Five of the World’s Tough Treks
- TREKKING IN PAPUA
Irian Jaya, now known as Papua Province, is Indonesia’s final frontier and one of the last great wild places in the world. Trekking up snow-topped mountains, feasting with aboriginal tribesman in the rainforest and diving some of the world’s finest coral reefs, this trek is one of the premier destinations for the most adventurous
Starting in the Baliem Valley, we trek to visit a Dani village. The Dani are among the last of the ‘stone age’ people. Next we head to the rainforest area in the south, home to the Korowai, or Treehouse People. One of the least contacted people on earth, the Korowai live in houses sixty foot above the jungle floor .
- CLIMBING THE ALPS
We explore two areas of the Alps, incorporating several different trekking adventures: the Italian Dolomites, a rock climbers heaven, and the Matterhorn in Switzerland.
ROUTE
We start off in the Via Ferratae, Italy’s famous ‘iron ways’, a series of iron ladders and ropes that link some of the most spectacular rock climbing faces in the world. We scramble across exposed two foot wide ledges with thousand feet drops and climbs up one hundred foot ladders to the higher elevations that even mountain goats cannotreach.
We then heads across the Alps to Zermatt, Switzerland to climb the most awesome looking mountain in Europe – the Matterhorn.It requires a great deal of stamina and endurance
- THE NOMADS OF NIGER
Niger is a country of astonishing diversity of climates, landscapes and ethnic groups. Rarely filmed and only for the hardy adventurer, Niger is one of the last undiscovered desert destinations in the world.
We begin our trek in Agadez, where we visit the Wodabe Gerewhol festival – the traditional gathering of the nomadic Wodabe herders. The long thin features of Wodabe men are emphasised with bright makeup and fine jewellery as they try to woo the women with dancing for long hours and try to reveal their personal charm to eligible young women.
HIGHLIGHTS
We headup into the Air Mountain range to the oasis of Timia and the Tuareg, one of the most revered of the North African nomadic tribes. The Tuareg are renowned for their bravery and their proud and warlike stance, with their blue eyes peeking through long taguelmoust – a shawl or scarf that completely covers their face.
The Tuareg are also famed for their ‘cavalcades’ – camel races through villages where a hundred rider race for the prize of a sword.
We end our trek by heading back across the desert in search of Africa’s most spectacular migration – the salt caravans, as hundreds of camel trains make the long journey across the desert to trade salt and dates.
FURTHER INFORMATION
www.dunes-voyages.com
Dunes Voyages prepare Saharan and sub-Saharan expeditions, treks in the Aïr and theTénéré -the land of the Tuaregs. With over 25 years of experience in Niger and in Africa, Dunes-Voyages will make sure your travel in desert will be a success
- CYCLING THE KARAKORAM HIGHWAY, PAKISTAN
The Karakoram is the highest highway in the world. Linking Pakistan with China, it took 30 years to build and is truly one of the greatest feats of engineering since the Pyramids.
This journey starts in the northern town of Gilgit, where we travel by bicycle, following part of the old Silk Route as it winds its way through tiny tribal villages and valleys.
With incredible views of Nanga Parbat, the Killer Mountain,we cycle on to the Hunza Valley, where we sample the local specialty, apricot soup, and attend an evening of revellry and mysticism.
From here we journey on to the highest border in the world – the Khunjerab Pass – and a photo opportunity with the Chinese border guards who patrol this remote region.
We then head across the Deosai Plains, to Skardu, the capital of Baltistan. In Skardu, we join a helicopter trip to K2 basecamp – the second highest mountain in the world and a breathtaking end to our journey.
FURTHER INFORMATION
▪ Karakoram Jeep Tours International (KJTI)
156 Bromley Road,
Beckenham
Kent.
BR3 6PG
United Kingdom
Tel: (+44) 20 86 500 539
Fax: (+44) 20 86 500 539
Email: jeeptrek@kjti.freeserve.co.uk
Pakistan International Air
You can fly to Pakistan with Pakistan International Air. Their website has information about their timetables, booking offices, special interest tours and Awards+Plus programme.
- Climbing Mount Kenya
Mount Kenya is the highest Mountain in Kenya and the second highest in Africa after Kilimanjaro. The twin summits are called Batian and Nelion and can only be negotiated by climbing on rock or ice. A third summit, Lenana, can be reached more easily by hikers.
The Mountain is covered in lush green forest with sections of bamboo, giant heaths, bushes and tussock grass. Within the Mount Kenya National Park are an array of wild animals from hyena buffalo, zebra and elephant and stunning bird life.
Climbing Mount Kenya is one of the most fulfilling climbs you can do. From the bottom of the mountain, the climb begins at the equatorial line at Nanyuki and onwards onto the Sirimon track. The initial climb takes you to the Mount Kenya National Park Gate from which point you continue up towards Old Moses Camp.
The two to three hour hike is crucial for acclimatizing yourself and takes you through some fantastic stretched of rainforest. From this point the hike continues through the unique Alpine Moorland Zone. Then onwards and upwards to the glorious summits and the spectacular views they bring.
HIGHLIGHTS
FURTHER INFORMATION
▪ Geosafaris
P.O. Box 24696
Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: (+254-2) 884 258, (254 2) 884 259
Fax: (+254-2) 884 445
Email: geosafaris@iconnect.co.ke
▪ Wild Frontiers runs trips to Samburuland:
P.O. Box 15165
Nairobi
Kenya
Tel: (+254-2) 884 258/9
Fax: (+254-2) 884 445
Email: wildfrontiers@pyramide.net
▪ To learn more about the endangered rhinos and other animals, contact:
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
P.O. Box 49918
Nairobi
Kenya
Tel/Fax: (+254-2) 164 31405
Fax: (+254-2) 607 197
Email: lewa@swiftkenya.com
▪ The Mountain Club of Kenya publishes the most comprehensive guide to Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro. This small pocket-sized guide is packed with information from trekking routes, equipment and huts, to flora and fauna and the history of Mount Kenya.
▪ The Kenya Wildlife Service
An excellent website relating to Mount Kenya.
