General

“An extraordinary, entertaining evening, recounted with such honesty, humility and passion”

Professor Sir Gordon Conway KCMG DL HonFREng FRS – Fmr. President Royal Geographical Society

Expeditions are packed full of excitement and adventure. Tales of quick getaways, close shaves, baffling rituals, giant mountains, crashing rivers, strange animals and beautiful people. The recounting of a journey to far off lands can be one of the most intriguing and wonderful ways to spend an evening, both for an audience and the speaker. At least for me. Being able to share with others a window into the unknown is extremely fulfilling.

I present a number of lectures related to the expedition, exploration and adventure world. A world in which I am deeply a part of. My most recent lecture topics include:

Expedition Amazonas:

An account of a 6800 km, 153 day, human-powered journey from the source of the Amazon River high in the Andes of Peru to the Atlantic Ocean and the river’s mouth off the coast of Brasil.

An absorbing and riveting presentation that has audiences spellbound. Trekking through snow covered 5000m mountain ranges, taking on rampaging whitewater, dodging narco-terroristas and rowing 24 hours a day on the world’s biggest and longest river to encounter an amazing region and it’s wonderful inhabitants.

Expedition Iran – Solo North to South:

At 1300hrs on the 18th January 2010, after 60 days and 1700km, I completed a solo trek across the Islamic Republic of Iran from its northern border on the Caspian Sea to its southerly border in the Persian Gulf. Beginning in the coastal city of Chalus, I crossed the Alborz Mountains heading south to the capital Tehran, before continuing south-west to Qom, Esfahan, through the Zagros Mountains, and onto the Persian Gulf at Bushehr.

A presentation that attempts to reveal the true Iran – a country with a geography and environment that is both harsh and beautiful. It highlights a people that are among the most hospitable and welcoming in the world, challenging the misrepresentation and bias communicated by the media and governments.

Click here for the Expedition Iran website.

Exploration in the 21st Century:

Is there anything left to discover? This lecture discusses modern exploration and the obstacles faced by today’s adventurers and explorers. Many would argue that all the world has been mapped, all it’s treasures discovered. What does this mean for those who would present themselves as explorers in this era?

My chief aim when I take to the stage is to entertain, inform and inspire. Not in a deep, complex psychological way. Too heavy. But, simply to get people thinking, “Sweet, I would dig to have my own adventure”. Or to get the audience asking questions and finding out more about our amazing planet and it’s people. To venture beyond their immediate surroundings and outside into an unknown world.

I am a professional, passionate and honest speaker who has presented throughout the United Kingdom and Australia for public audiences at the Royal Geographical Society, National Geographic Society, The Globetrotters Club and Wilderness Lecture Series.

All presentations are tailored to your needs – which requires a brief questionnaire and phone call with meeting planners or senior staff to discuss your organization’s specific challenges, obstacles and goals.

Click here for a recent article about the Expedition Amazonas.

Click here for the Expedition Amazonas website.

Click on the image below for the Expedition Amazonas presentation brochure.

For all speaking enquiries please contact:

E: speaking@markkalch.com
T: +44 (0)79831 31 892

Upcoming lectures:
Globetrotters, 06 March 2010, London
RGS lecture, 06 May 2010, Stamford Arts Centre
RGS lecture, 18 May 2010, Darlington Arts Centre
TNT Travel Show, 13 March 2010, London