Want to find out a bit more about Adventure Life? Check out some
of these great publications that have written articles about our tours.
Browse through these brief summaries or click on the links below to
read the full articles!
Published: May 1, 2024
By: Rachel Chang
Finding the right sailing varies based on seasonality, budget, and most of all, an individual's travel style and interests, so it's essential to really think about the type of experience you're seeking. "Consider what's most important to you," Adventure Life senior trip planner
Mary Curry says. "For some travelers, that means finding the option that has the perfect date to fit over an anniversary or to see a solar eclipse. For others, it could be getting to that one port that you've always dreamed of seeing."
Sacramento Bee
Published: April 8, 2024
By: Lynn O'Rourke Hayes
Glamping adventure (Baja California, Mexico)
With time on an island and in the mountains of Baja California, Mexico, this eight-day glamping adventure delivers visitors into the heart of nature. In La Paz, take in the cultural and architectural landmarks of Baja’s capital. Water lovers will be eager to swim, snorkel, and kayak in search of tropical fish, sea turtles, manta rays, dolphins, whale sharks and bird species on Isla Espiritu Santo. It’s a National Marine Park and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Sea of Cortez. Your adventure will conclude at the Sierra de la Laguna Biosphere Reserve with scenic hikes and a stay in a luxury tent camp run by a local ranching family.
Published: February 13, 2024
By: Gabrielle Olya
Cultures and Nature in Papua New Guinea Cruise
Price: Starting at $10,030 per person
This luxury cruise offered by Ponant is a 13-day expedition cruise that explores Papua New Guinea’s wonders and ancient tribes.
“Wealthy travelers like unique itineraries that are a true expedition, going where very few have ever been before,” said Mary Curry, senior trip planner at Adventure Life. “This cruise travels along the east coast of Papua New Guinea in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, where spectacular fjords, pristine coral atolls and remote villages delight travelers with the means to access this off-the-beaten-path area. It has one of the last relatively untouched cultures of the world, as well as fantastic snorkeling and birding.”
Published: February 12, 2024
By: Lauren Dana Ellman
“If you are looking for a more casual and laid-back experience, Seattle-based UnCruise Adventures offers down-to-earth trips with enthusiastic naturalist guides, simple accommodations, and hearty local cuisine,” says Palmer. Mary Curry, another T+L A-List travel advisor, echoes these sentiments, explaining that “small ships are the absolute best way to see Alaska if your goal is to immerse yourself in nature and wildlife.” While the cabins are no-frills, Curry stresses that the main focus of the cruise is “getting off the ship and exploring everything Alaska's Inside Passage has to offer.” With that said, when it comes to activities, options abound. Per the pro, travelers can “choose between a menu of included excursions such as kayaking, paddleboarding, hiking, zodiac cruises, whale watching, and more.” All in all, UnCruise really does offer something for everyone.
Published: December 21, 2023
By: Margarita Ibbott
Book a fly-and-cruise expedition to Antarctica through
Adventure Life and avoid sailing through the turbulent waters of the Drake Passage. Instead, fly two hours from Punta Arenas, Chile, to King George Island, then board the Magellan Explorer ship and cruise among the icebergs, penguins, seals and whales of the white continent. Each day, disembark to explore the frozen landscape with expert polar guides.
Published: September 18, 2023
By: Catherine Garcia
There's no place like the Galapagos Islands. One of the most biodiverse spots on Earth, visitors will leave here having seen something entirely new, like a marine iguana or colony of Darwin's finches. It's not just the wildlife attracting intrepid travelers, either — the pristine beaches, turquoise waters and active volcanos are also big draws. The Galapagos Islands are about 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, and while it takes plenty of planning and time to get there, the payoff is worth it.
Jess Heuermann, senior trip planner with Adventure Life, told The Week she recommends arriving in Ecuador two days before a scheduled trip to the Galapagos Islands, just in case of flight delays. The islands sit on the equator and are a year-round destination, with the peak travel season in the summer and around Christmas. It's best to plan a trip a year in advance, if possible.
Published: September 14, 2023
By: Cassidy Randall
Don’t let the name fool you.
Camp Denali is far from a rustic “camp.” The luxe stay here features well-appointed individual log cabins with wood stoves, each with running water right out the front door if not inside, kettles to make your own hot beverages, and porches positioned for an unobstructed view of the peak—Camp Denali is the only lodge inside the park boundaries from which the elusive mountain can be seen. There’s a gorgeous shower house, an old historic log cabin lodge full of books and comfy couches, and a thoughtfully constructed new lodge where dining consists of high-quality plated meals made from local ingredients from Alaskan farms and ranches and the surrounding landscape itself. But the “Camp” part of the name derives from its founding more than seventy years ago, the same founders who discovered that the land itself would teach them how to steward it.
USA Today
Published: March 14, 2023
By: Katie Jackson
Search for Wallace's Living Treasures with Adventure Life
At the same time Darwin was drafting his theory of evolution in the Galapagos, Alfred Russel Wallace was also doing the same, albeit in Indonesia. This Adventure Life sailing trip celebrates the bicentennial of Wallace's birth and stops at the places where the lesser-known biologist studied natural selection. Snorkel some of the most biodiverse reefs as you explore the world's largest archipelago. Your host is Dr. George Beccaloni, a renowned expert on Wallace.
The 12-day trip starts at $8,790.
Conde Nast Traveler
Published: March 14, 2023
By: Condé Nast
They'll pull off the impossible and spare you the logistics. Congratulations to our Trip Planners Mary Curry, Kassandra Magruder, Jeff Rottschafer, and Jane Packer for being named among Condé Nast Traveler's Top Travel Specialists for 2023!
Mary Curry: Antarctica, Galápagos Islands, Arctic Expert
Kassandra Magruder: South Africa, Botswana, Tanzania Expert
Jeff Rottschafer: Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia Expert
Jane Packer: Peru, Argentina, Chile Expert
Published: March 9, 2023
By: Bailey Berg
Adventure Life’s Explore Aysen and Patagonia National Park
The Aysen region of Chile is one of the most remote areas of South America; on this seven-day expedition, travelers can get a deep dive into Patagonia National Park’s stunning natural scenery. Itinerary highlights include kayaking to the Marble Caves of Lake General Carrera, trekking on the ice of the imposing Exploradores Glacier, rafting the rapids of the Baker River, and hiking deep into protected land to spot wildlife and take in expansive views. Throughout the trip, travelers will stay at the
Mallin Colorado Ecolodge, which features superlative views of Lake General Carrera and rustic cabin accommodations... There are multiple departures still available through April and again in October through December.
Published: March 9, 2023
By: Sunny Fitzgerald
When is the most popular time to visit Costa Rica?
The experts recommend making reservations several months in advance to avoid disappointment, particularly if you’re planning to travel to Costa Rica in the peak seasons. Villalobos says that rental cars should be reserved two to three months before your trip, and
Jess Heuermann, a senior trip planner at Adventure Life who specializes in Costa Rica, notes that hotels in popular regions like Arenal, Monteverde and Manuel Antonio tend to sell out three to five months in advance of peak travel times.
Published: December 27, 2022
By: Adventure Travel Trade Association
How has your company changed over the last 15 years?
We certainly have changed over that time – even in the last five years it seems! We started out as a Latin America-based group tour operator, and after the 2008 recession slowly shifted focus to custom-trip planning and small-ship cruises. We still offer some group tours in select areas where it makes sense to do so, but our main focus now is on travelers who want a unique, private, or specialized trip designed just for them. This, of course, includes small ship cruises as well that can offer a true expedition or exploratory experience. We’ve built such an extensive network of trusted partners around the world that we can design trips in the majority of countries that are open for tourism, even if they’re not listed on our website.
Published: December 5, 2022
By: Named Among The Best of The World for 2023, Is This The Next Machu Picchu?
While Machu Picchu is well-equipped to welcome travelers of all ages via fleets of buses and trains, Choquequirao remains incredibly remote. It is accessible only to the most adventurous travelers via a strenuous 38-mile, four-day hike from the sleepy mountain town of San Pedro de Cachora.
Jane Packer, a trip planner for Adventure Life, described the hike as “a four on a scale of five for difficulty,” though the journey was her first true multi-day trekking experience. Today, she organizes guided excursions to Choquequirao, Machu Picchu, and some of Peru's other impressive destinations.
While independent hikers can make the journey to Choquequirao, Packer recommends traveling with an experienced guide. “If you go with an organized tour like Adventure Life offers, you'll have a guide, and necessary camping gear will be provided. Meals will also be provided, so you won't have to worry about shopping or cooking.” It's a lot to consider on top of the physical demands of the trek.
Published: November 10, 2022
By: Everett Potter
Discover Aysen
Discover Aysen from Adventure Life is a passport to discover the remote Aysen region of Chile. This trip includes kayaking the Marble Caves, trekking on the Exploradores Glacier, hiking through San Rafael National Park, and rafting the Baker River. There are optional horseback riding and fly fishing available. Accommodations are at the Mallin Colorado Ecolodge, and the six-day trip is $2,990.
Published: October 9, 2022
By: Lea Lane
Shoulder seasons are delightful times to explore the world. And brisk weather, brightly colored foliage, and crowd-free destinations make fall the perfect time to travel. Here are seven vacation ideas for the weeks ahead, ranging from the mountains of Montana and Nepal to the Galapagos Islands.
Trek with Sherpas: New from Adventure Life this fall is the
Everest Trekking with Legendary Sherpas tour in Nepal. Climb and descend high-altitude trails, cross suspension bridges over turbulent rivers, pass through rhododendron and pine forests, watch for wildlife like the rare musk deer and colorful pheasants, take in views of peaks like Mount Everest and Lhotse, and meet the Sherpa people and stay in their villages along the way.
National Geographic
Published: August 14, 2022
By: Julia Buckley
“To me, adventure cruising is at the core of travel itself,” says Mary Curry, small ships specialist at tour operator Adventure Life.
“At its core, travel is about discovery, whether that’s of people and cultures, wildlife or places. Adventure travel allows you to feel like an explorer — you go out there and find out something in a way that you can’t from a luxury hotel or a large ship, where you’re more isolated from what you’re trying to discover. It goes back to the original reasons for why people travel.”
Published: July 14, 2022
By: Lea Lane
Antarctic Expedition: Embrace the spirit of polar exploration on an expedition to Antarctica with Adventure Life. Watch for seabirds and the first icebergs as you cross the often formidable Drake Passage to reach the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. Once there, you’ll experience the wonder of the white continent as you cruise along spectacular ice cliffs looking for seals and whales, and go ashore to visit penguin rookeries and historic huts.
Published: June 25, 2022
By: Liz Cantrell
"For travelers who want a truly unique wildlife experience, a cruise can be the best option. On a 16-day trip aboard
Ponant's Le Commandant Charcot, you'll venture to the Southern Ocean and view emperor penguins. Even more impressive is a
22-day trip to the Northwest Passage on the
National Geographic Resolution to see a pod of beluga whales or, if you are particularly fortunate, even a group of narwhals. —
Mary Curry, Adventure Life
Published: May 23, 2022
By: Love Exploring Staff
Your transport for this food and wine-themed
cruise along the Columbia River is the Wilderness Legacy, a beautiful vessel designed to resemble a Victorian steamer. During the cruise, which starts and finishes in Portland, you’ll visit some of Oregon’s most important historical sites, but it’s the food and wine-themed stops that really set it apart. In the Hood River Valley, you can sign up for cycle rides between local vineyards, and in the Washington city of Walla Walla, you’ll visit a local chocolatier, olive oil producer and brewery.
The Washington Post
Published: May 5, 2022
By: Danielle Braff
Forget infinity pools, couples’ massages and karaoke lounges; the newest luxury ships are all about scientific discovery. Rather than stopping at the usual crowded European and Caribbean ports, expedition ships are taking guests — along with scientists, historians and naturalists — to places rarely visited by tourists. Subtract the discomforts traditionally associated with research vessels, and expedition ships are attracting travelers who may not have considered cruising in the past... "You won’t find mini-golf courses, surf pools, slides, concerts, casinos, branded restaurants or Broadway-style entertainment," said Monika Sundem, chief executive of Adventure Life, a travel company in Missoula, Mont. Instead, in addition to the submarines and other tiny boats such as kayaks designed for further exploration, many of the expedition ships have helicopters, larger observation decks and educators.
Published: April 25, 2022
By: Rebecca Strong
"As travel resurges, tourists will return to this area, but for now, it feels as remote as it did 20 years ago," says Monika Sundem, CEO of Adventure Life in Montana. "The Galapagos was one of the first regions to return to operations since the start of the pandemic, and procedures are dialed in. Book a small-ship cruise for island landings to see boobies and finches, snorkeling excursions with sea lions, Galapagos sharks, and more."
Published: April 20, 2022
By: Sara Clemence
While dozens of countries have reopened for tourism, Monika Sundem, CEO of Montana-based travel-planning company Adventure Life, advises against destination-hopping. Testing requirements and policies from country to country (and region to region) are constantly in flux. Some travel suppliers mandate extra layers of testing to make guests feel safe. But any number of snafus—labs might have odd hours or run out of tests or results might be delayed—can upend your vacation. “If you can find one eco-resort that does day tours—beach adventures, water exploring, ruins—I really think that’s the best way to go,” Ms. Sundem said. “It will be much more relaxing because you don’t have to be worried about, ‘What if I don’t get the test?’” Among her recommendations: Hamanasi Resort in Belize; Manta Resort on Pemba Island in Tanzania; and Finch Bay Hotel in the Galápagos Islands.
Published: July 9, 2021
By: Liz Cantrell
The Galapagos National Park, Galapagos Islands
This park is absolutely beyond compare and is a must for National Park enthusiasts. As one of the most protected national parks in the world, the Galapagos Islands are full of incredible wildlife that are not afraid of humans and will come in closer contact with you than is possible in most other natural places in the world. You can experience a variety of landscapes in a small space, from lush highlands full of tortoises, to moon-like volcanic rock, covered in piles of iguanas. And the marine life is sure to excite even the most well-traveled guests when they have the opportunity to snorkel with penguins, sharks and playful sea lions, all while blue footed boobies dive for food in the distance. —
Erin Correia, Adventure Life
New York Times
Published: January 1, 2020
By: Nora Walsh
As the number of travelers cruising Antarctica swells, polar expedition companies are launching sustainable vessels designed for these bucket-list trips. According to the
International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators, approximately 56,000 tourists visited Antarctica in the 2018-2019 season, a 53 percent increase from the 2014-2015 season. “Climate change is a chief reason for the increased interest in visiting Antarctica,” said Mary Curry, a small ship cruise specialist and travel planner at
Adventure Life. “We truly don’t know if the region will ever be as magnificent as it is now.”“Antarctica itineraries often sell out one or two years in advance, so travelers should be prepared to book early,” she advised.
