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Since 1979 people have entrusted their dreams with us. Ibex has been a leader in adventure travel, off-the-beaten-path holidays, wildlife safaris, special interest vacations and deluxe escorted journeys in luxury hotels & camps or quaint lodges. Our endeavour is ensure that our trips benefit the environment and communities. We welcome each one to our Incredible India!

Friday, May 31, 2013

Friday's Feature

~ Wealth~

Acquiring Memories, Not Possessions




An interesting idea led to a unique venture between the Taj Safari Lodges, The Outdoor Journal, and Ibex Expeditions, all leaders and pioneers in their own fields. Thus, the Speaker Series was launched on 24th May 2013, at an elegant evening with 150 guests over cocktails.

The speakers on this evening were Apoorva Prasad, Founder & Managing Editor, The Outdoor Journal sharing his climbing in the Alps; Susan Hunt giving an interesting perspective of her Everest Ascent, and Mandip Singh Soin sharing his wide repertoire of four decades of climbing and explorations in six continents.

Through the continuing quarterly Speaker Series, explorers and adventurers from around the world will be invited for similar inspirational evenings.

Ibex Expeditions are the chosen partner to design and organize journeys for the inspired audience.

Read another report in the Business Standard here!

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Wildlife Wednesday

~ The Tiger ~

 



A tiger is a large-hearted gentleman with boundless courage and that when he is exterminated - as exterminated he will be unless public opinion rallies to his support - India will be the poorer by having lost the finest of her fauna.
-Jim Corbett

Friday, May 24, 2013

Friday's Feature

~ Incredible India ~



Here's the lastest promotional TV spot on India lanuched by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India that we'd like to share.

Click the link!

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Testimonial Thursdays

~ From Mexico ~


I want to appreciate Ibex Expeditions' great job for organizing my wonderful trip. The temples were absolutely fantastic, as were the natural attractions of Corbett and Bharatpur. As an international ecotourism consultant, having experiences of travelling to many countries around the world, I want to congratulate Ibex for the excellent quality of trip services you are offering. Keep up the good work.

- Hector

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Wildlife Wednesday

~ The King Cobra ~

Although this reptile brings fear in the minds of most people, the cobra is revered in Hindu mythology. Nine great "Nagas" appear in ancient Indian fables and scriptures, symbolizing that death and the aspec tthat the Lord Shiva has conquered it; and a divine, dormant energy, Kundalini, than in Yogic practice is believed to be situated in the root of the spine.

Picture Courtesy nationalgeographic.co.in

Doesn't it seem a little unfair the that King Cobra can lift about a third of their bodies off the ground and still be able to lunge forward to attack, or that they can "stand up" and look an adult human in the eye, and that the amount of venom they can administer in a single bite is potent enough to kill an elephant. At the same time, synthetic cobra venom is vital in certain pain relief and arthritis medication.

The king Cobra can grow up to 5.5 metres, and is the the longest of all venomous snakes. It lives mainly in the rainforests and plains of India, China and South-East Asia.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Tuesdays for Tomorrow

~ An On-Going Effort ~


In 2007, as a member of the Madhya Pradesh Government's Ecotourism Board, Mandip and and his team decided to look at the possibilty of bringing tourism into the dreaded Chambal area. Although rich in biodiversity (being home to dolphins, crocodiles, ghadials, Bar-Headed Geese, Ridley Turtles and many others), the area is notorious for its bandits and dacoits, and was considered to be generally unsafe for tourists.

The team went in to meet the community accompanied by 3 armed policemen - although the recommended number of guards was 20 - to talk to them about bringing tourism into their homeland. Training the youths to be guides and naturalists, much like his work in Kerala and Nagaland, as an alternative to gain their livelihood.

The first interaction was met with a positive response from the villager youths and their families.


In 2011, the team returned, this time accompanied by the chairman of the World Heritage Organization Committee. The Chambal regions terrain and it's Jurassic Park-like environment gives it the potential to become a Natural World Heritage Site.

Today, with the support of a donor agency, the MP Ecotourism Board hopes to realize their ambition within the next year.

Friday, May 17, 2013

Friday's Feature

~ Rafting Down the Zanskar Gorge ~



On 31st July, Mandip Singh Soin, Founder of Ibex, leads a trip dpwn the River Zanskar in Ladakh on a fun trip with friends. Fabled to be the Grand Canyon of India, it is a spectacular, "once in a lifetime" journey. 17 on board!

We still have a few places left, so book your spot!

Contact: ibex@ibexexpeditions.com

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Testimonial Thursday

~ Take Nothing but Photographs -

Leave Nothing but Footprints ~


Photo Credit: Ibex Expeditions

It is our opinion that the care of the environment is at the very heart of Ibex Expeditions' business philosophy. This is the main reason why we chose to travel with Ibex since we know that the beautiful mountain environment is safe with them."

Dave & Dawn

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Tuesdays for Tomorrow

~ An Inspired Catalyst ~



At the beginning of the century, Mandip and his daughter, Himali, had the opportunity to participate and promote a state government initiative in a village in Kerala. The enterprise aimed converting the villagers from hunters to naturalists.

The campaign triggered the idea idea of creating a similar model in the village of Khonoma in Nagaland. Mandip and his took action to teach these locals to pledge against hunting the endangered pheasants, and to become birdwatchers and guides.

"The village of Khonoma, in Nagaland, was in the black books because of their hunting of the protected Blyth’s Tragopan Pheasant. They knew it was wrong but it was tradition and people were hungry. It was explained that they could earn probably five times what they were netting from the meat by running home-stay businesses and guiding birdwatchers to the endangered rare species. Everybody wins."

Today, the villagers use their knowledge and skills for their livelihoods. The money they earn allows them to buy chicken for food, rather than them illegally hunting pheasants.

Monday, May 13, 2013

Vintage Monday

~ The Elephant Escapade Ensues ~


ELEPHANT BACK SAFARI
On January 17, an unusual expedition was flagged off from the town of Trichur in Kerala: the Kerala Elephant Expedition 1990. Said to be the first of its kind of undertaken in India in recent memory, the elephant-back expedition has been organized to spread the spirit of adventure among Indian youth, to create an awareness of environmental issues through publicity generated by the project and to "emphasize some basic human values: the pursuit of courage, commitment and cooperation," as the organizers put it. The expedition hopes to cover some 200 Kms through two wildlife sanctuaries over about two weeks to conclude in Tamil Nadu. The launch yesterday was timed to coincide with The Great Elephant March arranged by the Kerala Tourism department of the state government as part of their Tourist festival.

Leading the expedition is 32-year-old Mandip Singh Soin, an internationally experienced mountaineer, chairman of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and an elected Fellow in Britain's Royal Geographical Society. In addition, he has taken part in a cycling expedition from Delhi to Kathmandu covering 1,500 Kms, rafted down he Rogue River of Oregon in the US, led the first Camel Safari across 450 Kms of Rajasthan's Thar desert and has trained in Mountain Rescue in Scotland to subsequently set up the Himalayan Evacuation & Life Saving Project in India. Last year, in 1989, Soin was an instructor and an Escort in the Icewalk international Students' Expedition to the Arctic near the North pole. Currently, Soin runs a rock climbing school, and his company, Ibex Equipment, manufactures camping and mountaineering equipment. Apart from Mandip Singh Soin, the present Kerala Expedition has 14 members in its team, including women, all outdoor enthusiasts drawn from professions including photography, writing, designing, etc. Of the four foreign members of the team, two come from the UK and two from Hong Kong.

The expedition received enthusiastic support from the Kerala government and also from several industrial houses and enterprises. The project hopes to result in an audio-visual which will cover aspects of local culture, folklore, wildlife and will, at the same time, highlight various ecological issues.

ELEPHANTINE ADVENTURE
It was an expedition only the gutsy could undertake: a 1--day trip in January atop elephants in the Parambikulam wildlife reserve.

Said Mandip Singh Soin, the leader of the group: "By riding on elephant back in a wild area, we have recorded an interesting story which will be used to promote the spirit of adventure in India and overseas. Photographs and useful video footage were taken and will be used by the members to create awareness on environmental issues."

He hit upon the idea when he learnt that the Kerala tourism department was exploring possibilities of tourism in wildlife areas with a stress on environmental protection. "It was the first attempt through an unknown and potentially dangerous terrain," said Mandip. However, he should not be too concerned: Mandip has trekkend through wilderness and climbed difficult mountains in the world; last year he even made it to the Arctic. But the safety of his group (people from different backgrounds who were selected on the basis of their outdoor experience and commitment to environmental protection) was uppermost in his mind, "The Kerala tourism department provided us guides, jeeps, and a stun gun."

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Testimonial Thursday

~ We have all come home with our heads and hearts full ~


"We have all come home with our heads and hearts full. I know many have already said they can’t wait to return! The guide was gentlemanly, solicitous and good-humoured throughout. He read each one of us very well, and dealt with our different fears and phobias with great tact and firmness.
So, for all this, thanks to you and your wonderful team."

Eve

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Wildlife Wednesday

~ The Fabulous National Bird of India ~



Photo: Mandip Singh Soin
The male Peafowl (Peacock) uses its train for mating rituals and courtship displays, opening it out into a glorious fan that spreads across its back, touching the ground on either side. It is believed that the females (Peahens) choose their mates based on the size, colour, and quality of these glamourous feather trains.


Photo: Mandip Singh Soin
Did you know? 

When you consider the combined length of it's train and wingspan, the peacock is one of the largest flying birds.


Get in touch to find out more about our Wildlife Safaris, and maybe you too can get a rare view of this spectacular bird!
Email: ibex@ibexexpeditions.com

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Tuesdays for Tomorrow

~ Indian Students, International Teachers ~

 


The volunteers from People & Places made waves at Chitardai School.

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Testimonial Thursday

~ The Beginning of a Long and Lovely Friendship ~


 Dear Anita, Mandip and Himali,

Last night was a magical evening for us. We cannot thank you enough for your incredible hospitality, your warmth, and charming company. Your family is the model we all aspire to and I have already emailed my daughters describing the hope that we might have 3 generations of friendships such as yours.
Dinner was beyond delicious. We have never enjoyed Indian food as much and you have raised the bar for mutton, it has a whole new level of appreciation now. Thank you for going to such lengths to share your very amazing cooking skills and introducing us to so many delicious new dishes. Most of all, your warmth and gracious hospitality made us feel as if we could have talked all night and as if we had known each other a very long time.
We are so appreciative of all you have done to make this vacation such a wonderful, memorable experience. I know this is just the beginning of a long and lovely friendship.
With love,
Lisa and Danny