escape newsletter 2015
INSPIRATION FOR ADVENTURous journeys & active holidays
When in Africa From Cape Town to Vic Falls Botswana Wildside
oNCE iN A LiFETiME... Epic Lhasa to Kathmandu Cycle Bangkok to Saigon Devil’s Throat to Valley of Death
aCTive europe Hike, bike & kayak in Croatia Active days in the central Pyrenees
eScape within So, what is adventure? For us it’s a mixture of three big things.
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First - the journey. The planning and preparation, the excitement and anticipation of what you hope and expect it will be; and then the reality of the journey itself. The leaving behind of ‘home’ and the new things you see, the re-connection with nature, the activities you try, the people you meet, the new and different experiences, cultures, food, beliefs… Second – learning, understanding and reconciling. This is what happens along the way, with some good days and some difficult days; all contributing to the change that’s going on inside as new experiences sink in and take you outside of your ‘normal’ everyday self. Adventure is about challenge – sometimes physical but mostly cerebral. It’s about broadening your mind, seeing things from another point of view, changing your perspective. Third - is all about you. How you adjust, how you act, how you reach out to new people and new experiences, how getting close to nature, getting active and thinking differently makes you feel. How rising to a challenge and overcoming inhibitions helps you to grow and develop. You have the opportunity to experience our extraordinary world and its diverse cultures, landscapes and environments. So welcome to our adventure magazine - Escape. Throughout these pages we hope to inspire you to try our special style of travel.
18. 3. on trend Find out why more and more of us are exploring on two wheels.
4. Bangkok to Saigon It’s one of our most popular cycling adventures – hear first-hand what it’s like to cycle from Thailand to Vietnam via Cambodia.
Mark Wright Managing Director
6. New trips for 2015
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We’re launching some amazing new adventures for 2015 - find out more and secure your place early.
8. Weird & wonderful Matt Bennett offers his alternative bucket list of unusual things to do around the world.
9. Land rover Suites Learn about this completely new style of mobile safari camp.
10. Botswana wildside Introducing our wild new camping trip in Botswana and Zambia.
11. When in Africa
16. Discover Morocco
New for 2015, an amazing journey from Cape Town to Victoria Falls.
Great value adventures in this vibrant and unique destination.
12. quebrada de humahuaca
18. Dive into croatia
Find out what it’s like to unfold the secrets of South America off-the-beaten track.
Head on a kayaking holiday around the islands off the Dalmatian coast.
14. Lhasa to Kathmandu
19. Spanish pyrenees
Jon Barber traces the journey of a lifetime - from the highlands of Tibet down into Kathmandu, Nepal.
Spend a week on a multi-activity holiday in the Spanish Pyrenees.
call our adventure holiday specialists: 01962 737 630 2
adventure w o r l d w i d e explore beyond your imagination
6. 10.
on Trend:
Perhaps it was the London Olympics, or the ‘Wiggo Effect’
Wheely good fun
after Bradley Wiggins won the Tour de France – but for whatever reason, more and more people are choosing cycling holidays. And no wonder – travelling by bike can enrich a holiday in so many ways. On a simple level, cycling is healthy, fun and as challenging as you want it to be. There’s the environmental aspect, of course: self-powered travel is greener than gas-guzzling vehicles. But there are more intangible boons, too. Taking a journey by pedal power means you’re a part of the environment, rather than looking at the world through the window of a bus. It allows you to absorb the sounds of people and nature, the laughter and music, animal calls, birdsong and chirruping of crickets. You can sniff the tantalising smells of cooking in houses and stalls alongside the road, and feel the sun and wind on your face. For me, building a terrific appetite is always a big plus – discovering local food in the countries I explore is one of the most enjoyable parts of any trip. Why worry about counting calories when you’re burning them as fast as you can eat them? Most of all, cycling gives a real sense of stepping away from the guidebooks, getting off the beaten track. You’re seeing daily life as it unfolds, without any of the tourist baggage. You can stop whenever you like, as something catches your eye – a curious temple, a local market or just a group of kids playing a game. And with the knowledge of local guides, you discover sides to well-known spots that you just don’t reach on other tours, whether that’s secret routes to hidden temples or just a little village away from the main road. Sometimes these places are the most fascinating of all: the ‘inbetweens’, where there’s no real reason to visit other than the fact that nobody else does. So pack your padded shorts and sunscreen, sunhat and scarf, and get pedalling! By Dan Painter Brand Development Coordinator
ESCApE Now we offer 10 adventures with cycling in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Peru, Nepal, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Morocco & Romania. prices from £729
discover more online: adventureworldwide.co.uk explore beyond your imagination adventure wo rld wid e
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south east asia by pedal power Emma Rigby cycled her way across Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam – fuelled by curiosity, curry and copious noodles.
I am the kind of person who finds it hard to sit still, even when on holiday. I adore cycling. It’s relaxing, but it feels adventurous, too: it makes me feel alert, awake and properly alive. So when I finally got the chance to explore South-East Asia, somewhere I’d long wanted to visit, there was only one choice of trip: cycling. It’s ‘slow travel’, but this itinerary covers a good amount of ground, taking in three countries in one holiday. What’s not to love? When we emerged from the airport into the sticky air of Bangkok after an overnight flight, I was exhausted and hot. But we were met by the liveliest person I’ve ever encountered – Yai, our Thai guide, a tiny ball of energy. She immediately grabbed my backpack – which was as big as she was – and whisked us into the minibus for the journey to our first hotel. Within minutes, I felt immersed in sunshine. Stopping at a little roadside cafe set the tone for the following days: eating delicious, fresh local food served from a big pot, sitting on plastic chairs to munch alongside smiling Thai people. After a dip in the pool, our guide took us out to explore the nearby market. It was exactly
what I’d hoped for: bustling, colourful, packed with stalls selling things I’d never imagined you could eat, the air thick with the scents of herbs and spices. Skipping from stall to stall, Yai bought edible leaves, dried fish and various curious delicacies, and helped us fold them together to make delicious snacks. We ate dinner outside – bliss after the chilly November evenings in England – serenaded by crickets, and rounded off the evening by lighting Chinese lanterns and making a wish as we released them into the night sky. So much happened on that first night, it felt like a whole holiday in one day. After a restful sleep in a brightly painted hut, we donned our helmets and hopped on our bikes for the first day’s ride. Full of enthusiasm, I was keen to really go for it – and with 90km to ride until that night’s stop, there was plenty of opportunity. But we paused every 10km or so for a snack, to top up on water and sunscreen, or just to chat in the shade. And because our support vehicle was never far behind, there was always the opportunity to throw the bike in the van and ride for part of the way. Some of the group might cycle for half the day or so, then relax
call our adventure holiday specialists: 01962 737 630 4
adventure w o r l d w i d e explore beyond your imagination
in the minibus, while the rest of us were happy to keep pedalling – the pace was always leisurely, the roads good and the terrain gentle. For me, a bonus of cycling is that it makes eating even more enjoyable, and the food we tried from even the smallest roadside cafes was always a hundred times better than in restaurants at home. Green curry, stir-fries, noodles with pork – all of them were amazing. Grinning grandmas at local markets would gesture to buckets of live eels, and laughing kids posed for photos as we waved and passed by. Once we reached Cambodia, we said goodbye to our wonderful Thai guide and met our local leader. That proved to be really special. Because he comes from a village near Angkor, he was a font of knowledge – not just about the incredible collection of ancient monuments themselves, but the secret backroads between them. Scooting through the jungle to isolated temples, we felt as if we were the first to discover ruins still buried in the forest, with no other tourists in sight. It was simply magical, and quite a contrast to bustling Siem Reap. The base town for Angkor is a busy, fascinating place, with fantastic eateries and plenty of bargains.
escape on two wheels "The streets were lined with kids shouting and holding up hands to high-five us – I felt like we'd just won the Tour de France!" trip: cycle bangok to saigon
Fancy a cycling holiday? Here are a few more ideas for trips with days in the saddle... cycle hanoi to luang prabang 10 days from £1099 This incredible route starts in Hanoi in Vietnam and takes you alongside rivers and rice paddies to Luang Prabang in Laos. Spend time exploring temples, waterfalls and meeting friendly locals. Active Guatemala 9 days from £1899 Enjoy a fast and exhilarating ride on a mix of dirt and tarmac roads through quaint villages. Cycle in ’10 Volcano Land’ - past villages and smoking volcanoes. Active morocco 8 days from £729 Follow the Tizi n’Test road across the Atlas Mountains. See the real Morocco as you journey along the back roads passing ancient Kasbahs and traditional Berber villages.
I even tried a treatment by ‘Dr Fish’, dipping my tired feet into a water-filled bowl where tiny fish nibbled my toes. After visiting the powerfully moving sites commemorating the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge in Phnom Penh, we crossed the border again into Vietnam – and both local guide and atmosphere changed yet again: different accents, different clothes, different scenery, lush with neat rice paddies. At the end of our first day’s ride, as we pedalled into the small village that would be our home for the night, the streets were lined with kids shouting and holding up hands to high-five us – I felt like we’d just won the Tour de France! Next day we boarded a boat through the Mekong Delta, past floating markets and fish farms, a mesmerising living landscape. Hopping off onto a small island, we stopped at a breathtakingly beautiful French colonial-style house – and this homestay was one of the most memorable experiences of the trip. After a cookery class, we ate dinner on the balcony overlooking the river as the sun set. The cuisine in Vietnam was unbelievable: the array of fresh vegetables and herbs spread on the table look like a collection
of cuttings from a garden, and the dishes created were so fresh and aromatic. Our final stretch of cycling saw us turning east towards Saigon, flitting across dozens of tiny islands over small bridges, dodging mopeds and other bikes on narrow roads before venturing off onto jungle pathways. At the end of the day, passing genial locals in conical hats and white tunics, I was sad to say goodbye to my bike that had carried me so far. But we’d go out with a bang: two nights in Saigon, which seemed huge and wonderfully hectic after our rural journey. Markets? Of course – and hard bargaining was the order of the day, setting the pulse racing in a rather different way.
Active Vietnam 15 days from £1399 Explore rural Hue on two wheels – witness a panoramic view of the coastline and after a steady climb, descend to the stunning beach of Lang Co. Cool off with a swim in the sea. active cambodia 14 days from £999 Cycle alongside the Mekong River meeting locals as you travel and watch out for the Irrawaddy River Dolphin. Plus, ride to the point where Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos meet. Active Romania 8 days from £949 This is a journey to sink your teeth into; the land of Dracula. Follow the Transfagaran Highway over the mighty Fagaras Mountains – some of the most dramatic peaks in Romania.
I took home so many memories from the trip: of temples and markets, smiling faces and fabulous food. But most of all, I remember the feeling of whizzing along, past banana plants and rivers and villages. Unforgettable.
ESCApE Now Cycle bangkok to saigon 14 days from £1329 Journey from Bangkok in Thailand into Cambodia via the temples of Angkor Wat to Saigon in Vietnam.
discover more online: adventureworldwide.co.uk explore beyond your imagination adventure wo rld wid e
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escape to
new horizons We’re launching a bundle of new adventures this year - here’s a sneak preview of what to look for online.
1. Botswana & Zambia
2. Multi-country - Africa Cape Town to Victoria Falls 21 days from £1799 An epic journey through South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe covering the Fish River Canyon, wildlife in Etosha National Park, the Okavango Delta, the world’s highest sand-dunes at Sossusvlei and the awesome Victoria Falls!
Botswana Wildside - Camping 14 days from £1299 This is the perfect mix of wildlife and adventure in Africa’s premier playground, taking in the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve, Chobe National Park and finishing up at the thunderous Victoria Falls.
3. rwanda Misty Mountain Gorillas COMING SOON - register now FOR DETAILS Trek amongst primates in Nyungwe Forest and along the Nile Trail. Take a boat trip and relax beside beautiful Lake Kivu. Climax with an exclusive opportunity to trek with the gorillas of Volcanoes National Park – be one of just 56 people allowed in the park each day.
5. indonesia jAVA TO BALI COMING SOON - register now FOR DETAILS An exciting journey travelling across two of Indonesia’s greatest islands, taking in the fascinating temples of Borobudur and Prambanan then travelling onto the spectacular Mount Bromo volcano in East Java. Hop across to Bali for more cultural discovery and time to relax on the tropical beaches.
6. Sri Lanka
4. philippines The rice terraces of banaue COMING SOON - register now FOR DETAILS Get off the beaten track and explore the north of the tropical Philippines. Explore the Bohol chocolate hills, stay in an eco park and see the famous Banaue rice terraces. Trek the paths of Marlboro Mountain through changing landscapes. See waterfalls, caves, and the Hanging Coffins. You can always extend your trip and relax on stunning white sand beaches.
sri lanka IN MOTION COMING SOON - register now FOR DETAILS A fantastic adventure to this tropical delight. Begin with a safari in the less visited Wilpattu National Park, spend time white-water rafting, canoeing and trekking and learn to cook traditional Sri Lankan food. Take part in an exciting night trek to Adam’s Peak in time to watch a beautiful sunrise.
call our adventure holiday specialists: 01962 737 630 6
adventure w o r l d w i d e explore beyond your imagination
7. Morocco BIKE AND HIKE MOROCCO 8 days from £699 Enjoy cycling and trekking in the High Atlas Mountains. Follow narrow valleys on two wheels passing traditional Berber villages. Enjoy hiking in the fantastic scenery of the Jebel Sahro.
8. Croatia sea kayak Dalmatia 8 days from £699 This adventure features sea kayaking, swimming, snorkelling, walking and cycling around the beautiful Elafiti Islands and the Dalamatian coastline. Perfect for those want an active holiday but also some free time to relax.
9. Spain
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PYRENEES adventure 8 days from £979 Explore the picturesque Pyrenees; discover mountain villages and stay in a delightful converted farmhouse. Spend time rock-climbing, canyoning, swimming, rafting and optional mountain biking.
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land rover suite safari COMING SOON - register now FOR DETAILS Sleep in your unique accommodation in a secluded spot beside Lake Victoria, visit the less-frequented and diverse Western corridor of the Serengeti National Park where you can enjoy fantastic game viewing of vast herds across the open plains. Explore the Ngorongoro Crater, stay at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, take a boat safari on the Wami River and finish at Saadani National Park where you can enjoy the bush and the beach simultaneously.
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11. Madagascar Land of Lemurs COMING SOON - register now FOR DETAILS This new journey will take you into rainforest reserves in search of a variety of types of lemur (including Indri and ring-tailed lemurs). You’ll explore Madagascar’s diverse landscapes on foot and discover the unique culture of the Malagasy people in its villages and towns. Rounded off with a beach extension for those who like some chill time too (and possibly whale-watching).
register Now Please call us or go online today to register your interest for our new adventures in 2015 and 2016. You’ll be first on the list as soon as details are finalised this April/May.
discover more online: adventureworldwide.co.uk explore beyond your imagination adventure wo rld wid e
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the Weird & Wonderful World Matt Bennett has picked his alternative bucket list. Focusing on the weird and wonderful things to do and places to see.
SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS Experience the Aurora Borealis phenomenon for yourself in the wilderness of Lapland. northern lights special, from £929
eat a tarantula Hop off your bike and tuck into a hearty meal of deep-fried spider - a local delicacy in Cambodia. cycle Bangkok to Saigon, from £1329
Meet Kazakh Eagle Hunters Meet these legendary trained birds and watch them in action - soaring through the sky. celestial adventure, from £999
float in the dead sea The Dead Sea in Jordan has a high level of salt meaning it makes swimming more like floating! petra, desert, dead & red, from £849
ride a camel in the sahara Head to Morocco for an iconic and memorable trip across the Sahara desert on a camel. sahara desert adventure, from £499
Hear traditional throat singing Listen to the unique sounds of Mongolian throat singing - a bi-phonic and enigmatic art. ALTAI ADVENTURE, from £2999
VISIT MACHU PICCHU Trek the Inca Trail to majestic Machu Picchu - an iconic destination to tick off the list! total adventure peru, from £1599
sleep in a yurt Experience life with the locals - stay in a yurt. Light the fire and enjoy supper in the wilderness. Silk Road Safari, from £1599
surf the waves in bali Grab your board and head to the beach in Kuta in Southern Bali. An iconic location for hitting the waves. bali high and coast, from £849
call our adventure holiday specialists: 01962 737 630 8
adventure w o r l d w i d e explore beyond your imagination
Land rover Suite
a unique place to stay You’ve heard of heading on a safari in a Land Rover - but have you ever spent the night in one? Read on to hear about this unusual pop-up suite that gives fantastic flexibility on safari.
Where do we go?
What is it?
Well, it’s the coolest innovation in nomadic safaris since the camel. The ultimate in bush chic, but with all the nuts and bolts practicalities to save the universe. It is a full working Land Rover, with its glorious lines and bush worn lumps and bumps, but once in situ, it folds out, as graceful as a swallowtail, into a stunning home. From the beautiful elevated bedroom, with balcony overlooking whatever view we deem best at the time, to the teak panelled bathroom, in the back of the car, no screw has been left unturned to smooth your wilderness living. It carries its own solar panels which are used to power lights; sockets for charging your batteries; a water pump to fill your bath (pictured above) in just four minutes, heating the water you lie in to perfection.
Where did the idea come from?
In a moment of apparent madness, David Guthrie and his engineering guru, long-term business partner and great friend Masa Kilanga, decided to take a Land Rover and convert it into a luxury room. If it worked, it would be fabulously mobile, extremely practical, and environmentally sound because it removes the need for convoys of large trucks moving the equipment around, and because it is entirely solar powered in situ. It has worked better than they could ever have hoped, and is set to change the way mobile safaris are run.
Most importantly of all, the Land Rover Suites move to all the right places to give you the safari of a lifetime. Experience splendid isolation in total comfort. From the beautiful shores of Lake Victoria, with stunning birdlife, crocs and hippos, to deep into the Serengeti, off the beaten tracks, and on to the Gol Mountains, where the great wildebeest migration is likely to be during your stay. This incredible experience will see you isolated in an area likely to be full of wildebeest and zebra. And you’ll meet the Maasai tribe, who can walk you through the herds for an unforgettable experience.
ESCApE in style land rover suite safari register now FOR DETAILS Explore the Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Saadani National Park and more whilst staying in a Land Rover Suite.
discover more online: adventureworldwide.co.uk explore beyond your imagination adventure wo rld wid e
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Botswana
wildside camping Immerse yourself into a land of contrasts from the waterways of the Okavango Delta to the dry sands of the Kalahari Desert and beyond.
Each year a little oasis in the heart of the Kalahari floods to create a tapestry of crystal-clear channels, papyrus swamps and small islands hosting myriad birds and large animals. This is the Okavango Delta and your home for three nights as part of our 15-day Botswana Wildside trip. You’ll camp in the wilderness, providing the perfect opportunity to learn bush tracking and survival skills. As you rest under canvas, listen out for the cacophony of exotic sounds and enjoy the breath-taking sunrises across the delta. Exploration of the expansive waterways is by traditional mokoros (dugout canoes) and on foot.
ZAMBIA
NAMIBIA
Chobe
To UK
ZIMBABWE Moremi
BOTSWANA Maun From UK
But this is Botswana, Africa’s premier playground, and the show must go on! Spot the plentiful wildlife on game drives in Moremi National Park, considered one of the leading wildlife areas of the world and explore Chobe National Park, home to the largest concentration of elephant in Africa as well as huge herds of buffalo. The journey ends at the thunderous Victoria Falls, ‘Mosi oa Tunya’. A grand finale to an extraordinary country.
ESCApE Now Botswana wildside 14 days from £1299 new for 2015! This is the perfect mix of wildlife and adventure in Africa’s premier playground. Explore game reserves and see Victoria Falls.
call our adventure holiday specialists: 01962 737 630 10
Livingstone Victoria Falls
Savuti
adventure wo r l d w i d e explore beyond your imagination
When in Africa
Cape Town to victoria Falls An epic journey through South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe - it’s a brand new trip for 2015 and here we’ve picked out our favourite highlights.
board down the dunes Towering red sand dunes of Sossusvlei form the gateway into the Namib Desert. Explore Sesriem Canyon and watch dramatic sunsets from the world’s highest sand dunes.
okavango delta Head deep into the Okavango Delta in dugout canoes – enjoy bush walks, wild camping and see all kinds of wildlife. See elephants Meet wild African elephants in the Etosha National Park whilst on game drives around the wildlife-rich park.
To UK
Victoria Falls
Etosha NP
NAMIBIA
Okavango Delta
ZIMBABWE
Spitzkoppe Kalahari
Makgadikgadi Pans
Swakopmund
BOTSWANA
Windhoek Namib Desert
Gariep
SOUTH AFRICA Cederberg
Coast & seals Journey into Spitzkoppe to admire thousands of Cape Fur Seals in the sea, on the rocks and beaches – a sight you’ll never forget.
explore cape town Explore Cape Town’s multi-cultural highlights. See the iconic Table Mountain, taste outstanding food and admire African penguins at Cape Point.
Hear the roar of the falls Victoria Falls are a must-see when in this part of Africa. Watch as the water plunges into the Zambezi gorge. The mighty falls are a magnificent 5,600 feet wide and the mist and spray rises up 100 feet higher than the top of the falls – no wonder it’s known as the ‘the smoke that thunders’.
Cape Town From UK
ESCApE Now cape town to victoria falls 21 days from £1799 new for 2015! An epic journey in Africa; covering Fish River Canyon, Etosha National Park, Okavango Delta, Namib Desert and Victoria Falls!
discover more online: adventureworldwide.co.uk explore beyond your imagination adventure wo rld wid e
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South america's
best kept secret Take a journey along a hidden valley to the corner where three countries and a trio of extraordinary landscapes meet. Join us on the trail from the Devil’s Throat to the Valley of Death between Salta and the Atacama Desert. Serrated ridges scar the mountainside, as if the rock has been raked by the claws of a gargantuan jaguar. The narrow valley floor is studded with huge cacti, their bulbous limbs raised to the cerulean heavens, and adobe houses clustered around a squat whitewashed church. But the most astonishing feature in this dramatic vista is the kaleidoscopic swatches of colours cloaking the hillside. This is the Cerro de Siete Colores: Seven Colours Hill. Or should that be 14? Or 21? Patches of blue, green and pink alternate with ochre, red, purple and more – minerals painting the rocks vivid hues, iron oxide rust, manganese violet and coppery turquoise – all gleaming in the morning sun. The hill, rising west of the town of Purmamarca, is just one of the visual treats to be found by intrepid travellers exploring the less-trodden far north-west of Argentina. Here, the rugged gorge called the Quebrada de Humahuaca snakes some 155km north from the regional capital, Jujuy, towards the Bolivian border, the road along its bottom punctuated by traditional small towns like beads on a rosary. Tilcara, known for its bustling craft stalls – pick up a colourful woven blanket – is the starting point for the trek to the Garganta de Diablo: the Devil’s Throat. Follow a narrow ravine up from the main valley to an isolated waterfall cupped at the end of the canyon – a welcome reward on a hot day. The cultural heritage of the Quebrada is precious, too: peopled by Cochinoca who still raise llamas for wool and transportation, and store grain in forts called pucarás – the restored fortress above Tilcara is a maze of stone-block buildings, as well as providing the most panoramic vistas across the valley. A day at the small settlement of Hornaditas is the perfect way to get a feel for the lifestyle of the Quebrada’s indigenous communities. Welcomed by a smiling family, you’ll help with whatever tasks present themselves: planting or harvesting crops, baking bread, even rolling up your sleeves and making cheese – after a morning in the fields under the fierce sun
you’ll appreciate the value of the widebrimmed hats worn by locals. Travel on to discover yet more unique landscapes. The road along the Quebrada leads to the border and into Bolivia, where the vast salt flats of the Salar de Uyuni glisten. A 4WD adventure across this surreal landscape, sleeping in a refuge built with bricks of salt, is an unforgettable, dreamlike experience. Another short hop to the west lies Chile, and the Atacama Desert. This otherworldly habitat is chilly, arid and rugged, its harsh terrain occasionally splashed with the pink of flamingos feeding on algae. It’s no surprise that this lunar landscape is epitomised in the Valle de la Luna – the Valley of the Moon. And as the sun sets behind the dunes and razor-sharp outcrops of the Valle de la Muerte, in a way it seems only appropriate that, as you near the end of your journey, you’re once more faced by scarred ridges very like those you saw in the Quebrada. You’ve travelled from the Devil’s Throat to the Valley of Death. There are few adventurers who can say the same.
Trip Highlights... Trek to the Devil’s Throat and cool off under the cascade Barter for traditional crafts Climb to the pucará above Tilcara to photograph Seven Colours Hill Spend time with a local family in Hornaditas Lose yourself in the weird whiteness of the Salar de Uyuni Explore the sand dunes of the Valley of Death in the Atacama
ESCApE now salta to atacama 15 days from £1999 An adventurous journey through three countries in less than three weeks taking you well off the beaten track.
call our adventure holiday specialists: 01962 737 630 12
adventure wo r l d w i d e explore beyond your imagination
get active in
latin america Need some more adrenaline-pumping activities in your adventures? We’ve got a range of high-energy Latin American tours to tempt you... Active Guatemala 9 days from £1899 Arguably the most spectacular country in Central America, Guatemala is a playground for the adventurous. Mountain biking around volcanoes, kayaking on the Atitlan Lake and trekking in the Alaska Highlands – perfect to get your energy levels up! Meet the locals and admire the colourful and crazy culture. Total Adventure Peru 9 days from £1599 A full-on active adventure in Peru including a rafting trip on the Urubamba River, an exhilarating descent on mountain bike in the Sacred Valley and a trek along the infamous Inca Trail en route to the incredible ruins of Machu Picchu. This action-packed adventure in Peru is quite possibly the hottest Andean trip out there. Tropical Adventures in Costa Rica 8 days from £1599 This adventure in Costa Rica offers a great blend of fun and interest. Experience the thrill of the skywalk canopy route in Monteverde Cloud Forest, get wet and wild rafting on the Pacuare River and travel on horse-back through forests to La Fortuna waterfall and Arenal Volcano.
discover more online: adventureworldwide.co.uk explore beyond your imagination adventure wo rld wid e
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Take the
high road
Jon Barber traces the journey of a lifetime on an overland expedition across the Himalaya from Lhasa to Kathmandu via the north face of Everest. I was going round in circles, and I was getting very dizzy. Not so unusual, you might think – that’s pretty much what you’d expect. But in Lhasa, the traditional capital of Tibet, the reasons aren’t just those you’d encounter at home. For starters, there’s the altitude: at 3,650m – higher still, if you climb to the roof of the Potala Palace – the air here is gaspingly thin. Any exertion is likely to set the head spinning, at least for the first day or two after arriving. Mostly, though, it wasn’t the breathlessness, nor even the clockwise motion, that was befuddling my brain. It was the overwhelming spectacle of the Barkhor Kora – the pilgrimage circuit around the holy Jokhang, Lhasa’s most important temple. Joining the crowds circling the Jokhang is a full-frontal assault on the senses – and a noholds-barred introduction to Tibetan culture and tradition. I mingled with hundreds of Buddhist pilgrims and tourists alike shuffling clockwise around the gilt-roofed precinct. Crimson-robed monks and devout Tibetans frequently dropped to prostrate themselves in supplication, while the rest of us paused to browse the stalls lining the route, haggling over prayer wheels, colourful flags and shawls, rosaries and thangkas (cloth painted with Buddhist mandalas), bronze figurines and daggers. The air rang with chanting and chattering, the scent of incense drifted out of the temple, and the glint of white in the corner of my eye reminded me that the Potala was gazing across imperiously from the hill of Marpo Ri to the west. I struggled to take in the sights, sounds and smells – no wonder I was giddy. I’d arrived in Tibet the previous day at the start of what promised to be an unforgettable expedition among the world’s loftiest peaks. The drive from Lhasa to the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu, is one of the classic overland journeys, traversing the ‘roof of the world’ – the windswept, starkly spectacular Tibetan plateau – to discover remote monasteries, traditional villages and the less-visited north face of Everest. It was a chance to experience a mystical land that was off-limits to outsiders for centuries, and which in parts still retains an otherworldly atmosphere despite recent large-scale Chinafication.
My adventure had begun in another city likely to get your brain buzzing. Kathmandu is a non-stop bustling, bubbling jacuzzi of a place. At its heart is the medieval Durbar Square, a mini-city of ancient Hindu temples jostling for space and packed with sadhus and souvenir sellers, tourists and touts. Having wandered between the shrines and peered into the shadowy interiors, I found the scene more absorbing still when enjoyed from a distance – with an aerial perspective from a rooftop cafe terrace, allowing me to watch the masses swirling below while gratefully sipping a cold drink. I decided to walk back to our hotel to explore the more-modern districts of the city. And that’s an experience in itself. Swaddling Durbar Square are more layers of history, like rings of an onion decreasing in age as you head outwards. Dodging the mopeds that weaved through the narrow alleys, I stopped to window-shop trekking equipment, carvings, clothes and tasters of Tibet – multihued prayer flags and t-shirts adorned with Buddha eyes. Next morning we boarded the plane to Lhasa – surely one of the most breathtaking flights in the world. The highest peaks on the planet stood to attention beneath us: Everest, of course, but also Kangchenjunga (8,586m) to the east and Manaslu (8,163m) to the west. I was keen to get out and explore the city as soon as we landed, but our guide wisely deterred me: even lying in bed that night left me breathing heavily. It takes a couple of days to get accustomed to the thin air, so dashing around straightaway can lead to a thumping headache. Patience is definitely rewarded in Tibet – and with several days to discover Lhasa, there was no rush. We began our Tibetan adventure with the headline act: the Potala Palace. Founded in the 17th century by the fifth Dalai Lama, it dominates the skyline of Lhasa from every angle, and its quite unlike anything I’d ever seen before. Like Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Oxford University and the houses of parliament rolled into one, when built it combined the residence of the Dalai Lamas – Tibet’s spiritual leaders – with government offices, chapels, tombs of earlier lamas and areas devoted to Buddhist
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study and prayer. Most memorable were the living quarters of the Dalai Lama himself, unoccupied since the current (14th) lama fled to India in 1959, his empty throne a powerful symbol. The views from the roof across the city blew me away. There are various koras – pilgrimage circuits – in Lhasa, but it was the shortish Barkhor Kora around the Jokhang that captured my imagination. The Jokhang itself is really not
"I'd come full circle, and my head was whirling once again, with images of all I'd seen"
one temple but many, its assembly rooms and chapels populated by statues depicting the various Buddhas, Boddhi Satvas and other important spiritual figures sitting amid yak-butter lamps and brightly embroidered hangings. Founded in the 7th century by Songtsen Gampo, the king who united Tibet and established Buddhism here, this is the most holy and important religious monument in the land – and as I mingled with the massed pilgrims undertaking the
circuit, the spirituality of the place left a deep impression on me. The mountains around Lhasa are studded with more monasteries in dramatic settings, so once we’d visited the Nobulingka – the Dalai Lama’s summer palace – we set out to visit the outlying sites, including Sera, Ganden and Drepung Monasteries. In truth, I think Drepung might be more impressive even than the Potala: a mass of white
buildings clustered on a hillock, it was once the world’s biggest monastery, home to perhaps as many as 10,000 monks. Even today, though its population is far smaller, it’s still a centre of learning, and it was fascinating to see young monks chanting and practising their debating techniques – which can seem alarmingly belligerent! After three days in the capital, we set out on our odyssey west towards Nepal. Continued overleaf.
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The landscape is austerely beautiful, being effectively a desert – it’s treeless and sparsely populated, with just occasional yak-pulled ploughs tilling the land and clusters of red, yellow, green, blue and white prayer flags fluttering in the wind. I was already working my way far too quickly through my camera’s memory card when we topped the first high pass of our journey – the Khamba La (4,795m) – and it was then that I realised I should have brought at least twice as many cards. The turquoise waters of holy Yamdrok Lake appeared below, with the hefty massif of Nojin Kangtsang Glacier glinting far to the west. Snap, snap and snap again – the photography accelerated and never let up till the end of the trip. Gyantse, our next stop, upped the image ante again. There’s nowhere quite like it, even in Tibet. At one end of the old town looms the dzong, a hilltop fortress built in the 14th century; it’s ruined today, but still impressive from below and with cracking views across to the main attraction – the walled compound encompassing Pelkor Chode Monastery and its adjacent Gyantse Kumbum, a huge 15th-century chorten (stupa) with six floors of chapels and shrines. Gyantse town itself made for a beguiling wander, its trio of main streets still retaining the traditional style and feel of a Tibetan settlement despite the Chinese influences that have transformed many places in the territory. Next up, we travelled into Shiatse – the second largest city in Tibet to visit the magnificent Tashilhunpo Monastery. Our route then snaked west and south, and we enjoyed more glimpses of snow-clad peaks as we passed nomad camps and small farming villages. But it was once we’d turned off the Friendship Highway that the excitement really started to build. From here,
the tallest mountains spread before us: summit after 8,000m-plus summit, whitecapped, daunting, implacable – among them Everest, at 8,848m lording it over all others. The views from the Pang La surpassed any I’d seen before, with an army of peaks ranked before us.
asian
I’d been in Tibet for a week by then, but even so I was breathing heavily by the time we stopped at Rongbuk Monastery, and not just because of the views of the north face of Everest just to our south. The walk to Base Camp was, in absolute terms, pretty easy, being fairly short and only gently undulating. But at over 5,200m even the most energetic of us had to take it slow – and our hike was all the better for it. The anticipation built as the colossal bulk of the mountain expanded to fill my viewfinder, till finally we reached that legendary sign declaring we’d reached ‘Mt Qomolangma’ – the Tibetan name for what was, until 1849, known merely as Peak XV. And I wasn’t disappointed. Its heft is surpassed only by its beauty – something no camera nor description can adequately capture.
Caspian & the Karakum - Turkmenistan 14 days from £1999 Turkmenistan is an extra-special destination; spend time with the locals in the village of Karakala. See the world’s largest lake – the Caspian Sea, explore the ‘Moon Mountains’ and the Silk Road city of Merv.
Fortunately, the journey down into Nepal had plenty to compensate for leaving Everest behind. The landscape morphed dramatically as we left the desiccated Tibetan plateau, and we were soon surrounded by lush paddies and trees as we plunged down towards Kathmandu and the end of our epic journey. I’d come full circle, and my head was whirling once again, with images of all I’d seen: gilt-roofed temples and hilltop fortresses, and – most of all – that jaw-dropping view of Everest.
Silk Road Safari - Uzbekistan 14 days from £1599 This amazing journey stretches the entire length of Uzbekistan. Take in the legendary Great Silk Road; activities include some mountain trekking, a little horse-riding and a camel ride into the desert.
ESCApE Now lhasa to kathmandu 13 days from £2049 An inspiring overland journey across Tibet from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp, then down, down, down into Kathmandu, Nepal.
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journeys
Celestial Adventure - Kyrgyzstan 10 days from £999 See the magnificent peaks of the Tien Shan, meet Kyrgyz nomads and sleep in a Yurt. Spend time with the famous Golden Eagle Hunters, see Issyk Kul Lake and trek in the spectacular Seven Bulls Gorge. Altai Adventure - mongolia 12 days from £2999 An overland adventure in the remote Altai Mountains in Mongolia. Hear traditional throat singing, explore Kokh Serkh National Park and the second highest peak in Mongolia – Monkh Khairkhan.
Nador
Meknes Casablanca
Fez
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Morocco Take one tiny step out of Europe, and discover bold, exotic and enchanting Morocco whose mystical magic
Essaouira Agadir
Marrakech
runs deep, tapping into travellers’ senses with bursts of scent and colour.
Ouarzazate Draa Valley
ESCApE Now aCTIVE mOROCCO 8 days from £729 Mountain bike through valleys and traditional villages. Trek in the soaring Atlas Mountains and have fun in the Terres d’Amanar Park. Ride a camel along the coastal desert and relax in laid-back Essaouira. sAHARA dESERT aDVENTURE 8 days from £499 A camel supported trek into the Saharan wilderness; watch as the landscape changes from the High Atlas Mountains into the forests of the Draa Valley. Discover the dunes of Erg Lihoudi and visit the Ksar of Ait Benhaddou. ORIENTAL DESERT EXPRESS 8 days from £1449 This exceptional journey is extra-special and unique; travel on a private Oriental Desert Express Train from the Med to the Sahara. Meet nomadic locals, discover the oasis town of Figuig and spend time at an Olive Farm. BIKE and hike MOROCCO new for 2015! 8 days from £699 Discover the amazing Ounila and Draa Valleys on foot and on two wheels. The dramatic rock formations and the lush green oasis alternate with the dry wadis and the deep gorges to create an impressive landscape.
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dive into
croatia A kayaking holiday around islands off the Dalmatian Coast made a big splash with Nicola Green. When I’d first mooted the idea of a multiactivity holiday in Croatia to my friend, the response wasn’t overwhelming. The thought of spending a week kayaking around a small island in the Adriatic didn’t really, well, float her boat. But I’d long hankered after a visit to Dubrovnik, that lauded ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’, with its terracotta-tiled rooftops and baroque beauty and the Dalmatian Coast. And so it was that on a warm August afternoon we decanted from our flight into a speedboat that whisked us, James Bond style, to the small island of Lopud, one of three in the Elafiti archipelago. As we walked up to our guesthouse from the harbour, I realised that the retreating throb of the boat was the last engine we’d hear for a while – there are no cars on the island. That evening, we got to know the others in our group over a feast of freshly grilled seafood (and, yes, a glass or two of crisp white wine). On that first day we quickly mastered the basics and paddled out of the cove towards Sipan, the largest of the three islands. There we picked up mountain bikes to explore, pedalling past vineyards and fragrant olive groves, pausing to stroll the charming settlement of Sipanska Luka and nose into the remains of churches and grand houses of Dubrovnik’s renaissanceera bigwigs. We quickly settled into a rhythm. Rise, breakfast, paddle to a new playground – for a spot of snorkelling, perhaps, a dolphin-watching boat tour or an amble to the taverna at Sunj beach on the other side of Lopud. That spot became a firm favourite, a place to relax and graze on Croatian cuisine – an Italo-Balkan fusion, rich in pasta, rice and fresh fish. With all this activity, great company, fresh air and delicious local food, we felt healthier and more relaxed than we had in months.
ESCApE Now sea kayak croatia 8 days from £699 new for 2015! A multi-activity week in sunny Croatia; hike, bike, swim, snorkel, kayak around the Elafiti Islands and Dalmatian coastline.
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Berdún and the
spanish pyrenees A very different place - and pace - in the central Pyrenees. The medieval hilltop village of Berdún in the Spanish region of Aragón is an absolute little gem. And, despite the area’s spectacular backdrop of mountains, the architectural originality of its stone villages, the rich collection of early romanesque churches and monasteries and a lesserknown 6-day section of the Santiago Pilgrims’ Way, very few tourists have made it past the Basque Country and Catalonia into this slightly less accessible area of Spain. Life in Berdún is lived at a different pace and you’ll soon find yourself getting into the rhythm of rural Spanish life. The countryside is breathtaking and totally unspoilt, with pristine river pools for swimming and hundreds of square kilometres of alpine wilderness to create an incredible active escape. Accommodation for the week is the familyrun and beautifully restored farmhouse.
Its owners (a lovely English couple) accompany you on your activities and point you in the right direction on free days. They have been living in this area for 25 years and love showing people all the wonderful places they’ve discovered over time. Delicious home-cooked dinners or barbecues can be arranged on request and there are two restaurants in the village too. A five-minute walk down a country lane takes you to an outdoor swimming pool and bar where you can try your hand at the Spanish game of ‘frontón’, a version of open-air squash played against a large L-shaped wall. Our adventurous activity week offers a variety of opportunities for walking, swimming, rafting, zip-wiring and sunbathing; but there’s still time to head off to a nearby village for a fiesta, the annual celebration held in each village in honour of
the patron saint, catering for young and old with all sorts of entertainment and dancing to live bands. Despite the feeling that it’s off the beaten track, Bilbao airport is a mere two and a half hours away, providing easy access. An optional trip extension to San Sebastian provides a chance to visit this iconic Basque seaside city, enjoy its “pintxos” (Basque for “tapas”) and chill out on the beach. This is a trip to challenge all preconceptions and rediscover the best of authentic Spain.
ESCApE Now pyrenees adventure 8 days from £979 new for 2015! Explore the beautiful Spanish Pyrenees while staying in a delightful converted farmhouse - raft, rock climb, trek and more.
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