Getoff Ur Ass

If you love elephants, want to learn more about them and are up for some real adventure, then this is the trip for you! With veterinarian Dr. Dag Goering and author Maria Coffey, co-founders of Elephant Earth Initiative, in S. Thailand and throughout Laos you meet top experts in the elephant field, take part in field studies, hike through protected forest areas that are off limits to most tourists and explore an astonishingly pristine and remote valley threatened by a hydro-electric project. With luck you see elephants in the wild, and for sure you have hands-on experience with captive elephants as you learn about their health and welfare issues. A portion of the trip price goes directly to elephant projects supported by Elephant Earth Initiative.

Our odyssey begins in Southern Thailand and land up right on the Nam Kading River into an area of pristine wilderness and vital elephant migration corridors For the last leg of our journey we fly north to the Luang Prabang and settle in to a small eco-resort on a beautiful river. We spend 2 days with mahouts, learn how to care for and ride elephants and trek with them through evocative landscapes.

Add to this mix our cultural tours in Kanchanaburi, site of the famous Bridge on the River Kwai, in Vientiane, Laos’s sleepy capital city. This is for those who want an unforgettable adventure in some of the most beautiful, tranquil and unspoilt areas of S.E. Asia.

Note: A detailed packing list will be shared with you once you have signed up for the trip



Duration – 13 days
Acco - hotels 8 nights
Camping - 7 nights / Field Station - 1 night
Begin / End - Bangkok, Thailand / Luang Prabang, Laos

Join us on this one-of-a-kind trip, exploring some truly hidden places in Laos, a country still off the radar of mainstream tourism. As we travel throughout this tranquil, unhurried land, we find everything an adventurer could wish for: lush rugged mountains, the mighty Mekong River and its tributaries, astonishing biodiversity, a wealth of ethnic cultures and a deeply rooted history epitomized by romantic Luang Prabang, where saffron robed monks move silently past ancient gleaming temples and evocative French colonial mansions.

Beginning in the very south of Laos, we paddle into a calm reach of the Mekong River to watch the rare river dolphins surface around us. We cycle through rice paddies, visit an Angkor temple and chill out in Champasak, where time has stood still. From a traditional village we take elephant-friendly rides through the forest, and see them set free at night in the nearby wetlands. In the coffee growing area of the Bolevan Plateau we hike to a stunning waterfall, then head to the sleepy capital city of Vientiane to meet a world-renowned weaver.

Journeying to Northern Laos we pass through wild mountains with unsurpassable views, stopping to paddle the tranquil Nam Song River through dramatic karst landscapes. In Luang Prabang, we immerse ourselves in the history and beauty of this famous UNESCO World Heritage site, take a boat ride up the Mekong to a mysterious cave, and visit ethnic minority villages. On our final day we take a magical trek with elephants up through an enchanted forest, picnicking by a cool river and heading down along a series of glacial-blue waterfalls and picture-perfect pools. On our final night we share yet another fabulous meal in Luang Prabang to celebrate our discovery of Laos!

Note: A detailed packing list will be shared with you once you have signed up for the trip


Duration – 13 days
Acco - hotels/lodges 12 nights
Activities - Gentle hiking and kayaking; biking on flat ground; river boat cruising; elephant-friendly riding; cultural tours; village visits.
Begin / End - Pakse, Laos / Luang Prabang, Laos

Europe’s most spectacular coastline lies in Croatia, where stark serrated mountains meet the sea to form the verdant Dalmatian Coast, graced by over 1000 evocative islands. This archipelago boasts intricate limestone shorelines, romantic sweeps of olive groves and vineyards, and fascinating harbor settlements steeped in centuries of history.

Our expedition begins and concludes in two fabulous UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Dubrovnik, one of world’s best preserved walled medieval cities and Trogir, a charming ancient town. In both settlements, experienced local guides lead us on walking tours, bringing the past vividly alive with their stories and in depth knowledge.

During the intervening days our home is a gorgeous 100-foot classic sailing yacht. From this mothership we paddle along dramatic sea cliffs, discover sea caves and pocket beaches only accessible by kayak, and swim in warm, azure water. NASA astronauts claim the Adriatic Sea is the bluest body of water on the planet and after years of paddling its Dalmatian Coast, we can attest to it being the clearest, too!

Our itinerary is not set in stone, but depends on the winds and the whims of the group. Also, our mothership gives use great flexibility. If you feel like a break from paddling, no problem! Relax on board and take in the passing scenery as our trusted crew sails to meet the kayakers at the next exquisite harbour.

Every day, and every island and harbor we visit on this trip is different and unique. As well aspaddling, we go for short hikes to explore historic fortresses, wander through bucolic landscapes, and get happily lost amid the labyrinths of tiny streets in timeless Venetian villages, stopping to sip great coffee under the shade of bourgenvillea. This multi-activity adventure, with its mix of superb landscapes, history, culture and great food and wines, is not to be missed!

Note: A detailed packing list will be shared with you once you have signed up for the trip

Duration – 10 days
Acco - hotels 2 nights
Classic Yacht - 7 nights
Begin / End - Dubrovnik/Trogir or Trogir/Dubrovnik, depending on the departure

More Info:
How do I get there?

You can reach Croatia from a number of European hubs. Croatia Airlines has connections from London Heathrow and London Gatwick, Frankfurt, Munich, Dusseldorf, Vienna, Rome, Paris and Amsterdam. British Airways and Easy Jet also offer some connections from the UK.

When we first arrived in Halong Bay in 1994, we knew we had discovered one of the world’s ultimate paddling destinations. Since then we have returned regularly to Vietnam to lead unique kayaking trips in this myriad of fantastically shaped islets.

The adventure begins in Hanoi, where we stay in a comfortable hotel fabulously located in the Old Quarter, a short walk from the iconic Hoan Kiem Lake. After experiencing the highlights of this bustling city, we head to Halong Bay and sail into serenity. Our comfortable base for the week is a lovely, traditionally built sailing junk, featuring double cabins with en-suite bathrooms, deck areas for relaxing and an experienced, friendly crew – including a marvelous chef!

This trip takes us far from the crowds, and into the remote reaches of the bay, where few people ever go. In our kayaks we wind through the labyrinth of limestone islets, finding secret passages to hidden lagoons and magical sea caves – and watching out for the dragon said to live in these waters! On our paddling excursions we visit the floating villages of fisherfolk, and stop to chat with children rowing by in tiny bamboo boats. In a beachside temple, we witness animistic ceremonies in which local people lyrically worship the deities of the bay.

Join us to enjoy the best paddling in the world, gain an insight to Vietnamese culture, tradition and mythology and savor the finest cuisine Vietnam has to offer!

Note: A detailed packing list will be shared with you once you have signed up for the trip



Duration – 10 days
Acco - hotels 3 nights
Mother ship - 7 nights
Activities - easy to intermediate sea kayaking, cultural encounters, Hanoi city tour
Begin / End - Hanoi, Vietnam

Magnificent big game, primordial landscapes, and thriving indigenous cultures: Kenya is the ultimate destinations for every adventurous spirit. We fell under Africa’s spell over two decades ago and have now returned to develop our dream safari. Step by step this journey takes us deep into the real heart of Africa. We begin with the archetypal, not-to-be-missed sights, and proceed to magical experiences in lesser known, out of the way places. As a special feature, we connect all these gems with flights to save precious time and to give us a bird’s-eye perspective of this marvelous part of the world.

The adventure begins very close to the international airport, where we stay on a rural, historic property, and enjoy an exclusive visit to the adorable baby elephants at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Orphanage. Next day we fly to the world famous Masai Mara National Reserve, to witness one of the most staggering wildlife spectacles on the planet: The Great Migration. Each year between July and October, over two million wildebeest, zebras and antelopes migrate from the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to the greener pastures of the Masai Mara, crossing the crocodile infested Mara and Talek Rivers. Our base will be the lodge where Barack and Michelle Obama chose to stay with their daughters, because of its eco-friendly pedigree and its involvement with local Masai communities.

Beyond the Mara we travel further into the African savannah, escaping the herds of minivans crowding around lions and other animals, and into the wilds of Naboisho. This is the ancestral land of Masai herders who have set it aside as a land conservancy to protect its habitat and wildlife. Here our skilled Masai guides take us on night game drives when big cats are hunting, and on walking safaris where we learn how to track animals (and how not to get to close to hippos and herds of elephants).

The Great Rift Valley stretches out beneath us as our private charter plane takes us north and east up to the dry highlands of Laikipia. En route we fly over Rift Valley lakes resplendent with hundreds of thousands of flamingos, and drop down to see if we can glimpse our radio-collared bull elephant, Nelson, and his herd. We arrive in a remote and exquisitely designed camp, where our host, a third generation Kenyan and ethno-botanist, shares her lifelong knowledge and passion for this beautiful ecosystem. We feast on her delicious meals in the shade of a great acacia festooned with weaver birds’ nests, and after dinner gather around the camp fire to hear her stories. In this truly hidden place, you’ll hear leopards panting and hyenas laughing at night, go trekking with camels to find grazing elephants and visit our project in a Samburu village which lies on a crucial elephant corridor.

After our final alfresco breakfast, you fly back to Nairobi for homeward flights, or continue on one to one of our spectacular extension trips: please see below for details.

Note: A detailed packing list will be shared with you once you have signed up for the trip



Duration – 10 days
Acco - Eco lodges 8 nights
Luxury Cottages - 7 nights
Begin / End - Nairobi, Kenya

What sets this trip apart:
Elephant Earth initiative founders, Dag Goering and/or Maria Coffey, will personally lead this trip. We take you off the beaten path to where few others go:

Escape the crowds in exclusive wildlife conservancies that cater to only a few small groups, Watch game without the usual cluster of minivans!
Special access to places and experts through our Elephant Earth Initiative conservation efforts

This combination of diverse and unusual activities is not offered by any other operator:
walking safari, night game drives, trekking with camels, track our very own GPS-collared elephant, connect with a Samburu community living in an elephant corridor and ethno-botany walk
On the September departure, you’ll be there when the Great Migration reaches Masai Mara, one of the world’s most amazing wildlife spectacles
September and January are dry times of year in Kenya with pleasant temperatures: cool at night, warm during the day
Experience the full diversity of East Africa: the productive savannah of the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem with Masai culture, the dry highlands of Laikipia Samburu ecosystem with the fascinating Samburu people