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Climb Elbrus: An Adventure Unlike Any Other

February 8th, 2012

Looking for an adventure that takes you to two of the world’s finest cities and also on an epic climbing expedition? Our Mount Elbrus climbing expedition does just that. Visit the grand, historic cities of Saint Petersburg and Moscow before continuing on to climb the highest peak on continental Europe, Mount Elbrus. You’ll get the chance to take a ride on the illustrious Trans-Siberian Railway on the night train from Saint Petersburg to Moscow, visit Moscow’s famous Saint Basil’s Cathedral and other famous landmarks, and hike in remote regions of the Caucasus Mountains – all musts on any world traveler’s life list.

Saint Basil’s Cathedral

Mount Elbrus is the tallest mountain on continental Europe standing at an impressive 18,586ft/5,665m and is one of the Seven Summits. At Berg Adventures, our Mount Elbrus Expedition, and its unique and exciting travel program through Russia, is one of the adventures of which we are most proud. Wally Berg has operated the trip through St. Petersburg to Moscow then on to the Caucasus mountains to climb Mount Elbrus each summer for the past 18 years.

In 2011 companies operating on Elbrus faced major challenges due to a regional closure at the access point of the South Side of Elbrus. Teams cancelled their climbs and others chose to climb the mountain’s North Side which meant longer days and rougher conditions resulting in unhappy climbers and fewer summit successes. Not Berg Adventures. Thanks to our local contacts, our staff in Russia and in our office in Canada, and our longstanding ties to the local community, we were able to operate two climbing expeditions via the South Side of the mountain. We were the only company to successfully climb via the South Side that year. The 2011 season proved to be exciting and confirmed that Berg Adventures is prepared for just about anything and is dedicated to getting you up the mountain.

Join us for another great climb this season!

Trip Dates:

  • June 29 – July 14, 2012
  • June 28 – July 13, 2013

*Private trips available. Contact our office for details.

Click here for more information about climbing Elbrus with Berg Adventures.

To read about last year’s adventures read the dispatches here: trip 1 and trip 2.

Posted in Elbrus, Expedition News |

Book Review: The Shadow of Kilimanjaro

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.

Shadow of Kilimanjaro

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 |

Happy New Year from Everyone at Berg Adventures

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 |

Travel Reading Series: Two Books about the Seven Summits

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 |

Things to Do in Mendoza, Argentina

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.

Mendoza vineyards

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 |

Bolivia 2012: Two Exciting Trips in the Year Ahead

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

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

Camping on Sajama

Hiking to Condorii Base Camp

Hiking to Condorii Base Camp

A joyful team of climbers

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 |

A Great Fall Season in Nepal

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.

A chorten, or stupa, along the trail to Base Camp.

Classic blue skies of the fall trekking season

Classic blue skies of the fall trekking season

No trip to the Khumbu is complete without a little snow. It is the Himalaya!

No trip to the Khumbu is complete without a little snow. It is the Himalaya!

Everest never ceases to impress.

Everest never ceases to impress.

This way to Everest Base Camp

This way to Everest Base Camp

The team strikes a pose.

The team strikes a pose.

We made it! Welcome to Base Camp!

We made it! Welcome to Base Camp!

Team members on the summit of Kala Patar with Everest behind them.

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!

No wonder Kala Patar is a must on every Everest Base Camp Trek – look at that view!

Denio and Raquel stand atop Lobuche Peak.

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 |

Berg Adventures Posters for Sale

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 poster

Ama Dablam Camp II

Climbing Everest’s Summit Ridge

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 |

New Trip! Everest Region Christmas Trek 2012

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 |

Things to Do in Kathmandu

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.

Stupa in Kathmandu

Posted in Destination Information, Kathmandu |

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