Adventure Just Got Exotic

Some really adventurous tours are offered by ElderTreks, a company that designs trips for travelers over 50. Because some of their tours may be a bit strenuous, the catalog rates the activity level of each tour.

The ratings are based on three factors: the amount of physical exertion required, the difficulty in dealing with the natural elements (high altitude, weather, etc.) and overall assessment of the rigors of travel on each tour (road and travel conditions and level of accommodations or camp sites).

The tours that follow are rated easy or moderate. Prices quoted are per person and do not include air fare to and from U.S. destinations. All dates listed are for 1997 only.

* Sumatra--An Equatorial Odyssey: Feb. 1 to 14 and April 5 to 18. This is the largest island of the Indonesian archipelago and one of the largest islands in the world. The tour begins in the northern town of Medan and continues south to Padang. Travelers traverse a series of native towns and an island on Lake Toba where the Batak people have lived for 1,500 years. The scenery on foot and by boat includes rice-terraced volcanoes ending at Padang. Price: $1,490.

* Java and Bali--Volcanoes and Gamelans in a Tropical Eden: Feb. 14 to 27 and April 18 to May 1. Travel in a land of 180 million people who speak hundreds of languages and dialects. Members see volcanoes, white sand beaches, the largest Buddhist temple in the world plus Hindu temples. They can observe batik, painting and wood sculpture. Then they fly to Surabaya and continue by minivan to an environmental education center. Leaving Java, they cross the ocean to Bali, with an east-west range of volcanoes and peaks, plus terraced hillside rice paddies, beaches, rain forest and coral reefs ideal for swimming and snorkeling. The group visits Bali Barat National Park and its animal and plant life, then moves on to a tiny town whose inhabitants are painters, woodcarvers, silversmiths and dance masters. Price: $1,295.

* Thailand--Tribes and Temples in Ancient Siam: Dec. 22 to Jan. 10 and Jan. 26 to Feb. 14. Arrive in Bangkok to see the floating market. Enjoy rain forest hikes, long-tail boat rides, waterfalls and the River Kwai plus Sai Yok, Nam Nao and Phu Hin Rongkla national parks. Temples of Ayutthaya visits, overnight train ride and two-day hikes are included. See simple villages where ceramics and textiles are produced, and Sukhothai, the 13th century capital with spectacular pagodas, temples and gardens. In the far northwest, the seldom-visited town of Mae Hong Son is the final stop before returning to Bangkok by train. Price: $1,950.

* Vietnam--The Changing Face of Southeast Asia: Feb. 19 to March 7. Visit the beaches and harbors of Nha Trang, and boat to the offshore island to visit ancient Cham temples. Then go by train and minivan north to the small town of Hoi An with its charming buildings in pastel hues, a riverside market and numerous art galleries with collections of watercolors. In Hue, visits are made to the tombs of emperors and stunning pagodas along the banks of the Perfume River. Returning to Saigon, visitors cruise in small boats along inland rivers to see farmers working rice paddies, and the Gulf of Tonkin. Price: $2,450.

Each itinerary in the catalog is illustrated with a map. For a copy, call ElderTrek at (800) 741-7956.