Do not go where the path may lead you, go instead where there is no path and make a trail, reads a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson on the homepage of InVision Tours, which sums up their ideology beautifully. InVision Tours is not your typical travel agency. The company offers ecotourism and adventure tourism for those who dare to explore. Say you want to scuba dive on the ruins in Alexandria or you want to see the remains of the largest herbivorous dinosaurs in the Western Desert. If you are looking for an adventure that's off the beaten track, this is where you can find it. The company is the brainchild of ecologist and epidemiologist Alaa Taher, who was one of the first three graduates from the biology department at the American University in Cairo in 2000. "The face of conventional tourism is really changing. People are bored of sitting on a beach somewhere or seeing Pharaonic temples in Luxor, Taher told Daily News Egypt. "It's overdone . the visitor is looking for something more. Taher got to know Egypt's vast desert terrain and its lush oases during his three years of work with NAMRU3 (US Navy Medical Research Unit #3) where he conducted medical research, mostly in zoology. One of the projects he worked on entailed finding the Egyptian Cheetah to prove it is a subspecies of the endangered Sub-Saharan Cheetah in order to save it. Other projects include detecting infectious disease like Malaria. Adding to his knowledge of Egypt's hidden natural treasures is Taher's passion for professional photography, which encourages him to explore. He earned a Masters of Public Health from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. Upon his return in 2005, Taher became one of the founders of an NGO called Nature Conservation Egypt. The NGO just finished a project in Salloum, near the border with Libya, to create a marine protected area on the North Coast from Marsa Matrouh to Saloom. "We don't have any national parks in this area, he explains. "Over-development is killing it. Combining his environmental skills and his flair for adventure; Taher and partner put together InVision Tours, riding the wave of the global trend. In general, most adventure tourists are British, Australian, American and French, though the local segment is growing. Ages range widely, as do their interest: A younger crowd may be interested in scuba diving while an older age group may be interested in, say, religious tourism (which would take them to St. Catherine s Monastery). Avid birdwatchers can see specific IBA's (Important Bird Areas) full of migratory and residential birds. The range of special interest tours on offer can last from three days to three weeks. The Dessert Odyssey, for example, is a two-week trip that starts in Cairo, travels through Bahareya Oasis and Valley of the Golden Mummies, tours the White and Black Deserts and Crystal Mountains. Next, drive to Farafra, explore the oasis, camp under the stars, make your way to Dakhla and Kharga, travel to Luxor, continue on to Hurghada, take the ferry to Sharm El-Sheikh, drive to Sarabit El-Khadem, visit St. Catherine, head down to Dahab and come back to Cairo. Other packages include the Great Gilf, Turquoise Trail and Cleopatra Pursuit, and if that's not enough, you can create a tour tailored to your specific interests. Fishing adventures, trekking, kite-surfing and mountain climbing are also on the list of things to do. These tours are both audacious and educational. "All the guys that go out with the people have to be trained. They have to be very familiar with ecology, says Taher, "They have to be able to discuss what the plants are, the mammals, and the reptiles. to spot animals but without disturbing their habitat. Before tours, groups are briefed on things like the environment and what materials to take along that are biodegradable. Tahar says, "It is important for people to start doing that. Considering where we are in the world right now it is insane that people still think they can go out and throw trash. As a big adventure tourist himself, Taher just came back from Antarctica. He explains that there are many precautions taken so as not to disturb the ecosystem, particularly by not introducing any new species into the habitat. A simple insect egg in your clothes can destroy a habitat, thus you are required to clean your boots with detergents and fill out all sorts of questionaires before landing. "We need to be aware that [in Egypt], the desert is very fragile too, says Taher. Between his trips, saving the country with his NGO, taking beautiful pictures of the world, starting up this tourism company and abstract expressionist painting (a hobby inherited from his grandfather, acclaimed artist Salah Taher), Taher is also writing a book. It is an eco guide manual to Egypt, being funded by an NGO for environmental education. The book is meant for kids, listing animals and plants as well as a survival guide. "There is so much, it is amazing what we can do, Taher exclaims. To book a tour, visit www.invision-tours.com
