Guerba, one of the UK's leading adventure travel companies now celebrating its 25th season in operation, today announces its predictions for key adventure travel trends in 2006.

Ian Ripper, director of Guerba says: "Adventure travel is constantly changing and Guerba respects this fact. When we started, our focus was on overlanding trips through Africa that could take travellers from Britain to Cape Town without stopping. Obviously changes in African politics have required us to diversify - and our most recent brochure reflects this, packed with tours that can take travellers to over 37 countries worldwide.

"The coming year will continue to see even more changes in adventure travel tastes, due to a number of factors including price, ease-of-access, legal changes and recovery from tragedy."

Overlanding Recent changes to road-safety laws in Southern Africa are causing companies that specialise in overland experiences to do massive overhauls on their fleets. Trucks were originally built to have canvas-sided walls that could be rolled-up, and cushioned, bench-style seating that lined the length of the vehicle. These innovations were designed to permit movement throughout the truck during the journey and interaction with locals whenever stops were made.

New road safety laws requiring permanent windows and 'bus-style' seating have recently been introduced in South Africa preventing the use of such vehicles - despite the fact that most of the country's existing buses fail to meet existing road safety standards.

Says Ripper: "Guerba will continue to use its popular overland trucks throughout East Africa, however, we know that the days of overland trucking in Southern Africa may be coming to an end. The company predicts that 2006 will see a boom in overland travel as clients try and get one last 'authentic' experience before buses are introduced south of Tanzania."

Eastern Europe Low-cost airlines are beginning to fly to Eastern Europe - truly the final corner of 'untouched' Europe. Prices are affordable and there are still plenty of things to see and do that haven't been exploited by hordes of travellers. Romania and Bulgaria are two of the most highly touted countries, well worth exploring.

Adds Ripper: "Guerba have developed itineraries that take in the Carpathian Mountains and Transylvanian Alps of Romania and a stunning guided walk through the Bulgarian Balkan mountains in order to accommodate demand."

Argentina South America's jewel continues to boom due to the favourable exchange rate and the popularity of both Patagonia and its capital Buenos Aires. As the nation's infrastructure develops, more and more experience-based adventures are becoming available, including ranch-stays and horse riding tours of the pampas.

Says Ripper: "Horse riding through a country allows travellers to cover large stretches of flat ground while maintaining the ability to see a country and its flora and fauna in close-up. Guerba tries to promote interaction and develop environmentally-aware itineraries that stretch the capabilities of what travellers can do while on holiday. Our 'Patagonia Combination' takes visitors across Patagonia on horseback and can be done by both experienced riders and those who have seldom been on the back of a horse."

Thai cruising Adventure travellers hate the idea of a Caribbean or Mediterranean cruise, may find Antarctica prohibitively expensive, have probably 'done Kerala', yet still like the idea of lazily floating on the water - so where next? According to Guerba, it's Thailand.

Says Ripper: "Travellers really want to support Thailand, especially considering its recent problems. Locals are eager to see holidaymakers return and what better way than in a converted rice barge? Seeing Thailand, its people and the beautiful scenery from the viewpoint of the mighty Chao Phraya River provides even regular Thai visitors with a new way of seeing local life and all the hustle and bustle of waterside activity."

To book tours to any of the above destinations or featuring any of the previously mentioned experiences, contact Guerba on www.guerba.com / 01373 826 611).

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Note to editors: Tours travelling to or featuring each of the above trends are available through Guerba. For a detailsed factbox including prices and departure dates, please contact Rooster or see the Guerba website on www.guerba.com.

ABOUT GUERBA Guerba is one of the UK's leading adventure travel companies, with 25 years industry experience.

An acknowledged leader in African overland travel, Guerba is based in Westbury, Wiltshire, and offers holidays to over 50 countries spanning five continents, including Antarctica, Asia, Europe, and South America.

Committed to responsible tourism, Guerba employs tour leaders from the regions it operates in to ensure that travellers see the world 'in close up' and with a local perspective.

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