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Ethiopia, Timbuktu, Iceland, and Mount Doom

horseback riding in Iceland

We try to give you a nice variety of traveling stories when we put out a new issue of Perceptive Travel. Since 2006 we’ve published the best travel stories from globetrotting book authors, digging a bit deeper and going beyond the over-tourism spots.

This month we’ve got two tales from Africa, one from rural Iceland, and one from New Zealand. Plus a rundown of three new travel books.

Claudia Flisi’s guide tells her she has a 95% chance of seeing geladas when she visits Simien National Park in Ethiopia. These long-maned, mostly vegetarian monkeys aren’t found anywhere else but the highlands of one of Africa’s most populous countries. See Chillin’ with the Geladas.

James Michael Dorsey is back with the story of a man practicing a dying tradition: wandering the streets five times a day and singing out the call to prayer in Mali. See The Last Muezzin of Timbuktu.

Climbing around Mount Nguaruhoe in New Zealand, Mount Doom in the Lord of the RingsJulia Hubbel finds out what her guide is made of on an adventure travel trip when the leader falls off her horse into an icy stream, her foot caught in the stirrup. See Lessons in Leadership While Horseback Riding in Iceland.

Debi Goodwin finds the tramping trails of New Zealand to be a bit tame, over-groomed, and and with nanny-like instruction signs. That all ends when she joins an all-day trek around Nguaruhoe, which appeared as Mount Doom in The Lord of the Rings. See A Climb to the Mountain of Fire in New Zealand.

William Caverlee reviews three new travel books: one on a biking quest, one a round-up of great wildlife viewing options, and a compilation of 50 strange (and short) tales from the road.

Need a New Adventure Travel Bag?

travel gear giveaway Perceptive Travel subscribers

Every month, one lucky Perceptive Travel newsletter subscriber wins a new travel gear item from one of our sponsors. That means you’ve got 12 chances a year to score if you’re on the insiders list and in the know. Unlike the lottery, you won’t spend a dime and you have good odds in your favor.

One subscriber from last month is about to get some $100+ Oboz Sawtooth II hiking shoes or boots of her choice in the mail. This time we’re giving away a heavy-duty, weatherproof duffel bag from Sea to Summit. I’ve used a lot of this brand’s gear and give them high marks. This one will keep your clothes dry in a drizzle and can be carried multiple ways, including as a backpack. With this 45-liter size, you can stuff it full enough for vacation, but it’ll qualify as a carry-on. With no wheels or handle, it weighs a lot less though.

It’s easy to get in on this action. Just sign up to become a part of the Perceptive Travel e-mail issue update community. Then watch for the entry instructions near the beginning of each month. If you’re reading after this month’s blast has already gone out, you can also follow Perceptive Travel on Facebook and pay close attention to the feed for gear giveaway instructions and enter that way.

Surge Spider

Friday 12th of July 2019

Thanks for the heads up. I'm almost broke, so I think these freebies is something which I would look forward to.

Love your blog, especially the minimalist design :)

Santosh Itani

Thursday 4th of July 2019

Great place , I wish I will be there once on my life. Worth to read this article