Activities - The Adventure Travel Site

Nature Trails in Habarana

Lankarama Temple | Image Courtesy : Orient Tours

Cushioned between Sri Lanka’s most prominent historical sites and exuberant nature, Habarana is a tiny town located in the Anuradhapura district. Its strategic location has made it a favourite among locals and tourists. Also, if you want to meet the royalty of Sri Lanka’s jungles – the elephant – Habarana is the ideal place for you. Habarana Village by Cinnamon is an eco-friendly Sigiriya hotel that has developed a lasting relationship with its surrounding nature. Such properties offer the ideal starting point to begin a nature trail.

Located in very close proximity to Habarana, the Minneriya National Park is a hotspot for elephant lovers. A knowledgeable guide and sporty jeep will take you on a mud strewn track, through a penetrable jungle. Wayward branches and tiny twigs fling tiny blows onto your face. However your eyes stay peeled to spot the undisputed kings and queens of the Sri Lankan wild.

Soon, the waters of the Minneriya tank glisten in the distance and the horizon is speckled with grey dots. Slight movements are visible even from a distance and on a close observation, you will notice that these female elephants show great maternal care as they guide their calves to safety. In order to avoid disturbing the animals, your jeep will be parked a safe distance away from the herds.

Tusker in Minneriya National Park |Image Courtesy : The Hungry Grape

A close and rather scary encounter with a lone elephant must also be anticipated. You would be truly fortunate to spot this majestic being, spending some alone-time rummaging through the jungle. Maintain your calm and be as least intrusive as possible, and the King will loosen his defences.

Visit Habarana for adventures with nature!

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

Mountain Biking in Abu Dhabi

Mountain Biking in Sir Bani Yas Island – Abu Dhabi

Sir Bani Yas Island, located on the Arabian Gulf is one of the largest natural islands of the United Arab Emirates. The Island, located off the shores of Abu Dhabi is home to around 36 archaeological sites, including a 4000-year-old circular tomb, a watch tower, a mosque amongst others. Sir Bani Yas Island forms one of eight other islands which form the Desert Islands. Owing to be an ideal retreat, the island provides adventurous activities catered to by Sir Bani Yas Island hotels, where visitors can choose from archery, land sailing and mountain biking. Most hotels, like Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Sahel Villa Resort, would provide a designated riding route which will be categorized into a non- strenuous path or a path that is more suitable for advanced riders.

Mountain biking through the rugged Arabian wilderness has become a popular past time of visitors to the island, as they are treated to spectacular sceneries of towering mountains and wild animals. Sir Bani Yas Island has been developed as part of Sheikh Zayed’s ‘Greening of the Desert’ programme, which was designed to provide a safe habitat for the country’s endangered wildlife species, where thousands of trees were planted and animal species like Gazelles, Oryx, Llamas and Ostriches were introduced to the island’s wildlife preserve. Therefore, bike riders are sure to see some of these wonderful beasts in their habitat.

Mountain biking is, therefore, the best way to explore the island as riders can cycle through wadis or access some of the lesser travelled paths, while simultaneously working out. Most bikes are complete with a carriage which allows for children under five to partake in this activity as well, ensuring that the entire family has a great time.

Be sure to always wear the helmet provided, and carry sunscreen as the Arabian sun can be harsh and is no friend to unprotected skin.

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+

Experience the Air balloon tours in Hunter Valley; floating above Hunter Valley

With over three decades of expertise in the hot air balloon business, Balloon Aloft has been recognized for the fact that it offered the very first “passenger balloon” tours in Australia. Over the years, it has been quite clear that the company has maintained its standards and remained as the leader in the market for the trade. The quality and the service offered by the organization have always been deemed highly.
Balloon Aloft has also been recognized with many awards since the year 1980. With the location conveniently placed a mere two hours away in the northern direction from the Sydney city, Hunter Valley is the best place for a picturesque balloon tour that will take you above sweeping scenery beneath. The fact that the tour starts early in the morning means that passengers are always made to feel fresh and enjoy a great start to their day of sightseeing, from a completely different angle.
The Hunter valley tours usually start at sunrise and will take the passengers over the beautiful areas of Pokolbin, Rothbury, Lovedale and Broke. The flights are usually timed for about one hour and are best followed up with a good and hearty breakfast. For most travelers who visit the city there are quite a few hotels and resorts in the area such as Cypress Lakes Resort and others that allow for a great dining at Oaks on Collins.
The daily hot air balloon tours that take place can be done for individuals or for corporate teams. The tours can also be done at a different level for VIP passengers and can be used for various celebrations as well. The scenery of the Hunter Valley locality and the refreshing experience can be the beautiful start of a vacation in Australia and can make for one of the best and most memorable stays of your life.

Air Ballon Tour,Hunter Valley - Australia, — Air Ballon Tour,Hunter Valley – Australia, Img. Credit:[Marysia Gunderson]

A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, Joanna James ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought. Her interests include Politics, law and Philosophy. Google+

Fishing at Lake Awoonga; “sweetwater fishing”

The Awoonga Dam is built beautifully across the Boyne River which is positioned in the southwestern region of Gladstone. The rock-fill construction consists of a concrete slab while the edge of the dam was said to have been built from a rock that was dug up from a quarry. The bank of the dam is a massive expanse which is more than 650 meters long and over 54 meters tall. The volume of the embankment could be well over two million cubic meters of rock according to records. The construction of the dam and its original design permits room for further building.
The Gladstone water board and the port authority of the city have started a program for breeding the species of mullet and the mangrove jack for various stocking requirements. It is recorded that around 300,000 fish are let into the Lake Awoonga on an annual basis and that the fish are then bred at a hatchery of sorts. This hatchery is said to be the biggest breeding program in the area. The board maintains a “fishery monitoring program” that uses various surveys to keep track of the restocking progress in the lake. Most visitors travel to the dam and Lake Awoonga to catch a glimpse of the beautiful water body while admiring the fish that thrive there in abundance. There are many apartments at Oaks Grand Gladstone such as Oaks Grand Gladstone that cater to the lodging requirements of many visitors to the area.
It has been estimated that since the year of 1996 more than 2 million barramundi and 340,000 mullets have been let into the Lake Awoonga and that about 10 to 25 kilograms are fished from the lake at regular intervals. There are many species of fish in the lake such as the eastern rainbow fish, bony bream, sea mullet, mangrove jack, silver perch, Saratoga, sleepy cod and sooty grunter.

Lake Awoonga Guided Barra Fishing, Img. Src:[fishingcharterbase]

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

Explore the Great Barrier Reef; the 25 million year old gentle giant

The Great Barrier Reef, Australia, Img.Credit:[Szopen]

The Great Barrier Reef is the known largest living reef habitat in the world. It is made up more than 2900 separate reefs and well above 900 islands. These islands span for more than 2600 kilometres or 1600 miles in size. The area that the reef covers can be estimated as above roughly 344,400 square kilometres. This beautiful aquatic landscape is without a doubt the most exquisitely diversified ecosystem on the planet. The Great Barrier Reef that is aged at over 25 million of years is a beautiful home to more than 600 different species of aquatic organisms. In this there has been estimated to be, more than 1500 different varieties of fish, over 4000 types of molluscs and more than 360 different varieties of corals.
Once you go underwater you will be stunned by the brilliance of the colour differentiation that exists as well as the various textures and shapes. The hundreds upon hundreds of fish that live in the eco-system create complicated yet incredibly simple patterns with their graceful movements as they swim around the place that they call home. The many silent dwellers of the Great Barrier Reef include sea cucumbers, turtles, giant clams, starfish, snails, shells, anemones, eels, sponges, rays and much more.
Port Douglas is the nearest city and the leaving point to the reef and each day over 12 tours leave the port. It is a complete diving and snorkeling haven and the nature of the area is such that even a beginner could enjoy a fun and safe snorkeling session. There are many Port Douglas hotels such as the Oaks Lagoons among multiple others that cater to the accommodation requirements of the many travellers that travel to the area from across the globe in seek of a glimpse of this age old gentle giant.

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

Top Water Sports in Thailand

//www.slideshare.net/calebfalcon/top-water-sports-in-thailand-64194118

Desert Safari Driving Tips -Guidelines on How to Make Rough Ride Go Smooth

What is a trip to the Middle East without a trip to the desert? Also, what better place for tourists to enjoy the desert than Doha, the capital of Qatar? There are a countless number of tourists coming to Qatar and most expect pretty much straight forward things from this Middle Eastern holiday spot- luxury , deserts , sand dunes and camel rides gaining top priority. Most choose tourists who come to this part of the world come with the expectation of splurging some cash. Some choose to spend their entire holiday in a luxury hotel in Doha and pay a visit to the deserts or some prefer to be closer to these mystical sand heavens. Either way most hotels like the Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara; make it a point to organise desert safaris and tours in their activities for the guest. The desert tours are categorised into various packages to suit individual requirements. Packages are often uniform across various operators.
There are options to be driven around the desert or you could self-drive in the presence of a guide. Most desert safaris are categorised as morning –half day tours where one can see the sun coming up to light up the golden sands , full day tours that allow you to explore the desert throughout the whole day and enjoy sundown refreshments and entertainment , thirdly an overnight desert safari which allows visitors to spend the night in the desert. Regardless of the safari, it is important to keep in mind that driving around the desert takes special skills compared to the day to day driving that one may engage in. Hence it is worth it to check with the tour operator to see what prior off road experience is needed. It is best to be within the recommended trails at all times and obey the guidance of the experts.

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

Bird Watching in Bundala National Park

The Bundala National Park is located in the Southeast of Sri Lanka. Of course the more frequented, Yala National Park is located in close proximity to it. But it is important to know the distinctness of the National Park in Bundala. It lives up to its status as a popular birding ground and attracts the quiet wanderer and the keen bird watcher. The National Park is said to be the home and temporary home of 197 species of bird. And you will not be disappointed because on merely one visit you are certain to spot over 50 species of bird. Cinnamon Wild Yala is amongst the Yala hotels, in the region that provide easy access to such national parks. If you are keen to spot more and more birds, you simply need to be an early riser.

Birds watching | Image Courtesy: Riolta Lanka Holidays

Arrive at the park at 5.30 am, this is when these flighty beings relax in the watery areas of the park. Hop onto a rickety jeep at the entrance and make sure you request the assistance of a ‘bird tracker’. The fact that your tracker is immersed in his surroundings, gives him the ability to spot the birds of the area with far greater skill than you would imagine.

Greater Flamingos in Bundala | Image Courtesy : Srilankan Spirit

You will be surprised to find that the birds are quite accustomed to the noise of your rickety jeep. In fact, they crave some attention. Colourful Painted Stork, Asian Openbills, Spot-billed Pelicans , Black-headed Ibises and flocks of Greater Flamingos are a few birds that you will be able to spot in the park. You will be thrilled at the variety of birds and the great skill of your tracker in spotting these beautiful beings.

It is impossible to keep count of the birds you will spot and there are countless amounts at the Bundala National Park.

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

Camel Trekking in the Desert

The Rub’Al Khali desert remains relatively untouched and is adjudged one of the most peaceful deserts in the world. In the UAE it receives much attention by streams of tourists who enjoy the remarkable landscape and endless sand dunes. Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara is located in the ‘Empty Quarter’ of this gigantic desert. It is a Liwa Desert resort that will allow you to gaze upon a desert that is filled with mystery. You can also explore the desert on the backs of the dearly-loved camels.

Camels hold a sense of secrecy and magic in their eyes. Well, you would say its gait deceives, and shows no sign of adventure and excitement. But it’s acknowledged that the desert is best explored on the ‘humpy-bumpy’ backs of camels. Nature reveals its beauties and history comes alive only when this sea of sand is explored in a ‘slow & steady’ manner.

The duration of your trek can vary depending on your travel buddies and favorite time of the day. If you have kids on board, you can choose the ‘family trek’. As long as your kids are above four years of age, you can choose this trek that will last approximately one hour and fifteen minutes. Your kids are sure to be thrilled by this unique mode of transport.
Sunsets are twice as beautiful when experienced in the desert. Choose the ‘sunset trek’ and be mesmerized as the red sands take on a golden hue as the sun sets. Be armed with a camera and be sure to ‘click’ away. The trek will last around one hour and forty five minutes and this includes a short stop for refreshments. Be refreshed by the sights and sounds of the desert.

If you are in a hurry to rush around, you can also opt for a short camel trek that will last forty five minutes. Life on the desert is slow-motioned but exotic and mystical, and there is no better way to experience it all than on the back of a camel.

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

Surf Trip to Arugam Bay

Surf's Up In Arugam Bay — Surf’s Up In Arugam Bay | Image Source : Penthouse Travel

Sri Lanka’s east coast delivers up a perfect blend of sand, sun and waves, with no place better for surfing than the fishing village of Arugam Bay. World famous as a top surfing destination, Arugam Bay attracts surfers from around the world with its various surf breaks and isolated beaches. Located 320km from Colombo, a surf trip to Arugam Bay, or A-Bay as the locals call it, takes more than a little bit of planning; the fastest and easiest way to get there is by booking an Air Taxi. Sri Lanka has quite a few air taxi operators and the most popular tour operators like Cinnamon Air, have several ongoing offers for travel to the East Coast.

Once you have arrive and settled down in one of the many guesthouses and hotels along the coast, there are several surf points to choose from Main point, considered to be the best surf spot by many, to Whiskey Point located further north which is ideal for beginners as well. Elephant Rock and Peanut Farm are two other well-known spots near isolated beaches south of the Bay and if you head further south you’ll see Okanda, a surf spot surrounded by the dense jungle of the Kumana National Park.

While Arugam bay is more commonly known now for its surf culture and laid back hippie vibes, there is a wide range of activates to try besides surfing. There are several lagoons and beaches around Arugam bay if you just want to relax as well as cultural attractions such as historic temples and ancient ruins of Buddhist monasteries. If you’re a wildlife enthusiast the Kumana National Park is perfect for bird-watching and elephants. A trip to Arugam Bay with its natural break points and sunny beaches is the ideal vacation for anyone looking for Sri Lanka’s best surfing spot.

Catalina Forbes is a travel writer who bases her content on many thrilling escapades experienced across the world. Google+|Follow my blog with Bloglovin