Adventures in icy India

With the Ladakh season in full swing, some travelers are looking for a different way to experience the spectacular beauty of this mountain paradise - and none more unique and exciting than the Great Zanskar Rafting Expedition organized annually by Mercury Himalayan Explorations.

Starting from Srinagar and finishing in Leh (with a lot of road and river adventure in between), the MHE Zanskar Rafting Expedition 2008 takes you through some of the most breathtaking landscape on the planet, from the green hills of Kashmir, high up through the rocky terrain of the forbidden kingdom of Zanskar, rafting down three high altitude rivers of Stod, Zanskar and Indus, and landing up in the ancient Ladakhi capital of Leh.

The expedition kicks off the way all good trips should, with a splash of luxury in an overnight stay on a Srinagar houseboat, before taking to the road for three days and then packing the equipment in the rafts at Remala and heading off on the most exciting part of the trip. The next seven days are on the river, negotiating rapids up to grade IV and camping on small riverside campsites in the Zanskar gorge until finally reaching Nimmu the confluence of the Indus and Zanskar rivers before driving to Leh, the magnificent capital of Ladakh.

The expedition is completely self-contained with all camping equipment, food and kitchen gear being carried on separate rafts. The camp chefs are well-known for being able to rustle up a delicious feast even in the most remote locations to satisfy the demanding gourmet.

The rapids are quite spectacular too, but it’s nothing for beginners or non-swimmers to worry about. All equipment used is top of the line, and the expedition is lead by a world-class safety team.

The beauty of this expedition is that it is the one of only two ways to see the magnificent Zanskar Gorge, renowned as one of the most beautiful places on earth – the only other way is to go in winter and walk down the frozen river in temperatures as low as -40°C. Moreover, plans to build a road along the gorge mean that this is one of the last chances to see this spectacular remote area before it gets spoilt with traffic.

The Zanskar Rafting Expedition also represents a growing trend towards more adventurous holidays in this country. “Over the last 15 years we have been taking groups from the US, UK and Israel on the Zanskar expedition but these days we are seeing more and more Indians joining up for trips like this, where we really get off the beaten track. India is one of the best adventure destinations in the world and the domestic market is now starting to take advantage of what is possible here” says Nathan Steele of Mercury Himalayan Explorations.

The plan of action:

Day 1: Fly to Srinagar for an overnight in houseboat on Dal Lake
Days 2-4: Drive Srinagar to Remala (3365m)
Days 5-11: 7 days on the river, rafting down the Zanskar Gorge from Remala to Saspol and camping by the side of the river
Day 11: Drive from Saspol to Leh for overnight in hotel
Day 12: Day of relaxation, shopping and sightseeing in Leh.
Day 13: Depart

But you don’t have to travel all the way to the Himalayas to experience the thrill of the white water. Since 2005 Mercury Himalayan Explorations has been running white water rafting on the Kundalika River close to Kolad, at around 3 hours drive from Mumbai and just 2.5 hours from Pune.

The river is usually fairly quiet but the daily release of water from the Bhira and Mulshi dams creates rapids up to Grade III and rafting which most Mumbaikars and Pune walas would not imagine is right on their doorstep. As Savita Nair, a copywriter from Mumbai who went rafting on the Kundalika last weekend puts it “why spend every weekend doing the same thing going out in the city when we have this so close by?”

The Zanskar expedition and rafting on the Kundalika are just some of the adventures run by Mercury Himalayan Explorations which, established in 1982, today runs the widest range of adventure trips in the country.

Throughout its 26-year history the company has become best renowned for its adventure camps in the Himalayas and its famous Self Drive 4x4 Jeep Safaris which were awarded the National Tourism Award in 2004 and 2005. Other notable options include a ski and snowboard school in Gulmarg run by a Canadian ski professional and an incredibly wide range of Himalayan treks.

With a focus on adventure combined with high safety and service standards, Mercury Himalayan Explorations handles thousands of adventures each year for adventurous holiday-makers, school groups, corporate outings, international tourists and embassies.

Contact Mercury Himalayan Explorations at:
011-23340033 / 23362008
Email: mhe@himalayanadventure.com
Web: www.himalayanadventure.com

Join the Parade!

The Chingay Parade Singapore, to be held on the evenings of 19 and 20 February 2010, is an annual street parade to celebrate Singapore’s multi-cultural uniqueness, and is a colourful extravaganza of exciting floats and performances. Chingay is part of Singapore’s unique way of celebrating the lunar new year.

Chingay Parade Singapore 2010 will take place at the F1 Pit Building at Marina Bay. Visitors can purchase tickets for seats at the 36,000-strong grandstand or simply stand along the parade route.

Chingay has enjoyed a long tradition, with its first parade dating back to 1973. Its name, 'Chingay', was coined from its phonetic Hokkien equivalent, which means 'the art of costume and masquerade'.

AF1 Pit Building at Marina Bay
• Be dazzled by Chingay 2010, showcasing Asia in wondrous ways beyond your wildest imagination.
• Majestic flying horses promise to make an impression with unusual fantasy characters in Chingay 2010’s opening!
• Traditional dragon and lion dancers seize the parade grounds by storm! Cover your ears as you marvel at Guang Xi’s ‘firecracker dragon’!
• Legendary well-loved tales (Butterfly Lover, Puteri Gunung Ledang and Indralogam) weaved into rich multi-ethnic performances will spin you into a spell of intrigue
• Samba Singapore! Rock to the Samba Parade in Asian style! Be thrilled by the exotic costumes and waves of colours along a continuous parade route lining the waterfront
• The Grandest Finale in Chingay History will debut in Chingay 2010, featuring performers and float from the new Resorts World at Sentosa!
• For the first time, Chingay Parade offers a dazzling array of events and activities to entertain audiences beyond the parade duration (See 'Any Other Useful Information for details)

Happy New Year...in Chinese!

Chinatown in Singapore is a key focal point for Chinese New Year festivities in the few weeks leading up to Chinese New Year and a few weeks following that. Visitors can immerse in the entire Chinese cultural experience and experience the festive hustle and bustle simply by walking the streets of Chinatown. Chinatown is also where local Chinese congregate year after year to shop for the necessary new year items for the home and to soak in the festive atmosphere.

Chinatown Chinese New Year Celebrations 2010 Street Light-Up runs from 23 January to 7 March 2010 at Eu Tong Sen Street, New Bridge and South Bridge Roads, and Garden Bridge. In line with the Year of the Tiger in 2010, the Light-Up along the main streets of Chinatown will feature dazzling and colour decorations with Chinese New Year greetings and auspicious tiger theme. In line with this year's Chinatown CNY theme of Celebration of Spring, for the first time, a stretch of Eu Tong Sen Street and New Bridge Road from the junction of Upper Cross Street will be decorated with giant cherry blossom trees to create a festive spring festival atmosphere that will enhance the overall street light-up experience.

At the Chinatown Chinese New Year Celebrations 2010 Official Light-Up and Opening Ceremony on 23 January 2010 at Eu Tong Sen Street & New Bridge Road, expect a rousing street parade! There will also be a mass street performance at different performing locations around the main thoroughfare. For the launch event there will be the firing of firecrackers at the finale. Together with winners of the International Lion Dance Competition, there will be local and overseas performers that night to delight and entertain visitors. The Guest-of-Honour will be PM Lee Hsien Loong.

International Lion Dance Competition will be held on 21 & 22 January 2010 at the Central and will see the participation of 10 reputable and top troupes from 6 countries namely, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, China, Indonesia and Thailand.

Over 500 festive stalls promise to enthral visitors with a dazzling array of festive goodies such as waxed duck, barbecued sweet meats, cookies, fresh flowers and traditional CNY decorations galore from 23 January to 13 February 2010 at Pagoda, Smith, Sago, Temple and Trengganu Streets, and People’s Park Complex. Also don’t miss out on the local and overseas cultural performances at the Kreta Ayer Square. This is a popular gathering point to observe the locals, and also where the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Trishaw Parks are situated.

On 28 February 2010, you can enjoy the highlights from the Chingay Street Parade as the floats and performers make an appearance at Chinatown. There will also be a strong programme line-up with overseas and local performances.

There will also be other Chinese New Year celebrations at Thian Hock Keng Temple. Celebrate Chinese New Year in this 170-year old historical temple. Revered Buddhist monks and Taoist priests, as well as lion and dragon dances, will herald in the Year of the Tiger with religious, traditional and cultural ceremonies over the festive period from 13 - 28 February. Join the local devotees in their prayers for good fortune and prosperity. And have a wonderful Year of the Tiger!

Naturally New Zealand

New Zealand’s spectacularly beautiful landscape is varied and beautiful. It includes long white beaches, glacier-capped mountain chains, steaming volcanoes, sweeping coastlines, deeply indented fiords, rolling hills, lush rainforests and fascinating animal and plant life.

Explore the wonders of the North Island - from the boiling geysers and mud pools of Rotorua to the spectacular scenery of the Coromandel Peninsula, from the Maori culture in Hokianga to the beautiful ‘City of Sails’, Auckland. To explore North Island you could embark on a 9 nights / 10 days holiday covering Auckland, Bay of Islands, Hokianga and Rotorua.

Auckland, the gateway to North Island, is a fabulous city with great dining at the harbour front and fabulous shopping. Travel north from Auckland, along the Hibiscus Coast and through Whangarei, to reach the fantabulous Pahia in the Bay of Islands. Soak in the fresh air and the scenery around you. Visit Waitangi grounds the site of the historic birth of New Zealand. Embark on a day trip to the 90 Mile Beach and to Cape Reinga. Enjoy dolphin watching aboard a cruise. Drive off to Hokianga - a place steeped in Maori culture. A must-do experience is a tour of the Kauri forest and a visit to the ‘Tane Mahuta’, the oldest tree in the forest.

The geothermal city of Rotorua is another fabulous experience. Visit the geothermal mud pools at Te Puia. Also visit Rainbow Springs to see the elusive kiwi bird and loads of other authentic flora and fauna. Experience adventure sports like sky diving and whitewater rafting that the city offers. Rotorua is at the heart of the Maori culture and a visit to MITAI introduces you to Maori culture and a taste of a Maori ‘Hangi’ dinner.

Equally enthralling is the South Island – from the impressive West Coast glaciers to the stunning fiords at Milford Sound, from whale watching at Kaikoura to the incredible wildlife around Dunedin. A great way to cover South Island is to embark on an 8 nights / 9 days holiday covering Christchurch, Greymouth, the Glacier Region, Queenstown and Mt Cook. Your gateway to South Island is the ‘Garden City’ of Christchurch. Ride in the restored heritage Christchurch Tram to visit the must-see attractions of the inner city, including the Anglican Cathedral, the Arts Centre, the Art Gallery, Botanic Gardens, the Avon River and the Cathedral Junction. The Antarctic Centre is a must-do experience to experience the snowy and icy atmosphere of Antarctica, including the Antarctic storm.

From Christchurch you board the famous TranzAlpine train to Greymouth and then onward aboard a coach along the scenic West Coast, to the Franz Josef and Fox Glacier Regions. View of the stunning Franz Josef Glacier from the Sentinel Rock. Hear the glaciers creaking and cracking as they constantly grind down the valleys. Near Fox Glacier is the Lake Matheson, formed some 14,000 years ago from a huge sheet of trapped ice.

Travel further down the West Coast, past the spectacular mountain ranges, native forests, and the shores of Lake Wanaka and Hawea to reach the ‘Adventure Capital’ Queenstown. Indulge in bungee jumping, jet boating, whitewater rafting, four-wheel driving, cruising on Lake Wakatipu, the canyon swing, kayaking, riding a gondola to the summit of Bob’s Peak for panoramic views or simply enjoying the excellent shopping and dining available.

Embark on a day excursion to the spectacular Doubtful Sound in Fiordland - New Zealand's largest national park at almost 3 million acres. On a cruise down Doubtful Sound you will experience more shades of lush green than you knew existed, while you drift over 420 metre deep water. Experience a host of wildlife; seals and crested penguins gather on the shores, and sometimes bottle-nosed dolphins swimming alongside the boat. The drive, the cruise, the nature around you and the silence are experiences that are unparalleled.

From Queenstown you could drive along the shores to reach Mt Cook, or as known in Maori ‘Aorangi’- the cloud piercer. Mt Cook is a very special place and also boasts of some spectacular scenery.

New Zealand is a haven for those seeking rejuvenation and relaxation as well as a playground for thrill seekers and adventurers. This is a great country for self drive holidays – good roads, clear signage, light traffic and right-hand drive. Your Indian Driving Licence is recognized by the authorities. Choose from mid–size 1.5L cars to high-end 4-wheel-drive vehicles and drive down the vast landscape of New Zealand. Experience the most beautiful country in the world!

Sizzling Spain

Spain is a beautiful mosaic of art, culture, geography, history, music, festivals and cuisine. Its charm lies in its diversity of sun-soaked beaches, heritage cwouldities and forgotten villages.
Spanish beaches are amongst the best in Europe. But if lolling on the beach is not your idea of a holiday, then head off to Spain’s beautiful cities that are packed with history, and are an art-lover’s dream. Enjoy the beautiful parks, open space, great shops and pulsating night-life.
Soak in marvellous Madrid with its Royal Palace and the famed Prado Museum - a museum and art gallery which features one of the world's finest collections of European art, from the 16th century through the early 19th-century. The heritage city of Toledo, with it unique Christian, Jewish and Moorish cultures, is a short drive from Madrid.

Visit bustling Barcelona - a Mediterranean city of great cultural and heritage. Check out the awe inspiring works of architect Antoni Gaudí, including the Sagrada Familia or the Basilica of the Holy Family. Visit the bustling Boqueria market, a fabulous food market. The stylish city of Barcelona has fashion, opera, nightlife, street theatre, art, food, and much more.

Savour the delights of other romantic Mediterranean cities like Valencia and Alicante. Or journey south to the exotic cities of Cordoba, Seville, Granada, and Málaga. Immerse yourself in their haunting Islamic palaces, the brilliant colours and sounds of flamenco, and in the birth-place and works of Picasso.

For those love the nightlife, a stay at Ibiza is a must. Ibiza is one of the Balearic Islands located in the Mediterranean Sea. It is well-known for its summer parties and big summer club nights. The days are relaxing, spent by the pool or on the beach. The place is alive come nightfall what with its endless pubs and nightclubs.

Should you yearn for peace and quiet then head off to the unspoiled villages, bursting with medieval castles, and colourful flora and fauna. These quaint Spanish villages are ideal for a relaxed holiday – peaceful walks, photography or just plain ‘get away from it all’ holidays. You could check out the skiing opportunities at Spain’s snow-capped peaks.

Travelling around Spain is quite easy, what with its many airports, good train service, and robust national bus and coach system. Besides that, Spaniards are friendly people that are ready to help you and they will make you feel at home. You could choose to stay at the Paradores, which are castles, palaces, fortresses and monasteries converted into hotels. The best of local cuisine is served at the Paradores restaurants.

Across the country, enjoy scrumptious Spanish food of a wide variety of fresh fruit and vegetables and an abundance of seafood, all washed down with the choicest wines. This traditional Spanish diet, with the liquid gold of its olive oil, fruits, vegetables, seafood and wine, all mean that it is extremely good for the heart. Even the local speciality of cured hams ‘Jamón Ibérico’ - has fat, unusually high in oleic acid, which is known to lower cholesterol levels! Of course, between meals you can indulge in tempting ‘tapas’ – a healthy snack with its origin in the southerly region of Andalucia.

Andalucia brings to mind the exotic flamenco dance and the Spanish guitar. Can a Spanish holiday be complete without visiting an authentic flamenco show or dancing the night away to the beat of romantic Spanish music? Come and visit Spain where the warmth of its climate is only surpassed by the warmth of its people.

Stunning South Africa

South Africa is one of the most diverse, enchanting countries in the world. It is much more than the thrill of viewing lions up-close and personal, the breathtaking beauty of sunsets on the savannah and the delight of swimming with dolphins in tepid, azure blues seas. It is an exotic combination of landscapes, people, history, culture and experiences.

South Africa, the Rainbow Nation, is an exotic combination of rich culture, striking mountains, enchanting vineyards, glorious beaches, rugged landscapes and electrifying wildlife. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is the meeting point of two great oceans and the gateway to the African continent.

Cape Town is one of the most beautiful places on earth that you just have to visit at least once in your lifetime. It is an awesome city - great parties, great shopping, loads of galleries and other cultural attractions. Cape Town’s most popular attractions are Table Mountain which is the soul of the city, the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Boulders Beach and its penguins, and Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens that showcases South Africa's fabulous floral heritage.

A quick spin by revolving cable car to the 1,086 m summit of Table Mountain gives you a breathtaking view the city, the famous Robben Island, and the most visited Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. The latter has an assortment of shopping, eating, entertainment and sightseeing facilities, all set within a working harbour. At close quarters to Cape Town are the picturesque wine valleys of Franschhoek, Paarl and Spier where you can indulge in wine tasting or simply relax and soak in the ambience.

No visit to the Western Cape is complete without at least a few days spent in the beautiful Garden Route region. Garden Route, a slender 300 km stretch of coastal plain between Mossel Bay and Storms River Mouth, is ideal for a self-drive holiday. Relaxing, active, romantic or family fun - the Garden Route offers it all. The sensitive coastline is protected from overdevelopment by South African National Parks in three areas – the Wilderness National Park, the Knysna National Lake Area, and the Tsitsikamma National Park. The towns of Garden Route include Mossel Bay, Wilderness, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay.

One of the must-sees along the Garden Route is Oudtshoorn, known as the Feather Capital of the World, thanks to its huge ostrich industry. Whilst there, you can visit the Crocodile and Cheetah Park and take pictures of yourself with the cheetah. Also check out the Cango Caves, of South Africa’s most spectacular natural wonders, to marvel at the icy formations underground.
South Africa is blessed with many national parks, of which the Kruger National Park is the most popular. Spread over 20,000 sq kms, it is home to an impressive number of species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals. Soak in the wilderness and spot the Big Five - elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo.

While in South Africa, you could take an excursion to Livingstone in Zambia to see the Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. At 1,708 meters wide, it is the largest curtain of water in the world. The sheer marvel of the towering columns of spray, the thunder of the waters as it drops into the Zambezi Gorge, the terrifying abyss and the tranquil lagoons upstream in which the hippos and the deadly crocodiles lurk, leaves you speechless and wanting for more.

South Africa’s 2800 km of sensational coastline with glorious white sands, offers some of the best beaches in the world. Enjoy the local cuisine of good old barbecue and spicy sausages, washed down with wines from its famous winelands. Check out the trendy nightspots with balcony restaurants and alfresco dining. The music scene here is as varied as its people; from Jazz, Hip Hop, traditional Zulu music to Kwaito – the local pop music.

South Africa is an exhilarating country that promises a wholesome holiday experience. It is sure to reward your senses and your soul much beyond your imagination!

Enchanting Egypt

Welcome to Egypt, a country that takes you back five thousand years, and introduces you to the most ancient and mighty civilization in the world.

Egypt is alive with architecture, sound, beauty and excitement. The land of the Pharaohs, it is probably one of the oldest vacation spots. Early Greeks, Romans and others visited Egypt to see the wonders of the Pyramids. But Egypt is much more than Pyramids and monuments. It is also Red Sea scuba diving, nature and desert treks, fishing and birding expeditions, hot night spots, luxury hotels and five star restaurants. It is romantic cruises down the Nile on luxurious river boats, a night at the grand opera and unique cultural experiences.

Cairo is the gateway to this enchanting country. The city houses the magnificent Pyramids of Giza, the Valley Temple and the Sphinx, the Egyptian Museum and the San Sergious Church. You can spend endless hours wandering through the lively souks of Cairo. At the famed Khan el Khalily Bazaar, with well over 1000 shops, you can explore antiques, gold and silver ornaments, hand-crafted leather goods, alabaster vases, papyrus sheets, scents and incenses, blown glasswork, fancy souvenirs, cartouche pendants with your name written in ancient hieroglyphics, and Egyptian cotton clothing.

One of the most famous grand hotels in Egypt, the Mena House Oberoi lies at the foot of the pyramids in Cairo. Richly decorated in Oriental style, it has a distinctly Moorish ambience with spacious, fully equipped rooms and verdant gardens. The famed pyramids are a stone’s throw away and are even visible from the hotel swimming pool.

Fly to Aswan to board your cruise on the Nile - a must-have experience! Before boarding the cruise, do take time out to visit the world famous High Dam, an engineering marvel when it was built in the 1960s. Also visit the beautiful Temple of Philae, dedicated to the goddess Isis.
The cruise introduces you to many beautiful cities alongside the River Nile. Kom Ombo is a beautiful old city which houses the Kom Ombo Temple dedicated to the two Gods Sobek and Haroeris. The temple dates back to about 180 BC during the Ptolemaic era, with additions made in Roman times. It stands on the bank of the Nile between Edfu and Aswan. Edfu houses the Temple of Horus, built during the reigns of the Ptolemies between 237 BC and 57 BC. The cruise also takes you to the famed Deir el Bahari - a complex of mortuary temples and tombs, the temple of Hatshepsut, the Valley of the Kings and Colossi of Memnon.

Post a relaxed cruise you could experience the thrill of an adventure holiday. Hop onto your 4x4 vehicle and drive on the Bahariya desert road towards the Bahariya Oasis. En route you could visit the Wadi Al Hitan, the Valley of the Whales, home to 40 million old whale skeletons. Drive along the ancient caravan route of Darb Wadi Al Rayyan onwards to the Bahariya Oasis. Then towards the Black and White Deserts whose landscape is dominated by dozens of small black-topped mountains. Travel onward to the magnificent area of the Crystal Mountain and Aqabat. Aqabat, 'the difficult', is the name given to scores of rock sugarloaves surrounded by soft sand, powdered chalk and coloured stones of varied sizes. Drive onward till you reach the Farafra Oasis, the smallest oasis in the Western Desert, and the setting of the ancient town of Qasr al Farafra. The desert experience is truly thrilling.

Another option is a short break at the beautiful seaside resort towns of Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh. Located at the banks of the Red Sea, they are ideal for a luxurious holiday. Sharm el-Sheikh fascinates visitors with its Bedouins, colourful tents, mountains and sea. The warm waters of the Red Sea are ideal for many varieties of rare fish and coral reefs. Snorkel in these waters or observe them through glass bottom boats. Also check out the exciting night life at the various clubs.

Combine your Egypt holiday with a trip to Greece and Turkey. Come and experience Egypt, the cradle of civilization, on an exotic and unforgettable holiday.