Category: Land Extreme Sports

Mountain Biking in Koh Samui

Koh Samui is a spectacular island in the South of Thailand where you can witness mountains, lagoons, blue oceans and sandy beaches. It is fast growing as a hot spot for tourists because there are a lot of undiscovered treasures to be found. The ocean surrounding the island is filled with an interesting array of marine animals and inside the island there are mangroves and forests perfect for trekking and mountain biking. The best way to explore the island is to take a mountain biking tour in the mountain region. There are rental companies which will give out the equipment that you need for a very affordable price. They also have tour guides who speak English, Italian and even Spanish. Thai people have been riding in the island for many years and it is a pastime that many of them indulge in. Most of the locals can direct you in case you get lost going on the trail, it’s always safe to stick with your guide at all times.
There are detailed maps of the routes which can be downloaded online. The major routes are Lamai return via Ring road which is around 35 km, Koh Samui track 1 which is 25 km, Maenam-Chaweng which is 26 km, Koh Samui Loop that is 30km and Koh Samui Mountain circuit which is 31 km. You need to choose which track you are interested in; the maps usually indicate landmarks and descriptions of what you will see on the routes. For a small fee you can download the maps on to your iPhone, android or smart phone. This will come in handy if you do get lost.
Mountain biking tours are very well organised in this area. There is a hotel pick up that can be arranged and they provide a bicycle, helmet and water bottle. It’s best to take your camera, some extra cash for food and drinks and lots of sunscreen for the tour. If mountain biking was part of your travel plans then try to check in to a Samui resort. A Samui hotel has package deals on biking tours. For an all in one package with great rooms, fabulous views and delicious food check out Anantara Bophut Koh Samui.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.

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Excursions in Bophut

Many visitors to Bophut are confined to the luxury of their resorts and spend less time actually exploring this amazing city. Bophut is a city filled with culture and natural beauty. Exploring this exotic city is both adventurous and relaxing and is certainly a must do when you are in Koh Samui. Anantara Resorts have special excursion packages that enable you to explore the many hidden wonders of Koh Samui.

The Angthong Marine National Park Trip is perhaps the most popular of all excursions. One exotic location that boasts sparkling blue waters and of course a rich marine life, the park is certainly a must not miss when you are in Samui. The park can be accessed by speed boat and the 40 idyllic islands that adorn these waters are certainly a sight to see. From these islets you can enjoy snorkelling, swimming and even kayaking.

Bophut’s rich culture is highlighted by the large Buddha temple. A trip to the temple will give one excellent cultural insight of the area. The guides that come along during these excursions are particularly useful in such locations. If you have more time in hand and want to see more of the area’s history and culture, indulge in a historic and cultural excursion. This excursion is comprised of forest temples, Buddhist shrines and the secret garden; all amazing places to admire the culture and beauty of Koh Samui.

Then you have the sparkling blue Bophut beach and the Fisherman’s Village. No matter how many times you visit the Bophut beach you can never get enough of it. Underneath its waters there is a treasure-trove of colourful wonders making snorkelling such a delight here and swimming is just as fantastic in the beautiful beach. The charming Fisherman’s Village happens to be the oldest place in the island and takes up the middle section of the beach. It is lined with old wooden Chinese shop houses giving you a feel of living the yesteryears in Bophut.

It really comes as no surprise that Anantara Bophut Koh Samui is the best Samui hotel there is. This Samui resort with its excursions, facilities and in house luxury always leaves you craving for more.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.

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Climbing & Abseiling in Auckland

Your inner mountain climber will flourish in Auckland, as it is home to some of the most scenic localities in the world, situated in the midst of the beautiful landscape of New Zealand. Your Auckland hotel should be able to help you with transport to some of the excellent sites situated outside the city, and the Copthorne Hotel Auckland Harbour City is one example of luxury Auckland hotel accommodation that is perfect to base your adventure stays in. The most popular locale in the nation has to be the Southern Alps in the Southern Island, which boasts of the highest mountains in the Australasia region at a height of 3,754 metres, which is the tallest peak from the range of 30 available, each measuring well over 3,000 metres. Popular peaks include Westland, Mount Aspiring, Arthur’s Pass, Mount Cook, and the Fjordland National Parks, which are all situated in the Southern Alps region. These are intensive and challenging sites for climbing, which means climbers need to be reasonably fit and who know their way around crampons and axes to negotiate the challenging terrain. An interesting fast is that prior to conquering Mount Everest, Sir Edmund Hillary practiced on these very peaks. You will be able to find a range of local companies that will be happy to set you up with guides and safety equipment to ensure a safe and enjoyable time for all. For all abseiling fans, which is a carefully monitored free-fall into panoramic canyons and through water chutes and waterfalls to swim in. Waitomo is a particularly popular spot for this activity, especially the Haggis Honking Holes, which are beautiful canyons sure to astound and amaze.

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and intends to visit them all someday.

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Explore Marine Life in Maldives While Snorkelling

Blessed with abundant marine life and clear blue waters, the Maldives is one of the best destinations in the world for snorkelling. An easy way to experience the joys of this activity is to stay at luxury hotels Maldives that provide snorkelling opportunities. One of the leading Maldives resorts, Kurumba Maldives is worth considering since it features a wealth of water sports including offering snorkelling safaris.

The country is home to a diverse array of fish species and coral varieties that can be found along the ocean floor. Since snorkelling does not require prior experience or elaborate equipment, it is a perfect activity for the whole family to enjoy. As you explore the world beneath the waves, you will come across vibrant underwater landscapes where one has a chance to see such species as angelfish, butterflyfish, parrotfish, unicornfish, barracuda and clownfish. The corals also showcase multicoloured hues and provide the perfect backdrop for your excursions at sea. Depending on where you snorkel you might also come across sharks, octopuses or rays which add to the allure of this adventure.

Thoddoo Excursion

Island hopping is a great way to truly explore and experience the natural beauty and diversity of the Maldives. Make sure to add a visit to the island of Thoddoo which provides a fun day out where one can learn about local culture as well. Look to stay at a Maldives island resort such as Kuramathi Island which provides excursions to Thoddoo and other islands too. It also offers charming Maldives villas that come with modern comforts that help make your stay all the more memorable.

A Thoddoo excursion will take you to this enchanting island, known for its lush greenery. Set amidst a small atoll, the island is known for its agriculture and one can view locals at works in the fields on a visit here. Providing a unique insight into a traditional local way of life, Thoddoo is a great place to explore and one can see farming areas, local schools and produce such as watermelons that grow here in abundance.

Diving in Bodu Hithi Thila

The North Male Atoll of Maldives is home to the Bodu Hithi Thila which is often referred to as Manta Point and is an excellent destination to view manta rays in their natural habitat. The Maldives possesses a wealth of water based activities that one may indulge in out of which diving holds a special place. If its luxury hotels, Maldives has quite a few to choose from. Maldives resorts such as Kurumba Maldives would provide easy access to the thila where one may engage in diving.

The thila which is more than 300 metres in length would pave the way for a riveting and memorable dive where you can be joined by a number of marine species that frequent its waters. If one heads over between the months of December and April, one might come across Manta Rays and even the much larger Eagle Rays. The corals nearby provide a wealth of treasures that would certainly add to the excitement. The three tiny bays that are found in close proximity to the area can also be explored as species such as oriental sweetlips, tunas and fusiliers call these waters home.

Cycling and Mountain Biking in Sri Lanka

Put your pedal to the metal and experience a one-of-a-kind biking experience on your Sri Lanka travel itinerary, where you will cover everything from ancient UNESCO World Heritage Sites and lush tropical rain forests to pristine beach, mountains, and lakes on the exciting Sri Lanka tours on offer at local travel pioneer Jetwing Travel. Delve into a tour of cycling and mountain biking that reveals the splendid aspects of a unique culture spanning more than 2,500 years that has played host to a unique way of life on this paradise isle. The cycling tours feature the expertise and professionalism you would expect from cycle tour leaders from across the globe, and no cycling excursion is ever the same, as constant innovation is their game. In the midst of cycling through the wondrous sights of the country, you will also be able to embark on hiking, camping, wildlife safaris, canoeing, and many other excursions that will bring you up close and personal with the various aspects of the Sri Lankan landscape. Choose an excursion that is right for you, with options of discovering the serene hills country, the arid northwestern expanse, or the idyllic beach expanse of the south and eastern seaboards.

Dragon Back Hike-Nature At Its Best

The first impressions most tourists have of Hong Kong is that it’s a cosmopolitan country filled with busy streets, modern infrastructure, sky scrapers and lots of noise. However, visitors to Hong Kong will be pleasantly surprised by the beautiful countryside and luscious landscapes which are just an hour away from the city.

The Dragon’s Back trail is one such destination that is just outside of the city limits and offers a spectacular view of nature. The Dragon’s back is a unique hiking experience not only because of the name it has, but also due to the fact that the location is also extraordinary. In 2004, it was named ‘The Best Urban Hike in Asia’ because of the unique geographical features in the area. The journey begins when you step into a Hong Kong tram. The tram takes you across the Shau Kei Wan wet market, a beautiful bamboo forest and hills covered in rose myrtle and azaleas. When you step down for the hike at Dragon’s back, you will see a rugged path that winds, twists and turns its way around a mountain that is shaped like the back of a dragon.

Although it may look extremely difficult, the Dragon back hike is quite short. While trekking, there are so many spectacular views on display for you. To the east, you will see velvety green islands in the sea close to Hong Kong and the Clear Water Bay Peninsula. Towards the west, there is the Stanley Peninsula and the South China Sea. At the foot of the Dragon Back mountain is a popular surfing beach. The beach is part of the Shek O village where you could rest and dine in one of the many beach restaurants. Towards the end of the hike is a shady tunnel of tropical vegetation that is sure to cool you down in the hot weather.

The trail takes around 2 hours to complete, and there are some inclines which make it a challenging climb but it is not that difficult. There are a lot of stairs which will help you work out the calories you gained while on vacation. The best place to rest and relax is the Big Wave Bay. There are a lot of restaurants on the beach and you can always go for a swim or have a drink there.

When planning a trip to Hong Kong you shouldn’t miss out on the Dragon’s Back hike. The best way to arrange your trip is to stay at a Hong Kong hotel since the Dragon’s back is not too far off from the city. Check out a Wan Chai Hotel Hong Kong for great rooms and service. The Cosmopolitan Hotel Hong Kong is definitely a place that can be recommended for visitors to Hong Kong.

Trekking Khao Ra

If you love adventure, making treks into the wilderness and discovering tropical getaways, then make sure to plan a trek up Khao Ra when next in Koh Phangan. Before embarking on your excursion up the island’s highest peak, look to find accommodation at Koh Phangan hotels or resorts that are ideally located by the sea, letting you fully experience a holiday in the sun, sand and surf. One of the leadingKoh Phangan resorts, Rasananda Koh Phangan Villa Resort & Spa is one option worth considering and also has a spa in which to unwind after your mountain hikes.

Situated around 630 metres above sea level, Khao Ra provides a fascinating trek for those looking for some outdoor adventure. One can make the journey alone or hire guides from the nearby Phaeng Waterfall. The trail itself is not that hard to traverse though it can get a bit hard in some points. You will pass scenic jungles as you make your way to the top and the pathway is shaded in most parts as well. On reaching the top, one will be greeted by breathtaking views of the surrounding areas including vistas of Thong Nai Pan and Chaloklum. The trek takes about one and a half to two hours and you can plan to stop by Phaeng Waterfall on your way down and cool off in its natural pool.

Kite surfing

Although not traditionally known for its water sports offerings, the sultanate of Oman has seen a rapid boost in the tourism industry over the past few years, and it aims to please visitors from all corners of the globe, of a variety of temperaments. Ensure that you book a Muscat hotel with an excellent record of hospitality and luxury facilities for an utterly unforgettable holiday. Consider the Al Falaj Hotel which is among some of the best-ranked Oman hotels in the state. If you are an avid water sports enthusiast and you happen to find yourself in Oman, fear not, for the sultanate now offers visitors the chance to engage in that most fun of water sports activities: kitesurfing. If you are a seasoned pro, then you already know what this fun pastime entails. If you are intrigued and want to find out more, many have described it as an exciting sport that combines surfing, windsurfing, paragliding, gymnastics, and wakeboarding into one thrilling ride across the waves. A parachute is hitched to the rider’s back and the sport calls upon the power of the wind currents to propel riders across the foamy waves on a kite board or surfboard. With daily wind speeds above twenty knots and a balmy temperature of 28 degrees in a shallow lagoon spanning about eight kilometers, kite surfers are sure to experience a multitude of thrilling spills.