By Mimi Lopour · Originally published in Bike Mag June 30, 2009
LAS VEGAS, NV— Following an extensive survey of hundreds of tours offered by outfitters from all over the globe, National Geographic Traveler magazine chose Escape Adventures’ Mountain Biking the Maze tour to highlight in its 2009 Tours of a Lifetime feature. To celebrate, Escape is offering $50 off all remaining 2009 Maze tour dates, for a limited time only.
The Maze is a guest and guide favorite, taking riders deep into one of the least accessible wilderness areas in the United States. A remote section of Canyonlands National Park, the Maze features a hypnotic labyrinth of cliffs and meandering canyons, not to mention some great slickrock bike riding.
Escape Adventures is the only outfitter with the equipment and expertise to guide guests deep into the Maze, providing the most thorough and rewarding Maze tour available. While primarily a mountain biking adventure, the tour also includes a challenging hike to “The Harvest Scene”, an incredible series of life-sized pictographs, as well as a scenic airplane ride back to Moab that allows guests to view from above the tricky terrain they just traversed on bike and foot.
“Every year, the editorial team combs the world to find the most authentic, most innovative, most immersive, est-guided, and most sustainable tours,” notes National Geographic Traveler senior editor Norie Quintos. “This year, we wanted to make sure that the trips we picked were also a great value, given the economic climate. What we found is that there is no better time to go on a guided tour than now as the traditional savings offered by an outfitter being able to negotiate better rates on a trip’s components is magnified by cheaper airfares, a strengthened dollar, and more discounts, freebies, and extras.”
Escape Adventure runs its Maze tour with vehicles fuelled by pure vegetable oil and operates the tour with Leave No Trace principles, but its environmental commitment doesn’t end there. The Sustainable Travel International Eco-Certified outfitter also powers its Moab, UT Tour enter with rooftop-generated solar power, serves organic foods on tour, and keeps net waste down to 10% by eliminating unnecessary packaging, reusing and recycling products, and composting food waste. In 2006, Escape Adventures became the world’s first carbon-neutral outfitter.
Escape Adventures co-founder Jared Fisher explains that while the company is committed to going the extra mile for the environment, they still focus on offering a top-notch experience for their guests.
“Becoming the industry leader for sustainable active travel is something that sets us apart, but it’s our outstanding guides and remarkable tour experience that bring customers back year after year,” said Fisher. “Our tour guests are often surprised at how little effort it takes to decrease your carbon footprint; making small changes in your everyday behaviour can make a big difference.”
Escape Adventures offer eco-friendly biking, hiking and multi-sport vacations across North America, and beyond.
For more information on Escape’s environmental program and a full list of tour options, visit www.escapeadventures.com. View the National Geographic Traveler feature at http://traveler.nationalgeographic.com/2009/05/tours-of-a-lifetime/active-text/3
