This issue features two exploratory trips that caught
our attention - one in Argentina and another through the Middle East. "Exploratory" trips
occasionally become available when an outfitter or guide is testing
a new itinerary for the first time.
For our money, the exploratory trip is the way to
go - spend less, but get more - because as we all know, the element
of surprise is actually priceless.
Where Was This Photo Taken?
Photo Chris Doyle
To enter a photo for
a future contest, or to solve this month's question, send an
email to info@xola
consulting.com.
The
first correct answer received earns bragging rights AND will
enjoy seeing his/her name in print in our next issue!
4226
18th St. N.W.
Washington, DC 20011-4226
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Our friend Carolyn McIntyre will shortly be
stepping out to re-create the epic journey of famed 14th century
Moroccan traveler Ibn
Battuta. Carolyn has been contemplating this
trip for 15 years and is leaving her post at Geographic Expeditions
(where as Regional Director for Central, SE Asia, and the Middle
East, she has been traveling and scouting the area since 1998) to
focus on it.
The entire journey encompasses some of the
most stirring names on any map: the Nile, Isfahan, Hindu Kush, Samarkand, the
Empty Quarter, Marrakesh and the Sahara,
to name a few.
Carolyn expects her journey will take two years and
perhaps more - and she plans to take adventurous travelers with her
for different parts of the journey. The first segment planned
is a camel caravan from Jordan into northwest Saudi Arabia following
the old pilgrim's route. Think Wadi
Rum and Lawrence of Arabia, desert
nights around a campfire under a canopy of stars, Nabatean
ruins -
yes, Saudi Arabia has its own version of Petra.
In addition to highlighting the tremendous cultural
diversity of the Islamic World, Carolyn plans to use this journey
through Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan
to raise funds for women and education in these areas.
We'll be able to follow Carolyn's progress on her
website set to launch next month - watch this space for details on
this one-of-a-kind adventure and how you can join up on one of the
segments. If you're interested in learning more about joining Carolyn's
trip, contact her at carolynenroute@yahoo.com.
Join our friend Keven Truesdell in September 2006
as he leads a group to ski the incredible terrain in Las
Lenas, Argentina.
Enjoy three days of skiing awesome terrain at the resort and three
days ski touring from a backcountry hut with its own hot springs!
Keven owns a small inn in New Meadows, Idaho and works Ski Patrol.
No stranger to backcountry skiing, he's got the connections in Argentina
to make this a memorable experience. Contact him at keven@sdllc.net for
more information.
www.polosbastards.com.
Don't ask us where they got the name, but the articles and information
on this site are great. Its purpose is to "share opinions, experiences
and advice for individuals who might find themselves destined for
third-world countries and out-of-the-way locations not frequented
by the backpacking or five-star crowds."
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