Video: Responsible Travel in the Galapagos Islands

Working together with International Galapagos Tour Operators Association (IGTOA), Adventure Life has helped raise tens of thousands of dollars for Galapagos conservation. Like other isolated island groups, the Galapagos Islands face serious challenges for the long-term survival of their marine and terrestrial ecosystems. This video is an excellent reminder on how you can be a responsible traveler during your Galapagos tour.

 

Top 5 Adventure Activities to Enjoy on a Chile Tour

From the stark and stunning Atacama Desert, to its legendary Patagonia peaks, a Chile tour provides an outdoor playground for adventure enthusiasts and offers a landscape that seems tailor-made for the active adventure traveler. There is no shortage of options to actively explore Chile and here are five of our favorites ways to do just that. Whitewater Rafting Rafting Chile’s Futaleufu River is recognized as one of the top whitewater [...]

 

Galapagos Tours in December

The Galapagos Islands are located at the Equator so there is not a lot of seasonal variation. Air temperatures tend to run in the 70s-80s year round, making the islands a great place to visit at any time. However, the month of December brings seasonal changes to the Galapagos. Here are a few highlights on what you can expect during a Galapagos tour in December: Warm: Warmer season begins and [...]

 

Antarctica for Two Sweepstakes. Enter now!

Sweepstakes is now closed. Stay tuned as we announce the lucky winner! It’s not easy to get to one of the most isolated places on the planet — but we’re making it easier than ever to make an Antarctica adventure happen for polar travelers with our Antarctica for Two Sweepstakes! Enter now for a chance to win $20,000 dollars to take you and a friend on an Antarctica cruise. Sweepstakes [...]

 

Tsunami Alert for Galapagos and Other Regions in Latin America

UPDATE (March 12, 2011): The tsunami hit the Galapagos about an hour later than originally expected. Seas are choppier around the entire archipelago, but nothing too severe or extremely unusual. Waves at Academy Bay, in Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz Island), were taller than normal as well, but there are no records of any damages caused to boats, coasts or ports in the Galapagos. The animals from the Charles Darwin Research [...]

 

Antarctica Travel Video: Leave the Pebbles for the Penguins

A little reminder in the principles of Leave No Trace is always a good idea. This short video from my last Antarctica trip provides just that. Although a tiny pebble might seem insignificant, they are incredibly coveted by Antarctica penguins — penguins make their nests from small pebbles, that are not always easy to come by in the snowy, stark environment. Seen here in a short clip are Gentoos (and [...]

 

Galapagos Cruise Update: 15 Day Cruise Itineraries in the Galapagos

Earlier this year, the Galapagos National Park Service (GNPS) issued a notice to all Galapagos boat operators that they must start operating 15-day itineraries. Original announcements stated all boats would adhere to the new 15-day itineraries as early as Feb. 1, 2011 — later reports pushed the official effective date to Jan. 1, 2012 to allow more lead time for boats to make changes. With the changes already on the [...]

 

November 29: Penguin Plunge

November 29 This is it. Our last chance to make it to the Emperor Penguin Rookery at Snow Hill. At 5:30 AM, Shane’s voice wakes us with the announcement that visibility is only 100 meters and the helicopters need 300. We wait and see. At 7:45, he comes on again. Penguin Plunge will be at 8:30 sharp! What’s a Penguin Plunge? Its a jump and a swim in the ice [...]

 

M/Y Eric first Hybrid Galapagos Ship

In the June/July 2009 issue, National Geographic Adventure highlights the Galapagos yacht, M/Y Eric, in their “World Class: Lodges + Escapes” feature. What makes the Eric so interesting? Complete with solar panels and wind turbines, the yacht is the first hybrid ship of its kind — but let’s hope it’s not the last. Take a look at the write-up below. By Costas Christ Intelligent Design: A Guilt-Free Solution For Galápagoers [...]

 

The Uncruise Cruise - Christmas on the Rhine

      Today’s post is a fun journal entry by Cierra Rantoul during her small ship cruise on the Rhine River in 2007. Thanks Cierra! Hi everyone! Me here! Day Three of my Christmas holiday mini-cruise! I have to say that for as small as this boat is – only 130 passengers max – it has to be the best cruising experience I have ever had! That big ship [...]