USTOA Members Offer Winter-Spring Outdoor Adventures

Travelers can hike Bartolome Island in the Galapagos, explore remote Himalayan mountain passes by jeep, take a sunrise canoe trip in Costa Rica, or kayak the Alaskan fjords. These are some of the experiences members of the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) offer adventurous, outdoor-loving travelers.

The USTOA says even for time-strapped travelers, the four vacation options cited here - each under two weeks -- will get your clients adrenaline pumping.

USTOA recommendations (with prices and contacts):

Kayaking in Alaska, 8 days/7 nights

Kayak the Alaskan fjords on Lindblad Expeditions’8 day/7 night “Exploring Alaska’s Coastal Wilderness” cruise. Available through July 15, the program includes shipboard accommodation, all meals, activities, and excursions. Price is $5,990 per person and air fare is additional. For more information, phone 800-397-3348 or visit www.expeditions.com.

Costa Rican Adventure, 9 days/8 nights


Greet the morning with a sunrise rainforest canoe ride in Tortuguera National Park. Latour’s 9 day/ 8 night “Costa Rica Adventure” package also features a visit to Arenal Volcano, and a sky walk or a zipline above the cloud forest. Cost begins at $1,915 per person, and includes accommodations, 8 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners, activities, and internal flights. Available for travel through June 30, 2011, the package must be booked by April 15. Phone 800-545-5540 or visit LATOUR.com for more details.

Across the Himalayas, 10 days/9 nights


Explore remote high-mountain landscapes like the 17,000-foot Gyatsola Pass by Jeep and Land Rover with personal guides. and ascend to the Mt. Everest Base Camp, arriving by horse-drawn cart. This 10 day/9 night adventure begins in Lhasa, Tibet and travels across the Himalayas to Kathmandu, Nepal visiting en route Shigatse, New Tingri, Mt. Everest Base Camp and Zhangmu. Included in the price are best available hotels, 19 meals, in-depth privately-guided sightseeing excursions, luggage handling and all on-tour transportation. The adventure, which begins at $2,999 can be booked by April 1, 2011 for travel through April 30, 2011. Air fare is additional. For more information, phone 800-221-2216, or visit www.GeneralTours.com.

Galapagos and Andes, 11 days, 10 nights


Hike Bartolome Island in the Galapagos and travel the Andes by train, on Collette Vacations’ 11 day/10 night “Galapagos Islands” tour. Included are hotel accommodations, 23 meals, and most activities. Price begins at $4,109 if booked by February 1,2011 for travel through April 9, 2011. Air fare is additional. For more information, and to book a vacation, contact 877.451.8687 or visit explorationstouring.com.

All prices are based on double occupancy. Restrictions and additional security fees, departure and local taxes and fees may apply. Rates may vary by date. Visit www.USTOA.com.