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It’s truly International Expeditions’ enthusiastic local guides that make our Galapagos Island vacations so special, and no one is more passionate about his work than Galapagos Expedition Leader and Naturalist Bolivar Sanchez! We recently asked Boli six quick questions.
If you could be any animal, what would you be?
I would love to be a hammerhead shark — they live on the edge.
What is the most interesting place you have ever visited?
Victoria, Canada was fantastic! It is very pristine and wild outside in the country, but also a modern, organized city.
Is there a past vacation or place you’ve visited that got you hooked on travel?
Not in particular. I just like traveling, and if I did not have to work I would only travel and take pictures.
Where will you visit next?
I am planning a 10-day trip with my family to Argentina and Chile. We’re going to the cities to eat and sample the Chilean wines, then heading to Iguazú Falls.
Given that you’ve lived in Galapagos and visit so often, is there anything in the islands that still surprises you?
Galapagos is a very special place and the wildlife in general surprises me all the time, but it is really the underwater world that I love so much! That’s why I love taking Evolution guests snorkeling there is so much to experience.
April’s issue of Delta Sky magazine featured International Expeditions’ Galapagos Island cruise and your skills as a naturalist. Has being a “big star” changed your life?
I am nowhere near a big star, but almost half of the people that traveled with me in April had read the story. It was fun to have guests already know my name and background before we ever got on the ship!
Read Delta Sky’s article about our Galapagos tour.
By Claudio Bacinello
Loyal International Expeditions’ guests Claudio and Teresa Bacinello share stories and photos from their custom safari through Namibia and Botswana.
So, here we are, on our fourth trip with International Expeditions and the furthest from home Terry and I have ever been. One of the attractions of this custom safari itinerary for us was the opportunity to experience vastly varied natural environments of Southern Africa.
With this in mind, we left the Chobe River for stays in lodges in the Okavango Delta and on the edge of the Nxai Pans, the desert-like remains of a dried salt lake. Both of our lodges (Camp Moremi and Leroo La Tau) have a number of common treats for guests. Among them are: great accommodations, food and service; expert guides and trackers; and the ability to customize an itinerary to accommodate any individual’s preferences. In our case, we chose to go out on game drives most of the time with one river excursion and a full day trip to see the giant baobabs and Nxai Pans. Needless to say, we looked forward to every outing and were rewarded with once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography.
But beyond that was the experience itself. The friendly people, the amazing level of organization (four border crossings in one morning without a hitch!), the highly personalized service and the opportunity to make new friends from around the world all combined to make this the most memorable trip we’ve been on. Now that we’re back, everyone asks what we liked best or was most unique so, here’s our top ten list:
- Flying between camps in a single engine Cessna
- Driving our jeep through four feet of water in the Okavango Delta without getting stuck
- The Baines Baobabs
- Hippo tracks all around our cabin each morning
- A Lilac Breasted Roller chasing away an African Fish Eagle
- Incredible sunsets
- The Eagle Owl’s pink eyelids
- A wilderness barbecue feast
- All those stars at night
- Nothing cuter than Ostrich chicks
Read the first installment of Claudio and Teresa’s custom travel adventure to Southern Africa.
By Claudio Bacinello
International Expeditions’ guests Claudio and Teresa Bacinello share stories and photos from their safari to Southern Africa.
So, here we are, on our fourth trip with IE and the furthest from home Terry and I have ever been. Following stops in London, Johannesburg and an overnight stay near Victoria Falls in Zambia, we’ve arrived at Chobe Savannah Lodge on the bank of the Chobe River in Namibia.
The air here is different. It’s clean, with a pleasant dry, woody scent. We like it. Our hosts, Brett and Roxanne welcome us like family, and, as we enjoy a cool drink, Roxanne points out a small group of elephants grazing across the river, in Botswana. She says the herd is moving to the river for water and we should see quite a few more the next day.
Next morning, we see that her prediction has come true. There are literally hundreds of elephants grazing and drinking along the river. Over the next two days, our river excursions allow us to observe the elephant’s behavior at close range and provide the opportunity for some spectacular photographs. In addition to elephants, we also see a large troop of baboons, impala, buffalo, crocodiles and hippos. I recall how utterly surreal it seemed as we sat in our boat with the engine off and watched and photographed these changing scenes as they unfolded before us. Who knew that a herd of elephants could be so quiet and that, normally cautious baboons and impala would go about their business as if we weren’t there. Terry and I split our photographic assignments for best coverage, with her using her compact camera for larger scenes and groups and me using my SLR for tighter groupings, individual shots and small details.
Two days and a thousand or so photos later, it’s time to move on.
Stay tuned for more stories and Claudio’s photo tips coming soon. You can see more of Claudio’s images from his Southern Africa Safari on the IE flickr page.
Caral is the newest addition to Peru’s collection of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Found on the northern coast, south of Trujillo, the 5,000 year-old archaeological marvel sits on a dry desert terrace overlooking the green Supe River valley.
Dating to 2900 B.C., Caral is the oldest city in the Americas. The center of an area featuring large, truncated pyramids, archaeologists believe around 3,000 people lived in Caral.
The impressive site is well preserved and includes six pyramids arranged around a central courtyard as well as elaborate dwellings and some residential areas still under excavation.
Custom Travel Planner Kim Guth recently returned from Peru, and offered this quick extension (perfect from our Amazon River tour or Machu Picchu vacation) for exploring Caral. Find our more by calling 800-633-4734.
Caral Sample Itinerary:
Day 1 • Depart Lima, heading north aboard a luxury vehicle with your English-speaking guide. Have lunch en-route and visit the fortress of Paramonga. Continue to Barranca for overnight at the Hotel Chavin.
Day 2 • Tour Caral with an archaeologist, learning about the culture and society exhibited by the complex and its monuments. After lunch, return to Lima.
