© Elissa Poma / WWF-US

Snorkeling gives travelers the best of all worlds: The chance to see brilliant and vibrant seascapes without the expense and special training that scuba diving requires. In fact, many of our snorkeling guides no longer strap on their air tanks and descend deep below the surface in scuba gear, because there’s so much to see just below the surface

If you’re considering one of WWF’s highly sought-after snorkeling tours, the following tips are ideal to help beginners and advanced aficionados alike:

10. Suiting up: Most people think wetsuits are only for use in chilly water. But they serve multiple purposes: They’re great at warding off dangerous sunburns, they keep most of your skin shielded from stingy particles in the ocean and they provide buoyancy.

Shorty wetsuits are suitable for nearly all of WWF’s snorkeling tours. One important tip: Don’t forget to put sun block on the backs of your calves, which seems to be the No. 1 spot to burn when you’re snorkeling. (And choose a reef-friendly product.)

9. Floating around: If you aren’t a strong swimmer, don’t have the stamina to stay in the water for a long time or don’t plan to free dive, consider using a float vest (either one that goes around your waist or one that straps across your shoulders). They’re also very helpful in snorkeling spots such as the Raja Ampat Archipelago, where currents can be swift.

8. Take the waters: Most of WWF’s snorkeling trips take place near the equator or in other tropical destinations, including Panama’s Coiba Island. That means the sun is strong and dehydration is common. Even if you’re immersed in water, its salt content will sap your skin of moisture. Make sure to hydrate with water, juice or other non-alcoholic beverages.

7. Flood insurance: If your mask floods with water while snorkeling, beginners can go above the surface to let the water out. An effective advanced technique, however, doesn’t require that you surface.

Merely hold the top center portion of the mask’s faceplate tight to your face – use the back of your hand to hold it steady. Then blow air out of your mouth. The air should force the water out of the looser bottom portion of your mask.

6. Keep your distance: Give marine life space and don’t approach too closely. Even if an animal approaches you – as the sea lions off the coast of Baja California or the Galápagos do on occasion – maintain a safe distance, and do not touch them.

This especially applies to corals. Some are toxic and can cause nasty cuts or even massive infections – not to mention that even an unintended kick to a coral head can damage decades’ worth of growth. During some of our snorkeling outings, the water over reefs is so shallow that you cannot even wear fins – follow your guide’s instructions when visiting these spots.

© Marsea Nelson / WWF-US

5. Test swim: Everyone should test out a new snorkel before going on a trip, but no one more so than a snorkeler with a prescription mask. It is common for small holes or tears to be created when a snorkel is being fitted with specialty lenses. Be sure to test it out with time to get it fixed if needed.

4. Cranium care: Wearing a swim cap or bandana around your head not only keeps hair out of your snorkel but also helps to keep your scalp from burning on a sunny day. An especially good style of bandana to wear is the one that surgeons don in the operating room – the ties prevent them from slipping off. Pick one up from a medical supply company for cheap.

3. Steamy moments: Like the inside of a car during a winter day, a snorkeling masks fogs up because you are generating heat. Prior to hopping in the water, wet the inside of your mask and dump out the water. Then spit into the mask and rub the saliva around before washing it out. This will prevent some degree of fogginess.

Special anti-fog gels are available on the market that work rather well; be sure to choose one that’s non-toxic, biodegradable and alcohol free, for your protection and for the safety of the reefs and their inhabitants.

2. Dive into it: Diving underwater and descending 10 to 30 feet is an advanced snorkeling technique that can add tremendously to the experience. Not only do you get a closer look at things below the sea, but you’ll also get yourself into a better position to snap photographs of supersized coral tables in the Mergui Archipelago or take a closer look at a sea fan in Fiji.

Diving while snorkeling requires that you learn to force your ears to “pop” to equalize pressure and swim below the surface more comfortable. You also need to practice expelling water from your snorkel by forcing a strong burst of air through the tube as you clear the water’s surface. Special “purge snorkels” are available on the market for those who want an extra line of protection against getting water in your mouth.

1. Don’t be touchy: Resist the temptation to pocket a pretty souvenir shell or seemingly dead sea star – it’s not ecologically sound, and it could even be illegal.

• See WWF’s 2010-11 snorkeling lineup.
   
• Learn how to take underwater photos in WWF’s Behind the Lens photography series.

Everest, Nuptse and Lhotse. Courtesy KarmaQuest.

It was a fact-finding mission of a different sort when Trishna Gurung took to the rugged, swooping trails across the mountains and valleys of the legendary Everest trail in Nepal a few years ago.

Gurung, a WWF communication manager who hails from the small Asian republic sandwiched between India and China, was on a team filming climate change impacts on Himalayan glaciers with WWF climate scientist Sandeep Rai and Payal Shakya, who was crowned Miss Nepal in 2004.

Gurung shared with us 10 of her top tips for trekking in the Himalayas.

10. When getting ready for the trip, pack everything, then unpack half of it. Even though you’ll have porters on your trek, lighten your load. One pair of good, broken-in hiking boots and a pair of waterproof sandals, like Tevas, are enough. Don’t skimp on enough proper socks, though.

9. While on the trail, you’ll encounter mounds of carved rocks.  These are Mani stones, usually inscribed  with the sacred Buddhist mantra “Om mani padme hum.” Think of them as outdoor shrines, and show your respect by walking around the left, always keeping the Mani stones on your right hand side.

8. No matter what your skill level, walking sticks are invaluable. I’d guess they gave me at least 30 percent more efficiency while tackling the trail, especially when walking downhill. You’ll see that many porters use sturdy wooden staffs, too; they double as stands on which they prop their loads when taking a little break. 

7. Yaks get right of way, always. When you encounter the wooly beast on a trail, it’s a good idea to scramble up to higher ground. Yaks, after all, are big animals, and your toes are vulnerable—even in hiking boots—to getting stomped. Walking sticks are extremely handy to respectfully wave in the air, get their attention and try to wave them off the route.

6. Sun block and sunglasses are absolutely essential. Get the highest SPF you can and make sure your sunglasses offer 100 percent ultraviolet protection and have mirrored lenses and side protectors. An added advantage? You’ll look like a rugged, pro trekker in your photos!

Gurung, second from right, interviewing a local with Miss Nepal and her friend to her left. © WWF Nepal

5. Chewing gum and a great playlist are good for the soul. When I trek, chewing gum and a varied set of music on my Mp3 player help me keep pace. (Litter is a real problem in the Everest Region, so dispose of your gum properly.) If you want something new for your ears, traditional Nepali music from Kutumba and Sur Sudha is inspiring; rock bands like 1974AD and Nepathya will definitely help you keep a great pace.

4. Stick your tongue out as a sign of greeting – it’s perfectly acceptable. But you may be more comfortable simply saying the Tibetan greeting “tashi delek” or the Nepali equivalent “namaste” while on the trail. The latter is usually accompanied by hands held in a prayer-like position.

3. Carry a wind-up, battery-free flashlight. Batteries tend not to last as long in cold climates, plus wind-up flashlights are more environmentally sound.

2. Be a locavore. Sure, you’ll get Snickers and spaghetti on the trail but where else in the world can you try yak steak? Do sample momos, Nepali steamed dumplings, and you’ll be a fan like all of us. Don’t pass on the Tibetan tea – made from salt and yak butter (better to think of it as tea soup). Beware of the local alcohol. It packs quite a sneaky punch. I know.

1. Don’t “power through” any symptoms of altitude sickness. Stay hydrated and pay attention to your body. One night, at around 15,500 feet, I had a pounding headache, coupled with a loss of balance, nausea and delusions. I recall weeping over my poor motherless children—this, before I ever had kids! Respect your body and respect the mountain.

 Join WWF’s Nepal Trek, October 10-29, 2010

Courtesy Tanzania Tourist Board

Rising majestically above the African plains, the 20,000-foot Mt. Kilimanjaro has beckoned to climbers since the first recorded summit in 1889. Here are 10 interesting facts to help inspire your own future summit:

10. Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain on the African continent and the highest free-standing mountain in the world.

9. Kilimanjaro has three volcanic cones, Mawenzi, Shira and Kibo. Mawenzi and Shira are extinct but Kibo, the highest peak, is dormant and could erupt again. The most recent activity was about 200 years ago; the last major eruption was 360,000 years ago.

8. Nearly every climber who has summitted Uhuru Peak, the highest summit on Kibo’s crater rim, has recorded his or her thoughts about the accomplishment in a book stored in a wooden box at the top.

7. The oldest person ever to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro was 87-year-old Frenchman Valtee Daniel.

6. Almost every kind of ecological system is found on the mountain: cultivated land, rain forest, heath, moorland, alpine desert and an arctic summit.

5. The fasted verified ascent of Mt. Kilimanjaro occurred in 2001 when Italian Bruno Brunod summitted Uhuru Peak in 5 hours 38 minutes 40 seconds. The fastest roundtrip was accomplished in 2004, when local guide Simon Mtuy went up and down the mountain in 8:27.

4. The mountain’s snow caps are diminishing, having lost more than 80 percent of their mass since 1912. In fact, they may be completely ice free within the next 20 years, according to scientists.

3. Shamsa Mwangunga, National Resources and Tourism minister of Tanzania, announced in 2008 that 4.8 million indigenous trees will be planted around the base of the mountain, helping prevent soil erosion and protect water sources.

2. South African Bernard Goosen twice scaled Mt. Kilimanjaro in a wheelchair. His first summit, in 2003, took nine days; his second, four years later, took only six. Born with cerebral palsy, Goosen used a modified wheelchair, mostly without assistance, to climb the mountain.

1. Approximately 25,000 people attempt to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro annually. Approximately two-thirds are successful. Altitude-related problems is the most common reason climbers turn back.

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If you enjoyed this article, you might also like Q-and-A: Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Our colleagues at WWF-International have posted a gorgeous photo gallery of images taken by the Freunds, a husband and wife team, along with articles by guest blogger Alya B. Honasan.

Travel to the Coral Triangle on a 2010 voyage with WWF:

• Snorkeling the Raja Ampat Archipelago aboard the KM Bidadari, October 12 – 25, 2010

• Papua New Guinea to Bali aboard the Clipper Odyssey, December 2 – 20 2010

See more of Jürgen Freund’s photography.

View from the lodge. Courtesy Alaska Wildland Adventures.

It’s rare that we highlight lodging for a WWF tour, but Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge isn’t your typical accommodation. When was the last time, for example, that you stayed someplace only accessible by boat? The new eco lodge, now approaching its second season, is surrounded by 700,000 acres of pristine wilderness. It’s nestled within a Native-owned wildlife sanctuary on the edge of a lagoon, across from a glacier. The 16 private, hand built log cabins and 3,000-square-foot main lodge were designed to be minimally visible from the lagoon, while still offering spectacular views from within.

From your cabin’s back porch you might see seals, sea and river otters, mountain goats, black bears and a variety of birds such as black-legged kittiwakes, common murres and puffins. Thousands of visitors travel to Kenai Fjords National Park each year, yet the lodge feels secluded. And you can walk out from your porch and into a kayak or canoe for further exploration. Or hike along a forest trail to reach a sweeping glacial moraine.

View of the main lodge from the water. Courtesy Alaska Wildland Adventures.

Developed with efforts to minimize the impact on the natural area, the lodge is managed with a strong commitment to ecological sensitivity. The lodge is on heritage lands owned by Port Graham Corporation, an Alaska Native Village Corporation, which represent a small portion of the ancestral homeland of the Alutiiq people that once lived along and roamed the entire coast of Southcentral Alaska.

Kenai Fjords National Park is home to the Harding Icefield, one of the four major ice caps in the United States. The Icefield, which covers more than half of the national park, has carved long, steep-sided water valleys, called “fjords,” forming the perfect habitat and aquatic environment for a wide array of marine wildlife. The plankton-rich waters are natural feeding grounds for whales on their long migrations north and south. Above sea level, the chiseled fjords reach toward the sky, home to millions of migratory birds.

Visit Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge during our Kenai Adventure, June 30 – July 7, 2010, or our Backcountry Alaska tour, August 22 – 29, 2010.

© Mschalke Dreamstime.com

As an ecotourism planner, American Wendy Lama lived in Nepal for 15 years, helping communities, park staff and trekking agencies manage the impacts of tourism and promote improved local livelihoods and conservation of natural and cultural resources through community-based ecotourism.

Given her expertise on the region, we turned to Lama to help us design an ideal itinerary for our first trek through Nepal this October. We spoke with her about her love of the South Asian republic and what trekkers can expect during our journey.

How did your passion for Nepal develop?
 Nepal is my second home. I lived there from 1984 to 1999, during which I worked in mountain areas to promote ecotourism – that is, tourism that helps local people appreciate the value of protecting their culture and the natural environment.

Of course, Nepal is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, but it is because of the Nepali people that most visitors return time and again – and why I love Nepal. Nepali people are extremely hospitable and good natured. I always look forward to returning to Nepal to see friends, to see familiar shopkeepers and sometime I even meet porters with whom I trekked 25 years ago!
 
How has Nepal changed since you first visited? 
In the mountain regions, unfortunately life has not changed much. The rural populations still have a difficult life farming on the steep Himalayan slopes without roads, electricity or piped water. Tourism has brought significant improvements and opportunities to people living in the popular trekking regions, such as Everest and Annapurna, but less so in the outlying areas.

Nowadays, the government realizes that trekking tourism is an important key to rural economic development. I’m presently involved in helping to plan the development and promotion of tourism in remote regions so that those peoples can also enjoy a better life.
 
Why is now a good time to visit Nepal? 
Nepal has recently come out of a difficult period of political turmoil, when tourism and people alike suffered. There is a renewed enthusiasm for receiving foreign guests, and more trekkers on the trails means that villagers again have a source of income. Fall is the favored time to trek in the mountains, when skies are generally clear and mountains seem close enough to touch.

Wendy in Nepal

What usually surprises people about Nepal? 
The friendliness of the people, above all. On a trek, visitors are surprised at how good and abundant the food is and how the Sherpa people live at such high elevations. Many people are also surprised that Nepal’s elevations range from around 300 feet to more than 29,000 feet.

How should people prepare for our trek? 
Begin walking and hiking regularly, wearing the boots that you intend to wear on the trek and carrying a day pack with 10 to 12 pounds of gear – the same amount you’d carry on the trek. Essentially you’ll carry only your personal items that you need during the day, including your camera, water, a jacket, binoculars, etc.

Gradually increase your hiking time and frequency, with longer hikes of 5 to 6 hours each. And add running or biking every week. Be sure to hike, run or bike on hills. If you are working out on a piece of equipment like a StairMaster, you’ll be working your uphill muscles but not your downhill muscles. Best to get outside and get both sets in shape.
 
What is the most physically challenging part of the trek? 
The hill at Namche is fairly steep, and coming on Day Three of the trek, it is the first major climb of the trip. Many people take this slowly, as they aren’t yet fully acclimatized to the elevation (11,300 feet at the top of the hill).

The trick in hiking at altitude is to establish your own pace and stick to it. Don’t try to match others’ pace. You’ll never be left behind! There will always be a Sherpa assistant guide behind the last person.
 
What is typically the tour highlight for travelers? 
There is a great feeling in the sense of accomplishment that comes with trekking: Reaching the top of a hill, looking back at how far you’ve covered in a day, having nothing to think about but where you put your foot next. It is very freeing.

Provided the skies are clear, which they generally are, seeing Mt. Everest is often a highlight. The flight into and out of Lukla is also pretty exhilarating.
 
What separates this trek from others around the world?
The chance to see the highest mountains on Earth – and not just Mt. Everest, but two others among the top 10 peaks in the world, Lhotse and Cho Oyu. You’d stand beneath these giants and look straight up two miles into the air to their summits. Where else could you do that? 

Unlike many mountain treks elsewhere, people live in seasonal settlements up to 16,000 feet. The Sherpa culture is rich in Buddhist beliefs and iconography. Carved mani prayer stones adorn the trails, and colorful prayer flags flutter from bridges and the smaller peaks’ tops. The physical and cultural landscapes complement each other, and the spirituality of these sacred lands is pervasive.

Join WWF’s Active Adventure tour, Trekking Nepal, which runs October 10-29, 2010.

A group of travelers celebrates summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro. Photo courtesy Thomson Safaris

WWF member Bill Hayden recently climbed Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro. We asked him about his experience summiting Africa’s highest peak.

When did you first decide you wanted to climb Mount Kilimanjaro?
I was doing some trekking with friends about a year and a half ago in Nepal and I met some people who had just recently climbed Kilimanjaro. They were really excited about it, so I decided to go. It’s famous because it’s one of the so-called seven summits [of the highest mountains] that are on each continent.

How did you prepare for the trek?
I ride a bike a lot for recreation and that seemed to give me the preparation I needed. I felt at the higher elevations I had really strong lungs. I didn’t do a lot of hiking beforehand though they say to. I found that primarily getting a good aerobic workout every other day on the bicycle prepared me adequately.

How was the climb compared to what you had imagined?
It was longer than I thought it might be. Nine nights up there. But you hike very slowly. The Africans have a Swahili saying “poli, poli” which means “slowly, slowly.” You just need to get used to walking much slower than you would on flat ground.

What amazed me so much about the entire climb was the tremendous support team that goes with you. There were five of us trekking and I bet there were 20 to 25 Africans on the work team—from cooks, to waiters, to porters. They always walked fast ahead of us so the tents were set up by the time we got to camp. The cooking was great, the food was very high quality. And if you make an effort you can really get to know some of the Tanzanian crew. Many of them speak English and they are very friendly. That makes for a richer experience.

What was it like to summit?
That was great. I thought maybe I’d be worn out but I felt I still had energy to spare. The day that we climbed the summit I think we left around 8 in the morning, maybe 7, and got up there at 1 or 2 in the afternoon. It never rained on us and it wasn’t that cold.

Any advice you’d give to future trekkers?
You definitely do need to work out consistently before going. Whether it be bicycling, hiking or some other form of aerobic exercise using your legs. It is long and you’ll feel it if you aren’t in shape. We didn’t have really cold weather so we didn’t need everything we brought, but you have to be prepared for really cold weather.

It was an exhilarating experience. Definitely worth it.

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