(EUR) Topdeck | Asia, Middle East & Africa 2020-21 by Topdeck Travel

@WILLVANW

asia

middle east AMEA-20

AMEA-20

@AANDREADAMIIANI

afr ica

2 0 2 0

2 1

setthe REAL you 2

You’ve got your home life, and home friends… and home routine. But you have a chance to leave it behind, maybe just for a week, maybe for longer? Where do you go? What do you do? Who do you do it with?

And more importantly… Why…?

To do what everyone else has done? The same thing, just in a different place?

Do you want to lose yourself in the everyday? Or do you want to set the real you free? Free to discover the unknown. Free to meet new people. Free to change your view and challenge your expectations.

TO FIND NEW, TO EXPERIENCE MORE, TO

FEEL REAL.

MOMENTS.

REAL SEE THE WORLD WITHOUT THE F I LT E R .

Go deeper. Try the food. Meet the locals. Swim, fly, explore, embrace it all. Say yes to culture. Say yes to history. Say yes to the new and the exotic. Don’t just skim the surface, experience every moment to the fullest.

THAT’S WHAT MAKES THE MEMORIES.

PASSION.

REAL

ON THE ROAD OR AT HOME, WE LOV E WHAT WE DO. No lie – we put our first, our last, OUR EVERYTHING into creating trips that’ll set your soul on fire. And that’s not all. Each and every one is supercharged by Trip Leaders who don’t just lead; who inspire. Who make your world come alive,

and were born to do it.

VALUE.

REAL

Forget forking out for the logistics, we’ll sort it for you. Accommodation, experiences, transport... you get a sh*tload of inclusions rolled in. Meaning? No hassle, no number crunching, no going hungry.

You’re safe with us.

One thing we do know: @ZACHTOPDECK

IF YOU GO IT ALONE, IT SURE AS HELL WON’T BE THE SAME.

TIME.

REAL COOL, SO YOUR ITINERARY’S COVERED.

BUT WHAT ABOUT FREE TIME? Relax – you’ve got heaps of it. And if you need some local tips, we’ve got your back. So get out there. GO! Do your own, spontaneous, this-iswhat-you-came-for thing.

‘Cause you know what?

E V E R Y. S I N G L E . S E C O N D. C O U N T S .

CURIOUS? OPEN-MINDED? SAME.

PEOPLE.

REAL

We might be a mixed bunch, but that’s what makes us special. No judgement here. So get ready to grow, to connect, to find your place and your people.

People who are 100% different, but 100% the same.

We’re all in it together. Like it was meant to be.

@RACCCCHHHHH

YOU.

This, it’s an alternate reality. A realer real, away from home, work, the daily grind.

SO WHO DO YOU WANT TO BE?

BECAUSE THIS IS YOUR CHANCE.

Your chance to be the best version of yourself. To be an insider, not a bystander. To strip it all back and find the real you.

Trust us, you’re out there somewhere.

@RACCCCHHHHH

REAL

AFRICA GUIDE JAN - FEB

MAR - MAY

ZANZIBAR

Africa. Let’s face it, this continent is bloody huge. Meaning: different seasons + different countries = COMPLETELY different experiences. Trying to decide when to go? Read on.

DRAKENSBERG

T H E U LT I M AT E

TAKE A HIKE.

KICK BACK AT THE BEACH. Vibing a beachy, sandy, sunbake-y African holiday? We hear you. Lock in a trip for Nov, Jan or Feb and gear up to meet the African sun at its biggest and brightest.

At this time of year, the birds are out, the flowers are poppin’, the days are warm and the nights are cool. Translation? There’s no better time to get out there and explore.

@WOODS_WANDERS

BUSHFIRE F E S T I VA L, E S WAT I N I (29-31 May 2020) A socially responsible music and arts festival. What’s not to like?

@ F R E D. B E W A N D E R E R

We mean, you’ll have to go to different places. All about watching the wildebeest migrate? Head to Kenya and Tanzania. Wanna see sharks? Point yourself towards South Africa.

HERMANUS

CHECK OUT THE GREAT MIGRATION. AND SHARKS.

SEP - NOV

CAPE TOWN

N AT I O N A L R E S E R V E, K E N YA

JUN - AUG

MAASAI MARA

WHALE WATCH FACT: there’s no more spinetingling experience than watching southern right and humpback whales blowing, breaching and lobtailing (aka slapping their tails on the water).

OR DANCE

ROCKING THE DAISIES

(2-4 October 2020) Cape Town’s BIGGEST outdoor gathering, going off at the Cloof Wine Estate.

JAPAN AND SUSHI?

They go together like Mario and Peach. But we’d be lying if we said that good ol’ reliable soosh was the only dish to get pumped for in this food-obsessed country. Traditional Japanese washoku (literally translating to ‘food of Japan’) is the perfect balance of salty, sweet, sour and umami – and non-sushi lovers (whoever you are) will be glad to know that it’s not all raw fish. Got your taste buds doing a dance? Then read on for the Japan must-eat list. Itadakimasu!

SHOJIN RYORI* *That’s a traditional Buddhist dinner, FYI.

Joining us on our Japan Highlights trip? You’’ll get the opportunity to eat one of these at our un-BELIEVABLE temple lodge in Osaka. First things first: it’s presented so beautifully, you’ll feel guilty eating it. Secondly: it’s all about the rule of five. That is, five ways of cooking, five flavours and five colours, all crammed into the ultimate snackpack – including grilled, pickled and deep-fried dishes, soup and tofu (with steamed rice and tea on the side).

HIDA BEEF Probably one of the classiest cuts of meat that’ll ever pass your lips. Why? It’s all about the marbling, babes. Food science fact: Hida beef’s coating of marbled fat prevents all the flavours and juicy goodness escaping as it cooks. THE RESULT? Meat so tender it’ll melt in your mouth. Bonus: all you non-veggos out there will have the chance to give it a try at our hotel in Takayama, slap bang in the middle of Gifu prefecture (aka Hida territory).

JAPAN:

OKONOMIYAKI A mouthful in more ways than one (LOL). SERIOUSLY THOUGH, this savoury pancake is all kinds of delicious (and makes a great hangover cure). Ingredients include: flour, eggs, cabbage, meat and vegetables, all cooked up in a frying pan. The best place to try it? The Dotonbori district in Osaka, 100%. And in case you were wondering, okonomiyaki means ‘grilled how you like’ in English – so feel free to customise your pancake with whatever sparks joy.

RAMEN REAL TALK: ramen tastes EVEN BETTER when you make it yourself (unless you’re sh*t at cooking, that is). And where better to learn how to do it like a pro than Kyoto? After kitting yourself out with an apron and head wrap fit for an Iron Chef, you’ll get to have a go at whipping up your own noodle dish from scratch

(dw, you’ll get a guidebook full of instructions).

For the final touch, choose your own broth and toppings. THEN: EAT.

YAKITORI Okay, so we know that ‘Piss Alley’ doesn’t sound like an ideal place to stop and get a snack – but stay with us. Tokyo’s Omoide Yokocho (whose more charming English translation is ‘Memory Lane’) is worldfamous for its mouth-watering yakitori grills. BUT WHAT IS YAKITORI? Good question. It’s your new favourite chicken skewer, that’s what – and it comes with a healthy dose of tare sauce (soy sauce’s

thicker, tastier cousin).

MOMIJI MANJU IT’S CUTE. IT’S CAKEY. IT’S KAWAII. It can only be… momiji manju, an adorable lil’ maple-leaf-shaped treat from the Itsukushima Shrine in Hiroshima. These bunlike rice and buckwheat creations have a sweet bean paste centre – and they taste so good, the Japanese decided to create momiji manju-flavoured Kit-Kats in homage (no really, look it up). Bought them as souvenirs? We’ll be impressed if you manage to get through the flight home without inhaling them.

IN THE SPOTLIG ISRAEL AND

THE PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES

GHT:

ITALY. FRANCE. GREECE... ISRAEL? One Mediterranean country you probably never thought of visiting but 110% should be on your radar.

FASCINATING HISTORY

From the Bible to the Crusaders and then the Ottoman Empire – the land on which this region is built has seen it all. Explore the place where it all began in Bethlehem, the birthplace of the big man himself. And Jerusalem? Well, a city that’s been attacked 52 times has got to have a few stories to tell. Wander the distinct city quarters before the sun sets behind some of the oldest walls in the world. Visiting sites as old as history itself? You can’t beat that.

CONTEMPORARY VIBES

@JROWDEN

As far as being fun-loving and hip AF goes, Tel Aviv wrote the ‘How To’ guide. From Florentine’s fascinating graffiti scene to A-class street entertainment to galleries by the bucket load, your inner art aficionado will be well and truly satisfied. After dark we’re talking beach bars, packed pubs, backstreet wine-os, live music joints and thumping-laserand-confetti-filled clubs to keep you dancing until dawn. Also there’s one of the biggest prides in the world, just sayin’.

A FUSION LIKE NO OTHER

One big melting pot of awesomeness: Israel and the Palestinian Territories are the perfect example of faiths, ethnicities and cuisines coexisting to deliver the (delicious) goods. The sights, smells and tastes of Jerusalem’s Mahane Yehuda Market. A unique culinary culture to be uncovered in Tel Aviv’s Yemenite Quarter. Alllll the crazy-good delicacies of the Neve-Sha’anan neighbourhood. And did we mention Bethlehem translates to ‘House of Meat’? Trust us, the culinary rep stacks up.

DIVERSE LANDSCAPE

Middle Eastern landscapes are all sand and cities, right? Wrong. And Israel and the Palestinian Territories sport some of the most diverse. In the South, it’s the unique crater-like landforms of the Negev Desert and vast emptiness of the salt beds surrounding the Dead Sea. And in the North, the picturesque Mediterranean coastline of Tel Aviv and the pine-tree spotted mountain ranges of Jerusalem. Yep, we thought you’d be surprised.

A MELTING POT OF ACCEPTANCE

From the get-go, the people of Israel and the Palestinian Territories are what make this destination so intriguing. Coming in all shapes and sizes, faiths and ethnicities – you’ll find the average person here is kind and will help out with whatever you need (falafel recommendations at the ready!) Every alleyway and street has something unique to offer, influenced by the diverse communities living here. Want a sense of surprise and enrichment that lasts long after you’ve landed? This is it.

GOT YOU CONVINCED?

DO IT ALL ON THE

10 DAY | JORDAN & ISRAEL (P.40) A M M A N - T E L

A V I V

just landedI N D IA

UP TO

YOU

GET UNDER THE SKIN OF RURAL LIFE WITH A CYCLE AROUND THE OUTSKIRTS OF UDAIPUR ( traditionally made

masala chai included).

FOOD THINK: spicy fried potato lathered in tangy chutney, jammed in a soft bread roll. It’s called vada pav. And it’s the sh*t.

C U LT U R E

N AT U R E

RANDOM

3,000 YEAR OLD ART FORM: watch a traditional Kalaripayattul performance in Thekkady and prepare to be mesmerised.

Bamboo rafts. Safari cruises. Fresh AF scenery. Wild elephants. PERIYAR NATIONAL PARK = GOALS.

EXPERIENCE THE REAL BOLLYWOOD at Jaipur’s most famous cinema – you never knew what OTT meant until this moment.

20 DAY EXPERIENCE INDIA - (P.20) SEARCH: “Experience India” on www.topdeck.travel

wtf DOES THAT MEAN? FREE CHANGES

BOOK NOW, PAY LATER

CHANGE YOUR MIND AS OFTEN AS YOUR UNDERWEAR? Make free changes to your booking right up until your full payment due date.

best $200 you’ll ever spend).

FLEXIBLE DEPOSIT

PAY IN INSTALMENTS

WE GET IT, SH*T HAPPENS. Cancel before your full payment’s due and we’ll hold onto your deposit so you can use it for another trip, another time.

TECH MATE “ANYONE IN BANGKOK BEFORE THE TRIP STARTS?” – connect with your fellow Topdeckers before the trip starts to get the low-down on who’ll be joining you and catch up for a few pre/post trip bevvies.

“WHERE ARE WE ON DAY 5 AGAIN?” Know EXACTLY WHERE YOU’LL BE and when thanks to the ITINERARY VIEWER. Cos, we’re not your mum.

SECURE YOUR BOOKING WITH A DEPOSIT OF $200. It’s that easy (and probs the

DON’T HAVE THE $$$ TO PAY ALL AT ONCE? We’ve been there.

Pay your trip off in instalments that suit you.

“DECLINED – PLEASE CONTACT YOUR BANK” – avoid those seriously awkward moments with our handy BUDGET TRACKER and keep an eye on where your hard-earned money is going.

“HEARD THIS PLACE IS AMAZING, LEMME FIND IT...” – navigate your way around the hidden gems, TL recommended spots for a feed, bucket-list sights and meeting points with our DOWNLOADABLE MAPS.

@RACCCCHHHHH

EXPLORER |

explo 14

DECK @ZACHTOP

orer

ACCOMMODATION: HOTELS, GUESTHOUSES, H O S T E L S , H O M E S TAY S , OV E R N I G HT T R A I N S, B OAT S, DESERT CAMPS SINGLE / TWIN / D O U B L E / M U LT I - S H A R E

This is your chance to dive deeper, to explore more. Who do you want to share it with? A SMALL GROUP OF LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE who just get it? Of course! With a max of 30 passengers (but averaging closer to 20), our Explorer trips are made for travellers chasing

a more intimate experience.

Maybe you’ve done the Europe-thing and want to delve deeper into a new, exotic destination. Or you’re obsessed with a unique culture and want to experience it to the full. Or you’ve seen our new ‘Experience India’ trip and went ‘sh*t, that looks good’. The point is, these trips give you MORE TIME TO DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO. More opportunities to head off the tourist trail. More free time to immerse yourself in the culture. More getting lost in the moment. Just, more. If Dora taught us anything, it was how to count in Spanish and that a successful explorer needs a good base to set off from. From conveniently-located hotels to share with your bestie, lover, new Topdecker roomie or enjoy solo, to a traditional Indian houseboat or a desert camp under the stars – all our Explorer trips stay in some PRETTY SICK ACCOMMODATION.

EXPLORER |

Wanna get close to the action in Ubud? You can’t get any closer than this. Not only does it have views that’ll drop your jaw, the Anumana Hotel is

THE ULTIMATE BASE for all your yoga-ing, hiking, temple-hopping and miscellaneous jungle needs. ANUMANA HOTEL, UBUD (BALI)

Ever stayed in a shukubo before? The Waqoo Shitaderamachi is a ‘temple lodge’ in the heart of Osaka’s most temple-packed area. Once, it was a ‘pilgrims only’ kinda place – but now it’s

A PEACEFUL RETREAT where you can sleep off your (inevitable) Osaka food baby. WAQOO SHITADERAMACHI, OSAKA (JAPAN)

ASIA GET MORE.

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE LOCATION. Cool, comfy and well-located, you’ll find the ÊMM Hotel just a few short minutes away from Hoi An’s 15th-century Old Quarter. When you’re done soaking up the sights, head to Cua Dai Beach – it’s just around the corner. See? We told you it was well-located. ÊMM HOTEL, HOI AN (VIETNAM)

How often do you get to stay on a

TRADITIONAL INDIAN RICE BARGE? Yep – this is once-in-a-lifetime stuff. Meet the locals, learn about their everyday lives, then kick back and watch the sunset as you drift through the palm-fringed lagoons of the Kerala backwaters. HOUSEBOAT STAY, ALLEPEY (INDIA)

EXPLORER |

asian fusio

28 DAY I DON’T HAVE 28 DAYS...

Lalidarat

YOU’RE TELLING US YOU’VE GOT A MONTH TO PLAY WITH? HOLY SH*T, DO WE HAVE AN ADVENTURE FOR YOU...

Ticking off Thailand, Laos,

PAKBENG PRO TIP

Wakey wakey! Get up early and head to the banks of the Mekong at around 7am. You might see an elephan t or two...

TLERADIP ER

SUBMITTED

Cambodia and Vietnam, this

I N C R E D I B L E journey is made from 100% solid gold life-changing material. So much to see. So much to do. So much to learn. So much to taste. From ancient-modern history to street food tours, overnight trains and Mekong cruises, there’s one thing we can guarantee: this fusion of all things Southeast Asian will have you feeling ALIVE from your head to your toes.

BEc

WITH A TWIST Get yourself over to Chiang Mai Women’s Correctional Institute for a massage. The Institute’s famous rehabilitation programme gives inmates a chance to earn money so they have funds after their release – and it’s a skill they can continue to use for the rest of their lives. Feels good, does good.

@ T R AV E L L I N G Z I M B O

A CHIANG MAI MASSAGE

INCLUDED:

Stop off at the White Temple

BANGKOK TOP 3

AND...GO!

SOI COW BOY. THE BEST happy hours + unbeatable people watching. Get yoursel f a bucket of drink with a lid and soak up the crazines s. LEB UA TOW ER. Feeling bou jee? Pull up a chair in the rooftop bar for the best views of the sprawling city below.

No worries. Try this for size 16 DAY | ROAD TO PHNOM PENH B A N G K O K - P H N O M

P E N H

visit our website for more info. www.topdeck.travel

Is this trip for you?

CHATUC HAK MA RKE T. The ONLY place to be on the weekend. Do a walking pub and shop crawl, Bangkok style. Bonus: sells everything you could ever possibly want .

FIND YOU R

Ho Chi M

LOOKING FOR A G TO CLEAR YOUR

Zen place 1:

Point yourself towards L Spooky fact: it used to b but it was repurposed in

Zen place 2:

GLITTERING SPIRITUAL // UNFORGETTABLE

TAO DAN PARK (just be Palace). There’s nowhere morning exercise (or an

GO VEGAN

LEADER

IN HANOI Uu Dam Chay restaurant does vegan food so incredible that you won’t even realise it’s vegan. All the food is IMMACULATELY presented – and the restaurant interior is basically a work of art.

19 EXPLORER |

TRIP

SUBMITTED b y

Hoa LUANG PRABANG

MU ST-EATS by Michaela

NAM KHAO: AMAZING Lao fried rice ball salad. Sweet. Salty. Spicy. Comes with sausage (see below). LAO SAUSAGE: Yummy pork sausage seasoned with lemongrass, lime leaves and galangal. BAGUETTES: Yep, you read that right. Get ‘em from Le Banneton Café (a traditional French colonial eatery).

YESSSSSSSS JUNK BOAT CRUISE

STICKY RICE: This stuff is EVERYWHERE. Choose a street vendor and go nuts. And if you need a break from the spice? Secret Pizza. Hit it up for the best carbs in town (loaded with real Italian cheese).

T O P O P T I O N A L A C T I V I T I E S

FREE TIME

Full-day boat trip City tour and mud spa visit

INCLUDED EXPERIENCES ▪ See Angkor Wat at sunrise ▪ Street food tuk-tuk tour of Bangkok ▪ Guided trishaw tour of Chiang Mai ▪ Visit Wat Rong Khun ▪ Street food tour of Ho Chi Minh City ▪ Cu Chi Tunnels tour ▪ Visit the Cai Be floating markets ▪ Drive the Hai Van Pass ▪ Party cruise in Halong Bay

OPTIONAL

Rouge Visit the Khmer Killing Fields

ZEN PLAC E

Minh City

GOOD PLACE HEAD?

LE VAN TAM PARK. be a French cemetery, n the 80s.

ehind the Independence e better for a bit of afternoon nap)

2 8 D AY S F R O M

James

Get cosy! 1

STOP

DAY STOP

4 0 M EA LS

€3499

EUR PER PERSON

that’s just

€125

EUR PER DAY

S E E PA G E 13

M U LT I P L E D E PA R T U R E S

APR - MAR For up-to-date details and pricing, SEARCH: “Asian Fusion” on www.topdeck.travel TRIP CODE: AXAFBH

EXPLORER |

I DON’T HAVE 20 DAYS...

How about just doing a section of the route?

11 DAY | TEM PLE RUN

C H E N N A I

–

THEY SAY YOU DON’T TRAVEL INDIA; YOU EXPERIENCE IT.

K O C H I

10 DAY | NAM AST E IND IA

D E L H I

–

india

NEW TRIP

D E L H I

Brace for sensory overload. Anticipate awe-inspiring sights. Prepare for untouched wilderness. And equip yourself for a culture shock of the very best kind. India is everything you’ve heard, and so, so much more. Time to experience it with an awesome crew of people on a 20 day trip that may just change your life.

24 HO UR S

EXPLO RING

IN KOCHI

UDA IPU R

the colourful bazaars on an * Explore INCLUDED walking tour and unwind with an optional * Relax yoga class INCLUDED sunset sail * Head out on an Lake Pichola on picturesque * Discover the city’s crooked streets

Suggested by Navendu

a house explore the synagogue, Dutch-er LUDED and giant fishing nets on an INC Teapot walking tour. Then, head to the cake and Café for quirky décor, yummy an excellent cup of chai

PM NIGHT

on an optional cycle tour

h learn to cook up a storm for lunc onal before jumping aboard an opti t of the sunset cruise at the meeting poin Arabian Sea and Vembanad Lake g. grab one final dinner with the gan i akal Kath al ition trad a to Then head dance show

Is this trip for you?

SPICY CHAOTIC COLOURFUL

@ S A U L S PA C E

20 DAY experience

Saul HOT TIP

HAWA MAHAL

GET THE BEST PHOTO FROM CAFE/TATTOO PARLOUR OPPOSITE. Head upstairs, grab a coffee and enjoy the view

DE-LICIOUSLY DE-LIGHTFUL

Chloe

DELHI @C LOTO W E R

FA R S I C A F É for Indian-style tapas with a twist. Try the edamame & aloo samosa pinwheel. H A U Z K H A S S O C I A L . Chilled brunch vibes with 100% recycled and upcycled furniture.

S O D A B OT T L E O P E N E R W A L A , Khan Market. Explore the buzzing market area and then pop in here to try the paneer croquettes

INCLUDED!

Get your OTT Bollywood fix at Jaipur’s famous Raj Mandir theatre. HQ’s fave? The action-war film Kesari

Looking for a quick bite? Grab a tikka roll from K H A N C H A C H A , it will only set you back 250 rupees O D E A N S O C I A L - this bar is buzzing in the evenings, great range of cocktails and snacks

INCLUDED EXPERIENCES

HEADS UP!

▪ Walking tour of Old Delhi ▪ Visit Qutab Minar ▪ Sunrise at the Taj Mahal ▪ Visit the Chand Baori Stepwell ▪ Cooking class in Chettinad ▪ Evening worship ceremony at 3 0 M EA LS Meenakshi temple ▪ Tour the spice planation at Thekkady ▪ Traditional Kalaripayattul performance

all domestic flights have a luggage allowance of 15kgs – so leave your hairdryers, dumbbells and heavy suitcases at home.

OVERNIGHT STOP

DAY STOP

temple run temple run temple run €2349 2 0 D AY S F R O M

Brihadishvara Temple > Srirangam Temple > Meenakshi Temple (incl. evening worship ceremony)

LET’S DO THIS! AUTHENTIC A F

SPEND A NIGHT ON A TRADITIONAL HOUSE BOAT Home-cooked lunch and dinner included.

EUR PER PERSON

that’s just

€118

EUR PER DAY

S E E PA G E 13

M U LT I P L E D E PA R T U R E S

APR - FEB

For up-to-date details and pricing, SEARCH: “Experience India” on www.topdeck.travel TRIP CODE: AXEIDK

EXPLORER |

13 DAYvietnam & camb

explorer

TWO WEEKS. TWO OF THE MOST

Just wanna travel Vietnam?

13 DAY | VIETNAM UNCOVERED H O

C H I

M I N H

C I T Y - H A N O I

visit our website for more info. www.topdeck.travel

SLAP-YOU-IN-THE-FACE-UNBELIEVABLE COUNTRIES YOU’LL EVER EXPERIENCE. WHO’S READY TO GO EXPLORING?

You know it, we know it – even the carved faces at

the Bayon temple know it. Vietnam and Cambodia are famous the world over for their mind-blowing natural beauty, ancient architecture and unique cultures. And this trip? It’s here to help you see the very best that both have to offer. We’re talking amazing cities. Fascinating history. Tropical scenery. The best food you will EVER eat. Need we go on?

T O P O P T I O N A L A C T I V I T I E S

FREE TIME Countryside cycling tour in Hoi An Cooking class in Hoi An

@EZZIBUNN

H oi An/Ho Chi Minh City street food tour

cenic flight over Halong S Bay

SAY WAT?

The temple hit-list

#1 1 A N G K O R W AT : The biggest temple complex in the world. ‘Otherworldly’ doesn’t even cover it.

#2 A N G K O R T H O M : The last great #3 #4 @EMMA.W321

Is this trip for you?

#5 #6

capital of the Khmer Empire. Must-see: the statue-lined South Gate. B AY O N : SOOOO intricately decorated with over 200 peaceful-looking faces. Mesmerising! P H I M E A N A K A S : A Hindu temple built at the end of the 10th century. Looks like: a three-tier pyramid. TA P R O H M : A ruin filled with crumbling towers and overgrown tree roots. Think: Tomb Raider. P R E R U P : Climb to the top for incredible jungle views and a sunset to remember.

PHNOM PENH TOP TIP by Welshy Head to Le Moon for sunset views over the river and delish cocktails. Bliss.

EXOTIC // ANCIENT // SPELLBINDING

bodia

EXPLORER |

HA LO NG BAY

WOR LD HER ITAG E SITE . THE JEW EL IN VIET NAM ’S CRO WN. ONE OF THE ‘NEW 7WO NDE RS OF NAT URE’ .

Try an egg coffee??

Flying in or out of BANGKOK?

Whichever way you look at it, Halong Bay is pretty damn special. Do it properly on our overnight junk boat cruise. Featuring: paddling, lounging on the sundeck and more limestone islands than you can count.

TRY OUR 3 OR 4 DAY SHORT BREAK ON FOR SIZE. All the inclusions you want (and need) minus the hassle. Head to www.topdeck.travel for up-to-date details and pricing.

OLD TOWN: Check it out after dark to see it all lit up by lanterns

OVERNIGHT STOP

INCLUDED EXPERIENCES

DAY STOP

▪ Guided tour of Hanoi ▪ Hanoi street food tour ▪ Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre performance ▪ Party cruise in Halong Bay ▪ Visit the Cai Be floating markets ▪ Sunset cruise in Phnom Penh ▪ Watch the sunset at Angkor Wat 1 3 D AY S F R O M

James

HO CH I MI NH CIT Y

DO IT RIGHT POC POC BEER GARDEN: Big, noisy and fun.

Hot tip: tell them it’s your birthday...

RELISH & SONS: Ask for the ‘Com Tam’ burger. We won’t spoil the surprise. XU RESTAURANT LOUNGE: For the

BEST dry martini in the city.

NOIR: DINING IN THE DARK: Think: no lights

to distract you from the amazing food!

€1649

17 M E A L S

EUR PER PERSON

that’s just

€127

EUR PER DAY

S E E PA G E 13

M U LT I P L E D E PA R T U R E S

APR - MAR For up-to-date details and pricing, SEARCH: “Vietnam & Cambodia Explorer” on www.topdeck.travel TRIP CODE: AXVCHS

EXPLORER |

china live

12 DAY AS FAR AS

DIFFERENT

GOES, CHINA TICKS ALL THE BOXES.

NO INSTAGRAM. NO FACEBOOK. You’re in China, get over it.

□ Diverse landscapes. □ Unusual attractions. □ Distinctive history. □ Unique (and bizarre) food. And literally everything in between. Pop that all in a trip-sized blender, throw in an expert local guide and a large portion of awesome people and you’ve got one deliciously authentic trip of a lifetime.

PA N D A . PA N D A . PA N D A .

DISNEYL

Zach

TOP TIP:

over Get up early for the sunrise eng gsh Lon rice fields in

AND!

Is this trip for you?

INTRIGUING REMARKABL

BEIJING

Visit the Great Wall of China Tuck into lunch with a local family at the hutongs

Join the oldies doing tai chi in the park Visit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City Check out Wangfujing Street for an array of edible bugs. Just make sure they’re fresh!

@ZACHTOPDECK

Peking duck dinner (optional activity) Quick way of remembering the three dynasties of China:

Chin, Hand,Tongue = Chin, Han,Ton

OVERNIGHT STOP

BTW squat toile ts are a thing. Have your Detto l and tissues handy . M U S T- D O

FREE TIME

N O T E:

Light show in Yangshuo (no clapping FYI)

L P E O P L E W IL E S UR T IC P E K A T AL OF YOU. DE . IT H W IT

@C LOTO W E R

24 HOURS IN

TOP 3

FOO DIE THIN GS TO TRY

XIAO LONG BAO– a broth filled pork dumpling. Pop the top and let it cool before pouring a little of the accompanying vinegar dip in.

ROU-JI A-MO (AKA XIAN BURGE R)– a Chinese street food staple. The handmade bread is crispy on the outside, then stuffed with tender pork. Drooling yet? NAI WONG BAO– fluffy white bread wrapped around a creamy, sweet custard centre. It’s sunshine in a bun.

INCLUDED EXPERIENCES ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪

Street food in Bejing Visit the Great Wall See the Terracotta Warriors Cycle the city wall of Xian See pandas at the Chengdu 2 1 M EA LS conservation centre Hike the rice terraces in Longsheng 1 2 D AY S F R O M

€2399

EUR PER PERSON

that’s just

€200

EUR PER DAY

S E E PA G E 13

M U LT I P L E D E PA R T U R E S

APR - MAR For up-to-date details and pricing, SEARCH: “China Live” on www.topdeck.travel TRIP CODE: AXCLGK

EXPLORER |

12 DAY japan

I DON’T HAVE 12 DAYS...

highlights

TOO EXPENSIVE... I DON’T HAVE THE TIME OFF... I HATE SUSHI... That’s it, we’re done with

excuses. In under two weeks

this trip gives you the highlights and the hidden gems. The culture and the crazy. The ultra-modern and the historic. The scenery and the cities. And all the ramen, okonomiyaki, udon, katsu, yakitori and sake your fat pants can handle

Turn the page for our

(you packed those, right?). This is your wake-up call – JAPAN IS WAITING.

7 DAY JAPA N EXPR ESS TRIP L O P T I O N A

heads up

You’ll be travelling like a local here – so no large or heavy cases, unless you enjoy dragging it on and off bullet trains...

S A C T I V I E

FREE TIME

local onsen Take a dip in a beef dinner with da Hi a to in k Tuc the gang

Seen the photos? Read the book? Now it’s time to visit.

T FA C

O SAK A

C A P ITA L IS T H E FO O D IE O F JA PA N

word for They even have a p” – kuidaore. dro u yo till f of “sc cro bars, DI ST RI CT for mi TH E UR AN AM BA Drunken e (th E -K-O -A d K-A-R plenty of sake an FYI) Clam is the best own little N– you get your IC HI RA N RA ME ow they pop stuff through. nd booth with a wi e ramen and a queu Expect amazing oyaki a eat street for tak DOTO NB UR I ak rk bone (po tsu k) and tonko (octopus ball snac broth ramen)

3 TOKYO

@ K AT Y _ F O R B E

DAY S IN

DAY 3 DAY 2

DAY 1

start off with a full day included city tour. See the anime culture, tick off Senso-ji Temple and hit up Nakamise shopping street. Later, it’s the Harajuku district, Shibuya crossing and dinner with the gang in the Asakusa district.

@ T O B I N H A RT L E Y

do whatever you want. But if you need help choosing there’s an East Tokyo neighborhood cycling tour or sushi-mak ing class on offer. again, it’s your day your way. Head to the happiest place on Earth to say hi to Mick ey or tuck into dinner at the Robot Resta urant (it’s an experience....)

INCLUDED EXPERIENCES FACT: With over 200 flavours, Kit Kat is THE most popular chocolate brand in Japan. It also sounds like ‘kitto katsu’ - translation for: ‘You’re bound to win’.

UE TT E FO OT W EA R ET IQ 1

OVERNIGHT STOP

DAY STOP

House shoes for Shoes off at the door. es for the loo inside. Bathroom sho

▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪

Full day city tour in Tokyo including the Senso-ji Temple, Shibuya crossing and Harajuku districts Stay in traditional ryokan accommodation in Takayama Visit the Itsukushima Shrine Visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum Visit a sake brewery in Takayama Visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine See the famous floating torii gate in Miyajima Guided tour of Kyoto city including the Gion district

1 2 D AY S F R O M

14 M E A L S

€3229 Suggested by Zach

OMMMMM–SEN Go to Kurama onsen – a natural hot

spring with indoor and outdoor facilities. It’s 30 minutes north of Kyoto and on a rainy /snowy day it’s truly magical. TOP TIP: hike up to the mountain temple – it’ll make the onsen that much more relaxing!

EUR PER PERSON

that’s just

€270

EUR PER DAY

S E E PA G E 13

M U LT I P L E D E PA R T U R E S

APR - MAR For up-to-date details and pricing, SEARCH: “Japan Highlights” on www.topdeck.travel TRIP CODE: AXJJTR

Is this trip for you?

QUIRKY // DELICIOUS // BUZZING

EXPLORER |

7 DAY japan express You could spend another week stuck in traffic, slugging it out at work or sitting through another episode of Love Island... Or you could spend

7 JAM-PACKED DAYS

STUFFING YOURSELF ON CULINARY DELIGHTS IN OSAKA, EXPLORING ULTRA-MODERN TOKYO, GETTING HIGH (IN A CABLE CAR) AT HAKONE AND BELTING OUT KARAOKE IN KYOTO. IT’S UP TO YOU.

Suggested by Zach

EA T AT : Nishiki Warai for

I-N- C-R -E-D -I-B -L-E yakisoba and okonomiyaki

FACT:

KYOTO IS HOME TO OVER 2,000 TEMPLES AND SHRINES.

O P T I O N A L

A C T I V I T Y

IN KY OT O

dress up as a maiko or samurai . Go on, we dare you.

Check out:

FUSHIMI INARI SHRINE- top tip: hike to the top and walk the full route

RYOANJI TEMPLE- for allll the

WTF?

colours!

HEIAN SHRINE- who doesn’t love a

giant torii gate?

TENRYU-JI TEMPLE- Arashiyama’s headline attraction with views to match

MODERN SHORT-BUT-SWEET CAPTIVATING @ K A _ S P L AT T

@ZACHTOPDECK

Is this trip for you?

Metal workers use the nut sack of the Japanese tanuki (racoon dog) to pummel gold into gold leaf. A tanuki with giant testicles is now associated with good fortune – look out for statues outside restaurants!

TRAVEL LIKE A

LOC AL

M U S T

D O S

F O R

Y O U R

FREE DAY IN

TOKYO

jump on the Shinkansen (that’s a bullet train FYI) to Kyoto.

@ K AT Y _ F O R B E S

Grab a coffee at Starbucks and snag a seat upstairs. Best view of Shibuya crossing and a good spot to people watch Head to Omoide Yokocho (aka Piss Alley) – despite the gross name, this tiny narrow street is cheap food and drink goals. Visit the Robot Restaurant – think: dazzling lasers, crazy decor, dancers and robots (obvs) Bar hop your way around the Golden Gai area of Shinjuku. Go to Nakajima for lunch, the queues are worth it! Add ‘sushi-making-ninja’ to your Tinder profile after learning from the pros (optional activity)

FYI

it’s rude to eat on the streets. So just don’t.

I O N A L T O P O P T I E S A C T I V I T

FREE TIME

se around Pirate ship crui Lake Ashi Hakone ropeway

TLERADIEPR

SUBMI

OVERNIGHT STOP

DAY STOP

Bec

ALL ABOARD THE

SUSHI TRAIN!

Get yourself to Genrokuzushi Dotonburi for cheap-as-chips sushi. Look out for the giant sculpture of a hand holding a piece of sushi – if you miss it, we’ll be impressed

y TTED b

INCLUDED EXPERIENCES ▪ Full day city tour in Tokyo including the Senso-ji Temple, Shibuya crossing and Harajuku districts ▪ Day trip to Hakone for Mt Fuji ▪ Take the bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto ▪ Visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine ▪ Guided tour of Kyoto city including the Gion district ▪ Visit Osaka castle ▪ Introductory tour of Osaka ▪ Make your way to the top of the 8 M E A L S Umeda Sky Building ▪ Visit the famous Dotonbori foodie district 7 D AY S F R O M

€1429

EUR PER PERSON

that’s just

€205

EUR PER DAY

S E E PA G E 13

M U LT I P L E D E PA R T U R E S

APR - MAR For up-to-date details and pricing, SEARCH: “Japan Express” on www.topdeck.travel TRIP CODE: AXJETR

@LACHLANSPENCER

EXPLORER |

7 DAY bali island hopper BALI. IT’S MUCH MORE THAN BINTANG TANK TOPS AND SPRING ROLLS. JOIN

US AND GET READY TO DO PARADISE

Mother Nature wasn’t messing about when she created Gili T and Lembongan. And

PROPERLY.

KEEN FOR SOME MORE ISLAND-HOPPING ACTION?

TLERADIEPR

SUBMI

y TTED b

Utama

Ubud? Yeah, it’s a side to Bali you need to

DON’T MISS...

see. Meet us in Seminyak and get pumped to dive into amazing temples, unique culture,

...the Campuhan Ridge Walk. Trek up here in the morning or evening for UNBELIEVABLE VALLEY VIEWS.

local life, crazy good food and MORE.

Is this trip for you?

IDYLLIC // TROPICAL // ZEN SEM INYA K

FOODIE HEAVEN by Erin

MAM A SAN– make those South East Asian foodie dreams come true. Try the soft-shell crab pad thai. KYND COMM UNIT Y– plant-based café that will change any carnivorous mind. It’s that good. GING ER MOO N– located on ‘Eat Street’, the dumplings and bao buns are to DIE for. THE W HOTE L– Hands down, the best buffet brunch you’ve ever had. Book in advance.

@EZZIBUNN

SETT IMO CIELO– hidden away off the main tourist strip, this Italian joint is the sh*t.

BEFORE YOU GO: Join the optional trip to Tanah Lot temple. Hop over rock pools, receive a blessing (complete with holy water, rice and a frangipani flower), and watch the sunset.

KEEN FOR A SURF ? Head to Playgrounds or test out Razors (for the more experienced)

EXPLORER |

DO GILI

DIFFERENTLY

Flip the page for more laid-back island adventures:

ISLAND HOPPING EXCURSION

Check out the other islands in the Gili family: Gili Meno (aka tropical paradise) and Gili Air (hippy vibes). While you’re there, try nasi campur – delicious vegetable, peanut and tofu noodles.

7 DAY | THAI ISLANDS SAMUI SUNSETS P H U K E T - P H U K E T

S N O R K E L L I N G B OAT T R I P

Visit our website for more info www.topdeck.travel

After boating out to the best snorkelling spots, you’ll get to splash around with the most amazingly colourful sealife. Bonus: you get so close to the fish, you can feed them.

VISIT THE NIGHT MARKET

GILI FACT

Cheap, fresh and delicious. Here you can try EVERYTHING from nasi goreng and bakso meatball soup to lobster, squid, king prawns and snapper. Basically? You want it, they’ll grill it. On the must-eat list: banana fritters.

Up until 30 years ago, the Gili Islands were uninhabited. But the white sand beaches, blue water and beating sun? Good news – they’re still here.

T O P O P T I O N A L A C T I V I T I E S

FREE TIME

Scuba diving in Gili Trawangan Indonesian cooking class at Kayun in Ubud Kintamani volcano mountain biking 1

OVERNIGHT STOP

Q UI CK BA LI N ES E Hello, how are you? = Hai, apa kabar? Goodbye = Sampai jumpa Yes = Ya No = Tidak Sorry = Maaf Thank you = Terima kasih

(think: tear-up-my-car-seat) How much? = Berapa?

UEBMUUSTD -DOS

INCLUDED EXPERIENCES ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪

Island hop from Bali to Nusa Lembongan and Gili Trawangan Choice of water activities on Nusa Lembongan Visit Tirta Empul holy springs and temple See Lake Batur

7 D AY S F R O M

WHITEWATER RAFTING

Sprawling rainforest, shimmering waterfalls... rafting on the Ayung river in Ubud = suitable for beginners and SO MUCH FUN. Spoiler alert: you WILL get wet. (Optional activity)

€609

10 M E A L S

EUR PER PERSON

that’s just

€87

EUR PER DAY

S E E PA G E 13

Iconic. Picture this: lush green paddy fields and swaying palm trees. Word to the wise – the rice terraces get pretty humid, so bring a water bottle.

GOA GAJAH

That’s ‘Elephant Cave’ to you and me. The door to this rocky cavern is shaped like a demon’s mouth (not at all unnerving, right?) – and inside you’ll find a statue of the elephant-headed god, Ganesha.

APR - MAR

UBUD ART MARKET

INDULGE IN A DAY SPA

For up-to-date details and pricing, SEARCH: “Bali Island Hopper” on www.topdeck.travel

TEGALALANG RICE TERRACE

This maze-like market is huuuuge. Expect to see everything from sarongs and prints to traditional Balinese crafts. And loads of wooden ducks. For some reason.

Rose petal baths. Essential oil massages. Surrounded by rice fields. Let the relaxation begin. Topdeck HQ’s favourite? Karsa Spa.

M U LT I P L E D E PA R T U R E S

TRIP CODE: AXIBSS

7 DAYTHAI ISLANDS

EXPLORER |

SamuI SUNSETS

TRAVELLING BETWEEN NOVEMBER AND MARCH?

STRESSED OUT? FED UP? DONE IN? MATE. SOUNDS LIKE YOU NEED A BIT OF QUALITY SUNRISE/SUNSET ACTION

Check this one out: 7 DAY | THAI ISLA NDS KO-C ONUT HOPP ER

P H U K E T

IN YOUR LIFE. WE PRESCRIBE: A WEEK IN THE THAI ISLANDS.

Visit our website for more info www.topdeck.travel

INTRODUCING: KOH SAMUI, KOH PHA NGAN AND KOH TAO

(AKA THE BEST CHILL-PILLS IN THE BUSINESS). From straight-out-of-your-dreams beaches to aquatic adventures, yummy street food and coconuts FOR DAYS, this trip = just what the doc ordered.

DELISH

THAI FOODS

KWAY TIAO. A cheap and tasty noodle soup. Are you a flat noodle person or a thin noodle person? Only time will tell. CHICKEN RICE. This hearty rice comes

served with sweet chilli sauce, a sliced cucumber garnish and a bowl of chicken broth.

PAD THAI. Well, duh! Pad thai is the OG of street food. Tamarind, fish sauce, garlic... So. bloody. good.

M U S T- T

COC KTA ILS

WATERMELON MARTINI: Tropical, delicious and scarily easy to drink. Made from fresh watermelon, honey and vodka. SAMUI SUNSET: It’d be rude not to. Plus, it actually looks like a sunset. Contains: rum, Grand Marnier, pineapple juice, lime juice and grenadine.

Flying in or out of BANGKOK? TRY OUR 3 OR 4 DAY SHORT BREAK ON FOR SIZE. All the inclusions you want (and need) minus the hassle.

THAI SWEET BASIL DAIQUIRI: Rum + lime juice + palm syrup + Thai sweet basil + an egg white. Everyone’s fave – with a Thai twist. PIÑA COLADA: The original (and some might say the BEST). Pineapple, rum, coconut cream. Done.

Head to www.topdeck.travel for up-to-date details and pricing.

Is this trip for you?

SUN-KISSED // AQUAMARINE // CHILL

@JAKESVENSSO

TLERADIEPR

SUBMI

y TTED b

Coco

COC O’S KOH SAM UI 1

Head Fisherman’s Village: For ALL the shopping. to seat row front a for g evenin the over there in t. sunse e ievabl unbel an

OVERNIGHT STOP

T O P O P T I O N A L A C T I V I T I E S

FREE TIME

Scuba diving in Koh Tao Canopy adventure in Koh Pha Ngan Organic farm visit and cooking class in Koh Samui

got Chaweng Road: For THE BEST nightlife. It’s cheap got it’s , shops nir souve got it’s restaurants, massages and it’s got bars and clubs. Obvs.

COC O’S KOH PH A NG AN

up a Vagga Bar: Right on Haad Yao beach. Pull get and ail cockt a grab beanbag or hammock, lost in the vibes. Three Sixty Bar: Panoramic views + excellent day. bevs = always a good way to round off the

COC O’S KOH TAO

Evening beach walks: Enough said. iful. The Queen Cabaret Show: So. Many. Beaut very Ladies (who may or may not possess their own banana, if you know what I mean).

INCLUDED EXPERIENCES

FULL MOO N PARTY? Grab your glow sticks and neon body paint and click ‘attending’ to the BIGGEST, loooooongest beach party in the world. All

our Guaranteed Departure dates line up perfectly with the monthly Full Moon Party on Koh Pha Ngan.

▪ Island stays on Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Tao ▪ Welcome and farewell dinners 7 D AY S F R O M

€609

8 M EA LS

EUR PER PERSON

that’s just

€87

EUR PER DAY

S E E PA G E 13

M U LT I P L E D E PA R T U R E S

APR - SEP

For up-to-date details and pricing, SEARCH: “Thai Islands Samui Sunsets” on www.topdeck.travel TRIP CODE: AXIEII

@IRON_BACK

EXPLORER |

@IMLUKEM ACKENZIE

Otherworldly desert landscapes, camel rides and a 4x4 expedition to remember. Be warned – this

AUTHENTIC BEDOUIN EXPERIENCE will make you feel things. Look up at the stars, listen to the crackle of the campfire and pinch yourself. MOHAMMED MUTLAK CAMP, WADI RUM (JORDAN)

Welcome to

ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS SURF SPOTS IN THE WORLD Wanna turn pro? The Sol House hotel’s got your back. With a prime beachside location, cool bungalow accom AND its very own hammam, there’s no better place to earn your surfing stripes. Or just relax. SOL HOUSE, TAGHAZOUT (MOROCCO)

EXPLORER |

MIDDLE EAST GET MORE.

& NORTH AFRICA

@RACCCCHHHHH

They don’t call this place the Amarante Pyramids for nothing. Just a (Sphinx’s) nose away from the VIP World Wonders at Giza,

THIS COMFY HOTEL HAS EVERYTHING YOU NEED to help you maintain that post-archaeology glow. AMARANTE PYRAMIDS HOTEL, GIZA (EGYPT)

Be honest. You didn’t expect to be staying somewhere so cool in the middle of Jerusalem, did you? The quirky Post Hostel is part of Jerusalem’s actual central post office building, so you know it’s gonna be

RIGHT WHERE THE ACTION IS. Bonus: you’ll stay in twin rooms, not dorms. THE POST HOSTEL, JERUSALEM (ISRAEL)

EXPLORER |

10 DAYEGYPT EXPRESS

Wa good

W hy no t be ac h w BR EA K? Th fro m on P

THE PYRAMIDS, THE SPHINX, THE NILE... THEY’RE ALL HERE. BUT WHERE ARE YOU? You’ve seen them in books. You’ve seen them in documentaries. You’ve seen them in movie after movie, after movie. But experiencing them in real life? A whole different level of AMAZING. Ancient, archaeological and wallto-wall iconic, this sure as hell isn’t your average holiday. But then – you’re not your average traveller.

Is this trip for you?

TIMELESS MAGICAL MOMENTOUS

DINING

EGYPT STYLE

Th ge br

IMPORTANT LESSON: DO NOT leave Egypt without sampling koshari. Your initial encounter with this carb-loaded beauty will probably take place in a backstreet restaurant in Cairo – and when the time comes, remember this: looks can be deceiving! Basically? It’s a mixture of macaroni, brown rice, chickpeas and lentils (all topped off with a layer of fried onions). To complete the dish, just add tomato sauce.

TLERADIP ER

y SUBMITTED b

A fel-whatta?

A FE LU CC A, AK A A TR AD IT IO NA L W OO DE N SA IL BOAT

IM AG INE: the sun on

your back, the wind in your sails and THE BEST people you could ever hope to meet sharing stories, food and music in one cus hion-strewn love-in... Ditch the tec h for a few hours and lose yourself in the moment.

T R IP L E A D E R H A N

I have done tours aro und Egypt for over ten years, but even now sitting on the felucca and sailing down the Nile takes my breath away. Try it with a beer in your hands.

OVERNIGHT STOP

anna keep the d times rolling?

EXPLORER |

grab a fe w bli ss fu l da ys at th e wi th ou r 6 DAY DA HA B BE AC H he da te s lin e up so yo u ca n go ne tri p to th e ne xt in a bli nk . lus , it st ar ts in Ca iro !

Visit our website for more info. www.topdeck.travel

GO LO CA L IN AN

EGYPTIAN

COFFEE HOUSE Not to be confused with your standard coffee shop,

this is a traditional ahwa – and it’s like

nothing you’ve seen before. Mingle with the locals as you tuck into local snacks, then settle down with the guys to watch

GIFTUN ISLAND

Trip

a soccer game.

One word: IDYLLIC. On this sun-soaked boat trip to Giftun Island, you can swim and snorkel some of the most incredible lagoons you’ll probs ever see. We’re talking rainbow colours, pristine beaches and life-giving reefs.

perfect way to he overnight coach = the Note to self: es. mat et to know your trip of snacks! nty ple and w ring a neck pillo

INCLUDED EXPERIENCES I O N A L T O P O P T I E S A C T I V I T

FREE TIME

ple Visit Philae Tem r with Traditional dinne Nubian family Camel ride

▪ Visit the Egyptian Museum ▪ See the Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza Plateau ▪ Visit the Abu Simbel temples ▪ Felucca sailing on the Nile ▪ Visit Kom Ombo temple ▪ Visit the Valley of the Kings ▪ Visit the Temple of Hatshepsut ▪ Visit the Colossi of Memnon 1 0 D AY S F R O M

€759

DAY STOP

14 M E A L S

EUR PER PERSON

REMEMBER

MIND-BLOWING E G Y P T FA C T

Always have change on you for camera fees at the big sights – they usually charge for proper cameras (but not smartphones, thankfully!).

by Hamada

Egypt’s history goes back way further than you might realise. To put it into perspective? The time between Cleopatra and the iPhone is shorter than the time between Cleopatra and the great pyramids of Giza.

TL RIP SUB

MIT

TED

EADER

that’s just

€76

EUR PER DAY

S E E PA G E 13

M U LT I P L E D E PA R T U R E S

APR - MAR For up-to-date details and pricing, SEARCH: “Egypt Express” on www.topdeck.travel TRIP CODE: MXEECC

EXPLORER |

10 DAYmoroccan

explorer

THOUGHT MOROCCO WAS ALL #WANDERLUST PICS, CAMELS AND COUSCOUS?

HEADS UP!

Well yeah, there’s that. But in 10 whirlwind days with us you’ll see the side

MAX OF 16 PEOP LE ON THIS TRIP

of Morocco your Instagram feed can’t do justice. Delve deeper into a unique culture, throw yourself into new experiences and discover a world unlike any

Meanin g? A more intimat e group of legends to have a bloody awesom e time with.

other with a small group of absolute legends. Yalla!

MAGNIFIQUE

MEALS IN MARRAKECH

By Chloe

AMAL-GUELIZ: Try the couscous, sit out in the colourful, orange-tree-filled courtyard and learn how the restaurant empowers disadvantaged women by teaching culinary skills while you eat. LE JARDIN SECRET: Escape the city chaos with afternoon tea in the riad of a 400-year-old palace. Try the chicken and pear tagine, then explore the lush gardens and intricately decorated architecture. NOMAD: delicious modern Moroccan with an emphasis on local produce. Sit out on the terrace and take in all the awesome views of the medina and Atlas Mountains. Bliss.

WHAT THE KASBAH?

CO M M ON M OR OC CA

Medina Souk Tagine

an old, walled part of

town a busy marketplace or bazaar (where you can buy almost everything) stew of spiced meat and veggies, slow-cooked in a chi mney-looking dish

means “come on” or “hurry up”. You might cop one or two if you’re late for the coach

like a spa, you sit in a steam room – usually followed by a massage or scrub

LIGHTS, CAMERA...

‘Ouallywood’

T R AV E L

Hammam

D...

@OLIVEALEX

Yalla!

N W OR DS EX PL AI NE

the sprawling Taourirt Kasbah of Ouarzazate and nearby Aït Benhaddou has played backdrop for blockbusters like Kingdom of Heaven, Gladiator, Prince of Persia and Game of Thrones.

@C LOTO W E R

ZAHIRA’S

EXPLORER |

TIPS TOP *

Be extra vigilant of pick pockets in the medina – keep your bag close and across your body when walking around

* If you’re getting a taxi, always fix the price before you get in Got lost in the medina? Don’t panic! Walk with confidence and * ask a shopkeeper for directions rather than an

unofficial “guide”

who will ask for payment

Remember to cover your shoulders and knees when visiting * any mosque. Girls, be prepared to cover your head sometimes Don’t forget to pack a warm jacket/jumper for the * Sahara Desert – it gets chilly in the morning and evenings Buy a scarf to protect you from the sun and wind amongst * the sand dunes. Also, SUNCREAM!

REALITY CHECK

ALICE THE CAMEL HAD...

JUMP ABOARD YOUR NOBLE STEED AND HEAD INTO THE ENDLESS RED DUNES OF THE SAHARA ON DAY 7! We’ll spend the night at a desert camp under a star-filled sky.

@NJSEALEY

MU ST TRY

Madfouna: authentic wood-fired Berber ‘pizza’. Head to Restaurant des Dunes with the gang.

whilst in modest tents We’ll be staying aircon d no, there’s no in the Sahara. An s– er ry ird ha for your or power plugs gest hot lar e th of le idd you’re in the m rld after all.... desert in the wo

INCLUDED EXPERIENCES ▪ Local guides in Marrakech, Rabat and Fes ▪ Visit Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca ▪ Check out the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis ▪ Stay at a desert camp in the Sahara Desert ▪ Explore the imperial city of Meknes ▪ Travel through the Atlas Mountains ▪ Visit Todra Gorge ▪ Visit UNESCO World Heritage listed Aït Benhaddou

HOT TIP:

get up early for the sunrise

12 M E A L S

1 0 D AY S F R O M

OVERNIGHT STOP

€849

DAY STOP

EUR PER PERSON

Is this trip for you?

that’s just

IN-DEPTH OTHERWORLDLY ADVENTUROUS

€85

EUR PER DAY

@EM_ROSSER

S E E PA G E 13

M U LT I P L E D E PA R T U R E S

APR - MAR For up-to-date details and pricing, SEARCH: “Moroccan Explorer” on www.topdeck.travel TRIP CODE: MXMEMM

EXPLORER |

10 DAYJORDAN & ISRAEL

FIERY DESERT LANDSCAPES TO WORLD-CLASS WRECK DIVING. Ancient stone facades to churches built on the grave of the big man himself. Floating weightlessly on the surface of the Dead Sea to partying with the best in lively Tel Aviv....it’s hard to know what to expect from these two incredibly diverse countries except the fact that they EXCEED expectations in every. single. way. Ready to see why?

24 HRS

F A CT

Tel Aviv hosts one of the biggest pride Festivals in the world!

IN JE RU SA LE M

kets – a variety Check out Machane Yehuda Mar ing bars and buzz day, by es stor uce of local prod shisha stalls by night

of old town, Get educated on a guided tour g the way alon ts sigh n mai the out checking E views from the Take in all the I-N-C-R-E-D-I-B-LMount of Olives at the Church of Visit Jesus’s final resting place UES!) the Holy Sepulchre (expect QUE

OVERNIGHT STOP

DAY STOP

TOP TIP

Suggested by Jo

FOR THE DEAD SEA

* Wear thongs right to the edge –

the sand is hot (and kinda sharp) Don’t drink the water. Obvs.

* * Avoid shaving your legs, face or other... parts too close to your swim. Sh*t stings!

* Get a free spa treatment by covering yourself in the mineral-laden mud

* Don’t wear white bathers/boardies

Head to The Walled Off Hotel – a hotel, museum, protest and gallery all in one owned by British street artist Banksy.

Is this trip for you?

HOLY // BREATHTAKING //

T O P O P T I O N A L A C T I V I T I E S

FREE TIME

Scuba dive around sunken military tanks, transport planes and Lebanese freighters Go snorkelling with colourful fish, a variety of corals and green turtles Jump aboard a glass bottom boat for a spot of lunch and snorkelling

How about just doing a section of the route? 8 DAY | JORDAN ADVENTURE A M M A N

–

A M M A N

Visit our website for more info. www.topdeck.travel

FO OD IE TH IN GS TO TRY

ch Sabich ce in Jerusalem is Ari

EXPLORER |

DON’T HAVE 10 DAYS?

SA BIC H: Best pla

BEST Abu Hassan has the HU MM US: Hummus hummus in Tel Aviv rywhere ICE: Street stalls eve PO ME GR AN AT E JU rth trying) ese (bit weird but wo KN AF EH: Sweet che ab. nian version of a keb SH AWAR MA: Jorda ’ll find you ere wh n ma in Am There’s an entire street different versions cy eggplant dip MO UTAB AL: Ska spi e. Best in Ammam FA LA FE L: obvious on the queues) nt (go early to avoid @ Hashem Restaura

DAY 2 THE ROA D TO PET RA...

TO P TIP

one person handles money and another handles food – don’t eat there if they’re handling both!

STO P #1 MA DAB A:

tely detailed check out the vibrantly coloured and intrica city. the s acros red scatte ics Byzantine-era mosa

STO P #2 MT NEB O:

views of walk in Moses’ footsteps and take in alllll the the Promised Land.

STO P #3 KAR AK CAS10TLE:

theEremna A L S nts channel your inner Crusader and explore M of this historic castle.

STO P #4 PET RA BY NIG HT:

the opt in to take a goosebump-inducing walk down and music onal traditi of sound the dark ravine, following ome is an the soft glow of a candle-lit desert floor. Awes understatement.

INCLUDED EXPERIENCES ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪

DON’T MISS THIS

Tuck into a delicious traditional meal of maqluba (spiced chicken dish) with a local family

Discover the ‘Lost City’ of Petra Float in the Dead Sea 10 M E A L S Wadi Rum 4x4 excursion Sleep under the stars in a Bedouin desert camp ▪ Relax on the Red Sea in Aqaba ▪ Guided tours of Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Tel Aviv and Amman

1 0 D AY S F R O M

€1459

EUR PER PERSON

that’s just

4x4 through the desert + overnight stay in a Bedouin Camp + the best-looking night sky you’ve laid eyes on = f*ck yes!

€146

EUR PER DAY

S E E PA G E 13

M U LT I P L E D E PA R T U R E S

APR - MAR For up-to-date details and pricing, SEARCH: “Jordan & Israel” on www.topdeck.travel TRIP CODE: MXJIAT

EXPLORER |

NEW TRIP

10 DAY SURF, SAND I DON’T HAVE 10 DAYS...

& SOUKS

Ancient ruins. Colorful bazaars. Spice-filled tagines. Obvs we’ve got those boxes ticked. But the stuff that makes this trip really special? How about

hitting the surf at world-famous beaches? Sipping mint tea local-style? Lazing under paradise palms?

LUCKY FOR YOU,

P! U S D A HE

P EO P LE M A X O F 16 T R IP O N T H IS e m or e in tim at M ea ni ng ? A a ve ha to nd s gr ou p of le ge w ith . e tim e om bl oo dy aw es

WE’VE GOT EVERY ANGLE COVERED WITH THIS ONE.

FYI

How about just doing a section of the route?

Morocco is a predominantly Muslim country. Meaning? Alcohol is scarce. Perfect excuse for a detox really...

7 DAY | ROC KIN ’ MOR OCC AN

C A S A B L A N C A

–

M A R R A K E C H

Visit our website for more info. www.topdeck.travel

Best sunset views? Head to Taros Café

“ E S S A - W E E R A”

get your bearings with a walking tour through the medina, the port and along the Scala (aka ancient sea wall)

24 HOURS IN

TA G H A Z O U T

Casa

FINISH

Essaouira

Suggested by Max Learn to carve like a pro on an optional surfing lesson at Plage Taghazout beach or hit the break at Anchor Point if this isn’t your first time....

Is this trip for you?

VIBRANT DISTINCTIVE SURPRISING

Take an optional day trip to Paradise Valley: a maze of palm-fringed gorges in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. Bliss.

Taghazout

Head to World of Waves for afternoon tea or grab a take-away pizza from Pizza Hot (Not Hut) and tuck in along the coast Get a taste of everyday life watching the local fishermen bring in their morning catch at Marché Poissons Check out the locals turning tricks at the skatepark. Hot tip: stay for sunset, the views are 110% WORTH IT Relax and unwind with a spot of yoga on the beachfront.

OVERNIGHT STOP

DAY STOP

THE FES FIVE

EXPLORER |

Visit a traditional tannery (say yes to the mint, you’re going to need it!)

Head over to The Ruined Garden for Moroccan tapas in an awesome setting Wind through the buzzing souks, the Jewish Quarter and the Royal Palace on an INCLUDED walking tour Hike up Mount Zalagh for all the views, olive groves and GOATS! Tuck into a camel burger (or chicken couscous if that’s not your jam) at Café Clock

Chefchaouen

INCLUDED!

TOUR AROUND THE ‘BLUE CITY’ WITH A LOCAL GUIDE – head up to the top of the Spanish Mosque for panoramic views

Fes Volubilis

START

ablanca

MOROCCO

Marrakech

TLERADIEPTRRIP LEADER

SUBMI

INCLUDED EXPERIENCES

y TTED b

SUBMI

y TTED b

Moroccan Experience some traditional R&R at a local hammam.

a or Zhara suggests Mythic Sp h. Royal Mansour in Marrakec

▪ Visit Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca ▪ Walking tour with local guide in Chefchaouen ▪ Visit the Roman ruins of Volubilis ▪ Check out some local ceramics in Fes ▪ Walking tour of Fes ▪ Half-day city tour of Marrakech ▪ Walking tour of Essaouira

14 M E A L S

1 0 D AY S F R O M

€959

EUR PER PERSON

that’s just

€96

EUR PER DAY

S E E PA G E 13

M U LT I P L E D E PA R T U R E S

@C LOTO W E

APR - MAR For up-to-date details and pricing, SEARCH: “Surf, Sand & Souks” on www.topdeck.travel TRIP CODE: MXSSCE

EXPLORER |

9 DAY

nile discover

TAKE AN IN-DEPTH ANCIENT EGYPTIAN ADVENTURE.

L O P T I O N A

Add a 5-star cruise down

the Nile, a ready-made

friendship group and the most legendary Trip Leader you could ever meet. WHAT DO YOU GET? THIS TRIP. From Giza Plateau to the beaches of Hurghada, this is one all-encompassing Egypt tour

I E S A C T I V I T

FREE TIME

wan Camel ride in As Giftun Island trip

that’ll give you bragging rights foreverrrr.

@RACCCCHHHHH

THE EGYPTIAN MUSEUM:

W H AT T O S E E

DO NOT MISS:

Check out Tutankhamun’s mummy in the Valley of the Kings

Tutankhamun’s solid-gold death mask. The Mummy Rooms (costs extra, but def a must). The Narmer Palette, aka the ‘first historical document in the world’. The tiny ivory statue of Khufu (the creator of the Great Pyramid).

5-STAR

NILE CRUISE SHIP @JENFORRET

YEP, YOU READ THAT RIGHT. With an included three-night stay on a super boujee cruise ship, you’ll be living a more luxe life than the pharaohs could have ever imagined. This baby comes kitted out with a rooftop pool, a bar and PLENTY of sun lounging space.

Is this trip for you?

SPECTACULAR // ENIGMATIC // FASC

Why not round off your adventure with our Jordan & Israel trip (p.40)? The dates line up perfectly so you can have yourself a supersized holiday. Just book your own flight from Cairo to Amman!

EXPLORER |

@THEWINGOFTHINGS

WA N N A

K E E P E X P LO R I N G?

Chloe’s

TOP 3

MUST-T RY FOODS IN CAIRO

FUUL: A filling fava bean stew. We’ve heard it makes an excellent hangover cure... FITEER: A layered pastry pie. Head to Tawfiqiyya Souq for the best ones! TAAMEYA: Swap chickpeas for fava beans and you’ve got an Egyptian version of falafel.

Scuba?

INCLUDED EXPERIENCES ▪ 5-star cruise on the Nile ▪ See the Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza Plateau ▪ Visit the Egyptian Museum ▪ Visit the Temples of Abu Simbel, Kom Ombo and Edfu ▪ Visit the Saqqara Step Pyramid, Coptic Cairo and Khan el-Khalili market ▪ Visit the Temples of Luxor and Karnak ▪ Visit the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Hatshepsut ▪ Visit a Nubian village 9 D AY S F R O M

€1039

14 M E A L S

EUR PER PERSON

that’s just

€116 @THEWINGOFTHINGS

EUR PER DAY

S E E PA G E 13

M U LT I P L E D E PA R T U R E S

APR - MAR For up-to-date details and pricing, SEARCH: “Nile Discovery” on www.topdeck.travel

OVERNIGHT STOP

TRIP CODE: MXEVCC

DAY STOP

RS: CIENT WONDE

THE FACTS

CINATING

The GREAT PYRAMID OF GIZA was completed in around 2560 BC and is made from around 2.5 MILLION stone blocks. That’s a lot of limestone.

KOM OMBO TEMPLE

is partly dedicated to the crocodile-headed god Sobek. Might explain why 300 mummified crocodiles were found nearby...

The SPHINX has remnants of paint on its face and body – meaning it may once have been even more eyecatching than it is now. Look like there’s something missing out front at LUXOR TEMPLE? There is. FYI: You’ll find the temple’s other red granite obelisk at Place de la Concorde in Paris.

OVERLAND | 46

overl

land

OVERLAND |

OVERLAND ACCOMMODATED

AC C O M M O DAT I O N: H OT E L S, CAMPSITES, LODGES, GAME RESERVES TWIN/DOUBLE/SINGLE

OVERLAND CAMPING

AC C O M M O DAT I O N: CAMPSITES, GAME RESERVES (SLEEPING BAG REQUIRED) TWIN-SHARE

Take an Explorer trip and make it Africa. The result? OVERLAND: AN ADVENTURE DESIGNED TO HELP YOU SEE, DO AND EXPERIENCE MORE. And with a small group of ready-made trip mates who are just as pumped for it as you are – plus a knowledgeable Trip Leader AND a private chef – a more intimate, personalised travel experience will be yours. Our max capacity? Just 21 passengers. But on the average trip you can expect closer to 15. Camping vs Accommodated – THE DECISION IS YOURS. Choose to camp and you’ll stay in a two-person dome tent (complete with comfy mattress). Opt for Accommodated and you’ll bed down in a safari cabin, tented camp or hostel. Either way, you’ll get the same unforgettable experience – with the same unforgettable people. MORE FOR LESS. You already forked out time and $$ getting all the way over here so you want to experience as much as you can, without the “holy sh*t” pricetag. Good news: with Overland, you can check off your bucketlist items, explore the unknown and still have enough cash left over for that scenic flight you’ve been eyeing off.

OVERLAND |

An ultra-zen tented camp surrounded by

LUSH TROPICAL GARDENS. By day: get your safari on at the Maasai Mara National Park. And by night? Cosy up around the fire pit. You might even hear a lion or hyena in the distance... WILDEBEEST ECO CAMP, NAIROBI (KENYA)

Staying with us in Hermanus? You lucked out. Perched on the edge of Walker Bay, the Windsor Hotel has a front-row seat for

THE MOST INCREDIBLE PANORAMIC VIEWS But wait, it gets better: whale watching. Hell to the yes. WINDSOR HOTEL, HERMANUS (SOUTH AFRICA)

AFRICA GET MORE.

Put your feet up and be at one with nature – this is glamping, South Africa style. Set in the middle of a

PEACEFUL WILDLIFE RESERVE, Bundox Safari Lodge is packed with self-guided trails (and plenty of cute and crazy birdlife). BUNDOX SAFARI LODGE, GREATER KRUGER (SOUTH AFRICA)

THIS PLACE? IT’S A DREAM. Lots of shady places to pitch up, one HUGE swimming pool, an amazing restaurant... Oh, and one of the seven wonders of the world is a three-minute drive away. Just casually. VICTORIA FALLS REST CAMP, VICTORIA FALLS (ZIMBABWE)

OVERLAND |

18 DAY south african NEW TRIP adventure

I DON’T HAVE 18 DAYS...

Forget the mainstream checklist, this trip is its own Big Five –

How about doing a week on our BIG FIVE N FALL S TRIP ?

BIG ON WILDLIFE, BIG ON THE OUTDOORS, BIG ON CULTURE, BIG ON VIEWS AND BIG ON HAVING A SICK TIME.

It’s just as jam-packed with safaris, jawdropping adventures and concludes at the royalty of the Falls themselves.

Oh, and the wine here is pretty bloody good too. On this one, ‘adventure’ is an understatement.

Flip to p. 54 for deets.

T O P O P T I O N A L A C T I V I T I E S

@ K AT Y _ F O R B E S

POST TRIP

HIT-LIST Book extra nights (psssst we can organise this for you, call us!)

FREE TIME Discover the local way of life

on a guided village tour

Get all your questions answered

with a Sangoma appointment

Hit the trails with or without a guide (your trip, your choice)

Jump aboard a mountain

Head to Steampunk Café for A - M A Z I N G coffee Hike Lions Head instead of Table Mountain at sunrise – less busy and better views Take in the views (and cocktails) atop The Silo Hotel

pony trekking experience

Give the calves a workout with a

mountain biking expedition

Into your street art? Check out Woodstock

summer lovin’ penguins

Sit back and relax at Camps Bay – full of beach-front restaurants and bars Penguins + less tourists than Boulders = Seaforth Beach

HOT TIP

TAKE IN ALL THE RUGGED COASTAL VIEWS on the Hermanus Coastal Path then head to Bientang’s Cave for delicious seafood and whale watching!

a NON-ADRENALINE junkie’s GUIDE TO

STOR MS RIVER

* in for a river kayaking expedition * Opt – we’ll organise for you! out the quirky décor and cocktails at * Check Marilyn’s 60’s Diner snorkeling or for a swim at the * Goaccommoda tion pool

Head out on a hike – opt for the 2km Mouth Trail (suspension bridge incl) or Salt River Trail (5km)

* Grab a pint at the Tsitsikamma microbrewery

FO UR -I SH DAYS

IN KRUGER NP DAY 1

DAYS 2-3 DAY 4

nture? Best way to start an African adve ugh thro ri safa 4x4 et suns An INCLUDED at our the park. Later, pull up a chair and get to I-N-C-R-E-D-I-B-L-E bush camp d sky know the gang under a star-fille 2 x FULL DAY INCLUDED safari. Big Five? Tick ‘em off with your join the eagle-eyed expert guide. Then and pfire cam ing roar the crew around ents share the day’s ‘holy sh*t’ mom

@WANDERS

WINE TIME:

i Lace up your Nikes, don your khak ed guid a on out greens and head in case bushwalk through the park. Just lions the to gh enou e clos you didn’t get the first time...

-OF-G

This region is highly influenced by the Atlantic Ocean that sweeps up past Cape Town cooling down the grapes that are grown here. The predominant local grape varieties are French, German and northern Italian. OVERNIGHT STOP

DAY STOP

Smell. Swirl. Sip. Repeat.

PHOTO OP!! Blyde River Canyon

INCLUDED EXPERIENCES

Learn to carve

LIKE A PRO

Hmmmm

along the Golden Mile or hit the South Coast beaches for bigger swells (wipe outs are inevitable)

wonder what I’ll see here.... Afternoon AND evening game drive?? Heck yess!!

Is this trip for you?

UNTAMED MIND-BLOWING ENRICHING

▪ Afternoon and full day 4x4 game drive in Kruger NP ▪ Meet the locals on a village walk in Esitjeni ▪ Estuary cruise in St Lucia ▪ Sunset 4x4 game drive in Addo Elephant NP ▪ Guided tour of Cango Caves ▪ Visit Cape Agulhas ▪ Wine tasting in Hermanus 4 1 M EA LS ▪ Royal Natal NP hike 1 8 D AY S F R O M

€2559

EUR PER PERSON

that’s just

€143

EUR PER DAY

S E E PA G E 13

M U LT I P L E D E PA R T U R E S

APR - FEB

For up-to-date details and pricing, SEARCH: “South African Adventure” on www.topdeck.travel TRIP CODE: ZOAAJC

13 DAY SUN & SAFARI NEW TRIP

IANI

@AANDREADAM

OVERLAND |

*PRESS PLAY ON TOTO’S ‘AFRICA’* So, you wanna feel real? Then allow us to introduce you to this two-week, all-encompassing, UN-FOR-GETTABLE African extravaganza™. Travelling from Nairobi to Dar Es Salaam, you’ll dive headlong into the following: pulse-quickening game drives. Eye-opening island discoveries. Local interactions that’ll nourish your soul. By the time you get home, you’ll be a whole new person.* *We mean, you’ll still be you. Just better.

DON’T FORGE T TO BRING : BUG SPRAY EYE MASK SLEEPING BAG QUICK-DRY TRAVEL TOWEL SWIMWEAR GOOD CAMERA / BINOCULARS

Serengeti

FACT:

The animals here are usually more active during the cooler hours of the day – so it’s an early start, then back to camp for lunch.

MODEST CLOTHING

(for those church/mosque visits)

NEUTRAL CLOTHING

(to blend in on safari)

NGORONGORO CRATER

formed around two and a half MILLION years ago when a volcano erupted and collapsed in on itself. Now? It’s a wildlife-filled Garden of Eden – and you’ll be lucky enough to camp on the rim. There’s nothing like falling asleep listening to the not-so-distant sounds of lions, hyenas, elephants, leopards and cheetahs...

@ K AT Y _ F O R B E S

Is this trip for you?

EXHILARATING EVOCATIVE WHOLE-HEARTED

Anna Suggested by

LOOK OUT FOR THE

BIG FIV E

ZANZIBAR:

Buffalo Elephant Rhino Lion Leopard

T H E

M U S T- D O S

Freddie Mercury’s house. Yep, Freddie Mercury – THE Freddie Mercury – was actually born here. Zanzibar Coffee House. A 19th-century Arabic house slap bang in the middle of Stone Town. Pull up a seat on the balcony, grab a coffee and cast your eyes over the maze-like streets below. Le Macis (Nungwi Beach). ‘Cause who doesn’t like to eat delicious French food surrounded by tropical gardens? @ S TA C E _ 4 5

Snorkelling. Sparkling blue waters. Colourful coral reefs. Tropical fishies. It’d be rude not to.

@BETHEGIRAFFE

Jozani Forest. Hop on a day trip from Stone Town and go check this place out. Fact: it’s the only NP on Zanzibar. Also a fact: rare monkeys live here.

OVERNIGHT STOP

Sea Turtle Sanctuary. Brace for cuteness overload. You can even feed the turtles if you fancy it!

DAY STOP

Former Slave Market. Come here for one of the most moving history lessons you’ll ever receive. 5 bucks and totally worth it.

Cows and goats on the beach? Standard.

I E S A C T I V I T

FREE TIME

L O P T I O N A

e Maasai Balloon ride in th eserve Mara National R anzibar Spice tour of Z in Zanzibar Dhow boat trip Prison Island tour the Indian Ocean in g n vi di a b cu S

INCLUDED EXPERIENCES ▪ 4x4 game drives in Maasai Mara National Reserve ▪ 4x4 game drives in Serengeti National Park ▪ 4x4 Ngorongoro Crater tour ▪ Island stay on Zanzibar

O P T I O N A L :

VISIT A

MAASAI VILLAGE

1 3 D AY S F R O M

€2929

Prep yourself an explosion of colour, ‘cos the shukas (blankets) and jewellery that the locals wear are seriously bright and beautiful! While you’re here, you may even get the chance to watch a traditional dance performance – and if you’re really lucky, you might be invited to join in...

27 M EA LS

EUR PER PERSON

that’s just

€226

EUR PER DAY

S E E PA G E 13

M U LT I P L E D E PA R T U R E S

MAY - FEB For up-to-date details and pricing, SEARCH: “Sun & Safari” on www.topdeck.travel @ F R E D. B E W A N D E R E

TRIP CODE: ZOSSND

OVERLAND |

7 DAY NEW TRIP

big five n falls WE COULD EXPLAIN THE NAME, BUT THAT WOULD BE PATRONISING. ALL JOKES ASIDE? THIS IS ONE WILD, WILD WEEK. Test your critter knowledge on the game drive trail in Kruger. Be at one with nature in Matobo National Park. Fuel your inner daredevil with some tummy-flipping

PRO TIP

With so many incredible things to do around the falls, you probs won’t want to leave. Note to self? Book an extra night or two...

activities at Victoria Falls. If you’ve always wanted to do the safari thing, this short (but oh-so-sweet) adventure’s got your name on it.

@ROAMINGRHI

@ELLECHILDS85

VIC FALLS:

T O P O P T I O N A L A C T I V I T I E S

FREE TIME

Canoe trail Gorge swim Helicopter flight Whitewater rafting Flying Fox zipline

Township tour Sunset river cruise (watch out for hippos!)

WHAT ARE THE TRUCKS LIKE? Big trucks, big windows (for all that safari action). Inside you’ll find plenty of space to relax, lockers to stash your stuff in, and USB ports for all your charging needs.

Is this trip for you?

OVERNIGHT STOP

AWE-INSPIRING // POWERFUL // WILD

DAY STOP

@NIKKKKI_D

Suggested by Chloe

GET PAP’D PAP = YOUR NEW AFRICAN BFF.

TO P 3 EXP UN EXP ECT ED ERI ENC ES

Looks like mashed potato, but is actually a kind of maize side dish. You’ll get it with EVERYTHING (courtesy of your own private chef).

THE UNES CO-L ISTED BOUL DERS IN MATO BO. Take a few drinks (and mates) with you and watch the sunset from these extraordinary rocks.

Check out the rock paintings

THE HOT MINE RAL SPRI NGS IN TSHI PISE. The most awesome place to de-stress. Fact: Tshipise means ‘something warm’. Makes sense. A TRAD ITION AL AFRIC AN DRUM SHOW IN VIC FALL S. Audience participation = essential. Grab a djembe drum and get into it. No sense of rhythm? Who cares!

@ M A LT E M E N K E N

. But what about You’ve heard of the big five

TH E LITT LE FI VE

THAT’S RIG HT– there’s a Little Five too. And it’s

@ S TA C E _ 4 5

about time they got the props they deserve.

buffalo weaver elephant shrew rhino beetle antlion leopard tortoise

INCLUDED EXPERIENCES ▪ Afternoon and full day 4x4 game drives in Kruger National Park ▪ Bush walk in Kruger NP ▪ Game drive and wilderness walk in Matobo NP ▪ Tour of Mosi-oa-Tunya NP ▪ Visit Victoria Falls

15 M E A L S

7 D AY S F R O M

€1519

EUR PER PERSON

that’s just

€217

EUR PER DAY

S E E PA G E 13

M U LT I P L E D E PA R T U R E S

MAY - MAR For up-to-date details and pricing, SEARCH: “Big Five N Falls” on www.topdeck.travel TRIP CODE: ZOBFJV

CONDITIONS// TERMS & CONDITIONS // TERMS & Topdeck's Details

Top Deck Tours Ltd, company number 04905253, 109 Power Road, London, W4 5PY, UK

Locally Operated Trips

The following trips are operated by the corresponding local operator as principal: Jordan Adventure, Jordan & Israel: Green Arrow Tours, Amman, Jordan. Essential Egypt, Egypt Express, Nile Discovery,Dahab Beach Break: Topdeck Egypt, Cairo, Egypt. Dubai Short Breaks: Arabian Adventures, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. All Africa, Morocco and India Trips: Peak DMC, Melbourne, Australia. All Japan, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia, Singapore Trips: Buffalo Tours, Singapore.

Deposit

€40 per person, payable at time of booking for all Short Break Packages and Limited Edition €75per person, payable at the time of booking

Rolling Deposit

If you cancel more than six weeks prior to departure you may request in writing that we provide you with a rolling deposit voucher for a future trip. The voucher must be redeemed within two years from the date of first cancellation. The voucher can be transferred to a friend but cannot be transferred a second time. One voucher per person per trip. If you cancel within six weeks of departure you will forfeit your deposit and you will need to pay our applicable cancellation fee. Change and Cancellation Fee (% of trip price)

Days before departure

Nil (changes)

Over 60 Change and Cancellation Fees

Deposit (cancellations)

Pre/post accommodation

Pick ups/transfers

Nil

59-29

40%

Nil

28-14

60%

Nil

13-7

80%

100%

6-3

90%

100%

2-0

100%

Consumer Protection

We are a member of ABTA (L8291/Y2992) and are bonded to provide for your financial protection in the event of our insolvency. Any package which includes a flight as part of the package is protected by our ATOL: 11033. More information in relation to the financial protection of your booking can be viewed at: topdeck.travel/legal/financial-protection. Your trip is a "package" within the meaning of the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 ("Package Travel Regulations"). Therefore, you will benefit from all EU rights applying to packages. We, or, if applicable, the Local Operator, will be fully responsible for the proper performance of the package as a whole. Additionally, as required by law, there is protection in place to refund your payments and to ensure your repatriation in the event that we become insolvent. More information on key rights under the Package Travel Regulations can be viewed at: topdeck.travel/legal/package-travel-rights.

Flight Change and Cancellation Fee

Any airline charges + fare & tax difference (which could be up to the full value of the ticket)

Governing law and jurisdiction

These booking conditions are governed by the laws of England. Any dispute in relation to these booking conditions shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England.

Brochure Validity Date

Prices quoted in our brochures are calculated on costs and exchange rates at 20 January 2020. These prices may increase or decrease. We may alter prices and other particulars (including these Booking Conditions) in our brochures and on our website at any time. When you make a booking we will provide you with up to date prices and a link to our current Booking Conditions (please see topdeck.travel/terms-and-conditions).

Your contract will be with us as tour operator, unless you have booked a Locally Operated Trip, in which case your contract for tour services will be with the relevant Local Operator specified in the reference table above and will be subject to that Local Operator's terms and conditions, in addition to the booking conditions set out below. For any Locally Operated Trip, the Local Operator will also be identified on your itinerary or travel documents and their respective terms and conditions will be available directly on their websites or by contacting them. Should we book a flight on your behalf it will be subject to the conditions of the respective airline, including but not limited to deposit/full payment and cancellation terms. Please read all booking conditions carefully. You must not make any booking unless you understand and agree with these booking conditions and any additional terms and conditions as indicated above and/or at the time of booking. Our trips are designed strictly for young people between the ages of 18 to 39 years (with the exception of Gap Year trips, which are restricted to people between the ages of 17 to 20 years). Bookings can be made through your local travel agent or directly with us and must be secured with a deposit of the amount shown above. A contract between you and us (or between you and the relevant Local Operator) will exist as soon as: (i) we issue an invoice in response to your request for a booking; and (ii) your deposit is paid to us or your travel agent. If your booking is made through a travel agent, we will address all correspondence to that agent. PRICE & PAYMENT The deposit is non-refundable unless we cancel your trip. The balance of your trip must be paid no later than 60 days prior to your trip departure date. If you do not pay within this period we may cancel your booking and your deposit will be forfeited. Full payment is required if you make a booking within 60 days of the departure date. If your booking is a special offer we may require full payment (including any pre and post accommodation and sundry service charges) by such earlier time as specified in the offer Offered discounts are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. All discounts apply to the trip price only and do not apply to any flights, visitor taxes, adventure passes, short breaks, stopovers, day trips, ski trips, gap year trips, pre & post accommodation or transfers. Only two applicable and valid discounts can be combined to a maximum discount of 15% off the trip price (note: for Asia trips, only two applicable and valid discounts can be combined to a maximum discount of 10% off the trip price). After you have booked, changes to (i) the price of fuel; (ii) the level of taxes or fees imposed by third parties including tourist taxes, landing taxes or embarkation or disembarkation fees at ports and airports; and (iii) exchange rates, mean that the price of your trip may change. There will be no change within 20 days of your departure. We will absorb any increase equivalent to 2% of the price of your trip. However, we may charge you for the amount over and above that. If this results in an increase equivalent to more than 8% of the price of your trip, you will have the option of accepting a change to another trip (we will refund any price difference if the alternative is of a lower value), or cancelling and receiving a full refund of all monies paid. Should the price of your trip go down due to the cost changes mentioned above, then any refund due will be paid to you. We will deduct from this refund our administrative expenses incurred. Please note that trips arrangements are not always purchased in local currency and some apparent changes have no impact on the price of your trip due to contractual and other protection in place. TRAVEL DOCUMENTS Please ensure you carefully read your invoice, tickets and all other eDocs and documents we send to you as soon as you receive them and contact us or your travel agent immediately if any information appears to be incorrect. We will not accept any liability if you fail to notify us of any inaccuracy in any document within 14 days of us sending them to you or the travel agent. You are responsible for ensuring that you have the correct and valid travel documents including passports, visas and vaccination certificates. We strongly recommend that you verify current documentation requirements with your travel agent or us. Please note requirements change and you must check with your consulate for the most up to date information, including but not limited to visa requirements for the countries visited on your trip. Passports must have an expiry date of at least six months after completion of the trip. IF YOU CHANGE OR CANCEL YOUR BOOKING If you want to change or cancel any aspect of your booking including but not limited to a change to a trip of shorter duration or different departure date you must notify us in writing. We will do our best to accommodate your requested change, but it may not always be possible. We will not charge a fee for changes requested more than 60 days before departure except where we incur a cost from a supplier, in which case we will advise you of the relevant fee. All change/cancellation fees must be paid within seven days of the invoice date or on the date of departure, whichever is the sooner. You may make a request to transfer your booking to another person who satisfies all the conditions applicable to the trip. A transfer request must be made in writing not less than 7 days prior to departure and must include proof of acceptance of the transfer by the new traveller. Both you and the new traveller will remain jointly liable and responsible for any applicable travel service provider’s charges (such as booked airfares, train tickets, specifically allocated accommodation and non-refundable Local Operator charges). Please note that some third party travel service providers may refuse such requests and treat the transfer as a cancellation and rebooking. CANCELLATION OR MODIFICATION BY US Every effort will be made to operate all trips as advertised but it must be remembered that our trips are planned up to eighteen months in advance. In the event of unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances we may be required to cancel or materially modify your trip. In these booking conditions "unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances" means a situation beyond our control, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken (including, but not limited to, war, threat of war, riot, civil disturbances, industrial dispute, terrorist activity and its consequences, natural or other disaster (such as volcanic ash or hurricanes), nuclear incident, fire, adverse weather conditions (actual or threatened, including snow and fog), closed or congested airports or ports, unavoidable technical problems with transport, unforeseen alterations to public transport schedules, changes to immigration,

labour and free-movement laws resulting from BREXIT, rescheduling of aircraft or boats and similar events). If this happens we will offer you a refund of all money paid or, if available, alternative travel arrangements of comparable standard (we will refund any price difference if the alternative is of a lower value). A material modification is one that has a serious impact on your trip and includes a change of departure date, departure point or airport, or change of departure time of more than twelve hours, which would cause substantial inconvenience to you. A change of accommodation, or transport method/style is not a material modification. We may alter or substitute the type or size of vehicle, or method/style of transport mentioned in the brochure, depending on the number of passengers carried, which can vary from trip to trip. In certain countries there are strict laws governing drivers' hours and this may necessitate utilising public transport in some cities. We may display on our website the minimum number of participants required for each trip. If insufficient bookings have been made as at 42 days prior to departure, we may cancel the scheduled trip, whereupon all money paid by you for your trip will be refunded and no further compensation will be paid. OUR LIABILITY TO YOU FOR TOPDECK OPERATED TRIPS If the trip does not materially comply with the description in the brochure, we may compensate you to a maximum value equal to three times the price of the trip. We will only be liable to pay the maximum amount of compensation where there has been a total failure of consideration for your payment. We will not be liable where any failure in the performance or provision of your trip is due to: (i) your acts or omissions or the acts or omissions of another member in your group; (ii) any third party not connected with the provision of your travel arrangements and where that failure is unforeseeable or unavoidable; or (iii) unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances. Our liability will in all cases be limited in accordance with and/or in an identical manner to relevant international conventions, including the Carriage by Air Conventions (within the meaning given in section 1(5) of the Carriage by Air Act 1961), the Athens Convention of 1974 on the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea and the Convention of 1980 concerning International Carriage by Rail. We will not be responsible for any loss or damage sustained by you as a result of a contravention of any law or regulation of any of the countries visited while on the trip. OUR LIABILITY TO YOU FOR LOCALLY OPERATED TRIPS If your trip is a Locally Operated Trip our obligation to you is to (and you expressly authorise us to) make trip bookings on your behalf with reasonable skill and care and to arrange a contract between you and the relevant Local Operator. We exercise care in the selection of reputable Local Operators but we have no control over, or liability for, the services provided by third parties. All bookings are made on your behalf subject to these and all other terms and conditions, including any conditions of carriage and limitations of liability imposed by the Local Operator. Your legal rights in connection with such trips are solely against the Local Operator and are not against us, except to the extent a problem is caused by fault on our part. SEATBELTS You must wear a seatbelt at all times whilst you are in any vehicle. Neither we nor any Local Operator will be liable for any injury, death or claim howsoever arising from any accident if you have failed to comply with this requirement. FLEXIBILITY DURING TRIP Your booking is accepted on the condition that you understand, and take responsibility for, the risks inherent in adventure travel. Every effort will be made to operate all trips featured in this brochure but there may be a necessity to vary the itinerary from that stated in the brochure, and delays may occur for a variety of reasons beyond our control. The need for a flexible attitude to this type of travel is important. All decisions relating to a trip itinerary will be taken by the Trip Leader, as appointed by us in the interest of the group as a whole. Please note that due to public holidays some sights or activities may not be available on a particular trip. No refund will be made for services which for whatever reason are not used by you once the trip has departed. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES AND EXCURSIONS Neither we nor our employees, agents and contractors make any representation or warranty in relation to implied or explicit suggestions or recommendations of services, activities and events not highlighted as included in a trip. You are responsible for all risks associated with the transportation to/from, and your participation in, or visitation to, any place, activity or excursion not listed as an inclusion. During your trip you may be offered the chance to purchase various optional excursions and activities. We do not own, operate or control any of the companies or individuals which provide the optional activities or excursions. Some of the optional activities and excursions, such as canyoning, are inherently dangerous and risky. If you want to take part in such optional activities or excursions you must be fit enough to do so and must follow all reasonable instructions. The standards of health and safety which will be adopted by the company or the individual providing the optional activity or excursion will be those of the country where the optional activity or excursion takes place. Please note that these standards may not be the same as you would find in your home country. If you wish to book any optional excursion or activity, you may do so subject to the operator’s terms and conditions. Your contract will be with the operator of the activity or excursion and will be governed by local law. We act only as their agent. We accept no liability for any act or omission of any operator or operator’s employees, agents or sub-contractors or any losses (whether direct or indirect and howsoever caused) arising therefrom. DIETARY, HEALTH AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENT You must clearly state all your dietary requirements at the time of booking. We cannot guarantee that special dietary requirements can be met and we cannot take responsibility for any such requirements not being fulfilled. Walking is a fundamental part of our trips. Our trips are not suitable for people with reduced mobility. If you have a medical condition (including any mental health disorder) that may reasonably affect your trip or you require special arrangements to be put in place, you must inform us in writing at the time of booking.

We may ask you to complete a medical assessment form to assist us. If we cannot reasonably accommodate your particular needs, or where your participation will cause unreasonable disruption to the functioning of the trip, we may decline the booking or ask for you to be accompanied by a person who is able to provide full assistance to you throughout your trip. YOUR LIABILITY TO US You will not be permitted to embark or continue on the trip if, in the reasonable opinion of our representative, your mental or physical condition renders you incapable of caring for yourself, you become objectionable to other passengers, or you become a hazard to yourself, other passengers, our personnel or any third party. Immediate termination of your trip may occur if you possess or transport illegal substances (including drugs) or where you have engaged in any illegal activity during a trip. We will not be responsible for expenses resulting in you being precluded from completing the trip for any reason, nor will we refund you any part of your trip cost. In all cases we will notify you of the reasons why we have taken this action. We will have no obligation to arrange for your return to the point of the trip departure if your condition manifests itself after the trip departure. Further, if the trip involves travel by air, the captain of your aircraft can refuse to allow you to fly on the aircraft if he believes that you could be dangerous or disruptive to other passengers on the flight. You agree to indemnify us in full and on demand against all losses (direct and indirect and howsoever caused) arising from any third-party claims, demands or actions taken against us for injury, loss, damage or destruction caused by you or arising from your participation on the trip. Without limiting the foregoing, you agree to indemnify us for all excess cleaning fees and property damage claims related to your accommodation. INSURANCE & CLAIMS You must take out comprehensive travel insurance before you travel on your trip. Your insurance protection must include cover for cancellation, medical and repatriation expenses, personal injury and accident, death, and loss of personal baggage and money and personal liability insurance. Evidence of such insurances must be produced to us on request and normally on day one of your trip. Insurance cover offered by credit card companies or reciprocal medical cover agreements are often not comprehensive. If you make a claim against us you agree to assign to us or our insurers any rights to take action against any third party supplier/tour operator or any other person or party that may have been wholly or partly responsible for the claim or who we reasonably consider should be a party to the action. You must co-operate fully with us should we or our insurers wish to enforce those rights which have been assigned to us. If you make a claim against us which is covered by your insurance policy, you agree to pursue the claim through your insurer either in addition to, or in substitution for, your claim against us (if any). We agree to indemnify you in respect of reasonable expenses incurred in successfully pursuing such a claim and acknowledge that any settlement made by the insurer shall not prejudice your rights against us. TRAVEL ADVICE We recommend that you visit your government's travel advice website prior to the commencement of travel. In the UK, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office issues travel advice and warnings at fco.gov.uk. The Australian government provides an equivalent service at smartraveller.gov.au. COMPLAINTS In the event of any dissatisfaction with the accommodation or any other service provided by us, you must report it immediately to the Trip Leader so that action can be taken to remedy the problem. Failure to immediately notify the Trip Leader of any problem may result in your claim for compensation from us being denied or reduced. Any complaint made to us following the conclusion of the trip should be made in writing within 28 days of completion of the trip. If you do not notify us in writing within 28 days, our ability to investigate the complaint may be prejudiced. In the UK, we can also offer you ABTA’s scheme for the resolution of disputes which is approved by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute. If we can’t resolve your complaint, go to www.abta. com to use ABTA’s simple procedure. Further information on the Code and ABTA’s assistance in resolving disputes can be found on www.abta.com. DATA PROTECTION We are committed to protecting your personal information and agree to process your personal information in accordance with our Privacy Notice, which is available online at www.topdeck.travel/privacy. In order to make your booking and ensure that your travel arrangements run smoothly, we need to use the information you provide and pass it on to other relevant suppliers who are responsible for parts of your travel arrangements. In many cases this will include transferring your data to overseas recipients (including to recipients outside of the European Union). Personal information may also be provided to public authorities such as customs or immigration if required by them, or as required by law. SMOKING We enforce a non-smoking policy on our coaches (although we make frequent stops for breaks) and in most of our accommodation. LUGGAGE There are strict weight limits for coaches when fully loaded. You are only entitled to have one piece of main luggage of standard size (see the pre-departure information or our website for size limits) and not weighing more than 20kg (or 15kg for Outback trips). In addition you may bring a sleeping bag, as required on specific trips, and a daypack. PUBLISHING CONSENT You acknowledge and agree that our future advertising and publicity material may include statements made by passengers, or their photographs, and you consent to such use of your comments or photographic/video likeness. WI-FI We will endeavor to deliver Wi-Fi connection as stated on relevant trips to the best of our ability. This service is subject to availability and may not be available on some peak season departures or in the event of technical issues.

EXPLORER

ASIA

28 DAY ASIAN FUSION BANGKOK

AXAFBH

HANOI

P.18 FINISH

Chiang Rai Wat Rong Khun

LAOS

Hanoi

Luang Prabang

Pakbeng

Chiang Mai

DAYS | TRIP NAME

| BALI ISLAND HOPPER

20 DAY | EXPERIENCE INDIA

7 DAY

| THAI ISLANDS SAMUI SUNSETS

13 DAY | VIETNAM & CAMBODIA EXPLORER

7 DAY

| THAI ISLANDS KO-CONUT HOPPER

12 DAY | CHIN A LI V E

12 DAY | JAPAN HIGHLIGHTS

7 DAY

| JA PA N E XPR ES S

AXEIDK

KOCHI

DELHI

P.20

START

2 1 Delhi

INDIA

Jaipur Agra 1 2

Vientiane overnight train

1 Hoi An

Siem Reap

START

Bangkok

CAMBODIA

VIETNAM

2 1

STARTS

ROAD TO PHNOM PENH

ENDS

BANGKOK

13 DAY VIETNAM & CAMBODIA EXPLORER HANOI

START

Hanoi

VIETNAM

P.22 1

PHNOM PENH

AXVCHS

SIEM REAP

DAYS 13 DAY

overnight train

Vinh Long, Mekong River

TRIP NAME

STARTS

VIETNAM UNCOVERED

12 DAY CHINA LIVE BEIJING

ENDS

HO CHI MINH

HANOI

AXCLGK

HONG KONG

P.24

Halong Bay overnight cruise

2 overnight train

1 Hoi An

START

Beijing CHINA

1 Chennai 2 Pondicherry

1 Chettinad

Xian FINISH

Kochi 2

2 Chengdu

Allepey (house boat) 1

FINISH

Siem Reap

Longsheng

2 1

Phnom Penh CAMBODIA

Thanjavur Tiruchirappalli 2 Madurai Thekkady 1

Yangshuo

2 2

2 Udaipur

Ho Chi Minh City

TRIP NAME

Ranakpur

Chand Baori

Nha Trang

Phnom Penh

DAYS

Jodhpur 1

Hue

THAILAND

16 DAY

For up-to-date details and pricing, visit www.topdeck.travel

20 DAY EXPERIENCE INDIA

Vang Vieng

PAGE

7 DAY

DAYS | TRIP NAME

Halong Bay overnight cruise

1 1

PAGE

28 DAY | ASI A N F USION

FINISH

Hong Kong

Ho Chi Minh City

DAYS 11 DAY

TRIP NAME TEMPLE RUN

STARTS CHENNAI

ENDS

DAYS

KOCHI

10 DAY

TRIP NAME NAMASTE INDIA

STARTS

ENDS

DELHI

Koh Rong

12 DAY JAPAN HIGHLIGHTS TOKYO

AXJJTR

KYOTO

P.26

7 DAY JAPAN EXPRESS TOKYO

AXJETR

OSAK A

P.28

START

Takayama

2 Hiroshima 1 Miyajima

Kyoto

2 Osaka

FINISH

Tokyo JAPAN

START

Tokyo JAPAN Kyoto 2 Hakone/Mt Fuji

1 Osaka FINISH

7 DAY BALI ISLAND HOPPER SEMINYAK

AXIBSS

SEMINYAK

7 DAY THAI ISLANDS SAMUI SUNSETS AXIEII

P.30

KOH SAMUI

7 DAY THAI ISLANDS KO-CONUT HOPPER

P.32

PHUKET

AXIWUU

PHUKET

Koh Tao

Gili Trawangan

Ubud

Koh Pha Ngan

Krabi

START/FINISH

Seminyak BALI

Phuket THAILAND

1 Nusa Lembongan

2 Koh Phi Phi

2 START/FINISH

Koh Samui THAILAND

10 DAY EGYPT EXPRESS

EXPLORER MIDDLE EAST &

CAIRO

P.36

10 DAY | MOROCCAN EXPLORER

10 DAY | JORDAN & ISRAEL

10 DAY | SUR F, S A ND & SOUKS

9 DAY

| NILE DISCOV ERY

7 DAY

| ES SENTI A L EGY P T

6 DAY

| DA H A B BE ACH BR E A K

MARRAKECH

MXMEMM

MARRAKECH

P.38

Cairo

EGYPT

Fes

Volubilis

2 1

overnight coach

Ifrane

Midelt

Marrakech START/FINISH

MOROCCO

Kom Ombo

Meknes

1 Hurghada

Luxor Felucca Sailing

Rabat Casablanca

PAGE

10 DAY | EGYPT EXPRESS

10 DAY MOROCCAN EXPLORER

START/FINISH

NORTH AFRICA DAYS | TRIP NAME

MXEECC

1 Erfoud

2 1

Todra Gorge

AÃ¯t Benhaddou

1 Aswan

1 Merzouga

Desert Camp

Ouarzazate

Abu Simbel

10 DAY JORDAN & IS R A EL

MXJIAT

TEL AVIV

AMMAN

10 DAY SURF, SAND & S O U KS

P.40

ISRAEL

1 1 JORDAN

Madaba Mt Nebo

Bethlehem Dead Sea

P.44

Volubilis

Casablanca START

MOROCCO

Karak

2 Petra

1 Wadi Rum

Essaouira FINISH

Cairo

Marrakech

1 1

STARTS

JORDAN ADVENTURE

AMMAN

7 DAY ESSENTIAL EGYPT

ENDS

DAYS

AMMAN

7 DAY

MXETCC

CAIRO

TRIP NAME

STARTS

ROCKIN' MOROCAN

CASABLANCA

6 DAY DAHAB BEACH BR E A K CAIRO

overnight coach

Luxor Edfu

EGYPT

overnight coach

1 Hurghada

Kom Ombo

EGYPT

Nile Cruise Ship

Cairo

START/FINISH

Luxor

ENDS

CAIRO

START/FINISH

EGYPT

MARRAKECH

MXDBCC

Cairo

overnight coach

START/FINISH

2 Taghazout

TRIP NAME

CAIRO

2 Fes

START

CAIRO

MXEVCC

Amman

1 Jerusalem

DAYS

P.42

9 DAY NILE DISCOVERY

Jerash

FINISH

8 DAY

ESSAOUIRA

CASABL ANCA

Chefchaouen

Tel Aviv

Aqaba

MXSSCE

Aswan

Dahab 2 Aswan

Abu Simbel

OVERLAND

AFRICA

DAYS | TRIP NAME

13 DAY | SUN & SAFARI

7 DAY

| BIG FIVE N FALLS

18 DAY SOUTH AFRICAN A DV ENT UR E JOHANNESBURG

PAGE

18 DAY | SOUTH AFRICAN ADVENTURE

ZOAAJC

CAPE TOWN

P.50

Kruger National Park START

Johannesburg

SOUTH AFRICA

1 Hermanus

13 DAY SUN & S A FA R I NAIROBI

Durban

Addo Elephant National Park

Storms River

ZOSSND

DAR ES SALA AM

1 1

Oudtshoorn

FINISH

Cape Town

St Lucia

Malealea

Mountain Zebra National Park

ESWATINI

Drakensberg

LESOTHO

Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary

P.52

7 DAY BIG FIVE N FALLS JOHANNESBURG

ZOBFJV

VICTORIA FALLS

P.54

START

Nairobi

KENYA Maasai Mara

FINISH

Victoria Falls

Serengeti National Park

Ngorongoro Crater

TANZANIA

1 1

Arusha

Bulawayo

ZIMBABWE

Bagamoyo

Zanzibar FINISH

Dar es Salaam

Tshipise

Kruger National Park

START

Johannesburg

SOUTH AFRICA

THREE EARTHY WINS EUR

LAST SEASON We employ LOCAL ERYWHERE! Trip Leaders EV

FREE REUSABLE WATER BOTTLES

SUPPLIED TO PASSENGERS IN SOUTH EAST ASIA MAJOR REDUCTION

SINGLE-USE PLASTIC OF

IN EGYPT

OVER $3,000 USD

DONATED TO

SOCIAL ENTERPRISES IN VIETNAM & THAILAND

ON THE WEB

CALL US

W W W.T O P D E C K .T R AV E L

13 0 0 8 8 6 3 3 2

EMAIL US I N F O @T O P D E C K .T R AV E L

HEAD OFFICE

L E V E L 5 , 2 7 5 G R E Y S T R E E T, S O U T H B R I S B A N E , Q L D 410 1

Top Deck Tours Pty Ltd | ABN 30 107 934 841 | Printed December 2019 © Topdeck. Design by Topdeck. Topdeck is a registered trademark of Top Deck Travel Limited.