Reviewing Zurick's (1995) account of his journey, it becomes apparent that motivations beyond those traditionally identified for adventure tourism-gaining and assessing skills and competence in a natural setting posing some risk-are important to overland tourists. The desire to travel through peripheral destinations, often rich in cultural traditions, suggests a strong motivation. The difference between overland tours and cultural tours lives in the acceptance of actual risk and danger as part of the experience due to the regions traveled through and the usually extended time frame for the former. Furthermore, encountering the culture would only be part of the total experience.The desire to encounter various distinct, often remote physical environments, without necessarily engaging in any adventure recreration, appears also important