Category: Regions

EuropeGate 1 Connections

Enter for a chance to win a trip to Italy!

We’ll fly you and a guest to Italy where you will explore Venice, Florence and Rome on a small group tour!

Prize includes:

  • Round trip airfare for two to Italy
  • 2 nights in Venice
  • 3 nights in Florence
  • 1 night in Umbria Region
  • 3 nights in Rome
  • 15 meals throughout the trip, including wine with lunch and dinners
  • Transfers between cities
  • Comprehensive, guided sightseeing and entrance fees per itinerary

Click here to enter now.

Good luck!

AfricaTravel Tips

On Safari

While on safari, it is very important that you follow all directions provided by your guide in order to ensure the safety of the group. Prior to the first safari, your driver/guide will review “safari etiquette” addressing, amongst other issues, off-road driving and hazards, and interaction with animals. Wildlife listed in the itinerary are based upon optimal conditions and therefore subject to change. While on tour you will be reminded by your guide of local safety and ecologic procedures to ensure your safety and the protection of the wildlife. Normal precautions include remaining in close proximity to your driver/guide and vehicle, avoiding tall grass and keeping noise to a minimum to not attract extra attention. Your driver/guide will advise you not to turn over rocks or dead wood and to stay clear of ground holes and caves, where scorpions, snakes and other potentially dangerous animal life may be hidden. Refrain from littering, feeding any animals or leaving food waste behind in the parks as this can upset their natural diets and lead to a dependence upon people. In addition, please do not purchase, collect, or remove any animal products, rocks, seeds, plants, or nests from the wild.

Roadways to the game viewing sites are for the most part unpaved and will therefore be rough and dusty. Gate 1 safari vehicles are fitted with large roof hatches or open sides to allow for easy viewing of wildlife from all angles. Safari vehicles cannot be air-conditioned and you will be provided bottled water while traveling. Vehicles are equipped with seatbelts which should be worn on public roads. While safari vehicles typically move slowly, drivers warn passengers of bumps or potholes and many passengers may choose not to wear a seatbelt, it is still recommended to do so. However, it remains at each individual passenger’s discretion to wear their seatbelt or not. Inside the National Parks and reserves there are designated picnic sites. Due to frequent use wildlife tends to avoid these areas with the exception of primates, reptiles, birds and small mammals. However, since picnic sites are open it is possible that a larger animal, such as an elephant, may wander through. Outside of the parks, it may be necessary to make more frequent shopping stops as these stores provide the only acceptable facilities while touring due to the lack of public rest stops.
AfricaGate 1 Connections

In the Company of Magnificent Wildlife, In the Footsteps of Beloved Writers

In Africa, you can see a sunset and believe you have witnessed the Hand of God. You watch the slope lope of a lioness and forget to breathe. You marvel at the tripod of a giraffe bent to water. In Africa, there are iridescent blues on the wings of birds that you do not see anywhere else in nature,” writes best-selling American novelist Jodi Picoult. “When you are in Africa, you feel primordial, rocked in the cradle of the world.”

That’s a pretty apt description. Picoult is just one of the many writers who have tried to sum up the magic of Africa in a few words. But the only way to truly understand is to experience it firsthand, from wildlife truly unparalleled on earth to cultures whose roots run millennia deep. Every day here creates a kaleidoscope of colorful memories you’ll carry for the rest of your life.

On the Prowl in Kenya’s Parks

After 18 years living in Kenya, Karen Blixen, aka Isak Dinesen and author of Out of Africa wrote, “If there were one more thing I could do, it would be to go on safari once again.” Anyone who has explored Masai Mara National Reserve, which served as a backdrop in the film of the same novel, will know exactly what she meant.

Masai Mara falls in the Great Rift Valley, a 3,500-mile fault line where wildlife by the hundreds of thousands roam free. This is “Big Cat Central,” known for its lions, leopards, and cheetahs. And during the annual Great Migration, it’s a teeming sea of wildebeest on the move by the millions. The landscape varies dramatically: sweeping savannahs where fleet-of-foot impala and gazelle try to outleap predators…lush hills which hide elusive black rhino…and sloping river banks where thirsty zebra cool off.

Comparatively, Soysambu Conservancy is intimate in scope at 48,000 acres (roughly 75 square miles). But oh, the spectacle it puts on! With 15,000 wild animals (the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe among them) and more than 450 bird species, its natural diversity outpaces its size. What makes it so singular is that, amid all the wildlife, there still remains a family farm at its heart, as was true in 1908 when Winston Churchill picnicked here and in the 1930’s when Evelyn Waugh came in search of the fabled views.

Explore South Africa’s Diverse Reserves

It’s not only Kenya that lures those seeking big game and bigger memories. More than 4,000 miles away, South Africa offers up its own rich rewards for nature lovers, and

Kruger National Park might just be the most epic of them all. Sprawling across more than 7,000 square miles, the park alone is larger than the entire state of Connecticut, and—quite unlike the New England state—this landscape is chock full of wildlife: 147 mammal species, more than 500 bird species, and a combined 150 varieties of amphibians and reptiles. And that’s just the fauna. The flora is stunning as well, with 336 different types of trees. Whether you’re spying leopards in the bushveld or sipping sundowners by a water hole as night falls, finding the next scene of wonder is as simple as keeping your eyes open.

Less famous but no less memorable is the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve. The oldest nature reserve in Africa, it is home to the world’s largest population of white rhino, thanks to years of efforts by conservationists. Hluhluwe-Imfolozi boasts the complete “Big Five”: elephant, Cape buffalo, lion, leopard, and rhino. The same can be said of the private Mabula Game Reserve, where the Big Five are joined in the rolling hills and plains by red hartebeests and elegant blesbok.

A completely different sort of wildlife experience awaits at St. Lucia Estuary. With Lake Lucia to the west and the Indian Ocean to the east, the estuary is home to hippopotamus, sea turtles, Nile crocodiles, and even sharks. In 1999, its precious marine environment earned it a designation as UNESCO’s first South African World Heritage Site, part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. No matter where you’re exploring, from big-name game parks to small less-known reserves, you’ll be quick to agree with Rudyard Kipling’s assertion that “One cannot resist the lure of Africa.”

In & Around Cape Town: Incredible History, Culture and Beauty

Natural splendor and human culture are inextricably linked in Cape Town. When Sir Francis Drake first saw land here, he described it as, “the most stately thing and the fairest cape we saw in the whole circumference of the earth.” Cape Town is a city where gleaming high-rises still feel small in the shadow of Table Mountain, and where a single afternoon might easily encompass verdant botanical gardens, a chilly penguin colony, and a stroll among chic boutiques.

From this diverse city, one can see Robben Island, the prison home of Nelson Mandela. South Africa’s national hero changed the course of his nation as he transformed from prisoner to democratically elected statesman and insisted on cultural reconciliation. Once released, one of Mandela’s favorite things was spending time in the Winelands, a mountainous region encompassing 300 vineyards. In fact, at his Nobel Peace Prize dinner, he had the guests served a red wine from Stellenbosch, hoping to spread his love of country beyond its borders.

Of course, there’s more to this lush region of South Africa than its sloping vineyards. The Garden Route – a breathtaking coastal drive that skirts green mountains, tranquil lagoons, sandy beaches and all manner of flora (including the vibrant, low-lying fynbos, native to the Western Cape) – is a nature lover’s dream. The pretty town of Knysna along the route is home to a marine reserve, which protects the habitats of magical seahorses, 200 species of fish and frolicking dolphins. Nearby, the area’s forests harbor their own menagerie of magnificent creatures such as the only forest elephant in South Africa, the elusive Knysna Loerie with its stunning green and blue plumage, and countless other birds.

Enhance Your Experience with More Destinations, or Explore in a Small Group!

Mandela’s homeland is perfectly positioned for those who wish to discover more of Africa in one visit. That’s why we’ve added options for experiencing its neighbors. In the

Kingdom of Swaziland, ancient customs still shine brightly, from traditional song and dance to handicrafts like glass making and stone carving. Centuries-old rituals, including elaborate celebrations honoring the King and the Queen mother, are still kept alive today.

The torrential power of nature is the focus in Zimbabwe, site of the mile-wide Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. This UNESCO World Heritage site dazzles visitors today as surely as it did David Livingston, who wrote of the tumult as being “the most wonderful sight I had witnessed in Africa.”

Heading west, Botswana stakes its own claim as one of the best safari locations on the continent. The country’s spectacular Okavango Delta takes center stage in this area’s safari circuit. The inland delta floods each year to three times its size as waters from the Okavango River swell, attracting one of the continent’s largest gatherings of wildlife. A bit farther north, Chobe National Park boasts the largest population of elephants in Africa, their herds ambling about on land and bathing in the Chobe River. They are a fantastic sight to behold.

Perhaps the most singular of lands in southern Africa, Namibia encompasses rocky mountain peaks, vividly colored desert dunes and a shoreline so foreboding that sailors called it the Skeleton Coast. Namibia is a fascinating blend of rich German-influenced cities and staggering beauty. In Etosha National Park, big game thrives amidst massive plains of salt. This is the third largest game reserve in the world, a semi-arid savannah grassland that supports some 144 mammal species and more than 300 bird species. A magnificent dry salt lakebed dominates the landscape, stretching 75 miles and luring unique wildlife that’s adapted to its hyper-saline conditions. When it rains, thousands of flamingoes descend on its waters. Perhaps Namibia’s most spellbinding region is Sossusvlei, a vast stretch of undulating red-hued dunes shaped over millennia by ocean winds. Remarkably, some dunes soar to 1,000 feet, the highest in the world. Their fiery deep-orange colors are explained by their age. In this 55-million-year-old ecosystem, iron in the sand has oxidized, much like rusted metal. The brightest colors in this magnificent topography signify the oldest dunes.

For those who long for a more up-close and intimate experience, Gate 1’s sister company Discovery Tours offers its own selection of Africa journeys that encompass Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa and Namibia. These thrilling small group itineraries allow for the most access and insight into the Africa you’ve always dreamed of.

Feel the Inspiration of Africa with Gate 1 Travel

Experience Africa with Gate 1 Travel, and you’ll not only experience one of the most soul-stirring adventures on Earth; you’ll revel in quality accommodations, expert Tour Managers, and personal attention worth writing home about. And no matter which journey you choose, you’re sure to discover as Pliny the Elder did nearly 2,000 years ago, “There is always something new out of Africa…”

Asia & PacificSmall Group Discoveries

A Tale of Two Southeast Asian Cities

Over centuries, grand and sprawling kingdoms rose and fell throughout Southeast Asia. Borders shifted. Alliances crumbled and formed. So it is remarkable that some of the region’s most spectacular ancient cities still survive; the voices of their residents whisper in architectural elements that are as sweeping as massive temples and as tiny as intricate bas reliefs. As you might expect, the grandest of Southeast Asia’s ancient cities have histories that are inextricably linked: Angkor, Cambodia and Ayutthaya, Thailand.

Angkor was the seat of power for the Khmer Empire as early as the year 802, when the imperial Hindu monarch Jayavarman II crowned himself the “god king.” Under his reign and the reigns of his successors, the Khmer city grew into the largest preindustrial city in the world, totaling 390 square miles and one million people.

More than 1,000 temples were built throughout the city, but none as grand as the resplendent Angkor Wat, built in the early 12th century as a state temple by King Suryavarman II. Many historians call it the largest single religious monument in the world. Its five lotus-style spires are said to represent the five peaks of Mount Meru, home of deities from Hindu mythology. Its walls and moat symbolize Meru’s surrounding mountains and ocean. Remarkable in scale and design, it is considered a perfect example of the high classical style of Khmer architecture.

Angkor grew into the envy of all surrounding tribes and in 1177 the Cham people moved in and sacked the city. But the Khmers took it back under the leadership of Jayavarman VII, a Buddhist. With his rise, Angkor Wat converted from Hinduism to Theravada Buddhism. (Buddhist monks still practice here today and can do so because the moat that encircles the complex prevented the jungle from swallowing its buildings, even during periods of abandonment.)

The causes of Angkor’s rapid decline have been debated for generations. Some believe a plague or earthquake sent its citizens fleeing. Others say that a Buddhist ruler could not sustain such a huge population. By definition, Buddhism did not celebrate individual achievement and so the people of Angkor lacked an inspiring leader around whom to rally and maintain the infrastructure of their huge city. The economy crashed and the population scattered.

Meanwhile north of Angkor, the Siamese capital of Ayutthaya grew into power as the previous capital, Sukhothai, fell into decline. Their approach to governing took the best of both previous Khmer eras: an absolute “god-king” monarchy coupled with Theravada Buddhism. This rigid yet spiritual approach seemed to work for the new capital as it, ironically, sacked city after city in the region.

Angkor could not withstand the onslaught and in 1431 its Khmer leaders fled Siamese forces and set up their new capital at Phnom Penh. By the year 1700, Ayutthaya had blossomed into a city of one million, making it one of the world’s largest cities. Roaming the ancient city’s grounds today, you can imagine its past splendor from its reliquary towers and huge monasteries. As grand as its buildings were its ideas. Here, King Boroma Trailokanath centralized the military and administrative functions of his country and put in place a system of land ownership and social status that would shape the country for centuries to come.

In the 17th century Europeans took interest in Southeast Asia – Dutch, English, Danes, and French were all spellbound by the grandeur of Ayutthaya. As French interests became suspect (were they mere admirers or expectant colonizers?), King Narai made a decision that would shape Thailand’s history up to the present day: He expelled the 600 legionnaires from his city. To this day, the country has never been colonized by an outside power – a claim that other Southeast Asian nations cannot make.

To be sure, the magnificent architecture of the ancient cities of Angkor and Ayutthaya inspire wonder and fascination. And the stories behind the facades help us glimpse life here when these two urban centers thrived.

Europe

Montenegro, Jewel of the Mediterranean

Ken Vanderpuye spent the day in Montenegro on an optional tour during his trip to Croatia, Slovenia & Venice with Gate 1 Travel, where he snapped this incredible photo of Lake Skada!

Ken Vanderpuye photo Friday

“On our drive back to Dubrovnik we crossed the Bay of Kotor by ferry and drove by the town of Bijela, it was here that I took this picture…suddenly rays of sunshine shot through the clouds over the mountainous landscape, creating a lava-like effect over the mountain range, in contrast to the calm flowing water in the foreground. I took this photo…to record the warmth and serenity of this picturesque town,” Ken says. “[Montenegro] is a small but beautiful country.”

Do you have an amazing travel photo to share for #G1PhotoFriday? Submit your photos via the photo stream at the bottom of our homepage, or add the hashtag your photos on Instagram and Facebook.

 

 

Asia & PacificSmall Group Discoveries

Water Worlds

The Fertile Nations of Southeast Asia Are Fed by Rivers, Lakes, and Seas

Peering out your plane’s window as you descend to land into any Southeast Asian country, you see it immediately. One simple fact blankets the earth below: These countries – Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam – are a thousand shades of green. It seems the most trivial thing at first, but you soon realize that where there is so much green, there is water to feed it.

Indeed, water is abundant here – in rivers, canals, lakes, and seas. And though you know that water feeds life on the entire planet, this lush corner of the globe seems reliant on it and shaped by it in a way you’ve never imagined. Indeed, what you are noticing is far from trivial. It is central to life throughout Southeast Asia. It is the thread that ties these nations together and allows a rich and fertile culture to thrive.

Cambodia: Natural and Manmade Wonders of Irrigation

In Cambodia, the tides of the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia dramatically affect the lives of locals. Tonle Sap, loosely translated as “Great Lake,” has an unusual geographic feature that affects daily life on its shores. The flow of water feeding and exiting the lake changes direction twice a year. The lake empties into the Tonle Sap River, which later spills into the Mekong River and flows into the Mekong Delta. During most of the year, the lake is fairly small and just three feet deep. But during monsoon season, the delta backs up. The resulting backwash reverses the Mekong’s flow and pushes water up the Tonle Sap River into the lake, enlarging its size six times and increasing its depth to 27 feet.

The phenomenon pushes thousands of fish into the lake from downstream and sets the fish-breeding season in motion. Locals on Tonle Sap shores celebrate the new tide with the Water and Moon Festival, a three-day party of racing ancient canoes carved from the coki tree. Once the waters recede and fish-breeding season ends, fishermen take to the waters. It’s one of the most unique fishing seasons in the world.

The ancient Khmer Empire practiced a similar concept of storing and releasing water, as early as the 13th century. In Angkor, massive reservoirs were constructed to collect rainwater during the rainy season. As water was needed for crops during dry months, it was diverted to fields through an irrigation system that took advantage of the land’s natural slope. This may seem a simple concept, but it was carried out on a grand scale that fed an ancient city of 390 square miles whose population, by some accounts, was as high as one million people.

Cambodia offers rich examples of how the ebb and flow of water shapes civilizations, even today. And in Thailand, a key waterway held the fate of a king’s capital.

Thailand: A Capital Grows Around a River

After Burmese attacks led to the fall of Ayutthaya, Rama I moved his capital to Thon Buri, on the western bank of the mighty Chao Phraya River. It remained here only 15 years, until the continued threat of the Burmese persuaded Rama I to move his court across the river. The waterway served as a protective wall, and the city of Bang Kok, or “riverside village of the wild olive,” was born.

Today, rice barges drift along Thailand’s mighty Chao Phraya River carrying the nation’s most valuable crop. Locals call this bustling waterway Mae Nam, or Mother of Waters, and it’s not hard to see why. There’s no doubting the river’s maternal-like beauty, but it’s easy to forget that without it – and without the countless canals that branch from it – Thailand’s economy would dry up.

And that would be a shame, because Bangkok’s fascinating canals, or khlongs, are reason enough to visit the Thai capital. Along these manmade waterways, vestiges of floating markets appear at every turn. Long sampan-style boats with fruits and vegetables and all manner of wares drift by and dock at hot selling spots. They offer intriguing insight into the history of transport and trade along Thailand’s waterways.

Just how much does Thailand worship its water? Just ask anyone who has attended the Songkran Festival in April. This raucous water party is not only a way to ring in the Thai New Year; it’s also a good time for a real soaking as residents drench each other in every way possible with hoses and water pistols and buckets.

Laos: Freeways of Water

Laos may be landlocked, but it is by no means dry. And it’s a good thing, because outside of major travel areas, unpaved roadways make it difficult to get around. So many locals rely on the Mekong River and its tributaries for transport. All told, the waterways of Laos comprise more than 2,700 miles of navigable routes through cities, villages, and emerald-green farmlands.

One interesting illustration of the Laotian penchant for river travel is at the Pak Ou Caves north of Luang Prabang. From within the caves, thousands of Buddha figures of all shapes and sizes and colors look out over the Mekong River. Some are seated in meditation; others recline. It is an eerie sight, and you might feel as though you have stumbled upon a king’s lost treasure. On the contrary, over the centuries, kings have willfully commissioned statues to be carved for placement here. Some statues are 300 years old and the unprecedented collection draws Buddhists pilgrims by land. But we think the best way to approach this magnificent sight is by river.

And there’s something else nurtured at many riverside locales and worshipped by Laotians: rice wine. Waterlogged rice paddy fields are everywhere, and not all of the grain ends up on people’s plates. Laotians will happily teach you that rice is sometimes better served in a glass. In fact, there is no better place to sample rice wine than in the region where it was invented.

Vietnam: Legends of the Sea and the Harvest

Vietnam’s coastline is 2,140 miles long, so it’s little wonder that its legends were borne from the sea. In the north, a spectacular natural wonder hugs the shores of the mainland. Within Halong Bay, more than 1,600 islands of towering karst dot the seascape. One Vietnamese fable tells of the dragons that created this breathtaking sight: During the nation’s earliest days, its people were threatened by seafaring invaders. For protection against the attackers, the gods sent dragons to the coast. But instead of fire, the dragons breathed thousands of jewels and jade into the bay, causing the enemy ships to crash and sink.

Other legends are played out on stages across northern Vietnam in the form of water puppetry. This fine Vietnamese art, believed to have been created in the 12th century in the Red River Delta of the north, began in flooded rice fields. The first puppeteers built a pagoda in waist-deep water and stood inside the structure, unseen by the audience. The performance thus served as a celebration of the rice harvest. Today, the stage is typically created in villages on a local pond, in mobile tanks for traveling shows, or in a 15-foot-square pool of water built into a stage. Puppeteers stand behind a façade at the back of the “stage” and control the puppets with underwater rods.

Southeast Asia is fertile with legends, natural beauty, and rich history and culture – much of it shaped by the waters that course through this magnificent, emerald-green region. With Discovery Tours, you’ll experience it all up close as only a small group can. We hope you’ll join us in this luxuriant and copious land.

To learn more about our Gems of Southeast Asia program, click here!

Asia & PacificSignatures

Discover Majestic Angkor Wat

World-famous for its beauty and splendor, Angkor Wat has the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which runs along the entire outer gallery walls, depicting stories from Hindu mythology. This sprawling city, built by Khmer Kings, was once home to more than one million people at the height of the empire.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Angkor Wat is also considered the 7th Wonder of the World. Angkor Wat’s temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, a gem of Khmer architecture. Signature Collection’s tour of Southeast Asia allows ample time for reflection at this majestic, sacred site.

Later, we’ll be whisked off to Chiang Mai in Thailand, the ancient capital of the Lanna Kingdom. At night, when the magnificent temples and walls of the Old City are illuminated, we’ll tour Chiang Mai in a traditional tuk tuk, and visit the city’s frenetic all-night market.

The 17 Day Deluxe Southeast Asia tour is a captivating blend of unique experiences – exploring Ha Long Bay and Angkor Thom by boat, a market trip with a Vietnamese chef – with luxury accommodations and authentic culinary delights.

Subscribe to our newsletter to save hundreds on your luxury tour of Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand with Signature Collection by Gate 1 Travel!

Asia & PacificSignatures

5 amazing Thai foods that aren’t Pad Thai

Thai food is full of contrasts: sweet and spicy, tangy and savory. We know this complex cuisine is best enjoyed at its source, and that’s why the Thailand portion of our tours are packed with lavish meals, a trip to a floating market, and a private dinner cruise. (Sightseeing varies per itinerary)

1. Red Pork Noodle Soup (Kuay Teow Moo Daeng)

You’ll never find this soup outside of Thailand, but it’s worth the trip: red pork, sprouts, bok choy and noodles in a pork-onion broth, best eaten with a bit of chili pepper.

kwayteow1

2. Panang Gai

Chicken, fried with red curry paste and smothered in coconut cream topped with lime leaves, makes for a dynamic plate bursting with flavor.

panang gai.jpg

3. Pad Ga Pow Moo Kai Dow

This stir-fried dish can be made with chicken, pork or minced meat and fried with oil, garlic, chilies, green beans and basil. Usually served over a pile of rice with a fried egg. You can find the dish almost anywhere in Thailand, but it’s best enjoyed in small local eateries.

Thai food

4. Kuay Tiew (Noodle Soup)

Noodle soup is a Thai staple, with dozens of variations. Thin noodles are paired with a meat like duck, pork or seafood, perfectly spiced and peppered with greens. You might need to set aside a few days to try them all!

kuaytiew

5. Mango Sticky Rice

We finish our list with a dessert. Picture sweet, ripe mangoes on a bed of sticky rice & coconut cream syrup – sweet, tangy and delicious!

mango sticky rice.jpg

Join a Gate 1 Travel tour for a true taste of Thailand. Enjoy these delicious culinary delights in the country that has inspired them all. Maybe visit a traditional floating market, where local farmers and villagers trade aboard small Sampan boats loaded with goods.

Asia & PacificSignatures

The World’s Most Luxurious Junk

Local legend has it that Ha Long Bay was built by a family of dragons sent by the gods. The dragons spit out pearls and jade, which turned into a wall of islands to protect Vietnam from invaders. The dragons were so impressed by the beauty of the area, they decided to make their home in Ha Long Bay – and it’s easy to see why!

Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage site, with 2,000 islands and rock formations rising from the emerald sea, filled with secluded grottoes and lagoons. Fishermen and boaters traverse the bay by “junk”, an ancient Chinese ship design still used today.

Our Signature Collection tour of Southeast Asia includes an overnight stay on a Bhaya Classic boat, providing more time to explore the hidden caves by row boat or kayak than a typical day tour. Later, swim, relax on deck or take advantage of spa services before enjoying a cooking demonstration for our marvelous dinner. In the morning, rise early to watch the sun rise over the fairy tale landscape.

We can thank the dragons for the mystic landscape of Ha Long Bay, just one of the amazing scenes from Vietnam sure to stay with you long after you’ve returned home.

Subscribe to the Signature Collection newsletter to save hundreds of dollars on your trip to Southeast Asia!

Latin AmericaSmall Group Discoveries

Our Tuxedoed Feathered Friend

It is a rare privilege to see the Magellan penguin, as you will on Tuckers Islets during the cruise portion of your South American Glaciers, Forests & Lakes itinerary with Discovery Tours. These adorable flightless birds are classified as “Near Threatened” by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

It was Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan who first spotted these odd creatures waddling among the Chilean fjords in 1520. They are perhaps the most recognizable penguin, with markings that closely resemble the tuxedo-clad caricature we’ve all seen in animations: black backs, white bellies, two black stripes below the neck, and a black cowl. Its wings were not designed for flying, but for swimming, behaving more like fins.

The penguins you’ll see from the decks of the Stella Australis may well have just come up for air from the watery depths. They feed on squid, krill and other sea creatures, for which they can dive up to 150 feet. But these feathered hunters follow the dictum that there’s safety in numbers, traveling in large flocks – known as colonies, parcels, or rookeries – when they go foraging.

To be sure, such partnerships are critical to a successful hunt. But they are also important to keeping the rookery thriving. Male and female penguins share the incubation of their eggs, trading off in 10-15 day shifts. After hatching, both parents raise the chicks for about a month, after which the little ones learn to fend for themselves. So it’s not surprising that Magellan penguins are monogamous, mating with the same partner year after year. During mating season, the female finds her mate by listening for his distinct call among a sea of penguins.

Several factors explain why the Magellan penguin is threatened. Their natural predators – sea lions, giant petrels, leopard seals – contribute to their natural decline, of course. But humans are far more menacing. Local oil spills in the birds’ hunting grounds kill tens of thousands each year. Climate change is also shrinking the population: extreme weather events like intense storms, drought and wildfires, disrupt their ability to reproduce. And an increase in torrential rains during the “off season” causes hypothermia in chicks that have not yet grown feathers.

Efforts are underway to protect the beloved birds. One local organization is working to create a marine protected area near the largest rookeries. Creating a preservation zone will ensure that breeding colonies will be successful, setting the stage for the Magellan penguin to continue waddling its way into our hearts.