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Why Steppes? ”
Let us show you the riches
of travelling beyond the ordinary
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What kind of traveller are you? ”
Tailor-made travel
Tailor-made travel Beyond the ordinary Is what we aspire to be. No two people are the same, each is unique. So we understand that no two holidays should be alike either. We listen to what you want and create a personalised itinerary tailored around you, finessing every detail before, during and after your holiday. Your holiday. Your experience. Your way. We sell luxury villas, beach holidays and family holidays but our forte remains the creation of tailor-made cultural and adventure journeys to the more exotic regions of the world. Our objective will always be to show you the highlights of a country, but we also like to take you off the beaten track to see the lesser known, but equally interesting places, not frequented by large numbers of tourists. Get in touch to see why and where we can take you. We hope that you can join our clients, who return to us year after year.
START YOUR JOURNEY 03300 297 838 // inspire@steppestravel.com
Wildlife Group Tours
Wildlife Group Tours Get up close to wildlife Seeing wildlife in its natural habitat is an inspiring and uplifting experience. It is a privilege. By joining forces with conservation agencies, researchers and local conservation projects – whether on an Indian tiger safari or a Galapagos Islands cruise – we are not only able to support conservation and local communities worldwide but also deliver exceptional wildlife holidays.
Our wildlife group tours have been receiving plaudits now for more than 15 years, from both our clients and conservation partners alike. Our Orangutan Conservation Tour in Indonesian Borneo and Tiger Safari in India are testament to this. We are continually looking for new, exciting and innovative wildlife holidays and we are delighted to announce our Papua New Guinea luxury cruise with Chris Packham, Galapagos cruise with Richard Dawkins and our Antarctic cruise with Ranulph Fiennes, Monty Halls and Sue Flood, amongst others.
START YOUR JOURNEY 03300 297 838 // inspire@steppestravel.com
Expert-led Group Tours
Expert-led Group Tours Leading the pack in group travel We are recognised as one of the UK’s leading specialists in cultural, historical and archaeological small group holidays. Expert tour leaders We carefully select our experts based on their knowledge, companionship and influence. Often they can facilitate private access to sites not typically open to the public.
Benefit from our small group sizes Our average group size is typically 8-10 people, allowing you to have a more personalised and relaxed experience, a factor which many of our clients appreciate.
Refer friends and get rewarded The biggest compliment you can pay us is to recommend us. Refer a new client to the same group tour and we will give both you and them a ÂŁ100 discount when they book.
START YOUR JOURNEY 03300 297 838 // inspire@steppestravel.com
Let us show you an experience beyond the ordinary
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There are guides and then there are Steppes guides – they make the difference in our holiday experience as we often travel where others never tread.
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PRIVATE GUIDES
BEAT THE QUEUES
The role of a private guide varies from destination to destination and depending on your preference, schedule and budget - you may wish to have a guide accompany you for a day or you may choose to have a guide accompany you throughout your itinerary.
Guides have priority and can get you access ahead of the crowds.
Why do we recommend that you travel with a private guide? The most obvious reason is for their expert knowledge. A guide is not there to regurgitate facts and figures but will pitch their delivery according to your interest/s. Moreover they are there for you to ask questions, to learn and discover more than you would through any guidebook. They will give you a local’s insight and an introduction into their country which will be both personal and memorable. There’s no denying that travelling with your own private guide is the best way to fully appreciate the richness of a country’s history, culture, cuisine, flora and fauna. Added to this, here are some further advantages of having a private guide:
SAVE YOU TIME Guides know how to use your precious travel time most efficiently—no need for backtracking or waiting needlessly in traffic when a better itinerary would have spared you. PHOTOGRAPHY Your guide will show you the best angles and locations for photography. Also importantly, they will help you when taking photos of people – they will let you know what is and what is not culturally appropriate. BEHIND THE SCENES They are connected both locally and with Steppes so that we can offer you privileged access whether it be The Hermitage Museum
in St Petersburg or the Galapagos Darwin Research Centre for Conservation. LOCAL INSIGHT They have their finger on the pulse of what’s happening day by day so can keep updated of local events, festivals or simply the best time to see something. EATING OUT Your guide will know the best places to eat out and not necessarily the restaurants or cafés listed in guidebooks. Tell them what you like and they’ll take you there. LANGUAGE Your guide can be both a translator if you want to know what someone is saying and also a teacher for helping you interact and try your hand at a few words in the local dialect, which always brings a smile and a richer experience.
Travel with a guide rather than a guidebook. START YOUR JOURNEY 03300 297 838 // inspire@steppestravel.com
And, of course, the following all come as standard when booking with us at Steppes... Service
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You can depend on us to deliver to high standards. We go that extra mile. With 25 years of experience and knowledge we have built up many long-standing relationships with our partners around the world, ensuring they deliver the very best service to you.
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Protected By booking through us you have the security of a financially protected holiday as offered by our ATOL licence (6945).
No wonder then that over 70% of our business is repeat and referral.
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Trust You will not only be able to contact our partners throughout your stay abroad but also our office on a dedicated number that is manned 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We go that extra mile to give you added security and peace of mind.
Our Experts travel to the destinations in which they specialise up to three times a year, increasing their knowledge and always experiencing what’s new.
Pricing Booking through a tour operator may not be as expensive as you think.
We negotiate the best rates with hotels and expert guides, ensuring you always get the best value for money. Often we have access to exclusive offers which are only available to our clients. Booking through us also ensures you are protected from fluctuations in exchange rates.
Being responsible in our travels and operations both locally and globally is ingrained in all that we do at Steppes.
Each time you travel with us, we donate £5 to a local charity in the UK and £10 to an international charity. Each time we travel, we offset our carbon emissions with the World Land Trust. If you can, we urge you to do the same.
Expertise We use our experience to create yours.
Ethical
Surprising
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We love out of the ordinary and relish the opportunity to create a truly beyond the ordinary experience for you, your friends and family.
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Right from the first contact it was clear Chris understood the kind of trip we wanted and his expert advice ensured we were able to plan and experience the perfect trip. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Chris and the rest of the Steppes team. - Bertie
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START YOUR JOURNEY 03300 297 838 // inspire@steppestravel.com
Benefits of Booking with Steppes Travel VS. Going it Alone MEET HAMISH MACKIE
Hamish is one of the UK’s top wildlife sculptors. Through his work he has had the privilege of observing wildlife in many corners of the world. One such project required him to travel to India. See the difference between Hamish planning and booking with Steppes as opposed to going it alone. HOLIDAY BRIEF • A fourteen day research holiday in India • Return flights in business class • Accommodation at three different lodges • Behind the scenes access to the national parks • Private guides throughout • Access to conservation charities on the ground • All in-country transfers
PLANNING Not recorded: Time spent day dreaming
HOW EASY WAS IT TO GET IMPARTIAL ADVICE? DIY: “It was difficult to get a balanced view across the various forums that I had searched.” Hamish with Steppes: “Joe at Steppes Travel took the time to really understand what we wanted to experience and was honest about what would work well for our trip and what perhaps wouldn’t be right for us. He took the time to get to know us which made the service feel all the more personalised.”
DIY
WITH STEPPES
27
HOURS SPENT PLANNING
1
19
WEBSITES VISITED
1
10
CALLS MADE
1
0
CALLS RECEIVED
6
18
EMAILS WRITTEN
5
11
POINTS OF CONTACT
1
BOOKING
DIY
ON THE GROUND
WITH STEPPES
DIY
WITH STEPPES
27
CONFIRMATION EMAILS RECEIVED
1
NO
DEDICATED SUPPORT FOR DURATION OF TRIP
YES
19
PAYMENTS REQUIRED
1
NO
24/7 EMERGENCY HELPLINE
YES
10
HIDDEN EXTRA COSTS
0
NO
YES
6
PRINTOUTS REQUIRED FOR TRAVELLING
0
PROTECTED BY UK TRAVEL REGULATIONS EXPOSURE TO EXCHANGE RATE FLUCTUATIONS
NO
TRAVEL APP WITH ALL TRAVEL INFORMATION PRE-LOADED
YES YES
NO
FINANCIAL PROTECTION
YES
NO
RESULTS “Steppes offered value for money in ways that booking independently would not allow for. They streamlined what would have been an exhausting and arduous task. In short booking a holiday is the one exception where I wouldn’t endorse doing it DIY. For a beyond the ordinary experience we wouldn’t travel with any other company.” - Hamish Mackie
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If you still want to go it alone, we’re still happy to send some destination information to help you on your way. We’d also love to hear how it went, what you liked, what you didn’t like – maybe we could help you with your next trip?
! START YOUR JOURNEY 03300 297 838 // inspire@steppestravel.com
Our Travel Experts Meet the team
Bridget Cohen
Charles Knights
Chris Johnston
Claire Birch
Illona Cross
Jackie Pearson
James Armitage
Joe Parkes
John Faithful
Kate Hitchen
Katie Benden
Paul Bird
Paul Craven
Roxy Dukes
Sally Walters
Sue Grimwood
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Steppes in numbers STEPPES HQ IN THE HEART OF THE COTSWOLDS BUT A WORLDWIDE REACH
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WE SEND OUR CLIENTS TO OVER
100
%
OF OUR CLIENTS CHOOSE TO BOOK WITH US AGAIN
DESTINATIONS WORLDWIDE
281
YEARS SPENT IN TRAVEL – THAT’S JUST OUR 16 TRAVEL EXPERTS
– IT’S EASIER TO SAY WHERE WE DON’T SELL
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LANGUAGES SPOKEN BY OUR TEAM
6
DOGS IN THE OFFICE
START YOUR JOURNEY 03300 297 838 // inspire@steppestravel.com
16 TRAVEL EXPERTS
56
COUNTRIES TRAVELLED TO IN THE LAST YEAR
Steppes Blog Read about our travel experiences on our blog…
KENYA: CHANGING PERCEPTIONS
OMAN: THE PERFECT INTRODUCTION TO THE MIDDLE EAST
ETHIOPIA: ATTENBOROUGH IN MY EAR
A SHORT WALK WITH A LADAKHI PRINCESS
HOW DO YOU BEAT A FAMILY HOLIDAY TO SOUTH AFRICA?
SPACE TRAVEL: A PUNA EXPERIENCE
SKIN DEEP IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA
MOUNT RORAIMA: THE LOST WORLD
STEPPES BLOG // steppestravel.co.uk/blog
As featured in…
Currently working with…
START YOUR JOURNEY 03300 297 838 // inspire@steppestravel.com
Client Testimonials Don’t just take our word for it
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Even though we had done a large amount of research for the trip we found the expertise of Steppes invaluable in comparing accommodation types and obtaining a good balance between value and experience. We were also pleased that the recommendations given were in line with the budget we had provided and there was no attempt to push us over the line financially.
Bridget could not have been more helpful in organising all aspects of our trip, she was very knowledgeable about the country and was able to select a fantastic trip which worked well for the whole family. She always responded promptly to our many enquiries so that when we left we felt reassured all would go well. - Karen | Zimbabwe
- Joanne | Argentina
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We were both impressed with your knowledge and with your speedy replies to all questions.
John put together my trip perfectly as I hadn’t a clue about what to see in the time I had!
- Judith | Antarctica
- Jillian | Baja California
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Sue’s in-depth knowledge of the region and the vessel was invaluable in our preparation for the trip and was a strong differentiator when we were choosing a travel agent. Talking with Sue, we quickly got an honest perspective. - Fiona | Antarctica
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Excellent in every way. Particularly liked the document holder and mini itinerary which we received before leaving, it was invaluable throughout our trip! Promptness of communication was excellent as was the vast knowledge and expertise of our travel experts. - James | Brazil
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We had a very well organised trip given the short notice. You made the trip unforgettable, since we had nothing to worry about except enjoying the stays. We have been spoiled in every location and the choices of them where outstanding. Thank you! - Mikhail | Botswana
The world awaits…
Russia produces the most oxygen in the world.
Mongolia is the least densely populated place in the world. There are four people per square mile.
IT’S A WEIRD AND WONDERFUL WORLD OUT THERE.
The health benefits of travel are almost immediate. After only a day or two, 89% of people experience significant drops in stress.
Couples who travel together have reported increased feelings of intimacy. Time for a second honeymoon?
Although it spans five different time zones all of China operates on Beijing time.
anada has the most C lakes in the world, more than 3 million in fact. Canada has the most educated population in the world, with 50% of the population being educated at post-secondary level.
The world’s deepest underwater mailbox lies 10m deep below the surface of Susami Bay, Japan.
All the money that is tossed into Rome’s Trevi Fountain is collected each night and donated to multiple charities.
Mt Everest, Nepal – the highest point on Earth – is continuing to grow at an estimated 4mm a year.
exico City is sinking at an M average rate of 10cm a year, 10 times faster than Venice.
How to secure a partner for the tango in Buenos Aires, Argentina: Gentlemen, fix the lady with a long look; if she returns your stare, just give a gentle nod. Ladies, sit with your legs outstretched so a man might stumble at your feet. An encounter will occur and an invitation can follow.
START YOUR JOURNEY 03300 297 838 // inspire@steppestravel.com
The Republic of Congo has its very own Loch Ness Monster, known as the “Mokèlémbèmbé”, which is said to inhabit the Congo River.
The DRC is home to three of the four gorilla subspecies – the most in Africa.
Papua New Guinea has the largest number of languages spoken.
India is the most diverse country in the world. In almost every category – culturally, economically, climatically, racially, linguistically, ethnically, and religiously India is either the most diverse country in the world, or the runner-up. The wildebeest migration in East Africa is so vast that it is equivalent to the populations of Newcastle and Liverpool trading places on a yearly basis.
Sudan is home to more pyramids than Egypt, but they are smaller and more angular in their design. Taumatawhakatangi¬hangakoauauotamatea¬turipukakapikimaunga¬horonukupokaiwhen¬uakitanatahu is a hill in Taumata, New Zealand and the longest place name on Earth.
START YOUR JOURNEY 03300 297 838 // inspire@steppestravel.com
Are you ready to travel beyond the ordinary? Our aim is to leave you speechless and then turn you into a storyteller. Speak to one of our Travel Experts and let them charm you with their own love of travel. For Steppes is a company run by travellers, for travellers.
Get in touch with us today tel 03300 297 838 email inspire@steppestravel.com online steppestravel.co.uk
START YOUR JOURNEY 03300 297 838 // inspire@steppestravel.com
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