April, 2010 Photo Contest

This month, tell us where in the world you can find this postbox and we’ll send you a piece of Eagle Creek gear. Send your answer with the city and country to editor@travelofftheradar.com. Last Month Congratulations to Michelle Guillermin of Dunkirk, MD who last month correctly indentified Shingo, in Aomori Japan as the alleged tomb of Jesus Christ.

Cycling in Chile

On the other side of the world, through different types of valleys, our friend Andrew Straw’s company, Saddle Skedaddle, is running 15-day cycling trips through the Chilean and Argentinean Lake District. Andrew and his team develop their itineraries personally, and have taken great care in creating this Chilean journey. You’ll cruise on quiet roads through the Andes, lined by imposing snow-capped volcanoes are the backdrop of the dramatic lake district. The trips starts in the port city of Puerto Montt in Chile and weaves through the Lake ...

Trekking the Pamirs in Tajikistan

Join Aslisho Qurboniev or one of his team of five independent, experienced Tajik guides for a trek through the Pamir Mountain range in Tajikistan. Nestled in central Asia, just north of Afghanistan (but much more stable), Tajikistan is developing its tourism industry, starting with rugged but spectacular treks. Walking the dusty mountains of the Pamirs feels a bit like teetering on the edge of the world, in fact the ancient Romans called this place “The Roof of the World.” Either on foot or on horseback, Aslisho and his guides lead trips which follow paths that ...

Ways to be a Good Mountain Tourist

Avoid bringing too much of your own food on your trip, try to support the local businesses and family restaurants by eating your meals and enjoying the local cuisine with them Pay attention to signage posted on trails, if signage is minimal, perhaps suggest to the tour operator that they post more near sensitive areas – Education and awareness about the area’s environment will help put into place good environmental practices that will allow the local tourism businesses to continue well into the future.  These practices can minimize negative impacts, such ...