Contents

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12

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CONTENTS

First Sight

4Specialist Olivia Snow captures the colors of an artisan’s work in Fez, Morocco.

Escape Routes

6Travel news, from brand new stays to the latest flight routes. We reveal the best upcoming books, events and apps; plus a new way to experience the Tanzanian bush.

12 India

Whether it’s your first trip or latest exploration of this vast country, our specialists show you where to go – from the foothills of the Himalaya to spotting tigers in Rajasthan.

18 Top Japan 6 with the family

From drumming to snow monkeys, Japan has activities to keep the whole family entertained.

New Zealand

20Specialist Sara-Jane walks the Pouakai Crossing – this spectacular country’s latest challenger for the title of ‘the world’s best day hike’. Plus: Five other great day hikes to try when you’re in ‘The Land of the Long White Cloud’.

48 Hours In...

26Rio de Janeiro

From urban jungles to tantalizing beaches - explore the samba infused streets of Brazil’s most famous city.

Safari Planner

30Planning where to go on an African safari can be a quandary – our specialists help narrow down the many great options based on readers’ interests.

Just Back From…

36Our specialists report back from their latest research trips in Kenya, Antarctica, Sicily, and Peru.

38 Mexico

Discover colonial towns, ancient ruins and wild landscapes beyond Mexico’s beaches.

Head to Head:

44Inis Mor vs Isle of Skye

The islands of Scotland and Ireland are both great opportunities for solitude and scenery – but which will be part of your next trip?

Travelers’ Tales

46Your stories and photographs, as you report back from your latest trips visiting Japan and Egypt.

2 | AUDLEY TRAVELER

SPRING 2018

Our specialists’ guide to Kerala, Rajasthan and the northeast

WELCOME

Dear Traveler

Welcome to the spring edition of Audley Traveler.

Sprawling and complex, India’s vast cultural richness invites travelers to return time and again. On page 12, three of our specialists talk about their recent trips there, from a seasoned visitor discovering the backwaters, to exploring Rajasthan for the first time.

When planning a safari, it can be hard to know where to begin – our specialists plot out three different safari trips to suit the interests of Audley travelers (p30). From luxury lodges in Botswana, to Kenya for the whole family – hopefully their suggestions will provide inspiration for your next trip.

And finally, New Zealand’s Tongariro Alpine Crossing is widely considered one of the world’s greatest hikes and its cinematic scenery attracts people from around the world. Specialist Sara-Jane hikes the Pouakai Crossing to discover similarly spectacular views, with fewer visitors (p20).

I hope you enjoy the issue.

Jacqui Lewis President & Managing Director, North America

77 N Washington St, 6th Floor, Boston, MA 02114 Telephone: 1-855-838-8300 Website: www.audleytravel.com The vacations featured in this magazine are suggestions only and will be customized to fit your travel dates and preferences. All prices quoted are exclusive of international flights and subject to change. Designed by Wanderlust Travel Media. CST#2117258-40 | Fla. Seller of Travel Ref. No. ST39468.

Images supplied by Audley travelers, staff and suppliers, Mathieu Dupuis/Le Québec maritime, Robert Harding, Alamy, Trevor Kinzie, courtesy Denver Arts & Venues, TASCHEN, National Geographic Creative/ Hugo van Lawick, Superstock, iStock and AWL

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA FOR DAILY TRAVEL INSPIRATION Tag @AudleyTravel and #TheAudleyWay to share your travel photos with us.

Contributors

Katie Sherman

East Africa Specialist Katie first fell in love with Africa when she ran a marathon in 2015 in the wild of Lewa, Kenya, for Audley’s annual charity Tusk. Katie loves helping others discover this enchanting part of the world. Best wildlife spot? The Naboisho Conservancy in the Masai Mara. Limited cars, excellent guides, and abundant wildlife with no borders to the Mara.

Megan Backheuser

Latin America Specialist Megan loves all things Brazilian and hopes to one day call Rio home. Read about her top tips for Rio de Janeiro and discover why it’s considered the “Marvelous City.” Best wildlife spot? The Pantanal, Brazil. Grassy wetlands with wide-open spaces and great wildlife spotting.

Olivia Snow

Morocco specialist Olivia spent a year in Morocco working as a Presidential Intern at the Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane. She recently revisited Morocco to learn more about the region’s culture, cuisine and history. Best wildlife spot? Seeing the bald ibis and a flock of flamingoes in the Sous Massa National Park, Morocco.

INSIDERS’ INDIA

4THINGS we’ve learned this issue

45

Dunvegan Castle, on

1 Scotland’s Isle of Skye, has been the home of the MacCleod clan since 1200 (p45).

2The Maori personify all elements of their landscape: mountains and volcanoes argue and fall in love (p24).

3The world’s largest urban jungle can be found in Brazil’s Rio de Janiero. The Tijuca Forest covers 12.3 square miles of cascading waterfalls, tropical plants and an spectacular wildlife (p29).

For those getting married

4 in Guadalajara, Mexico, a wedding banquet is likely to include birria de chiva (spicy goat stew), a traditional local delicacy (p43).

On the cover

A woman carries water in Rajasthan, India Discover India from Rajasthan to Kerala and the northeast on page 12. For more information, call our India specialists on 1-855-838-8478 or request a copy of our brochure at www.audleytravel.com/us/brochures

AUDLEY TRAVELER | 3