Gadling

Transmongolia - Part Five: The Finish Line

Stephen Greenwood — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Festivals and Events, Photos, Asia, Mongolia, Video, Camping, Budget Travel

Transmongolia: Part Five. Click above to watch video after the jump

*After an extended hiatus (we blame the whole getting lost in the desert thing) Transmongolia is back to offer even more coverage of the 2011 Mongol Rally.

The Mongol Rally isn't a race, at least not in the official and common sense. There are no prizes for first place except bragging rights. More than anything, it's about who makes it to the finish line and who doesn't. It's about arriving at the finish line and scanning a large wall-sized poster that lists who has retired [RET] and who has completed the journey in their original automobile, no matter the condition.

After crossing through the fabled Mongolia Steppe, our team finally reached the end of their 10,000 mile long journey. Emotions ran high; we experienced excitement at the thought of being stationary for a long period of time and trepidation over knowing that everyone would be heading separate ways in just a matter of days. We had made it to Ulaanbaatar, victors of the Mongol Rally.

Continue reading Transmongolia - Part Five: The Finish Line

Transmongolia - Part Five: The Finish Line originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New stretch of Great Wall of China found using Google Earth

Sean McLachlan — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: History, Learning, Asia, China, Mongolia

A British researcher scanning through images from Google Earth has discovered a new section of the Great Wall of China.

Surprisingly, this part of the famous wall isn't in China, but rather Mongolia. The Great Wall is actually comprised of several walls built in various centuries by several different rulers starting in the fifth century B.C., or perhaps earlier.

When Great Wall expert William Lindesay spotted what looked like a wall cutting across a remote part of the Gobi Desert in Mongolia's southernmost region, he headed out with a team to follow along 60 miles of it. This photo, courtesy Alec East, shows the kind of terrain these modern-day adventurers had to deal with.

The wall varies in construction depending on the terrain and resources. In some parts it's made of local volcanic basalt, while in others it's a simple berm of sand and shrub cuttings. Lindesey believes this new portion of the wall is part of the so-called Wall of Genghis Khan, which, despite the name, is not considered a project by the famous conqueror but actually the Han Dynasty of China in 115 B.C.

Lindesay says this is the first time part of China's defenses has been found outside of the modern boundaries of China. A journalist for the New York Times may have discovered a portion of the same wall in Russia in 2001.

New stretch of Great Wall of China found using Google Earth originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 03 Mar 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Genghis Khan exhibit in Chicago the biggest ever

Sean McLachlan — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, History, Learning, Asia, North America, Mongolia, United States

A new exhibition at the Field Museum in Chicago spotlights the world's greatest conqueror.

Genghis Khan brings together the largest collection of 13th century Mongol artifacts ever. The exhibition traces the career of Genghis Khan from his birth in 1162, to a noble but obscure family, through his conquest of an empire that was larger than the Roman Empire. In fact, it was the largest ever, stretching from the Pacific Ocean to the gates of Vienna, and he built it in just 25 years.

More than 200 objects are on display including a Mongolian house, silk robes, weapons, and even the mummy of a Mongolian noblewoman.

The exhibition shows that while Genghis Khan was a bloodthirsty warrior, he was a clever statesman too. He established a complex and efficient form of government, a postal system, paper currency, diplomatic immunity, even wilderness preserves and laws against littering. His conquests had a profound impact on the development of Asia and Europe.

Genghis Khan runs until September 3.

Photo courtesy the Field Museum.

Genghis Khan exhibit in Chicago the biggest ever originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 27 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Transmongolia - Part Four: Traversing the Steppe

Stephen Greenwood — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Photos, Asia, Mongolia, Video, Budget Travel

Transmongolia: Part Four - Click above to watch video after the jump

*After an extended hiatus (we blame the whole getting lost in the desert thing) Transmongolia is back. Click here for our previous coverage of the 2011 Mongol Rally.

Other than a complete break down or having to wait days for a spare part to arrive, there are few things as disheartening on the Mongol Rally as driving in the completely wrong direction for hundreds of kilometers. After recovering from a near-disastrous rendezvous with the Chinese-Mongolia border, our humble ambulance regained its eventual path toward Ulaanbaatar.

With a scheduled welcome party arranged in Mongolia's capital just a few days away, we hurried to get back on track as fast as possible; while gradually losing more members of our convoy with every deep pit and poorly spotted rock in the road.

The end was in sight, but the final sprint across the steppe would still test the endurance of our newly formed friendships and our overworked engine.

Continue reading Transmongolia - Part Four: Traversing the Steppe

Transmongolia - Part Four: Traversing the Steppe originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ten big travel adventures for 2012

Kraig Becker — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Biking, Climbing, Arts and Culture, Hiking, History, Paddling, Scuba Diving, Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, Antarctica, Botswana, Rwanda, Afghanistan, China, Iran, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Turkey, United States, Camping, Ecotourism, Luxury Travel

A new year always brings new possibilities, particularly in the realm of travel. With 2012 now officially underway, it is time to start plotting our adventures for the year ahead. This year, rather than share yet another top ten list of adventure travel destinations, we thought it would be fun to recommend some highly specific adventures instead. These are unique journeys that will take you to the very ends of the Earth and deliver a travel experience that simply can't be easily found elsewhere.

Visit Yellowstone in Winter
Yellowstone National Park is one of the most breathtakingly scenic destinations in all of North America, and well worth a visit any time of the year. But in the heart of winter, it takes on a whole new level of beauty and wonder. With fewer than 100,000 visitors during the colder months, the park offers plenty of solitude as well, making it the perfect winter wonderland for those looking for a true wilderness adventure in the snow. Cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and wildlife spotting are amongst the best activities, and Austin Lehman Adventures offers fantastic itineraries that provide all of that and much more.

Explore Botswana's Okavango Delta By Canoe
Botswana is home to the Okavango Delta, which is formed when waters from the Okavango River empty into the flat-lands near the base of the Kalahari Desert. The result is a fertile piece of swampland that attracts all manner of African wildlife, including elephants, zebras, giraffes, lions, and much more. The best way to explore that expanse of wetlands is in a traditional dugout canoe, which puts you in very close proximity with those amazing animals. National Geographic Expeditions has a unique itinerary that allows travelers to do just that, while learning to track game with the famed Kalahari Bushmen and wander the Makgadikgadi salt flats on horseback. This is truly an amazing, once in a lifetime, journey to the very heart of Africa.

Cycle The Silk Road
Stretching across Europe and Asia, the Silk Road was once one of the most important trading routes in the entire world. Today it serves as the dramatic and historic backdrop for one of the longest, and most epic, annual cycling trips that any adventure traveler could ever ask for. The Silk Route Tour, which is designed by the team behind the amazing Tour d'Afrique, stretches from Shanghai to Istanbul, covering a distance of more than 7450 miles and requiring 129 days to complete. This year's route takes riders into Iran for the first time and will test their legs on Tajikistan's Pamir Highway, which rises above 15,000 feet. Don't have time to commit to the full tour? Then ride any combination of the individual legs instead.

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Ten big travel adventures for 2012 originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 03 Jan 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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"Food" preparation around the world: a video round-up

Laurel Miller — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Learning, Festivals and Events, Food and Drink, Africa, Asia, North America, South America, China, Mongolia, Thailand, Serbia, Mexico, United States

Every savvy traveler knows that meals that are considered taboo (pets), weird (ingredients that are still alive), or gross (insectia, specific animal innards) at home are likely what's for dinner elsewhere in the world. Even if the food or dish isn't unappetizing by our standards, its means of preparation is often spectacle-worthy.

Thus, the following collection of videos, all devoted to the creation of specific regional delicacies from around the globe. Check them out: next time you down a shot of mezcal or snack on some fried grasshoppers, you'll understand that someone, somewhere, put a lot of hard work into their preparation. Bon appetit!

In Mongolia, where food and other resources are scarce, innovation is crucial:
Making noodles is an art form in many parts of the world, including Xian Province in northern China:

Continue reading "Food" preparation around the world: a video round-up

"Food" preparation around the world: a video round-up originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 03 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Transmongolia - Part Three: the Road to China

Stephen Greenwood — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Photos, Stories, Asia, China, Mongolia, Video, Budget Travel

Transmongolia: Part Three - Click above to watch video after the jump

As soon as dawn broke, I could hear rustling coming from the other tents scattered around the convoy of rally cars. Bitter cold winds whipping across the open desert prevented me from moving or making any attempt to unzip my sleeping bag, but we needed to get moving in order to cover as much ground as possible.

The night before had been an impromptu birthday celebration for a rallyer named Andrew; now 25 years old. We sat around a campfire, listening to iPod playlists blasting from one car's deceivingly powerful sound system, sipping on flasks of Russian-made vodka to keep warm. Under the most vivid blanket of stars I've seen in my life, I couldn't help but smile at the fact that I was getting to celebrate a stranger's birthday with a group of new friends, hours away from any familiar form of civilization.

As we set off, I began to accept and adapt to my new environment for the next week; the ambulance's olive colored walls, coated with dust that seemed to stream in from all directions, shuddering relentlessly - it was everything I had ever hoped my Mongol Rally experience would be.

Continue reading Transmongolia - Part Three: the Road to China

Transmongolia - Part Three: the Road to China originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 17 Nov 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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10 unique modes of transportation around the world

Jessica Festa — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Biking, Arts and Culture, Learning, Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Cambodia, India, Israel, Japan, Laos, Mongolia, Singapore, Thailand, Portugal, United Kingdom, Canada, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Transportation, Ecotourism, Budget Travel, Travel Health, Consumer Activism, Middle East, Central America, Women's Travel

Cars, trains, buses, and planes aren't the only way to get around a country. From the Bamboo Train in Cambodia to the Rail Cart in the the Philippines to the Couch Bike in Canada, here are ten unique modes of transportation from around the world.

Chicken Bus
Guatemala, Central America

While variations of the chicken bus can be found in many different countries (this reminds me a lot of taking the tro-tro in Ghana, Africa), this vehicle is used not only to transport people but also livestock, hence the name. These U.S. school buses are very eye-catching as they are colorfully painted and decorated. When taking one expect cramped conditions, as chicken buses tend to be packed to capacity, and hectic driving at Nascar speeds.

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10 unique modes of transportation around the world originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Transmongolia - Part Two: Hitching a Ride

Stephen Greenwood — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Festivals and Events, Asia, Mongolia, Video, Budget Travel

Transmongolia: Part Two - Click above to watch video after the jump

After gaining my bearings in Ulaanbaatar and making a few friends over rocket propelled grenades, I set off for Ölgii - a dusty city of roughly 29,000 people and the capital of the remote province of Bayan-Olgii Aimag.

From Ulaanbaatar, the flight to Ölgii Airport was just 2 1/2 hours in a noisy Saab 340B. Flying over the wide expanses of the Gobi desert and Altai mountains, it was difficult to imagine that I'd be traversing everything that was passing below me in just under a week.

Joined by Mel, a journalist from an English newspaper, I arrived in Ölgii without much of a plan; to get a ride into town and hope to hitch a ride. But in order to find a team to ride with, the only thing we could do was sit by the side of the town's one main road and wait - hoping that whoever came along would be willing to pick up two outsiders carrying cameras and notepads.

Continue reading Transmongolia - Part Two: Hitching a Ride

Transmongolia - Part Two: Hitching a Ride originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Transmongolia - Part One: USA to RPGs in 24 hours

Stephen Greenwood — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Stories, Asia, Mongolia, Video, Camping, Budget Travel

"Traveling is for sissies, come and get stuck in a desert." The moment I first read those words, I knew that the Mongol Rally was something that I needed to experience in my lifetime.

Imagine: a 10,000 mile adventure across some of the world's most rugged terrain, in some of the most unsuitable vehicles imaginable; no GPS devices, no support crew, and no single set route from the starting line in Goodwood, England to the finish line in Mongolia's capital city of Ulaanbaatar. In the words of the Adventurists (the group responsible for the rally), the Rally is simply: "10,000 miles of adventuring bliss through deserts, mountains, and steppe".

So, when I got the opportunity to fly to Mongolia and join one of the 300 teams competing in the 2011 Mongol Rally, there wasn't a moment's hesitation. I needed to know what it was like to race across the steppe, fix major breakdowns with only duct tape, and meet the type of people that were capable of completing something so amazingly bizarre.

Continue reading Transmongolia - Part One: USA to RPGs in 24 hours

Transmongolia - Part One: USA to RPGs in 24 hours originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 18 Oct 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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10 crazy cocktails from around the world

Jessica Festa — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Learning, Food and Drink, Stories, Asia, Europe, North America, Cambodia, China, Laos, Mongolia, Thailand, Vietnam, United Kingdom, Mexico, United States, Budget Travel, Nightlife, Central America

Whatever happened to the days of just drinking vodka mixed with juice? Maybe some fruit added in, a sugar stick, or a mint leaf garnish. Apparently, these simple recipes are being replaced with edible scorpions, dead birds, and fermented rodents.

Snake Wine, Vietnam

In South East Asia, snakes are considered to be good for the health, with the thinking being that a shot or two can cure all ailments. According to happyhourmagonline.com, this wine is created by infusing an entire snake into in rice wine or grain alcohol. Apparently, there is even a snake village in Hanoi, Vietnam, which features numerous bars and restaurants where customers can sample the wine, among other snake delicacies, such as snake steak and fried snake skin.

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10 crazy cocktails from around the world originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 12 Oct 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The world's top ten most desolate countries

Justin Delaney — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Learning, Stories, Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania, South America, Mauritania, Namibia, Mongolia, Ireland, Australia, Suriname, Ecotourism, Airports, Nightlife, Central America

According to a Harvard study, the earth's population will hit seven billion humans in a few months. Earlier this summer, Gadling labs profiled the effects of increasing populations on finite land resources by showcasing the world's most crowded islands. The earth is, in its own way, an island, and 21st century humanity will be presented with the challenge of adapting to rising population levels and static resources.

While countries like India have wrestled with the conundrum of feeding and housing booming population levels in Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai, the countries on this list bear no similarities to the billion strong Indian subcontinent. These countries are the ones with open space - lots of it. Countries like Greenland and Mongolia may someday be utilized for their vast expanses of open terrain, but today they are simply great places to go when you have tired of other human beings.

So while this extraordinarily hot summer may have included elbowing your way through thronged midtown Manhattan in 100 degree heat or hesitantly inhaling the stink rising off the sweaty crowd at Bonnaroo, this list is intended to take you way away from the crowds. From riding a horse through the empty steppes of Mongolia to exploring the glacial highlands of Iceland, each of these countries offers exercises in sweet sweet solitude. None of these countries have more than ten people per square mile.

Gallery: The world's ten most uninhabited countries

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The world's top ten most desolate countries originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Marco Polo: travel writer fraud

Kraig Becker — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, History, Learning, Asia, Europe, China, Mongolia, Italy, News

As a child, I was fascinated by stories about Marco Polo. History told us that the 13th Century Italian merchant and explorer famously traveled to the Far East, where he witnessed the wonders of Chinese and Mongolian cultures, and even served as an ambassador to the court of Kublai Kahn. For more than 24 years, Marco wandered throughout Asia, where he traded with the locals and became intimately familiar with their way of life.

Eventually, Marco returned to Venice, where he mesmerized people with tales of his far-flung adventures. Those stories would later be documented in a book entitled Description of the World, a work that was incredibly popular, even long after Polo's death in 1324. Many historians consider it to be amongst the first travel books ever written and it helped to cement Marco's stats as a legendary figure in history. So much so, that 700 years after it was first published, we still revel in the tales of Polo's fantastic travels.

But what if the famous merchant wasn't exactly honest about his exploits? What if he hadn't traveled as far and wide as he claimed in those tales? What if Marco Polo was a travel fraud?

That's exactly what archaeologists have now come to believe after pouring through Description of the World and lining up what Polo described in the text with what we now know about historical events and places. In fact, according to a story published in The Daily Telegraph a few days ago, historians now believe that Marco Polo never even went to China. Instead, they think that he picked up his stories from Persian merchants that he dealt with directly along the Black Sea. Polo may have then taken those stories, embellished them a bit, adding in his own details for good measure.

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Marco Polo: travel writer fraud originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wanted: Fire truck for 10,000 mile road trip

Chris Owen — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 07:00:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, North America, Mongolia, Canada, United States, Peru

In July, the Mongol Rally takes off on a nearly 10,000-mile road trek from the UK and Czech Republic, finishing in Mongolia. Far from just a long road trip, Mongol Rally is about the vehicles, the distance and the teams from all over the world that will take part.

Mongol Rally is an unsupported road rally sponsored by The Adventurists a group charged with the notion that there is still grand adventure to be found in the world.

When they say "unsupported" they mean just that. There are no backup pit crews hanging around to help in case of a breakdown. Each team is on their own, no matter what the trek throws in their way. There isn't even a map to follow; teams just need to end up in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Sometime. Crossing over deserts, mountain ranges and non-existent roads, 250-300 cars will enter the event hoping to navigate their way through 15 countries and 2 continents.

Continue reading Wanted: Fire truck for 10,000 mile road trip

Wanted: Fire truck for 10,000 mile road trip originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 01 Jun 2011 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video of the Day - Sunsets around the world

Stephen Greenwood — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 22:30:00 EST

Filed under: Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America, China, India, Mongolia, Russian Federation, Thailand, Vietnam, Belgium, France, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, United States, Australia, Colombia, Photo of the Day

Seeing the sun set over a foreign land can lead to some of the most memorable moments on any given trip. Even though it's an event we witness every day of our lives, watching it dip over a new horizon always feels like a completely new experience. Today's Video of the Day is a collection of one backpacker's best sunsets from a 365 day trip around the world.

Romain Corraze decided to travel around the world for one year after finishing his studies in 2009. Starting in France, he managed to venture through the USA, India, Cambodia, Colombia, China, Russia, Thailand, Argentina, Chile, Mongolia, Nicaragua, Mexico, Hong-Kong, Australia, Vietnam, Guatemala, Belgium & France - and captured some of these sunsets along the way.

If you like it, then be sure to check out Romain's full length documentary - "Backpacker, the movie". The video was shot with a Sony HDR-SR11 and edited in Final Cut Pro - which just goes to show that anyone can create an inspiring video with today's simple tools. If you have an inspiring piece to share, drop a comment below and it could be our next Photo/Video of the Day!

Video of the Day - Sunsets around the world originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Outside Magazine posts their 2011 trips of the year

Kraig Becker — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Biking, Climbing, Hiking, Paddling, Scuba Diving, Skiing, Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America, Bhutan, Mongolia, Nepal, Russian Federation, France, United States, Argentina, Camping, Ecotourism, News

Adventure travelers still looking for suggestions on what to do, and where to go, this year may find some inspiration courtesy of Outside Magazine which has posted their selection for the 2011 Trips of the Year online.

Compiled by the Outside editors, the list, first appeared in the March print edition of the magazine which is on newsstands now. The recommendations will send travelers off on active adventures to far flung places ranging from Alaska, Nepal, Siberia, and beyond. The trips aren't necessarily for the faint of heart however, as the suggestions include high altitude trekking, heli-skiing, mountain biking, white water rafting and much much more.

Each of the trip recommendations includes a short description of what travelers can expect, suggested dates to go, and a recommendation of a travel company to use when booking the journey yourself. Prices are also included, and be warned that some of them can induce a bit of sticker shock. But these trips are also unique excursions to remote places, which usually don't come cheap. They also happen to be genuinely once in a life time opportunities for most of us, and will almost certainly leave a deep and lasting impression on those who take them.

As an active traveler who happens to enjoy a bit of adventure in my getaways, each of these trips appeals to me on a different level. But were I forced to choose one or two that stand out the most, I'd recommend the mountain biking journey through Argentina's Patagonia or the expedition across Mongolia on horseback. Both offer a fantastic adventure through stunning landscapes unlike any other on Earth.

Outside Magazine posts their 2011 trips of the year originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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National Geographic jumps into the adventure travel arena

Kraig Becker — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Climbing, Hiking, History, Learning, Paddling, Skiing, Festivals and Events, Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America, Tanzania, Bhutan, Mongolia, Nepal, United States, Chile, Camping, Ecotourism, News, Luxury Travel

The very name National Geographic evokes images of adventure and thoughts of exciting journeys to far away places. The iconic Society has probably done more to inspire travel than any other single entity ever. Several generations have grown up gazing at breathtaking images in the organization's popular magazine and reading about daring explorers on those beautiful, glossy pages. Now, in what seems like a long over due move, Nat Geo is throwing its hat into the adventure travel ring, announcing 11 unique trips that will offer a compelling mix of cultural and physical activity with some of the most stunning scenery on the planet as the backdrop.

The aptly named National Geographic Adventures have itineraries that are sure to appeal to any adventure traveler. For instance, they offer a 15-day trek through the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan that takes you to the 23,997-foot Chomo Lhari - the most sacred mountain in the country. If you prefer your trips keep you closer to sea level however, then perhaps the 9-day Alaska excursion would be more to your liking. That trip features sea kayaking and whale watching in Glacier Bay National Park. Meanwhile, backpackers will likely be enthralled with the 14-day hike through Chile's stunningly beautiful Patagonia region. Other itineraries take travelers to Everest Base Camp in Nepal, on safari in Tanzania, and across Mongolia on horseback.

Each of the itineraries has been specifically crafted with the help of a National Geographic expert, who has applied their knowledge of the various regions to create a series of trips that are unlike any other. Those trips come with an activity level rating, with easy, moderate, strenuous, and "ultimate challenge" options available. Accommodations range from luxury tents to quaint mountain lodges and inns, and the group size is capped at just 16 to ensure the best travel experience possible.

To find out more about these new adventure travel options, click here, and for the full line up of trips from Nat Geo, check out the National Geographic Expeditions website as well.

National Geographic jumps into the adventure travel arena originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 28 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Use Facebook or Twitter, win a trip to Iceland!

Kraig Becker — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Africa, Asia, North America, Oceania, South America, Egypt, Kenya, Mongolia, United States, Chile, Camping, Transportation, Cruises, Luxury Travel

Adventure travel company Overland Experts (OEX) is dipping their toe in the social media waters, and to celebrate, their giving away a free trip to Iceland - and winning couldn't be much easier. The company has launched efforts on both Facebook and Twitter, and they're hoping to reach 3000 followers on one or the other of those social networks by the end of the month. If they do, on September 1st they'll pick one of their followers on either network to head off on an exciting adventure.

To enter, simply go to the OEX Facebook page, which can be found by clicking here, and "Like" them or follow them on Twitter at @OverlandExperts and Tweet out the following: "Want to win a free trip to Iceland with Overland Experts? RT this and follow @overlandexperts. Details: http://bit.ly/OEXgiveaway #OEX" That's it! Do one or the other, or both of those things, and you'll be automatically entered to win the trip. For more specific information on the contest, check out the Iceland Trip Giveaway page here.

Overland Experts specializes in off-road driving training, but they are also a travel company that focuses on small group adventures, by 4x4, to remote corners of the planet. They offer excursions to Peru, Chile, Kenya, Egypt, Mongolia, and more. Their trips are an interesting mix of cultural immersion and exploration of the natural environment and they use their four-wheel drive vehicles to reach places that most people will never have the opportunity to see. Check out their website for more information and to find a trip that is right for you.

[Photo credit: Overland Experts]

Use Facebook or Twitter, win a trip to Iceland! originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 14 Aug 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Photo of the day (7.23.10)

Alex Robertson Textor — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Asia, China, Mongolia, Photo of the Day

A travel mascot injects levity into a journey. Photographing one's mascot in various exotic locations is an often hilarious way to articulate a narrative string for a journey. This image of a tiny robot on the Great Wall by cjthekid is playfully awesome. It neatly juxtaposes the old and the contemporary; the durable and the disposable.

Poke around cjthekid's Robot Travel Association 5000 photo set and you'll find additional images of this little robot in China and Mongolia. I look forward to seeing where this little robot will show up next.

Anyone with similarly whimsical images of mascot-like objects perched on popular tourist sites or elsewhere for that matter should submit said images to the Gadling Flickr Pool. You might just have your image selected as our Photo of the Day.

Photo of the day (7.23.10) originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Adventurer trekking solo across Mongolia

Kraig Becker — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Hiking, Asia, Mongolia, News

British adventurer Ripley Davenport is in the middle of a spectacular solo journey. One that if he finishes, will put him the record books for the longest solo and unsupported trek in history. But before he's done, he'll face harsh weather conditions, inhospitable terrain, and one of the most demanding routes ever undertaken by man.

Ripley's adventure is dubbed the Mongolia 2010 Expedition. His plan is to travel alone for 1700 miles across the vast, open wilderness of Mongolia, a country that boasts one of the lowest population densities on Earth. Along the way, he'll travel on foot across the Eastern Mongolian Steppe, through the Gobi Desert, and over the Altai Mountains, while pulling all of his gear and supplies behind him in a specially designed cart that is the lifeline for his trek.

The expedition initially began back in April, but just three days in, the cart broke down on the harsh terrain. Undaunted however, Ripley returned home, made some important modifications to the design, and returned to the trail once again in late May. Since that time, he has completed the trek over the Mongolian Steppe, and is now nearing the end of the Gobi. According to his latest blog posts, Ripley has entered the foothills of the Altai Mountains, which will present an entirely new set of impediments to his progress.

At the moment, the former British Army officer is roughly halfway through his expedition, with plenty of challenges yet to overcome. But his spirits are high, he is focused and determined, and after more than 40 days on the trail, he is confident in his skills and equipment. The redesigned cart is working well, and is vital to Ripley achieving his goal of going solo and unsupported. Traveling by himself, he has the solo part well covered, but in order to achieve "unsupported" status he needs to finish the expedition without resupply or outside aid of any kind. His cart not only carries his gear, but also his food and water too, and without it, the journey wouldn't be possible at all.

Check in on Ripley's blog for regular updates from the field as he shares his adventure with the rest of us.

[Photo credit: Ripley Davenport]

Adventurer trekking solo across Mongolia originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 05 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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