Patagonia: A Must for Active Explorers

Breaking away from the common aspiration to travel in a warm and tropical destination can be difficult – but Patagonia makes it EASY. Mixing immense natural beauty, rich wildlife and satisfying activities makes Patagonia a must for active travellers.

Patagonia is located at the southern end of South America and spans over parts of Chile and Argentina. Covering roughly one third of Argentina and close to half of Chile, there is a lot of Patagonia to go around. Combine that with its low low population density and you begin to understand the vast uninhabited grandeur of this beautiful region. It is the closest landmass to Antarctica, and shares elements of its spectacular icy landscape.

The name Patagonia was coined by the great explorer Ferdinand Magellan in 1520 to describe the large stature of the Patagonian people. At that time, the native tribesmen of Patagonia (the Tehuelche people) are believed to have been 5’11”, quite large compared to the then average Spaniard male of 5’1”. Magellan thought he had found “giants.”

Today Patagonia is still characterized by “the gigantic” in its larger than life terrain. Traveling throughout Patagonia results in boundless vantage points of ice-tipped mountains, granite cliffs, and icebergs. Turquoise tinted glaciers, river valleys, tangled pine forests, and spongy grassland plains reward all who visit.

If you’re not already convinced, here are some more reasons why Patagonia Is A Must See.

Outdoor Activities

Patagonia is the perfect cold weather playground. With the wide range of terrain offered between Argentina and Chile, your multi-sport options are many. Hike throughout semi-arid plateaus, deep valleys and canyons. Ice trek across expanded ice fields and immense snow-covered mountain ranges. Take to the water in kayaks and canoes exploring the many blue-coloured icebergs. Biking is also an option from certain locations.

Animals

Patagonia has noticeably diverse fauna. See rich wildlife from foxes, condors and penguins to pink flamingos, rabbits, and ashy-headed geese. Guanacos, a species of lama is indigenous to the land. Unique birds include the buff-necked ibis and rheas.

Eco-Camp

Although some outdoor enthusiasts are dedicated enough to see Patagonia independently, many opt for the assistance of a seasoned tour operator. One such offering BikeHike Adventures is proud to provide is accommodation at the Eco-camp, a one-of-a-kind lodge with cozy dome shaped shelters. Due to the way it was constructed, the environmental impact of the Eco-camp’s huts is virtually none-existent. Staying here is a restful and relaxing experience in an otherwise relatively inhospitable environment.

Family Friendly

Patagonia is an ideal family vacation. Since there are no snakes or other dangerous wild animals (pumas exist, but are rarely seen), it is safe for a wide array of outdoor activities. The large and unspoiled wilderness is the perfect place for kids to build an appreciation for outdoor life and learn about the natural world.

About BikeHike Adventures

BikeHike Adventures is an adventure travel company that offers guided tours to over 30 destinations worldwide. Specializing in multi-sport vacations, BikeHike unites humans in their love for outdoor activities around the world. Catering to outdoor enthusiasts with a passion to go a little deeper, BikeHike exclusively uses highly experienced local guides who facilitate the wonder and pride of exploration. BikeHike’s passion for fostering meaningful relationships abroad is reflected in its commitment to sustainability, both environmentally and socially. If exploration is your lifestyle, BikeHike Adventures is your mentor! Follow them on twitter @bikehiketravel

BikeHike Adventures’ Most Popular Trip in Patagonia

Join BikeHike for The Best of Patagonia, an extended trek through both Chile and Argentina. See all the intoxicating natural beauty Patagonia has to offer by hiking and ice trekking on this 12-day tour. Overnight accommodations include family-run hosterias, log cabins, tents and a luxurious and sustainable Eco-Camp.

By Adriana Braun
*This article was originally written by Adriana in Portuguese, and has been edited and translated by Julio Bin, O VIAJENTE ESPECIAL project partner.

What a great experience it was, returning to Fernando de Noronha – after ten years – and finding that previous obstacles for us wheelchair users no longer existed! When I first visited here ten years ago, I almost went crazy looking for a hotel that would accommodate me. It was beyond difficult just trying to put luggage in a buggy, dealing with a rude taxi driver who did not hide his prejudice for the disabled people, and trying to get through a bathroom door only 0.6m-wide with my wheelchair, let alone participating in any of the activities that the islands offers.

This time, I went to Fernando de Noronha to document the accessibility support provided on the island with regard to accommodation and tours for the Guide O VIAJENTE ESPECIAL (“The Special Traveler” – virtual accessible tourism guide). I was delighted to see that some hotels have already adapted or at least have tried to adapt to accommodate and welcome visitors with disabilities – including those who had faced significant challenges making such adjustments due to the steep terrain of the island.

Even those who had little or no guidelines to help them have made efforts to become more accessible, doing best they could with their own sense of judgment. Though there may still be much room for improvement, I do congratulate all these businesses for their efforts, and for working to provide greater security and comfort despite the difficulty with renovations on the island. In addition, it is important to note that many destinations do have difficulties in making modifications to receive wheelchair users often because of environmental practices and conservation codes.

My job involves not only verifying the accessibility services by accommodations, but also by local attractions and tour providers. In Noronha, most of the streets are not paved and the most common means of transportation on the island is by buggy. The majority of the beaches and trails are still mostly inaccessible. Given all of this, it with great pride and delight that I report to you that I was able to experience almost all of the activities offered to the regular tourist on the island. Yet again, on the island of Fernando de Noronha, I was able to prove that it is possible for disable people to visit both safely and with pleasure.

Of course, I had to make some changes, and adjust some trip itineraries according to my conditions and the physical structure of the site. For example, on the famous Island Tour, which takes you through the historic sites on the island, beaches, trails and spots for swimming, I wasn’t able to visit the Forte dos Remedios nor the trails of the Dolphins, Sancho beach and Lion beach. But I was able to go by wheelchair to Boldro, Cacimba do Padre and Conceicao and Porto. An alternative to getting to Sancho beach and Lion beach by land would be to take a boat ride and visit them. All you have to do is arrange this trip with a local tourism operator.

Cacimba do Padre is one of the longest beaches on the island and a popular surfing area

A visit to the beach of Atalaia is an unforgettable trip. To get there, you must contact a local operator and inform them about your physical conditions (i.e. use of wheelchair) in order to receive authorization of ICMBio (Environmental Agency) so that you can access the tail that leads to the beach by wheelchair. This rough trail is the only way to get to this beach. While the trail is a bit rough, the natural pool at the Atalaia beach is definitely worth the steps required to get the permit.

Noronha also offers an innovative new ride called NAVI, which is a boat with a magnifying glass in the hull that allows you to observe marine life. This is a great option for anyone who are not prone to sea sickness, including the elderly, pregnant women and children. While the boat was not designed for visitors on wheelchairs, it is certainly possible for wheelchair users to be part of this expedition. This interesting tour is very easy and accessible, as long as the sea is calm to transport the wheelchair from the pier to the boat.

Adriana getting on the NAVI boat

A great option for wheelchair travelers and those with limited mobility is diving or free diving in Porto, where you can swim with turtles, sharks and stingrays. For the most daring and courageous, Noronha even offers catamarans boats that take tourists to dive into the open sea. The local operator can give an introductory course in the swimming pool before diving in the sea.

Another worthwhile option is the water board. The board tows you on the water, and with a snorkel you can observe the amazing marine life below the surface. You can also take the wheelchair into the boat and with the help of guides, into the sea. All this is done with the utmost care to ensure your safety.

Beyond the diving and boat tours, the island still hides other beauties and attractions – like the Sunset at Forte Sao Pedro do Boldró, where all the tourists meet at 6PM for the local sea turtle conservation NGO TAMAR Project’s evening lectures and guided visits. This is another very worthwhile visit, and I have a tip for future visitors: do not miss the lecture on sharks by Mr. Leonardo Veras! The TAMAR project is located in a very nice venue all accessible with a wheelchair. At the time of my visit, unfortunately, they did not have wheelchair-accessible toilets, but I was told that they were soon to be added to the site.

Project TAMAR lecture on marine wildlife and ecosystems

Fernando de Noronha: How to Get There & What To Do

From Recife or Natal, Trip Airlines has regular flights to Fernando de Noronha. At the airport in Noronha there is no lift for wheelchairs so you have to be prepared to be carried down the stairs. You then need to pay the National Park preservation fee, based on the number of days you are expected to stay. There are taxis outside or you can organize a transfer beforehand at www.ambiental.tur.br. There is a wheelchair-accessible toilet at the airport. Accommodation options include: Pousada Zé Maria, Pousada Dois Irmãos and Pousada Monsieur Rocha. See more details and photos here (Portuguese).

This article was first published by Much Better Adventures on April 20, 2011.
>> View original article here: Cycling in Iceland – a how to guide

By Thomas Marvin

Back in 2006 my friend Legs and I packed our bags and bikes and headed to Iceland for a 6 week pootle round the island. We’d originally been looking at cycling to Norway’s North Cape, but for a variety of reasons (which I can’t quite remember) we sacked that idea and decided to go cycling in Iceland. The cycling trip ended up being one of the most amazing 6 weeks of my life – howling gales which lasted days, thoroughly pot-holed dirt tracks, stunning views and the invention of tuna tikka-massala.

We started our cycling in Iceland from Reykjavik and headed out on Route 1 (the circular road around the whole island). At Borgarnes we took route 54, then 56 to Stykkishólmur, where we took the ferry to Brjánslækur. We then worked our way to Ísafjörður and then back to Route 1 along Route 61. We roughly followed this past Akureyri to Lake Mývatn, and then U-turned back and followed the Kjöller route through the interior back towards Reykjavik. We then cycled along the south coast on Route 1 for a while and then caught the bus back!

Iceland Cycling Travel Tips

New to cycling? Cycling in Iceland was my 2nd proper cycle tour – I’d done New Zealand earlier that year – so I had a vague idea of what to expect. In my opinion cycle touring isn’t something which requires a lot of experience to get a lot out of it. Sure, I’m not sure I’d go and cycle some of the high passes in the Tajik Pamir Mountains as my first tour, but in general I feel it’s a really accessible form of travel.

How to train? Just get the miles in on the bike! Definitely worth trying out your touring bike with panniers (or trailer!) loaded up too, just to see how it handles in various conditions. There are plenty of hills and poor surfaces to contend with when cycling Iceland, so best to make sure you are comfortable in a range of conditions. It also gives you an excuse to go on shorter weekend practice trips beforehand!

Advice for a safe and enjoyable cycling trip: Be sure of the cycling kit you are using, and make sure you can erect your tent, or light your stove in some pretty unpleasant conditions. Being able to break camp pretty quickly can be an advantage too, so perhaps a bit of experience camping first would be an advantage! We went cycling in Iceland without a guide, just a map. Iceland doesn’t have a particularly extensive road system, and we didn’t really have any plans – just headed out of Reykjavik in a clockwise direction! We used a guide book from time to time, just in case there was anything ‘not to miss’, or to find details of campsites.

When to go? The weather in Iceland isn’t exactly balmy – we experienced hail in July, and were effectively trapped on a campsite by a storm for 3 days, whilst our camping compatriots’ tents flew around the campsite. We went cycling in June and July, taking advantage of the better than average weather, and long daylight hours (I used my torch once in 6 weeks, at 3am, to look deep into a pannier). We were, however, rained on pretty much constantly for 3 weeks, and then intermittently for the next 3 weeks. You can’t guarantee the weather in Iceland!

Must-have gear: Bring a waterproof tent which is easy to put up and spacious. There’s nothing worse than getting into a wet tent when you are already wet. We used a Terra Nova tent on our trip, and were very happy! Thermarest and three-season sleeping bag for ultimate sleeping comfort and light weight. Gas is pretty easy to get for camping stoves, however we used liquid fuel, which was also very accessible in Iceland. Make sure to take a range of cycling clothing – waterproof and regular – and a Buff, mainly for blocking out the light when trying to sleep!

Where to stay on your Iceland cycling trip: While cycling in Iceland we camped every night bar one (when we were offered a hotel room for the price of the camping as the weather was so bad). Most villages (and quite often farms and hotels) had campsites in Iceland, and we never struggled to find somewhere. Only when cycling through the Iceland Interior were we required to press on and cover larger distances to find somewhere to camp. Wild camping isn’t encouraged, and there aren’t many places to camp in the Interior!

Getting there: Getting to Iceland is likely to require a flight, you can use the Much Better Adventures flight finder to find your flights from a more efficient fleet. Ferries do go from Denmark (via the Faroe Islands), but they aren’t particularly cheap, and take a few days (More information on ferries can be found here).

Midnight sea kayaking on Flatey

Author Bio: Thomas Marvin

Tom is Joint Operations Manager and Head of Content at Much Better Adventures. He studied Sustainable Development at St Andrews, Scotland, graduated in 2009, and now lives in the French Alps where he bikes, climbs and ski’s when he is not working. He has also work with Sustainable Travel International and the Travel Foundation on sustainability consultancies with various tourism companies.

More about Much Better Adventures

Much Better Adventures are searching for the world’s local, sustainable and harder to find travel choices for adventure seekers, collecting them in one place. This is a community you can’t buy your way into – those that meet the criteria are offered free membership, so travelers can get in direct contact. Their mission? A wide, fair and independent collection to quench your thirst for adventure, while supporting not-for-profit, community and innovative ecotourism projects who often cannot afford to appear on mainstream travel resources.

ecoDestinations Scandinavia

From unique traditional foods to cutting-edge green technologies, to amazing natural wonders from across the region, Scandinavia offers a Smörgåsbord of eco-travel and adventure opportunities! Check out the ecoDestinations Scandinavia feature, and Explore various opportunities available for travelers and destinations from around the world, and support our efforts to protect and promote amazing travel experiences. Share your photos, stories and tips, and spread the word!

Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset – “The World’s Most Beautiful 100km Run” – is an annual event that allows runners to experience some of the most spectacular and pristine trail running in the world, as well as a week of discovery and exploration. While the race offers a challenging competition, it also provides the opportunity to be part of the important efforts to preserve the beauty of Hovsgol National Park and the local cultural identity.

About the 2011 Event: July 30 – August 6, 2011

Participants taking part in the Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset have the option to complete a marathon (42km) distance or the 100km course. International participants will arrive in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, on Saturday, July 30, and fly and drive to Camp Toilogt, located on the shore of Lake Hovsgol. Camp Toilogt will be the site of the start and finish line of the race. Prior to the race, which will take place on August 3, participants have the opportunity to acclimatize to the altitude (1,650 meters) and become acquainted with the course. For those interested, horseback riding, fishing, hiking and visiting local families (including Tsaatan reindeer herders) will also be available.

Interested in participating? Register for the run here.

Hovsgol National Park Zero-Litter Project

Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset is also a non-profit initiative working to support the implementation of the “zero-litter policy” in the national park. The proceeds from the event and participants’ donations have funded the initial set-up cost for the litter control project, as well as the ongoing operation costs: for hiring additional park rangers, providing eco-friendly trash bags, and communication and educational materials. As the park is home to two small Mongolian towns as well as scores of local nomadic groups and families, any conservation efforts must go hand in hand with these local users of the park. The event therefore aims to contribute as much as possible to the local economy and to raise awareness among locals that standards of living can best be raised by preserving the park and protecting the local culture.

Learn more about the project: “TIES member in the spotlight: Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset”

More about Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset

Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset is organised on a non-profit basis and all proceeds are used to support a variety of preservation projects in Hovsgol National Park and in selected other national parks in Mongolia via our “ecoLeap foundation” registered in Geneva, Switzerland.

>> Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset (TIES NGO Member) on Ecotourism Explorer
>> Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset on Facebook

Photos by Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset

>> View original article on The Travel Word Blog.

The city of Sarajevo, capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, lies in a valley surrounded by hills and mountains, which makes it the perfect location for winter activities. In fact, because of the fantastic winter sport opportunities on the surrounding mountains of Bjelašnica and Jahorina, Sarajevo was chosen to host the XIV Winter Olympic Games in 1984.

Fortunately, there is ample winter fun for non-skiers as much as skiers. For example, thanks to the deep masses of powdery snow on the hills around Sarajevo, snowshoeing is an excellent alternative to the mogul fields and becoming more and more popular in this part of the world.

In response to that, outdoor adventure tour operators like Green Visions, the whl.travel local connection in Sarajevo, offers trips and activities throughout the year, including options that peek into Sarajevo’s magical winter world. For the past 10 years, Green Visions has been developing year-round tourism that taps into the beauty of a frozen wonderland in close proximity to the city. Trips begin in a village just outside town, yet the trails lead to places so deeply natural and buried in white that they feel like they’re part of a different universe.

Reachable on snowshoes outside Sarajevo, capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Skakavac Waterfall is found frozen at high noon on Christmas. Photo courtesy of Dzenita Delibasic

The Renowned Skakavac Waterfall

One of the most memorable hidden places in winter is Skakavac Waterfall. Skakavac is the Bosnian word for ‘grasshopper’ and the beautiful waterfall it denotes is a staggering 98 metres high, making it the largest continually flowing chute in the country. As such it is listed as a Monument of Nature and afforded special protections. Besides being very attractive in the summer, though, it takes on a new personality during winter months when it is almost completely frozen.

Skakavac is located north of the Sarajevo city centre. Green Visions has mastered the route and perfected a day trip, called the Grasshopper Waterfall Snow Adventure tour, mostly because we love getting out there so much ourselves.

In summer, the three-hour hike of easy walking is accessible to just about anyone. The trek begins in Nahorevo, a village right at the trail head, just beyond which you are immediately embraced by the beautiful slopes of Bukovik Mountain. In extreme winter conditions, however, the story is a little bit different. Because the waterfall is located on the far (northern) side of the mountain, low temperatures virtually guarantee lots of snow from the end of December until the end of March. Without proper equipment, reaching the waterfall is almost impossible. That’s where the snowshoes come in; they are they perfect way to reach the waterfall and enjoy the sublime scenery.

Sandra shows the scale of the giant icicles of Skakavac Waterfall outside of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Photo courtesy of Dzenita Delibasic

A Christmas Adventure to Remember

On 25th December 2010, the Green Visions team organised a special snowshoe Christmas hike to this enchanting place. On this particular morning, the sun was shining brightly in a crystal-clear sky and the air was a sharp cold. It was the perfect weather for snowshoeing. We really enjoyed the winter sun as the snow grated beneath our feet for the almost four strenuous hours it took us to reach our destination.

Waiting for us there was a fantastic view of water, mist and ice, transformed into fabulous frozen waterfall. We first arrived at the top and took a couple of photos of the vista. After a short lunch break and a soak in the sun, we decided to follow a narrow to the bottom. Once below, we admired the waterfall in all its beauty, a natural ice sculpture reaching upward, touching the skies high above. We also realised that the icicles were more than five metres long! It was definitely a scene to remember.

The extreme cold discouraged us from staying any longer. Since noon had already passed, it was time to head home where warmth awaited. We all took one last look at Skakavac and said goodbye to it, promising that we would return soon, definitely before spring.

The trip back to Sarajevo led into the mist of the valley against a beautiful mountain backdrop. Photo courtesy of Dzenita Delibasic

Local Amazement

Walking back we observed the spectacle of the whole city of Sarajevo covered in mist. Only the Hum communication tower seemed to float above it all against the backdrop of the Treskavica and Bjelašnica mountains, both completely white and beckoning to us like beautiful ladies in their amazing gowns. That will have to be another adventure for another day.

On the way home we stopped in a local village to warm up in a tiny hut owned by Dragan. A lively character and impeccable host, he offered us his best rakija (plum brandy). After he found out where we’d been, he was more than surprised, saying that nobody had passed this way in more than two weeks. It was just too cold this time of year. As we thawed in the warmth of his home, the astonishment in his comments made us swell with pride.

About the Author

Samer Hajric
Samer is originally from Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Sarajevo is his home to this day. He is a certified mountain guide by Mountaineering Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina and UIAA standards (Official International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation, partner of the International Olympic Committee), and has a degree in Sociology. He has been guiding Green Visions mountain trips for 10 years.

Much Better Adventures Ambassadors Program

Alex, Ed, Sam and Tom of the Much Better Adventures team are seeking muchbetter Ambassadors to help their mission of making travel muchbetter for travellers, locals and environments alike. This is a unique opportunity for travellers and locals to help us build guides which support local businesses and reward ethical practices in adventure hot spots around the world. Ambassadors will even receive some extra travel money in the process!

What does a muchbetter ambassador do?

• Ride, glide, float and fly into local and independent accommodation providers, instructors, schools, local guides, shops, restaurants and bars to collect basic details and add them to the site.
• Write a muchbetter guide to the destination, telling the world why you love it and giving them the insider’s info to make the most of their trip. Here is an example of a destination guide.

Why do it?

• Get extra pocket money for more adventures: Get paid to explore your local area or somewhere new! Obviously it’s not all about the money, but it does help us to do more for our deserving members.
• Get given things: As soon as it’s ready, a muchbetter t-shirt will be making its way to you, and other nifty freebies are sure to follow.
• Be the expert: Ambassadors will be profiled in the guides they help with.
• Save the world: Do your bit to support the local community – when you upload a new local operator, you provide them with exposure on one of the fastest growing websites in the adventure travel industry.

Interested?

To learn more and to discuss more details, please contact the Much Better Adventures team at:

Email: sam@muchbetteradventures.com
Phone: +44 (0)1172302414

More about Much Better Adventures

Much Better Adventures are searching for the world’s local, sustainable and harder to find travel choices for adventure seekers, collecting them in one place. This is a community you can’t buy your way into – those that meet the criteria are offered free membership, so travelers can get in direct contact. Their mission? A wide, fair and independent collection to quench your thirst for adventure, while supporting not-for-profit, community and innovative ecotourism projects who often cannot afford to appear on mainstream travel resources.

Everyone has heard of the Annapurna trail, Mount Everest and other Himalayan hotspots, which draw thousands of trekkers and mountaineers to Nepal every year. Now there is a new trail in development which is likely to go straight to the top of many adventurers’ To-Do list, and the people behind it hope it will, to spread the benefits of trekking tourism to little visited regions of the Himalayas.

The Great Himalaya Trail (GHT), a feature of Nepal Tourism Year 2011, is set to be the longest and highest alpine walking tracks in the world. Winding its way through 4,500kms of the world’s highest peaks and most remote communities, the trail links five Asian countries: Bhutan, China, India, Nepal and Pakistan.

Flickr photo collection by The Great Himalayan Trail:
“Faces from The Great Himalaya Trail“

Robin Boustead on Reaching the Great Himalaya Trail

Robin Boustead is widely recognized as the man behind the trail. The concept had been banded about for a while, but the idea really came alive in 2008/9 when, over 152 days, he walked the length of the Nepal section. Robin has just finished the Bhutan GHT network, and plans to spend 8 months next year researching the Indian section. His guidebook “Nepal Trekking and the Great Himalayan Trail” is being released in November 2010, and he will be leading the inaugural commercial trek on the GHT in February 2011 – a 157-day trek run by World Expeditions.

“In 2002, I … received a fax from the Home Ministry. There had just been an agreement with the Chinese over where the mutual border was between the two countries. This demilitarised the Nepal side of the border, opening them up to trekking for the first time in over 50 years. There were nine areas that had never been opened to tourism before and apart from a few anthropologists, they were completely unvisited… I went off and researched them. As I was doing that I researched the areas between the main trekking routes and I slung them together and an idea of the GHT came about. The Nepal version took me 152 days. There was some time spent researching where the trail could go. No one has ever attempted to walk the length of Nepal in one season along the high route. It took me two seasons to do it because I needed the extra time to research trails. You need 5-6 months to do it and to do it post-monsoon.”

Dawa Steven Sherpa on the Importance of the GHT

Dawa Steven Sherpa is WWF Climate Change Ambassador and was voted one of the Top 5 young conservationists of the world in 2008. He believes tourism is an important tool to help rural communities adapt to the impacts of climate change, by reducing their reliance on subsistence farming for survival. He runs family trekking company Asian Trekking and has gained a reputation for his environmental campaigning in Nepal, including the Everest Eco Clean Ups. Dawa Steven plans to take a team to walk the lower trail, or “Cultural Route,” from West to East over 135 days. Leaving in January 2011, they will visit many rarely seen communities, and hope to encourage awareness of the importance of tourism in rural areas.

“A household statistic in Nepal is that every tourist gives 11 Nepalis jobs, directly or indirectly. Tourism has great potential to bring sustainable development. Tourism brings new jobs and energizes the local economy, lifting people out of poverty. Apa Sherpa, Leader of the Expedition, 20 time Everest Summiter, Nepali hero and legend, is a living example of this. In 1985, when the Dig Tsho Glacial Lake burst due to increased Global warming, he lost his livestock, farms and his house. Working first as a porter, then later as a mountain guide, tourism gave Apa the chance to rebuild his life. Today he is a world record holding Everest Summiter, due to the opportunities tourism brought to his door step.”

“Nepal is one of the most ecologically diverse countries in the World, and tourism has a major part to play in the preservation of wild life and forests. For example, the Everest region is much more forested than it was in the 1960s. The local people in the villages in Chitwan form voluntary patrolling groups to counter poaching activities. They realise that having a vibrant natural environment is directly related to the appeal for visitors. Tourism also brings opportunities to local people who would otherwise be involved in illegal logging or poaching.”

Sean Burch: Raising Awareness

Sean Burch, one of the world’s greatest extreme endurance athletes, has just finished his world record breaking run across the Great Himalaya Trail. In 55 days he completed 500,000 feet of climbing, descending and running for 1,100 miles at altitudes over 20,000ft. He hopes to use the expedition to promote tourism in alternative regions of Nepal, as well as raising the profile of the Nepal Trust, a non-profit working on various social and ecological programs in remote regions of the Himalayas. The Nepal Trust, which has implemented the GHT Development project with the UNWTO, has facilitated Shaun’s expedition, as they did the 69 day run by Rosie Swale-Pope in 2003.

Shaun Burch running in the Himalayas

Learn More & Share

• Flickr group “The Great Himalaya Trail“
• GHT Code of Conduct
• GHT Project and Sustainable Tourism

More About Much Better Adventures

Much Better Adventures are searching for the world’s local, sustainable and harder to find travel choices for adventure seekers, collecting them in one place. This is a community you can’t buy your way into – those that meet the criteria are offered free membership, so travelers can get in direct contact. Their mission? A wide, fair and independent collection to quench your thirst for adventure, while supporting not-for-profit, community and innovative ecotourism projects who often cannot afford to appear on mainstream travel resources.

Related Articles

Great Himalaya Trail Nepal: Sharing the benefits of tourism beyond the well-traveled path
The Great Himalaya Trail (GHT), a network of existing trails which connect popular trekking areas with areas that are less explored, is the highest and one of the longest walking trails in the world. Winding beneath the world’s highest peaks and visiting some of the most remote communities on earth, the Great Himalaya Trail, roughly 4,500 km in length, passes through lush green valleys, arid high plateaus and incredible landscapes.

Community Based Adventures in the Indian and Nepalese Himalayas Part 1
Spiti Ecosphere is an endeavour to promote community-based ecotourism in the Spiti valley, a stunning high altitude desert region tucked away in the Trans-Himalayan belt of Himachal Pradesh. A passion for conservation, mountain travel and adventure brought together a collaboration of local community members and professionals from diverse backgrounds to offer a range of trekking, mountaineering, biking, rafting, cultural and spiritual adventures.

Community Based Adventures in the Indian and Nepalese Himalayas Part 2
Help Tourism have been at the vanguard of sustainable tourism initiatives in North East India for well over a decade. They have developed a wide variety of adventure and activity programs, including trekking in the Himalayas, tiger, rhino and bird spotting in the National Parks and Reserves networks, elephant safaris, jungle lodges, heritage and cultural tours in this fascinating and diverse region of India.

Community Based Adventures in the Indian and Nepalese Himalayas Part 3
Nepal is regarded as one of the adventure capitals of the world, and Social Tours are local trekking and adventure specialists who are leading by example. They are fast gaining a reputation as an expert group absolutely dedicated to their principles of respect, honesty, social inclusion and environmental protection. Social Tours also played an instrumental role in developing the green circuit responsible tourism initiative.

Great Himalaya Trail (GHT)

The Great Himalaya Trail (GHT), a network of existing trails which connect popular trekking areas with areas that are less explored, is the highest and one of the longest walking trails in the world. Winding beneath the world’s highest peaks and visiting some of the most remote communities on earth, the Great Himalaya Trail, roughly 4,500 km in length, passes through lush green valleys, arid high plateaus and incredible landscapes, crossing through Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal, India, and Pakistan.

The 1,700km Nepal section of the trail begins near Kanchenjunga on the eastern border and heads west navigating the domains of eight of the world’s 8000m peaks, from the beautiful but lesser-known Makalu to the famous Everest. It is not the easiest or most direct route across Nepal, rather a route through the Greater Himalaya range. The Nepal section ends either in Humla on the Tibetan border or in Darchula.

Talung Lake, Limi Valley, Humla (Photo: Mr. Mim Hamal, Tourism Advisor, SNV Nepal)

Limi Valley in September (Photo: Mr. Mim Hamal, Tourism Advisor, SNV Nepal)

The Nepal section is part of a longer alpine adventure traversing the spine of the Himalaya from Bhutan to Pakistan. The GHT Nepal consists of 10 sections. Each section is distinct, and the GHT offers an incredible diversity in terms of landscapes, flora & fauna, people and culture: from snow leopards to red pandas; from sub-tropical jungle to fragile high-altitude eco-systems; from the famous Sherpas, to Shamanism, to the ancient Bön Buddhist culture of Dolpa.

The GHT offers unique opportunities to visit some of the most remote communities in the Himalaya region (Photo: Mr. Mim Hamal, Tourism Advisor, SNV Nepal)

National Geographic Adventure Magazine‘s Jame’s Vlahos observed: “Nepal’s mountains are minimally developed, but they offer a wealth of trade and pilgrimage routes. The GHT elegantly connects these existing paths without blazing a single new trail.”

Until recently the trail remained undefined – there was no one trail. In 2006, the SNV Netherlands Development Organisation and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) in Kathmandu proposed developing an official Great Himalaya Trail in Nepal from near Kangchenjunga in the east to Api-Saipal in the far west. Their plans are moving ahead, involving all of the affected stakeholders: from renowned mountaineers and trekking guides to the Nepal Tourist Board and the Trekking Agents Association to the village Development Committees in the remote areas the trek passes through. *Source: Great Himalayan Trail Preparatory Study (2006) (Download the study here)

Opening up these remote parts of the country could attract trekkers away from the crowded areas, and benefit more of the 1.8 million people living in the mountains. In Nepal, trekking is concentrated in the 3 most popular areas of Annapurna, Solo Khumbu (Everest), and Langtang. By trekking away from the beaten trail, you will be making a direct difference to communities in remote areas by spending money on food, accommodation or services such as guides, porters and cooks. Through responsible practices, tourists and tourism businesses can increase employment and income opportunities for local communities and minimize their negative footprint of tourism on the environment.

An inaugural trek of the GHT – a 150-day journey consisting of seven smaller routes – is set to commence on February 15th, 2011, organized by the adventure travel company World Expeditions. The GHT is new and will evolve over the coming years through the preferences and suggestions of stakeholders and trekkers completing the route or sections of it.

It is envisioned that the GHT will help to attract more adventurous tourists to visit the Himalayas, as well as encouraging them to make repeated visits to the region and explore different destinations. In the meanwhile, it is hoped that the benefits of tourism will spread to the more remote and least developed parts of the Himalayas, where many local communities struggle with poverty.

Related Articles

Great Himalayan Trail: New trekking route set to open up a whole new world
Everyone has heard of the Annapurna trail, Mount Everest and other Himalayan hotspots, which draw thousands of trekkers and mountaineers to Nepal every year. Now there is a new trail in development which is likely to go straight to the top of many adventurers’ To-Do list, and the people behind it hope it will, to spread the benefits of trekking tourism to little visited regions of the Himalayas.

Community Based Adventures in the Indian and Nepalese Himalayas Part 1

Spiti Ecosphere is an endeavour to promote community-based ecotourism in the Spiti valley, a stunning high altitude desert region tucked away in the Trans-Himalayan belt of Himachal Pradesh. A passion for conservation, mountain travel and adventure brought together a collaboration of local community members and professionals from diverse backgrounds to offer a range of trekking, mountaineering, biking, rafting, cultural and spiritual adventures.

Community Based Adventures in the Indian and Nepalese Himalayas Part 2

Help Tourism have been at the vanguard of sustainable tourism initiatives in North East India for well over a decade. They have developed a wide variety of adventure and activity programs, including trekking in the Himalayas, tiger, rhino and bird spotting in the National Parks and Reserves networks, elephant safaris, jungle lodges, heritage and cultural tours in this fascinating and diverse region of India.

Community Based Adventures in the Indian and Nepalese Himalayas Part 3

Nepal is regarded as one of the adventure capitals of the world, and Social Tours are local trekking and adventure specialists who are leading by example. They are fast gaining a reputation as an expert group absolutely dedicated to their principles of respect, honesty, social inclusion and environmental protection. Social Tours also played an instrumental role in developing the green circuit responsible tourism initiative.

If you want to explore the mountains and valleys of the Indian and Nepalese Himalayas, 3 of the 5 local travel operators who form India’s groundbreaking Green Circuit initiative offer the perfect opportunity to do so. This 3 part blog will explore the northern Himalayas of Himachal Pradesh with Spiti Ecosphere (Part 1), the North Eastern regions and the Neora Valley National Park with Help Tourism (Part 2), and Nepal’s Tamang heritage trail with Social Tours (Part 3).

Part 3: Discovering Nepal with Social Tours and Treks

Nepal is regarded as one of the adventure capitals of the world, and Social Tours are local trekking and adventure specialists who are leading by example. They are fast gaining a reputation as an expert group absolutely dedicated to their principles of respect, honesty, social inclusion and environmental protection.

Social Tours also played an instrumental role in developing the green circuit responsible tourism initiative, coordinate volunteer programs in the area, and dedicate 10% of profits every year to charities like the Joy Foundation Nepal, who conduct free cataract eye camps in rural areas of Nepal, and Antardristi Nepal, helping Nepalese youth and children achieve sound mental health.

One of their latest itineraries, set in the Langtang region of Nepal, one of Nepal’s most famous trekking destinations, gives you a flavour of what is on offer. Developed by the Tourism for Rural Poverty Alleviation Program (TRPAP), the “Tamang Heritage Trail” is a newly created tourism route which escapes the beaten tracks of Langtang. It helps visitors discover the ancient lifestyle and customs of the Tamang people, whilst also enjoying a 7 day trek through this stunning region.

Tamang Heritage Trail (Photo: Ram Chandra Sedai)

Staying in a variety of tea houses and community run lodges, and experiencing Tamang rituals, culture, festivals, traditional architecture, costumes, and local Syabru dances en-route, this trail is a unique cultural experience and provides maximum involvement and benefits to the local communities.

One of the highlights of the trek is the view from Goljung Pass, from where views of Langtang and Kerung (Tibet) can be awe inspiring. To ease those trekking aches, you can also enjoy a hot bath in the healing hot-water spring at Tatopani (Surkhet District) before reaching Nagthali, where the accommodation is a unique experience. The ancient monasteries and houses adorned with rich wood engravings at Thuman are also unforgettable.

Trekking in the Langtang Region (Photo: Social Tours)

At Briddim one gets to experience the famous Tamang hospitality, where there is a home stay facility in 24 houses. The visitor enjoys an evening with the host family, living with them, eating traditional foods and sleeping in a clean bed. Plain rice, Tibetan bread, Syakpa (Sherpa Stew), Potato, Tibetan tea, Briddim wine are the indigenous food offered. The visitor can also go on village walks, guided by the host family, to see the lifestyle, traditions and customs of the people.

>> Learn more about Social Tours on MuchBetterAdventures.com.

More about Much Better Adventures

MuchBetterAdventures.com is a travel directory of independant tour operators and eco-travel adventure companies, making it easier for travelers to find friendly local adventure choices that also support the local communities and destinations.

More about Social Tours

Socialtours.com travels (and Socialtreks.com adventures, a specialist trekking company, also under the same management) is a Nepalese company based in Thamel, Kathmandu offering tailor-made trips that promote and preserve Nepal’s rich cultural and ecological diversity.

If you want to explore the mountains and valleys of the Indian and Nepalese Himalayas, 3 of the 5 local travel operators who form India’s groundbreaking Green Circuit initiative offer the perfect opportunity to do so. This 3 part blog will explore the northern Himalayas of Himachal Pradesh with Spiti Ecosphere (Part 1), the North Eastern regions and the Neora Valley National Park with Help Tourism (Part 2), and Nepal’s Tamang heritage trail with Social Tours (Part 3).

Part 2 – Adventures in North East Himalayas with Help Tourism

Help Tourism have been at the vanguard of sustainable tourism initiatives in North East India for well over a decade. They have developed a wide variety of adventure and activity programs, including trekking in the Himalayas, tiger, rhino and bird spotting in the National Parks and Reserves networks, elephant safaris, jungle lodges, heritage and cultural tours in this fascinating and diverse region of India.

Uniquely, all these programs are designed with specific sustainable development and conservation goals in mind. The organization has single-handedly implemented 26 community-based tourism projects in the remote forest and mountain villages of this region.

Take for example the Neora Jungle Camp in Neora Valley National Park. This is one of the last remaining pristine ecosystems of the Eastern Himalayas, and is home to many rare and endangered plants, animals and birds. These include the Red Panda, a variety of Leopards, the Himalayan Black Bear, and Royal Bengal Tiger, 106 species of birds and a variety of colourful Wild Orchids.

Neora Valley Jungle Camp (Photo: Help Tourism)

The park is totally uninhabited, but easily explored from the community run jungle camp in Kolakham, which adjoins the national park, and has inspiring views overlooking Mount Kanchenjunga. From the camp, which blends local atmosphere and modern amenities, visitors can head out birding, on nature walks, jungle treks and to explore the local villages and traditions.

Neora Valley Jungle Camp was established with the aim of involving the fringe villagers in creating a community buffer for the Neora Valley National Park. The general population of the village lives below the ‘poverty level’ as per the Indian standards. Set in the snow-capped mountains, the scope of good agriculture is low, and due to the lack of pastures, cattle rearing are negligible.

Infrastructure work was started in February 2006 after receiving the offer of land from a local community leader, who had the farsightedness to see the benefit of the initiative for the local population. The camp has since developed as a place where the unemployed youths of the village can learn the art of tourist handling and develop themselves as service providers.

Help Tourism Adventure Camp (Photo: Help Tourism)

The global tourist attention has motivated villagers to pride in the conservation of the local nature. The process also help to maintain age-old traditions, fast being lost in the world of consumerism.

>> Learn more about Help Tourism on MuchBetterAdventures.com.

More about Much Better Adventures

MuchBetterAdventures.com is a travel directory of independant tour operators and eco-travel adventure companies, making it easier for travelers to find friendly local adventure choices that also support the local communities and destinations.

More about Help Tourism

Help Tourism is a tour operator and destination management consultant specialising in East- and North East India, promoting tourism as a tool for conservation and sustainable development. Help Tourism provides purposeful travel to natural areas to understand and connect with the local Heritage, Environment, Livelihood and People.