In this episode William is joined by Emily Wilson, our Tailormade Explore Team Leader. Tailormade Specialist for the Americas, Manuela De Fazio and our very first special guest, Mary Filbee from Polar Star Expeditions. The cast talk about the Polar Star, experiences in the Arctic and Antarctica and what passengers can expect to see on any of the polar tours we operate.

Over to Phil…

Chamonix 9th March 2010
Bonjour from Mont Blanc !

Chamonix looks stunning and the skiing is still fabulous, but the thaw has begun on the lower slopes and we are all limbering-up for the Alpine summer season. Thank goodness it is no longer minus 10 every day!

Chamonix-Mont Blanc in the summer

We welcome Jonny Mitchell to our team: he’s a qualified mountain bike guide spending his winters in Andalucía and summers in the Alps and Ardèche. He will be leading our family activity holidays and adult multi-activity holidays such as Mont Blanc Explorer and Mont Blanc Activity Week.

Family cycling in the Alps

Emily Andrew has been on an expedition to Alaska and Cat Freeman spent several weeks guiding in Southern India .  Phil Jarratt has been cutting snowshoe trails throughout the Chamonix valley and Joy O’Flanagan has been perfecting her ice climbing and skiing. All are jostling to lead the best treks!

Family Kayaking in the Ardèche

We are all looking forward to trekking, biking, rafting and climbing in the warm Alpine summer and can’t wait to welcome new visitors this year. In the meantime, there is still some great powder snow away from the main pistes!
Phil Mansbridge

Iconic views of the Matterhorn from the Shadow of the Matterhorn Tour

]]> http://www.exploreblogs.co.uk/2010/03/10/bonjour-from-mont-blanc/feed/ 1 http://www.exploreblogs.co.uk/2010/03/04/everest-base-camp-trek/ http://www.exploreblogs.co.uk/2010/03/04/everest-base-camp-trek/#comments Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:04:24 +0000 admin http://www.exploreblogs.co.uk/?p=758 Chris Ellis, one of our Adventure Travel Consultants recently completed our Everest Base Camp trip – a 19 day trekking adventure in Nepal with a 12 day camping trek to Everest Base Camp including an ascent of Kala Pattar and great views of Everest.

Here, he describes the highlights of the trek day by day, and we ask him for his tips on completing the trek – as well as getting to the bottom of what the accommodation, facilities, food – and of course the trekking are really like!

Day by day account of the Trek
Day 3: Kathmandu:  Head out for a 3 hour city tour with local guide, visiting Assan Bazaar, Durbur Square and d Kumari. Lots of nice temples, both Hindu and Buddhist, and lots of noise, chaos, fruit & veg and warm meat out on the street. Oh and we can’t forget the odd cow strolling about!

Durbar Square: Kathmandu

Went to traditional Nepalese restaurant for dinner, sit on the floor and eat traditional cuisine, a bit like Tapas with lots of different dishes, lots of curries and tit bits, very nice. Also restaurant has traditional dancers and music going on throughout. Nice touch.

Day 4: Fly to Lukla: We board a tiny 15 seater propeller driven plane for the most amazing flight of my life! Lukla airport is something special. It is a tiny runway clinging to the side of a mountain at 2800 metres, very hairy!

Coming in to land at Lukla

Start 3 hour walk to Phakding, going from 2800m to 2500. Nice acclimatization walk, stunning scenery!

Arrive at Phakding which is a small village, arrive to our tents already up, next to a teahouse. Immediately handed tea and biscuits – I can definitely get use to this!

Day 5: Brought morning tea by Sherpa boy, wake up and have a wash.

Move in to teahouse to have breakfast – muesli eggs and pancakes with tea and coffee.

Set off for walk, the plan is to walk to Namche Bazaar, ascending over 800 metres!

First part fairly flat, stop for lunch at the side of the river. The kitchen boys had ran ahead of us and knocked up a 3 course lunch by the time we got there! Curry, japati’s and vegetables. Prepare ourselves for the ascent up Namche Hill.

Hit Namche Hill and climb a steep uphill for about 3 and half hours. Hard graft, time to crack out the poles and the energy bars!

Namche Bazaar: The town clings to the side of the mountain

Arrive at Namche, which is the heart of the Sherpa community, with a population of about 700 people, with a pub and internet café! Time for a stroll around and buy some more strange novelty gifts.

Day 6: Walk to a view point where we can see Everest for the first time!

Everest in the distace (left-most peak)

Day 7: Climb to 3,800 m, visit Thangbouche monastery Get unpacked and find out we have stunning views of Everest at sunset – I get a little snap happy!

Thangbouche Monastery

Day 8: After waking up feeling unwell, I started to walk and found the up-hills a real struggle. The tour leader recommended that myself and one other member of the group stay in Pangbouche (looked after by one of the Sherpas) for extra acclimatisation and to get our strength back. We check into a basic but very comfortable teahouse for the night.

Day 9: After a great nights sleep, the Sherpas (who are all in radio contact with one-another) arrange for our bags to be taken on to where the rest of the group is – Dingbouche. With help from our Sherpa (who gallantly carries our bags) and taking it VERY slowly, we arrive at Dingbouche and catch up with the rest of the group, really good to see everyone again, and everyone really happy we made it.

Day 10:  Walk from Dingbouche to Lebouche Arrive at field of dreams after a steep 300 metre climb. Field of dreams is a large memorial site to both Sherpa’s and expeditions that have died trying to conquer Everest and other mountains. Very moving. It is starting to get really cold so break out the thermals when I get into my tent!

Field of Dreams

Day 11:  Ascent of Kala Pattar – After an incredibly difficult climb, I arrive huffing and puffing to the summit of Kala Patter. I’m absolutely shattered, but it is the most euphoric moment, and words can’t describe how fantastic the views are. Everybody makes it to the top! The group’s resolve and determination is fantastic. We have some tea at the top and take plenty of pictures and take in the views. We are so lucky as there is not a cloud in the sky!

Me at the top of Kala Pattar with Everest over my right shoulder

Days 12-16: is spent descending to Lukla and returning to Kathmandu where we have some time to relax, take a bath, chill out by the pool and do a spot of shopping.

Day 17:  We visit the Hindu temples and medieval Bhaktapur. Then its time to go out for our last meal together, the ‘last supper’ if you will. We go to a great bar, where every group gets a cardboard foot, where you can write about your adventures and put it on the wall, along with others. Edmund Hillary has a foot there, along with a lot of other famous summiteers.

Bhaktapur

What one piece of advice would I give to everyone doing this trip?
Take it slowly. It isn’t a race and the trek guides and Sherpa have everything under control. Going slowly helps your body to acclimatise and increases your chances of success. Also, make sure you are physically fit enough to be able to walk uphill for several hours at a time. (oh – and make sure your walking boots are well worn in!).

What was the accommodation like?
We spent two nights at Hotel Malla in Kathmandu at the beginning of the tour, and a further two nights at the end (bliss!). It was a very nice 4* with a great central location. During the trek, our tents were set up for us by the great crew. Thermarests were provided for sleeping on, and we ate in either an adjacent teahouse or a dining tent. We had fixed long drop toilet or toilet tent facilities at each camp, and at some locations we were able to use the teahouse washing and toilet facilities. Otherwise, we were brought hot water in the morning for washing.

Campsite at Thangbouche

What was the food like?
Incredible! The food in the traditional Nepalese restaurant in Kathmandu was lovely, but the food on trek was amazing – I don’t know how they manage it!.

Breakfast usually consisted of Muesli/ cereal and toast, and sometimes eggs and pancakes!
At lunchtimes, the crew went on ahead and prepared a 3 course meal which consisted of things like curries, pasta, japatis, salads and vegetables – in the wilderness!
Dinners were things like pasta dishes (great for replenishing energy levels!). The most memorable was spag bol with water buffalo meat. Very tasty!

What was the trekking like?
I had done a couple of walking holidays in Europe (Mont Blanc & Canary Islands), so knew that I would be in safe hands with Explore in Nepal. However, I was blown away by the team work of the crew in Nepal, the friendliness of the Sherpas – one of whom invited us into his home, and how they coped so easily when things didn’t go according to plan. (That kind of confidence can only come from experience I think!). They did everything they could to make sure that the whole group arrived at the top of Kala Pattar, in one piece and with huge smiles on our faces. The trekking itself was obviously demanding, and we all suffered with the altitude to varying degrees, but the experience of the crew helped make sure we all achieved what we came here to do.

The whole group made it to the top of Kala Pattar – an amazing feeling!

Chris did our Everest Base Camp trip. If you are feeling inspired to Trek in Nepal, why not take a look at our Trekking in Nepal page.

This is the first in Tim’s series of blogs, oh and here is a photo of the cheeky chappy…

Tim Hornby: February, 2010

Wow. Kilimanjaro. Wow.

I don’t like to make a mountain out of a mole hill, so to speak, but Kilimanjaro is a pretty big deal. I still can’t quite believe that in just a little over seven months I’ll be getting a shot at climbing the summit of this monster. Is it the highest mountain in the world? Well, no. But is it the single toughest mental and physical challenge I will have ever faced in my life? Erm, no again actually, it’ll be the second (there was the time I stupidly took on a five kilometre fun-run with a terrible hangover dressed as Santa, but I’m expecting Kili to be somewhat more enjoyable than that). Am I looking forward to it, a little anxious and very excited? Definitely, yes. Oh yes indeed.

What now, though? I’ve got seven months to prepare, but I don’t even know what to prepare for to be honest. I love trekking and I’ve got some pretty worn boots that have accompanied me to some pretty amazing locations around the world, but I’ve got a feeling they may be a little too worn now. New boots will have to go on the list and I’ll have to sort that out soon to give myself the chance to get them properly worn-in. I can’t think of any other equipment that I’d have to acquire this far out from the departure; it’s not like you have to wear-in your sleeping bag or socks (or do you?).

It’s lucky that I work here at Explore: even in the IT department we get influenced by the travel vibe and experience around the office (and there’s a lot of experience here). It’s great when I mention to my work pals, while waiting for the kettle to boil for a cuppa, that I’m setting off to Tanzania – in a continent I’ve never ventured to before – to attempt the summit of Kilimanjaro. I’m not even surprised when my esteemed colleagues just smile because they know I’ll be up for the challenge (I think that’s why they grin), rather than gasp and look at me in awe as I would hope and expect my Grandmother, for example, to do. There are ex-tour leaders working in the office who have done this numerous times before, but that doesn’t detract from the excitement and potential pride I feel about doing this, instead I’ll pick their brains and put their experience (and equipment, perhaps?) to good use. For example, I didn’t know that there seems to be very little correlation between your level of fitness and whether you’ll be struck down by altitude sickness. (Perhaps I can go and get that kebab tonight after all!)

It’s early days yet: I’ve not long known that I would be going on this trip, so I haven’t even read the dossier for it yet – big mistake really as I don’t know the specifics of what I’ve let myself in for! This would be a big “no-no” if I didn’t have sadistic (here’s hoping they don’t read this) managers who think I may be capable of it and know the itineraries inside out. What I do know is that I will need to get some equipment that I don’t currently have (such as the aforementioned non-worn walking boots), I will need to be in pretty good physical shape and that the potential altitude sickness may not allow me to make it to the top, regardless of the quality of equipment or whether I manage to develop a six-pack (unlikely) before the end of September.

The trip appears to have come up at the right time for me. I’m soon to be 28 (so perhaps old enough to be [marginally] wise and young enough to get [mildly] fit) and I was already entered into a half-marathon for the end of March and have been working pretty hard to get my fitness levels up because of that. Unfortunately I usually utilise my gym membership for a few months, then lose interest again and stop going, slowly turning back to my terrible (yet terribly enjoyable) habits of drinking, smoking and eating too much and not doing an ounce of exercise. My “Grand Plan” to battle this is to enter myself into several different events over the coming months to force my hand with keeping fit. Perhaps this is overkill; I don’t think it’s necessary for you to be able to complete a triathlon to climb Kili, but at least this way I know I’ll have one out of three (equipment, fitness and altitude sickness) licked by the time I fly to Africa. With that in mind, there’s an internal email going around Explore at the moment asking if anyone’s interested in a place on the South Downs 100KM walk in 30 hours in July. Sounds like a perfect stepping-stone to me…

More updates to follow as the days and weeks go by, so check back  for updates on how I’m getting on with preparations for my most anticipated trip of my life so far!

Tim

Bolivia is the hot topic for the second episode of the Explore Travel Bodcast. William is joined by John Telfer, Jason Beevis and Peter Eshelby, who share their expertise and experiences of this fascinating South American country. To find out more about the tour that John developed, ‘Beyond the Altiplano’, simply enter the tour code ‘BA’ in the search box at www.explore.co.uk

iTunes users can listen and subscribe to our podcast by searching ‘Explore Blogs’ or using this direct link http://tinyurl.com/yzhqadd (opens iTunes).

Following our recent focus on Japan, we decided to grab a few members of staff that had visited the country and get them to have a chat about their highlights. We managed to round up five members of staff who had either been on the Shogun Trail (JS) tour or visited Japan as a personal holiday. This was also the launch of our all new ‘Travel Bodcast’, so have a listen and let us know what you think. We’re hoping it will be a regular feature, so make sure you check back in future to listen to more Explore Travel Bodcasts!

iTunes users can listen and subscribe to our podcast by searching ‘Explore Blogs’ or using this direct link http://tinyurl.com/yzhqadd (opens iTunes).

“Wow! My first visit to India and my first Explore tour – Simply unforgettable, for all the right reasons!

Using varied forms of transport South Indian Images allows you to get a true sense of the “Real India”. From chatting to locals on the trains to whizzing through the traffic in a tuk-tuk, what better way to see the culturally diverse and beautiful South of India?

You get to explore a wealth of temples, churches and historical buildings which are archeologically fascinating as well as beautiful. The most enjoyable for me were The Meenakshi Temple in Madurai, a Hindu Temple that has 14 colourful temples and a Golden Lotus Flower and the Maharajahs Palace in Mysore which still has ornate furnishings and décor, the guided tour is informative and interesting.

Enjoy the relaxing boat journey through Periyar National Park, I can’t describe how I felt the time I saw a family of wild elephants for the first time.

Another relaxing boat ride through the Kerala Backwaters is just as amazing as it allows you to see the goings on of people who live right on the waters edge as well as seeing some colourful birds!

I particularly enjoyed visiting the spice plantation, where we were shown different spices and how they are cultivated as well as some of our stops to see tea pickers in the fields, workers collecting rubber from the trees and the colourful flower markets.

Our visit to Kochi allowed for some shopping opportunities, a visit to see the Chinese fishing nets which are still used today and take some skill to operate. We had the opportunity to use the fishing nets and our successful catch of 2 fish was well deserved. We also saw wild dolphins frolicking in the bay on our way to see traditional Kathakali dancing.

There are hundreds of different dialects used in India that even native people find it hard to converse. Hindi and English are widely used to communicate.”

If you feel inspired by Sarah’s experiences in Southern India, you can get the details of the South India Images tour here, We have two other trips which visit the laid back area of Kerala, Kerala Backwaters and for an alternative view, a cycling trip along the Keralan Backwaters. Explore have a great selection of tours all over India, click here to see all our adventure holidays in India.

The Dordogne is a region of France with over 25,000 years of history and there is still a very present, medieval feel to the area today. There are some outstanding castles and medieval villages that you seen on this tour, which adds to the pure beauty of the winding Dordogne river, and it’s limestone cliffs. The area is also renowned for its local specialities including foie gras, duck cassoulet, and various cheeses and wines as well.

One of the things I loved about this trip was the journey from London down to the Dordogne, as I found the train travel such a refreshing way to travel. At San Pancras I was checked in, cleared security and had my breakfast in front of me within 30 minutes. It was also quite enjoyable to watch the scenery change on the way, and to have a spin on the Paris metro. On the way home I even managed to divert via the Eiffel Tower and have a quick walk along the Seine.

You start the tour in Beaulieu sur Dordogne, which means beautiful place on the Dordogne, and it certainly lives up to its name. You have the morning to mingle with the group, explore the town and talk a nice stroll along the river, before taking to the canoes for the first time.

Being on the river was my favourite place to be on the tour. It was great to see the river from a different perspective, seeing all the amazing Chateaux and villages from the water, as welling as seeing hidden caves, and the beautiful limestone cliffs. I also loved seeing how the group developed as the time went by. The first time we were on the river, we were all enjoying a gentle paddle (you’d often spy me going round in circles or paddling in the wrong direction, although I had definitely improved by the end of the week!), then the 2nd time there was the odd splash and it built up to our final day on the river which had plenty of splashing, games and water fights – we all had so much fun! Our tour leader made the mistake of telling us that he hadn’t been capsized by previous groups……we soon changed that! There was also the chance to pull in at a campsite along the river for a cold beer or an ice cream – nice and refreshing on a hot day.

We also visited Rocamadour, which was the most impressive place we visited on the trip. The village is built into the cliff, and has been visited pilgrims since the 11th century as it was the last halting place en route to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. I highly recommend talking a walk along the cliff top, and down through the village as it’s simply spectacular.

Being on land, and doing the cycling and walking was also great fun. Our group had a mixture of abilities and it was all fairly easy, with the odd hill. We cycled to the Castlenau Bretenoux, which is one of the most impressive examples of medieval architecture in Southern France, cycled through small villages, and even visited some stunning caves as well.

We visited some beautiful places, tried the local specialities and it was also great fun to be camping. We would sit around in the evenings watching the stars, and also had a barbeque one night. I enjoyed every second of this trip, and the real highlight for me was doing the activities to get you from A to B. I would recommend this trip to anyone.

This is an activity based camping trip with plenty of beautiful scenery, accompanied by good food and wine. Find out more about Dordogne Discovery. There is also a family version for active families – Dordogne Adventure.

Despite the wonderful variety of vegetables in the local markets they are not served in the restaurants! It is considered peasant food. However surprisingly we were offered raw broad beans for breakfast in one of our hotels!

When asked where I live back home many people (my generation & older) know the Isle of Wight as a 60’s Italian band called Dik Dik released a popular song about the Pop Festivals of the late 60’s/1970 & every other word is Hippies!!

Sicily now has a new president, Berlusconie. The last one was a naughty boy & his term finished two years early. Elections were held peacefully on 13th & 14th April.

The sirocco wind has been blowing from the SE (Sahara) which brings with it a fine pink coloured sand which obscures the views but brings the heat. Fortunately it doesn’t often last for long. Then the Mistral blows from the NW bringing clearer but cooler weather.

Since I first arrived I’ve been asked directions in Italiano! Must be that tour leader look on my face! The other day I discovered how to say nudist beach as I was asked where the spiaggia nudista was!!

May is the season of weddings. Couples get married every day of the week except Sundays. Saw several weddings in Syracuse & Taormina with brides wearing beautiful dresses & bridegrooms in flashy Italiano label suits.

On Oritiga Island (the original settlement of Syracuse) we also witnessed an Initiation Ceremony in a church for the Knights of St John.

The durum wheat which is grown everywhere is now being harvested so the lushness of the island is disappearing. The spring flowers are also beginning to fade although the poppies are now at their best, such a vivid red.

Although it’s been a great time of year to visit Sicilia with the flowers, blossom, lushness & reasonably good weather it’s also the time of incredibly noisy school groups!!

The education system in Sicilia is the same as mainland Italia except the schools have a longer summer holiday due to the long hot summers so they break up end of June for 3 months!! This means they have shorter Easter & Christmas holidays & no week off in February for skiing!

Several Greek theatres are used from May. In Syracuse the season of Greek plays began on 8th May until end of June. In Taormina the famous Film Festival is held from June plus many different concerts for all musical tastes. In recent years Elton John & Lisa Minelli have performed here.

Occasionally the audience is treated to an amazing concert in a Greek theatre with Mt Etna erupting in the background!

Went up Etna again Saturday morning. The guide told us how a week ago the volcanoligists thought there may be an eruption due to the build up of pressure but she had calmed down. There was a lot of white steam being emitted but we were told when it’s white it’s OK. You only start panicking when it turns blue!

Later that evening we enjoyed our Last Supper on the seafront of Giardini Naxos. At 21.30 volcanic ash started raining from the sky! Etna was erupting!!!

What a finale!

Want to see Etna and all that Sicily has to offer? Try our ‘Classical Sicily‘ tour for some of the best preserved Graeco-Roman sights in the Mediterranean and some of the Islands other beautiful cultural highlights. Do you want to get even closer to Etna and the other Sicilian volcanoes? Try our ‘Sicilian Volcano Hike‘.

Stromboli & Volcano are still active!
Lipari is the largest island at 37.6 sq km, where I based myself for 4 days.

Pumice quarries are still an important part of the economy.
The tourist season doesn’t really begin until June so everywhere appeared very sleepy as if everybody was still waking up after a winter of hibernating! Or maybe it’s a chilled out atmosphere all the time.
I was impressed by how uncommercialized & unpretentious the islands are. Reminded me of Turkey 20 years ago.
From Lipari I took the hydrofoil across to Vulcano, known as the Island of Fire by the Greeks & therefore called Vulcano after the God of Fire. The smell of sulphur is very noticeable when you arrive on the island. Trekked up the smoking volcano, Vulcano della Fossa. The views are great from the top looking across to all the islands & the Sicilian mainland.

Next I relaxed in the smelly sulphur mud pools. By the time I returned I was stinking of sulphur too!
The next island I explored was Salina, the second largest at 27 sq km & the most fertile. Quality Malvasia & Black Corinth grapes are cultivated to produce Malvasia sweet wine.
Caper cultivation is also very important to the local economy & are exported worldwide. Did you know the caper is the unclosed flower bud! They are hand-picked & preserved in salt. Before being eaten they are soaked in water to remove the saltiness & to restore their taste & aroma.
Salina is the highest island in the archipelago so I trekked to the top of Fossa delle Felci at 962m. More incredible views over all 7 islands.
The Italiano film Il Postina (The Postman) was filmed on Salina.
On to Stromboli the furthest away from the Sicilian mainland & 4th largest at only 12.6 sq kms. Stromboli is known as the Lighthouse in the Tyrennian Sea due to the constant eruptions which create a natural light. The volcano erupts every 15-20 mins! I heard the explosions throughout the night!
After the very strong eruption in 1930 many locals emigrated, mainly to Australia then returned with their Ozzie accents! Many abandoned buildings have also been bought by wealthy Italianos as holiday homes.
Transport around the harbour town is by ‘golf type’ buggies known as Moto Apes! They are in fact Piaggio Ape 50’s which have lots of character.
Saw the house where Ingrid Bergman & Roberto Rosselini filmed Stromboli in 1949 & fell in love!
Returned to the mainland via all the islands for a last look before I hopefully return again one day!

The best way to see the Aeolian Islands is by foot, so try our ‘Sicilian Volcano Hike‘ tour.