Imagine yourself cantering around India’s flamingo-studded
Sambhar Salt Lake this October – this lake, the largest salt lake in India - is a protected wetland area and host to thousands of migrating flamingoes and other north Asian birds every year. Join our friend Arvind Chowdhary, an elite polo player prior to founding his company, The Thar Marwari Safari, on an unusual horseback riding tour through Rajasthan, one of India’s most fascinating landscapes.
A small businessman with a big vision, Arvind’s carefully designed itinerary provides a wonderful introduction to the majestic Rajput Indian culture. You’ll visit forts such as the famed Amber Fort with its walls of mirrored mosaics, and spend evenings either in glamorous tented camps - where each tent is fitted with beautiful bed linens and candlelight guaranteed to cast haunting shadows on the walls – or in classic Rajasthani forts once owned by Mughal emperors.
This eight day trip leaves in and out of Delhi and can easily be fitted into a more extensive tour of India: (we recommend heading south to tour the glorious Malabar Coast where Kerala is one of our favorite destinations).
For more information contact: info@thetharmarwarisafari.com or visit their website: The Thar Marwari Safari.
In the past we’ve written about
PEPY’s rides in Cambodia, but this fall they’ve added something new to their repertoire: cycling in Nepal to raise money for literacy programs.
PEPY’s first ever ride in Nepal is offered through its partnership with Tempus International, a Canadian-based charity with a mission to support literacy and educational programs for underprivileged youth. Funds provided by cyclists joining the trip will support an innovative writing contest and scholarship program for Nepalese girls.
Beginning in Kathmandu, the ride includes two nights lodging with host families before taking cyclists south toward Nagarkot where the soaring Himalayan peaks are on full display: not only Everest but the famous peaks of Manaslu (8,463 m), Ganesh Himal (7,111 m), Langtang (7,246 m), Gaurishanker (7,134 m). For twelve days beginning November 12, 2007 this team of volunteers cycles from village to village, volunteering at schools, teaching English and environmental lessons, and contributing to local development projects. From experience (Christina Heyniger, Off the Radar editor, is on the Board of Directors for PEPY) we can tell you the PEPY cycle rides are challenging at times, but you don’t have to be Lance Armstrong to enjoy them!
For more information email: teamleader@pepyride.org or visit the PEPY website.
Every now and again we like to share information about our favorite travel sites on the web, and this month we direct your attention to
Brave New Traveler, an online travel magazine offering thoughtful and entertaining articles exploring travel in the 21st century. There’s also an immense roundup of travel sites and blogs, book reviews and travel tips, all managed by 26-year old founder Ian MacKenzie.
Also take a look at Petergreenberg.com for the latest news in travel – read his Travel Detective Files, especially entertaining for some of the surprising behind the scenes travel stories about airlines.
And finally, Startbackpacking.com - a budget travel guide for backpackers founded by self-proclaimed “vagabum” Greg Rodgers - it’s based on the success of his popular blog and provides good information for people new to the global backpacking scene.
