Covering the globe from the heights of the Himalaya to the depths of the Red Sea, from the Western Desert to the Far East, the new 2009-2010 Gecko’s Worldwide adventure brochure is the budget traveller’s ‘Bible’.
To celebrate a year full of adventures, Gecko’s is offering 10 per cent off all new bookings (excluding Antarctica voyages) that are booked and deposited between September 1 and October 31, 2008. The range of grass-roots adventures is designed to get 18 to 40 year olds ‘under the skin’ of a destination, using local transport and accommodation, and guided by local leaders.
The new Moroccan Mosaic adventure begins in Marrakech, amid the fire-eaters, fortune-tellers and food stalls of the famous Jemaa el Fna. It then heads east towards Ait Bennaddou, travelling the ‘Route of 1000 Kasbahs’ to the Todra Gorge, for a night spent deep among the towering cliffs. In contrast to the ensuing days, a camel trip into the Sahara and bedding down in a simple desert camp after a fiery desert sunset conjures the solitude and quiet of the Bedouin lifestyle.
Fes’s souk (market) is said to have 9,000 alleyways – a maze of jostling people, donkeys, food and rug shops - and fascinating glimpses into hidden courtyards. After the sensory overload, the blue and white-painted mountain town of Chefchaouen – where Spanish is the mother tongue – is an idyllic retreat.
The 13-day Moroccan Mosaic adventure also visits the World Heritage Roman ruins of Volubilis and ends in Casablanca. It has monthly departures from Marrakech, year round and costs $1390 (or an unbeatable $1251 with discount) plus a EUR250 local payment. Prices are land only and include accommodation, some meals, Gecko’s local leader and transport.
The 14-day Patagonia & Tierra del Fuego adventure starts with a flight from Buenos Aires, south to the rugged beauty of Patagonia. With El Chalten as a base, the trip ventures into the glaciated expanse of Parque Nacional Los Glacieres, where two, full-day hikes reach the Laguna de los Tres and the base camp at Rio Blanco, from where there are breathtaking views of the towering granite spires of Cerro Torre and the Fitz Roy Massif. The group then heads to the Perito Moreno Glacier, where huge chunks of ice can be seen calving into the lake. Crossing the border into Chilean Patagonia, there are two days trekking in the spectacular wilderness of Torres de Paine National Park.
The trip begins in Buenos Aires and ends in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego. There are monthly departures between September and April and it costs $2295 (or $2066 with discount), land only, plus $355 for a local flight and US$300 local payment.
The 10 per cent discount is for new bookings made and deposited between September 1 and October 31, 2008 for travel departing by March 31, 2009.
For further information or to download a pdf version of the brochure, visit www.geckosadventures.com or call 1300 854 500.
