"Entrusting my fourteen year old son to stay for wonderful three nights at Swiss-Belinn alone"A closer look at Mt. Fuji Mt. Fuji, Japan’s tallest mountain, is world renowned not only for its natural splendor and its spiritual significance, but also for its enduring influence onThe currently dormant volcano has inspired countless haiku and woodblock prints over many centuries, and around the world, its perfect conical shape has become one of Japan’s most iconic symbols. The Google Maps team trekked up all 3,776 meters to the summit of Mt. Fuji, along the popular Yoshida trail. The Street View imagery also allows you to explore the full walk around the crater at the top, and the quick zigzag descent. 14,000 panos of imagery will give climbers a sense of the terrain to expect under their feet — especially all the night-time climbers who shuffle up in the dark to see the sunrise at the crack of dawn. View of the crater from the summit

Explore more 360º panoramic Trek Mt. Fuji with Explore more views ofWe were in Kintamani on the island of Bali in Indonesia. It was a sleepless night as our neighbours were yelling and partying until midnight. Ok, so midnight isn’t actually all that late and we would have joined them if we didn’t have to be up in 3 hours to climb a volcano! Nick actually had to go and ask them to be quiet, which seemed pretty lame as they were about the same age as us. After a restless 3 hours of sleep there was a banging at our guesthouse door. It was our guide and it was time to put on our hiking shoes. It seemed insane to get up after such little sleep and start doing physical exercise, but that’s why we had come to Kintamani, to climb the 1700m high Mount Batur Volcano and watch a beautiful sunrise. The walk was mostly flat for the first hour to get to the base of the volcano. Once we started to climb, the scenery changed from forest and big rocks to sand and slippery gravel.

We hiked at a steep incline for about 1 and a half hours, no zigging and zagging, just straight up. mcculloch backpack leaf blower partsWe were exhausted, we were cold and we had to pause numerous times because we felt ill (due to lack of sleep and lack of food in our stomachs) but once we reached the top, it made the hike up there all worthwhile.kelty 128 backpack There was one little hut at the top with a fire for keeping warm and we graciously accepted some freshly brewed tea. rume backpackOur guide called us over to the side of the volcano to show us something. backpack gedichtThe volcano was so hot, steam was coming out of the mountain. gear rental pokhara

He dug a little hole, buried a few eggs and within 5 minutes, breakfast of hard-boiled eggs was ready!baby equipment rental kihei We made it to the top just in time to have some food, tea and witness the orange-red glow peer over the neighbouring mountains and Lombok Island. nuby backpack harnessIt was quite the sight and definitely made getting up at 3:00am well worth it. When the sun was practically all the way up, our neighbours arrived…hungover and late. They should’ve listened to Nick and gone to bed when he told them to! We carried on hiking around the main volcano rim and the lower volcano rim as well. This volcano had erupted in the 1920’s, ’60s and ’90s and we could even see the aftermath of the previous eruptions – black, hardened lava covered the ground. Luckily for us, the beast didn’t feel like exploding while we were up there.

We enjoyed the stunning views of the Lake Batur down below, Bali’s largest crater lake, and of Lombok Island in the distance. In total, it was a 6 hour hike and we made it back down to our guesthouse in time for our free breakfast and promptly passed out. We were well deserving of a nap. A trip to Bali wouldn’t be complete without coming to the Kintamani area. The lake, volcano, rice paddies, temples and beautiful views of the valley are stunning. We suggest renting a car in Kuta or Ubud and exploring the region independently. There are many small villages and places off the beaten path waiting to be discovered. 28 Jan - 4 Feb Danakil desert (Ethiopia)Erta Ale Volcano Special(Volcano expedition: active volcanoes - photography - adventure) 29 Jan - 2 Feb MexicoColima Volcano Special(Volcano expedition: active volcanoes - photography - geology & volcanism) Big Island, HawaiʻiKilauea Volcano Special(Volcano expedition: active volcanoes - geology & volcanism)

: spaces available: guaranteed: few spaces left: booked out Price p.p.: $ 3700 Erta Ale volcano has been in spectacular activity during the past weeks, probably the most intense phase in decades: the lava lake has been overflowing almost daily and been covering the caldera floor with fresh lava flows. For those quick to decide, we offer this Volcano Special tour in order to stay 4 full days / 4 nights on the volcano! Price p.p.: $ 2950 After a pause of almost 3 years, lava flows are again flowing into the sea and accessible in the coastal area of the Hawai'i National Park. Additionally, there are two spectacular lava lakes active. This is a unique opportunity to witness volcanic activity from close! The primary purpose of this expedition is to enable a small group to spend several days on and near the active volcano of Kilauea, Hawaii, to observe volcanic activity and study volcanic/ geologic features: active lava lakes and lava flows. We will spend several full days to approach the active areas repeatedly by land, sea and from the air, depending on circumstances.

The best times will usually be in the afternoons/evenings, at night and early mornings (best light for photography), while we have the mid-days to relax, perhaps go for a swim etc. Options to get close to lava include on foot (longer hikes required), by sea (if lava enters the ocean, we can charter a boat conditions allowing) and by air (helicopter flights). This Volcano Special tour is aimed at people who are looking to photograph or film, learn about or simply enjoy witnessing a spectacular volcanic eruption from close. Price p.p.: 1750 € New tour: 29 Jan - 2 Feb 2017 At the moment, Colima is particularly active with very violent vulcanian explosions! Colima in western Mexico is one of the most beautiful and most active volcanoes in the world. Apart from highly interesting volcanic features to admire, it has been in near constant eruptive activity for decades. There are often lava flows, strombolian and vulcanian explosions to observe. We regularly offer this Volcano Special Tour, both at announced group tour dates, or - on request - at custom dates for small groups or individuals.

These tours are perfect occasions to learn and improve on volcano photography! This expedition invites you to join us to observe the volcano during 4 full days from various viewpoints day and night, in a comfortable setting - we will be staying the whole time in the lush forested area at the slopes of the volcano only about 7 km from the summit with stunning views already from our accommodation. Insights into geologic and volcanological processes, explanations of outcrops and volcanic land forms, but also tips for volcano photography are provided by the accompanying volcanologist (Tom Pfeiffer). Price p.p.: 1950 € 11-15 Dec 2015 tour: A significant eruption is in progress at Mt Etna volcano. This is your chance to come with us and see it! Accompanied by a volcanologist from our team (Evelyne Pradal), we will spend 4 nights in a hotel on the slopes of the volcano and choose the best observation spots depending on weather & activity. This tour is particularly suited if you intend to photograph, videotape or otherwise document on Etna's volcanic activity.

Link: Etna activity updates ...more info Price p.p.: 2890 € Batu Tara in the Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, is one of the world's few volcanoes with persistent strombolian activity and in fact resembles Stromboli in Italy a lot. The volcano has daily spectacular fireworks, and often produces ash plumes detected on satellite images. Extension programs: On request, we offer you several extensions as individual add-ons: 1) extension to Semeru & Ijen volcanoes in East Java 2) extension to another currently active volcano in Indonesia, dep. on circumstances ...more info Price p.p.: 1490 € Sinabung volcano on Sumatra has been in eruption since late 2013 and been regularly producing spectacular pyroclastic flows, as viscous lava continues to accumulate as a lava dome and regularly collapses. Sinabung's eruption is also a text-book example of an erupting subduction zone volcano causing an ongoing crisis, which local people and authorities have learned to live with on a daily basis.