Overseas Adventure Travel

‘Flying’

When rafting guides have too much time on their hands. Located in buena vista/salida, colorado near the arkansas river and browns canyon and the numbers.

dramatic landscapes provided us a while takes over Kodak. It is late spring in the region and the weather was cooperative with lots of sun. However, it is a land where the unexpected is the rule, so we came prepared for wind and occasional rain.
After a rest at the beautiful Hotel Neruda and a city tour of Santiago
, we flew south to Punta Arenas. There we transferred 2 hours by bus to Puerto Natales in the Patagonian steppe. We hosted a night at the spartan but comfortable Hotel Charles Darwin and a fabulous dinner of king crab and fresh salmon.

The next day we drove for several hours on board the cutter “21 de Mayo” in the fjord Ultima Esperanza. We stopped for a hike around the fabulous Serano Glacier and lunch on the lamb in a remote ranch. Later we boarded the Zodiacs for an exciting trip to our lodge in Torres del Paine National Park is situated. Hosteria Pehoe Hardy is at a rate of $ 200 per room, but it lies at the edge of a turquoise glacial lake with a view incredibly beautiful. The background of the difficult steep mountains with ice cap has been as lively as a postcard.

Three days were spent visiting to the park. We were able to photograph wildlife, including guanaco llama family, foxes, flamingos, sea lions, black neck swans, condors, cormorants and more. Several of our group has organized a night hike to see the elusive PUMA, but none found. Free time provided for horse riding and boating to magnificent Grey Glacier, which was a joy. Some people have a difficult hike 08:00 surmounted by the famous peaks known as Torres decided.

We flew to Puerto Montt and checked into the first class Hotel Gran Pacifica for four nights at the glorious Lake District of Chile to explore. It began in the appointed Puyehue National Park with the backdrop of two very active and spectacular volcanoes Osorno and Calbuco. The afternoon was to soak the region of hot springs of Aguas Calientes to study in the crystal clear 110 º. Here we participated in an optional cable cover adventure swing through the treetops, which was more fun than a barrel of monkeys. Way back to our hotel, we visited a craft market with great buys on alpaca sweater and blue lapis lazuli jewelry stoned.

The next day we raft the mighty river Petrohue at class 3 and 4 whitewater rapids. Four people were knocked over in a raft but wet suites offer protection from the frigid water and expert guides in kayaks were all quickly. This trip was for me the highlight of the trip.

8 Day, we enjoyed a catamaran cruise along the shores of Lake of All Saints also called Emerald Lake for its vibrant colors to Peulla. The lush green forest is here in the foothills of the Andes and includes 220 000 hectares. We photographed a number of beautiful and mighty waterfalls cascading over volcanic rocks of the ice cap Osorno.

Our vacation experience culminated back in Santiago with a farewell feast of seafood in a local upscale restaurant. Before leaving the airport, we toured the Cavas del Maipo Winery. We enjoyed a fantastic lunch grill steak and drank wine without end, including several vintages, which among the nations most valued exports rank.

Ten days was sufficient here to see full screen. I had made my fill of salmon and lamb for a period of reflection on life and a journey well. We had a wonderful group of 35 participants, most of those who met as strangers and returned as friends for life. The cost of this trip was $ 2,397 plus tax, including return flight from Miami and all domestic. The entry visa from Chile amounted to $ 100 extra. It was a good value, and the guides were excellent throughout.

I visited over 30 countries. Beauty is only in the distance, untouched nature and not healed of his finest glory. In Patagonia, God created a perfect juxtaposition of the fjords of New Zealand, Switzerland, Alps and Forests in British Columbia and lakes. Chile is a misnomer independent peppers. It was the Inca word for “far country.” I felt later in this narrow strip of land that extends from the end of the world, but could experience the comforts of home. It determines exceeded all my expectations and I recommend it for any intrepid travelers list of the main goals of life.

Watch an exclusive video clip of Yves Rossy – aka Jetman – as he throws himself from a plane and flies like a bird. See more clips and add your adventures at www.natgeoadventure.tv

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New Zealand has always been a travellers dream with stunning landscapes, superb activities and some of the World’s most amicable hosts. The country has also been a magnet for those looking for outdoor adventure but until relatively recently travel options were particularly limited.

In the late 1980s a 21 year old kiwi took the brave step of introducing a whole new method of travel to those visiting NZ.   In contrast to the plethora of fixed itinerary coach tours, visiting the same tourist hotspots, Flying Kiwi combined these great locations with a variety of stunning new destinations that took visitors from all over the World ”beyond the tourist trail”.

Custom vehicles were built and the addition of a trailer enabled the self-sufficient crew to visit more remote areas, soaking up kiwi culture and lifestyle whilst exploring the regions by foot, bike and kayak. The original buses were “works of art”, with elaborate, eye catching designs weaving their way into areas rarely visited by most tourists.

Over the following 10 years the adventure industry boomed as New Zealand was recognised as THE adrenalin destination! New activity options were added to the itinerary whilst the original mantra remained firm – “to provide clients with the opportunity to discover and explore the most beautiful areas of New Zealand in a relaxed and flexible way. “

In 2001, current owners, Dennis and Vonnie Christian took over the family business. Proud Kiwis, with a strong commercial background, Dennis and Vonnie were able to take Flying Kiwi to the next level whilst retaining the crucial focus on personal, friendly and reliable service. Over the last 4 years new vehciles have been purchased as Flying Kiwi was firmly established as New Zealand’s leading adventure travel company.

A real area of focus for Dennis and Vonnie was to grow the business with a great emphasis on responsible tourism and in 2004 their hard work received its first commercial recognition. The company was named as the Chamber of Commerce Environmental Award Winner in 2004 and then again in 2006. In addition, other recognitions included the Chamber of Commerce medium business winner, export award finalist and finalist for the New Zealand tourism awards in 2007.

Over recent  years a number of “backpacker bus” and “adventure” companies have been and gone in NZ, with more due to launch over the coming years. Asked how he felt about the increasing competition, owner Dennis Christian commented that “it’s certainly a competitive industry but our product still remains completely unique. Its the places we take people, the fantastic dynamics of the group and the superb relationships we have with other local, kiwi operators and our clients that continues to drive our business. “

It certainly seems to be working as last year Flying Kiwi received its greatest accolade yet; being named by National Geographic as one of the Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth. The company was the top rated budget operator for customer satisfaction in all categories including multi sport, culture and hiking. This great year was topped off with record bookings and a silver enviro award from Qualmark at a time when global recession had an adverse effect on many operators.

So where next in the Flying Kiwi story? ”We are happy with our level of growth and our current focus is on continuing to increase the range of choices clients have on our trips – we are working hard to ensure that clients have a fantastic range of options to choose from everday and that each option reflects the best of kiwi service and responsible tourism” assured Dennis.

It certainly seems they’re on the right track and if you’re the kind of traveller who wants to experience something a little different, hang out with the locals and get healthy while you travel there’s really only one choice – jump on board with Flying Kiwi.