Horseback

The idea, why…..

The idea of an exchange visit was conceived in a unique open air “board room”, in Namibia’s great Kunene region, Omatendeka conservancy at Otjomumbonde. Otjomumbonde area is the Omatendeka conservancy’s wildlife sanctuary. The area is endowed with much needed natural springs and great vegetation making it well suited for farming; however the conservancy has set it aside for wildlife therefore its attractiveness for tourism development. In this arid area, land use and management plans involve making substantial sacrifices by the communities who are generally described as farmers and not conservationists despite their well-known successes in conservation. These sacrifices are sometimes rewarded with unique tourism developments such as the planned Otjomumbonde lodge. It is a beautiful site in a pristine environment. Serenity combined with sincerity to connect people divided by not only an ocean but also lifestyles and cultures. Despite these divides, their souls connected in a common purpose and similarities in their love, respect and appreciation of nature. More similarities came to the fore, their common fight and plight to conserve and preserve the environment; this is why it was decide to undertake an exchange visit for Namibians to the US for both nations to share in their common journey.
 

The mastermind behind the exchange visit is Dan Austin of Austin-Lehman Adventures; a passionate visionary, an energetic individual who love life and all in it, particularly the stories of people as it relates to their space and history. In Namibia he was inspired by the harmony and balance of people and wildlife and their love for the environment which manifests through their passion for sharing their story and their environment with visitors.

The composition of the invitees covered people from Namibian conservation hotspots and a combination of veteran eco-tourism practitioners both in communal conservancy areas as well as government concession areas. In its entirety the group included representatives of key stakeholders making it appropriately representative of the relationships required and in most cases responsible for the successful implementation of eco-tourism and conservation operations in Namibia.

These relationships are a web network involving the government, conservancies, non-governmental organizations, donor agencies, and private sector tourism investors, to mention but a few. Conservancies’ successes of conservation on their land are very well celebrated in Namibia over the years and continue to be the case. Amongst the selected representatives for the exchange visit is conservancy concessionaires, this is the latest government initiative to further extend natural resources management rights and benefits to conservancies neighboring protected areas. This allocation of concession rights to conservancies has not only increased the conservation foot print of the conservancies but also put at their disposal more resources from which to benefit. Unlike in the past where the concession rights were given to private sector operator, now the private sector operators are contracted only as operators and are only given rights to conduct their operations by entering into an agreement with the conservancies that hold the concession rights.   

The delegation also comprised a fair reflection of the Namibian peoples’ cultural diversity, with representation of people from the far northwest, the central north and far north east as well as people from the central heart land of Namibia giving both a rural and an urban reflection of the issues concerning sustainable utilization of natural resources.

The visit, what we saw…

Zoo Montana visit: A great welcome by the enthusiastic “Zoo Man” who has a voice that cuts through the mumblings of non-attentive visitors in the group, filled with passionate yet educational presentation of information of the various species in the collection of the zoo.

The tour through the zoo began at a well calculated significant stop for foreign visitors to see the Bald Eagle, America’s national bird appropriately welcoming visitors on a tour into the American wildlife kingdom, not only at Zoo Montana but for what was to follow during out tour of many wildlife sightings in the parks. To the delegation, a zoo is a new experience even though in Namibia there are various initiatives that operate with wildlife kept in captivity but in general parallels could be drawn especially regarding how the animals ended up in the zoo as well as their confined future in this captive environment. For majority of the group members, there was a general sense of mixed feelings regarding the freedom of the animals and their adopted constricted behavior. Nonetheless the essence and conclusions drawn are that these animals, despite their sad tales of what happened and what could have ended up in their death, have been offered a second chance at life at the zoo, maybe even a much better chance compared the their wilderness-dwelling families.

 Their new role of Zoo Montana is to serve as ambassadors of their world out there and spread the message of their plight directly to their biggest enemy, the human race. The evening was enjoyed mingling with a high profile team from Billings including the Mayor and several representatives of congress, people entrusted by the masses with championing their prosperity including that of the wildlife and the environment. They are key role players in decisions that should bring justice, equity and a harmonious co-existence of man and beast.

The Crow Tribe dance: To cap the evening, a journey down the historical footsteps of the Crow Nation/Tribe was undertaken. They passionately shared their heritage and history and brought to life their increasingly threatened rituals and infected everyone with rhythm to join in song and dance.  We witnessed how music transcend boundaries of any kind be it tribe, race or nations from far across the oceans. The motion of dance to melody is a universal language and we full well connected and melted into the Crow’s cultural pot for the evening.  

              
Meeting the Crow Tribe/Apsaalooke Nation who have a reservation “conservancy” in the rural areas of Montana State, a state fully branded by their ancestors through their connection to the land, the names of the main natural  features such as rivers and mountains and grass plains bears names with meanings and cultural significance of the Crow nation. This is a story many a people can relate to and people in the delegation can relate fully. The challenges they face are similar to the challenges many Namibians face.

Yellowstone National Park can only be described as a “Must see”, seeing is believing in the truest sense of the statement. It was a visit in History, not only seeing what can arguably be the oldest park in the world but also getting the best chance or the closest chance to hear, feel, see and experience some of the most fascinating goings into grandmother earth’s belly. The park is a geological living museum, a living laboratory for academia that pursues the challenge of getting to understand the workings beneath the earth’s surface. It is a mind-blowing experience for the ordinary and it will not fail to ignite a curios debate in one’s mind about the forces of nature and the spiritual believe of divine powers of some sort. We experienced the soul healing powers of nature, the realization of how small and insignificantly young we are as humans on planet earth and how at times the forces of nature swallows our self-imposed egos over other species and our selfish dominance and exploitation of the resources of the earth all in the interest of the human species, the most destructive and harmful species to the planet.  

It is encouraging to note that this Park was set aside for conservation more than 100 years ago. Several success stories of game reintroduction in this park are visible such as the Bison and the Wolves, what is also visible is the ever unpredictable bio-diversity-balance/imbalance that in most cases is best left to nature.  The successful reintroduction of the wolves in the park seems to trigger some form of discontent with cattle ranchers neighboring the park, it appears that the wolves’ territories are spilling over on ranches and that the ranchers are experiencing losses of cattle and a reducing population of Elk that migrates seasonally from the park onto neighboring ranches. This migrating Elk onto ranches provides for a popular lucrative hunting season that provides a much needed alternative source of income during the winter period. The phenomenons above serve both as a sign of conservation success as well as in this case maybe a reminder of the possible reasons why the wolves were fiercely hunted to depletion in the first place.  At the moment, around the wolves issue in the Yellowstone Park, there is an urgent need for conservationists, government to engage ranchers more pro-actively and holistically if lessons can be drawn from our Cheetah Conservation Fund model on the fate of the cheetahs in Namibia. Meanwhile it appears that two even bigger threats to both the ranchers and the parks management and maybe to an extend to Montana and neighbouring states these are wild fires and as was explained a volcanic eruption. These are larger than life threats and therefore beyond anyone’s comprehension, hence left to grandmother nature to decide if not to divine power.

Rural Montana is “cowboy/girl” (gender equality) country; it is a culture, a heritage and a way of life of a people but more importantly an industry and its players who brave it out to rear cattle and hay fields to add their bit to feeding the nation. They are a people with character, a sense of profound pride and hospitality on their ranches and small towns. They are a community and a family, they all have “cow” blood in their veins. Yeah right they will defend their cows. Conservation in their vocabulary is grass lands management, rotational grazing methods and grass species restoration on their ranges as well as rooting out any threats to the cattle be it deceases or otherwise; that is conservation in their language. These guys represent everything tough and rough, big trucks, tough terrains, hectic chores and manual operations in stark contrast of the urban jungle life in this developed nation. They follow a history of their forbearers and continue to cherish a heritage for future generations to come. We did horse riding at a ranch and got a window into the reasons why they probably choose to remain rural, one trail “highway” single file procession, one traffic rule “follow the leader, stop when he stops”, simple “controls” to operate, speed limit is controlled by the cowboy in front. Now why would you trade this for the hustle and bustle of city life if you can eke out a living  in this serene space. After all city dwellers work very hard to earn a holiday the ranchers call their office and the activities such as horseback riding their daily chores.   

American football match: Dan Austin’s all time love appears to be football, in the short-time we spend together the word football kept popping up in conversations like some out of control pop up on a computer screen.  He sold the game to the Namibians in record time and worked tirelessly to plant enthusiasm in the group as he knew that making this group understand the game will take the same time it took Namibians to achieve conservation success. Nonetheless he put to good use every second at his disposal and within less than 15 minutes had total strangers at least memorize Andy’s number (his son who plays for the Bobcats) and the color of the Bobcats’ outfits which was necessary for the Namibians for their own safety at the stadium. Needless to say, on top of the above the game was lectured to the group in a typical Dan’s-Lewis-and-Clark version time, which simply means a story of any magnitude compressed to one breath. Determined, excited and motivated the group marched on the stadium with turbo-charged confidence to join the Bobcats’ die hard supporters in cheering the team to victory. The two distinct differences were the Made-in-Namibia chanting which was new on the scene as well as the dancing when the group took to the stage when a band played live music before the match, the Namibians’ rhythmic moves made others seem rhythm-handicapped, the Namibians shook the “stage” and attracted much admiration while at the same time doing their magic to ensure a win for the Bobcats.  As they say the rest is history Bobcats emerged victorious. Something that was must to rescue Dan from a deteriorating change in mood. An elevated Dan expressed as sigh of relieve which was echoed by the group in a typical father-to-children rubbing off energy.

TIES summit: Eco-tourism, sustainable tourism, pro-poor tourism, community based tourism are but some of the main themes and phrases coined over the years in an attempt to define an environmental friendly sustainable tourism concept that serve as the reason for yet another TIES gathering in Monterey, California. The group joined other delegations from all over the world and participated in sessions at the same level as their counterparts while in some cases it was obvious that many nations can learn a thing or two from Namibia’s conservation success as well as Namibia’s successful unique joint venture eco-tourism concept. The various presentations made where not strange to the Namibian delegation, especially the case studies that involved rural/communal/parks conservation and rural based tourism ventures. What was also evident is that Namibia has a long way to go in its application of environmental friendly practices in urban areas. Lessons on recycling and carbon emission reduction can be drawn from the developed world and maybe Namibia is best placed to do it right first time to be pro-active in order to avoid detrimental development planning. The lessons learnt by developing countries is that we must guard against developing only to end up redeveloping when it comes to making environmentally-friendly decisions, we are best placed in many ways to do it right the first time around and also to learn from the overwhelming examples and adopt systems and technologies of the developed countries proving to be good examples. Namibia has an advantage of having vast tracts of land available as well as an enabling legislation. The challenge we face is inclusive broad consultation on land use plans and prioritization of key sectors with a view to sustainability. Development of the Eco-tourism sector can lead to significant spin-offs that can stimulate a domino effect that will address socio-economic needs in rural areas where it is needed most. In our approach of development in this sector we should adopt a “Design for positive impact and sustainability approach”

Lessons and Recommendations….
•    In comparison to other countries Namibia has a conservation success story to tell of notable magnitude.
•    The importance of stakeholders’ relationships and the role that each play cannot be overemphasized.
•    It is vital for Namibia to be involved and affiliate at international level in conservation and eco-tourism sector
•    There is a need for more involvement and engagement of private sector in policy formation especially regarding tourism concessions
•    There is a need to actively engage academic institutions for both a refined documentation and thorough scrutiny of the conservation success stories and tourism operations in conservancies.
•    Donor’s continue to play a major role in the promotion and creation of needed synergies between key stakeholders for the benefit of sustainable conservation activities
•    There is a need to establish at ground level international mutually beneficial relationships with communities (conservancies), conservancy associations, local councils and regional government; such as signing twinning agreements at this level. E.g {game guard exchanges, committee exchanges and leadership mentorship etc}
    

  List of Delegates:
Ms Aisha Nakibuule (Acting Director), Namibia Development Trust
Ms Hilda Namwnyo (Manager), Sheya shUushona Conservancy
Ms Selma Nangolo (Grants Manager-Tourism), Millenium Challenge Account-Namibia
Mr Usiel Ndjavera (Tourism Business Advisor), WWF
Ms Martha Mulokoshi (Project Officer), WWF
Mr Dusty Rodgers (Investor-Tourism Ventures)
Ms Fabiola Katamila (Chief Warden, Concession Unit), Ministry of Environment and Tourism
Mr Pepe Giampietro Olivetto (Entrepreneur-Eco Lodges building and investments)    
Mr Gustaph Tjiundukamba (Chairman), Omatendeka Conservancy
Mr Rector Mbeha Kawana (Assistant Director) Namibian Association of Community Based CBNRM Support Organisations
Mr Jermain Ketji (Community Liaison Manager) Wilderness Safaris Namibia
Mr Cebens Munanzi (Manager-Tourism and Conservancy Support) Wuparo Conservancy
Mr Alex Ndango (Chairman) Muduva Nyangana Conservancy
Mr Bennet Kahuure (Manager-Tourism and Conservancy Support) Millennium Challenge Account Namibia

Itinerary
Day 1, Sept 6: Montana, Billings: Visit Montana Zoo
Day 2, Sept 7: Billings: Visit Crow Agency
Day 3, Sept 8: Red Lodge, Cooke City
Day 4, Sept 9: Cooke City, Yellowstone National Park
Day 5, Sept 10: The Tetons/ Jackson Lake
Day 6, Sept 11: Jackson Lake/ Grassy Island
Day 7, Sept 12: Yellowstone/ Upper Geyser Basin
Day 8, Sept 13: Lower Geyser Basin/ West Yellowstone/320 Guests Ranch
Day 9, Sept 14: Gallatin Canyon/ Ouzel Falls /Big Sky
Day 10, Sept 15: Bozeman/ MSU Campus
Day 11-16, Sept 16-20: Monterey, TIES Conference
Day 17-18, Sept 21-23 Traveling Back

Acknowledgements and thank you’s
•    Millennium Challenge Account Namibia
•     WWF Namibia
•    Austin-Lehman Adventures
•    NACSO
Ministry of Environment and Tourism

Imagine yourself surrounded by the kind of scenery that most people only visit in their dreams: 22,000-foot, snow dusted peaks; valleys filled with soft rows of grape vines; and beautiful, cloud-speckled blue skies. Now, imagine that you are holding a tantalizingly good looking glass of Malbec.  You breathe in the tannins and take your first sip. It is balanced, smooth, easy to drink, and, most importantly, delicious.  Not only is it amazing because you are sitting at the very vineyard that the wine comes from, but also because you just completed a stunningly picturesque bike ride in the foothills of the Andes.  Now that you can practically taste the wine on your lips, imagine nine days of blissful moments like this one.  With ALA’s Chile and Argentina Wine Country Adventure, you will wine, dine, hike, bike and horseback your way from Mendoza, Argentina to Santiago, Chile.

Located in the heart of the Andes, Chile and Argentina are world-renowned for both their beauty and their wine.   Grapes were first introduced to the regions in the 16^th century, when Spanish conquistadors brought vines over during colonization.  Today, Chile is the fifth largest exporter of wine in the world, while Argentina is the fifth largest producer.  During your South American wine adventure, you will visit wineries in both countries. While there you will learn the history of the vineyard, as well as how they produce their wine.  And, obviously, you will taste some truly spectacular vintages!

While the wines maybe the highlight of this trip, we can’t forget about the spectacular scenery, which elevates (no pun intended) this adventure to a whole new level.  Whether you are biking along endless rows of grape vines, or taking in the views of Mt. Aconcagua (the tallest peak in the Western and Southern Hemispheres) from Lake Horcones while enjoying a delicious picnic lunch, you cannot help but have your breath taken away by the landscapes surrounding you.

After nine days of fabulous food, wine and vistas, you can’t help but return to the “real world” a relaxed and changed person.  With mountain air in your lungs, and tannins still tickling your tongue, you’ll be raising a glass to your Chile and Argentina Wine Country Adventure for months to come.

Salud!

Blake 

This past July, my family- myself, my husband and our daughters ages 5 & 7, took our first family adventure vacation- the Montana Family Adventure.  To say it was life-changing really isn’t far off.  But beyond that, our terrific guides- Patrick, James and John- taught us quite a few things…  About Montana, about nature and about ourselves.

If you’re lost in the woods, you should start liken’ the lichen
Not that we were in any danger of going hungry (see below), Patrick gave us all a nature lesson the first day about lichen, an edible fungus that, though not the most tasty of substances, is filled with nutrients.  Just in case you’re lost in the woods without food.  Of course, he also tricked us with mountain goat poo, it was a friendly prank, which tasted surprisingly like carob. 

There are no poisonous snakes in western Montana
To say I don’t like snakes would be an understatement.  I am terrified of them.  So I was (very) nervous about hiking through the wilds of Yellowstone.  In fact, one of my first questions was about snakes.  Patrick immediately put my fears to rest when he told us that western Montana isn’t warm enough for poisonous snakes.  (Yea!)

Don’t run from a griz

                  “Get your kids and start walking slowly backward towards the vans,” Patrick said. 

We had stopped at a pullout- along with at least a dozen other people- due to a Grizzly sighting.  As we stood safely at the edge of the road, hoping for a glimpse, others were walking up and over the hill to get an “up close and personal” look.  And then Patrick saw one of the men come running back over the hill.

“I was sure we would see an attack,” Patrick told me later.  “You never run from a Griz, they will chase you.”  So, what should you do?  Apparently, you slowly back away, hoping the bear is bluffing.  If he does charge, curl in a ball and play dead.  (Yeah, I think my “flight” instinct would overrule that, too!)

There’s flat…  and then there’s “Montana flat”
We were prepared for most of our hikes.  But there were a couple that we were told were flat.  Of course, it was our guide John who told us that.  What we didn’t take into consideration was that John had climbed Mount Everest, so a somewhat challenging hike to us, was flat to him.  About half way through the week we knew to ask, “Is it really flat, or is it Montana flat?” meaning no really steep parts but still uphill.

Humans, though the most intelligent species on the planet, can be incredibly dumb
Not including the bear incident, we witnessed, first hand, the ignorance of people in the wild.  I was sure we would see a young man get gored by a buffalo.  Tip:  stay in your car when a herd is crossing the road.  We also saw entire families creeping way too close to Black Bear and quite a few adults walking within feet of a Bull Elk so they could get good photos with their iPhones.

The tales our guides shared put these to shame- and they didn’t end so well.  “People can do really stupid things here,”  James said.  “It’s like they think the animals are tame and the rangers let them out every day for the tourists to see.”

It is possible to be pampered at 12,000 feet when you’re covered in dust
When you’re covered head to toe in dust, some of which is turning to cakey mud as rivulets of sweat trickle down your body, it’s difficult to imagine feeling pampered.  And then your guides bring out silver trays of iced coffee.  Or they bring you wet wipes followed by sliced apples with caramel dipping sauce.  Not only do you feel pampered, but you are so thankful you didn’t have to carry it up yourself!

The Pied Piper is real
Though he wasn’t carrying pipes, Patrick managed to charm all the children on our tour.  Wherever he was, they wanted to be.  By mid-week the adults had termed him “the Pied Piper” as we knew that if our children weren’t with us, they would be near him.      

Sometimes you have to work hard to see magnificence
Sure, you can see amazing things when you stay on the beaten path.  But to see truly breathtaking sights, you need to work harder.  This was truly driven home to us after we scraped and clawed our way up the steep hill behind the Grand Prismatic.  Only 10% of visitors to Yellowstone see this view.  It was worth every bruise and scrape.

You’ll never go hungry.
Despite the increased amount of physical activity, you will never feel a hunger pang during your AL vacation.  Between the filling breakfasts, fabulous lunches, morning and afternoon snacks on the trail, “just in case” munchies in the vans, and local specialties for dinner each evening, hunger doesn’t stand a chance.

You can trust someone you just met with your kids in less than a week
At the beginning of our trip, we kept near the girls as we hiked.  By mid-week we kept them in our sights.  By the end of the week, as we were hiking through an area where bears had been sighted only the day before, our girls were separated- one in front of us and one behind- each so far away we couldn’t see or hear them.  As Doug and I walked along, we commented on the fact that we weren’t worried at all.  We knew that our youngest was at the front of the pack with John, while our eldest was tagging along at the end with Patrick.  And we knew that both were completely safe.

Our family so thoroughly enjoyed our Austin-Lehman vacation that we are hoping to do another one next summer!  We’re thinking the Yellowstone/ Tetons trip…  unfortunately it has no horseback riding- which is a “must” for my youngest, who fell in love with her four legged guide this year.

Sincerely,

Jody Halsted

Jody Halsted is a writer specializing in family travel.  You can follow her family’s adventures at FamilyRambling.com.

See Jody's photos from her Austin-Lehman Adventure: Montana Family Adventure Photos

If you’re anything like me, you’re getting a little bit tired of the constant heated, dry days of summer and are looking forward to some cooler weather to come. That’s right – autumn is almost here (don’t panic, there’s at least a whole month of summer left!) But now is the perfect time to plan that fall vacation; the kids are back in school, the crowds have dissipated in our natural areas, and the cooler temperatures of September and October are moving in. What better place to plan a vacation than Havasupai, an offshoot of the Grand Canyon!

Havasupai is the perfect destination for a vacation…after the summer months pass by. The peak months of the sunny season bring with it temperatures reaching 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Once autumn sneaks its way into the canyon, temperatures range from low 70’s to high 80’s throughout September and October. Since your first day in the canyon involves a 10 mile hike to your base camp (there’s also a horseback ride and helicopter option), this dry heat makes for the perfect hike in to your destination, just beyond the magnificent Havasu Falls. Since so many water activities abound on your Havasupai Adventure, it’s still warm enough at this time of year for water crossings, swimming, rope swinging, and waterfall jumping into the blue green waters of Havasu Creek, which maintains a temperature of about 70 degrees year round!

It’s not too late to plan autumn Arizona adventure vacations! Visiting Arizona during the months of September and October is a prime time to explore this region of red rock beauty. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and see Havasupai for yourself!

See you on the trails,

Kasey Austin

Considering a Southwest Adventure? Seek out nature’s playground of red rock formations, open amphithaters, and forests of green everywhere you turn. Bryce Canyon National park is a photographers paradise with wind swept rock formations and river carved slot canyons, with the sun setting on the rich red terrain you will be sure to capture photos of a life time.  Years of wind and water erosion have made this park spectacular to experience on a guided tour. You can also plan to experience one of the most scenic drives in America on All American Highway 12 viewing scenic canyons and beautiful panoramas. Don’t expect just rocks and canyons though, you also can look forward to hanging gardens, natural springs, river narrows, and captivating waterfalls.  A delight for all the senses, this is an adventure vacation package not to miss. 

Valley of Fire State Park

Part of your adventure vacation package includes a whimsical day with a picnic lunch at Valley of Fire State Park surrounded by cinder cones, natural rock bridges, and basalt ridges. Nevada’s Valley of Fire State park was dedicated in 1935, and is Nevada’s oldest and largest state park. Aptly named for the formations of sandstone and sand dunes that appear to be on fire when reflecting the sun’s rays.  After a long day in the sun you can retreat to the brand new upscale hotel Wingate By Wyndham offering first class amenities.  Relax at the spa or hang out in the outdoor heated pool and enjoy the star swept sky above. 

Snow Canyon State Park

Snow Canyon, located in Southwestern Utah offers mild weather and beautiful red rock formations while soaking up some sunshine.   Snow canyon is a great location to enjoy hiking, technical rock climbing, biking and horseback riding.  Nature viewing and shooting photos of the majestic red hues and landscapes are also a great way to enjoy the day. 

Bryce and Zion National Parks

A Geological wonder created by rainwater erosion boasting colorful limestone formations from slot canyons, windows, fins and spires also known as “hoodoos”.   Grandeur look out points and interesting geology lessons all come together for a breathtaking and educational adventure.   The view from rainbow point is a great photo opportunity to capture the entire park in all its glory.  Kolob Canyon and Cedar Breaks are also locations that you will visit on your Southwest Adventure.   By hiking below the rim to Peek A Boo and Queens Gardens trail you can see the unique shapes and hoodoos formed from over 60 million years of rock erosion. The view from below the surface is a completely different experience. 

The Narrows are Zion’s premier canyon with hanging gardens with perpendicular walls decorated with trickling water, mosses, and lush plant life. The most adventurous of hikers attempt the complete hike from start to finish, which is 16 miles and requires a specific permit.  The trail runs along the Virgin River where you will be sure to trek through plenty of water, and even at some areas up to waist deep water.  Known as the most popular hike in the park and even one of the worlds best canyon hikes.  The cool trail and hiking through the river make for a refreshing adventure. 

Accommodations

Apart from relaxing your first night at the Wingate By Wyndham you will also enjoy two peaceful nights at Bryce Canyon Lodge as well as two nights at Zion Park Inn.  Bryce Canyon Lodge       remains the only in park lodge in Bryce Canyon National Park and was built back in the 1920’s, and is now even considered a National Historic Landmark.  Zion Park Inn is tucked among the towering red rock cliffs offering spectacular views, comfortable accommodations and excellent amenities. 

No matter what Adventure Vacation Packages you end up choosing with Austin Lehman Adventures you can always expect to experience some of the best views nature has to offer, fun and exciting adventures, comforting accommodations, fantastic tours and guides, as well as delicious foods and awesome experiences.  Book your Southwest Adventure today and come see what all the fuss is about!

Check out our Pinterest account and some more photos of Southwest Utah Adventures. 

As the end of summer is quickly approaching, what better time then now to plan a great American journey through South Dakota.  South Dakota is home to two National Parks, laden with pine, spruce, birch and aspen.  Great hiking and biking trails flood the prairie lands with celebrated destinations including the Crazy Horse Monument, Wind Cave National Park, Deadwood, the Mickelson Trail, and of course the worlds greatest mountain carving, Mount Rushmore National Memorial.   South Dakota Family Vacations are the perfect adventures for kids of all ages, families and grandparents alike.  With astonishing landscapes and historical landmarks, all generations can appreciate this boundless adventure. 

Mount Rushmore

Gutzon Borglum sculpted Mount Rushmore National Monument in 1941, taking 14 years and a mere million dollars to complete it. Mount Rushmore is now an image that has been captured in countless movies, pictured in tons of books, and snapped a million times over in photos.  The 60-foot high faces located 500 feet above the ground are not fully captured on film or paper. Each head stands a remarkable six stories tall.  Standing in front of the Shrine of Democracy you can see why it has joined the Statue of Liberty and the Stars and Stripes as some of America’s most inspiring symbols.  What better way to learn a bit about America’s history then to pay a visit to Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln during your next South Dakota Vacation. 

Old West Town of Deadwood

Take a stroll through history while peddling on two wheels through the antique towns of South Dakota.  Pedal the back roads through a sea of open prairies to the National Historic Landmark: the town of Deadwood. With constant restoration, Deadwood is being transformed back into the frontier town that once attracted legends and legions in search of their fortunes.  Come and leave your mark with the famous, or taint the town as the infamous Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane and Poker Alice. 

The Mickelson Trail

Continue your South Dakota vacation as you ride through the meandering hills, rock tunnels, and railroad bridges that make the Mickelson Trail the perfect adventure for all ages. Roll along with hikers and horseback riders where the steps of historical figures once roamed.  The rolling hills and easy slopes make this an enjoyable ride with views of spruce and ponderosa pine forests. You can turn in at the end of the night in your comfortable Blue Bell Lodge offering mouthwatering home cooking and a night relaxing by the campfire. 

Wind Cave National Park

As one of the early nationally protected parks, and the first one that protected a cave, Wind Cave National Park provides an underground adventure as it winds its way under the prairies located above.   Noted as one of the world’s longest caves, and named for barometric winds at the caves entrance, this adventure provides a labyrinth of underground passageways just waiting to be explored.   After a long day of discovering, indulge at Red Rock River Resort and Spa with a hot stone massage and a delectable meal. 

Your next South Dakota Family Vacation will include all the great aspects of a family vacation rolled into one bundle.  From participation in some Wild West adventures, to learning fascinating facts about American history, you will be sure to learn new things on this adventure. Observing underground natural artworks, to viewing nature at its best on the aptly named wild life loop.  With delicious foods and comforting accommodations you will be sure to get your fill of exploration on your trip to historical and adventure filled South Dakota.

Visit our photo gallery of South Dakota Family Vacations on Pinterest

Your Friendly Travel Experts,

Austin-Lehman Adventures

When I think about the Grand Canyon, many iconic images come to mind: red rocks, dry desert heat and the Colorado River snaking along the canyon floor.  However, on my recent trip to the area not only did I find red rocks and dry desert heat but I was lucky enough to experience a little pocket of Eden in Havasu Canyon just off the main Grand Canyon.  It was incredible!  Teal blue waters, lush foliage, squash and wild grape vines growing like weeds, pomegranate and apricot trees lining the dusty path and waterfalls all around.  So unexpected and so beautiful! 

Havasu Canyon is carved by the sparkling, crystalline Havasu Creek which springs out of the canyon floor and makes its way all the way to the Colorado River.  This creek has a unique mineral content giving it an extraordinary color and these minerals also form the striking travertine formations that adorn this canyon. It is an ever changing landscape sculpted by ebb and flow of Havasu Creek and the incredible travertine deposits.  When I returned home from this beautiful area I was excited to share my photos with friends and family.   The handful of friends who had been to the area several years ago hardly recognized the waterfalls in my photos.  Major flooding in the area in 2008 completely changed the landscape of the canyon.  One of the major waterfalls, Navajo Falls, disappeared after the river re-routed.  What seemed devastating to the area just a few short years ago has proven to be just resurgence in the canyon.  New falls have developed where Navajo used to thunder and they are quite stunning!  This constant change is just one more reason to visit time and again.

Getting to this lush, gorgeous area is a bit of the challenge.  It is an 8 mile hike to the village of Supai and another 2 miles to Havasu Falls and the Campground.  You can horseback into the canyon or even hire a helicopter but I think the hike truly makes you appreciate the stunning beauty of the canyon. 

If you go, be prepared for intense sun and heat.  Daily temperatures can be quite warm, which makes playing in the water a necessity to stay cool.  Make sure to pack plenty of sunscreen and other sun protection so you can continue to enjoy your time in the water without dealing with sunburn. Beginning your hike to the area early in the morning will help you beat the intense heat of the day.  After walking 6.5 miles you will first encounter Havasu Creek.  It is the perfect time to stop for lunch or a snack and cool off in the crystal clear water.  This short break will leave you refreshed and rejuvenated for the rest of your hike to the falls.  The rest of the hike goes quickly as you will be captivated by all the gorgeous sights of the area. 

Preserving this area is extremely important.  Visitors to the area are guests of the Havasupai people and should view their visit as a privilege.  Remember, everything you carry in you must carry out.  There is no garbage truck or waste removal in this remote region so each visitor must do their part to keep Havasupai clean so it is just as beautiful for generations to come!

Your friendly travel expert,

Melissa Ladvala

Ecuador's slogan is "love life" and I feel like couldn't love life anymore than I do after visiting Ecuador! Our guide told us a joke about how all the other countries asked GOD why he was so overly kind to Ecuador when he created it. Because Ecuador has it all, my first day I'm ziplining through a tropical rainforest, next I'm horseback riding at 15,000ft and then mountain biking at the footsteps of Cotopaxi the worlds highest active volcano, followed by some surfing with sea iguanas and seal lions in the Galapagos. Not to mention our amazing accommodations at Tierra Del Volcan where we slept in authentic haciendas and the awesome safari tents we stayed in at the Galapagos Safari Camp. The diversity of activities and experiences that are possible in Ecuador are endless! From the flora and fauna to the beaches and volcanoes, there is such an extreme variety of microclimates, biodiversity and fun to be had. You pretty much get everything in Ecuador and it was such an amazing experience to see. Keep checking back for more photos and video from my trip to Ecuador!

I can't wait to go back to this amazing country!

Your friendly Ecuador lover,

Jonathan

My long-anticipated Adventure Vacation finally happened.  My Ecuador/Galapagos adventure started with  meeting up with my son Jonathan in Miami and we traveled the rest of the trip together as a father-son adventure.

After spending the night at Hotel Mercure in Quito, the adventure started when our personal guide Andrian from Tierra del Volcan picked us up and took us to Hacienda Santa Rita.  There, we collected the necessary gear and hiked up hill until we got to one of the seven Zip Lines the hacienda has to offer.  I was excited to try the sport for the first time.  What an adrenaline rush, thats me in the photo! 

The next adventure at Santa Rita was a hike down a canyon to a waterfall; it was a beautiful "cascada" as they call it in Ecuador.  I took several photos of it as well as the wide variety of wildflowers in the area.

After hiking back up we headed south to Hacienda El Tambo, another Tierra del Volcan property where we would spend the next two nights.  The hacienda sits at about the twelve thousand foot elevation.  There are no power lines in the area so they run there own generator for a few hours after dark, after that it is candles, then nothing.  It was already dark out when we got there; being on the equator nighttime comes just after 6 PM.  After washing up, it was time for the first of many great meals we would eat there.  During dinner we learned that the next day was “Rodeo,” one of three days each year at the Hacienda where their cattle are rounded up and brought down from the higher grazing areas to the big corral near the main house.  There, they are checked, sorted, vaccinated and eventually sent to a different area to graze for another four months. It was a great option to be able to travel sustainably to a working Hacienda.

What we thought was to be a simple horseback ride adventure the next day morphed into our essentially being issued a horse, boots, chaps and a wool poncho.  We were invited to help with the cattle drive, an adventure beyond my wildest dreams, something that only happens in the movies.  How could we say no?  Over six hours on a horse going up through rough country to approximately fifteen thousand foot elevation, watching out for rogue single bulls that like to charge anything that moves, falling in behind the cattle and helping to bring them in produced a very sore butt and wobbly knees but it was worth every minute of it.  That evening the rodeo celebration started around 7 PM with an outdoor barbequed dinner with the real cowboys (chagras), a good quantity of alcohol, and for some of the people, singing and whooping it up in celebration of a successful "Rodeo".  Adventure is not a strong enough word for rodeo, it went far beyond that!

The following morning we did another hike north from the El Tambo main house.  We hiked up close to fourteen thousand foot elevation and got to expereience some pretty amazing views. After doing about forty percent of the distance, we turned around and headed back to the Hacienda.  We then headed for Tierra del Volcan’s third lodge, Hacienda El Porvenir.  Prior to another great dinner, we were assigned rooms and then given a tour of the many different types of rooms available to guests.  Every room is decorated in a different theme from the others.  My room was actually the “Honeymoon Suite,” a very large room with a large bed and a fireplace that made the room cozy warm.  As an additional perk, the maids put a hot-water bottle in the beds when turning them down in the evening.

In the morning, we did a normal horseback riding adventure.  I had sufficiently recovered from the rodeo ride to enjoy this relatively slow, two-hour ride.  We got good views of the agricultural valley and a few good sightings of 19,347-foot high Cotopaxi Volcano during breaks in the clouds.  The final Tierra del Volcan adventure was one final hike to a nearby waterfall.  El Porvenir plans to install a generator and tap ten percent of the water from the top to generate their own electricity.

Andrian took us into Quito where we said good-bye. Next we headed to the Galapagos, stay tuned for Part 2

Guest post submitted by Jeremy Burnham

I don't think excited is a strong enough word for how I feel about my upcoming trip to Ecuador. I will be taking my 66 year old Dad on his first adventure vacation! We've done some hiking vacations before, but they were a long time ago. This will be his first full-on multisport trip at 66! I mention this becuase it is awesome, I have to give the ole man some credit for taking me up on this adventure. 

We are first headed to the Provinces of Cotopaxi, Napo and Pichincha to see our friends at Tierra del Volcán. There we will be doing some horseback riding, hiking and biking around the National Parks, as well as helping with some conservation projects. We will be staying in some real haciendas in the Cotopaxi area. (photo of Hacienda El Tambo) We will spend 3 days treking around this extraordinary ecosystem of the Condor Bioreserve, which has a considerable amount of local endemism.

Next we will be heading to the Galápagos Islands for a sea and land based trip. I think the right word would be "stoked" for how I feel about going to the Galápagos. Day 1 we will head to the National Tortoise Reserve, where we will get to view giant Galápagos turtles in the wild and maybe see some short-eared owls. Day 2 we will be kayaking and snorkling around the islands, followed by a stop at the Darwin Research Center. I am pretty excited about visiting the Darwin Research Center, I'm kind of a fan of Darwins work! Day 3 we will explore North and South Plazas Islands, making a landing on South Plazas, where some of the richest flora and fauna per square foot in the entire Galapagos Archipelago. After that we will be sadly head back to Quito and then on a plane back to the States.

I will be taking a lot of photo and video gear, so make sure you check back and see some of my photos/videos. I will also try and get some travel blogs up while I'm there.

Leave a comment and tell me what you would like to see photos and video of most! I'm looking forward to getting photos of some local boobies... Blue Footed Boobies that is!

Till next time...

Jonathan

Now, I may be biased, because and I was born and raised in Montana, but I truly believe it is the last best place.  Every time I travel I am so happy to know that I get to come home to Montana!

If you are not lucky enough call Montana home, then you should consider it for one of your next Family Adventure Vacations!  Not only do you get to explore the areas in Montana, but also Yellowstone Park!  We hike, bike, horseback ride, and raft our way through the World’s first National Park and the surround areas!  Watch as Old Faithful Geyser shoots thermal waters sky high, examine the bacteria mats that make Grand Prismatic so beautiful, and wake up early to see wildlife exploring for food.  Nothing says Montana like bears and bison in the morning mist.

Yellowstone tours are not the only draw to this area.  On the Montana program you will also get to explore Big Sky, a glacial carved valley, and Paradise Valley, a river carved valley, pair those with the volcano caldera that is Yellowstone National Park and you will find yourself examining each geological area and experiencing firsthand how Mother Nature can create such varied terrains.  

I sincerely hope that Montana Vacations make your list of ‘must see’ destinations!  Contact your trusted Adventure Travel Companies to find out the offerings in the area, they truly are endless!

Your Friendly Travel Expert,

Argentinian and Chilean journeys with Austin Lehman Adventures are certainly unforgettable. The delectable cuisine, delicious drinks and natural beauty all around you will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. And adventure travel companies take care of the details to ensure your trip is hassle-free allowing you to enjoy even more relaxation during your vacation.

Adventure vacation packages to Patagonia, a mutual gem of Chile and Argentina, are ideal for those looking for fun, relaxation and a unique experience. The location is the perfect combination of wild and breathtaking.

Hike, bike and travel by horseback to discover the extensive landscape and towering mountainous terrain. Bring your camera to snap some photos of the amazing Andes. Take in the glaciers including one of the only ones in Patagonia that are continuing to grow. For a postcard perfect view, hike to Laguna Capri and see the gentle mist hovering amongst Fitz Roy’s mountain range. Travel through the green-blue banks of beautiful Lago Pehoe with the mountains as your backdrop. Visit the second largest park in Argentina – Los Glaciares National Park via horseback. When it’s time to relax, retire in your cozy, luxurious accommodation at Patagonia Camp.

Browse our online catalog today to start planning your next adventure. Adventure tours with Austin Lehman Adventures will take your breath away.
 

Night skies filled with stars, towering trees, majestic wildlife and clean, brisk air are closer than you think. Yellowstone National Park vacation packages can prove it.

Montana vacations provide an impeccable way to explore a beautiful place untouched by nature with majestic wildlife roaming freely in their beloved home. Explorers who appreciate the water can experience fishing, kayaking or rafting in the spectacular white water of the Yellowstone River. Animal lovers will love looking out for elk, bison, bears and eagles.

Kids will enjoy snacking on delicious fruit kebabs on the lovely shore of a glacial stream in Beehive Basin, where they can dip their feet in an alpine lake surrounded by wildflower studded hillsides. If you dare, raft the Yellowstone River, the longest free-flowing river in North America. To unleash your inner cowboy, saddle up for a gentle horseback ride up Pine Creek to the Absaroka Mountains and enjoy awe inspiring scenery unlike anything else in the world.  

Austin Lehman adventures are the perfect choice for families looking to create lasting memories with each other. Plan your family’s trip to Yellowstone Park this year by visiting our online catalog to learn more about all of the activities available in our vacation travel itineraries. Get ready for the vacation of a lifetime.
 

Yellowstone Park is one of those destinations that every family must visit at least once in their lifetime. Imagine a big blue sky, soaring mountain peaks and acres of lush backcountry seemingly untouched by the outside world. Then multiple that by at least 5, and you begin to understand the enormity and magnificence of this stunning national park.

With so many activities and sights to see, it can be a challenge to get everything in, but our Yellowstone tours offer all the enough excitement and fun to deliver a full and exceptional family adventure that won’t ever be forgotten. Here are the top 3 adventure activities every family will enjoy while on an Austin Lehman tour of the park.

Hiking
Spring vacations in Yellowstone offer guests such a natural setting for hiking that they might not ever want to stop. The fresh air and exercise as families venture out on the trail is only the tip of the iceberg. Hiking as a family really brings everyone together in such an awe inspiring and peaceful place.

Whitewater Rafting
No experience is needed to participate in this cool (and wet) river rafting experience. The Yellowstone River is the longest free flowing river of its kind in the U.S. (lower 48 states) with inspiring scenic views.

Horseback Rides
A gentle walking horseback ride takes everyone up Pine Creek as they venture on their four legged friends into the Mountains of Absaroka. The incredible views of the mountain top lookouts as the family ventures out with 4th generation Montana cowboys will create long lasting memories sure to be spoken of for years to come.

Don’t wait to experience this family trip of a lifetime. Visit us online to find out how to book your vacation today.
 

Any family with kids knows that vacations can create a lot of stress and exhaustion. Some families end up at the same old theme parks or campgrounds each year simply because these locations provide a one stop vacation that doesn’t require a lot of thought or planning to undertake. And while amusement parks and camps do provide some thrilling action, they cannot compare to family adventure vacations Austin Lehman style.

With our adventure travel packages, families can sit back and relax because we have all the details taken care of so that natural bonding can take place between each family member. Activities are planned for each age group so that everyone can bike, kayak, ski or sample wines to their heart’s content. Even adults can spirit a way for a little one on one time while kids are busy occupied with their own adventure activities. Our adventure trips are anything but commonplace.

The old way of family travel involves standing in line in the hot sun for hours to get on the next popular roller coaster ride. Ours is standing under the cooling spray of cascading water as it falls from high above a cliff’s face. Getting outdoors biking, fishing or river rafting brings camaraderie between parents and children without all the crowds. Horseback riding and hiking through picturesque forests get the whole family back in touch with nature and the great outdoors.

And best of all, our vacations include all the lodging, transportation, activities, equipment and great tasting food. Now, that’s a care free family vacation everyone can enjoy!
 

Sample renowned wines and take in stunning scenery during your Argentinian/Chilean journey with Austin Lehman Adventures. The food, drinks and natural beauty surrounding you will reawaken your senses and guarantee unforgettable memories.

Adventure vacations provide a great way for travelers to get to know a new place and have as much fun as possible while doing it. And our adventure tours through Chile and Argentina are sure to satisfy everyone. Wine enthusiasts will be amazed by the sight of one of the most beautiful wine regions in the world, gently hidden beneath the gigantic peaks of the Andes.

Get ready to hike, bike and travel by horseback to explore the expansive countryside, exciting wineries and towering mountainous terrain. Check out Santiago’s spectacular Plaza de Armas, dating back from the 1500’s when the city was founded. Bike to the picturesque town of Chacras de Coria. Taste esteemed Malbecs and Cabernets at a winery located in the foothills of the Andes, where the desert climate is perfect for the development of red wines. Adventure vacation packages to wine country are sure to provide travelers with a delicious experience.

Adventure travel companies take care of the details to ensure your trip is hassle-free. Call us today to plan your next vacation.
 

Vacations are great source of energy and relaxation for many people. Family adventure vacations also happen to provide a little something more – an opportunity to bond with family members.

There’s no better travel destination to experience some great family time than on our Yellowstone tours.  The clean air and beauty of Yellowstone Park offers such an amazing environment to experience nature and each other. The lively scents for morning walks, the deep natural silence and stunning landscape vistas are ideal for reconnecting and reviving relationships. There’s something spiritual about being surrounded by mountains, open plains and flowing water that just begs travelers to stay a while.

Hiking through the winding trails to encounter wildlife or find the majestic Old Faithful provides a lifetime experience that is truly unforgettable. White water rafting down the Yellowstone River brings some exciting fun, and spotting wildlife in its natural habitat offers such a different view than typical viewing behind fences at a zoo. The whole family enjoys time on horseback riding through the stunning landscapes, and parents also have the opportunity to spend a little alone time together while the kids have a pizza party pool side at the Chico Hot Springs.

Request our travel catalog to begin your family adventure by calling us at (800) 575-1540 or visiting us online today.

 

Argentinian and Chilean journeys with Austin Lehman Adventures are certainly unforgettable. The delectable cuisine, delicious drinks and natural beauty all around you will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. And adventure travel companies take care of the details to ensure your trip is hassle-free allowing you to enjoy even more relaxation during your vacation.

Adventure vacation packages to Patagonia, a mutual gem of Chile and Argentina, are ideal for those looking for fun, relaxation and a unique experience. The location is the perfect combination of wild and breathtaking.

Hike, bike and travel by horseback to discover the extensive landscape and towering mountainous terrain. Bring your camera to snap some photos of the amazing Andes. Take in the glaciers including one of the only ones in Patagonia that are continuing to grow. For a postcard perfect view, hike to Laguna Capri and see the gentle mist hovering amongst Fitz Roy’s mountain range. Travel through the green-blue banks of beautiful Lago Pehoe with the mountains as your backdrop. Visit the second largest park in Argentina – Los Glaciares National Park via horseback. When it’s time to relax, retire in your cozy, luxurious accommodation at Patagonia Camp.

Browse our online catalog today to start planning your next adventure. Adventure tours with Austin Lehman Adventures will take your breath away.
 

If you are looking for something a little different for this year’s vacation, why not try adventure travel to South America? There’s plenty of biking, hiking, rafting and horseback riding to satisfy even the most adventurous of travelers, and with all the thrilling action, you might even have enough time to learn a little about ancient civilizations, culture and archaeology as well!

What do you think of when you hear country names like Chile, Argentina, Ecuador or Peru? It might surprise you to know that there is so much to do and learn in South American countries that once you experience it, you’ll be surprised you waited so long for the journey.

Visiting the western and southernmost tip of the South American continent is like nothing you’ve ever experienced. With pristinely clear waters, high mountaintops and even the driest desert in the world, the ability to strike out on a different path from typical beach or resort travel will really separate the tourist from the adventurer in you. Our Chilean and Argentinian wine country journey takes you to important wine making regions. With our adventure vacation packages, you’ll experience nine days of hiking, biking and horseback riding along with plenty of gourmet dining and sampling delectable Cabernet, Syrah and Malbec wines.

Planning adventure trips to Chile and Argentina is as simple as navigating to our online travel catalog or giving us a call today. Our vacations truly put the adventure back into holiday travel.