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Tag: tour

  • Sail Down The Ganges River – Indian Tour to Holy City of Varanasi

    At 2507 kilometers long The Ganges, which stretches from the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal, is nowhere near as long as the Nile, the Amazon, or the Mississippi.  But its might comes from a much deeper place. The river is regarded as the lifeblood of India, a water source which gives the Asian nation its economic freedom, its spirituality, and its cultural identity.

    Sunrise on the Ganges River near Varanasi
    Sunrise on the Ganges River near the holy city of Varanasi

    One of the greatest ways to experience the splendor of The Ganges is to get on it. Several touring companies, including Adventure Expedition Travel and Shikhar Travels, offer sailing journeys down the river. These sailboats are not like those familiar to Western travelers. The rustic vessels are propelled by the sail if weather permits, or bamboo poles when conditions are still. A canvas awning offers crude shelter from the elements, and there is room for just a small number of passengers and their luggage.

    The sailing expeditions travel to the holy city of Varanasi.

    The sacred city is home to ghats, a row of stone steps along the Indian coast. Tourists can see many Hindus here bathing, practicing meditation and yoga, making offerings to the gods, and cremating the dead. It's thought that anyone who dies in Varanasi will travel straight to heaven. To truly experience Varanasi, tourists should take a walk around the Old Town, or Vishwanatha Khanda. This area's shrines and temples, stalls and shops, are a hive of activity all year round. For their own comfort, tourists are advised against traveling to The Ganges in the middle of the year. In June temperatures soar as high as 39 ºC, while July is the area's wettest month.

  • Meet Crocs and Snakes in Australia on the Spectacular Jumping Crocodile Cruise

    The Northern Territory is a place that’s not for the faint of heart. It’s an Australian stereotype come to life, with scorching sun, the unforgiving deserts of The Outback, and nasties lurking around every corner.

    If the snakes don't get you, the crocs just might. If that thought doesn't terrify you, you might be a good candidate for a trip on the Spectacular Jumping Crocodile Cruise. The boat takes a leisurely trip down the Adelaide River, which is home to more than 80, 000 saltwater crocs, or salties as they're known in these parts. These man-eaters can measure up to six meters, and when they jump out of the water you'll be able to take all of that length in. But don't be scared. They're more interested in the raw buffalo meat the tour operators dangle from the long feeding sticks than you. If you're game, the crew will even let you give the crocs their tucker. Spectacular Jumping Crocodile Cruises has two boats: the 8.7 meters Wildcat, and the double-decker Northern Adventurer, which measures a massive 18.2 meters. The cruises' hosts are incredibly knowledgeable about the area's native wildlife, which also includes bats, snakes, and the enormous kites. These birds, with their awe-inspiring wingspans, will happily swoop in on the crocs' buffalo, and often get away with it too. That's one brave bird! [caption id="attachment_3021" align="alignright" width="150" caption="A saltwater crocodile jumping for food in the Northern Territory, Australia"]A saltwater crocodile jumping for food in the Northern Territory, Australia[/caption] Speaking of those snakes, you can meet some of those too. Spectacular Jumping Crocodile Cruises has a large collection of pythons which they'll happily pass around to any brave guests. If you do hope to handle a snake make sure you're not wearing sunblock, perfume, or insect repellent. These products can offend the snakes' delicate sense of smell, and you really don't want to do that! Spectacular Jumping Crocodile Cruises cost $35 for adults and $20 for kids, including complimentary tea and coffee. Discounted family, group, and senior passes are also available. The cruises last for one hour and leave at 9 am, 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm every day.

  • See Fiji’s Rainforests with a Zip Trekking Tour

    It’s got a reputation for sun, surf, and sand, but there’s more to Fiji than its coastal allure.


    The island nation is also home to thousands of hectares of tropical rainforest.
    While bush walking is always an option, Fiji’s zip trekking tours provide an experience that’s just a little different.

    Zip trekking lifts you up off the rainforest floor and high into the canopy. The method, which originated in Costa Rica, uses specialized climbing equipment to zip from one treetop platform to the next along steel cables.

    By getting off the ground, zip trekking allows you to see Fiji’s flying foxes, colorful parrots, butterflies, tree frogs, and other creatures that don’t live on the forest floor.

    With the platforms elevated as high as 45 meters above the ground, zip trekking is not for the faint hearted. To make you feel a little more confident though, travelers are connected to the wire or zip line by secure harnesses. Each harness also has a brake to slow things down. Once your nerves have settled, feel free to forget the brake and enjoy traveling through the trees at 60 km/h speeds.

    While zipping along is lots of fun, the platforms give trekkers the chance to stop and take in their surroundings. Here the guides will also share their knowledge of the local area and its flora and fauna.ziptrekking

    Zip Fiji runs two-hour zip trekking tours every day at Pacific Harbour, located two hours from the Fijian tourist center of Nadi. They cost $125 FJD for adults and $65 FJD for children. This price includes the tour, the guide, and all zip trekking equipment. Bookings can be made in person or online through the Zip Fiji website.

    [Image Source: Kyhuskers2/Flickr]

  • Travel To The Great Wall of China

    No trip to China would be complete without visiting The Great Wall, a man-made marvel regarded as one of the great wonders of the world.


    Known as Changcheng, or long wall, to the locals, the Great Wall travels for some 6700 kilometers following the southern edge of inner Mongolia. In its journey it stretches through deserts, mountains, and grasslands. It was originally built more than 2000 years ago as separate walls dividing the warring states of Yan, Zhao, and Qin. Then during the Qin Dynasty, the emperor joined the walls to fend off the invading Huns. Today some parts of the wall are in ruins, but its historical significance and sheer size ensure tourists continue to visit.

    One of the best places to appreciate the wall is Mutianyu in Huairou Country. This location, 60 kilometers north-east of Beijing, is adorned by beautiful trees and shrubbery. It’s one of the most commercialized sections of the wall, but don’t let that deter you. The souvenir shops may be a little tacky, but hotels and restaurants are welcome modern-day conveniences. The popularity of this location has also seen authorities restore the wall to its former glory with original bricks. This is one of the few parts of the Great Wall which appears as it would have all those years ago.

    greatwallAs Mutianyu is set high in the mountains, it’s only accessible by cable car. One can take you to the top for sightseeing, while the other is for tobogganing. Both take approximately 10 minutes to reach the summit.

    If you’re after more than a quick day-trip to the Great Wall, consider joining a guided tour. Many local tour companies such as World Expeditions and Kumuka Worldwide offer Great Wall expeditions of varying lengths for beginner hikers and experienced trekkers.