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Perhaps our favorite trip here at Embark is climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro via the Lemosho Route and Western Breach. And this month we were thrilled to help another group successfully make the climb. The Walter group even had great weather, despite it being the rainy season. Good for them!

Here they are, with our awesome porters, looking proud after the climb. To see some more shots from their adventure, check out their photo gallery.

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2013 is going to be an inspiring year of travel and adventure for us at Embark, and we hope you will come along to share it with us.

Maybe the most exciting thing of all is that we’re starting to offer trips to Patagonia!

Here are the group trips we are offering in 2013, plus a few in 2014. As always, if the location appeals to you but the the dates don’t work, just get in touch us. We can always do individual, custom trips to these amazing places.

April, 2013: Nepal’s Annapurna Circuit Trek

This is one of the premier walks in the world: hike through a remote, roadless valley at the foot of some of the world’s highest mountains, staying in local tea houses along the way. It’s not just about the scenery, of course; the culture here has been maintained through stark isolation for hundreds of years. More info on trekking the Annapurna Circuit .

July, 2013: Touring Tibet, the Highest Land on Earth

From the ancient capital of Lhasa to mountain passes above 15,000 feet in elevation, Tibet’s mystery and majesty have captivated travelers for decades. Immerse yourself in “the roof of the world” on this two-week adventure, highlighted by a seven-day driving tour of the inspiring Tibetan countryside. More info on touring Tibet.

September, 2013, and January, 2014: Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro

Embark was founded on the slopes of Africa’s highest peak, and we still love it to this day. We climb it the best way, via the seldom-visited Western Breach, allowing us to offer you a high success rate with very low foot traffic. Come and conquer the “everyman’s Everest” with us. More info on climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Note: There are only three spots left on the 2013 Kilimanjaro trip! Contact us today to reserve your spot.

September, 2013: Tanzania Wildlife Safari

The bush is Africa’s living, beating heart, and we’ll take you right into the middle of it with this trip to multiple national parks. We combine a true wildlife adventure — the roar of lions, the charge of an elephant, the hunt of the leopard — with the modern comforts of a lodge. More info on Tanzanian wildlife safari.

October, 2013: Trek to Mount Everest Base Camp

Even a novice climber can walk right to the base of the world’s mightiest peak. But that’s just the destination of this world-class trek; the journey to it is magical, taking you along glacial streams, past towering rhododendrons, and into the vibrant Sherpa culture. More info on trekking to Everest Base Camp.

November, 2013 and February, 2014: Trekking the “W” Circuit in Patagonia

One reason we’re so excited about 2013 is that this year are debuting tips to Patagonia. This magnificent, windswept land at the planet’s southern edge combines awesome glaciers, wide open plains, and soaring granite peaks for some of the world’s finest hiking experiences. More info on trekking in Patagonia.

November, 2013: Cultural Touring in Bhutan

This mountainous Buddhist kingdom was shrouded in mystery for centuries, and today, as it opens up, you don’t have to be a trekker or climber to experience its beauty. We’ll have you roaming the exquisite countryside, going on scenic walks, attending sacred festivals, and visiting ancient monasteries. More info on touring in Bhutan.

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Often, when folks think they’re going to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, they might fall into the trap of thinking, “We’ll get there, climb it, and leave.” Not that it’s ever that easy or simple, but thinking of Kilimanjaro as just a climb misses a whole, massive part of the experience.

You’ll be in Tanzania, after all! It’s an amazing land of wildlife and culture and scenery. Going on safari in Tanzania is an adventure so captivating that you yearn for the 5am wake up call. On safari, you will experience the bush of Africa in its raw, uncensored entirety as you become increasingly attached to the litter of lion cubs by the minute, your heart races for the wildebeest desperately fleeing the leopard, your mind rushes to comprehend the skillful tactics of the wild dogs and your stomach aches from laughter at the hilarious antics of the meerkat.

Or you might get to see this kind of elephant action:

Now, just to get you even more fired up, here’s a video from “Nick and Team Sanfilippo.” First they went on safari, then they climbed Kili, which you should remember starts in the rain forest and winds up in glacier country. They took a different route than Embark does to the summit, but it’s still a great video that should give you an idea of what a Kilimanjaro trip — not just a climb — looks like.

So, with thanks to user nmcilwain on YouTube, let’s go off for a safari and then climb Mt. Kilimanjaro!

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Pangong Tso in Ladakh

We found a lovely video (below) showing Pangong Tso, or Pangong Lake, in Ladakh. Of course, there’s no substitue for actually going there, but this video does an excellent job of taking us beyond mere photographs of this amazing lake.

And when we say amazing, let’s define terms. Pangong Tso is 83 miles long, a maximum of three miles wide, and crosses from India into Tibet at an elevation of 14,270 feet. That is so high that, even though the lake is saline, it freezes over in the winter. Here is more from Wikipedia:

The brackish water of the lake has very low micro-vegetation. Guides report that there are no fish or other aquatic life in the lake, except for some small crustaceans. On the other hand, visitors see numerous ducks and gulls over and on the lake surface. There are some species of scrub and perennial herbs that grow in the marshes around the lake.

The lake acts as an important breeding ground for a variety of birds including a number of migratory birds. During summer, the Bar-headed goose and Brahmini ducks are commonly seen here. The region around the lake supports a number of species of wildlife including the kiang and the Marmot.

Formerly, Pangong Tso had an outlet to Shyok River, a tributary of Indus River, but it was closed off due to natural damming. Two streams feed the lake from the Indian side, forming marshes and wetlands at the edges. Strand lines above current lake level reveal a 5 m (16 ft) thick layer of mud and laminated sand, suggesting the lake has shrunken recently in geological scale.

It’s about a five-hour drive from Leh, the capital of Ladakh, and could be reached on a tour of Ladakh, such as Embark’s Parang La Trek.

So, to whet your travel appetite just a little more, here is that video, from user coxandkings on YouTube:

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Like to run? Wish you had a better pack for it?

Embark friends and supporters Josh and Beth Sprague have the solution: a new pack they call the HydraQuiver, “a new approach to fast and minimalist theory in the running pack market. Tiny pack, super light, big features.”

Here’s some more about it, and a link to find out more — and to help spread the word.

My wife Beth and I have been working on a backpack designed largely for runners that is ultra-light, feels great, and most importantly keeps the bottle from bouncing while running. The concept was largely created from all the years spent training for adventure racing, marathons and Ironman and hating the freaking pack bouncing around on me all the time. After 9 months in development, we finally have it ready to be released and believe it’s a rock solid project. Our hope is that it will change the way runners think about carrying water with them while running since you barely notice this pack is even there. It beats carrying a water bottle, wearing a waist pack, or a back pack by a landslide.

We’re using a website called Indiegogo, a crowd funding site to create buzz about our project. The intent with a site like this is not just to sell packs, but to create a more broad awareness of the new technology that we are bringing to the outdoor market. We appreciate your help in purchasing a pack or by simply spreading the word to all your running, walking and hiking friends!

Take a moment to check it out on Indiegogo and also share it with your friends. All the tools are there. Get perks, make a contribution, or simply follow updates. If enough of us get behind it, we can make ‘HydraQuiver’ happen.

The HydraQuiver^TM is a new approach to fast and minimalist theory in the running pack market. Tiny pack, super light, big features.

Thanks!

Josh and Beth Sprague

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