Travellers seek more thrills

1. Rafting the Grand Canyon

Experience the dramatic sights of the Grand Canyon from a motorised raft. Travelling the entire 280 miles of the Canyon in eight days, rafters explore Indian ruins, discover waterfalls and see bighorn sheep, mule deer, coyotes, and ringtail cats along the banks and in tributary canyons.   All meals are prepared with fresh ingredients by the boatmen, who have mastered the art of Dutch oven cooking.  STA Travel offers eight days rafting the Grand Canyon from £1,369 per person and return flights to Las Vegas from £399 with Northwest Airlines.

2. Reach Everest Base Camp

This 15 day trek across the Nepalese Himalayas to Everest Base Camp follows remote mountain paths, cross glaciers, traverse valleys and climb high mountain passes to ascend to the foot of Mount Everest.  The trip allows you to explore the culture and traditions of Kathmandu with visits to remote monasteries and stays in mountain teahouses.  You need to be fit as there can be up to eight hours a day trekking on steep terrain.   The trek costs from £430 person, plus around £95 in local payments with STA Travel.  Return flights to Kathmandu cost from £585 with Jet Airways.  Flights for students and under 26s start from £385 on Gulf Air.

3. Tracking mountain gorillas in Uganda

STA Travel offers a three day trip into the ancient Bwindi rain forest of Uganda to watch mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.  Trek through the tangled undergrowth of the impenetrable forest with experienced trackers in search of the gorilla families.  Prices start from £395 per person, plus a gorilla permit of £275. Return flights to Kampala with  cost from £409 per person with Kenyan Airways.

4. Trekking the Inca Trail

Spend a week retracing the steps of the ancient Inca civilization, with a trek through the Sacred Valley guided by local experts. The week's trip includes a four day hike along the ancient Inca trail ending up at Intipunku, the sun gate, to watch the sun rise over Machu Picchu. The trek costs £310 per person, plus around £95 local payments; return flights to Lima cost from £709 with KLM and from £569 on Air Comet for students and under 26s.

5. Take the Trans Mongolia Express

Spend 21 days crossing continents and time zones on one of the world's greatest train journeys. Explore ancient Beijing before heading to the untamed wilderness of Mongolia to enjoy their hospitality with an overnight stay in a ger tent and a homestay on the banks of Lake Baikal. Leave Asia behind on a rail journey into Europe across the wild, open plains of Siberia before ending your journey in  St Petersburg.  Prices start from £1,295 per person.  A flight to Beijing, returning from St Petersburg costs from £455 with Lufthansa.

For all flight and adventure trip bookings visit http://www.statravel.co.uk/ or call  0871 230 8512.

Ends 26 November 2007

For press enquiries please contact Tiggy Dean and Emma Hill at Hill & Dean PR on 020 8875 9923

Notes to editors

Flights are available to all ages unless indicated and include all taxes, fees and charges.
 
STA Travel has over 25 years experience in student, budget and independent travel.  They offer a unique range of flights, accommodation, adventures and expeditions in 90 countries.  They send over 6 million passengers away each year and now have over 400 branches worldwide.