Issue 104 | Aldabra

Issue 104

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Happy Friday! This is Adventure Fix, your very own goldmine for discovering lost worlds, unchartered lands, and secret spots.

Here’s what we've got for you today:

• Natural Wonders: (new section) Liquid rainbow river

• Expeditions: Hiking the Snowman Trek

• Unique Places: The primordial paradise of Aldabra

• Tech: Digital Dr. Dolittle

• Stories: Camel trekking in the Australian Outback

Snowman Trek: Bhutan’s toughest hike

Imagine a hidden kingdom nestled high in the Himalayas. Here, prayer flags flutter in the wind, yaks graze in sacred valleys, and monasteries stand on towering mountains.

Welcome to Bhutan.

If you want to fully immerse yourself in the vibrant culture and picturesque landscapes of the “Land of the Thundering Dragon,” hiking the Snowman Trek is the way to go.

This 216-mile route winds its way up gigantic valleys, past shimmering glacial lakes, and over more than a dozen mountain passes, many reaching heights of over 16,000 feet.

As you trudge up the trail, feeling your pulse pounding in your head, you'll quickly understand why it's considered one of the toughest hikes in the world. But the day's challenges melt away when you reach camp and are greeted with a steaming cup of tea and cookies.

After taking a breather, it’s time to take in the surroundings. Stroll through villages lost in time, test your archery skills with the locals, or meditate by a gently flowing stream.

The Snowman Trek offers a unique balance of seclusion and connection, making it an unforgettable experience that is becoming increasingly difficult to find in our world today.

Explore more:

• The Snowman Trek: An Unforgettable Challenge (article) - Info about the trek, trip itinerary, and alternative treks.
  

• Bhutan’s Snowman Trek (video) - Get an idea of what trekking for nearly a month in Bhutan would be like.

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Aldabra Atoll: Where tortoises are king

Visiting isolated places is like traveling back in time to a place untouched by humans.

Want to experience this surreal feeling that can only come from voyaging to the far corners of Earth for yourself?

Head to a lonely island, far from the paths of cargo ships and cut off from the rest of the world, Aldabra Atoll.

It is part of the Seychelles archipelago but far removed from the neighboring islands, located over 700 miles from the main island of Mahé. Here you won’t find cruise ship ports, airstrips, or resorts. The only way to reach this remote part of the Indian Ocean is by boat.

Nothing comes easy on Aldabra. The shoreline is lined with razor-sharp coral rock. There is no fresh water source, making life here extra challenging. There is one tough creature that thrives in this harsh environment, the giant tortoise. Over 100,000 of these tank-like reptiles roam this faraway atoll.

Aldabra Atoll is considered one of the last untouched sanctuaries on our planet, making it a dream trip for nature lovers. Frigatebirds and boobies nest in the mangroves, flightless Aldabra rails patrol the beach, and coconut crabs the size of frisbees scramble through the palm forest.

The channel into the emerald-colored lagoon is an incredible dive site. Here you can see blacktip reef sharks, manta rays, groupers, and vibrant corals.

Explore more:

• Aldabra - One of the most isolated eco-regions in the world (video) - Stunning aerial footage of Aldabra.

• Seychelles Aldabra Giant Tortoises (video) - A short video about Aldabra’s most famous residents.

• Aldabra (article) - Info on what to see and do on this wild island.

Caño Cristales: The liquid rainbow river

To kick off the new natural wonders section we’ve got one of the most unusual ones for you: a liquid rainbow-colored river called Caño Cristales.

Located deep in the lush green jungle of Colombia, this river cuts through layered rock formations. When the conditions are just right, a plant that lives in the riverbed blooms, painting the water red with hints of yellow, green, blue, and black.

Explore more: 

• Float Along Colombia’s Rainbow River (video) - A 1-minute overview of this living rainbow.

In the Company of Camels

Have you ever found yourself searching for a different direction in life? A shift that would lead you to a sense of purpose and adventure?

For some, this new outlook might come from a cross-country move, a change in career, or a newfound interest in summiting massive mountains.

For Sophie Matterson, her quest led her to the world of camels. After falling in love with these intelligent and enigmatic ships of the desert, as she describes them, she soon found herself traversing the expansive Australian Outback with her new companions.

Explore more:

• In the Company of Camels (article) - an insight into one woman’s massive journey walking the width of Australia from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific with her five wild-caught camels.

What do you think?: Is the Middle East the next great hiking destination?

History: Jaques Cousteau and the secret of the Aqualung.

That’s interesting: Decoding animal conversations with artificial intelligence.

Antarctic slang: Gomble.

Fly: Aerial impressions of the stunning Bolivian altiplano.

Where in the world

Wanna flex your adventure geography skills? Take a guess at where this pic was snapped!

Stumped? No worries, the answer is at the end of this email.

ANSWER: Parinacota Volcano, Chile