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This is Adventure Fix, the newsletter that helps you discover extraordinary journeys and experiences across the globe.

Here’s what we've got for you today:

  • Scuba Diving: Diving with Horseshoe Crabs on Pangatalan Island

  • Hiking: The Great Dahar Crossing

  • Wildlife Encounters: Spotting Markhors in Chitral Gol National Park

SCUBA DIVING

Diving with Horseshoe Crabs on Pangatalan Island

Diving around Pangatalan Island, known as the isle of horseshoe crabs, feels like slipping into another world.

The water is warm and clear, and right away you notice how alive everything is—colorful coral gardens, schools of fish flashing past, and then, on the sandy bottom, those unmistakable shapes: horseshoe crabs.

They look ancient, like something straight out of a time before people existed. Watching them move slowly across the sand, their shells catching the sunlight, is strangely peaceful.

The horseshoe crabs here are one of Pangatalan’s quiet success stories. A decade ago, the reefs were damaged and the island was stripped of trees. But the Sulubaai Foundation stepped in, rebuilding coral habitats and protecting the area from overfishing.

Now, when you dive, you can see the results firsthand, thriving corals, turtles gliding past, and these prehistoric creatures crawling through seagrass beds like they own the place.

Dives around the island are relaxed and shallow, perfect for lingering and observing. Sometimes you’ll spot juvenile fish darting around the horseshoe crabs, using them for cover, or see a crab bury itself halfway in the sand, just its eyes peeking out. When you surface, the island feels different too—calm, wild, and quietly hopeful.

It’s not a flashy dive spot, but it’s one of those rare places where you can feel nature recovering, and be part of it.

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TOGETHER WITH GEARSNAG

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HIKING

The Great Dahar Crossing

The Great Dahar Crossing is a long-distance hike in southern Tunisia that takes you across the rugged mountains of the Dahar region. It stretches about 120 miles (194 km) and is split into 12 stages, making it Tunisia’s first long trail built to international standards.

It’s not the kind of hike where you’ll find crowds or cafés along the way—this is remote, wild country. You’ll walk through red-rock ridges, stony desert plateaus, palm-filled valleys, and small Amazigh (Berber) villages where life moves at its own pace.

What makes the Dahar so special is how it blends nature and culture. You’ll pass old troglodyte homes carved right into the hillsides, ancient granaries built to protect harvests, and winding alleys that look like they haven’t changed in centuries. Every now and then you’ll spot fossilized seashells or even dinosaur footprints baked into the rock.

The people who live here are welcoming and proud of their heritage—you might end up staying in a family-run guesthouse, eating homemade couscous, and hearing stories about life in the desert.

You can hike the full route in about two weeks, but a lot of people just pick a few stages. One popular stretch goes from Toujane to Zmerten—it’s wild, rocky, and full of hidden valleys. Another great section runs from Ksar Hadada to Insefri, where you can see ancient rock paintings and fossil beds. If you climb up Kaf Ensoura, the highest point on the trail, you’ll get sweeping views of the mountains fading into the desert beyond.

It’s worth saying that this isn’t an easy trek. Parts of the trail are still being marked, so unless you’re confident navigating in remote terrain, it’s smart to hire a local guide. Water can be hard to find, and the sun can be brutal, so you’ll want to plan ahead and carry plenty. But that’s part of the magic—this is one of those rare hikes where you can go days without seeing another traveler.

You’ll find small guesthouses and even troglodyte lodgings along some sections, or you can camp if you’re prepared. The trail was created to support local communities, so staying and eating with families is a great way to give back while you travel.

If you’re looking for an adventure that’s completely off the beaten path—something raw, cultural, and full of wide-open desert beauty—the Great Dahar Crossing is it. It’s still under the radar, which means you get to experience the real Tunisia: quiet, rugged, and completely timeless.

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WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS

Spotting Markhors in Chitral Gol National Park

Photo: Nick Taurus

Seeing a markhor in the wild feels a bit like stepping into a mountain fairy tale. These wild goats live high up in the rugged mountains of northern Pakistan, Afghanistan, and parts of Central Asia — places where steep cliffs rise straight out of deep valleys and eagles glide through the sky.

With their long, twisted horns and flowing beards, markhors look almost unreal as they move effortlessly across rocky slopes that seem way too steep for anything to stand on.

Local guides in Chitral know exactly where to look, they’ll scan the cliffs and point out a faint shape you’d never notice on your own. Then suddenly, what looked like a patch of rock shifts, and you realize you’re looking at a markhor.

Sometimes you’ll see them in small groups, the males with their magnificent corkscrew horns, the females and young close by, blending perfectly with the mountainside.

It’s also a powerful story of conservation. Markhors were once critically endangered, but in Chitral Gol, local communities now protect them instead of hunting them. The success of that effort means visitors have a real chance of seeing this rare, national symbol of Pakistan in its natural habitat.

Watching a markhor standing against the backdrop of the Hindu Kush isn’t just a great photo opportunity — it’s a reminder of how much can change when people and wildlife coexist.

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QUICK FIX

THE COMPASS

Where in the World

Wanna flex your adventure geography skills? Guess where this pic was snapped!

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

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Life is a comedy. One must play it seriously.”

Alexandre Kojeve

I’d love to hear what you think of this issue, scroll down to the poll to let us know.

Until next time…

Keep exploring,

-Amanda

Whenever you’re ready, here’s how we can help you plan truly unique adventure trips:

ANSWER: Chaukhi Massif, Juta Valley, Georgia