Section mountaineers and other AAC mountaineering scientists will be spending four weeks in Peru’s Cordillera Blanca, where the group will team with local climbers. The team will collect valuable environmental samples from elevations too high and remote for most scientists to be able to visit. The data collected by members will assist local land managers and scientists to determine the environmental impacts of local and global air pollution and global climate-change impacts on the Andes Mountains.

Due to the ever-increasing global impacts on alpine environments, The American Alpine Club has become more proactive in its conservation efforts in alpine areas across the globe. The AAC currently is developing an air-pollution-impact environmental monitoring program that can be performed by mountaineers on high peaks. This trip to the Cordillera Blanca is the first of its kind: a mountaineering expedition with the purpose of assisting the local people in monitoring the health of their fragile, important, and beautiful alpine environment.

That the AAC and local scientists and climbers work as partners to maintain the pristine nature of their mountainous alpine environment in which they live and rely on. To use the latest and most cost-effective methods to monitor and document any and all environmental impacts on these environments. To work as an advocate for local land managers in documenting and maintaining their high alpine environments. And to discover solutions to reduce impacts on the ecosystems and populations that depend on these environments.

You can support this program along with Adventures Within Reach!  Further information is available at the American Alpine Club website at www.americanalpineclub.org and click on the “Cordillera Blanca Environmental Expedition 2011” (near the bottom of the page under “Protect”. To donate, click on the DONATE button on the CBEE2011 page and fill in the form. You will receive a tax receipt, acknowledging your donation. The American Alpine Club is a 501c3 organization.

If your destination is Peru and you want an area less traveled…away from the crowds at Machu Picchu…you will want to go to Huaraz and the Cordillera Blanca!  Check out these tours and treks!

Photos courtesy of Frank Nederhand, AAC Peru environmental expedition director.

For the first 3 days of the approach, a small 30-liter pack will do, while a larger pack goes on the mules, all the way to base camp.

For the high altitude sections of the climb,  Base Camp – Summit – Base Camp, in your big pack, you’ll carry all your clothes, crampons, ice axe, sleeping bag, mat, water, mug, spoon, and pack lunch or snack, etc. The average weight depends on how light or cutting edge your equipment is. For a typical male, this averages between 12 – 17 kg.

You can hire, at extra cost, a personal porter, who would carry up to a 20 kg load, for all sections of the climb, and the way down as well, except the section Camp 3 – Summit – Camp 3.

On Summit day, you will leave behind at Camp 3 your sleeping bag, mat, and other personal items. You will have on most of your insulation layers on at the beginning; as the day progresses, weather permitting, you will layer off the extra clothes into your almost empty pack. Depending on the conditions, crampons will already be clicked on your feet. You will also want to carry about 1 liter of a hot beverage, like tea.

Tents, pots, stoves, fuel, food, etc., is considered “common expedition gear” and is carried by our porters, as a service included in the expedition price.

For more information about what’s referred to as “the normal route,” the ‘easiest’ trek to the summit. and find more answers in our Aconcagua Packing List.

Cotopaxi summit

Ecuador is increasingly being recognized as a fantastic mountaineering destination, one of the best in the Andes, with arguably the best value. Our mountain trips feature ascents of rugged multiple volcanic peaks up to 20,000 feet.

One frequently asked question about the best times of year to trek in Ecuador. While the Ecuadorian summits can be climbed year round, some months are more favorable than others.

The best period for mountaineering is usually from September to February. We see the best combination of elements at this time to successfully run our Ecuador mountaineering treks.

July and August are not the best months. That’s firmly in the dry season, with a lot of sun, with little or no snow in the mountains, which means a much more technical, arduous, and more risky progression on glacier ice. July and August are also very windy months and it’s common to have winds of 80 to 100 km/h. Winds can be sometimes so strong that they impede the climb.

Also, it’s better to avoid March and April if you can, since these are wetter months with a thicker snow cap on the mountains.  Sometimes you can get lucky when the snow is not so deep in March and April – it can be a great time to go if that’s the case. However, you run a definite risk that the snow cap may be too much, making ascents more physical, with higher risks of avalanches.

May and June are transition months: this is the end of the rainy season and beginning of the dry season. If the rainy season follows its normal course, these can be good months for climbing: the snow cap is stabilized, with beautiful sunny days & clear starry nights.

The important thing to remember is that hiking in the high peaks of Ecuador always carries some risk of variable climatic conditions and unpredictable weather changes. Therefore drastic changes can occur at any time and any month of the year. An Ecuadorian saying says that “the four seasons can be met in a single day.”  Given the potential hazards and low costs of participating in treks with a certified mountain guide, there’s no reason not to book with a guide service like ours and vastly improve the overall experience.

Our 14-day Ecuadorian mountaineering trip is our most popular, and you can summit the three highest peaks in Ecuador.  Our 11-day mountain trek in Ecuador is our next most popular.  You can summit Cotopaxi and Chimborazo, but this is not enough time to summit Cayambe.

My husband and I were quite excited to be going on safari in Tanzania and though we knew big animals help to define the safari experience, we were still curious about what to expect.

Imagine our amazement upon entering Tarangire National Park and realizing that we could see an elephant in every direction we looked; there were dozens of elephants surrounding us.  Elephants drinking in the river.  Elephants in large groups under a tree.  Elephants mud-wallowing to cool off.  Momma elephants and their babies.  Elephants along the side of the road looking at us looking at them.  It was an incredible day filled with dozens of other fun sightings as well from warthogs and giraffe to lions and baboons!

Two days later, after sleeping in a mobile camp on the edge of the Seregeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, our guide got us up early for a morning game drive.  Within 20 minutes of setting off from our unfenced camp, we came upon a female lion in the tall grass with three baby cubs.  The cubs were hilarious to watch as they wrestled with each other and lovingly pawed at their mother as she cleaned herself up after a kill.  They were so much fun to look at that we could barely tear ourselves away.  When they were done showing off for our cameras, they effortlessly disappeared back into the grasses from which they came.

On another day in the Serengeti we had the opportunity to eat our lunch while overlooking a herd of thousands of wildebeest and zebras.  We were fortunate to be visiting during their migration through the park and nothing can prepare you for seeing, hearing, smelling and feeling the movement of so many animals in such a small area.

We were continuously blown away by the animal encounters in these parks, not to mention the African landscapes, our well-informed guide and the unique and varied lodges where we got spoiled each night.  Though we didn’t know what to expect as we set off on safari we quickly learned that the country’s unfenced National Parks and Conservation Areas are packed full of millions of animals who are living relatively undisturbed in the same environments that they have inhabited for thousands of years.

Tanzania has a good thing going. If you want a safari experience that will showcase Africa at its best, this is it.

Ted & Sarah Martens on the summit

Though common sense and sound advice tells you to prepare yourself as much as possible before a physical undertaking as demanding as climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, my recommendation is that a little ignorance can be a good thing.

Before our climb, my husband reached out to a few friends that had climbed Kili to ask them about the hike and to hear their experiences. He got a few intimidating responses ranging from miserable altitude headaches to incredibly grueling hard work.  He (thankfully!) decided that there was no good reason to share this information with me and off we went with me none the wiser.

I’m telling you this story not to discourage you but to remind you that every climber will have their own unique experience so there is no reason to obsess over the good, the bad and the ugly of  any climber tales before you.

Mount Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro is a gigantic mountain that deserves a lot of respect but I’m confident we made it to the  top not because we were in the best shape of our lives (we weren’t), or because it has been a lifelong dream of ours (it hasn’t) but because we really wanted to get up there and because we never imagined that we wouldn’t do so.

There is a lot of emphasis on summit day and getting to the top (my previous paragraphs included) but the 4 days of hiking leading up to summit day are more-than-incredible in their own right:  walking through lush rainforests, seeing silhouette views of nearby Mt. Meru at sunset, camping on cliff edges overlooking spectacular valleys, walking through clouds and catching rewarding glimpses of Kili all along the way.  The hiking alone is world class and THEN you get the opportunity to really challenge and reward yourself.

Glaciers near the summit

You may not want to get up at midnight to start your summit attempt – you may get cold, or a little dizzy or even wonder why you paid money to do this – but you just keep walking, putting one foot ahead of the other.  And just when you want to turn around or sit down or be done with the whole thing, you can see the top in the early dawn light.  The end is in sight.  The pink sky is just the encouragement you need to finish what you started and get to the top.  When you see the crescent of first sunlight on the horizon from the roof of Africa, everything at that moment gets a whole lot better, and man does it feel good!

A huge thanks to AWR for making this incredible opportunity possible and to our guides and porters for keeping us safe up there!

Patagonia stretches almost 1,000 miles north to south, so visiting this region takes some careful planning. Linking up some of Patagonia’s most popular destinations is best done by air.

Where you chose to visit depends on the landscapes you wish to see and your favorite activities. Here are a few of Argentine Patagonia’s best destinations.

Peninsula Valdés: Marine Wildlife Viewing and Sea Kayaking

Peninsula Valdes Sea Kayaking

The Peninsula Valdés is located in Northern Patagonia and is considered one of the best places to view whales, sea lions and penguins. Best visited between September and April, this area is famous for viewing southern right whales and orcas. Activities around the peninsula include photographing wildlife and sea kayaking.

It is also possible to combine Peninsula Valdés with the high Andes and the Patagonian Steppe on a 15-day kayaking adventure from Bariloche to the Atlantic.

Los Glaciares National Park: Trekking and Glaciers

Los Glaciares National Park

This park and its landscapes correspond to most people’s expectations for a trip to Patagonia; its towering granite spires and glaciers inspired the logo for the well-known brand of clothing.

Visitors to the region usually fly into El Calafate. You can embark on incredible treks to Mount Fitz Roy or Cerro Torre and visit the park’s glaciers that break off into pristine lakes. For even more trekking and unforgettable vistas, trekkers should consider crossing over into Chile to visit the Torres Del Paine National Park.

Crown your Patagonian experience with a stay on an estancia (ranch) where you can explore the countryside and experience authentic local culture. Possible estancia’s include La Ernestina, a sheep ranch located on the remote northern tip of the Peninsula Valdés, and Nibepo Aike, a sheep ranch located on the Lago Argentina in the Los Glaciares National Park.

Contact us for more information about visiting Patagonia!

More About Argentina and Patagonia > > >

More Patagonia Photographs > > >

Countries in the Yellow Fever-Endemic Zone

Africa

• Angola
• Benin
• Burkina Faso
• Burundi
• Cameroon
• Cape Verde
• Central African Republic
• Chad
• Congo
• Côte d’Ivoire
• Democratic Republic of Congo
• Equatorial Guinea
• Ethiopia
• Gabon
• The Gambia
• Ghana
• Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• Kenya
• Liberia
• Mali
• Mauritania
• Niger
• Nigeria
• Rwanda
• São Tomé and Principe
• Senegal
• Sierra Leone
• Somalia
• Sudan
• Tanzania
• Togo
• Uganda

Central and South America

• Argentina
• Bolivia
• Brazil
• Colombia
• Ecuador
• French Guiana
• Guyana
• Panama
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Suriname
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Venezuela

Bugs

Mosquitoes are mainly a problem during the rainy season – April, May, and November.  However, there can be mosquitoes and other bugs all year round.  All hotels have mosquito nets over the beds, and tented camps have zippered screen doors and windows.  You will still want to bring bug spray and keep it handy particularly in the evenings.

Monkeys and Birds

On safari, monkeys will find their way into your hotel room through an open door or window to grab any food you might have around.  The lunch break areas on safari are also very popular for birds looking for a snack. Do not feed the animals – and watch out!

Electricity

Tanzania is a Third World country and is prone to rolling blackouts.  Most hotels have generators, but they may not operate 24 hours a day.  Some stores do not have generators, so cold drinks and ice may not be plentiful all the time.

We recommend keeping a headlamp or flashlight near your bed for nighttime bathroom visits.  Charge your batteries in the early evening and in the mornings when electricity is more dependable.  Bring multiple power converters if you have a lot of batteries to charge.

Hot Water

If there is no electricity, there is no hot water.  All of the safari lodges (no matter how expensive) are susceptible to a lack of hot water.  You are in the bush, and all the comforts of home are not necessarily available.

Bottled Water

Always use bottled water for drinking and brushing your teeth.  Hotels will have bottled water available, but it will be cheaper at a store.  You may also want to bring a Steripen or filter if you don’t want to buy bottled water all the time to save money and the environment.

Traffic

Like everywhere in the world, traffic can be a problem in Moshi, Arusha, and at the Kilimanjaro Airport.  Getting places takes longer than you think.  Patience is appreciated.

Africa time

Life in Tanzania just moves slower than some Westerners are used to.  Be prepared to wait.

Hotel reservations

AWR makes every effort to reserve the accommodations per your itinerary.  However, hotels and tented camps are notorious for overbooking.  We may have to make a change at the last minute, but we will always find the best available option.

Itinerary

We try to stick with the trip itinerary exactly as stated in your reservation confirmation.  However, changes in accommodations or other unforeseen circumstances may require last minute changes to your itinerary.  Also, if there is a change you would like to make, your guide may be able to accommodate your request, but not always.

Selling hassles

There are many people in Tanzania trying to make a living and barely scraping by.  They may hassle you buy things from them.  Be firm and don’t let it upset you.  Learning some Swahili can also help.

Double beds

Most mid-range and budget accommodations have twin beds.  We can request a double/queen bed, but it doesn’t always happen.  Luxury accommodations have more queen/king beds.

Customer service

Like many places in the world, customer service at hotels, restaurants, and shops vary greatly.  Tanzania tends to be slower and less helpful than what some people are used to.

Internet

The Internet in Tanzania can be very slow and very expensive.  The further away you get from a major town, the slower and more expensive it gets.

Hotel charges

When you order drinks, food, Internet, laundry, or other services at a hotel, they write the charge down on a slip of paper and put it in the “box” for your room.  They will add these up when you check out.  Look carefully at these slips to make sure they are all correct.

ATMs/credit cards

ATMs are available in major towns like Moshi and Arusha, but they do not always work.  Credit Cards are accepted at larger hotels, stores, and restaurants, but sometimes they are not.  How’s that for uncertainty?!  Check with the hotel/restaurant ahead of time to budget your cash correctly, and bring more cash than you think you need.

Tipping

All AWR staff is paid a salary, but tips are greatly appreciated.  Hotels have a tip box to cover all staff at the hotel.

Safety

If you are in busy areas of town or on safari during the day, you are generally safe.  It is recommended that you keep your money well hidden, do not bring valuables, and do not go out at night alone.

Slow Food

Restaurants in Moshi and Arusha serve lunch and dinner very slow.  It can take up to an hour for food to be served after you order.  If you are eating at your hotel, consider ordering ahead of time.  If you are in a hurry, find a buffet or go to a coffee shop, which is faster.  Or, just be prepared to relax and wait.

Comfort Food

If you have particular favorite foods, you may want to bring them from home as not everything is available in Tanzania.  You may also want to stop at a local convenience store on your trip to pick up comfort foods like chocolate to have on hand.

Orcas at Punta Norte (pnor.org)

Every year around the month of March a group of ocras (also known as killer whales) does something amazing: they throw themselves on the beach of Punta Norte to capture sea lions. These orcas located off the coast of Peninsula Valdés in Northern Patagonia in Argentina comprise the only pod (family group) in the world to use this unique hunting tactic.

Adventures Within Reach can organize private departures to view this natural spectacle. The beach at Punta Norte is the only location in the Peninsula Valdés Fauna Reserve where travelers can have the opportunity to see the orcas during one of their high-tide attacks.

The area around the actual attack channel is restricted to professional photographers who have obtained a permit, however guests who stay on Punta Norte obtain similar access to the beach. Due to the remote location of Punta Norte there is only one lodging options that will allow travelers to view the channel where the orcas attack the sea lions. The Estancia La Ernestina is an active sheep ranch and one of the ranchers takes guests on private nature walks during their stay. The ranch has been run by the Copello family since 1907 and includes 6 rooms for guests.

For the best chance to see one of the orca attacks travelers should plan to visit during the month of March when sea lion pups begin to venture alone into the ocean. AWR recommends a 4-day/ 3-night stay at Estancia La Ernestina. Guests can relax in the remote location, watch the beach for orcas during the high-tides, go on a series of nature walks to view penguins and elephant seals, and visit other areas of the Peninsula Valdés when traveling to and from Punta Norte.

The price for a 4-day/ 3-night itinerary is $ 1260 (per person based upon double occupancy for March – April 2012). The price includes private transfers between Puerto Madryn and Estancia La Ernestina, full-board at Estancia La Ernestina, and guided nature walks at Estancia La Ernestina.

We also recommend visiting Peninsula Valdés from September through December. Other activities include whale viewing and sea kayaking trips.

Contact us for quotes and other itineraries!

Links:

Estancia La Ernestina

Punta Norte Orca Research