(AUD) Topdeck |Asia, Middle East & Africa 19/20

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ASIA, MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA

Prices and itineraries valid from 10 October 2018 until 31 March 2020

Get off the beaten track for a taste of adventure with small groups and local guides

2019-20

EPIC TRIPS FOR 18 TO 30 SOMETHINGS


WE ARE TOPDECK

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A COLLECTIVE OF EXPLORERS WHO ARE DEVOTED TO TRAVEL, WE STRIVE TO OPEN MINDS, SHIFT PERSPECTIVES, LEARN NEW THINGS AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE. OUR BUSINESS IS TO MAKE TRAVEL DREAMS A REALIT Y. OUR PASSION IS TO INSPIRE YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGH LIFE-CHANGING TRAVEL EXPERIENCES.


CONTENTS

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WHERE WE GO

WHY TOPDECK?

HOW WE TRAVEL

TOPDECK EXPERIENCES

DELICIOUS FOOD

THE CREW

VALUE FOR MONEY

CONNECT WITH US

FAQS

ASIA

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06

08

10 14

We know what works. And we’re not afraid to shout about it. We refuse to sacrifice quality, independence and freedom, and believe solo adventures should go hand in hand with unforgettable moments with like-minded travellers. We offer variety, comfort and value for money, and promise a hassle-free holiday, loaded with authentic local experiences. We are lively, curious, knowledgeable and dedicated; driven by the desire to laugh and have fun. We build the trips. You build the memories.

ARE YOU READY TO DISCOVER WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A #TOPDECKER? LET’S GO.

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MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA

AFRICA

SHORT BREAKS

MAPS

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88

56

92


WHERE WE GO

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43&Asia,Afrtheica Middle MIDDLE EAST

NORTH AFRICA Casablanca

MOROCCO

JORDAN Amman Cairo Jerusalem ISRAEL/PALESTINE

Marrakech

EGYPT Abu Simbel

UGANDA

KENYA Nairobi

AFRICA

Dar es Salaam TANZANIA

ZAMBIA

MALAWI

Livingstone NAMIBIA

ZIMBABWE

BOTSWANA Pretoria

Cape Town

SOUTH AFRICA

UAE

Dubai


WHERE WE GO

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East ASIA

JAPAN Sapporo

Beijing CHINA

Kyoto Osaka

Chengdu

Tokyo

NEED SOME DESTINATION INSPO? CHECK OUT SOME OF OUR TOP TRIPS. SO MANY CHOICES...

28 DAY ASIAN FUSION Hong Kong LAOS

Hanoi

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• Experience the stunning Angkor Wat at sunrise • Taste authentic Asian food in four awesome countries • Cruise the Mekong River

THAILAND VIETNAM Bangkok CAMBODIA

7 DAY BALI ISLAND HOPPER

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• Get involved in snorkelling, diving and water sports • Spot turtles, rays and reef sharks • Soak in the island vibes and chill on beautiful beaches

MALAYSIA Singapore

BALI

10 DAY MOROCCAN EXPLORER

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• Immerse yourself in all this colourful destination has to offer • Camp under the stars in the Sahara Desert • Get your barter on in the Marrakech markets

7 DAY AFRICAN INSIGHT • Travel between Pretoria and Livingstone • Spot wildlife at Kruger and Matobo National Parks • See the epic Victoria Falls – cameras at the ready!

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WHY TOPDECK?

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WHY TOPDECK? Unique

Freedom

Our one-of-a-kind included and optional activities in both iconic hotspots and off-the-beaten-track places mean there’s never a dull moment on your trip of a lifetime.

We realise that everyone’s different – which is why our trips offer loads of free time to get out there and channel your inner explorer.

EXPERIENCES

TO EXPLORE

Passion

AND EXPERTISE With over 45 years in the travel industry, a team of passionate Crew and a collection of award-winning trips under our belt, you can be sure we know our stuff.

Lasting

Delicious FOOD

With visits to local restaurants and delicious foodie options on the menu, we’ll ensure your tummy is just as full as your passport.

FRIENDSHIPS

Value

FOR MONEY From loads of inclusions to our No Tipping policy, we’ve got all the important stuff covered – meaning you have the best trip possible, completely hassle free.

Memories fade but Facebook friends are forever. Hang out with other young explorers aged 18-39 and create bonds that last longer than your spray tan.


How We Travel From coaches to boats and planes, we’ll make sure the journey is just as fun as the adventure. Ready to make a move? Let’s go.

GROUP TRAVEL

TOPDECK VEHICLE

• Enjoy the benefits of travelling with a smaller group

• Travel in a range of different vehicles (depending on the country you’re in)

• Our trips have an average group size of 15

• Get social and bond with your Topdeck crew

• Selected trips may have a maximum group size of 45

• See Asia, the Middle East and North Africa from the best viewpoint ever

TRAINS

• Get some shut-eye on overnight trains in Vietnam and Thailand • Satisfy your need for speed on a super-fast bullet train in Japan • Watch some awesome scenery whizz by outside the window

OVERLAND TRUCK

• Your moving base and home away from home in Africa • Lots of room to kick back and chill • Plenty of space to store your stuff

BOATS • Spot dolphins on ferry and speedboat trips in Thailand and Bali • Cruise through beautiful Halong Bay on a traditional junk boat • Head out on a five-star cruise along the Nile, complete with rooftop pool and buffet

FLIGHTS • Take to the skies on some of our China, Thailand and Vietnam trips • Get to your next destination as quick as a flash • We’ve got your airport transfers sorted

THAT’S NOT ALL, FOLKS. On our Asia, Middle East, North Africa and Africa trips, we’ve got even more optional and included ways of getting around (which are pretty awesome if we do say so ourselves). From traditional felucca sailboats in Egypt to street food-friendly tuk-tuks in Thailand, don’t say we don’t spoil you.

HOW WE TRAVEL

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TOPDECK EXPERIENCES

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Top deck Exper iences We’ve packed loads of awesome optional and included activities into our Asia, Middle East, North Africa and Africa trips. Take a look at some of our faves.

VISIT TOKYO DISNEYLAND

INCLUDED

VISIT A PANDA CONSERVATION CENTRE

One word: PANDAS! Prepare to get your heart stolen by some black-and-white balls of fluff. By visiting the officially recognised conservation centre, you’ll be doing your part to help these beauties. Brush up on your panda knowledge, watch the critters roam – and get a large dose of cuteness to boot.

You’re in Japan. Could things get any better? Well actually, yes! Crank those feels up to the max with an optional visit to the happiest place on earth – Tokyo Disneyland. It’s got Mickey. It’s got Minnie. It’s got wild rides, mouse ears and more. Excitement levels? 100/10. Urayasu, JAPAN

Chengdu, CHINA

OPTIONAL INCLUDED

VISIT ANGKOR WAT AT SUNRISE

You haven’t been to Cambodia if you haven’t been to Angkor Wat. Fact. Our fave time to visit? At sunrise of course! This world-famous temple complex is the largest in the entire world and becomes even more beautiful in that golden morning glow. Cameras at the ready! Siem Reap, CAMBODIA

INCLUDED

VISIT KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

Hear the call of the wild as you explore one of the largest game reserves in Africa. Once inside the grounds, keep your eyes peeled for the Big Five: leopards, lions, elephants, rhinos and buffaloes. Some are much harder to spot than others. So, binoculars at the ready!

Kruger National Park, SOUTH AFRICA

INCLUDED

GET LOCAL IN AN EGYPTIAN COFFEE HOUSE This isn’t just your average coffee shop. This is a traditional ahwa – and it’s like nothing you’ve seen before! Mingle with the locals as you tuck into koshari (translation: all the carbs), then settle down with the guys to watch a soccer game. This place is off the hookah. Aswan, EGYPT


09 TOPDECK EXPERIENCES

INCLUDED

VISIT FAMOUS HOLY SITES IN JERUSALEM

Hit the streets of Jerusalem on a history-laden walking tour, ticking off the likes of the golden Dome of the Rock (where Muhammad began his journey to heaven), the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (where Jesus was crucified) and Judaism’s most religious site: the Western Wall.

EAT LOCAL, SUPPORT LOCAL

One of the best parts of travelling? The food, of course! And even better when you can support social enterprises and local people. Our top picks: KOTO Restaurant, HANOI (included) Nubian Village dinner, ASWAN (optional)

Jerusalem

INCLUDED OPTIONAL

INCLUDED

SEE ANCIENT WONDERS IN EGYPT AND JORDAN

Prepare to feel small and insignificant in the best possible way as you stand before the Great Pyramid of Giza, play ‘got your nose’ with the Sphinx (trust us, it never gets old), and embrace your inner Indiana Jones as you explore the magic of Petra. Archaeology = totally awesome. Cairo, EGYPT and Petra, JORDAN

OPTIONAL

GO SNORKELLING IN THE RED SEA

The ‘Rose City’ of Petra and the orange sands of Wadi Rum not colourful enough for you? Then you might want to check out what’s hiding underneath the water! Strap on a snorkel, flap on some flippers and dive into the Red Sea to play hide and seek with some of the most brightly coloured marine life around. Just… wow.

INCLUDED

Wanna experience an authentic slice of desert life? This one’s got your name on it! After weaving through the Wadi Rum dunes in a 4x4, we’ll roll into our Bedouin camp, gather round the fire and share a tasty dinner under the twinkling stars. Bonus: opt in to go all-out nomad with a camel ride. Yesss! Wadi Rum, JORDAN

OPTIONAL

Aqaba, JORDAN

STAY IN A BEDOUIN DESERT CAMP

GO MOUNTAIN GORILLA TREKKING

Venture deep into the wilds of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest on an unforgettable trek to meet a truly magical endangered species: the mountain gorilla. Trust us, nothing will prepare you for the moment when you come face to face with these gentle giants. Breathtaking doesn’t even cover it! So. Many. Emotions. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, UGANDA


DELICIOUS FOOD

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Delicious Food That epic meal you ate on your trip of a lifetime? That’s a memory that will stay with you forever. Dig in! Share your fave foodie moments with us by using #TOPDECKEATS

SEAFOOD ZANZIBAR Zanzibar sits pretty as an island in the Indian Ocean. The result? Lots of yummy fresh seafood makes its way to the markets, bars and restaurants. Teamed with Zanzibar’s famous spices and other foodie influences from Europe and the Middle East, you’ve got some pretty tasty meals. We’re not squidding around...

SUSHI AND SASHIMI JAPAN Japan is the home of sushi and the perfect place to try the real deal (not that stuff you get from the supermarket back home). Not only does sushi taste better in Japan, it also looks better. Prepared to perfection, the dishes are like works of art. You’ll see.


DELICIOUS FOOD

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FALAFEL PITTA ISRAEL Chickpeas are kind of a big deal in the Middle East. Not only are they ground up and made into hummus, but they’re also the main ingredient in another delicious treat: falafel. Try these deep-fried balls of goodness the way they’re supposed to taste – all wrapped up in a pitta and topped with tahini. Yum.

MIDDLE EASTERN DESSERTS MIDDLE EAST Umm Ali. Baklava. Lokma. Aish alSaraya. You better get learning these names, stat! Why? ‘Cos these sweet treats are some of the tastiest local desserts on offer in the Middle East. Trust us, you can’t get these at home. *drools*

MANGO STICKY RICE THAILAND Got a sweet tooth? Get a load of this. Mango sticky rice is the king of Thai desserts. Made with only yummy, glutinous rice, sugar, a trickle of coconut milk and a few slices of fresh, juicy mango, this tasty treat is gonna be your new Thai BFF. Forget the spork – indulge like a local and eat it with your hands!

PHO VIETNAM Pho is a classic Vietnamese dish that you’re not gonna want to miss. Made from broth, rice noodles, herbs, meat and a bunch of other delish ingredients, pho will keep you coming back for more. Hot tip: the best restaurants are where the locals hang.


12 THE CREW

The Crew Enthusiasm is infectious – and our on-road Crew have it by the bucketload. Our Topdeck Crew and the Acacia Africa team are locals, so you can be sure that they’re brimming with insider tips and are passionate and knowledgeable about what they do. Long story short, they make the best travel pals ever.

Trip Leader As a Trip Leader in Thailand, Tur is more than happy to share her love of history and architecture – and her passion for Asian food.

‘It’s fun to work with open-minded, spontaneous, fun people. Our trips are always very interactive, so everyone can get involved.’

- Lina, Trip Leader, Asia

TOPDECKTRAVEL

Want the inside story about life on the road with Topdeck? Watch out for Crew takeovers on our Instagram and Snapchat channels!

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THE CREW

13 ‘Our tour guide was constantly working to make our time in Japan as enjoyable as possible. His knowledge of the country greatly enhanced the experience.’ - Joel Japan Highlights, P.28

Chef

Originally from Zimbabwe, George works for the Acacia Africa team as a Trip Leader and Chef. He’s always on the go!

‘Our Trip Leader was AMAZING! He not only was a guide, but a friend, and very knowledgeable and passionate about his job.’ - Jasmine My Thai, P.34

Driver

‘I feel really lucky being a driver for Topdeck because it gives me the chance to learn about the different cultures of my passengers. This job always keeps me smiling.’ - Mohamed Alama, Driver, Middle East

‘My favourite country? I’d have to say Namibia. The wildlife around the waterholes at Etosha National Park makes for one of the best game viewing experiences in Southeast Africa. The remarkable Spitzkoppe is also in Namibia – truly a magical place! It’s here that we sleep under the stars for the best stargazing night.’ - George, Trip Leader/Chef, Africa


VALUE FOR MONEY

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Value for Money Check out how you’ll get more bang for your buck with Topdeck.

NO HIDDEN COSTS

Our No Tipping Policy means no hidden payments. The result? More money, more fun stuff!

LOGISTICS: SORTED

Forget the faff. We’ll get you from A to B in style and sort out your accommodation. You’re welcome!

INCLUDED MEALS

With plenty of included meals, you can look forward to tasting lots of awesome local food throughout your trip.

EXPERT GUIDES ON HAND

Our Trip Leaders and local guides have got all the insider info. Let the memory making begin!

UNLOCK THE HIGHLIGHTS We’ve done the haggling for you when it comes to landmarks, museums, food tours and more. Go explore!

MORE WAYS TO SAVE BOOK NOW

PAY IN

Secure your booking with a low $200 deposit

Pay the balance via instalments that best suit you

FREE

ROLLING

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SAVE UP TO

SAVE UP TO

SAVE UP TO

Make changes to your booking at no extra cost

Enjoy a flexible rolling deposit, should you change your mind

PAST PASSENGER MULTI-TRIP DISCOUNT FRIENDS DISCOUNT

Terms and conditions apply to our No Strings Guarantee and More Ways to Save. See p.91 for more information or visit our website.


CONNECT WITH US

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Connect w ith Us Ready for your Topdeck trip? Not until you’ve downloaded the Topdeck app! With its easy-breezy functionality, travel tools and social media prowess, this little gem will be your new fave travel pal.

TRIP GROUP CHAT

Connect with your fellow Topdeckers before you depart and begin your magical friendship in the flash of a winking face emoji.

BUDGET TRACKER

Keep an eye on your holiday spending, leaving you with more FUN-ds to play with. Think: elaborate feasts (not questionable supermarket sandwiches).

ITINERARY VIEWER

Get the lowdown on where you’ll be going and what activities you’ll be doing on each day of your trip with this handy little tool.

MAPS

Navigate your way to meeting points and lesser-known local gems using pins dropped by your Trip Leader, seek out your own bucket list sites and take to the streets like a pro.

CHECK-IN

Plug in all your vital deets and we’ll keep them safe for when you really need them. Making your life easier, one swipe at a time.

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BOOKED YOUR TRIP? DOWNLOAD NOW Download the app from iTunes or the App Store and key in your booking reference to get started.

/TOPDECKTRAVEL

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/TOPDECKTRAVEL

TOPDECK.TRAVEL

TOPDECKTRAVEL


FAQS

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HOW MUCH WILL I GET?

free time

All of our trips include both scheduled activities and free time. So, whether you want to chill at the beach or head out on a hike, you’ll have plenty of time to do your own thing.

HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL BE ON MY TRIP? Across Topdeck’s Asia, Middle East, North Africa and Africa trips, you can enjoy the benefits of travelling with a smaller group. Our trips have an average group size of 15 and selected trips may have a maximum group size of 45.

FAQs HOW MUCH LUGGAGE CAN I BRING? Each person is allowed one item of standard luggage, plus a day pack. For our Africa trips please use a backpack rather than a suitcase. The maximum weight of your main bag must not exceed 44lb/20kg – and the size for all bags must not exceed 70cm x 45cm x 25cm. Due to weight regulations for coaches in Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and Africa, passengers with overweight luggage may be asked to offload the excess on the morning the trip departs (eek). Make sure you pack clothes that are culturally appropriate for each destination you’ll be visiting, especially if you’re hoping to enter holy sites. Please also note that small, hard suitcases can’t be taken on board – both for safety and comfort!

Cocktails, mocktails, beer or water?

HOW DOES A SECTOR TRIP WORK? An example is the Jordan & Israel trip, which starts in Amman and finishes in Tel Aviv. This trip includes one sector: Jordan Adventure (Amman to Amman). If you book onto the Jordan Adventure trip, you’ll start in Amman with the passengers who have booked the whole Jordan & Israel trip and finish when the trip gets back to Amman (while the rest of the passengers will continue on into Israel and Palestine). Got it? Great! Look out for this icon throughout the brochure

Your choice of beverage is completely up to you. While some passengers like to go out for a social drink, it’s not compulsory! Oh – and when having a tipple in the Middle East, be sure to respect the local laws and cultures.

DO YOU BOOK FLIGHTS?

WHAT VISAS DO I NEED?

Flights can currently only be booked for Aussie and Kiwi passengers.

The best place to find visa information is www.projectvisa.com. Or, you can contact your local embassy.

ARE FLIGHTS TO/FROM THE STARTING LOCATION INCLUDED? CAN I PAY IN INSTALMENTS?

Outside of 42 days before your trip departs, you can pay in as many instalments as you like – just log in to your My Topdeck account on the website or reach out to your travel agent.

WHAT’S MY TOPDECK? Good question! It’s an online hub for your trip admin including personalised trip notes, itineraries and payments.

Soz, but our prices don’t include flights (unless otherwise stated in the itinerary).

WHAT WILL THE WEATHER BE LIKE ON MY TRIP? While we like to think of ourselves as travel experts, we are currently unable to predict exactly what the weather will be like on your trip. However, we’ve included handy temperature guides to give you an idea of what to expect throughout the year.


CAN I START LATE OR FINISH THE TRIP EARLY?

CAN I UPGRADE TO A PRIVATE ROOM ON HOSTEL PLUS TRIPS?

No worries. We don’t offer any compensation for hours/days missed, though. And bear in mind that you might miss out on some awesome activities!

Unfortunately not. We don’t have private rooms on our Hostel Plus trips – if you want your own room, Hotel trips are the way to go.

HOW MUCH MONEY SHOULD I BRING WITH ME? It varies! Obvs, there are loads of great souvenirs to be bought and an awesome social scene to get involved in (if that’s your thing). Heaps of your meals are also included, so this really just leaves a few meals and your personal spending to budget for.

Where will my transfer meet me?

If you have an included transfer (or have one added to your booking), they’ll meet you at the airport and take you to your accommodation. Winner!

Our advice? Bring along some US dollars on your Asia, Middle East, North Africa or Africa trip. You’ll get the opportunity to exchange this cash for local currency when needed.

I AM TRAVELLING WITH MY PARTNER AND WANT TO DO A HOSTEL PLUS TRIP. CAN WE SHARE A ROOM? Sorry, but no can do. On Hostel Plus trips, we have male and female dorms. If you want to share a room, we recommend having a look into our Hotel trips – then you can have a double or twin-share room.

I WANT TO SEE MOUNTAIN GORILLAS. WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW?

Throughout the trip, your Trip Leader will also let you know about optional activities that you can do – so keep this in mind when budgeting too.

The Bwindi Impenetrable Park region is home to an estimated 400 of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Due to the endangered nature of the species, visitors are strictly limited and a Gorilla Trek Permit must be purchased in advance, normally at the time of booking. The Gorilla Trek takes you to the gentle giants’ natural habitat in southwest Uganda’s mountain jungle. The separate Chimpanzee Trek (also requiring a permit) takes you through the Kyambura Gorge in Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park. The combined cost for the two permits, which we will obtain on your behalf (subject to availability), is listed on each itinerary visiting these areas. Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trek Permit costs are controlled by the Ugandan authorities and are subject to change. Please note: To ensure we obtain Gorilla Trek Permits, we may have to adjust the itinerary slightly from the published route – but don’t worry! This won’t make your experience any less awesome. If we need to amend your itinerary, we’ll let you know before you leave for Africa.

HOW DO I GET TO THE STARTING LOCATION? You can find your starting location in your My Topdeck account on the website, or on the Topdeck app. Google Maps and public transport are your best friends!

WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM TRAVELLING DURING RAMADAN? As many Middle Eastern countries are of Islamic faith, it is important to remember that lots of restaurants and shops will either be closed or operating on reduced hours during Ramadan. As a result, some optional and included activities on your trip may be affected.

x

Ramadan, which takes place in either April, May or June, is an incredibly important and sacred month for Muslims. When equipped with some basic knowledge, you’ll have the chance to immerse yourself in this special tradition and experience all its highlights.

WILL WI-FI BE AVAILABLE ON MY TRIP? That depends on the destination you’re travelling to. While we make every effort to secure accommodation with Wi-Fi, it is often not as readily available as you may be used to at home.

FAQS

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ASIA

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KOH SAMUI, THAILAND

Island hop from one beach to the next in Thailand, explore historic temples in Cambodia, sample out-of-this-world street food in Vietnam, travel through rice fields in Bali, walk The Great Wall of China and live out your sushi-scoffing dreams in Japan. Asia, let's do this!

WHAT’S THIS MONSOON THING ALL ABOUT?

During monsoon months, the weather can be hot and rainy – but showers usually don’t last too long, and they’re often followed by blue skies.

WHY TRAVEL DURING MONSOON SEASON?

Well, when it gets a little hot and sticky, the rain does help to cool things down a bit. Plus, it’s a great way to beat the crowds!

HALONG BAY, VIETNAM

AVERAGE HIGH

temperatu res JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

BANGKOK CHIANG RAI KOH PHA NGAN HO CHI MINH CITY HANOI UBUD TOKYO

Very hot 35⁰C+

Warm 20-30⁰C

Cold 0-15⁰C

Hot 30-35⁰C

Cool 15-20⁰C

Monsoon (wet season) 25-35⁰C

DEC


ASIA

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DAYS | TRIP NAME

PAGE

7 D AY

| JAPAN EXPRESS

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7 D AY

| BALI ISL AND HOPPER

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7 D AY

| THAI ISL ANDS SAMUI SUNSETS

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7 D AY

| THAI ISLANDS KO-CONUT HOPPER

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7 D AY

| JAPAN WINTER

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1 2 D AY

| CHINA LIVE

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1 2 D AY

| JAPAN HIGHLIGHTS

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1 3 D AY

| VIETNAM & CAMBODIA EXPLORER

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1 3 D AY

| VIETNAM UNCOVERED

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1 3 D AY

| MY THAI

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1 4 D AY

| CL ASSIC THAIL AND

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1 6 D AY

| ROAD TO PHNOM PENH

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2 8 D AY

| ASIAN FUSION

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What are sectors?

SECTOR

Sector trips offer you a great way to choose a departure city, set of experiences or journey length that best suits you. Piece together your favourite itineraries, build your own custom Asian road trip, meet more like-minded travellers… it’s your trip, your way. A Sector trip is part of a larger journey, meaning your new friends might continue on after you leave, or you might be joining a trip already in progress.

Look out for this icon throughout the brochure KYOTO, JAPAN


WHERE WE GO - ASIA

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13

BEIJING

Asia

SAPPORO NISEKO

JAPAN TAKAYAMA KYOTO

HIROSHIMA

XIAN

TOKYO HAKONE

OSAKA KOYASAN

CHINA

CHENGDU

LONGSHENG YANGSHUO

INDONESIA HONG KONG HANOI HALONG BAY PAKBENG CHIANG RAI

BALI

LUANG PRABANG

LAOS

GILI TRAWANGAN UBUD LEMBONGAN ISLAND SEMINYAK

VANG VIENG

CHIANG MAI

VIENTIANE HUE HOI AN

THAILAND BANGKOK

SIEM REAP

12 DAY JAPAN HIGHLIGHTS

VIETNAM

CAMBODIA

• Explore the futuristic neon-lit streets of Tokyo • Check out amazing shrines, temples and hot springs • Visit the Bamboo Forest in Kyoto

PHNOM PENH KOH RONG

HO CHI MINH CITY VINH LONG, MEKONG RIVER

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PHUKET KRABI KOH PHI PHI

NEW TRIP

13 DAY VIETNAM & CAMBODIA EXPLORER • Party it up in Halong Bay • Swim, sunbathe and chill in Koh Rong • Visit the epic Angkor Wat complex

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13 DAY VIETNAM UNCOVERED • Eat your way through Ho Chi Minh City on a street food tour • Head out on an epic party cruise in Halong Bay • Drive along the legendary Hai Van Pass

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Pick you r Style Whether you’re a hotel or hostel kind of traveller, our trip styles cater to pretty much everyone. Take your pick!

HOSTEL PLUS Our most social trip style! Bunk down in a comfy dorm with your fellow Topdeckers and let the good times roll.

ACCOMMODATION HOSTELS TRIP LENGTH 7 DAYS ROOM T YPES MULTI-SHARE DORMS

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KHAOSAN WORLD TENNOJI, OSAKA

KHAOSAN WORLD RYOGOKU HOSTEL, TOKYO

POMIHOA HOTEL, HANOI

HILLSIDE RESORT, KOH TAO

HOTEL Fit for couples and singles who want that little bit extra. Our hotels are either centrally located or close to transport links, so you’ll never be far from the action.

ACCOMMODATION 3+ STAR HOTELS/OVERNIGHT TRAINS/MOTORISED SHIPS TRIP LENGTH 7-28 DAYS ROOM T YPES SINGLE/TWIN/DOUBLE

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WHAT DOES MULTI-SHARE MEAN? Multi-share means you’ll be sharing a dorm room with some of your fellow Topdeckers. Rooms are split by gender, so it’ll be lads/ladies only!

PICK YOUR ST YLE - ASIA

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7 D A Y | J A PA N E X P R E S S

HOSTEL PLUS - ASIA

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TOKYO

YOUR ROUTE

1 STOP & STAY

OSAKA

8

MEALS

1

COUNTRY

DAY STOP

START

Tokyo JAPAN Kyoto 2 Hakone/Mt Fuji

1 Osaka FINISH

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: MT FUJI, KINKAKU-JI TEMPLE, OSAKA, SASHIMI

TRIP CODE: AEJETR S TA R T

FINISH

S TA R T

2019

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NOV

FINISH 30

NOV

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APR

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APR

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8

DEC

14

DEC

5

MAY

11

MAY

G

15

DEC

21

DEC

G

9

JUN

15

JUN

G

7

JUL

13

JUL

4

AUG

10

AUG

2020 G

1

SEP

7

SEP

G

10

NOV

16

NOV

G

5

JAN

11

JAN

9

FEB

15

FEB

8

MAR

14

MAR

G

G= Guaranteed Departure

TRIP PRICE OF $2199 TRIP PRICE OF $2319 Price based on Per Person multi-share: usually 2-6 per room

7 DAYS FROM

2199

$

AUD PER PERSON All items listed in the ‘Bucket List’ and ‘More Inclusions’ are included in the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional and may cost extra (but are too awesome to miss out).

DAY 1 TOKYO, JAPAN. You’re in Tokyo, baby! Meet the group and dive into a full day city tour. Spot the Sensō-ji Temple and wander along the nearby 500-year-old Nakamise shopping street selling mochi (sticky rice cakes) and geta (wooden shoes). There’s also Akihabara for the anime fans and the fashionable Shinjuku and Harajuku districts to explore. Don’t forget to walk the famous Shibuya crossing or see the Meiji Shrine while you’re at it. What. A. Day. Hungry? Thought so. Bond with your trip mates over dinner. (D) DAY 2 TOKYO INCLUDING HAKONE VISIT. Konnichiwa Hakone! Swap the hustle and bustle of Tokyo for the natural beauty of Hakone. This place has beautiful views across Lake Ashinoko and amazing backdrops of the sacred Mount Fuji. It’s not hard to see why Mount Fuji is loved by the Japanese and all who visit it, inspiring countless poets and artists. Before the day is up, visit the Hakone Shrine and the famous red torii (gate) overlooking Lake Ashi. Wow. (B)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

Visit the Sensō-ji Temple Walk the Shibuya crossing Visit Akihabara Visit Harajuku Day trip to Hakone Visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine Kyoto city tour

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

6 breakfasts (B), 2 dinners (D) 6 nights in hostels Train tickets Guided tours of all major cities Awesome Trip Leader and local guides

TOP OPTIONALS

M RO YF D DA AU ON R 15 S P E $3 P E R R PE

DAY 3 TOKYO. Free day in Tokyo! Start ticking off the hotspots in this epic place. Hop across the unique patchwork of districts that make up Tokyo’s cityscape and, for a taste of tradition, visit the Imperial Palace and its surrounding gardens. In the evening, wander the futuristic neon-lit streets or spend your night in Shinjuku – there are endless restaurants, bars, clubs and karaoke joints here. Wanna go out with the group? Take the option to visit the Robot Restaurant. Yes, it’s a thing. (B)

have spare time today, be sure to get out of town and visit the pretty Arashiyama bamboo forest to find your zen place (and your next Instagram post). (B)

DAY 4 TOKYO TO KYOTO. This morning, pack your bags and get ready to travel at 300 km/h on the train before arriving in the futuristic station of Kyoto. Japan’s traditional capital, Kyoto is home to over 2,000 temples and shrines, and we’ll be paying a visit to the beautiful Fushimi Inari Shrine. Later, dress up as a maiko or a samurai (optional). (B)

DAY 6 KYOTO TO OSAKA. Hop on the train to Osaka. We’ve got an intro tour to the city starting with the majestic Osaka Castle. Later, why not make your way to the top of the Umeda Sky Building to feel the wind in your hair and to get epic #views over the city? When the sun goes down, Osaka comes alive, and the city’s all yours after a farewell dinner. Let’s go! (B,D)

DAY 5 KYOTO. We’re off on a guided tour. Start off at the Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion and Ryōan-ji Temple. After lunch, travel to the Heian Shrine before ending with a quick visit to the Gion district. If you find you

DAY 7 OSAKA. After breakfast it’s sayonara to the Land of the Rising Sun. Swap numbers and plan that next adventure together. (B)

++ Visit the Robot Restaurant ++ Dress as a maiko or samurai START MEET AT 8AM IN TOKYO FINISH APPROXIMATELY 9AM IN OSAKA


7 DAY | BALI ISLAND HOPPER SEMINYAK

YOUR ROUTE

10

1 STOP & STAY

Ubud

‘Excellent service with a brilliant, warm, friendly and professional tour guide.’ - Carlo

MEALS

1

HOTEL - ASIA

SEMINYAK

23

COUNTRY

Gili Trawangan

DAY STOP

2

START/FINISH

Seminyak BALI

1 Lembongan Island

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: GILI TRAWANGAN, SEMINYAK, LEMBONGAN ISLAND

DAY 1 SEMINYAK TO LEMBONGAN ISLAND, INDONESIA. Meet the crew in Seminyak then get pumped to island hop your way around paradise. Bond over local food with an included welcome lunch before some free time this afternoon. So whether it’s snorkelling, a marine walk, a banana boat ride, volleyball, or just chilling on the beach that takes your fancy, get ready for one epic first day. (L) DAY 2 LEMBONGAN ISLAND TO GILI TRAWANGAN. We’re heading north to the biggest of the Gili archipelago trio: Gili Trawangan. Get excited ‘cos you’ve got three days in the snorkelling, diving and cultural mecca of the Gilis coming up. Talk about ultimate #islandvibes. Get your Instagram ready, it’s gonna get filled up with sweet new snaps. And fast. (B) DAY 3 GILI TRAWANGAN. It’s your day your way. Why not head out on a hike to see Lombok from above with some incred panoramic views? You could also check out the majestic waterfalls in the area. (B,D) DAY 4 GILI TRAWANGAN. Another free day for the taking! Want to meet the locals? Join the optional scuba diving and snorkelling tour and get the chance to bump into turtles, rays and reef sharks. Whether you decide to dive or snorkel, it really is another world under water and you’re in for a real treat. Tonight: why not take a stroll through the food markets and feast your way through local favourites? (B) DAY 5 GILI TRAWANGAN TO UBUD. It’s on to Ubud. If you’re a culture, yoga or nature buff, you’ve come to the right place. Once you’ve checked in, the rest of the day is all yours. Visit Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave) or get up close with the cheeky rascals at the Ubud Monkey Forest – you’ll feel like you’re in Tomb Raider in no time. (B) DAY 6 UBUD. First up, there’s a visit to the Tirta Empul holy springs and temple. Then, it’s off to Kintamani where we’ll have lunch with views over the stunning Lake Batur. Tear yourself away (it won’t be easy!) and visit the Kopi Luwak plantation before travelling

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ Choice of water activities on Lembongan Island including marine walk, banana boat and snorkelling ++ Island stays in Lembongan and Gili Trawangan ++ Visit Tirta Empul holy springs and temple ++ See Lake Batur

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ 6 breakfasts (B), 2 lunches (L), 2 dinners (D) ++ 6 nights in hotels ++ Modern air-conditioned vehicle and local speedboats between islands ++ Guided tours of all major cities ++ Awesome Trip Leader and local guides

TOP OPTIONALS

TRIP CODE: AHIBSS S TA R T

S TA R T

APR

G

27

APR

G

11

MAY

MAY

25

MAY

JUN

8

JUN

16

JUN

22

JUN

23

JUN

29

JUN

30

JUN

6

JUL

G

7

APR

13

21

APR

5

MAY

19 2

FINISH

20

OCT

26

OCT

27

OCT

2

NOV

NOV

9

NOV

NOV

23

NOV

G

24

NOV

30

NOV

G

8

DEC

14

DEC

G

15

DEC

21

DEC

G

29

DEC

4

JAN

G

2020

7

JUL

13

JUL

G

5

JAN

11

JUL

27

JUL

G

19

JAN

25

JAN

28

JUL

3

AUG

26

JAN

1

FEB

JAN

11

AUG

17

AUG

G

9

FEB

15

FEB

25

AUG

31

AUG

G

23

FEB

29

FEB

8

MAR

14

MAR

G

15

MAR

21

MAR

8

SEP

14

SEP

15

SEP

21

SEP

22

SEP

28

SEP

6

OCT

12

OCT

G

3 17

21

++ Scuba diving or snorkelling in Gili Trawangan ++ Whitewater rafting ++ Kintamani mountain biking START MEET AT 7AM IN SEMINYAK FINISH APPROXIMATELY 12PM IN SEMINYAK

FINISH 2019

G

G G

G

G= Guaranteed Departure

TRIP PRICE OF $1099 TRIP PRICE OF $1299 Price based on Per Person twin-share/double Single supplement from an extra $549

7 DAYS FROM through the lush rice fields and swaying coconut trees of Tegalalang. In the afternoon, take it easy and explore the Ubud market for souvenirs and the chance to test your haggling skills. Tonight, your final dinner with the group is on us at a local restaurant. Quick! Take all of the group pics! (B,L,D)

DAY 7 UBUD TO SEMINYAK. Before you go, a day of optional adrenalin-fuelled activities awaits: you could hop on a downhill mountain biking tour or do some whitewater rafting. There’s also an optional tour to Tanah Lot to check out the beautiful temple and sunset. Then, see ya later alligator! We reckon you’ll be back though. Bali does that to people. (B)

1099

$

AUD PER PERSON All items listed in the ‘Bucket List’ and ‘More Inclusions’ are included in the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional and may cost extra (but are too awesome to miss out).

M RO Y F UD N A D A O R 57 S P E $1 P E R R PE


7 DAY | THAI ISLANDS SAMUI SUNSETS

HOTEL - ASIA

24

KOH SAMUI

YOUR ROUTE

1 STOP & STAY

2

KOH SAMUI

8

MEALS

1

COUNTRY

DAY STOP

KOH TAO

KOH PHA NGAN

2

2 START/FINISH

KOH SAMUI THAILAND

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: KOH TAO, KOH SAMUI, KOH PHA NGAN SUNSET

TRIP CODE: AHIEII S TA R T

FINISH 2019

17

APR

23

APR G, FM

S TA R T

FINISH G, FM

16

JUL

22

JUL

13

AUG

19

AUG G, FM

28

APR

4

MAY

11

SEP

17

SEP

FM

12

MAY

18

MAY

12

OCT

18

OCT

FM

17

MAY

23

MAY G, FM

15

JUN

21

JUN G, FM

7

JUL

13

JUL

G= Guaranteed Departure FM= Full moon party, Koh Pha Ngan

TRIP PRICE OF $999 Price based on Per Person twin-share/double Single supplement from an extra $539

7 DAYS FROM

999

$

AUD PER PERSON All items listed in the ‘Bucket List’ and ‘More Inclusions’ are included in the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional and may cost extra (but are too awesome to miss out).

DAY 1 KOH SAMUI, THAILAND. Make your way to the hotel and kick off your travels with a cocktail and chill by the pool. Tonight, get to know your island hopper mates with a welcome dinner. You’re in paradise, so soak it up and get ready a week of epic adventures. This is gonna be a trip to remember. (D) DAY 2 KOH SAMUI. Keen for a snorkel? This day is for you. Head out on an optional full day tour around Angthong Marine Park. Made up of 42 islands, you can expect jungles, white sand beaches, beautiful waterfalls, limestone formations and secret coves. Zoom around and keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife both on land and in the water. Lunch is on the boat. Because #paradise. (B) DAY 3 KOH SAMUI TO KOH PHA NGAN. Take one last dip in the water before you head north to Koh Pha Ngan. This island is no stranger to a good time (Full and Half Moon parties, anyone?) and we reckon you’ll love it here. Spend the afternoon exploring the local beaches and the town. Later, the evening is all yours. Set your sights on a hidden gem for dinner – Thai food for the win! (B) DAY 4 KOH PHA NGAN. Your day, your way. If hanging out in a hammock sipping on fresh coconut water all day isn’t your thing, why not head north on a long tail boat or make tracks to explore the quieter beaches? Both Bottle Beach and Haad Salad Beach are pretty special. What are you waiting for? Go get some adventure! (B)

M RO YF D DA AU ON R 43 S P E $1 P E R R PE

DAY 5 KOH PHA NGAN TO KOH TAO. On to Koh Samui and Koh Pha Ngan’s baby: Koh Tao. Koh Tao means ‘Turtle Island’ and this beautiful place is also an important breeding ground for endangered turtle species. Keep an eye out for turtles and other animals if you decide to go scuba diving or snorkelling today. If you’re not keen for being a water baby, there’s always hiking, rock climbing and bouldering for the adventure seekers. You’ll be spoilt for choice! (B) DAY 6 KOH TAO. Scuba diving and snorkelling here is like ticking off Mt Everest for climbers, so make sure you don’t miss out on your second day here. Keep

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ Island stays on Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Tao ++ Welcome and farewell dinners

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ 6 breakfasts (B), 2 dinners (D) ++ 6 nights in hotels ++ All ferries to Koh Tao, Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Samui ++ Awesome Trip Leader and local guides

TOP OPTIONALS ++ Angthong Marine Park day trip ++ Scuba diving or snorkelling in Koh Tao START MEET AT 6PM IN KOH SAMUI FINISH APPROXIMATELY 1PM IN KOH SAMUI

your eyes peeled for colourful coral, rays, sharks and so much more. Wanna do something else? There’s plenty of jungle and endless beaches to visit. This small island sure punches above its weight when it comes to things to do. Be sure to head back to meet the rest of the group for tonight's farewell dinner. We won’t blame you for getting emotional… (B,D)

DAY 7 KOH TAO TO KOH SAMUI. The trip ends after we arrive back in Koh Samui. If you have some extra time, why not keep exploring? We’ll be seeing you around. (B)


7 DAY | THAI ISLANDS KO-CONUT HOPPER PHUKET

8

MEALS

1

HOTEL - ASIA

PHUKET

25

COUNTRY

YOUR ROUTE

1 STOP & STAY

DAY STOP

2

Krabi

2 START/FINISH

Phuket THAILAND

2 Koh Phi Phi

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: KOH PHI PHI, KRABI, PHUKET

DAY 1 PHUKET, THAILAND. Make your way to the hotel to meet the crew and start planning tomorrow’s adventures. We’ve got a welcome dinner to kick things off. Are you ready for an epic week? (D) DAY 2 PHUKET. Start your morning with an optional trip to Banana Beach. What’s on the agenda? Snorkelling, swimming and kayaking. Want something more chilled once you’re there? Relax the day away on the white sand beach and take in your surroundings. If you prefer to stay on the mainland, why not go and explore the artsy coffee shops, seek out the perfect henna design or hit up Banzaan Market for local goods? Not bad, huh? (B) DAY 3 PHUKET TO KRABI. Day three already and we’re headed to paradise, otherwise known as Krabi. Grab a coconut, jump into 50 shades of blue waters then work on your tan. Want more? Take an optional kayaking adventure around the mangroves and limestone formations in Ao Thalane – look at you being such an explorer! (B) DAY 4 KRABI. After you’ve got your bearings in and around town, how about a beach session? If that doesn’t cut it, take an optional full day ‘Poda 4 Islands’ tour by speedboat. Later, you could always head to a rooftop café for sunset. What a perfect end to the day. (B)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED)

TRIP CODE: AHIWUU

++ Island stays on Phuket and Koh Phi Phi ++ Welcome and farewell dinners

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ ++ ++ ++

6 breakfasts (B), 2 dinners (D) 6 nights in hotels Ferry transfers between islands Awesome Trip Leader and local guides

TOP OPTIONALS ++ Trip to Banana Beach ++ Kayaking at Ao Thalane START MEET AT 6PM IN PHUKET FINISH APPROXIMATELY 4PM IN PHUKET

S TA R T

FINISH

S TA R T

2019

FINISH 2020

10

NOV

16

NOV

17

NOV

23

NOV

24

NOV

30

NOV

1

DEC

7

DEC

8

DEC

14

DEC

G G G

5

JAN

11

JAN

19

JAN

25

JAN

G

2

FEB

8

FEB

G

8

MAR

14

MAR

G

G= Guaranteed Departure

TRIP PRICE OF $1199 Price based on Per Person twin-share/double Single supplement from an extra $619

7 DAYS FROM

1199

$

AUD PER PERSON All items listed in the ‘Bucket List’ and ‘More Inclusions’ are included in the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional and may cost extra (but are too awesome to miss out).

DAY 5 KRABI TO KOH PHI PHI. Relaxed Koh Phi Phi is all yours as we love and leave Krabi behind us. With no cars on the island, Koh Phi Phi is a walking haven to explore and get lost in. Make the most of those beach vibes or head to the quirky town for souvenirs and goodies to take home. (B) DAY 6 KOH PHI PHI. Soak it all up on your last day here, you’ll miss it when it’s gone. Keep your eyes peeled for Leonardo DiCaprio (cult classic The Beach was filmed around here) and then head back for a final dinner with your Topdeck crew. Selfie time! (B,D) DAY 7 KOH PHI PHI TO PHUKET. After breakfast we’re outta here. We won’t blame you though if you end up sticking around to work on that tan. And have one last coconut. Obvs. (B)

M RO Y F UD N A D A O R 72 S P E $1 P E R R PE


NEW TRIP

7 D A Y | J A PA N W I N T E R

HOTEL - ASIA

26

SAPPORO

YOUR ROUTE

1 STOP & STAY

8

MEALS

1

COUNTRY

DAY STOP

START/FINISH

Kiroro

1

1

Niseko

SAPPORO

1

Sapporo JAPAN

2

LakeTōya

1

Noboribetsu

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: LAKE TŌYA, MONKEY, SAPPORO, JIGOKUDANI

TRIP CODE: AHJWZZ S TA R T

FINISH 2019

15

DEC

21

DEC

2020 5

JAN

11

JAN

19

JAN

25

JAN

S TA R T 16

FEB

1 15

FINISH 22

FEB

MAR

7

MAR

MAR

21

MAR

G= Guaranteed Departure

TRIP PRICE OF $4499 Price based on Per Person twin-share/double Single supplement from an extra $1749

7 DAYS FROM

4499

$

AUD PER PERSON All items listed in the ‘Bucket List’ and ‘More Inclusions’ are included in the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional and may cost extra (but are too awesome to miss out).

DAY 1 SAPPORO, JAPAN. Meet the group at the hotel and get ready to hit the ground running. Tonight, there’s a welcome dinner with your new travel mates. Ready for an awesome week? Let’s do this! (D) DAY 2 SAPPORO TO OTARU. It’s time for the main event: snowsports! Head for the mountains at Kiroro Ski Resort and get pumped to shred the day away with a one-day lift pass (optional). Or, you could just people watch in a cute chalet with a mug of hot choc... (B) DAY 3 OTARU TO NISEKO. It’s the big one today: Niseko. This is the most famous ski resort in Japan because of its perfect powder and gorgeous scenery. Runs link together super smoothly, so it’s easy to explore all that this epic mountain resort has to offer. Get amongst it with a two-day pass (optional). You won’t regret it. (B) DAY 4 NISEKO. Want something different on your second day here? Try night skiing (optional). The runs are lit up and open ‘til late. Perfect! One for the bucket list? (B) DAY 5 NISEKO TO LAKE TŌYA VIA NOBORIBETSU. En route, we’ll stop at Date Jidaimura Noboribetsu history theme park. Highlighting the Edo period in Japan’s history, expect samurai and geisha as well as ninjas and entertainers strolling around. After, walk through the other-worldly Jigokudani (aka Hell Valley), known for its sulphuric hot springs, before we stop by the stunning Lake Tōya. (B) DAY 6 LAKE TŌYA TO SAPPORO. Sapporo, let’s go! On a city tour you’ll tick off the Clock Tower, the former government office, the Hokkaidō Shrine and the Sapporo Beer Museum set in a former brewery. Taste some of the good stuff if you like (optional). Then, tonight, swap numbers over our farewell dinner. (B,D)

M RO YF D DA AU ON R 43 S P E $6 P E R R PE

DAY 7 SAPPORO. Today we say goodbye to Japan and our group. It’s emotional for sure. Why not plan that next adventure? It’s never too early! (B)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

Visit the Sapporo Beer Museum See the Hokkaido Shrine Walk through ‘Hell Valley’ Guided tour of Sapporo Entrance to Date Jidaimura Noboribetsu history theme park

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ 6 breakfasts (B), 2 dinners (D) ++ 6 nights in hotels ++ Awesome Trip Leader and local guides

TOP OPTIONALS ++ Ski passes ++ Ski gear rental ++ Beer tasting at the Sapporo Beer Museum START MEET AT 4PM IN SAPPORO FINISH APPROXIMATELY 11AM IN SAPPORO


12 D A Y | C H I N A L I V E HONG KONG

21

MEALS

1

HOTEL - ASIA

BEIJING

27

COUNTRY

YOUR ROUTE

1 STOP & STAY

DAY STOP

overnight train

1

Chengdu

2

1

Xian

1

Longsheng

START

Beijing CHINA

2

2

Yangshuo

2

FINISH

Hong Kong

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: LONGSHENG, BEIJING, TERRACOTTA WARRIORS

DAYS 1-2 BEIJING, CHINA. Ni Hao! Welcome to China. After checking in, head into town and try some of the best street eats around for dinner. On day two, there’s a trip to the Great Wall of China. The best part? The toboggan (or the cable car if that’s more your thing). Before the day is up, visit the Sacred Way and tuck in to an optional Peking duck dinner on Ghost Street. Yum! (D) (B,L) DAY 3 BEIJING TO XIAN VIA OVERNIGHT TRAIN. Today, it’s all about Tiananmen Square (one of the most famous historical sites in China), the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace. Tonight you’ll be travelling to Xian on an overnight train. (B,L,D) DAY 4 XIAN. Jump off in Xian. You’re in the land of the Terracotta Warriors and you’ll see them today! Then, hop on a bike ride along the old city wall. (B,L) DAYS 5-6 XIAN TO CHENGDU. We’re flying to Chengdu! Feast on a traditional hot pot dinner on night one here. On day two, you’ll visit a panda conservation centre before a trip to Jinli Street to see remains of the old Chengdu city. Later, there’s a teahouse visit in People’s Park. (B,D) (B,L) DAYS 7-8 CHENGDU TO YANGSHUO. Next up, we’re flying to Yangshuo. We’ve got lots of optional activities: a cooking class, rafting on the Yulong River or the Liu San Jie show with the river as the stage. Decisions, decisions… (B) (B) DAY 9 YANGSHUO TO LONGSHENG. It’s off to Longsheng we go. Enjoy an included day tour and hike the layers of rice terraces. Don’t miss the views from the summit, aka ‘Dragon’s Backbone’. (B,L,D) DAYS 10-12 LONGSHENG TO HONG KONG. It’s Hong Kong time. Get those walking shoes on for an orientation tour as you hit up the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade and Clock Tower as well as Victoria Peak and lookout. Make the most of your free days here and go exploring! Don’t miss the Temple Street night market. Then, say bye to your trip mates and swap contact deets, quick! (B) (B,D) (B)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

Street eats dinner in Beijing Visit the Great Wall of China Visit the Sacred Way Visit Tiananmen Square Visit the Forbidden City Visit the Terracotta Warriors Xian city wall bike ride Visit a panda conservation centre Visit the world famous teahouses in People's Park Explore the Dragon's Backbone rice terraces

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

11 breakfasts (B), 5 lunches (L), 5 dinners (D) 10 nights in hotels, 1 night on an overnight train Internal flights Overnight train ticket Modern air-conditioned vehicle Guided tours of all major cities Awesome Trip Leader and local guides

TRIP CODE: AHCLGK S TA R T

FINISH

S TA R T

2019 21

APR

2

MAY

12

MAY

23

MAY

9

JUN

20

JUN

G

FINISH

8

SEP

19

SEP

6

OCT

17

OCT

G

G= Guaranteed Departure

TRIP PRICE OF $3939 TRIP PRICE OF $4199 Price based on Per Person twin-share/double Single supplement from an extra $949

12 DAYS FROM

3939

$

AUD PER PERSON All items listed in the ‘Bucket List’ and ‘More Inclusions’ are included in the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional and may cost extra (but are too awesome to miss out).

TOP OPTIONALS ++ Peking duck dinner in Beijing ++ Cooking class in Yangshuo ++ Rafting on the Yulong River START MEET AT 2PM IN BEIJING FINISH APPROXIMATELY 9AM IN HONG KONG

M RO Y F UD N A D A O R 29 S P E $3 P E R R PE


12 D A Y | J A PA N H I G H L I G H T S

HOTEL - ASIA

28

TOKYO

KYOTO

14

MEALS

1

COUNTRY

‘Had the best time in Japan. Loved spending time in a completely different culture. Fantastic Tour Leader and group. Loved it.’ - Cassandra

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: LEMON PANCAKE, SENSŌ-JI TEMPLE, OSAKA, TOKYO

YOUR ROUTE

1 STOP & STAY

later? Take the option to visit the Robot Restaurant. Yes, it’s a thing. (B)

DAY STOP

DAY 4 TOKYO TO TAKAYAMA. This morning pack your bags ‘cos we’re travelling on the bullet train to the beautiful Japanese Alps. You’ll visit the Hida folk village when you get there. Why not finish off the day with an optional foodie activity? There’s Hida beef on the menu if you want it. (B)

START

Takayama

2 Hiroshima Miyajima

1

Tokyo JAPAN

4 Kyoto FINISH

1 Osaka

DAY 1 TOKYO, JAPAN. You’re in Tokyo, baby! Meet the group and dive into a full day city tour. Spot the Sensō-ji temple and wander along the nearby 500-year-old Nakamise shopping street selling mochi (sticky rice cakes) and geta (wooden shoes). There’s also Akihabara for the anime fans and the fashionable Shinjuku and Harajuku districts to explore. Don’t forget to walk the famous Shibuya crossing or see the Meiji Shrine while you’re at it. Phew! What. A. Day. Hungry? Thought so. Bond with your trip mates over dinner. It’s gonna be an awesome 12 days! (D)

DAY 2 TOKYO. Today is a free day in Tokyo. Start ticking off the hotspots in this epic place. Hop across the unique patchwork of districts that makes up Tokyo’s cityscape and, for a taste of tradition, visit the Imperial Palace and its surrounding gardens. In the evening, wander the futuristic neon-lit streets or spend your night in Shinjuku – there are endless restaurants, bars, clubs and karaoke joints here. (B) DAY 3 TOKYO. Today, why not take a visit to the happiest place on earth: Tokyo Disneyland (optional). Be sure to leave space in your suitcase for all of the Disney merchandise! Wanna go out with the group

DAY 5 TAKAYAMA. Start off the day at the morning riverside markets. Then, get your walking shoes on ‘cos we’ll be ticking off Takayama Jin'ya (a former government outpost) and visiting a sake brewery to try some of the famous Japanese rice wine. Tonight, be sure to check out the local onsen where you can relax in the hot springs. (B) DAY 6 TAKAYAMA TO HIROSHIMA VIA MIYAJIMA. Jump on a ferry to Miyajima to see the island’s wild deer – cute! You can also check out the Itsukushima Shrine. A sunset at this spot is just the ticket to round off the day, so keep your phones charged for some pretty snaps. (B) DAY 7 HIROSHIMA TO OSAKA. Before leaving Hiroshima, visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum where you can learn about the atomic bombing during World War II. Later, we’re headed to Osaka. You’ll get the chance to experience traditional, vegetarian Buddhist cuisine at our accommodation tonight. Yum! (B,D) DAY 8 OSAKA TO KYOTO. We’re making tracks to Japan’s traditional capital, Kyoto. Kyoto is home to over 2,000 temples and shrines, and today you’ll pay a visit to the beautiful Fushimi Inari Shrine. (B) DAY 9 KYOTO. Start off with a guided tour of Kyoto. Tick off the Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion before moving on to the sprawling Arashiyama bamboo forest and the Togetsu-kyō bridge to find your zen place (and your next Instagram post). Fancy yourself a foodie? You’re in luck as we’ll pop by the Nishiki Market next. In the afternoon, it’s off to Nijo Castle and the Heian


HOTEL - ASIA

29

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: KYOTO, ITSUKUSHIMA SHRINE, SPICY RAMEN

Shrine before finishing up with a quick visit to the Gion district. What a day! (B)

DAY 10 KYOTO. A free day to explore, whoo! You could always go on a day trip to Nara for more cute deer, beautiful nature and majestic temples. Later, you can dress up as a maiko or samurai (optional). Want more? Kyoto’s got a big student population, so why not get amongst the fun when day turns to night at a local bar? (B) DAY 11 KYOTO. Final day to pack in all that Kyoto has to offer. Quick, tick off the rest of the stuff on your Kyoto bucket list! Tonight, there’s a group dinner to round off the trip. We won’t blame you for getting emotional… (B,D) DAY 12 KYOTO. After breakfast it’s sayonara to the Land of the Rising Sun. Swap numbers and plan that next adventure together. (B)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

Visit the Sensō-ji Temple Walk the Shibuya crossing Visit Akihabara Visit Harajuku Visit the Itsukushima Shrine Visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum ++ Visit a sake brewery ++ Visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

11 breakfasts (B), 3 dinners (D) 11 nights in hotels Train tickets Guided tours of all major cities Awesome Trip Leader and local guides

TOP OPTIONALS ++ Visit Tokyo Disneyland ++ Visit the Robot Restaurant ++ Dress as a maiko or samurai START MEET AT 8AM IN TOKYO FINISH APPROXIMATELY 9AM IN KYOTO

TRIP CODE: AHJJTR S TA R T

FINISH

S TA R T

2019

FINISH

10

NOV

21

NOV

7

APR

18

APR

G

24

NOV

5

DEC

14

APR

25

APR

G

1

DEC

12

DEC

5

MAY

16

MAY

8

DEC

19

DEC

5

JAN

16

JAN

19

JAN

30

JAN

12

MAY

23

MAY

19

MAY

30

MAY

26

MAY

6

JUN

G G

2020

9

JUN

20

JUN

26

JAN

6

FEB

23

JUN

4

JUL

2

FEB

13

FEB

30

JUN

11

JUL

16

FEB

27

FEB

21

JUL

1

AUG

1

MAR

12

MAR

G

G

G

G

4

AUG

15

AUG

15

MAR

26

MAR

G

18

AUG

29

AUG

29

MAR

9

APR

G

1

SEP

12

SEP

G

3

NOV

14

NOV

G

G= Guaranteed Departure

TRIP PRICE OF $5129 TRIP PRICE OF $5619 Price based on Per Person twin-share/double Single supplement from an extra $1179

12 DAYS FROM

5129

$

AUD PER PERSON All items listed in the ‘Bucket List’ and ‘More Inclusions’ are included in the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional and may cost extra (but are too awesome to miss out).

SHIBUYA CROSSING , TOKYO

M RO Y F UD N A D A O R 33 S P E $7 P E R R PE


NEW TRIP

HOTEL - ASIA

30

13 DAY | VIETNAM & CAMBODIA EXPLORER HANOI

SIEM REAP

17

MEALS

2

COUNTRIES

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: KOH RONG, PHNOM PENH, SIEM REAP, HANOI

YOUR ROUTE

1 STOP & STAY

before flying with the group to Hoi An. Try to nab a window seat! (B)

DAY STOP

START

Hanoi

VIETNAM

1

2

Halong Bay overnight cruise

Hoi An

2

DAY 6 HOI AN TO HO CHI MINH CITY. Second flight of the trip coming up. Look at you exploring like a pro! Tonight, head out on the optional street eats tour. Stroll the alleys and watch the city come alive at night. Try a Vietnamese pancake, or bánh xèo. You won’t regret it. (B) DAY 7 HO CHI MINH CITY. Hop on a boat on the Mekong Delta and get amongst Cai Be's floating markets that teem with fruit, vegetables and goodies. Once you’ve stocked up, continue along the canals to Vinh Long, stopping at villages en route to see local artisans at work. It’s your last night in Ho Chi Minh City tonight, so make it count! (B,L)

FINISH

Siem Reap

2

1

2

DAY 5 HOI AN. Free day in Hoi An! Look out for French colonial buildings and the Japanese Covered Bridge to get you started. Then, ask your Trip Leader for the inside goss of all the must-sees. Seek out a hidden gem for dinner and eat allll of the Vietnamese food. Pho, anyone? (B)

Phnom Penh CAMBODIA

2

Ho Chi Minh City

Koh Rong

DAY 1 HANOI, VIETNAM. Welcome to Hanoi! Tonight, get ready for foodie heaven with a street eats tour through the Old Quarter. We’ll take you to where the locals eat and drink, so you know it’s the real deal. Expect beer, noodles, Vietnamese BBQ, tofu, skewers and loads more. (D) DAY 2 HANOI. Start off the day with a tour of Hanoi. There’ll be stops at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (the resting place of President Ho Chi Minh), the One Pillar Pagoda, the Presidential Palace and the Temple of Literature. Fancy yourself as the next Masterchef? We’ve got a cooking demonstration to round off the

tour. Tonight, head to the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre to watch a traditional performance. (B,L)

DAY 3 HANOI TO HALONG BAY. Cruise time! Halong Bay is famous for its limestone islands, rainforests and turquoise water and you’ll get to see it all for real, eeek! Ready for a day of paddling, swimming, partying and lazing on the sundeck? It’d be rude not to, you are in paradise after all. Tonight, enjoy the sunset from the boat and tuck in to a fresh dinner. (B,L,D) DAY 4 HALONG BAY TO HOI AN. How’s your head this morning? Shake it off with one last dip in the water

DAY 8 HO CHI MINH CITY TO PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA. Once in Phnom Penh, there’s a half-day tour lined up for you. First up is the impressive Royal Palace (home to the current reigning monarch). Explore the grounds while you’re here and take a look at the Silver Pagoda and the beautiful buddha statues made of emeralds, gold and diamonds – you can’t miss ‘em. Finish up the day with a visit to the Central Market. (B) DAY 9 PHNOM PENH TO KOH RONG. Hop on a local boat, we’re headed to Koh Rong. This place will probs be your next phone wallpaper – it’s stunning. (B) DAY 10 KOH RONG. Day ten, and it’s all about chilling on the beach. It’s a hard life… (B) DAY 11 KOH RONG TO SIEM REAP. Tear yourself away from Koh Rong because we’re flying to Siem Reap. Passports at the ready! (B)


HOTEL - ASIA

31

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: SKEWERED MEATS, HALONG BAY CRUISE, HOI AN

DAY 12 SIEM REAP. Today’s gonna be awesome. Start off with a visit to Angkor Thom and its statue-lined South Gate. Then, it’s on to the intricately decorated Bayon temple, and the Hindu temple Phimeanakas. Want more? Ta Prohm’s where it’s at. Held together by tree roots, this place looks like something out of Tomb Raider and will give you all of the adventure feels. We’ve left the main event until the afternoon. That’s right, you’re hitting up the mighty Angkor Wat! Round off the day and toast the end of an epic trip with sunset views over the jungle from the top of Pre Rup temple. (B) DAY 13 SIEM REAP. Quick! Squeeze in everything else you wanted to do while you were here before heading off on your next adventure. (B)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ ++ ++ ++

Street eats tour in Hanoi Visit the Cai Be floating markets Party cruise in Halong Bay Watch the sunset at Angkor Wat

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

12 breakfasts (B), 3 lunches (L), 2 dinners (D) 11 nights in hotels, 1 night on a party junk boat Internal flights Modern air-conditioned vehicle Guided tours of all major cities Awesome Trip Leader and local guides

TOP OPTIONALS ++ Street eats tour in Ho Chi Minh City START MEET AT 5PM IN HANOI FINISH APPROXIMATELY 10AM IN SIEM REAP

TRIP CODE: AHVCHS S TA R T

FINISH

S TA R T

2019 7

APR

19

APR

FINISH

NOV

22

NOV

G

8

DEC

20

DEC

G

5

JAN

17

JAN

G

2

FEB

14

FEB

G

16

FEB

28

FEB

2020

21

APR

3

MAY

12

MAY

24

MAY

9

JUN

21

JUN

14

JUL

26

JUL

11

AUG

23

AUG

1

MAR

13

MAR

1

SEP

13

SEP

15

MAR

27

MAR

29

SEP

11

OCT

13

OCT

25

OCT

G

10

G

G

G= Guaranteed Departure

TRIP PRICE OF $2579 Price based on Per Person twin-share/double Single supplement from an extra $589

13 DAYS FROM

2579

$

AUD PER PERSON All items listed in the ‘Bucket List’ and ‘More Inclusions’ are included in the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional and may cost extra (but are too awesome to miss out).

HANOI

M RO Y F UD N A D A O R 15 S P E $2 P E R R PE


13 D A Y | V I E T N A M U N C O V E R E D

HOTEL - ASIA

32

HO CHI MINH CITY

HANOI

19

MEALS

1

COUNTRY

SECTOR

‘Everyone was so friendly and it was a great way to meet new people. Highly recommended. I’ll certainly do Topdeck again.’ - Rebecca

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: NHA TRANG, HANOI, HALONG BAY, HO CHI MINH CITY

YOUR ROUTE

1 STOP & STAY

DAY STOP FINISH

Hanoi

1

1 1

Halong Bay overnight cruise

1 Hoi An

DAY 5 NHA TRANG. Rest up at the beach or get involved in an optional activity today. You could try out a full day boat trip or head to the Thap Ba Hot Spring Bathing and Mud Spa (optional). Seek out local restaurants for lunch and dinner today. Ask your Trip Leader for insider tips of where to go. (B)

Hue

2

DAY 6 NHA TRANG. Spend your free day lazing in Nha Trang. Did we mention this is a windsurfing and scuba diving mecca? Don’t miss the chance to get involved with all the water activities today before we head off to our next destination tomorrow. (B) Nha Trang

1

2

overnight train START

Ho Chi Minh City VIETNAM

2 1

DAY 1 HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM. Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City! Tonight, get ready for foodie heaven with a street eats tour. We’ll take you to where the locals eat, so you know it’s the real deal. Be on the lookout for pho, spring rolls, sizzling pancakes and noodle soups. They do it best here. (D) DAY 2 HO CHI MINH CITY. Start off the day with a half-day tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels. These interesting tunnels were a strategic operation base during the Vietnam War. Later this afternoon, swing by the Central Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral on a city tour. You’ll also get the chance to see the Saigon

DAY 4 VINH LONG TO NHA TRANG VIA OVERNIGHT TRAIN. There’ll be a pit stop at the Vinh Trang pagoda before we head to the train station. Onwards to Nha Trang! This coastal city is famous for being the gateway to epic scuba diving, beaches and yummy seafood. Ready to get amongst it? Yeah, thought so! (B)

Vinh Long, Mekong River

Opera House, the Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum. What. A. Day! After all that exploring, seek out your own hidden gem for dinner tonight. Craving more street food after last night? Sure, why not. (B,L)

DAY 3 HO CHI MINH CITY TO VINH LONG, MEKONG RIVER. Hop on a boat to get amongst Cai Be's floating markets that teem with fruit, vegetables and goodies. We’re staying in a guesthouse tonight. Get cosy and tuck into a dinner with the crew. (B,L,D)

DAY 7 NHA TRANG TO HOI AN. You’re flying to Hoi An today. Look out for French colonial buildings and the Japanese Covered Bridge once you arrive. This city’s Ancient Town is awesome so make sure you explore around here during your time in Hoi An too. (B) DAY 8 HOI AN. Free day! Hop on a tour to a vegetable village just outside of Hoi An (optional). Or, you could enrol in a cooking class conducted by a local chef (optional). Whether you fancy yourself as the next Masterchef champion or are a cooking newbie, a cooking class is a load of fun. Rally your fellow Topdeckers together and ready, set, cook! (B) DAY 9 HOI AN TO HUE. We’ll drive you along the Hai Van Pass, one of Vietnam’s most beautiful mountain passes, towards Hue. Once there, set off on a guided tour of the Citadel and the Tu Duc Royal Tomb. What an introduction! (B) DAY 10 HUE TO HANOI. Fly up the coast and get ready to take on the big capital city of Hanoi. This place is famous for its ancient architecture and awesome culture which takes from French, Chinese and Southeast Asian influences. Keep your eyes peeled


HOTEL - ASIA

33

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: FRESH LOCAL SEAFOOD, HUE, HO CHI MINH CITY

for the many temples and markets as you explore the city and ask your Trip Leader for hot tips and local faves. (B)

DAY 11 HANOI TO HALONG BAY. Cruise time! You’ve seen the Instagram posts and you’ve seen the documentaries – now it’s time to take on Halong Bay for yourself. Famous for its limestone islands, rainforests and turquoise water, this place really is stunning. We’ve got a day of paddling, swimming, partying and lazing on the sundeck lined up. Um, yes please! Tonight, enjoy the sunset from the boat and tuck in to a fresh dinner. Cheers! (B,L,D) DAY 12 HALONG BAY TO HANOI. How’s your head this morning? Shake it off with one last dip in the turquoise water before heading back to Hanoi – but not before an optional scenic flight over Halong Bay. This is one not to miss – the views from above are incredible. (B,D) DAY 13 HANOI. Today, we’re outta here after brekkie. Okay, maybe one last bowl of pho first. Or two. (B)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

Street eats tour in Ho Chi Minh City Cu Chi Tunnels tour Visit the Cai Be floating markets Drive along the Hai Van Pass Party cruise in Halong Bay

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ 12 breakfasts (B), 3 lunches (L), 4 dinners (D) ++ 9 nights in hotels, 1 night in a guesthouse, 1 night on a party junk boat, 1 night on an overnight train ++ Internal flights ++ Modern air-conditioned vehicle ++ Overnight train ticket ++ Guided tours of all major cities ++ Awesome Trip Leader and local guides

TOP OPTIONALS ++ Scenic flight over Halong Bay ++ Cooking class in Hoi An START MEET AT 5PM IN HO CHI MINH CITY FINISH APPROXIMATELY 9AM IN HANOI

This is a sector of the 28 Day Asian Fusion trip. See p.38 or visit our website.

HOI AN

TRIP CODE: AHAFOH S TA R T

FINISH

S TA R T

2019 6

MAY

18

MAY

3

JUN

15

JUN

17

JUN

29

JUN

G

FINISH

28

OCT

9

NOV

11

NOV

23

NOV

18

NOV

30

NOV

G

2

DEC

14

DEC

16

DEC

28

DEC

30

DEC

11

JAN

15

JUL

27

JUL

29

JUL

10

AUG

G

12

AUG

24

AUG

G G

19

AUG

31

AUG

20

JAN

1

FEB

AUG

7

SEP

10

FEB

22

FEB

2

SEP

14

SEP

24

FEB

7

MAR

9

SEP

21

SEP

9

MAR

21

MAR

6

APR

18

APR

SEP

12

OCT

14

OCT

26

OCT

G

G

2020

26

30

G

G G G

G= Guaranteed Departure

TRIP PRICE OF $2399 Price based on Per Person twin-share/double Single supplement from an extra $579

13 DAYS FROM

2399

$

AUD PER PERSON All items listed in the ‘Bucket List’ and ‘More Inclusions’ are included in the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional and may cost extra (but are too awesome to miss out).

M RO Y F UD N A D A O R 85 S P E $1 P E R R PE


13 D A Y | M Y T H A I

HOTEL - ASIA

34

BANGKOK

YOUR ROUTE

1 STOP & STAY

BANGKOK

16

MEALS

1

COUNTRY

DAY STOP

Chiang Rai Wat Rong Khun

1 Chiang Mai

2

overnight train

1

2 START/FINISH

Bangkok THAILAND

Phuket

2

2

Krabi

2 Koh Phi Phi

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: WAT RONG KHUN, CHIANG MAI, PHUKET

TRIP CODE: AHMTBB S TA R T

FINISH

S TA R T

2019

FINISH 2020

10

NOV

22

NOV

5

JAN

17

JAN

1

DEC

13

DEC

2

FEB

14

FEB

8

MAR

20

MAR

G= Guaranteed Departure

TRIP PRICE OF $2689 Price based on Per Person twin-share/double Single supplement from an extra $1209

13 DAYS FROM

2689

$

AUD PER PERSON All items listed in the ‘Bucket List’ and ‘More Inclusions’ are included in the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional and may cost extra (but are too awesome to miss out).

DAY 1 BANGKOK TO PHUKET, THAILAND. Meet the crew before flying to Phuket. Tonight you’ve got a welcome dinner with the group. Yum! (D) DAY 2 PHUKET. Start your morning with an optional trip to Banana Beach. What’s on the agenda? Snorkelling, swimming and kayaking. Want something more chilled once you’re there? Relax on the white sand beach – bliss! If you prefer to stay on the mainland, explore the artsy coffee shops, seek out the perfect henna design or hit up Banzaan Market. (B) DAY 3 PHUKET TO KRABI. Day three and we’re headed to paradise, aka Krabi. Take an optional kayaking adventure around the mangroves and limestone formations in Ao Thalane. (B) DAY 4 KRABI. Today, hit up the optional full day ‘Poda 4 Islands’ tour by speedboat. (B) DAY 5 KRABI TO KOH PHI PHI. Relaxed Koh Phi Phi is all yours. Make the most of those beach vibes or head to the quirky town for souvenirs to take home. (B) DAY 6 KOH PHI PHI. Keep your eyes peeled for Leonardo DiCaprio (cult classic The Beach was filmed around here) and then head back for dinner. (B,D) DAY 7 KOH PHI PHI TO BANGKOK VIA PHUKET. We’re flying you to buzzing Bangkok today. Watch the city sparkle as you roam the streets. (B) DAY 8 BANGKOK. Get your culture fix at your own pace. Later, get ready to zip through the streets on an included street eats tour. Mode of transport? Tuk-tuk. Eeek! (B,D) DAY 9 BANGKOK TO CHIANG MAI VIA OVERNIGHT TRAIN. Tick off the Bangkok bucket list with a halfday city tour: Grand Palace and Wat Pho temple, we’re looking at you. Tonight, catch some zzz’s on an overnight train. (B)

M RO YF D DA AU ON R 07 S P E $2 P E R R PE

DAY 10 CHIANG MAI. Jump in a trishaw for an included city tour and cruise through the incredible old town in style. The afternoon is all yours. (B)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ ++ ++ ++

Island stays on Phuket and Koh Phi Phi Street eats tuk-tuk tour in Bangkok Guided trishaw tour in Chiang Mai Visit Wat Rong Khun

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

12 breakfasts (B), 1 lunch (L), 3 dinners (D) 11 nights in hotels, 1 night on an overnight train Internal flights Overnight train ticket Ferry transfers between Phuket and Krabi Modern air-conditioned vehicle Guided tours of all major cities Awesome Trip Leader and local guides

TOP OPTIONALS ++ Trip to Banana Beach ++ Kayaking at Ao Thalane ++ Flight of the Gibbon treetop adventure START MEET AT 8AM IN BANGKOK FINISH APPROXIMATELY 12PM IN BANGKOK

DAY 11 CHIANG MAI. Free day! How about an optional cooking class? For the adrenalin seekers, unleash your inner monkey with an optional Flight of the Gibbon treetop adventure. One, two, three, jump! (B) DAY 12 CHIANG MAI TO CHIANG RAI. Be inspired by the amazing Wat Rong Khun ‘White Temple’ en route to Chiang Rai. Get ready to say wow 100 times over. (B,L) DAY 13 CHIANG RAI TO BANGKOK. We’re heading back to Bangkok today. Too soon to start planning the next adventure? Never! (B)


14 D A Y | C L A S S I C T H A I L A N D BANGKOK

16

MEALS

1

HOTEL - ASIA

BANGKOK

35

COUNTRY

YOUR ROUTE

1 STOP & STAY

Chiang Rai Chiang Mai

DAY STOP

1

2

1

overnight train

2 START/FINISH

Bangkok THAILAND

Chumphon overnight train

1

2

Koh Tao

2

Koh Pha Ngan

2

Koh Samui

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: KOH TAO, CHIANG RAI, KOH SAMUI

DAY 1 BANGKOK TO KOH SAMUI, THAILAND VIA OVERNIGHT TRAIN. Explore Bangkok in your own time before jumping on an overnight train to Koh Samui. Let’s gooo! DAY 2 KOH SAMUI. Kick off your travels with a cocktail and chill by the pool. Tonight, get to know your travel mates over a welcome dinner. (D) DAY 3 KOH SAMUI. Keen for a snorkel? Head out on an optional full day tour around Angthong Marine Park. Made up of 42 islands, you can expect jungles, white sand beaches, beautiful waterfalls and limestone formations. (B) DAY 4 KOH SAMUI TO KOH PHA NGAN. Koh Pha Ngan is no stranger to a good time (Full and Half Moon parties, anyone?). Spend the afternoon exploring the local beaches and the town. Later, seek out a hidden gem for dinner. (B) DAY 5 KOH PHA NGAN. Your day, your way. Why not head north on a long tail boat or make tracks to the quieter beaches? Go get some adventure! (B) DAY 6 KOH PHA NGAN TO KOH TAO. On to Koh Tao. Keep an eye out for turtles and other animals with some optional scuba diving or snorkelling today. There’s always hiking, rock climbing and bouldering for the adventure seekers too. (B) DAY 7 KOH TAO. Take your pick from today's optional activities: go scuba diving or take a snorkelling trip. FYI: we’re talking diving mecca right here, so don’t miss your chance. (B,D) DAY 8 KOH TAO TO BANGKOK. We’re flying to buzzing Bangkok today. (B) DAY 9 BANGKOK. Get your culture fix at your own pace. Later, zip through the streets on an included street eats tour. Mode of transport? Tuk-tuk. Eeek! (B,D) DAY 10 BANGKOK TO CHIANG MAI VIA OVERNIGHT TRAIN. Tick off the Bangkok bucket list with a halfday city tour: Grand Palace and Wat Pho temple,

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ Island stays on Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Tao ++ Street eats tuk-tuk tour in Bangkok ++ Guided trishaw tour in Chiang Mai ++ Visit Wat Rong Khun

TRIP CODE: AHCTBB S TA R T

12 breakfasts (B), 1 lunch (L), 3 dinners (D) 11 nights in hotels, 2 nights on overnight trains Internal flights Overnight train tickets Modern air-conditioned vehicle Guided tours of all major cities Awesome Trip Leader and local guides

S TA R T

16

APR

29

APR G, FM

16

MAY

29

MAY

FM

14

JUN

27

JUN

FM

15

JUL

28

JUL

G, FM

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

FINISH 2019

FINISH AUG G, FM

12

AUG

25

10

SEP

23

SEP

FM

11

OCT

24

OCT

FM

G= Guaranteed Departure FM= Full moon party, koh pha ngan

TRIP PRICE OF $2599 Price based on Per Person twin-share/double Single supplement from an extra $1169

14 DAYS FROM

2599

$

AUD PER PERSON

TOP OPTIONALS ++ Angthong Marine Park day trip ++ Scuba diving or snorkelling in Koh Tao ++ Flight of the Gibbon treetop adventure

All items listed in the ‘Bucket List’ and ‘More Inclusions’ are included in the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional and may cost extra (but are too awesome to miss out).

START MEET AT 4PM IN BANGKOK FINISH APPROXIMATELY 2PM IN BANGKOK

we’re looking at you. Tonight, catch some zzz’s on an overnight train. (B)

to Chiang Rai today. Get ready to say wow 100 times over. (B,L)

DAY 11 CHIANG MAI. Jump in a trishaw for an included city tour and cruise through the incredible old town in style. The afternoon is all yours. (B)

DAY 14 CHIANG RAI TO BANGKOK. We’re heading back to Bangkok today. Too soon to start planning the next adventure? Never! (B)

DAY 12 CHIANG MAI. Free day! How about an optional cooking class? For the adrenalin seekers, unleash your inner monkey with an optional Flight of the Gibbon treetop adventure. One, two, three, jump! (B) DAY 13 CHIANG MAI TO CHIANG RAI. Be inspired by the amazing Wat Rong Khun ‘White Temple’ en route

M RO Y F UD N A D A O R 86 S P E $1 P E R R PE


16 D A Y | R O A D T O P H N O M P E N H

HOTEL - ASIA

36

BANGKOK

PHNOM PENH

21

MEALS

3

COUNTRIES

SECTOR

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: VIENTIANE, STIR FRY, CHIANG RAI, BANGKOK

YOUR ROUTE

1 STOP & STAY

DAY 4 CHIANG MAI. Free day! How about an optional cooking class? Whether you fancy yourself as the next Masterchef champion or are a cooking newbie, a cooking class is a load of fun. Rally your fellow Topdeckers together and ready, set, cook! For the adrenalin seekers, unleash your inner monkey with an optional Flight of the Gibbon treetop adventure. One, two, three, jump! (B)

DAY STOP

Pakbeng LAOS

Chiang Rai

1

Luang Prabang

2

Wat Rong Khun Chiang Mai

2

1

DAY 5 CHIANG MAI TO CHIANG RAI. Be inspired by the amazing Wat Rong Khun ‘White Temple’ en route to Chiang Rai today. Get ready to say wow 100 times over as you discover why this is one of Chiang Rai’s most visited sites. (B,L)

Vang Vieng

2

1 Vientiane

1

overnight train

1 START

Bangkok

Siem Reap CAMBODIA

DAY 6 CHIANG RAI TO PAKBENG, LAOS. Cross the Friendship Bridge then climb on board and get cruise-y along the Mekong River. We’ll visit a riverside village along the way to get a feel for local life. Exploring can be hungry work but no worries ‘cos breakfast, lunch and dinner are on us today. You’re welcome. (B,L,D)

2

THAILAND

2

DAY 1 BANGKOK, THAILAND. Arrive in Bangkok and get ready to zip through the streets on an included street eats tour. Mode of transport? Tuk-tuk. Eeek! We’ll take you to where the locals eat, so you know it’s the real deal. Be on the lookout for fried noodles, pad thai, curry, papaya salad and loads more. They do it best here. (D) DAY 2 BANGKOK TO CHIANG MAI VIA OVERNIGHT TRAIN. Tick off the Bangkok bucket list with a halfday city tour. Highlights? Grand Palace and Wat Pho temple, we’re looking at you. You’ll be sure to snap enough pics to fill up that camera roll of yours.

Phnom Penh FINISH

Tonight, stock up on snacks, get cosy and catch some zzz’s on an overnight train. We’re headed to Chiang Mai. (B)

DAY 3 CHIANG MAI. Jump in a trishaw for an included city tour and cruise through the incredible old town in style. This place is stunning, and you won’t be short of ‘wow’ moments. Trust us! The afternoon is all yours. Head back to your favourite spots you’ve just passed on your city tour, or seek out more hidden gems and local haunts. (B)

DAY 7 PAKBENG TO LUANG PRABANG. This morning, continue cruising the Mekong with a visit to the local markets. Stock up on local products and souvenirs, and get to know the locals. Later, pop in to the whiskey village, because, well, why not. Your final stop will be the Pak Ou Caves before pulling in to Luang Prabang. (B,L) DAY 8 LUANG PRABANG. Rise and shine! Today, why not do the optional and check out the area by bike? You’ll also get the chance to see the Kuang Si Falls. This multi-tiered waterfall is pretty beautiful if we do say so ourselves and is the perfect place for a photo op. Did someone say new profile pic? (B) DAY 9 LUANG PRABANG TO VANG VIENG. Wake up to the sound of the temple gong, take part in the daily almsgiving of the monks, and head south to stunning Vang Vieng. (B)


HOTEL - ASIA

37

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: VIENTIANE, ANGKOR THOM, PHNOM PENH

DAY 10 VANG VIENG. Free day! Why not opt in for a kayaking trip on the Nam Song River? If you’re here in the wet season, you’re in luck as you’ll be able to take on the rapids. Not your kinda thing? No worries! Rock climbing, cave exploring and swimming are also yours for the taking. Sounds pretty cool, huh? (B) DAY 11 VANG VIENG TO VIENTIANE. Off to Vientiane where we’ll get our bearings on a city tour. There’s loads of stunning French-colonial architecture and Buddhist temples here just waiting to be explored and we’ll tick off the likes of Wat Si Sisaket, Patuxai and Pha That Luang. (B) DAY 12 VIENTIANE TO SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA. We’re flying to Siem Reap today. Passports at the ready! Try and nab a window seat for over-the-wing views. (B) DAY 13 SIEM REAP. Wake up early and shorten your bucket list with the main event: a stunning sunrise at Angkor Wat. Cameras at the ready ‘cos this is one experience you won’t wanna be forgetting in a hurry. After, we’ve got a guided tour of the Bayon temple and Ta Prohm. Like something out of Tomb Raider, Ta Prohm is an epic Buddhist temple now held together by huge root systems. Talk about awesome! Want some entertainment this evening? A visit to the circus or sunset quad bike ride awaits (both optional). (B) DAY 14 SIEM REAP TO PHNOM PENH. Pack your bags and get ready for the next stop on our itinerary. We’re kicking it to Phnom Penh today. (B) DAY 15 PHNOM PENH. Take an optional visit to the Khmer Rouge Killing Fields to reflect and pay your respects. Tonight, it’s the last evening with the crew *cry*. Feast on a Khmer BBQ with your travel mates and swap memories and numbers. Cheers! (B,D)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

Street eats tuk-tuk tour in Bangkok Guided trishaw tour in Chiang Mai Visit Wat Rong Khun Cruise the Mekong River Join an almsgiving ceremony in Luang Prabang Visit Angkor Wat at sunrise

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

15 breakfasts (B), 3 lunches (L), 3 dinners (D) 14 nights in hotels, 1 night on an overnight train Internal flights Overnight train ticket Guided tours of all major cities Modern air-conditioned vehicle Awesome Trip Leader and local guides

TOP OPTIONALS ++ Flight of the Gibbon treetop adventure ++ Cooking class in Chiang Mai ++ Kayaking in Vang Vieng START MEET AT 2PM IN BANGKOK FINISH APPROXIMATELY 9AM IN PHNOM PENH

TRIP CODE: AHAFBP S TA R T

FINISH

S TA R T

2019 21

APR

6

MAY

19

MAY

3

JUN

G G

2

JUN

17

JUN

30

JUN

15

JUL

14

JUL

29

JUL

G

FINISH

27

OCT

11

NOV

3

NOV

18

NOV

17

NOV

2

DEC

1

DEC

16

DEC

15

DEC

30

DEC

2020

28

JUL

12

AUG

G

5

JAN

20

JAN

4

AUG

19

AUG

G

26

JAN

10

FEB

18

AUG

2

SEP

9

FEB

24

FEB

15

SEP

30

SEP

G

23

FEB

9

MAR

22

MAR

6

APR

29

SEP

14

OCT

13

OCT

28

OCT

G

G

G G G

G= Guaranteed Departure

TRIP PRICE OF $3499 Price based on Per Person twin-share/double Single supplement from an extra $769

16 DAYS FROM

3499

$

AUD PER PERSON All items listed in the ‘Bucket List’ and ‘More Inclusions’ are included in the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional and may cost extra (but are too awesome to miss out).

This is a sector of the 28 Day Asian Fusion trip. See p.38 or visit our website.

DAY 16 PHNOM PENH. We’re outta here after brekkie. Time for the next adventure? (B)

M RO Y F UD N A D A O R 19 S P E $2 P E R R PE


28 D A Y | A S I A N F U S I O N

HOTEL - ASIA

38

BANGKOK

40

HANOI

MEALS

4

COUNTRIES

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: CHIANG RAI, CAMBODIA, WAT RONG KHUN, HALONG BAY

YOUR ROUTE

1 STOP & STAY

cruise-y along the Mekong River. We’ll visit a riverside village along the way to get a feel for local life. (B,L,D)

DAY STOP FINISH

Chiang Rai Wat Rong Khun Chiang Mai

LAOS

1

Hanoi

Luang Prabang

Pakbeng

1

1 1

1

Halong Bay overnight cruise

2 Vang Vieng

2

2

DAY 8 LUANG PRABANG. Rise and shine! Check out the area by bike and see the Kuang Si Falls (both optional). This multi-tiered waterfall is pretty beautiful if we do say so ourselves. (B)

1

Vientiane

1

overnight train

1 Hoi An

1 START

Bangkok

Siem Reap CAMBODIA

DAY 9 LUANG PRABANG TO VANG VIENG. Wake up to the sound of the temple gong, take part in the daily almsgiving of the monks, and head south to the stunning Vang Vieng. (B)

Hue

2

2 Nha Trang

THAILAND

Phnom Penh

2

2

Ho Chi Minh City VIETNAM

2 1

DAY 1 BANGKOK, THAILAND. Arrive in Bangkok and get ready to zip through the streets on an included street eats tour. Mode of transport? Tuk-tuk. Eeek! (D) DAY 2 BANGKOK TO CHIANG MAI VIA OVERNIGHT TRAIN. Tick off your Bangkok bucket list with a half-day city tour: Grand Palace and Wat Pho temple, we’re looking at you. Tonight, catch some zzz’s on an overnight train. (B) DAY 3 CHIANG MAI. Jump in a trishaw for an included city tour and cruise through the incredible old town in style. The afternoon is all yours. (B)

DAY 7 PAKBENG TO LUANG PRABANG. This morning, continue cruising the Mekong with a visit to the local markets. Later, pop in to the whiskey village, because, well, why not. Your final stop will be the Pak Ou Caves before pulling in to Luang Prabang. (B,L)

1

overnight train

Vinh Long, Mekong River

DAY 4 CHIANG MAI. Free day! How about an optional cooking class? For the adrenalin seekers, unleash your inner monkey with an optional Flight of the Gibbon treetop adventure. One, two, three, jump! (B) DAY 5 CHIANG MAI TO CHIANG RAI. Be inspired by the amazing Wat Rong Khun ‘White Temple’ en route to Chiang Rai today. Get ready to say wow 100 times over. (B,L) DAY 6 CHIANG RAI TO PAKBENG, LAOS. Cross the Friendship Bridge then climb on board and get

DAY 10 VANG VIENG. Why not opt in for a kayaking trip on the Nam Song River today? If you’re here in the wet season: rapids. Rock climbing, cave exploring and swimming are also yours for the taking. (B) DAY 11 VANG VIENG TO VIENTIANE. We’re off to Vientiane today where you’ll get your bearings on a city tour. Tick off Wat Si Sisaket, Patuxai and Pha That Luang. (B) DAY 12 VIENTIANE TO SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA. Passports at the ready! It’s on to Siem Reap. (B) DAY 13 SIEM REAP. Wake up early and shorten your bucket list with a stunning sunrise at Angkor Wat, followed by a guided tour of the Bayon temple and Ta Prohm. Want some entertainment this evening? A visit to the circus or a sunset quad bike ride awaits (both optional). (B) DAY 14 SIEM REAP TO PHNOM PENH. Today you’ll kick it to Phnom Penh. (B) DAY 15 PHNOM PENH. Take an optional visit to the Khmer Rouge Killing Fields to reflect and pay your respects. Tonight, feast on a Khmer BBQ with your travel mates. Cheers! (B,D)


HOTEL - ASIA

39

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: CAMBODIAN CUISINE, ANGKOR TEMPLES, ANGKOR TEMPLES

DAY 16 PHNOM PENH TO HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM. Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City! Tonight, get ready for foodie heaven with a street eats tour. We’ll take you to where the locals eat, so you know it’s the real deal. (B,D) DAY 17 HO CHI MINH CITY. Start off with a halfday tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels. Then, swing by the Central Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral on a city tour. You’ll also see the Saigon Opera House, the Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum. (B,L)

DAY 18 HO CHI MINH CITY TO VINH LONG, MEKONG RIVER. Hop on a boat to get amongst Cai Be's floating markets that teem with fruit, vegetables and goodies. We’re staying in a guesthouse tonight. (B,L,D) DAY 19 VINH LONG TO NHA TRANG VIA OVERNIGHT TRAIN. A pit stop at the Vinh Trang pagoda today before heading to the train station. (B) DAY 20 NHA TRANG. Rest up at the beach if you’re keen for a chill. Or, you could go on a full day boat trip or head to the Thap Ba Hot Spring Bathing and Mud Spa (both optional). (B) DAY 21 NHA TRANG. Spend your free day lazing in Nha Trang, a windsurfing and scuba diving mecca. Woo! (B) DAY 22 NHA TRANG TO HOI AN. You’re flying to Hoi An today. Look out for French colonial buildings and the Japanese Covered Bridge. (B) DAY 23 HOI AN. Free day! Hop on a tour to a vegetable village just outside of Hoi An or enrol in a cooking class conducted by a local chef (both optional). (B) DAY 24 HOI AN TO HUE. We’ll drive you along the Hai Van Pass, one of Vietnam’s most beautiful mountain passes, towards Hue. Set off on a guided tour of the Citadel and the Tu Duc Royal Tomb. What an introduction! (B)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

Street eats tuk-tuk tour in Bangkok Guided trishaw tour in Chiang Mai Visit Wat Rong Khun Street eats tour in Ho Chi Minh City Cu Chi Tunnels tour Visit the Cai Be floating markets Drive along the Hai Van Pass Party cruise in Halong Bay

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ 27 breakfasts (B), 6 lunches (L), 7 dinners (D) ++ 23 nights in hotels, 2 nights on overnight trains, 1 night in a guesthouse, 1 night on a party junk boat ++ Internal flights ++ Overnight train tickets ++ Modern air-conditioned vehicle ++ Guided tours of all major cities ++ Awesome Trip Leader and local guides

TOP OPTIONALS ++ Flight of the Gibbon treetop adventure ++ Scenic flight over Halong Bay START MEET AT 2PM IN BANGKOK FINISH APPROXIMATELY 9AM IN HANOI

DAY 25 HUE TO HANOI. Fly up the coast and get ready to take on the big capital city of Hanoi. Ask your Trip Leader for hot tips of where to visit. (B) DAY 26 HANOI TO HALONG BAY. Cruise time! A day of paddling, swimming, partying and lazing on the sundeck? Yes please. Tonight, enjoy the sunset from the boat and tuck in to a fresh dinner. (B,L,D) DAY 27 HALONG BAY TO HANOI. How’s your head this morning? Shake it off with one last dip in the turquoise water before heading back to Hanoi – but

TRIP CODE: AHAFBH S TA R T

FINISH

S TA R T

2019 21

APR

18

MAY

19

MAY

15

JUN

G G

FINISH

27

OCT

23

NOV

3

NOV

30

NOV

17

NOV

14

DEC

1

DEC

28

DEC

15

DEC

11

JAN

2

JUN

29

JUN

30

JUN

27

JUL

14

JUL

10

AUG

G

28

JUL

24

AUG

G

5

JAN

1

FEB

4

AUG

31

AUG

G

26

JAN

22

FEB

18

AUG

14

SEP

9

FEB

7

MAR

15

SEP

12

OCT

G

23

FEB

21

MAR

29

SEP

26

OCT

22

MAR

18

APR

13

OCT

9

NOV

G

G

2020 G G G

G= Guaranteed Departure

TRIP PRICE OF $5569 Price based on Per Person twin-share/double Single supplement from an extra $1299

28 DAYS FROM

5569

$

AUD PER PERSON All items listed in the ‘Bucket List’ and ‘More Inclusions’ are included in the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional and may cost extra (but are too awesome to miss out).

not before an optional scenic flight over Halong Bay. (B,D)

DAY 28 HANOI. Today, we’re outta here after brekkie. Okay, maybe one last bowl of pho first. (B)

M RO Y F UD N A D A O R 99 S P E $1 P E R R PE


MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA

40

WADI RUM, JORDAN

From seeing the pyramids in Egypt to exploring the markets of Morocco, discovering the ruins of Petra to floating in the Dead Sea, the ancient-modern cities, beautiful natural landscapes and unique history of the Middle East and North Africa are nothing short of epic.

MARRAKECH, MOROCCO

AVERAGE HIGH

temperatu res JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

AMMAN CAIRO MARRAKECH JERUSALEM TEL AVIV

Very hot 35⁰C+

Hot 30-35⁰C Cool 15-20⁰C

Warm 20-30⁰C Cold 0-15⁰C

DEC


MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA

41

DAYS | TRIP NAME

PAGE

7 D AY |

ROCKIN' MOROCCAN

44

8 D AY |

TALES OF ISRAEL

45

8 D AY |

JORDAN ADVENTURE

46

9 D AY |

NILE DISCOVERY

47

9 D AY |

ESSENTIAL EGYPT

48

1 0 D AY |

EGYPT EXPRESS

50

1 0 D AY |

SAHARA ADVENTURE

51

1 0 D AY |

MOROCCAN EXPLORER

52

1 0 D AY |

JORDAN & ISRAEL

54

What are sectors?

SECTOR

Sector trips offer you a great way to choose a departure city, set of experiences or journey length that best suits you. Piece together your favourite itineraries, build your own custom Middle Eastern and/or North African road trip, meet more likeminded travellers… it’s your trip, your way. A Sector trip is part of a larger journey, meaning your new friends might continue on after you leave, or you might be joining a trip already in progress.

Look out for this icon throughout the brochure JERUSALEM


WHERE WE GO - MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA

42

9

the Middle East and North Africa ISRAEL/PALESTINE EGYPT

TEL AVIV JERUSALEM

CAIRO

JORDAN

AMMAN PETRA WADI RUM

AQABA

UAE

LUXOR ASWAN CHEFCHAOUEN FES

RABAT CASABLANCA ERRACHIDIA DADES GORGE MERZOUGA DESERT CAMP MARRAKECH TAMNOUGALT TAMALAKOUTE

ABU DHABI

ABU SIMBEL

MOROCCO

9 DAY NILE DISCOVERY • See the jaw-dropping Pyramids and Sphinx of Giza • Cruise down the Nile in a five-star boat with rooftop pool • Check out the Valley of the Kings with a qualified Egyptologist

PAGE 47

PAGE 52

PAGE 54

10 DAY MOROCCAN EXPLORER • Immerse yourself in all this colourful destination has to offer • Camp under the stars in the Sahara Desert • Get your barter on in the Marrakech markets

10 DAY JORDAN & ISRAEL • Make like Indiana Jones and discover the ‘Lost City of Petra’ • Float like a cork in the Dead Sea • Spend the night in a Bedouin camp in Wadi Rum

DUBAI


Pick you r Style The Middle East and North Africa were made for adventuring! That's why we offer one type of trip style in this region: Explorer. Ready to discover more?

EXPLORER With a wide variety of accommodation (from hotels to desert camps, boats and private hostels), you can be sure that your Explorer trip in the Middle East and/or North Africa will be something special.

ACCOMMODATION 3-STAR HOTELS/DESERT CAMPS/RIADS/HOSTELS/ HOMESTAYS/BOATS

MOHAMMED MUTLAK DESERT CAMP, WADI RUM

MOHAMMED MUTLAK DESERT CAMP, WADI RUM

TRIP LENGTH 7-10 DAYS ROOM T YPES TWIN/DOUBLE/SINGLE/MULTI-SHARE PAGE 44

AMARANTE PYRAMIDS HOTEL, CAIRO

ABRAHAM HOSTEL, TEL AVIV

PICK YOUR ST YLE - MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA

43


7 DAY | ROCKIN' MOROCCAN

EXPLORER - MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA

44

CASABLANCA

YOUR ROUTE

1 STOP & STAY

MARRAKECH

6

MEALS

1

COUNTRY

DAY STOP

1 Chefchaouen Rabat Casablanca

Volubilis

1

START

2 Fes

MOROCCO

Marrakech FINISH

2

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: CHEFCHAOUEN

TRIP CODE: MXRMCM S TA R T

FINISH

S TA R T

2019 6

APR

12

APR

27

APR

3

MAY

18

MAY

24

MAY

8

JUN

14

JUN

22

JUN

28

JUN

27

JUL

2

AUG

17

AUG

23

AUG

7

SEP

13

SEP

21

SEP

27

SEP

G G

FINISH

5

OCT

11

OCT

19

OCT

25

OCT

2

NOV

8

NOV

7

DEC

13

DEC

G

2020 18 G G

JAN

24

JAN

15

FEB

21

FEB

14

MAR

20

MAR

G

G= Guaranteed Departure

TRIP PRICE OF $1099 Price based on Per Person twin-share/double Single supplement from an extra $329

7 DAYS FROM

1099

$

AUD PER PERSON All items listed in the ‘Bucket List’ and ‘More Inclusions’ are included in the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional and may cost extra (but are too awesome to miss out).

DAY 1 CASABLANCA, MOROCCO. What’s uppppp Casablanca! Welcome to Morocco’s most populated city, where Art Deco meets mosaic and modern street art meets sacks of saffron and cumin. Dump those bags and join the group ‘cos this trip kicks off with a bang. We’re off to one of the largest mosques in the world – the Hassan II. Want a travel experience to write home about? Trust us, you’re on the right trip. DAY 2 CASABLANCA TO CHEFCHAOUEN VIA RABAT. Ready to rock out, Morocco style? You got it. Today we’re heading to the most Instagrammable location ever: Chefchaouen. But wait! First, we’ll make a pit stop at Rabat, the country’s capital. Grab your phones – you’re gonna want to Snapchat the Hassan Tower, a landmark and major city attraction dating back to 1195. Impressed? Thought so. (B) DAY 3 CHEFCHAOUEN TO FES. Brace yourself for medinas, mazes and mausoleums – today we’re missioning it inland to Fes. But first, enjoy a tour of Chefchaouen courtesy of yours truly. Get your Insta game on as we stop for snaps of some vibrant white and blue cobbled streets that give Mykonos a run for its euros. (B) DAY 4 FES. This morning there’s a city tour with your name on it. Did you know Fes is one of ten cities in the world that’s officially classed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site? You do now! Spend your free afternoon exploring like a pro. Anyone for an optional hammam visit or dinner show? That’ll be a yes. (B) DAY 5 FES TO MARRAKECH VIA VOLUBILIS AND CASABLANCA. Say hello to your drive day! Today we’re hitting the road to Marrakech. History lovers, rejoice: we’ll be stopping off at Volubilis to see some ancient Roman ruins. Hey, they don’t call this the Rockin’ Moroccan for nothing! (B)

M RO YF D DA AU ON R 57 S P E $1 P E R R PE

DAY 6 MARRAKECH. Who’s a Marrakech master? You are! Well, you will be after our awesome city tour. Check out the Saadian Tombs and the Bahia Palace, then find things you never thought you needed in Jemaa el-Fnaa Square. Once a trading post for slaves, ivory and gold, now it’s home to colourful

ON ON THE THE BUCKET BUCKET LIST LIST (INCLUDED) (INCLUDED) ++++ XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX Tour ofXXXXX Hassan Mosque ++++ XXXXX XXXXXTower XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX Visit Hassan ++++ XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX GuidedXXXXX tours of Chefchaouen, Fes and Marrakech ++++ XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX Visit the Roman ruins of Volubilis ++ Entrance fees to all sights in the itinerary

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ 6 breakfasts (B) ++ 4 nights in hotels (twin/double-share), 2 nights in a riad ++ Smaller group size ++ Modern air-conditioned minibus ++ Awesome English-speaking Trip Leader and local guides

TOP OPTIONALS ++ Visit a hammam in Fes ++ Dinner show in Fes START MEET AT 12PM IN CASABLANCA FINISH APPROXIMATELY 10AM IN MARRAKECH

characters selling everything from spices and leather to medicines and food. Let’s play a game – what’s the craziest thing you can find for sale? (B)

DAY 7 MARRAKECH. Wahhhhh! It’s time to wave goodbye to your Moroccan mates. Swap Insta handles – you officially sign off from Topdecker duty after breakfast. (B)


8 D A Y | TA L E S O F I S R A E L TEL AVIV

9

MEALS

1

EXPLORER - MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA

JERUSALEM

45

COUNTRY

YOUR ROUTE

1 STOP & STAY

DAY STOP

Acre

Sea of Galilee

Haifa

1

Nazareth

Tel Aviv FINISH

Jerusalem

Dead Sea

START

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: JERUSALEM, TEL AVIV, ABRAHAM HOSTEL TEL AVIV, JERUSALEM

DAY 1 JERUSALEM. We’ll kick things off in one of the oldest cities in the world: Jerusalem. A unique mix of bustling souks, ancient architecture – and of course, famous holy sites, you can’t fail to be wowed by this place. Tonight, bond with your new trip mates over a welcome dinner and get pumped for the next seven days. This is gonna be one for the books! (D) DAY 2 JERUSALEM. Fuel up on breakfast, then hit the streets on a history-laden walking tour of this spiritual powerhouse. We’ll tick off the likes of the golden Dome of the Rock (where Muhammad began his journey to heaven), the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (where Jesus was crucified) and Judaism’s most religious site: the Western Wall. What. A. Day. (B) DAY 3 JERUSALEM. You’ve got a free day to do Jerusalem your way. Grab a sabich sandwich and explore the city, or join an awesome optional day trip. What does the day trip involve, you ask? Well. First up, you’ll check out one of the most iconic destinations in the Holy Land: Jericho. After that, it’s onwards to Ramallah (‘God’s Hills’ in Arabic) before a well-earned lunch break. To round things off, you’ll make like the Three Wise Men and set a course for the little town of Bethlehem. Not bad, eh? (B) DAY 4 JERUSALEM TO NAZARETH VIA THE DEAD SEA AND THE SEA OF GALILEE. At 427 m below sea level, the Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth. Today you’ll get to tick off another #lifegoal as you float around in it. Next up: we’ll pay a visit to the Sea of Galilee (where Jesus is said to have walked on water) and the St George Monastery (which clings to the side of a cliff in the Judean Desert). Finally, we’ll swing by the Ein Gedi oasis for a selfie or two before we reach Nazareth. (B) DAY 5 NAZARETH TO TEL AVIV VIA ACRE AND HAIFA. Today you’ll get your daily fact fix and then some on included tours of Nazareth, Acre and Haifa. As we make our way around, we’ll tick off some historic Templar and Crusader ruins and the super fancy Bahá’í Gardens. When your camera roll is nice and full, we’ll hit the road to Tel Aviv. (B)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

Guided tour of Jerusalem Visit the Dead Sea and the Sea of Galilee Visit St George Monastery and the Ein Gedi oasis Walking tours of Nazareth, Acre and Haifa Visit Templar and Crusader ruins Visit the Bahá’í Gardens Bike tour of Tel Aviv Levinsky Market tasting tour Walking tour of Old Jaffa Beach day in Tel Aviv

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ 7 breakfasts (B), 2 dinners (D) ++ 7 nights in private twin/double share accommodation in Israel’s amazing Abraham Hostels ++ Smaller group size ++ Modern air-conditioned vehicle ++ Awesome English-speaking Trip Leader and local guides

TRIP CODE: MXTIJT S TA R T

FINISH

S TA R T

2019 7

APR

14

APR

12 16

MAY

19

MAY

JUN

23

JUN

G

FINISH

11

AUG

18

AUG

8

SEP

15

SEP

6

OCT

13

OCT

G

G= Guaranteed Departure

TRIP PRICE OF $1979 TRIP PRICE OF $2099 Price based on Per Person twin-share/double Single supplement from an extra $789

8 DAYS FROM

1979

$

AUD PER PERSON All items listed in the ‘Bucket List’ and ‘More Inclusions’ are included in the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional and may cost extra (but are too awesome to miss out).

TOP OPTIONALS ++ Day trip to Jericho, Ramallah and Bethlehem ++ Tel Aviv nightlife tour START MEET AT 7PM IN JERUSALEM FINISH APPROXIMATELY 10AM IN TEL AVIV

DAY 6 TEL AVIV. This morning, it’s up and at ‘em as we take to two wheels on a guided bike ride through Tel Aviv. Later, we’ll take a walking tour through one of the city’s most ancient areas: Old Jaffa. Feeling hungry? You won’t want to miss today’s included tasting tour at Levinsky Market! (B) DAY 7 TEL AVIV. What’s it gonna be? Whether you want to pull up a sun lounger and work on that tan, hunt down some local delicacies and have a picnic or

simply wander around on a Snapchat spree, anything goes on today’s beach visit. When the sun goes down, we’ll toast the end of the trip with one final group dinner (cue allll of the emotional hugs). Then: what better way to celebrate your last night with your trip mates than with an optional nightlife tour? (B,D)

DAY 8 TEL AVIV. Today marks the final chapter of your journey – after breakfast, it’s time to head home. (B)

M RO Y F UD N A D A O R 48 S P E $2 P E R R PE


8 DAY | JORDAN ADVENTURE

EXPLORER - MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA

46

AMMAN

YOUR ROUTE

1 STOP & STAY

AMMAN

8

MEALS

1

COUNTRY

SECTOR

DAY STOP

Ajloun Castle Jerash Amman

START/FINISH 2 1 JORDAN

Madaba Mt Nebo Dead Sea

Karak

2 Petra

1 Wadi Rum

Aqaba 1

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: PETRA, WADI RUM, DEAD SEA

DAY 1 AMMAN, JORDAN. Head to a shawarma stand or grab a plate of mansaf because the food here is off the hookah. Just be back in time for tonight’s welcome meeting.

TRIP CODE: MXJIAA S TA R T

FINISH

S TA R T

2019

28

OCT

FINISH 4

NOV

1

APR

8

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G

11

NOV

18

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22

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29

APR

G

18

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25

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20

MAY

27

MAY

G

2

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9

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10

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17

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9

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16

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8

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15

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12

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19

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2

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9

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16

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23

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30

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7

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7

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14

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JAN

13

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10

FEB

17

FEB

9

MAR

16

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G

23

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30

MAR

G

G= Guaranteed Departure

TRIP PRICE OF $1249 Price based on Per Person twin-share/double Single supplement from an extra $299

8 DAYS FROM

1249

$

AUD PER PERSON All items listed in the ‘Bucket List’ and ‘More Inclusions’ are included in the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional and may cost extra (but are too awesome to miss out).

DAY 2 AMMAN TO PETRA. Today it’s time to kick it old school in Madaba, the site of an ancient holy map that’s so detailed it’s like Google Maps for theologists. Then: soak up views of the Promised Land from the top of Mt Nebo, storm a giant Crusader castle in Karak... and we haven’t even got to the Lost City yet! (B) DAY 3 PETRA. Chiselled from sheer cliffs of rose-red stone and named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Petra will take your breath away. Grab your satchel and don’t forget your hat – Indiana Jones has nothing on you today as you wander through the Siq and snap selfies in front of The Treasury. (B) DAY 4 PETRA TO WADI RUM VIA LITTLE PETRA. After an off-road desert drive through Wadi Rum, we’ll spend the night in a Bedouin camp and feast on a traditional earth-oven dinner with one of the world’s most ancient nomadic tribes. Did we mention there’s also an optional camel ride? (B,D) DAY 5 WADI RUM TO AQABA. Aqaba is Jordan’s only coastal city – so make the most of it with a spot of optional diving, windsurfing, snorkelling or a glass bottom boat ride. Just wanna chill? Then feel free to hit up a hammam or gorge yourself on knafeh in a coffee shop – we won’t judge. (B) DAY 6 AQABA TO AMMAN. Time to enjoy one of the world’s oldest health resorts! At 427 m below sea level (the lowest point on Earth), the Dead Sea is so salty you can float around in it like a cork. Afterwards, it’s back to Amman to see the likes of the Citadel and Roman Amphitheatre on a city tour. (B)

M RO YF D DA AU ON R 57 S P E $1 P E R R PE

DAY 7 AMMAN INCLUDING JERASH AND AJLOUN VISIT. Today we’ll crank the history knob up to 11 and take you through Jerash – home to a bunch of Greco-Roman highlights, including a hippodrome which was used for chariot racing (and is nothing to do with hippos). Next up, we’ll visit Ajloun – once

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

Discover the 'Lost City’ of Petra Float in the Dead Sea Guided tours of Amman and ancient Jerash Wadi Rum 4x4 excursion Stay in a Bedouin desert camp Relax on the Red Sea in Aqaba Entrance fees to all sights in the itinerary

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ 7 breakfasts (B), 1 dinner (D) ++ 6 nights in hotels (twin-share), 1 night in a Bedouin desert camp (twin-share) ++ Arrival and departure airport transfers ++ Modern air-conditioned minibus or coach ++ Awesome English-speaking Trip Leader

TOP OPTIONALS ++ Petra by Night tour ++ Camel ride at Wadi Rum ++ Red Sea glass bottom boat trip and snorkelling START MEET IN AMMAN AT 7PM FINISH DEPART AMMAN AT ANY TIME ON FINAL DAY

an important pigeon post that helped get messages from Damascus to Cairo in a single day. (B)

DAY 8 AMMAN. Fill up on falafel – this trip’s over after breakfast. Where to next? (B) This is a sector of the 10 Day Jordan & Israel trip. See p.54 or visit our website.


9 DAY | NILE DISCOVERY CAIRO

14

MEALS

1

EXPLORER - MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA

CAIRO

47

COUNTRY

YOUR ROUTE

1 STOP & STAY

DAY STOP

Cairo

START/FINISH

EGYPT

1 1

overnight coach

5-STAR NILE CRUISE

1

Luxor Edfu

Board a 5-star cruise ship and take on the Nile in style. Expect golden sunsets, comfy cabins and a swimming pool fit for a pharaoh.

overnight coach

1

1

Nile Cruise Ship Kom Ombo Aswan

If life on the water isn't your thing, why not check out our 9 Day Essential Egypt trip on p.48? This one sticks to dry land.

Abu Simbel

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: ABU SIMBEL, THE NILE, CRUISE BOAT

DAY 1 CAIRO, EGYPT. Hello, city of a thousand minarets! Go for a solo explore, settle into your hotel room or simply sit back and watch the madness of Cairo’s traffic jams from a coffee shop before shimmying over to tonight’s welcome meeting. Time to meet your new friends! DAY 2 CAIRO TO ASWAN VIA OVERNIGHT COACH. After breakfast, it’s over to Coptic Cairo for a meander around the area’s historic buildings. Then: check out the view from Cairo Citadel before getting your haggle on in Khan el-Khalili market. (B) DAY 3 ASWAN TO NILE CRUISE SHIP. First up: a felucca sailboat ride and a culture lesson in a brightly coloured traditional village. Then: it’s all aboard our five-star cruise ship for a taste of life finer than the pharaohs could have ever imagined. This baby comes kitted out with a rooftop pool, a bar and plenty of sun loungers for you to rest your weary heads on. Oh – and did we mention you can also get involved with an optional camel ride or traditional Nubian dinner today? (B,L,D) DAY 4 NILE CRUISE SHIP. Come face to face with awe-inspiring Abu Simbel, presided over by four gigantic statues of Rameses II. After that, we’ve got a quick question for you: what’s cooler than Kom Ombo Temple? Answer: the fact 300 mummified crocodiles were found nearby. (B,L,D) DAY 5 NILE CRUISE SHIP. Heads up: the eye of Ra is watching you today as we pay a visit to the Temple of Edfu. Get acquainted with the falcon-headed sky god Horus, then kick back on deck and drink in the beauty of the Nile. (B,L,D) DAY 6 NILE CRUISE SHIP TO LUXOR. Today our cruise ship journey will take us to Luxor, which was once the capital of ancient Egypt. We’ll show you around Karnak Temple (the largest religious building ever made) and Luxor Temple, one of the best preserved of all of Egypt’s ancient monuments. (B) DAY 7 LUXOR TO CAIRO VIA OVERNIGHT COACH. Take a walk through the shadow of the Valley of Kings

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ 5-star cruise on the Nile ++ Egyptology tours at major sites (entrance fees not included) ++ 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

TRIP CODE: MXEVCC S TA R T

TOP OPTIONALS ++ Dinner in a Nubian home ++ Camel ride ++ Nile dinner cruise START MEET AT 7PM IN CAIRO FINISH APPROXIMATELY 9AM IN CAIRO

and pay a visit to the Temple of Hatshepsut before we hop on the overnight coach back to Cairo. (B)

DAY 8 CAIRO. Today we’ll check off King Tutankhamun’s treasure chest at the Egyptian Museum, see the legendary Great Pyramid of Giza

S TA R T

FINISH

10

NOV

18

NOV

14

APR

22

APR

G

17

NOV

25

NOV

5

MAY

13

MAY

G

1

DEC

9

DEC

19

MAY

27

MAY

15

DEC

23

DEC

16

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24

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G

29

DEC

6

JAN

14

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22

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G

21

JUL

29

JUL

12

JAN

20

JAN

11

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19

AUG

26

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3

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22

SEP

30

SEP

6

OCT

14

OCT

13

OCT

21

OCT

20

OCT

28

OCT

3

NOV

11

NOV

G G G

G G

2020

9

FEB

17

FEB

23

FEB

2

MAR

8

MAR

16

MAR

22

MAR

30

MAR

G

G= Guaranteed Departure

TRIP PRICE OF $1879

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ 8 breakfasts (B), 3 lunches (L), 3 dinners (D) ++ 3 nights in hotels (twin-share), 3 nights in cabin accommodation on a 5-star cruise ship, 2 nights aboard an overnight coach ++ Arrival and departure transfers ++ Modern air-conditioned vehicle ++ Awesome English-speaking Trip Leader and local guides

FINISH 2019

TRIP PRICE OF $2099 Price based on Per Person twin-share/double Single supplement from an extra $449

9 DAYS FROM

1879

$

AUD PER PERSON All items listed in the ‘Bucket List’ and ‘More Inclusions’ are included in the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional and may cost extra (but are too awesome to miss out).

(and the Sphinx to boot), AND take a whirl around the necropolis of Saqqara. What. A. Day. (B)

DAY 9 CAIRO. Shisha! Is the trip over already? If your inner explorer has been awakened, stay on to uncover more of Cairo’s M coolness. We’re outta here after RO Y F UD N A breakfast. (B) D A O R 09 S P E $2 P E R R PE


9 DAY | ESSENTIAL EGYPT

EXPLORER - MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA

48

CAIRO

CAIRO

9

MEALS

1

COUNTRY

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: CAIRO, LOCAL SPICE MARKET, ASWAN, ASWAN, LUXOR

YOUR ROUTE

1 STOP & STAY

souvenirs, stroll past pretty multicoloured houses and get up close and personal with Aswan’s unique culture. If you fancy it, you can even opt in to take a camel ride (talk about life goals) or chow down on an authentic Nubian dinner. Top tip: try the ful. (B)

DAY STOP

Cairo

START/FINISH

EGYPT

1 1

overnight coach

1 1 Luxor

overnight coach

2

2 Aswan

Abu Simbel

DAY 1 CAIRO, EGYPT. Get pumped – you’re in Cairo! Go exploring and find out why the Egyptians call this place Umm al-Dunya, or ‘the mother of the world’. Just make sure you rock up in time for tonight’s welcome meeting, where you’ll come face to face with your new trip buddies. It’s gonna be an amazing nine days! DAY 2 CAIRO TO ASWAN VIA OVERNIGHT COACH. First up today: meander the streets of Coptic Cairo and check out the Hanging Church, then head up to Cairo Citadel and get a load of those #views. Later, arm yourself with a pocketful of Egyptian

Pounds and prepare to get your haggle on in Khan el-Khalili market. Expect gold, spices and every type of souvenir under the sun. Anyone for a fez or belly dancing costume? After you’ve shopped and bartered to your heart’s content, it’s all aboard the overnight coach to Aswan. (B)

DAY 3 ASWAN. Julius Caesar, Cleopatra, Lord Byron… they’ve all done it. Now it’s your turn! Go low tech with a ride on a felucca sailboat down the Nile and get comfy on the cushion-strewn deck. Try not to doze off, though – we’ve got a traditional Nubian village to get to! Here you can pick up handmade

DAY 4 ASWAN. Roll out of bed, then prepare to feel like a small fry as you gaze up at the four colossal statues of Ramses II at Abu Simbel (you’ll want to make sure there’s space in your camera roll for this one). Want more? You could always pay an optional visit to the ancient Philae Temple, which is situated in the middle of Agilkia Island, and the impressive twomile Nile High Dam. Round off a day to remember by drinking in the magic of the river at sunset. Nice one, Mother Nature. (B,D) DAY 5 ASWAN TO LUXOR. Today it’s time for a wellearned touch of Luxor – also known as ‘the world’s greatest open-air museum’. Once the capital of ancient Egypt, it’s now a history-laden landscape of souks and temples. Your challenge today is to see as much of it as possible. And… go! We’ll kick things off with tours of Karnak Temple (the largest religious building ever made) and Luxor Temple, one of the best preserved of all of Egypt’s ancient monuments. All together now: wowwww. (B) DAY 6 LUXOR. Next up: the Valley of the Kings (aka the place everyone in ancient Egypt was ‘dying’ to get into). Expect tombs, and lots of them – plus a whole bunch of amazingly vibrant wall art that’s been waiting for you to come visit it for thousands of years. And did we mention that you’ll have a super knowledgeable Egyptologist as your guide? Listen up and learn the stories of the pharaohs as you pass from tomb to tomb. This is one experience with ‘bucket list’ written all over it! (B) DAY 7 LUXOR TO CAIRO VIA OVERNIGHT COACH. Wave bye-bye to Luxor – today it’s all aboard the overnight coach again as we head back to Cairo. Settle in and get comfy! (B) DAY 8 CAIRO. There’s old, and then there’s the necropolis of Saqqara. Wander past towering


EXPLORER - MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA

49

‘The entire trip was amazing. I felt safe and it felt like a family. Our group leader genuinely cared about us and took care of us. I would recommend this experience to anyone.’ - Allison

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: ASWAN, ABU SIMBEL TEMPLE, CAIRO

pyramids and soak up some ancient history with a visit to this extensive burial ground before we move on to the Egyptian Museum to check out King Tutankhamun’s treasure chest. Then: get some perspective at the base of the 138 m Great Pyramid of Giza and the Sphinx. Trust us, even your goosebumps will get goosebumps! To toast your last night with your fellow Topdeckers, why not take an optional Nile dinner cruise? Fancy. (B)

DAY 9 CAIRO. The trip ends here (well, breakfast first), but pop on that fedora and keep on exploring, Indy. New York may tout itself as the city that never sleeps, but it’s got nothin’ on Cairo! (B)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ Egyptology tours at major sites (entrance fees not included) ++ See the Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza Plateau ++ Visit the Egyptian Museum ++ Visit the Temples of Abu Simbel, Luxor and Karnak ++ Visit the Saqqara Step Pyramid, Coptic Cairo and Khan el-Khalili market ++ Visit the Valley of the Kings ++ Visit a Nubian village

MORE INCLUSIONS

5-STAR NILE CRUISE To experience this trip with an upgrade to 3 nights on a 5-star Nile River cruise, check out the 9 Day Nile Discovery trip on p.47.

++ 8 breakfasts (B), 1 dinner (D) ++ 6 nights in hotels (twin-share), 2 nights aboard an overnight coach ++ Arrival and departure transfers ++ Modern air-conditioned vehicle ++ Awesome English-speaking Trip Leader

TOP OPTIONALS ++ Nile dinner cruise ++ Visit the Philae Temple and Nile High Dam ++ Camel ride START MEET AT 7PM IN CAIRO FINISH APPROXIMATELY 9AM IN CAIRO

TRIP CODE: MXETCC S TA R T

FINISH

S TA R T

2019 5

MAY

13

MAY

26

MAY

3

JUN

2

JUN

10

JUN

16

JUN

24

JUN

23

JUN

1

JUL

30

JUN

8

JUL

14

JUL

22

JUL

G G G

OCT

28

OCT

3

NOV

11

NOV

10

NOV

18

NOV

17

NOV

25

NOV

1

DEC

9

DEC

15

DEC

23

DEC

29

DEC

6

JAN

G

21

JUL

29

JUL

28

JUL

5

AUG

G

FINISH

20

G G

2020 12

JAN

20

JAN

26

JAN

3

FEB

11

AUG

19

AUG

G

9

FEB

17

FEB

25

AUG

2

SEP

G

23

FEB

2

MAR

8

SEP

16

SEP

G

8

MAR

16

MAR

22

SEP

30

SEP

G

22

MAR

30

MAR

6

OCT

14

OCT

13

OCT

21

OCT

G

G

G

G= Guaranteed Departure

TRIP PRICE OF $1539 Price based on Per Person twin-share/double Single supplement from an extra $369

9 DAYS FROM

1539

$

AUD PER PERSON All items listed in the ‘Bucket List’ and ‘More Inclusions’ are included in the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional and may cost extra (but are too awesome to miss out).

M RO Y F UD N A D A O R 71 S P E $1 P E R R PE


10 D A Y | E G Y P T E X P R E S S

EXPLORER - MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA

50

CAIRO

YOUR ROUTE

1 STOP & STAY

CAIRO

14

MEALS

1

COUNTRY

DAY STOP

Cairo

START/FINISH

EGYPT

1 2

overnight coach

1 1

SAIL THE NILE

1

Luxor Felucca Sailing

overnight coach

Capture the feeling of sweet freedom as you make like the ancient Egyptians and head out on an unforgettable sailing trip down the Nile on a traditional felucca boat.

2

Kom Ombo

1 Aswan

Please note: A sleeping bag is required for the felucca sailing portion of this trip. Abu Simbel

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: CARIO, FELUCCA SAILING, LUXOR

DAY 1 CAIRO, EGYPT. Take 17,190 people per square kilometre, a whole heap of traffic jams and, of course, a pyramid or two, and you’ve officially arrived in Umm al-Dunya. Tonight, join the gang for a welcome meeting.

TRIP CODE: MXEECC S TA R T

FINISH 2019

13 18 15 29 13 10 24 21 5 12 19 2

APR MAY JUN JUN JUL AUG AUG SEP OCT OCT OCT NOV

22 APR 27 MAY 24 JUN 8 JUL 22 JUL 19 AUG 2 SEP 30 SEP 14 OCT 21 OCT 28 OCT 11 NOV

G G

S TA R T FINISH 9 NOV 18 NOV 16 NOV 25 NOV 30 NOV 9 DEC 14 DEC 23 DEC 28 DEC 6 JAN

G

G G G

G G

DAY 2 CAIRO. It’s time to take on Cairo! Not sure where to start? We’ve got two optional activities for you. Take a tour of the Islamic Quarter and check out Red Road, or head out on a day trip to Alexandria. (B)

G

DAY 3 CAIRO TO ASWAN VIA OVERNIGHT COACH. Before we hit the road to Aswan on our overnight coach, there’s plenty of time to do your own thing in Cairo. Optionals? We’re glad you asked. Take a look around Coptic Cairo or get your barter on at Khan el-Khalili market. (B)

2020

11 JAN 20 JAN 25 JAN 3 FEB 8 FEB 17 FEB 22 FEB 2 MAR 7 MAR 16 MAR 21 MAR 30 MAR G= Guaranteed Departure

TRIP PRICE OF $1389 TRIP PRICE OF $1519 Price based on Per Person twin-share/double Single supplement from an extra $329

10 DAYS FROM

1389

$

AUD PER PERSON All items listed in the ‘Bucket List’ and ‘More Inclusions’ are included in the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional and may cost extra (but are too awesome to miss out).

TRAVELLING DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS?

M RO YF D DA AU ON R 39 S P E $1 P E R R PE

In the summer months, you may be able to upgrade your felucca sailboat to a 5-star river cruise! You can check availability with your Trip Leader while on your trip.

DAY 4 ASWAN. After this morning’s visit to a traditional ahwa (that’s ‘coffee shop’ to you and me) we’ve got optional activities a-gogo. Choose from a camel ride, a trip to the Philae Temple and Nile High Dam or a visit to a Nubian village. (B,L) DAY 5 ASWAN TO FELUCCA SAILING. After a temple-filled day at Abu Simbel, we’ll climb aboard a traditional felucca sailboat and hit the Nile. Pull up a cushion – the adventure’s just beginning! (B,L,D) DAY 6 FELUCCA SAILING. Imagine: The sun on your back, the wind in your cotton sails and the best people you could ever hope to meet sharing stories, food and music in one cushion-strewn love-in. (B,L,D) DAY 7 FELUCCA SAILING TO LUXOR. Today it’s byebye to the boat – we’re stepping off in Luxor, aka the world’s largest open-air museum. But first: a pit stop at Kom Ombo and an optional look at the Karnak and Luxor Temples. (B) DAY 8 LUXOR TO CAIRO VIA OVERNIGHT COACH. Lose yourself in the Valley of the Kings, give a silent high five to Queen Hatshepsut (who ruled ancient Egypt for 20 years) and snap a selfie at the Colossi of Memnon before we hit the road back to Cairo. (B)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ Felucca sailing on the Nile ++ Egyptology tours at major sites (entrance fees not included) ++ See the Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza Plateau ++ Visit the Egyptian Museum ++ Visit the Temples of Abu Simbel and Kom Ombo ++ Visit the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ 9 breakfasts (B), 3 lunches (L), 2 dinners (D) ++ 5 nights in hotels (twin/triple-share), 2 nights aboard a felucca sailboat, 2 nights aboard an overnight coach ++ Arrival and departure transfers ++ Modern air-conditioned vehicle ++ Awesome English-speaking Trip Leader and local guides

TOP OPTIONALS ++ Visit the Saqqara Step Pyramid, Coptic Cairo and Khan el-Khalili market ++ Visit Karnak and Luxor Temples ++ Camel ride START MEET AT 7PM IN CAIRO FINISH APPROXIMATELY 9AM IN CAIRO

DAY 9 CAIRO. See King Tutankhamun's treasures at the Egyptian Museum, get goosebumps at the ancient pyramids and play ‘got your nose’ with the Sphinx (never gets old). Then: check out the necropolis of Saqqara. (B) DAY 10 CAIRO. Just getting into the groove of this 24-hour city? The adventure may be over after breakfast, but feel free to stick around! (B)


10 D A Y | S A H A R A A D V E N T U R E MARRAKECH

YOUR ROUTE ROUTE YOUR

18

1

MEALS

STOP&&STAY STAY 11 STOP

EXPLORER - MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA

MARRAKECH

51

COUNTRY

DAYSTOP STOP DAY

Marrakech

START/FINISH

MOROCCO

Essaouira

1 2

2

Aït Benhaddou Agadir

Taroudant

1

1 Tamnougalt

1

Tamalakoute

1 Sahara Desert Camp

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: AÏT BENHADDOU, SAHARA DESERT CAMP

DAY 1 MARRAKECH, MOROCCO. Get your first taste of Morocco’s delicate fusion of old and new world in the 18-plus souks that fill the city streets. Just make sure you arrive in time for tonight’s welcome meeting. DAY 2 MARRAKECH. Kick-start your day with a guided city tour and check out the Saadian tombs, the Bahia Palace and Jemaa el-Fnaa – a town square that houses snake charmers, singers, dancers, drummers and more. (B) DAY 3 MARRAKECH TO TAMNOUGALT VIA AÏT BENHADDOU. Today: brace your eyeballs for some truly epic scenery as we cross the Tizi n’Tichka pass. Here, fields of grazing sheep clash with unforgiving rocky terrain, mud-brick houses and nerve-shredding hairpin bends. Bonus: a visit to World Heritage-listed Ksar in Aït Benhaddou. Tonight, sleep it off in a kasbah. (B,L,D) DAY 4 TAMNOUGALT TO SAHARA DESERT. Blast across sand flats, wind between desert dunes and rattle your bones over the dry Draa River on the way to our camp on the edge of the Erg Chigaga dunes. This is glamping, desert style. Did we mention you can opt in to ride a camel? (B,L,D) DAY 5 SAHARA TO TAMALAKOUTE. Bye, desert! Today we’re hitting the road to the small village of Tamalakoute, where a local Berber family will welcome us into their home. (B,L,D) DAY 6 TAMALAKOUTE TO TAROUDANT. As far as road trips go, crossing the otherworldly volcanic landscape of the Jebel Siroua Mountains by 4x4 bats well above average. Expect endless twists through rock-strewn desert vistas, climbing to an elevation of 2,500 m with a window-slideshow of deep valleys and barley and saffron fields. (B,L,D) DAY 7 TAROUDANT TO ESSAOUIRA VIA AGADIR. In the Argan Forest there are goats that live in trees. Seriously, though – how awesome is that? Spend some time staring at them before we make tracks to the beach. (B,L)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

Stay with a local Berber family in Tamalakoute Guided tour of Marrakech Stay in a kasbah in Tamnougalt Stay at a desert camp in the Sahara Visit Essaouira Entrance fees to all sights in the itinerary

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ 9 breakfasts (B), 5 lunches (L), 4 dinners (D) ++ 6 nights in hotels (twin-share), 1 night in a kasbah, 1 night in a desert camp, 1 night in a Berber house ++ Arrival transfer from the airport to the hotel ++ Transport in a 4x4 vehicle ++ Awesome English-speaking Trip Leader

TOP OPTIONALS ++ Windsurfing, kayaking and horse riding in Essaouira ++ Camel ride in the Sahara Desert

TRIP CODE: MXMSMM S TA R T

FINISH

S TA R T

2019 5

APR

14

APR

17

MAY

26

MAY

31

MAY

9

JUN

14

JUN

23

JUN

G

6

SEP

15

SEP

G

4

OCT

13

OCT

G

FINISH

1

NOV

10

NOV

6

DEC

15

DEC

G

2020 3

JAN

12

JAN

7

FEB

16

FEB

6

MAR

15

MAR

G= Guaranteed Departure

TRIP PRICE OF $1549 Price based on Per Person twin-share/double Single supplement from an extra $389

10 DAYS FROM

1549

$

AUD PER PERSON All items listed in the ‘Bucket List’ and ‘More Inclusions’ are included in the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional and may cost extra (but are too awesome to miss out).

START MEET AT 8PM IN MARRAKECH FINISH APPROXIMATELY 9AM IN MARRAKECH

DAY 8 ESSAOUIRA. Hold onto your hat! This charming fishing town is a mecca for windsurfers thanks to its howling coastal wind. Opt in to try it yourself, or have a go at one of our other optionals. What’s it gonna be? Kayaking or horse riding? Pro tip: dine at one of the open-air fish stands tonight. (B) DAY 9 ESSAOUIRA TO MARRAKECH. Wash the last of that desert sand off before we head back to the Red City for a chance to meander the medina in Marrakech. ‘Our last night in Morocco’ sounds like a cheesy romance novel, but it’s happening! (B) DAY 10 MARRAKECH. Write your own ending by spending a few more days (or weeks) in this sensory overload of a land. We’re outta here after breakfast. (B)

M RO Y F UD N A D A O R 55 S P E $1 P E R R PE


10 D A Y | M O R O C C A N E X P L O R E R

EXPLORER - MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA

52

MARRAKECH

MARRAKECH

13

MEALS

1

COUNTRY

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: DADES GORGE, MERZOUGA DESERT CAMP, TODRA GORGE, KUTUBIYYA MOSQUE, LOCAL VILLAGE NEAR TOUBKAI NATIONAL PARK

YOUR ROUTE

1 STOP & STAY

DAY 4 RABAT TO FES VIA VOLUBILIS AND MEKNES. Live la dolce vita in Volubilis (or at least get a good idea of what it was like during Roman times) while wandering around some well-preserved ruins. We’re talking historic public buildings that date back a whopping 2,000 years, AND some intricate mosaics that have well and truly stood the test of time. Later, we’ll take a walk through enchanting Meknes (which was once home to the Moroccan sultanate) before bracing ourselves for all things patterned in Fes. (B)

DAY STOP

Volubilis Rabat

1

Casablanca

Fes

2

Meknes

Ifrane

Midelt

Marrakech START/FINISH

MOROCCO

2 1

1 Errachidia

Dades Gorge

1

Aït Benhaddou

DAY 1 MARRAKECH, MOROCCO. Transfer to your hotel, ditch the map, turn off your phone and prepare to lose/find yourself in a maze of mosaics and souks. Welcome to Marrakech! Join the gang at tonight’s welcome meeting and get pumped – it’s gonna be an amazing ten days. DAY 2 MARRAKECH. Today is all about the city tour. We’ll check out the Bahia Palace (think: tiles, tiles and more tiles), see the shimmering Saadian Tombs and wriggle past the snake charmers in bustling Jemaa el-Fnaa square. This place has got it all – street

Todra Gorge

1 Merzouga

Desert Camp

DAY 5 FES. Mausoleums, mosques and medinas are on the cards today as we hit the streets on a full-day whip around the city with a local guide. The 9,000 narrow cobbled streets in Fes el-Bali are lined with spices, food stalls and tanneries, so don’t just stand there – get exploring! Spot minarets crowning the rooftops, see how many fountains you can count or hunt down a hammam for a body shine and polish. It’s a tough life. (B,L) DAY 6 FES TO ERRACHIDIA VIA IFRANE AND MIDELT. Adjust to the altitude in Alpine-fresh Ifrane, then carve back through cedar forests to Midelt for lunch (not to mention some breathtaking views of the eastern High Atlas). Afterwards, point your compass south – we’re off to Errachidia. (B)

entertainers, henna tattoo artists, musicians and more. (B)

DAY 7 ERRACHIDIA TO MERZOUGA DESERT CAMP. Merzouga looks as if it might be engulfed by the red dunes of the Sahara Desert at any moment. Pull up a pool lounger and savour the view before hopping on a camel (if you want to) and heading out to to our desert camp. Have you ever seen so many stars? (B,L,D)

DAY 3 MARRAKECH TO RABAT VIA CASABLANCA. First up today, we’ll pay a visit to the Hassan II Mosque – which has the world’s largest minaret (with an actual laser beam on top). Then: it’s on to the UNESCO World Heritage capital of Rabat for a city tour. Don’t forget to paint the town blue in the Kasbah of the Udayas! (B)

DAY 8 MERZOUGA TO DADES GORGE VIA TODRA GORGE. Step into your own Roadrunner cartoon today in rock climber's heaven: Todra Gorge. With a 3D landscape of imposing orange sandstone peaks, streams and the odd camel playing outside your window today, the trip to Dades Gorge will seem quicker than a coyote. (B,D)


EXPLORER - MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA

53

‘My Moroccan Explorer trip was an incredible adventure. I can certainly say that cities such as Marrakech and Fes exceeded my wildest expectations. Wow! Just wow!’ - Alexandra

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: RABAT, MERZOUGA DESERT CAMP

DAY 9 DADES GORGE TO MARRAKECH VIA AÏT BENHADDOU. Aït Benhaddou is UNESCO World Heritage and ‘Desert Hollywood’ beauty combined on an old caravan route between Sudan and Marrakech. Otherworldly charm level: 100/10. (B) DAY 10 MARRAKECH. The trip might be over after breakfast, but your adventure doesn’t have to be! We’ll be seeing you around. (B)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

Guided tours of Marrakech, Rabat and Fes Visit Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca Visit the Medina of Fes Visit the Roman ruins of Volubilis Stay at a desert camp in the Sahara Entrance fees to all sights in the itinerary

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ 9 breakfasts (B), 2 lunches (L), 2 dinners (D) ++ 8 nights in hotels (twin-share), 1 night in a desert camp ++ Arrival transfer from the airport to the hotel ++ Modern air-conditioned minibus ++ Awesome English-speaking Trip Leader

TOP OPTIONALS

TRIP CODE: MXMEMM S TA R T

FINISH

S TA R T

2019

FINISH

18

OCT

27

OCT

21

APR

G

1

NOV

10

NOV

MAY

19

MAY

G

15

NOV

24

NOV

JUN

16

JUN

G

6

DEC

15

DEC

21

JUN

30

JUN

20

DEC

29

DEC

10

JAN

19

JAN

7

FEB

16

FEB

12

APR

10 7 5

JUL

14

JUL

19

JUL

28

JUL

2

AUG

11

AUG

16

AUG

25

AUG

6

SEP

15

SEP

20

SEP

29

SEP

4

OCT

13

OCT

G G G

G

G

2020

21

FEB

1

MAR

6

MAR

15

MAR

20

MAR

29

MAR

G

G= Guaranteed Departure

TRIP PRICE OF $1549 Price based on Per Person twin-share/double Single supplement from an extra $389

10 DAYS FROM

1549

++ Camel ride in the Sahara Desert

$

START MEET AT 8PM IN MARRAKECH FINISH APPROXIMATELY 9AM IN MARRAKECH

AUD PER PERSON All items listed in the ‘Bucket List’ and ‘More Inclusions’ are included in the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional and may cost extra (but are too awesome to miss out).

MERZOUGA DESERT CAMP

M RO Y F UD N A D A O R 55 S P E $1 P E R R PE


10 D A Y | J O R D A N & I S R A E L

EXPLORER - MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA

54

AMMAN

TEL AVIV

10

MEALS

2

COUNTRIES

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: JERASH, DEAD SEA, PETRA, WADI RUM

YOUR ROUTE

1 STOP & STAY

DAY STOP

Tel Aviv FINISH

Ajloun Castle Jerash

1

Jerusalem

2

1 1

Amman START

JORDAN

Madaba Mt Nebo

Bethlehem

Karak

Dead Sea

2 Petra

Aqaba

1

1 Wadi Rum

DAY 1 AMMAN, JORDAN. Touch down in one of the oldest cities in existence and drop off your gear before trading bios with your new travel buddies tonight. For dinner, track down some falafel. This ain’t just any old falafel though! Trust us, the stuff you get here is like nothing you’ll find at home. Why not shimmy over to Hashem Restaurant? It’s a favourite with locals and travellers. DAY 2 AMMAN TO PETRA. Today it’s time to kick it old school in Madaba, the site of an ancient holy map that’s so detailed it’s like Google Maps for theologists. Then: soak up views of the Promised

Land from the top of Mt Nebo, storm a giant Crusader castle in Karak... and we haven’t even got to the Lost City yet! (B)

DAY 3 PETRA. ‘Historic’ is a word that doesn’t even come close to describing a city that was founded around 312 BC. With 80 m high red sandstone tunnels and a façade made famous by Indiana Jones, Petra stands as testament to man’s ability to create beauty from nothing. Wander through the Siq and remember to pinch yourself when you catch your first glimpse of the Treasury. (B)

DAY 4 PETRA TO WADI RUM VIA LITTLE PETRA. Back in the day, camels were the go-to way to cross the desert. Nowadays, we do it in a 4x4 (though the camel ride is still an option if you wanna have yourself a happy hump day). At Wadi Rum, we'll spend the night alongside one of the world's most ancient nomadic tribes in a Bedouin camp. Take it all in as the sun starts to go down and watch the cliffs glow with 50 shades of red. When night comes, get set for an epic show. We’re talking countless stars and the Milky Way as your canopy for the night. Whoever spots the most shooting stars wins! (B,D) DAY 5 WADI RUM TO AQABA. Founded in around 4,000 BC, Aqaba is Jordan’s only coastal city – and it sits smack bang in the middle of everything that is the Red Sea. Take the option to (wet) suit up and see what all those ‘top dives in the world’ lists are on about. Also on the optionals menu: snorkelling and a glass bottom boat tour. Who knew the marine life here was so colourful? (B) DAY 6 AQABA TO AMMAN. Time to enjoy one of the world’s oldest health resorts! At 427 m below sea level (the lowest point on Earth), the Dead Sea is so salty you can float around in it like a cork. Afterwards, we’ll hit the road to Amman. Roman, Byzantine and Umayyad empires have all had their two cents when it comes to this place, creating a melting pot of ancient historical sites. You’ll see the Roman Amphitheatre, Citadel and more on this afternoon’s city tour. (B) DAY 7 AMMAN TO JERUSALEM VIA JERASH AND AJLOUN. Today we’ll crank the history knob up to 11 and take you through Jerash – home to a bunch of Greco-Roman highlights, including a hippodrome which was used for chariot racing (and is nothing to do with hippos). Next up, we’ll visit Ajloun – once an important pigeon post that helped get messages from Damascus to Cairo in a single day. (B) DAY 8 JERUSALEM. Christianity, Islam and Judaism all consider Jerusalem a holy place, so it's kind of a big deal. We’ll check out the Mount of Olives,


EXPLORER - MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA

55

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: MIDDLE EASTERN FEAST, JERUSALEM, TEL AVIV

Gethsemane, King David’s Tomb, the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and Golgotha (where Jesus was crucified), just to name a few. (B)

DAY 9 JERUSALEM TO TEL AVIV VIA BETHLEHEM. Jerusalem to Tel Aviv via Bethlehem. Step into a real-life nativity scene in Bethlehem before swapping religious sites for Tel Aviv. Wanna top up your tan? You’ve got 16 beaches to choose from! If you’re keen for a wander, head to the chilled-out seaport of Old Jaffa. Tonight we’ll find out why Lonely Planet ranked this place one of the top ten party cities in the world. But before you hit the bars and the nightlife, why not head out for a final dinner with your travel mates? Saluf & Sons does some tasty, traditional Yemeni food that’s well worth a try. (B) DAY 10 TEL AVIV. Tel Aviv. The trip might be over after breakfast, but don’t leave until you track down Abu Hassan for hummus that will haunt your dreams (it’s that good). Don’t miss the boho neighbourhood of Florentin either. There are plenty of cafés here to sample some local coffees and treats – just the ticket after the night before. (B)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

Discover the 'Lost City’ of Petra Float in the Dead Sea Guided tours of Amman and ancient Jerash Wadi Rum 4x4 excursion Stay in a Bedouin desert camp Relax on the Red Sea in Aqaba Guided tours of Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Tel Aviv ++ Entrance fees to all sights in the itinerary

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ 9 breakfasts (B), 1 dinner (D) ++ 8 nights in hotels (twin-share), 1 night in a Bedouin desert camp (twin-share) ++ Arrival transfer from the airport to the hotel ++ Modern air-conditioned minibus or coach ++ Awesome English-speaking Trip Leader

TOP OPTIONALS ++ Petra by Night tour ++ Camel ride at Wadi Rum ++ Red Sea glass bottom boat trip and snorkelling START MEET AT 7PM IN AMMAN FINISH APPROXIMATELY 10AM IN TEL AVIV

TEL AVIV

TRIP CODE: MXJIAT S TA R T

FINISH

S TA R T

2019

FINISH

28

OCT

6

NOV

1

APR

10

APR

G

11

NOV

20

NOV

22

APR

1

MAY

G

18

NOV

27

NOV

20

MAY

29

MAY

G

2

DEC

11

DEC

10

JUN

19

JUN

9

DEC

18

DEC

8

JUL

17

JUL

12

AUG

21

AUG

2

SEP

11

SEP

G G

16

SEP

25

SEP

30

SEP

9

OCT

7

OCT

16

OCT

G

G

G G

2020 6

JAN

15

JAN

10

FEB

19

FEB

9

MAR

18

MAR

G

23

MAR

1

APR

G

G= Guaranteed Departure

TRIP PRICE OF $2349 Price based on Per Person twin-share/double Single supplement from an extra $589

10 DAYS FROM

2349

$

AUD PER PERSON All items listed in the ‘Bucket List’ and ‘More Inclusions’ are included in the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional and may cost extra (but are too awesome to miss out).

M RO Y F UD N A D A O R 35 S P E $2 P E R R PE


AFRICA

56

MAASAI MARA AREA

A safari adventure with the Acacia Africa team awaits. Pass by mountains, rivers and lakes, laze about on palm-fringed beaches and roam some of the world’s best national parks in search of wild animals. Sound tempting? We thought so.

ZANZIBAR

AVERAGE HIGH

temperatu res JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

CAPE TOWN VICTORIA FALLS NAIROBI PRETORIA

Very hot 35⁰C+

Hot 30-35⁰C Cool 15-20⁰C

Warm 20-30⁰C Cold 0-15⁰C

DEC


AFRICA

57

PAGE

SECTOR

6 D AY

| TROOP TO THE GORILL AS

60

7 D AY

| KRUGER, SWAZI & BEACH

61

7 D AY

| AFRICAN INSIGHT

62

1 1 D AY

| HIGHLIGHTS OF TANZANIA

64

1 2 D AY

| COAST, LESOTHO & CAPE TOWN

65

1 3 D AY

| KENYA & TANZANIA ADVENTURE

66

1 4 D AY

| MOZAMBIQUE & ZIMBABWE EXPLORER

68

1 4 D AY

| GORILL A ENCOUNTER

70

1 9 D AY

| DESERT TRACKER

72

1 9 D AY

| SOUTH WEST SAFARI

73

2 0 D AY

| KRUGER TO CAPE TOWN

74

2 1 D AY

| EAST AFRICAN EXPLORER

76

2 2 D AY

| ZANZIBAR, VIC FALLS & KRUGER

77

2 3 D AY

| KRUGER, VIC FALLS & ZANZIBAR

78

2 4 D AY

| SOUTH EAST ADVENTURE

79

2 5 D AY

| SOUTH WEST SAFARI

80

2 5 D AY

| DESERT TRACKER

81

2 8 D AY

| GAME PARKS & GORILL AS

82

2 9 D AY

| EAST AFRICAN EXPLORER

83

4 1 D AY

| CAPE TOWN TO KENYA

84

5 8 D AY

| ULTIMATE AFRICAN OVERL ANDER

86

What are sectors?

DAYS | TRIP NAME

Sector trips offer you a great way to choose a departure city, set of experiences or journey length that best suits you. Piece together your favourite itineraries, build your own custom African road trip, meet more like-minded travellers… it’s your trip, your way. A Sector trip is part of a larger journey, meaning your new friends might continue on after you leave, or you might be joining a trip already in progress.

Look out for this icon throughout the brochure SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK


21

UGANDA KAMPALA

BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST NGORONGORO CRATER

MT KILIMANJARO ARUSHA ZANZIBAR DAR ES SALAAM

TANZANIA ZAMBIA

MALAWI

SOUTH LUANGWA NP

ZIMBABWE ETOSHA NP SPITZKOPPE

NAMIBIA

GARIEP (ORANGE) RIVER CEDERBERG AREA

CAPE TOWN HERMANUS

BOTSWANA

LAKE MALAWI

LUSAKA LIVINGSTONE VICTORIA FALLS HWANGE NP MATOBO NP

CHOBE NP OKAVANGO DELTA GHANZI WINDHOEK

SWAKOPMUND SOLITAIRE NAMIB NAUKLUFT NP FISH RIVER CANYON

Afr ica

KENYA JINJA ELDORET MAASAI NAIROBI MARA SERENGETI NP

MOZAMBIQUE VILANCULOS

TSHIPISE NP

INHAMBANE

KRUGER NP

PRETORIA JOHANNESBURG

MLILWANE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY ST LUCIA

DRAKENSBERG MALEALEA UNDERBERG AREA MOUNTAIN ZEBRA NP KNYSNA OUDTSHOORN

SWAZILAND

DURBAN

LESOTHO

ADDO ELEPHANT NP

SOUTH AFRICA

GORILL A AND CHIMPANZEE TREK PERMITS

ACACIA AFRICA In Africa, we hand over to leading safari operator Acacia Africa, who deliver epic adventures across the continent. With more than 24 years' experience of running trips and a team of local guides, you can rest assured you're in good hands. Always attentive and friendly, the Acacia team have an in-depth knowledge of destinations across Africa and will always go the extra mile to ensure your trip is one to remember.

The Bwindi Impenetrable Park region is home to an estimated 400 of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Due to the endangered nature of the species, visitors are strictly limited and a Gorilla Trek Permit must be purchased in advance, normally at the time of booking. The Gorilla Trek takes you to the gentle giants’ natural habitat in southwest Uganda’s mountain jungle. The separate Chimpanzee Trek (also requiring a permit) takes you through the Kyambura Gorge in Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park. The combined cost for the two permits, which we will obtain on your behalf (subject to availability), is listed on each itinerary visiting these areas.

Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trek Permit costs are controlled by the Ugandan authorities and are subject to change. Please note: To ensure we obtain Gorilla Trek Permits, we may have to adjust the itinerary slightly from the published route – but don’t worry! This won’t make your experience any less awesome. If we need to amend your itinerary, we’ll let you know before you leave for Africa.

WHERE WE GO - AFRICA

58

AD VENTURE PA SS Want to experience the real Africa in all its glory? With an Adventure Pass, you have the green light to take part in all the activities that make Africa so unique. Think: national park explorations, access to World Heritage sites, game drives, village tours and a whole lot more. Compulsory for all trips, the Adventure Pass ensures all the major highlights are covered and your trip is one to remember. Ready for the adventure? Let’s go!


Pick you r Style Do you like your creature comforts? Or is camping more your thing? Our trip styles cater to pretty much everyone. Take your pick!

OVERLAND Want to get back to basics, hit the long, dusty road and throw yourself into an authentic safari experience in Africa? Then we have news for you – Acacia Africa’s amazing Overland trips are where it’s at! With Acacia’s unique range of adventures through Africa, your accommodation style is up to you. Choose an Overland

Camping trip to stay in two-person dome tents with comfy mattresses at a bunch of awesome campsites, or pick an Overland Accommodated trip to snag stays in safari cabins, tented camps or hostels. What’s it gonna be?

OVERLAND CAMPING On our unique African camping trips, you’ll stay in two-person dome tents with comfy mattresses at quality campsites. A true safari experience? Sign us up!

ACCOMMODATION HOTELS/CAMPSITES/LODGES/GAME RESERVES TRIP LENGTH 6-58 DAYS ROOM T YPES TWIN-SHARE PAGE 60

CAMPSITE, NAIROBI

OVERLAND ACCOMMODATED Our accomodated trips offer the same excitement and adventure as our camping trips – except while your camping buddies head to their tents for the night, you'll have a comfortable bed in a safari cabin, tented camp or hostel to rest up in.

ACCOMMODATION HOTELS/CAMPSITES/LODGES/GAME RESERVES TRIP LENGTH 6-58 DAYS ROOM T YPES TWIN/DOUBLE PAGE 60 THE VICTORIA FALLS WATERFRONT

BUSH CAMP, SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

PICK YOUR ST YLE - AFRICA

59


6 DAY | TRO OP TO THE GORILL AS

OVERLAND - AFRICA

60

KAMPALA

YOUR ROUTE

1 STOP & STAY

KAMPALA

16

MEALS

1

COUNTRY

SECTOR

DAY STOP

UGANDA START/FINISH

Queen Elizabeth National Park

1

1

Kampala

Lake Bunyonyi

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK, ZEBRAS, GORILLA TREK, LAKE BUNYONYI

TRIP CODE: ZOKCGK S TA R T

FINISH

S TA R T

FINISH

27

AUG

1

SEP

8

JAN

13

JAN

17

SEP

22

SEP

15

JAN

20

JAN

24

SEP

29

SEP

5

FEB

10

FEB

15

OCT

20

OCT

2019

12

FEB

17

FEB

22

OCT

27

OCT

5

MAR

10

MAR

12

NOV

17

NOV

12

MAR

17

MAR

19

NOV

24

NOV

2

APR

7

APR

10

DEC

15

DEC

9

APR

14

APR

17

DEC

22

DEC

2020

30

APR

5

MAY

7

MAY

12

MAY

7

JAN

12

28

MAY

2

JUN

14

JAN

19

JAN

4

JUN

9

JUN

4

FEB

9

FEB

25

JUN

30

JUN

11

FEB

16

FEB

2

JUL

7

JUL

3

MAR

8

MAR

23

JUL

28

JUL

10

MAR

15

MAR

30

JUL

4

AUG

31

MAR

5

APR

20

AUG

25

AUG

JAN

CAMPING TRIP PRICE OF $1335 + $1025 GORILLA PERMIT ACCOMMODATED TRIP PRICE OF $1765 + $1025 GORILLA PERMIT Price based on Per Person twin-share tents

6 DAYS FROM

1335

$

AUD PER PERSON

M RO YF D DA AU ON R 23 S P E $2 P E R R PE

All items listed in the ‘Bucket List’ and ‘More Inclusions’ are included in the price of your trip. The total trip price is inclusive of the Adventure Pass, which is compulsory for all trips (see p.58). All other activities mentioned are optional and may cost extra (but are too awesome to miss out).

DAY 1 KAMPALA TO QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK, UGANDA. From Kampala we’ll travel west towards Queen Elizabeth National Park, checking out green terraced hillsides, lush banana plantations, steep mountains and tangled forests along the way. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for herds of Ankole cattle! When we reach the national park, a spot of chimpanzee trekking is on the cards. OMG. (L,D) DAY 2 QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK. If the amazing mountain #views aren’t enough for you this morning, wait till you see Lake Edwards and Lake George! Did you know? Queen Elizabeth National Park has over 500 species of birds and 100 species of mammals, making it one of the most biodiverse national parks in the world. If you’re lucky, you might get to spot a few critters en route to Kyambura Gorge for the trek to see the chimpanzees (if you didn’t already make this journey yesterday). Unlike their mountain gorilla cousins, chimps live mostly in the trees, so keep an eye up high! (B,L,D) DAYS 3-5 QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK TO LAKE BUNYONYI. Quick fact: the Lake Bunyonyi region is home to the world’s remaining 770 mountain gorillas, many of which inhabit the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. On the day of our trek, we’ll meet our local guide and tracker bright and early before splitting into small groups and venturing into the rainforest. The trek can be demanding at times (look out for uneven terrain and hill climbs), but trust us – the privilege of spending time with a family of these gentle giants will make the effort totally worthwhile. Excited yet? We sure are! What can you do at Lake Bunyonyi when you’re not trekking, you ask? Good question. Take your pick from our optionals: hire a canoe, hop on a boat trip or check out a traditional dance performance. If you’re all about the animal life, you can even indulge in a spot of bird watching. Wanna chill? We won’t judge. You’ll have plenty of time to relax around camp and send a few postcards home. (B,L,D) (B,L,D) (B,L,D)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ Visit Queen Elizabeth National Park ++ Chimpanzee trek (part of Gorilla permit payment) ++ Mountain gorilla trek (part of Gorilla permit payment)

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ 5 breakfasts (B), 6 lunches (L), 5 dinners (D) ++ 5 nights in 2-person dome tents or twin-share accommodation ++ Fully equipped safari vehicle ++ Camping and cooking equipment ++ Awesome Trip Leader and Driver START DEPART AT 5AM FROM KAMPALA FINISH APPROXIMATELY 6PM IN KAMPALA

DAY 6 LAKE BUNYONYI TO KAMPALA. Today it’s back over the equator (stopping for a quick centre-ofthe-earth photo op on the way) and on to Kampala, where our trip will wrap up late this afternoon. If you have time, why not hit the town and try the local food? (B,L) Please note: Due to the endangered nature of mountain gorillas, visitors are strictly limited and a Gorilla Trek Permit must be purchased in advance, normally at the time of booking. Permit costs are controlled by the Ugandan authorities and are subject to change.

This is a sector of the 58 Day Ultimate African Overlander trip. See p.86 or visit our website.


7 DAY | KRUGER, S WAZI & BEACH DURBAN

17

MEALS

2

COUNTRIES

OVERLAND - AFRICA

PRETORIA

61

SECTOR

YOUR ROUTE

1 STOP & STAY

DAY STOP

Hazyview Kruger National Park START

Pretoria

SOUTH AFRICA

2

Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary

SWAZILAND Hluhluwe Game Reserve

1 St Lucia

FINISH

Durban

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: MLILWANE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

DAY 1 PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA TO HAZYVIEW. Oh Africa, you amazing thing! This Kruger, Swazi and Beach adventure kicks off in pretty Pretoria. When you’ve introduced yourself to the crew, we’ll make our way to Hazyview – and on the way, we’ll check out the Panorama Route (epic views, anyone?). Tonight, we’ll toast our first night under the African stars with a group dinner. Campfire stories: optional. (D) DAY 2 HAZYVIEW INCLUDING KRUGER NATIONAL PARK VISIT. Today we’re all about wild Kruger, which comes complete with photo ops to make your jaw drop. What’s in store? Why, an awesome day of game tracking in a 4x4, of course! With our eagle-eyed guide at the wheel, you’re sure to spot more than a few animals doing their thing. Tonight, there’s another delicious feast to look forward to back at camp. Oh – and you can even head out on an optional nighttime game drive if you fancy it! (B,L,D) DAY 3 HAZYVIEW INCLUDING KRUGER NATIONAL PARK VISIT. Dig into breakfast, then it’s back to the park for our second day's game driving. Got your cameras and binoculars at the ready? Good! Now’s the time to try to spot the Big Five. (B,L,D) DAY 4 HAZYVIEW TO MLILWANE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, SWAZILAND. Today we’ll wave goodbye to Kruger and move on to the kingdom of Swaziland. Then: it’s on to Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary we go. Anyone for an optional sunset game drive, bird tour or culture tour? Or maybe a spot of optional mountain biking or horse riding would float your boat? So. Many. Options. (B,L,D) DAY 5 MLILWANE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY. First up today, we’ll kick it to the Royal Enclosure for a guided walk. After browsing a few streetside markets and trying our hand at bartering with the stall owners, we'll find our way back to the sanctuary for lunch. Feeling active? Those awesome optionals from yesterday are here for you! Or, you could always take a little time out to catch some rays by the pool... (B,L,D)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED)

TRIP CODE: ZOSSPR

++ ++ ++ ++

Check out the views on the Panorama Route Visit Kruger National Park Visit Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary Guided walk of Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary’s Royal Enclosure ++ St Lucia boat cruise

S TA R T

FINISH 2019

S TA R T

FINISH

17

AUG

23

AUG SEP

5

JAN

11

JAN

31

AUG

6

19

JAN

25

JAN

14

SEP

20

SEP

2

FEB

8

FEB

28

SEP

4

OCT

16

FEB

22

FEB

12

OCT

18

OCT

2

MAR

8

MAR

26

OCT

1

NOV

16

MAR

22

MAR

9

NOV

15

NOV

MORE INCLUSIONS

30

MAR

5

APR

23

NOV

29

NOV

++ 6 breakfasts (B), 5 lunches (L), 6 dinners (D) ++ 6 nights in 2-person dome tents or twin-share accommodation ++ Fully equipped safari vehicle ++ Camping and cooking equipment ++ Awesome Trip Leader and Driver

13

APR

19

APR

27

APR

3

MAY

4

JAN

10

11

MAY

17

MAY

18

JAN

24

JAN

25

MAY

31

MAY

1

FEB

7

FEB

2020 JAN

8

JUN

14

JUN

15

FEB

21

FEB

22

JUN

28

JUN

29

FEB

6

MAR

6

JUL

12

JUL

14

MAR

20

MAR

20

JUL

26

JUL

28

MAR

3

APR

3

AUG

9

AUG

TOP OPTIONALS CAMPING TRIP PRICE OF $935 + $210 ADVENTURE PASS = $1145

++ Night game drive at Kruger National Park ++ Mountain biking at Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary

ACCOMMODATED TRIP PRICE OF $1295 + $210 ADVENTURE PASS = $1505

START DEPART AT 7AM FROM PRETORIA FINISH APPROXIMATELY 6PM IN DURBAN

Price based on Per Person twin-share tents

DAY 6 MLILWANE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY TO ST LUCIA, SOUTH AFRICA. Next up: the coastal town of St Lucia. Get excited, ‘cos this afternoon we’re gonna hop on a boat cruise and get floaty on the river (don’t forget to keep an eye out for hippos, lazy crocodiles and a whole bunch of birds goofing around on the sandy banks). There are also a fair few optionals on offer if you’re interested. Take your pick from a night drive, a culture tour, a bike tour or a hike. (B,L,D) DAY 7 ST LUCIA TO DURBAN. Today our trip will wrap up in Durban. Who’s up for round two? (B)

7 DAYS FROM

1145

$

AUD PER PERSON All items listed in the ‘Bucket List’ and ‘More Inclusions’ are included in the price of your trip. The total trip price is inclusive of the Adventure Pass, which is compulsory for all trips (see p.58). All other activities mentioned are optional and may cost extra (but are too awesome to miss out).

This is a sector of the 20 Day Kruger to Cape Town trip. See p.74 or visit our website.

M RO Y F UD N A D A O R 64 S P E $1 P E R R PE


7 DAY | AFRICAN INSIGHT

OVERLAND - AFRICA

62

PRETORIA

LIVINGSTONE

15/16 MEALS

3

COUNTRIES

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: HAZYVIEW, KRUGER NATIONAL PARK, CHEETAH, MATOBO NATIONAL PARK

YOUR ROUTE

1 STOP & STAY

DAYS 3-5 HAZYVIEW TO BULAWAYO, ZIMBABWE VIA TSHIPISE. After leaving Kruger we’ll shimmy north and spend the night near the Limpopo River in Tshipise. Then: when we’ve got the formalities over with at the border post, we’ll rock and roll into Zimbabwe and make a beeline for Matobo National Park, near Bulawayo. This place is home to a wide variety of animals, including black and white rhinoceroses, zebras, wildebeest and giraffes. We’ve got a half-day game drive to soak it all in – or, if you fancy it, you could opt in to extend the experience with a full-day upgrade. (B,L,D) (B,L,D) (B,L,D)

DAY STOP

Livingstone FINISH

ZAMBIA

1

Bulawayo

Matobo National Park

2 ZIMBABWE

Tshipise

1 Kruger National Park

2

Hazyview

SOUTH AFRICA

DAYS 6-7 MATOBO NATIONAL PARK TO LIVINGSTONE, ZAMBIA. Bye bye, Matobo. Today we’ll be making tracks to Livingstone – where the almighty Victoria Falls awaits. Not only that, but we’ve got some awesome optionals for you to get involved in, too. How about a bungy jump over the falls? Or a spot of gorge swinging? Or some abseiling? Or whitewater rafting? If you’d rather go for something a little less heart-pumping, you could always opt in to take it easy with a fishing trip or sunset cruise down the river. Tomorrow, we’re outta here after breakfast – so whatever you choose to do, make the most of it! (B) (B)

START

Pretoria

DAY 1 PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA TO HAZYVIEW. Touch down in Pretoria, meet your new Topdecker BFFs and get excited for the adventure ahead! Starting out early, we’ll hit the road in style (and by style, we mean fully equipped safari truck) to Hazyview, where a cultural Shangaan dance show awaits. Kruger is South Africa’s premier national park – and, in connection with parks in adjoining Mozambique and Botswana, it covers a whopping 24,000 square kilometres of land used for the protection of African wildlife. Wowee. (D)

Heads up! This trip also goes in reverse (Livingstone to Pretoria). See website for full details. DAY 2 HAZYVIEW INCLUDING KRUGER NATIONAL PARK VISIT. Get your camera at the ready! Today we’ve got a full day’s game drive in store, so keep your eyes peeled for the Big Five (lions, elephants, buffaloes, rhinos and leopards). Want more? Well, you could be lucky enough to see giraffes, hippos and zebras, too! Nothing will prepare you for the first time you spot these incredible creatures in the wild. Expect goosebumps, and lots of them. If you want, you can even opt in to do a game drive after dark tonight. (B,L,D)


OVERLAND - AFRICA

63

‘I could not rate it highly enough. Our Tour Leader was amazing. I will be back in no time.’ - Emma

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: GIRAFFES, VICTORIA FALLS

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ ++ ++ ++

Visit Kruger National Park Visit Matobo National Park Experience a Shangaan cultural evening Visit Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park (Victoria Falls)

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ 6 breakfasts (B), 4 lunches (L), 5 dinners (D) on ZOAIPL ex. Livingstone ++ 6 breakfasts (B), 5 lunches (L), 5 dinners (D) on ZOAILP ex. Pretoria ++ 6 nights in 2-person dome tents or twin-share accommodation ++ Fully equipped safari vehicle ++ Camping and cooking equipment ++ Awesome Trip Leader and Driver

TRIP CODE: ZOAILP EX. LIVINGSTONE S TA R T

FINISH 2019

TRIP CODE: ZOAIPL EX. PRETORIA

S TA R T

FINISH

28

AUG

3

SEP

S TA R T

Gorge swinging Bungy jumping over Victoria Falls Whitewater rafting Abseiling Sunset cruise on the Zambezi river Half-day canoe safari

START

DEPART AT 7AM FROM PRETORIA (ZOAIPL) OR 8AM FROM LIVINGSTONE (ZOAILP)

FINISH

APPROXIMATELY 10AM IN LIVINGSTONE (ZOAIPL) OR 6PM IN PRETORIA (ZOAILP)

S TA R T

FINISH

22

AUG

28

AUG SEP

2

JAN

8

JAN

11

SEP

17

SEP

10

JAN

16

JAN

5

SEP

11

16

JAN

22

JAN

25

SEP

1

OCT

24

JAN

30

JAN

19

SEP

25

SEP

30

JAN

5

FEB

9

OCT

15

OCT

7

FEB

13

FEB

3

OCT

9

OCT

13

FEB

19

FEB

23

OCT

29

OCT

21

FEB

27

FEB

17

OCT

23

OCT

27

FEB

5

MAR

6

NOV

12

NOV

7

MAR

13

MAR

31

OCT

6

NOV

13

MAR

19

MAR

20

NOV

26

NOV

21

MAR

27

MAR

14

NOV

20

NOV

27

MAR

2

APR

4

DEC

10

DEC

4

APR

10

APR

28

NOV

4

DEC

10

APR

16

APR

18

DEC

24

DEC

18

APR

24

APR

12

DEC

18

DEC

24

APR

30

APR

2

MAY

8

MAY

26

DEC

1

JAN

8

MAY

14

MAY

JAN

16

MAY

22

MAY

22

MAY

28

JAN

5

JUN

11

19

JUN

3 17

2020

2020

1

JAN

7

MAY

15

JAN

21

JAN

30

MAY

5

JUN

9

JAN

15

JUN

29

JAN

4

FEB

13

JUN

19

JUN

23

JAN

29

JAN

25

JUN

12

FEB

18

FEB

27

JUN

3

JUL

6

FEB

12

FEB

JUL

9

JUL

26

FEB

3

MAR

11

JUL

17

JUL

20

FEB

26

FEB

JUL

23

JUL

11

MAR

17

MAR

25

JUL

31

JUL

5

MAR

11

MAR

25

MAR

31

MAR

8

AUG

14

AUG

19

MAR

25

MAR

31

JUL

6

AUG

14

AUG

20

AUG

TOP OPTIONALS ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

FINISH 2019

CAMPING TRIP PRICE OF $1575 + $125 ADVENTURE PASS = $1700 ACCOMMODATED TRIP PRICE OF $2245 + $125 ADVENTURE PASS = $2370 Price based on Per Person twin-share tents

7 DAYS FROM

1700

$

AUD PER PERSON All items listed in the ‘Bucket List’ and ‘More Inclusions’ are included in the price of your trip. The total trip price is inclusive of the Adventure Pass, which is compulsory for all trips (see p.58). All other activities mentioned are optional and may cost extra (but are too awesome to miss out).

M RO Y F UD N A D A O R 43 S P E $2 P E R R PE


1 1 D A Y | H I G H L I G H T S O F TA N Z A N I A

OVERLAND - AFRICA

64

DAR ES SALAAM

YOUR ROUTE

1 STOP & STAY

NAIROBI

22

MEALS

2

COUNTRIES

SECTOR

DAY STOP

FINISH

Nairobi

KENYA Serengeti National Park

1

Ngorongoro Crater

1

1 1

1

Marangu

Arusha Zanzibar

4 1 START

Dar es Salaam

TANZANIA

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: ZANZIBAR, SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK, NGORONGORO CRATER

TRIP CODE: ZOCKDN S TA R T

FINISH 2018

31

DEC

10

JAN

2019 14

JAN

24

JAN

S TA R T

FINISH

12

AUG

22

AUG

26

AUG

5

SEP

9

SEP

19

SEP

23

SEP

3

OCT

28

JAN

7

FEB

7

OCT

17

OCT

11

FEB

21

FEB

21

OCT

31

OCT

25

FEB

7

MAR

4

NOV

14

NOV

11

MAR

21

MAR

18

NOV

28

NOV

25

MAR

4

APR

2

DEC

12

DEC

8

APR

18

APR

16

DEC

26

DEC

22

APR

2

MAY

30

DEC

9

JAN

6

MAY

16

MAY

20

MAY

30

MAY

13

JAN

23

JAN

3

JUN

13

JUN

27

JAN

6

FEB

17

JUN

27

JUN

10

FEB

20

FEB

1

JUL

11

JUL

24

FEB

5

MAR

15

JUL

25

JUL

9

MAR

19

MAR

29

JUL

8

AUG

23

MAR

2

APR

2020

CAMPING TRIP PRICE OF $2425 + $1200 ADVENTURE PASS = $3625 ACCOMMODATED TRIP PRICE OF $2925 + $1200 ADVENTURE PASS = $4125 Price based on Per Person twin-share tents

11 DAYS FROM

3625

$

AUD PER PERSON Allitemslistedinthe‘BucketList’and‘MoreInclusions’areincludedintheprice of your trip. The total trip price is inclusive of the Adventure Pass, which is compulsory for all trips (see p.58). All other activities mentioned are optional and may cost extra (but are too awesome to miss out).

M RO YF D DA AU ON R 30 S P E $3 P E R R PE

This is a sector of the 41 Day Cape Town to Kenya trip. See p.84 or visit our website.

DAY 1 DAR ES SALAAM TO ZANZIBAR, TANZANIA. After kicking things off in Dar es Salaam, we’ll hop on a ferry and set a course for the island of Zanzibar. Once in Stone Town, choose from the optional activities: a spice tour, a visit to the Arab Fort, the site of the old slave market or the Palace Museum are all here. DAY 2 ZANZIBAR. Zanzibar is known as ‘Spice Island’. Go for a wander around the bazaars today and you’ll soon discover why! This afternoon, we’ll swap Stone Town for the beautiful beaches in the north of the island. Why not try a spot of optional scuba diving or a snorkelling safari? If you just wanna relax, you could always opt in for a massage... (B) DAY 3 ZANZIBAR. You’ve got a free day to spend on Zanzibar’s palm-fringed beaches. Snorkel, scuba dive and round off your day with a sunset cruise (all optional). We won’t blame you if you never want to leave! (B) DAY 4 ZANZIBAR. It’s your last full day on this beautiful island, so make the most of it. Take to the water, or just get your tan on. (B) DAY 5 ZANZIBAR TO DAR ES SALAAM. Bye bye, Zanzibar! We’re jumping on the ferry back to vibrant Dar es Salaam where we’ve got your dinner covered. (B,D) DAY 6 DAR ES SALAAM TO MARANGU. All aboard our overland truck! Today we’re travelling inland from the Indian Ocean coast to the grassy plains of Northern Tanzania. Tonight we’ll camp in Marangu, a town close to the base of Mt Kilimanjaro. Keep an eye out for the mighty mountain’s peak. (B,L,D) DAY 7 MARANGU TO ARUSHA. Today we’ll continue on to Tanzania’s sprawling safari capital: Arusha. Here, we’ll head out on a guided walk in the local Maasai village and you can even cross off a true bucket list experience with an optional camel ride! Oh – we’ll also swing by a snake park today. (B,L,D) DAYS 8-9 ARUSHA TO SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK AND NGORONGORO CRATER. Prep your day pack (or

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ Visit Zanzibar ++ Visit a Maasai village ++ Visit Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ 10 breakfasts (B), 6 lunches (L), 6 dinners (D) ++ 10 nights in 2-person dome tents or twin-share accommodation ++ Return ferry tickets from Dar Es Salaam to Zanzibar ++ Fully equipped safari vehicle ++ Camping and cooking equipment ++ Awesome Trip Leader and Driver

TOP OPTIONALS ++ Zanzibar spice tour ++ Snorkelling safari START DEPART AT 7AM FROM DAR ES SALA AM FINISH APPROXIMATELY 6PM IN NAIROBI

a small bag) – today we’re transferring to smaller 4x4 vehicles for a two-night/three-day game viewing trip through Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater. Trust us, these safari vehicles are decked out with ALL the animal spotting necessities – pop-up roof included. After passing into the park we’ll drive around the crater’s rim and down onto the Serengeti plains, where we’ll try to spot the Big Five (as well as hyenas, cheetahs, wildebeest and antelopes). Wow x 100. (B,L,D) (B,L,D)

DAYS 10-11 NGORONGORO CRATER TO NAIROBI, KENYA VIA ARUSHA. After spending one more night in Arusha, we’ll make our way across the Maasai Steppe to the Kenyan frontier. When we get to Nairobi, we’ll go our separate ways. Where to next? (B,L,D) (B,L)


12 D A Y | C O A S T, L E S O T H O & C A P E T O W N CAPE TOWN

32

2

MEALS

COUNTRIES

SECTOR

Drakensberg

YOUR ROUTE

1 STOP & STAY

2

Mountain Zebra National Park 1 Cape Town

Oudtshoorn

1

START

Durban

LESOTHO SOUTH AFRICA

DAY STOP

Malealea 2

FINISH

OVERLAND - AFRICA

DURBAN

65

1

2 Underberg area

Addo Elephant National Park

1 Port Elizabeth 1

Storms River

Hermanus

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: MOUNTAIN ZEBRA NATIONAL PARK, ADDO ELEPHANT NATIONAL PARK, HERMANUS

DAY 1 DURBAN TO UNDERBERG AREA, SOUTH AFRICA. Meet your safari buddies, then hit the road to the Underberg Area. (L,D) DAY 2 UNDERBERG AREA INCLUDING SANI PASS VISIT. Hop in a 4x4 and prepare to see some jawdropping views! Today we’ve got a date with the EPIC Sani Pass. Wowee. (B,L,D) DAY 3 UNDERBERG AREA TO DRAKENSBERG VIA BATTLEFIELDS. Today we’ll soak up some history at the Battlefields, a site that commemorates lives lost in British, Zulu and Boer clashes. (B,L,D) DAY 4 DRAKENSBERG. Next up: the Royal Natal National Park. Here, you can take the option to follow the Tugela Falls hike trail up the Drakensberg Mountains for epic views. (B,L,D) DAYS 5-6 DRAKENSBERG TO MALEALEA, LESOTHO. On day five we’ll roll into the village of Malealea in the mountain kingdom of Lesotho. Take your pick from mountain biking, a guided hike or a spot of pony trekking (all optional). Giddy up! (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAY 7 MALEALEA TO MOUNTAIN ZEBRA NATIONAL PARK, SOUTH AFRICA. We’ll pass stunning, diverse countryside before arriving at Mountain Zebra National Park. (B,L,D) DAY 8 MOUNTAIN ZEBRA NATIONAL PARK TO PORT ELIZABETH VIA ADDO ELEPHANT NATIONAL PARK. Today we’re off to Addo Elephant National Park for a serious animal spotting session. Keep your eyes peeled for the Big Seven (plus some bonus dung beetles)! (B,L,D) DAY 9 PORT ELIZABETH TO STORMS RIVER VIA TSITSIKAMMA FOREST. Today: Tsitsikamma Forest. This place is unreal! Optionals? Get involved in a bridge walk or a bungy jump. (B,L,D) DAY 10 STORMS RIVER TO OUDTSHOORN. Onwards to Oudtshoorn. This region is home to the Cango Caves, Africa's largest show cave system. We’ll explore them on an included tour. If you fancy it, you

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

TRIP CODE: ZOSSRC

Travel along the Sani Pass Visit Battlefields Visit the Royal Natal National Park See the Drakensberg Mountains Visit Mountain Zebra National Park Visit Addo Elephant National Park Visit Tsitsikamma National Park Visit Cango Caves Visit Cape Agulhas

S TA R T

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ 11 breakfasts (B), 11 lunches (L), 10 dinners (D) ++ 11 nights in 2-person dome tents or twin-share accommodation ++ Fully equipped safari vehicle ++ Camping and cooking equipment ++ Awesome Trip Leader and Driver

START DEPART AT 8AM FROM DURBAN FINISH APPROXIMATELY 6PM IN CAPE TOWN

can visit the cheetahs at Cango Wildlife Ranch, too (optional). (B,L,D)

DAY 11 OUDTSHOORN TO HERMANUS. Today we’ll head south to the coastal town of Hermanus – but not before making a stop at Cape Agulhas, which marks Africa’s southernmost tip. (B,L) DAY 12 HERMANUS TO CAPE TOWN. Today, there’s optional shark cage diving on offer! We’ll say farewell in Cape Town later. Why not stick around and hit up the Waterfront or the Table Mountain cable car? (B)

S TA R T

FINISH

11

AUG

22

AUG SEP

13

JAN

24

JAN

25

AUG

5

27

JAN

7

FEB

8

SEP

19

SEP

10

FEB

21

FEB

22

SEP

3

OCT OCT

24

FEB

7

MAR

6

OCT

17

10

MAR

21

MAR

20

OCT

31

OCT

24

MAR

4

APR

3

NOV

14

NOV

7

APR

18

APR

17

NOV

28

NOV

21

APR

2

MAY

1

DEC

12

DEC

5

MAY

16

MAY

19

MAY

30

MAY

12

JAN

23

JAN

2

JUN

13

JUN

26

JAN

6

FEB

2020

16

JUN

27

JUN

9

FEB

20

FEB

30

JUN

11

JUL

23

FEB

5

MAR

14

JUL

25

JUL

8

MAR

19

MAR

28

JUL

8

AUG

22

MAR

2

APR

CAMPING TRIP PRICE OF $1595 + $125 ADVENTURE PASS = $1720 ACCOMMODATED TRIP PRICE OF $2035 + $125 ADVENTURE PASS = $2160

TOP OPTIONALS ++ Bungy jumping ++ Visit Cango Wildlife Ranch

FINISH 2019

Price based on Per Person twin-share tents

12 DAYS FROM

1720

$

AUD PER PERSON

Allitemslistedinthe‘BucketList’and‘MoreInclusions’areincludedinthepriceofyour trip. The total trip price is inclusive of the Adventure Pass, which is compulsory for all trips (see p.58). All other activities mentioned are optional and may cost extra (but are too awesome to miss out).

This is a sector of the 20 Day Kruger to Cape Town trip. See p.74 or visit our website.

M RO Y F UD N A D A O R 44 S P E $1 P E R R PE


13 D A Y | K E N Y A & TA N Z A N I A A D V E N T U R E

OVERLAND - AFRICA

66

NAIROBI

DAR ES SALAAM

30

MEALS

2

COUNTRIES

SECTOR

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: CHEETAHS, ZANZIBAR, MAASAI MARA AREA, KENYAN BREAKFAST

YOUR ROUTE

1 STOP & STAY

not, we’ll do it on day seven). But first: anyone for an optional camel ride? (B,L,D)

DAY STOP

DAY 5 ARUSHA TO SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK. Today we’ll switch to smaller 4x4 vehicles as we head west to Serengeti National Park. Don your khaki greens, ‘cos we’re going all-out safari mode! Exciting. (B,L,D)

Maasai Mara 2

1

START

Nairobi

KENYA

Serengeti National Park 1 1

Ngorongoro Crater

1 1 Arusha

TANZANIA

Bagamoyo

1

Zanzibar 1

FINISH

Dar es Salaam

DAY 1 NAIROBI TO MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE, KENYA. Helloooo, Africa! Touch down in Nairobi and meet the group. Then: we’ll kick-start the adventure by travelling to the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya’s best known game park. Looking for the real Africa? This is it! (L,D) DAY 2 MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE. Yes! You’ve got another day to soak up the Mara’s rolling grasslands and broad horizons (heart eyes emoji). Keep your eyes peeled for wildebeest and zebras! (B,L,D)

DAY 3 MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE TO NAIROBI. Leaving the incredible natural wonderland of the Maasai Mara behind us, today we’ll hit the road back to the chaotic city of Nairobi, where we’ll stay overnight. (B,L,D) DAY 4 NAIROBI TO ARUSHA, TANZANIA. After crossing the border into Tanzania, we’ll arrive at our next destination: Arusha. This place is Tanzania’s ‘safari capital’ – a bustling city with colourful markets, nestling in the shadow of Mt Meru. If we have time, we’ll take a guided walk in a Maasai village to learn about the local culture before heading to our camp (if

DAY 6 SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK TO NGORONGORO CRATER. Rise and shine! This morning we’re heading out on a game drive beyond the plains – and after lunch, we’ll ascend the outer wall of the awesome Ngorongoro Crater. Tonight, we’ll stay on the rim of the crater (read: pack your warmest jacket). (B,L,D)

DAY 7 NGORONGORO CRATER TO ARUSHA. Today, we’re headed inside the Ngorongoro Crater for a morning of game driving and wildlife spotting. It’s a tough life. Then: it’s back to Arusha. If we didn’t already do it on day four, we’ll visit a Maasai village this afternoon. (B,L,D) DAY 8 ARUSHA TO BAGAMOYO. Next stop, Bagamoyo. If we’re lucky with the weather, we might even get to see an ah-mazing snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa’s highest peak) on the way. (B,L,D) DAY 9 BAGAMOYO TO DAR ES SALAAM. Today we’re hitting the road south to Dar es Salaam, which is hot, humid and full of high rises, colourful markets and Arab-influenced architecture. Tonight we’ll set up camp on the beach (OMG). Feel that balmy sea breeze yet? (B,L,D) DAY 10 DAR ES SALAAM TO ZANZIBAR. Hop on the ferry – we’ve got a beautiful palm-fringed island to get to! Fact: Zanzibar was once a major trading centre of spices. Did we mention this place has heaps of amazing optionals? We’re talking spice tours, visits to the Old Fort and more. (B) DAY 11 ZANZIBAR. After breakfast, why not head out on foot to explore Stone Town? You’re sure to find a whole bunch of souvenirs here. Wanna get aquatic?


OVERLAND - AFRICA

67

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: ZANZIBAR, SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK, NGORONGORO CRATER

Then an optional snorkelling or scuba diving session has your name on it. (B)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED)

DAY 12 ZANZIBAR. If it's white sand, sparkling sea and hot sun you're after, you’ve come to the right place! Later, indulge in some de-LISH seafood or simply relax beneath a coconut palm with a cocktail and a good book. #Bliss (B)

++ Visit Maasai Mara National Reserve ++ Maasai village walk ++ Visit Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater

DAY 13 ZANZIBAR TO DAR ES SALAAM. Nooooooo – after one last breakfast as a group, it’s time to jump on the ferry back to Dar es Salaam. Our trip ends here. Facebook friends, anyone? (B)

MORE INCLUSIONS

This is a sector of the 58 Day Ultimate African Overlander trip. See p.86 or visit our website.

TRIP CODE: ZOKCND S TA R T

FINISH 2019

++ 12 breakfasts (B), 9 lunches (L), 9 dinners (D) ++ 12 nights in 2-person dome tents or twin-share accommodation ++ Return ferry tickets from Dar Es Salaam to Zanzibar ++ Fully equipped safari vehicle ++ Camping and cooking equipment ++ Awesome Trip Leader and Driver

TOP OPTIONALS ++ Camel ride in Arusha ++ Scuba diving in Zanzibar

S TA R T

FINISH

1

SEP

13

SEP

6

JAN

18

JAN

15

SEP

27

SEP

20

JAN

1

FEB

29

SEP

11

OCT

3

FEB

15

FEB

13

OCT

25

OCT

17

FEB

1

MAR

27

OCT

8

NOV

3

MAR

15

MAR

10

NOV

22

NOV

17

MAR

29

MAR

24

NOV

6

DEC

31

MAR

12

APR

8

DEC

20

DEC

14

APR

26

APR

22

DEC

3

JAN

28

APR

10

MAY

JAN

2020

12

MAY

24

MAY

5

JAN

17

26

MAY

7

JUN

19

JAN

31

JAN

9

JUN

21

JUN

2

FEB

14

FEB

23

JUN

5

JUL

16

FEB

28

FEB

7

JUL

19

JUL

1

MAR

13

MAR

21

JUL

2

AUG

15

MAR

27

MAR

4

AUG

16

AUG

29

MAR

10

APR

18

AUG

30

AUG

CAMPING TRIP PRICE OF $2575 + $1950 ADVENTURE PASS = $4525

START DEPART AT 8AM FROM NAIROBI FINISH APPROXIMATELY 5PM IN DAR ES SALA AM

ACCOMMODATED TRIP PRICE OF $3080 + $1950 ADVENTURE PASS = $5030 Price based on Per Person twin-share tents

13 DAYS FROM

4525

$

AUD PER PERSON All items listed in the ‘Bucket List’ and ‘More Inclusions’ are included in the price of your trip. The total trip price is inclusive of the Adventure Pass, which is compulsory for all trips (see p.58). All other activities mentioned are optional and may cost extra (but are too awesome to miss out).

MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE

M RO Y F UD N A D A O R 49 S P E $3 P E R R PE


OVERLAND - AFRICA

68

1 4 D A Y | M O Z A M B I Q U E & Z I M B A B W E E X P LO R E R VICTORIA FALLS

PRETORIA

36/37 MEALS

3

COUNTRIES

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: ELEPHANTS, HWANGE NATIONAL PARK, ELEPHANTS, BILENE

YOUR ROUTE

1 STOP & STAY

And don’t forget to check out the park’s ancient rock paintings. (B,L,D)

DAY STOP

DAY 5 BULAWAYO TO MASVINGO. Today we’re setting a course for Masvingo – so spin the compass east! Get your cameras at the ready, ‘cos today we’ll be visiting the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Khami Ruins – a site of great archaeological significance. (B,L,D)

START

Victoria Falls

1 1

Bandula area

Hwange National Park

Bulawayo Matobo National Park

1 1

2

Masvingo

ZIMBAB WE

2 Vilanculos

(B,L,D)

Kruger National Park

2 Inhambane FINISH

Pretoria

1

2 Hazyview

SOUTH AFRICA

DAY 1 VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE. Ready to get exploring? We’ll start our trip in the town of Victoria Falls, named after Africa’s most scenic waterfall. You won’t be running out of things to do here with optional bungy jumping, gorge swinging and sunset Zambezi cruises on offer. DAY 2 VICTORIA FALLS TO HWANGE NATIONAL PARK. Next up: Zimbabwe’s premier game-viewing area, Hwange National Park. Here, there’s an afternoon game drive in store – so keep your eyes peeled for elephants (not to mention other rare

DAYS 6-8 MASVINGO TO VILANCULOS, MOZAMBIQUE VIA BANDULA AREA. Crossing from Zimbabwe into Mozambique, a couple of drive days will take us to the ah-mazing Indian Ocean coast. FYI, Mozambique has grown out of its chequered past and now offers heaps of relaxing resorts – Vilanculos included. Did we mention that we’ll be heading out on a full day sailing excursion to Magaruque Island while we’re here? Get your sunscreen at the ready! (B,L,D) (B,L,D)

Bilene

MOZAM BIQUE

species like African wild dogs and brown hyenas). Awesome! (B,L,D)

DAY 3 HWANGE NATIONAL PARK TO BULAWAYO. Next up is Zimbabwe’s second largest city, Bulawayo. Grab some zzz’s here before we head to Matobo National Park tomorrow. (B,L,D) DAY 4 BULAWAYO INCLUDING MATOBO NATIONAL PARK VISIT. Matobo National Park is calling! You know what to do. Don your finest khaki attire and get stuck in with a game drive and wilderness walk. Psst – you might even spot a white rhino, if you’re lucky.

DAYS 9-10 VILANCULOS TO INHAMBANE. Our next stop is Inhambane, famous for its world-class scuba diving. This place packs some bea-UTIFUL reefs and (almost) guaranteed manta ray sightings. Wanna take a peek under the sea? Opt in for an optional snorkelling trip or scuba diving adventure! No worries if you’re not a water baby. You can flex your freedom with a bit of optional quad biking instead (definitely one for Insta). (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAY 11 INHAMBANE TO BILENE. Today it’s up and onwards to pretty Bilene, where we’ll spend one night. Expect a beautiful lagoon, palm trees, sandy beaches and seafood to die for. (B,L,D) DAYS 12-13 BILENE TO HAZYVIEW, SOUTH AFRICA. Bye, Bilene – time to hop over the border into Big Game country for two nights camping on the edge of the world-famous Kruger National Park. After we’ve settled in with a Shangaan cultural performance, we’ll head out on a game drive in pursuit of the Big Five (plus countless other species). Excitement levels: 100/10. (B,L,D) (B,L,D)


OVERLAND - AFRICA

69

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: SPICE MARKET, VICTORIA FALLS, MASVINGO

DAY 14 HAZYVIEW TO PRETORIA. It’s our last day – noooooo! After taking one last longing look at Hazyview, we’ll head west to Pretoria. It’s not goodbye, it’s see you later! (B) Heads up! This trip also goes in reverse (Pretoria to Victoria Falls). See website for full details.

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) Visit Victoria Falls Visit Hwange National Park Visit Matobo National Park Sailing and snorkelling excursion to Magaruque Island ++ Shangaan cultural evening ++ Visit Kruger National Park

TRIP CODE: ZOMZPV EX. PRETORIA S TA R T

++ ++ ++ ++

MORE INCLUSIONS

++ Gorge swinging at Victoria Falls ++ Scuba diving in Inhambane

KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

START

DEPART AT 8AM FROM VICTORIA FALLS (ZOMZVP) OR 7AM FROM PRETORIA (ZOMZPV)

FINISH

APPROXIMATELY 6PM IN PRETORIA (ZOMZVP) OR 10AM IN VICTORIA FALLS (ZOMZPV)

S TA R T

FINISH

1

AUG

14

AUG

11

APR

24

APR

29

AUG

11

SEP

9

MAY

22

MAY

26

SEP

9

OCT

6

JUN

19

JUN

24

OCT

6

NOV

4

JUL

17

JUL

21

NOV

4

DEC

TRIP CODE: ZOMZVP EX. VICTORIA FALLS S TA R T

FINISH 2019

++ 13 breakfasts (B), 11 lunches (L), 12 dinners (D) on ZOMZPV ex. Pretoria ++ 13 breakfasts (B), 12 lunches (L), 12 dinners (D) on ZOMZVP ex. Victoria Falls ++ 13 nights in 2-person dome tents ++ Fully equipped safari vehicle ++ Camping and cooking equipment ++ Awesome Trip Leader and Driver

TOP OPTIONALS

FINISH 2019

S TA R T

FINISH

15

AUG

28

AUG

28

MAR

10

APR

12

SEP

25

SEP

25

APR

8

MAY

10

OCT

23

OCT

23

MAY

5

JUN

7

NOV

20

NOV

20

JUN

3

JUL

18

JUL

31

JUL

2020 26

MAR

8

APR

CAMPING TRIP PRICE OF $3395 + $270 ADVENTURE PASS = $3665 Price based on Per Person twin-share tents

14 DAYS FROM

3665

$

AUD PER PERSON All items listed in the ‘Bucket List’ and ‘More Inclusions’ are included in the price of your trip. The total trip price is inclusive of the Adventure Pass, which is compulsory for all trips (see p.58). All other activities mentioned are optional and may cost extra (but are too awesome to miss out).

M RO Y F UD N A D A O R 62 S P E $2 P E R R PE


14 D A Y | G O R I L L A E N C O U N T E R

OVERLAND - AFRICA

70

NAIROBI

NAIROBI

39

MEALS

2

COUNTRIES

SECTOR

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: LAKE NAKURU, JINJA, MOUNTAIN GORILLA, QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK

YOUR ROUTE

1 STOP & STAY

DAY 5 QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK. Did you know? Queen Elizabeth National Park has over 500 species of birds and 100 species of mammals, making it one of the most biodiverse national parks in the world. If you’re lucky, you might spot a few critters en route to Kyambura Gorge for the trek to see the chimpanzees. (B,L,D)

DAY STOP

Kampala

Eldoret

UGANDA Queen Elizabeth National Park

2

1 1

1 1

Jinja

1

Lake Nakuru National Park

Lake Bunyonyi START/FINISH

Nairobi

KENYA

DAY 1 NAIROBI TO LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK, KENYA. Get excited. This. Is. Africa! First up: Kenya’s Great Rift Valley and Lake Nakuru National Park, where we’ll kick things off with a game drive. Best known for its birdlife, Nakuru also contains plenty of rhinos, leopards, warthogs, baboons and lions – so keep those eyes peeled. (L,D) DAY 2 LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK TO ELDORET. Today we’ll kick it north through the highlands to Eldoret, a thriving town on the Kenya-Uganda highway. Grab dinner and go exploring before we move on to Kampala tomorrow. (B,L,D)

DAY 3 ELDORET TO KAMPALA, UGANDA. Get ready to roll into Uganda’s bustling capital city. With a rich history to explore (not to mention a whole bunch of shops, attractions and gardens) you certainly won’t be short of things to do here. (B,L,D) DAY 4 KAMPALA TO QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK. Wakey wakey! Today we’re travelling west to Queen Elizabeth National Park, crossing over the equator and past lush banana plantations and tangled forests along the way. (B,L,D)

DAYS 6-8 QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK TO LAKE BUNYONYI. Quick fact: the Lake Bunyonyi region is home to the world’s remaining 770 mountain gorillas, many of which inhabit the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. On the day of our trek, we’ll meet our local guide and tracker bright and early before splitting into small groups and venturing into the rainforest. The trek can be demanding at times (look out for uneven terrain and hill climbs), but trust us – the privilege of spending time with a family of these gentle giants will make the effort totally worthwhile. Excited yet? We sure are! What can you do at Lake Bunyonyi when you’re not trekking, you ask? Good question. Take your pick from our optionals: hire a canoe, hop on a boat trip or check out a traditional dance performance. If you’re all about the animal life, you can even indulge in a spot of bird watching. Wanna chill? We won’t judge. You’ll have plenty of time to relax around camp and send a few postcards home. (B,L,D) (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAY 9 LAKE BUNYONYI TO KAMPALA. After your once-in-a-lifetime gorilla experience, it’s time to venture out of the wilderness and back into civilisation as we hit the road to Kampala. (B,L,D) DAYS 10-12 KAMPALA TO JINJA. Onwards to Jinja, where there’s an opportunity to assist a local charity in building and improving community schools. It’s also a great place for other optionals like kayaking, whitewater rafting and bird watching. (B,L,D) (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAY 13 JINJA TO ELDORET, KENYA. After our excitement-filled break in Jinja we’ll retrace our steps across the border into Kenya. Then: it’s off to Eldoret we go! Tonight, share a few laughs with your travel


OVERLAND - AFRICA

71

‘This tour went above and beyond my wildest expectations. I would do it again in a heartbeat!’ - Katarina

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: MOUNTAIN GORILLAS, CAMPING

buds and toast the end of your trip with one last night around the campfire. (B,L,D)

DAY 14 ELDORET TO NAIROBI. After breakfast we’ll carry on along the Rift Valley to Nairobi, where our Gorilla Encounter trip will wrap up. Make sure you swap numbers – you’ll want to relive the amazing experiences you’ve shared time and time again! #gorillalife (B) Please note: Due to the endangered nature of mountain gorillas, visitors are strictly limited and a Gorilla Trek Permit must be purchased in advance, normally at the time of booking. Permit costs are controlled by the Ugandan authorities and are subject to change.

This is a sector of the 58 Day Ultimate African Overlander trip. See p.86 or visit our website.

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED)

TRIP CODE: ZOKCGN S TA R T

++ ++ ++ ++

Visit the Great Rift Valley Visit Lake Nakuru National Park Visit Queen Elizabeth National Park Mountain gorilla trek (part of Gorilla permit payment) ++ Chimpanzee trek (part of Gorilla permit payment)

FINISH 2019

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ 13 breakfasts (B), 13 lunches (L), 13 dinners (D) ++ 13 nights in 2-person dome tents or twin-share accommodation ++ Fully equipped safari vehicle ++ Camping and cooking equipment ++ Awesome Trip Leader and Driver

TOP OPTIONALS

S TA R T

FINISH

24

AUG

6

SEP

5

JAN

18

JAN

14

SEP

27

SEP

12

JAN

25

JAN

21

SEP

4

OCT

2

FEB

15

FEB

12

OCT

25

OCT

9

FEB

22

FEB

19

OCT

1

NOV

2

MAR

15

MAR

9

NOV

22

NOV

9

MAR

22

MAR

16

NOV

29

NOV

30

MAR

12

APR

7

DEC

20

DEC

6

APR

19

APR

14

DEC

27

DEC

27

APR

10

MAY

2020

4

MAY

17

MAY

4

JAN

17

25

MAY

7

JUN

11

JAN

24

JAN JAN

1

JUN

14

JUN

1

FEB

14

FEB

22

JUN

5

JUL

8

FEB

21

FEB

29

JUN

12

JUL

29

FEB

13

MAR

20

JUL

2

AUG

7

MAR

20

MAR

27

JUL

9

AUG

28

MAR

10

APR

17

AUG

30

AUG

CAMPING TRIP PRICE OF $2535 + $210 ADVENTURE PASS = $2745 + $1025 GORILLA PERMIT

++ Whitewater rafting in Jinja ++ Community school project

ACCOMMODATED TRIP PRICE OF $3375 + $210 ADVENTURE PASS = $3585 + $1025 GORILLA PERMIT

START MEET AT 8AM IN NAIROBI FINISH APPROXIMATELY 6PM IN NAIROBI

Price based on Per Person twin-share tents

14 DAYS FROM

2745

$

AUD PER PERSON All items listed in the ‘Bucket List’ and ‘More Inclusions’ are included in the price of your trip. The total trip price is inclusive of the Adventure Pass, which is compulsory for all trips (see p.58). All other activities mentioned are optional and may cost extra (but are too awesome to miss out).

GREAT RIFT VALLEY

M RO Y F UD N A D A O R 97 S P E $1 P E R R PE


19 D A Y | D E S E R T T R A C K E R

OVERLAND - AFRICA

72

CAPE TOWN

YOUR ROUTE

1 STOP & STAY

LIVINGSTONE

47

MEALS

4

COUNTRIES

SECTOR

DAY STOP FINSIH

Livingstone Kasane

BOTSWANA 1

Etosha National Park

ZAMBIA 1

Chobe National Park Chobe National Park

2

Okavango Delta 1

1 Nata

Maun 1 1 Spitzkoppe 1

Ghanzi 1

Swakopmund 2

1

Windhoek Solitaire 1 NAMIBIA

Sesriem area

1

Fish River Canyon 1

1 Gariep (Orange) River SOUTH AFRICA

1 Cederberg Region START

Cape Town

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: SWAKOPMUND, FISH RIVER CANYON

TRIP CODE: ZOCKCL S TA R T

FINISH 2019

S TA R T

FINISH

24

AUG

11

SEP

12

JAN

30

JAN

7

SEP

25

SEP

26

JAN

13

FEB

21

SEP

9

OCT

9

FEB

27

FEB

5

OCT

23

OCT

23

FEB

13

MAR

19

OCT

6

NOV

9

MAR

27

MAR

2

NOV

20

NOV

23

MAR

10

APR

16

NOV

4

DEC

6

APR

24

APR

30

NOV

18

DEC

20

APR

8

MAY

14

DEC

1

JAN

4

MAY

22

MAY

28

DEC

15

JAN

18

MAY

5

JUN

2020

1

JUN

19

JUN

11

JAN

29

JAN

15

JUN

3

JUL

25

JAN

12

FEB

29

JUN

17

JUL

8

FEB

26

FEB

13

JUL

31

JUL

22

FEB

11

MAR

27

JUL

14

AUG

7

MAR

25

MAR

10

AUG

28

AUG

21

MAR

8

APR

CAMPING TRIP PRICE OF $2865 + $680 ADVENTURE PASS = $3545 ACCOMMODATED TRIP PRICE OF $5135 + $680 ADVENTURE PASS = $5815 Price based on Per Person twin-share tents

19 DAYS FROM

3545

$

AUD PER PERSON All items listed in the ‘Bucket List’ and ‘More Inclusions’ are included in the price of your trip. The total trip price is inclusive of the Adventure Pass, which is compulsory for all trips (see p.58). All other activities mentioned are optional and may cost extra (but are too awesome to miss out).

M RO YF D DA AU ON R 87 S P E $1 P E R R PE

This is a sector of the 41 Day Cape Town to Kenya trip. See p.84 or visit our website.

DAYS 1-2 CAPE TOWN TO GARIEP (ORANGE) RIVER, SOUTH AFRICA VIA WESTERN CAPE. What’s up, South Africa! Today: say hello to the group, head out on a Cape Town Township tour, then roll north to the Gariep (Orange) River. (L,D) (B,L,D) DAYS 3-4 GARIEP (ORANGE) RIVER TO NAMIB NAUKLUFT PARK, NAMIBIA VIA FISH RIVER CANYON. First up: Fish River Canyon. Next, we’ll head to Namib Naukluft Park. Who’s up for climbing the world’s highest dunes? (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAYS 5-7 NAMIB NAUKLUFT PARK TO SWAKOPMUND VIA SOLITAIRE. Check out the imposing Dune 45 and Sesriem Canyon, then enjoy a few days of adventure activities in Swakopmund. Wanna tick off some bucket list items? This is the place to do it! (B,L,D) (B) (B) DAYS 8-10 SWAKOPMUND TO ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK VIA SPITZKOPPE. First things first: we’ll stay among the eerie rock formations at Spitzkoppe, a series of dramatic granite peaks rising above the plains. Then: it’s on to Etosha National Park for a game drive. Yessss! (B,L,D) (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAYS 11-12 ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK TO GHANZI VIA WINDHOEK. Our next stop is Namibia’s capital: Windhoek. Inside tip: visit Joe's Beer House. After that, we’ll crack on to Ghanzi for a Kalahari Bushman walk. Tsamma melon, anyone? (B,L) (B,L,D) DAYS 13-14 GHANZI TO OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA VIA MAUN. After a stop at Maun, we’ll head into beautiful Botswana and the Okavango Delta. By day we’ll view game on foot (AND from mokoro canoes), and by night we’ll camp out under the stars and watch the sky sparkle. (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAYS 15-16 OKAVANGO DELTA TO ELEPHANT SANDS VIA MAUN. Onwards to our bush lodge in Elephant Sands. We’ll give you one guess what you’ll see here! As there are no fences, the animals roam freely from one waterhole to the next. Ah-mazing. (B,L,D) (B,L,D)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

Cape Town Township tour See Sossusvlei and Dune 45 See the Spitzkoppe Bushman paintings Visit Etosha National Park Kalahari Bushman walk Okavango Delta mokoro/walking safari Visit Chobe National Park Fish eagle boat cruise Visit Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park (Victoria Falls)

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ 18 breakfasts (B), 15 lunches (L), 14 dinners (D) ++ 18 nights in 2-person dome tents or twin-share accommodation ++ Fully equipped safari vehicle ++ Camping and cooking equipment ++ Awesome Trip Leader and Driver

TOP OPTIONALS ++ Sandboarding in Swakopmund ++ Bungy jump at Victoria Falls START DEPART AT 8AM FROM CAPE TOWN FINISH APPROXIMATELY 6PM IN LIVINGSTONE

DAYS 17-18 ELEPHANT SANDS TO LIVINGSTONE, ZAMBIA VIA CHOBE NATIONAL PARK. Bye-bye Elephant Sands, hello Chobe National Park. Keep an eye out for African fish eagles, elephants, hippos and buffaloes on our boat cruise! From Chobe, we’ll cross into Zambia and drive to our riverside camp in the mighty city of Livingstone. (B,L,D) (B) DAY 19 LIVINGSTONE. Even though our trip ends here, there’s still plenty of time to try the awesome optional activities around Victoria Falls. Think: whitewater rafting, bungy jumping and more! (B)


19 D A Y | S O U T H W E S T S A FA R I CAPE TOWN

YOUR ROUTE

47

4

MEALS

1 STOP & STAY

COUNTRIES

OVERLAND - AFRICA

LIVINGSTONE

73

SECTOR

DAY STOP START

Livingstone

ZAMBIA 1

Kasane

Etosha National Park

2

1

BOTSWANA

Chobe National Park

1 Nata

Okavango Delta 1

Maun 1 1 Ghanzi 1

Spitzkoppe 1 Swakopmund 2

1

Windhoek Solitaire 1 NAMIBIA

Sesriem area

1

Fish River Canyon 1

1 Gariep (Orange) River SOUTH AFRICA

1 Cederberg area FINISH

Cape Town

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK

DAYS 1-2 LIVINGSTONE, ZAMBIA TO CHOBE NATIONAL PARK, BOTSWANA. Meet the group and prepare for adventure! We’ll kick things off in Livingstone. Anyone for optional bungy jumping over Victoria Falls? On day two we’ll make our way to Chobe National Park in Botswana, where we’ll hit the water on a game viewing boat cruise. Sit back and watch elephants, buffaloes and hippos in the river shallows. Awesome! (B,L,D) DAY 3 CHOBE NATIONAL PARK TO NATA. We’ll start the day with an early morning game drive before continuing on to our next campsite. (B,L,D) DAYS 4-5 NATA TO OKAVANGO DELTA VIA MAUN. Our next stop is Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta. Explore the waterways and swaying grasses of this wetland habitat on foot AND dugout canoe (mokoro), and keep an eye out for hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes and elephants as you go. Unforgettable. (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAYS 6-7 OKAVANGO DELTA TO GHANZI VIA MAUN. In Western Botswana we’ll join a guided walk to see how people live in the Kalahari Desert. Listen closely and learn the A-Z of the area. (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAYS 8-10 GHANZI TO ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK, NAMIBIA VIA WINDHOEK. Over to Namibia for a stop in Windhoek. Then: we’ll make tracks to the arid terrain of Etosha National Park for more game viewing. (B,L) (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAY 11 ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK TO SPITZKOPPE. Next, we’ll set up camp at the eerie and spectacular Spitzkoppe and check out a few of those awesome Bushman paintings. (B,L,D) DAYS 12-13 SPITZKOPPE TO SWAKOPMUND. You’ve got two nights in Swakopmund, with plenty of optional adventure activities to get stuck into. Try skydiving or quad biking – or just soak up the atmosphere in one of the cafés. (B) (B) DAYS 14-15 SWAKOPMUND TO SESRIEM AREA VIA SOLITAIRE. Time to crack on to the desert landscapes of Namib Naukluft Park, home to the highest sand

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

TRIP CODE: ZOKCLC

Visit Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park (Victoria Falls) Visit Chobe National Park Okavango Delta mokoro/walking safari Kalahari Bushman walk Visit Etosha National Park See the Spitzkoppe Bushman paintings See Sossusvlei and Dune 45

S TA R T

FINISH 2019

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ 18 breakfasts (B), 15 lunches (L), 14 dinners (D) ++ 18 nights in 2-person dome tents or twin-share accommodation ++ Fully equipped safari vehicle ++ Camping and cooking equipment ++ Awesome Trip Leader and Driver

TOP OPTIONALS

S TA R T

FINISH

28

AUG

15

SEP

2

JAN

20

JAN

11

SEP

29

SEP

16

JAN

3

FEB

25

SEP

13

OCT

30

JAN

17

FEB

9

OCT

27

OCT

13

FEB

3

MAR

23

OCT

10

NOV

27

FEB

17

MAR

6

NOV

24

NOV

13

MAR

31

MAR

20

NOV

8

DEC

27

MAR

14

APR

4

DEC

22

DEC

10

APR

28

APR

18

DEC

5

JAN

24

APR

12

MAY

2020

8

MAY

26

MAY

1

JAN

19

JAN

22

MAY

9

JUN

15

JAN

2

FEB

5

JUN

23

JUN

29

JAN

16

FEB

19

JUN

7

JUL

12

FEB

1

MAR

3

JUL

21

JUL

26

FEB

15

MAR

17

JUL

4

AUG

11

MAR

29

MAR

31

JUL

18

AUG

25

MAR

12

APR

14

AUG

1

SEP

CAMPING TRIP PRICE OF $2865 + $610 ADVENTURE PASS = $3475

++ Zambezi sunset cruise ++ Quad biking in Swakopmund

ACCOMMODATED TRIP PRICE OF $5135 + $610 ADVENTURE PASS = $5745

START DEPART AT 8AM FROM LIVINGSTONE FINISH APPROXIMATELY 6PM IN CAPE TOWN

Price based on Per Person twin-share tents

dunes on the planet (we’re looking at you, Dune 45). We’ll also head off on a Sossusvlei shuttle to see the Sesriem Canyon and take a guided walk. (B,L,D) (B,L,D)

DAYS 16-18 SESRIEM AREA TO CEDERBERG AREA, SOUTH AFRICA VIA FISH RIVER CANYON AND GARIEP (ORANGE) RIVER. We’ll check out the magnificent Fish River Canyon before continuing on to South Africa. Here, we’ll spend one night by the Gariep (Orange) River and another in the fertile Western Cape. (B,L,D) (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAY 19 CEDERBERG AREA TO CAPE TOWN. Our epic journey will wind up in stunning Cape Town. (B)

19 DAYS FROM

3475

$

AUD PER PERSON All items listed in the ‘Bucket List’ and ‘More Inclusions’ are included in the price of your trip. The total trip price is inclusive of the Adventure Pass, which is compulsory for all trips (see p.58). All other activities mentioned are optional and may cost extra (but are too awesome to miss out).

This is a sector of the 58 Day Ultimate African Overlander trip. See p.86 or visit our website.

M RO Y F UD N A D A O R 83 S P E $1 P E R R PE


20 D A Y | K R U G E R T O C A P E T O W N

OVERLAND - AFRICA

74

PRETORIA

CAPE TOWN

51

MEALS

3

COUNTRIES

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: MOUNTAIN ZEBRA NATIONAL PARK, HERMANUS, DRAKENSBERG, CAPE TOWN

YOUR ROUTE

1 STOP & STAY

DAY 5 MLILWANE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY. Listen up! Today we’ll say hello to our Swazi guide, who’ll clue us up on the local area while showing us around the Royal Enclosure. After lunch, you’ll have optionals galore to choose from – so flex your freedom! (B,L,D)

DAY STOP

Kruger National Park Hazyview

SOUTH AFRICA

START

Pretoria

2 Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary SWAZILAND

Drakensberg

1 St Lucia

LESOTHO 2

Malealea 2

2 Durban 2 Underberg area

Mountain Zebra National Park 1 Addo Elephant National Park FINISH

Cape Town

1

Oudtshoorn

1

1 Port Elizabeth

Storms River

Hermanus

DAY 2 HAZYVIEW INCLUDING KRUGER NATIONAL PARK VISIT. Today = Kruger National Park. This place is home to 500 species of birds, 148 species of mammals and oodles of reptiles, not to mention the Big Five. (B,L,D)

DAYS 7-8 ST LUCIA TO DURBAN. Next up: Durban, South Africa’s third largest city. Anyone for an optional city tour? Top tip: head to the Golden Mile beachfront. (B) (B) DAY 9 DURBAN TO UNDERBERG AREA. See ya later, Durban! Today we’ll make tracks to the Underberg area, where there are plenty of optional hikes and walks to get involved in. Get out there and explore! (B,L,D) DAY 10 UNDERBERG AREA INCLUDING SANI PASS VISIT. Expect some incredible views and winding mountain roads today: we’re heading out to see the EPIC Sani Pass. (B,L,D) DAYS 11-12 UNDERBERG AREA TO DRAKENSBERG VIA BATTLEFIELDS. First things first: we’ll visit the site of the famous Battle of Blood River and pay our respects. Then: it’s onwards to Drakensberg, where we’ll take a look around the Royal Natal National Park (and hike Tugela Falls, if you fancy it). (B,L,D) (B,L,D)

1

DAY 1 PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA TO HAZYVIEW. Welcome to Pretoria! Meet your new Topdeck family and sling your stuff on the truck, then it’s away we go to Hazyview. On the way, we’ll check out the Panorama Route. Just get a load of that view! (D)

DAY 6 MLILWANE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY TO ST LUCIA, SOUTH AFRICA. Stunning St Lucia is calling. Today you can soak it all up on a boat cruise in a World Heritage-listed lagoon. This is the life... (B,L,D)

DAY 3 HAZYVIEW INCLUDING KRUGER NATIONAL PARK VISIT. Rise and shine for a 4x4 safari experience. See just how many animals you can spot in one day (hint: it’ll be a lot). (B,L,D) DAY 4 HAZYVIEW TO MLILWANE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, SWAZILAND. Ready to roll into the Kingdom of Swaziland? Yeah you are! Why not opt in for a mountain biking tour or horse ride while you’re here? (B,L,D)

DAYS 13-14 DRAKENSBERG TO MALEALEA, LESOTHO. See ya later, Drakensberg – we’re off to Malealea, where we’ll camp out for the next two nights. Optionals? You’ve got three. Hiking, pony trekking or mountain biking? (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAY 15 MALEALEA TO MOUNTAIN ZEBRA NATIONAL PARK, SOUTH AFRICA. Hop on the truck – we’re heading back to South Africa. What do you think we’ll see at Mountain Zebra National Park? We’ll give you one guess! (B,L,D)


OVERLAND - AFRICA

75

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: HIPPOPOTAMUS, ELEPHANTS, GIRAFFE

DAY 16 MOUNTAIN ZEBRA NATIONAL PARK TO PORT ELIZABETH VIA ADDO ELEPHANT NATIONAL PARK. Today we’ll do the old switcheroo and swap Mountain Zebra National Park for Addo Elephant National Park. This place is home to over 600 elephants, lions, buffaloes and more (so chances are you’ll strike photo op gold). (B,L,D) DAY 17 PORT ELIZABETH TO STORMS RIVER VIA TSITSIKAMMA FOREST. Ready to get your adrenalin pumping? Good! Not only does Storms River have an awesome name, but it’s also got a bunch of awesome optionals to choose from, too. What’s it gonna be – bungy jumping or tubing? (B,L,D) DAY 18 STORMS RIVER TO OUDTSHOORN. Wakey wakey! Time to kick it to Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of the world (for real). Today we’ll hit up the Cango Caves, Africa's largest show cave system. Ooh, mysterious! You can even opt in to visit the cute lil’ critters at Cango Wildlife Ranch afterwards. (B,L,D) DAY 19 OUDTSHOORN TO HERMANUS. Relaxed and revitalized, we’ll head to Hermanus, a town that’s famous for its whale and dolphin sightings. But first, we’ll make a pitstop at Cape Agulhas – Africa’s southernmost tip. (B,L) DAY 20 HERMANUS TO CAPE TOWN. Our trip will wrap up in Cape Town – but not before we’ve given it a proper send-off with a wine tasting session. Cheers! (B)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

TRIP CODE: ZOSSPC S TA R T

Check out the views on the Panorama Route Visit Kruger National Park Visit Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary St Lucia boat cruise Sani Pass excursion Visit Royal Natal National Park Visit Mountain Zebra National Park Visit Addo Elephant National Park Wine tasting

FINISH 2019

S TA R T

FINISH

17

AUG

5

SEP

5

JAN

24

JAN

31

AUG

19

SEP

19

JAN

7

FEB

14

SEP

3

OCT OCT

2

FEB

21

FEB

28

SEP

17

16

FEB

7

MAR

12

OCT

31

OCT

2

MAR

21

MAR

26

OCT

14

NOV

16

MAR

4

APR

9

NOV

28

NOV

30

MAR

18

APR

23

NOV

12

DEC

13

APR

2

MAY

2020

27

APR

16

MAY

4

JAN

23

JAN

11

MAY

30

MAY

18

JAN

6

FEB

MORE INCLUSIONS

25

MAY

13

JUN

1

FEB

20

FEB

++ 19 breakfasts (B), 16 lunches (L), 16 dinners (D) ++ 19 nights in 2-person dome tents or twin-share accommodation ++ Fully equipped safari vehicle ++ Camping and cooking equipment ++ Awesome Trip Leader and Driver

8

JUN

27

JUN

15

FEB

5

MAR

22

JUN

11

JUL

29

FEB

19

MAR

6

JUL

25

JUL

14

MAR

2

APR

20

JUL

8

AUG

28

MAR

16

APR

3

AUG

22

AUG

CAMPING TRIP PRICE OF $2535 + $370 ADVENTURE PASS = $2905

TOP OPTIONALS ++ Horse riding in Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary ++ Tubing at Storms River START MEET AT 7AM IN PRETORIA FINISH APPROXIMATELY 6PM IN CAPE TOWN

ACCOMMODATED TRIP PRICE OF $3395 + $370 ADVENTURE PASS = $3765 Price based on Per Person twin-share tents

20 DAYS FROM

2905

$

AUD PER PERSON Allitemslistedinthe‘BucketList’and‘MoreInclusions’areincludedinthepriceofyour trip. The total trip price is inclusive of the Adventure Pass, which is compulsory for all trips (see p.58). All other activities mentioned are optional and may cost extra (but are too awesome to miss out).

M RO Y F UD N A D A O R 46 S P E $1 P E R R PE


21 D A Y | E A S T A F R I C A N E X P L O R E R

OVERLAND - AFRICA

76

LIVINGSTONE

YOUR ROUTE

1 STOP & STAY

NAIROBI

52

MEALS

4

COUNTRIES

SECTOR

DAY STOP

FINISH

Nairobi

KENYA

Serengeti National Park 1 Ngorongoro Crater 1

1 1 1

Marangu

Arusha Zanzibar

4 Mikumi National Park

1

Chitimba Beach

1 1

1

Iringa

Dar es Salaam

2

Kande Beach

MALAWI 2

South Luangwa National Park

1

2

Lusaka

ZAMBIA

START

Livingstone

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: KANDE BEACH

TRIP CODE: ZOCKLN S TA R T

FINISH 2019

S TA R T

FINISH

30

AUG

19

SEP

4

JAN

24

JAN

13

SEP

3

OCT

18

JAN

7

FEB

27

SEP

17

OCT

1

FEB

21

FEB

11

OCT

31

OCT

15

FEB

7

MAR

25

OCT

14

NOV

1

MAR

21

MAR

8

NOV

28

NOV

15

MAR

4

APR

22

NOV

12

DEC

29

MAR

18

APR

6

DEC

26

DEC

12

APR

2

MAY

20

DEC

9

JAN

26

APR

16

MAY

10

MAY

30

MAY

3

JAN

23

JAN

24

MAY

13

JUN

17

JAN

6

FEB

2020

7

JUN

27

JUN

31

JAN

20

FEB

21

JUN

11

JUL

14

FEB

5

MAR

5

JUL

25

JUL

28

FEB

19

MAR

19

JUL

8

AUG

13

MAR

2

APR

2

AUG

22

AUG

27

MAR

16

APR

16

AUG

5

SEP

CAMPING TRIP PRICE OF $3295 + $1360 ADVENTURE PASS = $4655 ACCOMMODATED TRIP PRICE OF $4505 + $1360 ADVENTURE PASS = $5865 Price based on Per Person twin-share tents

20 DAYS FROM

4655

$

AUD PER PERSON All items listed in the ‘Bucket List’ and ‘More Inclusions’ are included in the price of your trip. The total trip price is inclusive of the Adventure Pass, which is compulsory for all trips (see p.58). All other activities mentioned are optional and may cost extra (but are too awesome to miss out).

M RO YF D DA AU ON R 22 S P E $2 P E R R PE

This is a sector of the 41 Day Cape Town to Kenya trip. See p.84 or visit our website.

DAY 1 LIVINGSTONE TO LUSAKA, ZAMBIA. This. Is. Africa! Today, we’ll kick things off on the banks of the great Zambezi River. Tonight: settle into your campsite and bond with your new Topdeck crew over dinner. (L,D) DAYS 2-3 LUSAKA TO SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK. Climb aboard the truck – we’re off to our camp in South Luangwa. Keep your eyes peeled for lions, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes and more on a game drive, then head out on an optional village tour or walking safari. (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAYS 4-5 SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK TO KANDE BEACH, MALAWI. Kande Beach is a little slice of paradise on the shores of Lake Malawi. What you do here is up to you. Wanna grab a slice of the optionals? How about horse riding, snorkelling or scuba diving? (B,L,D) (B,L,D)

DAYS 6-7 KANDE BEACH TO CHITIMBA BEACH. Our next stop is Chitimba Beach. Soak up the rays or head out on an optional hike to Livingstonia. (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAY 8 CHITIMBA BEACH TO IRINGA, TANZANIA. Today we’ll climb through Tanzania’s Southern Highlands all the way to Kisolanza Farm House – a working farm famous for its hot showers and chocolate brownies. (B,L,D) DAYS 9-10 IRINGA TO DAR ES SALAAM VIA MIKUMI. Onwards to Mikumi! Here, we’ll sip sundowners at the local bar and spend the evening around the open fire after an optional National Park visit. Next up: Dar es Salaam. (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAYS 11-14 DAR ES SALAAM TO ZANZIBAR. Once a historic trading centre, modern Zanzibar is the ultimate island getaway. Spend your time lounging on the palmfringed beaches, ticking off the must-sees, or going for the optional scuba diving or snorkelling. (B) (B) (B) (B) DAYS 15-17 ZANZIBAR TO ARUSHA VIA DAR ES SALAAM AND MARANGU. We’re back in Dar for a night before we head inland to Marangu. If the weather’s right, we might catch a glimpse of Mt Kilimanjaro en route! Once in Arusha we’ll visit a Maasai village. (B,D) (B,L,D) (B,L,D)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

Visit Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park (Victoria Falls) Visit South Luangwa National Park Visit Lake Malawi Visit Mikumi National Park Visit Zanzibar Visit a Maasai village Visit Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ 20 breakfasts (B), 16 lunches (L), 16 dinners (D) ++ 20 nights in 2-person dome tents or twin-share accommodation ++ Return ferry tickets from Dar Es Salaam to Zanzibar ++ Fully equipped safari vehicle ++ Camping and cooking equipment ++ Awesome Trip Leader and Driver

TOP OPTIONALS ++ Snorkelling safari in Zanzibar ++ Camel ride in Arusha START DEPART AT 8AM FROM LIVINGSTONE FINISH APPROXIMATELY 6PM IN NAIROBI

DAYS 18-19 ARUSHA TO SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK AND NGORONGORO CRATER. Wave bye-bye to the truck for now – we’re downsizing. Jump in a 4x4 and get excited! The epic Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater are next. Keep your eyes peeled for the Big Five. (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAYS 20-21 NGORONGORO CRATER TO NAIROBI, KENYA VIA ARUSHA. We’ve got one last night in Arusha before hitting the home straight to Nairobi. Swap numbers and start planning the next adventure. (B,L,D) (B,L)


2 2 D A Y | Z A N Z I B A R , V I C FA L L S & K R U G E R PRETORIA

YOUR ROUTE

49

MEALS

5

1 STOP & STAY

COUNTRIES

SECTOR

DAY STOP

Zanzibar

Mikumi National Park

1

Chitimba Beach Kande Beach

MALAWI

Chipata

1

OVERLAND - AFRICA

DAR ES SALAAM

77

1

1

START

Dar es Salaam

TAZANIA

Iringa

2 2

1

Lusaka

Livingstone

ZAMBIA

4

Matobo National Park

2

Bulawayo

ZIMBABWE

Tshipise

1 Kruger National Park

2

Hazyview

FINISH

Pretoria

SOUTH AFRICA

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: LIVINGSTONE, TRADITIONAL BANANA AND LENTILS

DAYS 1-4 DAR ES SALAAM AND ZANZIBAR, TANZANIA. After catching a ferry to Zanzibar, we’ve got three days of chill time lined up on Spice Island. Explore Stone Town’s alleyways, architecture and markets, then feel free to get your beach on. We’re talking white sands, leaning palms and warm tropical waters. There’s even optional snorkelling and scuba diving to get involved with. (B) (B) (B,D) DAYS 5-6 DAR ES SALAAM TO IRINGA VIA MIKUMI. We’ll stop off at Mikumi (optional game drive, anyone?) for a night before getting a wriggle on to Iringa. Get excited: Lake Malawi’s next! (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAYS 7-8 IRINGA TO CHITIMBA BEACH, MALAWI. Lake Malawi’s calling! Prep your bathers for two days of swimming, lounging and camping at Chitimba Beach. You could even check out the mountain views on a hike to Livingstonia. (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAYS 9-10 CHITIMBA BEACH TO KANDE BEACH. Another day, another beach to get comfy on. Optionals? Choose from horse riding, snorkelling, scuba diving or a walk to a local village. (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAYS 11-12 KANDE BEACH TO LUSAKA, ZAMBIA VIA CHIPATA. Bye, Malawi. Hello, Zambia! First up, we’ll check out Chipata. Then, it’s onwards to the country’s capital: Lusaka. (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAYS 13-16 LUSAKA TO LIVINGSTONE. Our base for the next few days is Livingstone, which sits right next to the impressive Victoria Falls. This is Africa’s adventure capital, so get out there and make the most of it! We’ve got optional whitewater rafting, gorge swinging and even bungy jumping to fulfil all of your adventure needs. If you want to take it easy, you could go fishing or take a sunset cruise on the Zambezi (both optional). (B,L) (B) (B) (B) DAYS 17-19 LIVINGSTONE TO TSHIPISE, SOUTH AFRICA, VIA BULAWAYO AND MATOBO NATIONAL PARK, ZIMBABWE. When you’re all tuckered out from waterfall-based activities, we’ll move on to Bulawayo – the gateway to Matobo National Park.

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

TRIP CODE: ZOKIDP

Visit Zanzibar Visit Lake Malawi Visit Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park (Victoria Falls) Visit Matobo National Park Shangaan cultural evening Visit Kruger National Park

S TA R T

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ 21 breakfasts (B), 14 lunches (L), 14 dinners (D) ++ 21 nights in 2-person dome tents or twin-share accommodation ++ Return ferry tickets from Dar Es Salaam to Zanzibar ++ Fully equipped safari vehicle ++ Camping and cooking equipment ++ Awesome Trip Leader and Driver

++ Zanzibar spice tour ++ Gorge swinging at Victoria Falls

After a game drive and wilderness walk, we’ll make tracks to Tshipise. (B,L,D) (B,L,D) (B,L,D)

DAYS 20-21 TSHIPISE TO HAZYVIEW. There’s still more wildlife to see, so hop on the truck! Our next stop is Hazyview, which is conveniently located right next to the mighty Kruger National Park. A Shangaan cultural evening will make us feel at home right in time for our final game drive. Big Five, we’re coming for you! (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAY 22 HAZYVIEW TO PRETORIA. Wahhhh – it’s over already? Thanks for the memories, Africa! (B)

1

JAN

S TA R T

FINISH

27

AUG

17

SEP

SEP

1

OCT OCT

22

JAN

10

15

JAN

5

FEB

24

SEP

15

29

JAN

19

FEB

8

OCT

29

OCT

12

FEB

5

MAR

22

OCT

12

NOV

26

FEB

19

MAR

5

NOV

26

NOV

12

MAR

2

APR

19

NOV

10

DEC

26

MAR

16

APR

3

DEC

24

DEC

9

APR

30

APR

17

DEC

7

JAN

23

APR

14

MAY

31

DEC

21

JAN

7

MAY

28

MAY

21

MAY

11

JUN

14

JAN

4

4

JUN

25

JUN

28

JAN

18

FEB

18

JUN

9

JUL

11

FEB

3

MAR

2020 FEB

2

JUL

23

JUL

25

FEB

17

MAR

16

JUL

6

AUG

10

MAR

31

MAR

30

JUL

20

AUG

24

MAR

14

APR

13

AUG

3

SEP

CAMPING TRIP PRICE OF $3835 + $125 ADVENTURE PASS = $3960

TOP OPTIONALS

START DEPART AT 7AM FROM DAR ES SALA AM FINISH APPROXIMATELY 6PM IN PRETORIA

FINISH 2019

ACCOMMODATED TRIP PRICE OF $5485 + $125 ADVENTURE PASS = $5610 Price based on Per Person twin-share tents

22 DAYS FROM

3960

$

AUD PER PERSON All items listed in the ‘Bucket List’ and ‘More Inclusions’ are included in the price of your trip. The total trip price is inclusive of the Adventure Pass, which is compulsory for all trips (see p.58). All other activities mentioned are optional and may cost extra (but are too awesome to miss out).

This is a sector of the 58 Day Ultimate African Overlander trip. See p.86 or visit our website.

M RO Y F UD N A D A O R 80 S P E $1 P E R R PE


2 3 D A Y | K R U G E R , V I C FA L L S & Z A N Z I B A R

OVERLAND - AFRICA

78

PRETORIA

YOUR ROUTE

1 STOP & STAY

DAR ES SALAAM

51

MEALS

5

COUNTRIES

SECTOR

DAY STOP Zanzibar

4 Mikumi National Park

1

1

1

FINISH

Dar es Salaam

Iringa

TAZANIA

Chitimba Beach

2

Kande Beach

MALAWI 2

South Luangwa National Park

1

2

Lusaka

Livingstone

ZAMBIA

Matobo National Park

2

Bulawayo

ZIMBABWE

1

Tshipise

Kruger National Park

2

Hazyview

START

Pretoria

SOUTH AFRICA

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: ZANZIBAR

TRIP CODE: ZOKIPD S TA R T

FINISH 2019

S TA R T

FINISH

22

AUG

13

SEP

10

JAN

1

FEB

5

SEP

27

SEP

24

JAN

15

FEB

19

SEP

11

OCT

7

FEB

1

MAR

3

OCT

25

OCT

21

FEB

15

MAR

17

OCT

8

NOV

7

MAR

29

MAR

31

OCT

22

NOV

21

MAR

12

APR

14

NOV

6

DEC

4

APR

26

APR

28

NOV

20

DEC

18

APR

10

MAY

12

DEC

3

JAN

2

MAY

24

MAY

26

DEC

17

JAN

16

MAY

7

JUN

30

MAY

21

JUN

9

JAN

31

JAN

13

JUN

5

JUL

23

JAN

14

FEB

27

JUN

19

JUL

6

FEB

28

FEB

2020

11

JUL

2

AUG

20

FEB

13

MAR

25

JUL

16

AUG

5

MAR

27

MAR

8

AUG

30

AUG

19

MAR

10

APR

CAMPING TRIP PRICE OF $4055 + $300 ADVENTURE PASS = $4355 ACCOMMODATED TRIP PRICE OF $5845 + $300 ADVENTURE PASS = $6145 Price based on Per Person twin-share tents

23 DAYS FROM

4355

$

AUD PER PERSON All items listed in the ‘Bucket List’ and ‘More Inclusions’ are included in the price of your trip. The total trip price is inclusive of the Adventure Pass, which is compulsory for all trips (see p.58). All other activities mentioned are optional and may cost extra (but are too awesome to miss out).

M RO YF D DA AU ON R 90 S P E $1 P E R R PE

This is a sector of the 41 Day Cape Town to Kenya trip. See p.84 or visit our website.

DAYS 1-3 PRETORIA TO TSHIPISE VIA HAZYVIEW, SOUTH AFRICA. Meet the group in Pretoria, hop on the truck and get a move on to Hazyview. Kruger National Park is just next door. After a Shangaan dance show on night one, we’ll kick off with game drives on days two and three. We’re in Big Five territory FYI. (D) (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAYS 4-5 TSHIPISE TO BULAWAYO, ZIMBABWE INCLUDING MATOBO NATIONAL PARK VISIT. Set a course for Matobo National Park. Here, we have another game drive in store. We’ll rest up at our campsite in Bulawayo for the next two nights. (B,L,D) (B,L,D)

DAYS 6-8 BULAWAYO TO LIVINGSTONE, ZAMBIA. We’re in Livingstone, home to the mighty Victoria Falls! This place has got optionals for days. Choose from bungy jumping, gorge swinging, jet boating, whitewater rafting or abseiling. Not into high-octane stuff? An optional sunset cruise or fishing session could be the one for you. (B) (B) (B) DAY 9 LIVINGSTONE TO LUSAKA. Our next stop is a farm on the outskirts of Lusaka. (B,L,D) DAYS 10-11 LUSAKA TO SOUTH LUANGWA INCLUDING SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK VISIT. Another game drive? Don’t mind if we do. Play ‘I spy’ with the animals, then take your pick from South Luangwa’s optionals: village tour or walking safari? (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAYS 12-13 SOUTH LUANGWA TO KANDE BEACH, MALAWI. Kande Beach is a little slice of paradise on the shores of Lake Malawi. Horse riding, snorkelling or scuba diving are optionals here. (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAYS 14-15 KANDE BEACH TO CHITIMBA BEACH. Our next stop is Chitimba Beach. Soak up the rays or head out on an optional hike to Livingstonia. (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAY 16 CHITIMBA BEACH TO IRINGA, TANZANIA. Today we’ll climb through Tanzania’s Southern Highlands all the way to Kisolanza Farm House – a working farmhouse famous for its hot showers and chocolate brownies. (B,L,D)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

Shangaan cultural evening Visit Kruger National Park Visit Matobo National Park Visit Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park (Victoria Falls) Visit South Luangwa National Park Visit Lake Malawi Visit Zanzibar

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ 22 breakfasts (B), 14 lunches (L), 15 dinners (D) ++ 22 nights in 2-person dome tents or twin-share accommodation ++ Return ferry tickets from Dar Es Salaam to Zanzibar ++ Fully equipped safari vehicle ++ Camping and cooking equipment ++ Awesome Trip Leader and Driver

TOP OPTIONALS ++ Sunset Zambezi cruise ++ Scuba diving in Zanzibar START DEPART AT 7AM FROM PRETORIA FINISH APPROXIMATELY 5PM IN DAR ES SALA AM

DAYS 17-18 IRINGA TO DAR ES SALAAM VIA MIKUMI. Onwards to Mikumi! Here, we’ll sip sundowners at the local bar after an optional National Park visit. Next up: Dar es Salaam. (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAYS 19-22 DAR ES SALAAM TO ZANZIBAR. Spend your time in Zanzibar lounging on the palm-fringed beaches, ticking off the must-sees, or scuba diving or snorkelling (optional). (B) (B) (B) (B) DAY 23 ZANZIBAR TO DAR ES SALAAM. Quick! You’ve still got one morning left to work on that five-star tan! After breakfast it’s back to Dar es Salaam. (B)


24 DAY | S O U T H E A S T A D V E N T U R E LIVINGSTONE

YOUR ROUTE

59

4

MEALS

1 STOP & STAY

COUNTRIES

OVERLAND - AFRICA

NAIROBI

79

SECTOR

DAY STOP

Maasai Mara 2 1

START

Nairobi KENYA

Serengeti National Park 1

1 Ngorongoro Crater

1 1 Arusha TANZANIA

Zanzibar

Bagamoyo 1

1 1 Dar es Salaam 1 Mikumi National Park

Iringa 1

Chitimba Beach 2 MALAWI 2 Kande Beach Chipata 1 ZAMBIA Lusaka

1

FINISH

Livingstone 2

Victoria Falls

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: MIKUMI NATIONAL PARK, SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

DAYS 1-2 NAIROBI TO MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE, KENYA. After meeting the group in Nairobi, we’ll head across the Great Rift Valley towards Maasai Mara National Reserve. Then: it’s straight into the action with a game drive. Big Five, where you at? (L,D)

(B,L,D)

DAY 3 MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE TO NAIROBI. Swap game drive stories and fuel up for the trip ahead. (B,L,D) DAY 4 NAIROBI TO ARUSHA, TANZANIA. Next stop: Arusha, the home of all things safari. We’ll take a guided walk in a nearby Maasai village (time dependent) and learn about the locals’ traditional culture. If not, don’t worry – we’ll do this on day seven! (B,L,D)

DAYS 5-6 ARUSHA TO SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK AND NGORONGORO CRATER. Wave bye to the truck – in Serengeti National Park, we’ll be using 4x4s to get around. From the Serengeti plains, we’ll climb the steep Ngorongoro Crater and set up camp. (B,L,D)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED)

TRIP CODE: ZOKCNL

++ Visit Maasai Mara National Reserve ++ Maasai village walk ++ Visit Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater ++ Visit Zanzibar ++ Visit Lake Malawi ++ Visit Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park (Victoria Falls)

S TA R T 6

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ 23 breakfasts (B), 18 lunches (L), 18 dinners (D) ++ 23 nights in 2-person dome tents or twin-share accommodation ++ Return ferry tickets from Dar Es Salaam to Zanzibar ++ Fully equipped safari vehicle ++ Camping and cooking equipment ++ Awesome Trip Leader and Driver

(B,L,D)

DAYS 7-9 NGORONGORO CRATER TO BAGAMOYO VIA ARUSHA. Get reacquainted with the truck on the way back to Arusha for a night (and keep an eye out for Mt Kilimanjaro). Bagamoyo is next! (B,L,D) (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAYS 10-13 DAR ES SALAAM AND ZANZIBAR. Zanzibar = paradise. Spend a few days exploring Stone Town’s alleyways and markets, and unwinding on beautiful beaches. (B) (B) (B) (B,D) DAYS 14-15 DAR ES SALAAM TO IRINGA VIA MIKUMI. We’ll stop off at Mikumi (optional game drive, anyone?) for a night before heading to Iringa. Get excited: Lake Malawi’s next! (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAYS 16-17 MIKUMI TO CHITIMBA BEACH, MALAWI. Prep your bathers for two days of swimming, lounging and camping on the sand at Chitimba Beach. You can even check out the mountain views on a hike to Livingstonia if you’re up for it. (B,L,D) (B,L,D)

++ Scuba diving in Zanzibar ++ Bungy jumping at Victoria Falls

DAYS 18-19 CHITIMBA BEACH TO KANDE BEACH. Another day, another beach. Optionals? Choose from horse riding, a snorkelling trip, scuba diving or a walk to a local village. (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAYS 20-21 KANDE BEACH TO LUSAKA, ZAMBIA VIA CHIPATA. First up, we’ll check out Chipata. Then, it’s onwards to the country’s capital: Lusaka. (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAYS 22-24 LUSAKA TO LIVINGSTONE. Our base for the next few days is Livingstone, which sits right next to the incredible Victoria Falls. This is Africa’s adventure capital, so get out there! (B,L) (B) (B)

JAN

S TA R T

FINISH

1

SEP

24

SEP

SEP

8

OCT

29

JAN

15

20

JAN

12

FEB

29

SEP

22

OCT

3

FEB

26

FEB

13

OCT

5

NOV

17

FEB

12

MAR

27

OCT

19

NOV

3

MAR

26

MAR

10

NOV

3

DEC

17

MAR

9

APR

24

NOV

17

DEC

31

MAR

23

APR

8

DEC

31

DEC

14

APR

7

MAY

22

DEC

14

JAN

28

APR

21

MAY

2020

12

MAY

4

JUN

5

JAN

28

JAN

26

MAY

18

JUN

19

JAN

11

FEB

9

JUN

2

JUL

2

FEB

25

FEB

23

JUN

16

JUL

16

FEB

10

MAR

7

JUL

30

JUL

1

MAR

24

MAR

21

JUL

13

AUG

15

MAR

7

APR

4

AUG

27

AUG

29

MAR

21

APR

18

AUG

10

SEP

CAMPING TRIP PRICE OF $3715 + $1950 ADVENTURE PASS = $5665

TOP OPTIONALS

START DEPART AT 8AM FROM NAIROBI FINISH APPROXIMATELY 10AM IN LIVINGSTONE

FINISH 2019

ACCOMMODATED TRIP PRICE OF $5225 + $1950 ADVENTURE PASS = $7175 Price based on Per Person twin-share tents

23 DAYS FROM

5665

$

AUD PER PERSON All items listed in the ‘Bucket List’ and ‘More Inclusions’ are included in the price of your trip. The total trip price is inclusive of the Adventure Pass, which is compulsory for all trips (see p.58). All other activities mentioned are optional and may cost extra (but are too awesome to miss out).

This is a sector of the 58 Day Ultimate African Overlander trip. See p.86 or visit our website.

M RO Y F UD N A D A O R 37 S P E $2 P E R R PE


25 D A Y | S O U T H W E S T S A FA R I

OVERLAND - AFRICA

80

PRETORIA

YOUR ROUTE

1 STOP & STAY

62

CAPE TOWN

MEALS

5

COUNTRIES

SECTOR

DAY STOP Livingstone

ZAMBIA 2

Kasane

Etosha National Park

BOTSWANA

2

1

Okavango Delta 1

Chobe National Park

1 Nata

Matobo National Park

2

Maun 1 1

Bulawayo

ZIMBABWE

Ghanzi 1

Spitzkoppe 1 Swakopmund 2

1

Tshipise

1 Windhoek

Solitaire 1 NAMIBIA

Kruger National Park

2 1

Sesriem area

Hazyview

START

Pretoria

SOUTH AFRICA Fish River Canyon 1

1 Gariep (Orange) River SOUTH AFRICA

1 Cederberg area FINISH

Cape Town

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: FISH RIVER CANYON

TRIP CODE: ZOKIPC S TA R T

FINISH 2019

S TA R T

FINISH

22

AUG

15

SEP

10

JAN

3

FEB

5

SEP

29

SEP

24

JAN

17

FEB

19

SEP

13

OCT

7

FEB

3

MAR

3

OCT

27

OCT

21

FEB

17

MAR

17

OCT

10

NOV

7

MAR

31

MAR

31

OCT

24

NOV

21

MAR

14

APR

14

NOV

8

DEC

4

APR

28

APR

28

NOV

22

DEC

18

APR

12

MAY

12

DEC

5

JAN

26

DEC

19

JAN

2

MAY

26

MAY

16

MAY

9

JUN

30

MAY

23

JUN

9

JAN

2

13

JUN

7

JUL

23

JAN

16

FEB

27

JUN

21

JUL

6

FEB

1

MAR

2020 FEB

11

JUL

4

AUG

20

FEB

15

MAR

25

JUL

18

AUG

5

MAR

29

MAR

8

AUG

1

SEP

19

MAR

12

APR

CAMPING TRIP PRICE OF $4195 + $740 ADVENTURE PASS = $4935 ACCOMMODATED TRIP PRICE OF $6965 + $740 ADVENTURE PASS = $7705 Price based on Per Person twin-share tents

25 DAYS FROM

4935

$

AUD PER PERSON All items listed in the ‘Bucket List’ and ‘More Inclusions’ are included in the price of your trip. The total trip price is inclusive of the Adventure Pass, which is compulsoryforalltrips(seep.58).Allotheractivitiesmentionedareoptional and may cost extra (but are too awesome to miss out).

DAYS 1-3 PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA TO TSHIPISE VIA HAZYVIEW. From Pretoria, we’ll set up camp in Hazyview – next to Kruger National Park. Night one: a Shangaan dance performance. Day two: a game drive. (D) (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAYS 4-5 TSHIPISE TO BULAWAYO, ZIMBABWE INCLUDING MATOBO NATIONAL PARK VISIT. During our two-night stay, there’s a game drive and wilderness walk in Matobo National Park. (B,L,D) (B,L,D)

DAYS 6-7 BULAWAYO TO LIVINGSTONE, ZAMBIA. Our riverside camp is a great base to explore the Victoria Falls region. Choose from whitewater rafting, gorge swinging and bungy jumping (all optional). (B) (B) DAYS 8-9 LIVINGSTONE TO NATA, BOTSWANA VIA KASANE. Chobe National Park’s up next. Watch hippos on a fish eagle boat cruise, then enjoy a game drive. (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAYS 10-11 NATA TO OKAVANGO DELTA VIA MAUN. Our next stop is Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta. Explore the wetlands on foot AND dugout canoe (mokoro). (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAYS 12-13 OKAVANGO DELTA TO GHANZI VIA MAUN. In Western Botswana we’ll join a guided walk to see how people live in the Kalahari Desert. (B,L,D) (B,L,D)

DAYS 14-16 GHANZI TO ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK, NAMIBIA VIA WINDHOEK. Over to Namibia for a stop in Windhoek. Next up: Etosha National Park for more game viewing. (B,L) (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAYS 17-19 ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK TO SWAKOPMUND VIA SPITZKOPPE. Next: check out those awesome Bushman paintings at Spitzkoppe. (B,L,D) (B) (B)

M RO YF D DA AU ON R 98 S P E $1 P E R R PE

This is a sector of the 41 Day Cape Town to Kenya trip. See p.84 or visit our website.

DAYS 20-21 SWAKOPMUND TO SESRIEM AREA VIA SOLITAIRE. Desert landscapes of Namib Naukluft Park await. We’ll also see the Sesriem Canyon and take a guided walk. (B,L,D) (B,L,D)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

Shangaan cultural evening Visit Kruger National Park Visit Matobo National Park Visit Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park (Victoria Falls) Fish eagle boat cruise Visit Chobe National Park Okavango Delta mokoro/walking safari Kalahari Bushman walk Visit Etosha National Park See the Spitzkoppe Bushman paintings See Sossusvlei and Dune 45

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ 24 breakfasts (B), 19 lunches (L), 19 dinners (D) ++ 24 nights in 2-person dome tents or twin-share accommodation ++ Fully equipped safari vehicle ++ Camping and cooking equipment ++ Awesome Trip Leader and Driver

TOP OPTIONALS ++ Canoe safari on the Zambezi ++ Scenic flight over Swakopmund START DEPART AT 7AM FROM PRETORIA FINISH APPROXIMATELY 6PM IN CAPE TOWN

DAYS 22-24 SESRIEM AREA TO CEDERBERG AREA, SOUTH AFRICA VIA FISH RIVER CANYON AND GARIEP (ORANGE) RIVER. From Fish River Canyon to South Africa, we’ll spend one night by the Gariep (Orange) River and one in Western Cape. (B,L,D) (B,L,D) (B,L,D)

DAY 25 CEDERBERG AREA TO CAPE TOWN. Our epic journey will wind up in stunning Cape Town. (B)


25 D A Y | D E S E R T T R A C K E R PRETORIA

YOUR ROUTE

63

5

MEALS

1 STOP & STAY

COUNTRIES

OVERLAND - AFRICA

CAPE TOWN

81

SECTOR

DAY STOP Livingstone

ZAMBIA

Kasane

BOTSWANA

2

1

Etosha National Park

2

1 Nata

Okavango Delta 1

Matobo National Park

2

Maun 1 1

Bulawayo

ZIMBABWE

Ghanzi 1

Spitzkoppe 1 Swakopmund 2

1

Tshipise

1 Windhoek

Solitaire 1 NAMIBIA

Kruger National Park

2 Sesriem area

1

Hazyview

FINISH

Pretoria

SOUTH AFRICA Fish River Canyon 1

1

Gariep (Orange) River

SOUTH AFRICA

1 Cederberg area START

Cape Town

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: MATOBO NATIONAL PARK, OKAVANGO DELTA

DAYS 1-2 CAPE TOWN TO GARIEP (ORANGE) RIVER, SOUTH AFRICA VIA CEDERBERG AREA. Start your adventure with a Township tour and Cederberg pit stop. (L,D) (B,L,D) DAYS 3-4 GARIEP (ORANGE) RIVER TO NAMIB NAUKLUFT PARK, NAMIBIA VIA FISH RIVER CANYON. First up: a stop at Fish River Canyon then onwards to Namib Naukluft Park. (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAYS 5-7 NAMIB NAUKLUFT PARK TO SWAKOPMUND VIA SOLITAIRE. Check out Dune 45 and Sesriem Canyon on a guided walk, then take on optional adventure activities in Swakopmund. (B,L,D) (B) (B)

DAYS 8-10 SWAKOPMUND TO ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK VIA SPITZKOPPE. Camp among rock formations at Spitzkoppe before heading to Etosha National Park. Get excited – it’s game drive time! (B,L,D) (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAYS 11-12 ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK TO GHANZI, BOTSWANA VIA WINDHOEK. Shimmy south to Windhoek then Ghanzi. Go on a Kalahari Bushman walk and opt in to see a traditional dance. (B,L) (B,L,D) DAYS 13-14 GHANZI TO OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA VIA MAUN. After a night in Maun, we’ll canoe to our campsite in the Okavango Delta. Safari time! (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAYS 15-16 OKAVANGO DELTA TO NATA VIA MAUN. Morning! More Maun next. Then, we’ll hit the road to Nata. (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAY 17 NATA TO KASANE. First up: a fish eagle boat cruise - catch a glimpse of the sneaky bird. (B,L,D) DAYS 18-19 KASANE TO LIVINGSTONE, ZAMBIA. Hello, Victoria Falls! There’s optional bungy jumping, whitewater rafting or fishing. (B) (B) DAYS 20-21 LIVINGSTONE TO BULAWAYO, ZIMBABWE INCLUDING MATOBO NATIONAL PARK VISIT. We’ll head off on a game drive and wilderness walk in Matobo National Park. (B,L,D) (B,L,D)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

TRIP CODE: ZOCICP

Cape Town Township tour See Sossusvlei and Dune 45 See the Spitzkoppe Bushman paintings Visit Etosha National Park Kalahari Bushman walk Okavango Delta mokoro/walking safari Fish eagle boat cruise Visit Chobe National Park Visit Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park (Victoria Falls) Shangaan cultural evening Visit Matobo National Park Visit Kruger National Park

S TA R T 12

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ 24 breakfasts (B), 20 lunches (L), 19 dinners (D) ++ 24 nights in 2-person dome tents or twin-share accommodation ++ Fully equipped safari vehicle ++ Camping and cooking equipment ++ Awesome Trip Leader and Driver

TOP OPTIONALS ++ Sandboarding in Swakopmund ++ Scenic flight over the Okavango Delta START DEPART AT 8AM FROM CAPE TOWN FINISH APPROXIMATELY 6PM IN PRETORIA

DAYS 22-24 BULAWAYO TO HAZYVIEW, SOUTH AFRICA VIA TSHIPISE. After a stop at Tshipise, it’s onwards to Hazyview – our base for exploring Kruger National Park. We’ll finish on a high with a Shangaan cultural evening and game drive. (B,L,D) (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAY 25 HAZYVIEW TO PRETORIA. Say your goodbyes in Pretoria. (B)

FINISH

S TA R T

FINISH

24

AUG

17

SEP

FEB

7

SEP

1

OCT OCT

2019 JAN

5

26

JAN

19

FEB

21

SEP

15

9

FEB

5

MAR

5

OCT

29

OCT

23

FEB

19

MAR

19

OCT

12

NOV

9

MAR

2

APR

2

NOV

26

NOV

23

MAR

16

APR

16

NOV

10

DEC

6

APR

30

APR

30

NOV

24

DEC

20

APR

14

MAY

14

DEC

7

JAN

4

MAY

28

MAY

28

DEC

21

JAN

18

MAY

11

JUN

2020

1

JUN

25

JUN

11

JAN

4

15

JUN

9

JUL

25

JAN

18

FEB FEB

29

JUN

23

JUL

8

FEB

3

MAR

13

JUL

6

AUG

22

FEB

17

MAR

27

JUL

20

AUG

7

MAR

31

MAR

10

AUG

3

SEP

21

MAR

14

APR

CAMPING TRIP PRICE OF $4195 + $820 ADVENTURE PASS = $5015 ACCOMMODATED TRIP PRICE OF $6965 + $820 ADVENTURE PASS = $7785 Price based on Per Person twin-share tents

25 DAYS FROM

5015

$

AUD PER PERSON All items listed in the ‘Bucket List’ and ‘More Inclusions’ are included in the price of your trip. The total trip price is inclusive of the Adventure Pass, which is compulsory for all trips (see p.58). All other activities mentioned are optional and may cost extra (but are too awesome to miss out).

This is a sector of the 41 Day Cape Town to Kenya trip. See p.84 or visit our website.

M RO Y F UD N A D A O R 01 S P E $2 P E R R PE


28 D A Y | G A M E PA R K S & G O R I L L A S

OVERLAND - AFRICA

82

NAIROBI

YOUR ROUTE

1 STOP & STAY

DAR ES SALAAM

70

MEALS

3

COUNTRIES

SECTOR

DAY STOP

Kampala UGANDA

1 1

Queen Elizabeth National Park 2

1 1 Eldoret Jinja

Lake Bunyonyi Maasai Mara National Reserve 2

1

Lake Nakuru National Park

1

Serengeti National Park 1

START

Nairobi KENYA

1 1 Arusha

1 Ngorongoro Crater

TANZANIA

Bagamoyo 1

Zanzibar

1 FINISH

Dar es Salaam

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

TRIP CODE: ZOKCGD S TA R T

FINISH

S TA R T 14

2019

FINISH

SEP

11

OCT

5

JAN

1

FEB

12

OCT

8

NOV

2

FEB

1

MAR

9

NOV

6

DEC

2

MAR

29

MAR

7

DEC

3

JAN

30

MAR

26

APR

27

APR

24

MAY

4

JAN

31

JAN

25

MAY

21

JUN

1

FEB

28

FEB

22

JUN

19

JUL

29

FEB

27

MAR

20

JUL

16

AUG

28

MAR

24

APR

17

AUG

13

SEP

2020

CAMPING TRIP PRICE OF $4585 + $2160 ADVENTURE PASS = $6745 + $1025 GORILLA PERMIT ACCOMMODATED TRIP PRICE OF $6385 + $2160 ADVENTURE PASS = $8545 + $1025 GORILLA PERMIT Price based on Per Person twin-share tents

28 DAYS FROM

6745

$

AUD PER PERSON All items listed in the ‘Bucket List’ and ‘More Inclusions’ are included in the price of your trip. The total trip price is inclusive of the Adventure Pass, which is compulsory for all trips (see p.58). All other activities mentioned are optional and may cost extra (but are too awesome to miss out).

Please note: Due to the endangered nature of mountain gorillas, visitors are strictly limited and a Gorilla Trek Permit must be purchased in advance, normally at the time of booking. Permit costs are controlled by the Ugandan authorities and are subject to change.

M RO YF D DA AU ON R 41 S P E $2 P E R R PE

This is a sector of the 58 Day Ultimate African Overlander trip. See p.86 or visit our website.

DAY 1 NAIROBI TO LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK, KENYA. Our first stop is Lake Nakuru National Park – look out for flamingos, lions and leopards. (L,D) DAYS 2-3 LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK TO KAMPALA, UGANDA VIA ELDORET. We’ll kick it to Eldoret before rolling into Kampala. (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAYS 4-5 KAMPALA TO QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK. Visit Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of the most biodiverse parks in the world. Then: spot chimpanzees at Kyambura Gorge. (B,L,D) (B,L,D)

DAYS 6-8 QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK TO LAKE BUNYONYI. Our local guide and tracker will lead a gorilla trek. Then: hire a canoe, hop on a boat or check out a traditional dance. (B,L,D) (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAYS 9-12 LAKE BUNYONYI TO JINJA VIA KAMPALA. Once in Jinja, you can assist a local charity to build and improve community schools. (B,L,D) (B,L,D) (B,L,D) (B,L,D)

DAYS 13-15 JINJA TO NAIROBI, KENYA VIA ELDORET. Back into Kenya and on to Nairobi. (B,L,D)

(B) (B)

DAYS 16-17 NAIROBI TO MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE. You’ve got two days to soak up the Maasai Mara. (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAYS 18-19 MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE TO ARUSHA, TANZANIA VIA NAIROBI. After Nairobi and a guided walk in the local Maasai village (time dependent), we’ll set up camp in Arusha. (B,L) (B,L,D) DAYS 20-21 ARUSHA TO SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK AND NGORONGORO CRATER. 4x4 it into Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater. (B,L,D) (B,L,D)

DAYS 22-23 NGORONGORO CRATER TO BAGAMOYO VIA ARUSHA. Back to Arusha for a night, then on to Bagamoyo. We might glimpse Mount Kilimanjaro on the way. (B,L,D) (B,L,D)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

Visit the Great Rift Valley Visit Lake Nakuru National Park Visit Queen Elizabeth National Park Mountain gorilla trek (part of Gorilla permit payment) Chimpanzee trek (part of Gorilla permit payment) Visit Maasai Mara National Reserve Maasai village walk Visit Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater Visit Zanzibar

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ 27 breakfasts (B), 22 lunches (L), 21 dinners (D) ++ 27 nights in 2-person dome tents or twin-share accommodation ++ Return ferry tickets from Dar Es Salaam to Zanzibar ++ Fully equipped safari vehicle ++ Camping and cooking equipment ++ Awesome Trip Leader and Driver

TOP OPTIONALS ++ Whitewater rafting in Jinja ++ Scuba diving in Zanzibar START DEPART AT 8AM FROM NAIROBI FINISH APPROXIMATELY 5PM IN DAR ES SALA AM

DAYS 24-27 BAGAMOYO TO ZANZIBAR VIA DAR ES SALAAM. After a night in Dar es Salaam, we’ll take the ferry to Zanzibar. (B,L,D) (B) (B) (B) DAY 28 ZANZIBAR TO DAR ES SALAAM. After the ferry to Dar, we’ll make like a banana and split. (B)


29 DAY | E A S T A F R I CA N EXPLORER NAIROBI

69

MEALS

6

COUNTRIES

OVERLAND - AFRICA

PRETORIA

83

SECTOR

YOUR ROUTE

1 STOP & STAY

DAY STOP FINISH

Nairobi

KENYA

1

Serengeti National Park

Ngorongoro Crater

1 1

1

1

Marangu

Arusha Zanzibar

4 Mikumi National Park

1

1 1

1

Dar es Salaam

Iringa

TANZINIA

Chitimba Beach Kande Beach

MALAWI

South Luangwa National Park

1

2 2

2

Lusaka

Livingstone

ZAMBIA

Matobo National Park

2

Bulawayo

ZIMBABWE

1

Tshipise

Kruger National Park

2

Hazyview

START

Pretoria

SOUTH AFRICA

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: MIKUMI NATIONAL PARK, SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK, ZANZIBAR

DAYS 1-5 PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA TO BULAWAYO, ZIMBABWE VIA HAZYVIEW AND TSHIPISE. Our first stop is Hazyview and Kruger National Park. Then: it’s on to Tshipise for a night before we roll into Bulawayo – the gateway to Matobo National Park. It’s game drive time! (D) (B,L,D) (B,L,D) (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAYS 6-8 MATOBO NATIONAL PARK TO LIVINGSTONE, ZAMBIA. Hello, Victoria Falls! Awesome optionals include bungy jumping over the falls, gorge swinging, whitewater rafting and abseiling. Take it easy with a fishing trip or sunset cruise down the river. (B) (B) (B) DAYS 9-11 LIVINGSTONE TO SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK VIA LUSAKA. Our next stop is a farm on the outskirts of Lusaka. Play ‘I spy’ with the animals at South Luangwa National Park, then choose an optional village tour or walking safari. (B,L,D) (B,L,D) (B,L,D)

DAYS 12-13 SOUTH LUANGWA TO KANDE BEACH, MALAWI. Where to next? Kande Beach! This place is a little slice of paradise on the shores of Lake Malawi. (B,L,D) (B,L,D)

DAYS 14-15 KANDE BEACH TO CHITIMBA BEACH. Next stop: Chitimba Beach. Soak up the rays or head out on an optional hike to Livingstonia. (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAY 16-17 CHITIMBA BEACH TO MIKUMI, TANZANIA VIA IRINGA. Onwards to Mikumi! Here, we’ll spend the evening around the open fire after an optional game drive. But first: a stop at Iringa. (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAYS 18-22 MIKUMI TO ZANZIBAR VIA DAR ES SALAAM. After a night in Dar es Salaam, we’ll head to Zanzibar on a high speed ferry! Beaches, optional scuba diving or snorkelling sessions await. (B,L,D) (B) (B) (B) (B) DAYS 23-25 ZANZIBAR TO ARUSHA VIA DAR ES SALAAM AND MARANGU. It’s back on the ferry to Dar for a night before we head inland to Marangu. Catch a glimpse of Mt Kilimanjaro en route! Then: we make our way to Arusha, where we’ll visit a Maasai village. (B,D) (B,L,D) (B,L,D)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

TRIP CODE: ZOCIPN

Shangaan cultural evening Visit Kruger National Park Visit Matobo National Park Visit Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park (Victoria Falls) Visit South Luangwa National Park Visit Zanzibar Maasai village walk Visit Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater

S TA R T 10

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ 28 breakfasts (B), 20 lunches (L), 21 dinners (D) ++ 28 nights in 2-person dome tents or twin-share accommodation ++ Return ferry tickets from Dar Es Salaam to Zanzibar ++ Fully equipped safari vehicle ++ Camping and cooking equipment ++ Awesome Trip Leader and Driver

TOP OPTIONALS ++ Bungy jumping at Victoria Falls ++ Camel ride in Arushai START DEPART AT 7AM FROM PRETORIA FINISH DEPART 6PM FROM NAIROBI

DAYS 26-27 ARUSHA TO SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK AND NGORONGORO CRATER. Jump in a 4x4 and get excited for Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater. Keep your eyes peeled for the Big Five. (B,L,D)

FINISH

S TA R T

FINISH

22

AUG

19

SEP

FEB

5

SEP

3

OCT OCT

2019 JAN

7

24

JAN

21

FEB

19

SEP

17

7

FEB

7

MAR

3

OCT

31

OCT

21

FEB

21

MAR

17

OCT

14

NOV

7

MAR

4

APR

31

OCT

28

NOV

21

MAR

18

APR

14

NOV

12

DEC

4

APR

2

MAY

28

NOV

26

DEC

18

APR

16

MAY

12

DEC

9

JAN

2

MAY

30

MAY

26

DEC

23

JAN

16

MAY

13

JUN

30

MAY

27

JUN

9

JAN

6

13

JUN

11

JUL

23

JAN

20

FEB

27

JUN

25

JUL

6

FEB

5

MAR

2020 FEB

11

JUL

8

AUG

20

FEB

19

MAR

25

JUL

22

AUG

5

MAR

2

APR

8

AUG

5

SEP

19

MAR

16

APR

CAMPING TRIP PRICE OF $4545 + $1500 ADVENTURE PASS = $6045 ACCOMMODATED TRIP PRICE OF $6225 + $1500 ADVENTURE PASS = $7725 Price based on Per Person twin-share tents

29 DAYS FROM

6045

$

AUD PER PERSON

(B,L,D)

All items listed in the ‘Bucket List’ and ‘More Inclusions’ are included in the price of your trip. The total trip price is inclusive of the Adventure Pass, which is compulsory for all trips (see p.58). All other activities mentioned are optional and may cost extra (but are too awesome to miss out).

DAYS 28-29 NGORONGORO CRATER TO NAIROBI, KENYA VIA ARUSHA. After spending one more night in Arusha, we’ll make tracks to Nairobi for our goodbyes. Where to next? (B,L,D) (B,L)

This is a sector of the 41 Day Cape Town to Kenya trip. See p.84 or visit our website.

M RO Y F UD N A D A O R 09 S P E $2 P E R R PE


NEW TRIP

41 D A Y | C A P E T O W N T O K E N YA

OVERLAND - AFRICA

84

CAPE TOWN

101

NAIROBI

MEALS

7

COUNTRIES

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: OKAVANGO DELTA, ZANZIBAR, SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK, CHOBE NATIONAL PARK

YOUR ROUTE

1 STOP & STAY

DAY STOP

FINISH

Nairobi KENYA

Serengeti National Park 2 and Ngorongoro Crater

1 1 1 Marangu

Arusha Mikumi National Park 1

Iringa

Zanzibar 4

1

1 1

Dar es Salaam

TANZANIA

Chitimba Beach 2 Kande Beach

MALAWI 2

South Luangwa National Park 2 1 Lusaka

Livingstone ZAMBIA

Kasane BOTSWANA 1 Chobe National Park

Etosha National Park 2

Okavango Delta

1

1

Nata

1 1

Spitzkoppe Swakopmund

Ghanzi

1

2

Solitaire Sesriem area

1

Maun

1 1

Windhoek

1 1

1

DAYS 13-14 GHANZI TO OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA VIA MAUN. After a night in Maun, we’ll float to our campsite in the Okavango Delta in a dugout canoe (cool, huh?). It’s safari time! (B,L,D) (B,L,D)

DAYS 15-16 OKAVANGO DELTA TO NATA VIA MAUN. Morning! More Maun next. Then, we’ll hop on the truck and hit the road to Nata. Have you ever seen this many stars before? Probs not! (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAY 17 NATA TO KASANE. First things first today: a fish eagle boat cruise! Try and catch a glimpse of the sneaky bird (and other varmints too). They’re out there. We know they’re out there (eyes emoji). (B,L,D) DAYS 18-20 KASANE TO LIVINGSTONE, ZAMBIA. In case you hadn’t heard, Livingstone is the home of the iconic Victoria Falls. Do this massive waterfall justice with an optional bungy jump or whitewater rafting session. (B) (B) (B)

NAMIBIA

1

Fish River Canyon

DAYS 11-12 ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK TO GHANZI, BOTSWANA VIA WINDHOEK. We’ll shimmy south to Windhoek before pulling an overnighter in Ghanzi. Here, we’ll learn a few local hacks on a Kalahari Bushman walk. (B,L) (B,L,D)

Gariep (Orange) River SOUTH AFRICA

Cederberg area START

Cape Town

DAYS 1-2 CAPE TOWN TO GARIEP (ORANGE) RIVER, SOUTH AFRICA VIA CEDERBERG AREA. Prepare for adventure! We’ll begin with a tour of Cape Town before making tracks to our camp beside the Orange River – with a pit stop in the Cederberg area on the way. (L,D) (B,L,D)

DAYS 5-7 NAMIB NAUKLUFT PARK TO SWAKOPMUND VIA SOLITAIRE. Check out the imposing Dune 45 and Sesriem Canyon on a guided walk, then go all-out thrillseeker with a few days of optional adventure activities in Swakopmund. (B,L,D)

DAYS 3-4 GARIEP (ORANGE) RIVER TO NAMIB NAUKLUFT PARK, NAMIBIA VIA FISH RIVER CANYON. First up: a stop at the awesome Fish River Canyon. Then: it’s onwards to Namib Naukluft Park. One word to describe this place? Sandy! (B,L,D) (B,L,D)

DAYS 8-10 SWAKOPMUND TO ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK VIA SPITZKOPPE. We’ll set up camp among the eerie rock formations at Spitzkoppe before heading to Etosha National Park. Get excited – it’s game drive time! (B,L,D) (B,L,D) (B,L,D)

(B) (B)

DAYS 21-23 LIVINGSTONE TO SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK VIA LUSAKA. After a stop in Lusaka, we’re off to our camp in South Luangwa. Here, we’ll be perfectly positioned to get amongst a whole bunch of national park action. Keep your eyes peeled for lions, elephants and giraffes! (B,L,D) (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAYS 24-25 SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK TO KANDE BEACH, MALAWI. Kande Beach is a little slice of paradise on the shores of Lake Malawi. Wanna grab a piece of the optional activity action? Horse riding, snorkelling or scuba diving should scratch that itch. (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAYS 26-27 KANDE BEACH TO CHITIMBA BEACH. Our next stop is Chitimba Beach, so you know what to do! Soak up the rays or head out on an optional


OVERLAND - AFRICA

85

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: ZANZIBAR, CAPE TOWN, SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

hike to Livingstonia (think: awesome mountain views). (B,L,D) (B,L,D)

DAY 28 CHITIMBA BEACH TO IRINGA, TANZANIA. Today we’ll climb through Tanzania’s Southern Highlands all the way to Kisolanza Farm House – a working farm famous for its hot showers and chocolate brownies. (B,L,D) DAYS 29-30 IRINGA TO DAR ES SALAAM VIA MIKUMI. Onwards to Mikumi! Here, we’ll sip sundowners at the local bar and spend the evening around the open fire after an optional game drive. Then: time to make tracks to Dar es Salaam. (B,L,D) (B,L,D)

DAYS 31-34 DAR ES SALAAM TO ZANZIBAR. Once a historic trading centre, modern Zanzibar is the ultimate island getaway. Spend your time here lounging on the palm-fringed beaches, ticking off the must-sees, or checking out what’s under the water with optional scuba diving or snorkelling sessions. (B) (B) (B) (B)

DAYS 35-37 ZANZIBAR TO ARUSHA VIA DAR ES SALAAM AND MARANGU. It’s back on the ferry to Dar for a night before we head inland to Marangu. Then: grab a window seat watch some beautiful scenery roll by as we make our way to Arusha, where we’ll visit a Maasai village. (B,D) (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAYS 38-39 ARUSHA TO SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK AND NGORONGORO CRATER. Jump in a 4x4 and get excited! The epic Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater are next. Keep your eyes peeled for the Big Five – not to mention hyenas, cheetahs and wildebeest. (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAYS 40-41 NGORONGORO CRATER TO NAIROBI, KENYA VIA ARUSHA. We’ll have one last night in Arusha before hitting the home straight to Nairobi. Swap numbers and start planning the next adventure with the crew (it’s never too soon). (B,L,D) (B,L)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

TRIP CODE: ZOCKCN S TA R T

Cape Town Township tour See Sossusvlei and Dune 45 See the Spitzkoppe Bushman paintings Visit Etosha National Park Kalahari Bushman walk Okavango Delta mokoro/walking safari Fish eagle boat cruise Visit Chobe National Park Visit Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park (Victoria Falls) Visit South Luangwa National Park Visit Lake Malawi Visit Zanzibar Visit a Maasai village Visit Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater

FINISH 2019

MORE INCLUSIONS

S TA R T AUG

3

OCT OCT

12

JAN

21

FEB

7

SEP

17

26

JAN

7

MAR

21

SEP

31

OCT

9

FEB

21

MAR

5

OCT

14

NOV

23

FEB

4

APR

19

OCT

28

NOV

9

MAR

18

APR

2

NOV

12

DEC

23

MAR

2

MAY

16

NOV

26

DEC

6

APR

16

MAY

30

NOV

9

JAN

20

APR

30

MAY

14

DEC

23

JAN

4

MAY

13

JUN

28

DEC

6

FEB

18

MAY

27

JUN

1

JUN

11

JUL

11

JAN

20

FEB

15

JUN

25

JUL

25

JAN

5

MAR

29

JUN

8

AUG

8

FEB

19

MAR

13

JUL

22

AUG

22

FEB

2

APR

27

JUL

5

SEP

7

MAR

16

APR

10

AUG

19

SEP

21

MAR

30

APR

2020

CAMPING TRIP PRICE OF $5785 + $2050 ADVENTURE PASS = $7835

++ 40 breakfasts (B), 31 lunches (L), 30 dinners (D) ++ 40 nights in 2-person dome tents or twin-share accommodation ++ Return ferry tickets from Dar Es Salaam to Zanzibar ++ Fully equipped safari vehicle ++ Camping and cooking equipment ++ Awesome Trip Leader and Driver

Price based on Per Person twin-share tents

TOP OPTIONALS

AUD PER PERSON

++ Skydiving in Swakopmund ++ Gorge swinging at Victoria Falls START DEPART AT 8AM FROM CAPE TOWN FINISH APPROXIMATELY 6PM IN NAIROBI

FINISH

24

ACCOMMODATED TRIP PRICE OF $9355 + $2050 ADVENTURE PASS = $11405

41 DAYS FROM

7835

$

All items listed in the ‘Bucket List’ and ‘More Inclusions’ are included in the price of your trip. The total trip price is inclusive of the Adventure Pass, which is compulsory for all trips (see p.58). All other activities mentioned are optional and may cost extra (but are too awesome to miss out).

M RO Y F UD N A D A O R 92 S P E $1 P E R R PE


OVERLAND - AFRICA

86

5 8 D A Y | U LT I M AT E A F R I C A N O V E R L A N D E R NAIROBI

CAPE TOWN

147 MEALS

8

COUNTRIES

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: SWAKOPMUND, ARUSHA STREET FOOD, FISH RIVER CANYON, SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

YOUR ROUTE

1 STOP & STAY

DAY STOP

Kampala

UGANDA 1

11

DAYS 13-15 JINJA TO NAIROBI, KENYA VIA ELDORET. Back into Kenya we go! We’ll swing by Eldoret before hitting the road back to Nairobi. (B,L,D) (B) (B)

Eldoret

Queen Elizabeth Lake Nakuru 1 1 National Park National Park 2 Jinja START Lake Bunyonyi 2 2 1 Nairobi Maasai Mara National Reserve KENYA Serengeti National Park 1 Ngorongoro Crater

1

1 1

Arusha Zanzibar Bagamoyo 1

Mikumi National Park 1 1

1 1

Dar es Salaam

Iringa

TANZANIA

Chitimba Beach 2 Kande Beach MALAWI

2

Chipata 1

ZAMBIA 1 Lusaka

Livingstone 4

Kasane

Etosha National Park 2

Spitzkoppe Swakopmund

Okavango Delta Ghanzi

1

2

1

1

Chobe National Park 1 Nata

1

1

Maun

Windhoek NAMIBIA

1

Fish River Canyon

Gariep (Orange) River SOUTH AFRICA

1

Cederberg area

DAYS 2-3 LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK TO KAMPALA, UGANDA VIA ELDORET. We’ll kick it north through the highlands to Eldoret before rolling into Kampala. (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAYS 4-5 KAMPALA TO QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK. Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the most biodiverse national parks in the world

(B,L,D)

DAYS 28-30 ZANZIBAR TO IRINGA VIA DAR ES SALAAM AND MIKUMI. We’ll stop off at Dar es Salaam and Mikumi before getting a wriggle on to Iringa. (B,D)

FINISH

Cape Town

DAY 1 NAIROBI TO LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK, KENYA. Get ready for the ultimate African adventure! First stop: Lake Nakuru National Park. (L,D)

DAYS 20-21 ARUSHA TO SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK AND NGORONGORO CRATER. Wave bye to the truck – we’ll switch to 4x4s for game drives in Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater. (B,L,D)

DAYS 24-27 BAGAMOYO TO ZANZIBAR VIA DAR ES SALAAM. After a night in Dar es Salaam, we’ll take the ferry to Zanzibar. Expect sun-soaked beaches and spices galore! (B,L,D) (B) (B) (B)

1

1

DAYS 18-19 MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE TO ARUSHA, TANZANIA VIA NAIROBI. After a brief return to Nairobi, we’ll cross into Tanzania and rest up in Arusha. (B,L,D) (B,L,D)

DAYS 22-23 NGORONGORO CRATER TO BAGAMOYO VIA ARUSHA. Back to Arusha for a night, then on to Bagamoyo. Keep your eyes peeled for Mt Kilimanjaro on the way. (B,L,D) (B,L,D)

1 1

1

Solitaire Sesriem area

BOTSWANA

DAYS 16-17 NAIROBI TO MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE. Yes! You’ve got two days’ worth of game viewing opportunities in the rolling grasslands of the Maasai Mara. (B,L,D) (B,L,D)

– and it’s here that we’ll trek to see the chimpanzees. Wowee! (B,L,D) (B,L,D)

DAYS 6-8 QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK TO LAKE BUNYONYI VIA BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK. Our gorilla trek at Bwindi National Park can be demanding at times, but trust us – seeing these gentle giants will make the effort totally worthwhile. (B,L,D) (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAYS 9-12 LAKE BUNYONYI TO JINJA VIA KAMPALA. We’ll spend one more night in Uganda’s capital before we move on to Jinja. (B,L,D) (B,L,D) (B,L,D) (B,L,D)

(B,L,D) (B,L,D)

DAYS 31-32 IRINGA TO CHITIMBA BEACH, MALAWI. We’ve got two days of swimming, lounging and camping at Chitimba Beach. (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAYS 33-34 CHITIMBA BEACH TO KANDE BEACH. Another day, another beach to get comfy on (you could totally get used to this). (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAYS 35-36 KANDE BEACH TO LUSAKA, ZAMBIA VIA CHIPATA. Hello, Zambia! First up, we’ll check out Chipata. Then, it’s onwards to the country’s capital: Lusaka. (B,L,D) (B,L,D)


OVERLAND - AFRICA

87

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: GAME DRIVE, ORANGE RIVER, MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE

DAYS 37-40 LUSAKA TO LIVINGSTONE. Next up: the awesome Victoria Falls. Here, we’ve got optional whitewater rafting, gorge swinging and bungy jumping. (B) (B) (B) (B) DAYS 41-42 LIVINGSTONE TO NATA, BOTSWANA VIA KASANE. Chobe National Park, we’re coming for you! Hop on a boat cruise, then test your ‘I-spy’ skills on a game drive. (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAYS 43-44 NATA TO OKAVANGO DELTA VIA MAUN. After stopping off in Maun, we’ll explore the waterways and swaying grasses of the Okavango Delta on foot AND by dugout canoe. (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAYS 45-46 OKAVANGO DELTA TO GHANZI VIA MAUN. In Western Botswana we’ll join a guided walk to see how people live in the Kalahari Desert. (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAYS 47-49 GHANZI TO ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK, NAMIBIA VIA WINDHOEK. Over to Namibia for a stop in Windhoek. Next up: the arid terrain of Etosha National Park. (B,L) (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAYS 50-52 ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK TO SWAKOPMUND VIA SPITZKOPPE. Check out the Bushman paintings at Spitzkoppe, then try out some amazing optionals in Swakopmund. (B,L,D) (B) (B) DAYS 53-54 SWAKOPMUND TO SESRIEM AREA VIA SOLITAIRE. Time to crack on to Namib Naukluft Park, home to the highest sand dunes on the planet. (B,L,D) (B,L,D)

DAYS 55-57 SESRIEM AREA TO CEDERBERG AREA, SOUTH AFRICA VIA FISH RIVER CANYON AND GARIEP (ORANGE) RIVER. We’ll check out Fish River Canyon before continuing on to South Africa. Here, we’ll spend one night by the Orange River and another in the Western Cape. (B,L,D) (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAY 58 CEDERBERG AREA TO CAPE TOWN. Our epic overland journey will wind up in stunning Cape Town. (B)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ Visit the Great Rift Valley ++ Visit Queen Elizabeth National Park ++ Mountain gorilla trek (part of Gorilla permit payment) ++ Chimpanzee trek (part of Gorilla permit payment) ++ Visit Maasai Mara National Reserve ++ Maasai village walk ++ Visit Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater ++ Visit Zanzibar ++ Visit Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park (Victoria Falls) ++ Fish eagle boat cruise ++ Visit Chobe National Park ++ Okavango Delta mokoro/walking safari ++ Kalahari Bushman walk ++ Visit Etosha National Park ++ See the Spitzkoppe Bushman paintings ++ See Sossusvlei and Dune 45

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ 57 breakfasts (B), 45 lunches (L), 45 dinners (D) ++ 57 nights in 2-person dome tents or twin-share accommodation ++ Return ferry tickets from Dar Es Salaam to Zanzibar ++ Fully equipped safari vehicle ++ Camping and cooking equipment ++ Awesome Trip Leader and Driver

TOP OPTIONALS ++ Scuba diving in Zanzibar ++ Bungy jumping at Victoria Falls START DEPART AT 8AM FROM NAIROBI FINISH APPROXIMATELY 6PM IN CAPE TOWN

TRIP CODE: ZOKCGC S TA R T

FINISH 2019

S TA R T

FINISH

14

SEP

10

NOV DEC

5

JAN

3

MAR

12

OCT

8

2

FEB

31

MAR

9

NOV

5

JAN

2

MAR

28

APR

7

DEC

2

FEB

30

MAR

26

MAY

27

APR

23

JUN

4

JAN

1

MAR

25

MAY

21

JUL

1

FEB

29

MAR

22

JUN

18

AUG

29

FEB

26

APR

20

JUL

15

SEP

28

MAR

24

MAY

17

AUG

13

OCT

2020

CAMPING TRIP PRICE OF $8385 + $2780 ADVENTURE PASS = $11165 + $1025 GORILLA PERMIT ACCOMMODATED TRIP PRICE OF $12975 + $2780 ADVENTURE PASS = $15755 + $1025 GORILLA PERMIT Price based on Per Person twin-share tents

58 DAYS FROM

11165

$

AUD PER PERSON Allitemslistedinthe‘BucketList’and‘MoreInclusions’areincludedinthepriceofyour trip. The total trip price is inclusive of the Adventure Pass, which is compulsory for all trips (see p.58). All other activities mentioned are optional and may cost extra (but are too awesome to miss out).

Please note: Due to the endangered nature of mountain gorillas, visitors are strictly limited and a Gorilla Trek Permit must be purchased in advance, normally at the time of booking. Permit costs are controlled by the Ugandan authorities and are subject to change.

M RO Y F UD N A D A O R 93 S P E $1 P E R R PE


SHORT BREAKS

SHORT BREAKS

88

Whether you’re en route to your next fabulous destination, looking to explore a city in more depth or simply have some time to kill pre or post adventure, these city escapes are where it’s at. Expect bucket loads of free time and heaps of Instagram-worthy moments.

3 OR 4 DAY

3 OR 4 DAY

D U B A I S H O RT BR E A K

A B U D H A B I SH O R T B R E A K

TRIP CODE: MBDSDD/MBDLDD

TRIP CODE: MBASAA/MBALAA

Glittery, futuristic and springing out of the desert, Dubai has it all: from the Burj

The capital of the UAE is a must-visit. Marvel at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque,

Khalifa-dominated skyline to rolling desert dunes and the man-made island of

see artistic wonders in the newly opened Louvre Abu Dhabi and explore Yas Island.

Palm Jumeirah. There’s even a snow-filled shopping mall – yes, really.

Don't miss a trip to Ferrari World or Warner Bros World while you're here!

3 D AY SH O R T B R E A K

4 D AY SH O R T B R E A K

3 D AY SH O R T B R E A K

4 D AY SH O R T B R E A K

INCLUSIONS

INCLUSIONS

INCLUSIONS

INCLUSIONS

++ 3 breakfasts, 1 BBQ dinner in the desert ++ 3 nights in a hotel ++ Half-day city tour of Dubai ++ 4x4 desert safari ++ Meet and greet service ++ Return airport transfers

++ 2 breakfasts ++ 2 nights in a hotel ++ Half-day city tour of Abu Dhabi (Available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays) ++ Meet and greet service ++ Return airport transfers

++ 3 breakfasts ++ 3 nights in a hotel ++ Half-day city tour of Abu Dhabi (Available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays) ++ Meet and greet service ++ Return airport transfers

++ ++ ++ ++ ++

2 breakfasts 2 nights in a hotel Half-day city tour of Dubai Meet and greet service Return airport transfers

HOTEL T WIN FROM

HOTEL T WIN FROM

$

$

599

AUD per person

HOTEL SINGLE FROM

979

$

AUD per person

739

AUD per person

HOTEL SINGLE FROM

1249

$

AUD per person

HOTEL T WIN FROM

HOTEL T WIN FROM

$

$

479

AUD per person

HOTEL SINGLE FROM

$

739

AUD per person

579

AUD per person

HOTEL SINGLE FROM

929

$

AUD per person

F O R A L L S H O R T B R E A K S , H I G H E R R AT E S M AY A P P LY T H R O U G H O U T T H E Y E A R . P L E A S E C H E C K R AT E S B A S E D O N Y O U R A R R I VA L D AT E .


4 DAY

P R E T O R I A S H O RT B R E A K

C A P E T O W N S H O RT B R E A K

TRIP CODE: ZBPSPP

TRIP CODE: ZBCLCC

Welcome to the Jacaranda City! Love history, elegant architecture, leafy

Home to the legendary Table Mountain and a whole bunch of

boulevards and a good bar or two? So does Pretoria. We reckon you’ll

beautiful sandy beaches (not to mention vineyards galore), it’s easy to

get along great.

see why everyone falls in love with Cape Town.

3 D AY SH O R T B R E A K

4 D AY S H O RT B R E A K

INCLUSIONS

INCLUSIONS ++ Meet and greet service ++ Arrival airport transfer

++ 2 breakfasts ++ 2 nights in a 3-star hotel ++ Cradle of Humankind tour

T WIN/DOUBLE FROM

$

595

AUD per person

SINGLE FROM

1010

$

AUD per person

T WIN/DOUBLE FROM

$

465

AUD per person

SINGLE FROM

$

560

AUD per person

3 DAY

3 DAY

JOHANNESBURG SHORT BREAK

N A I R O B I S H O RT B R E A K

TRIP CODE: ZBJSJJ

TRIP CODE: ZBNSNN

Ready to take on the amazingness that is Jo’burg?

Why not start (or end) your epic African adventure with a few days in

Whether you’re a history buff, art lover or foodie, this

cosmopolitan Nairobi? Think: unique culture, sprawling markets and

buzzing city’s got plenty to keep you occupied.

incredible capital city vibes.

3 D AY S H O RT B R E A K

3 D AY SH O R T B R E A K

INCLUSIONS

INCLUSIONS ++ Meet and greet service ++ Arrival airport transfer

++ 2 breakfasts ++ 2 nights in a hostel ++ Johannesburg city tour

T WIN/DOUBLE FROM

$

++ Meet and greet service ++ Arrival airport transfer

++ 3 breakfasts ++ 3 nights in a hostel ++ Cape of Good Hope peninsula tour

550

AUD per person

SINGLE FROM

720

$

AUD per person

++ Meet and greet service ++ Arrival airport transfer

++ 2 breakfasts ++ 2 nights in a 3-star hotel ++ Nairobi city tour

T WIN/DOUBLE FROM

450

$

AUD per person

SINGLE FROM

725

$

AUD per person

SHORT BREAKS

89

3 DAY


PRE & POST ACCOMMODATION. ARRIVE EARLY. STAY LATE.

PRE & POST ACCOMMODATION

90

PLEASE CONTACT US FOR THE MOST UP-TO-DATE RATES FOR YOUR TRIP

SINGLE FROM

CAIRO

$80

MARRAKECH

CASABL ANCA

AMMAN

T E L AV I V

JERUSALEM

$110

$45

$150

$110

$220

$220

$100

$70

SINGLE FROM

$42

AUD Per Person

ACCOMMODATED T WIN/DOUBLE FROM

AUD Per Person

$132

AUD Per Person

AIRPORT TRANSFER FROM $50 PER PERSON

SINGLE FROM

CAPE TOWN

$90

ACCOMMODATED T WIN/DOUBLE FROM

AUD Per Person

DORM FROM

$47

$66

AUD Per Person

AUD Per Person

AIRPORT TRANSFER FROM $40 PER PERSON

PRETORIA

SINGLE FROM

$109

ACCOMMODATED T WIN/DOUBLE FROM

AUD Per Person

$65

AUD Per Person

AIRPORT TRANSFER FROM $89 PER PERSON

AUD Per Person

$120

$120

DAR ES SALAAM

NAIROBI

AUD Per Person

CONTACT US FOR MORE DETAILS.

SINGLE FROM

$89

ACCOMMODATED T WIN/DOUBLE FROM

AUD Per Person

$56

AUD Per Person

AIRPORT TRANSFER FROM $65 PER PERSON

AUD Per Person

ABRAHAM HOSTEL T WIN/DOUBLE FROM

AUD Per Person

AUD Per Person

AUD Per Person

ABRAHAM HOSTEL T WIN/DOUBLE FROM

AUD Per Person

SINGLE FROM

AUD Per Person

$59

$200

AUD Per Person

TOLEDO HOTEL T WIN/DOUBLE FROM

AUD Per Person

SINGLE FROM

LIVINGSTONE

IDOU ANFA HOTEL T WIN/DOUBLE FROM

AUD Per Person

SINGLE FROM

$65

CAMPING T WIN/DOUBLE FROM

SINGLE FROM

AL ANDALOUS HOTEL T WIN/DOUBLE FROM

AUD Per Person

SINGLE FROM

AUD Per Person

PHARAOHS HOTEL - 3 T WIN/DOUBLE FROM

AUD Per Person

SINGLE FROM

B A N G KO K

$65

AUD Per Person

SINGLE FROM

$60

AMARANTE PYRAMIDS - 4 T WIN/DOUBLE FROM

SINGLE FROM

$119

ACCOMMODATED T WIN/DOUBLE FROM

AUD Per Person

$80

AUD Per Person

AIRPORT TRANSFER FROM $55 PER PERSON

TOKYO

CONTACT US FOR MORE DETAILS.

DAY TRIPS. EXPLORE MORE. A L E X A N D R I A D AY TR I P

O U R I K A H A L F - D AY T R I P

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED)

++ Visit the Roman catacombs ++ See Pompey's Pillar ++ Visit Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque

++ Visit the Berber village of Ourika ++ See the Setti Fadma Waterfalls

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ ++ ++ ++

Restaurant lunch Entrance fees to all Bucket List inclusions Return transport from Cairo English-speaking Trip Leader

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ Return transport from Marrakech ++ English-speaking Trip Leader

APPROXIMATE COSTS ( U S D )

APPROXIMATE COSTS ( M A D )

1 person: $160 pp 2 people: $125 pp 3 people: $100 pp

1 pax: MAD 1100pp 2 pax: MAD 750pp 3 pax: MAD 675pp

4 people: $90 pp 5 people or more: $75 pp

NOTE: TRIP SHOULD BE BOOKED IN ADVANCE THROUGH THE TOPDECK OFFICE, HOWEVER PAYMENT WILL BE MADE LOCALLY ON ARRIVAL. PRICE DEPENDS ON THE TOTAL NUMBER OF TRAVELLERS.

4 pax: MAD 600pp 5 pax: MAD 525pp 6 pax: MAD 450pp

NOTE: TRIP SHOULD BE BOOKED IN ADVANCE THROUGH THE TOPDECK OFFICE, HOWEVER PAYMENT WILL BE MADE LOCALLY ON ARRIVAL. PRICE DEPENDS ON THE TOTAL NUMBER OF TRAVELLERS.


BOOKING CONDITIONS Top Deck Tours Pty Ltd, ABN 30 107 934, 199 Grey Street, South Brisbane, QLD 4101 Australia

Locally Operated Trips

The following trips are operated by the corresponding local operator as principal: Jordan Adventure, Jordan & Israel: Green Arrow Tours, Amman, Jordan. Tales of Israel: Abraham Tours, Jerusalem, Israel. Essential Egypt, Egypt Express, Nile Discovery: Topdeck Egypt, Cairo, Egypt. Moroccan Explorer, Sahara Adventure, Rockin’ Moroccan: Mountain Safari Tours, Marrakech, Morocco. Dubai Stopover, Abu Dhabi Stopover: Arabian Adventures, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. All African Trips: Acacia Adventure Holidays, London, United Kingdom. All Asia Trips: Buffalo Tours, Hanoi, Vietnam

Discounts

Friends

4-6 together

5% off

7-9 together

7.5% off

10+ together

10% off

All passengers must be booked on the same trip/departure, prior to the departure date of the trip to qualify. Multi-trip

2 trip multi

5% off cheapest trip

3 trip multi

7.5% off cheapest and 5% off second cheapest

4+ multi

10% off cheapest, 7.5% off second cheapest and 5% off third and additional trips

All passengers must be booked prior to the departure date of the first trip to qualify for discount. Discount applies to additional trips booked & is applied to the trip with the lowest trip value. Past passenger

5% off - we will need to be able to verify that you have previously been on one of our trips.

All discounts apply to the trip price only and do not apply to any flights, visitor taxes, short breaks, stopovers, 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. Permits

Gorilla and chimp permit payment must be made at the same time as the deposit. Deposit and permit to be paid 7 days from booking. Permit payments are not refundable if you cancel your trip.

Deposit

$100 per person, payable at the time of booking, for all Short Breaks & Stopover packages $200 per person, payable at the time of booking, for all other trips

Rolling Deposit

If you cancel your trip more than six weeks before the departure date you may request in writing at the time of cancellation that we provide you with a rolling deposit voucher for use against a future trip. The value and currency of the rolling deposit will be the value and currency of the original deposit paid. The rolling deposit cannot be redeemed by re-booking the same trip for the same departure date originally booked. The voucher must be redeemed within two years from the date of first cancellation. The rolling deposit can be transferred to a friend but cannot be transferred a second time. The passenger must be between 18 to 39 years old to travel. Only one voucher per person per trip is permitted. If redeeming against a trip with a higher deposit the balance will be payable at the time of booking. Rolling deposits cannot be redeemed or refunded for cash. If you cancel your trip within six weeks or less of the departure date you will forfeit your deposit and you will need to pay our applicable cancellation fee. Rolling deposit vouchers are not available for cancellations within six weeks of the departure date.

Change and Cancellation Fees

Days before departure

Change and Cancellation Fee (% of trip price)

Pre/post accommodation

Transfers

Over 42

Nil (changes)

Nil

Nil

Deposit (cancellations) 42-29

40%

40%

Nil

28-14

60%

60%

Nil

13-7

80%

100%

100%

6-3

90%

100%

100%

2-0

100%

100%

100%

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 Queensland, Australia. Any dispute in relation to these booking conditions shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Queensland.

Brochure Validity Date

Prices quoted in our brochures are calculated on costs and exchange rates at 1 August 2018

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 42 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 42 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 Prices quoted in our brochures are calculated on costs and exchange rates as at the Brochure Validity Date. These prices may increase or decrease. We may alter prices and other particulars contained in our brochures and on our website at any time. Before you make a booking we will provide you with details of the current price of your chosen trip. 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, gorilla permit, 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 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.

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. Normally the maximum group size is between 36 and 48 passengers. In certain countries there are strict laws governing drivers' hours and this may necessitate utilising public transport in some cities. We may require a minimum number of participants for certain trips. In the event that 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 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 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

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 42 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 the additional costs involved, which will include our Booking Transfer Administration Fee as well as any other applicable travel service provider’s charges. Please note that some airlines 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,

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.

of booking. If we cannot reasonably accommodate your particular needs 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 your mental or physical condition is, in the reasonable opinion of our representative, such as to render you incapable of caring for yourself, or where you become objectionable to other passengers, or you become a hazard to yourself or other passengers. 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 against all losses (direct and indirect and howsoever caused) arising from any third-party actions taken against us for loss or damage caused by you or arising from your participation on the trip. 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. In the event that 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.

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 and many of our trips may not be suitable for people with reduced mobility. If you have a medical condition or require special arrangements that may affect your trip, we ask that you inform us in writing at the time

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.

91 BOOKING CONDITIONS

Topdeck's Details


7 DAY JAPAN EXPRESS TOYKO

AEJETR

OSAKA

P.22

ASIA

SEMINYAK

AHIBSS

SEMINYAK

7 DAY THAI ISLANDS SAMUI SUNSETS

P.23

KOH SAMUI

P.24

T

KOH TAO

Gili Trawangan START

Tokyo JAPAN

KOH PHA NGAN

2

2

Ubud

Kyoto 2

START/FINISH

Seminyak BALI

Hakone/Mt Fuji

1 Lembongan Island

1 Osaka

2 START/FINISH

KOH SAMUI THAILAND

FINISH

7 DAY THAI ISLANDS KO-CONUT HOPPER AHIWUU

7 DAY JAPAN WINTER

PHUKET

SAPPORO

PHUKET

AHIEII

KOH SAMUI

2

HOSTEL PLUS

HOTEL

7 DAY BALI ISLAND HOPPER

P TO R I P

ASIA MAPS

92

P.25

AHJWZZ

SAPPORO

P.26

12 DAY CHINA LIVE BEIJING

AHCLGK

HONG KONG

12 DAY JAPAN HIGHLIGHTS

P.27

TOYKO

AHJJTR

KYOTO

P.28

T

P TO R I P

overnight train

2 2

Sapporo JAPAN

1

1

2

LakeTōya

Xian

START

2

1

Chengdu

Noboribetsu

2

2 1

Longsheng

2

Yangshuo

2

HANOI

AHVCHS

SIEM REAP

START

Hanoi

VIETNAM

13 DAY VIETNAM UNCOVERED

P.30

1

2

HO CHI MINH CITY

HANOI

FINISH

Halong Bay overnight cruise

Hanoi

AHAFOH

1

1 1

P.32

FINISH

Hong Kong

13 DAY MY THAI BANGKOK

1

Miyajima

Tokyo JAPAN

4 Kyoto FINISH 1 Osaka

Hiroshima

Koh Phi Phi

13 DAY VIETNAM & CAMBODIA EXPLORER

CHINA

Takayama

START/FINISH

Phuket THAILAND

1

1

Niseko

Beijing

START/FINISH

Kiroro

Krabi

START

2

1

AHMTBB

BANGKOK

14 DAY CLASSIC THAILAND

P.34

BANGKOK

AHCTBB

BANGKOK

P.35

Chiang Rai

Halong Bay overnight cruise

Wat Rong Khun

1

1

Chiang Rai

Chiang Mai

2

Chiang Mai

2

overnight train

1

1

1 Hoi An

Hoi An

2

overnight train

Hue

2

2

2

START/FINISH

Bangkok

START/FINISH

THAILAND

Bangkok THAILAND

FINISH

Siem Reap

2

Nha Trang

1 1

2

START

Phnom Penh CAMBODIA

Chumphon

2

2

Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City

VIETNAM

Koh Rong

2 1

1

overnight train

overnight train Phuket

2

Vinh Long, Mekong River

2

2

Koh Tao

2

Koh Pha Ngan

2

Koh Samui

Krabi

2 Koh Phi Phi

16 DAY ROAD TO PHNOM PENH BANGKOK

AHAFBP

PHNOM PENH

P.36

Chiang Rai

1

P.38

Luang Prabang

FINISH

2

1

Chiang Rai

Vang Vieng

2

Wat Rong Khun Chiang Mai

1

LAOS

1

1

START

CAMBODIA

Vang Vieng

1

1

overnight train

1 Hoi An

1

Bangkok

Halong Bay overnight cruise

2

START

Siem Reap

1

Vientiane

overnight train

1

1 1

2

2

Vientiane

1

Hanoi

Luang Prabang

Pakbeng

2

Wat Rong Khun Chiang Mai

HANOI

Bangkok

2

Siem Reap CAMBODIA

2 Nha Trang

THAILAND

Phnom Penh

THAILAND

2

Phnom Penh FINISH

Hue

2

2

2

Ho Chi Minh City VIETNAM

2 1

1

overnight train

Vinh Long, Mekong River

T

LAOS

BANGKOK

AHAFBH

P TO R I P

Pakbeng

28 DAY ASIAN FUSION


CASABLANCA

MXRMCM

MARRAKECH

P.44

8 DAY TALES OF ISRAEL JERUSALEM

MXTIJT

TEL AVIV

P.45 Acre

MIDDLE EAST

& NORTH

Sea of Galilee

Haifa

1

1 Chefchaouen

AFRICA

Rabat Casablanca

Nazareth

2 Fes Volubilis

1

START

MOROCCO

Tel Aviv FINISH

Marrakech FINISH

2

EXPLORER

Jerusalem

Dead Sea

START

8 DAY JORDAN ADVENTURE AMMAN

MXJIAA

AMMAN

P.46

9 DAY NILE DISCOVERY CAIRO

MXEVCC

CAIRO

P.47 Cairo

START/FINISH

EGYPT

Ajloun Castle Jerash

1 1

Amman

START/FINISH 2 1 JORDAN

Madaba Mt Nebo Dead Sea

overnight coach

Karak

1 1

overnight coach

1

Luxor Edfu

2 Petra

Nile Cruise Ship Kom Ombo

Aqaba 1

Aswan

1 Wadi Rum

Abu Simbel

9 DAY ESSENTIAL EGYPT CAIRO

MXETCC

CAIRO

10 DAY EGYPT EXPRESS

P.48

CAIRO

MXEECC

CAIRO

START/FINISH

EGYPT

EGYPT

1 1

MARRAKECH

P.51

T

Cairo

START/FINISH

MARRAKECH

MXMSMM

P TO R I P

Cairo

P.50

10 DAY SAHARA ADVENTURE

1 2

Marrakech

START/FINISH

MOROCCO

Essaouira overnight coach

1 1 Luxor

overnight coach

overnight coach

2

Aït Benhaddou

1 1

Abu Simbel

Taroudant

1

1 Tamnougalt

1

Tamalakoute

1 Sahara Desert Camp

1 Aswan

Abu Simbel

10 DAY MOROCCAN EXPLORER MARRAKECH

Agadir

2

Kom Ombo

2 Aswan

overnight coach

1

Luxor Felucca Sailing

1 2

2

MXMEMM

MARRAKECH

P.52

10 DAY JORDAN & ISRAEL AMMAN

MXJIAT

TEL AVIV

P.54

P TO R I P

T

T

P TO R I P

Volubilis Rabat

1

Casablanca

Fes

2

Meknes

Tel Aviv FINISH

Ifrane

Midelt

Marrakech START/FINISH

MOROCCO

2 1

Aït Benhaddou

1

Jerusalem

2 Bethlehem Dead Sea

1 1

Amman

Todra Gorge

Madaba Mt Nebo Karak

2 Petra

1 Merzouga

Desert Camp

Aqaba

1

START

JORDAN

1 Errachidia

Dades Gorge

1

Ajloun Castle Jerash

1 Wadi Rum

93 MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA MAPS

7 DAY ROCKIN' MOROCCAN


7 DAY KRUGER, SWAZI & BEACH

94

ZOSSPR

DURBAN

7 DAY AFRICAN INSIGHT

P.61

ZOAIPL/ZOAILP

LIVINGSTONE

12 DAY COAST, LESOTHO & CAPE TOWN ZOSSRC

P.62

DURBAN

CAPE TOWN

P.65

T

AFRICA

PRETORIA

P TO R I P

AFRICA MAPS

PRETORIA

Livingstone FINISH

ZAMBIA

1 Hazyview Kruger National Park START

Pretoria

SOUTH AFRICA

OVERLAND

2

Drakensberg

Bulawayo

Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary

Matobo National Park

2

Malealea 2

2 Underberg area

SWAZILAND 1 St Lucia

Hluhluwe Game Reserve

1

Tshipise

Mountain Zebra National Park 1

1

1 Port Elizabeth 1

Storms River

1

2

FINISH

Addo Elephant National Park

Oudtshoorn

FINISH

Cape Town

Kruger National Park

Durban

START

Durban

LESOTHO SOUTH AFRICA

2 ZIMBABWE

Hermanus

Hazyview

SOUTH AFRICA START

Pretoria

14 DAY MOZAMBIQUE & ZIMBABWE EXPLORER VICTORIA FALLS

ZOMZPV/ZOMZVP

PRETORIA

20 DAY KRUGER TO CAPE TOWN

P.68

PRETORIA

ZOSSPC

CAPE TOWN

P.74

T

P TO R I P

START

Victoria Falls Kruger National Park

1 1

Bandula area

Hwange National Park

Bulawayo Matobo National Park

Hazyview

SOUTH AFRICA

START

1

Pretoria

2 Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary SWAZILAND

1

2

Masvingo

ZIMBABWE

LESOTHO 2

Kruger National Park

Malealea 2

2 Inhambane

1

2

FINISH

Hazyview

Pretoria

2 Durban 2 Underberg area

Mountain Zebra National Park 1

Bilene

Addo Elephant National Park

MOZAMBIQ UE

SOUTH AFRICA

1 St Lucia

Drakensberg

2 Vilanculos

Oudtshoorn

FINISH

Cape Town

1

1 Port Elizabeth 1

Storms River

1 Hermanus

41 DAY CAPE TOWN TO KENYA CAPE TOWN

ZOCKCN

NAIROBI

P.84

58 DAY ULTIMATE AFRICAN OVERLANDER NAIROBI

ZOKCGC

CAPE TOWN

P.86 Kampala

FINISH

UGANDA 1 1

Nairobi KENYA

Serengeti National Park 2 and Ngorongoro Crater

1 1 1 Marangu

Arusha Mikumi National Park 1

Iringa

Ngorongoro Crater

Zanzibar

Eldoret

1

1 1

Arusha Zanzibar Bagamoyo 1

4

1

11

Queen Elizabeth Lake Nakuru 1 National Park National Park 2 Jinja START Lake Bunyonyi 2 2 1 Nairobi Maasai Mara National Reserve KENYA Serengeti National Park 1

1 1

Mikumi National Park 1

Dar es Salaam

1

TANZANIA

1 1

Dar es Salaam

Iringa

TANZANIA

Chitimba Beach 2

Chitimba Beach 2

Kande Beach

MALAWI 2

Kande Beach MALAWI

South Luangwa National Park 2

2

Chipata 1

ZAMBIA 1 Lusaka

1 Lusaka

Livingstone ZAMBIA

Kasane

BOTSWANA

Etosha National Park 2

Okavango Delta

1

Livingstone 4

Chobe National Park 1

1

2

Swakopmund

Ghanzi

1

2

Maun

Spitzkoppe Swakopmund

1

Solitaire Sesriem area

1

1

Windhoek

Fish River Canyon

2

Sesriem area

1

Ghanzi

1

1

1

1

1

Gariep (Orange) River

1

SOUTH AFRICA

Gariep (Orange) River SOUTH AFRICA

Cederberg area

STARTS ENDS DAR ES SALAAM NAIROBI CAPE TOWN LIVINGSTONE LIVINGSTONE NAIROBI PRETORIA DAR ES SALAAM

Maun

NAMIBIA

1

Cederberg area FINISH

Cape Town

Cape Town

TRIP NAME HIGHLIGHTS OF TANZANIA DESERT TRACKER EAST AFRICAN EXPLORER KRUGER, VIC FALLS & ZANZIBAR

1 1 1

1

START

DAYS 11 19 21 23

Chobe National Park 1 Nata

Windhoek

Fish River Canyon

1

1

1

1

Solitaire

NAMIBIA

BOTSWANA

Okavango Delta

1 1

Spitzkoppe

Kasane

Etosha National Park

Nata

P. 64 72 76 78

DAYS 25 25 29

TRIP NAME SOUTH WEST SAFARI DESERT TRACKER EAST AFRICAN EXPLORER

STARTS PRETORIA CAPE TOWN PRETORIA

ENDS CAPE TOWN PRETORIA NAIROBI

P. 80 81 83

DAYS TRIP NAME 6 TROOP TO THE GORILLAS 13 KENYA AND TANZANIA ADVENTURE 14 GORILLA ENCOUNTER 19 SOUTH WEST SAFARI

STARTS KAMPALA NAIROBI

ENDS P. KAMPALA 60 DAR ES SALAAM 66

NAIROBI LIVINGSTONE

NAIROBI 70 CAPE TOWN 73

DAYS TRIP NAME 22 Z ANZIBAR, VIC FALLS & KRUGER 24 SOUTH EAST ADVENTURE 28 GAME PARKS & GORILL AS

STARTS ENDS P. DES ES SAL A AM PRETORIA 77 NAIROBI LIVINGSTONE 79 NAIROBI DAR ES SAL A AM 82


FLIGHTS

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