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KEEP ADVENTURE ALIVE THROUGHOUT 2001
GORP.com Identifies the Top Ten Active Travel Hot Spots for the New Year

NEW YORK, January 8, 2001 - As the New Year promises to bring health, prosperity, and a new sense of adventure, outdoor recreation site GORP.com has singled out the top ten trips guaranteed to help travelers continue the "bang" brought in with the arrival of 2001. For adventure enthusiasts, there is no better way to celebrate than with a vacation discovering some of the hidden wonders of the world - like trekking ancient Incan pathways in Peru or exploring the famed Galapagos Islands.

Available at GORPtravel or by calling 877-440-GORP (4677), travelers can select one of the suggested top ten trips for 2001, or choose from a database of nearly 4,000 others - from Hawaii to Thailand and Alaska to Chile - each one not only stimulating the body, but also the mind.


1. The New Inca Trail: $1,785 for 10 days, departs March 17, June 30 and December 23. Hike ancient pathways and discover Incan history and the natural wonders of Peru, including the cactus-studded hillside and rare orchids, without the tourist commotion of the Inca Trail..
Price includes accommodation in safari-style tent camps, and hotels and inns, all Peruvian land travel, meals (except in Cusco and Lima), trip gear (excluding sleeping equipment), a bilingual guide, support staff and entrance fees. Trip Code: ASNC

2. Scuba Diving the Turks and Caicos Islands: $1,795 for 7 days, weekly departures from January to December. Dive in an unspoiled paradise of eight limestone islands, surrounded by miles of lush reefs and walls. In the winter, the waters are breeding grounds for humpback whales, so divers can swim with these giants while exploring the ocean floor.
Price includes yacht accommodation aboard the Turks and Caicos Aggressor, diving equipment, airport transfers, meals and snacks and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Trip Code: AGTS

3. New Zealand Multisport Adventure: $2,169 for 15 days, departs February 8 and March 26. A first-hand encounter with the most dramatic mountain range in a nation full of natural drama. Enjoy the Southern Alps skiing, whitewater rafting, sea kayaking, hiking, biking, and even bungee jumping.
Price includes accommodation in small, country hotels and farm stays, meals, mini-bus support for luggage and spare transport and the option to bike. Bicycle rental not included. Trip Code: NZSA

4. Best of Nepal: $2,900 for 26 days, various departures from January to December. Hiking and rafting in the shadows of the world's tallest peaks - a must for all adventure travelers. Explore Nepalese culture, trek in the Annapurna Region and search the Chitwan Royal Park for rhinos and the famous Bengal tiger, all while elephant-back.
Price includes ground and air transportation, accommodation, full-day excursion to Kathmandu, meals, English-speaking guides, cooking equipment, TrekPack and trek permits. Trip Code: SHBN

5. Winter Great Parks Safari: $1,885 for 7 days, departs January 20, February 3 and February 11. For the wildlife lover, this tour is the North American version of the Serengeti. See everything from sheep, elk, bald eagles and Yellowstone's newest inhabitant, the grey wolf; visit with field biologists and participate in hands-on research projects studying pine martens, coyotes and moose.
Price includes accommodation, meals and snacks, transportation in custom-built safari vehicle, use of optics, a biologist guide, gratuities, private snowcoach, and a horse-drawn sleigh ride. Trip Code: WEWP

6. Galapagos Islands Multisport: $4,598 for 8 days, departs January 16, January 30, February 13 and March 6. Enjoy the up-close and pulse-pounding view of the Galapagos's finest collection of wildlife aboard a luxury yacht, with time to sea kayak, snorkel and engage in a host of other activities.
Price includes accommodation on the three-masted Sagitta, meals (except one lunch), most park fees, and Galapagos island flights; does not include one park fee and one internal flight. Trip Code: BRGM

7. Biking Around the Big Island: $2,398 for 8 days, various departures from January to December. Soak in the full spectrum of the Big Island's beauty at 12 mph under your own power. Bike along black sand beaches, volcano craters and exotic wildflowers, or try a more-challenging road exploring papaya groves, coffee plantations, and flowers reminiscent of the Garden of Eden.
Price includes accommodation at the region's best hotels, airport and hotel transfers, van support and meals (except one lunch and dinner). Trip Code: BRHB

8. Diving Belize's Barrier Reef: $1,695 for 8 days, weekly departures from January to December. Explore 200 miles of the world's second largest barrier reef, Robinson Crusoe-style. Dive with manatees, horse shark, spotted eagle rays, giant sea turtles, and schools of fish.
Price includes accommodation aboard a small yacht, meals and snacks, diving and snorkel equipment and port charges. Trip Code: PHBE

9. Golden Triangle Biking: $2,298 for 8 days, various departures in January, February, November and December. Tour the cultural and scenic hub of Thailand at a pace in sync with its easy-going people. In the cradle of Thai civilization, this tour takes you past rice paddies, as well as forested mountains and hilltop villages on elephant treks.
Price includes lodging in the region's best hotels, meals (except three lunches and one dinner) and experienced tour leaders. Trip Code: BRTA

10. Hiking the South Island: $2,998 for 10 days, various departures in January, February and December. Hiking, the most popular form of recreation in New Zealand, allows you to get in touch with the South Island's wild and wooly side, while tucking in between clean sheets each night. This tour features a range of multi-day"tramps" exploring the raw beauty of South Island for the experienced backpacker, as well as easy hikes for first-timers.
Price includes gracious accommodations, meals (except one lunch and dinner), and pre- and post-trip van transfers. Trip Code: BRHZ

GORP (a.k.a. Great Outdoor Recreation Pages) is the largest and most trafficked Web site dedicated to outdoor recreation and adventure travel. With more than 200,000 pages of content, GORP offers a complete package of authoritative, award-winning content; a large, active community of outdoor enthusiasts; and a full-range of e-commerce offerings drawing nearly 14 million page views per month. Started in early 1995, GORP offers a full-service adventure travel booking feature with more than 4,000 trips, accessible via the Web or telephone, in addition to a gear store with 180 brands of clothing, footwear and equipment.

For more information, contact:
Liz Leach
212-675-6555 x161
Liz@gorp.com
www.gorp.com

Jennifer Mezey
212-675-6555 x134
Jenn@gorp.com
www.gorp.com


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