The Adventure Fix Podcast

Issue 184: Porcupine River Caribou Herd Migration, Parahawking in Nepal, Trekking Chachapoyas to Gran Vilaya, and more.

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Check out the full issue here: 

https://www.adventurefix.co/p/issue-184

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Whenever you’re ready, here’s how we can help you plan truly unique adventure trips:

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In this Issue

We dive deep into the latest issue of Adventure Fix magazine, exploring incredible journeys from para-hawking in Nepal to a pristine expedition in the Solomon Islands.

• Para-hawking in Nepal combines paragliding with trained birds of prey flying alongside you
• Conservation angle helps protect endangered vultures with proceeds from these adventures
• The Porcupine Caribou herd migration covers 1,500 miles with over 200,000 animals
• Migration is central to Gwich'in and Inupiat cultures, with the Arctic coastal plain serving as sacred birthing grounds
• Chachapoya's Grand Valia trek in Peru combines cloud forest hiking with ancient archaeological sites
• Four-day journey includes cliffside sarcophagi, hidden ruins, and culminates at the impressive Kuelap Fortress
• Solomon Islands expedition offers a rare chance to explore untouched paradise from a liveaboard boat
• Experience includes kayaking, snorkeling pristine reefs, and diving WWII wrecks
• Quick Fix section features snippets on Pashmina textiles, bear conservation, and mountain adventures
• Van Gogh's quote reminds us that extraordinary experiences happen when we leave the paved road behind

What's your unpaved road? What extraordinary experiences are waiting for you to discover them?


Speaker 1:

Ever get that feeling like you've just stumbled onto something amazing, something that just makes you want to grab your passport and go exploring?

Speaker 2:

Yeah, I know that feeling.

Speaker 1:

Well, that's what we're talking about today. We're deep diving into the latest issue of Adventure Fig.

Speaker 2:

And this one is packed.

Speaker 1:

It really is. We've got birds of prey, untouched islands, a massive caribou herd, ancient ruins.

Speaker 2:

It's a wild ride.

Speaker 1:

So let's get right into it. First up, something that totally blew me away, and that's the para-hawking in Nepal. Imagine this You're paragliding over the Pokhara Valley. The Himalayas are right there in front of you.

Speaker 2:

Stunning, just stunning.

Speaker 1:

I know right, but then you add trained birds of prey into the mix, flying right alongside you.

Speaker 2:

It's not just watching them either. You're part of this aerial dance.

Speaker 1:

That's what I love about it. The article even talks about them landing on your hand for food. What do you think that does for someone being so close to a wild animal like that in their element?

Speaker 2:

You know, it's almost like those lines blur for a second. You're not just a spectator anymore, you're a part of their world, and there's a conservation angle too, which is so important. A lot of these birds are rescued, rehabilitated, given a second chance.

Speaker 1:

That's what really caught my eye. It's not just about a cool adventure, it's helping a good cause. A portion of what people pay to do this goes straight to protecting endangered vultures in Nepal.

Speaker 2:

Exactly, and it shows how tourism, when it's done right, can really support these conservation efforts. There's a mention of the Parahawking Project, which seems to be the group behind it. All do some great work.

Speaker 1:

Now let's switch gears to something completely different and on a much larger scale. The Porcupine River, caribou, herd Migration.

Speaker 2:

Oh, yeah, this one's epic.

Speaker 1:

This falls under the migrations section. And get this over 200,000 caribou traveling over 1,500 miles. It's almost impossible to imagine.

Speaker 2:

It's one of those migrations that has happened for centuries. It's ingrained in nature and the root is incredible From those boreal forests you know those huge forests just south of the Arctic, all the way to the Arctic coastal plain.

Speaker 1:

And that coastal plain isn't just a rest stop, it's their birthing grounds. Why is that specific spot so important? It's not just the food, is it?

Speaker 2:

Right. You've got the right vegetation there, super nutritious for the mothers. The open landscape helps them see predators coming. It's all about survival for the calves.

Speaker 1:

It's fascinating how much this isn't just an animal story but a human one too. Adventure Fix mentions how the caribou are central to the Gutin and Inupiat people.

Speaker 2:

It's everything to them. Their culture, their traditions, their whole way of life is tied to the caribou which is why protecting these migrations, these calving grounds, is so important. It's literally the sacred place where life begins to them.

Speaker 1:

And the cool thing is, you don't just have to read about this, you can experience it. They talk about this Arctic caribou migration base camp.

Speaker 2:

Right in the heart of it all. I can only imagine how powerful that would be. You're surrounded by this vastness, this incredible movement of life. You know there's an article about it In Pursuit photographing the migration of the caribou in the Yukon. It gives you a sense of just how visually stunning this is.

Speaker 1:

Let's move on to something a bit different now, from the Arctic to Peru. Have you heard of the Chachapoya's Grand Valia trek?

Speaker 2:

Yeah, I saw that Sounds, amazing.

Speaker 1:

It's a four-day trek through Peru's cloud forests and it's in the hiking section. I love how it combines nature and history. Cloud forests and it's in the hiking section. I love how it combines nature and history. You start off visiting the Keokta Cavern and those cliffside sarcophagi at Karajia. It's like stepping back in time. What do you think those burials tell us about the Chachapoya people?

Speaker 2:

I mean, they were putting these sarcophagi high up on cliffs right. This says something about their beliefs, their relationship with death, maybe even wanting to be a part of the landscape itself.

Speaker 1:

And then you trek through these cloud forests following paths that the Chachapoya people would have walked centuries ago.

Speaker 2:

You're literally following their footsteps and you come across these hidden archaeological sites. La Pekia is one. They mention Little glimpses into their lives.

Speaker 1:

They even talk about meeting local families in the village of Congon, even getting to try some organic coffee.

Speaker 2:

It's not just about the past. It's about how the present and the past connect.

Speaker 1:

And finally, you end up at Kulap Fortress. It's this amazing ancient city built by the Chachapoya, with these massive walls and intricate designs. What do you think something like Kulap says about this civilization?

Speaker 2:

I mean just the scale of it. Right, it must have taken so much effort to build so much organization. They must have been a powerful people and they built it on a hilltop, so it was strategic defensive. They reference a cool-out article too, which I'm guessing goes into all the different theories about why it was built and how.

Speaker 1:

All right, ready for something completely different. We're heading to the South Pacific now.

Speaker 2:

Bring on the sunshine.

Speaker 1:

AdventureFix has this AdventureFix Go section and this time it's an 11-day expedition in the Solomon Islands.

Speaker 2:

Oh, I saw that a live aboard trip.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, you live and explore from a boat. The Solomon Islands are pretty much untouched paradise. Think pristine reefs, empty beaches and communities that haven't really been exposed to the outside world much.

Speaker 2:

That's what's so appealing about places like that, isn't?

Speaker 1:

it yeah.

Speaker 2:

They're still authentic.

Speaker 1:

Adventure Fix is working with Southern Sea Ventures for this expedition. What do you think that tells us about the trip?

Speaker 2:

It means they've got experts on the ground, people who know the area inside and out. It's not just about dropping tourists in. It's about doing it responsibly.

Speaker 1:

And the liveaboard itself. The Solomon's Master sounds amazing. You can kayak across these calm lagoons, snorkel on incredible reefs and even dive on WWII wrecks. What do you think about the wrecks? It's such a different kind of diving.

Speaker 2:

It's history underwater and those wrecks become artificial reefs, so they're teeming with life. It's a strange combination of human conflict and nature reclaiming it. That's pretty powerful, and the best part is everything's taken care of. Guides, gear, all your meals. All you have to do is soak it in.

Speaker 1:

There's a catch, though it's only running from October 14th to 24th in 2025. And just one trip. So if anyone's feeling that pull towards the Solomon Islands, you've got to act fast.

Speaker 2:

It's not for everyone, but for those who it calls to, it's the chance of a lifetime. Limited Spots just makes it even more special.

Speaker 1:

Before we wrap up, let's do a quick rundown of the Quick Fix section. Adventure Fix always has these little snippets of other cool adventures.

Speaker 2:

It's a good way to get your adventure fix, even if it's just a taste.

Speaker 1:

This time we've got Passage to Pashmina.

Speaker 2:

Oh, that sounds interesting.

Speaker 1:

There's one about a conservationist trying to save the world's smallest bear. Then there's the Spirit of Socorro, which sounds like a diving one. There's hiking in the Hightotras and mountain bikepacking in the Yukon.

Speaker 2:

There's something for everyone. Passage to Pashmina probably looks at how that amazing fabric is made, maybe where it comes from saving the world's smallest bear. Well, that shows how much work is being done for conservation.

Speaker 1:

Spirit of Socorro, I'm guessing, is about diving with those huge pelagic fish. The high tatras are all about those mountain views and the yukon bike packing.

Speaker 2:

Well, that's just pure wilderness adventure it's great how adventure fix gives you these little teasers might spark an interest you never even knew you had okay, time for the compass.

Speaker 1:

They do this geography challenge. Every issue a picture. You gotta guess where it Did. You figure it out this time.

Speaker 2:

I did. It's Xichualasto in Argentina.

Speaker 1:

Nice. I always struggle with those. It looks incredible, though they call it a painted desert.

Speaker 2:

It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Speaker 1:

Yeah.

Speaker 2:

Full of dinosaur fossils. That kind of place makes you realize just how amazing our planet is.

Speaker 1:

It's a fun way to test your knowledge and maybe discover some new places. Last but not least, we have the quote of the week. This one is from Vincent Van Gogh Normality is a paved road, it's comfortable to walk, but no flowers grow on it.

Speaker 2:

I love that. It's so true, especially when you look at all these incredible adventures.

Speaker 1:

It's about pushing those boundaries, getting off the beaten path.

Speaker 2:

Leaving that comfort zone behind and seeing what you discover. Sometimes the most beautiful things are found in the most unexpected places.

Speaker 1:

So there you have it, the latest adventure fix full of incredible journeys. Hopefully it's inspired you to get out there and explore what's your unpaved road? What are you going to discover? Thanks for joining us and keep seeking those extraordinary experiences.

Speaker 2:

Happy adventuring.