Birding
Novice birders and life-long enthusiasts alike will applaud our birding adventure tour options. Visit South Georgia, home to thousands upon thousands of king penguins, and four species of albatross, including the delicate beauty of the light-mantled albatross. Our Africa programs are a birder’s dream with an overwhelming variety of species to be behold. Or, opt for a birding adventure tour in South America. Our Wild Brazil program brings you face-to-face with the colorful cacophony of birdlife in the Pantanal and Atlantic Rainforest, everything from toco toucans and green kingfishers to scarlet-headed blackbirds and rufescent tiger-herons; while Jungle Rivers of South America delves deep into the region’s riparian environments for a look at almost 300 different species. If your interest lies in endemic species, our birding expeditions also go to areas which feature birds (and mammals!) found nowhere else on Earth: Madagascar, the Seychelles, Mauritius, and the special birds of the Galápagos Islands, as well. As with all of our adventure travel expeditions, our birding eco travel excursions are led by knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides, most of which are published authors of ornithological works and sought-after specialists, who will take you to the best possible spots for sightings and open up a whole new world of discovery. The itineraries we offer vary from year to year; below please find our upcoming birding-focused expeditions.
Africa
Heighten your Africa adventure travel experience with one of the finest bush guides on the continent, Lex Hes. We combine three remarkable countries—Namibia, Botswana, and Zambia—on this Africa expedition, enjoying a staggering array of wildlife, from desert rhino to Thornicroft’s giraffe, via chartered aircraft and 4x4 vehicles. Each Lex Hes tour benefits from his 30 years of experience as a guide at the famous Londolozi Game Reserve and his innate knowledge and instincts about Africa.
Upcoming Departures
Join us as we visit the true Africa—Botswana—where the landscape has remained relatively unscathed and offers vintage Africa adventure travel. Here we find all the major wildlife: elephants, buffalo, lions, hippos, plains antelopes, leopards, cheetahs, and more. Well over half of Africa’s most endangered carnivore, the wild dog, is here.
Upcoming Departures
Uganda adventure travel is alluring and profound—after all, this is one of Africa’s most biologically diverse countries and home to the amazing mountain gorilla. Our experience here focuses on Uganda’s primates, but delves into the natural wonders of the country from the rain forests of the great Congo Basin to the wetlands of Lake Victoria. During our trekking safari tour, we hope to glimpse lions, leopards, elephants, Cape buffalos, and, of course, the 400-pound knuckle-walking mountain gorillas.
Upcoming Departures
This comprehensive Namibia tour reveals the country’s tremendous diversity of scenery, culture, and wildlife. Traverse Etosha National Park with stops at productive waterholes to view abundant wildlife—zebras, wildebeest, Damara dik-dik, white and black rhinos, and a wealth of bird species, which in turn attracts a host of predators, from cheetahs and lions to hyenas and jackals. On this Namibia expedition, track desert-adapted elephants in Damaraland and visit a Himba village with local guides.
Upcoming Departures
Spectacular scenery awaits throughout this Madagascar expedition with Mauritius, Reunion, Comoros, and Zanzibar. Our East Africa expedition combines the volcanic peaks of Mauritius and Reunion, the colorful chameleons and pristine coral reefs of Madagascar, and the rugged Comoros Islands. Spend six days on a Madagascar tour as we search for mouse, black, and brown lemurs; 32 species of reptiles; and over 100 species of birds, among them rare endemics such as the Madagascar fish eagle and white-breasted mesite.
Upcoming Departures
Africa’s “best-kept secret,” Zambia presents myriad opportunities for wildlife viewing, photography, and cultural immersion, especially in the company of renowned Africa safari guide, Lex Hes. During our Zambia expedition, we visit three national parks: Kafue, Lower Zambezi, and South Luangwa. We search by day and night for the intense concentrations of wildlife, some 60 animal species and at least 400 species of birds. We boat the Zambezi River, tracking hippos and crocodiles, a highlight of Zambia adventure travel, then spend peaceful evenings at luxury tented camps.
Upcoming Departures
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Antarctica
In the spirit of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Antarctica expedition, our exploration of the White Continent offers in-depth Antarctica, South Georgia, and Falkland Islands adventure travel – all while seamlessly combining rich natural history with some of Mother Nature’s most rugged and dramatic landscapes.
Upcoming Departures
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Arctic
An area long closed to Western travelers, this White Sea expedition will expose you to sublime beauty, magnificent architecture, and a long and fascinating history. In the fabled Solovetskiy archipelago learn of ancient legends, view archaeological finds that reach back across millennia, stroll through island flora in the botanical gardens, and tour splendid architectural monuments.
Upcoming Departures
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Asia
Bhutan adventure travel is the experience of a lifetime. In a country where they’ve adopted the concept of Gross National Happiness and where snowcapped peaks are set off by ornate temples and colorful houses, we journey where few travelers have gone before. Your Himalayas expedition includes nature hikes, interactions with local people, and wildlife viewing—glimpse the Himalayan black bear and the black-necked cranes from Tibet. This is a pilgrimage back in time to places where determined people live close to the heavens and keep their traditions alive.
Upcoming Departures
This extraordinary Japan expedition blends an array of fascinating wildlife with the exquisite wintertime landscapes of the country. Birders and photographers are in heaven as we visit Arasaki, Kyushu, where nearly 12,000 hooded and white-naped cranes winter each year. We continue on for our snow monkeys expedition, visiting these stirring creatures in Jigokudani in central Honshu, as they soak in the region’s thermal baths.
Upcoming Departures
The expansive region bordering the Sea of Okhotsk is one of the planet’s least-explored and most remarkable destinations for untouched forests, pristine tundra, and vast amounts of wildlife. Here, you’ll find a number of whale species including beluga, orca, and bowhead; basking seals and sea lions by the thousands; and millions of seabirds. Aboard the all-suite, Caledonian Sky, this Siberia expedition will take you from Kamchatka to the Kurils and then a Sea of Okhotsk tour to explore remote shores and isolated islands long closed to Westerners.
Upcoming Departures
Australia & New Zealand
This Western Australia expedition takes you to The Kimberley, one of the most remote and captivating regions on earth—a land of towering cliffs, plunging waterfalls, ancient cultures, and exotic wildlife. The 100-passenger Caledonian Sky easily navigates the mighty rivers and tiny inlets of the region throughout your Kimberley adventure travels.
Upcoming Departures
This Tasmania and New Zealand expedition presents a bounty of natural history experiences, combining a variety of striking landscapes with some of the world’s rarest and most fascinating plant and animal species. Begin your Tasmania tour by stepping ashore on some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, and hiking through eucalyptus forests in search of unique birds and marsupials. A special highlight of your New Zealand adventure travel is our time in the sub-Antarctic islands.
Upcoming Departures
Central America
At the crossroads of two continents, Central America is a land of rich biodiversity with an array of colorful, exotic wildlife and a long and significant human history. This Central America expedition reveals the wonders of five countries, including Belize, Honduras, Colombia, Panama, and Costa Rica tours; two oceans; and, during a stunning daylight transit, the Panama Canal.
Upcoming Departures
Europe
Your Iceland and Svalbard adventure travels will reveal a world of abundant wildlife, marine life, and amazing geological landscapes of black basaltic islands, dazzling glaciers, flowering tundra, smoking volcanoes, and bubbling thermal springs. An Iceland tour explores the fabled Golden Circle and offshore volcanic islands that provide a breeding ground for seals and a rest stop for nearly 90 species of migrating birds.
Upcoming Departures
Larger than life, yet just shy of Cuba’s landmass area, Iceland is a Land of Fire and Ice, natural diversity, and a hardy and hospitable population. Our Iceland adventure travel expedition makes every effort to capture the geological drama of the land, aboard the superb Island Sky, by Zodiac, by snowmobile, and on foot. We start with a Reykjavík tour, followed by the Golden Circle of Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall, and the Geysir Center.
Upcoming Departures
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Galapagos
Certainly one of the most iconic and memorable expeditions one can take, Galápagos adventure travel is exhilarating and humbling. You’ll find yourself in the company of species found nowhere else in the world, walking among abundant wildlife that has grown astonishingly fearless in the absence of humans and large predators. On your Galápagos tour, you might find yourself face to face with a pair of courting blue-footed boobies, sitting next to a marine iguana as it basks in the sun, or snorkeling amidst a family of playful sea lions.
Upcoming Departures
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
India and Indian Ocean
With more than 5,000 years of human history to its name, India is the perfect setting for adventure travel on a grand scale. Our 19-day India and Delhi tour reveals the dramatic landscapes, varied wildlife, and rich culture of the region, from 1,000-year-old Hindu temples to the increasingly rare Bengal tiger. An in-depth Delhi tour, including sights of both Old and New Delhi, kicks off our India expedition.
Upcoming Departures
A must for nature-lovers, Madagascar adventure travel is ripe with botanicals, birds, and land animals, including the island’s icon—lemurs. The island’s isolation and size (it’s the world’s fourth-largest island) has made for striking biodiversity: 90 percent of all forest flora is endemic and more than half of the 250-plus bird species are found nowhere else.
Upcoming Departures
Home to prolific birdlife, rich marine areas, dramatic landscapes, and a wide range of native species, to participate in Sri Lanka adventure travel is a nature lover’s dream.
Upcoming Departures
On this extraordinary Seychelles and Aldabra adventure travel voyage, photographers, naturalists, birders, and snorkelers will find themselves enraptured by the astonishing richness of the region’s terrestrial and marine environments. The focus of your Seychelles adventure travels is the Aldabra Island Group, including Aldabra Atoll, one of the largest atolls in the world, with a perimeter of over 70 miles. Zodiacs bring you ashore for nature walks to search for numerous native and endemic species of flora and fauna.
Upcoming Departures
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Indonesia
Papua New Guinea adventure travel beckons the explorer in all of us with dramatic landscapes and a wealth of unique cultures. Meet the inhabitants of remote islands on this Melanesia tour and step back in time to view their energetic dances and well-preserved cultural traditions. Learn about the kula ring of trading, which unites far-flung island communities, and the fascinating rituals surrounding the annual yam harvest.
Upcoming Departures
New Guinea is a revelation of exquisite wild beauty, exotic cultures, and incredible underwater vistas. From traditional fishing villages to the mysterious world of the Asmat, discover the beliefs and traditions of ancient cultures that have changed little over the centuries on this Papua expedition. Snorkeling and diving on this voyage is exceptional and includes the Raja Ampat archipelago whose seas, part of the fabled Coral Triangle, are considered to hold the richest variety of marine species on the planet.
Upcoming Departures
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
South America
Brazil unfolds before us in all its stunning natural glory during this popular South America expedition. We visit several different biomes, see as many as 25 indigenous mammals, study ten times as many birds, and even meet some of the planet’s rarest primates. Of course, no Brazil expedition is complete without Iguaçu Falls; this two-and-a-half-mile-wide cataract is our introduction to this spectacular country. Also, included in our Brazil adventure travel tour is the massive Pantanal, the planet’s largest seasonal wetland area.
Upcoming Departures
- October 2014 (Exact dates TBD)
This grand adventure along the rugged western coast of South America reveals myriad cultural and natural splendors, with four UNESCO World Heritage Sites on tap. Begin in Quito, Ecuador’s charming capital city, where beautiful colonial architecture is rivaled only by the surrounding peaks of the snow-capped Andes. Board the ship in Guayaquil and voyage southward to discover magical vistas, unique micro-climates, and the prolific wildlife supported by the nutrient-rich Humboldt Current.
Upcoming Departures
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
South Pacific
For many, Polynesia is the very definition of paradise; evoking classic images of palm-fanned beaches, azure lagoons, and exotic, flower-bedecked islanders. Begin in legendary Tahiti and continue east for a Marquesas tour, admiring their sky-piercing volcanoes, lushly-carpeted canyons, and chiseled bays. The low-lying Tuamotu Archipelago, whose remote atolls—mere rings of coral dotted by tiny islets enclosing aquamarine lagoons—offer some of the world’s most dazzling snorkeling and diving.
Upcoming Departures
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.