Recently in Destination Spotlight Category

iExplore's team of travel experts have been busy creating some new Best Of Travel lists that showcase some of the best travel destinations and experiences. This week we focus on the Best Safari destinations.

It should come as no surprise that Africa heads the top 10 list for wildlife and safaris. Not only is this where the notion for the safari began, and the origin of the word, but it contains many of the big greats of the mammal kingdom. However, you may be surprised to learn only three of our Top 10 Safari experiences are based in Africa. Check out our entire list:

Top 10 Safari Destinations
Whether your vision of the ideal safari includes luxury lodges and meals on fine china, or a tent in the bush--we have a trip for you. Our list of top 10 safari destinations is sure to make you ready to pack your pith helmet.

Amanda Sundt recently had the opportunity to sit down with Chuck Kratz--the host of "Travel News and Views" on talk radio WJR 760. Amanda and Chuck talked all about Chile--the Land of Fire and Ice and what a fabulous and unique vacation destination it is! Did you know that Chile's topography includes the world's driest desert (Atacama), a prospering wine region, the Lakes District and glaciers? Not to mention the cultural attractions in Santiago or the unique 30 foot stone statutes on Easter Island! Take a listen--it will make you want to book a trip!

Chile: The Land of Fire and Ice with iExplore's Amanda Sundt
Travel News & Views (760-WJR)

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The team at iExplore prides itself in finding once in a lifetime travel experiences for our customers.  The Elephant Experience in Botswana is a perfect example of a unique travel experience iExplore offers for our clients.  Guests on our iExplore Botswana Experience & Moremi Reserve Tour have the option to spend a day with three amazing semi-habituated elephants.  Two of the elephants, Jabu and Thembi, were orphaned in a Kruger National Park culling operation more than 20 years ago.  Doug Groves adopted them back then and has been caring for them ever since.  He adopted a third member of the herd, Morula, after she was orphaned in Zimabwe.  He uses his organization, Living With Elephants, to "foster harmonious relationship between people and elephants".

Your morning starts by meeting Doug and the elephants out in the wild.  Leaving the confines of your 4x4, you walk into the bush to meet these amazing creatures.  Fear not walking freely in the wild floodplains of the Okavango Delta, you have a trained and armed guide with you at all times.  You will be introduced to Jabu, the proud bull who serves as alpha elephant of the herd, Thembi, the baby of the herd and the center of attention, and Morula, a mild-natured and sensitive elephant.

You will watch the elephants graze while Doug tells you all about these magnificent animals. During Doug's talk, the elephants gradually get comfortable with your presence as you gain comfort standing next to such massive creatures.  You will then be invited  closer. As you slowly approach these animals you will see details you have never noticed before about elephants such as the thick hairs protruding from their trunks, the long eyelashes and their massive tongues.  As you get more comfortable you will be given a chance to feel their tusks, peer inside their mouths to see some of the largest teeth you will ever see and even feel the massive weight of their trunks.

Much of the day is spent walking with the elephants as they go about their morning routines. That may mean grazing, bathing in a mud wallow, or drinking from a nearby stream.  In a short amount of time you will begin to see that each of the three elephants has their own distinct personality and place within the herd.  Doug will continue to share his extensive wealth of knowledge on elephants and his life living with them.

At the end of the day you will enjoy a picnic lunch in the wild while your elephant companions enjoy an afternoon snack of their own.  You are guaranteed to walk away from this experience with photos of a lifetime and with a new appreciation for these gentle giants. If you are interested in learning more about the one of a kind Elephant Experience contact, one of iExplore's specialists today.

The Natural World Wonders have always been a popular cornerstone for our clients' adventures and there is no bigger World Wonder than Mt. Everest.  Standing majestically at just over 29,000 feet, it is the world's highest mountain.  Although you may not be ready to reach for the summit you can enjoy trekking the Everest region -  a photographer's paradise and a sportsman's dream.

iExplore has recently increased our product line of adventure and cultural exploration tours to Nepal, focusing specifically the Everest region.  Check out the thoughts of iExplore's Ben McFadden on visiting this breathtaking destination.

After spending several weeks in India I crossed through the wild Himalayan landscape to Nepal's majestic capital--Kathmandu. Kathmandu brings to mind images of temples, markets and a wide array of international travelers. Surrounded on all sides by the ever-present Himalayas, Kathmandu has been a crossroads of adventure seekers for thousands of years, a custom that is very much alive today.

Kathmandu is fascinating at every turn, and some prefer to just wander, seeing where the congested streets will lead them. I found myself drifting aimlessly amongst the locals, markets and one of-a-kind temples. On my third day I met my group and guide that would be with me during my long awaited trek to Everest Base Camp.
 
I had planned to trek to the base of Mt. Everest well over a year in advance and it was hard to believe I was finally at this point. Summiting Everest is the ultimate goal for mountaineers from all over the world. My goal was to reach the mountaineer's base camp, a difficult achievement in itself.  The first step was to board the mountain flight into Lukla ---it was nauseating, though an exhilarating beginning to the trek. The runway is at a slope allowing the planes to slow down faster upon landing and speed up upon take off.
 
After arrival in Lukla we spent the next 3 hours traversing through woods along the Dudh Kosi to Pakding. This was an easy first day, mostly level ground and the weather was perfect. Occasionally I had to step off the trail for the first of many passing yak caravans carrying various equipment and supplies. We spent a night in Pakding and day #2 was a long 6-hour hike to Namche Bazaar. We stopped in Namche, after 2 days of trekking, for an acclimatization day which allowed us to explore this little town tucked away in the Himalayas. Multiple trekking supply stores line the streets; there are even a few Internet cafes and bakeries. This is a town like no other --- every item has been hand carried by either yak or Sherpa.

Leaving Namche was the first time that I could clearly see Everest in the distance. Picturesque forests, and suspension bridges crossing the river made this a long,  yet peaceful 7-hour walk to Tengboche. By this point we had reached 3810m. The morning view from Tengboche was one of the best I've ever seen-- crystal clear skies and awe-inspiring mountains. Another 6 hours and 600 more meters, we arrived in Dingboche. We spent a day in Dingboche for acclimatization,  as well as time to hike up the nearby Chukung for a view of the surrounding Imja Khola valley.

The following morning we departed Dingboche and got as far as Dukla, where we stopped for lunch. The snow began, and continued for the next several days of our journey. We trekked another two hours to Lobuche, where we stopped for the night. I remember this night vividly as the temperature reached freezing-- and power was no longer an option in our rooms.

We had a  5:00am wake up call for the 5-hour hike from Lobuche to Gorak Shep. The morning was clear but the previous nights fresh snow made the trail more difficult as well as the continually worsening path. Along the route there are monuments to Sherpa who have died in avalanches as well as monuments to past climbers. The affects of altitude began to set in, making the climb all the more difficult. After reaching Gorakshep for a quick early lunch at 10:30 we departed again for the final leg of the expedition, a 3-hour walk to Everest Base Camp along the Khumbu Glacier. The last leg is one of the hardest--trekking over jagged rocks and fighting blistering winds--not to mention altitude induced lethargy made the journey seem endless.
 
This is it, what I have traveled to the other side of the world and hiked for over a week to reach- Everest Base Camp. Experienced climbers spend days here acclimatizing and preparing for the long trek ahead. We enjoyed whatever snacks we had carried as well as apple pie from the, believe it or not, Everest Bakery. After enjoying the views we hurried back towards Gorakshep for the night. Despite the exhaustion from the altitude, the hike back took only 2 hours. A blizzard had set in and icicles began to form around my hooded jacket and I was ready to collapse.
 
There was an option the following morning to get up at 4:30am and hike to a nearby summit. No one could move. I finally managed the strength at 5:30am to get up and venture out on my own into the vast Himalayan scenery. After an hour walk I had climbed an additional 300 meters in time to watch the sunrise over the summit of Mt. Everest. This is still one of the most amazing sites I have ever seen.

If you are considering Everest, you should go for it--it is one of the most unique places and experiences on Earth.
 

iExplore Adventure Consultant Rosemary Burki was a guest on the KPAM Portland Travel Show this past week.  With Egypt in the news after President Obama's travels there, the host had a variety of questions about traveling to Egypt.  Cultural Tours of Egpyt have historically been one of our most popular destinations and Rosemary enjoyed sharing her expertise and travel trip on the destination. We invite you to take a listen.

KPAM Portland Travel Show - Egypt Interview with iExplore's Rosemary Burki

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The world does not suffer from a shortage of lists of World Wonders.  I assume that the tourism industry has caused the proliferation of more and more lists to ensure each tourism board has a local site referenced on a list. 

On my last trip I had the opportunity to visit a wonder from the list of Natural World Wonders.  The list of Seven Natural Wonders includes:

• Grand Canyon in the United States
• Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia
• Harbour of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Mount Everest in Nepal
• Northern Lights / Aurora borealis
• Parícutin volcano in Mexico
• Victoria Falls in Zambia and Zimbabwe
  

I have been blessed to explore the Grand Canyon on a weeklong river rafting trip down the Colorado River.  I have also enjoyed the Harbour of Rio de Janeiro.  While on Safari in Zambia and Botswana I made sure to include a visit to Victoria Falls to check another one off the list.
 
I remember being amazed by Niagara Falls when I visited as a child but was blown away by the shear size and power of the Vic Falls.  We visited shortly after rainy season when much of the rain received upriver of the falls was making its way to the one-mile wide and 360-foot drop.  The high water made it a challenge at times to see the depth of the falls as the resulting spray surrounded us. The locals call it "Mosi-oa-Tunya" or "Smoke that Thunders".  Despite having a misty view at times I was in awe of the falls.  The combination of the thunderous roar and the nearly constant pelting of water surprisingly enough made for a very peaceful environment. When David Livingstone first came across the falls he stated "scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight".

There is debate as to the best ways and places to see the falls.  Many will tell you that the Zimbabwe side gives you a grander view, as much as 80% of the falls can be viewed from the Zimbabwe side.  Although, the Zambian side only borders 20-30% of the falls it has some advantages. One advantage is that you can dip your feet in the waters upriver from the falls and if you are brave enough even wade through the waters.  The Zambian side also allows you to view the falls from above while also offering a wonderful base-level view that can be found by walking down a rain-forest footpath.

At times the Spray can rise as high as a thousand feet and be viewed from nearly 30 miles away.  It surely makes for an amazing photo opportunity.  I took the cheap way to capture a photo of the spray of the falls by snapping a photo over my pilots shoulder as I arrived on my commercial flight into Livingston.  If you have the time I would suggest taking a helicopter view to get an memorable aerial view of the falls.

One of my favorite spots in the world is Prince William Sound in Alaska.  A few years back, I had the opportunity to spend a few days enjoying the beautiful views and friendly wildlife found there.  Joined by some of my best friends we drove from Anchorage to Whittier where we took a private charter boat ride to Blackstone Bay.  Blackstone Bay was the backdrop for the final scene of the Adam Sandler film 50 First Dates and is worthy of being showcased on the big screen.

After unloading from the charter we set up camp then prepared for a day of paddling through this picturesque setting.  Shortly after settling into our kayaks we saw a tour boat sail by, sharing the beautiful sights with their guests.  When it finally fell of the horizon behind us, we were alone in this breathtaking setting for the next 24 hours, our only company came from the natural inhabitants including otters and harbor seals.  The harbor seals began to poke their heads up from a safe distance then swam under our kayaks, popping up for a view from the other side.  Each time they drew closer and closer, I think they were as entertained as we were.  Also enjoyable to watch were the otters as they floated on their backs keeping a watchful eye on us.

The only real sound was a periodic thunderous crack of ice calving of the Beloit & Blackstone glaciers. Both glaciers are tidewater glaciers, meaning they flow directly into the ocean.  I don't recall looking at a watch but I am sure we spent the better part of an hour or two floating in our kayaks, watching the ice crash into the water.

If you have the opportunity to visit the great state of Alaska. I recommend taking a few days to kayak through the Prince William Sound and highly recommend Blackstone Bay and its feature show, the Beloit & Blackstone Glaciers. I was lucky to have been traveling with an excellent nature photographer who captured some great photos of our trip which I will share below.  Check out more of his great Alaskan photos at Rock36Photography.com.

I have always been intrigued by travel to the polar regions of the world. I am looking forward to exploring Antarctica first hand this fall. I find myself gravitating to books, sites, videos and photos of the polar regions.  Today I came across the mother load of polar images.  The Scott Polar Research Institute at the University of Cambridge has published photos from their world-class collection.  The gallery of photos can be viewed on the appropriately named Freeze Frame website.

The website is a result of nearly two year project that started with 20,000 negatives that were digitized  for use with a touring exhibition and also for the Freeze Frame website which launched on March 4th.  Visit the website gallery to view photos organized into a variety of categories.  The site also features a book "Face to Face, Polar Portraits" that was written to accompany the touring exhibition.

In addition to the amazing photos you can enjoy a variety of articles like, History of Photography in the Polar Regions, or read articles on famous explorers like Ernest Henry Shackleton.  As a private pilot I was drawn to the interesting photos in their Air Gallery.

One of my all-time favorite travel experiences was a 2006 visit to Australia.  I have always had a keen interest in the land "down under" and even spent several years playing the great Australian game of Aussie Rules Football with the Cincinnati Dockers.  So when the opportunity arose for my wife and I to visit Australia, I jumped at it.  Some travelers (often those who have not visited Australia) will tell you that you need two weeks of vacation time to truly enjoy a visit there.  I was confident I could prove them wrong and plan a trip that would allow me to enjoy many of the great treasures of Australia in about a week.

With my passion for Australian Rules Football I decided to plan our trip in a way that would bookend the trip with catching a few matches.  We also wanted to see a variety of the country.  Our trip began in Melbourne, which is a beautiful and very walkable city.  We spent most our first day walking throughout Melbourne and admiring its many wonderful parks and riverside walks.  The first night there we visited the Telstra Dome, one of many exceptional sporting facilities in this city that was host to the 1956 Summer Olympic Games and 2006 Commonwealth Games.  At the Telstra Dome we enjoyed a brilliant Aussie Rules match between the visiting Sydney Swans and the Essendon Bombers.  If you choose to drive in Melbourne be prepared in advance for their awkward Hook Turns. I admit went out of my way to avoid these types of turns on my first night in Melbourne.  This animation would have been helpful to view before my trip (See this animation).

The next morning we departed in our rental car out on the Great Ocean Road. This drive is one of the world's most scenic drives, rated as the fourth best drive in the world by Expedia.  This drive offers stops in scenic small towns and quaint beaches.  We made a quick stop at famous Bells Beach to watch in amazement as the surfers rode the waves of the Bells Bowl. Movie fans will remember this as the site of the final scene of Point Break. The drive took longer than expected as we had no idea we would want to stop to take pictures so often.  One stop was unplanned when we noticed several cars on the side of the road. We got out to find all the other travelers 15-20 feet up into the woods where five Koala Bears were relaxing a few feet above ground in some trees.  Time flew by as we watched these great creatures in their natural habitat. We also enjoyed spending time watching the sun set over the Twelve Apostles rock formation.  We concluded the day's drive in the quiet little town of Port Fairy where we enjoyed dinner and a few bottles of Coopers while enjoy conversations with some of the locals.

The next morning we continued our drive heading away from the Great Ocean Road towards the Grampian Mountains and Grampians National Park.  We were excited when we saw our first kangaroo and worried it might be our only wild kangaroo of the trip. A few hours later we had lost count and gave up stopping to take photos at each opportunity.  We did however enjoy hiking through the Grampians and seeing some wild kangaroo and wallabies.

After enjoying a few days exploring the Great Ocean Road and the Grampians we returned for a night in Melbourne which had many wonderful restaurants and bars to choose from.  Before calling it a night we walked through Treasury Park where our concierge said we would find some Australian Possums, a peculiar-looking animal. It is also the site of several movies, including a scene from the Nicholas Cage movie Ghost Rider that had filmed there earlier that year.

From Melbourne we flew to Alice Springs in the center of the country.  Alice Springs was a delightful little town to spend a day and an overnight stay in. We toured the Royal Flying Doctor Service Museum.  The Royal Flying Doctors fly from a base like Alice Springs to destinations only easily accessible by plane to offer medical services to those in the Outback.  At night we enjoyed the nearly complete darkness afforded by being in the Outback to enjoy a night of stargazing.  Those living in the Northern Hemisphere will enjoy checking out star formations only visible from the Southern Hemisphere, including the Southern Cross constellation which is depicted in the Australian flag.

From Alice Springs we drove across the desolate outback to Uluru, also referred to as Ayers Rock, the giant rock formation that is synonymous with Australia.  Many questioned traveling to the Outback solely to see this sight but we found it to be worth the trip.  It is just an amazing sight that we enjoyed learning about from our Aboriginal guide.  Photographers will want to be sure to pick out a great location for sunrise and sunset photos at Uluru.  Not far from Uluru is Kata Tjuta, or  The Olgas, a series of rounded rock formations. We spend an afternoon hiking around the Olgas and to the inside where there are lush valleys of grassy hills.

Our next stop on our Australian adventure was to fly directly from Uluru to Sydney.  Sydney, likely the most recognizable city in Australia, is home to many famous tourist sites including the Sydney Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and Bondi Beach.  Once again we dropped our bags at a hotel and set off on foot to explore this wonderful town.  It was a weekday but the parks were filled with people on their lunch breaks having a kick of a footy, tossing a frisbee or people just out for a jog.  Throughout our journey, it became obvious that Australia is an active country but it seemed magnified in Sydney. We also visited a few attractions within a short train ride of Sydney.  One was Koala Park Sanctuary, a nice little zoo that offers a chance to get up close to  koalas, kangaroo, wallaby and emus.  

We took a short train ride from Sydney to Katoomba so we could enjoy a hike through the beautiful Blue Mountains.  Here we enjoyed hiking underneath the thick canopy of a lush forest then climbing to the summit of one of the mountains where we enjoyed a cable car ride across a valley taking in an amazing view.

On our last day in Sydney we visited the Sydney Cricket Grounds for another Australian Rules Football match.  This is a wonderful little outdoor stadium that if you are a sports fan you would enjoy checking out.  On our last night in Australia we enjoyed dinner and drinks in "The Rocks" a cozy little neighborhood close to the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House.

I realize we did not see all of Australia in our week long trip, but that would have been hard to do even with a month or more.  Our Australia in a week experience gave us a great taste of this wonderful country leaving us with a craving for more.  With competitive airfare offers out there for Australia you should consider it as your next vacation destination even if you only have a week.  iExplore offers many Australian tours that can fit within a seven day visit.  So, I recommend you pick up a copy of "In A Sunburned Country" and start planning your adventure in Australia. Until then enjoy some photos from this trip.