Sydney Harbour Bridge
“Every 2 minutes today we snap as many photos as the whole of humanity took in the 1800s,” according to 1000memories.com.
That seems a staggering thought at first, but not really all that startling when you look around at the proliferation of picture-taking gadgetry available today. On a trip to China a few years ago, I was a bit surprised to see a woman using her rather large tablet as a camera, only because of its size and her awkwardness in handling it. It seemed so cumbersome then. But our electronics have gotten smaller, faster, smarter. As the continue to evolve, they change the way we experience our world. From Facebook to family albums, we love our photos. Surprise that special photographer in your life with an amazing photo journey he or she will never forget.
Australia
Sydney Harbor Bridge
If adventure photography is on the agenda, then Australia should suite your photographer perfectly. How about photographing Sydney’s famous harbor from atop its iconic Harbor Bridge? Yes, climb stairs and catwalks never before opened to the public, and wind through a tangle of hatchways and steel girders suspended above the traffic. At the top of the bridge, he or she will climb between the arches to the summit, 134 meters/440 feet above the water and capture photos of a view of Sydney friends will envy. But that’s not all. On our new Australia’s Ancient Landscapes, go diving on the famed Great Barrier Reef, explore Daintree, the world’s oldest forest, explore Tasmania’s rugged coasts, and Australia’s deepest lake, St Clair, at Pumphouse Point. And then there is the incredible night sky filled with a billion stars. With the incredible photographic opportunities on this journey, your photographer may very likely run out of two memory cards.
South India
Orange County Resort
Inspired in design by the tribal villages, this resort is bordered on two sides by the Kabini River. The backwaters of the Kabini are very well suited for wildlife photography, especially when the water levels recede, making the region more like an open plain rather than a tropical forest – which means an abundance of light! As you explore the area, your guide will get you to the right place at the right time to capture stunning images, such as at the Mastigudi Watchtower. You will savor encounters with Kabini’s elephants, gaur, deer, spoonbills and a host of other birds. If you are lucky, you may even meet up with a leopard or a tiger. On our 17-day South India journey, you explore the area including Nagarhole National Park.
Botswana
Zarafa Camp – Photographers very welcome
Developed by National Geographic filmmakers Dereck and Beverly Joubert, it is no wonder that this intimate camp with only four, luxury tents is a photographer’s dream. It is set on a private 320,000-acre reserve in one of the premier game viewing sites to be found anywhere. On it offers special incentives for photographers: Each room receives complimentary use of Swarovski HD binoculars and a professional Canon 5D camera with 28-135mm lens and 100-400mm lens. You may carry your own memory card, or photographs can be burned to CD by camp when using their loaner cards. The 6-seater 4×4 Land Cruisers are custom designed by the Jouberts to offer all-year viewing with detachable open-top and comfy bucket seats. This is the photo safari of a lifetime. Upgrade you safari in the private Selinda Game Reserve to Zarafa Camp on a Custom Botswana adventure.
Jordan
Petra by Night
The 2,000-year-old Rose City was carved out of rock canyon walls. It has long been admired for its massive architecture and ingenious complex of dams and water channels. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is compelling and incredible photogenic by day… But at night it takes on a magical glow of 1,800 candles! Travelers walk through the narrow canyon, known as the Siq, to the Khazneh following a candlelit path while you hear the enchanting and haunting music of the Bedouins. The images taken this night will last a long time. Take a step back with our Jordan: A Journey Back in Time, to experience the desert kingdoms and dramatic landscapes from Wadi Rum to the Dead Sea.
Morocco
Atlas Mountains
The Atlas Mountain Range stretches across a northwestern stretch of Africa extending about 2,500 kilometers/1,600 miles through Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. Jebel Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa. The area is well known to hikers, skiers and those interested in culture. The Berbers tribesmen have played a role on the north coast of Africa for at least 5,000 years. The Arab invasion in the seventh century forced them to assimilate or take refuge in the nearby mountains. The villages are strongholds of Berber culture, preserving their music, lifestyle, spirituality and art. Here are opportunities to delve into the rich culture found in the ancient villages and traditional communities of these ancient mountains. Morocco itself offers rich possibilities for the photographer – from the beaches of Casa Blanca to the sands of the Sahara. Create a Custom Morocco adventure that will be the talk of the photo club.
Tanjung Putting National Park
Many of us know at least one person who seems to have absolutely everything. How do you shop for these folks? Well, there is everything, and then there is everything else, and that’s where we come in. Travel truly is the gift that keeps on giving. It has the power to change lives for both the visitor and the visited. It can bring about new understandings, new attitudes and new connections. Done right, travel also involves a touch of magic – perfect for the season.
Swim with Sea Lions, Galapagos
One of the most compelling adventures for animal-loving travelers is close-up encounters with the wildlife of the world. Few better places offer opportunities for this kind of meeting than do the Galapagos Islands. Here, you savor time swimming, snorkeling and diving with sea lions as well as with rays, sharks, penguins, and a myriad of other marine animals. That doesn’t even include blue footed boobies, iguanas, soaring seabirds and sea turtles. This could become a one-of-a-kind family gift on our The Galapagos Islands: Of Fish & Fishermen, geared towards families with young children, and is full of engaging and fun educational experiences for both parents and children.
Come eye to eye with Orangutans, Indonesia
Native to Indonesia and Malaysia, orangutans are currently found in only the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra. They are among the most intelligent of the primates and known for their use of sophisticated tools. They construct elaborate sleeping nests each night from branches and foliage. An encounter with these remarkable creatures is the experience of a lifetime. Tanjung Putting National Park is home to four research centers devoted to orangutans, including Camp Leakey, a rehabilitation center for orphaned orangutans. Camp Leakey, established in 1971 by Dr. Biruté Galdikas and named after the legendary anthropologist, Louis Leakey. In addition to orangutans, the park is home to incredible animals including proboscis monkeys, gibbons, macaques, clouded leopards, sun bears, wild boars, porcupines and Sambar deer. Indonesia in Depth is the gift of adventure.
Barossa Valley Master Wine Class, Australia
The Barossa Valley is renowned as one of the premier wine producing regions in Australia. Within this picturesque landscape are dozens of the country’s most celebrated wine labels. Learn the true art of wine appreciation at a wine masterclass with some of South Australia’s leading experts. As part of this unique wine tasting experience, you have the opportunity to put your new skills to the test as you sit down to a two course gourmet lunch with complimentary wines. For the aspiring wine aficionado in your family, this is the perfect gift – an afternoon in the beautiful Barossa Valley that can be incorporated into this 18-day Australia adventure.
Vintage Motorcycle Ride in Cape Town, South Africa
Motorcycle fans would love a ride along the spectacular South Africa peninsula in a vintage World War II sidecar. They can enjoy a unique perspective on this unforgettable day touring the majestic Cape Point Nature Reserve, Cape Town, Cape Point, the historic Malay Quarter and the stunning coast. Sidecar trips make outings with a touch of adventure, and can be tailored to make it the ideal gift. This experience can be included in one of our South Africa journeys such as South Africa – Cape Town & Eastern Cape.
Receive a private blessing on the banks of the Ganges, India
A rare gift for the spiritually minded is a trip to Rishikesh, north of Haridwar, is known as a pilgrimage town and regarded as one of the holiest places to Hindus. Indeed, Hindu sages and saints have visited Rishikesh for centuries in search of knowledge. Here the river Ganges leaves the Shivalik Hills in the Himalayas and flows out into the plains of northern India. Big Five can arrange for a private blessing by a monk on the banks of this fabled river. Here, too, is a wonderful place to witness an aarti ceremony and see the golden reflections of flowers floating on the Ganges at twilight. The experience is unlike a typical tour of India, as is our Heritage of a Nation that mixes the rich heritage with a spiritual ambience found in temples and ashrams. This compelling journey could very well prove to be the gift of a lifetime.
That’s right, the countdown is on and time flies by at rocket speeds. Before you know it, you will be looking for that once-in-a-lifetime gift for the person in your life who has it all. So, what have you planned? Well, here are a few ideas that will make you a gift-giving rockstar.
Jaguar Tracking
Guatemala’s Jungles, Jaguars & Peanut Butter
To the ancient Mayans, the jaguar was a god that protected the crops and fields. This large cat, also called balam, is an important animal to the indigenous people such as the Mayans, and has played a role in the mythological lives of the people. Jaguars are nocturnal hunters and are very hard to sight under the best of conditions. But at sundown, you go on a thrilling scavenger hunt for jaguar footprints with your guide, and will likely spot some of the jungle’s other nocturnal residents.
Island Abseiling
Sri Lanka Adventure
Go beyond just enjoying the views of a stunning waterfall, go inside it. Go abseiling, also called rappelling, down into the 46-meter/150-foot tall waterfall in Kitulgala. But that’s not all. You can go whitewater rafting, searching for whales and dolphins, and mountain biking.
A Round of Polo
Argentina
Learn how polo horses are selected, their blood lineages and how they are trained. See how they are cared for, its feeding and how the horse is prepared for the polo game. Then, you have the pleasure of attending a professional live polo game with four chukkers, or innings. More than 30 horses can be used in just one match. Your guide will explain the fundamentals of the game, its rules and techniques. Then, try your hand at it! After some training, you get to test your own skill at this adrenaline-sport as you finish your day sharing a mini polo game that will make you feel like a professional player. This activity can be easily incorporated into an Argentina program such as the one noted here.
Take a Sacred Trek
Kenya Highlands
Setting off at dawn for the sacred mountain of Ololokwe. Begin your climb with your guides. Whatever your pace, your guides will be at your side throughout, teaching you about the mountain and all of its wonders. Once you have climbed Ololokwe, you are honored by becoming an adopted member of the Samburu tribe. It is an awesome experience that can be added to your Kenya adventure such as the Kenya Highlands journey.
Cliff Hanging
Peru: Adventure in the Andes
No sleep walking here! Hang from the side of a mountain – overnight, with once-in-a-lifetime views of the Peru’s Sacred Valley. That’s right! You sleep within a completely transparent hanging bedroom at 1,312 feet on the side of a mountain. And you zipline to get to your room! You ‘room’ offers you to appreciate the impressive views of the Sacred Valley by night and the endless Milky Way above – an unforgettable experience of a lifetime.
Every classroom across the globe shapes its own space, whether that’s a thatched, open-sided hut in Ecuador or a kitchen in Cambodia. Education is the most powerful tool available that offers practical, measureable means to bring about change in the world and reduce crippling poverty. A child in Ecuadorean rainforest learns for the first time the concept of money; an impoverished teen in Cambodia begins to see a real future for her life; a young Maasia learns how to share his rich heritage and traditions with outsiders. Whatever shape the classroom — a university or a clearing in a field, people are coming together to learn how to create lives for themselves and their families.
Waorani Village
Amazon Rainforest, Ecuador
Deep in the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador, the villages of the Waorani stretch along the banks of the Shiripuno River. The traditional Waorani are historically a fiercely territorial people. They have lived for centuries in near isolation, except for regular skirmishes with neighboring tribe. They have never even traded with those outside their traditional lands. Everything they have ever wanted has provided by the river and the forest. Until recently. International oil companies found oil under the feet of the Waoranis, so they were thrust into the 21st century – ready or not. This community, which had no previous concept of money, is now learning about ecotourism and the larger outside world while they struggle to protect the forest and their way of life. With the help of a few outsiders, they are learning how to run an exquisitely simple, small-scale eco lodge – Huaorani Lodge – deep in the jungle that can only reached by dugout canoe. One of those outsiders serves as a teacher who makes the rounds of the villages ever few months, setting up his ‘classroom’ – a giant writing pad propped against a tree or wall and magic markers. To witness this amazing venture, explore our 15-day Ecuador’s Galapagos & Amazon, which is part of our family focused Precious Journeys.
Sala Baï Hotel & Restaurant School
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Sala Baï Hotel & Restaurant School was founded in 2002 by the French NGO Agir pour le Cambodge. Meant exclusively for young Cambodians from underprivileged families, the school has helped more than 1,000 young people, 70% are girls, change their lives and their futures. Girls usually drop out of school earlier than boys to help at home, go to work or get married. Few vocational training opportunities are open to young women, even less when they have little prior education. Vocational training such as that offered here is one of the fastest and most cost-efficient ways to fight poverty and the scourge of human trafficking at the grass roots level. Each year, the school, trains 100 young disadvantaged Cambodians in four main hospitality related fields – restaurant waiter/waitress, cook, receptionist, and housekeeping. During 12 months, the school covers all the training fees (lessons, school supplies, books, uniforms), and daily expenses (accommodations, food, bicycle, insurance and medical expenses) for the students. The training lasts 11 months from September to July, with the 12th month, August, dedicated to helping the graduates find their first jobs. You can opt to visit this school while you are in Siem Reap, such as during our 12-day Rural Landscapes of Laos & Cambodia.
Koiyaki Guiding School
Southern Kenya
Human settlement in prime wildlife habitats of East Africa has reduced animal populations and altered ancient migration routes. Bush fires, poaching for meat, ivory and skins, illegal tree cutting and small-scale farming are all on the rise. The Koiyaki Guiding School on the Koiyaki Group Ranch is a neighbor of the Maasai Mara National Game Reserve in southern Kenya. Established in 2005, the school educates Maasai youth in the tourism industry and other nature-based enterprises in order to provide employment opportunities while also promoting and encouraging the long-term conservation of the unique Masai Mara ecosystem. By taking a holistic approach to conservation that includes local residents as stakeholders, the school provides an outlet that can help manage the region for the mutual benefit of both the community and its wildlife. Many of Kenya’s finest guides have come through this school, and many of them now work with camps in private conservancies such as the Mara Porini Camp that is included in our 10-day Private Conservancies of Kenya & Tanzania.
Injalak Arts & Crafts Association
Gunbalanya, Australia
Injalak is a non-profit, community enterprise that began in small shed used for screen printing. Today this indigenous community art center plays a vital role in the artistic and cultural life of traditional Aboriginal artists living in remote communities. Serious social and health issues often plague traditional communities all over the world, who have few resources and are vulnerable to alcohol and drug problems. They often have little education or training. One effective way to promote healthy Aboriginal communities is through arts center programs that enable Aboriginal people to generate independent income, which remains in their communities. Injalak Arts has over 200 members made up of artists and weavers from Gunbalanya and surrounding outstations. They are Kunwinjku, Mengerrdji and Erre people, all of whom today speak the Kunwinjku language. Within these cultural groups, all artists belong to a kunmokurrkurr or clan, which influences the stories and Djang, ancestral creation stories or ‘Dreamings’, that they are allowed to represent. The center offers classes and training to these local artists, and all are paid up front for their work. You can explore this center during one of our programs that includes Arnhem Land such as this 14-day Wild Australia adventure. (Note that permits to visit Gunbalanya must be arranged in advance.)
Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve
Huilo Huilo, Chile
The Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve is located in the middle of the Chilean Patagonian Rainforest, under the majestic Andes Mountain range. This is a unique project because of its commitment to the conservation of nature and local culture. The Huilo Huilo Foundation´s mission is to develop flora and fauna conservation projects and to involve the local community and local entrepreneurs in this work. The foundation has extensive network of public and private collaborators, who are committed to the area’s natural and cultural sustainability. There are projects for the dissemination of educational materials. One project is the creation of story books of Magical Tales that are associated with the flora and fauna. The books are distributed and used to teach reading to local children and adults as well as to teach them about their heritage through stories about the land and all its elements. Other illustrated educational materials include those that educate them about the species of birds and other aspects of the forest. You can explore this magical environment on our 14-day Chile’s Patagonia & Mapuche Culture
Casa Today’s grandparents defy the stereotypes of yesterday. They are often younger and have more money, time, energy and enthusiasm than many previous generations. They enjoy spending time with their grandkids. Indeed, 60% of grandparents live close to their grandchildren and 46% wish they could live even closer. Well over half, 66%, travel with their grandkids, and 81% have their grandkids for part or all of summer vacation, according to American Grandparents Association. And, they frequently plan and pay for the family getaway.
So, where do you go when grandparents plan the vacation? You could end up anywhere from China to South Africa. We can suggest some fabulous villas and cottages that make a great escape for the entire family.
Mateya Safari Lodge
Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa
South Africa is made for family adventures – from the Winelands to cosmopolitan Cape Town to safaris in the bush, there is something for all ages. One of the lesser known game reserves, Madikwe is the fifth largest game reserve in South Africa and is home to many animals including the ‘big five’ and some 340 species of birds. This hidden gem has the benefit of being situated in a malaria -free area, which can be an important consideration, especially for younger grandkids. Mateya Safari Lodge is a private game lodge with just five suites set among the rocky outcrops of Gabbro Hills. Here, you can relax in your private infinity pool at your suiChiante and enjoy spectacular views over the surrounding plains and the waterhole. Each thatched suite is air-conditioned and is designed to be part of a radial configuration around one of the hills. Here you can do game drives in custom-built, 4×4 vehicles; or explore the reserve on foot with Mateya’s specialist rangers and trackers. Kids enjoy getting a closer look at some of the smaller creatures and flora of the bush. The lodge also has a wellness center, with cardiovascular gym, a Jacuzzi, and offers body and facial treatments. Share stories of the day around a roaring fire on our South Africa, Botswana & Zambia adventure, a journey guaranteed to create a lifetime of memories.
Banyan Tree Hangzhou
Hangzhou, China
Hangzhou grew to prominence as the southern terminus of the Grand Canal and has been a prosperous city for much of the last millennium. People are drawn to the area’s beautiful natural scenery, historic relics and West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Adjacent to the lake is a scenic area which includes historical pagodas and cultural sites in addition to its natural beauty. Xixi National Wetland Park is in the western part of Hangzhou, and covers 1,150 hectares/2,800 acres. It has a history stretching back some 1,800 years, and was the original site of Chinese South Opera. On our 12-day China’s Canal Cities your family can enjoy a first-class train ride between Shanghai and Hangzhou, which takes about an hour and a half. Once thereColombia . CC Hangzhou. The Presidential Villa celebrates your family’s arrival with an exclusive in-villa banquet served in the time-honored tradition of Chinese feasts. The villa’s 380 square meters/4,090 square feet of living space encompass three regal bedrooms, with bathrooms, living and dining areas, allowing for plenty of elbow room. After a day of exploring, watching an authentic and ancient tea ceremony and a visit to a pagoda, you are ready to enjoy the sanctuary of your private villa while the dining team prepares your meal and attend to your every need as you relax in the company of your family.
Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa
Blue Mountain, Australia
West of Sydney, the valley was inhabited by Indigenous Australians for thousands of years before the first European settlement developed. Within the Wolgan Valley there are several significant Aboriginal sites. At Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa, a broad range of guided tours and activities include hiking nature trails, discovering the countryside on horseback, touring by four-wheel drive, mountain biking through forests, or gazing at a canopy of stars. The area is also known for rock-climbing. The resort also tailors private tours to your family’s specific interests. The three-bedroom Wolgan Suite is tucked away in a private corner of the resort with panoramic views of the Greater Blue Mountains. It offers an expansive space 410 square meters/4,413 square feet and is a completely self-contained lodge. Featuring a beautifully landscaped garden with private terraces and swimming pool, it is the ideal accommodation for a family vacation. The generous living, dining room and equipped gourmet kitchen make entertaining a pleasure. Butler service is available at no extra charge to guests in the Wolgan Suite. Enjoy private pool, courtyard garden, private staff quarters or additional guest bedroom, central air-conditioning, LCD TVs, DVD player and sound system, international TV channels, high-speed Internet access, six mountain bicycles, and more. It is worth noting that Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa is the first carboNZero©™ certified resort in the world as well as the first carbon neutral resort in the world to be certified through an internationally accredited greenhouse gas program. Note: Due to the secluded setting of the resort, mobile coverage is not available on the property but complimentary Wi-Fi is provided. You can explore this wonderful region on our 18-day Australia journey.
Casa San Agustin
Cartagena, Colombia
Cartagena, Colombia is a great getaway for the family fairly close to home. It has a wealth of history to discover and markets to explore. The Walled City was declared both Mankind’s Heritage and a Colombian National Heritage by UNESCO. Its narrow streets are adorned with antique doorways, flower-filled balconies, colonial streets and the Cathedral of Cartagena. And, the Casa San Agustin is a wonderfully historic property overlooking the streets of the Old Town. It has 24 beautifully decorated guest rooms and six spacious suites. Many of the rooms and suites can be configured into two- or three-bedroom suites, making them ideal for families. The Suite Del Virrey features two guest rooms with spacious balconies and terraces flooded by natural light. The suite has high ceilings with wooden beams and a private Jacuzzi. Each room includes a flat screen HDTV with surround sound, DVD player, Bose CD player, and an iPod dock with alarm clock. WIFI is complimentary and iPads are available upon request. The Suite Del Virrey 170 square meters/1830 square feet. Your family will thoroughly enjoy this Colombia adventure.
Kasbah Tamadot
Atlas Mountains, Morocco
Branson’s lavish Moroccan hideaway delivers haute luxe, haute cuisine and haute montagne in equal measure, Kasbah Tamadot is near the town of Ouirgane in the Moroccan Atlas Mountains, about 45 minutes from Marrakech. In 1998, Richard Branson’s mother, Eve, first came across this Kasbah perched dramatically on a hilltop and surrounded by the peaks of the High Atlas. At that time, it belonged to an Italian antiques dealer who had opened it up to his friends. But she saw the potential of a luxury North African retreat to complement Virgin’s existing Necker Island and Ulusaba Game Reserve. After 7 years of negotiations and top-to-bottom refurbs, it finally opened to guests seeking the ultimate luxury in the heart of Morocco’s most spectacular mountains. The extensive gardens are now carefully landscaped with rose, fruit and cactus plants; the indoor pool and courtyards remodeled into a 5-star spa, and the suites redecorated to combine contemporary design with colorful Moroccan antiques. There was also the small addition of a stunning infinity pool and plentiful sundecks. A separate mini-Kasbah for families is found on a path just beyond the pool, at the bottom of the garden and has 3 bedrooms perfect for a family group. Explore Marrakech, less than an hour away; drive over the breathtaking Tizi’n’Test pass, stopping to visit the 12th-century mosque of Tin Mal; walk down the Ourika Valley to the waterfalls and Berber hamlet of Setti Fatma; or select guided excursions, including hikes, based on your family’s interests. This delightful property can easily be incorporated into a Custom Morocco journey.
The Batu Caves of West Malaysia
The world is indeed small, and getting more so as our daily lives become ever more connected in this age of the internet and expanding global technologies. But these connections and crossovers are hardly new to the human family. From the very beginning, we have sought out each other – whether to conquer, to trade, to influence, or to share.
One such connection weaves its many threads between much of Southeast Asia and India, which had established trade and cultural and political relations with the kingdoms in Burma, Thailand, Indonesia, Malay Peninsula, Cambodia and Vietnam. That influence is said to have started as early as 200 BC. As India grew in prominence so did its power to impact other cultures. Indian traders, adventurers, teachers and priests continued to be the dominating influence in Southeast Asia until about 1500 CE. These traders brought with them their civilization, cultures and religions. Indian leaders even ruled over some of the earliest states in these regions. Hinduism and Buddhism both spread to these states from India and for many centuries coexisted. Not limited to religion, they also brought new ideas about the arts, foods, architecture, engineering and more.
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
The Khmer Empire inherited several earlier influences from India. Numerous impressive temples and monuments were built in successive centuries in order to praise the Hindu gods; and often including engineering techniques learned from Indian builders. The temples of the Angkor area near Siem Reap number more than 1,000. They range in scale from tumbled down piles of rubble like that found in much of the Koh Ker temple ruins to the stunning temples of Angkor Wat. These fabled, once-list temples are, and rightfully should be, on many travelers’ bucket lists. Explore the Rural Landscapes of Laos & Cambodia.
Batu Caves, Malaysia
Many aspects of Indian culture penetrated Malaysia, and traces can be found in the language and food. Indian food is commonly spicy, including curry and chilly. These ingredients are also used in everyday cooking here. Indian coffee stalls are popular with everyone. Here, you might see many people crowding at the shops to enjoy the ‘Teh Tarik’ known to many as the unofficial official drink for Malaysians. One of the most noted Indian-influenced sites is Batu Caves, home to a series of caves and cave temples north of Kuala Lumpur. This is among the most honored Hindu shrines outside of India. In 1890, the site was promoted as a place of worship by an Indian trader, who dedicated a temple to Lord Murugan within Temple Cave, which now includes several Hindu shrines beneath its high vaulted ceiling. Since 1892, the Thaipusam festival has been celebrated in the Tamil month of Thai, which falls in late January/early February. Wooden steps up to the Temple Cave were built in 1920 and have since been replaced by 272 concrete steps. Temple Cave. Begin here to plan a Custom Malaysia adventure.
Nakorn Ratchasima, Thailand
For more than a thousand years, India and Thailand have been neighbors, so it’s no surprise that these two share many things. India was the stronger force and therefore had a more prominent influence on Thailand, which resulted in an adaptation of Indian culture, language and religion. They have also adopted typical Indian traditions in cuisine, art and clothing styles. The single most significant factor was India’s introduction of Buddhism as early as the 3rd Century BC by Buddhist monks. Nakorn Ratchasima, commonly called Korat, was, prior to the 14th century, under Khmer empire. Indeed, the Phimai Historical Park protects one of the most important Khmer temples of Thailand. The temple marks one end of the Ancient Khmer Highway from Angkor. Most buildings are from the late 11th to the late 12th century, built in the Baphuon, Bayon and Angkor Wat style. However, even though the Khmer at that time were Hindu, the temple was built as a Buddhist temple as Buddhism in Khorat area dated back to the 7th century. Our Central Thailand journey explores this dramatic region.
Bagan, Myanmar
As happened in the much of Southeast Asia, Myanmar, formerly Burma, experienced contact with the Indian merchants, who had traveled the region to trade, bringing with them their cultures, customs and religions. Under this increasing influence, the local Burmese began to practice a blend of Buddhism and Hinduism while holding on to many of their own beliefs and customs. Myanmar is home to the Bagan, a spectacular plain stretching away from the Ayeyarwaddy River, dotted with thousands of 800-year-old temple ruins. During Bagan’s height between the 11th and 13th centuries, more than 10,000 Buddhist temples, pagodas and monasteries were constructed here. There are some 2,200 temples and pagodas that still survive to the present day. Imagine seeing this incredible site on an early morning hot air balloon ride? You can do that on our 10-day Myanmar adventure.
Central Bhutan
Another neighbor, Bhutan has had close links to India for centuries. Buddhism was originally introduced from India in the 8th century, although the Buddhism of today’s Bhutan is more Tibetan in character. About 75% of the Bhutanese practice Buddhism and about 25% practice Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism. An Indian military training camp has been established there since the early 1960s and India provides financial aid. But influences come from both India and China. You find Northern Indian cuisine in Bhutan often mixed with the chilies of the Tibetan area. Spices, fruits, and vegetables are cooked with beef, chicken, pork, and dried yak, and resemble Chinese and Indian cuisine. The legal system is based on English common law and Indian law. Discover this amazing country on our Central Bhutan exploration.
Today’s travelers are ever more aware of all that is going on in the world and they want to be a part of it. They want to get closer, learn more, go farther, experience more than previous generations. That is especially true of animal lovers. Seeing the great East Africa wildebeest and zebra migration is an awesome experience, yet for some that is not quite enough. For them, an eye-to-eye encounter is what they seek. There are more opportunities for that kind of close contact now than ever before. Here are a few of them.
The Galapagos Islands
There are few places better on the globe for really close wildlife encounters than the fabled Galapagos Islands. They sit some 650 miles west of mainland Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean. Nothing quite compares to the thrill of observing wildlife on these natural volcanic islands, where the animals do not run or fly away when humans approach. The islands most famous visitor was, of course, Charles Darwin, who discovered conditions that helped shape his ideas on evolutionary theory. Life evolved on these islands in isolation, separate from the rest of the world. Distinctions exist even from one island to the next. You have options here to do a cruise of the islands, or actually stay on one of the islands – or both. Our Private Sanctuaries of Ecuador journey includes a stay at Galapagos Safari Camp on Santa Cruz Island for some land-based excursions and a five-night cruise aboard the M/C Athala II. You will come very close to amazing wildlife both on land and in the water including flightless birds, playful sea lions, a bounty of birds, reef sharks, rays and colorful reef fish – each specially adapted to the specific island habitat.
South Africa
Tswalu Kalahari is South Africa’s largest private game reserve. The owners of Tswalu take conservation as an absolute priority. No more than 30 guests at a time are permitted. There are about 80 species of mammals and approximately 240 species of birds, but one of the perennial favorites here are the delightful meerkats. A group of meerkats is called a “mob”, “gang” or “clan”. The meerkat is a small carnivora belonging to the mongoose family. It is the only member of the genus Suricata. A clan often contains about 20 meerkats, but some super-families have 50 or more members. They stand on their back legs to survey their surroundings, and are very inquisitive. You can get uncommonly close to these little guys to photograph them. And, they have been known to climb onto a visitor’s hat to get a better view. You also enjoy exciting animal encounters at Sabi Sands Game Reserve on our South Africa’s Unique Lodges journey.
Tanzania
Namiri Plains is located within the Serengeti National Park in an area that has been inaccessible to the public for some 20 years. It is in a beautiful region of the Serengeti that has been a safe haven for cheetah breeding and research. Today, the area has an exceptional population of big cats and it is one of East Africa’s best locations for observing cheetah. The Tanzania Cheetah Conservation has been carrying out the longest-running in-depth study of a wild cheetah population. Furthermore, as existing protected areas alone cannot ensure a long-term future for these beautiful cats, the project is investigating ways to help cheetahs and humans to co-exist in the larger landscape. Also the Tanzania Cheetah Watch Campaign is asking anyone who has photographs of cheetah in Tanzania to send them in, where they are matched with photos of cheetahs for identification, and as an additional aid to monitor the cheetah population size across Tanzania. You can get pretty close to cheetahs, and may end up, not unlike the meerkats, with a cheetah sitting on the roof of your safari vehicle. If you are staying at Namiiri Plains Camp, you will learn more about the academic research happening and various conservation projects supported throughout the region from the resident cheetah researcher. You can savor this exceptional safari experience on our Private Conservancies of Tanzania.
India
In the heart of Satpura National Park is the Panchmarchi Biosphere Reserve, which includes Bori Wildlife Sanctuary in the southwest and Panchmarhi Wildlife Sanctuary in the northeast. At Forsyth Lodge, the signature activity here is a Junior Naturalist Program, which is spread over three days, and is designed for children and interested adults, who want to learn the basic knowledge of jungle. The fun and interactive course led by the lodge’s enthusiastic and knowledgeable young naturalists encompasses use of equipment, basics of ecology, learn how to identify different species, use field guides, make field notes and sketches and basics of nature photography. Learn to recognize tracks, including tigers, and signs of animal presence. See how to measure prints, identify droppings and other jungle skills. Our Precious Journeys™ India – Saving Tigers adventure also includes Tadoba National Park, a Project Tiger Reserve, so your chances of a close encounter with the rare and regal Bengal tiger are pretty good.
New Zealand
Snorkeling with wild New Zealand fur seals in the shallow waters of the beautiful Kaikoura Peninsula is a unique experience. It reminds you of the sheer magnificence of our natural environment and its amazing inhabitants. This breathtaking natural activity brings you close to these curious, friendly and playful marine creatures. The Kaikoura Peninsula rests on the rugged east coast of New Zealand’s South Island, overlooked by majestic often snowcapped mountain. In addition to seals, you can also swim with Dusky dolphins that inhabit the coastal waters year round. These nature encounters as well as viewing a variety of whales, can be enjoyed on our 16-day New Zealand journey.
Most sources agree that time away from the job makes employees more creative and less stressed than those who forego taking time off. Adults are not the only one dealing with time constraints. Children, too, have tight time schedules. All this makes the family vacation a challenge to plan and carry out. Here are a few scenarios you will want to avoid.
The Napping Lion
You have dreamed of an African safari for years. And, here you are on safari in Kenya. Your first encounter with African wildlife, however, isn’t quite what you expected. Your guide spots some action and your driver quickly heads to the place only to find a dozen other vehicles have beat you to it. Now you have one poor lion surrounded by vehicles and all he wants to do it sleep.
The Remedy: Private Conservancies
In East and Southern Africa, private conservancies offer authentic encounters with wildlife where you are the only vehicle around for miles. You have time to just be in the company of the animals and watch their interactions with other wildlife and their surroundings. This is the safari you hoped for. Explore Private Conservancies of Kenya & Tanzania
More People than a Shopping Mall
Most of us have had the experience at least once of overcrowding at prime tourist sites. You’ve waited a long time to see the phenomenal ancient ruins of Ankgor Wat, only to discover you selected the same time as everyone else and are engulfed in a sea of people.
The Remedy: A Great Plan
A Destination Specialist with in-depth knowledge and firsthand experience can plan an itinerary that insures you will have the best experience, even in the most popular sites. Your specialist will work to craft the perfect journey that fits your needs. He or she can suggest the best times to visit and can offer alternatives or additions. For example, in the Rural Landscapes of Laos & Cambodia, you’ll set out on an adventure by quad bike to the secluded Banteay Ampeul Temple. You head off the beaten track into the forest to reach this temple site that few tourists ever see as the trail is impassable for anything but quad bikes. Your specialist might also recommend visiting Koh Ker, another ancient Angkor site that remains relatively unknown.
More Souvenirs than Villagers
Travelers often love to shop but shopping for authentic souvenirs abroad can be tricky business. India, for example, is well known for fabulous shopping opportunities – everything from furniture to jewelry. Unfortunately, it is also known for guides who steer tourists to specific shops for profit.
The Remedy: Trustworthy Advice
Too often, travelers expect their guides to bargain for them. That is a double-edge sword in the best of situations. Guides must live, work and function within their community long after travelers have returned home. In India, the current system obligates guides to stay out of the shopping cycle. It can create a conflict of interest, and it puts them in a very awkward position with the shopkeepers and guests alike. So we removed the guide from the equation, and they now simply offer you tips on getting a fair price. Our country manager can also help you with basic guidelines on shopping in some of the great markets in India such as in Mumbai, Kabini and Mysore in our India – Gujarat & Karnataka.
Kids are more Bored on Vacation than at Home
You’ve seen families on the road with kids still glued to their smart devices and ignoring what’s going on around them; or younger children running a bit wild with pent up energy. Traveling with the family does not have to be an ordeal.
The Remedy: Precious Journeys™
We launched Precious Journeys™ because we saw a decided lack of authentic adventures are focused on children. They are geared towards families with children, approximately five to 11 years old, and include engaging and fun educational experiences. They encounter other cultures, and meet other children as well as fascinating people working on real-world solutions. They learn what the sustainability movement means from a global perspective, and have opportunities to experience fields ranging from archaeology to conservation to organic farming. In Kenya: Kids, Cats & A Tree House, you walk among elephants in the wilderness of Tsavo East National Park. Your family learns about world of elephants and the vital work being carried out by David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and others to save these magnificent and intelligent animals.
Follow the Crowd
We have all seen them – those annoying pop-up flags that signal beware large group, and those visitors trailing after the guide as though they were goslings following a mother goose. You certainly don’t want to be at the back of the pack, continually asking “What did he say?” This herd mentality can defeat the most promising of adventures.
The Remedy: The Specialist
You have planned this vacation for a long time. You don’t want to be lost in the crowd. Agreed. Our idea of group is as few as two people. You want to travel with a company that puts as much value on your journey as you do, and has the specialist guides to help you explore your interests individually, and not as part of a pack. In Kyoto, Japan, you can enjoy an exclusive evening with long-term Kyoto resident, Peter MacIntosh. This Canadian former professional soccer player traveled to Japan and settled in Kyoto. He has spent time studying traditional arts, photography and documentary film making, focusing on the geisha culture. He also spends his time searching out new restaurants and/or watering holes. He will take you to his favorite places, including out of the way establishments full of colorful local characters, where you can even try your hand at cooking your own food! Peter is fully bilingual in English and Japanese and is sure to give you a unique perspective on the ancient capital. Discover unique Japan.
Caracals are found across Africa, the Middle East, and Southwest Asia into India.
For feline lovers that’s usually enough to get their attention. Cats occupy a place in millions of households across the US and Canada. There is something appealing about the way cats move through the world with equal parts grace and mischief. For many cat people who travel, the opportunity to encounter some of the world’s great cats is high on their bucket lists.
Africa naturally comes first to mind when talking about big cats. The continent is blessed with many members of the cat family, even though the numbers are dramatically dwindling. But other regions in Asia and Latin America have their felines as well. While seeing them in the wild is becoming increasingly difficult, there are still wild cat experiences to be had.
Kalahari’s Black Mane Lions
The Kalahari Desert is home to the legendary black-maned lions. These desert-dwelling lions are sometimes larger than their golden-mane counterparts. They are striking for the contrast between their tawny bodies and the long black manes that surround the face. They inhabit part of this immense desert of scrub and sand that lies between South Africa, Botswana and Namibia. There is nothing more magical than catching a glimpse of one of these amazing lions at a waterhole before it sets off on a hunt. You can go on safari in search of black-mane lions as well as springbok, buffalo, kudu, hyena, meerkat, cheetah and antelope, at the Tswalu Kalahari Game Reserve in the Kalahari grasslands of the Northern Cape, the largest private game reserve in South Africa, and the historical home of the Bushmen (San) people. South Africa’s Unique Lodges
Tree climbing lions of Queen Elizabeth National Park
Unlike leopards, lions, for the most part, do not climb trees. In fact, there are only two populations in Africa where lions are known to regularly scamper up trees as part of their behavior. One of these populations is found within the Ishasha sector in the south section of Queen Elizabeth National Park within Uganda, while the other is found the southern part of Tanzania. While there is no definitive reason for this behavior: some believe they do it to protect themselves against the swarms of biting tsetse flies on the ground level, and others to escape from the heat on the ground. Whatever the answer, you will marvel as you spot them sleeping on branches in the afternoon. Discover the lions of Uganda as well as its magnificent gorillas on our 11-day Uganda
Masai Mara and the Caracal
The caracal is actually distributed across Africa, the Middle East, and Southwest Asia into India. It can be found in dry savanna and woodland areas, scrubland and rugged terrain in mountainous regions. In Africa, the historical range of the caracal is similar to that of the cheetah; both overlap with the range of several small desert gazelles. It resembles the lynx with its characteristic dark tufts on its large, pointed ears. It is often called the African lynx or desert lynx, however the caracal is not closely related to the true lynx species. It can survive for long periods without water, as it gets moisture through its prey. Much like leopard, the caracal will sometimes store its larger prey up in the lower limbs of trees and return to feed on its kill over several days. It is also well known for using its agility and superior jumping ability to catch birds just after take-off. Be warned, spotting a caracal is a rare experience and one to be relished for those who do. A good place to look for this shy cat is on our Northern Kenya & Masai Mara safari.
Leopards of Jawai
Many people are not aware there India has leopards. Indeed, the leopard is one of the five big cats found in India, apart from Asiatic lion, Bengal tiger, snow leopard and clouded leopard. Like so many other endangered species, including others mentioned here, a significant immediate threat to wild leopard populations is the illegal trade in poached skins and body parts between India, Nepal and China. In addition to poaching, it has been classified as Near Threatened since 2008 due to habitat loss and fragmentation and persecution due to conflict situations. You can still encounter these great cats while staying at Jawai Leopard Camp on our Deserts of North India adventure.
Jaguars of Manu National Park
The jaguar is the only living member of the Panthera species native to the Americas. It is the third-largest cat after the tiger and the lion, and the largest in the Americas. Peru’s Manu National Park was established in 1973 and is a designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Manu is internationally acclaimed as one of the most biodiverse areas on earth. Manu’s jaguars share the reserve with more than 200 other species of mammals including puma and ocelot and in its heart indigenous peoples as yet untouched by civilization. The jaguar is the principle predator of the Amazon jungle and is at the top of the food chain. The biggest threat that jaguars face is habitat destruction. It is difficult to estimate the amount of jaguars living in the whole of the jungle, but you have chance of spotting this feline that resembles a leopard in this protected national park. You might even catch sight of one relaxing on a river bank basking in the sun. The best month to see these beautiful cats is May, June and July. They are both nocturnal and day creatures and their territory covers a huge amount of ground. They have a large variety of vocalizations from a roar to a purr. An exploration of Manu National Park can easily be incorporated into your Peru itinerary such as the Peru – Amazon, Andes & the Coast.
Family Focused Adventure Travel
Your alternative to family tolerant travel
It’s been a pretty exciting week here for us at Big Five. We are delighted to share with you that our ground-breaking Precious Journeys programs are really getting attention. We were featured in the July 8th edition of The Wall Street Journal. in an article about family travel today. Of course, we love the wonderful recognition, but even more important to us is the reception we are receiving from you.
Judging by your reaction, we know we are traveling in the right direction. You have let us know how much you appreciate adventure travel that places kids at the center of the equation; journeys that take place in the mind and spirit as well as in reality.
The primary reason that Precious Journeys came into being was because we looked around at the current adventure travel landscape, and realized that there was a dearth of genuinely kid-oriented journeys. What was available were kid leftovers, if you will. By that, we mean that what was labeled family friendly was, in almost every case, merely child tolerant. There is a world of difference in those two phrases.
Simply repackaging an already existent product or service and calling it child friendly does not work with today’s families.
Just about everywhere you look these days, someone is touting their products as good for kids. That includes not only in touring, but you see it in promotions for accommodations, restaurants and activities. But slapping on a new coat of paint or a new name is rarely, if ever, effective. Today’s consumer are too sophisticated for that.
We build each Precious Journeys itinerary from the ground up, with plenty of input from our own families as well as with the help of other kids. We have lofty aspirations for these journeys… we hope to inspire passion and purpose for the next generation.
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Anjajavy, Madagascar
We each carry our own set of definitions of an excellent escape. For some, it might mean idle sand beaches and tall umbrella drinks, while others answer to a rugged walk into the heart of the land and still others yearn for a romantic canopy bed, a cozy fireplace and a fine glass of wine. Southern Africa has a delightful menu of lodges that capture the spirit of the ideal escape. Here are just a few that we like.
Anjajavy, Madagascar
No road leads to Anjajavy L’Hotel! There are a few paths in this very special place that actually has a time zone of its own (an hour different than the rest of Madagascar). The island getaway, a member of Relais & Chateaux, is reached by private plane, which lands in this private reserve. A Paris landscape gardener designed this oasis, a tropical Eden of aquatic plants, papyrus, tree ferns, all kinds of climbing plants and palm trees, all of which offer refuge to humming birds, lemurs, green kingfishers, the fody bird of Madagascar. The forest of sheltering rosewoods and baobabs is home to many animal species such as the famous Verreau lemur (Coquerel’s Sifaka), birds of paradise, the chameleon and the Cuvier oplure (a type of iguana). More than 1,800 vegetal species, mostly entirely local and many medicinal plants. Around the lodge, and farther than your legs can take you, extend the 550 hectares of the private nature reserve of Anjajavy that hosts the tsingy, famous ancient coral remains, scatter the forest and overlook the bay. Activities run from a lazy day on the beach to boating, bird watching and nature walks. You can plan your Madagascar escape to include this lovely property.
Sabi Sands Game Reserve, South Africa
Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge is an exclusive lodge with 12 suites as well as the Amber Suite. Each suite is attended by a private butler and is appointed with specially commissioned furnishings, a secluded plunge pool and terrace as well as open air shower. The natural wood sculptures of Geoffrey Armstrong add a powerful magic. Facilities include air-conditioning, ceiling fans, dressing area, minibars, telephone and tea/coffee facilities. The suites are complemented by a swimming pool, the Earth Nature Spa, the underground wine cellar (perfect for private dinners), secluded library and a private art gallery. The Earth Nature Spa and exercise center offers massages, natural therapies or a classic spa. The boma, its walls made from roots and built up piece by piece, captures the drama of an African night. Sabi Sands Game Reserve is considered to have some of the best Big Five game-viewing in the country, sharing an open border with Kruger National Park so animals move freely. Due to a long history of sensitive game-viewing, the animals are mostly relaxed allowing superb game-viewing, especially of leopard. So diverse is its habitat and wildlife that you have an excellent chance of experiencing close encounters with the ‘Big 5’ – elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard – as well as many species of antelope, spotted hyena and cape hunting dog, jackal, and a variety of smaller mammals. Go on game drives in open-vehicles with an experienced ranger and a local Shangaan tracker, who work together to give you a deeper understanding of the wildlife and the natural cycles of the bush. Tracking Africa’s big game, the evening safari departs after afternoon tea. After enjoying the bush sunset, the evening holds a sense of anticipation as the rare and elusive nocturnal species begin to hunt. The evening meal is often enjoyed in a ‘boma’ or even in the bush around an open fire, which many guests feel is a particularly evocative treat. Sabi Sands offers the today’s travelers a classic African safari. You can enjoy this lodge on our new South Africa’s Unique Lodges.
Gansbaai, South Africa
Grootbos Private Nature Reserve offers some of the finest land-based whale-watching in the world with sightings of Southern Right Whales that come into the bays to give birth, between July and December, (normally peaking in August and September). Enthralling sightings are a daily occurrence with spectacular breaches and whale songs. Secluded sandy beaches are backed by velvety mountains covered with exceptional and rare fynbos vegetation. The wild flowers are particularly enchanting. Other activities include guided fynbos 4×4 drives, milkwood forest walks, horseback riding, beach visits as well as the optional activities such as whale watching by boat or plane and shark cage diving. A dedicated team including marine biologists and conservationists help you to appreciate what makes this area so unqiue. Walking trails follow the coast for whale-watching, or take you into the mountains. More relaxing pursuits include shopping in local arts and craft boutiques in Hermanus and enjoying the panoramic views of Walker Bay while dining alfresco. Grootbos consists of two lodges, the family-friendly Garden Lodge with one and two bedroom suites and the new contemporary Forest Lodge. Discover this remarkable area of South Africa’s coast during our 11-day South Africa adventure.
Tswalu Kalahari Game Reserve, South Africa
In the Kalahari grasslands of the Northern Cape, Tswalu Kalahari Game Reserve is the largest private game reserve in South Africa and the historical home of the Bushmen (San) people. The emphasis here is on exclusivity, which is why the entire reserve can accommodate no more than 30 people at a time. This spectacular malaria-free reserve offers a wealth of experiences – explore Tswalu by 4×4, on horseback or on foot. There’s a sense of contentment that comes from being surrounded by so much space, the colors and textures, the myriad sounds and vast silences of the wilderness. You’re sharing the environment with springbok, buffalo, lion, kudu, Bat-eared fox, hyena, meerkat and aardwolf. Bush walks focus on the local vegetation, bush medicines, cosmetics and hunting skills of the San people, while sundowners on the lantern-lit dunes or bush dining at Lekgaba Lookout complete the experience. Other activities include star-gazing, visiting rock paintings, Moffat Mission and the Kuruman eye or focusing on the delightful wild colonies of Meerkats. Explore Tswalu on our 13-day South Africa journey.
Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe
Changa Safari Camp nestles along the shores of Lake Kariba with the Matusadona Mountains in view. This private concession includes some four and a half kilometers/nearly three miles of shoreline that insure that this luxurious tented camp remains a relaxing remote retreat. Picture yourself, as each day ends, sipping a sundowner on the shore, elephants chomping nearby and a fish eagle swooping past; followed by fireside chats and a delicious dinner. Here you set your own pace. Changa is off the beaten track, intriguingly secluded in the heart of a diverse eco-system, partly man-made, partly formed by nature over centuries. The camp is within a small, private concession in the northeastern section of the Matusadona National Park and has just six large, East African-style luxury canvas tents, all overlooking the lake. Each tent has its own en-suite bathroom, with indoor/outdoor shower and outdoor bathtub, all heated by gas that allows for hot water all day. All tents are mosquito-proofed and have fans. The central guest area consists of several thatched structures linked together by raised wooden walkways and decks, and includes a lounge library, dining room, bar, beautiful deck and swimming pool overlooking Lake Kariba. Leopard, lion, hyena and cheetah are found in the area as well as elephant, hippo and a multitude of antelope species. The birdlife here is prolific, with more than 350 species have been recorded. Early morning or late afternoon walks in the company of one of the camp’s professional guides are a special feature of this camp. You also have opportunities for game drives or cruises and fishing in the lake. Enjoy time spent in amazing Zimbabwe.
A Malori Sleep Out Deck in Kalahari, South Africa
Did you ever go camping when you were a kid and marvel at sleeping under the night sky? Remember the thrill and wonder of it all? Nature seemed to be all the more present at night – the sounds more mysterious, the smells more exotic, and the stars seemed to shimmer from horizon to horizon. Imagine luxury travel which has you sleeping in a bed on a platform open to the night or above the ground in a treehouse. This is when magic happens, especially for kids and kids at heart, and memories are made.
Kalahari, South Africa
Malori Sleep Out Deck is a luxury king-size bed on a raised deck in the middle of a game reserve, surrounded by the calls of nocturnal animals, with nothing between you and the brilliant stars of the Kalahari night sky… Tswalu Kalahari’s new slee pout deck, the Malori (dreamer in Tswana), offers you the unique experience of a safari sleepout on a magnificent 100,000ha five-star private game reserve. The Malori deck does have a thatched overhang should it rain, but you choose to sleep under the thatch or in the open. The king-size bed is dressed with exquisite linen, and luxury robes and slippers are provided. The deck offers you panoramic views of the vast plains of the Green Kalahari and its incomparable Kalahari sunsets. Enjoy sundowners followed by a delicious meal prepared by the guide – if you choose the guide will leave you with simple instructions of how to prepare your meal, so that you can enjoy the magnificence of the open savannahs on your own. Wake at sunrise to birdsong and the sounds of the early morning in the Kalahari. Tswalu also provide children’s camping beds, so the whole family can enjoy an exhilarating Kalahari sleepout under the stars. Experience Tswalu on our 13-day South Africa adventure.
Jamtara, India
In the village of Jamtara, near Pench National Park, Jamtara Wilderness Camp has 12 luxury tents surrounded by tall Arjuna trees and an ancient banyan rooted on a dry riverbed. Each tent room overlooks the forest, a perfect backdrop for this jungle experience. Or, you have the opportunity to sleep in their star bed, also called Machaan. Experience a night under the starry sky from your bed on stilts. From star gazing to looking out for nocturnal wildlife, it will be a night to remember. The star bed is set up on one of the villager’s farms. The star bed must be requested during booking and is subject to availability for one of the nights you are there. A guard will be present below and in the morning when you are ready to be taken back to the main lodge, the guard will escort you back. Our Precious Journeys India journey includes Jamtara Wilderness.
Iquitos, Peru
At Treehouse Lodge in the Peruvian Amazon, you’ll see the rainforest from an entirely new perspective that most visitors to the Amazon never experience. From the comfort of your treetop bungalow, watch monkeys and birds at eye level morning as you wake up to a jumble wildlife even before you get out of bed. You’ll get a little extra exercise walking up to your bungalow. The entire structure of the treehouse is sealed by mosquito mesh woven so fine that it will not obstruct your view in any way. Additionally, each bed is equipped with another layer of mosquito mesh drapes that tuck in under the mattress. Each of the eight bungalows has its own character, size and shape. Casa Alta Treehouse 6 is the highest treehouse, sitting some 67 feet off the ground. It towers over the jungle providing magnificent views of the surrounding rainforest and is a great place for birdwatching – parakeets, parrots and macaws – in the early morning without even leaving the house. Birds have built several hanging nests in clear view while The Cradle Treehouse 8 is uniquely positioned inside numerous branches that cradle the hut comfortably in the jungle’s embrace. It makes a wonderfully natural home with welcoming branches organically integrated into the space. Standing alone, Treehouse 8 is ideal for those who like a little distance from their neighbors. Further into the jungle, this treehouse brings the sights and sounds of the wild close to you and open to all, you also are surrounded by the night sky. Climb to your treehouse on our Peru – Amazon, Andes & the Coast.
Wadi Rum, Jordan
Wadi Rum is home to several Bedouin tribes who live in scattered camps throughout the area. If you want to experience pure nature and exquisite silence, there is nothing quite like sleeping under the stars in the desert on a comfortable mattress. With little or no light pollution, the stars will seem close enough to reach out and touch them. The desert tribes, Huweitat and Mzanah, inhabiting Wadi Rum maintain the warm hospitality, which characterizes genuine Arab culture. Enjoy the hospitality of the Bedouins as you sit by the fire under a starry desert sky. Enjoy traditional Arabian entertainment this evening. If you can resist the call of the stars’ invitation, you can retire under canvas, your private Bedouin tent awaits. Either way, indoors or out, the night will be an unforgettable experience. Come on our Jordan: A Journey Back in Time.
Flinders Ranges, Australia
Arkaba Station Flinders Rangers is a classic, working outback sheep station on the edge of the Flinders Rangers National Park. For walkers, you can enjoy a four-day overland walking safari, one of the best ways to experience outback Australia; and Arkaba provides a most beautiful and impressive setting in which to walk. Set against the backdrop of the Elder Range and Wilpena Pound in South Australia’s Flinders Ranges, an Arkaba walking safari is an opportunity to experience the sights and sounds, the scale and the space of the outback in a style that is exclusive and authentic. A team of passionate guides and a few key creature comforts make this an extraordinary bush experience. You have the chance to traverse the ancient Flinders Ranges where 600 million years of geological history provide spectacular backdrops throughout the walk. Your guides will show you secret spots on the 60,000 acre private wildlife conservancy and recount stories of the people, indigenous inhabitants, explorers and settlers, who have created the human history of this area. Camps are set up in spectacular locations on the property and are designed to expose you to the surrounding country. You will have the chance to sleep out under the stars in a deluxe swag or under newly erected shelters. At the end of each day, walkers are greeted by a camp that has been set up in advance, a delicious three-course dinner and a good supply of Australian wines and other beverages. Plan to visit Australia’s Primeval Landscapes.
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Jack’s Camp in Botswana
The day you and your graduate have been working toward for so long has finally arrived…. and likely departed by now. So what is the next step? VACATION!
Seriously, we suspect that you want to make this summer special. After all, this heralds a time of transition – of coming of age when our children quite naturally start moving away from the family and into the larger world to claim his or her own place in it. You want to give them a grand sendoff, an unforgettable journey that everyone will enjoy and remember. Many parents opt for a journey for the entire family. Here are a few sustainable tourism destination ideas for you and your grad.
Racing Formula Challenge
New Zealand
The city of Taupo on New Zealand’s North Island offer a rich variety of activities, including tours via helicopter and 4×4 vehicle, fly fishing, golf at Wairakei or Kinloch International course, horseback riding, nature walks, kayak or boat trip to sacred Maori rock carvings, a visit to Orakei Korako Cave and Thermal Park, and a walk along spectacular nature trails to Huka Falls. But one of the most thrilling challenges is found at Taupo’s Motorsport Park, which has a state-of-the-art race track facility and hosts a driver formula challenge. The course is tailored to suit the complete novice or the experienced road car driver who wants a taste of what it is like to drive a Formula Challenge single-seat race car. Before you get behind the wheel, your Motorsport New Zealand qualified driving instructor will take you around the track to reinforce your earlier classroom tuition and familiarize you with the racetrack. No experience is required. Choose from a single-seat race car or Holden or Ford V8 race car. Our New Zealand Tours have adventures enough for the entire family.
Overnight in a Bedouin Camp
Jordan
Wadi Rum is home to several Bedouin tribes who live in scattered camps throughout the area. The main route to Wadi Rum branches east off the Desert Highway about five kilometers south of Quweira and 25 kilometers north of Aqaba. From there, the road extends about 35 kilometers through the desert to end at Rum. The village is home to several hundred Bedouins with their goat-hair tents and concrete houses, a school, and a few shops. It is also the headquarters of the famous Desert Patrol. The desert tribes, Huweitat and Mzanah, inhabiting Wadi Rum maintain the warm hospitality that characterizes genuine Arab culture. It is difficult to resist their friendly invitation to share mint tea or cardamom-flavored coffee in their black tents. Overnight Bedouin Camp in a deluxe, nicely decorated tent with private bathroom. There is another bigger tent that serves as the dining room. Enjoy the hospitality of the Bedouins as you sit by the fire under a starry desert sky and watch traditional Arabian entertainment. Explore Jordan – A journey back in time.
In the company of Orangutans
Indonesia
For animal lovers and would-be zoologists, Tanjung Putting National Park is famous for orangutan conservation. It is also home to four research centers such as Camp Leakey, which serves as a rehabilitation center for orphaned orangutans. Camp Leakey, established in 1971 by Dr. Biruté Galdikas, was named after the legendary anthropologist, Louis Leakey. Here, the young orangutans are taught to fend for themselves in the jungle. Your family will trek along jungle trails, learning about the legendary orangutans. During our Indonesia in Depth, you also explore Indonesia, a country of more than 17,000 islands that encompass a world of cultures, pristine islands, unique and rare wildlife, and adventure activities from exploring cave systems to spectacular diving.
Kayaking
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
These fabled islands offer great opportunities for families to explore the unique ecosystems together. You can explore the bay off lovely Garrapatero Beach by sea kayak, spotting marine iguanas, blue footed boobies diving into the depths and countless shore birds. There is also an extensive mangrove system and a fresh water lagoon often inhabited by pink flamingos and Bahama ducks. There are a host of other water-based activities that encompass snorkeling with sea lions or shallow waters full of harmless white-tipped reef sharks. You will find more adventures await in our Precious Journeys The Galapagos Islands: Of Fish & Fishermen
Fly Camping
Botswana
In the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans are the legacy of a great lake, larger than Lake Victoria, which once covered most of Southern Botswana about two million years ago. Vast shallow white pans create an extraordinary landscape. Jack’s Camp is an authentic evocation of a classic 1940’s safari camp on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Pans. This stylish camp offers a classic safari experience with a holistic understanding of Botswana’s wildlife, geology, geography and its people, both past and present. In the dry winter months all-purpose ATV vehicles (quad-bikes) are available, allowing guests to visit the saltpans. For those who want to get back to basics and really get to know the African bush, the camp can arrange a five-day fly camp option to Kubu Island (weather permitting) with quad bikes for parties with at least four guests. You gain a unique appreciation of the Kalahari and an insight into the traditions and culture of the nomadic Bushmen. Discover a different Africa in our Zambia & Botswana: Uncharted Footsteps.
For couples passionate about the outdoors, Gibb’s Farm in Northern Tanzania is a perfect honeymoon choice!
The honeymoon – that long-awaited, romantic celebration for two – only became common practice for the general public in the U.S. around 1930, according to one source. Today, an estimated 1.4 million U.S. couples go on honeymoons annually. Of those who do, 37 percent of honeymoons are to domestic locations while 63 percent opt for foreign destinations. Yet, according to abouttravel.com, only one in four couples actually go on their dream honeymoon.
You only get once chance for a first honeymoon. Shouldn’t it be the trip of a lifetime? Make sure you are among those who enjoy your dream honeymoon…
Hang from the side of a mountain – overnight
Sacred Valley, Peru
That’s right! You sleep within a completely transparent hanging bedroom at 1,312 feet on the side of a mountain. There are two ways to get to the lodge; by way of the Via Ferrata, crossing the hanging bridge, or the intrepid path toward the ziplines. Your ‘room’ offers you a perspective unlike any other and grants you privileged views of the Sacred Valley by night and the endless Milky Way above. An unforgettable honeymoon experience you will definitely remember for a lifetime. Explore our Peru: Adventure in the Andes for more about this extraordinary adventure.
Camping among the ancient Maya
Uaxactun, Guatemala
Stay overnight in your own private camp at an ancient Maya temple site – just the two of you. Your private guide will transfer you to Uaxactun to explore the main plaza, pyramids and temples. Uaxactun was a major Maya city situated about 12 miles north of Tikal. The most impressive ruin is the Structre E-VIIsub, the focal point for the plaza with three temples aligned along its eastern edge. Together these structures were used for astronomical studies. The equinox and solstice were accurately determined by sighting the sunrise from the eastern stairway to one of the three pyramids to the east. Watch the sun set in the company of an astronomy specialist. Then, you are in for a rare experience… glamping at Uaxactun – the perfect way to begin the adventure of your life. Guatemala and Colombia
Hike to the crater
Karatu, Tanzania
For couples who have a passion for the outdoors, Gibb’s Farm in Northern Tanzania is a perfect honeymoon choice. You can hike in an extraordinary landscape. In the company of a naturalist, you venture out from the farm on a hike to the very rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest inactive, intact, and unfilled volcanic caldera. Walk through the conservation area that takes you into awe-inspiring, untouched forests to encounter unique plant life, animals and rare birds. Established in the 1920s as a coffee farm, Gibb’s Farm lets you get away from your everyday world with peaceful walks together in the nearby forest, afternoons of high tea, biking the back roads of Karatu, or simply relaxating with a personalized spa treatment in the privacy of your cottage. You can craft your Africa honeymoon to include this romantic property on journeys such as on our Tanzania into the Wild adventure.
Helicopter over coastal floodplains
Bamurru Plains, Australia
Explore Bamurru Plains, an extraordinary wilderness on the coastal floodplains of the Mary River Delta, during a helicopter flight. Enjoy stunning views from your helicopter with no doors. Return to your spacious and cool safari bungalow built on stilts overlooking the floodplains. Mesh screen ceiling to floor walls on all three sides around the bed provides you with an experience in which you can hear, see and almost touch the wildlife and wilderness around you. The bed features organic cotton linen and a pillow menu, spacious en suite bathroom with high pressure showers. The décor reflects the region’s earlier indigenous, hunting and pastoral history, with buffalo horns, explorer’s maps, Aboriginal art work and fish traps as well as old photos providing a sense of the human heritage of the area. Each room has a cold water thermos, local flora and fauna reading materials, species list and binoculars. The alarm clock in the morning comes from the call of magpie geese as the orange light of dawn spreads across the floodplain, all at your fingertips without having to leave your bed! With no internet access, no television or mobile phone coverage, your honeymoon will be a true escape. This remarkable property is featured on our Wild Australia journey.
Dear Retail Travel Partner,
No, this isn’t another government bailout. This is about the essence of partnership, where innovation and relationships come into play in the face of economic and geopolitical uncertainty.
Today we stand together yet again, this time in the face of an economic climate not seen in decades. As you are aware, the Canadian dollar is at one of its weakest points versus the US dollar, and this is combined with the suppressed oil prices.
Big Five is here for you and is proud to introduce our newest initiative – CAD Assistance. Through our experience working in the currency markets, Big Five is able to offer you some sorely needed aid, especially if you are the owner of your agency, and that is assurance.
Beginning this month, we are pleased to offer you a locked-in currency exchange rate of USD1 = CAD1.20. This applies to all NEW bookings where the departure date allows all payments to be made on or before September 30, 2015. The best part – if the CAD shows a period of strengthening where the market rate is better than our assured rate, then your prevailing rate will apply*. This means there is no downside risk for you because we looked out for you on both sides of the coin.
In 2008, Big Five opened operations in Canada because we believed in the Canadian market and the need to introduce sustainability and luxury to the Canadian traveller. Over the past few years, Big Five has forged amazing relationships with key partners such as you, delivering an award-winning product and revolutionary customer service through our premier 24 hour White Glove Service® Guest Assistance. In return, you have shared in our growth and successes over the years. Big Five remains committed to Canada and to our travel agency partners.
Today’s traveller is looking for an experiential luxury product that features sustainability and authenticity working in perfect balance. Big Five knows just how to deliver that and how to make you and your guests stand for something more. Becoming part of the larger solution is as easy as a click or phone call. Now with CAD assistance, it’s even easier.
See why our mission statement is as relevant as ever…
“We don’t tell stories better, we tell better stories”®
Nothing defines a nation and its people as effectively as its arts. From painting to dance to music to writing, creative expressions reveal the energy, culture, concerns and passions of its people. For art lovers, the museums and art galleries of the world add texture, knowledge and depth to their travel experiences. These gems of beauty and of information present an avenue of discovery into how a community thinks and what it values. In addition to museums, we can arrange for our travel guests to explore local art galleries if they are interested. Below are a smattering of fascinating and energetic museums for art lovers that can be incorporated into your itinerary.
Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires (MALBA)
Buenos Aires, Argentina
MALBA, supported by Colección Costantini, is a private museum that opened to the public in 2001. It houses one of the most impressive collections of Latin American art. Exhibitions showcase such established artists as Antonio Berni, Pedro Figari, Frida Kahlo, Candido Portinari, Diego Rivera, and Antonio Siguí. Many of the works confront social issues and explore questions of national identity. From the first modern and avant-garde movements to the more contemporary productions of the late 20th century, the collection’s exhibition varies according to the Annual Program of Acquisitions and to the generous donations received from artists, their family members, and private collectors. Consider adding the interesting museum to our Argentina exploration
National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA)
Mumbai, India
Mumbai‘s National Gallery of Modern Art has it all – from Picasso to relics from ancient Egypt. Without question, this is a premier art facility in India, and is the repository of the cultural ethos of the country showcasing the changing art forms through the passage of the last 150 years, starting about 1857 in the field of visual and plastic arts. The NGMA also houses one of the most significant collections of modern and contemporary art in the country. The idea of a national art gallery was envisioned about 1949, and the city welcomed it launch on March 29, 1954. For those interested, it is well worth a visit when touring Mumbai such as on this 13- day North India journey
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Wellington, New Zealand
Te Papa in Wellington is New Zealand’s national museum, and is renowned for being bicultural, scholarly, innovative, and fun. Collections span five areas: art, history, Pacific, Māori and the natural environment. Exhibitions are interdisciplinary. This museum follows others that have developed programs for kids and families. The museum also offers exhibitions that speak about the traditional culture such “Tangata o le Moana: The story of Pacific people in New Zealand.”
Every 18 months to 2 years, another community is given the opportunity to present its story. Te Papa develops each exhibition in close cooperation with the community and has featured the Chinese, Dutch, Indian, Italian, and Scottish communities of New Zealand. An exhibition about refugees in New Zealand, The Mixing Room is the latest to be featured. For The Mixing Room Te Papa worked with 70 young people who came as refugees to New Zealand from 27 diverse communities so they could tell their stories in their own way through art, film, poetry, performance and digital media. Customize your New Zealand itinerary to include this fascinating museum.
Bangkok Art and Culture Centre
Bangkok, Thailand
For the Asian art enthusiast, the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) is a new mid-town facility that should be on your list. It offers views of contemporary arts with art, music, theater, film, design, literature and cultural/educational events. The BACC aims to create a meeting place for artists and the community to explore cultural continuity from past to present. It is intended as a venue for cultural exchange and to give Bangkok an operational base on the international art scene. This center gives you an opportunity to explore country’s art and culture. You can add this intriguing center in Bangkok on your discovery of Thailand.
National Art Gallery of Namibia (NAGN)
Windhoek, Namibia
The National Art Gallery of Namibia is situated at the corner of Robert Mugabe Avenue and John Meinert Street in the capital city of Namibia. From the time of independence in 1990, interest in creating a National Art Gallery of Namibia began to grow. The NAGN formally came into being with the promulgation of the National Art Gallery of Namibia Act 14 of 2000. Today, it is a national museum, housing the Arts Association Heritage Trust Permanent Collection and the NAGN Permanent Collection. The NAGN also hosts contemporary exhibitions of local, national and international art.
The Permanent Collection is made up of approximately 270 contemporary art works of Namibian origin, and endeavors to mark noteworthy developments in Namibian art. The greatest part of the collection has been collected during group and individual exhibitions hosted by the NAGN. The selection process is based on conceptual and technical quality, and the relative contribution of the work to the body of Namibian art. The collection comprises work representing different disciplines including painting, sculpture, printmaking, drawing, mixed media, new media and outstanding works of craft. The collection demonstrates and contains the very best art works and within them are intuitive and uncommon pieces that are not only beautiful but significant within the history of Namibia. You can add this museum to your customized Namibia adventure.
Huayraccmachay, Peru
The idea of walking for fun is a relatively recent idea. It started to become acceptable in the 18th century due to changing attitudes about nature. Prior to that, walking was considered something poor people and vagrants did. But a few men such as Thomas West, an English clergyman, helped popularize the concept by writing a guide to the Lake District in 1778; and other early proponents included a contemporary of West, the English poet William Wordsworth; and, in the 19th century, poet John Keats and writer Robert Louis Stevenson.
Fast forward to 2012 when the number of total outdoor outings by Americans reached an all-time high with Americans going on 12.4 billion outdoor excursions, up from 11.5 billion excursions in 2011.
Whether you are an avid outdoors person or just beginning, it’s time to put on your hiking boots and head out for the hike of your life.
Huilo Huilo, Chile
Huilo Huilo is a natural for outdoor enthusiasts. Set in the Patagonian Forest nestled on the north side of the river Puerto Fuy, it is near the “Salto de la Leona” waterfall. Here, you can opt for any one of 40 excursions by horseback, by bike, kayak, specialized vehicle or on foot! For trekkers, you have the option to enjoy hikes that offer a leisurely pace, or choose something more demanding. The Huilo-Huilo Reserve has multiple trails allowing through the Patagonian Forest, crystal rivers and lakes, flora and fauna, and volcanic formations at your own pace. At nightfall, armed with torches like the early explorers, you take a fascinating hike into a mysterious nocturnal world. Hike Huilo Huilo in our Chile’s Patagonia & Mapuche Culture
Phobjika Valley, Bhutan
Hike through this magnificent landscape of the valley of Phobjikha, part of one of Bhutan’s most important wildlife reserves. The valley is home to a flock of 300 rare and endangered black-neck cranes. You can enjoy other hikes on our 12-day Central Bhutan journey, including a hike to Cheri Goemba, the monastery where the first monastic body was established in the country, and a morning hike in Punakha Valley through fields of chilies, cabbages and rice that lining the banks of the Mo Chhu River. We can also incorporate other hikes for those interested. Begin by exploring Central Bhutan.
Huayraccmachay, Peru
For serious hikers, you can’t beat this high altitude (3,850 m/12,600 ft) hike. The four-day trek – lodge to lodge – ends at spectacular Machu Picchu. The highest point on the trek is a pass at 4,600 m/15,000 ft., which offer views of the snow-capped peaks of the Vilcabamba Range, and the south face of Salkantay towering above you. Hiking level is considered difficult with that 15,000-foot mountain pass. But for the avid hiker, this truly is a Walk among the Ancients.
Zhangjiajie, China
Hiking is the best way to experience the natural beauty of Zhangjiajie with many paths through the stunning sandstone landscape. It doesn’t take long to realize that this is the land of AVATAR. At Yellow Stone Mountain, take a cable car to the top of the mountain. Travel to the cable car launch traveling to Tianzi Mountain. Hike to the top for incredible views, sightseeing in Helong Park and Tianzi Tower. Discover Legendary China.
Mahale Mountains, Tanzania
Mahale Mountains is home to Greystoke Mahale, with just six wood and thatch bandas set on a pristine, white sandy beach overlooking the turquoise water of Lake Tanganyika, with the forested slopes of the 8,000-foot Mahale Mountains rising behind. Here, chimpanzees are the focus of your visit. Each day, the rangers advise you of the whereabouts of the chimp groups, and possibility of seeing them. In addition to tracking chimps, you can also hike forest paths looking for birds and butterflies, as well as the other shy mammals who quietly live there. For a chance to encounter these endangered animals that are closest living relative, explore Tanzania: Into the Wild.
Migration – that spectacle of nature that awes and inspires – is found in all major animal groups around the world. Birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and even crustaceans migrate. These phenomenal annual events are triggered by local climate, available food sources, the cycle of seasons or for mating. Whatever the reason, nature’s parades are wondrous experiences to witness. Big Five’s luxury travel services will make experiencing these migrations even more unbelievable.
Kenya & Tanzania
Of course, when most of us think migration, Africa comes to mind first. With good reason. The great wildebeest and zebra migration from the Serengeti Plains to the fabled Masai Mara may be the most spectacular show on earth. This annual mass migration involves some 1.7 million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebra and other large game animals including gazelles as they move across the land following the grasses they feed on. Everyone should experience this at least once in their lives. All of our Kenya and Tanzania programs can put you there, including Kenya & Tanzania Safari Classic.
Botswana
Africa is also the site of another but less well-known migration. Botswana’s Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pan national parks host the second largest mass migration of zebra. It was discovered by a research team that was working with GPS-collared zebras. The animals migrated all the way from the Okavango Delta, south to the Makgadikgadi grasslands and back again, a trip of some 360 miles. You have the opportunity to explore this staggering ecosystem during Zambia & Botswana: Uncharted Footsteps.
New Zealand
Whale sharks are found in tropical and temperate waters worldwide. They migrate to northern New Zealand during late spring-early summer. The distribution of sightings follows the path of the East Auckland Current. During exceptionally warm summers, some whale sharks reach the South Island. Whale sharks populate New Zealand waters from November to March, with the peak of sightings occurring in February. Stretching along Western Australia’s harsh and arid coast, the Ningaloo Reef is an extraordinary yet largely unknown jewel in Australia’s natural heritage. Here, you see the giant whale shark – the world’s largest fish. Lying just north of the Tropic of Capricorn, the waters are warm for most of the year and the beaches are white and beautifully clean. See all coastal Australia has to offer on journeys such as Wild Australia tours.
Ecuador
Many species of birds migrate as well, including members of the albatross family, many flying around the world. You can encounter albatross, the largest Bird in the Galapagos Island from April to December. The dry season (June to November) is the mating season. In April the courting season begins, with the search for mates including males battling each other with their sharp beaks and plaintive cries unique to each individual. In May the eggs are laid, and in June the first hatchlings appear. September and October are fascinating months to watch the young albatrosses take wing and learn to fly before their departure at the end of December. The albatross is the largest bird in the Galapagos Islands and nest only on Espanola (Hood) Island. They live there from late March through early January. They are among the world’s most threatened family of birds. The World Conservation Union, based in Geneva, Switzerland, lists 19 of 21 albatross species as globally threatened. Conservationists warn that unless urgent action is taken, the seabirds will be lost forever. Explore our Galapagos adventures, or create your own Custom Ecuador & the Galapagos.
Nicaragua
Several beaches in Nicaragua, both on the Pacific and on the Caribbean coasts, are among the few places where sea turtles come home to the beaches from where they started to lay their eggs. Throughout the world there are seven species of sea turtles; with five of those species found in Nicaragua. The largest of all sea turtles is the leatherback turtle, and which can ranges in size from 4-8 feet in length (1.2 – 2.4 meters) and weighs between 500-2,000 pounds (225 – 900 kg). The average adult measures in between 5-6 feet (1.5 – 1.8 m) and weighs 600-800 pounds (270 – 360 kg). The oldest of all sea turtle species, it has been around for more than 150 million years! They survived the extinction of the dinosaurs and thrived until the last several decades where human interactions have taken a major toll. Take in this extraordinary experience, (depends on season), when you travel on our Costa Rica & Nicaragua: Tarzan Swings, Aero Bunks & Monkey Bridges.
There is something about a tree house that stirs the kid in us. It seems such a simple pleasure many of us savored in childhood. But today’s tree houses have come a long way from the make-shift clubhouses we may have had in our backyard treetops. Today, people build tree houses to serve as full-time residences or getaway cottages – some quite elaborate.
Tree houses can also make a luxury family tour that much more special. Here are a few of the coolest we’ve found.
Silky Oaks Lodge
Daintree, Queensland, Australia
Silky Oaks Lodge offers you the opportunity to savor time in a luxury tree house setting. Curl up in a hammock on your private balcony overlooking the forest; canoe or swim the Mossman Gorge River; take a yoga class; or venture out with the family (minimum age 8) to the nearby Kuranda Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. The lodge is also home to the award-winning Healing Waters Spa, for some pure relaxation.
Create your own Custom Australia adventure that includes this romantic tree house lodge.
Silky Oaks Lodge
Hotel Costa Verde Vintage 1965 Boeing 727 Tree Top
Costa Rica
This vintage 1965 Boeing 727 was salvaged from San Jose airport resting place and was converted into an exclusive hotel suite 50 feet up in the jungle canopy. The former passenger jet has two luxurious air-conditioned bedrooms with queen sized beds, ocean view terrace and surrounding gardens. It is a unique kind of tree house and a delightful way to get away from it all. You can incorporate a stay in the airplane in our Costa Rica Adventure for All
Hotel Costa Verde
The Nest
Masai Mara, Kenya
What could add to an East African safari? How about spending a night in “The Nest”? After a day watching lions, elephants, zebras, wildebeest and all many or African wildlife, a special excursion awaits you. Out on a limb high up in a lone Warburgia (Elephant Pepper) tree overlooking the Mara River sits “The Nest.” With two double nests and space for a couple more bedrolls, the Nest is fitted with state-of-the-art, night vision cameras to monitor what happens after dark using infrared technology. The Nest offers an amazing nighttime experience for the adventurous family with kids, or as a perfect chill out spot after a bush walk with a picnic breakfast or lunch. Imagine hot soup under a brilliant night sky with the sound of grunting hippo or a lion roar in the distance. Take advantage of this extraordinary experience during your Kenya adventure, perhaps on our with our Kenya: Kids, Cats & A Tree House
Hapuku Lodge
Kaikoura, New Zealand
Nested 30 feet above the ground in the canopy of a native Manuka grove, your Tree House retreat is waiting with spectacular views of Kaikoura’s dramatic mountains and surf-washed Pacific coastline.
The Tree Houses are meant to be a contemporary complement to the natural environment. Their exteriors are clad in native woods and copper shingles. Large windows bring the tree canopy right into the bedroom. Interior furnishings were crafted by local woodworking friends. You have the choice of a one bedroom Tree House or the two-floor family Tree Houses that include the upper bedroom Tree House for the parents, with a lower bedroom connected by an interior staircase for the children. New Zealand Geographic calls Kaikoura, “A maritime Serengeti,” so rich is the marine life here. Hapuku Lodge is a great base whale watching, giant albatross encounters, swimming with dolphins and seal swimming, sea kayaking, and deep-sea fishing are available year round. Natural New Zealand
Treehouse Lodge
Amazon Rainforest, Peru
At Treehouse Lodge, you’ll see the rainforest from an entirely new perspective that most visitors to the Amazon never experience. From the comfort of your treetop bungalow, watch monkeys and birds at eye level as every morning as you wake up to a jumble wildlife even before you get out of bed. You enjoy a range of amazing experiences in this ancient setting – from swimming with dolphins, to meeting members of indigenous rainforest communities and discovering their traditional way of life, to exploring the waterways in dug canoes. Explore Peru’s natural and cultural treasures on our new Peru – Amazon, Andes & the Coast
