Tourdust's picks

Best of Travel on the web - May 2011

andyjarosz on 1st June 2011 | 3 comments

There are so many excellent articles and blog posts each month that it's impossible to keep track of all. In an attempt to capture the best of the travel web in one single place we will be looking for the best posts each month and recognising them in a special round-up post. Here we feature the top posts of May 2011 in three categories:

1. Best Adventure Travel Post
2. Best Extreme Adventure 
3. Best Travel Misadventure Story

There are of course many contenders for these prestigious titles, which are selected in an entirely subjective and unaccountable manner. If you have a post that you would like us to consider for the June awards just send us the link to the post via Twitter (@Tourdust) or in the comments box below. So on to the winning posts:

Best Adventure Travel Post 

Central Asia Travel: A Beginner's Guide by Uncornered Market

Despite offering some of the world's most dramatic landscapes and most intriguing historical sites Central Asia remains off the radar for many travellers. This post by Daniel Noll from Uncornered Market provides an excellent overview of the region, highlighting the different aspects of culture and the natural and man-made attractions that reward those who make the journey to this region. Daniel's pictures are pretty stunning too. 

Best Extreme Adventure Post

Skydiving: My First 60 Second Freefall by Abigail King

I have never jumped out of a plane and don't suppose I ever will. I'm grateful therefore for someone who can tell the story of their skydiving adventure so well that I can almost feel I was there, hurtling through the air and armed I'm sure with a look of terror. Step forward Abigail King who, on a recent blog trip to Costa Brava, had her first such experience.

Her description paints a vivid picture of those moments before and after falling from the plane; so good that I feel as though I've done it myself. And if that's not enough there's an excellent set of photos too. 

Best Travel Misadventure Story 

Being Shot at in Nicaragua by Brendan Van Son

Of course not every trip goes to plan and for those of us who survive the odd near miss on our travels these incidents often become the stories on which we dine out for many years to come. This exciting tale by Brendan Van Son tells of his narrow escape when he had to dodge bullets to reach the bus station in Managua for an early morning departure.

Best Photo

Night Market in Luang Prabang by Barbara Weibel

Barbara seems to have been travelling forever through SE Asia, and this photo really caught my eye. I love the bright colours and sharp contrasts; even with the blurring effect the picture captures the lively but very relaxed atmosphere of the Luang Prabang night market. 

Amazon Tours

ben on 7th July 2010 | 1 comment

The Amazon Rainforest needs no introduction, but how to experience it? An area covering a fifth of the South American continent is pretty hard to encapsulate as a travel experience. And excepting biology and anthropology PHDs, in reality most of us are going to be looking at a fairly short encounter. Our collection of Amazon tours covers Ecuador and Peru, offering an opportunity to stay at sustainable lodges that support and are often owned by indigenous tribes, paddle deep into the tributaries of the Amazon, and learn about the incredible biodiversity of this fascinating region.

The Amazon River is the largest in the world by a country mile with an immense drainage basin that covers 40% of the South American Continent. From its source high in the Andes, the Amazon flows for most of its length through tropical Amazon rainforest (also known as Amazonia and The Amazon Jungle) before reaching its source on the Brazilian Atlantic Coast. The Amazon Rainforest's biodiversity is simply without equal. Amazonia represents over half of the world's rainforests reserves and unsurprisingly hosts the largest collection of living plants and species in the world. This diversity isn't just a result of its immense size either, the jungle is dense and this diversity is represented within small areas - one square kilometer there may be over 75,000 types of trees and 150,000 species of higher plants.

Beyond the mystique, flora and fauna, a highlight of any visit to the Amazon Rainforest is meeting and learning about the indigenous groups living in the area. There are still over 200 indigenous groups in the Rainforest speaking around 170 languages, with varying levels of integration with the outside world. Whilst some tribes live very modern lives, many have still had little or no contact with the outside world. Hunting, gathering, small scale agriculture and a deep spiritual connection with nature and rainforest are commonplace. Cultural tourism of this nature is always dangerous (in terms of its negative influences on the cultures it lauds) but where done right it can serve to sustain and support traditional cultures and knowledge banks and teach visitors about a different way of seeing the world.

Our Amazon Tours:

For a full listing of our tours in and around the Amazon, check our collection of Amazon rainforest tours in Peru and rainforest tours in Ecuador.

Adventure in the Ecuadorian Rainforest.

The Amazon can be done in comfort, but part of the great appeal of the rainforest is the thought of experiencing pristine rainforest well away from tourist comforts and convenient board walks. You need to be willing to put up with a little discomfort along the way, but the rewards are immense. We'd recommend combining one of these tours with a visit to the Galapagos, making sure you have a little time scheduled in for some beach relaxation along the way.

Canoe Expedition on the Aguas Negras
Perhaps the ultimate Amazon adventure, spend 8 days paddling deep into the Cuyabeno reserve on the Aguas Negras river. This is not a trip for the feint hearted, expect long days paddling, very little comfort but expect a true insight into pristine rainforest on this expedition.

Cuyabeno River Canoeing
Our shorter, more accessible five day expedition on the Cuyabeno River in North East Ecuador. Hike in the jungle, paddle through flooded forests and visit local indigenous communities

Rafting on The Amazon
Three day trip rafting the Amazon in Ecuador. World-class white water awaits you, as do jungle canyons, thermal pools and a visit to a local indigenous community. Evenings are spent relaxing in a river side jungle lodge surrounded by excellent wildlife.

Kayaking the Amazon
Spend six days kayaking the Amazon deep into the rainforest to visit a local Huaroni community. Paddling through flooded forests, local guides will introduce you to the Amazon’s magnificent plant and wildlife as well as teaching you about their exceptional heritage.

Andes & Amazon trekking tour
Spend 7 days hiking along some of Ecuador’s most interesting and isolated nature trails, explore archaeological sites, encounter indigenous communities & stay in fine historic haciendas and jungle lodges.

Experience the unique cultures of the Amazon Rainforest

Gaining an insight into the lives of the indigenous tribes of the Amazon is no simple task. The Huaorani Eco Lodge is a unique sustainable tourism project that takes you deep into the Huaorani territory. The lodge and programs were developed by the Huaroni communities, with the majority of development decisions and employment taken by the Huaorani. This tour would make a perfect counterpart to a visit to the Galapagos for those with an interest in cultural and eco tourism.

Huaroni Amazon Eco Lodge
Part of a unique project of sustainable tourism, this five-day tour takes you to the heart of the Huaorani territory for a fascinating insight into daily life whilst staying in a beautiful Amazon Eco Lodge.

Amazon Tours: Explore the Peruvian Rainforest

The Amazon Rainforest is a must do for most visitors to Peru. The rainforest here is probably as pristine as you can get. Put simply there are two regions to explore, Tambopata is easier to get to, whilst the Manu reserved zone offers a pristine rainforest experience for more adventurous travellers.

Explore Manu National Park
For a true slice of undisturbed rainforest, Manu's reserved zone is hard to beat. Expert guides lead you on a nine day journey staying at simple traditional lodges and camping along the way. This is not one for those looking for a boutique luxury lodge!

Rainforest adventure in Tambopata
Tambopata offers a bite sized slice of rainforest for less hardy visitors, the comfort is dialled up here, staying in a beautiful eco-lodge situated in the Tambopata Reserve. The highlight for most is the amazing sight of Macaws gathering at a clay lick.

Family Rainforest adventure in Tambopata
Take the family for a 5-day educational Rainforest expedition in Peru. This trip has been put together specifically with children in mind. Hike through the jungle, spot caiman in the river and learn about how the fruits of the forest are used by the local tribes.

When is the best time to visit the Amazon Rainforest?

The Amazon Rainforest is necessarily hot and humid. There isn't really such a thing as a dry season, as it is wet year round, but December to March is wettest. If you are planning a canoe trip, this is the best time as the rivers run higher, meaning you can penetrate further into the jungle on small tributaries. There is also more chance of seeing birds and monkeys by the river. The 'dry' season offers more comfort (less rain) and the chance to see caimans and migratory fish in the shallows. Bugs are an ever present feature of the rainforest and strong insect repellent, malaria tablets and yellow fever injections are usually necessary evils.

Inspiration and Resources

Anybody planning a trip to the Amazon simply must get hold of a copy of Bruce Parry's excellent Amazon series for the BBC. The series traces a route from the source all the way to the mouth in the Atlantic and is fascinating watching.

Photo Essay: 12 Astonishingly Beautiful Mountain Treks

sambosden on 12th May 2010 | 1 comment

This is a stunning photo from the Cordillera Huayhuash mountain range in the Andes of Peru. Trekking in Peru is so much more than just the Inca Trail to Macchu Picchu. The Cordillera Huayhash surrounds you with a lush landscape of glacial valleys and lakes circled by the towering Andes peaks. (Picture from Flickr user Andras Jancsik)

This was taken on the Camino de Santiago which is the ancient pilgrimage to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in the heart of the Pyrenees Mountains. Whether it be the Gregorian chants in hidden-away monasteries or even hunting the elusive Holy Grail that entices you, walking the Camino de Santiago is a must on any serious trekkers shortlist.(Picture from Flickr user Jule Berlin)

Nestled above the birch and spruce forests of Denali State Park, Mount McKinley in Alaska is the highest peak in North America and also boasts some stunning views. Mountain treks in Alaska takes you through upland lakes and tumbling creeks, across talus-covered slopes and over rocky ridges. (Picture from Flickr user Giant Ginkgo)

The Khuiten Peak in Mongolia combines eternal snow-capped peaks with deep gorges through which foaming streams dash down. The snow covered peaks soar into the cloudless sky and the frozen glaciers glitter in the sun's rays offering some amazing views in largely undiscovered country. 

This mountain is situated in Lofoten, northern Norway as well as offering stunning views of the snow topped peaks surrounded by the think conifer forests it also boasts the northern lights in the backdrop! (Picture from Flickr user nb_harstad)

The surreal picture showcases the Haleakal volcano on the island of Maui, Hawaii. With its other worldly appearance Haleakal offers the chance to trek around one of the world’s largest dormant volcano and explore its cinder cones and lava flows in the desolate basin. (Picture from Flickr user Simond)

This beautiful picture was taken from Llyn y Dywarchen above Rhyd Ddu in Snowdonia. Offering Heather-quilted hills, craggy rocks and sloping pastures dotted with sheep, Snowdonia presents plenty of beautiful landscapes and sights to explore on your doorstep. (Picture from Flickr user Richard0)

On the border between Chile and Argentina lies Patagonia, a sprawling space that harbours mountains, glaciers, lakes and rivers within its clutches. Sprouting from within its midst is Mount Fitz Roy, which dominates the backdrop offering some awe inspiring mountain treks. (Picture from Flickr user Stuck in customs)

These beautiful canyons lie in southwest Montenegro and is characterised by its extreme untouched natural beauty. With flowing rivers and tree covered slopes throughout the whole region it has a system of rivers and deep canyons unlike any other in the world. (Picture from Flickr user shchukin)

This amazing picture was taken in Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina. In the background is Cerro Torre surrounded by spectacular glaciers and still crystal waters, with the whole area covered in a blue aura. (Picture from Flickr user Stuck in customs)

In Glacier national park, Montana sits Mount Grinnel, surrounded by glaciers, several hundred lakes and around 200 waterfalls it offers a mountain trekkers' dream with around a million acres of pristine landscape to explore and inspire. (Picture from Flickr user Stuck in customs)

Matterhorn is a mountain in the Pennine Alps on the border between Switzerland and Italy. It boasts being one of the largest peaks in the Alps, and this brilliant photo captures the majestic mountain in all its glory surrounded by the beautiful blue waters of the lake.(Picture from Flickr user Wagman 30)

Is this the ultimate rafting trip?

ben on 28th April 2010 | 0 comments

You'd be hard pressed to find adventures that push quite so far into the wilderness as rafting trips do whilst remaining thoroughly accessible to us mere mortals. The River Siang in India's Eastern Himalayas plays host to just 100 paddlers a year and we think this has to be the ultimate rafting trip.

Think of this as the antithesis of a day's white water rafting with a bunch of corporate groups and stag dos - this rafting trip pushes deep into the river for days, camping at river side beaches and paddling intermittently between wild rapids and graceful calm sections of the river. The remote Arunachal Pradesh region has only recently been opened to foreigners and the award winning River India takes an extremely responsible approach to rafting this epic white water. Recognized by National Geographic, Outside Magazine and our own Geotourism Awards, River India deliver an adventure with a conscience. The trip starts just on the border with Tibet and sweeps past tribal villages, dense jungle and hilltop tea plantations for 11 days of incredible adventure. There are only four trips each year around the turn of the year, book online or if you'd like to find out more about the trip check out River India's Facebook page.

Incense & Street Food: A Perfect Holiday in Vietnam

Anna on 28th April 2010 | 1 comment

I’m not sure what it was about my holiday in Vietnam that totally captured my heart. True, this is a country with some seriously big hitting highlights; The imposing fortress at Hue, the quaint and charming Hoi an, the fascinating Cu Chi tunnels and, of course, two boat trips not to be missed - a Halong Bay junk cruise to admire the limestone rock formations in the north and, at the south of the country, a boat trip on the Mekong Delta.

Stepping back from this list of obvious highlights, it is the subtle charms of Vietnam that really left a deep impression on me. The seductive scent of incense burning, the smoke billowing in the air. The sight of water buffalo working in the fields, white birds perched on their backs. This, juxtaposed with an implausible amount of mopeds, and good food at every corner, from upmarket restaurants to plastic chairs at the side of the road forming a makeshift bar where home brewed beer can be enjoyed.  

But probably the best thing about travelling in Vietnam, is that you really don’t have to go far off the beaten track before you find your own slice of Vietnam heaven. Tourists tend to congregate around the main sites and back packers stick to their end of town (never the twain shall meet…) so it’s actually quite easy to get away from other Westerners without having to be a hardcore intrepid travelling type!

So, here are some of my favourite memories from my holiday in Vietnam where we managed to get an off the beaten track experience, whilst remaining on the beaten track!

Sapa – An easy overnight rain ride to this beautiful hill town, near to China’s border in north east Vietnam.  Home to local hill tribes, lush terraces, colourful markets and a slightly cooler climate, it is a welcome respite to a weary traveller.  Don’t be misled, there are tourists here, but the people who come don’t tend to be the in your face travellers – they are all looking to soak up the more laid back atmosphere. You have the option of staying in a homestay or in a hotel to suit any budget. You can then get out trekking in the countryside. It is possible to get away from everyone else and not see another soul. We went off without a guide and got hopelessly lost, we survived to tell the tale, but, in retrospect, a guided trek might have been a good idea.

Mui Ne – Nha Trang is a popular beach destination in South Vietnam. The upmarket tourists enjoy the beach resorts serving sandwiches and chips, whilst the backpackers head out on boat trips and then float in rubber rings swigging beer and dodgy cocktails. This was not really my favourite place in the world.  Head south and you reach the quieter Mui Ne. Other travellers present? Of course. There are smarter hotels and bamboo huts here, as well as mid range bungalows. The key to this place is its vibe. The sandy beach has that classic laid back South East Asian atmosphere, relaxed and chilled out. The more active can enjoy watersports or slide on plastic sledges at the local sand dunes, others can read, stare at the horizon or pretend to write deep thoughts in their travel journal. Food options vary from chilled out cafes serving food right next to the beach and more upmarket options serving wine.  Our most memorable meal was eating at a local café followed by several beers and teaching the owners the words to Ronan Keating’s hits.

Hue – this is a stop on pretty much every visitor’s itinerary on their holiday in Vietnam and rightly so. The impressive fortress, partially destroyed in the war, serves as a reminder both of Vietnam’s troubled past and also the resilience of the people.  From Hue, most people are offered the option of a cruise on the Perfume River. Higher end tourists will probably enjoy a sunset dinner cruise, whilst backpackers will pile into a boat in a flock of at least 10 and will then motor noisily (and slightly obnoxiously) past the former. We decided to get a boat all to ourselves, which was the best decision we could have possible made. We kicked back and watched the scenery pass by and then stopped off along the way to visit the Thien Mu Pagoda and the royal tombs. There were other tourists at the sites we stopped off at, but the chance to go at our own pace with friendly hosts made the trip all the sweeter.

Ho Chi MInh City -the city formerly know as Saigon is, for many, the starting point for a tour of this country. If you find yourself here, don't just confine yourself to the backpacking area or the key sites. Get yourself onto a moped (travel insurance recommended) and head down to one of the restaurants serving a traditional Vietnamese hotpot or barbecue. On your table will be a mini barbecue and you will be presented with raw food to cook. A great fun experience. There was a real mix of local families out for a meal together and only a couple of other tourists around as well, but most importantly, the food was delicious!

Hanoi  - I couldn't write a blog post about Vietnam without mentioning my all time favourite city, Hanoi. Before you ask, yes we too went to the water puppet show and we went to visit 'uncle Ho' in his mausoleum. We are not immune to tourist sites! What I loved the most about Hanoi was the intriguing streets to wander round - they have their fair share of tourist shops, but you still get to experience the buzz of a city which comes alive at night. Sitting on a street corner, balanced precariously on a plastic stool whilst mopeds whizzed by and enjoying some home brewed beer... heaven.

For some more ideas of places to go in Vietnam, check out our collection of independent Vietnam tours.