Trekking On Dunes

Mountains, Sun and Sand. The best way to completely enjoy and be a part of the picturesque and unique topography of Arabia and its breath-taking mountain landscape is to go on a trekking trip in Oman. Throwing in a liberal dash of sand dunes, a sprinkling of wadi walks, a pinch of mountain trekking and a smattering of beach walks, Oman concocts the perfect adventure blend for the visitor, making trekking on dunes one of the key attractions in Oman.
Oman sits in the comfortable seclusion with some of the world’s oldest rocks that date back over 800 million years. With an enchanting enigma of natural beauty, there is much to do in terms of dune trekking in Oman. If you want to truly experience the desert in all its glory, look for hotels such as the Desert Night Camp as they offer an authentic experience. Not only will you be able to walk along sandy dunes with its spontaneous sand art courtesy of Middle Eastern wind, but you will be able to stroll through ancient mountains and happen across wild wadi walks with their miles and miles of unspoiled, untouched sands.
One unique feature of sandy dune trekking is its changing topography that keeps you engaged throughout. One minute you may be hiking down sandy wadis and next minute stumbling on stunning sand dunes. Providing rest to your weary eyes during this adventure are beautiful canyons, wild wadis and obligatory oasis that you will not be able to forget. Limestone canyons, mountains that resemble rugged and used table-tops, ranges of rocks that speak of a history untold, desert with its uniform but varied nature, and the unexpected wildness that you will stumble upon, all contribute to making trekking on dunes in Oman the perfect activity for trekking enthusiast.

Trekking on Dunes
Trekking on Dunes

Damon Starky is a creative nomadic travel writer, who is well informed and experienced on a wide range of interests that would connect to the needs of any type of traveler. Google+

Safaris in Yala

Often regarded as Sri Lanka’s most popular safari hotspot the Yala National Park is no ordinary wildlife sanctuary in the island nation. Offering visitors a glimpse of some of the tropical country’s most coveted wildlife inhabitants and its most breathtaking natural surroundings, a safari experience is a must for all visitors based in properties along the South Coast such as Cantaloupe Hotels. Organizing a safari in Yala Sri Lanka is as simple as finding a local tour operator and selecting a safari package while resorts and hotels in the area and the national park itself offer safari experiences to suit every type of traveller and budget.

As the second most expansive national park in the country, the Yala National Park is spread out over 97,880 hectares. Divided in to five blocks, two blocks are open to visitors and have been named the Kumana National Park and the Ruhuna National Park. Having been declared a wildlife sanctuary as early as 1900, the park is famed as the best venue to spot Sri Lankan Leopards and elephants in the wild.
Home to countless herds of elephants, the gentle giants will not be the only mammals safari-goers spot on an outbound excursion in Yala. Housing around 44 species of mammals, the park also boasts the highest density of leopards on the planet. Other frequently spotted animals on a safari encounter in Yala include wild water buffalos, Sri Lankan Sloth Bears and golden palm civets. The red slender loris, toque macaques and fishing cats are among the top wildlife inhabits occupying Yala.
The sanctuary is also home to a whopping 215 species of birds, most of which occupy the designated bird park in Yala known as the Kumana National Park. Some of Yala’s most prized birdlife varieties include the brown-capped babbler and Indian paradise flycatcher while the black-headed ibis and crimson-fronted barbets are also popular bird species occupying Yala. Creepy crawlies large and small are also the pride of the national park which provides a verdant home for 47 species of reptiles including an equal number of endemic species. Safari excursions in Yala can be booked in the form of morning tours or after dark safaris for spotting nocturnal inhabitants of the parkland.

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Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+

Wildlife in Maldives

Most countries have a certain kind of local wildlife that they are proud of, from the big game that roam Africa’s national parks to the majestic Bengal tigers in India; the Maldives archipelagos is no different, except here, you won’t need a 4×4 vehicle to admire the local wildlife as most of its located under the clear turquoise waters that the Maldives is famous for.

The waters surrounding the atolls have a worldwide reputation for spectacular diving that entices hordes of visitors to the country every year, and with good reason. There’s an enormous diversity of sea life, a vast formation of colourful coral reefs and over 2,000 species of tropical fish found in the waters surrounding the famed Resort Maldives islands.
The area is home to several indigenous varieties of mantra rays, sting rays and eagle rays, as well as many kinds of sea anemones and jellyfish. Most of the leading resorts located here, like the Kuramathi Island Resort Maldives include special diving and snorkelling excursions for guests to get up close the marine life and appreciate the beauty of these sea creatures.

It’s not uncommon to see schools of whales, dolphins and even the elusively timid whale shark, passing by or sea turtles like the green turtle, the hawksbill turtle and the leatherback turtle. Indigenous land mammals and reptiles are rare here and the most common birds in the Maldives are ocean birds.

Wherever you go, there’s always something or some creature that will captive your attention, whether it’s a school of fish in the shallows waters near the shore or whales in the deep blue seas further from the islands. Whatever it may be, one thing is for sure; the crystal clear water and beautiful coral, brightly illuminated by the tropical sunshine is truly an underwater paradise that is not to be missed.

Fritzjames Stephen is a travel writer, who writes content based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life.
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Strive to Discover Amazing Natural Wonders in Mauritius -An assortment of sea, sand and everything in between

Mauritius, a lone island located in the Indian Ocean, boasts of world’s most picturesque and unique natural wonders – from sparkling waters to dormant volcanoes to culturally rich natural wonders, the island is a destination that fits the definition of word “amazing” in every way.
As an island, the waters of Mauritius is world renowned. If you are to stay at a Mauritius resort such as InterContinental Mauritius Resort Balaclava Fort, you will be lulled to sleep, woken up and constantly be accompanied by the soothing sound of waves kissing the shore; and be treated to a mesmerizing view of the Indian Ocean, sparkling with the rays of tropical sun on it.

Mauritius | Ourplnt ourplnt.com
Mauritius | Ourplnt
ourplnt.com

Venture inland and a plethora of wonders await you. Seven Coloured Earths, naturally occurring colourful geological phenomena that are also the most famous spot for tourists in Mauritius is one place you must visit. Located on the Chamarel plain, this is an area of sand dunes where sand is of seven distinct colours: red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple and yellow. With the shifting wind, the coloured sand arranges themselves in captivating patterns, with different colours spontaneously settling in different layers. The dunes never erode, and this nature’s magic can be witnessed in a handful of sand from the dunes as well.
Plunging 300 feet into an opaque pool of cooling water, Chamarel waterfall was once called “paradise” Mark Twain. Surrounded by the lush vegetation of Black River Gorges, the waterfall is formed by St. Denis River. You are offered two equally captivating viewpoints to admire this cascading beauty: an upper deck located at Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth Reserve, and the bottom of the waterfall where a plunge into cool ultramarine waters of a shallow pool with is also possible.
Culturally speaking, Grand Bassin, a natural pool formed at the crevice of one of Mauritius’s many dormant volcanoes is prominent. Hindus flock here in numbers, especially during Maha Siva Rathri festival, as it is believed to be connected to holy river Ganges. The area surrounding the Crater Lake is scattered with temples and statues, allowing a glimpse into a harmonious blend of nature with man-made structures.
Be it the sea, the sand or something else altogether that you seek for, Mauritius offers a unique and unusual assortment of natural wonders that can cater to any palate.

Catalina Forbes is a travel writer who bases her content on many thrilling escapades experienced across the world. Google+

Diving with Manta Rays in Maldives

The wealth of sea life in the Maldives makes it one of the top diving destinations in the world and one of its biggest underwater attractions is the manta rays. Getting the chance to swim with manta rays is one of the most memorable experiences you can have; they move so gracefully, almost like an aquatic ballet, gently soaring through the tranquil blue waters.

Growing up to 9 meters wide, these exotic looking sea creatures assemble in large numbers annually, between May and June in several locations around the Maldives, even swimming quite close to numerous Maldives Resorts and hotels. The manta rays gather here to feed on the abundance of plankton and can be seen at “cleaning stations” near reefs, where the small cleaner wrasse fish remove parasites and clean gill cavities.
Most of the luxury resorts here, like the Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas, offer special snorkelling and diving excursions to watch the manta rays in their natural habitat. It’s not unusual to sight large schools of over 100 manta rays feeding in the shallow surface waters. These extraordinary feeding masses are unique to the Maldives and are considered one of the world’s most remarkable natural underwater events.

Manta rays are naturally inquisitive creatures and are not bothered by human presence; they may even approach and swim around you, that is if you can control your enthusiasm and stay still for long enough to enjoy the spell binding sight. However, be warned, in areas heavily frequented by divers, they have become very wary and won’t come near you but you can still enjoy the sight of them swimming around. If you’re lucky enough to experience the truly magical feeling of being in the midst of these beautiful sea creatures as they glide through the water, consider your Maldivian retreat well spent.

Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
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Snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, an unforgettable experience at Townsville

Everyone cannot accomplish that feat of snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef. Probably with the exception of one: you! If you are such a prodigy, you should not miss this unforgettable experience at Townsville for its snorkeling experience is unique.

Remember however, it comes at a price. A little exorbitant, you may feel. But that price is fully worth when you think of the adventurous spirit. That experience would never be the same anywhere else. If you stay at one of the Townsville holiday apartments, you can save up some money for the snorkeling session.

An average traveler has ample reasons to be scared of snorkeling. In reality there is not so much to be scared of. Especially when Great Barrier Reef is an excellent spot for easy snorkeling. What you require is your swimming capacity as well as physical strength. Physical strength is of course a must as you have to depend on energy all the time while snorkeling. If you stay somewhere like Oaks Gateway on Palmer, you can ask them about the place to buy the right gear required for snorkeling.

At the Great Barrier Reef, you can of course opt in for a guided tour. The tours would introduce you to islands. You will also spot buoys placed with short difference in each other’s gap. You can choose that area to snorkel too. You can rent out float coats to give you extra props and more confidence.

Suppose you have not snorkeled before, but if you have good physical fitness as well as swimming capacity, then by all means you are eligible to explore the Great Barrier Reef. Waters are comfortably warm and you will hardly know the duration that you had been swimming. Even if you are not so skilled, you can obtain services of expert instructors to help you snorkel properly.

All that is really worth as it will add another extraordinary memory into your life journey.

Roland Lefevre is a travel writer who specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe.
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Mangrove Kayaking

Mangrove Kayaking,Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A mention of the Middle East brings to mind images of rolling sand dunes and endless desert. The cities are built up with gleaming steel and glass but only a short distance away from Abu Dhabi’s city center is Sir Bani Yas Island. A stark contrast to what you would expect, the island is occupied by the tranquil Arabian Wildlife Park. It is also home to several historical sites, world class purpose-built stables and Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Yamm Villa Resort.

Among the many Sir Bani Yas Island activities are spa retreats, nature watching safaris and adventure activities that are available on the island. It has been named a ‘World’s Leading Tourism Destination’. A favourite activity on the island is mangrove kayaking. You will be guided through the impressive mangroves of Abu Dhabi by an expert who will also teach you about the role these unique plants play in the coastal system. The low tides are better for spotting birds, crabs and fish that call the area home but the high tide allows deeper exploration of the mangroves.

Kayaking through the mangroves is not a dangerous activity, it is easy to learn and one that is available all year round in Abu Dhabi. The experienced guides are on hand to help and instruct; they are also trained in emergency response and equipped with first aid kits. You will be provided with a sturdily build kayak of a reputed brand and a life jacket. Guests can expect to get wet, therefore clothes suitable for watersports are recommended along with sensible footwear. In sunny weather it is best to bring a hat and plenty of waterproof sunscreen.  A towel and change of clothes may come in handy after your excursion. There are several great photo opportunities to be had on the water for those who have access to water resistant equipment.

Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+

Welcome to Dune Bashing in Abu Dhabi

A holiday to the world famous capital of the UAE, Abu Dhabi, isn’t complete until you hop in to a 4-wheel drive and steer your way through the enormous dunes that make up the desert expanse. With an abundance of high dunes and sand valleys, dune bashing is one of the Emirate’s most popular sporting activities.

For those who aren’t in the know, dune bashing is the practice of off-roading on large sand dunes. An experienced driver will drive a four-wheel vehicle straight up and over the dunes, sometimes letting the wheels leave the ground. Vehicles driven on dunes may come equipped with a roll cage in case of an overturn so don’t worry if you see one, it’s just for safety purposes. Adrenaline junkies are definitely going to enjoy the fast-paced action of these much-loved Abu Dhabi Excursions.

Due to the intense heat of the desert, dune bashing usually takes place in the early hours of the morning or late afternoon, to ensure the sand is hard enough to drive on. If you’re staying at a resort that is closely situated near the desert, like the Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara for example, check if the resort can organise the dune-bashing excursion for you. It’ll be an easier, more reliable option that’ll take you straight from the comfort of your room to the dunes, minus the long drives out into the desert.

Alternatively, there are several licensed operators offering dune bashing packages that either come at a set rate or can be either tailor made to suit your needs, at a higher price of course. Most will combine dune bashing with a desert safari so once you’re done racing through over the dunes; you can sit back, relax and take in the stark beauty of the dunes and the indigenous plants that inhabit the desert.

Fritzjames Stephen is a travel writer, who writes content based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life. Google+