Every October Kazakh eagle-hunters from all over Bayan-Ulgii gather in the heart of the Altais for a competition to test the speed, agility, accuracy, and training of their magnificent eagles.  It is a rare opportunity for visitors to get up-close and personal with such a wonderful Kazakh tradition.

DAY 1: Ulgii

• Catch an early flight to Ulgii from Ulaanbaatar
• Visit the local outdoor market (bazaar) and museum
• If arranged in advance, visit a local Tuvan shaman
• Sample local restaurants for lunch and dinner
• Stay in a nearby ger camp

DAY 2: Visit an Eagle-Hunter

• Drive to the village of Altantsogts (45km from Ulgii) to visit Sailau, one of the most experience eagle-hunters in the region
• Sailau and his son were recently featured in the BBC television series “Human Planet”
• Visit nearby Oni Mountain to view nesting place of wild eagles
• Enjoy Kazakh hospitality and experience the nomadic lifestyle

DAY 3: More Time with Eagle-Hunters

• Before attending the festival, watch as the hunters conduct final trainings with their eagles
• They practice calling their eagles from vast distances to attack animal skins drug by horses

DAYS 4 & 5:  Go to Festival with Eagle-Hunters on Horseback

• Side-by-side with eagle-hunters, ride to the festival on horseback
• Mongolian horses may be small, but they are tough
• The hunters may even spy a chance to catch a fox, rabbit, or wild cat
• Enjoy a picnic lunch to enjoy the remote mountain country
• Excellent photo opportunity to hold the birds for yourself
• Camp in the village of Sagsai on the bank of the Khovd River

DAYS 6 & 7: Altai Golden Eagle Festival

• Ride to the festival with the eagle-hunters
• Approximately 50-60 eagle-hunters participate in the festival
• Festival also features traditional Kazakh horse games including “bushkushi” (horseback tug-a-war using an animal skin), “horseback-kiss-a-woman,” and “pick-up coins from the ground on horseback”
• The festival is full of vendors selling Kazakh tapestries, clothing, and embroideries
• In the evening enjoy a traditional Kazakh concert

DAY 8: Back to UB

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1000 Mile Journeys arrange to have an Ulaanbaatar-based guide meet you at the airport/train station upon your arrival in Mongolia. The guide can help you navigate Ulaanbaatar, can travel with you to your accommodation, and can show you some of the city’s sights. Furthermore 1000 Mile Journeys can also help you explore more of Mongolia than just the West. We are more than happy to help extend your sightseeing of our beautiful country with additional journeys before or after your trip out West.

• Includes: English-speaking guide, cook, land transportation, accommodations, camping equipment, three meals a day with snacks in between, pack animals, camel guides, and national park tickets
• Excludes: Domestic flights, alcohol, discretionary horse/camel rides, and laundry

Authentic eagle-hunting is only done during the winter months when the snow covers helps the birds spot fleeing prey – it also when the prey have thick winter coats that are used to make warm clothing.  After the first snow, the hunters ride out in search of game on horseback, wandering amidst the rugged landscape holding their eagles on their arms.  The hunters usually take young boys with them to help flush out the game.

As soon as an escaping fox or marmot is sighted, the hunter sends his eagle into the air in pursuit of the quarry.  The bird then sizes up the target before swooping down in one long but swift strike, falling right on the spine of the escaping animal.  The bird catches the prey with steel talons and waits for the hunter to finish the animal off.

While such hunting does result in wonderfully thick furs to make warm clothing, the hunt is not done for financial gain.  Hunters take great pride in having clever, quick, and valiant eagles.

During this traveling adventure, you will get to experience the thrill of the hunt alongside these Kazakh nomads and their magnificent golden eagles.  This journey will lead you far into the mountainous landscape of Bayan-Ulgii where you will witness firsthand a unique tradition that has survived for centuries in this remote corner of Central Asia, all while experiencing wonderful Kazakh hospitality.

DAY 1: Ulgii

• Catch an early flight to Ulgii from Ulaanbaatar
• Visit local outdoor market (bazaar) and museum
• If arranged in advance, visit a local Tuvan shaman
• Sample local restaurants for lunch and dinner
• Stay in a nearby ger camp or hotel

DAYS 2-5: Hunting

• Drive to the village of Altantsogts to stay with an eagle-hunter and his family
• Go hunting everday, riding horseback along with the hunter as he explores the mountains in every direction in search of prey
• Visit with Sailau, one of the most famous and experience eagle-hunters in the region
• Sailau has been hunting for more than 25 years and now he focuses on passing the craft onto the next generation of hunters
• He and his son were recently featured in the BBC television series “Human Planet”
• You can watch a YouTube clip of the episode here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Y3Dl0BGFfw

DAY 6: Back to Ulgii

• Drive back to Ulgii through the Khovd River Valley, making stops to investigate ancient deer stones and Turkic stone men (balbals)
• Stay in ger camp outside of Ulgii and enjoy a traditional Kazakh concert and “beshbarmak,” the Kazakh national dish

DAY 7: Back to UB

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1000 Mile Journeys will arrange to have an Ulaanbaatar-based guide meet you at the airport/train station upon your arrival in Mongolia. The guide can help you navigate Ulaanbaatar, can travel with you to your accommodation, and can show you some of the city’s sights. Furthermore, 1000 Mile Journeys can also help you explore more of Mongolia than just the West. We are more than happy to help extend your sightseeing of our beautiful country with additional journeys before or after your trip out West.

• Includes: English-speaking guide, cook, land transportation, accommodations, camping equipment, three meals a day with snacks in between, pack animals, camel guides, and national park tickets
• Excludes: Domestic flights, alcohol, discretionary horse/camel rides, and laundry

Below is a selection of climbing holidays in other areas of Spain

 

The map below was produced by the late Bob Stansfield who can be credited with the bringing the development of the Costa Blanca to the worlds attention as a walkers destination

Canyoning is an adventure sport that is a passion of those of us at

Splash. We were are the forefront of introducing the sport into Scotland and the UK and we now take more people canyoning in the UK than anyone else. We also canyon year round in Morocco. To date we have taken nearly 10000 people canyoning in a safe and fun manner.

Canyoning is a activity that inspires and delivers every time. The region around our mountain Finca base is home to six  great canyons  with the added advantage that the great weather which ensures the canyons are not like some of the ones we work in back home in Scotland!

Canyoning in this area of Spain is also a year round activity. However, although the sun does shine here over 300 days a year when it rains it can rain exceedingly heavy and flash floods are common at these times. You do not want to be in a canyon during these periods. Please ensure you go with experienced canyon guides. This is not a adventure activity that should be tried out on your own!

The list below are canyons that we most commonly use, as time allows we will publish comprehensive guides for each.

1. Barranco del Infierno ( this is a 5-6 hour trip based on 6 people involving 12 abseils and several smaller free climbs/Jumps)

2. Barranc del Sant ( this is a 3-4 hour trip base on 4 people with 9 abseils involved)

3. Barranco de Melo ( this canyon starts at the bottom of Barranco del Sant above, it can be very wet at spring and autumn several short pitches and a 3-4 hour trip for 6 people)

3. Barranc de l’Estret de Penyes ( our local canyon 3 abseils and normally wet all year so fun in the pools. This is a half day trip for groups. Much faster for small numbers)

4.Barranco de Soler ( 3-4hrs with some long abseils)

5. Barranco de les Raboses ( 1-2 hrs a great fun canyon for groups. A few shorty abseils)

6. Barranco de Relleu ( 4 hours plus deep canyon just one abseil but this canyon has no escape route!)

We run canyoning day tours as well as canyoning weekend breaks and also a full week canyoning holiday.

On all our canyoning trips helmets are compulsory at all times on the journey when in the canyon. Buoyancy aids and wetsuits will be worn under our discretion depending on the canyon and weather.  We may test suitability of people for abseiling prior to entering a canyon. For those of limited or no canyoning experience we will probably use a lowering system rather than abseiling.

Costs

A day of canyoning is £50 per person of £75 per person for fit individuals who want to do two canyons.

A canyoning 3 day break is £300 per person full board ( maximum of 12 people)

A canyoning full week holiday is £725 per person full board. ( maximum of 12 people only suitable for those who are fit and healthy as the days can be long. Good head for heights essential. We also include a via ferrata trip in this week.

This area of the Costa Blanca in Spain is a renowned destination for mountain biking and cycling fans of all types and abilities. The surrounding area is a mecca of challenging single track trails, tough accents with fantastic descents. There are also plenty of easier routes and converted railway lines which are called greenways.

September each year often sees the Tour of Spain pass through the area where some of the very best road cyclists in the world compete over the regions’ hills and valleys.

The winter months see many of the top road cycling teams staying in the area for weeks on end as it is an ideal training base for them to prepare for the coming racing season.

Our location and Finca make an idea base for those wanting to do a cycling holiday of any type. It is also available on an exclusive use basis to cycling groups and teams for hire on a self catering or guest house basis.

Here is a video to show some of the very different mountain biking in the region

Below is a range of other Biking holidays and experiences in Spain hosted by some other operators.
 

Desert Tree Gobi Desert Mongolia

Splash Finca Panoramica is part of the 1000 Mile Journeys bootcamp network where we work with individuals and teams who have committed to the “1000 Mile Journey” health and fitness program.

Getting fit and losing weight often feels like you are on a “1000 Mile Journey” Well the bad news is that it is. Nothing in life worth doing is easy, and if it is, it is not worth doing. That is what we believe in. One thing we are sure of is if you complete your own “1000 Mile Journey” you will reach your fitness and healthy weight objectives and live a much more balanced lifestyle.

The aim of this program is to get people to complete a “1000 Mile Journey” over a period of time by walking, cycling, running, swimming in fact anything that involves human power. Everything is recorded on your journey even walking to the supermarket by clever technology.

The residential boot camps are for those who want to give their 1000 Mile Journey a boost and knock off some miles in a stunning location with other like minded people.

This is a full board 5 or  7 day program for a maximum of 14 people. Most weeks are 8-10 people. As well as comprehensive fitness and exercises classes run by some of the best in the business we combine fun adventure activities to ensure the week also introduces you to experiences that can be testing but very rewarding. Healthy eating during the week is ensured by our local Mediterranean fresh food and outstanding chef.

All of our exercise sessions are run outside in amongst nature as we believe the inspiring nature of our natural surroundings beat any gym environment we have ever seen. They are controlled by a mix of ex-military and physical training specialists.

We do not do diets! We believe and live by having a healthy lifestyle by combining the correct amount of healthy food intake with the right amount of exercise .

The “1000 Mile Journeys” program was conceived by Peter Syme the owner of Splash Adventure Tours and several other adventure activity and holiday businesses in Scotland, Spain and Morocco who have overseen introductions to adventure for in excess of one hundred thousand clients.

Peter is an ex army officer who served for 16 years around the World. He passed the demanding British Army para course aged 18. Since then he has worked in large corporate business at a senior level and for the last 8 years has overseen adventure activities and holidays for over 100k people. During 2011 Peter walked 1136 miles across the Gobi Desert in Mongolia in 51 days.  He was the oldest at 46 to complete the journey in a international group of 12 where 7 finished, and 4 including Peter, walked every mile. Peter states that “years of focusing on business had distracted me from what is important in life which is to live a balanced healthy lifestyle, my personal “1000 Mile Journey” across the desert connected me again with the joy of physical activity and healthy living” Peter now wants to inspire others to take their own “1000 Mile Journeys” in ways that do not involve such extreme efforts as the Gobi Desert crossing. Although he will be leading one of these each year in different locations around the World.

Peter Syme and Friend on Gobi Desert crossing

Costs

A 1 week fully residential boot camp at Finca Panoramica in Spain including full board sharing a twin room, including collect and return from Alicante airport is £1197. Five Day option available at £999. A 3 day intense boot camp course is available for groups only on request.

We strongly encourage friends to do these together and reward bookings of two people with a £97 discount per person. For bookings of eight plus there is a £200 per person discount.

Deposit by credit or debit card or BACS payment is £200 per person to secure a booking. The balance is due thirty days before the bootcamps starts. For group bookings monthly payment plans can be arranged.

All confirmed bookings include £300 of adventure gift vouchers per person for you to use at our adventure company in Scotland to ensure you carry on with the 1000 Mile Journey

Dates 2012/2013

The last week in every month March-October Saturday to Saturday. Other dates can be arranged by request. On booking we will send full booking conformation documents and a clothing list to bring with you. We will also send a suggested pre-boot camp activity schedule for those who are doing none or little physical activity.

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Please ensure all members of your group read the Terms and Conditions carefully, complete and submit the form below – you need to do this before you are due to take part in your activity.

I, the undersigned, hereby accept that adventurous activites have inherent risks and I understand there is a chance I may participate in dangerous activities. I have made staff at Splash Spain fully aware of any medical conditions or medical history that may inhibit me or impair my ability to take part in any adventure activities, and I hereby agree to listen and follow any instructions given to me by the Splash Spain staff. By completing the form below and clicking ‘Submit’ I accept these conditions – this does not release Splash from their obligations and does not affect my legal rights.

1. Splash Spain reserves the right to change the venue or to postpone or cancel any trip if we feel water levels or weather conditions on the day of the trip are incompatible towards a safe trip.
2. Splash Spain accept bookings either by email, through our website (http://spainadventuretours.com) or via telephone.
3. Bookings are accepted when Splash Spain receives your NON REFUNDABLE deposit. Splash Spain reserves the right to make exceptions to the above where instances dictate.
4. All cancellations must be advised as early as possible by the person who originally made the booking contacting Splash Spain by telephone or email. Cancellations are accepted as from the date Splash Spain receives the verbal or electronic/email confirmation of cancellation.
5. Cancellations incur the following charges:
   • Date of booking to 10 days prior to the trip taking place – client will lose their non-refundable deposit.
   • Final numbers of participants must be confirmed by telephone or email no later than 10 days prior to the trip. Failure to do this will result in the client being charged for the full amount of persons booked.
   • For bookings made via third party agents your contract is with them and not Splash Spain. Any refunds from cancellations has to be from the agent not Splash Spain.
6. Payment for most activities is due 10 days before the activity is scheduled. For quad biking, dune buggies and hot air balloon flights, this is due on the day of activity in cash – British pounds or Dirham.
7. Splash Spain reserve the right to make alterations to brochure details, and any other company documents, before and after any booking has been received and confirmed. Most of these changes will be minor and in most cases we will inform you at the earliest opportunity.
8. While Splash Spain carries full Public Liability Insurance, it is strongly suggested that participants carry their own personal accident policy that covers them for the activity they are undertaking. For wet activities this should include river rafting up to and including Grade 5 white-water. Personal accident policies are usually available from your own insurance broker.
9. ALL participants must be made aware by the person booking the trip that whitewater rafting, as well as other outdoor adventurous activities, carries a degree of risk. While Splash Spain has tried to minimise these risks, there is still a chance that participants may fall into cold, turbulent water that is fast flowing. Participants will only be accepted on the understanding that they are aware of these risks and wish to participate of their own free will.
10. Splash Spain reserve the right to refuse participation to clients that they believe to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and in such circumstances no refunds shall be given. Similarly if you are prevented from continuing an activity due to the persistent disregard of instructions, or due to you putting yourself or others at risk, no refund shall be given.
11. On signing the ‘Trip Reservation’ or Company paper, or receiving your trip confirmation, you agree to honour and abide by the terms and conditions laid down by Splash Spain , and have made all the participants in your party aware of these terms and conditions.

Algar Waterfalls

Algar Waterfalls is also the start of the PR-CV 48 hiking route from Callosa to Fort de Bèrnia. Ample parking is available, and tickets for Algar Waterfalls are priced at €4 for adults (aged over 10 yrs) and €2 for children (4-10 yrs) – children under the age of 4 go free. Tickets can be purchased at the entrance or alternatively online in advance through Tick Tack Ticket.

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