These Indiana Jones-Inspired Adventures Whisk You Across the Americas in a Modified 1940s Turboprop
By Laura Dannen Redman
Laura Dannen Redman
Digital Travel Editor, Robb Report
Laura Dannen Redman's Most Recent Stories
- These Indiana Jones-Inspired Adventures Whisk You Across the Americas in a Modified 1940s Turboprop
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White Desert
Any fan of the Indiana Jones film series knows the “map sequence,” when we see the titular hero jet from country to country, a dotted line across a global map marking the doctor’s progress. He escapes from all kinds of tight spots in all manner of biplanes. There’s a certain freedom to how he travels that a modern explorer can’t quite replicate without private planes and air clearances in the most remote parts of the world.
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Or can they? The team behind White Desert, the luxury, safari-style camp in East Antarctica’s interior, just introduced its second in a series of Dr. Jones expeditions. An ode to Indy, these self-described “modern odysseys” offer 13 days of hopping across the Americas on a fully refurbished Basler BT-67, a modified 1940s turboprop plane that flies low and can land anywhere. Short, gravelly runways? Ice-covered tundras? Lands like a cat. It can also avoid major airports and take less traditional flight paths. Following a $10 million overhaul, the Dr. Jones aircraft rivals a private plane, with 12 leather seats and in-flight amenities befitting the $49,000 price tag.
Access is the greatest luxury on these journeys. The new Colombia–Guatemala itinerary starts in Medellín and goes deep into the Andes: to San Agustín, a UNESCO site considered the Americas’ largest necropolis, with hundreds of megalithic statues, and Caño Cristales, the uniquely occurring “River of Five Colors.” The Basler moves on to the remote Colombian island of Providencia, known for its pristine barrier reef, shark diving, and thriving Afro-Caribbean Creole culture (bonus: no cruise ships). From there, it’s on to the rainforests, ruins, and volcanic terrain of Petén, Pacaya, and Antigua, Guatemala. Along the way, travelers will meet local shamans, experience traditional llanero (cowboy) culture, and be led by a Mayan spiritual guide and archaeologist. Flights never last more than a couple hours and land at the base of the next adventure.
“This is not about ticking destinations off a list. It’s about entering them deeply—and leaving changed by what you were allowed to see and experience,” says Patrick Woodhead, co-founder and CEO of White Desert. Something of a real-life Dr. Jones, Woodhead was educated in the UK, studying ancient history and philosophy, before becoming a full-time expedition guide. He has since added to his CV: polar explorer, pilot, author (of four books), and company boss, though he hasn’t done it alone. Wife and co-founder Robyn Woodhead, also an acclaimed polar explorer (the first South African to reach the North and South Poles), helped establish the tenets of White Desert, particularly its sustainable practices. They achieved carbon neutrality for White Desert air operations as early as 2007, and she sat on the board of IAATO (International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators), the organization dedicated to promoting safe, environmentally responsible tourism in Antarctica.
The last 20 years of tours on the White Continent (by way of Cape Town) have been “mesmerically beautiful,” says Patrick, though adding the Dr. Jones trips to their offering has created summer-to-summer business. Antarctica’s season is November through January, and the Dr. Jones Colombia–Guatemala trip runs Aug. 26–Sept. 7, 2027 (additional dates: Sept. 19–Oct. 1).
Meanwhile, the debut Dr. Jones flight will take off Oct. 18–30, 2026: a 12-day Peru–Patagonia journey (from $59,000) down almost the entire western edge of South America. This isn’t a Machu Picchu trip, says Patrick. It’s meant to deliver “once-in-a-lifetime exploration” across some of the most remote, visually striking landscapes on the continent, including the coastal dunes of Paracas, Peru, Chile’s Atacama Desert, and Torres del Paine National Park. Lodging is predictably five-star, including the recently renovated Tierra Atacama and Tierra Patagonia lodges, yet the adventure level remains high. Be it on a trek to the remote, unexplored ruins of Uaxactún or on a microlight flight over wildlife-filled savannahs, Patrick says, “you’re the hero of your own story.”
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
