DISCOVER EXTRAORDINARY steppestravel.com 1
Condé Nast Top 5 BEST TRAVEL SPECIALISTS in the World 2023
2 Discover Extraordinary
LET’S BEGIN SEE THE WORLD YOUR WAY
Exploration and discovery are an intrinsic part of human nature. As pioneers in travel, we’re committed to creating travel experiences that’ll take you to places you’ve never been before – emotionally, spiritually, spatially. From Galapagos wildlife cruises to exploring the bazaars of ancient Jaipur, from exploring the white wilderness of Antarctica to navigating the Okavango Delta by mokoro. Knowledge of place; expertise in taking you there and bringing you home; and curiosity for the world, for you, your passions. Together they drive us to design and weave Beautiful Adventures and remarkable holidays tailored perfectly to you. Are you ready to Discover Extraordinary?
steppestravel.com 3
WHAT KIND OF TRAVELLER
ARE YOU? Wherever your interests lie, and however you like to travel, our journeys are created solely for you. You may want to feed a passion for wildlife or culture or discover a country by boat or train; or this could be your first step to planning your honeymoon or a family adventure. Whatever your inspiration, we look forward to working with you.
A CURIOUS TRAVELLER For historians. For seekers of knowledge; for those who delve into the past uncovering the ancient secrets that bind deep-rooted traditions; for the foodies, the culture vultures, the wildlife lovers; the traveller whose curiosity searches beyond the landscapes and into the heartland of place. We take the time to design your itinerary, for you, for what you love. One day at a time.
4 Discover Extraordinary
A TRIBE For the small tribes of two just starting their lifetime of Beautiful Adventures with a honeymoon like no other, to the bigger tribes searching for their next exciting experience. Our Travel Specialists will help you to create long-lasting memories no matter who’s tagging along. We take pride in our attention to detail. We can help you pick the most exclusive properties, built with your privacy in mind, or we can carefully curate each day to make sure your children are stimulated but not exhausted. We’ll take care to fill your days with plenty of exhilarating moments and we’ll also factor in free time for reconnection and to make your own spontaneous discoveries.
A VOYAGER For the love of the ocean, our Steppes cruise portfolio seeks out the most exciting boat-based journeys. Whether it’s a small expedition vessel exploring nooks and crannies that bigger ships can’t reach, an exclusive charter or a fascinating cultural journey crossing continents, we’re keen to highlight the benefits of voyaging. Choose from a traditional Nile dahabiya or a Turkish gulet, to a luxury motorised yacht in the Galapagos or a fully operational icebreaker in the Arctic and Antarctica.
A PIONEER For those who seek to match their heartbeat with that of the Earth’s. We’re always on the lookout for intrepid travellers with a sense of fun and a love of the unexpected to join us in road testing a selection of our pioneering adventures. Previous trips have included the Nguon festival in Cameroon, discovering the wildlife and culture of Africa’s Eden, Gabon and exploring Ethiopia’s forgotten neighbour, Eritrea.
steppestravel.com 5
HOW WE WORK WITH YOU
START THE CONVERSATION Each and every travel adventure starts with you, our client, and our team of experienced Travel Specialists.
BE INSPIRED Our Travel Specialists love to get a map out and talk through with you the ‘what, when and how’ of your adventure. As far as knowledge goes, our specialists live and breathe their destinations, making our team second to none.
TAILOR – MADE Our specialists will make every effort to learn about what makes you tick. They’ll combine their knowledge of your interests and the different experiences and properties available on the ground to create a holiday truly bespoke to you. We’ll always remain impartial; our decisions are based on what’s right for you. At this stage, we’ll welcome you on-board to our online MySteppes portal where you can view your custom journey idea in detail. 6 Discover Extraordinary
FINISHING TOUCHES You may want to make a few tweaks to your itinerary in the lead up to your holiday. Would you like to plan a surprise birthday dinner for your partner whilst you’re away? We’re here for you. In fact, we’ll keep in contact throughout the whole process and be on hand to be your co-conspirators.
TIME TO PACK Before you travel, we’ll make sure that you’re perfectly prepared by giving you all the information you need, including your itinerary, your day-to-day plan, your need-to-knows and the guidance on what to pack and what to prepare. You’ll also have access to our very own Steppes Travel App allowing you to access everything in the palm of your hand whilst you’re on the move. It provides everything from important documents to updates on the weather and your flights, as well as an offline map with points of interest carefully curated by our experts.
FLY AWAY Your holiday begins as soon as you leave your house. Whether it be discounted valet parking or a lounge pass – we’ll make the journey to your destination as smooth as possible.
EXPLORE Whilst you are enjoying your adventure, we’ll be on hand 24/7 should you require any support or if you’d like to make any further changes to your journey. Share your favourite moments with us on social media with #mysteppes.
NEXT STEPPES We’d love to hear about your holiday when you return; your favourite moments, your feedback or what we might have done differently. It will help us get to know you better so that we can suggest more inspirational holiday ideas for you in the future. If you’d like to start talking about your next journey, we’d be delighted to chat and to feed your wanderlust some more. steppestravel.com 7
DISCOVER
EUROPE Europe is where east meets west and presents a complete kaleidoscope of landscapes, culture and travel to suit everyone. In the east, we have the Caucasus, a mesmerising range of mountainous countries where Europe juxtaposes Asia. This stunning region offers the history of Armenia, the cuisine of Georgia and the welcoming waters of the Caspian Sea in Azerbaijan. Moving westwards, Turkey offers a wealth of history and architecture so intense it’s almost overwhelming. Spain is home to endless, pristine sandy beaches, extravagant dancing and UNESCO World Heritage Sites in no fewer than 13 cities. It’s hard to know where to start...
8 Discover Extraordinary
WHERE TO BEGIN... Not an exhaustive list, but rather a few suggestions to whet your appetite. Speak to our experts to start curating your travel experiences. 1
TURKEY
Climb Mount Nemrut at sunrise to see the colossal stone heads of Antiochus.
2
GEORGIA
4
2
Walk the Trans-Caucasian Trail and sample Georgian wine and hospitality.
3
ITALY
Jump on a scooter for a tour of Rome and stop off at the Colosseum.
5 3
1 6
4
NORWAY
Experience the midnight sun on a boat trip around the Lofoten archipelago.
5
CROATIA
Charter a yacht and sail the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia.
6
ROMANIA
Track brown bears in the Fagaras Mountains.
steppestravel.com 9
DISCOVER
MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA The storied lands of the Middle East and North Africa offer a myriad of cultures, religions and empires, both ancient and modern. Our specialists travel regularly to the region and are ready to share with you their favourite experiences: from the most magical Bedouinstyle camps in Oman or discovering the treasures of Jordan’s lost city of Petra to the architectural wonders of Iran. Whilst the great pyramids of Egypt reveal the magnificent wonder of ancient times, the Nile and the corals of the Red Sea provide the secrets of Egypt’s wildlife, marine life and culture. Morocco is full of contrasts. The Atlas Mountains provide a snow-capped backbone, the cities of Taroudant and Zagora offer a gateway to the desert and Marrakech feeds the senses with its bustling souks.
10 Discover Extraordinary
WHERE TO BEGIN... Not an exhaustive list, but rather a few suggestions to whet your appetite. Speak to our experts to start curating your travel experiences. 4 1
OMAN
Cruise the beautiful fjords of Oman’s lesser-known Musandam Peninsula.
2
2 6
EGYPT
Discover Luxor and the Valley of the Kings with your own private Egyptologist. 3
5
3 1
MOROCCO
Explore the oasis town of Skoura and the surrounding abandoned villages.
4
SAUDI ARABIA
Experience the Madain Saleh, an iconic remnant of the Nabatean empire.
5
IRAQI KURDISTAN
Visit Dayro-d-Mor Monastery, one of eastern Christendom’s most famous sites.
6
JORDAN
Avoid the crowds and visit Petra at sunrise.
steppestravel.com 11
DISCOVER
AFRICA The Africa team at Steppes Travel is one of the most experienced in the world of travel. With more years of hands-on African experience than they care to remember, they’ve built, run and managed safari lodges, guided, pioneered new expeditions and worked on conservation projects throughout the continent. Truly passionate about their area of expertise, they’re equally happy discussing luxury lodges and family safaris in Kenya’s Masai Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti as they are helping plan excursions through the Omo Valley in Ethiopia or adventurous expeditions to the Congo. Having personally visited our selection of accommodation in the countries we offer, first-hand knowledge is always guaranteed.
12 Discover Extraordinary
WHERE TO BEGIN... Not an exhaustive list, but rather a few suggestions to whet your appetite. Speak to our experts to start curating your travel experiences. 1
RWANDA
Release your innerAttenborough and track mountain gorillas in Rwanda.
2
MADAGASCAR
Watch ring-tailed lemurs dancing in the trees of Madagascar’s Ifotaka forest.
3
1 3 6
4 5
KENYA
Track big cats in their pursuit of the annual migration on the plains of the Masai Mara.
4
TANZANIA
Experience traditional Swahili traditions and customs on the island of Zanzibar.
2
5
SOUTH AFRICA
Visit the Cape and catch the humpback whale migration in South Africa.
6
NAMIBIA
Take to the skies on a flying safari over Namibia’s Skeleton Coast. steppestravel.com 13
DISCOVER
NORTH & CENTRAL ASIA The cultures and landscapes of North and Central Asia are both spectacular and fascinating. The Goliath state of Kazakhstan is home to the spectacular Charyn Canyon while the Tien-Shan mountains and ice-blue lakes dominate 90% of Kyrgyzstan. Mongolia is a byword for remote and records its history in song and monuments. The main attraction of Tajikistan is the Pamir Mountains and for Turkmenistan, it’s the great Garagum desert, whilst bordering Uzbekistan encompasses the legendary Silk Road, visiting the cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. In China, ancient riches are complemented by modern marvels of architecture and Tibet, a country that offers traditional cultures that will transport to another world.
14 Discover Extraordinary
WHERE TO BEGIN... Not an exhaustive list, but rather a few suggestions to whet your appetite. Speak to our experts to start curating your travel experiences. 1
MONGOLIA 1
Ride with the Kazakh eagle hunters on the Mongolian steppes.
2
3
KYRGYZSTAN
Spend a night in a yurt on the untamed plains of Son-Kul.
4
2
UZBEKISTAN
Stroll through the ancient Silk Road cities of Samarkand and Bukhara.
3
4
SILK ROUTE
Traverse the ‘Five Stans’ on a luxury train from Almaty to Tashkent.
6
5
5
CHINA
Explore the UNESCO town of Lijiang in the shadow of Jade Dragon Mountain in Yunnan state.
6
JAPAN
Travel on the Hida Wideview Train on a scenic route through the Japanese Alps. steppestravel.com 15
DISCOVER
SOUTH ASIA Vast, colourful, mystical, unpredictable and exciting, this sub-continent defies description. Encompassing contrasting landscapes, people and cultures travelling through these diverse areas is a sensory experience which never ceases to amaze both the novice and the experienced traveller. Our specialists have extensively explored the Indian subcontinent, uncovering experiences which will take you from trekking in the towering Himalayas to relaxing on the beautiful beaches of the Maldives and the remote Andaman Islands. They’ve discovered stunning UNESCO sites and ancient artefacts in Sri Lanka, adventured on wildlife safaris to search for India’s last remaining wild tigers and witnessed Buddhist ceremonies in Bhutan.
16 Discover Extraordinary
WHERE TO BEGIN... Not an exhaustive list, but rather a few suggestions to whet your appetite. Speak to our experts to start curating your travel experiences. 1
INDIA
Stay in converted royal palaces and track tigers in Rajasthan. 3 2
MALDIVES
Complete a PADI diving course and swim with reef sharks, manta rays and huge shoals of fish.
6 1
3
PAKISTAN
Walk through scented pine forests in Pakistan’s Hindu Kush.
4
SRI LANKA
Search for blue whales off the north-east coast of Sri Lanka.
4 5 2
5
BHUTAN
Photograph the Thimphu or Punakha festival in Bhutan.
6
NEPAL
Raft the Kaligandaki on a three day expedition in Nepal. steppestravel.com 17
DISCOVER
SOUTHEAST ASIA From the temples of Angkor in Cambodia to the orangutans of Borneo’s lowland rainforest, a holiday in Southeast Asia opens a gate into a region of great historical, biological and anthropological interest. This is a region of undiscovered ruins and unnamed species which 21st century historians and naturalists are only now starting to explore. Families, first time visitors and seasoned travellers who love the region as much as we do will all gain something from a visit. Watch as the rising sun silhouettes the ribbed stone pinecones of Angkor Wat, leaf pointed branches unfurl in bas relief and petrified war elephants clomp off to battle. Stroll along the gentle, warm sands of a Thai beach and lie back, looking out onto the green stubbled rock stacks of the Andaman Sea.
18 Discover Extraordinary
WHERE TO BEGIN... Not an exhaustive list, but rather a few suggestions to whet your appetite. Speak to our experts to start curating your travel experiences. 1
CAMBODIA
Watch the sunrise at Angkor Wat followed by a picnic breakfast at Ta Prohm.
2
INDONESIA
Dive with manta rays and whale sharks off the coast of Flores.
6 4 5 1
3
BORNEO
3 2
Encounter orangutans on our special conservation safari in Borneo.
4
VIETNAM
Jump on a rickshaw in Vietnam and explore the colonial city of Hanoi.
5
THAILAND
Take a guided tour of Bangkok’s lesser-known markets.
6
LAOS
Enjoy fresh croissants in our favourite café on the shores of the Mekong in Luang Prabang. steppestravel.com 19
DISCOVER
OCEANIA & AUSTRALASIA Australia’s stunningly diverse landscapes provide everything from vast barren deserts, where kangaroo and emu bound through the arid surroundings, to tropical rainforests, rugged mountains, pristine beaches and fantastic cities. Maybe it’s the wide-open spaces, healthy outdoor lifestyle, world-class cuisine and wines of New Zealand, or the warm friendly people and pleasant climate of Papua New Guinea that take your fancy? Whatever your interests, we’ll ensure that your holiday to Australia, New Zealand or Papua New Guinea is unforgettable. Our local knowledge enables us to recommend the sites, flavours and activities that will allow you to experience the essence of a place at a pace that suits you; and with our highly qualified guides, you’ll be looked after every step of the way.
20 Discover Extraordinary
WHERE TO BEGIN... Not an exhaustive list, but rather a few suggestions to whet your appetite. Speak to our experts to start curating your travel experiences. 1
1
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Travel up the Sepik River and meet Papua New Guinea’s remote tribes.
2
2
AUSTRALIA
4
Visit Kimberly and see Australia’s most impressive rock art.
5 6
3
NEW ZEALAND
Kayak in the crystal-clear waters of Abel Tasman National Park.
4
TASMANIA
Sample bush-tucker and go in search of Tasmania’s ‘big-five’.
3
5
MARQUESAN ISLANDS
Cruise the Marquesan Islands where little has changed in thousands of years.
6
TONGA
Snorkel with humpback whales off the island of Tonga. steppestravel.com 21
DISCOVER
NORTH AMERICA A trip to North America offers diversity and a vast wilderness of untamed forest, desert, tundra, volcanoes and lakes. It provides travellers with a range of experiences, from whale watching in Baja California to the wild frontier of Alaska. Canada is an outdoor playground with gentle hikes to extreme winter sports in UNESCO National Parks. Towering glaciers, emerald lakes, thick forests and cosmopolitan cities with luxury camping, award-winning restaurants and incredible wildlife experiences are just the beginning of what the country can offer. The Canadian Arctic hosts some incredible voyages and wildlife encounters including whale watching, polar bear observation and swimming with belugas. Lying just south of California, Baja is an inexhaustibly rich region with huge appeal. Its coastal waters harbour one of the richest marine environments on the planet.
22 Discover Extraordinary
WHERE TO BEGIN... Not an exhaustive list, but rather a few suggestions to whet your appetite. Speak to our experts to start curating your travel experiences. 1
CANADA
Sail alongside the Great Bear Rainforest for sightings of the elusive spirit bear.
2
1
ALASKA
Take a small-ship cruise up Alaska’s Inside Passage in search of whales.
3
ARCTIC CIRCLE
Kayak alongside belugas and experience the thrill of a polar bear walking safari.
4
BAJA CALIFORNIA
Encounter the world’s greatest concentration of grey whales.
2 3
6
5 4
5
HAWAII
Visit the Hawaiian island of Kauai for the world’s most spectacular beaches.
6
USA
Stay on a ranch and ride under the big Montana sky. steppestravel.com 23
DISCOVER
CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA Central America boasts a strikingly beautiful landscape encompassing high altitude cloud forest, sacred lakes, tropical rainforest and islands laced with coral. Sandwiched between surreal landscapes are pockets of rich colonial splendour and the remnants of ancient civilisations. South America offers a diverse patchwork of landscapes, boasting some of the world’s most staggering natural attractions. From ancient civilisations to European colonialism, this region delivers many gateways into its well-preserved history, from the must-see Machu Picchu in Peru to the baroque architecture of Potosi in Bolivia. Trek through the tangled vines of the Amazon Rainforest, take a jeep safari through Brazil’s tropical wetlands of the Pantanal and embark on a cruise around Ecuador’s enchanting Galapagos Islands.
24 Discover Extraordinary
WHERE TO BEGIN... Not an exhaustive list, but rather a few suggestions to whet your appetite. Speak to our experts to start curating your travel experiences.
1
ARGENTINA
Ride across wide open plains in the shadows of Patagonia’s highest peaks.
2
3 5 2
COLOMBIA
Sip fresh coffee in a street café in Colombia’s cool city of Cartagena. 4 3
COSTA RICA
Zipline through the rainforests of Costa Rica or swim with spinner dolphins.
4
GALAPAGOS
Snorkel with sea lions, hammerheads and penguins in the Galapagos Islands.
1 6
5
MEXICO
Take the Copper Canyon Railway for a dramatic train journey in Mexico. 6
BRAZIL
Join researchers at a jaguar conservation project in the wetlands of the Pantanal. steppestravel.com 25
DISCOVER THE
POLES Antarctica is a destination of epic proportions and a cruise to this vast continent of pristine white wilderness will not fail to leave you breathless. With towering icebergs and a huge variety of wildlife, the Antarctic also has a rich history dating back to the early days of exploration. Choosing the right vessel is key, with many different ships available from the expeditionary to the luxurious. Our Arctic team have taken cruises to Spitsbergen, the Russian Arctic, the Canadian Arctic and Greenland. We offer one of the widest choices of Arctic expeditionary voyages, holidays and tours available across the region, backed up by detailed knowledge of the vessels themselves.
26 Discover Extraordinary
WHERE TO BEGIN...
4
Not an exhaustive list, but rather a few suggestions to whet your appetite. Speak to our experts to start curating your travel experiences. 1
ANTARCTICA
Fly to King George Island to take a cruise along the Antarctic Peninsula.
3 5
2
SOUTH GEORGIA
6
2
Experience the noise, sight and smell of 100,000 king penguins in South Georgia.
3
CANADIAN HIGH ARCTIC
1
Follow in the wake of the great explorers along Canada’s Northwest Passage.
4
SPITSBERGEN
Circumnavigate the island of Spitsbergen – kingdom of the polar bear.
5
NORTH POLE
Set foot on the very top of the world, the Geographical North Pole.
6
ROSS SEA
Sail alongside the colossal Ross ice shelf with 50 metre high ice cliffs and tabular bergs. steppestravel.com 27
LEADING THE WAY TRAVEL AS A FORCE FOR GOOD
ULTIMATELY, TRAVEL SHOULD BE FUN. IMMERSE YOURSELF IN YOUR SURROUNDINGS AND CREATE RELATIONSHIPS AS WELL AS MEMORIES.
We believe travel has the power to make a positive impact on travellers and the communities and lands we visit and explore. It facilitates engagement and dialogue, pushing us to look beyond our differences and appreciate our similarities. Being sympathetic to local customs, traditions and idiosyncrasies. Being aware of local resources, especially water. Taking only memories and photographs. Leaving only footprints.
28 Discover Extraordinary
SUSTAINABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY Sustainability informs the way we operate and run our business, but this alone is not enough. We strive to go beyond sustainable and make travel a regenerative influence in the communities and wild habitats you visit.
FUND FOR CHANGE In the last few years, we’ve donated over 1% of our total turnover to projects linked with conservation, community development and carbon sequestration. In the last 12 months, by travelling with us, our clients have helped us generate £137,000 that has been donated to organisations such as World Land Trust, Seawilding, The Long Table and our recently launched Steppes Fund for Female Guides.
CARBON OFFSETTING By no means a perfect solution, offsetting is an important component of any decarbonisation strategy. While we offset all of our own business travel, we also offset your flights based on economy class travel, regardless of whether you choose to book your flights through us.
STEPPES HQ We’re continually working towards making our travel hub in the Cotswolds socially responsible and environmentally friendly, encouraging local business to also do the same. We encourage cycling to work, car sharing, recycling, lowering energy use and using planet-friendly cleaning products.
B CORP CERTIFIED We’re a certified B Corp, meaning we use our business in travel as a force for good, for both people and planet. We’re on a mission to inspire and influence our partners, suppliers, clients, community and industry to join us in doing more and doing better. Knowing you’re helping create a legacy of positive impact, you can enjoy deeper, richer and more connected journeys with us.
SUPPORTING LOCAL Travel is about connection and we look to connect you with exceptional local guides; Guides who can turn a good day out into an outstanding and profound experience. This is partly why we’ve created the Steppes Fund for Female Guides. Designed to give women access to education and training that will give them the knowledge and skills required to pursue a fulfilling and prosperous career, we’ve recently supported two young women starting their guiding apprenticeship in southern Africa while funding a program of training for female guides in India’s Madhya Pradesh.
SHARED VALUE While we’re committed to giving you tangible value on your holiday, we’re equally dedicated to ensuring this value is spread throughout our supply chain, crucially benefitting our host communities and the places we visit.
steppestravel.com 29
OUR
TEAM
We’re one of the last truly independent tour operators in the world. Our specialists have a wealth of travel experience under their belts and revisit their own areas of expertise each year to refresh their minds and discover new opportunities. They’ll tell you about those intimate, friendly hotels, introduce you to charismatic guides and share their extraordinary experiences - those extra qualities that make your holiday both unique and special. Many have been with us for more than 15 years and have developed a following of clients who trust their judgement and will travel with no one else. We hope you will join those ranks. See below for some of their travel highlights over the last year…
CHARLOTTE LAWTON | EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST AND INDIAN SUBCONTINENT
CHRIS JOHNSTON | AFRICA ‘Staring at a three-eyed lizard and realising Madagascar is as bizarre as it gets.’
PAUL CRAVEN | ASIA, AUSTRALASIA AND OCEANIA
‘With over 5000 years of history, a visit to India never fails to enthral and challenge my perception.’
‘A melting pot of ethnic groups and stunning mountain scenery make this one of my all time favourite trips.’
RACHAEL TALLENTS | THE AMERICAS
ILLONA CROSS | AFRICA
‘Spending a night under the stars in the remote, ancient Mayan site of Uaxactun.’
‘After kayaking close to seals off the desert coast and an epic 4x4 dune safari to Sandwich Harbour, my son proclaimed it to be the best day of his life.’
30 Discover Extraordinary
SUE GRIMWOOD | THE AMERICAS AND THE POLES
CLARE HIGGINSON | ASIA, AUSTRALASIA, AND OCEANIA
‘The surreal experience of no depth perception while walking out over the frozen sea of Cunningham Inlet.’
‘Being enchanted by the lighting and choreography during the Impression Sanjie Liu show in Yangshuo performed on the Li River.’
KATE HITCHEN | EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST AND INDIAN SUBCONTINENT
ROXY DUKES | THE AMERICAS
‘Strolling the bazaars, exploring the Mehrangarh Fort and desert villages of Jodhpur.’
‘Kayaking silently in the glassy waters between the islands of the Johnstone’s Strait, watching as bald eagles dived for their morning feast.’
JOHN FAITHFULL | THE AMERICAS ‘Being privately serenaded by Eliades Ochoa, one of the three surviving original members of the Buena Vista Social Club.’
PAUL BIRD | THE AMERICAS ‘Reaching the summit of a canopy tower to truly appreciate the scale of the wilderness of the Amazon surrounding me.’
The world awaits… Feeling inspired? Chat to one of our Travel Specialists and Discover Extraordinary. enquiries@steppestravel.com +44 1280 460 084
steppestravel.com 31
DISCOVER EXTRAORDINARY WITH US +44 1280 460 084 enquiries@steppestravel.com www.steppestravel.com