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Nature travel has never been bigger -- and that's exactly the problem. Thousands of sightseeing tourists in panga boats surrounding whales in Baja'sMagdalena Bay, circling a lone lion by safari vehicle in East Africa, or mobbing sea lions on a Galapagos Islands beach lend a certain irony to the ecotourism ideal. But for Berkeley, California-based Explorers' Corner, the solution lies in an innovative small-group adventure travel approach to top nature destinations that refuses to run with the crowds.
Explorers' Corner's reputation for extreme adventure vacations includes sea kayaking the infamous waters around Cape Horn in small groups, but its Galapagos tours are entry level -- "Even beginners and families can do it," says Explorers' Corner senior guide Olaf Malver. And the silent non-polluting sea kayak approach to Galapagos Islands travel earned the company the only permit issued that allows exploration of pristine coastlines away from busy landing sites for a truly one-of-a-kind experience. The 11-day "Kayaking in Darwin'sParadise" tour package offers a secluded small-group perspective on the Galapagos for a mere four to eight travelers at a time, including accommodations and travel between islands on a nimble sailing catamaran. Trips are available on specified dates December 2008 through August 2009, and start from $4,490 per person, double occupancy. For travel package details, visit http://www.explorerscorner.com/galapagos. "There's an interesting trend among aficionado nature lovers to find innovative and active ways to truly get away from it all, and our Galapagos sea kayaking tours are one of the best examples," says Malver. "The Galapagos Islands are a favorite destination for good reason, with abundant and accessible wildlife. But with some 120,000 annual visitors sharing the same few allowed landing sites, you can lose the feel of a pure wildlife experience." He adds, "What's better than to sit quietly at sunrise watching turtles surfacing or sea lions playing at the bow of your kayak?" An award-winning specialty adventure travel company offering unique destinations and experiences like the off-the-beaten-path Galapagos Islands adventure, as well as "old-world" customer service, Explorers' Corner was honored in msnbc.com's Best Adventure Trips of 2008 and as a National Geographic Adventure Best Outfitter of 2008. Contact Explorers' Corner at 510.559.8099 or visit http://www.explorerscorner.com. |
