February 3rd, 2012
The Shadow of Kilimanjaro is a fascinating book about a 250mi/400km walk from the summit of Kilimanjaro all the way to the Kenyan coast.
The walking team included a variety of interesting people including the book’s author, Rick Ridgeway. Most of this epic journey traveled through remote national parks and protected areas putting the team face to face with all kinds of wildlife from lions, hippos, and crocodiles to the less intimidating ungulates and birds. They also saw elephants – lots and lots of elephants.
Read the full review here.
Purchase the book from Amazon.
The expansive plains of East Africa
Join us for an African Adventure of your own! We still have a few spaces open on our 2012 Kilimanjaro trips and safaris are available on request year-round.
Visit our Wildlife Safari homepage and Kilimanjaro homepage.
Posted in Book Reviews |
January 5th, 2012
Berg Adventures is teaming up with the Nova Scotia Nature Trust (NSNT) to offer a special fundraising adventure in Patagonia in October 2012. We will take on the challenge of the Torres del Paine Circuit Trek which takes us all the way around Torres del Paine National Park. Trek through a land where lakes sparkle like emeralds, where glaciers flow gracefully and where wildflowers cover the expansive meadows like a patchwork quilt—Patagonia. Enjoy an adventure of a lifetime, and it is all for a good cause! To learn more, visit the trip page on our website.
The Nova Scotia Nature Trust is a conservation charity saving the places Nova Scotians love. It is the only Nova Scotian organization focused exclusively on protecting outstanding natural areas through private land conservation. To learn more about the Nova Scotia Nature Trust, visit their website at http://www.nsnt.ca/.
Stay tuned for more information about this exciting adventure!
Trip Dates: October 6-20, 2012
Posted in Expedition News, Patagonia |
January 2nd, 2012
Are you looking for a way to make this year special? What better way to make your year memorable than taking an exciting trip or accomplishing a longtime goal. Whether you want to travel to Antarctica or Africa, trek in Nepal or climb the Seven Summits, we’re here to help you turn your dreams into realities.
We have many exciting adventures ahead in 2012 and 2013. Call us at 1-866-609-4148 or email us at info@bergadventures.com to start planning the trip of your dreams.
Wishing everyone a fantastic new year!
Posted in General |
December 16th, 2011
Anyone with any interest in mountaineering today has heard of the infamous Seven Summits – the highest point on each of the seven continents. But just 30 years ago, no one had ever heard of such a concept and only a few had even thought about it. No one had achieved the feat.
To learn more about the seven summit climbs, I read two books this month. The first is Beyond Everest: Quest for the Seven Summits written by Pat Morrow and published in 1986. The second was Seven Summits: The Quest to Reach the Highest Point on Every Continent edited by Steve Bell and published in 2000. Both books were fascinating and helped me to understand just how difficult these climbs can be.
To read the full book review click here.
Start your own quest for the Seven Summits and join one of our upcoming expeditions:
Aconcagua, Argentina, South America
View trip description.
- January 14-February 3, 2012
- January 12-February 1, 2013
Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, Africa
View trip description.
- January 20 – February 2, 2012
- July 13 – 26, 2012
- September 1- 14, 2012
- December 21, 2012 – January 3, 2013
- December 28, 2012 – January 10, 2013
- January 18-31, 2013
- February 8-21, 2013
Mount Elbrus, Russia, Europe
View trip description.
- June 29, 2013-July 14, 2012
- June 28, 2013 – July 13, 2013
- June 28 – July 13, 2013
- July 12-27, 2013
Mount Vinson, Antarctica
View trip description.
Posted in Aconcagua, Book Reviews, Elbrus, Everest, Kilimanjaro, Vinson |
December 4th, 2011
Mendoza has a long history with explorers and adventure-seekers. In 1561, the founder of the city, Pedro del Castillo, traveled from Chile over a 13,120ft/4,000m pass to create a new settlement for the Spanish – no easy feat! Today, 450 years later, the city is thriving with about 110,000 inhabitants and strong wine and tourism industries.
Many mountaineers who travel to Argentina to attempt the summit of South America’s highest mountain, Aconcagua, only visit the national park office to obtain their climbing permits before heading to the mountains; they don’t know what they’re missing. The beautiful tree-lined streets and shady plazas of the city are rich with history, culture and class. Read the full “Things To Do in Mendoza” article.
Join us this year or next on our Aconcagua expedition and reward yourself with a wine tour afterwards. For more information about our Aconacagua expedition click here.
Left: Grapes on the vine; Right: A picturesque bodega
To learn more about our wine tours, contact our office at info@bergadventures.com.
Upcoming Aconcagua Trip Dates:
January 14-February 3, 2012
January 12-February 1, 2013
If you like this article, you may want to visit our Expedition Preparation Page for more interesting information to help you get ready for your trip.
Posted in Destination Information, Mendoza |
November 30th, 2011
If you’ve been following our blog or newsletter, you may already know that we have not one, but TWO exciting adventures in Bolivia this coming year. In case one adventure isn’t enough for you, we’ve put them back to back so that you can join both!
Learning the ropes
The first trip is our new Bolivia Mountain School Program where you will spend seven days learning the ropes – literally. From rope and belay techniques to glacier travel and safety, this course is perfect for anyone looking to learn the foundational skills of mountaineering. Whether you’re new to the sport or you just want to brush-up on your skills and technique, you will be sure to walk away with practical knowledge that you can apply to your future pursuits on the slopes. At ten days in length, this trip is perfect for people who want to go climbing in South America, but have limited time off.
Camping on Sajama
Hiking to Condorii Base Camp
A joyful team of climbers
Our second trip is a Berg Adventures classic. First we climb world-class mountains in the Condoriri Range (usually Cerro Austria and Pequeno Alpamayo depending upon conditions) and then we continue on to climb Sajama, Bolivia’s tallest mountain at 21,486ft/6,549m. While the mountains are fantastic, we also take some time to explore the incredibly diverse cultures of Bolivla by visiting the city of La Paz and acclimatizing along the shores of Lake Titicaca. Last year this trip was featured in Outside Magazine, so you know it’s got to be good!
Check-out last year’s dispatches to see just how colorful and scenic Bolivia is!
To learn more, visit the Bolivia homepage or contact our office (Sara@bergadventures.com or 866-609-4148).
Upcoming Trip Dates*:
Bolivia Mountain School: June 1 – 10, 2012
Bolivia: Sajama and Condoriri: June 9 – 25, 2012
*Dates inclusive of international travel days.
Posted in Bolivia, Expedition News |
November 23rd, 2011
Berg Adventures has concluded another successful trekking and climbing season in Nepal. With two trekking teams and a climb of the stunning Lobuche Peak, we were busy! The Khumbu was at its finest; the leaves of the rhododendron trees were beginning to change, the mountains were especially snowy after the monsoon, and our old friends were happy to see us after the quiet summer season. Plus the weather was just right – clear and sunny with a few token rainy (and snowy!) days. Overall, our fall climbers and trekkers had a wonderful time.
Enjoy some of the trip photo highlights below:
A chorten, or stupa, along the trail to Base Camp.
Classic blue skies of the fall trekking season
No trip to the Khumbu is complete without a little snow. It is the Himalaya!
Everest never ceases to impress.
This way to Everest Base Camp
The team strikes a pose.
We made it! Welcome to Base Camp!
Team members on the summit of Kala Patar with Everest behind them.
No wonder Kala Patar is a must on every Everest Base Camp Trek – look at that view!
Denio and Raquel stand atop Lobuche Peak.
To plan your own Himalayan Adventure whether you wish to trek to Everest Base Camp or to climb one of the many remarkable peaks, visit our website at http://www.bergadventures.com/v3_trips/asia/everest-basecamp-description.php or contact our office at info@bergadventures.com.
To read more about this season’s treks, check-out the trip dispatches:
Everest Base Camp Trek Dispatches: http://www.bergadventures.com/v3_cyber/2011/2011-10-08-everest-base-camp/main.php
Lobuche Peak Dispatches: http://www.bergadventures.com/v3_cyber/2011/2011-10-23-lobuche/main.php
Posted in Everest base camp, Expedition News, Locoche Peak |
October 19th, 2011
If you have ever been trekking in the Everest region of Nepal, you will recognize these posters. Taken by Wally Berg on past expeditions in Nepal, these images have been admired by thousands of trekkers on the walls of our favorite lodges and stores throughout the Khumbu. Last spring while in Nepal, I heard countless people marveling at the seemingly precarious campsite on Ama Dablam and aweing at those brave enough to scale Everest’s summit ridge. We have the posters in our office and rarely does someone leave without asking about where they were taken and what it is like to be there.
Now the Berg Adventures posters are available for purchase. Hang them in your exercise room or workshop for inspiration, or put them in a frame and hang them in your office as a conversation starter. They make the perfect gift for those with Everest aspirations or for those who simply love the mountains and admire the strength of the human spirit.
Ama Dablam Camp II
Climbing Everest’s Summit Ridge
Contact Sara@bergadventures.com or give us a call to order your poster.
Available for $25.00 including sales tax. Shipping not included.
Size 18in x 36in
Check out our BAI Store for books and maps.
Posted in General |
October 11th, 2011
Get ready for a Christmas you will never forget!
You are invited to join us on a special holiday adventure for the whole family. We’re off to Nepal to spend Christmas and New Year’s trekking with our family and friends in Everest’s Khumbu region. We have selected the dates to match school holiday schedules and have designed the itinerary with kids in mind – with extra rest days and shorter hiking distances. With special visits to schools, monasteries and even a medical clinic, your kids are sure to learn a lot about life in a place very different from their own homes. We will encourage local families to trek with us some days so that the kids can learn from each other and play together. Don’t have kids? That’s okay, you’re still welcome to join us!
View of Namche
We will travel from Kathmandu to Lukla on December 23rd and will arrive in Namche in the afternoon on December 24th. You will wake up Christmas morning for a short walk to the National Park Overlook to get your first views of Mount Everest before returning to the cozy lodge to open presents and share a special Christmas breakfast. You will have the rest of the day to relax in Namche, the economic hub for the entire Khumbu region. Since Christmas is not a holiday in Nepal, businesses in Namche will be open for you to shop and explore before it is time for a Christmas dinner feast.
Our highpoint on the trek will be Pangboche at 13,123ft/4000m. Here we will have another rest day for visiting the local lama, venturing out on a day hike or simply relaxing in the lodge which has fantastic views of Ama Dablam and Everest, and unmatched hospitality. We will return to Lukla for a New Year’s Eve celebration with our new Sherpa friends before returning to Kathmandu.
The trip begins and ends in Kathmandu where you will be able to visit the infamous Monkey Temple and other sites in this exciting city. We recommend that you fly through Bangkok as it is the most direct and most comfortable way to travel. If you have a few extra days at the end of the trek and would like to spend some time in Thailand, we have some great family friendly suggestions for you!
While you may imagine blustery, cold weather in the Himalayas in December, it is actually a beautiful month to go trekking. It is the driest month in Nepal and the temperatures are quite mild. Seasoned trekkers in Nepal will all say the same thing, that December is the nicest month to trek –dry trails, quiet lodges, few clouds, and fantastic views.
For more information visit our website or contact our office at 403-609-4148 or sara@bergadventures.com.
Posted in Everest Region Christmas Trek |
September 30th, 2011
I will never forget the car ride from the Tribhuvan Airport to my hotel after arriving for the first time in Kathmandu. I found myself staring out the window wide-eyed and amazed, wondering if the colors, sights, sounds and smells were actually that vivid or if I was just experiencing symptoms of complete exhaustion. I woke up early the next morning rested and clear-headed thinking that the city would not put me into sensory overload as it had the day before, but it did; Kathmandu is colorful and lively, and there is more going on in every 10 square meters than there is in 10 square blocks of the typical North American city. There is so much to observe and so much to do that I happily could have spent weeks exploring the city without becoming bored.
That said, if you are planning a trip to Nepal, you should definitely consider spending an extra couple of days in Kathmandu. There is quite literally something for everyone whether you prefer to explore the city’s many historic and cultural sites or you just want to shop, eat and relax.
Read the full article in our resources section here.
Posted in Destination Information, Kathmandu |
