Hiking & Trekking
Hiking, trekking, and adventure travel seem to go hand in hand, with denizens of bold travelers dreaming of lofty peaks, alpine meadows, or hiking across the icy expanse of a glacier. Our hiking & trekking expeditions run the gamut from comfortable hikes across remote rocky beaches in Antarctica or the Galápagos, searching for resident wildlife, to making our way through rain forests and semi-arid deserts as part of an intense exploration for primates in Uganda. As often as possible, we offer a choice for travelers, allowing you to shorten or lengthen your trekking time and choose your level of difficulty as well.
Trekking eco travel comes with vast rewards: Rare glimpses of off-the-beaten path destinations, whether it’s 11,000-foot Pelila Pass and its vast array of wildlife in Bhutan, or the snow monkeys of northern Japan, soaking peacefully in natural thermal springs. Climbing the geological masterpiece that is the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, or trekking across lava terrain in the Galápagos to meet the enormous waved albatross. Our trekking adventure tour leaders are as excited as you are by the discoveries and opportunities we encounter on our expeditions and will be there to encourage your chosen level of exertion. May the exploration begin!
The itineraries we offer vary from year to year; below please find our upcoming history-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
In partnership with our sister company Travcoa, join us as we explore some of east Africa’s most fascinating destinations during our Kenya and Tanzania tour. Experience the massive wildebeest migration across Kenya and Tanzania, savor the view over the Masai Mara on a hot air balloon ride, and descend into Africa’s “Garden of Eden,” the Ngorongoro Crater, to view rhinos, elephants, and rare black-maned lions during your Tanzania adventure travels. Meet your own adopted elephant on a Kenya tour to Dame Daphne Sheldrick’s Elephant Orphanage.
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.
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.
Arctic
Join Zegrahm field director, Kevin Clement, on a Lapland expedition in Norway, a nation within a nation with a unique, semi-nomadic culture based on reindeer herding. Our Lapland tour is timed to coincide with excellent views of the fabled Northern Lights as well as the Sami’s annual reindeer migration and festival. Explore by boat, snowshoe, snowmobile, and even by dog sled, as we discover sheltered fjords surrounded by majestic mountain peaks, peaceful valleys, and sleepy fishing hamlets.
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
For additional exploration of Myanmar’s many charms, we are pleased to announce this new overland adventure led by Asia expert, Gary Wintz. Spend a full week cruising along the Irrawaddy River, with stops at small villages and local markets seldom visited by Westerners, as well as ancient Tagaung, believed to be the first capital of Myanmar. The medieval capital of Mrauk U possesses a rich collection of temples and pagodas second only to Bagan. Make stops in the bustling cities of Yangon and Mandalay to discover stunning architecture and important religious sites.
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
This fascinating Himalayas adventure travel expedition takes us to spectacular natural wonders and exquisite cultural landmarks. We begin in Delhi, where we visit energetic bazaars, lavish palaces, and stunning British Raj and Mughal architecture. From here, we venture to the picturesque village of Alchi, before exploring Leh’s superb monasteries. Continuing our Himalayas tour, we venture to Palampur, home to one of India’s holiest Sikh temples.
Upcoming Departures
With Zegrahm field director, Kevin Clement, explore the world’s largest intact prairie to search for herds of argali sheep, Siberian ibex, and Mongolian gazelle, as well as the corsac fox, Pallas’s cat, and cinereous vulture. Visit with local families to learn about their traditional nomadic lifestyle that has changed little over the centuries. This is a true expedition traveling well off the beaten path through a diversity of magnificent landscapes, from undulating grasslands to picturesque river valleys. Try fly
Upcoming Departures
- August 20, 2013 - September 8, 2013
- August 2014 (Exact dates TBD)
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
Join us for our most in-depth Sicily expedition ever as we delve into one of the most fascinating islands in the Mediterranean. In Malta, visit Valletta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an architectural masterpiece. Follow ancient trade routes aboard the Island Sky, charting a course for the Roman theaters and villas of Taormina, Piazza Amerina, and Lipari. And, of course, no Sicily and Palermo tour is complete without food and wine! We stop at several vineyards, sample olive oil straight from the press, visit local outdoor markets, and savor the best local cuisine.
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.
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
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.
Indonesia
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)
Your Bolivia adventure travels will lead you to a wonderland of astonishing diversity that stretches from the high Andean Altiplano to the lush and wildlife-rich lowlands of the Amazon. Our Bolivia expedition highlights some of the oldest cultures in the New World, the most dramatic landscapes in South America, the largest lake on the continent, and perhaps the greatest variety of flora and fauna on the planet. Begin in La Paz, at over 11,000 feet the highest capital city in the world, before exploring on our Uyuni tour.
Upcoming Departures
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
South Pacific
Upcoming Departures
None scheduled. Call to inquire.