NEW ADVENTURES FOR 2006 It's only August, but we're already getting lots of calls about what's new for the coming year. So here's the scoop: 18 fabulous new adventures, including 9 exciting "Follow the Leader" trips, with destinations ranging from the wilds of Greenland and Eastern Tibet to MTS's own local playground - the San Francisco Bay Area! Our 2006 catalog comes out in September, but until then, here's a sneak peek of what's in store for the coming year. We look forward to seeing you on an MTS adventure soon!
INDIA ~ TREKKING IN SIKKIM Join Everest summiteer Jamling Tenzing Norgay on his favorite trek: a nine-day hike on his home turf of Sikkim, culminating in unbelievably spectacular views of mighty Kanchenjunga (28,208'), third highest mountain in the world. Ultimate Challenge! 16 days.
VIETNAM ~ UNDISCOVERED VIETNAM An exhilarating sea kayaking journey among the stunning limestone islets of Halong Bay combined with enriching encounters with tribal ethnic minorities in the region of Ba Be National Park, one of Vietnam's undiscovered jewels. Moderate. 13 days.
NORWAY ~ NORTH OF THE ARCTIC CIRCLE Venture north of the Arctic Circle to hike in the land of the midnight sun and explore Øvre Dividal National Park (home to reindeer, brown bears, wolves, and Arctic fox); the glaciers of the Lyngen Alps; and the fjords and mountains of Senja Island. Moderate. 10 days.
THE ALPS ~ MONT BLANC GREAT ESCAPE! Enjoy the great hiking opportunities of the Mont Blanc region but with the convenience of staying put in a comfortable "base camp" - a chalet-style hotel in the picturesque mountain resort of Chamonix at the foot of Mont Blanc. Moderate. 7 days.
ARGENTINA ~ HIDDEN PATAGONIA From Tierra del Fuego in the south to the Lake District in the north, explore Patagonia as you hike the region's trails and glaciers, kayak its sparkling lakes, and ride horseback across its vast golden steppes. Overnight in beautiful estancias or small hotels. Moderate. 13 days.
BRAZIL ~ PICO DA NEBLINA A true expedition in the heart of the Amazon! Join mountain guide Sergio Fitch-Watkins, an old hand at leading worldwide MTS exploratories, for a climb of the remotely located Pico da Neblina (9,882'), the highest peak in Brazil. Ultimate Challenge! 16 days.
MEXICO ~ OAXACA EXPLORER Explore "Old Mexico" as you witness monarch butterflies in Piedra Herrada Butterfly Sanctuary; visit the ancient Mesoamerican archaeological sites of Monte Albán and Mitla; hike from village to village in the high Sierra; see Oaxaca's lively markets. Moderate. 8 days.
HAWAII ~ THE REAL HAWAII A fun and active adventure in the Hawaiian Isles. Hike the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific" on Kauai; explore Volcanoes National Park on the "Big Island"; kayak, swim, and snorkel with green sea turtles and tropical fish along the sunny Kohala Coast. Moderate. 8 days.
USA ~ CALIFORNIA COASTAL ADVENTURE Hike on the famous Coastal Trail, in Muir Woods, and Point Reyes National Seashore; learn to sea kayak at Tomales Bay; sample wines while biking vineyard-to-vineyard in the Napa Valley; and take a breathtaking catamaran sail on San Francisco Bay. Moderate. 6 days.
2006 "FOLLOW THE LEADER" ADVENTURES Our roving travelers will follow their favorite trip leaders to the ends of the earth! These trips are perennially popular, so don't wait too long to sign up!
MOUNT KENYA WITH ALEX FIKSMAN Alex, lead guide for our Kilimanjaro & Beyond trips, has designed an exploratory trek on his favorite mountain, Mount Kenya.
RIO TAMBOPATA WITH JOHN YOST With Sobek co-founder John Yost, spend a week rafting the canyons of Peru's Rio Tambopata through one of the most biologically diverse areas in the world.
MALAWI & MOZAMBIQUE WITH JOE TOBACK Join senior kayaking guide Joe Toback on a boat-supported kayak trip among the sparkling blue waters of Lake Malawi.
GREENLAND WITH DAVID NITSCH With experienced international kayak guide David Nitsch, explore the breathtaking fjords and small islands of Greenland's southern coast.
SIMIEN MOUNTAINS WITH MIKE SPEAKS Expedition river guide Mike Speaks rafted through the deep canyons of Ethiopia's Simien Mountains years ago and has always wanted to return and explore it on foot.
AMAZON & PANTANAL WITH LUIS DIE Luis, our head guide in the Galápagos, puts his superb natural history skills to use on this adventure exploring two of the most interesting areas of Brazil's ecosystem.
KHAWA KARPO WITH CATHY ANN TAYLOR Cathy Ann, a 15-year veteran of Himalayan treks, invites you on this intriguing exploratory trek in the sacred mountains, rivers, and gorges of Eastern Tibet (Kham).
UPPER MEKONG RIVER WITH SOBEK GUIDES A first descent of the Mekong River in Yunnan, China, captained by river veterans Brian Stevenson, Jim Norton, Jed Weingarten, Willie Kern, Ben Fadeley, and Polk Deters.
THE E5 WITH MIKE COOPER Ten days, six valleys, three countries! Mike, popular trip leader for our hiking trips in the Alps, tackles the E5, one of Europe's most challenging long-distance trails.