Asia Travex

Now think of safari...of Serengeti...of wildlife sanctuaries...what images dominate your thoughts? Yes, animals. Wildlife aside, safari would only be composed of a number of plant species, of terrain and of strange creatures like insects, bugs and the likes. Without the animals, African safaris would be reduced into a haven of sedentary and rarely moving species. Without the animal of the safaris, ecosystems would not exist. In a sense, animals add to the beauty that life in Africa may present. They give meaning. They add excitement. And they encourage tourism. It is thought that African safaris started to become famous when the hunt for animals boomed sometime in the nineteenth century.[..]

What is your idea of a safari? It will depend on how you interpret the word. Safari is a Swahili word that implies journey or travel. This typically means journey for survival's sake or travel to scour for areas of habitat. Nonetheless, since the earliest exploration of the African safaris and the inevitable bloom of the industry, safari became correlated with leisure travel amidst the wild. It may also be viewed as exploration of nature with the limit ascribing to the safaris alone. At a glance, safari may present endless arrays of wild creatures, some only having their residence in the safaris while many can be found in other locations like the jungles or the forests. Some 500+ birds[..]

Perhaps one of the greatest places to visit in Arizona besides the Grand Canyon is the Barringer Meteor Crater and Museum. It is very easy to get to and it's right off the I-40 freeway, which shoot across Northern Arizona. In fact, you should make a day of it, if you are passing through. Maybe spend the week, checking out the painted desert, Grand Canyon, and ancient Indian cliff dwellings too. In my travels I have been to the Meteor Crater and Museum, it is very cool indeed, a must see in my estimation. While I was there, I met with some Cal Tech Robotic Folks and later sat down with them for a chat at the Starbucks in Flagstaff. Very interesting stuff, they were practicing with Mars[..]

After getting some essentials for our campsite in Yellowstone National Park from the Visitors center, we loaded up the 'extras' and saddled up to find our campsite. We arrived at our site, and it was nearly perfect. We had a fire ring near the center of our site and two perfect spots for the tents. There was also a picnic table toward the back of the site placed neatly between two trees. We started the unloading of gear, and proceeded to pick out the spots for our tents. Deciding where to pitch a tent is a pretty important part of camping. I had the smaller of the two tents 'the coffin', so I took a smaller spot between two trees off to the left side of our camping area. My brother in[..]

Sitting on top of the world, looking down on creation... I don't remember the rest of the song and we were over 10,000 feet short of the top of the world but it was a pretty good view anyway. Finally, a dream of about two years was completed. I made it to the top of El Misti, the volcano right outside of Arequipa, Peru, that had been calling my name since I first saw it about two years before. I tried to climb it as a day hike then but failed due to a very late start and not being used to the altitude, reaching only about 15, 500 feet. I still think it can be done as a day hike so that is a future goal. I had been waiting eagerly for my friends Jason and Lisa, SCARAB (Southern California[..]

Imagine a place so remote that you do not see another human being for days. Imagine a trail through desolate valleys, over mountains and across large flat plains of sand, rocks and tufts of dry grass. The Naukluft Hiking Trail in Namibia takes you through such a place. It all starts at an old house perched on top of a small hill in what is known as the Namib-Naukluft Park in South Western Namibia. Hikers Haven is the base camp of this incredible trail. Here one can enjoy one last beer, grilled steak and warm shower. There after follow 8 days of carrying a heavy backpack through some of the most beautiful and desolate areas Namibia has to offer. Normally one needs to get up at about 5 in[..]

Butterfly Valley is a breathtaking Mediterranean paradisic oasis of tranquility which is home to more than 40 kinds of butterflies which come by the million to breed during June to September. The world famous 'tiger butterflies' especially the jersey tiger butterfly are among some of the rarest varieties that can be found here. A waterfall cascades through the valley which flaunts it's steep cliffs rising up on both sides towards the cloudless blue skies. At foot are vibrantly colored flowers with there aromatic scents gently wafting in the breeze. This is a truly enchanting place which has been granted complete protection from any kind of development. There are two ways to get to[..]

Every summer holidays, we used to travel to my grandparents' place - it was an overnight journey. Like most kids, my sister and I, used to look forward to the train journey. Apart from the journey, meeting new passengers, the chaos, the scenery and window seats, one of the most interesting things on the train ride was 'food time' - some how eating on trains was so much fun. Here are some of my favorite dishes for train travel: 1. Lemon Rice and boiled egg 2. Idlis and pickles 3. Curd rice and pickles 4. Poori and Potato Fry 5. Fruits - This I highly recommend - Whatever mains you pack, make sure you take some fruits along. 6. Sandwiches - This is actually my favorite - I use at least[..]

Most people only dream of taking a vacation in Europe. Now this can become a reality even for average income earners. You don't have to spend a fortune or blow your inheritance just so you can take a whiff of the sophisticate sights and sounds of this famed continent. By scheduling trips on low season months and taking advantage of budget packages, you can enjoy Europe with a small budget. Often, when touring Europe, package sellers give the choice of a guided or a non-guided tour. Which one is a better option for you? The answer depends on the kind of traveler you are, your preferences and your resources. Non-Guided Tours Non-guided tours are definitely the answer if you are on a[..]

Whatever you do, don't leave behind any essentials of an African safari tour. And that is the first commandment. The least thing you want to know once you get on board is that you have left a vital gear behind. Safari by nature, requires a number of essentials that are literally helpful while you are on your travel. On the other hand, you may need to drop some of non-essential things since they will only add up to your luggage weight. Remember, pleasure of the safari adventure is not measured by the number of useless gears that you have with you (which in the end makes you uncomfortable because of weight) but by the comfort of having gears that are truly needed while on trek. One of the[..]

I had long wanted to visit Costa Rica. Travelers from around the world had extolled its virtues - a land of great natural beauty with the Caribbean on one side, the Pacific on the other and a lot of wild mountains and rainforests and friendly people in between. On my Costa Rica holiday, this was not immediately apparent in San José, the grubby little capital in a highland valley. There are no elegant structures, but no one ever said that Costa Rica was known for architecture. Its beauty lies not in its buildings but in its environment. NORTHERN COSTA RICA Monteverde Costa Rica - Cloud Forest Driving northwest of San Jose we travelled up into the clouds to Monteverde, the most[..]

Uttaranchal is a trekker's paradise. It has been famous for its unpredictable and demanding routes. Here is a list of fifteen trekking trails which we recommend for their sheer beauty and adventure. 1. Hanging Valley of Gods: Har ki doon otherwise known as Hanging valley of gods lies in the western part of the Ganges of Garhwal Himalayas. It is at 3556 meters. This valet is known for its pine forests and shimmering mountain peaks. As you trek along Netwar you encounter dense forests of walnuts, chestnuts, willows and chinars. You reach Osla and from there you trek to Har ki Doon through some fantastic lush green mountains. This is a moderate trek and can be done in the months of[..]

The stone chairs of Ambarita where tribal elders held council. Ambarita is an ancient Batak tribal village on Samosir Island, in Lake Toba. It is located an hour's walk northwest from Tuk Tuk or about 20 minutes by boat. I visited it together with a small group of AsiaExplorers members. What makes Ambarita interesting, from an anthropological standpoint, is that during ancient times the Toba Batak people of Ambarita practised a form of carnibalism. What remains today is the cluster of stone chairs where the village elders held council. Whenever an enemy was captured, the elders would invite the rulers of neighbouring villages to a conference, to determine the fate of the victim. The[..]

Rightly said, 'where there is snow there is skiing' Skiing - an extreme sports for all you tough guys out there! Considered as one of the adrenalin and action sports, ski- lovers have always overlooked the risk attached with this adventure game. The approaching mid summer rings the bell for a much awaited vacation in the snowy region. Nothing could be more fascinating than having a blast in the Alps range. So pack your bags this summer and move towards 'The Great Alps'- a great chain of mountain system in Europe, stretching from Austria and Slovenia in the east, through Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany to France in the west. Owing to its geographical location, skiing in Alps[..]

Nainital is well-known not just for its beauty and green hills or many lakes. Nainital is also famous for it's many stories and legends. Many prehistoric temples and peaks with amazing views of the mountains in the background add to Nainital's magical request. History of Nainital: According to a legend King Daksha father of Parwati held a great 'Yajna' but did not invite Parvati and Lord Shiva. Parvati could not accept this direct insult, in her great anger Parvati gate-crashed into the 'Yajna' ground and leaped into the high flames of 'Yajna' fire to end her life. And later on lord Shiva retrieved her half-charred body himself. The local people think that the eyes of Sati dropped in the[..]

An African lion safari still tops the most wanted list among safari seekers who rate the king of the jungle the most sought after creature on tour. It's amazing to think that one of the most dangerous animals on the planet is held in such high esteem by a race who seems hell bent on eliminating it from the face of the Earth. Go figure! There is no doubt the African lion was headed towards oblivion in recent years as human intervention made steady progress encroaching on it's once haloed grounds. Increased farming activity meant extra land needed to be cleared. The lion had to make way for farming stock. The good news is there are some excellent programs in place to make sure the lion[..]

A murder mystery train can bring back great memories of the past when you used to play board games where you had to figure out who was the culprit. We live in a society today where we seem to be never able to slow down. It's always go here, go there, do this and do that. At some point we all have to say enough is enough and take a break. Getting on board a murder mystery train is an absolute great way to take a much needed break. It's a chance to sit back, enjoy the scenery and have some great fun. The thing with these types of vacations is that they are wildly popular so you will have to spend some time doing some research to find exactly what you want. It is very important to do a very[..]

An African Safari should be the holiday of a lifetime... for many, it's proven somewhat of a nightmare simply because they failed to prepare properly for their trip! Whether you are taking and african lion safari, travelling to South Africa's Kruger National Park or Tanzania's magnificent Serengeti, basic preparation is vital if you plan on enjoying your experience. What You Need To Take On African Safari It's amazing how often the simple things are overlooked. For example safari wear is vital. On this trip though you don't want to be too overburded with luggage in fact, travelling light is always best. What to wear on safari? It's light clothing in summer and light and heavy during[..]

Although many places and creatures in Africa are the best in their own kinds, some still assert that Zimbabwe offers some of the best. Be stunned by the waters of the Victoria Falls, be amazed by the rolling hills, experience the circle of life with the enormous elephants and buffalo and never forget, go back in time with the rock arts that were created even before civilizations sprouted. Although Zimbabwe safaris are only some of the seemingly endless offerings of Africa, wonders of nature can still be found in here that may not be found anywhere else. In this article, we have collected some of the national parks and wildlife sanctuaries that cover Zimbabwe safaris. Chimanimani National[..]

Thomas Pritchard's arrival at Jamestown in 1620 with the London Company and his subsequent contributions to the settlement of Virginia's Northern Neck are documented by primary and secondary sources alike on this side of the Atlantic. Still, his origin remains elusive. Over the years, researchers have pinpointed less than a dozen Pri(t)chard families in England and Wales whose offspring named Thomas are viable candidates for the Virginia immigrant. The two families who best meet the criteria traced their descent from the Prichards of Penrhos Castle in Monmouthshire, Wales. Their line originated with Caradoc Vraich-Vras (520-570 A.D.), founder of the dynasty of princes between the Wye and[..]

A small twin engine airplane is the only way to get to Gunung Mulu National Park in Sarawak Borneo, and looking out the window you will be overwhelmed with the vastness of the jungle that lay below. Once you have landed on the isolated runway, you truly feel in the middle of nowhere. A climb to the mysterious pinnacles is the star attraction of Gunung Mulu. The Pinnacles are a stone forest jutting 45 metres out of the earth in razor sharp formations. Part of the fun and challenge is getting there. Make your way to the parks headquarters and you can book your multi-day excursion deep into the heart of the Borneo Jungle. You will arrive most likely in the afternoon, so book a dorm room[..]

Namibia; a country of contrasting landscapes, abundant wildlife and fascinating cultures, is surprisingly home to numerous budget safaris which are the perfect antidote for travellers wanderlust during the current economic climate. Here are my recommendations for the top 5 budget safaris Namibia: 1. A Classic Namibia Safari - Save on accommodation costs and join a traditional camping safari. Not only does this allow you to get closer to nature and the wildlife but it also allows you to explore this fascinating country on a budget. 2. A Short Cultural Safari - An obvious way to cut costs on a safari in Namibia is to go for just a short holiday such as a 3 day cultural safari where you[..]

The Skyline Drive follows the crest of the Appalachian Mountains for 105 miles through Shenandoah National Park offering visitors an array of outdoor opportunities including hiking, rock climbing, wildlife viewing or just relaxing in nature. The Skyline Drive offers over 500 miles of hiking trails so finding somewhere to hike is easy...but which trail should you choose? The following 5 trails are my favorite places to hike along the Skyline Drive. 1) White Oak Canyon Trail (Milepost 42): This is one of the most popular hikes on the Skyline Drive and it is my favorite trail in the park. You pass 6 waterfalls, including one that is 82 feet, and hike through ancient Limberlost Hemlock[..]

The Zambezi is Africa's fourth largest river; flowing for about 3000km across central Africa. The river hails from a small brook at the upper Northwest corner of Zambia and it then flows through Angola and borders Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe before finally cutting through Mozambique where it empties its waters into the Indian Ocean through a Delta. The Zambezi River ebbs and flows depending on season. If there is prolonged rain, the river swells up and bursts its banks in particular areas displacing thousands of people. On the other hand if there is no rain, the waters recede. The river is divided into three sections; the upper Zambezi, middle Zambezi and lower Zambezi. Though[..]

Amantani Island - Cultures Strengthened by Tourism As the boat cruises slowly across the impressively encapsulated Lake Titicaca it is for passengers to forget that they are coasting at 3810 meters above sea level.  It would be easy forgive someone to think that they were effortlessly sailing along one of the world's  great seas.  The lake, at one point in histoy, must have been covered with a myriad of fishing boats.  Local people have netted these waters for the small native fish that live in its cold waters for years.  However, recently, these waters have been overrun by large kingfish and trout put into the lake as a more readily available source of protein.  And much like the[..]

Wiping away the sweat is what it's all about these days. The Prado thermometer read 39 Celsius yesterday. It makes you develop a twisted kind of affection for the office air conditioning, the kind of deranged affection someone, erm, lacking in air might display. But what we really crave here is a little of Europe's winter snow. Just for a day, just to spread the love. If they are having it hard taking a chill pill at home, maybe they could check in here for a sobering lesson in meteorological relativism. About 20 seconds is what it takes in this heat for a shirt to grip your skin. And the hottest month has yet to arrive. That's February, and the only relief between now and May will be[..]

The South Coast Track Tasmania is an 85 kilometer long walk that runs from Melaleuca to Cockle creek. Hiking the South Coast Track takes between 6 to 9 days to complete and is an arduous walk not to be undertaken by the unfit. Hiking the South Coast Track is classified as a moderate to demanding walk and the time taken to do this hike is variable depending on the weather, tides, swollen rivers and the amount of mud encountered. The main walking season is December through to March however the weather can still be cold with gale force winds and heavy driving rain so you must be prepared to encounter extreme weather conditions. The terrain ranges from button grass plains, rock strewn[..]

You don't have to fly half way around the world to experience East Indian culture, or enjoy its mysteries. That's right! Just escape to the Caribbean for some fun, sun, and sandy beaches and you can also discover a vibrant enclave of authentic Indian culture. And the source of this enigmatic cultural duality? The Exotic and the Exciting Trinidad and Tobago are the most southerly islands in the blue Caribbean Sea. Sister islands where, believe it of not, 42% of the population is of East Indian decent, and where you can experience exotic East Indian festivals like Phagwa, the Hindu festival of color; Diwali, the festival of lights; and Hosay parades. But it doesn't stop there... The[..]

Ladakh is a trekker's paradise. It has been famous for its unpredictable and challenging routes. Here is a list of ten trekking trails which we recommend for their sheer beauty and adventure. 1. Stok Kangri: Stok Kangri is located at 6153 m. Majorly for seasoned trekkers, it doesn't require a lot of technical knowledge. You do your trek upwards without too many equipments. The acclimatization time is between 2-3 days. Reaching the top is worth the toil as you get clear views of Karakoram and Zanskar ranges. You can also enjoy seeing the K2. Best time to do this trek is between the months of July and September. 2. Kang Yatse Trek: Kang Yatse is near Markha Valley. It is a non technical[..]

When you decide to enjoy rafting on the river Tara, feel the wonders of intact nature and moments full of positive energy which you may remember for a very long time, the subsequent few lines will be able to help you organize this extraordinary event: what to see, what adventures not to miss as well as what things to bring with you, and at last how to arrive at the destination and organize transport. Regardless the actual fact that river Tara runs through Montenegro in all its length, its capacities are exploited by organisations from the BiH, too. That's why at the very start you'll probably feel a double temptation regarding what country, and so which of the rafting camps to choose for[..]

Rain is enjoyed and welcomed everywhere and by everybody. Children and elders get a chance to enjoy rain showers. Rainy season has great significance in India. As all know, farmer's livelihood heavily depends on the arrival of rain. In the western part of India, monsoon rain arrives in the beginning of June every year. Alas! This year monsoon showers kept farmers waiting till second week of July. The amount of rainfall predicted is well short of its average level this time. Due to scanty rainfall, dams and reservoirs have hardly any water left. This situation indicates that it's going to be hard time ahead to get good crop. I live in the city area of Pimpri chinchwad Municipal[..]

We were well into our African safari having spent time in Ngorongoro Crater and a couple of days on the Serengeti in a luxury mobile tented camp. With that particular segment of our safari coming to an end we rode to the rendezvous area some forty-five minutes away to meet our main safari guide and driver, Fabian Ngua who drove from some distance to meet us. He would again be with us for the remainder of the safari. One of the people in our safari group had seen a picture of a Black Mamba snake in one of the reference books Fabian carried in his vehicle. They are a highly poisonous snake found in that area. That person, whose identity shall not be divulged, to protect the guilty, was[..]

The Jungfrau Region of Switzerland's Bernese Oberland provides some wonderful walking country in stunning scenery but the high peaks of the region offer few easy ways to their snowy summits. The walker wishing to scale the high peaks here has less choice than at say Zermatt or Saas Fee, for even with a guide he or she is faced with technical climbing to reach all but a couple of the big mountains. For the walker who doesn't want the expense of guiding fees the Schilthorn offers an exciting walking route to a high mountain peak with the option of a cable car ride down. Rising to the West of Murren above the Lauterbrunnen Valley the Schilthorn at 2970m or 9744 feet is the highest mountain[..]

Amboseli National Park is the most popular park after Masai Mara, mainly because of the spectacular backdrop of Africa's highest peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro, which broods over the southern boundary of the park. Cloud cover can render the mountain's massive bulk invisible for much of the day, but the two lodges in the centre of the par are perfectly placed for those classic early morning views. As well as being a prominent part of the country' tourist portfolio, the park has been at the centre of some controversy since president Kibaki's 2005 decision to downgrade it from a national park to a national reserve, transferring its administration from the KWS to local authorities. Supporters[..]