fact that you may not know is that the white rhino is not in fact white, it’s actually grey – its description got lost in translation. 'White' is apparently a mistranslation of the Afrikaans word 'weit', which means 'wide'. The Afrikaners were referring to the rhino's mouth, so the rhino with the wide mouth ended up being called the white rhino!!!

Our Kenya Safari – Wildlife Adventure includes a visit to the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, and there may be an opportunity to see these extraordinary mammals in real life.

Home - The Earth from the Air movie

2010-09-08 09:18:01

I was fortunate enough to be at a special event in Edinburgh last night, screening Yann Arthus-Bertrand's movie 'Home'. Yann is probably best known for his photo exhibition and books 'The Earth from the Air' and this movie takes that theme a little further, exploring the environmental issues behind his incredible images.

Following the film, Yann took to the stage to be awarded a medal by the Royal Scottish Geographical Society in recognition of his contribution to the environment. Yann then took questionsfrom the audience and shared his hopes for the future in a very engaging event.

'Home' is a truly fascinating movie, which ranks alongside 'An Inconvenient Truth' in terms of highlighting the environmental damage caused to the earth and the challenges that lie ahead. However, it is not all doom and gloom. Alongside the beautiful images is a message of hope - that it is too late to be pessimistic and, instead, we should all be acting now to do what we can to try and help the environment.

One of Yann's key aims was to have the movie available free to everyone - and he succeeded. By gaining corporate sponsorship (an issue that was debated last night), he was able to arrange for the film to be available free of charge to watch online, in high definition.

I can whole-heartedly recommend that you make time to watch the movie, and, hopefully, do your bit to help the planet. You can watch the movie in full by clicking here.

Lost Land of the Tiger

2010-09-21 12:02:37

The WJ team is really looking forward to watching a new documentary series ‘Lost Land of the Tiger’ which starts tonight at 9pm on BBC1. Searching for tigers hidden in the Himalayan Kingdom, the filmmakers strive to find evidence that could help bring the wild tigers back from the brink of extinction and safeguard their future. Coupled with unique access to jungles and the mountaineous landscape which dominates Bhutan, this is sure to be a powerful and insightful story.

If you feel inspired to visit Bhutan and see this wonderful country in person then please visit wildernessjourney/bhutan for our range of adventures.

Return of the Rhino

2010-11-01 14:00:56

For those who missed watching this incredible documentary on BBC, worry not, there is still a chance to watch it on BBC iPlayer. Return of the Rhino is part of a series called "Last Chance to See" in which Stephen Fry and Mark Cawardine head to the ends of the earth in search of animals on the edge of extinction. In this documentary they follow attempts to move the world’s rarest rhinos from snowy zoo in Czech Republic to the Ol Pejeta, Kenya in the hope that they will breed in the wild and save them from extinction.

To see watch Return of the Rhino visit here.

If you are interested in seeing these wonderful animals in real life at Ol Pejeta, then please visit here.

New Trips for 2011

2010-11-04 13:13:09

In addition to our classic trips, we are confident that there is an adventure for everyone with our inspiring new range. Each trip has been designed with all the special ingredients in mind: unique locations, off the beaten track adventures and authentic, ethical experiences all served up in our signature Wilderness Journeys style.

Malawi Trekking - Mount Mulanje: Island in the Skye - Adventurous travellers with a passion for the outdoors will revel in the stunning scenery, friendly people and trekking opportunities. Feel your spirits soar as you trek through the striking landscapes of Mount Mulanje, the highest mountain in Southern Africa at 3,002m, whose name translates as "Island in the Sky".

Yukon Canoeing - Big Salmon River - The Big Salmon River is an unbeatable wilderness canoeing experience. Led by the very best canoe guides, you will paddle across large Yukon lakes and isolated rivers, through playful faster‐flowing sections, before trying out a little bit of white-water paddling.

Yukon Hiking - Chilkoot Trail - On this Chilkoot Trail adventure you will experience the famous "trail of 1898" in much the same way as the original Gold Rush stampeders did. Your historic journey unfolds against the backdrop of a majestically beautiful landscape spanning coastal Alaska to the Yukon’s interior.

Peru Multi Activity - Inca Trail and the Sacred Valley - From Cusco you will explore nearby ruins on horseback, raft the fun grade III-IV rapids of the Urubamba River, visit Pisac artisan market, descend into the Sacred Valley by mountain bike and hike the famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

Peru Trekking - Salkantay Trail Lodge to Lodge - During this journey you will traverse magnificent mountain passes, appreciate giant snow-capped peaks and explore over twelve different ecosystems before reaching Machu Picchu. On your way you will pass through local communities who are happy to share their traditional way of life - a real authentic experience that should not be missed. This is a fabulous alternative to the regular Inca Trail, especially for people who don't want to camp as you will be staying in wonderful lodges each night.

Chile Sea Kayaking - Andes to Ocean - A wilderness paddling route from the magnificent Argentinean Andes to the Chilean Pacific coast - kayaking across five Andean lakes and twenty seven miles of the Rio Puelo you will paddle in areas which have been barely explored.

Chile Trekking Patagonia - Wild Cochamo - An incredible trekking journey, which explores the contrasting landscapes of the upper Andes – a true visual feast for even the most discerning traveller. On route you will experience warm Patagonian hospitality, fine Chilean wine and mouth-watering Creole-Chilean cuisine.

Tanzania Walking Safari - Selous Game Reserve - This trip provides the perfect combination of intrepid adventure and bush comfort in the diverse landscapes of Africa's largest reserve. The Selous Game Reserve attracts both East and Southern African wildlife, resident and migratory creating a wealth of opportunity for wildlife spotting.

Highway to segregate the Serengeti

2010-12-17 10:06:44

The Tanzanian government plans to build a major highway across the Serengeti National Park and neighbouring Masai Mara. The proposed road could have a potentially devastating effect on the wildlife, ecotourism and community development which exists in that area. Conservationists are deeply concerned that if the plans were to be put in place it would lead to the demise of the largest migration in the world. If you would like find out more click here, to help stop this from happening please email the Tanzanian Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism: minister@mnrt.go.tz

We knew it along National Geographic!

2011-01-12 16:15:34

National Geographic have named Sardinia, Norway and Alaska in their list of Top 20 destinations for 2011. Great minds think alike, as we explore each of their destinations by kayak.

What makes these destinations so special? Here is our take:

Unlike its neighboring Mediterranean islands, Sardinia is renowned for its pristine wilderness and untouched coastline making it a wonderful place to explore by kayak. Think towering limestone cliffs, sandy coves, sea caves, turquoise waters and idyllic beaches, with plenty of sunshine.

We visit the stunningly beautiful Kodiak Island on our sea kayaking Katmai Coast Adventure. Kodiak is a truly unique and special placeand as you paddle along the emerald coast you will see why. The island consists of a range of lush and spectacular mountains with fjords, lakes and rivers. The rich ecosystem supports an incredible diversity of wildlife including bald eagles and Kodiak Bears!

Norway is one of the finest places to sea kayak in the world. Kayaking offers the chance to truly appreciate the awe-inspiring landscape offering unobstructed views of snowcapped peaks and glaciers, countless inlets, coves, channels, islands and off course the incredible fjords.

World�s highest burns supper

2011-01-21 09:43:01

Stranger things have happened but HIT Scotland’s recent trek up Kilimanjaro to have a burns supper is pretty out there or should I say up there! We recently organised for Hit Scotland (Hospitality Industry Trust) to climb the ‘roof of Africa’ and hold a burns supper at the top complete with all the quintessential Scottish ingredients: haggis, whisky, kilts and bagpipes!

The group of 20 including Michelin star Chef Andrew Fairlie and Comedian Fred MacAuley, have been raising money for HIT and they have already reached an incredible sum of £90,000, with hopefully more to come, their target is £150,000. The money will go towards Hit’s aim of working to raise the ambitions and aspirations for Scotland’s hospitality industry.

HIT Scotland - Wilderness Journeys salutes you!

For more information or to make a donation visit, www.hitscotlandappeal.org.

A Haute Route 3 out of 3

2011-04-05 10:57:52

Ski touring the Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt rates for many as a must do trip. The classic 120km route follows some of the most impressive alpine scenery and includes 6000m of ascent and of course, very rewarding descent.

So far this season 3 out of our 3 trips have successfully completed the route under the expert guiding of UIAGM Mountain Guide Tom Robbins. The Haute Route starts in the shadow of the awesome mass of Mont Blanc and after 6 days of navigating from Argentiere via a series of mountain huts, it’s an inspiration to ski down into Zermatt with the Matterhorn punctuating your arrival.

If you fancy escaping the lifts and crowds to ski this classic alpine traverse then we have a couple of places left on our April Haute Route trips.