Tours of a Lifetime: Central and South America.

im realy hurry today...so i just gonna say:Enjoy whit a coke xD.


Argentina & Chile: To the End of the Earth

The treacherous passage around Cape Horn has long struck fear in the hearts of the saltiest sailors. The expeditionary ships Via Australis, Mare Australis, and the Stella Australis (launching later this year) take between 130 and 210 passengers there in style—with picture windows in each cabin and a full complement of South American wines (included in the price). Ships sail from Ushuaia, Argentina, to Punta Arenas, Chile. You’ll listen to talks by staff lecturers as you sail close to blue-hued glaciers and cruise through the Beagle Channel, famously visited by Charles Darwin before he headed to the Galápagos Islands. At Magdalena Island gregarious Magellanic penguins—the largest colony in southern Patagonia—will greet you. Cruceros Australis: “Ushuaia to Punta Arenas,” 3 days, from $840.
SMALL-SHIP CRUISE • VALUE
Venezuela: Andes Rush

Fueled by adrenaline and arepas—Venezuela’s tasty corncakes—this multisport romp in the Andes has participants trekking along high Andean switchbacks, hurtling through misty cloud forests on mountain bikes, blasting down Class 3 whitewater on rafts, and riding horses in tropical grasslands that harbor 300 species of birds, howler monkeys, and the elusive jaguar. BikeHike Adventures: “Viva Venezuela—Mountain Biking, Hiking, Rafting, and Horseback Riding,” 9 days, from $2,099.
ACTIVE • VALUE

Costa Rica: Natural Coast

One of the founding fathers of eco-tourism, Michael Kaye first traveled to Costa Rica in the 1970s for the whitewater but ended up launching a tour company that put this small Central American country on the map for the adventure set. Kaye emphasizes rigorous guide training and safety. From a hike in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve to a boat ride through the rain forest creeks of remote Tortuguero, this itinerary gives you a taste of what all the fuss is about. Costa Rica Expeditions: “Costa Rica Connoisseur,” 9 days, from $2,008.
ACTIVE • VALUE

Bolivia: Carnaval and More

Kicking off with Carnaval de Oruro, Bolivia’s most spectacular festival, this journey immerses you in local rituals that are still part of everyday life, such as baking bread in a traditional adobe oven at a working hacienda and shopping at the Tarabuco Market, where even the younger generation dons traditional ponchos, sandals, and headgear. There’s action, too: Explore the salt desert and cap your trip with a climb up the 16,500-foot volcano Tunupa. Adventure Life: “Bolivia Backroads and Oruro Festival,” 13 days, $2,790.
CULTURE • VALUE

Ecuador: Galápagos and Beyond

With its colonial capital of Quito, the Amazon region, the Galápagos islands, and indigenous villages, Ecuador is worthy of several trips, but this one is a great start. You’ll cruise down the Napo River, a tributary of the mighty Amazon, aboard the 30-passenger Manatee Explorer; head up the Pan-American Highway to bargain at the textile market of Otavalo; explore the Galápagos from your base at the Finch Bay Eco Hotel on Santa Cruz Island. Wind up with a stint in historic Quito, the first city in the world to be declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Adventure Associates: “Family Encounters in the Middle of the World: Galápagos Islands, Amazon Rainforest and Quito City,” 12 days, $2,588 ($1,942 for children).
CULTURE • FAMILY • VALUE
Central America: Maya, Then and Now

From Big Falls, Belize, to Copán, Honduras, this unique itinerary traces the trade route of the ancient Maya’s most precious commodity—jade. Along the way you’re invited into the communities of the Mopan, Q’eqchi’, and Chorti Maya, with stops at little-visited archaeological sites, as well as kayaking, snorkeling, cave-swimming, and hiking. Mesoamerican Ecotourism Alliance: “Jade Route of the Ancient Maya,” 9 days, $2,850.
CULTURE

Argentina & Brazil: South America Overland

The route between two of South America’s party capitals is paved with adventure on this no-frills offbeat road trip from Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro, with stops on both sides of the magnificent Iguazú Falls and the fauna-rich floodplains of the Pantanal. You’ll thread your way up Brazil’s Emerald Coast, hitting the laid-back islands off Parati with your mostly youthful compadres. The fun doesn’t end if you time your trip to make it to Carnival’s kickoff in Rio. Dragoman: “Buenos Aires, Iguazú, Pantanal, and Rio Adventure Overland,” 19 days, $1,110.
CULTURE • VALUE

Peru: Hikes and Bikes

Machu Picchu is undoubtedly the pièce de résistance of any trip to Peru, including this one, which features several hikes around the Inca ruins. However, the itinerary packs in other thrills as well. Bike to the salt pans of Maras, raft the rushing Urubamba River, and kayak Lake Titicaca at 12,500 feet to Isla Taquile, where overnights are in guesthouses operated by local families. Aventouras: “Discover Peru,” 10 days, $2,698.
ACTIVE • CULTURE • VALUE

Food and travels: Anthony Bourdain in Thailand

Hi, again today it´s turn of...well another country but im be realy busy for do the research, so today we have some videos of mr.Bourdain he´s a chef and a writter also a houst in the tv show ´´No Reservations´´. The show is basically about him travel around the world but focuses on the food, hese videoes are on he´s travel to thailand. I realy enjoy this tv show cuz´ the food is an important part of travels, you know the culture of a country through his gastronomy...im better stop myself before you get burried whit my spech xD, just watch it.

Tours of a Lifetime: Asia.

Today is turn of asia,Where you can find a little bit of everything, from modern cities as japan to spiritual retirement in his budisth temples, also his delicius food, like chinese,thai,indian,russian,arabic and the list it continues....mmmm...give me a moment(Taking his telephone and calling to Thai - pak) ready...well hunters let´s beggining.

India: Channeling Mowgli

The tigers of Kanha National Park—the setting for English writer Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book—are best viewed astride an Asian elephant, but this wildlife-focused excursion through northern India also has you riding camels, rickshaws, rafts, and jeeps to observe leopards, rhinos, monkeys, mongoose, and more at five national parks and wildlife refuges. A highlight is a visit to a sloth bear rescue center in Agra that works to abolish the practice of dancing bears on the streets of India. Wild Planet Adventures: “India Ultimate Wildlife Multi-Safari—Leopards, Tigers, and Palaces,” 19 days, $7,198.
CULTURE

India: Meet the People

Connecting with the local people is a key component of this cultural odyssey through South India’s Deccan Plateau and Malabar Coast. Join a Kodava family on a visit to their ancestral home in the coffee country of Coorg; meet with some of the 10,000 Tibetans in the Buddhist enclave of Bylakuppe; and stay in a private home in Tellicherry, where you’ll sample Moplah delicacies whipped up by the host. Geographic Expeditions: “Secrets of the Deccan and Malabar —Karnataka to Kerala, India,” 14 days, from $7,295.
CULTURE

Laos: Remote Rivers

It’s only a matter of time before Laos’s Champasak Province—think dramatic waterfalls, temple ruins that predate Angkor Wat, welcoming hill tribes, and a handful of new chic hotels—is hyped as the next travel hot spot in Asia. For now, the only Americans you’re likely to encounter are the ones in your own party on this private trip through the country. Stays include Sala Phae, a compound of six floating bungalows on the Mekong River, and Kingfisher Eco-lodge, a small family-run nature retreat that donates a percentage of its revenue to a local primary school, where travelers are encouraged to help the schoolchildren practice their English. Remote Lands: “Undiscovered Southern Laos,” 7 days, $3,500.
CULTURE

Japan: Where the Wild Things Are

Japan usually conjures up images of the frenzy of Tokyo or the Zen of Kyoto, but there’s a wilder side to the Land of the Rising Sun that few travelers ever experience. From the thousands of hooded and white-naped cranes that flock to the island of Kyushu to the playful Japanese macaques, or snow monkeys, in the mountains of Nagano, the country is full of natural splendor—best seen in the quiet of winter. Natural Habitat Adventures: “Wild Japan,” 13 days, $8,495.
CULTURE

Thailand: Asia on Two Wheels

More than motorized modes of transportation, bikes allow travelers to participate in the everyday life of a place, especially in Thailand, where biking is popular and the people welcoming. Cyclists on this circuit in the countryside around Chiang Mai are sometimes invited into schools to give impromptu English lessons, attend weddings and funerals, and learn to prepare traditional Thai fare. Pedalers Pub & Grille: “Thailand Bike Tours—Northern Highlights,” 7 days, $1,495, plus $130 for bike rental.
CULTURE • VALUE

Central Asia: Meet the Stans

Guided by veteran Asia explorer Roger Williams, this epic journey wends from Urumqi, China, to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, along the legendary Silk Road. Travel amid the towering peaks of the Karakorum Mountains, stopping at far-flung outposts, such as Pakistan’s isolated Hunza Valley. Portions of the old road here jut out from cliffs on cantilevered logs wedged into the cracks of rock. At the desert oasis of Kashgar, famous for its Sunday market, traders still haggle over everything from spices to rugs to camels. Wilderness Travel: “The Great Game—The Silk Road through the Pamirs & Karakorum Mountains,” 26 days, from $10,995.
CULTURE

Israel: Nexus of History

Though much tourism to Israel remains dominated by religious pilgrims, more travelers are exploring the country’s numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites, varied geography, and culture-packed cities. Here is the consummate private itinerary that brings it all together, from Jerusalem’s ancient Western Wall to the therapeutic waters of the Dead Sea to the Bauhaus architecture of Tel Aviv. Artisans of Leisure: “Essence of Israel,” 9 days, $7,700.
CULTURE

China: Into the Land of the Dragon

Perform tai chi alongside locals in a Beijing park; bike through villages and rice farms on the banks of the Dragon River; spend a day at EXPO 2010 Shanghai. This private odyssey through the Middle Kingdom caters to families who crave action. Digs include a village guesthouse in the Yao minority village of Dazhai and the Li River lodge, a mountainside retreat in a traditional wooden Longsheng building north of Yangshuo. Kensington Tours: “Spirit of China Family Action Adventure,” 14 days, $4,050.
CULTURE • FAMILY

Russia: Quest for the Snow Leopard

Adapted to live in the frigid climes of the Central Asian mountain ranges, snow leopards have long, thick fur prized by poachers. As a result, their numbers have dwindled to some 6,000. Track the elusive species and its prey: the argali (a mountain sheep) and the Altai ibex. The data collected will help the conservation of the endangered cat. Base camp is at 7,500 feet amid the steep, snowy peaks of Central Asia’s Altai Mountains. Biosphere Expeditions: “Mountain Ghosts,” 13 days, $2,690.
VALUE • VOLUNTEER • WILDLIFE

Nepal: Trek for Charity

This nonprofit organizes one or more treks to raise funds for a needy local orphanage. Participants commit to raising a pre-set contribution for each kilometer they hike, not unlike charity walks. This fall’s trek—Everest Base Camp—is especially ambitious. The end of the trip coincides with the Festival of Lights and a party at the orphanage. Trekking for Kids: “Nepal Trek 2010—Everest Base Camp,” 20 days; from $2,400.
ADVENTURE • VALUE • VOLUNTEER

Malaysia: Rain Forest Warriors

The survival of Borneo’s diverse life-forms depends on its tropical rain forests, which are threatened by unsustainable logging practices, the pressure to convert to farmland, and severe droughts caused by climate change. Help the team at the Royal Society South East Asia Rainforest Research Programme record plant and animal specimens, including 2,500 species of orchids, orangutans, pygmy elephants, and rhinos. Earthwatch Institute: “Climate Change and Landscape in Borneo’s Rainforest,” 10 days; $1,850.
VALUE • VOLUNTEER

China: Giant Panda-thon

Starting in Shanghai, travel by train to Sichuan Province and the Ya’an Bifengxia Center for the Giant Panda (the largest reserve of its kind in the world). Gather bamboo for the pandas’ meals (they eat 10 to 20 pounds a day), clean their enclosures, and gather behavioral data. There’s also time for sightseeing. Planeterra Foundation: “Project China,” 14 days, $1,899.
VALUE • VOLUNTEER • WILDLIFE

Russia: Pack Your Parka

Spend a day learning about all things reindeer—herding, driving, even riding. Then man your own reindeer sled for a brisk odyssey through the heart of Siberia to the Northern Hemisphere’s “Pole of Cold” in Oymyakon, the coldest inhabited place on Earth. Rest up along the route in the homes of the indigenous Evens and in camps, where local guides share their ancestral tricks for sleeping in the open without getting frostbite. Arctic Odysseys: “Siberia–Even Reindeer Sledding Expedition,” 14 days, from $5,210.
ADVENTURE

Central Asia: One Epic Ride

After introducing a cycling tour from Cairo to Cape Town in 2003 to promote bikes as a means of sustainable transportation in Africa, this Canadian start-up has set its sights on history’s most storied route. Ride to explore or race to compete on this 2,572-mile expedition on the Silk Road, from Istanbul to Samarkand, Uzbekistan. In 2011 the operator hopes to undertake the full 6,200 miles to Xi’an, China. Accommodations echo the ancient caravanning experience: yurts, homestays, bush camps, desert camps, and caravanserais. Tour d’Afrique: “Silk Route Bicycle Tour,” 44 days, $5,485.
ADVENTURE • VALUE

Bhutan: First Commercial Descent

The culmination of years of negotiation with the Bhutan government, this rafting expedition down the Drangme Chhu—the last unexplored river system in the country—promises world-class whitewater in the shadow of soaring Himalayan peaks. Off the river, thrill-seekers are welcomed for a feast and overnight at the family home of guide Ugyen Dorji and at Enduchholing, the palace of the first hereditary monarch of Bhutan. Bio Bio Expeditions: “Drangme Chhu River First Commercial Descent,” 17 days, $6,800.
ADVENTURE

Turkey: Stroll Through History

The country’s dazzling coastline and Greek, Roman, and Lycian ruins are most often explored by sea, from a cruise ship, or via traditional gulet. But here’s a novel approach: Journey on foot through the Antalyan Peninsula, Lycia, the ancient Greek city of Ephesus, and Istanbul. Highlights include the Pisidian stronghold of Termessos, site of the eternal flames of the Chimaera as described in Homer’s Iliad; Myra with its rock-cut cliff tombs dating to 500 B.C.; and a traditional lunch in the mountain village of Bezirgan, where you’ll break katmer—a savory flatbread—with locals. Country Walkers: “Turkey: The Lycian Way & Ephesus,” 9 days, $4,698.
CULTURE

Jordan: Desert Oasis

From Amman to the Dead Sea, this cultural foray through Jordan opens doors normally closed to most travelers, including a private visit to the Royal Stables outside the capital, a meeting with a shaman in Petra, a Bedouin-guided off-road excursion through the desert landscape of Wadi Rum; and a lesson in weaving cattail-reed-and-banana-leaf baskets by local women in Wadi Rayyan. Cultural Crossroads: “The Wonders of Jordan—A Cultural Experience,” 11 days, $3,424.
CULTURE

Tours of a Lifetime: Africa.

Hi again, well this is the first country of our series

Tours of a life time

my hunters,enjoy :)

Ethiopia: Beginnings of Time

With the mysterious stone-carved churches of Lalibela, fairy-tale castles of Gondar, and UNESCO World Heritage site of Axum—thought by some to house the Ark of the Covenant—northern Ethiopia has developed a nascent tourism infrastructure. Travel in the south, however, is more challenging but worth it to rub shoulders with tribal groups that have maintained many of their traditions. This custom trip takes in both regions, with an emphasis on sustainable actions that could stem the country’s deforestation. Africa Adventure Consultants: “Ethiopian Epic—Northern Ethiopia & the Lower Omo,” 12 days, $2,998 (plus internal airfare of $548 per person).
CULTURE • VALUE
Tunisia: Sahara Adventure

Who knew Tunisia was a veritable wonderland for kids? Wander the troglodyte caves of Matmâta—used as a backdrop for the first Star Wars movie—and float in the Chott El Djerid Salt Lake. Ride camels and dune buggies in the Sahara and spend a night camping in the desert. Special departures are available for families with teenagers. Exodus: “Tunisia Desert Explorer—Family Holiday,” 8 days, $1,040.
VALUE • FAMILY
South Africa: Bike the Vineyards

With its rolling farmland, coastal vistas, and soaring mountains, South Africa’s Western Cape is choice cycling country. On this loop from Cape Town through wine country you’ll pedal some 20 miles a day, stopping to sample the region’s much-lauded Semillon and Pinotage. Recover each night at elegant lodgings such as Le Quartier Français in the Franschoek Valley, where one of the country’s top chefs, Margot Janse, presides over the kitchen. In the township of Zwelitshe, local students (to whom the outfitter lends bikes to use and maintain) will lead you on an insider tour to meet residents of this poor but vibrant area. Butterfield & Robinson: “South Africa Biking,” 8 days, $6,995.
ACTIVE
Rwanda & Uganda: Track Mountain Gorillas

View some of the remaining 700 mountain gorillas on this safari to three different parks: Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Mgahinga and Bwindi in Uganda. The outfitter worked closely with governments here to develop responsible tourism in the aftermath of regional conflicts, including training locals to become guides. Volcanoes Safaris: “Gorillas in the Virungas and Bwindi—Rwanda and Uganda,” 8 days, $4,926.
WILDLIFE
Botswana: On a Horse, of Course

When longtime Botswana residents PJ and Barney Bestelink brought horses to the Okavango Delta for safaris more than 20 years ago, few believed their business plan would succeed. Today, equestrians from far and wide come to the world’s largest inland delta to ride Arabians and thoroughbreds through grassy floodplains and primeval mopane forests and to canter alongside zebras, giraffes, and wildebeest. Riders must have the basics down and be able to “gallop out of trouble,” should the need arise. Okavango Horse Safaris: “Ten-Night Itinerary,” 11 days, from $6,400.
ACTIVE • WILDLIFE
Kenya: Insider Tour

Meet Kenyans who are making a difference in wildlife conservation in this behind-the-scenes custom safari from Nairobi to the Laikipia region. Catch feeding time at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, where the legendary Dame Daphne Sheldrick discusses her efforts to rescue and rear abandoned baby elephants. Chat with Maasai elder Rakita Ole Nkere about how his culture is adapting to modern life. And meet the team at the Ol Pejeta Research Centre, which is pioneering methods for locals and wildlife to coexist peacefully. Opportunities to see the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, Cape buffalo) abound, including an overnight in a blind to view the nocturnal visitors of a popular watering hole through night-vision goggles. Micato Safaris: “Kenya Conservation Safari,” 9 days, from $5,995.
WILDLIFE • CULTURE
Southern Africa: Winging It

The stylish way to cover five nations (South Africa, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Zambia), 11 ecosystems, and 3,200 miles in three weeks is on a retrofitted DC-3. The access is unbeatable, though pricey. Fly directly between UNESCO World Heritage sites, remote safari camps, and secluded lodges while enjoying a bird’s-eye view of the continent’s most spectacular scenery, including Table Mountain, the wild coast of Transkei, and Victoria Falls. On the ground you’ll meet locals from all walks of life, including a South African ostrich farmer and the king of the Zulu. Travcoa: “Once in a Lifetime Africa,” 20 days, $34,900.
WILDLIFE
Mozambique: Africa's Secret

After years of civil war and neglect, Gorongosa National Park—once home to a denser population of game than the Serengeti Plains—is making a comeback thanks to a public-private partnership. Get a behind-the-scenes look at this ongoing restoration project, as well as the now-thriving wildlife, including the famed Gorongosa lions and endemic green-headed oriole. You’ll take in the capital, Maputo; seaside Tofo, for a marine safari and chance to snorkel with whale sharks; and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ilha de Moçambique. Reefs to Rockies: “Mozambique—By Land and By Sea,” 11 days, from $5,500.
WILDLIFE
Tanzania: Gonzo Philanthropy

In his fresh take on voluntourism, company founder Paul von Zielbauer (a former New York Times war correspondent) pairs rugged adventure with good works. Itineraries are intentionally flexible, and participants, aka “roadmonkeys,” raise money from their own social networks to fund the projects. The next expedition leaves for Tanzania this summer. You’ll climb Mount Kilimanjaro via the Lemosho route—the least traveled—and lend a hand building a fishpond at a school in Babati, Tanzania. Roadmonkey Adventure Philanthropy: “Tanzania/Kilimanjaro Expedition,” 15 days, $4,595.
ADVENTURE • VOLUNTEER

Egypt: Into the Western Desert

You’ve seen the Pyramids and cruised the Nile; now check out the other Egypt on this overland expedition into the Western Desert. Led by veteran desert guide Diaa Shawki Michail, you’ll camp in mobile tents, exploring the striking scenery of this harsh environment, such as rock carvings that are thousands of years old and Daliesque white chalk formations that rise out of the desert sand like huge mushrooms. Abercrombie & Kent: “Egypt—Traces of Lost Civilizations,” 11 days, $5,975.
CULTURE

Tours of a Lifetime

well this is the first,I believe that to begin with this topic is better than us to go to a country directly.

Tour operators are reporting big spikes in inquiries and bookings. But an uncertain economy, ongoing wars, and the fragile health of the planet have, perhaps permanently, reordered priorities. Travelers now seek more perspective, meaning, and challenge. They want to see the unvarnished reality of a place, not just the fantasy. Outfitters have responded by dialing down the luxury and refocusing on core offerings. Their itineraries are more innovative and experiential—aimed at developing lasting connections between people. Here are 50 of the world's best guided tours for 2010.

In the next days will publish one by one the tours,today we only have a little guide :)


Planning Your Tour


Tour Speak
Knowing the jargon will help in planning your trip.

Tips for Traveling Alone
Whether you're single or married to a homebody, being a solo traveler on a group trip—where coupledom is often the norm—can leave you feeling like a third, or thirteenth, wheel. But that's changing as more travelers hit the road by themselves. In 2009, 22.2 million out of 170 million Americans traveling for leisure purposes traveled alone, according to the U.S. Travel Association. As a result, more travel companies are marketing to the solo crowd with offers on everything from dropping the dreaded “single supplement”—a surcharge on top of published double-occupancy rates—to matching single travelers up with like-minded companions.

Tauck World Discovery, for example, has more than 40 tours and cruise departures where the single surcharge is reduced. On top of saving anywhere from about 60 to 80 percent off the normal single supplement, the special pricing virtually guarantees that other solo travelers will be on those trips. Country Walkers offers private tours that can be made up of women only, many of whom are keen to avoid the meat-market mentality of some "singles-only" tours and cruises. Absolute Travel provides a service that pairs compatible clients who would prefer not to take a trip alone. Even adventure outfitters are gearing expeditions to solo travelers: kayak specialist H2Outfitters plans paddling excursions along the coastline of Montenegro for "like-minded singles."

While many singles-only departures aren't intended as matchmaking opportunities, some are. The important thing is to quiz the outfitter. Even for regular departures, a good company should be able provide you with a breakdown of the group by gender, age, singles, and couples. And if you decide to go it alone, ask the operator if it will match you with a roommate to avoid the single-supplement.