News
In a joint press conference of Rib Expedition & Adventure and the Majorcan Government (Consell Insular) held on the 21st of July, president Maria Antonia Munar appointed our team official representative of Majorca for Rallye Orinoco 2004. We are very grateful for the support we received from the island`s government and we flew the Majorcan flag with pride on each and every of the eight passages.
Victory in Rally Orinoco 2004
Our team: Official representative of Majorca for Rally Orinoco 2004
It was just a vague hope that we could be equally successful after this sensational 3rd place in Rally Orinoco 2001. Knowing that this result would be hard to beat we started in the 31st edition of Rally Orinoco, titled "Nuestros Rios Son Navegables" (www.nuestrosrios.com). The longest and hardest boat race in the world is held in Venezuelan waters every August and that attracts more boats and spectators every year.
As in 2001, Andy Leemann of Majorca based Yachtcenter Palma/Rib Expedition & Adventure and Ivor Heyer, director of the manufacturer of rigid inflatable boats AB Inflatables in Venezuela, equipped a boat and built a team to participate in the race. They used a Rib Oceanus 25 of the brand AB (Artigiana Bartelli), with two outboard engines Mercury-Optimax, 250 hp each. Besides the skippers Andy Leemann and Ivor Heyer as well as supermechanic Esteban González, Carles Perez, Luisa Almiñana and Siggi Stamm joined the team. After the Majorcan flag had been handed over by the President of the Island Council, Maria Antonia Munar in July, they started as official representative of the island of Majorca.
The rally began on August, 28th, in San Fernando de Apure. A total of 127 boats were participating in this adventure, heading for Puerto Ordaz, 2.000 kilometres downriver. Not even half of them reached the finishing line. The conditions of the race that can be described as the nautical counterpart of the Rally Paris-Dakar are taking their toll year by year. Heat, extreme humidity, mosquitos, rapids and shoals are exhausting for men and machines. As everybody else, we also had some minor technical problems but luckily these were solved before the start. Here the experience of the rally 2001 proofed very helpful: All you need is strong nerves to keep tuning and optimizing till the very last minute …. Then, after the starting signal everything went smooth, the material was excellent, the team at its best, the support never failed. We mastered rapids and shoals, mile by mile, by mile.
The impressions of the endless landscapes of the jungle will remain unforgettable - very often nothing was to be seen of the competitors, they were just swallowed by the jungle to only reappear in the next sequence of narrow bends in the river. Then again the sharp contrast of big crowds on the pit stops, boats, boats, boats and enthusiastic spectators hanging in the tress like apes to get the best view … a gigantic funfair.
It was impossible to estimate exact positions because the boats started in different classes and at different times so that the rally was sheer excitement till the very end. Would we really be good enough for a position among the first three boats of our class? Andy Leemann describes what happened in Puerto Ordaz when they proclaimed the winners - after eight days, little sleep and a lot of miles: "They did not call us for the third position and we really had to control our disappointment. O.k, apparently we had landed on the ungrateful fourth or fifth position. To our surprise they then announced that we had won - it was overwhelming."
The boat that was considered somewhat "exotic" - the only European boat and the only Rib in the whole competition - really made it and triumphed over the rest.
Two Excursions after the Rally
After the physically and psychologically challenging experience of the rally we dedicated ourselves to completely different tasks in the Orinoco Delta:
Ciudad Bolivar - Jesús Soto
In Ciudad Bolívar we followed the footsteps of the Venzuelan painter and sculptor Jesús Soto. He became world famous for his kinetic art, his very special sculptures and objects. Museums like the Guggenheim in New York or the Jeu de Paume in Paris dedicated single exhibitions to this exceptional artist. Soto is a true son of the river, born in Ciudad Bolívar in 1923. Because of the narrowness of the river in this section the city was formerly called Angostura to be renamed and made the provisional capital by Simon Bolívar in 1818. Today the town`s biggest attraction is the Museum of Modern Art Jesús Soto, founded in 1973. It is a futuristic building with a bizarre garden full of giant moving objects and mobiles you can walk through. Soto himself emphasizes that his work is closely related to his native landscape, the river and the jungle. The everchanging river, always on the move - a dynamic that is reflected in his art. Soto left his mark all over the place - we visited his museum, spoke to friends and relatives, flipped through old photos. The artist, a man in his eighties, is now living in Paris. He already gave his consent to a personal interview and we will meet him there shortly to round up our film documentary about his life and work.
Orinoco-Delta - The Warao Indians
The delta of the river Orinoco is a vast and sparsely populated region - as a result of that communication between the mainly indian population is very difficult. Videos are ideal to develop and sustain a constant flow of information between the different communities concerning health, culture and traditions. In cooperation with the organization "Tierra Viva" we supported a project that helps young Warao Indians to produce their own videos. Our team joined in on a video workshop and we put our manpower and know-how as well as the whole technical equipment at the Warao`s disposal. For several days we were living in a Warao community, learned about their every day life and their culture. Experts fear that very soon they might loose their customs and traditions. Our ribs were used to distribute teaching materials, books and documentary videos even in the remotest areas of the delta.
Film documentaries about the rally, about Jesús Soto and about our visit to the Warao Indians are in preparation.
As in 2001, Andy Leemann of Majorca based Yachtcenter Palma/Rib Expedition & Adventure and Ivor Heyer, director of the manufacturer of rigid inflatable boats AB Inflatables in Venezuela, equipped a boat and built a team to participate in the race. They used a Rib Oceanus 25 of the brand AB (Artigiana Bartelli), with two outboard engines Mercury-Optimax, 250 hp each. Besides the skippers Andy Leemann and Ivor Heyer as well as supermechanic Esteban González, Carles Perez, Luisa Almiñana and Siggi Stamm joined the team. After the Majorcan flag had been handed over by the President of the Island Council, Maria Antonia Munar in July, they started as official representative of the island of Majorca.
The rally began on August, 28th, in San Fernando de Apure. A total of 127 boats were participating in this adventure, heading for Puerto Ordaz, 2.000 kilometres downriver. Not even half of them reached the finishing line. The conditions of the race that can be described as the nautical counterpart of the Rally Paris-Dakar are taking their toll year by year. Heat, extreme humidity, mosquitos, rapids and shoals are exhausting for men and machines. As everybody else, we also had some minor technical problems but luckily these were solved before the start. Here the experience of the rally 2001 proofed very helpful: All you need is strong nerves to keep tuning and optimizing till the very last minute …. Then, after the starting signal everything went smooth, the material was excellent, the team at its best, the support never failed. We mastered rapids and shoals, mile by mile, by mile.
The impressions of the endless landscapes of the jungle will remain unforgettable - very often nothing was to be seen of the competitors, they were just swallowed by the jungle to only reappear in the next sequence of narrow bends in the river. Then again the sharp contrast of big crowds on the pit stops, boats, boats, boats and enthusiastic spectators hanging in the tress like apes to get the best view … a gigantic funfair.
It was impossible to estimate exact positions because the boats started in different classes and at different times so that the rally was sheer excitement till the very end. Would we really be good enough for a position among the first three boats of our class? Andy Leemann describes what happened in Puerto Ordaz when they proclaimed the winners - after eight days, little sleep and a lot of miles: "They did not call us for the third position and we really had to control our disappointment. O.k, apparently we had landed on the ungrateful fourth or fifth position. To our surprise they then announced that we had won - it was overwhelming."
The boat that was considered somewhat "exotic" - the only European boat and the only Rib in the whole competition - really made it and triumphed over the rest.
Two Excursions after the Rally
After the physically and psychologically challenging experience of the rally we dedicated ourselves to completely different tasks in the Orinoco Delta:
Ciudad Bolivar - Jesús Soto
In Ciudad Bolívar we followed the footsteps of the Venzuelan painter and sculptor Jesús Soto. He became world famous for his kinetic art, his very special sculptures and objects. Museums like the Guggenheim in New York or the Jeu de Paume in Paris dedicated single exhibitions to this exceptional artist. Soto is a true son of the river, born in Ciudad Bolívar in 1923. Because of the narrowness of the river in this section the city was formerly called Angostura to be renamed and made the provisional capital by Simon Bolívar in 1818. Today the town`s biggest attraction is the Museum of Modern Art Jesús Soto, founded in 1973. It is a futuristic building with a bizarre garden full of giant moving objects and mobiles you can walk through. Soto himself emphasizes that his work is closely related to his native landscape, the river and the jungle. The everchanging river, always on the move - a dynamic that is reflected in his art. Soto left his mark all over the place - we visited his museum, spoke to friends and relatives, flipped through old photos. The artist, a man in his eighties, is now living in Paris. He already gave his consent to a personal interview and we will meet him there shortly to round up our film documentary about his life and work.
Orinoco-Delta - The Warao Indians
The delta of the river Orinoco is a vast and sparsely populated region - as a result of that communication between the mainly indian population is very difficult. Videos are ideal to develop and sustain a constant flow of information between the different communities concerning health, culture and traditions. In cooperation with the organization "Tierra Viva" we supported a project that helps young Warao Indians to produce their own videos. Our team joined in on a video workshop and we put our manpower and know-how as well as the whole technical equipment at the Warao`s disposal. For several days we were living in a Warao community, learned about their every day life and their culture. Experts fear that very soon they might loose their customs and traditions. Our ribs were used to distribute teaching materials, books and documentary videos even in the remotest areas of the delta.
Film documentaries about the rally, about Jesús Soto and about our visit to the Warao Indians are in preparation.
Victory in Rally Orinoco 2004 - Rib Expeditions
Journalists Helge Bendl and Klaus Kranewitter participated on behalf of the german magazin "Der Stern" in our Mekong Expedition 2005. At the "Media Days Munic" CNN International's Online Journalists Award was received for their coverage of the expedition, wich was published at stern.de.
The article "Adventure Mekong" published at the magazine stern.de received the majority of the visitors online votes.
The article "Adventure Mekong" published at the magazine stern.de received the majority of the visitors online votes.
Coverage of the Mekong Expedition 2005 receives journalist award from CNN International!
Once more an award has been received for an article on our Mekong Expedition 2005 .
Helge Bendl and Klaus Kranewitter, winners of the audience's Online Award, together with Sponsor Johannes Winter (AOL).
The Article
The Organizer
The Sponsor
more information...
Rib Expedition & Adventure and Yacht Center Palma / Marine Superstore participated for the second time in the competition "Raid Dragonera" between Sitges/Barcelona and Puerto Portals (Calvià) on July, 14th - 16th.
We reached a first place victory in category "Foxtrot" (no engine power limits). The team raced on a 11m RIB prototype powered with Yanmar 2x440Hp.Arriving 22 minutes ahead of the 2nd place winner, we also set a new record "Barcelona - Puerto Portals" with 1hr 59m.
We reached a first place victory in category "Foxtrot" (no engine power limits). The team raced on a 11m RIB prototype powered with Yanmar 2x440Hp.Arriving 22 minutes ahead of the 2nd place winner, we also set a new record "Barcelona - Puerto Portals" with 1hr 59m.
1st Place in Raid Dragonera 2006 and new record!
Raid Dragonera 2006 - NEW RECORD
Two journalists, Helge Bendl and Klaus Kranewitter, participated on behalf of the German magazine "Der Stern" in the Mekong Expedition 2005. Their online coverage of this adventure was awarded the prestigious "Axel-Springer-Award for young Journalists 2006". Helge and Klaus will be handed over the 3rd price in the category "Internet" in Berlin on May 3rd. The coverage was published in german at www.stern.de/mekong.
Congratulations from Rib Expedition & Adventure!
Axel Springer Press Award for coverage of the Mekong Expedition 2005!
Helge Bendl and Klaus Kranewitter
The expedition on the Mekong river, which was organized by Rib Expedition & Adventure S.L. and Impulse Tourism Co. Ltd., covering six countries: China, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam terminated its last leg. Expedition leaders Andy Leemann and Armin Schoch, guests and sponsors, have all returned to their day to day routines.
The online magazine Stern.de participated in our expedition and published an extensive coverage of this adventure (in german language) at http://www.stern.de/mekong. The expedition's own web site in English can be found at http://www.mekongexpedition2005.com and a diary in German language at http://www.mekongexpedition2005.de
The online magazine Stern.de participated in our expedition and published an extensive coverage of this adventure (in german language) at http://www.stern.de/mekong. The expedition's own web site in English can be found at http://www.mekongexpedition2005.com and a diary in German language at http://www.mekongexpedition2005.de
Mekong Expedition 2005 terminated successfully!
Andy Leemann on Mekong Expedition 2005
Mallorca, November 2004 - What a joy among the team of Ribexpedition & Adventure when the winners of the 5th Video and Filmfestival "El Festival del Río" in the Spanish town of Tortosa became known. Our documentary on the expedition Oricono-Amazon 2003 "Following the footsteps of Alexander von Humboldt - 200 years later" will receive the prize for the best production in the category "Río y Aventura" (River and Adventure). The ceremony for the winners in all three categories will be held in Palau Robert on December 11th, 2004.
Film Award for Ribexpedtion & Adventure
Northern Wa State 2004
Shan girl from Nothern Wa State Web
During the preparations for a river expedition planned on the Burmese river Salween, we came across the following highly explosive subject: Upon official invitation of the ethnic minority of the Wa people we travelled the so-called „Special Region 2“, an autonomous territory inside Burma/Myanmar under the leadership of the Wa. A high percentage of the world`s opium is produced in this region. As the political and economical situation is very complicated, our permission to enter had remained uncertain up to the very last moment. The Wa people depend on poppy cultivation and at present alternatives are little; furthermore many of them are addicted to the drug themselves. At the same time international pressure to completely stop poppy cultivation is constantly growing. The Wa now declared that they will ban opium and stop planting poppy by the end of June next year, which means that the harvest of February/March 2005 will be the last one.
The presentation of our documentary "Rally Orinoco 2004", on Wednesday , May 4, 2005, in the Real Club Náutico, Palma de Mallorca was a great success. People had the opportunity to talk to participants of the rally and to inform themselves about future projects of Rib Expedition & Adventure, especially our forthcoming Mekong Expedition (November 2005).
Presentation of the film "Rally Orinoco 2004"
Rib Expedition & Adventure and Yacht Center Palma / Marine Superstore took part in the competition "Raid Dragonera 2005" between Sitges/Barcelona and Puerto Portals (Calvià) on July, 15th - 17th, and reached an excellent second place in category "Charlie" (boats over 9 m L.O.A.).
2nd Place in Raid Dragonera
Andy Leemann and team - 2nd place in Raid Dragonera 2005
An article about Rib Expedition & Adventure and the forthcoming Mekong Expedition has been published in the magazine Boating World Mallorca 1/2005, pages 68-72 in english and german.
Mekong Expedition 2005 in Boating World
Andy Leemann on Mekong Expedition 2005
The expedition will take about 30 days and is scheduled to begin in
September 2009. This is the end of the rainy season and the time of the year
when the river carries a lot of water, helping us master the tricky
passages with rapids and sand bars. The details of our route planning will
depend very much on the tasks awaiting us along the way.
Here is a rough description of the three major stretches - as we work our way down in to the Delta.
The river Ganges takes its source in this remote massiv, at the secret shrine of Gangotri, and rushes down to the plains in a torrential fury. This part we will be trekking until we are able to water our rafts.
The first 200km we will use 3 Whitewater rafts through its narrow Himalayan valley, rafting the Ganges until the pilgrimage town of Haridwar. At Haridwar, the expedition will change to the well tested inflatable boats with outboard engines. A dam diverts some of its waters into the Ganges Canal, The Ganges, whose course has been roughly southwestern until this
point, now begins to flow southeast through the plains of northern India.
Further, the river follows an 800 km curving course passing through the city of Kanpur before being joined from the southwest by the Yamuna at Allahabad. This point is known as the Sangam at Allahabad. Sangam, is a sacred place in Hinduism. According to ancient Hindu texts, at one time a third river, the Sarasvati, met the other two rivers at this point.
After entering Bangladesh, the main branch of the Ganges is known as the Padma River until it is joined by the Jamuna River the largest distributary of the Brahmaputra fanning out into the 350 km wide Ganges Delta, it finally empties into the Bay of Bengal. Only two rivers, the Amazon and the Congo, have greater discharge than the combined flow of the Ganges, the Brahmaputra and the Surma-Meghna river system.
Here is a rough description of the three major stretches - as we work our way down in to the Delta.
The river Ganges takes its source in this remote massiv, at the secret shrine of Gangotri, and rushes down to the plains in a torrential fury. This part we will be trekking until we are able to water our rafts.
The first 200km we will use 3 Whitewater rafts through its narrow Himalayan valley, rafting the Ganges until the pilgrimage town of Haridwar. At Haridwar, the expedition will change to the well tested inflatable boats with outboard engines. A dam diverts some of its waters into the Ganges Canal, The Ganges, whose course has been roughly southwestern until this
point, now begins to flow southeast through the plains of northern India.
Further, the river follows an 800 km curving course passing through the city of Kanpur before being joined from the southwest by the Yamuna at Allahabad. This point is known as the Sangam at Allahabad. Sangam, is a sacred place in Hinduism. According to ancient Hindu texts, at one time a third river, the Sarasvati, met the other two rivers at this point.
After entering Bangladesh, the main branch of the Ganges is known as the Padma River until it is joined by the Jamuna River the largest distributary of the Brahmaputra fanning out into the 350 km wide Ganges Delta, it finally empties into the Bay of Bengal. Only two rivers, the Amazon and the Congo, have greater discharge than the combined flow of the Ganges, the Brahmaputra and the Surma-Meghna river system.
Ganges expedition
Ganges Expedition. The expedition will take about 30 days.
The Congo Expedition (launch date: April 25, 2010, World Malaria Day) is an unprecedented humanitarian project both in scale and scope and
builds on the success of the 2008 Roll Back Malaria Zambezi
Expedition.
In 100 days and for the first time ever, specialists will travel the entire length of Africa’s second largest river by boat, drawing attention to a unique partnership that is beating back malaria. Journalists from around the world will join the team, highlighting the increased efforts of malaria-endemic countries, their bilateral and multilateral development partners, the private sector, nongovernmental organizations, foundations and research institutions
to roll back the deadly disease in one of the world's most difficult places to deliver health care. Medical teams will join ongoing campaigns and provide remote populations that have not yet been reached with vector control, bed nets and malaria treatments.
The Congo Expedition has a strong yet simple positive message not only for one, but for all countries around the world: Despite all difficulties malaria can be beaten.
In 100 days and for the first time ever, specialists will travel the entire length of Africa’s second largest river by boat, drawing attention to a unique partnership that is beating back malaria. Journalists from around the world will join the team, highlighting the increased efforts of malaria-endemic countries, their bilateral and multilateral development partners, the private sector, nongovernmental organizations, foundations and research institutions
to roll back the deadly disease in one of the world's most difficult places to deliver health care. Medical teams will join ongoing campaigns and provide remote populations that have not yet been reached with vector control, bed nets and malaria treatments.
The Congo Expedition has a strong yet simple positive message not only for one, but for all countries around the world: Despite all difficulties malaria can be beaten.
Congo Expedition 2010
Fighting Malaria on the river of hope
Fighting Malaria on the river of hope
The Congo Expedition is an unprecedented humanitarian project.
Invitation to the Media Conference "Ganges Expedition"
Thursday, 10 September 2009
Thursday, 10 September 2009
Dear Madam / Sir:
We would kindly like to invite you to the "Ganges Expedition" Media Conference on Thursday, 10 September 2009, 11 a.m. (IST) at The Taj Mahaj Hotel in Delhi, India.
Please find enclosed the invitation. We would kindly like to ask you to fill it in (dynamic PDF) and return it via e-mail to mail@helgebendl.com or info@ribexpedition.com .
Sincerely
Andy Leemann
Expedition Leader
Apal Singh
Co-Expedition Leader
Helge Bendl
Projectmanager Media
We would kindly like to invite you to the "Ganges Expedition" Media Conference on Thursday, 10 September 2009, 11 a.m. (IST) at The Taj Mahaj Hotel in Delhi, India.
Please find enclosed the invitation. We would kindly like to ask you to fill it in (dynamic PDF) and return it via e-mail to mail@helgebendl.com or info@ribexpedition.com .
Sincerely
Andy Leemann
Expedition Leader
Apal Singh
Co-Expedition Leader
Helge Bendl
Projectmanager Media
The 2010 Brahmaputra Expedition
Dear friens:
We would like to give you an update on the status of the malaria advocacy initiative in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the "Congo Expedition". Unfortunately, this unprecedented venture can't be realized in summer 2010, and we have to hold off on further planning. However, postponed is not abandoned!
Thanks to your input, advice and support we have been able to develop a compelling project idea, and were able to discuss the initiative and its goals in one-on-one interviews in Africa, Europe and the US as well as during conferences like the Roll Back Malaria Partnership Board meeting. After extensive site visits to the DRC and meetings with local partners, government and UN agencies, we also managed to assess the river along its entire length and develop a strategy for logistics and media. There has been a considerable investment of time and money from our side to lay the groundwork for a possible expedition. But every minute set aside and every dollar spent was worth the effort, as we have a logistics plan in place, have found great partners on the ground for the implementation of malaria activities, and have secured the support and engagement of the government and other strategic partners. Together, we are ready to go.
Unfortunately, however, the financial commitments made so far do not enable us to realize the expedition as planned, and they also do not cover the costs of a downsized version. At this point we therefore have to hold off on further planning. As all the necessary groundwork has been done, all the necessary information has been gathered, and the advocacy value of an expedition like that has been proven, it is nevertheless worthwile to continue exploring the idea of highlighting the successes and challenges of malaria work in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you are interested in having this project custom-tailored for you.
Best regards
Andy Leemann & Helge Bendl
The "Congo Expedition", which is aimed to build on the success of the 2008 RBM Zambezi Expedition, could document successful anti-malaria initiatives, mobilize communities and regions, and leverage politial and civil society response. It could highlight the increased efforts to fight malaria in the Democratic Republic of Congo and beyond and lobby for an even greater scale up of malaria control in countries affected by the disease.
The Congo Expedition, which would be integrated into ongoing health campaigns by the government, the private sector and NGOs, could highlight the progress in the fight against malaria. The DRC is the best example to show that great successes can be achieved even in the most difficult places - by using resources more efficiently and cooperatively, saving money and reaching more people. 2010, prior and during the FIFA soccer world cup, will be the ideal time to tell those positive stories in a period of increased interest in Africa in general and the DRC in particular (the DRC is commemorating its 50th year of independence).
We would like to give you an update on the status of the malaria advocacy initiative in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the "Congo Expedition". Unfortunately, this unprecedented venture can't be realized in summer 2010, and we have to hold off on further planning. However, postponed is not abandoned!
Thanks to your input, advice and support we have been able to develop a compelling project idea, and were able to discuss the initiative and its goals in one-on-one interviews in Africa, Europe and the US as well as during conferences like the Roll Back Malaria Partnership Board meeting. After extensive site visits to the DRC and meetings with local partners, government and UN agencies, we also managed to assess the river along its entire length and develop a strategy for logistics and media. There has been a considerable investment of time and money from our side to lay the groundwork for a possible expedition. But every minute set aside and every dollar spent was worth the effort, as we have a logistics plan in place, have found great partners on the ground for the implementation of malaria activities, and have secured the support and engagement of the government and other strategic partners. Together, we are ready to go.
Unfortunately, however, the financial commitments made so far do not enable us to realize the expedition as planned, and they also do not cover the costs of a downsized version. At this point we therefore have to hold off on further planning. As all the necessary groundwork has been done, all the necessary information has been gathered, and the advocacy value of an expedition like that has been proven, it is nevertheless worthwile to continue exploring the idea of highlighting the successes and challenges of malaria work in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you are interested in having this project custom-tailored for you.
Best regards
Andy Leemann & Helge Bendl
The "Congo Expedition", which is aimed to build on the success of the 2008 RBM Zambezi Expedition, could document successful anti-malaria initiatives, mobilize communities and regions, and leverage politial and civil society response. It could highlight the increased efforts to fight malaria in the Democratic Republic of Congo and beyond and lobby for an even greater scale up of malaria control in countries affected by the disease.
The Congo Expedition, which would be integrated into ongoing health campaigns by the government, the private sector and NGOs, could highlight the progress in the fight against malaria. The DRC is the best example to show that great successes can be achieved even in the most difficult places - by using resources more efficiently and cooperatively, saving money and reaching more people. 2010, prior and during the FIFA soccer world cup, will be the ideal time to tell those positive stories in a period of increased interest in Africa in general and the DRC in particular (the DRC is commemorating its 50th year of independence).
Congo Expedition 2010
Project on Hold
Project on Hold
Unfortunately, this unprecedented venture can't be realized in summer 2010
We will be the first team travelling the entire length of the river of about 3.000 kilometers. I will be the expedition leader and Apal Singh will be co-leader.
Inflatable boats will be used for about 2.400 km, leaving another 400 km for trekking and transporting the boats over ground along its banks where the Tsangpo-Brahmaputra is impossible to navigate The expedition will take about 45-50 days and is scheduled to begin in October 2010.
This is the time of the year when the river carries a lot of water, helping us master the tricky passages with rapids and sand bars. The details of our route planning will depend very much on the tasks awaiting us along the way. Here is a rough description of the major stretches of the Brahmaputra in China, Tibet, India and Bangladesh: Tsangpo-Brahmaputra, called Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet, is a trans-boundary river.
It originates from the Chemayung-Dung glacier and takes its source in a remote mountain mass. There is no way to navigate the river up here. The team will do several days of pure and challenging trekking through the Himalaya in this spectacular region that is known as the “roof of the world”. Then comes a long stretch, the river flows through southern Tibet from west to east at a height of about 4.000 m - a real “sky river”. It finally bends around Mount Namcha Barwa (7.782 m), the easternmost mountain in the Himalayan chain and forms the Yarlung Tsangpo valley that extends to the Indian border.
In India one can get easily confused because of the many different names given to the river. The Tsangpo-Brahmaputra or Yarlung Tsangpo breaks through the Himalayas in great gorges and into Arunachal Pradesh where it is called Siang. From here it makes a very rapid descent and is called Dihang when reaching the plains. Soon two other rivers, Dibang and Lohit, join it.
From this point of confluence, the river becomes very wide and is finally called Brahmaputra. It flows southwest through the Assam Valley as Brahmaputra and south through Bangladesh as Jamuna. In Bangladesh the Brahmaputra merges with the Ganges and forms the world's largest delta (42,000 km²), the Sunderbans, emptying into the Bay of Bengal. This region is known for its mangroves and rich wildlife, e. g. tigers and crocodiles live here.
For this challenging project we are looking for support, sponsors, crew, media and help. If you are interested or have some good input, please get in contact with me.
Inflatable boats will be used for about 2.400 km, leaving another 400 km for trekking and transporting the boats over ground along its banks where the Tsangpo-Brahmaputra is impossible to navigate The expedition will take about 45-50 days and is scheduled to begin in October 2010.
This is the time of the year when the river carries a lot of water, helping us master the tricky passages with rapids and sand bars. The details of our route planning will depend very much on the tasks awaiting us along the way. Here is a rough description of the major stretches of the Brahmaputra in China, Tibet, India and Bangladesh: Tsangpo-Brahmaputra, called Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet, is a trans-boundary river.
It originates from the Chemayung-Dung glacier and takes its source in a remote mountain mass. There is no way to navigate the river up here. The team will do several days of pure and challenging trekking through the Himalaya in this spectacular region that is known as the “roof of the world”. Then comes a long stretch, the river flows through southern Tibet from west to east at a height of about 4.000 m - a real “sky river”. It finally bends around Mount Namcha Barwa (7.782 m), the easternmost mountain in the Himalayan chain and forms the Yarlung Tsangpo valley that extends to the Indian border.
In India one can get easily confused because of the many different names given to the river. The Tsangpo-Brahmaputra or Yarlung Tsangpo breaks through the Himalayas in great gorges and into Arunachal Pradesh where it is called Siang. From here it makes a very rapid descent and is called Dihang when reaching the plains. Soon two other rivers, Dibang and Lohit, join it.
From this point of confluence, the river becomes very wide and is finally called Brahmaputra. It flows southwest through the Assam Valley as Brahmaputra and south through Bangladesh as Jamuna. In Bangladesh the Brahmaputra merges with the Ganges and forms the world's largest delta (42,000 km²), the Sunderbans, emptying into the Bay of Bengal. This region is known for its mangroves and rich wildlife, e. g. tigers and crocodiles live here.
For this challenging project we are looking for support, sponsors, crew, media and help. If you are interested or have some good input, please get in contact with me.
Brahmaputra River Expedition 2010
Navigating the Sky River: China Tibet – India - Bangladesh
Navigating the Sky River: China Tibet – India - Bangladesh
We will be the first team travelling the entire length of the river.
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After spending almost 2 months in India, the crew of the Ganges Expedition has arrived back home safely this week. There are a lot of things for us to do now and a lot of issues to follow up in order to bring this unprecedented project to a good end, but first of all we would like to thank you once again for your support.
Having Kuoni, WWF, Green Cross International and ABI as a partners was just great and very professional. Thanks for your confidence in us, and your participation at a early planning stage, that enabled us to go ahead. Without you lending the hand we needed, the expedition would neither have been possible nor successful. Thank you very much.
Having Kuoni, WWF, Green Cross International and ABI as a partners was just great and very professional. Thanks for your confidence in us, and your participation at a early planning stage, that enabled us to go ahead. Without you lending the hand we needed, the expedition would neither have been possible nor successful. Thank you very much.
The Expedition Covers all the Objectives
Happy End for the Ganges Expedition
Happy End for the Ganges Expedition
Happy End for the Ganges Expedition.
HUMBOLDT EXPEDITION 2003
This expedition is based on the historical voyage of discovery that the German scientist Alexander von Humboldt undertook 200 years ago.
This expedition is based on the historical voyage of discovery that the German scientist Alexander von Humboldt undertook 200 years ago.
Projects
CONGO EXPEDITION 2010 - ON HOLD
Fighting Malaria on the River of Hope
Fighting Malaria on the River of Hope
GANGES EXPEDITION 2009
MEKONG EXPEDITION 2006
Mekong Mother of all Waters
Mekong Mother of all Waters
ZAMBEZI EXPEDITION 2008
River of Life
River of Life
BRAHMAPUTRA River Expedition 2010
Navigating the Sky River: China Tibet - India - Bangladesh
Navigating the Sky River: China Tibet - India - Bangladesh
Now, you can purchase the DVD of The Ganges Expedition in our store.
Enjoy them again and again and feel yourself as if you were there with us. Live an incredible experience at your home.
BUY NOW!
Enjoy them again and again and feel yourself as if you were there with us. Live an incredible experience at your home.
BUY NOW!