As the hard-adventure sector has grown, our whl.travel local partners have climbed to the summit of the trend. Their local expertise brings to you some of the wildest and most thrilling tours out there. Here is our pick of five tours guaranteed to give you your adrenaline fix.

The jagged Himalaya mountains of Nepal provide the perfect backdrop for paragliding in the Pokhara Valley. Photo courtesy of Sunrise

Paragliding over the Peaks of Pokhara, Nepal

Nepal is quickly becoming a paragliding hotspot and the legendary Pokhara Valley offers ideal conditions for the sport.

The valley’s terrain is the kind of blend of mountains and flats that pros dream about. Its enclosed microclimate keeps atmospheric variables stable and mild, a perfect combination for a sport that counts on pilots being able to maintain flight by controlling the pressure of the air passing through the glider. Of course, the views of local villages, Buddhist monasteries and the jungle of Royal Chitwan National Park are unmatched.

For the intrepid, Outdoor Himalayan Treks, the whl.travel local connection in Nepal, organises tandem paragliding tours. He recommends tandem flights for beginners because “lots of adventurers come to Nepal (especially Pokhara) to dare solo. Some of those who get overambitious and try midair acrobatics and other risky tricks/stunts have met with fatalities. On the contrary, tandem flight has got a very promising safety/success record.”

The Outdoor Himalayan Treks team also offer rafting and trekking for anyone not quite ready to soar.

An advanced kite surfer catches some waves on the coast of Florianópolis, Brazil. Photo courtesy of Renata Asprino

Kite Surfing in Florianópolis, Brazil

While not yet as well known for kite surfing as some places in the north of the country, the island of Florianópolis actually has some of the best sites in Brazil, promising excellent kiting conditions and a mix of surf for both beginners and the advanced. Even better, Florianópolis has topnotch kiting schools and all the right infrastructure in place.

The best kite-surfing conditions in Florianópolis occur in September, October and November (Brazil’s spring season); however, given the island’s unique topography and exposure to the Atlantic trade winds, good weather can continue all the way until March and suitable kiting conditions can be found year-round, especially starting in the mid-afternoon. Practitioners put the count of ‘kiteable’ days at an average of 250-plus per year.

Kite surfing sweet spots include the beautiful Lagoa da Conceiçao, a large saltwater lagoon that is fantastic for everyone, including anyone looking for wave-riding lessons, and Praia Mole beach.

Wave to the camera! The free fall starts now. Skydiving in Fiji is a bird's eye view of the tropical island. Photo courtesy of Raumati Wikaire

Skydiving in Fiji

Skydiving is possible all over the world, so why take the leap in Fiji? Raumati Wikaire, General Manager of GlobalBedBank Fiji, the whl.travel local connection on the island, was thrilled to skydive in Fiji for the very first time:

“The beauty of skydiving in Fiji is that it’s so relaxed and laid back, just like the Fiji life,” she explains. “We arrived to a tiny little building on the tropical island. Having completed the paperwork, we were bundled into the plane and took off. The Tandem Masters were calm and joking around so although the adrenaline was pumping, I relaxed and had faith we’d make it out alive.

An added bonus was the scenic flight on our way up. Seeing the islands and reefs of gorgeous Fiji was a great distraction to calm the nerves. Before I know it, we’re rolling out the door and falling through the air. My skin is rippling and I don’t know whether to keep my mouth open or closed. But after a few seconds I get used to the sensation and enjoy the feeling of flying. I feel powerful.”

The grade-5 rapids of the Nile River in Jinja, Uganda, make for a roller coaster ride on rafts. Photo courtesy of Nicola Swann

Whitewater Rafting in Jinja, Uganda

The Far Horizons, the whl.travel local connection in Uganda, is a team of dedicated travel professionals and adrenaline seekers committed to the fun found in and around Jinja, the adventure capital of East Africa. Only they could have come up with a heart-stopping trip called The Threesome; as if one dose of adrenaline isn’t enough, this thrill-tour combines the best of whitewater rafting, free-falling and jet speeds on the Nile.

The tour begins with a rafting plunge down the roaring grade-5 rapids of the Nile River, where the truly daring paddle with all their might through huge walls of white water. Then, once on dry land, adventurers climb to a point from which there is no choice but to jump! Options are to bungee the traditional way, try a tandem leap or hop in a kayak for a splash in style. The day ends by exploding up the river in the Wild Nile Jet, a custom-built jet boat that can perform 360-degree turns in walls of spray at 90 kilometres per hour.

Abseilers pause before setting off down the ZASM route in the Mpumalanga Highlands of South Africa to enjoy the view of the Elands River waterfall. Photo courtesy of wanderson

Abseiling Down a Waterfall in Mpumalanga, South Africa

The Elands River waterfall in Mpumalanga, South Africa, is a hotspot for abseiling. On offer locally are two variations of a dramatic descent down the canyon wall – one for beginners and one for the more experienced (or whoever “promises not to chicken out”).

The easier route is the ZASM Abseil, a spectacular 35-metre descent. The fully backed-up ropes system is safe, secure and foolproof. Half adrenaline and half relaxation, the ZASM route has unmatched views of the waterfall and, from the bottom, a pleasant hike back up the gully.

For the harder adventurer, the Waterfall Abseil is a total rush. This drop is a breathtaking 60 metres right into the mists of the raging waterfall. Abseilers enjoy a swim in the river at the bottom, then a challenging climb back to the top that is known to pique interest in rock climbing too. Addictive, isn’t it?

As Fiji consists of over 322 beautiful islands spread across a vast expanse of sapphire ocean, a bure’s structure differs from location to location according to local customs and the availability of building materials. The interior is typically dark and smoky, usually with only one low door and high exposed ceiling beams generally decorated with coconut sinnet designs. These elements combine to form the perfect structure to maintain a cool interior in a tropical climate.

A bure would usually be occupied by a single family, but it’s also common to have an extended family staying in the same building. Nowadays, though, most Fijian villages have concrete or wooden houses, with only a handful of bures. However, the renowned Fijian village of Ba (an hour’s drive from Nadi) has kept to traditionally built bures for all households, and a total of 160 bures are found in the traditional village of Navala.

In the tourism industry, the term ‘bure’ is now synonymous with ‘bungalow,’ ‘villa’ or a separate building. Bures are available as tourist lodging, especially in the outer islands. While a traditional bure does not have electricity, bathroom facilities and other amenities, a resort bure adds to the traditional architectural design anything from fairly basic to extremely luxurious furnishings and comforts, depending on the standard of the resort.

Hiking through paddy fields in Thailand, you will definitely feel like you've made a clean break from your regular routine. Photo courtesy of Rough Guides

Needless to say, there’s an inspiring overlap between the authors’ motivations and the whl.travel vision, the latter being to locate and promote the kinds of small, grassroots travel initiatives that, over time and with the support of travellers, are positive steps toward improving a place, and help shape it in a caring and sustainable way.

To illustrate this, the following links take you to abridged Clean Breaks excerpts paired with mentions (in blue) of the further resources in select destinations available through whl.travel. After all, it is our shared belief that readers inspired by Clean Breaks are the kinds of people who see the value in traveling with whl.travel.

• Fair Trade Holidays in South Africa
• Treks through Villages in Nepal
• Jungle Lodges in the Amazon
• Green Luang Prabang, Laos
• In Search of the Real Fiji
• Explore Borjomi-Kharangauli National Park, Georgia
• Dive at Bunaken, Indonesia

FAIR TRADE HOLIDAYS

South Africa has the world’s first fair trade tourism scheme, with a growing range of places involved. The following ten experiences offer much of the best South Africa has to offer – from wildlife-watching to townships to wine tasting – plus you’ll know that the local communities benefited from your visit. For details of all the participants in the scheme see www.fairtourismsa.org.za.

Clean Break #227: Drink with locals in a township

On a tour of the townships of Nelson Mandela Bay with Calabash, it’s a great idea to visit some of your guide’s favourite watering holes (shebeens). Here you can drink with the locals and shake your stuff to the marimba bands who often play outside the bars. www.calabashtours.co.za

The whl.travel local connection in Cape Town also offers a variety of Cape Town township tours, including the Township Dinner and Jazz Experience, Local African Cooking in a Township and a Weekend Township Experience, as well as other responsible tours and community-conscious accommodation.

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CLEAN BREAK #440: TREK THROUGH VILLAGES IN NEPAL

A 15-day Annapurna Trails and Homestay trip with the Responsible Travellers (who invest all their profits in local charities, www.theresponsibletravellers.com) takes in traditional houses like those pictured here. The whl.travel connection in Nepal (www.pokharahotel-link.com) also organises responsible tours in the area. Photo courtesy of Rough Guides

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JUNGLE LODGES

The Amazon rainforest is the stuff of dreams; there are iridescent butterflies the size of your hand, deafening waterfalls that cascade into emerald pools, indigenous tribes who hunt with blowpipes, and as many different kinds of exotic plants and birds as you’ll find anywhere on the earth. The remoteness of most jungle lodges means they have to be self-reliant for electricity, food and water, and many now organize guided treks that promote conservation of the jungle’s biodiversity. They also bring much-needed income to remote communities and provide visitors with an insight into their struggle with logging and oil companies.

Of 10 favourites named – including four in Ecuador, two in Peru, one in Guyana and one in Bolivia – one of the two in Brazil is:

Clean Break #353: Amazonat Jungle Lodge

One of the most accessible jungle lodges, Amazonat is two hours by road east from Manaus international airport, in a 50-square-kilometre private reserve. The owners run treks deep into the jungle and include courses on jungle survival. www.amazonat.org

The whl.travel local connection in Manaus, also known as the gateway to the Brazilian Amazon, is alert to the importance of sustainable practices in such a vital place. Their offers of responsible tours and accommodation tap into a growing global awareness of the need to support long-term conservation for future generations.

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In the forests of northern Laos, the Akha people still wear traditional clothing and use patterns that may inspire you at Ock Pop Tok’s textile gallery. Photo courtesy of Rough Guides

GREEN LUANG PRABANG

Laos eased restrictions on foreign tourism in 1994, and the sleepy former royal capital of Luang Prabang, hidden away in the jungle at the confluence of the Kahn and Mekong rivers, was made a World Heritage Site a year later. Visitor numbers have accelerated since, and Luang Prabang now has several ventures that aim to cope with the growth sustainably. The following experiences [three of five listed in the book] offer the best of this magical place, and will help to preserve its soul for many years to come.

Clean Break #402: Enjoy a puppet show

Every Thursday and Saturday at 7.30pm the kids at Children’s Cultural Centre, a project developed with Unicef, put on a traditional Lao puppet show. Throughout the year, the CCC members (aged between 6 and 18) perform in rural villages, using puppetry and other traditional forms to deliver messages about children’s rights and health issues. The rest of the time they learn all manner of traditional arts at the centre, and guests are welcome to learn as well, or help out. It’s all part of a concerted effort to ensure interest in Lao traditional culture is carried on by the next generation.

Clean break #403: Get a massage with the Red Cross

There are plenty of places in town where you can get an invigorating massage for berry little money, but choosing the Red Cross means you’ll help to fund projects to provide latrines and water systems to local villagers, and train local youths and tuk-tuk drivers in first aid. It’s a proper massage too after sweating away toxins on a steam bath infused with 24 different herbs, you’re kneaded and pummeled back into shape by medically trained professionals.

Clean Break #404: Make your own scarf

Laos is famous for its silk, and at Ock Pop Tok’s textile gallery you can select your favourite patterns and colours from a range of hand-stitched fabrics, or have clothes made to measure. Or you can visit their weaving centre located in a traditional riverside garden just 2km from the centre of town. Here you can learn how to weave or dye your own scarf in classes lasting from a half-day to a week; you’ll be taught by women working with Ock Pop Tock in an effort to keep their traditional handicrafts alive. www.ockpoptok.com

The whl.travel local connection in Lunag Prabang (in Champasak, Vientiane and Vang Vieng as well) also recommends visits to the Children’s Cultural Centre and the Lao Red Cross, in addition to offering responsible tours and accommodations throughout the region.

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CLEAN BREAK #479: IN SEARCH OF THE REAL FIJI

Agencies such as FijiBure (www.fijibure.com) and Fiji Ecotours (www.fijiecotours.net) help travellers get beyond stage-managed 'village tours' and into the embrace of real Fijian families living in traditional bures of woven bamboo walls and thatched roofs. The whl.travel connection in Fiji (www.fiji-hotels.com.fj) also offers responsible accommodation and tours. Photo courtesy of Rough Guides

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CLEAN BREAK #140: EXPLORE BORJOMI-KHARAGAULI NATIONAL PARK, GEORGIA

It may be the same size as Ireland, but Georgia has more animal and bird species than any other country in Europe – and the best way to see them is on guided walks through Borjomi-Kharangauli National Park, a vast wilderness of coniferous forest where bears, lynx and chamois dwell.

The family-run Marelisi guesthouse in the village of the same name at the park’s northern edge provides an ideal base to plan walking routes, book guides and fill up on local food. Hikes from here pass along rhododendron-lined rivers and meadows whose subalpine grasses seem to shift colour as they waft in the mountain breeze. Marelisi village itself is almost totally self-sufficient: a place where people still grind their corn in communal watermills known as tiskvili. Before you set out, be sure to stock up on sweet churchkela, a smack made by boiling nuts in grape juice and a useful energy source while hiking.
www.borjomi-kharagauli-np.ge

The whl.travel connection in Tbilisi & the Caucasus Mountains is also actively involved in supporting the local community, and specialises in organising eco and adventure tours throughout the country, including to Borjomi-Khargauli National Park. They also make possible online bookings at the Marelisi Guesthouse, as well as at other Borjomi-Kharagauli hotels and responsible lodging and tours in the area.

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CLEAN BREAK #400: DIVE AT BUNAKEN, INDONESIA

No one’s really sure how many fish dwell in the gin-clear water of Bunaken Marine Reserve in the north of the Sulawesi archipelago. It’s probably more than 2500 different species, but the number keeps changing as more are discovered. Whatever the exact amount, with up to 45m visibility on a clear day this is one of the best place to dive not just in Indonesia, but the whole world.

Sea turtles are just some of the many underwater creatures awaiting eager divers. Photo courtesy of Rough Guides

And each year it gets a bit more beautiful. That’s partly because the 890-square-kilometre reserve – which is spread over five hundred small islands – is using money raised from entrance fees to end damaging practices such as coral mining and blast-fishing. Also, because the reserve employs local villagers to clean up the reefs and beaches and guard them from trespassers, live coral cover is now increasing by around five hundred percent a year.

Most of the reserve’s accommodation – mainly basic homestays – is on Bunaken Island. If you’re after a little more luxury, head for the nearby island of Siladen and the Siladen Resort and Spa.
www.sulawesi-info.com/bunaken.php, www.siladen.com

The whl.travel local connection in Manado, home of the native Minahasa people, offers diving and snorkeling packages around the Bunaken Marine Reserve, tours to inland attractions and accommodation bookings at the Siladen Resort, as well as other hotels working to develop their sustainable practices.

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MORE INFORMATION

• Win one of 20 copies of Clean Breaks.
• Purchase a copy of Clean Breaks.
• Read a review of Clean Breaks.
• Read about the authors’ motivations for writing Clean Breaks.
• View samples from the book.
• Visit whl.travel for connections to tours and accommodations in more than 175 destinations in 80 countries on six continents, including many already involved in demonstrating long-term care for their destinations.

Fiji is truly a jewel of the Pacific, fabled for both its amazing scenery and some of the happiest, friendliest people you have ever met. Here are ten helpful hints from a local eager to see you make the best of your time in paradise.

Bounty Island beach

* First things first: Exchange currency at Western Union outlets, either at the airport or in town, as they don’t charge commission.

* For true local excitement, visit during the annual BiliBili Race, one of the most exhilarating events on the Coral Coast. Teams compete throughout Fiji Day (independence day, celebrated in October) in a marathon relay, parade, waiter/waitress relay (bringing new meaning to quick service), board walk (see response below for explanation), coconut tunnel (see response below for explanation), egg toss, raft (bilibili) race, kayak races and swimming races. It’s an action packed day with smiles and laughter aplenty. But don’t be fooled: the Bilibili Race is taken very seriously!

* Try kava, a traditional, mildly narcotic drink, called yaqona in Fiji. When you do, have sweets on hand to take away the unique pepper-like aftertaste. Also carry a bottle of water, as sometimes villagers mix kava with grog, a potentially potent combination.

* For pleasing local dishes, indulge in a BBQ (usually around FJ$4.00 –- perfect for budget travellers) or spinach balls (taro leaves) cooked in thick coconut cream. Wai Tom Tom (smoked fish with marinated seawater, lime and chillies) is one of the tastiest dishes unique to Fijian seaside villages.

* If you’re planning a visit to the Mamanuca region, take the 12:15pm boat, when there are plenty of seats. Travelling to Mamanuca and other remote regions is also a perfect opportunity to pick up authentic locally made crafts. They’re often cheaper from the villagers than back on the mainland. Better yet, your money goes directly to the artisans.

* White water river rafters should stay overnight within Pacific Harbour (not go to Nadi and Sigatoka) and book the trip there. Not only is the distance to the river shorter, but it’s also cheaper as you can secure a free pick up only from Pacific Harbour.

* If you want to take day cruises to the island resorts, it’s often cheaper to book a night at the resort also.

* The Blue Lagoon Caves are renowned as the location of the Brooke Shields’ 1980 film, Blue Lagoon, but there are other caves as well that many people miss out on, including Sava-I-Lau, the Manulevu (Falcon) Caves and the Prawn Caves (famous locally for their Fijian legends and sacred Fijian mythology). If the Blue Lagoon Caves are high on your must-see list, think of staying at the Bay of Plenty, the only resort that takes guests to the lagoon for free.

* For the budding history buff, a visit to the World War II Momi Gun site is indispensable. This lesser-known historical site, located in Vuda, was established to repel a Japanese invasion of the island. The National Trust for Fiji maintains it and employs a local attendant happy to share his knowledge through entertaining and informative commentary.

A pool at the Treasure Island Resort

* Two handy hints about places to stay: first, the Bounty Island and Treasure Island resorts always have awesome last-minute specials (usually 28 days out); second, few know that the backpacker resort White Sandy Beach (in the Yasawas) has special room deals for only FJD150.00 per night, all meals included -– three-star service at an affordable price.

For lots more information about Fiji, including accommodations, tours, activities and lots of insider tips, contact your local whl.travel connection: Marica and Inia at www.fiji-hotels.com.fj.