Kumuka Venture, November 2005, Trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Peru

Here we are galloping toward the end of another year. Time to get those New Years resolutions dusted off, get that Christmas shopping done and think about where you would rather be.

This month we are inspired with Christmas getaways, given tips on how to save for the holiday of a life time, we touch base with Rex Pemberton - our mountain climber - and hear all about Sarah Baxter in the South Island of New Zealand.

Happy travels,

Meg Hall
General Manager

Where will you be this Christmas and New Year?

Christmas and New Year is one of the best times of the year. The problem is, for most of us, we can’t really remember what we did from one year to the next.

They all seem to blur together with the same events; there’s nothing wrong with that providing your Yuletide is an enjoyable one, but just once in your life it’s great to do something different.

One of the most exciting ways to do something different is to travel, and there are a number of ways you can enjoy Christmas in exotic locales. For the purpose of this article, I’ll narrow down the highlights to one per destination for your inspiration.

Here are some last minute ideas for this Christmas...

What to see? Elephant Orphanage, Rock fortress of Yapahuwa, Sacred City of Anarudhapura, Minhintale, Horton Plains, Medieval Capital of Polonnaruwa, Wildlife Jeep Safari, Minneriya National Park, Rock Fortress of Sigiriya, Kandy, Dambulla Cave Temple, Pristine Beaches.

Where will I be for Christmas and New Year? Christmas will be highlighted with the Rock Fortress of Yapahuwa. New Year will be on the high plateau of the Horton plains.

What Christmas spirit can I spread? As you know Sri Lanka was hit very hard by the Tsunami in late 2004. As a result, tourism numbers dropped dramatically. By simply visiting Sri Lanka you are helping to keep the tourism industry alive, and in turn food on the table for many of the locals.

Where will I be for Christmas and New Year? This tour will be in the vicinity of Zanzibar off the Tanzanian coast during this period.

What to see: Naivasha, Nairobi, Masai Mara, Ngorongoro Crater, Zanzibar, Lake Malawi, Victoria Falls.

What Christmas spirit can I spread? Why not spend an extra day in Nairobi and visit Sheldricks Elephant Orphanage as recently shown on Getaway, courtesy of Kumuka Worldwide. For as little as USD 50 per year you can sponsor a baby elephant and actively help save the existence this amazing species. Click here for more information.

Where will I be for Christmas and New Year?
Christmas will be a free camp in the black desert. New Year's Eve will be spent in either Luxor or Hurghada.

What to see: Mount Sinai, Dahab, Cario, Pyramids, Western Desert, Luxor, Valley of the Kings and Queens, Karnak Temple, Aswan, Nile Felucca trip, Edfu Temple, Philae Temple, Aqaba, Wadi Rum, Petra, Dead Sea.

What Christmas spirit can I spread? Buy local! The cooler months in the Middle East do not attract the mainstream traveler. This is an advantageous time for Kumuka travellers to visit, as due to the lack of general tourists, trade is low for many local vendors. Support them by ensuring the produce is locally made and sold.

What to see: Ballestas Islands, Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Cuzco, Inca trail, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Lake Titicaca, Uros Islands, La Paz.

Where will I be for Christmas and New Year?
To be supplied...

What Christmas spirit can I spread? A lot of the poorer people in South America love anything educational or recreational, perhaps you would like to take advantage of this trip to give something back to the people who host you in their countries.

We do recommend: wooden toys, soccer or footballs, books and pens.
We don’t recommend: sweets, cash, or balloons; sweets rot teeth, cash is not always spent wisely, balloons don’t last.

Perhaps you are not able to pack up and go this New Year but are already thinking about New Year 2006.

Our Europe, Africa and Asia brochures are already out.

Click here to access the brochure links and plan ahead !!

Hi Guys!

Just thought I’d write and tell you about my time so far in South America. So far my trip with Kumuka has been incredible. I have loved every minute of it. Highlights so far for me have been Lake Titicacca and walking the Inca Trail. The trail is very hard work but extremely rewarding. If you ever get the chance to do this you absolutely must. The other highlight has been flying over the Nazca lines. These are lines which were etched into the soil by the Inca’s hundreds of years ago to make different shapes like animals and birds. They were discovered in the 1920s when a plane flew over them. It’s a mystery why they are there however there are many myths. It’s best to see them from the air so we flew in a light aircraft organised by our Kumuka tour leader. South America is a wonderful place to travel, the people are friendly but take my advice, do a language school if you can before you go…they speak very little and sometimes no English!

Love to all…wish you were here!!!
Peta Aberhart.

Do you have a postcard you wish to send us? Email Meg

Peta Travelled on Kumuka Worldwide’s Inca Heights tour.

Meet Sarah Baxter

South Island Business Development Manager, New Zealand
Sarah joined the Kumuka team in London in 2003 after travelling extensively through Europe, 18 months later Sarah returned to New Zealand via Africa and Egypt to take up the position of Business Development Manager in the South Island.

When talking about quirky habits, Sarah admits: I sleep talk, which always amuses my roomies whilst travelling. I seem to mutter about things that I wouldn't usually say and tell my secrets!

If Sarah could go back to a destination she’s already travelled to it would be: Egypt, because the sights continue to amaze you more each day and the local people go out of their way to ensure you enjoy your experience.

Working for Kumuka is a blast because: I have the opportunity to learn about many different exciting destinations and its extremely satisfying knowing that, as a result of what we do, we are sending clients away on trips that may change their lives.

On her travels Sarah has learnt a lot of fun foreign words, her favourite phrase is:
“Lala Salaama”, meaning sleep peacefully in Swahili. (note, if you are sharing a room with Sarah it is best to stay awake, you never know what you may learn!)

The most exciting thing Sarah has done whilst on her travels was: Hot Air Ballooning over the Serengeti. Seeing the plains and the animals from such a unique point of view was breath taking and the 5* champagne breakfast in the bush following was not only delectable but an incredible experience.

Sarah’s best travel tips to give potential traveller it are: Baby wipes are your best travel companion and sarongs double as towels.

It’s amazing how many people put off travelling because they think they can’t afford it. Yet, travel to the other side of the world and you will find many resourceful travellers who don’t earn much for a living at all and have navigated their way around the entire planet; ask how they did it and they’ll say – I saved up.

Here are some of our staffs helpful tips for saving $ for your holiday. All you need is a little bit of planning.

Cut down on your coffee from the local vendor, don’t have one or two a day, treat yourself to one on a Monday or a Friday. Depending on where you live in the world, in one year you can save up to AU$700, US$510 or UK£300 . That’s a 7 day tour in Africa with Kumuka Worldwide.

Bring your lunch to work. On average you will spend approx AU$2600, US$1900 or UK£1066 per year for a sandwich and a drink each day at work. That’s a 15 day tour in China with Kumuka Worldwide.
Entertain at home. Dinner, drinks, taxi etc can cost up to AU$10,400, US$7540 or UK$4264 per year. That’s 44 days in Europe, flights and spending money and souvenirs with Kumuka Worldwide.
Don’t go to the gym; run on the beach, through the park, meet with friends and go for a walk or buy an aerobics video and exercise at home. Gym memberships can cost AU$1000, US$730 UK£400. That’s 11 Days in Turkey with Kumuka Worldwide.
If you are really keen and your parents are happy with this, move back home. Rent can cost a fortune! The world is your oyster with this brave move!

Do all of the above and you have your flights, a few tours, insurance, camera, spending money, and money in the bank to come home to.

*note, all prices are approximate only.

So what’s stopping you? – Go on, Venture a little further.

For those of you who have been subscribed for a while, you will remember Rex Pemberton and his successful quest to become the youngest Australian to summit Mt Everest. He reached the summit on the 31st of May 2005 with the help of sponsorship from Kumuka Worldwide.

What has he been up to since?
Rex came back to Australia to a fanfare of supporters and reporters. He went on a talking circuit of Australia, has been busy producing his documentary and writing his book, has been awarded Young Australian Adventurer of the year and has been nominated for Young Australian of the year.

His next big adventure, the highest summit on every continent in the world. The Seven Summits.

In Rex’s words
With Everest under my belt I can officially say I have climbed three of the seven peaks.

I have climbed:

Mt Kosciuszko 2228m Australia
Mt Kilimanjaro 5963m Africa
(with Kumuka Worldwide)
Mt Everest 8848m Nepal

I still need to climb:

Mt Aconcagua 6962m South America (set for early December 05 departure)
Mt McKinley 6195m Alaska North America (June 06 departure)
Mt Elbrus 5633m Russia (July or Aug 06 departure)
Vinson Massive 4897m Antarctica (set for December 06 departure)

I believe I can finish this quest in the next 12 months, making me the youngest Australian by far to climb the highest mountain on every content. I just can’t wait to get back into the mountains.

Kumuka Worldwide have come on board again as sponsors for the next venture and will be working with Rex in a bid to raise awareness for UNICEF projects around the world. Watch this space for further updates.

To read about Rex’s past adventures visit www.rexpemberton.com.au

Comments from ...
Amanda Panther who travelled on Kumuka’s African Drums tour

Jambo Julius

I can hardly believe it is nearly a month ago that I started out on my adventure to Kenya & Tanzania. Thank you to yourself, Patrick & Joseph for making my first trip to Africa a truly amazing experience. It is one that I will never forgot and always treasure.

Please pass on my thanks to Patrick & Joseph for their amazing driving and cooking skills. My meals at home will never have the same appeal as Joseph's. Patrick did an amazing group getting us safely to our next destination every day. Thank you so much for our wee Swahili lessons each day, your insights into the way of life in Africa and for sharing your knowledge of the wildlife. This along with the scenery, people and culture really made a complete experience.

It was wonderful to have a tour leader who cared and went out of their way to make sure everyone was happy and okay. As a single traveller (and might I say a nervous one because it was my first time away by myself) I am very thankful for all the advice that you gave us about some of the hidden dangers, such as the "bongo" boys in Tanzania. Even though we were lucky enough to avoid any encounters with them, I appreciated being warned. As you said "prevention is better than cure".

I also really appreciated your recommendation to do the hot air ballooning over the Masai Mara as this was the highlight of my trip. Well that and of course, my other highlight was meeting my fellow travellers, yourself, Patrick & Joseph. I have certainly made some awesome new friends.
I will not hesitate to recommend Kumuka to my friends and clients especially if all the crew are as wonderful, friendly and caring as yourself, Patrick & Joseph. And needless to say, I will definitely travel with Kumuka again!

Once again, thank you for making my trip a wonderful experience and one that totally exceeded my expectations.

Keep smiling!
Regards
Amanda Panther (your sister from another mother!!)

Click here and speak to an expert.

Kumuka Worldwide has been one of the leading specialists in adventure travel for the last 21 years. Our successful operation spans five continents, Africa, North America, South America, Europe and Asia where we operate exciting tours renowned for their quality and reliability.

Our combined expertise and experience adds new scope to the destinations and styles of trips available throughout the world. Together with the accumulative knowledge of our enthusiastic staff we are able to map out itineraries to 54 countries. Our clients tend to be between 18 and 45 with the average age being 28. It is however attitude that is more important than age and we do take some clients over 45 if the style of travel suits them. In general our clients are professionals with 65% travelling solo.

Visit www.kumuka.com - for more information on the ultimate adventure.