MEET SOME OF OUR EXCEPTIONAL GUIDES AND TRIP LEADERS
ACTIVITY LEVELS
Our trip leaders are among the finest in the business, chosen for their love of exploration, their welcoming nature, and their deep knowledge of the flora, fauna, geology, and culture you’ll encounter. Meet some of the dynamic leaders who might accompany your adventure. URSULA KORDIS Croatia Ursula Kordis has been guiding tours professionally since 2001. She specializes in the Adriatic region and has great familiarity with the diverse outdoor environments of Slovenia and Croatia. Ursula also has traveled extensively throughout Asia and Latin America and is fluent in English and Spanish. An avid photographer, she spent six months on a photojournalism assignment in Colombia.
DOUG MESSENGER New Zealand Doug Messenger's adventurous spirit can be traced back to his childhood; by the age of six he was hiking and climbing his way across his native New Zealand. He has experience as a cave-rafting guide and has traveled extensively throughout Europe and Asia, learning French, Mandarin, and Japanese along the way. While his work has taken him across the globe, he feels most at ease in his Kiwi homeland, walking the forested mountains and pristine riverbeds, and sharing his love for the country with travelers.
PEREZ KAMUKUENJANDJE Namibia Born and raised in Namibia, Perez Kamukuenjandje has an innate understanding of local culture and the Herero language. He is a longtime veteran of the country’s tourism industry and a seasoned safari specialist. Perez’s extensive knowledge of his desert homeland, combined with his engaging personality, gives travelers a safari experience filled with fun, learning, and a unique local perspective.
RODRIGO “RO” BAHAMONDEZ Patagonia Ro Bahamondez has been guiding travelers through his homeland of Patagonia since the mid-1990s. From leading sea-kayaking expeditions along coastal waters to heading up mountaineering and skiing trips through Tierra del Fuego, he has a deep knowledge of the diverse southern Patagonian landscape. He looks forward to taking adventurers on thrilling journeys through the wildest and most remote parts of Patagonia.
“Our guide was a truly wonderful asset to the trip! He has a genuine interest in both the wildlife and cultural aspects of Namibia, and his enthusiasm was palpable.” – GAIL N., TRAVELER, NAMIBIA ADVENTURE, 2014
Throughout this catalog, the activity level of each itinerary is noted by the system below. Several itineraries span two activity levels. EASY TO MODERATE trips have mostly EASY activities with MODERATE activities on some days. MODERATE TO STRENUOUS trips have mostly MODERATE activities with STRENUOUS activities on some days.
• 1–3 hours of activity per day • Hikes/walks less than 3 miles on mostly flat terrain at altitudes of up to 3,000 feet. • Itineraries with kayaking will have less than 2 miles of paddling per day.
• 3–6 hours of activity per day • Hikes up to 10 miles on rolling or mountainous terrain with some steep ascents/descents and uneven trails at altitudes of up to 8,000 feet. • Itineraries with kayaking will have 3–7 miles of paddling per day.
• 5–8 hours of activity per day • Hikes up to 10-12 miles on mountainous, exposed terrain with steep ascents/descents and uneven trails at altitudes of up to 14,000 feet. • Itineraries with kayaking will have up to 10 miles of paddling per day. Prior experience hiking at high elevation and a doctor’s release may be required.
CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE Our trips are rated by activity level, from easy to ultimate challenge, so you can choose the one that best suits you. All of our itineraries are well paced and filled with opportunities for you to push your limits, choose the harder trail, or go on the extra hike. And whenever you feel the need, you can opt for a shorter or easier hike or take a break and relax at the hotel.
(Designed for very fit and experienced hikers.) • 10 or more hours of activity per day • Hiking 12 or more miles on remote, mountainous, exposed terrain with steep ascents/ descents, and uneven trails at altitudes often exceeding 14,000 feet. Prior experience hiking at high elevation and a doctor’s release will be required.
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