Panama Travel: Much more than the Canal

And as the New York Times points out, Panama’s economy is booming, which means good things for infrastructure. “Even Panama City’s famously dilapidated historic quarter, Casco Viejo, has been transformed,” states the NYTimes. “The neighborhood, a tangle of narrow streets, centuries-old houses and neo-colonial government buildings, was designated a Unesco World Heritage site in 1997 and is now a trendy arts district with galleries, coffeehouses, street musicians and some of the city’s most stylish restaurants and boutique hotels.” Panama travel for 2012? Sounds good to me. Want to go?

Adventure Life on Travel + Leisure A-List: World's Top Agents 2011

Galapagos 2012
Now, more than ever, a good Galapagos trip planner is important. Galapagos travelers should be aware that earlier this year, the Galapagos National Park Service (GNPS) issued a notice to all Galapagos boat operators that they must start operating 15-day itineraries. Original announcements stated all boats would adhere to the new 15-day itineraries as early as Feb. 1, 2011 — later reports pushed the official effective date to Jan. 1, 2012 to allow more lead time for boats to make changes.

With the changes already on the horizon, however, many Galapagos yachts are voluntarily moving forward with the changes and operating the new 15-day itinerary in 2011, as originally proposed. More itineraries obviously mean more options. Not only do travelers now need to decipher the myriad of ship options available (some excellent, some not-so-excellent), a good travel agent will help clients understand where the itineraries are going to take them, and which stops they should not miss. Gone are the simple choices of either the long or short-cruise options; each yacht making stops at essentially the same destinations. Now there are options that include Eastern, Western, Northwestern, Southern, Circumnavigation of the Islands … This is when travelers need to pick up the phone and talk to an expert. Or better yet, one of the Galapagos’ Top Travel Agents.

Adventure Lifers at annual St. Patty's Day run in Missoula. Adventure Life also sponsors staff sporting events and teams to encourage a healthy lifestyle

Adventure Lifers enjoying an office outing at Flathead Lake

And it sounds like companies are getting creative — offering everything from flex-hours so staffers can take advantage of an afternoon to catch killer waves (turns out the outdoor retailer company, Patagonia’s board room is an actual room where staffers store their surf boards) to Treadmill-desks. Great feature – definitely encouraging. And while we’ve yet to find the space for the Treadmill desks, I’m proud to boast Adventure Life has a lengthy check-list of our own policies designed to keep an extra stride in our step. Weekly yoga sessions (instructor and studio-space included); subsidized gym memberships; monthly rewards for sustainable forms of commuting; company outings that involve ropes-course, rafting, camping; flex-hours for marathon training or afternoon skiing/rafting/swimming/kayaking outings — and a shower to clean up in before heading back to the desk? You got it.

Our policies and the ongoing pursuits to best balance & life have captured the attention of Outside Magazine on more than one occasion — landing us one of their “Best Places to Work” in 2009 and 2010.

I think it is important to note that the nature of our business has made healthy-living programs easy to execute – an adventure travel company certainly attracts staff who have an interest in outdoors and an active lifestyle (not to mention, “adventure travel” is part of the job description). And our location also works to our benefit (Missoula is a Mecca for outdoor enthusiasts). The culture of our business already reflects the general culture of our staff – so implementing exercise and healthy-living programs into our daily-policies was second nature. But I think that we’ve found the unique ability to not only encourage this type of lifestyle, but also to make it possible and available.

New in the works is an office garden on the property. The garden will produce my two favorite kinds of food: healthy and cheap. Not to mention those 15 minutes tending the garden in the sun can do wonders for your vitamin D cravings.

With the help of seasoned travelers, journalists, and local experts, Traveler discovers properties that exhibit strong local color, authenticity, a sustainability ethic, and community involvement. Further research narrows the list down to our very best picks—places you can count on for a great overnight (and cultural) experience.

Here are a few details on just why these accommodations made the list.

The Madidi River -- Enroute to the Bolivian Amazon's Chalalan Lodge

EcoCamp in Torres del Paine National Park

Ecuador's Sacha Lodge makes National Geographic Travelers 2011 Stay List

EcoCamp
EcoCamp is designed to expose travelers to nature as in a camp tent but with the comfort and sophistication of a four star hotel. The structure is built to interfere as little as possible with the surrounding Torres del Paine environment, and to take full advantage of the site. EcoCamp gives sight to the park’s granite pillars right from the dining room and from many dormitory domes. Here the environment is the star. Travelers come very far to be outdoors in the park, so indoor amenities are as little as possible to encourage as much time outdoors as possible exploring the trails of Torres del Paine. The maximum capacity will be 30 guests so the feeling of intimacy, the idea of being in a Nomadic convoy in a remote environment will be kept even if the EcoCamp is full.

Sacha Lodge
Sacha has long recognized how rich and rare its surrounding environment is – and has designed a number of structures to highlight the region. This includes its kapok tower; this 135-foot tower is situated on a hill and constructed around a giant kapok tree for stability. This tower allows guests another opportunity to climb into and above the rainforest canopy. And its recent 940-foot (275-meter) long canopy walkway – at approximately 94 feet (30 meters) above the ground – is exclusive to the lodge. While at Sacha, travelers paddle dugout canoes along blackwater creeks and lakes; swim with piranha; take night walks and canoe trips in search of caiman and other nocturnal creatures. This is the Amazon – and Sacha is designed educate and immerse travelers in the jungle during the day, and relax in comfort at night.

National Geographic Traveler definitely has some nice things to say about Chalalan, Sacha, and EcoCamp (and we certainly share their sentiments) — but how about a few recommendations directly from the source. Here’s just a few things our travelers are saying about their time at these lodges.

What our travelers are saying about Chalalan:
“The Chalalan Lodge experience is just fantastic. Madidi Park is everyone’s dream of a rainforest-lush, beautiful, and filled with wildlife. Everyone at the lodge was super. Ricoberto, our guide, was knowledgeable, friendly, and enthusiastic. The meals were delicious and the service was great. Every time I got back from a hike someone was waiting to greet me with a glass of cold lemonade. This was a fabulous tour!” – Kathy R.

What our travelers are saying about EcoCamp:
“Our EcoCamp dome was beyond our wildest dreams – wood floors, a comfy king-sized bed, floor to ceiling windows, a spacious bathroom – all the comforts of home with none of the environmental impact. After settling in, we headed back to the main dome where we were to have all our meals. Our first night, a delicious steamed salmon for dinner awaited, wine…plus good conversation with new friends. We agreed right then and there that life just doesn’t get much better.” – Jesson B.

What our travelers are saying about Sacha Lodge:
“I can’t tell you how impressed we were with the facilities. I constantly found myself thinking about how much it must take to maintain the place which essentially sits on stilts above the water and mud. Our guides, David and Poncho were excellent. Their knowledge is extensive and I am still amazed at their ability to spot wildlife in the jungle. On the evening of our arrival, Sacha hosted its once weekly barbecue at the boathouse. The food was delicious! All of the mysterious and fascinating sounds of the jungle could be heard right out of the windows of our cabin. What an experience!” – Charles A.

Adventure Life's Andean Multisport featured in Outside Magazine's 2011 Best Trips Issue

Want to go?

Our new Cotopaxi Group Service projects in Ecuador combine the best worlds of travel — some excellent adventure, along with the opportunity to give back to the people and places that provide such amazing memories. In other words, a simple way to say thanks.

In Ecuador’s Cotopaxi National Park and Condor Biosphere, you’ll ride, hike and bike for a little multisport adventure. Then roll up your sleeves to help park rangers with trail maintenance, and assist with an ongoing reforestation initiative to help regenerate forests that were adversely affected by wildfire and outdated practices of clear-cutting.

Adventure Life’s fearless-leader, Brian Morgan, gives us a taste of this stunning region while exploring on mountain bike.

Looking for more chances to lend a hand during your travels? Take a look at some of our Peru Service Projects, and our award winning Cachiccata service trip.

Adventure Life Bolivia Trip honored as a Tour of a Lifetime

Kicking off with Carnaval de Oruro, Bolivia’s most spectacular festival, this journey immerses you in local rituals that are still part of everyday life, such as baking bread in a traditional adobe oven at a working hacienda and shopping at the Tarabuco Market, where even the younger generation dons traditional ponchos, sandals, and headgear. There’s action, too: Explore the salt desert and cap your trip with a climb up the 16,500-foot volcano Tunupa.

A highlight of this trip is the Oruro Festival; a sensational event. The folklore festival finds its roots in Christian traditions and indigenous myths and deities. The festival celebrates the triumph of good over evil displayed in the form of dances and music. Each costume, each gesture, each character, color, and movement are symbolic in this carnival. This thirteen day trip also includes time in La Paz, Sucre, Tarabuco Market, Hacienda Candelaria, Potosi and the spectacular Salt Desert of Uyuni.

Adventure Life recognized by Outside as a Best Place to Work

These 50 companies come from a vast array of industries but they’re all following the same enlightened path. They’re successful businesses in a challenging economy precisely because they support a proper work-life balance. They know that benefits like on-site gyms and fitness classes, reimbursements for ski passes and sports racing fees, and support for community service efforts during work hours make their employees happier and thus more productive.

That’s us!

Outside’s “Best Places to Work” list was compiled with the help of the Outdoor Industry Association and Best Companies. The year-long selection process began with an outreach effort that identified a wide range of non-profit and for-profit organizations with at least 15 employees working in the United States. Adventure Life has 18 employees in our Missoula, Montana office. All participating companies were then sent confidential employee-satisfaction surveys and employer-questionnaires to collect information about benefits, compensation, policies, job satisfaction, environmental initiatives, and community outreach programs. Results were analyzed by Best Companies Group experts, who selected the 50 companies that strive to enhance their employees’ enjoyment of active endeavors, and environmental and social involvement.

Details will be in Outside’s May issue – to hit stands April 20th. Until then, check out last year’s write-up about Adventure Life and the other companies inspiring others to aim for the best.

Vote for Adventure Life Journeys today!

Travel + Leisure has provided an extra incentive: By participating in the World’s Best Awards Survey, you’ll be entered into their sweepstakes for a chance to win a $10,000 dream trip. Sounds good to me!

- Click here to access the survey.

- You will find Adventure Life Journeys under the category Tour Operators/Safari Outfitters.

- It’s quick and easy, and takes only a few minutes.

If you like, you can also comment on other travel-related components, such as your favorite destinations, hotels, airlines or more — I know Travel + Leisure will welcome any and all feedback you wish to share. Survey ends March 31, 2010

Thank you for feedback and your support. We are dedicated to providing exceptional travel — a fun and exciting holiday, while at the same time creating a better understanding between travelers and our wonderful hosts.

And as always, travel well!

What you’ve been saying about Adventure Life…
“Outstanding! We were exhausted and exhilarated, having given our knees and hips lots of workouts with the uneven steps everywhere. We would do it again in a minute! We are already telling our friends that Adventure Life is the way to go to Central and South America! I look forward to travels with you again. Many, many thanks for fulfilling a life-long ambition.” – E. Carducci, Machu Picchu by Train

“It is difficult to praise this programme too highly – both for content and for organization, the latter being totally seamless… We would like to express our thanks to every one of the Adventure Life team for a truly superb holiday which we shall never forget.” – The Iveys, Ancient Kingdoms

“I felt treated as an individual and not as just one of many tentative travelers. I am planning a trip to Tanzania and was very disappointed not to see anything on your web site. I would always check Adventure Life first for any future trips!” – T. Jones, Islands and Inca.

More Adventure Life testimonials.

Blue footed boobies - photo by Wayne Ng

Giant tortoise - by Wayne Ng

Winner of our best journal contest wins voyage to Antarctica on the Antarctic Dream

Adelies entering the water at Gourdin Island - photo by Les Moore

Blue ice at Cuverville Island - by Les Moore

Prize for journal drawing: Alaska cruise with our partners Cruise West

Winner of our Best Journal contest is Wayne Ng for his entry, Epiphanies in Ecuador and the Galapagos. Wayne writes:

…During lunch on the ship, several of the crew race into the dining area: ballenos, they exclaim–humpbacks a mile off the stern. When the crew still reacts with awe to wildlife, it tells you how special this place is. Who says you have to be young to be a kid? Who says age tempers the adrenal glands? Everyone on board lines the stern side, grinning as if they just learned Santa Claus was real.

We motor to Punta Suarez and hit the booby trail. The sea lions now have to share the stage with hundreds of marine iguanas basking in the sun on rocks, blue footed boobies wobbling about their nests, giant albatross’ putting on an air show when not courting their lifelong partner to be – all within inches of us. It is a rich and diverse island whose scenery alone would merit visitation. We wonder if the trip had already climaxed, as we can’t imagine a better day. My sister-in-law, Chantel, snorkels for the first time and though we see no sea lions in the water, she spies a manta ray and is totally hooked…

Take a look at his entire adventure by clicking here.

Wayne receives an Antarctica adventure on board the Expedition Ship, Antarctic Dream. This 78 person capacity expedition cruise ship is celebrated for its longtime service in the Chilean Navy. Refurbished in 2005, the ship now takes travelers to remote South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula — incredible regions that have beckoned the world’s explorers for centuries.

Winners of our journal drawing are Les Moore and Sabine Westland. Les and Sabine’s Antarctica journal, Antarctic Cruise aboard MS Andrea was randomly selected from the completed collection of our online journals.

…As we woke, the ship arrived at Deception Island, where we landed at Whalers Bay. This is the site of an old Norwegian/Chilean whaling station that ceased operation in 1931. The British destroyed the station’s fuel tanks and equipment during WWII to prevent German ships from using it as a base. After the war it functioned as a British research station until a volcanic eruption in 1967 led to it being abandoned.

Some volcanic activity continues – with steam rising off warm water, and some passengers actually swam at Pendulum Cove.

We then left Deception Island and set off across the Bransfield Strait for Trinity Island. On the way a pair of humpback whales accompanied us, swimming beside the ship for 10 or 15 minutes, before surging ahead of us…

To read their entire journal, click here.

Les and Sabine have won an Alaska cruise for two with our partners Cruise West. Cruise West’s vessels range is size from 78 to 138 passengers. They have an experienced crew and flexible schedules to offer the best chances of spotting rare Alaskan Wildlife. The size and skill of the vessels can take travelers in arm’s-length reach of an icy glacier, or into the mist of a waterfall at Prince William Sound.

We would like to congratulate everyone on their wonderful journals, and extend a great big thank you for sharing your travels!

About the Journals
To help inspire your next great trip, I invite you to take a look at our Travel Journal Collection, and post your own adventures. In addition to great travel yarns, and fantastic pictures, by utilizing the services of Google-Maps you can literally pin-point your trip, and give friends and family a clear image of exactly where and when you hiked the Inca Trail, or explored the shores of Antarctica, or rafted Chile’s exhilarating Futaleufu!

We’re are working on a contest for the upcoming season, so keep your photos, videos and journals handy. I’ll keep you posted.

About the Contest
Last year, we launched a new Online Travel Journal feature on our website that invites travelers to share their travel stories, photographs, map itineraries and more!

The first 100 Adventure Life travelers to post a trip journal were entered into a drawing for an Alaskan Expedition Cruise for two with our partners Cruise West.

And there was contest for the Best trip journal – judged by a handful of Adventure Life staff. The prize is an Antarctica adventure on board the Expedition Ship, Antarctic Dream.

Deadline for this contest was July 31, 2009.