41
The Caucasus Azerbaijan, Georgia & Armenia Karahunj - Armenia’s Stonehenge - 5500 B.C.
georgia pass
georgia akhaltsikhe
gori
Situated between Russia in the north and Iran and Turkey in the southwest lies the region best known as the Caucasus. Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia were all former Soviet Republics, each with their own rich and unique history, language and culture.
gudauri telavi tbilisi
vardzia
haghpat
armenia
sheki
sevan
yerevan
shemakha baku
khor virap noravank karahunj tatev
azerbaijan khndzoresk goris
Daily Itinerary
Fact File • 20 days • Maximum 16 travelers • Start in Baku, Azerbaijan and finish in Yerevan, Armenia • All meals included
Highlights • Explore the medieval town of Baku • Visit Zoroastrian Fire Temples and 6000year old Stone and Iron Age Petroglyphs • Visit the wine region of Georgia • Travel along the famed Georgian Military Highway to the Caucusus Mountains • Visit Tbilisi and sample Georgian foods • Explore the cave-monastery of Vardzia • See Lake Sevan in Armenia • Visit the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Geghard and Echmiadzin • Wander the streets of Yerevan and gaze at the vista of Mt. Ararat
Day 1: Arrive in Baku Day 2: Baku - Old Town, Shirvan Shah’s Palace Day 3: Absheron Peninsula & Gobustan Day 4: To Shemakha, Lahij and Sheki Day 5: Sheki Day 6: Sheki to Telavi, Georgia Day 7: Telavi to Davit Gareja to Tbilisi Day 8: Tbilisi Day 9: Tbilisi to Gudauri Day 10: Georgia Pass - Gudauri Day 11: To Akhaltsikhe via Gori Day 12: Day Trip to Vardzia Day 13: Akhaltsikhe to Tbilisi Day 14: To Haghpat, Lake Sevan, Armenia Day 15: To Sevan Monastery/Selim Pass/Karahunj/Tatev/Goris Day 16: To Khndzoresk/Noravank/ Areni/Khor Virap/Yerevan Day 17: To Garni/Geghard/Yerevan Day 18: Yerevan Day 19: Trip to Echmiadzin Day 20: Depart Yerevan
We begin our journey in Baku, Azerbaijan, one of the first oil cities of the world. Natural gas vents led rise to the religion of Zoroastrianism and their fire temples, which still burn bright today. We will explore the nearby Ashberon Peninsula and marvel at 6000 year old petroglyphs. Continuing into the mountains we enter Georgia and get our first taste of their famed wines in the Kakheti region. Later continue to the beautiful capital of Tbilisi. Heading north we travel the famed Georgian Military Highway to the Caucasus Mountains. Everywhere we turn we see evidence of Georgian pride and religion in their majestic churches. Crossing into Armenia we stop at Lake Sevan, one of the highest fresh-water lakes in the world. We will use the capital, Yerevan as our base to explore the Armenian countryside as we visit cave monasteries, churches and pilgrimage sites, with holy Mt. Ararat our constant companion. We also visit the 7,500 year old astrological site of Karahunj, (3,500 yrs older than Stonehenge) and the ancient cave dwellings of Khndzoresk. The Caucasus is famous for its hospitality, sumptuous foods, fine wines and stunning mountain scenery. Join us on this fascinating journey into a lesser-known region of the world.
Departure Dates & Prices
May 17 – Jun 05, 2016 - $6895 USD Sep 06 – Sep 25, 2016 - $6895 USD May 16 – Jun 04, 2017 - $6995 USD Sep 12 – Oct 01, 2017 - $6995 USD
Activity Level: 2/3 Comfort Level: Some rough roads, long drives.
Accommodations
Comfortable accommodations with private bathrooms. Shared facilities at guesthouse in Georgia for one night.
Garni - Roman Temple of the Sun
Call for our detailed itinerary: North America 1-800-741-7956 • UK 0808-234-1714 • www.eldertreks.com 42
Khor Virap Monastery and Mt. Ararat 43
SRI LANKA anuradhapura habarana sigiriya dambulla polonnaruwa negombo colombo
Kelani River
galle
hunnas falls kandy
nuwara eliya yala ella horton national plains park
Fact File • 17 days • Maximum 16 travelers • Start and finish in Colombo, Sri Lanka
Highlights • Visit Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage • Discover Polonnaruwa - the medieval capital of Sri Lanka • Explore Dambulla Cave Temple - an important site of Buddhist pilgrimage • Optional water-rafting on Kelani river • Explore Horton Plains and Yala National Parks • Search for leopards, elephants, sloth bears, mugger crocodiles, barking deer, wild buffalos, jackals, bear monkeys, brown-headed gulls, cormorants, herons, flamingos and other wildlife
Daily Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Colombo, Transfer to Negombo Day 2: Boat Ride Through the Dutch Canal, City Tour of Negombo Day 3: Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, Habarana Day 4: Anuradhapura, Sigiriya Day 5: Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa Day 6: Dambulla Cave Temple, to Elkaduwa Day 7: Simpson Trail Hike Day 8: Kandy Day 9: Optional White-Water Rafting, Drive to Nuwara Eliya Hill Station Day 10: Horton Plains National Park Day 11: Nuwara Eliya - Ella Days 12-13: Yala National Park Day 14: East Coast Recovery Drive to Galle Day 15: Madhu River Excursion - Colombo Day 16: Colombo Day 17: Depart Colombo
Departure Dates & Prices Oct 31 – Nov 16, 2016 - $5495 USD Oct 30 – Nov 15, 2017 - $5495 USD
Activity Level: 3 44
Comfort Level: Some long drives.
Accommodations Comfortable hotels with private bathrooms. Encounter the magic of Sri Lanka - the island nation formerly known as Ceylon is once again open to visitors. Coastlines give way to a cool and rugged mountainous interior. Magnificent archaeological sites, ancient kingdoms and forests teeming with wildlife - Sri Lanka promises an adventure packed with diversity, wildlife and culture. ElderTreks’ program to Sri Lanka has been designed to highlight the natural and cultural wonders of this exotic island nation. Explore the national parks, archaeological sites, cascading waterfalls and lush tropical jungles. Visit an elephant orphanage, search for leopards on game safaris and listen to the delightful sounds from the exotic birds along our nature walks. Sri Lanka’s natural heritage is sure to impress. Our adventure also maximizes interaction with local people. Visit tea plantations, craft villages, spice markets and local schools. The people of Sri Lanka are welcoming, vibrant and eager to show you their way of life. Come a little closer - the air is fragrant with the scent of jasmine and temple flowers. Mysterious and exotic Sri Lanka awaits you!
new delhi jaipurbharatpur pushkar agra jodhpur ranthambore varanasi n.p. khajuraho udaipur
india
Fact File • 21 land days • Maximum 16 travelers • Start and finish in New Delhi • All meals included • Includes 3 internal flights
Highlights • Explore Rajasthan’s highlights • Search for tigers in Ranthambore N.P. • Explore Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary • Visit the Taj Mahal, Khajuraho and Fatehpur Sikri • Experience the sunrise on the Holy Ganges River in Varanasi • Discover Pushkar, Camel Safari • Visit 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Daily Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in New Delhi Day 2: City Tour of New & Old Delhi Day 3: To Varanasi, Evening Ceremony on the Ganges
Day 4: Varanasi, Sunrise on the Holy Ganges River, Visit Sarnath Day 5: Khajuraho Day 6: Orchha, Local Home Experience Day 7: Amermahal Palace, Train to Agra Day 8: Agra - Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Itmad-Ud-Daulah Tomb Day 9: Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary Day 10: Ranthambhore National Park Day 11: Ranthambhore National Park, Safaris Day 12: To Jaipur Day 13: Jaipur - Amber Palace Fort, Astronomical Observatory & City Palace Day 14: To Pushkar Day 15: Pushkar Sites or Camel Festival Day 16: To Jodhpur, Mehrangarh Fort Day 17: Villages of Bisnois, Ranakpur Jain Temple, to Kumbhalgarh Day 18: Udaipur - Khumbal Garh Fort and Culture Show Day 19: Udaipur - City Palace, Sunset Cruise Day 20: New Delhi - Cultural Experience Day 21: Depart New Delhi
Departure Dates & Prices
* Oct 27 - Nov 16, 2016 - $7195 USD Feb 06 - Feb 26 , 2017 - $7395 USD * Oct 16 - Nov 05, 2017 - $7395 USD *Features Pushkar Camel Festival
In New Delhi, we tour India’s regal capital, then travel to Varanasi to witness the rituals of bathing, prayer and funerals on the Holy Ganges River as they have been performed for thousands of years. In Khajuraho, we visit the exquisitely carved temple complex, then journey to Orchha for a local home experience. We board the train to Agra, home of the Taj Mahal - one of the most sublime structures ever built. We visit the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, and journey to Ranthambore National Park, one of India’s most important tiger reserves. The highlight for many participants of November departures is the Pushkar Camel Festival, one of India’s greatest events. Watch as men gather to trade, ride and race camels within a carnival-like setting. It is truly a spectacle not to be missed! Throw in the color of Jaipur and Udaipur in Rajasthan for a truly wonderful adventure. Pushkar Camel Festival (fall dates) Every year, we visit the Pushkar Camel Festival to see the oasis town of Pushkar blossom into a world-class spectacle of buyers, sellers and over 50,000 camels. Held for five days and culminating on the auspicious Purnima (full moon of the Hindu month of Kartik), the Pushkar Camel Fair is one of India’s greatest festivals.
Activity Level: 2 Comfort Level: Some rough/dusty roads and long drives.
Taj Mahal
Accommodations
Comfortable hotels with private bathrooms. Few countries can match the splendor of India, an ancient culture imbued with exotic traditions. A beautiful land of worldclass sites, both natural and man-made, awaits you. From the plains to the rugged Himalayas, India is one of the world’s great travel destinations. Our program highlights the famous sites of the north as well as lesser-known, but equally fascinating sites such as Ranthambore National Park. Call for our detailed itinerary: North America 1-800-741-7956 • UK 0808-234-1714 • www.eldertreks.com 46
47
48
Tribes & Temples of india
• 21 land days • Maximum 16 travelers • Start in Bhubaneshwar, finish in Cochin • All meals included • Includes 1 internal flight
Kondh Tribe, To Chandoori Sai Day 8: Onukadelli Market and Paraja & Gaddava Tribes Day 9: To Vishakhapatnam Day 10: Fly to Chenni, Drive to Mahabali Puram Day 11: Shore & Varaha Cave Temples (UNESCO) Day 12: Pondicherry - Sri Aurobindo Ashram Day 13: Thanjavur - Brihadeewarar Temple Day 14: Tiruchirapalli - Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple; To Madurai Day 15: Meenakshi Temple Day 16: To Thekkady Day 17: Periyar: Boat Journey and Spice Garden Day 18: Kumarakom Day 19: Backwaters cruise, Kochi (Cochin) Day 20: Sites of Cochin; Synagogue, Dutch Palace & St. Francis Church Day 21: Depart Kochi (Cochin)
Highlights
Departure Dates & Prices
bhubaneshwar muniguda puri chandoori gopalpur sai vishakhapatnam
INDIA
indian ocean
chennai (madras)
mahabalipuram pondicherry thanjavur
cochin madurai kumarakom periyar n.p.
Fact File
• Visit a Gaddava village • Visit the Onukadelli Market to see the Paraja and Gaddava Tribes • Visit the Chatikona Market to see the Dongria Kondh Tribe • Explore Brihadiswara, Sun, Shore & Varaha Cave Temples • Visit the ancient city of Madurai and Meenakshi Temple • Enjoy the famous Kathakali dances • Cruise the backwaters of Kerala
Daily Itinerary
Nov 17 - Dec 07, 2016 - $7295 USD Nov 09 - Nov 29, 2017 - $7395 USD
Activity Level: 2 Comfort Level: Some long drives.
Accommodations
where we visit the Sun Temple in Konark. Our experience in Orissa province focuses on remote tribal villages (and markets) including the tribal Bonda, Gaddava, Dongria Kondh, and Mali. These original inhabitants of India are a true highlight of India that most never see. From Chennai to Madurai, visit numerous UNESCO sites, including the Shore Temple (7th century) and the Brihadiswara Temple, with its massive granite dome. We also visit ‘Descent of the Ganges’ (UNESCO), the Five Rathas, the Shore, Brihadeewarar, Sri Ranganathaswamy and Meenakshi Temples. Periyar National Park offers wildlife viewing by boat as we look for, barking deer, wild pigs, wild dogs, flying squirrels, bird life and sloth bears. To truly experience life in the backwaters of Kerala, one must cruise through the canals, villages and rice fields by boats. Our journey concludes with travelling through tea, coconut and rubber plantations that dot the lush, green countryside around Cochin, where we also take in a performance of the famous Kathakali dancers. Combines with Classic India.
Comfortable hotels with private bathrooms except for 4 nights in triple share while in Muniguda and Chandoori Sai with shared bathrooms and basic accommodations. No single accommodation available for Days 5,6,7,8.
Day 1: Arrival in Bhubaneshwar Marvel at ancient temples dedicated to Day 2: Bhubaneshwar - Temples & Tribal Hindu gods and goddesses. Visit national Museum parks and cruise backwater canals. Day 3: Sun Temple (UNESCO); Puri by Experience fascinating tribal cultures of Rickshaw Eastern India. Explore southern India’s Day 4: Explore Chilika Lake vast cultural heritage, from British, French Day 5: Journey to Tribal India and Jewish influences, to the ancient capitals of the Chola and Pallava Kings. Day 6: Muniguda, New Hope NGO Community Our journey begins in Bhubaneshwar, Day 7: Chatikona Market & Dongria Call for our detailed itinerary: North America 1-800-741-7956 • UK 0808-234-1714 • www.eldertreks.com 49
Mountains & monasteries of northern india Features the colourful
Hemis Festival indus river LEH
ALCHI sarchu chamba dalhousie DHARAMSALA/ McLeod Ganj
amritsar
jispa naggar
INDIA
DELHI
Fact File • 21 land days • Maximum 16 travelers • Start and finish in Delhi • All meals included • Includes 1 internal flight
Highlights • Sightseeing of Delhi • Enjoy Ladakh and the the Himalayas • Visit Shey, Thikse and Hemis Monasteries • See the 900-year-old murals of Alchi • Travel over the world’s highest pass • Experience a local home-stay in the foothills of the Himalayas • Travel to Dharamsala, home of the Tibetan Government in exile • Visit the Dalai Lama monasteries • Visit the Golden Temple in Amritsar • Attend the colourful Hemis Festival in Leh The Golden Temple
50
Daily Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in New Delhi Day 2: Delhi Sightseeing, Train to Amristar Day 3: Amritsar, Golden Temple Day 4: Dalhousie Day 5: Chiminu Village - Himalayan Home Stay Day 6: Himalayan Home Stay, trekking options Day 7: Himalayan Home Stay, cooking class Day 8: To Dharamsala Day 9: Dalai Lama’s Monastery, Dharamsala Day 10: To Naggar; Naggar Castle Day 11: Naggar Day 12: Over the Rohtang pass to Jispa Day 13: Sarchu Day 14: To Leh Day 15: Sites of Leh Day 16: Hemis Festival in Leh Day 17: To Nubra Valley over the Khardung La pass (highest motorable pass in the world) Day 18: To Alchi Day 19: Return to Leh; Lamayuru Monastery, Basgo Castle Day 20: Fly back to Delhi Day 21: Depart Delhi
Departure Dates & Prices
Jun 30 - Jul 20, 2016 Jun 20 - Jul 10, 2017 -
$5295 USD $5395 USD
Activity Level: 2 Comfort Level: 8 days over 9,000 feet. Some rough, dusty roads and long drives.
Accommodations Comfortable hotels/guesthouses with private bathroom facilities. Homestay with basic accommodation in Himachal Pradesh (single accommodation may not be available). 1 night mobile tented camp stay in Sarchu with limited electricity and heating.
Experience a more remote, serene and spiritual India! See snowcapped Himalayan peaks as you traverse the world’s highest pass. Visit the holy Sikh ‘Golden Temple’. Savour the local culture of a home stay in a beautiful Himalayan valley and feel enlightened as you encounter Tibetan Buddhist monks, culture, monasteries and chants that echo through the mountains and valleys. We begin in Delhi, the capital of India, before taking a fast train to Amritsar where we visit the Golden Temple. The Golden Temple glitters with gold and marble and is one of the holiest Sikh shrines. Afterwards we drive up into the foothills of the Himalayas stopping at the 6th century town of Chamba. Experience a 3-night home stay in the Panj- La Valley, our base of exploration and tranquility. Set against the backdrop of mountains, we visit Dharamsala. Perched on the high slopes of the upper reaches of Kangra Valley, it is synonymous with the Tibetan government in exile and the home of Tibetan leader, His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. We drive over a series of dramatic mountain passes stopping in the towns of Jispa and Serchu before arriving into Leh, the most important town in the Ladakh region. Nestled in a valley of the Indus River and surrounded by snow-covered fringes of the Himalayas, Leh has a distinct character that transports us back in time. A major trading point where caravans came in from the distant lands of Yarkand, Kashgar, Tibet, Kashmir and northern India, the market once bustled with activity. Today, Leh is a center of Tibeto-Buddhist culture and has only been open to travelers since 1974. We travel over the spectacular Khardung La Pass at 18,274 ft (5,570 m) as we drive to Alchi to see the beautifully- preserved 900-year-old paintings. We have plenty of time to explore the colorful temples and gompas of the area, which reflect the culture of Tibet and are home to many ancient manuscripts, images of Buddha, icons, thangkas and stupas. We fly back to Delhi for a last day of sightseeing or shopping in the old and new cities before concluding this truly great adventure.
52
Nepal
Includes Spectacular
Everest flight
ANNAPURNA POKHARA/ dhampus
tibet
BANDIPUR NUWAKOT
CHITWAN dhamalgaon N. P. LUMBINI
india
MT. EVEREST
KATHMANDU BHAKTAPUR
NEPAL
Fact File • 18 land days • Maximum 16 travelers • Start and Finish in Kathmandu • All meals included • Includes 2 internal flights
Highlights
• Visit the ancient sites of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur • Enjoy your elephant safari in Chitwan searching for rhinos, tigers and other wildlife • Enjoy spectacular Himalayan views on your Everest Flight • Visit Lumbini, birthplace of Buddha • Explore the sites of Pokhara • Hike in the Annapurna Range
Daily Itinerary Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu Day 2: Everest Flight, Explore Bhaktapur & Patan Day 3: Fly to Lumbini Day 4: Lumbini - Birth place of Buddha
Days 5-6: Chitwan National Park Days 7-8: Pokhara Day 9: Dhampus, Fishtail Mountain views Day 10: Bandipur Day 11: Exploring Bandipur Day 12: Dhamalgaon Day 13: Seti River Day 14: River Rafting on Seti River; drive to Nuwakot Days 15: Local school visit in Nuwakot Day 16: Kathmandu Day 17: Exloring Kathmandu Day 18: Depart Kathmandu
Departure Dates & Price Oct 04 – Oct 21, 2016 - $4995 USD Apr 07 – Apr 24, 2017 - $4995 USD Oct 04 – Oct 21, 2017 - $4995 USD
Activity Level: 2/4 Comfort Level: Some rough roads,
long drives. 2 hikes (1 is optional) up to 4 hours including some steep uphill/ downhill on rough terrain.
Accommodations Comfortable hotels/guesthouses with private washrooms. Single Supplement rooms may not be available for 1 night in Dhampus due to remote and unique style of accommodation. Permanent Tented camp 1 night with shared facilities. Basic accommodations for 2 nights.
Everest, Cho Oyu, Makalu, Annapurna, Lhotse - these names have captured the imagination of adventurers for over a century. Nepal may be known for having the planet’s highest peaks but it also is graced with beautiful terraced hillsides, raging rivers, and vibrant green lowland jungles. These extraordinary natural features are complemented by the gracious welcome of the people of this Himalayan kingdom. Our adventure highlights the cultural and natural features of Nepal. Marvel at Durbar Square with its 1000-year old wooden buildings and take in the burning ghats at Pashupatinath. Explore Kathmandu’s smaller, more intimate sister city, Patan, and walk through the ancient streets of the restored capital of Bhaktapur. Visit Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha and enjoy a relaxing yet exciting day of rafting on the Seti River. On our mountain flight, fly next to the majestic Himalayas, and enjoy a breathtaking view of Mount Everest at over 29,000 feet. In Royal Chitwan National Park, go on safari by day and relax by night in the comfort of our charming jungle lodge. In Pokhara, view the famed Fishtail Peak, Machapuchare and enjoy moderate hikes surrounded by surreal and magical scenery. Please Note: This trip has an activity level rating no higher than a 2 for 16 of the 18 days. However, it can be considered a 4 based on only 2 days of more challenging hiking. 1 hike is optional, where hiking can be up to 3 to 4 hours including up to 45 minutes of uphill/downhill hiking on uneven and sometimes steep terrain. A second hike is mandatory for anyone who wants to do the white water rafting (rafting level 2 or 3). Hiking to the Seti River can be 3 to 4 hours with a mandatory 45 minutes of downhill hike on challenging terrain.
Call for our detailed itinerary: North America 1-800-741-7956 • UK 0808-234-1714 • www.eldertreks.com 53
ElderTreks group at Everest Base Camp
54
Includes
Everest Basecamp mt. kailash
tibet
nepal
shigatse lhatse lhasa tingri kathmandu tsedang gyantse rongbuk zhangmu mt. everest
Day 14: To Zhangmu Day 15: Through the Himalayas to Kathmandu Day 16: Exploring ancient Bhaktapur & Patan Day 17: Depart Kathmandu
Departure Dates & Prices
Fact File • 17 land days • Maximum 16 travelers • Start and finish in Kathmandu, Nepal • All meals included • Includes 1 internal flight
Highlights
• Explore Kathmandu, Nepal • Explore the Jokhang Temple, Drepung Monastery and Potala Palace in Lhasa • View Mount Everest at Base Camp • Meet Tibetan pilgrims and monks • Traverse the Tibetan Plateau and the Himalayas • See the sites of Gyantse and Shigatse • Visit (hike or drive) to Everest Base Camp
Daily Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu, Nepal Day 2: Kathmandu - Old City Day 3: Fly to Lhasa - Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Bazaar Day 4: Lhasa - Drepung and Sera Monasteris Day 5: Lhasa - Potala, Dragon Pool, Chagpori Hill Day 6: Lhasa - Norbulinka Day 7: Tsedang - Yambu Lakang Fort, Samye Monastery Day 8: To Gyantse via Kamba La and Karo La Pass Day 9: Palcho Monastery, Khumbum Stupa, to Shigatse Day 10: Shigatse Sites Day 11: Xegar; base of Mount Everest Day 12: Rongbuk Monastery - in the Shadow of Mt. Everest Day 13: Mt. Everest Base Camp Hike (driving option)
Oct 03 - Oct 19, 2016 May 12 - May 28, 2017 Oct 09 - Oct 25, 2017 -
$5995 USD $6195 USD $6195 USD
Activity Level: 2 Comfort Level: High Elevation - 10 days over 9,000 feet. Some rough/dusty roads and long drives. Temperatures can be cold at night at high altitude.
Accommodations
Comfortable hotels with private bathrooms. 1 night in communal Tibetan Yurt Tents at Everest Base Camp & 1 night in very basic guesthouse with non western shared bathrooms. NOTE: accommodations outside major cities can be quite basic compared to general Western standards. We encourage bringing a sleeping sheet and travel pillow.
Prayer flags flutter on wind-swept passes, snow-capped Himalayan peaks touch cobalt skies, plains of green barley and yellow canola shoulder treeless brown slopes and mountain monasteries echo the chants of monks. The sights and sounds of Tibet are fantastic and, for many, magnetic. Kathmandu is our rendezvous point, where we spend a day touring before taking a spectacular Himalayan flight
to Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. To help us acclimatize, we leisurely explore Tsedang and the burial site of the ancient kings. On our way to Lhasa, we visit Tibet’s first monastery, Samye, on the shore of the braided channels of the Yarlung Tsampo, the world’s highest river. In Lhasa, we see the towering 1,000-room Potala, the former winter palace of the Dalai Lama. We visit the religious sanctuaries of Sera, Drepung and the Jokhang, Tibet’s most religious structure. In the streets of Lhasa, we can walk with Tibetan pilgrims around one of the holiest paths in Tibet, the Barkhor. The journey continues to Gyantse and Shigatse, via the 14,600-foot Karo La Pass, overlooking Yamdrok Lake far below. In Gyantse, the Khumbum Stupa is open for the curious who want to view its 1,000 Buddhas. In Shigatse, we wander through the buildings of Tashilhunpo Monastery and observe the beautiful paintings and funerary pagodas of former Panchen Lamas. We continue our overland journey to Rongbuk Monastery, the highest in the world. From here, Mount Everest, or as the Tibetans call it, Qomolangma “Mother of the Earth” is a formidable and magnificent sight. At 29,035 ft (8, 850 m) Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world. Leaving the plateau, we descend through the Himalayas. The land becomes greener as we head into the Kathmandu Valley, concluding one of the world’s great overland journeys. Potala Palace
Call for our detailed itinerary: North America 1-800-741-7956 • UK 0808-234-1714 • www.eldertreks.com 55
Paro or Thimphu Festival Included
gangtok 1 5 4 3 kalimpong 2 darjeeling bhutan bagdogra phuentsholing 1 - thimphu india 2 - paro 3 - wangdi calcutta 4 - bumthang 5 - trongsa
Fact File • 21 land days • Maximum 16 travelers • Starts and ends in Calcutta • All meals included • Includes 2 internal flights
Highlights • In India, explore Darjeeling Hill Stations • Ceremonies, Dances and Parades of Paro or Thimphu Festivals • Explore Bumthang, Tamshing Lhakhang • Travel to Taktsang and Punakha Dzong • Visit the Kingdom of Sikkim and the Rumtek Monastery • See Mount Kanchenjunga, the world’s 3rd highest mountain
Daily Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Calcutta, India Day 2: Calcutta - Kalighat Kali Temple Day 3: Fly to Bagdogra, India - Tea Factory Day 4: Darjeeling - Mt. Kanchenjunga Day 5: Darjeeling - Mountaineering Institute Day 6: Gangtok, Sikkim Day 7: Gangtok - Institute of Tibetology
Day 8: Rumtek Monastery - Kalimpong, India Day 9: Phuentsholing, Bhutan Day 10: Spectacular drive to Thimphu
∆ Fall/Thimphu Festival Departures
Day 11: Thimphu Festival Day 12: Thimphu Day 13: To Punakha via Dochula Pass, Punakha Dzong Day 14: Punakha to Trongsa Day 15: To Bumthang Day 16: Bumthang - Jakar Dzong, Jambey Lhakhang, Tamshing Lhakhang Day 17: Bumthang - Wangdi Day 18: Wangdi - Paro
† Spring/Paro Festival Departures
Day 11: Sites of Thimphu Day 12: To Wangdi via Dochula Pass, Punakha Dzong Day 13: To Bumthang Day 14: Bumthang - Jakar Dzong, Jambey Lhakhang, Tamshing Lhakhang Day 15: Trongsa Day 16: Thimpu via Dochula Pass Day 17: To Paro Day 18: Paro Festival
Day 19: Hike to Taktsang Monastery Day 20: Fly to Calcutta, Farewell Dinner Day 21: Depart Calcutta
Departure Dates & Prices
† Mar 06 – Mar 26, 2016 - $7195 USD ∆ Oct 02 – Oct 22, 2016 - $7195 USD †* Mar 18 – Apr 07, 2017 - $7395 USD ∆* Sep 13 – Oct 03, 2017 - $7395 USD * Dates may change due to Festivals. Mt. Kanchenjunga - world’s 3rd highest
Activity Level: 2 Comfort Level: Elevation: 3 times
we drive over mountain passes just over 3000m/10000ft. Some rough/windy roads and long drives. Temperatures can be cold at night at high altitude so warm clothing is necessary.
Accommodations Comfortable hotels with private bathrooms. Land of the Peaceful Dragon - if ever there was an intriguing description of a country, this must be it. A land of friendly, devout Buddhists, mountain monasteries and snowcapped 22,000-foot peaks, Bhutan and its neighbors, Darjeeling and Sikkim, are the cultural explorer’s Philosopher’s Stone. Our trip begins with a short flight to Bagdogra, India. From here, we drive to the former hill station of Darjeeling, famous for its tea plantations, temperate climate and the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute. Views of Kanchenjunga (the world’s third highest mountain) and a visit to a tea factory feature prominently during our days in Darjeeling. In Sikkim, a kingdom formerly closed to tourists, be awe-inspired by spectacular views of mountain peaks. Experience a rare opportunity to mix with a traditional Himalayan community, considered by many to be the last Shangri-La. We travel to Bhutan along winding mountain roads. We visit Thimphu, the nation’s capital, and wander through markets, Buddhist temples and monasteries. We journey to Wangdi and visit the famous Punakha Dzong via the Duchola Pass, with its stunning views of the Himalayas. Add a visit to Paro, where one can hike to Taktsang Monastery and encounter Bhutan’s gentle and gracious people. It’s the perfect receipe for a magical itinerary set against the mystical backdrop of the majestic Himalayas. Our spring departure includes the colourful Paro festival with parades, dances and ceremonies while our fall departure features the similarly enchanting Thimphu festival.
Call for our detailed itinerary: North America 1-800-741-7956 • UK 0808-234-1714 • www.eldertreks.com 56
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Fact File • 27 land days • Maximum 16 travelers • Start in Almaty, Kazakhstan and finish in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan • All meals included • Includes 4 internal flights
Highlights • Experience Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Uzbek, Tajik, Turkmen and Russian cultures • Walk through the Silk Road cities of Bukhara, Samarkand and Khiva • Explore the ancient cities of Margush, Merv and Nissa • Marvel at the giant gas crater of Darwaza in the middle of the Karakum Desert • Enjoy one of Asia’s largest bazaars • Visit remote regions with stunning mountains and valleys
Daily Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Almaty Day 2: Almaty Day 3: To Chong Kemin Valley Day 4: Chong Kemin Valley to Lake Issyk-Kul
Day 5: To Karakol Day 6: Lake Issyk-Kul to Bishkek Day 7: Day Trip to Al Archa Park Day 8: To Osh Day 9: Osh, Sulaiman Too Sacred Mountain Day 10: To Khujand, Tajikistan Day 11: To Istarafshan Day 12: To Tashkent, Uzbekistan Day 13: Tashkent, To Samarkand Day 14: Samarkand Day 15: To Bukhara Day 16: Bukhara Day 17: Bukhara, Train to Khiva Day 18: Khiva Day 19: To Konya Urgench & Darwaza Day 20: To Ashgabat via Damla and Erbent desert settlements Day 21: Ashgabat, Archaeological Site of Nissa Day 22: Fly to Mary and ancient Merv Day 23: Margush - Bronze Age of Civilizations, Fly to Ashgabat Day 24: Ashgabat surroundings, Fly to Turkmenbashi and Awassa Day 25: Day trip to the canyons of Yangikala Day 26: Fly to Ashgabat Day 27: Departure from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Departure Dates & Prices Sep 19 - Oct 15, 2016 - $8495 USD May 15 - Jun 10, 2017 - $8695 USD Sep 18 - Oct 14, 2017 - $8695 USD Activity Level: 2 Comfort Level: Some rough roads, long drives.
Accommodations Comfortable accommodations with private bathrooms. 1 night basic accommodation (camping) with basic, tented facilities at giant gas crater of Darwaza. Quad accommodation on the train. No single accommodation available on the train.
The Stans of Central Asia- for thousands of years, these lands were sought after and conquered by some of the world’s greatest leaders from Alexander, Attila, Genghis Khan, Tamerlane, Babur, Cyrus and Darius of ancient Persia. Today it is the world’s greatest adventure seekers who are drawn to these exotic lands of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. Lands filled with harsh deserts, towering snow capped peaks, ancient cities and fortresses with exotic cultures. In Kyrgyzstan explore Lake Issyk-Kul and hike in stunning mountains. Explore Bishkek, the capital city and visit the ancient stone gods, which still remain a mystery. In Osh, visit one of the biggest bazaars in Central Asia and Sulaiman-Too Sacred Mountain (UNESCO). Enjoy the stunning scenery of Tajikistan. In Khujand, we visit the Citadel, Mausoleum, Madrassah, Mosque and Bazaar. Visit Istarafshan, one of the oldest cities in Tajikistan with 2,500 years of history. Visit the historic cities of Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva in Uzbekistan, evoking images of caravans travelling across deserts and over mountains linking the worlds of East and West. These open-air museums are beautifully preserved Silk Road wonders filled with mosques, tombs, monuments and bazaars. Crossing the border into Turkmenistan we will camp in the Karakum Desert overlooking a giant gas crater, one of the most unusual sights in the world. Explore Bronze Age Margush (2,500 - 1,500 B.C.) and Merv, a collection of 5 ancient cities that moved over the centuries as the river changed its course. Our journey leads us to Ashgabat, the splendid capital of Turkmenistan built predominantly of white marble, where we bid farewll to this incredible journey!
Call for our detailed itinerary: North America 1-800-741-7956 • UK 0808-234-1714 • www.eldertreks.com 58
Khiva
Samarkand
Taklamakan safari on Bactrian camels
60
The Silk Road China Yellow Hat sect Tibetans of Labrong Monastery
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Fact File • 23 land days • Maximum 16 travelers • Start in Xian and finish in Urumqi • Includes two overnight train journeys (soft sleeper compartment) two domestic flights • All meals included
Highlights • Terra Cotta Warriors in Xian • 5th century Buddhist temples at Bingling (UNESCO) • Labrang Monastery and the Yellow Hat sect Tibetans • Jaiyuguan and the Western end of the Great Wall of China • The Magao Grottos (UNESCO) of Dunhuang • Oasis town of Turpan and the 1st century ancient city of Gaochang • Camel safari in the Taklamakan Desert • The famed Sunday Market in Kashgar • Travel along the Karakoram Highway and visit the Khujerab Pass
Daily Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Xian Day 2: Terra-Cotta Warriors of Xian Day 3: Xian sites, fly to Lanzhou Day 4: To Bingling Grottos (UNESCO), to Xiahe Day 5: Labrang Monastery (Tibetan), train to Jiayuguan Day 6: Western Great Wall, Wei-Jin ancient tombs Day 7: To Dunhuang, Ten-ThousandBuddha Gorge Day 8: Mogao Grottoes, Train to Turpan
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Day 9: Ancient city of Idikut, Visit & lunch with a local Uighur community Day 10: Ancient City of Yargul, to Korla Day 11: To Kuche, city sites Day 12: Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves, Tianshan Great Canyon Day 13: To Hotan Day 14: Desert trekking with Bactrian Camels Day 15: Sunrise over the Dunes, to Hotan Day 16: Hotan Sites, to Yarkand Day 17: Ancient Capital of Yarkand, to Kashgar Day 18: Tashkurgan, Tajik Villages and Nomadic Herdsman Day 19: Khunjerab Pass-Highest International Border in the World, to Karakul Lake Day 20: Karakul Lake, to Kashgar Day 21: Kashgar’s Ancient Sunday Market Day 22: Urumqi, Heavenly Lake Day 23: Back Home
Departure Dates & Prices May 09 – May 31, 2016 Sep 05 – Sep 27, 2016 May 08 – May 30, 2017 Sep 04 – Sep 26, 2017 -
The ancient Silk Road was a route that connected Imperial Rome with China. For centuries, it was the main exchange between east and west, a conduit for religion and philosophy as well as goods and ideas. It was a place of great ancient cities as well as religious and spiritual centers of faith. Extending 4,000 miles (6,437 kilometers), the heart of the great Silk Road was China. Our adventure to a seldom-visited part of the forbidden kingdom starts in the old imperial capital of Xian, the terminus of the Silk Road. Terra Cotta warriors are a testimony to once powerful ancient armies. Evidence of the spread of Buddhism can be seen in the stunning carved grottos in Bingling (a UNESCO World Heritage site) as well as at Labrang Monastery, home to the yellow-sect Tibetans. We explore the ‘seldom-visited’ western portion of the Great Wall in Jiayuguan to witness the extent of Chinese efforts to protect their empire. The great Taklamakan desert may have instilled fear in the hearts of intrepid travelers of the past but we will enter this vast desert for a camel safari, stopping at a number of oasis towns. We conclude our adventure on the border of the great Pamir Mountain Range before visiting the Uighur town of Kashgar and the Famed Sunday Market before ending our tour in Urumqi. Join us as we explore the stunning landscapes, ancient sites and fascinating cultures on our Chinese Silk Road adventure.
$5995 USD $5995 USD $6195 USD $6195 USD
Activity Level: 3 Comfort Level: Some long drives
Accommodations
We stay in good accommodations — both hotels and guesthouses, with private bathroom facilities. The only exceptions are overnight train rides (2) and one night camping in the Taklamakan Desert.
Uighur men of Kashgar
Call for our detailed itinerary: North America 1-800-741-7956 • UK 0808-234-1714 • www.eldertreks.com 61
Call for our detailed itinerary: North America 1-800-741-7956 â&#x20AC;˘ UK 0808-234-1714 â&#x20AC;˘ www.eldertreks.com 62
china
great wall BEIJING
XIAN
YANGTSE RIVER
shanghai
CHONGQING WUHAN DAZU GUILIN HONG KONG
Day 10: Yangtze River Cruise - Yichang Three Gorges Dam Tour, To Wuhan Day 11: Wuhan - Train to Shanghai Day 12: Shanghai Day 13: Guilin Day 14: Guilin, Li River Cruise, Yangshuo Day 15: Fly to Hong Kong Day 16: Hong Kong - Victoria Peak Day 17: Depart Hong Kong
Departure Dates & Prices Sep 02 – Sep 18, 2016 Sep 08 – Sep 24, 2017 -
Fact File • 17 land days • Maximum 16 travelers • Start in Beijing, finish in Hong Kong • All meals included • Includes 4 internal flights • Includes train journey to Shanghai
Highlights • Walk on the Great Wall • 6 UNESCO sites • Discover the Forbidden City • Cosmopolitan city of Shanghai • See the Terra Cotta Warriors • Cruise the Yangtze Rivers Three Gorges and visit the dam • View the art in the Buddhist Caves at Dazu • Travel by boat on the Li River, Guilin • View Hong Kong from Victoria Peak
$4995 USD $4995 USD
Activity Level: 2 Comfort Level: Some long drives.
Accommodations Comfortable, well-located accommodations with private bathrooms throughout. Includes 3 nights on a Yangtze River cruise ship. China - 5,000 years of history. That alone is enough to draw most people to the Middle Kingdom. Imagine walking through a grand imperial monument such as the Forbidden City - truly a city within a city. In Xian, see the famed Terra Cotta Warriors, each unique face sculpted to last for eternity. Float down the
Yangtze River through the spectacular Three Gorges and in Guilin, see karst limestone peaks surrounded by rice paddies and the Li River. Our Classic Route to China travels through eastern China, showing you China’s major cultural and natural sites. We start in Beijing, one of the world’s great cities, where large squares and monuments grace grand boulevards. We explore Beijing’s hutong’s (alleys), to experience daily life in this ancient city. In Xian, one of the ancient capitals of China, we encounter the great wonder of the Terra Cotta Warriors, an Emperor’s funerary army built to protect him on his journey to the afterworld. A stunning display of craftsmanship, each soldier and horse are unique. See the famous Buddhist caves at Dazu and embark on a cruise through the Three Gorges for a stunning display of massive rock faces forged by the mighty Yangtze River. We take a high speed train Shanghai, then fly to Guilin to discover the sublime landscape, regarded by the Chinese as the most beautiful site in China. Limestone peaks are in contrast to the serenity of surrounding rice paddies simply spectacular! We finish our journey through Classic China with the cosmopolitan city of Hong Kong, to enjoy its splendid sites. Combines with Yunnan (China). Terra Cotta Warriors
Daily Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Beijing Day 2: Forbidden City, Beijing Opera Day 3: The Great Wall of China, Ming Tombs Day 4: Beijing, fly to Xian Day 5: Xian, Terra Cotta Warriors Day 6: Xian, fly to Chongqing Day 7: To Dazu, Buddhist Caves, Board Yangtze River Cruise Day 8: Yangtze River Cruise Day 9: Yangtze River Cruise, Shennong Stream 63
Includes
Tibetan plateau, Tacheng ‘Golden Monkey’ Reserve & UNESCO Panda Breeding Sancturary
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Fact File • 16 land days • Maximum 16 travelers • Start in Kunming, finish in Chengdu • All meals included • Includes 1 domestic flight
Highlights • Visit ancient Dali and Lijiang • See the Stone Forest • View the Upper Yangtse and Mekong • Explore Lijiang - a UNESCO World Heritage Site • Boat ride on Lake Erhai • Travel to the Tibetan Plateau • Visit the UNESCO Panda Breeding Sanctuary
Daily Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Kunming, China Day 2: Stone Forest and Kunming
Day 3: Western Hills and Kunming Day 4: Dali, Lake Erhai, Three Pagodas Day 5: Dali, Boat Cruise on Lake Erhai Day 6: To Shaxi Day 7: To Shangri-La Day 8: To Tacheng Nature Reserve Day 9: Search for Golden Monkeys, To Deqen via the Baimang Pass Day 10: Mingyomg Glacier, Feilai Temple Day 11: Explore the Tibetan-Himalayan Region, return to Shangri-La Day 12: To Lijiang, Tiger Leaping Gorge Day 13: Lijiang - Yufeng Temple, Traditional Naxi Village Day 14: Lijiang - Black Dragon Pool, fly to Chengdu Day 15: UNESCO Panda Breeding Sanctuary; Chengdu City Tour Day 16: Depart Chengdu
Departure Dates & Prices Apr 27 – May 12, 2016 Sep 18 – Oct 03, 2016 Apr 27 – May 12, 2017 Sep 24 – Oct 09, 2017 -
$3995 USD $3995 USD $3995 USD $3995 USD
Activity Level: 2 Comfort Level: 6 days over 9,000 feet. Some rough/dusty, windy roads and long drives.
Accommodations Comfortable hotels with private bathroom facilities.
In the 13th century, Marco Polo wrote of Kunming and Yunnan: “The capital city named Yachi is very great and noble. In it are found merchants and artisans with a mixed population of idolaters, Nestorian Christians, and Saracens or Mohametans. The land is fertile in rice and wheat...” Yunnan’s diversity of natural wonders includes Himalayan peaks, fertile valleys, tropical rainforests, tranquil lakes, nature reserves and thundering rivers. The snow-capped mountains and glaciers feed two of the world’s great rivers, the Mekong and the Yangtse. Culturally, the area is a veritable cornucopia of 24 colorful and exotic ethnic groups including Yi, Lisu, Bai, Naxi, Li and Tibetan. Starting in Kunming, we visit the Western Hills and a temple carved out of the mountainside. In the town of Dali, we explore ancient streets surrounded by remnants of the city wall that once protected inhabitants from invaders. In the background, the Cangshan Mountains rise to snowy heights. We cruise on beautiful Erhai Lake before traveling to the town of Lijiang and walking along footpaths over ancient canals and alongside merchant shops. We make our way to higher altitude as we begin our journey to Shangri-La (formerly called Zhongdian) and Deqen on the Tibetan Plateau. We encounter Tibetans in their traditional villages, plowing fields with yaks in this truly rugged, spectacular and seldom-visited Shangri-La. We also travel to Tacheng Nature Reserve in search of the very rare Yunnan Golden Monkey. Finally, we board a plane to Chengdu in Sichuan province, where we conclude our trip with a visit to the UNESCO Panda Breeding Sanctuary. Combines with Classic China.
Golden Monkey Call for our detailed itinerary: North America 1-800-741-7956 • UK 0808-234-1714 • www.eldertreks.com 64
Black Dragon Pool, Lijang 65
Naadam Festival
Includes The
Nadaam Festival
Karakoram ULAANBAATAR
Day 12: Naadam - Closing Ceremony Day 13: Fly to Gobi Desert - Yol Valley N.P. Day 14: Hongor Els - Singing Sand Dunes Day 15: Hongor Els - Singing Sand Dunes Day 16: Return to Ulaanbaatar, Bogd Khan Palace Day 17: Depart Ulaanbaatar
Departure Dates & Prices Fact File
beijing
• 17 land days • Maximum 16 travelers • Start & finish in Ulaanbaatar • All meals included • Includes 4 internal flights
Highlights • Feel the competitive excitement of the Naadam Festival • Enjoy beautiful Lake Hovsgol and the stunning Mongolian landscape • Explore Flaming Cliffs Dinosaur Site • Visit Erdene Zuu Monastery • Enjoy meeting welcoming Mongolians • Experience life in 13th century’s Mongolia • View the world’s tallest equestrian statue
Daily Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Ulaanbaatar Day 2: Hogno Han Day 3: To Karakoram - Ancient Capital of the Mongols Day 4: Przewalski Wild Horses, Return to Ulaanbaatar Day 5: Genghis Khan’s 13th Century ParkTerelj National Park Day 6: To Ulaanbaatar Day 7: Fly to Muron, Lake Hovsgol Day 8: Lake Hovsgol - Hiking, boat ride Day 9: Lake Hovsgol - Horseback and Yak Cart Riding (optional) Day 10: To Ulaanbaatar — Zanabazar Museum of Fine Arts Day 11: Naadam Festival - Competition & Ceremony
Jul 01 – Jul 17, 2016 - $6695 USD Jul 01 – Jul 17, 2017 - $6895 USD Please note: Itinerary sequence and dates are subject to change due to festival times, train and internal flight schedules, but all activities in this itinerary will be included.
Activity Level: 2 Comfort Level: Some rough/dusty
roads and long drives. Flexibility is key due to changing internal airline schedules.
Accommodations
Comfortable hotel in Ulaanbaatar with private bathrooms. Some basic accommodation in gers (Mongolian circular tents) with shared facilities. Singles not guaranteed in gers.. Grasslands extend to a horizon of cobalt-blue skies, pastel-hued rocks color the Gobi Desert and fast-flowing rivers cut deep canyons in arid steppes in this remote Asian nation land-locked between China and Russia. The people, descendants of Genghis Khan, are an
eclectic mix of rugged nomads, Buddhist monks, farmers and merchants. For the truly adventurous, Mongolia holds the promise of an exotic culture rarely visited by travelers. Starting in Ulaanbaatar, the tour uses the capital as a hub to visit the Gobi Desert, Lake Hovsgol and central Mongolia. In the Gobi, we visit the Flaming Cliffs, a world-class dinosaur site with remains so plentiful that dinosaur eggshells can still be found on the surface. In Yol Valley National Park, we experience a unique environment that includes 200 species of birds and 600 species of vegetation. We stay on the beautiful shores of Lake Hovsgol. Surrounded by mountains and forests, it contains three percent of the earth’s fresh water. In central Mongolia, we visit Gorkhi-Terelj and Bogd National Parks. In Karakoram, we discover the ruins of the ancient capital of the Mongols and in Ulaanbaatar, we walk through former royal palaces and visit the national museum. The highlight for many is the famous Naadam Festival. Full of ceremony, pomp and festive Mongolians, this event features the “Three Sports of Men” - archery, wrestling and horse racing. Our Mongolian odyssey concludes in Ulaanbaatar.
67
Angkor Wat
Call for our detailed itinerary: North America 1-800-741-7956 • UK 0808-234-1714 • www.eldertreks.com 68
Thailand & Cambodia Includes
Temples of Angkor
chiang mae mai sariang sukhothai
thailand kanchanaburi
bangkok
angkor
cambodia komphong thom
Phnom Penh
Fact File • 22 land days • Maximum 16 travelers • Start and finish in Bangkok • All meals included • Includes 4 internal flights
Highlights • Visit the floating market • Encounter remote Hilltribe villages • Visit the bridge over the River Kwai • See the Grand Palace and Temple of Dawn in Bangkok • Explore ancient Sukhothai on bicycle • Explore the temples of Angkor, including Bantai Srei • Visit the sites of Phnom Phen
Daily Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Bangkok Day 2: Bangkok - Grand Palace, Wat Pra Keo, Canal Trip Day 3: Bangkok - Flower Market, Jim Thompson’s House Day 4: Floating Market, To Kanchanaburi & the Bridge Over the River Kwai Day 5: Hike or Swim at Erawan Falls Day 6: To Sukhothai, Wat Mahadhat Day 7: Sukhothai - Ancient Temples of Classical Siam Day 8: To Lampang - Elephant Hospital, To Chiang Mai Day 9: To Chiang Mai - Elephant Work Camp, Orchid Nursery, Handicrafts, Kantoke Dinner Day 10: Chiang Mai - Thai Cooking Lessons, Wat Doi Suthep
Day 11: Chiang Mai - Wat U Mong, Old City by bicycle taxi Day 12: To Mae Sariang, Obluang N. P., Mae Ngao N.P., Bamboo Rafting Day 13: To Mae Hong Son, Kaew Komol cave, Hmong village Day 14: Mae Hong Son - Longtail Boat to the Long Neck Karen Hilltribe Day 15: Fly to Phnom Penh (via Chiang Mai & Bangkok) Day 16: Phnom Penh - Royal Palace, Killing Fields & Toul Sleng Day 17: To Komphong Thom, Visit Pre-Angkor Temples Day 18: Komphong Thom - Siem Reap (Angkor) Day 19: Explore the Grand Circuit of Angkor Wat Day 20: Angkor - Chhuk Village, Hike to Prasat Banteay Ampil Temple Day 21: Angkor - The Citadel of Women, fly to Bangkok Day 22: Depart Bangkok
Departure Dates & Prices Feb 02 - Feb 23, 2017 -
$5295 USD
Activity Level: 2 Comfort Level: Some rough roads.
Accommodations Comfortable hotels/lodges with private bathrooms. We invite you to discover two of Southeast Asia’s Ancient Kingdom’s - Thailand and Cambodia. From the Land of Siam to the Kingdom of the Khmers, these countries will fascinate you and leave you with a sense of astonishment. Visit ancient temples, hike through tropical jungles and meet warm, gracious people. Explore Bangkok’s impressive Grand Palace, Temple of Dawn and Wat Pho with its Reclining Buddha and enjoy traditional Thai dance. Visit the floating market and the River Kwai, with its infamous bridge. Stay on comfortable, floating bungalows on the river, set against a backdrop of jungle covered mountains. Explore the ancient capital of Sukhothai by bicycle. Visit an elephant workcamp and have
the opportunity to ride one of these magnificent animals . The relaxing northern capital of Chiang Mai will be our base for exploration. We offer a more active trek to visit the hilltribes but also offer something less active by road and river, as well as the delightful town of Mae Hong Son, set amongst the beautiful mountain scenery of the far northwest. You can also test your culinary skills during our Thai cooking class. Fly to Cambodia’s chaotic but fascinating capital, Phnom Phen, situated on the banks of the Mekong River. Visit opulent palaces and temples but also bear witness to the countries recent tragic history under the brutal rule of the Khmer Rouge. Travel to Cambodia’s enlightened period as we explore Angkor, the largest religious monument ever built, covering an area of 200 acres with its towers, terraces and causeways. Prepare to leave the outside world behind...travel through the world of Hindu mythology and arrive at the doorstep of the gods. The Khmer Empire reached its zenith of artistic expression and architecture with the building of Angkor. Built in the 12th century and abandoned in 1431, Angkor succumbed to the encroaching jungle until the great temple complex was rediscovered in 1860 by French botanist Henri Mahout. Angkor’s colossal size, detailed carvings, courtyards and avenues is nothing short of impressive and overwhelming. Our trip to ancient Thailand and Cambodia concludes with a flight back to Bangkok for our farewell dinner and departure.
69
Myanmar Now includes
Golden Rock Temple
Daily Itinerary
myanmar
mandalay
irrawaddy river bagan
heho
mount kalaw popa
kyaing tong
Golden Rock Temple
yangon
Fact File • 18 land days • Maximum 16 travelers • Start and finish in Yangon • All meals included • Includes 4 internal flights
Highlights • Visit the famed Shwedagon Pagoda and Golden Rock Temple • Meet ethnic ‘Hilltribe’ minorities • See the skillful leg rowers of Inle Lake • Visit ancient Bagan and its 2600 monuments • 3-day journey down the Irrawaddy River • Sunset on Mandalay Hill
Day 1: Arrive in Yangon Day 2: Yangon Sites - Shwedagon Pagoda Day 3: Fly To Kalaw Day 4: The Hill Station of Kalaw Day 5: Inle Lake Day 6: One Leg Rowers of Inle Lake Day 7: Fly to Kyaing Tong Day 8: Hill Tribes of Kyaing Tong Day 9: Mandalay Day 10: Former Royal Capitals and Monasteries Days 11-12: Begin 3-day Irrawaddy River Cruise Day 13: To Bagan (UNESCO) Day 14: Ancient sites & temples of Bagan Day 15: Mount Popa Day 16: Fly To Yangon, Golden Rock Day 17: Return to Yangon, Scott’s Market, Farewell Dinner Day 18: Depart Yangon
Departure Dates & Prices Jan 07 - Jan 24, 2016 - $4995 USD Feb 04 - Feb 21, 2016 - $4995 USD Mar 03 - Mar 20, 2016 - $4995 USD *Nov 04 - Nov 23, 2016 - $4995 USD *Dec 02 - Dec 21, 2016 - $4995 USD *Jan 06 - Jan 25, 2017 - $4995 USD *Feb 03 - Feb 22, 2017 - $4995 USD *Mar 03 - Mar 20, 2017 -$4995 USD *Follows new 20 day itinerary. Contact us or check our website for details.
Activity Level: 3 Comfort Level: Some rough roads and long drives.
Please note: Itinerary may run in reverse due to flight and boat schedule.
Accommodations
Comfortable hotels with private bathrooms. 2 nights basic accommodation in Kyaing Tong. 2 nights on the Irrawaddy Princess II, with private bathrooms. Myanmar is a vibrant tapestry of culture, history and geography. A delightful blend of diverse ethnic groups, graceful Buddhist monasteries, ancient pagodas welcome travelers to this exotic country. Bordering Thailand, Laos, India and China, Myanmar (previously known as Burma) is at the cultural crossroads of Southeast Asia. Our extensive itinerary has been designed to explore this country’s extraordinary cultural and geographic treasures to the fullest. Beginning in Yangon, we visit the opulent Shwedagon Pagoda, beautifully ensconced in gold. Travel back in time as we take in the breathtaking countryside and traditional riverside villages during our 3-day Irrawaddy River journey. In Bagan, we explore extensive archeological treasures, ancient pagodas, temples adorned with statues and mural paintings (there are over 2,600 monuments!). At Mount Popa, discover a shrine atop an extinct volcano and walk around the historical hill station of Kalaw. On Inle Lake, we travel by longtail boat to floating gardens, lakeside markets, monasteries and the ancient ruins of In Thein Pagoda. In Kyaing Tong, on the Shan Plateau, we trek to the hilltribe villages of the Akha, Arn, Lahu, Palaung and Wa people. This is your invitation to a sublime country inhabited by some of the friendliest people on earth.
Call for our detailed itinerary: North America 1-800-741-7956 • UK 0808-234-1714 • www.eldertreks.com 70
Bagan
New Itinerary
golden triangle chiang rai
Wat Phou
ban xang khong pac beng nong khiew luang prabang
sam nuea
plain of jars
vientiane
mekong river
pakse wat pho bangkok
khong island
Fact File • 21 land days • Maximum 16 travelers • Start & finish in Bangkok • All meals included • Includes 4 internal flights
Highlights • Explore the ancient Plain of Jars (UNESCO) • See the Majestic temples and sites of Luang Prabang (UNESCO) • The Mekong River & Khong Island • Visit the Cave City of Viengxay • Encounters with Hilltribe villages • Explore 10th century Khmer Ruins of Wat Phou
Daily Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Bangkok, Thailand Day 2: Fly to Chiang Rai, Golden Triangle Plain of Jars
Day 3: Enter Laos, Mekong boat journey to Pakbeng Day 4: Remote Mekong to Luang Prabang, Buddha Cave Day 5: Luang Prabang Day 6: Luang Prabang, Kuang Sy Waterfall, K’hmu Villages Day 7: Luang Prabang, Elephant Village Sanctuary Day 8: Luang Prabang to Nong Khiew Day 9: Boat journey to weaving village Day 10: Northern Heritage Route to Sam Neua Day 11: Viengxay Caves, Sam Neua sites Day 12: To Plain of Jars (Phonsavan) Day 13: Plain of Jars (UNESCO) Day 14: UXO and Organic Silk Farm (MAG optional) Day 15: Fly to Vientiane Day 16: Fly to Pakse Day 17: Mekong River, Pre-Angkorian Ruins of Wat Phou Day 18: Boat journey - Oum Muong, & Local villages Day 19: Khong Island, French Railway Pakse Day 20: Pakse, Fly to Bangkok Day 21: Departure
Departure Dates & Prices Jan 08 - Jan 28, 2016 - $4995 USD Jan 05 - Jan 25, 2017 - $5195 USD
Activity Level: 2 Comfort Level: Some rough/dusty roads and long drives.
Accommodations Comfortable hotels/lodges with private bathrooms.
The culture and traditions of Laos are the least changed among Southeast Asian countries and make it a mecca for those searching for a truly exotic adventure. Here, you will find ancient temples, exquisite scenery, an eventful history and exotic cuisine, all within the warm embrace of a welcoming people. We begin in Bangkok, Thailand, fly north to Chiang Rai and continue to the Golden Triangle before entering Laos. A two-day Mekong River journey takes us to remote hill tribe villages and mountainous jungles. We arrive in Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with some of the most beautiful and exotic temples in Asia. Our northern circuit continues to Pak Ou Cave (Buddha Cave) enroute to Nong Khiew. Enjoy a day trip to a beautiful, ‘weaving’ hill tribe village before we traverse the remote mountains to Sam Nua. Explore the fascinating caves of Vienxay, used as the headquarters of the Pathet Lao Revolutionary Movement during a virtual secret war. We visit the Plain of Jars (UINESCO) and ponder the great mystery of the thousands of 2,500-year-old stone jars. We fly to the nation’s capital, Vientiane to enjoy the eclectic mix of Lao, Thai, Vietnamese, French and American influences before flying south to Pakse where we embark on a 3day/2nt Mekong River journey aboard a traditional and elegant Mekong teak barge. Traveling south along the Mekong, we visit the majestic Khmer temple site of Wat Phou, built 200 years before Angkor Wat and the natural beauty of Khong Island. Our adventure concludes with a flight back to Bangkok.
Extensions
Angkor Wat - 5 land days: Explore one of the world’s greatest religious monuments. Built in the 12th century at the height of the Khmer Empire. Price: from
$995 USD
Call for our detailed itinerary: North America 1-800-741-7956 • UK 0808-234-1714 • www.eldertreks.com 72
Buddha Cave
73
Halong Bay 74
Features 3d/2n boat trip
on Halong Bay
hanoi
moon garden
cuc phuong n.p.
Daily Itinerary
Ha Tinh dong hoi the dmz
vinh moc hue da nang hoi an my son
dalat mekong delta
• Explore the old capital of Hue and stunning Hoi An (UNESCOs) • 3d/2nt boat trip on Halong Bay
ho chi minh city (saigon)
Fact File • 21 land days • Maximum 16 travelers • Start in Saigon, finish in Hanoi • All meals included • Includes 1 internal flight
Highlights • Visit the infamous Cu Chi Tunnels, China Beach and the Hanoi Hilton • Discover My Son (UNESCO) and ancient Cham temples • Explore the Mekong Delta by boat • Visit the Phong Nha Cave (UNESCO) Cham ruins
Day 1: Arrive in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh) Day 2: Cu Chi Tunnels, Saigon Sights Day 3: Mekong Delta Day 4: Floating Market, return to Saigon Day 5: Scenic drive to Dalat Day 6: Dalat Sites Day 7: Fly to Danang, To Hoi An Day 8: Hoi An (UNESCO) - by foot and by boat Day 9: My Son (UNESCO), Cham Towers Day 10: To Hue via China Beach, Perfume River Tombs by boat, Thien Mu Pagoda by cyclo Day 11: Ancient Capital of Hue Day 12: To DMZ, Hien Luong Bridge, Vinh Moc underground village Day 13: Phong Nha Cave Day 14: To Cuc Phuong via Ho Chi Minh Road Day 15: Cuc Phuong N.P, to Moon Garden Day 16: Moon Garden, Traditional Vietnamese Temples & Village Life Day 17: Hanoi Sites, Old Quarter by cyclo Day 18: To Halong Bay - 3d/2n Boat Journey Day 19: The Turquoise Waters and Limestone Islands of Halong Bay Day 20: Halong Bay, To Hanoi Day 21: Hanoi
Rice paddies tended by farmers in conical hats, a two-thousand-mile coastline with sandy beaches and mountains covered in the vibrant greens of lush tropical vegetation. Welcome to Vietnam, one of Southeast Asia’s most beautiful countries. We begin in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh). Explore the famous Cu Chi tunnel complex and the Mekong Delta, where we enjoy a riverboat trip on the Tein River. We drive to Dalat, known as the “City of Flowers”. Visit a silkworm workshop and see Dalat’s “Crazy House”, the former palace of the emperor Bao Dai. Traveling north to Hoi An, we explore this restored open-air museum and UNESCO World Heritage Site. In My Son, we learn about the Cham people, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After stopping at China Beach, we travel over the spectacular Hai Van Pass to Hue, the former ancient capital modeled after the Forbidden City in Beijing. While exploring Hue, we use cyclos (bicycle taxis) to visit the Citadel, Vietnam’s Forbidden City and the local Dong Bay market. Continuing north, we visit the first national park in Vietnam, Cuc Phuong before driving to Moon Garden, a unique and traditional oasis of Vietnamese temples & rural village life. Enjoy the sites of Hanoi, amidst shaded streets, French colonial architecture and the surrounding lakes of the downtown core. In Halong Bay, enjoy 3d/2n aboard our comfortable barge navigating the turquoise waters amid spectacular, cliff-faced islands, enjoying incredible seafood feasts before returning to Hanoi for our farewell dinner.
Departure Dates & Prices Feb 20 - Mar 11, 2016 - $5395 USD Nov 06 - Nov 26, 2016 - $5395 USD Feb 20 - Mar 12, 2017 - $5395 USD
Activity Level: 2 Comfort Level: Some long drives and travel on traditional boats.
Accommodations Comfortable hotel/lodges with private bathrooms. Features 2 nights on a boat on Halong Bay. 75
Grand southeast asia Thailand, Cambodia,vietnam, laos & myanmar Temples of Bagan
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â&#x20AC;˘ 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites â&#x20AC;˘ Bangkok - Grand Palace, Temple of Dawn, Thailand â&#x20AC;˘ Cooking Classes in Vietnam and Thailand â&#x20AC;˘ Rangoon - Shwedagon Temple, Myanmar â&#x20AC;˘ Temples and Pagodas of Angkor Wat, Luang Prabang, Mandalay & Bagan â&#x20AC;˘ 2-day Mekong River journey, Laos â&#x20AC;˘ Spectacular Halong Bay, Vietnam â&#x20AC;˘ Remote hilltribe villages â&#x20AC;˘ See the famous one legged rowers on Inle Lake
Daily Itinerary
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Fact File â&#x20AC;˘ 32 land days â&#x20AC;˘ Maximum 16 travelers â&#x20AC;˘ Start in Bangkok, Thailand and Finish in Yangon, Myanmar â&#x20AC;˘ All meals included â&#x20AC;˘ Includes 8 flights
Halong Bay
Highlights
Day 1: Arrive in Bangkok, Thailand Day 2: Bangkok - Grand Palace, Reclining Buddha, Canal Journey Day 3: Fly to Siem Reap, Ancient Temples of Angkor Day 4: Angkor Wat - (UNESCO) Day 5: Angkor - Banteay Srei, Fly to Phnom Penh Day 6: Phnom Penh Day 7: Boat Journey to Can Tho, Vietnam
Bayon Temple - Angkor Call for our detailed itinerary: North America 1-800-741-7956 â&#x20AC;˘ UK 0808-234-1714 â&#x20AC;˘ www.eldertreks.com
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Day 8: Mekong Delta Boat Journey, Floating Market, Ho Chi Minh City Day 9: Cu Chi Tunnels, Ho Chi Minh City, Fly to Danang Day 10: Hoi An (UNESCO) Day 11: Hoi An - Life on the River Day 12: To Hue (UNESCO) via China Beach, Imperial Forbidden City Day 13: Perfume River Boat Trip - Royal Tombs- Fly to Hanoi Day 14: Hanoi to Halong Bay (UNESCO) Day 15: To Hanoi, Water Puppet Performance Day 16: Sites of Hanoi, Old Quarter Day 17: Fly to Luang Prabang, Waterfall & Hilltribes Day 18: Luang Prabang Walking Tour (UNESCO) Day 19: Luang Prabang - Kuang Sy Waterfall, K’hmu Villages Day 20: Mekong River Journey, ‘Caves of a Thousand Buddhas’ Day 21: Mekong River Journey to Thailand Day 22: Golden Triangle to Chang Mai: Elephant Camp Day 23: Wat Doi Suthep & Thai Cooking Lessons Day 24: Fly to Mandalay Day 25: Mandalay, Irrawaddy River Cruise Day 26: Irrawaddy River Cruise Day 27: Irrawaddy River Cruise, Arrival in Bagan, Temple sites Day 28: Ancient Temples Day 29: Fly to Inle Lake Day 30: Indein Pagoda, Fly to Yangon Day 31: Yangon Sites Day 32: Depart Yangon
Departure Dates & Prices *Jan 05 - Feb 05, 2016 Jan 05 - Feb 05, 2017 -
$9995 USD $9995 USD
*2016 departure is also 32 days in length, yet follows a slightly different itinerary.
Activity Level: 2
Comfort Level: Some rough/dusty
roads and long drives. Flexibility is key due to changing internal airline schedules.
Accommodations
Comfortable hotels with private bathrooms. The land of a thousand smiles, ancient temples, five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, exotic and welcoming cultures, hilltribe villages, colorful markets and stunning scenery. ElderTreks’ Grand Southeast Asia Adventure offers the best of Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar. Our journey begins in Bangkok. Marvel at the amazing Grand Palace complex and the Temple of Dawn before taking a long-tail boat ride on the back canals of the Chao Phrya River. Fly to Siem Reap, gateway to the fantastic ancient temples of Angkor. Visit the most impressive ruins: Bayon Temple, Banteay Srei, the “Citadel of Women”, Terrace of the Elephants, Angkor Thom and much more. Enjoy a performance of classical Cambodian dance. We fly to Phnom Penh to begin our river journey along the Mekong into Vietnam.
two-day Mekong River journey into the remote regions of northern Laos. We return to Thailand via the Golden Triangle and on to the northern city of Chiang Mai for Thai cooking lessons and a visit to Doi Suthep overlooking the city. Fly to Mandalay and visit the most revered religious monuments in Myanmar as well as hand-woven silk and tapestry workshops. Bagan’s countryside is the perfect backdrop for its 2,600 ancient temples. Our adventure continues in Yangon, Myanmar with visits to the city’s main attractions, including one of the most opulent temples in the world, the Shwedagon Pagoda. We hope you can join ElderTreks’ adventure which visits Southeast Asia’s greatest treasures - truly a journey of a lifetime.
In Vietnam, spend a relaxing day meandering through the rivers and canals of the Mekong Delta. Visit the infamous Cu Chi Tunnels before seeing the highlights and energy of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). Walk the streets of Hoi An - a “living museum” (UNESCO). Meander through treelined streets, past French colonial architecture and the old-quarter of Hanoi by cyclo and explore the thousands of limestone islands in the warm turquoise water of Halong Bay. Fly to Luang Prabang (UNESCO) and discover some of Southeast Asia’s most beautiful temples. Embark on a
Call for our detailed itinerary: North America 1-800-741-7956 • UK 0808-234-1714 • www.eldertreks.com 77
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Fact File • 18 land days • Maximum 16 travelers • Start in Kuching, finish in Kota Kinabalu • All meals included • Includes 6 internal flights
Highlights • Lemanak River safari • Tribal Iban Culture & Adventure • Mulu National Park and Caves • Kinabalu National Park / Hot Spring • Rainforest Canopy Walk • Orangutan sanctuary • Kinabatangan River & Wildlife
Daily Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Kuching Day 2: Sarawak Cultural Village Day 3: Lemanak River Safari Day 4: Journey to Iban Culture Day 5: River Safari Day 6: Explore Colonial Kuching
Selingan “Turtle”Island
Day 7: To Mulu National Park Day 8: Mulu N. P. - Lang and Deer Caves Day 9: Mulu National Park - Moonmilk and Clearwater Caves Day 10: To Kota Kinabalu Day 11: Islands of Gaya and Manukan Day 12: Kinabalu National Park - Poring Hot Springs Day 13: Kinabalu National Park, Kundasang War Memorial Day 14: Fly to Sandakan, Boat to Selingan ‘Turtle’ Island Day 15: Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary Day 16: Kinabatangan River Wildlife Day 17: Gomantong caves, to Sandakan Day 18: To Kota Kinabalu
Departure Dates & Prices Mar 12 – Mar 29, 2017 - $5395 USD Nov 01 – Nov 18, 2017 - $5395 USD
Activity Level: 3 Comfort Level: Some rough roads and travel on traditional boats.
Accommodations Comfortable hotels/lodges with private washrooms. Features 2 nights in a tribal longhouse with shared bathroom. Single accommodation not available in longhouse. The jungles of Borneo have evolved over 100 million years. They are the oldest on earth and provide a unique opportunity to experience
an ancient ecosystem along with the tribal cultures that inhabit them. A rugged land of caves, peaks, rivers and forests, Borneo is an irresistible paradise for adventure travelers. Beginning in the old colonial city of Kuching, we head into the interior on our longboat adventure on the Lemanak River. Traveling upriver, we visit the tribal Iban, who have lived in their communal longhouses in the jungle for thousands of years. We continue our jungle experience by flying to world-renowned Mulu National Park. Here, we explore the world’s largest cave passage and oldest rainforests from the base of our comfortable lodge. We fly to Sabah in the far north of Borneo, where we enjoy easy hikes at the base of Mt. Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Southeast Asia. Mt. Kinabalu houses celebrated biological diversity, including the rafflesia, the world’s largest flower. We visit the tropical islands of Gaya and Manukan. Traveling via Sandakan, we take a boat to Selingan Island to observe sea turtles come ashore nightly to lay their eggs. At the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary, we arrive in time for the orphan orangutans’ afternoon feeding. The tour winds down on the tranquil Kinabatangan River, where we go on a river safari in search of proboscis monkeys, hornbills and wild elephants.
Iban elder
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New 20 Day Itinerary Including Krakatoa Day 8: Minangkabau medan Highlands - Padang brastagi Sidenpuan lake Day 9: Bukittinggi padang toba sidempuan Day 10: Cultural equator West Sumatra and bukittinggi the Singgalang Walk padang Day 11: Bukittinggi and sumatra the Minangkabau Culture Day 12: Sianok Canyon, the Great Wall, Japanese way kampas Tunnels lampung jakarta Day 13: To Padan, krakatoa fly to Jakarta, drive carita to Carita, overnight Day 14: Speedboat to Krakatoa, hike to viewpoint, drive to Fact File Lampung • 20 land days Day 15: To Way Kampas National Park, • Maximum 16 travelers Night Walk • Start in Medan and finish in Jakarta Day 16: In Search of Sumatran Rhinos, • Includes 2 internal flights Tigers & Elephants • All meals included Day 17: Jungle Boat Journey Highlights Day 18: Lampung, Farewell Dinner • Visit an Orangutan sanctuary Day 19: To Jakarta • Enjoy an elephant safari in Tangkaha Day 20: Departure • See the mountains, jungle and volcanoes of Sumatra Departure Dates & Price • Hike through rural villages Apr 01 - Apr 20, 2016 - $4995 USD • Learn about the Batak of Lake Toba Jul 01 - Jul 20, 2016 - $4995 USD • Explore Bukittinggi and learn about it’s Oct 16 - Nov 04, 2016 - $4995 USD matrilineal society Feb 09 - Feb 28, 2017 - $5195 USD • Journey to Krakatoa and climb ‘Child of’ Apr 11 - Apr 30, 2017 - $5195 USD Krakatoa Jul 07 - Jul 26, 2017 - $5195 USD • Search for Sumatran elephants, tigers Oct 16 - Nov 04, 2017 - $5195 USD and rhinos in Way Kampas
bukit lawang
malaysia
Daily Itinerary Day 1: Arrival in Medan Day 2: Drive to Bukit Lawang Day 3: Orangutan Rehabilitation Reserve & Elephants of Tangkaha Day 4: Jungle Hike. To Brastagi Day 5: Lake Toba - Samosir Island Day 6: Lake Toba Day 7: Lake Toba Boat Excursion
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Activity Level: 3 Comfort Level: Some rough roads and long drives.
Accommodations Comfortable, well-located accommodations with private bathrooms throughout. 3 nights in our remote Ecolodge in Way Kampas with ceiling fans but no air conditioning.
The lush island of Sumatra, fifth largest in the world, is one of Indonesia’s most important islands and perhaps its most beautiful. With its many tribes, cultures, wildlife reserves, jungles, rivers, spectacular waterfalls and crater lakes, the island is a joy for any traveller interested in natural beauty and diverse cultures. It is a truly extraordinary destination with its remarkable wealth of sights, sounds and smells, all set within some of the most beautiful landscapes to be seen anywhere. While in Sumatra, we travel south along the spine, the rugged Bukit Barisan mountain range, exploring a number of fantastic sights and cultures enroute. These include the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre (“Bukit Lawang”) and Elephants of Tangkaha, as well as spectacular Lake Toba and the Batak Highlands, where the proud Batak people migrated from the Himalayan foothills of upper Burma and Thailand over 1,500 years ago. We continue south crossing the equator while enjoying the dramatically terraced Minangkabau Highlands in West Sumatra, home to one of the few remaining matrilineal societies in the world and the cultural heart of West Sumatra. We fly south to Jakarta as we cross the Sunda strait by speedboat to Krakatoa and Anak (child of...) Krakatoa. The famous 1883 massive eruption created a powerful tsunamis and changed the earths climate for several years. Part of the steep rim of Krakatoa remains and in 1927, out of the collapsed caldera, emerged the volcanic island know today as Anak Krakatoa. We land on Anak Krakatoa and climb to a spectacular viewpoint. We continue to Way Kampas Nat’l Park, which is home to Sumatran elephants, tigers and rhinos as well as a myriad of birdlife and other wildlife. We explore the park on foot, by jeep and by boat. We depart for Lampung for our last night in Sumatra before flying to Jakarta for your homeward flights or to join our Java, Bali & Komodo adventure. Combines with Java & Bali.
Sumatran Rhino Call for our detailed itinerary: North America 1-800-741-7956 â&#x20AC;˘ UK 0808-234-1714 â&#x20AC;˘ www.eldertreks.com 81
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Java & Bali
New 20 Day Itinerary Including Komodo Island surabaya borobudur mt. prambanan bromo menjangan is. yogyakarta java bali banyuwangi candidasa ubud denpasar
Fact File • 20 land days • Maximum 16 travelers • All meals included • Start in Yogyakarta and finish in Denpasar • Includes 3 internal flight
Highlights • Discover Borobudur temple • Wander through the temple complex of Prambanan • Sunrise hike to the crater of Mount Bromo • Enjoy a 2 day boat journey to see Komodo Dragons • Swim or snorkel at Menjangan Island Reef (scuba diving available; not included) • Explore Ubud, the cultural center of Bali • Experience the arts, dance and culture of Bali
Daily Itinerary Day 1: Arrival Day 2: Ancient Hindu Temple of Prambanan Day 3: Yogyakarta - Artistic Heart of Java Day 4: Sunrise at Borobudur - World’s largest Buddhist Temple Day 5: To Mt. Bromo Day 6: Volcanic Landscape of Mt. Bromo Day 7: Bromo Sunrise, to Bali Day 8: Bali Barat National Park & Menjangan Island Day 9: To Mt. Batur & Ubud Day 10: Bali Bird Park Day 11: Traditional Home & Dinner with a local Balinese Family Day 12: Ubud - the Arts of Bali
Day 13: Ubud, Besakih Temple, to Candidasa Day 14: Candidasa: Tirtagganga & Pasir Putih Day 15: Candidasa, fly to Flores Day 16: Dance Ceremony of the Manggaraia Day 17: Komodo Dragon Adventure to Rinca Island by overnight boat Day 18: Komodo Island, snorkeling, return to Flores Day 19: Fly to Bali, Farewell Dinner Day 20: Departure
Departure Dates & Prices Apr 20 – May 09, 2016 Jul 20 – Aug 08, 2016 Nov 04 – Nov 23, 2016 Feb 28 - Mar 19, 2017 Apr 30 - May 19, 2017 Jul 26 - Aug 14, 2017 Nov 04 - Nov 23, 2017 -
$4995 USD $4995 USD $4995 USD $5195 USD $5195 USD $5195 USD $5195 USD
Activity Level: 2 Comfort Level: Some rough roads and long drives.
Komodo Dragon
komodo is. labuan bajo
flores
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Accommodations Comfortable, well-located accommodations with private bathrooms throughout. We begin on the famed island of Java, and start our tour in the historic capital of Yogyakarta, which is also the cultural and craft centre of Java. On a series of day trips, we shall explore the unbelievable ruins of Borobudur - the world’s largest Buddhist temple, and the equally impressive Hindu Temple of Prambanan. At Mount Bromo we will watch the magnificent sunrise on the volcano, with an optional hike to the rim. We continue to the exotic island of Bali, where we will divide our time between the artistic and cultural center of Ubud, and the beachside towns of Permuteran and Candidasa. While in Northern Bali, we will have the opportunity to either visit the fascinating yet seldom visited Bali Barat National Park, (particularly good for those interested in birdlife), or join a trip to Menjangan Island, with its spectacular snorkeling and swimming. The pace slows down at Candidasa, as we take traditional fishing boats to a white sand beach with crystal blue water for swimming. Fly to Flores for a cultural experience with a Manggaraia village followed by a 2 day boat journey to Rinca and Komodo islands to see the famed Komodo Dragon, which can grow up to 12 ft long, making it the world’s largest lizard. We return to Bali for our farewell dinner and to reflect on an exotic journey of a lifetime! Combines with Sumatra.
Call for our detailed itinerary: North America 1-800-741-7956 • UK 0808-234-1714 • www.eldertreks.com 83
Singsing Festival
84
Includes
Singsing Festival
Departure Dates & Prices
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Aug 18 – Sep 07, 2016 - $11,995 USD Sep 13 – Oct 03, 2016 - $11,995 USD Aug 10 – Aug 30, 2017 - $11,995 USD Price includes $1400 USD of domestic air.
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Fact File • 21 land days • Maximum 16 Travelers H\Z[YHSPH • Start and finish in Port Moresby • All meals included • Includes 5 internal flights
Highlights
• Encounter the Asaro Mudmen, the Wahgi, Simbu, Kaguel, Melpa and Trobriand Islanders tribes • “Singsing” cultural event at Mt. Hagen or Goroka • Visit the remote Trobriand Islands • 3-day Sepik River tour by wooden canoe
Daily Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Port Moresby Day 2: Port Moresby to Mt. Hagen Days 3-4: Mt. Hagen Cultural Show Day 5: Mt. Hagen and Kumul Lodge Day 6: Mt. Hagen to Goroka Day 7: Goroka Day 8: Goroka to Madang Day 9: Madang Day 10: Fly to Wewak Day 11: To Sepik River Day 12: Sepik River Excursion Day 13: Sepik River, Return to Wewak Day 14: To Port Moresby Day 15: Fly to Louisa, Kiriwina Island, Trobriand Islands Day 16: Kiriwina Island, Trobriand Isles Day 17: Kaibola Village, Trobriand Islands Day 18: Return to Port Moresby Day 19: Port Moresby City Tour Day 20: Virirata National Park Day 21: Depart Port Moresby
Activity Level: 2 or 3 Comfort Level: 2 days over 8,000 feet. Local roads can be rough and wet. Travelers must be flexible and prepared for day-to-day changes. Some areas are very primitive.
Accommodations On Sepik adventure, basic dormitory accommodation (bush longhouses) with limited bathing and toilet facilities. Trobriand Island accommodation, basic with private facilities. Up to 6 nights single supplement not available. Papua New Guinea is like no other place on earth - culturally rich and geographically remote, with some of the most stunning scenery anywhere. From the rugged mountains to the coastal islands, this journey is an adventure of a lifetime. We meet and learn about some of the tribal people of this land including the Asaro Mudmen, the Wahgi, the Simbu, the Kaguel, the Melpa and the fascinating Trobriand Islanders. Our adventure includes many village visits so that we can really meet the people and experience their way of life.
We explore the Sepik River by wooden canoe and spend 3 nights on Kiriwina Island (part of the Trobriand Islands), where people live a traditional lifestyle. Our August departure features the Mt. Hagen Singsing, where the tribes come from all over Papua New Guinea for a two-day spectacular “singsing” - a traditional song and dance festival complete with traditional tribal clothing and body decoration. Our September departures feature the Garoka singsing festival. Throughout our journey, we encounter amazing birdlife, lush flora, stunning scenery and some of the most fascinating tribal people on earth. Please Note: Papua New Guinea is one of the most culturally interesting places on earth, with many of its tribal people following a traditional life-style. This adventure has been designed to experience the villages and people of Papua New Guinea. In order to do this, we visit a number of local villages and we overnight in one village. There are overnight stays where the accommodation is very basic; it can be dormitory style and have no fans/ air conditioning and very limited facilities. As much of the interior of the country has no roads or impassable ones, we maximize our time by flying from location to location and flight schedules frequently change. While we endeavor to do/see everything listed in the itinerary, nothing in Papua New Guinea goes as planned, so travelers must be prepared for changes to this program as we travel.
Hornbill
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Sailing In The Remote Marquesas islands Now Includes
Bora Bora MARQUESAS ARCHIPELAGO
nuku hiva
FRENCH POLYNESIA
ua huka ua pou
TUAMOTU ARCHIPELAGO rangiroa
hiva oa tahuata takapoto fatu hiva
bora bora papeete tahiti
Fact File • 14 days • Start and finish in Papeete, Tahiti • All meals on ship and land included • Guided excursions included • Scuba diving, horseback riding, deep sea fishing tours available at additional cost
Highlights
• Scuba diving, horseback riding, helicopter tours available at additional cost • Visit volcanic amphitheater in Nuku Hiva Bay • Visit grave site of Paul Gauguin on Hiva Oa • Visit Fatu Hiva, center of Marquesian culture • Discover island of wild horses — Ua Huka
Daily Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Papeete, Tahiti Day 2: Tuamotu Archipelago — Takapoto Day 3: At Sea Day 4: Arrival to the Marquesas Archipelago, Island of Nuku Hiva; Traditional Marquesas lunch in the village of Hatiheu
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Day 5: Ua Pou – Marquesas lunch Day 6: Tahuata (Vaitahu) and Hiva Oa (Atuona) Day 7: Fatu Hiva Day 8: Hiva Oa Day 9: Ua Huka (Vaipaee-Hane-Hokatu) Day 10: Nuku Hiva (Taiohae) and Ua Pou Day 11: At Sea Day 12: Tuamotu Archipelago - Rangiroa Day 13: Society Islands - Bora Bora Day 14: Morning arrival in Papeete, Tahiti
Departure Dates Jan 16 - Jan 29, 16 Feb 06 - Feb 19, 16 Feb 27 - Mar 11, 16 Mar 19 - Apr 01, 16 Apr 09 - Apr 22, 16 Apr 30 - May 13, 16 May 21 - Jun 03, 16 Jun 11 - Jun 24, 16 - 10% off Jul 02 - Jul 15, 16 Jul 23 - Aug 05, 16 Aug 13 - Aug 26, 16 *Sep 03 - Sep 16, 16 - 10% off Sep 24 - Oct 07, 16 Oct 15 - Oct 28, 16 Nov 05 - Nov 18, 16 Nov 26 - Dec 09, 16 Dec 17 - Dec 30, 16 Call for 2017 Dates. * 10% discount for Standard Cabins only.
2016 Prices
Stateroom from - $4678 USD Deluxe cabin from - $5373 USD Superior cabin from - $5655 USD All cabins based on twin share with private bathrooms. The price does not include Tourism Tax, Port/Cruise fees (approx $300), fuel surcharge and transfers. This trip is not exclusive to ElderTreks.
Comfort Level: Seas can be rough. Shore landings (using traditional style whaleboats) required
Accommodations Travel aboard the upscale passenger & cargo freighter, Aranui 5. Cabins range from standard staterooms to deluxe and a variety of suites with private facilities. The lush, jagged volcanic islands of the Marquesas are French Polynesia’s most spectacular island chain. You can imagine their raw beauty, the welcoming people and their mysterious stone tikis by reading the adventures of Paul Gauguin, Herman Melville, Jack London, Robert Louis Stevenson and Thor Heyerdahl. Today, there is no better way to explore these enchanting islands than by passenger/freighter. Your days will be filled with adventure, as we journey to the Tuamotu and Marquesas Islands. Well-trained guides will take you hiking to ancient archaeological sites. Enjoy swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving and horseback riding. You’ll visit charming villages and see local artisans making intricately-carved wooden bowls, war clubs and tapa — a traditional bark cloth. Very little has changed in these untouched islands. Visitors are rare but very welcome!
Aranui 5 The Aranui 5 is a new, custom-built, dual-purpose passenger/freighter. Designed to offer all of the comforts of a cruise liner, while operating as a supply ship, Aranui 5 is classified as a small vessel, accommodating approximately 254 passengers and 103 cabins. The ship features a restaurant, 2 lounges, 2 conference rooms, 4 bars, an outdoor pool, a boutique, a massage room and a gym. Passenger accommodations range from Premium exterior staterooms, more than 90 percent with a private balcony, to Standard exterior staterooms.
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auckland waitomo
rotorua
lake taupo abel tasman n.p punakaiki
picton
wellington
kaikoura franz josef fox glacier milford wanaka sound queenstown
Fact File • 18 land days • Maximum 16 travelers • Start in Auckland, finish in Queenstown • All meals included
Highlights • Visit Waitomo glow-worm caves • Attend a Maori concert • Hike and kayak in Abel Tasman National Park • Jetboat ride on the Shotover River • Travel to Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier • Cruise on Milford Sound
Daily Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Auckland Day 2: Auckland Sites Day 3: Waitomo & Ruakuri Caves, Rotorua
Abel Tasman
Day 4: Rotorua, Maori Feast Day 5: Rotorua, Huka Falls, to Taupo Day 6: Tongaririo River Rafting, Wellington Day 7: Wellington Sites Day 8: Ferry to Picton, Nelson Day 9: Abel Tasman National Park Kayak, Seals & Walking Tour Day 10: Golden Bay Day 11: Nelson Day 12: Punakaiki Day 13: Franz Josef Glacier & Fox Glacier Day 14: Mountains, Lakes & Glaciers, to Wanaka Day 15: Queenstown Day 16: Te Anau, Milford Sound Day 17: Queenstown - Shotover Jet Boat Ride Day 18: Depart Queenstown
Departure Dates & Prices
Feb 01 – Feb 18, 2016 Feb 01 – Feb 18, 2017 -
$7995 USD $7995 USD
Activity Level: 3/4 Comfort Level: Some long drives.
Accommodations Comfortable hotels/lodges with private bathrooms. Spectacular natural wonders, cosmopolitan cities, friendly people, a comfortable climate... all elements of the perfect travel destination - New Zealand. On this active trip, explore caves, geothermal areas and
Kea bird
glaciers. Experience the thrill of white-water rafting, the exhilaration of a jetboat ride and learn about the fascinating Maori culture. On the North Island, travel to Waitomo and the fairytale glow-worm caves and explore the Cave of the Spirit “Te Ana o te Atua”. Experience the boiling mud pools and geysers of Whakarewarewa, the origin of the Goddesses of Fire. We cover over sixty rapids as we go white-water rafting on the Tongaririo River! We cruise through the beautiful Marlborough Sounds to the South Island and continue to Abel Tasman National Park, where we spend time hiking and kayaking. We see Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier before continuing on to Queenstown and a thrilling jet-boat ride on the Shotover River. We marvel at spectacular Milford Sound where we take a cruise along the fjord to majestic Mitre Peak, before concluding our adventure in Queenstown.
Kiwi
Call for our detailed itinerary: North America 1-800-741-7956 • UK 0808-234-1714 • www.eldertreks.com 88