Austin-Lehman Adventures Adds Chiapas, Mexico's Last Frontier, To 2007 Itineraries Showcasing Mexico

BILLINGS, MT, February 2007 - Austin-Lehman Adventures and its Mexico-based partner, Journey Mexico, announce the addition of Chiapas to a 2007 portfolio of 29 distinct destinations ranging from Alaska to the Galapagos that also includes Oaxaca and Baja.

The new trip explores the remote Lacandón rainforest ruins and highland Maya villages of Chiapas. The 8 day / 7 night program will run April 15-22, Sept. 23-30, Oct. 28-Nov. 4 (Day of the Dead trip), and Dec. 23-30, 2007. The per person, double rate is $2,998, exclusive of air to and from Mexico. Price includes all meals (but one dinner), accommodations, ground transportation, all equipment and park entrance fees, expert guides and the services of local historians and archeologists.

The Chiapas itinerary traverses the Republic of Mexico's state of Chiapas and parts of Tabasco, overall a region approximately the size of West Virginia. Chiapas is bordered on the west by the Pacific and on the south by Guatemala. Guests access the itinerary by flights into Villahermosa, departing eight days later from Tuxtla Gutierrez.

"As far as we know, we're the only folks doing such in depth cultural journeys into Chiapas," says Dan Austin, co-founder and director of operations of Austin-Lehman Adventures. He says the state, dubbed 'Mexico's Last Frontier,' is one of the least-visited regions in Mexico but among its richest in terms of culture, history and indigenous people.

Austin notes that the trip will interface with secluded villagers who can, in some instances, claim that they are 100 percent Mayan. This culture's small rural communities and historic ruins, plus what he calls one of the most geographically stunning travel experiences to be found the Americas, add up to a world-class adventure travel experience.

This multisport trip includes boating, mountain biking and hiking through alpine forest, steamy lowland jungle, cobblestone villages and archaeological ruins. Lodgings include a modern 5-star hotel, a jungle eco-resort and a restored 17th-century hacienda.

For a copy of the new catalog as well as information on ALA's 29 unique luxury, multisport, adult and family active adventure travel itineraries please call toll-free 1.800.575.1540, or e-mail info@austinlehman.com. To review current trips, schedules and itineraries you can log onto www.austinlehman.com.

Austin-Lehman Adventures specializes in upscale multi-sport adventures to iconic destinations throughout the Americas. Most of their small group vacations are six days and five nights in duration, and combine such guided outdoor activities as hiking, biking, rafting, canoeing and horseback riding with nights spent at a series of distinctive inns and lodges. Lunch is usually served gourmet picnic-style along the trail, and breakfast and dinner take place in a given region's finest cafés and restaurants. Prior experience is not a prerequisite and adventures cater to a wide range of abilities. On adult adventures participants need to be 16 years old or above. Expressly designed family adventures are suitable for children as young as seven (7) years of age (5 years of age on their Costa Rica Family Adventure).

ALA is also a founding member of a new travel consortium, Trusted Adventures (www.trustedadventures.com), which mixes and matches its clients to adventures in the Americas as well as in Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa. The alliance offers 220 unique trips to over worldwide 70 destinations.

For the second consecutive year, National Geographic Adventure magazine has selected an Austin-Lehman Adventures (ALA) itinerary to include in its "25 Best Trips" program.

Among the magazine's "25 Best Trips for 2007" noted in its November 2006 issue is ALA's Okanagan Wine Country Multi-Sport Adventure. Last year ALA was singled out for its Oaxaca Adventure.

Press Contact: Sara Widness
Widness Public Relations
802 234 6704
sara@widnesspr.com

Contact: Dan Austin, Director
Dan@austinlehman.com
Austin-Lehman Adventures
800-575-1540 / 406-655-4591
www.austinlehman.com

Austin-Lehman Adventures Adds Chiapas,
Mexico's Last Frontier,
To 2007 Itineraries Showcasing Mexico

###