Self Sufficient Stage Run: (A prologue and then 4 stages for total of 160k for runners, trekkers and expeditioners.)

Non-Stop Ultra Run: Teams of 2 (160 k for ultra runners, mountain runners, fast packers, sky runners and true runners. They will have one drop box about 1/2 the way on route for resupply )

If you’re up for “running in the skies,” register here.

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EcoArts also has a new intiative called Eco-Renaissance that connects the arts with sustainable travel, in order to inspire artistry that addresses sustainable issues around the world. They are currently accepting entries from professional artists in many fields, as well as looking for more partners – deadline is March 31st. Check it out!

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Tristan is a tiny speck on the globe.  It was discovered in 1506 and inhabited in 1816.  It  has a remarkable story and is now home to approximately 264 people.  The island is 37 square miles in size and is the largest of a group of islands; Inaccessible Island lies 20 miles to the west, Nightingale Island 25 miles to the south west and Gough Island 220 miles to the south. Inaccessible and Gough islands are a “World Heritage Site”, and a bird watchers paradise.

How do you get to the most remote island in the world? It’s not easy but neither is it impossible.  The only way is by boat. Some expedition style cruises call at the Port (Lindblad Expeditions, Swan Hellenic, Princess Cruises and Oceanwide Expeditions).  But just getting on a cruise headed to Tristan de Cunha does not guarantee that you will walk the shores – weather rules, and often ships must turn away.   Besides cruise vessels,  the South African fishing vessel MV Edinburgh visits several times throughout the year on her fishing excursions and the SA Agulhas a scientific research ship visits once a year in September for approximately three weeks.  Travelers visiting on these ships will first need the approval of the Island Council and then once that’s agreed, we will assist in getting you a booking and organizingaccommodation.

If you are keen on staying on the island, there are three options: self-catering or full board in a guesthouse or full board with an island family.

What do to here? Hike, dive, fish, explore the volcanoes, stay on a farm – or visit and camp out on smaller, uninhabited islands.  For more info, contact Dawn at tourismtdc@googlemail.com

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Photo by Ange Gervan

Last Month

Congratulations to Benj Binks from Australia who correctly identified the photo from last month: the Solaar de Uyini in Bolivia.

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Driving south, and make your way to the Monte Azules Biosphere Reserve and locally run Las Guacamayas Ecolodge to float the Tzendales River and watch toucans cruise through the air. Crocodiles and eerie howler monkeys await you at Yaxchilan, an extensive archeological site tucked into a bend on the Usumascinta River.

But the coffee…

Our hearts took us to Argovia Finca Resort, where their passion for the best coffee aligned with ours. Fly into Tapachula where you’ll be met by the Ruta del Café Volkswagen. Wind your way up into the steep jungle. Bruno Giesemann’s family has owned the coffee plantation for 4 generations, and you’ll love touring his coffee production facility, eating beans off the trees, and harvesting flowers in his gardens. Take a horse or a mountain bike to any of the four surrounding fincas, and your gear will be shuttled there for you.

Most importantly, taste the signature Chiapas coffee, perfectly roasted to bring out its unique feature: the chocolatey aftertaste.

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Surf

The flight from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido is breathtaking. In Puerto Escondido find Roxelle Perez Contreras and her husband at Bazar Puerto Excondido, who can teach you how to surf or boogie board. Try a surf lesson from the man legendary for surfing in a luchador mask – ask for Angel! – at Central Surf Shop. Here, you can try out paddleboarding as well and get to know the man who is coordinating a surf championship for handicapped surfers this spring.

At the end of the day, call Lalo Tours to take a night boat ride through a nearby lagoon, where a plunge in the water leaves you glowing—with bioluminescent plankton all around. As people swim away from the boat you’ll see only the glow around them in the water, radiant light speckling the calm waters.

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Mauricio Morales, a legend and pioneer in the Mexican whitewater world, has created a self-contained ecolodge across the way at Mexico Verde, where everything from leaves to gray water is recycled or composted.

On the other side of town, check out Rio y Montana and Okavango, and find out about the hike to the village of Chopilapa on your day off from the river.

And down to the ocean breezes…

Fly in and out of Veracruz City, a port city with a lively colonial downtown, complete with a traditional coffee drink from La Parroquia. The Costa Esmeralda north of the city offers a chance at a great sport with one of our favorite guides: Peppi Stunkel from Elemental Kite School. After dinner head out to the beach to assist on a turtle conservation project; patrols are needed nearly year round for multiple species of turtles that nest along the beaches of Costa Esmerelda.

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Team Competing in a Challenge

Last year we introduced you to Competitours before they launched their inaugural tour – It was a massive success and they are running new routes again this year.

As we know, adventure travelers have a reputation for fearlessness and at times, let’s be honest, a competitive nature.  Competitours is the Amazing Race for regular people – and perfect for the Adventure Traveler. Teams participate in a series of challenges through a mix of Eurail-connectd cities and out of the way villages, to claim victory of first prize: $5500 or 200,000 starpoints (there are also 2nd and 3rd place prizes).

So assemble your team, pay your trip fee, and get your adventure on! The price includes your airfare, which on the outbound flies you to a “surprise European destination.”  Once you arrive, you have seven days to demonstrate your travel prowress.  There are no physical stunts, teams have to use their brain power to complete the challenges. A challenge might be visiting the Torture Museum in Prague to shoot a video “explaining how an instrument of torture could be used as a nonlethal household item.” The Judges use videos filmed by the teams to announce each day’s winner, but no videography experience necessary.

Visit their site for more info.

PS: Your Canadian editor would like to point out that, unlike the Amazing Race, people from all nationalities can participate in Competitours!

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