The number of adventurers visiting Nepal from Britain is on the up, say dull reports about visitor numbers. But the reasons for this aren’t dull at all. First, of course, are the mountains – and oh boy are there mountains. It’s often quoted that Nepal has eight of the world’s 10 highest mountains, but did you know that it also has over 240 peaks higher than 6,000m? Blimey. It’s hard to imagine.
But it’s not just mountains we’re going for. Among them are glacial lakes and incredible valleys. To the south of the great Himalaya are tropical jungles. There are rivers to play in – look out for the September/October edition of Adventure Travel where contributor Will Smith is kayaking the most extreme one. And there’s Kathmandu, one of the most hectic yet culturally amazing cities in the world. And lots more. So much more that in association with Qatar Airlines, we’ve put together our top five adventures in Nepal. Once you’ve chosen, check out www.qatarairways.com to get there.
Did you think yachting was only for toffs? Hannah White’s going to convince us otherwise. Hannah’s a top yacht racer, who in 2005 was the youngest skipper and only female racing in the monohull class of the OSTAR – the Original Single-handed Trans-Atlantic Race. We find out more about her…
Name:
Hannah White
Age:
27
What’s your sport?
Single and double handed ocean racing.
What’s your next big challenge?
A 700-mile two-handed race around Malta, called the Rolex Middle Sea Race, in October.
We buckle into our cockpit, trying to shut the roof over our heads without leaving a wasp inside; no mean feat when there’s a wasp’s nest in the nearby hanger and the bright white aircraft happens to be of particular interest to them. After my instructor Mike has shown them who’s boss, using his sunhat as a weapon, we’re all set.
He starts the single-propeller engine and briefs me on how to manoeuvre the HK36 Super Dimona aircraft. Not altogether sure if I’ve taken everything in Mike’s said (perhaps due to my soaring adrenaline levels, which are inevitably inhibiting my concentration levels) we make our way over a short piece of lawn and on to the runway. Take off’s moments away. Am I going to be asked to do anything at this early stage? I don’t remember being informed of any such take-off instructions.
To my relief, Mike takes care of getting us airborne and to our cruising altitude of 2,000ft, giving me time to enjoy the view and take a few snaps. Then it’s down to business. I’m shown how the plane responds to the various joystick movements we’d practised back on the ground, which results in us being thrown around in all directions under the safe hands of Mike.
Want to explore the real unexplored? Want to do it really soon? This unique trip takes you on a ship from Alaska to Russia, and it looks glorious. Here’s more…
What: Alaska to the Russian Far East
Where: From Nome, Alaska, in the north, to Sakhalin, Russia, in the south
When: 7 September 2010, for 19 days
How much: From US$11,074 (£7,383) per person. World Expeditions’ all-inclusive policy ensures there are no local payments.
They always come to us – isn’t it our turn to go to them? It’s time to bin those imagines of a cold, grey, post-communist country. Language teaching company earworms has launched Polish course, and here they offer 10 reasons why Poland’s a fab place to go on holiday.
1. The variety. Poland has 524km of coast line with sandy beaches and dunes; mountains up to 2,444m high and two lake districts.
2. When out walking, there are no fences, no barriers and no paths you have to stick to.
3. The weather. In summer, temperatures can reach 40°C…
Two weeks ago we told you about the launch of a new competition on this website titled 'What's in Bryn's bag?', we reviewed the Eagle Creek Twist 65L travel bag and then we begun packing it full of Eagle Creek goodies, and you could win over £180 of Eagle Creek gear just by reminding me what I stuffed in there! So far I have put two items in, and I am adding two more today.
To see what I packed in my bag last week click here . To win, all you have to do is make a note of the six items I packed (there will be another two next week), and then mail your suggestions to:
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So, enough of that, here are the next two items to be added.
While the Eagle Creek Twist 65L may be a useful travel bag, when it comes to taking day trips from your base, lugging a 65 litre trolley around with you is a bit impractical. That's why I am packing the Eagle Creek Stratus day sack. The Stratus is basically a 22L rucksack, similar to what you might have taken to school with you, it has one main compartment which has a divider in it, a front pocket, two quick access side pockets, and a very nicely hidden back pocket in which you can stow away your valuables.
The day sack is perfect for those times when you want to take to the streets or hills and you want to take some extra layers/carry your shopping, but you don't want to be lugging a massive expedition pack with you.
The Stratus features a Ventalite mesh back system which allows air to flow around your back, this makes the bag more comfortable to wear, and also helps reduce sweating. The straps are adjustable and allow different lengths to cater for various sized people, and a waist belt with a clip fastener helps keep the bag in a comfortable position.
Just like the Twist 65L the Stratus is made using high quality reliable materials, including Cordura which is used by the army in things such as ammo pouches. With this mixture of materials you can be sure that your bag will stay in one piece and will last a lifetime. High quality YKK zips also add to this bags toughness and a storm flap on the main compartment opening will help keep your items dry if you are caught in a shower.
So, that's the Eagle Creek Stratus packed nicely into my bag, now for the second item.
The next item I am going to be packing in my rucksack is the Eagle Creek Passport & Money Case. The case resembles a bum bag, but it sits under your shirt out of sight from any would be muggers. It has one compartment which is split into three by a mesh lining so that you can separate your cards, cash, passport etc.
A hidden money and passport case is a useful to use along with a dummy wallet to reduce the risk of your money getting pick pocketed, a great accessory for places where you feel particularly vulnerable.
For such a simple contraption, the Eagle Creek Passport & Money case has some features that are of great benefit to you. All parts of the case that will be in contact with the skin have been made in such a way that they don't irritate and they are soft against the skin, I have seen other models where the stitching rubs against you and leaves you with scratch marks but this case doesn't.
The fastening strap is elasticated meaning it will fit you whether you're 7 stone or 25 stone, and it is adjustable to allow you to wear it how you like it.
For even more comfort against the skin the case features a Coolmax lining on the back (the part in contact with your skin), that wicks away moisture, and has antimicrobial technology, these combined stop you from smelling and sweating under the case which is great if you are travelling in hot countries.
So there you have it, two more items have been packed into my Eagle Creek Twist 65L Travel Bag. Join us next week when I will reveal the final products that I am going to be putting in my bag!
Want to go to the world’s highest and arguably most awesome mountain range but worried you don’t have the time? Here’s a 12-day adventure where you get to not only hike in the foothills of the Himalayas but explore them via canoe and elephant – and there’s some white water rafting thrown in for extra entertainment. We’re sold.
What: Annapurna and Chitwan adventure
Where: The Himalaya and Chitwan National Park, Nepal
When: Weekly departures from 19 September to 1 May. With clear, mild days and cool nights, autumn (September - November) is the best season.
Last week we told you about the launch of a new competition on this website titled 'What's in Bryn's bag?', we reviewed the Eagle Creek Twist 65L travel bag and now we are going to start packing it full of Eagle Creek goodies that you can win. Over the next three weeks I will be putting two items per week into my Eagle Creek Twist 65L, all you have to do is make a note of them and tell me which six items I chose by emailing suggestions to:
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So, here are the first two items that I am going to pack in my bag!
Whether biking across the Alps or hiking in Snowdonia there will come a time when you will start smelling so rancid that you have no choice but to wash, and that's why the first item I am packing is the Eagle Creek Travel Towel. Travel towels are far superior to normal bath towels as they pack down small and are a lot lighter, meaning they are perfect to stuff in your pack.
This towel features an ultra absorbent fabric which is both anti bacterial, and quick drying, which means you wont have to worry about lugging a wet, smelly towel around. It feels nice against the skin, and comes with a reusable travel pouch which allows you to pack it down to a tiny size, great if you are trying to save space.
The Eagle Creek Travel Towel is available in two different colours, pink and blue and four different sizes from small (about the size of a dish cloth) to extra large (big enough to hide an elephant, well, nearly).
The next item I am going to place in my Twist 65L travel bag is the Eagle Creek Custom Travel Bottle Set.
This custom travel bottle set includes seven containers that all meet the 3-1-1 Transport Security Administration requirements, basically this means you will be able to take this bag filled with bottles on a plane. The travel set includes four translucent 3oz squeezable bottles, two pill cases, a toothbrush holder, and six interchangeable lids. They come in a see-through pouch similar to a pencil case which ensures that you can take all of your toiletries on board with you.
Also included in the travel bottle set are Eagle Creek stickers which you can put on your bottles so you know what's in them, genius.
So there you have it, two items have been placed in my bag. Join us next week when another two items get selected.
Wouldn’t it be nice if packing for a summer trip in the UK meant chucking in your t-shirts, shorts, footwear and nothing else? Not having to worry about chance hail storms in July, unfairly chilly nights in a tent, glorious mud…
So what can we do about it? Complain a lot, move to the sunshine, or get on with it, embrace the wonder that is the UK in the summertime – and get some clothes to suit the job.
Outdoor clothing company Keela is Scotland born and bred, so its experts know more than most about coping with weird weather conditions. And nothing shows this more than its Stashaway Jacket – even the name is most summer hikers’ dry dream.
The Stashaway Jacket is lightweight and packs away into a tiny mesh bag, so if the threatened downpour never happens, you’ll barely know you’ve been carrying it. And if the heavens do open, it’s the perfect waterproof overlayer for most outdoor activities. It’s breathable, has a roll-away hood, and adjustable cords at the hem and hood. At £39.95, and in a choice of five colours, it’s an essential item for any day sack.
Surfing in the desert? Really? Yes of course. Well, kite-surfing actually. On this week’s splendid top adventure, which is suitable for novices, experts and everyone in between, you can power around a flat water desert lagoon by day and sample traditional Moroccan food by night. Here’s more…
What: Kite-surfing.
Where: A 25km lagoon near Dakhla in the Sahara Desert, southern Morocco.
When: All year round.
How much: From £699pp (two sharing) including seven nights’ full-board accommodation, tuition, equipment and transfers (excluding flights).
The number of adventurers visiting Nepal from Britain is on the up, say dull reports about visitor numbers. But the reasons for this aren’t dull at all. First, of course, are the mountains – and oh boy are there mountains. It’s often quoted that Nepal has eight of the world’s 10 highest mountains, but did you know that it also has over 240 peaks higher than 6,000m? Blimey. It’s hard to imagine.
Did you think yachting was only for toffs? Hannah White’s going to convince us otherwise. Hannah’s a top yacht racer, who in 2005 was the youngest skipper and only female racing in the monohull class of the OSTAR – the Original Single-handed Trans-Atlantic Race. We find out more about her…
We buckle into our cockpit, trying to shut the roof over our heads without leaving a wasp inside; no mean feat when there’s a wasp’s nest in the nearby hanger and the bright white aircraft happens to be of particular interest to them. After my instructor Mike has shown them who’s boss, using his sunhat as a weapon, we’re all set.
Want to explore the real unexplored? Want to do it really soon? This unique trip takes you on a ship from Alaska to Russia, and it looks glorious. Here’s more…
They always come to us – isn’t it our turn to go to them? It’s time to bin those imagines of a cold, grey, post-communist country. Language teaching company earworms has launched Polish course, and here they offer 10 reasons why Poland’s a fab place to go on holiday.
Want to go to the world’s highest and arguably most awesome mountain range but worried you don’t have the time? Here’s a 12-day adventure where you get to not only hike in the foothills of the Himalayas but explore them via canoe and elephant – and there’s some white water rafting thrown in for extra entertainment. We’re sold.
Wouldn’t it be nice if packing for a summer trip in the UK meant chucking in your t-shirts, shorts, footwear and nothing else? Not having to worry about chance hail storms in July, unfairly chilly nights in a tent, glorious mud…
Surfing in the desert? Really? Yes of course. Well, kite-surfing actually. On this week’s splendid top adventure, which is suitable for novices, experts and everyone in between, you can power around a flat water desert lagoon by day and sample traditional Moroccan food by night. Here’s more…