Tag: destinations

Summer Escapes This Season

Many travelers want to discover places across the world which are off the routine tourist circuit and experience magical moments drawn up from their wishlist. So, for those last minute vacation planners who are yet to decide we have chalked out some incredible vacations this summer from places as diverse as Mt. Kailash in Tibet toKalimantan in Borneo or Nubra Valley in Ladakh. From an experience as eclectic as a camping safari in Tanzania or trek through thick forests in search of the mountain gorilla. Whatever experience the traveler seeks this season, our team of wanderers should be able to come up with something truly special.

Canadian Rocky mountain adventure

get up close and personal in Canada with this self drive tour! You pick up your vehicle at Calgary and after that you go about exploring Western Canada at your own pace and time. From Calgary, drive through the magnificent Rocky Mountains to Banff. Stop when fancy takes you to admire the scenery. Explore Banff town and the National Park after which you drive down to the “Jewel of the Rockies” Lake Louise.

Check out the  Canadian Rocky Mountain Adventure

Gorilla Tracking in Rwanda

Those who love nature and love to see different aspects of it – be it the wild animals or as popularly called in Africa the ‘Big 5’, the colourful birds or the elusive mountain gorilla! This tour takes you to several national parks for game viewing. And takes you on a trek through the thick rainforest in search of Mountain Gorillas.

Check out our Gorilla Tracking adventure

Taste of Borneo

the mystical jungles of Borneo. The spectacular areas of rainforest, the National Parks, sighting of the wild man from Borneo” – the Orang-utan – either in the wild or in one of the rehabilitation centres in Sabah, Sarawak or Kalimantan, be in awe at the Clearwater Cave and head out Poring Hot Springs for treetop canopy walk.

Check out our latest Borneo adventure. 

Climb the Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania

Challenge yourself with ‘Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro’ – the Wanderers escorted climb and camp trip! Spread over 9 days, exult in knowing the Kilimanjaro (inside – out). Africa’s tallest and earth’s highest freestanding mountain, it towers above the east African plain. Its highest summit is 5895 meters. Temperatures range from 85 degrees F to sub zero. 15,000 people attempt to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro every year and almost half fail. But, the real adventure of climbing Kilimanjaro is in making the journey—regardless of whether the summit is reached or not.

Check out the climb to Mount Kilimanjaro. 

For culture lovers

If you are keen on combining Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia at one go, the Grand Indochina tour is perhaps what you are looking for. This fortnight long fixed date departure covers the best of the 3 countries.

 Salamanca and Portugal tour

See the best of Portugal with its best of monuments, beautiful beaches, churches and diverse architecture. Start your trip at Avila, a world heritage city before moving on to Salamanca, known for its 2 cathedrals. Visit the headquarters of one of Europe’s oldest Universities in Coimbra. Attend a mass at the Shrine of the Virgin of Fatima at Fatima.

Don’t miss the Spanish Exotica

Spain with its different traditions and culture, glorious art and architecture and friendly people makes for a delightful experience. Starting with Madrid, the vibrant capital, home to bull fighting. Start your introduction to the history of this country with a city tour and visit to Toledo, the capital of medieval Spain until 1560, Cordoba, one of the most interesting cities in Andalusia. Find out more about this trip!

India escapes this summer:

If jungles, high mountains and unique culture excite you, to visit North East India with time spent in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam is the perfect way of unwinding.

Explore the heritage village of Pragspur. Experience the mysticism of Jwalamukhi Temple and revel in the beautiful Kangra paintings in an old temple in Dada Siba”. Picnic by the river Beas and lunch at quaint dhabha which offer delectable North Indian cuisine. Explore the picture perfect retreat of Dharamshala – Dalai Lama’s abode and for nature lovers, visit the Kalatope Wildlife Sanctuary, all in our 9 Days Western Himachal package.

Wanderers Leh Ladakh Adventure

The highlight of 11 days passage to Leh tour starting from Delhi is the spectacular 485km journey from Manali to Leh crossing some of the highest passes in the world. Rohtang, Baralacha, LachlungLa and TanglangLa. Passes that are closed during the winter months open for a brief while during the summer months of June to September. It is arguably the most beautiful stretch of road in the Indian Himalayas!

Check out our exciting Ladakh package.

Wanderers Trip of a lifetime: Kailash Yatra

Traveling overland from Kathmandu (Nepal) on this 14 day tour to Mt.Kailash and Lake Manasarovar, which lies in the Southwestern part of Tibet, is an incredible experience. It is an epic pilgrimage to the heavenly abode of Lord Shiva, that is considered the most sacred and revered pilgrimage for Hindus, Jains and Buddhists alike. En route you can see the world’s highest mountains, travel on the world’s highest plain, meet nomadic Tibetan pilgrims and walk amidst burning butter lamps and chanting monks of Tibet’s ancient and legendary Buddhist monasteries. The numbing cold at night, the harsh sun during the day, the bitter winds, the looming solitude and the everlasting dust are a constant companion.

We have just announced our 14 day trip over the Tibetan plateau to Mt Kailash and Lake Manasarovar via Kathmandu. Dep is on 27 July, 2012. We plan to take up to 16 people on this trip. The roads are much better these days as the highway to Kailash is mostly metalled, unlike in the past.

Click hereto check out the Kailash Yatra 

Wanderers Travel Diaries:

Walk in the Clouds- Sikkim, by Shubendu Banerjee

Shubendu Banerjee is a passionate traveler. From the misty mountains of Sikkim to the dense jungles of Bandipur in Karnataka he has traveled to give a free reign to his adventurous spirit. Now, settled in Bangalore with his wife and son he continues to wander into unknown territories as often as his job allows him to. Read More

Be a Guest Author – Be the Wanderer of the Month. If you’ve got an idea for a story to share, then write on – share your photos/videos: we would love to feature your work in our bi monthly newsletter.

Insiders view on Northern California

The Wanderers in conversation with Megan Parfitt

Everything the guide books or tourism websites won’t tell you about the place

One little known fact/trivia that everyone should know about when travelling to Northern California.

Redwood National Park in Humboldt County is home to the tallest tree in the world, which is a coast redwood at 379.1 feet. Six stories taller than the Statue of Liberty in New York.

What is a must buy when in Northern California?

The beer and wine – Northern California has award winning wine and beer!

One take-away after a visit to Northern California?

Just how green the landscape is…

What is your advice to first time travellers?

Get into the woods and take a hike. Even if it is a short, less than a mile hike, you will see the redwoods in their full grander when you walk amongst them.

One thing to definitely pack when travelling to Northern California.

A camera!

Definitely carry a camera as you will want to capture the beauty of the trees, the coast and the rolling green hills.

One activity anyone travelling to Northern California should not miss..

Kayaking – Whether it be on the coast of Mendocino or through the redwoods in Redwood National Park, it is a spectacular way to experience the beauty of the Northern California.

Where should anyone, travelling to Northern California definitely get their picture taken?

In front of a redwood.

Which is the best place to get a panoramic photo of Northern California?

The best place to get a panoramic photo would be Trinidad. This small fishing village in Humboldt County is part of the California Coast National Monument and features a very photographic coastline with beautiful rock formations.

Best place to enjoy sunset/sunrise in Northern California?

For sunset, you can go anywhere along the coast. It is great place to catch the sun dipping down into the ocean.

Most romantic place to take a special someone to.

The Moonstone Grill overlooking Moonstone Beach in Trinidad, CA. The Moonstone Grill has 180 degree views of the beach and ocean below.

Best place to have local food?

Restaurant 301 in Old Town Eureka features local seasonal foods, some from their own gardens.

Your favourite local dish and drink that you would recommend.

Dungeness crabs and oysters are plentiful along the Northern California Coast and are some of the best in the world.The best drink would have to be the beer made by the local microbreweries.

One place only the locals would know.

The ‘Lost Coast Scenic Drive’ takes you to California’s only coastal wilderness, where no development or major roads come near the ocean. This wild and spectacular scenic drive is the closest you can come to the Lost Coast without a backpack. Drive from Victorian Ferndale, through high alpine forests, to the water’s edge, along the northern edge of and then to the redwoods of Humboldt Redwoods State park.

The best bar and best place to catch up on a drink.

Any of the six microbreweries in Humboldt County. At each of them you can get tasters, small servings, of each of the microbrewery’s beers.

A local festival you feel more travellers should come and see.

The Kinetic Grand Championship is a 3-day race over Memorial Day weekend in May along California’s northern coast from Arcata to Ferndale. Racers compete for glory in all variety of people-powered kinetic contraptions, pedalling along roads, the beach… even through the Humboldt Bay!

The things guide books won’t tell anyone about Northern California?

Where exactly to find the Roosevelt Elk in Redwood National Park.

Is there any particular month you would not recommend travel to Northern California and what would that reason be?

Perhaps March just because it is usually pretty rainy.

In one sentence, Northern California is a beautiful collection of small Victorian towns surrounded by the redwoods, the beautiful coast and productive, small organic farms.

Megan lives in Arcata California in Humboldt County along the Northern California coast. She grew up in Davis, California near Sacramento before serving five years in the U.S. Navy as a journalist. After serving in the Navy, she earned her degree in Recreation Administration, with an emphasis in travel and tourism, from Humboldt State University in Arcata, California.

When she is not working, she enjoys cooking, salsa dancing, hiking in Redwood National Park, white Water rafting on the Trinity River in Humboldt County and crabbing for Dungeness crab in Humboldt Bay.