April 1, 2008

AFRICA & MIDEAST | ASIA | LATIN AMERICA

Action, Drama, Boobies (PG)

By Judy D'Mello

From tigers in India to penguins in Patagonia and a giant tortoise in the Galapagos — see them all, Indiana Jones-style.

Should all the hoopla over the return of Indiana Jones leave you craving far-flung adventures, International Expeditions now offers itineraries to Indy locales in glam Hollywood style. The nature travel specialists have added two new expeditions, Wings Over the Nile (think Raiders of the Lost Ark) and Wings Over South Africa, both of which shuttle guests in a privately chartered de Havilland Dash 7, with bird’s eye views of the terrain. If bird spotting is more your fancy, IE’s Patagonia Land Program ventures deep into Chile — home to some of the world’s rarest birds, including the crested cara cara and the Magellanic penguins. Or, go tiger spotting with a Journey to India, where you’ll stay in converted palaces and visit ancient temples. (Just don’t expect to find the Temple of Doom — even though it was filmed here.)

This summer, while other kids play with their Indiana Jones Lego sets, why not take your whippersnappers on IE’s Family Voyage to the Amazon or the Galapagos Islands? Dedicated “family directors” help kids learn about the Amazon’s nature and wildlife — even the cause of Indy’s serious ophidiophobia. Galapagos cruises include up-close viewing of fearless blue- and red-footed boobies, as well as sea lions and iguanas. The star here, however, is Lonesome George, the 77-year-old sole surviving giant tortoise of his species. Despite efforts by conservationists to produce George Jr., it appears that unlike Indy, George has lost his touch.