the adaptable tailor-made holiday experts
activity adventure culture cruising desert discovery diving honeymoon nature wildernesss wildlife
adventure honeymoon india zambia discovery galapagos nepal
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morocco
costa rica
cruising botswana vietnam
wildlife malaysia activity
istinctive, colourful, highly specialised, wonderfully diverse and superbly adaptable, the chameleon is the natural choice to champion our worldwide range of tailor-made holidays. No matter what kind of travel experience you are looking for – whether it’s a trekking holiday with a taste of culture, a honeymoon safari or an adventure with the kids – Chameleon Worldwide’s team of experts can design an individual itinerary to suit your needs.
colombia
sri lanka tanzania
Chameleon Worldwide
ecuador
the adaptable tailor-made holiday experts
opener Welcome to the magazine of tailor-made specialists Chameleon Worldwide ravel has changed. The last ten years have seen the big companies move into more specialised areas of travel which were previously the domain of small, independent entrepreneurs and individuals who lived and breathed travelling. They loved exploring amazing places, rather than monitoring numbers on a spreadsheet or assessing ‘scalability’. The big companies have tried to commoditise travel, to manufacture, mass produce and package it. But there is hope. There are still beautiful parts of the world to discover, wonderful places to stay and incredible experiences to be enjoyed. And there are still a few independent companies, like ours, who love to explore and share their travel experiences with others. A few weeks ago, at the age of 52, I had the best travel experience of my life. I abseiled down a waterfall, explored virgin rainforest, discovered charming villages, ate wonderful food, met fascinating people and witnessed a gathering of around 50 humpback whales off the Pacific Coast of South America in what must surely be one of the most beautiful places on earth. Where? It was in Colombia – one of the unique destinations offered by Chameleon Worldwide. Nature and adventure. These are the big themes of Chameleon Tailor-made. Nature is what we town-dwellers are most out of touch with in our comfortable humdrum lives. Adventure is what gets us out of our cosseted, dulled selves. Stops the rot. Brings us back to life. Provides an edge. But what does tailor-made mean? Well, we see ourselves as a bit like a fine restaurant where you can choose food from the set menu or go a la carte. Choosing a set menu is equivalent to booking a holiday on one of our small-group fixed itineraries, which have regular pre-planned departures. Choosing tailor-made, on the other hand, is more like going a la carte, allowing you to pick the elements you want: the level and type of accommodation, the airline and seat class, activities and interests, the number of nights and the exact itinerary. It costs a little more to go a la carte, but you can choose just what you want and we advise you throughout, put it all together and save you time and money. So, enjoy these pages. We hope they’ll inspire you to try something new. Travel is definitely not a commodity. It is about experiencing new things that make you think differently, stop you in your tracks, broaden your mind and open your eyes. Our experienced consultants can help you put together some special travel experiences in a personalised way that’s based on their own passion for exploring our beautiful world. Our biggest kick is sharing it with you.
Mark Wright Founder, Chameleon Worldwide www.chameleonworldwide.co.uk
Tel: 0845 304 8670
Chameleon Worldwide
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Honeymoon in Zambia • Costa Rica • Vietnam • India • Nepal When mush comes to
>> Tailor-made suggestions in Zambia (pages 6-7), other wildlife trips (pages 14-15), Indonesia (pages 16-17), Morocco (page 18) and more...
shove...
more thrilling than there aren’t many things huskies across the driving your own team of land or the Yukon frozen backcountry of Fin
Costa Rica – one of our favourite destinations. We have fixed itineraries and tailormade options for adventure addicts, families, students, honeymooners, trekkers, wildlife enthusiasts..
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Chameleon Worldwide
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18 Stunning places to stay: check out the view from this kasbah on page 18
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Find the small five>> elephant shrew • leopard tortoise • ant lion • buffalo weaver • rhino beetle >>family safaris, page 14
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the adaptable tailor-made holiday experts
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www.chameleonworldwide.co.uk
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Tel: 0845 304 8670
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Chameleon Worldwide 0845 304 8670
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Chameleon Worldwide
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TAILOR-MADE • ZAMBIA
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Carmine bee-eaters find Zambia’s wonderful wild places irresistible, returning year after year to the Luangwa Valley – a trait shared by many human visitors nce you’ve experienced ‘The Real Africa’ it’s difficult not to become addicted. Zambia’s intoxicating cocktail of wildlife, wilderness and world wonders comes with the added perks of sensational camps and lodges, leading safari guides and few other tourists. Landlocked in the heart of southern Africa, this rugged land of plateau, plain, river and swamp promises some of the continent’s definitive travel experiences, from gazing upon the legendary Victoria Falls to paddling a canoe along the River Zambezi. Long renowned as the place in Africa for walking safaris, South Luangwa National Park’s mosaic of dappled woodlands, lazy river channels and lily-covered lagoons has abundant wildlife and is perfect for exploring on foot. Imagine following a game trail in the company of an expert guide, smelling the pepper-sweet tang of the African bush, your senses fine-tuned to every crackle of leaf and slightest movement, your eyes riveted to fresh elephant tracks at your feet… Zambia lends itself perfectly to a tailor-made holiday. Simply choose a national park or two, add a few days at Victoria Falls and perhaps a lakeside break in Malawi and you have all the ingredients for an unforgettable African adventure. You can find out more about the various tailor-made options opposite – and we’ve also suggested an itinerary for an irresistible two-week trip. 6
Chameleon Worldwide
ABOVE: Carmine beeeaters arrive each September to nest in sandy riverbanks along Zambia’s Luangwa River FAR RIGHT: Elephant wading in the River Zambezi
the adaptable tailor-made holiday experts
Your choices
Walking safaris Few wildlife experiences are more thrilling than a walking safari in Zambia. You can get a taster on an afternoon’s stroll, but try to allow a few days, walking to a succession of bush camps.
Lower Zambezi National Park Canoeing is a highlight of this beautiful reserve, but you can also join game drives and walking safaris, or perhaps try a spot of fishing – all from the comfort of sublime riverside camps, like Chongwe.
Our suggested itinerary
South Luangwa National Park There are some fabulous camps and lodges in South Luangwa – all offering game drives (by day and night) as well as walking safaris. Your chances of spotting leopard are very good.
Victoria Falls
Zambia Day 1 London - Jo’burg Day 2 Fly to Liv ingstone; stay in a luxury lod ge near Victor ia Falls Days 3-4 Two nights at a priva te island camp on the Zambezi Ri ver Days 5-6 Fly to South Luan gwa National Park ; two nights in a lodge Days 7-10 W alking safari in South Luangwa; over night in bush camps Day 11 Fly to Likoma Island in Lake Malawi for thre e nights at a st unning beach lodge Days 12-13 Tw o days explorin g Lake Malawi, diving, snorke lling, cycling, walking ... Day 14 Overnig ht flight to Lond on
Falls, Bush and Beach 14 nights
www.chameleonworldwide.co.uk
Africa’s adventure capital, Victoria Falls is awash with adrenaline activities like whitewater rafting and bungee jumping, but you can also seek serenity at luxury lodges upstream of the Falls.
Lake Malawi A glittering gem within easy reach of Mfuwe (gateway to South Luangwa), Lake Malawi makes the perfect beach partner to a Zambian safari. Snorkelling in the crystal clear waters is excellent.
Zimbabwe Like Malawi, above, Zimbabwe is another of Zambia’s neighbours that’s perfect for incorporating into your holiday. Striking scenery, amazing wildlife and a warm welcome. Tel: 0845 304 8670
Chameleon Worldwide
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A hot-air balloon flight at sunrise treats tourists to an unforgettable view of the Namib Desert, near Sossusvlei, before touchdown and a champagne breakfast
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Chameleon Worldwide
the adaptable tailor-made holiday experts
Mountains, deserts, jungles, wild rivers, ancient cities and remote cultures have become the ingredients of one of the most exciting collections of adventure travel available
calling Do something different. Escape the everyday. That’s the essence of true adventure travel, whether you set your sights on the high passes of Ladakh or spend an hour or two drifting over the Namib Desert in a hot-air balloon nce the exclusive realm of scientists, explorers or the seriously wealthy, adventure travel is now within reach of anyone. From rafting rollercoaster rapids in the Peruvian Andes to husky sledging through the taiga forests of Finnish Lapland, never before have so many destinations and activities been available. The world has been transformed into a giant adventure playground, with specialist operator Chameleon Worldwide offering the expertise and enthusiasm to take you to the back of beyond – and back again. Of course, there are still plenty of prizes awaiting pioneers in adventure travel: the mighty 100ft wave still eludes extreme surfers (the current official record stands at a knee-trembling 78ft), while only a handful of tourists have flown into orbit on multi-million dollar joyrides to the International Space Station. For most of us, however, bucketloads of adrenaline or money are no longer prerequisites for adventure travel. The industry has diversified to such an extent that it now caters for everyone, from safety-conscious families to shark-diving fanatics. These are ordinary people doing extraordinary things – stepping outside their comfort zones to realise personal dreams and ambitions, experience spectacular landscapes, cultures and wildlife or simply for the sheer fun and fascination of adventure travel. Chameleon Worldwide’s new portfolio of adventure holidays (www.adventureworldwide.co.uk) has been researched and fine-tuned by a team of specialists dedicated to finding the most original and inspiring trips out there. They’ve hiked, cycled, kayaked, rafted and explored parts of the world many of us only dream about. Mountains, deserts, jungles, wild rivers, ancient cities and remote cultures have become the ingredients of one of the most exciting collections of adventure travel available. >> Read on for 10 adventures guaranteed to get your pulse racing
www.chameleonworldwide.co.uk
Tel: 0845 304 8670
Chameleon Worldwide
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adventure calling | pick of the trips
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Total Adventure Peru
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11 days of full-on action in the Andes Raft, bike, hike: it’s the ultimate adrenaline-charged trio for exploring the Peruvian Andes. Start with a full-throttle descent of the mighty Apurimac River, then mountain bike through the Sacred Valley before tackling the legendary Inca Trail.
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10 Great Adventures Tropical Adventures in Costa Rica
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Eight days of non-stop jungle action Spot monkeys, macaws and hummingbirds while rafting the Pacuare River, mountain biking beneath Arenal Volcano and zip-wiring through the canopy of the Monteverde Cloud Forest.
Sahara Desert Adventure
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Eight-day camel-supported trek in Morocco Experience the timeless magic of the Sahara, walking alongside your camel caravan, crossing dunes and camping wild beneath the stars. This atmospheric journey begins with a spectacular drive through Draa Valley to the desert frontier city of Zagora.
Namibia Adventure
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Nine-day overland trip in northern Namibia Eyeball cheetahs and lions at Africat’s conservation centres, stake out a waterhole in Etosha National Park and ogle seals on the Skeleton Coast. Wild wonders aside, this adventure also immerses you in Namibia’s Himba culture and dramatic desert landscapes.
Taiga Snowshoe Adventure
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Seven days in Finland’s winter wonderland One of Europe’s last great wilderness areas, the taiga forests of Finland are home to reindeer, wolf and lynx – and you may spot their tracks as you set out each day on snowshoes, hiking across frozen lakes and spending the nights in remote log cabins.
Start planning your adventure>> Spring Morocco <hike beneath snow-capped peaks> Finland <late winter activities> Himalayas <superb trekking until May> Summer Central Asia <explore Kyrgyzstan> Tibet <high ideals> Autumn Mongolia <eagle hunting season starts October> Vietnam <not too hot, not too humid> Rajasthan <festivals galore> Peru <less rain in the Andes> Winter Belize <reef, rainforest & Mayan ruins> Kerala <explore tropical south India> Patagonia <summer adventures in the southern hemisphere> 10
Chameleon Worldwide
the adaptable tailor-made holiday experts
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Eight days exploring ‘a hidden Europe’ The Eurozone may be in a state of flux, but some things in Europe haven’t changed for centuries. This guided trip ventures into the heart of the Accursed Mountains to experience the traditional crofting lifestyle of a tiny community of Albanian Highlanders.
Caspian and the Karakum
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14-day adventure in little-visited Turkmenistan From Ashgabat to the Balkan Mountains and Caspian Sea, three nights wild camping in the vast Karakum desert and a visit to the legendary Silk Road city of Merv, this is overlanding at its best: an intoxicating mixture of landscapes, culture and history.
Celestial Adventure
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10-day adventure in the Celestial Mountains Merely mention the Tien Shan and it’s enough to send a tingle down the spine of even the most travelhardened adventurer. Rarified realm of the snow leopard, this magnificent and little-visited mountain range is just one of the highlights on this Kyrgyzstan adventure. You also get to mingle with Kyrgyz nomads, visit ancient inns (or caravanserai) on the Silk Road and swim in the world’s second largest alpine lake.
Altai Adventure
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12-day adventure in Mongolia’s ‘wild west’ On this spectacular journey to the far-flung Altai Mountains of western Mongolia, you’ll experience nomadic life on the great steppes of Central Asia, walking, riding horses and meeting the legendary Kazakh eagle hunters.
Active Cambodia
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13 days by bike, kayak, foot and overland There’s never a dull moment on this in-depth Indochina adventure, cycling between Khmer villages, trekking and kayaking through the jungle, visiting the remote Kachah tribe, touring temples in a 1970’s jeep and taking in classic sites like Angkor Wat. www.chameleonworldwide.co.uk
Tel: 0845 304 8670
Top t ip t h e e f ro m xpe r ts
pedal power
Albania Highland Adventure
Don’t forget we can tailor-make any of these trips for individuals Chameleon can adapt to create a private departure for you, add a city escape, a beach break or an extra few days walking or relaxing. Chat to one of our experts on 0845 304 8670
It’s always the sign of a great trip when it creates a buzz in the Adventure Worldwide office. Our Cycle Bangkok to Saigon adventure in Southeast Asia is proving to be so popular we recommend you book early to avoid disappointment. It’s an epic journey that takes you from Bangkok, through the temples of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, all the way to Saigon in Vietnam. The trip is vehicle-supported throughout, so you don’t have to carry heavy baggage – and you can hop on board for a lift whenever you feel like a break from the saddle. The use of good quality bikes is included in the price, saving you the hassle of dragging your own bike half way around the world, or the extra cost of renting one. Cycling is a great way to travel. You’ll be an active, living part of the land you travel through. You’ll see some of the most impressive sites in Southeast Asia – including Angkor Wat, the Mekong Delta, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and several national parks – as well as impromptu and chance encounters with local people in the many towns and villages that you cycle through.
Adventure Worldwide Choose from a selection of adventure holidays and activity holidays which include walking, culture, discovery, cycling, whitewater rafting, kayaking, winter activities, wildlife, wilderness, cultural tours and much more. Visit www.adventureworldwide.co.uk or call our adventure travel specialists: 0845 304 8679.
adventure milestones>> 1884 <Swiss Army Knife born> 1872 <Around the World in 80 Days published> 1943 <scuba invented> 1953 <Everest conquered> 1977 <bungee born in Bristol> 2001 <first tourist in space> Chameleon Worldwide
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TAILOR-MADE • NEPAL
Our suggested itinerary
ideals
Nepal
The hallowed trail to Mt Everest ranks as one of the ultimate adventures, but there’s plenty more to do in Nepal, whether you set your sights high or low t’s a walker’s dream: to follow in the footsteps of Hillary and Tenzing to the Sherpa capital of Namche Bazaar and beyond into the realm of Himalayan giants like Everest and Ama Dablam. Equally mesmerizing, the Annapurna region provides a range of hiking opportunities, from short treks in the foothills culminating in viewpoints of the iconic Fishtail Peaks, to epic journeys lasting two or three weeks, scaling high passes and probing remote valleys. That’s the beauty of trekking in Nepal. You can choose to be as footloose and fancy-free as you like. If it’s your first visit, though, try not to keep entirely to the high ground. Nepal’s lowlands are as diverse and fascinating as its mountains. In the jungles of Chitwan National Park, for example, you can search for tiger and one-horned rhinoceros by elephant back. Further off the beaten track, Bardiya National Park is a stronghold for rhino, tiger and Asian elephant, while the wetlands of Koshi Tappu support Gangetic dolphins, wild buffalo and a profusion of birds. As if Himalayan trekking and Asian safaris weren’t temptation enough, Nepal also exudes a rich culture. Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Patan are ‘living museums’ of intricate architecture, colourful temples and traditional crafts. Add them to your tailor-made itinerary of walking and wildlife watching and you might well find yourself on the trip of a lifetime. 12
Chameleon Worldwide
The fluted peak of Ama Dablam rises above a bed of morning cloud in the Everest region of the Nepal Himalaya
Day 1 London - Kathmandu Day 2 Explore the incredible architecture of Bhaktapur Days 3-4 Head into the hills an d explore the ar ea around Nu wakot Days 5-6 Sear ch for tiger an d rhino in Chitwan Na tional Park Day 7 Travel no rth to the old trading town of Band ipur, staying ov ernight in a converted Newari mansio n Day 8 Walk to a spectacular camp with views of the Annapurn a Range Day 9 Continu e through fore sts of rhododendron to lakeside Po khara Day 10 Fly ba ck to Kathman du Day 11 Overnig ht flight to the UK
Classic Nepal 11 nights
the adaptable tailor-made holiday experts
disconnect: get away from it all Offline and off-the-beaten-track, try one of these six blissfully remote boltholes for a stay that’s wifi free, has no mobile signal and where tweeting is just for the birds
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Kasbah du Toubkal Morocco
Finch Bay Eco Hotel Ecuador
Gunn’s Camp Botswana
Rising like a cluster of quartz crystals beneath the ice-sculpted ramparts of Mt Toubkal, this spectacular kasbah has rooftop views to die for. Trekking basecamp or mountain hideaway, you won’t find a more comfortable spot from which to admire the High Atlas.
Small-ship cruising isn’t the only way to experience the Galápagos Islands. This oceanfront hotel is close to some excellent snorkelling, diving and sea kayaking spots, while mountain bikes will get you into the highlands of Santa Cruz – a refuge for giant tortoises.
With just six stylish ensuite tents, this exclusive camp provides an intimate brush with the Okavango Delta. Elevated decks offer sweeping views across wildlife-speckled floodplains, while activities include game walks and gentle paddles in mokoro canoes.
1 Jacket Choose an outer shell that’s windproof, waterproof and breathable like this Rohan Mountain Guide Jacket. For polar expeditions, consider a mid-thigh length down parka 2 Fleece Essential mid layer 3 Gloves and socks Keep hands snug with thick waterproof mitts. Wear a pair of thin socks beneath thick wool outer socks 4 Warm hat Minimize heat-loss through your head 5 Sunglasses Protect your eyes from glare with wrap-around sunglasses and apply sun screen to face and lips (minimum SPF 30)
kit for peak & desert 1 Shirt Long sleeves are best. This Rohan Expedition Shirt is breathable, loose fitting and UV resistant, with under-arm vents for keeping cool 2 Desert boots High-sided boots, with breathable canvas or suede uppers, guard against rocks and thorns 3 Hat A wide-brimmed sunhat is essential. The T5MO Tilley Hat is made from organic cotton and has an airflow mesh to keep your head cool. Don’t forget sunglasses with full UV protection and side shields 4 Daypack Combat dehydration by taking a daypack with built-in water reservoir. The CamelBak Mule is ideal 5 Drywash When water is scarce, keep your hands clean using an antibacterial drywash
Ou r T c o nt a r ip Do s s ie rs in of w h f u l l det a i l s at to pa c k
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Himalaya Lodge Nepal
El Cantil Colombia
Great Bear Lodge Canada
Combining comfort, Gurkah hospitality and an enviable location in the heart of the Annapurnas, Himalaya Lodge is the perfect place to relax after a day’s trekking. A large terrace offers dreamy views of the mountains, while inside there’s a cosy lounge with fireplace.
Nuzzling between verdant rainforest and exuberant shore on Colombia’s little-visited Pacific coast, this exquisite ecolodge is a nature lover’s paradise. Imagine trekking to a jungle waterfall in the morning and kayaking with humpback whales in the afternoon.
A floating lodge tucked away in British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest, this low-impact, five-bedroom hideaway is reached by floatplane from Port Hardy, Vancouver Island. Grizzly bears steal the show here, but other wildlife includes wolves, eagles and otters.
www.chameleonworldwide.co.uk
Tel: 0845 304 8670
Adapted from Wildlife Travel by William Gray (footprinttravelguides.com)
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Bear! Where? There! See brown bears in the wild Imagine tracking bears in Slovakia’s Tatra Mountains, following their prints and looking for other signs like scratches on tree trunks... Contact Families Worldwide for the bear essentials. familiesworldwide.co.uk
TAILOR-MADE • FAMILY ADVENTURES
things
Safari. If ever there was a word to inspire wanderlust in a child this is the one. A good safari combines fantastic adventure with the ultimate I-Spy. But where is the best place to take your cubs in search of the Lion King? o see an elephant in the wild is thrilling, but to place your hand in the dimpled crater of its footprint or break open pachyderm poo, crusty as freshly-baked bread... now that’s the stuff that childhood memories are made of. It’s also the reason why great guides can elevate old-school ‘tick ‘em off’ safaris into unforgettable adventures for kids. By talking to one of the experts at Families Worldwide, they’ll be able to tailor-make your safari to include camps and lodges renowned for the quality of their guides. They will also be able to recommend your ideal safari destination. If you’re travelling with young children, for example, you may wish to stick to malaria-free game reserves in South Africa (ideal for combining with Cape Town and the Garden Route). With its excellent roads and guest lodges, South Africa makes a superb self-drive destination, but more adventurous families may want to tour Namibia instead – the scenery is spectacular and you can drive yourself on safari in Etosha National Park. Namibia also offers some unique wildlife activities, from watching seals on the Skeleton Coast to chasing tok-tokkie beetles in the desert. Zambia and Botswana offer a more exclusive, off-the-beatentrack experience with outstanding lodges and guides at wildlife hotspots like South Luangwa and the Okavango Delta. You can even rent your own safari house, complete with guide, cook and private 4WD vehicle! A few days at Victoria Falls makes a great safari add-on. Kenya and Tanzania, meanwhile, are best for families in search of wonderful wildlife (think Masai Mara, Serengeti, Selous), a chance to meet Maasai warriors and the promise of chill-out time on the Indian Ocean coast.
3 more really wild places to take the kids >> 14
Chameleon Worldwide
Sri Lanka
Costa Rica
Borneo
See large herds of Asian elephants at Minneriya from June to September. Yala is great for leopards, while blue whales can be spotted off the south coast.
Fly through the jungle canopy on a zip-wire, eyeball hummingbirds and tree frogs, watch turtles nesting on beaches and basilisk lizards walking on water.
Glimpse an orang-utan in the Danum Valley, peer at proboscis monkeys on the Kinabatangan River and snorkel over coral reefs in the Sulu Sea.
Families Worldwide For families who want to explore new landscapes, discover new cultures, try new activities, learn about life... Travel as a group with other families, join a centre-based activity week or tailor-make your own trip.
Schools Worldwide Assisting schools, colleges and youth groups to take young people on overseas adventures where experiencing new challenges, different environments and diverse cultures become unforgettable life changing moments; Education by Experience.
the adaptable tailor-made holiday experts
1 TAILOR-MADE • INDIA
Indian Himalaya
stars
The mountain regions of Ladakh and Garhwal reward trekkers with a heady blend of cultures, religions, festivals and dramatic landscapes.
Few places match India for sheer diversity – which is why it’s such an ideal destination for planning a tailor-made holiday. Mix safaris and adventure with cultural highlights like Varanasi and the Taj Mahal
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T fo he b is r sp est Fe ot se wh brua ting ason tig wit en ry e of hers veget to A rs the at atio pril dry the n sea end so n
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India
Golden Triangle Easily linked by road or rail, the cities of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur are renowned for their forts, bazaars, mosques and street life – not forgetting the iconic Taj Mahal.
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Our suggested itinerary
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Varanasi Crowding the banks of the Ganges, the ancient city and pilgrimage site of Varanasi provides a fascinating insight into Hindi rituals of life and death. www.chameleonworldwide.co.uk
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Tel: 0845 304 8670
Day 1 Arrive in Delhi Day 2 Take th e Shatabdi Express train to Jaipur Day 3 Drive to Pachewar Ga rh; overnight in a 300-year-old fort Day 4 Drive to Khimsar Fort on the edge of the Gr eat Thar Dese rt Days 5-9 Spen d five days tra velling by jeep, camel and on foot to the Pushkar Cam el Fair, spendin g your nights in local villages Days 10-11 En joy the special atmosphere of Pushkar Cam el Fair Day 12 Train back to Delhi Day 13 Sights eeing in Old De lhi Day 14 Return flight to UK
Passage to Pushkar 15 nights
Wildlife safaris National parks like Corbett and Kanha protect prime tiger territory, while Sasangir is the final refuge of the Asiatic lion. Head to Kaziranga for Indian rhino.
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Kerala A maze of canals, lakes and rivers, the fascinating Kerala Backwaters can be explored in luxury aboard elegant houseboats like this one. Chameleon Worldwide
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TAILOR-MADE • NATURE’S BIG EVENTS
expectations
Here come the whale sharks... the migration of these marine heavyweights is just one of many amazing events marking the world’s natural calendar ou don’t have to be a BBC wildlife film-maker to witness the world’s most spectacular seasonal natural events. With expert advice, it’s possible to plan a tailor-made adventure designed specifically to coincide with one of these epic spectacles – whether you’ve always dreamed of seeing the northern lights or yearn for a rendezvous with a migratory whale shark or humpback whale. Chameleon Worldwide can not only get you to the right place at the right time of year, but can also advise you on the best accommodation and activities to maximise your chances of witnessing a once-in-a-lifetime event. Special expert-led trips coinciding with certain natural spectacles will be featured on the website, so be sure to visit regularly. We’ve listed some of our favourite natural events opposite. Skywatchers will find plenty to keep their chins up over the next year or so – not only is the aurora borealis at the peak of its 11-year cycle, but there’s also a total solar eclipse on 3 November 2013 and the annual Geminid meteor shower, peaking in mid-December. For those who like to keep their heads down, there are some exhilarating opportunities to snorkel with whale sharks or witness the feeding frenzy of the Sardine Run when vast shoals of baitfish migrate towards South Africa, straight onto the menu of whales, sharks, dolphins, seals and seabirds. 16
Chameleon Worldwide
ABOVE: Whale shark cruising the tropical seas of the Mozambique Channel ABOVE RIGHT: Southeast Asia’s Coral Triangle contains the world’s most biodiverse reefs, teeming with 450 species of coral alone
Diary dates May-Jul Sard ine Run, KwaZulu Nata l, South Africa Aug-Sep Grea crossings, Mas t Migration river ai Mara, Keny a Aug-Oct Hum pback whales, Pacific coast of Colombia Oct-Nov Polar bears, Church ill Oct-Mar Auro ra borealis, Fin land Nov Solar eclip se, East Africa Nov-Apr Wha le sharks, Mozambique Channel Dec Geminid m Moroccan Sa eteor shower, hara Dec-Apr Blue whales, Sri La nka
Contact us to discuss special trips to witness these events
the adaptable tailor-made holiday experts
Cha m re c o m e le o n mend s
The shark is right there – its mouth agape – gliding past me with the irresistible ease of a trident submarine; its skin a hypnotic mélange of spots and stripes, caressed by flickering sunlight www.chameleonworldwide.co.uk
into the blue: six masked wonders Take the plunge in some of the world’s top diving destinations
Maldives
With over 100 resorts, superb dive training facilities and several liveaboard options, the Maldives are a year-round diver’s paradise. Beginners learn the basics in shallow lagoons, while experienced divers ride deep-water currents in the company of manta rays, turtles and sharks.
Sulawesi
Lying at the epicentre of the most biodiverse seas on earth, the northern tip of Sulawesi offers incredible diving. Close to Manado, the Bunaken National Marine Park is renowned for its coral walls, while Banka Island’s seamounts attract rays, sharks and large shoals of barracuda. In Lembeh Straits, small wonders like pygmy seahorses and nudibranchs captivate divers and snorkellers.
Best for snorkelling: Borneo (five reef-fringed islands off the coast of Kota Kinabalu), Galápagos Islands (unforgettable encounters with sealions and penguins) and Zanzibar (try Chumbe or Mnemba Island).
Tel: 0845 304 8670
Micronesia
Widely scattered across the western Pacific, Micronesia requires at least three weeks if you plan to do justice to its three most popular dive destinations. Palau has everything from wrecks and caves to drift dives, Yap is famed for its Valley of the Rays (where mantas somersault through planktonrich seas), while Truk Lagoon contains the coral-clad wrecks of a Japanese fleet sunk in 1944.
Whether you’re planning to take the plunge in the Java Sea or hit the trails of the Atlas Mountains, we’ve found one seriously tough camera in the new Olympus TG-1. Waterproof to depths of 12m, its extra-wide f2.0 aperture lens captures great quality images above and below the waves, while rocksolid construction ensures the camera is shockproof to heights of 2m, freezeproof to -10ºC and crushproof to a force of 100kg. An equally robust specification includes a 12-megapixel sensor, 1080HD video and 3-inch screen.
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Kasbah du Toubkal, Morocco Hiking boots forgotten, the sumptuous rooftop of this charismatic kasbah is the perfect spot to let your eyes wander over the rocky ramparts and high passes of the Atlas Mountains. Inside the Kasbah du Toubkal, ornate windows frame the extraordinary views, while beautifully carved walnut furniture and rustic Arabian designs vie for attention. Located just 60km from Marrakech, the lofty bolthole can be visited in a daytrip â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but try to stay for at least a night, relax in the steam bath, sip mint tea on the terrace and then tear yourself away for a hike in the Atlas.
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Chameleon Worldwide
the adaptable tailor-made holiday experts
Chameleon Worldwide Calendar: inspiration for a nonstop year of travel highlights January
February
March
April
May
June
Track wolves in Yellowstone
Party in Vietnam
Cruise the Galápagos
Hike the Atlas Mountains
Look out for brown bears
Spice up a Tanzanian safari
Following their reintroduction in 1995, Yellowstone has around 100 of these canny canines – best tracked during winter. Also try: meeting mountain gorillas in Rwanda and chasing the aurora borealis in Finland
Also known as Tet, Vietnam’s Lunar New Year (10 February 2013) marks the first day of spring, and is celebrated with parades and traditional feasts. Also try: a tiger safari in India or a river safari in Luangwa, Zambia
Darwin’s ‘Enchanted Isles’ are amazing at any time of year – but March coincides with the arrival of the waved albatross. Also try: looking for lemurs in Madagascar or proboscis monkeys in Borneo
Trek in the desert ranges of Morocco before the heat of summer kicks in, or through Himalayan foothills ablaze with spring-flowering rhododendrons. Also try: watching lowland gorillas in Gabon’s rainforest
Stake out a patch of Slovakia’s ancient ‘Wild Wood’ from the comfort of a hide, waiting for a brown bear – perhaps with cubs – to amble past. Also try: looking for black bears and grizzlies in British Columbia
Spend a week chilling on the spice island of Zanzibar after climbing Kilimanjaro or game watching in the Serengeti. Also try: birdwatching in the Okavango or eyeballing a great white shark in South Africa
July
August
September
October
November
December
Jaguars in the Pantanal
Get active in Canada
Hang out with orang-utans
Be bowled over by Buddhas
Have fun at the camel fair
Voyage to Antarctica
As the dry season begins, now is the time to spot this elusive big cat, stalking prey around dwindling pools in Brazil’s 210,000-sq-km wetland wonder. Also try: watching turtles nest on beaches in Costa Rica
Paddle in search of orcas off Vancouver Island or glide across a lake in the heart of the Rockies, before trying your hand at helihiking or whitewater rafting. Also try: witnessing the arrival of wildebeest in the Masai Mara
Strongholds for the beleagured great ape include Sabah’s Danum Valley Conservation Area and the Kabili-Sepilok Reserve. Also try: seeing carmine beeeaters in Zambia or South Africa’s Namaqualand in flower
Explore the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka, falling under the spell of some of Asia’s richest archaeological wonders. Also try: a close encounter with polar bears as they gather on the shores of Hudson Bay
Attracting 300,000 people and 20,000 camels, Pushkar Camel Fair is one of Rajasthan’s most colourful and lively spectacles. Also try: snorkelling with whale sharks in the tropical waters of the Mozambique Channel
Take a peek at life in the freezer during the Austral summer, a time of plenty for seals, whales and vast colonies of penguins. Also try: gazing skywards at the Geminid meteor shower over the Moroccan Sahara
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Tel: 0845 304 8670
Chameleon Worldwide
Chameleon Worldwide Travel Ltd Sutton Manor Farm, Bishopâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sutton, Alresford, Hampshire SO24 0AA, UK
Tel: 0845 304 8670 or +44 (0)1962 737 647 Email: info@chameleonworldwide.co.uk Fax: 0845 130 6984 Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChameleonTailorMade Twitter: @ChameleonWW
www.chameleonworldwide.co.uk