Adventure Center Donates $10 to UNICEF’s “Horn of Africa” Program for Each Africa Booking Made by Oct. 31

A guide eases the mokoro over flat water at sunset in the Okavango Delta © 2011 Eric Leiberman/news-photos-features.com

Adventure Center travelers navigate the diverse landscape of Southern Africa, from South Africa to Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe on its 22-Day “Deserts, Rivers & Wildlife” small-group tour – and give back to the African community while they do it.

For each booking made before Oct. 31 on any of Adventure Center’s diverse array of Africa tours, including those in Egypt and Morocco, the company will donate $10 to UNICEF’s “Horn of Africa” program. As the tour makes its way from Cape Town to Livingstone, to its final stop at the renowned Victoria Falls, it takes in the semi-arid Kalahari Desert, the impressive Okavango River, and Augrables Falls National Park, home to the mighty Orange River and a remarkable gorge.

Other highlights are the Namib Desert, which forms part of Africa’s largest game reserve, Naukluft National Park; Etosha National Park, a reserve and game sanctuary that houses blue wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, elephant and kubu; and a visit with the semi-nomadic Himba tribesmen. Pricing for the seven 2011 departures range from $4,889 to $5,039 per person; dates and pricing for 2012 departures will be available this fall.

After a drive along the Atlantic seaboard and a cable car ride up the flat-topped Table Mountain, the group visits the historic town of Calvinia, nestled at the foot of the Hantam Mountains, and then travels through vibrant wine farms on the way to Augrabies Falls National Park. After admiring the “place of big noises,” as the falls were named by the Trek Boers, the trip spends two days each in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, where game drives allow for glimpses of the black mane lion, and the world’s second largest canyon, Fish River Canyon.

Other stops include seeing the changing colors of the world’s highest sand dunes in Sesriem; spending time in Swakopmund, a seaside resort in northwestern Namibia; enjoying the spectacular mountaintop views in Damaraland; visiting the Himba tribe; and taking a game drive through Etosha National Park, home to thousands of African animals. Travelers can swim in the famous “river pool” of the Okavango River before crossing into Botswana for a game-viewing cruise on the Chobe River. The tour ends in Livingtstone with a visit to the dramatic Victoria Falls.

An array of optional tours and activities allow guests to customize their South African adventure. In Swakopmund, there is the aerial view of the German colonial town from a hot air balloon or activities such as sandboarding, quad biking, skydiving and kayaking. Bird walks, game drives and mokoro (canoe) excursions are all available during the two-day stay near the Okavango River. Adrenaline-infused options in Livingstone include white water rafting, bungee jumping, rhino walks, elephant back safaris, visits to Victoria Falls and airplane or helicopter flights.

The tour package includes 20 nights’ lodge, chalet and small hotel/guest house accommodation; 21 breakfasts; professional tour guide; game drives, activities and park fees as specified in the itinerary; airport transfers: pick-up at Cape Town Airport, drop-off at Livingstone Airport; and transport throughout. International air, optional activities, drinks, meals not indicated within the itinerary, gratuities and visas are extra. A meal package including 13 buffet-style dinners can be pre-purchased for $449. Group size ranges from four to 16 participants.

Booking information, brochures and reservations, can be obtained from travel agents or Adventure Center’s visitor-friendly web site, www.adventurecenter.com; or by phone: U.S. (800) 228-8747; Canada (866) 338-8735. Canadian travel agents needing bulk orders of brochures can order them at www.hippoexpress.com in Canada while U.S. agents should call Adventure Center.

Adventure Center has provided world-class, affordably priced adventure travel experiences with one-on-one advice for more than 35 years. Adventure Center’s Travel Specialists have personally traveled to more than 130 countries and offer knowledgeable guidance to guests in selecting an “adventure of a lifetime.”

See also:

BOTSWANA-ZIMBABWE CAMPING SAFARI PROVES TO BE WILD EXPERIENCE

 
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Celebrate Centennial of Machu Picchu’s Discovery with Adventure Center’s 8-Day Peru Tour, at 15% Savings

Some of the golden treasures of Peru's rich heritage. This year marks the centennial of the discovery of Machu Picchu © 2011 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Travelers seeking to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the discovery of Machu Picchu and see all of Peru’s major highlights can do so without forsaking the comfort of a hotel bed with Adventure Center’s eight-day “Cusco & the Sacred Valley” tour – and save up to 15% on eleven 2011 departures.

Traveling round-trip from Lima, considered the ‘Gastronomic Capital of the Americas,’ guests explore the architecture of Cusco, where original Incan stonework remains intact; the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Machu Picchu – one of the new ‘Seven World Wonders’; the Sacred Valley, located between the colorful market town of Pisac and the archeological site of Ollantaytambo; and Aguas Calientes, so named for its natural hot baths.

A visit to the Peru’s Challenge Community Project at Pumamarca, which works to create opportunities for children living in the Andes region, offers a rare opportunity to learn firsthand about the farming communities of Peru. With small group sizes of 15 or less, English-speaking tour leaders and a comprehensive itinerary that allots free time in each area, travelers enjoy the convenience of group travel and the flexibility of independent ventures.

Discounted fares for the 2011 options are US/Cdn $1,555 to $1,698 per person, double; prices for the 21 departures in 2012 range from US/Cdn $1,825 to $1,840.

A half-day tour in the Peruvian capital of Lima, a melting pot of cultures ranging from Andean to Asian, reveals reconstructed colonial architecture from Lima’s glory days and visits the Plaza Mayor, Government Palace, Archbishop Palace and San Francisco Monastery. Lima’s National Museum of Anthropology, Archaeology and History of Peru traces its history from the original inhabitants to the Inca Empire and the Spanish Conquerors. In the ancient Incan capital of Cusco, visitors take in the areas surrounding the Plaza de Armas, noted for its 17^th-century Baroque cathedral, and discover evidence of Incan engineering in the ceremonial ruins of Sacsayhuaman. The Sacred Valley reveals further examples of Incan advancement with ancient aqueducts, irrigation canals and dams, and features the Awana Kancha tourist center, the ruins at Qenko, the Inca citadel at Ollantaytambo and the village of Pisac. The Peru’s Challenge Community Project gives travelers an intimate peek into the lives of the 1,000 families that have been helped so far, as well as an inspiring view into the future. The trip culminates in a visit to the awe-inspiring stonework of Machu Picchu before returning to Lima.

Optional tours and activities allow guests to customize the tour with the areas and attractions that interest them most. Lima’s area of Miraflores, defined by flower-filled parks and beaches, is perfect for casual exploration, while the downtown area is ideal for those looking to savor the exceptional seafood Peru is known for, such as the national dish of ceviche. Free time in Cusco offers a chance to uncover Peruvian history with a tour of the Church of San Blas or a visit to its range of museums: the Inca Museum, Religious Art Museum and Santa Catalina Museum. In Aguas Calientes, guests can peruse the small shops and restaurants or relax in the hot thermal baths at the end of town. Pre- or post-tour extensions in Lima can be arranged when booking the itinerary.

Fares include seven nights’ hotel accommodation; English-speaking local tour leader; local flights: Lima-Cusco and Cusco-Lima; sightseeing and tours, including entrance fees, specified in the itinerary; airport arrival transfer; transport throughout; and seven days breakfast. Insurance, visas, gratuities, any optional tours and activities and international air – including taxes and departure transfer – are extra.

Booking information, brochures and reservations, can be obtained from travel agents or Adventure Center’s visitor-friendly web site, www.adventurecenter.com; or by phone: U.S. (800) 228-8747; Canada (866) 338-8735. Canadian travel agents needing bulk orders of brochures can order them at www.hippoexpress.com in Canada while U.S. agents should call Adventure Center.

Adventure Center has provided world-class, affordably priced adventure travel experiences with one-on-one advice for more than 35 years. Adventure Center’s Travel Specialists have personally traveled to more than 130 countries and offer knowledgeable guidance to guests in selecting an “adventure of a lifetime.”

For more travel features, visit

www.travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate

www.examiner.com/eclectic-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

 

Adventure Center’s 11-day ‘Headhunters of Borneo’ Family Trip is guaranteed to hold kids’ attention

The days of headhunting are long past, but an overnight stay with members of the Iban tribe – renowned for their blowpipe prowess and headhunting traditions – offers an enlightening look at their ancient customs and ceremonies.  Adventure Center’s 11-day “Headhunters of Borneo,” suitable for travelers ages 7 to 70 (and up), offers a peek into the old ways of this once-feared tribe: learning how to best behave with the Iban so as not to offend, visiting with the Headman (an honor and a courtesy), enjoying traditional dances, and dining on traditional foods (no heads) while sitting on the longhouse floor.  Other highlights include the bustling city of Kuching, the coral islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, guided treks through rainforests and nature preserves filled with exotic wildlife, and a cruise down the Kinabatangan River.

Prices for the nine departures beginning July 24, 2011 and running through 2012, range from $2,973 to $3,061 per person, double (children are slightly less), and cover entrance fees, activities, accommodations, most meals, services of a group leader, and transportation, including domestic flights; optional extensions and international air are extra.  An optional five-day post-trip in Mount Kinabalu challenges guests to ascend Southeast Asia’s highest mountain before spending a day in Kota Kinabalu.

After a day spent exploring the scenic waterfront and cityscape of Kuching, Borneo’s largest city, guests travel to Bako National Park for a trek along jungle trails that are home to proboscis monkeys, long tail macaques, wild boars and monitor lizards, among others.  A stop at the farmers market in Serian is followed by a longboat ride on the Lemanak River to the longhouse of the welcoming Iban tribe.  Travelers have the opportunity to navigate the waterfalls and rolling hills of the Damai Rainforest by sea kayak or on foot before arriving in Sepilok, where visits to the Sukau Rainforest and Orangutan Reserve – one of only three of its kind in the world – offer close-up views of the endangered species.  After the Kinabatangan River cruise guests fly to Kota Kinabalu for a final day of snorkeling around the coral islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, visiting the Sabah State Museum or taking a trip to the colorful local markets.

Adventurers on the optional post-trip “Mount Kinabalu Trek Extension” continue their adrenaline-fueled journey as they ascend through rainforest and swirling mist to the summit of Southeast Asia’s highest mountain.  Rewarded with a panoramic view of the sunrise, they then descend into Kota Kinabalu for a final night of exploration.  The five-day trip is priced at $768 per person, double.

Additional details can be found at http://www.adventurecenter.com/TheAdvTvlCo/trip/fba.  Booking information, brochures and reservations, can be obtained from travel agents; Adventure Center’s visitor-friendly web site, www.adventurecenter.com; or by phone: U.S. (800) 228-8747, Canada (866) 338-8735.

Adventure Center has provided world-class, affordably priced adventure travel experiences with one-on-one advice for more than 35 years.  Adventure Center’s Travel Specialists have personally traveled to more than 130 countries and offer knowledgeable guidance to guests in selecting an “adventure of a lifetime.”