A Hiking Adventure in Galapagos

November 16th, 2011

Although a Galapagos cruise is one of the best ways to see these beautiful Islands, there are a number of other activities that travellers can take advantage of while on a luxury cruise in the Galapagos. Of course, there are the water based activities such as snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking, panga riding and swimming. In addition, however, hiking is becoming increasingly popular as a shore excursion on a Galapagos cruise.

Hiking in the Galapagos provides an amazing opportunity to get up close and personal with nature and experience species that are rare and unique to the islands. It offers ample photo opportunities of some of the most fearless species on the planet and this is due to the fact that they have no natural predators and so have not evolved a need to fight or flee.

The Galapagos Islands are an unusual combination of wildlife and volcanoes. The islands are the result of a hotspot in the earth’s crust, which caused a huge eruption of lava from beneath the ocean floor. If you’re taking a Galapagos cruise, there will be naturalists on board to explain the origin of the islands themselves and also the evolution of the wildlife that call the islands their home.

Travellers can enjoy all the variety that the islands have to offer by trekking along some of the most intriguing lava trails, hiking to the site of a dormant volcano and walking along white sandy beaches. It is important to remember the basics however. You must take along a good pair of walking boots and drink plenty of water while out hiking. Without the help of an experienced naturalist guide, you will not be able to spot the endemic flora and fauna and are likely to miss out on unique and interesting aspects of the islands.

Some of the islands’ most interesting places to hike include the trails on San Cristobal and Santa Cruz Islands. The Alcedo and Sierra Negra volcanoes offer excellent trekking opportunities. Santa Cruz is also a fantastic place to hike as it is home to the Charles Darwin Research Centre, which has its own tortoise breeding centre, with many migratory birds, lizards, seals and iguanas to be spotted.

For many people, a luxury cruise in the Galapagos will undoubtedly be the highlight, however, hiking on these beautiful islands should certainly not be overlooked and it will allow travellers to see the beauty of the islands and its wildlife up close and in a completely new light.

Posted in Adventure Activity, Vacation Destinations

Luxury Rail Travel From Cairo To Cape Town

November 12th, 2011

There are some journeys in the world that still embody an ancient sense of adventure and wonder. The opportunity to partake of luxury rail travel across the complete length of the African continent by rail is certainly the stuff that dreams are made of. Thanks to the development of new networks, and changes on the political scene, modern day adventurers can now explore the stunning sights and sounds of this timeless land by the most traditional form of transport.

If you have a passion for rail travel, and are looking for a trip that will live large in your memory, the option of traversing Africa by rail is an activity that should be given serious thought. In fact, the idea of traveling from the shores of the Mediterranean all the way down to the tip of South Africa by train is not new. One of the first people to propose such a journey was Cecil John Rhodes, a nineteenth century industrialist.

Fast forward to today and there are a number of tour operators who organize pan-African rail journeys. Whether you have already spent time exploring some of Africa, or if the amazing vibrancy of this most ancient land is new to you, the journey of discovery and adventure that awaits is sure to fill your heart, body, and soul with wonder.

To journey from Cairo to Cape Town in complete style and comfort is not an activity for the faint of heart. During the four weeks of travel you would witness sights the like of which are available nowhere else in the world. As of today, there has only been small groups of intrepid adventurers who have made the entire trip overland through Egypt, North Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and on to South Africa and the journey’s end.

If you are a genuine rail enthusiast you may be aware that as of today, it is still not possible to cover the entire 6000 miles of the African continent by train. There is a 500 mile gap that would need to be traversed by other means, most tour operators would provide private flights to overcome this short break in the continent’s rail network.

Following in the footsteps of the world’s greatest adventurers is an opportunity to cherish. Combining luxury train travel with a trip through some of the planet’s most breathtaking landscapes is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Posted in Adventure Activity, Vacation Destinations