I trekked to Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes with Kumuka The highlight... Base Camp. Not the camp itself, but getting there. You climb up, and walk along a ridge line, with an ice flow to the right, and the back drop of the Everest Range and another 8000m peak to the left. We stopped to take it in (and a little oxygen too) and when I looked up I just cried. It was THAT amazing. Tears leaked out of my eyes the whole 20 minutes we followed the ridge, and I physically felt the mountains reach in and grab my soul. I just wish I could describe the view... the feeling... breathless, speechless... pure majesty, pure peace... purely awesome. The finale.. chocolate chip cookies at the highest bakery in the world! No tears here! It was so great having a smaller group, and porters who spoke English. We became the funniest little family. There were three of them and three of us. We played A LOT of cards, and actually wore out a whole deck, which naturally we replaced on the way back down! The guides taught us Nepali card games, so when we were in more popular places, other Nepali guides and porters would sit down with us, watch our cards, and even make recommendations on what to play. I played with the guides every night, long after the other two went to bed. Picture the scene, me sitting there just listening to them chatting away and giggling like teenage girls in Nepalese, and me not understanding a word for hours. I was waiting for my 'Dances With Wolves' moment when I just started to understand them. I did learn all the necessary words in Nepalese to play cards - "my turn?", "who's turn" and my numbers (thank you Hindi lessons!). I also learned the lyrics for the chorus of a very popular Nepalese song, which I think they used as entertainment at every teahouse. We sang it almost every night and the locals would always laugh as I sang along. What fun and truly an experience of a lifetime. Bex Trek to Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes with Kumuka > Views en route to Base Camp Arriving at Everest Base Camp back to top

Tales from a small group tour leader in South America - Brendan van Son

Rafting the Amazon Basin with Brendan

"Wow, Look at that,” I replied with a seed of excitement growing in the pit of my stomach. I directed my gaze and nodded down river to a point where the calm green waters dropped themselves off through a labyrinth of smooth rocks forming a mountain-like aquatic landscape of peaks and valleys. We all gripped our paddles like weapons and waited intently for the commands that were sure to soon be given.

“Remember” our guide instructed with a pointed yet calming tone, “even if you get hit in the face with water, and you will be hit with water, never stop paddling. Even if the boat rises to a point where you are high above the water and swinging at air, never stop paddling

The guide eased the boat slowly in a direct line towards the biggest wave, and let the current suck us in even further. We dipped down over a smooth rock and hit the washing machine-like wave directly. The white water hit us like a line backer, but it didn’t take us by surprise…

To read more of Brendan's blog please click here

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A great guide!

Dear Kumuka, we wanted to tell you a little more about the tour guide we had on the Vietnam Discovered Tour. His name is Do Van Hoi or Hoi as we called him.

He went that extra mile for us:- on arrival (and we were there 1 day prior to commencement of tour) he had already put up an information board at the hotel with a few suggestions, 2 of which were, what water we should buy and how to cross the road. Very simple but a great help. As you can appreciate coming from Australia, all that traffic was a bit daunting.

If any of us suggested that it would be great to see this or that, no trouble, he organised with the driver and it was done. Even to the point when we would go to places of interest which were on the itinerary he would come with us. Extra excursions he did the same. Asked the question as to why, his comment was "I want to make sure you see everything and you are all ok".

On our domestic flights he arranged everything for us at the airport. Not that we couldn't do it, but of course there is a language barrier, this took away a lot of would be stress if anything wasn't quite right. He has such a happy attidude and gave his everything in making this the trip of a lifetime for all of us (I know I speak for the 10 other travellers).

On the day we were leaving Ho Ch Minh City to go on our Mekong Delta Tour he was there waiting with us until our next Tour Guide arrived. Once he did arrive he introduced us all to Nguyen Van Quang and then saw us into the bus and waved us off. It was like we were part of his family.

We would hope that you look after him because we feel he is an assett to Kumuka and we cannot speak highly enough of him. Our comment is when people ask us about our trip:- we saw so much, recommend Kumuka and the tour leader made it all happen.

Thanks for the opportunity to let you know our thoughts.
Mick & Merilyn Del Borrello

Mick and Merilyn travelled to Vietnam on the Vietnam Discovered tour. 

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World Cup Fever!

The air is thick with excitement in South Africa. The commonly used product label “proudly South African” should be pasted on the forehead of all the residents in this beautiful and diversified country. The streets, shops, houses, car windows and even pedestrians are proudly displaying the colours and spirit of this long awaited event.

Hawkers and entrepreneurs really have outdone themselves. Products hitting the street in connection with the world cup include a Sundela, which is an umbrella hat, deriving its name from its multi-purpose functions as both a sun hat or an umbrella, protecting you against all weather conditions as can be the case in South Africa, four seasons in one day, particularly in Cape Town. The president has even been rumoured to be wearing one of these at one of his prayer meetings that he attended.

The infamous vuvuzelas (extremely loud horns as in the picture) have also got dressed up for the occasion in “sockzelas” which are colourful sock like articles easily slipped over the vuvuzelas. Wing mirrors on cars are adorned in flags, people wearing flags as a sari, airports are covered in slogans such as “It is time to shine” and “Ke Nako - It is here!”. There is no doubt about it, whatever problems South Africa has had in the past, the nation is pulling together in a display of complete pride.

Although the competition is reaching it's climax - Kumuka still have a bunch of tours that coincide with the world cup so if you haven’t already booked yourself a tour of africa check out these great trips

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Travel Tip of The Month

Pack the Right Clothing.

When it comes to travel, one could argue part of the beauty of travel is to realise it really doesn’t matter if you have the latest fashion sense, or the most expensive sunglasses. However, in some form or another, what you wear could actually effect the enjoyment of your holiday.

I recently went on a weekend getaway to Kariba, one of the hottest parts of Zimbabwe. I was astounded to learn one of our friends arrived in jeans... and had only packed... jeans. It was stinking hot and no one wanted to lend him some shorts, they thought this was just too funny! So I kindly thought I would add to the joke, and be the only one to offer him refuge, sacrificing my baby pink, bunny covered, silk sleeping shorts.

He refused for a good few hours, but as the sun rose high in the sky and midday arrived (and alcohol flowed) he decided to be brave and embrace the pink bunnies. To add to his embarrassment, who should we bump into, no less than his new boss!

To cut a long story short, if you don’t want to be like my friend and bump into your boss in pink bunny pyjamas, know the area you are travelling to and what to expect weather/culture wise. Some countries may have a Muslim influence, so may require covering up particular parts of your body too.

Kumuka has well travelled individuals on hand who can advise you on just that, don’t hesitate to ask or risk becoming a hot cross bunny...

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New Year in Rio

Looking for a great way to ring-in the New Year?

Brazilians, and in particular Cariocas (people from Rio) are well known for their festive nature and their shared passion, how to have a really good party. So what better way to spend New Years Eve then in an exotic country, that is home to the world’s biggest party year after year!

In addition to the Rio Carnival packages, Kumuka will now also be selling New Year in Rio accommodation packages. New Year in Rio - or Reveillon, as it is known locally - is an experience not to be missed. Clients can enjoy the world famous firework displays on Rio's Copacabana Beach, along with music and dancing.

Accommodation is at the Florida Hotel, based on twin share, same gender accommodation. Single clients will be paired up with another same gender client if travelling alone, unless they request a single supplement.

Dates for the 2010-2011 Rio New Year package are:
Start: 31 Dec 10 Finish: 04 Jan 10
Duration: 5 days and 4 nights
Please note: Booking single night accommodation is not available during this New Year period.

These packages connect with the following tours:
SA6 - Piranha Express - Buenos Aires to Rio - 11 Dec 10 to 31 Dec 10
SA06 - Iguazu Discoverer - Rio to Buenos Aires - 04 Jan 11 to 24 Jan 11

For more information about New Year in Rio click here

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25% OFF the following departures:

Inca Heartland
Duration: 21 Days Departure: 12th Sep 10
Countries visited: Bolivia, Peru

15% OFF the following departures:

Eastern Explorer
Duration: 10 Days Departure: 03 Sep 10
Countries visited: Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, Austria

Mediterranean Star
Duration: 13 Days Departure: 10 Aug 10
Countries visited: Italy, France, Spain

Eastern Delight
Duration: 9 Days Departure: 02 Aug 10
Countries visited: Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Italy

Mediterranean Magic
Duration: 21 Days Departure: 02 Aug 10
Countries visited: Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Italy, France, Spain

Wildlife & Mozambique Islands Escape
Duration: 14 Days Departure: 18th July 2010
Countries visited: South Africa, Zimbabwe

Sabah Highlights
Duration: 7 Days Departure: 29 Aug 10
Countries visited: Borneo

Sarawak Explored Tour
Duration: 9 Days Departure: 21 Aug 10
Countries visited: Borneo

Borneo Encompassed
Duration: 15 Days Departure: 21 Aug 10
Countries visited: Borneo

For more great special offers and late deals click here >

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One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.

Henry Miller - American novelist and painter

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Contact Us:

email: adventuretours@kumuka.com website: www.kumuka.com