SAGA | Travellers World

From a seaside hotel on the Kent coast...

It all began in 1951, when Sidney De Haan offered off-peak holidays for retired people to the seaside town of Folkestone, Kent.

The idea took off, and since then we’ve grown to offer a wide range of worldwide holidays, ocean cruises, financial services and a magazine for people aged over 50.

In September 2021, we’re celebrating our 70th anniversary, and believe our success is based on our personal service, attention to detail and listening to our customers’ valued feedback.

We’re committed to providing the highest standards of service through every aspect of your holiday – from the moment you book, to the moment you return home – so we can provide an exceptional experience every time.

…to amazing holidays around the world.

To avoid disappointment, it’s always best to book early because holidays can sell out fast and prices sometimes increase. Prices were correct at time of going to print in August 2021 and should be used as a guide.

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Fishing Sri on Lankan the Mekong River --see Adventure seepage page158 88

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THE SAGA

DIFFERENCE 70 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE We’ve created holidays for 70 years, so wherever in the world you travel, you can trust us to provide you with a holiday you will never forget.

EXPERTLY DESIGNED WITH YOU IN MIND The cornerstones of quality, service and real value for money are at the heart of every holiday.

TRAVEL INSURANCE INCLUDED

EXPERIENCES YOU’LL NEVER FORGET Each holiday is carefully planned by our team to combine visits to famous highlights and lesser-known sights.

HASSLE-FREE HOLIDAYS We’ve taken care of the little details, so you can relax and enjoy your holiday.

VIP TRAVEL SERVICE WITH UNLIMITED MILEAGE INCLUDED

We include travel insurance on all overseas holidays, including cover for over 400 pre-existing medical conditions.§ Please see pages 174-177 for more details.

We’ll arrange your travel to your UK departure point and home again. Choose from a chauffeur service, standard class rail travel or airport parking. See page 15 for details.

GOOD VALUE

TRAVEL SOLO WITH US

We include so much in the price of our holidays – see pages 14-15 for more details.

We offer exclusive solo departures on selected holidays. For more information, see page 12.

AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY

HOLIDAYS TO SUIT ALL INTERESTS

Our Saga Hosts and Tour Managers will share their local knowledge and create a sociable environment. They’re on hand 24 hours a day and are supported around the clock by our team based in our UK Head Office.

In some destinations we offer Special Interest holidays, which are specially designed around a particular subject, such as music, wildlife or archaeology.

Find out more on page 13.

All of our holidays are ABTA and ATOL protected. §Underwritten by Great Lakes. Subject to medical screening, and a price reduction if insurance is not required. For full details please see pages 174-179.

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Rajasthan: The Princely State - see page 74 5

Costa Rica: The Jewel of Central America - see page 118 6

YOU CAN ALWAYS BOOK WITH

CONFIDENCE OUR REASSURANCE PROMISE All our customers are vaccinated We want to offer the safest holiday experience possible. That’s why we ask that all customers must be fully vaccinated against Coronavirus at least 14 days before travelling with us.

You can find more details at saga.co.uk/holidays-vaccination We’ve got you covered We include travel insurance on all overseas holidays. It features up to £5m emergency medical and repatriation cover for a variety of medical conditions – including coronavirus§.

Safety and wellbeing All our Tour Managers, Cruise and Hotel hosts are fully trained, and we work closely with our suppliers, so they operate with your safety in mind.

Added flexibility Our flexible cancellation cover is there if you need to cancel your holiday before you leave due to a variety of medical conditions, including coronavirus*.

Amend your holiday for free Need to change your booking before you travel? Not a problem. You can enjoy free holiday amendments on 2021 holidays up to 75 days before you depart. For 2022 holidays, you can amend your holiday for free until December 31, 2021.**

Your money is 100% protected If your holiday includes a flight, you’ll be 100% financially protected as your money will be held in a separate Trust account. This excludes UK breaks and no-fly holidays/river cruises which will still be 100% ABTA protected.

OUR PRICE PROMISE Book now and if we lower the price of your holiday later, we’ll automatically pass the saving back to you. By booking early you’ll have the best choice of departure dates too.

LOVE YOUR HOLIDAY, OR YOUR MONEY BACK We’re confident you’ll enjoy your holiday with us, but if you don’t, we’ll bring you home early, free of charge and refund the cost. Terms and conditions apply.

See pages 178-179 for details.

NO SURCHARGES – GUARANTEED Once you’ve booked and we’ve confirmed your holiday, we guarantee not to increase the price you pay – no matter what happens to fuel prices or exchange rates.

§Underwritten by Great Lakes. Subject to medical screening, and a price reduction if insurance is not required. *Pre departure cancellation cover is provided by Saga, and only available when taking the included optional insurance. **This is a temporary change to our standard booking conditions, valid on new bookings. Any third-party charges incurred would still be charged e.g. certain air tickets. If the alternative holiday or departure is more expensive than the original booking, you will be responsible for the difference in price. We will refund the difference in price if the alternative holiday or departure is lower than the original booking. If Saga has to cancel your holiday, you will receive a refund within 14 days.

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QUALITY IT’S AT THE HEART OF WHAT WE DO OUR CHARTER Wherever in the world you travel to, our charter means you’ll enjoy the holiday experience and service you expect from us. We use our own Q-rating system to grade the accommodation and ask you for feedback at the end of your holiday so we can fine-tune them. We take care of little details that are important to you, and work closely with hoteliers and suppliers to deliver them – whether that’s a choice of options at mealtimes or an extra pillow or a blanket in your room.

It’s all part of the Saga holiday experience.

Q – THE SIGN OF QUALITY Accommodation grading can vary from country to country – and the standards can vary too. That’s why we use our clear Q rating system, which provides a consistent view of all the hotels we use. The ratings are based on the variety of food, facilities and standard of rooms, and are regularly reviewed. QQQQQ represent the finest hotels, while QQQ hotels provide good-value accommodation. Q+ hotels offer a little something extra – such as a great location. Similarly, the ships we use are rated to a maximum of !!!!!.

OUR CUSTOMER AWARDS We ask our customers to score their holiday on the accommodation, itinerary, food and staff, and award those that perform the best either our Top Performer or Highly Commended award. Our Good Food awards are based on the quality and variety of food served and range from grade one up to our grade three award. Keep an eye out for these awards displayed on the holiday pages.

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WHICH? RECOMMENDED PROVIDER We were delighted to be recognised as a Which? Recommended Provider in the Holiday Companies Survey.

Which? Recommended Providers in this category are package holiday companies who are both rated highly by the public and have products that meet the high standards of Which? researchers.

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Wild About India - see page 76

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SET OFF ON AN

ESCORTED TOUR

Classic Collection Featuring visits to famous landmarks and must-see sights, as well as lesser-known gems, these tours are the perfect way to discover and explore the wonders of the world.

Featuring authentic experiences and fascinating destinations, our Escorted Tours are an ideal way to explore the world.

Go at a pace to suit you…

It’s simple to choose the tour pace that feels right for you: 1

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Relaxed: These tours suit all fitness levels thanks to their leisurely pace. Expect to stay a little longer at each hotel, with plenty of time to explore independently and on excursions. Some walking is required, and you’ll need to negotiate some stairs, as well as board different modes of transport.

Standard: With longer journey times and more steps, the pace of these tours is a little faster. You’ll need a reasonable level of fitness and there may be longer durations of walking, possibly over uneven ground. Also expect a few early starts and longer days out to really get the most out of your tour.

South India: Temples and Waterways - see page 84

Intrepid Collection With authentic experiences at every turn, these off-the-beaten-track tours are the perfect choice for seasoned travellers with a thirst for adventure, looking to explore new cultures in depth.

Active: The pace between locations may be faster, with lots of activities packed into the itinerary. There may be long road journeys and more early starts. You’ll need a good level of fitness as these tours often involve walking for extended periods, possibly at high altitude, over more difficult ground.

Ethiopia: An Antique Land - see page 50 10

Epic Collection

Immersive Collection

A selection of the world’s great journeys, these once-in-a-lifetime tours are designed to leave you with a real sense of accomplishment.

These absorbing tours are ideal if you’re a returning visitor who wants to uncover the hidden treasures of your destination.

Mongolia: Land of the Blue Sky - see page 136

Vietnam Discoveries, Cambodian Treasures - see page 144

Stay & Discover Collection Explore a destination in depth on excursions and at your leisure, all from one hotel carefully chosen for its location.

Handpicked Hotels We’ve built long-lasting relationships with our hotel partners to ensure you have the best holiday experience – featuring a fantastic destination, great facilities and good value. At every hotel you can expect the services of one of our dedicated Saga Hosts, and a choice of excursions – both included and optional – so you can enjoy even more great experiences.

Blue Marlin, South Africa – see page 34

Mabula Game Lodge, Limpopo, South Africa - see page 28 11

SOLO TRAVELLERS

ARE IN GOOD COMPANY WITH US

More than a fifth of our customers travel solo with us, which is why we offer many single rooms at no extra cost and departures reserved exclusively for solo travellers. There are many reasons why you may choose to travel solo, and these sociable holidays provide the freedom and flexibility to enjoy the holiday you want.

EXCLUSIVE SOLO DEPARTURES We offer a selection of departures reserved exclusively for solo travellers.

These include a Meet & Greet service at Gatwick and Heathrow, where a member of staff can assist your check-in (should you need them), fast-track security and an airport lounge. Every exclusive solo departure is accompanied by a Solo Host who’ll be available throughout your holiday.

They’ll help create a sociable atmosphere, host a cocktail party where you can meet other solo travellers, and arrange activities throughout your holiday.

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Best of South Africa

page 20

Mabula Game Lodge, South Africa

page 28

In the Footsteps of Livingstone, Botswana and Zimbabwe

page 38

Where Deserts Meet, Namibia

page 42

Gorillas of Uganda

page 48

Lebanon: Pearl of the Middle East

page 56

Ancient Petra and Arabian Deserts, Jordan

page 60

Uzbekistan: Heart of the Silk Route

page 62

The Golden Triangle and Tiger Trail, India

page 70

The Great Indian Rail Journey

page 72

Highlights of Eastern Canada

page 100

Cuba Libre

page 114

Costa Rica: The Jewel of Central America

page 118

Vietnam Discoveries, Cambodian Treasures

page 144

Borneo Rainforest Adventure

page 148

New Zealand Adventure

page 162

Land of the Incas, Peru - see page 130

HOLIDAYS TO SUIT YOUR

SPECIAL INTEREST If you have a passion for walking, love to go birdwatching, or enjoy unearthing centuries of history, our Special Interest holidays are a great way to pursue a particular interest with people who share your passion. These holidays are designed and led by experts, and include excursions, talks and visits tailored to your subject area.

ARCHAEOLOGY Uzbekistan: Heart of the Silk Route

page 62

BIRDWATCHING AND WILDLIFE Birdwatching in Costa Rica

page 118

Wildlife of Borneo

page 148

WALKING Walking in the Andes, Peru

page 130

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SO MUCH INCLUDED,

WITH NO HIDDEN EXTRAS VIP DOOR-TO-DOOR TRAVEL SERVICE WITH UNLIMITED MILEAGE

ON ALL HOTEL STAYS

See right for more details.

• Entertainment and activities, where specified

INCLUDED TRAVEL INSURANCE Our included travel insurance provided

by Great Lakes, includes up to £5m emergency medical and repatriation cover for coronavirus§

SAGA HOST OR TOUR MANAGER Who will be resident at your hotel, visit regularly, or escort you throughout your tour.

• Meals as specified • At least two excursions

• Fruit and bottled water in your room on arrival

ON ALL ESCORTED TOURS • More meals included than may other tour operators, as specified on the holiday pages • All tour travel as described

ON STAY & DISCOVER HOLIDAYS

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS

• All breakfasts and dinners

We include a number of excursions on every holiday, ranging from visits to famous sites, to cultural experiences.

• At least four excursions

PLUS

• Free Wi-Fi at your hotel

• Return flights and transfers • Airport taxes, fees and charges • Accommodation, as specified • Porterage of luggage at your accommodation • Tourist visa, if required, if you are a full British citizen resident in the UK – see our Booking Conditions on pages 174-177

• Programme of cultural talks and activities

ALL INCLUSIVE A number of our hotels and tours are all inclusive, making budgeting for your holiday even easier. These holidays provide great value when you consider all that is included in the price – everything from all of your meals, to a free bar open a number of hours a day. Many of these holidays include excursions too.

§All our overseas holidays include optional travel insurance with up to £5m coronavirus emergency medical cover, underwritten by Great Lakes Insurance SE, UK Branch, or a price reduction if not required. Cover is subject to medical screening. Saga provides additional cancellation cover should you need to cancel due to coronavirus medical conditions prior to departure, available when taking the optional included insurance. Further terms and conditions apply, for full details please see pages 174-179.

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IN OUR EYES

YOU’RE A VIP

Enjoy a hassle-free start and end to your long-haul holiday with our included VIP door-to-door travel service with unlimited mileage.

Whether you’re travelling to an international airport, or your local airport for an included domestic flight, you can relax knowing that we’ll take care of your travel details.

OUR CHAUFFEUR SERVICE We’ll arrange for an experienced chauffeur to pick you up from your home, or a family or friend’s house if you prefer, so you can enjoy a carefree journey to your chosen airport. Your chauffeur will load your luggage into the vehicle. You’ll reach the airport with plenty of time to check-in, and when you return to the airport after your holiday, your chauffeur will be there to greet you ready for your journey home.

ALTERNATIVELY, YOU CAN TRAVEL BY RAIL We can organise standard class rail travel from your local station to your departure airport. Just leave it to us and we’ll sort out all the timings and arrangements.

COMPLIMENTARY AIRPORT PARKING If you prefer to drive yourself, we can arrange complimentary parking at the airport.

Terms and conditions apply. Find out more at saga.co.uk/vip

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Japan: Land of the Rising Sun - see page 140

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WHERE CAN WE TAKE YOU? Africa Best of South Africa A World in One Country, South Africa The Garden Route and Beyond, South Africa Into the Heart of Kruger, South Africa Mabula Game Lodge, Limpopo, South Africa Mjejane River Lodge, Kruger National Park, South Africa The Fairest Cape, South Africa Blue Marlin, Scottburgh, South Africa South Africa: Anglo-Boer and Zulu Battlefields In the Footsteps of Livingstone, Botswana and Zimbabwe The Pride of Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa Where Deserts Meet, Namibia Charting the Mighty Zambezi, Zimbabwe The Best of Kenya and Tanzania: Great Migration and Big Game Safari Gorillas of Uganda Ethiopia: An Antique Land Madagascar: The Lost Continent Enchanting Mauritius: An Island Discovery

Middle East & Central Asia Lebanon: Pearl of the Middle East A Journey into Israel Ancient Petra and Arabian Deserts, Jordan Uzbekistan: Heart of the Silk Route Caucasus Calling!

Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan: From Steppe to Mountains

Canada & the USA

18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54

56 56 58 60 62 64 66

Indian subcontinent & the Indian Ocean 68 The Golden Triangle and Tiger Trail The Great Indian Rail Journey Rajasthan: The Princely State Wild About India Palaces, Forts and the Raj Delights of Darjeeling and the Himalayas Soul of Kerala, India South India: Temples and Waterways Discovering Sri Lanka Sri Lankan Adventure

70 72 74 76 78 80 82 84 86 88

Rocky Mountains and Alaskan Adventure Road to the Rockies and Alaskan Explorer Journey through the Clouds, Canada Vancouver and the Rockies, Canada Highlights of Eastern Canada New England in the Fall Taste of the Deep South, USA National Parks Discovery, USA California: The Golden State, USA Canyons, Trains and the Rockies, USA

Latin America & the Caribbean Viva Cuba Cuba Libre Jewels of the Caribbean Costa Rica: The Jewel of Central America Costa Rica: Pura Vida Guyana: Land of the Jaguar Grand Tour of South America, Peru, Argentina, Brazil Wildlife and Waterfalls of Brazil South American Adventure, Peru, Argentina and Chile Land of the Incas, Peru Ecuador: Andes, Amazon and Galapagos Islands

South East Asia & the Far East Trans-Siberian Railway Adventure, Russia, Mongolia and China Mongolia: Land of the Blue Sky Grand Tour of China Japan: Land of the Rising Sun Into the Heart of Japan Vietnam Discoveries, Cambodian Treasures Borneo Rainforest Adventure Kota Kinabalu and Manukan Island Resort, Borneo Indonesia: Land of the Dragons

Australasia

90 92 94 96 98 100 102 104 106 108 110

112 112 114 116 118 120 122 124 126 128 130 132

134 134 136 138 140 142 144 148 150 152

154

Australian Adventure Ultimate Australia Australian and New Zealand Adventure New Zealand Contrasts New Zealand Adventure

154 156 158 160 162

Extensions Flight upgrades Booking Conditions Finer details

164 172 174 178

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WE RECOMMEND...

A SAFARI IN SOUTH AFRICA You can travel the world to witness man’s most monumental achievements, or Mother Nature’s most spectacular displays, but sometimes it’s the simple things that make the biggest impression.

Watching a herd of elephants at a watering hole or seeing a pride of lions slumbering in the sunshine is a truly magical experience; and witnessing such animals in the wild is something you’ll never forget.

The term ‘Big Five’ came from the early big game hunters who used it to describe the animals they considered most dangerous or elusive to find. These were the African elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo and rhinoceros, and today the best place to see them is South Africa.

Here, in established National Parks such as Kruger or Mabula, travellers can experience the ultimate African safari, staying in comfortable game lodges and enjoying daily game drives in search of the Big Five and other animals such as cheetah, honey badger and warthog.

Experienced guides lead bush walks to spot impala, zebra, giraffe and ostrich grazing on the open plains, and in the evenings travellers swap stories as they dine outside under starry African skies.

It’s a unique kind of holiday, on which you make friends, stories and memories that last a lifetime.

A World in One Country, South Africa – see page 22

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BEST OF SOUTH AFRICA

Classic Escorted Tour

15 nights from £2799

2

Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

TOUR PACE: STANDARD

SOUTH AFRICA

Look through God’s Window on South Africa’s legendary Panorama Route, go game viewing in Kruger National Park, cruise Knysna’s lagoon, hope to watch whales at Hermanus, take a tram tour through the Cape Winelands then discover all vibrant Cape Town has to offer.

Look out for rhino

Dullstroom Johannesburg

SOUTH AFRICA Nights in hotel

Cape Town Hermanus

Cape Point

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A humpback breaches the water

Contact your preferred travel agent

Franschhoek Port Elizabeth Knysna

Kruger National Park

Day 1: UK-Johannesburg. Fly overnight to Johannesburg.

Day 2: Dullstroom Arrive and transfer to Dullstroom (159 miles, three hours). L, D Stay overnight at the 3-star Critchley Hackle Lodge (4Q), situated on a private lakeside a few minutes walk to the centre of the village.

Day 3: Kruger National Park. Travel to Kruger National Park (122 miles, three hours), where you’ll stay in a lodge-style hotel at the Paul Kruger Gate for easy access to the Park. B, D Stay three nights at the 4-star Protea Hotel by Marriott Kruger Gate (4Q), set beside the Sable River.

Day 5: Kruger National Park. Enjoy a full day of game viewing in Kruger National Park, one of the biggest and oldest game parks.

You may be lucky enough to see some of the ‘big five’ of lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino, as well as cheetah, giraffe and hippopotamus. B, D Day 6: Port Elizabeth. After an early start, transfer to Johannesburg by road (270 miles, five hours and 30 minutes) for your onward flight to Port Elizabeth (90 minutes). B Stay overnight at the 5-star The Boardwalk Hotel & Spa (4Q), located three miles from Port Elizabeth.

Day 7: Knysna. Depart on a scenic drive along the Garden Route to Knysna (183 miles, three hours and 30 minutes).

En route visit Storms River Mouth in Tsitsikamma National Park. Walk out onto the suspension bridge for outstanding views. Continue to Knysna. B, D Stay two nights at the 4-star The Rex Hotel Knysa (3Q), which is located a few minutes’ walk from a local museum.

Day 8: Knysna. Set on a beautiful lagoon in a natural amphitheatre of hills, Knysna is a popular resort. Enjoy an included cruise on Knysna Lagoon aboard the paddle steamer MV John Benn, passing islands and saltwater marshes, with lunch on board. B, L, D Day 9: Hermanus. Depart Knysna travelling along the scenic Garden Route to Hermanus (255 miles, four hours and 30 minutes), which offers the best shorebased whale watching in the world when, around July, Southern Right Whales arrive in Walker Bay for breeding. The scenic coast road is a good place from which to spot many whale species between July and November. B, D Stay two nights at the 4-star Misty Waves Boutique Hotel (4Q+), located a few minutes’ walk from the historic village centre.

Day 11: Franschhoek. Depart Hermanus on a scenic drive into the Cape Winelands and Franschhoek (66 miles, 90 minutes), in a valley between the Franschhoek and Drakenstein mountains. Founded by French Huguenots in 1688 the town still retains a distinctly Gallic charm and is known as the gourmet capital of South Africa. B Stay two nights at the 5-star Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa (4Q+) located two miles from the town centre with mountain views.

Day 12: Franschhoek. Enjoy a day to explore the winelands independently. You’ll receive a day ticket for the Franschhoek Wine Tram hop-on hop-off tour through some of the most prestigious wine estates. Enjoy the commentary and hop off as and when you please for cellar tours, wine tastings and lunch (all at extra charge), or just to stroll in the vineyards. B Day 13: Cape Town. This morning travel to Cape Town (50 miles, one hour). Join an included trip up Table Mountain via cable car, weather permitting, otherwise, you’ll travel by coach up Signal Hill. B, D Stay two nights at the 5-star Southern Sun, The Cullinan (4Q+), situated 10 minutes’ walk or a complimentary shuttle bus ride from the V&A Waterfront area.

Day 14: Cape Town. Join a full-day tour of the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, including Cape Point. Stop en route at Boulders Beach to see the African penguins.

You'll also visit Simons Town, the home of the South African Navy. B, L D Days 15-16: Cape Town-UK. Enjoy free time for exploring Cape Town further before you transfer to the airport for your return overnight flight to the UK, or extend your holiday in Cape Town. B

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY Cape Town. 3 nights half board.

Extend your tour with a further threenight stay at the 4-star Southern Sun, The Cullinan Hotel (4Q+).

Alternatively, upgrade to the elegant 5-star Table Bay (5Q) for a supplement (including breakfasts only).

Please see pages 164-171 for details.

SOLO TRAVELLERS...

Travel in the company of other solo travellers on a similar itinerary.

Holiday name: Wildlife and Landscapes of South Africa.Holiday code: AF811.

SAVE up to £100 per person on selected departures

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 13 nights in hotels and 2 in flight 26 meals: 13 breakfasts (B), 4 lunches (L) and 9 dinners (D) Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Welcome drink reception • Porterage at all hotels.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Panorama Route tour with Blyde River Canyon and Pilgrim’s Rest • Game viewing in Kruger National Park • Tsitsikamma Forest and Storms River • Cruise on Knysna Lagoon • Ticket for Franschoek Wine Tram Tour • Trip up Table Mountain • Cape Point, the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Boulders Beach • Simon’s Town visit.

Use of audio headsets on guided tours

SOUTH AFRICA

Day 4: Kruger National Park. Join a full-day Panorama Route tour. Travel through the Mpumalanga highlands of the Drakensberg escarpment to Blyde River Canyon. Stops at viewpoints, including God’s Window, see the three round, domed mountains – the Three Rondavels – and visit Bourke’s Luck Potholes, deep holes in the rock caused by water erosion.

Visit the historic gold-mining town of Pilgrim’s Rest. B, L, D

Day 10: Hermanus. Today is at leisure to explore the shops and craft markets of the village, stroll on the promenade or take a walk along the cliff top path for fabulous views over Walker Bay. Alternatively, head to the peaceful Voelklip Beach for a dip. B

KRUGER NATIONAL PARK This famous park covers some 20,000 square kilometres and is one of the country’s most important. Established in 1898 and made a National Park in 1926, it is home to a staggering 850 species of animals, birds, reptiles, fish and more.

Here you may be lucky enough to see some of Africa’s wild animals in their native habitat, such as the ‘big five’, cheetah and giraffe, as you travel in an open-sided fourwheel-drive vehicle with an expert guide.

Best of South Africa.

Holiday code: ZA801 / AF811 (Solos).

Prices are based on Qatar Airways from Heathrow.

Alternative local flight options available from Manchester, supplements may apply.

Prices are £s per Two people Single person from: sharing Traveller 3448 3348 Jan 11, 2022 2999 2899 Feb 8 3049 2949 3498 3398 Mar 1 3049 3498 Mar 22 - Solos 3599 Apr 19 2899 2799 3318 3218 May 17 2799 3218 Sep 6 3049 3498 Oct 4 3049 3498 Oct 18 3049 3498 Nov 1 2999 3448 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £60 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

Contact your preferred travel agent

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A WORLD IN ONE COUNTRY

Classic Escorted Tour

20 nights from £3499

2

Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

TOUR PACE: STANDARD

So diverse is South Africa that it is almost ‘a world in one country’.

Discover the incredible wildlife of Kruger National Park, the scenic Garden and Wine Routes and the natural beauty of the Cape Coast.

Pretoria Johannesburg Pilgrims Rest SOUTH AFRICA

Sani Pass Drakensberg Mountains

Kruger National Park Ezulwini Mkuze Richards Bay Durban Nights in hotel

Cape Town Port Elizabeth Knysna Arniston

Experience Zulu culture

SOUTH AFRICA

Look out for the elusive leopard

Iconic Table Mountain

Try to snap the Big 5

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Swaziland valley of Ezulwini

Contact your preferred travel agent

Day 1: UK-Johannesburg. Fly overnight to Johannesburg.

village and enjoying lunch at the highest pub in Africa! B, L, D

Day 2: Pretoria. Arrive and enjoy a tour of Pretoria, an attractive city with an air of history to much of its centre. Continue to your lodge. D Stay overnight at the 4-star Zebra Country Lodge (4Q) bordering a game reserve.

Day 12: Durban. Depart for Durban (151 miles, three hours), where you’ll visit the beautiful Botanical Gardens and enjoy tea and scones. Continue to the upmarket Durban suburb of Umhlanga. B, L, D Stay overnight at the 3-star Protea Hotel by Marriott Umhalanga (4Q), which is close to the ocean front.

Day 3: Kruger National Park. Journey to Kruger, with lunch in Dullstroom en route (270 miles, five hours and 30 minutes).

Continue to your hotel, close to Africa's largest National Park. B, L, D Stay three nights at the 4-star Protea Kruger Gate Hotel (4Q) located at Kruger Gate.

Day 4: Kruger National Park. Enjoy a fullday game viewing in this legendary national park, where you may be lucky enough to see Africa’s ‘big five’ – lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino – in their native habitat. B, D

Day 6: Ezulwini. Travel to picturesque Ezulwini Valley (187 miles, four hours and 30 minutes) and discover the mountainous kingdom of Swaziland with its incredible landscapes and beautiful vistas. B, L, D Stay overnight at the 4-star Royal Swazi Spa (4Q), situated in Ezulwini Valley.

Day 7: Mkuze. Continue to the heart of the Zulu Kingdom and Mkuze, close to the Umbombo Mountain nature reserve (135 miles, three hours). Enjoy lunch on arrival. B, L, D Stay two nights at the 4-star Ghost Mountain Inn (4Q), which enjoys an ideal location from which to explore the private reserves nearby.

Day 8: Jozini. Take a tranquil morning cruise on Lake Jozini, home to over 350 different species of bird. This afternoon there’s an optional game drive in Mkuze. B, D Day 9: Richards Bay. Visit Hluhluwe Game Reserve, home to populations of white and black rhino. After lunch, enjoy a performance at a Zulu cultural village, then continue to Richards Bay (93 miles, two hours). B, L, D Stay overnight at the modern 4-star Bon Hotel Waterfront Richards Bay (4Q), overlooking the yacht harbour.

Day 10: Sani Pass. Depart today for the Sani Pass pausing en route at the impressive waterfall of Howick Falls, whose waters tumble more than 300 feet (252 miles, five hours). B, D Stay two nights at the 3-star Sani Pass Hotel (3Q), which boasts uninterrupted views over its extensive nature reserve grounds.

Day 11: Sani Pass. Enjoy a full day tour into the Sani Pass which rises to some 9,400 feet, and onto Lesotho. Travelling by 4x4 vehicle, look forward to visiting a

Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 18 nights in hotels and 2 in flight 42 meals: 18 breakfasts (B), 9 lunches (L) and 15 dinners (D) Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Welcome drink reception • Porterage at all hotels.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS

Day 14: Knysna. Enjoy free time today. B, D

• Pretoria city tour

Day 15: Knysna-Arniston. Depart for Outdsthoorn (74 miles, 90 minutes), the ‘ostrich capital’ where you can enjoy a morning tour and lunch at an Ostrich Farm. Afterwards enjoy a scenic journey to Arniston (196 miles, three hours and 30 minutes). B, L, D Stay two nights at the 4-star Arniston Spa Hotel (4Q), located on the ocean front in the old fishing village.

• Safari in Kruger National Park

Day 16: Arniston. This morning you visit Cape Aghulas, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans collide and the coast is littered with wrecks! Stroll along the beach or explore the nature reserves. Afternoon at leisure. B, D Day 17: The Cape Winelands. This morning, enjoy a scenic drive to Franschoek (105 miles, two hours), where you can enjoy a stroll in the town, plus an included lunch at Rickety Bridge Wine Farm and a wine tasting, before continuing to Cape Town (52 miles, 90 minutes). B, L Stay three nights at the 4-star Commodore Hotel (4Q), located on the V&A Waterfront.

Day 18: Cape Town. See the city’s highlights – the cobbled streets, mosques and the pastel homes of Bo Kaap, formerly known as the Malay Quarter, and take a thrilling cable car ride up Table Mountain – on a morning tour. B, D Day 19: Cape Town. Explore independently or join an optional excursion to the Cape Peninsula, Simon’s Town and Boulders Beach with its penguin colony. B Days 20-21: Cape Town-UK. Travel to the airport for your overnight flight, arriving the following morning, or extend your holiday in Cape Town. B

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY Cape Town. 3 nights with breakfasts included. After your tour, stay three nights at the 4-star Commodore Hotel (4Q). Alternatively, upgrade to the elegant 5-star Table Bay Hotel (5Q), set in the heart of Cape Town's Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, for a supplement. Please see pages 164171 for details.

Contact your preferred travel agent

• Highlights of the Panorama Route and Drakensburg Escarpment • Lake Jozini boat cruise • Game viewing at Hluhluwe Game Reserve • Zulu cultural village • Visit to Tsitsikamma National Park • Tour around Cape Aghulas • Wine tasting in the Cape Winelands

SOUTH AFRICA

Day 5: Highlights of the Panorama Route.

Your tour explores Limpopo Province. See some of the highlights of the Panorama Route including scenic Blyde River Canyon and the ‘Three Rondavels’, visit Bourke’s Luck Potholes, and God’s Window, for superb views across the lowveld. Lunch is included at the old gold-mining town of Pilgrim’s Rest. B, L, D

Day 13: The Garden Route. Fly to Port Elizabeth early this morning (90 minutes).

Visit Storms River in Tsitsikamma National Park en route to Knysna (170 miles, three hours), a town on a beautiful lagoon and a highlight of the Garden Route. B, D Stay two nights at the 4-star The Rex Hotel Knysna (3Q), which is located a few minutes’ walk from a local museum.

SO MUCH INCLUDED…

• Cape Town city tour and Table Mountain Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

DISCOVER THE LAND OF THE ‘RAINBOW NATION’ With 11 official languages, diverse cultures, plateaus, mountains and an impressive range of bird, animal and plant species, it’s no wonder South Africa is sometimes called the ‘Rainbow Nation’. From the first-rate view from God’s Window on the Panorama Route, to Knysna Lagoon’s blue waters, the thrill of of a safari and the vibrant city life of Cape Town, South Africa really can be said to be a ‘World in One Country’.

A World in One Country. Holiday code: ZA088.

Prices are based on British Airways from Heathrow.

Prices are £s per Two People Single person from: Sharing Traveller Jan 5, 2022 3649 4198 Feb 16 3799 4348 Mar 23 3649 4198 Apr 20 3549 4078 May 18 3499 4028 Aug 31 3699 4248 Sep 21 3749 4298 Oct 19 3799 4348 Nov 9 3749 4298 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £90 – see pages 174-179 for details..

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

23

THE GARDEN ROUTE AND BEYOND

NEW

Immersive Escorted Tour 2

14 nights from £2299

TOUR PACE: STANDARD

Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa’s Garden Route stretches for over 125 miles along the country’s south coast and is famed for its natural beauty and coastal vistas, mountains, wildlife and flora.

Tour the highlights including West Coast National Park, Cape Agulhas, the Winelands and Cape Town.

Colourful Cape Town

Watch for native South African birdlife

The flora of Langebaan

Camdeboo National Park surrounds Graaff-Reinet

Nights in hotel

Graaff-Reinet SOUTH AFRICA

Langebaan Cape Town

Cape Winelands

Knysna Arniston

The Cape of Good Hope

24

Contact your preferred travel agent

Oudtshoorn

Day 1: UK-Cape Town. Fly overnight to Cape Town.

Day 2: Cape Town-Langebaan. Arrive at Cape Town and transfer to Langebaan (95 miles, two hours), situated along the shores of a lagoon with mild climate where locals enjoy watersports. D Stay two nights at the Mediterranean-style 3-star Saldanha Hotel (3Q), overlooking the bay.

Day 3: West Coast National Park. Visit the West Coast National Park Reserve, known for its many species of birds, such as avocets, curlews and oystercatchers, and plant varieties, including ‘fynbos’ which range from the Protea to orchids. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure. B, D

Day 5: The Cango Caves. Visit the Cango Caves with its ‘halls’ of stalactite and stalagmite formations. Afterwards, visit the Cango Ostrich Farm, where you can enjoy lunch and a farm tour. Oudtshoorn is sometimes referred to as the ‘Ostrich Capital of the World’, and you can learn about the intriguing history of the ‘Feather Barons’ during your visit. This evening relax over a pre-dinner gin tasting and a barbecue at your hotel. B, L, D Day 6: Oudtshoorn-Graaff-Reinet. Enjoy a scenic drive to the town of Graaff Reineit (198 miles, three hours and 30 minutes), which lies close to Camdeboo National Park and the Sneeuberg Mountains in the Karoo region. It is one of the Eastern Cape’s oldest towns and home to some 200 buildings regarded as national monuments. B, L, D Stay two nights at the centrally located 5-star Drostdy Hotel Graaf Reinet (4Q).

Day 7: Camdeboo National Park. Enjoy some free time to explore the town. This afternoon travel to the Valley of Desolation in Camdeboo National Park, known for its dramatic views of rock columns which rise up against a backdrop of the Great Karoo. B, D Day 8: The Garden Route. Embark on a long and scenic journey down the coast to Knysna (313 miles, five hours and 30 minutes). Pause for lunch at Storms River in Tsitsikamma National Park, a conservation area of ancient forests, rivers, and waterfalls. Take in the vistas before continuing to Knysna. B, L, D Stay two nights at the 4-star Premier Moorings Hotel (4Q), situated on the banks of Knysna lagoon.

Day 9: Knysna. Visit Monkey Land this morning. Opened in 1998, it assures the future of primates at the sanctuary and the rehabilitation of those that have been

Day 10: Knysna-Arniston. Depart for the seaside village of Arniston, stopping en route for lunch (229 miles, four hours). B, D Stay two nights at the 4-star Arniston Spa Hotel (4Q), located on the ocean front in the old fishing village.

Day 11: Cape Agulhas. Enjoy a morning tour of Cape Agulhas – Africa’s most southerly point, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure. B, D Day 12: Arniston-Cape Town. Head for Cape Town, travelling via Hermanus (184 miles, four hours), regarded as one of the world’s best places for watching whales from land. After leisure time here, travel into the winelands to Franschhoek for a wine tasting, before continuing to Cape Town. B, L Stay two nights at the 4-star Commodore Hotel (4Q), located on the V&A Waterfront.

Day 13: The Cape Peninsula. There’s a full day tour of the Cape Peninsula today including a brief funicular ride to a decommissioned lighthouse. Explore the headland of the Cape of Good Hope, visit Simonstown and enjoy an island boat cruise taking in Seal Island, watching for possible sightings of whales, seals and more. Enjoy a farewell dinner this evening. B, L, D

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 12 nights in hotels and 2 in flight 29 meals: 12 breakfasts (B), 6 lunches (L) and 11 dinners (D) Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Welcome drink • Drink reception • Farewell dinner • Porterage at all hotels.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • West Coast National Park • Cango Caves • Ostrich farm • Monkey Land • Knysna Elephant Sanctuary • Cape Agulhas • Valley of Desolation • Cape Peninsula tour and boat ride.

Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

SOUTH AFRICA

Day 4: Langebaan-Oudtshoorn. Depart early after breakfast for a long journey (318 miles, six hours), travelling along part of the Route 62 ‘wine route’ with some 30 wineries along its length, as well as beautiful scenery. Stay at Oudtshoorn, a town with a ‘frontier-feel’ on the edge of the Klein Karoo desert. B, L, D Stay two nights at the 3-star Protea Hotel Oudtshoorn Riempie Estate (3Q+), which comprises wellappointed thatched rondavels.

caged. Walk with a ranger through the sanctuary, where the monkeys are free roaming. This afternoon visit Knysna Elephant Sanctuary. Enjoy a tour by foot through the sanctuary accompanied by guides, providing a fascinating introduction to the African elephant, and where it will be possible to touch and interact with these beautiful creatures. B, D

Day 14: Cape Town-UK. After the morning at leisure, travel to the airport for your return overnight flight to the UK. B Day 15: UK. Arrive in the UK.

WEST COAST NATIONAL PARK Within this beautiful park lie the wetlands of the Langebaan Lagoon and Saldanha Bay. Declared a national park in 1973, it is home to unique saltmarshes and islands where up to 250,000 sea birds can be found. The park is also celebrated for its stunning displays of wild flowers, which can be seen during August and September, as well as South Africa’s national flower – the King Protea.

The amazing King Protea

Contact your preferred travel agent

Impressive Cango Caves The Garden Route and Beyond. Holiday code: ZA752.

Prices are based on Qatar Airways from Heathrow.

Alternative local flight options available from Manchester, supplements may apply.

Prices are £s per Two people Single person from: sharing Traveller Jan 18, 2022 2499 2838 Feb 15 2499 2838 Mar 15 2449 2788 May 10 2299 2638 Sep 6 2499 2838 Oct 4 2499 2838 Nov 1 2499 2838 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £60 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

25

INTO THE HEART OF KRUGER

Immersive Escorted Tour Small group 19 or less

13 nights from £3449 Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

1

The Kruger National Park is home to a staggering 850 species of animals and birds. This is a park of dreams, where the ‘big Five’ roam, and where safaris promise a true African experience. Look forward to staying in African lodges where daily game drives, sundowner drinks, and dinner under African skies await you.

TOUR PACE: RELAXED

SOUTH AFRICA

Makalali Private Game Reserve

Kruger National Park Imbali Safari Lodge

Dullstroom

Mdluli Safari Lodge Nelspruit

SOUTH AFRICA

Johannesburg

Get close to wildlife on game drives

Enjoy sunset game drives

Terrace swimming pool, Imbali Safari Loodge.

Spot elephants in the national park

26

Contact your preferred travel agent

Nights in hotel

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 11 nights in lodges and 2 in flight 30 meals: 11 breakfasts (B), 8 lunches (L) and 11 dinners (D) Discover hippos on the rivers of Kruger National Park

Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers

Day 1: UK-Johannesburg. Fly overnight to Johannesburg.

Day 9: Makalali Game Reserve. Enjoy two game drives today, travelling in open topped vehicles in the company of your expert guide, as you watch for wildlife. The Big Five can be found here, as well as cheetah, giraffe, zebra, kudu and more. B, L, D

Swimming pool, Mdluli Safari Lodge

Day 3: Kruger National Park. Set off early into the bush on your first safari. You may spot predators such as lion or leopard, as well as other of Africa’s ‘Big Five’. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. B, L, D Day 4: Kruger National Park. Look forward to one more game drive today before watching for the wildlife from your patio as the sun goes down. B, L, D Day 5: Kruger National Park. Head into the bush after check out and search for the Big 5 on your way to your next lodge. Enjoy a game drive before checking in at your luxury lodge on the banks of the Nwatswitwonto River. Take a second game drive this afternoon. Relax this evening as you watch for wildlife that gather at the nearby Imbali waterhole, which may include elephants, buffalo, rhino, antelope, giraffe, lions and the elusive leopard. B, L, D Stay three nights at the 5-star Imbali Safari Lodge (4Q), overlooking the riverbed and plains beyond.

• Drink reception • Farewell dinner • Porterage at all hotels.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Four game drives in a private game reserve • Seven game drives in Kruger National Park • Visit to Mhoholo Rehabilitation Centre • Drive part of the Panorama Route.

Day 10: Makalali Game Reserve. Look forward to two more game drives today before watching for the wildlife from your lodge as the sun goes down. B, L, D Day 11: Makalali-Dullstroom. Transfer to Dullstroom, the highest village in South Africa, via the Panorama Route (165 miles, five hours). Situated in the highlands of Mpumalanga, the village has a choice of cafes and restaurants, as well as a thriving arts community. You can take a stroll after checking in late in the afternoon. B, L, D Stay two nights at the 4-star Critchley Hackle Lodge (4Q), a stone-built lodge located a few minutes’ walk to the centre of the village.

Day 12: Dullstroom. Enjoy today at leisure. B, D Day 13-14: Dullstroom-JohannesburgUK. After a leisurely morning transfer to the airport for your return overnight flight to the UK, or extend your holiday in Scottburgh. B

Day 6: Kruger National Park. Look forward to two included game drives in the park today. Later, relax as you watch the evening wildlife visitors to the waterhole, or take a dip in the pool before enjoying dinner. B, L, D Day 7: Kruger National Park. Enjoy two more safaris into Kruger National Park – with 147 mammal species and some 507 species of bird, there’s lots to look out for. B, L, D

• Welcome drink

SOUTH AFRICA

Day 2: Johannesburg-Kruger National Park. Upon arrival transfer by internal flight to Nelspruit, and on to Numbi Gate inside the mighty Kruger National Park (16 miles, 30 minutes). This afternoon you can relax and settle into the lodge, and enjoy dinner under the African sky. D Stay three nights at the 4-star Mdluli Safari Lodge (3Q), in safari tents on raised platforms.

Day 8: Kruger National Park-Makalali.

Transfer to Makalali, just west of the mighty Kruger National Park (75 miles, two hours), via the Mhoholo Rehabilitation Centre, which cares for orphaned and injured animals as well as running research and breeding programmes. This afternoon you can relax and settle into the lodge. B, L, D Stay three nights at the 4-star Makalali Private Game Lodge (3Q), a rustic retreat set within 26,000 hectares of bushveld.

You might spot cheetah on safari

Contact your preferred travel agent

The Blue Marlin has great views of the sea

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY Scottburgh. 7 nights all inclusive. After your tour, stay at the 3-star Blue Marlin (3Q+) in Scottburgh.

Please see pages 164-171 for details.

Into the Heart of Kruger. Holiday code: ZA068.

Prices are based on British Airways from Heathrow.

Prices are £s per Two people Single person from: sharing Traveller Jan 9, 2022 3799 4598 Feb 6 3899 4698 Mar 13 3799 4598 Apr 17 3699 4498 May 8 3449 4248 Sep 4 3799 4598 Sep 18 3849 4648 Oct 2 3849 4648 Nov 6 3749 4548 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £60 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

27

MABULA GAME LODGE

Stay & Discover

9 nights ALL INCLUSIVE from £1999

2

Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

TOUR PACE: STANDARD

Embark on the ultimate wildlife viewing holiday with a stay at the 4-star Mabula Game Lodge (4Q) in South Africa’s Limpopo region. Your stay includes game drives at the optimal times for viewing both the ‘Big Five’ and a variety of other animal, bird and plant life; and expert guides will be on hand to help you spot wildlife. When you’re not out on safari, unwind at the lodge’s spa, by the outdoor pool, or enjoy a unique dining experience under the African stars.

The Waterberg Region MABULA GAME LODGE

Mabula Game Reserve Johannesburg

SOUTH AFRICA LIMPOPO

South Africa

Look out for lions

See rhinos on an included safari

Enjoy a big-cat safari

Dine al fresco

A comfortable bedroom

Go on safari in Pilanesberg

28

Contact your preferred travel agent

YOUR BASE

SAVE up to £100 per person

Your 4-star accommodation is set against the backdrop of the Waterberg Mountains and, thanks to the abundance of animal and birdlife, offers incredible wildlife spotting opportunities. Look forward to a comfortable stay in an elegantly-furnished thatchand-stone game lodge with an outdoor pool, bar, spa (treatments extra charge), gym, shop and tennis court. Locally-sourced food is served in the buffet restaurant, and on warmer nights you can dine under the stars around the traditional ‘boma’ campfire or on the terrace. You’ll stay in modern, comfortable thatched chalets and suites, all of which are air-conditioned and en suite. The 47 spacious rooms are decorated in a traditional African-style, using natural colours and materials throughout. All rooms feature a flat-screen television, telephone, hairdryer, safe (extra charge), and tea and coffee-making facilities.

on selected departures

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 7 nights in your hotel and 2 in flight 20 meals: 7 breakfasts (B), 6 lunches (L) and 7 dinners (D)

Day 1: UK to Johannesburg. Fly overnight to Johannesburg in South Africa.

Day 2: Johannesburg to Mabula Game Reserve. Transfer two hours and 30 minutes (130 miles) north to Bela Bela, and enjoy the afternoon at leisure to settle in to your new surroundings. D

Day 9: Mabula Game Reserve to Johannesburg. Look forward to one final safari drive this morning, before transferring back to Johannesburg for your return overnight flight to the UK. Alternatively, begin your posttour extension. B

Free bar open 11 hours a day Plus all this...

Return flights and transfers

●

Welcome drink and drinks reception

●

Porterage at your hotel

●

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS Seven game drives

●

Two guided bush walks

●

Day 10: UK. Arrive in the UK.

Medicine bush walk

●

Please note: Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.

The daily schedule may change subject to local game viewing conditions. During your stay, you will also have the opportunity to visit the Ground Hornbill Project.

Madjuma lion tracking experience

●

Ground Hornbill Project experience

●

Star gazing experience

●

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY

Day 4: Mabula Game Reserve. Embark on a lion tracking experience to learn more about their territories, behaviour and conservation. Lions are tracked using radio antenna and tracker collars, guaranteeing viewing of the lions. This afternoon, enjoy another safari drive, keeping your eyes peeled for resident animals, including hyena, cheetah, honey badger and the charismatic warthog. B, L, D

Scottburgh. 7 nights All inclusive.

After your main holiday, stay seven nights at the 3-star Blue Marlin (3Q+) situated in the peaceful town of Scottburgh. Located 200 yards from a sandy beach, you can relax on the Indian Ocean shores or explore further afield, perhaps visiting Durban, the Oribi Gorge or Tala Game Reserve.

Please see pages 164-171 for details.

Day 5: Mabula Game Reserve. This morning, join a guided bush walk led by an experienced guide. Look out for impala, zebra, giraffe and ostrich grazing on the vast open grassland plains. You’ll have the afternoon to spend at leisure, before a cocktail party by the pool this evening. B, L, D

SOLO TRAVELLERS...

Day 6: Mabula Game Reserve. Head out for another safari drive before breakfast, where you might be lucky enough to spot elephants, hippo and a variety of antelope, such as eland and gemsbok. The rest of the day is at leisure, before a star gazing experience this evening. B, L, D

MABULA GROUND HORNBILL PROJECT

Day 7: Mabula Game Reserve. Take a guided walk around the game reserve and discover the local plants and their properties. Your guide specialises in local medicine and holistic cultures, and will identify plants and their healing properties, as well as focusing on the medicines that can be made. This afternoon’s safari drive offers another chance to spot the ‘Big Five’. B, L, D

Local expert guide

Travel in the company of other solo travellers on a similar itinerary.

Holiday code: AF613. Pleaae call for details.

During your stay you’ll have the chance to learn about the award-winning conservation project to protect the ground hornbill within the reserve.

These charismatic birds hold a local cultural importance, and are a flagship species for the savannah biome. Considered ‘vulnerable’ by the IUCN, less than 1,500 birds remain in South Africa, with their habitat threatened by farming. You’ll learn about the importance of conservation, and the methods used by the project team to ensure this iconic species is preserved.

Contact your preferred travel agent

SOUTH AFRICA LIMPOPO

Day 3: Mabula Game Reserve. Rise early this morning for your first safari in the game reserve. The varied landscapes of the reserve provide a habitat for 60 mammals, 300 bird species, and numerous plants, reptiles and insect species. Dusk and dawn are the optimal times for viewing wildlife, especially the ‘Big Five’. You’ll be led by expert guide and travel in open-air safari vehicles. This afternoon, look forward to a wildlife talk, followed by another safari drive. B, L, D

Day 8: Mabula Game Reserve.

Enjoy another guided bush walk this morning, whilst this afternoon offers the chance to spy more of the reserve’s wildlife on a safari drive. B, L, D

WHAT TO EXPLORE Surrounded by 12,000 wildlife-filled hectares, your stay at Mabula Game Lodge is sure to be a unique one. But what will you see? Perhaps you’ll spot hippopotamuses, wallowing in the mud and trying to stay cool; or a herd of elephants, making their slow journey across the site.

Looking up, a committee of lappet-faced vultures may be circling, interested in any nearby carrion against a backdrop of marula trees, knob thorns and fever trees.

Mabula Game Lodge. Holiday code: ZA633/AF613 Solos.

Prices are based on Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow.

Prices are £s per Two people Single preson from: sharing Traveller Jan 4, 2022 - Solos 2399 Jan 11 2249 2149 2578 2478 Jan 25 2299 2648 Feb 8 2299 2648 Mar 1, 8, 22 2299 2648 Apr 19 2249 2578 May 3 2199 2528 May 17 2149 2478 May 31 1999 2328 Jun 14 - Solos 2399 Aug 30 2349 2678 Sep 6, 13, 20, 27 2349 2698 Limited Oct 4 2349 Availability Oct 18, 25 2299 2628 Nov 1, 8 2199 2528 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £60 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

29

MJEJANE RIVER LODGE

Stay & Discover

9 nights ALL INCLUSIVE from £2499 Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

This relaxing, intimate lodge next to Crocodile River backs straight on to Kruger National Park. As South Africa's largest park, it's home to more species of mammals – including elephant, rhino, lion, leopard and antelope – than any other African reserve!

3

2 TOUR PACE: STANDARD

BOTSWANA

Kruger National Park MJEJANE RIVER LODGE

Mjejane Private Game Reserve Johannesburg SWAZILAND

SOUTH AFRICA KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

South Africa

Elephants in Kruger

Daily game drives reveal the wildlife

A rescued chimpanzee

The elusive leopard

30

A close encounter…

Contact your preferred travel agent

YOUR LODGE Expect a truly intimate stay on the southern edge of one of Africa’s best-known game parks at this comfortable riverside lodge where you’ll be hosted by Saga-trained lodge staff. The waters of Crocodile River attract an abundance of wildlife including elephant, lion and pied kingfisher, which you may be lucky enough to see from the lodge itself!

Facilities at the 4-star lodge include a restaurant and an outdoor dining area, an outdoor pool and a lobby lounge with a free bar serving a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks from 10am to 10pm daily. There are just 17 rooms (the majority are chalet-style) overlooking the river and park and each has a terrace, tea and coffee-making facilities, a safe, hairdryer and fruit and water on arrival. Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport is approximately one hour and 30 minutes away.

includes zebra, buffalo, wildebeest, as well as hyena, lion and leopard. The rest of the day is free to spend at leisure, or you may like to join an optional excursion to Swaziland. B, L, D Day 5: Mjejane Private Game Reserve.

Join a birdwatching game drive in the Mjejane Reserve this morning. Species frequently seen around Crocodile River include African fish eagle, goliath heron, purple heron, yellow-billed stork and kingfishers. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. B, L, D Day 6: Mjejane Private Game Reserve.

Today, drive through Kruger National Park to Skukuza Restcamp, on the leafy southern banks of the Sabie River. Along the way, look out for buffalo, elephant, lion and rhinoceros as well as the humble warthog, vervet monkey and purple-crested lourie. Within the camp ground is the Kruger National Park Museum which displays a number of interesting exhibits associated with James Stevenson-Hamilton, the driving force behind the park's creation. B, L, D

Day 8: Mjejane Private Game Reserve.

Head out this morning for your final game drive in Kruger National Park, before spending the rest of the day at leisure. B, L, D All bedrooms have a view of the gardens

Day 1: UK to Johannesburg. Fly overnight to Johannesburg in South Africa.

Day 2: Johannesburg to Mjejane Private Game Reserve. Take an internal flight (55 minutes) and transfer to the Mjejane River Lodge (55 miles taking one and a half hours), in the Mjejane Private Game Reserve, and enjoy the afternoon at leisure to settle in to your new surroundings. L, D Stay seven nights at the 4-star Mjejane River Lodge (4Q), situated on the banks of Crocodile River and surrounded by hectares of wilderness.

Day 3: Mjejane Private Game Reserve.

This morning visit Chimp Eden, South Africa’s only sanctuary and refuge for chimpanzees who has been displaced from their original or natural central African habitats. Started in 2006, Chimp Eden is situated in the Umhloti Nature Reserve and is part of the Jane Goodall Institute. On your visit, look forward to seeing and learning about this important African great ape. Join your first game drive this afternoon in the 4,000-hectare Mjejane Reserve. You are most likely to see browsers like kudu, giraffe or duiker, but good sightings of the 'Big Five' are possible. B, L, D Day 4: Mjejane Private Game Reserve.

Set off for a game drive in Kruger National Park this morning. The park covers some two million hectares, and wildlife here

Day 9: Mjejane Private Game Reserve to Johannesburg. Enjoy the last vistas across to the Kruger National Park before your internal flight back to Johannesburg (50 minutes) for your return overnight flight. Alternatively, begin your postholiday extension. B Day 10: UK. Arrive in the UK. Please note: Two additional game drives in Kruger National Park, not detailed in the itinerary, are included. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Daily schedule could change subject to local game viewing conditions.

Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 7 nights in lodge and 2 in flight 21 meals: 7 breakfasts (B), 7 lunches (L), 7 dinners (D) Free bar open 12 hours a day Local expert guide Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Sundowner drink at a memorable location • Enjoy more local culture with traditional Shangaan storytelling and after-dinner talks on the Kruger area.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Four game drives in Kruger National Park • Two game drives in Mjejane Reserve • Visit to Chimp Eden • A day at Skukuza Rest Camp in Kruger • Bird-watching drive

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY Scottburgh. 7 nights. All inclusive.

After your main holiday, fly to Durban and stay six nights at the locally rated 3-star Blue Marlin (3Q+) situated in the peaceful town of Scottburgh. Located 200 yards from a sandy beach, you can relax on the Indian Ocean shores or explore further afield, perhaps visiting Durban, the Oribi Gorge or Tala Game Reserve. Please see pages 164-171 for details.

SOUTH AFRICA KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

Day 7: Mjejane Private Game Reserve.

Rise early for a game drive in the Mjejane Reserve this morning. This rest of the day is at leisure, or you may like to join an optional Panoramic Route tour. B, L, D

SO MUCH INCLUDED…

CHIMP EDEN In 1960 Jane Goodall began her pioneering work into the lives and habitat of chimpanzees. This work would alter our perception and understanding of these great apes and our relationship with them. In 1977 the Jane Goodall Institute was founded to continue Dr Goodall’s work and in 2006 Chimp Eden was established – a chimpanzee sanctuary in Umhloti Nature Reserve and the only one at that time in South Africa. Chimp Eden provides a refuge for chimpanzees which have been separated from their natural surroundings due to circumstances ranging from orphaned animals to those traded or rescued.

Visitors can enjoy the chance to see and learn about these endangered apes now living safely in a semi-wild state as they forage and interact.

Contact your preferred travel agent

Mjejane Lodge. Holiday code: ZA622.

Prices are based on Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow.

Prices are £s Two people Single per person from: sharing Traveller Jan 18, 2022 2499 2918 Feb 1 2549 2968 Mar 15 2599 3018 Apr 19 2599 3018 May 10 2599 3018 Jun 14 2549 2968 Jul 12 2599 3018 Sep 13 2699 3138 Sep 20 2749 3188* Oct 4 2749 3168 Oct 18 2749 3168 Nov 15 2599 3018 *Single rooms may be available on request. §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £60 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

31

NEW

THE FAIREST CAPE QQQQ

Stay & Discover

16 nights HALF BOARD PLUS from £1999

2

Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

TOUR PACE: STANDARD

Cape Town has to be one of the world’s most stunningly located cities.

With the wide ocean and majestic Table Mountain framed by the windows of your sea-facing room, you can spend hours just taking in the view at the 4-star Blaauwberg Beach Hotel (4Q). But venturing further afield, there is more to be found as you head to the edges of the continent and discover impressive landscapes, culinary hotspots and the area’s varied birdlife.

Darling

South Africa

Mamre BLAAUWBERG BEACH HOTEL

Cape Town

Cape Town

Boulders Beach

SOUTH AFRICA

Cape Point

Vines soak up the sun in the Franschhoek valley

The hotel’s restaurant

African Penguins

A bird’s-eye view of Cape Town

32

Lesser double collared sunbird

Contact your preferred travel agent

Day 6: Tastes of the Cape. This morning visit the Neighbourhoods Market in Woodstock, where local farmers and fine-food producers have stalls in this converted old brick warehouse. Browse the stalls here, perhaps enjoying a bite to eat.

Enjoy a leisurely afternoon. B, D

A sea-facing Table Mountain room

BLAAUWBERG BEACH HOTEL QQQQ

Day 1: UK-Cape Town. After your VIP door-to-door travel service to the airport, enjoy an overnight flight to Cape Town.

Day 2: Arrive in Cape Town. Transfer to your hotel 18 miles away (40 minutes).

Settle in and take an afternoon stroll along the Blaauwberg seafront to introduce yourself to the area. D Day 3: Sights of Cape Town.

After breakfast set off to Cape Town and the Castle of Good Hope for a guided tour.

Next, you’ll head to the Diamond Museum.

Weather permitting, take a cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain (tickets not included) for a spectacular view. If the weather doesn’t permit, you’ll instead travel to Signal Hill. B, D Day 4: Bird hide walk. Just a short drive from your hotel is a birding oasis in the lowland wetlands. This morning, your guide will take you in search of the area’s feathered wildlife which includes herons, Egyptian geese and pied kingfishers. The afternoon is at leisure. B, D Day 5: At leisure. Join one of the optional excursions to Durbanville Wine Estate or Kirstenbosch Gardens. After dinner, there is a talk on the Battle of Blaauwberg, and how the Napoleonic wars influenced the Cape. B, D

Day 8: West Coast of the Cape tour.

Head up to Mamre and the town of Darling, where you’ll stop for lunch. This vibrant town is home to Darling Olives, which you’ll visit and try some of the delicious oils produced there. Our scenic drive home through Bloubergstrand comes with a spectacular view of Table Mountain. B, D Day 9: The Cape Winelands. The morning will be spent at the glorious Babylonstoren show farm and formal gardens. You’ll then head to Franschhoek, known as the gourmet capital of South Africa, where you have the pick of the restaurants for lunch.

After, there is a tour of Stellenbosch, ending the day with a wine tasting at Delheim Wine Estate. B, D Day 10: At leisure. You have the day to yourself to enjoy. B, D Day 11: Cape Point Tour. Take the spectacular Chapman’s Peak coastal drive which hugs the base of the mountain before it dips into the ocean. Then head south to the furthest points of the peninsula, the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point where there’ll be more stunning views. At lunchtime arrive at the historical Simon’s Town with its wonderful restaurants, then you’ll see the colony of African penguins at Boulders Beach. B, D

SAVE up to £200 per person on selected departures

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 14 nights in hotels, 2 nights aboard aircraft 28 meals: 14 breakfasts (B) and 14 dinners (D) Free bar open two hours daily Saga Host Plus...

• Return flights and transfers • Beach walk • Olive tasting • Local speciality dinner

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Cape Town city tour (half day) • Cape Winelands (full day) • Local market visit (half day)

SOUTH AFRICA

The multi-storey 4-star Blaauwberg Beach Hotel (4Q) is located across the road from the ocean shore and where every one of the rooms has a breathtaking view of Table Mountain from its own balcony. This spot is near enough to downtown Cape Town for easy visiting, yet far enough away to feel the vast open space of the skies sea and sand. Modern, bright and airy, the hotel has a look and feel of a gleaming liner with the restaurant and cocktail lounge’s panoramic outlook. The hotel’s free bar is available between 5pm and 7pm each evening where local alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks can be enjoyed. There’s a small outdoor pool with a bubbling jacuzzi and spa facilities for the ultimate in relaxation as well as a full range of concierge and other services. The hotel’s 140 spacious bedrooms provide the perfect place to relax after a busy day exploring.

Day 7: At leisure. Join us on an optional excursion to Robben Island or enjoy the day as you please. B, D

• Cape Peninsula tour (full day) • Western Cape Coast tour (full day) Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

Days 12-15: At leisure. Relax and make the most of the facilities at your hotel, or head out exploring independently. B, D Days 16-17: Cape Town-UK. After breakfast, travel to the airport for your overnight flight back to the UK and your included VIP door-to-door travel service home. B The Winelands of South Africa

WHAT TO EXPLORE There are plenty of ways to see the wonderful city of Cape Town, but perhaps the best view is from the top of Table Mountain by cable car.

As a beach city, the harbours and marinas have much to offer and the V&A Waterfront is the pinnacle, with endless boardwalks of shops, cafes and bars. As you’d expect from the city of this size, there is a huge choice of museums and galleries such as the District Six museum, the museum of contemporary African art and even the site of the first heart-transplant. From Cape Town you can see the Big Five with a day safari or head out on the water for whale watching.

The Fairest Cape. Holiday code: ZA230.

Prices are based on Ethiopian Airlines from Heathrow.

Two people Single Prices from: sharing Traveller 2837 2637 Jan 10, 2022 2599 2399 Feb 7 2599 2549 2837 2787 Mar 7 2599 2449 2837 2687 Apr 18 2499 2349 2751 2601 May 2 2399 2299 2654 2554 May 16 2299 2199 2551 2451 May 30 2199 2099 2451 2351 Jun 13 2099 1999 2099 2251 Sep 5 2349 2615 Sep 19 2449 2715 Oct 3 2549 2499 2815 2765 Oct 17 2549 2499 2815 2765 Oct 31 2549 2815 Nov 14 2549 2815 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £90 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

Contact your preferred travel agent

33

SCOTTBURGH Glorious beaches lapped by the Indian Ocean

SOUTH AFRICA SCOTTBURGH

Thanks to the warm waters and rolling waves of the Indian Ocean, the KwaZulu-Natal coast is an idyllic location famed for its majestic beaches and stunning shores in all their natural glory. On the edge of Africa and no landfall until Perth, the sense of the magnificence of the deep blue is palpable. The pristine sands of Scottburgh stretch as far as the eye can see, drawing you to the irresistible shoreline. Just yards away from the hotel, the meandering Mpambinyoni River meets the ocean; its name means ‘where birds gather’ and indeed they do, with 200 species calling this haven home. And all along the coastline, those fine sandy shores rise up into the verdant sub-tropical countryside beyond.

The relaxed pace of beach-life here makes this the perfect destination to decompress and recharge. If you fancy stepping up a gear though, the local seaside pursuits are on a grand scale with humpback whale watching, scuba diving, surfing and boat rides. On dry land, there is a choice of golf courses and many wildlife reserves to give you a taste of the rich fauna of this part of the world. There are numerous bowls clubs nearby. The Scottburgh bowls club is just a few minutes’ walk from the hotel, and their members are always keen to welcome Saga guests.

The Blue Marlin’s seafront location Durban

Tala Game Reserve Mpambinyoni River Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve

BLUE MARLIN

Scottburgh

South Africa

BLUE MARLIN QQQ+

Signature Hotel

16 nights ALL INCLUSIVE from £2499 30 nights ALL INCLUSIVE from £3199

2

Oribi Gorge

Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

Average high temperature °C Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 24 24 24 22 21 19 19 19 20 21 21 23

Average Rainfall in mm

Enjoy the subtropical climate, unspoilt beach and a wealth of things to see and do from this welcoming hotel that takes pride in delivering great service, and is close to the shops and cafes of peaceful Scottburgh on the Indian Ocean coast…

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 103 152 109 133 118

14

23 64 80 123 155 151

Figures based on Scottburgh

The hotel has great views of the sea

34

Location Scottburgh is an area of beautiful sandy beaches, forests and rolling hills, while the town's main draw is Scott Bay, rimmed by a great expanse of sand and offering a warm, sheltered ocean in which to bathe. A private walkway from the hotel leads to the sandy beach 200 yards away, and it's just a short stroll into the resort of Scottburgh where you'll find local shops. You are also in reach of many other diverse attractions, including the wildlife of Tala Game Reserve, sitting on the edge of the Valley of a Thousand Hills and overlooking Phezulu Cultural Village.

The hotel is approximately one hour's drive from Durban airport.

Contact your preferred travel agent

Amenities Locally rated 3-star, restaurant serving a combination of buffet and waiter-served meals, terrace, bar (serving free local alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks open 11am to 11pm), lounge, outdoor pool, games room, spa, free Wi-Fi and and pool bar, which offers stunning views over the ocean. A lift serves all floors.

Rooms 122 rooms, with sea views (singles have side-sea views), air-conditioning, television, telephone, tea and coffeemaking facilities, safety deposit box, hairdryer, fruit and water in your room on arrival. Most rooms have a shower only.

4 WEEKS for the price of 3 on selected departures between Jan 10 - May 23 and Sep 5 - Nov 17, 2022

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 All breakfasts, lunches and dinners Free bar open 12 hours a day Double rooms at the Blue Marlin have sea views

Two excursions on holidays of nine nights, or three on 16 nights or longer Visiting Saga Host Plus all this...

Welcome drink and drinks reception

●

Unlimited tea and coffee making facilities in your room

●

Fruit and water in your room on arrival

●

Return flights and transfers

●

Porterage at your hotel

●

Relax in the lounge

Activities and entertainment Table tennis, pool table, dive centre (extra charge), game fishing, bowls, squash and tennis (all available nearby, extra charge), golf (in Scottburgh, extra charge – details from resort staff), varied nightly evening entertainment, including cabaret, Zulu dancing, live music, dinner and dancing, quizzes, horse racing and deck quoits.

Optional excursions Midlands Meander (full day) • iSimangaliso Wetland Park (full day) • Pietermaritzburg (full day) • Temples and Mosques (half day) • Sani Pass (full day) • Tala Game Reserve and Phezulu Cultural Village (full day) • Gateway Shopping Centre Shuttle (full day).

Zebra seen at Vernon Crook’s Nature Reserve

INCLUDED EXCURSIONS Oribi Gorge (half day): Visit the spectacular canyon, home to antelope, turtle and monkey species.

Durban city tour (half day): Discover the heavy Indian influence of this vibrant beach city. and on holidays of 16 nights or longer Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve (half day): Encompassing forest, grassland, rivers, wetlands, cliffs and dams, this 2,189 hectare reserve is a haven for wildlife.

SOUTH AFRICA SCOTTBURGH

Free Wi-Fi at your hotel

●

Learn about Zulu traditions

Blue Marlin. Holiday code: ZA21A. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing with flights from Heathrow with the scheduled services of British Airways(includes 2 nights aboard aircraft).

Prices from: 9 nights 16 nights 23 nights 30 nights Jan 3 - 9, 2022 1999 2649 3299 3899 Jan 10 - 16 1999 2649 3299 3299 Jan 17- Mar 20 2049 2699 3399 3399 Mar 21 - Apr 3 2099 2749 3449 3449 Apr 4 - 18 2149 2799 3499 3499 Apr 19 - May 15 1999 2649 3299 3299 May 16 - 22 1949 2599 3249 3249 May 23 - 29 1949 2549 3199 3199 May 30 - Jun 5 1899 2499 3149 Jun 6 - 12 1899 2499 Jun 13 1899 Sep 5 - Oct 30 1999 2649 3349 3349 Oct 31 - Nov 17 2049 2699 3399 3399 Nov 18 - 24 2049 2699 3399 Nov 28 - Dec 4 2049 2699 Dec 5 - 8 2049 Single room supplement (per person per night): £11 , subject to limited availability. §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £30 per week – see pages 174-179 for details.

Contact your preferred travel agent

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

35

SOUTH AFRICA: ANGLO-BOER AND ZULU BATTLEFIELDS

NEW

Intrepid Escorted Tour Small group 20 or less

11 nights ALL INCLUSIVE from £2399

3

Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

TOUR PACE: ACTIVE

Embark on a circular tour through the province of KwaZulu-Natal, a region known for its mountainous landscapes, wildlife reserves and the indigenous Zulu people. Unravel the events of the Anglo-Zulu and Anglo-Boer wars, with visits to the battlefields of Isandlwana, Rorke’s Drift and Spion Kop, spot the Big 5 on four safari drives, and head into the Drakensburg mountains to see rehabilitated birds of prey.

SOUTH AFRICA

Isandlwana Battlefields

Dundee

SOUTH AFRICA

Spion Kop Battlefields Winterton

Hluhluwe Game Reserve Hluhuwe

Rorke’s Battlefields Ladysmith

Central Drakensberg Via Johannesburg

Nights in hotel

Durban

Experience Zulu culture

Watch for wildlife on game drives

Spion Kop Battlefields

The Zulu Memorial at Isandlwana

36

Contact your preferred travel agent

Day 1: UK-Johannesburg. Fly overnight to Johannesburg.

Day 2: Johannesburg-Hluhluwe. Arrive in Johannesburg and fly to Durban (one hour).

Continue by road to Hluhluwe (174 miles, four hours), stopping en route for lunch.

Enjoy a welcome reception this evening complete with Zulu dancing. L, D Stay three nights at the 3-star ANEW Hluhluwe Hotel (3Q), conveniently located for exploring Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park.

Day 3: Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park. Head out on a 4x4 game drive before breakfast.

Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park is the oldest proclaimed nature reserve in South Africa, and is home to the Big 5 game animals, including populations of both white and black rhino. Spend the morning at leisure, before heading out on another game drive this afternoon. B, L, D

Day 5: Hluhluwe-Dundee. Journey to Dundee by road (225 miles, five hours), visiting a Zulu cultural village en route.

Experience traditional Zulu hospitality, enjoy an authentic lunch, meet a herbalist or witch doctor, and learn the customs of the Zulu nation including beer-brewing and bread making. B, L, D Stay three nights at the 3-star Battlefields Country Lodge and Sports Resort (2Q), a popular venue for events, located near the Zulu Battlefields.

Day 6: Isandlwana Battlefields. Visit the isolated site of the Battle of Isandlwana.

Here British troops suffered a devastating defeat to Zulu warriors in 1879, marking the first major encounter of the Anglo-Zulu War. Explore the battlefields with narrative from a local guide. Spend the afternoon at leisure. B, L, D Day 7: Rorke’s Drift Battlefields. Visit the battlefields of Rorke’s Drift, the site of another Anglo-Zulu battle. The 1897 battle saw a small British garrison of 150 troops successfully defended the mission station against an attack from a considerable force of Zulu warriors. The events of Rorke’s Drift have since been immortalised in the 1964 epic war film, Zulu. Included in today’s tour is a visit to the Talana Museum and Heritage Park, housed on the site of first battle of the Anglo-Boer War. Spend the afternoon at leisure. B, L, D Day 8: Dundee-Ladysmith-Winterton.

Travel by road to Ladysmith (45 miles, one hour), for an orientation tour. In 1899, Ladysmith spent 118 days under siege from the Boers, with British troops cut off from supplies. The eventual British resistance marked a major turning point in the Anglo-Boer War. Visit the Ladysmith Siege Museum, regarded internationally as one of the best Anglo-Boer War museums.

Day 9: Spion Kop Battlefields. Visit the battlefields of Spion Kop, the site of a military engagement between the Boer and British armies in 1900. Tour the battlefield and learn how the battle shaped three future leaders: a young Winston Churchill working as a war correspondent, Mahatma Gandhi as a stretcher bearer and Louis Botha, the first Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure. B, L, D Day 10: Central Drakensberg. Head into the Central Drakensberg mountains today, a region home to approximately 300 species of bird. Visit the Falcon Ridge Bird of Prey Centre, who specialise in the rehabilitation of injured raptors. Later, take a sunset cruise in the Spionkop Dam Nature Reserve.

White rhino, giraffe, zebra and wildebeest can be seen grazing on the 4,400 acres of thorn savannah here. B, L, D Day 11: Ladysmith-Durban-UK. Transfer to Durban (165 miles, three hours), pausing en route to visit the Nelson Mandela Capture Site. Continue to the airport for your return overnight flight to the UK, or extend your holiday in Scottburgh. B, L, D Day 12: UK. Arrive in the UK. Please note: This tour is a fast-paced adventure and requires a high level of fitness and mobility. Battlefield excursions are exposed to the sun and involve walking over difficult terrain.

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 9 nights in hotels and 2 in flight 28 meals: 9 breakfasts (B), 10 lunches (L) and 9 dinners (D) Free bar serving local alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, open 5pm-10pm daily Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Local expert guides • Welcome drink • Porterage at all hotels.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Four 4x4 game drives • Zulu cultural village visit • Isandlwana battlefields • Rorke’s Drift battlefields • Talana Museum visit • Ladysmith orientation tour

SOUTH AFRICA

Day 4: Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park. Continue your search for wildlife on early morning and afternoon game drives. The park is home to many species, including giraffe, and herds of buffalo, zebra and antelope. Experience a traditional Zulu dinner under the fever trees this evening. B, L, D

Continue to Winterton (20 miles, 30 minutes). B, L, D Stay three nights at the 4-star Spion Kop Lodge (3Q), conveniently located for the Anglo-Boer battlefields, staying in either the lodge or adjoining cottage.

• Ladysmith Siege Museum visit • Spion Kop battlefields • Falcon Ridge Raptor Centre • Sunset cruise • Capture site of Nelson Mandela.

Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY Scottburgh. 7 nights, all inclusive.

After your tour, stay seven nights at the 3-star Blue Marlin Hotel (3Q+) in Scottburgh, on an all inclusive basis.

The welcoming hotel has a seafront location on the Indian Ocean, and the region offers a wealth of things to see and do, including green bowling, bird watching, golf and water sports. Please see pages 164-171 for details.

THE ANGLO-BOER WAR Also known as the Second Boer War, the war was fought from 1899 to 1902, between the British Empire and two independent Boer (Afrikaner) states.

Triggered by the discovery of gold in the Boer States, the war saw three main periods: initial Boer success due to unprepared British military, then a British resurgence, followed by a period of guerilla tactics from the Boers before their eventual defeat.

Nearly 100,000 lives were lost and the war remains the most destructive modern armed conflict in South Africa’s history.

Contact your preferred travel agent

Enjoy raptor-flying demonstrations South Africa: Anglo Boer and Zulu Battlefields.

Holiday code: ZA991.

Prices are based on British Airways from Heathrow Prices are £s per Two people Single person from: sharing Traveller Jan 10, 2022 2649 2778 Feb 7 2649 2778 Mar 21 2599 2728 May 9 2499 2628 Jun 13 2399 2528 Sep 5 2549 2678 Oct 3 2649 2778 Nov 7 2649 2778 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £60 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

37

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF LIVINGSTONE

Classic Escorted Tour Small group 20 or less

12 nights from £3199 Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

Embrace the 'real Africa' as you follow in the footsteps of Doctor David Livingstone. This tour combines a stay near Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe with seven nights in Botswana's magnificent Chobe National Park where you can join included safaris and take to the skies for an unforgettable light aircraft flight.

1 TOUR PACE: RELAXED

BOTSWANA & ZIMBABWE

Carmine bee-eaters

Spy basking hippos

ZAMBIA NAMIBIA

Kasane Victoria Falls Chobe National Park

Okavango Delta

ZIMBABWE BOTSWANA Nights in hotel

Enjoy unique riverboat safaris

Marvel at the largest waterfall in the world

38

Chobe Safari Lodge

Contact your preferred travel agent

Day 1: UK-Victoria Falls. Fly overnight to Victoria Falls.

Day 2: Victoria Falls. Stay three nights at Victoria Falls, just two and a half miles from the greatest mass of falling water in the world. D Stay three nights at the 4-star Victoria Falls Safari Lodge (4Q), which enjoys views over a waterhole frequented by elephant, buffalo and kudu.

Day 3: Victoria Falls. Join an included guided walk beside the Falls. You'll go along the Zimbabwe side, stopping at different vantage points along the way through the mist created by the sheer force of the Zambezi hitting the rocks below. This evening there is an included sundowner cruise. Above the turbulence of Victoria Falls, the Zambezi river is calm and still and during your trip you may catch glimpses of hippos, crocodiles, elephants and giraffes drinking at the water’s edge. B, D

Day 5: Kasane. Cross the border into Botswana and travel to Kasane (54 miles, 80 minutes), for a seven night stay on the banks of the Chobe River at the edge of Chobe National Park. It’s Botswana’s foremost game reserve. The nearby river serves as a permanent watering-hole and so attracts both mammals and birds. Enjoy a real close-to-nature experience – you may spot crocodiles, hippos, monkeys and countless species of birds just moments away from your accommodation – the park is not fenced, so you can observe the wildlife wandering freely. B, D Stay seven nights at the 4-star Chobe Safari Lodge (4Q) located on the banks of the Chobe River at the entrance to Chobe National Park.

Day 7: Chobe River cruise. You'll have the chance to spot wildlife from a different angle today as you enjoy a morning cruise on the river. Look out for pods of hippos and crocodiles basking on the shore. The river is also a natural spot for bird-watching and you may well be able to see heron, stork, jacana and colonies of bee-eaters going swiftly about their business. B, D Day 8: Flightseeing tour. Today’s included light aircraft flight follows the course of the Zambezi River to the point at which Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Botswana meet, and returns over the stunning landscapes of Chobe National Park. B, D Day 9: Chobe National Park. Enjoy a further day viewing game on an included river cruise and game drive which will take you deeper into the park. B, D Day 10: Chobe National Park Relax as you enjoy today at leisure. B, D Day 11: Chobe National Park. An included early morning game drive takes you through Chobe. Later, perhaps join an optional boat cruise or fishing trip. B, D

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 3 nights in a hotel, 7 nights in a lodge and 2 in flight 20 meals: 10 breakfasts (B) and 10 dinners (D) Local expert guide Plus all this…

• Return flights and transfers • Farewell dinner • Sundowner drink at a memorable location • Porterage at all hotels.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Victoria Falls • Sundowner cruise on the Zambezi • Visit to a traditional village • Light aircraft flight over the Zambezi and Chobe National Park • Three game drives • River cruise safari.

Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

Days 12-13: Victoria Falls-UK. Travel to the airport this morning for your return overnight flight, arriving the following morning. B

BOTSWANA & ZIMBABWE

Day 4: Mpisi Village. Enjoy a tour of Mpisi Village to glimpse how people have lived for generations and learn about their traditional customs. Later perhaps take an optional thrilling helicopter flight over the Falls. B, D

Day 6: Chobe National Park. Enjoy your first included game drive through Chobe National Park, where you may encounter large herds of elephants, lions, Cape buffalo, and many species of antelope. This afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the facilities at your lodge. B, D

SOLO TRAVELLERS...

Travel in the company of other solo travellers on a similar itinerary.

Holiday name: Majesty of the Falls.

Holiday code: AF745. Please call for details.

MAGNIFICENT VICTORIA FALLS Victoria Falls is perhaps one of the planet’s most extraordinary sites. As water tumbles over the lip of the Falls and cascades some 350 feet down the rock face, rainbows form in the mists above which can be seen from up to 12 miles away. Discovered by David Livingstone in 1855, the Falls known lcoally as Mosi-oa-Tunya – the ‘smoke that thunders’ are a UNESCO World Heritage site and described by Livingstone as a sight so beautiful it ‘must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight’.

Contact your preferred travel agent

Lions in Chobe National Park

In the Footsteps of Livingstone.

Holiday code: BZ001/AF745 Solos .

Prices are based on Ethiopian Airlines from Heathrow.

Prices are £s per Two People Single person from: Sharing Traveller Jan 14, 2022 3199 3199 Feb 11 - Solos 3499 Mar 11 3399 3399* Mar 25 3449 3449 Apr 22 - Solos 3899 Apr 22 3599 3599* May 6 3649 3649 May 13 3649 3649 May 20 - Solos 3999 Jun 3 3699 3699 Jun 10 Limited Availability 3699 Jun 17 3699 3699* Aug 26 3799 4218 Sep 2 3799 4218* Sep 9 3799 4218 Sep 23 3799 4218* Oct 7 3749 4168 Oct 21 3549 3968 Nov 4 3499 3918* *Single rooms may be available on request only. §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £60 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

39

THE PRIDE OF AFRICA

Epic Escorted Tour Small group 20 or less

16 nights from £4599 Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

Travel in luxury on Rovos Rail's elegant train and discover South Africa. En route, go on safari, cross the Victoria Falls, enjoy sundowner cruises on the Chobe and Zambezi rivers, discover the Zulu Battlefields and explore cosmopolitan Cape Town.

2 TOUR PACE: STANDARD

ZAMBIA

Kasane Chobe National Park Hwange National Park

Victoria Falls ZIMBABWE

BOTSWANA Nights in hotel Nights on train

Nylstroom Pyramid Sandton SOUTH AFRICA

Warmbaths Pretoria Isandlwana

ZIMBABWE, BOTSWANA & SOUTH AFRICA

Durban

A lioness and her cubs

Spot wildlife from the comfort of your Rovos Rail train

Cape Town

The magnificent Victoria Falls

Have your camera ready to snap the Big 5!

40

Spot zebra and other animals

Contact your preferred travel agent

Day 1: UK-Johannesburg-Victoria Falls. Fly overnight to Victoria Falls via Johannesburg.

Day 2: Victoria Falls. Look forward to a stay in Victoria Falls. ‘Discovered’ by Doctor Livingstone on November 16, 1855, the Falls are over a mile wide, 300 feet deep and around 440 thousand litres of water cascades into the narrow chasm below every second! D Stay two nights at the 4-star Victoria Falls Safari Lodge (4Q), which enjoys views over a waterhole frequented by elephant, buffalo and kudu.

Day 3: Victoria Falls. This morning an included tour reveals the splendour of Victoria Falls. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to relax or explore independently – perhaps walk across Knife-edge Bridge to admire one of the world’s largest waterfalls.

Later you may glimpse hippos, crocodiles and elephants drinking at the water’s edge on an included sundowner cruise on the Zambezi. B, D

Day 5: Chobe National Park. This morning go in search of some of Africa’s incredible wildlife with a game drive through Chobe National Park. Keep an eye out for crocodiles, monkeys, lions and more. This evening relax on board a river boat during an included sundowner cruise, where you may spot hippos, elephant and buffalo. B, L, D Day 6: Chobe National Park. Look out for the ‘big five’ on an exciting included safari. B, L, D Day 7: Rovos Rail. Return to Victoria Falls where you step aboard Rovos Rail’s luxurious train, an exquisitely rebuilt vintage train that embodies the age of classic rail travel. You can enjoy a relaxed atmosphere and first-class accommodation during your three-night, all-inclusive journey through glorious landscapes to Zimbabwe’s largest reserve, Hwange National Park. B, D Day 8: Rovos Rail. Disembark for an included game drive in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s largest reserve. Later you can enjoy the changing vistas as you continue your train journey. B, L, D Day 9: Rovos Rail. A scenic journey across the border to South Africa takes you over the Tropic of Capricorn towards Marmbaths and Nylstroom. Stay overnight at Pyramid. B, L, D Day 10: Rovos Rail- PretoriaJohannesburg. Arrive in Pretoria where you can enjoy a city tour this afternoon.

Travel to Johannesburg. B, D Stay overnight at the contemporary 4-star DaVinci Hotel and Suites (4Q).

Day 12: Isandlwana. Look forward to a full-day Battlefields tour. You’ll visit Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift, as featured in the film Zulu to see the remains of stone forts, graves and memorials from these two deadly battles. B, L, D Day 13: Durban.Travel to Durban (186 miles, four hours). South Africa’s third-largest city, on the east coast, is home to a blend of colonial and art-nouveau architecture and a cosmopolitan beachfront. B, L, D Stay overnight at the 4-star Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel (4Q) situated on Durban’s North Beach.

Day 14: Cape Town. Enjoy a tour of Durban to see the beautiful Botanical Gardens, the Indian Market and Juna Mosque, one of the oldest and largest in the southern hemisphere.

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Cape Town (two hours). B Stay two nights at the classical-style 4-star Southern Sun, The Cullinan (4Q+).

Day 15: Cape of Good Hope. Enjoy a full-day tour of Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. Stop at Boulders Beach to see the African penguins, and visit historic Simons Town. B, L Days 16-17: Cape Town-UK. Join a tour of Cape Town this morning to see some of the many highlights including Table Mountain and the Victoria and Alfred waterfront. Later, travel to the airport for your return overnight flight, arriving the next day, or extend your holiday in Cape Town. B Please note: May and June 2022 departures follow a slightly different itinerary, spending four nights aboard the Rovos Rail train.

ROVOS RAIL'S LUXURIOUS TRAIN Experience luxury rail travel from a bygone age as you journey from Victoria Falls to Pretoria on Rovos Rail. This lovingly restored vintage train features a sumptuous Edwardian-style dining cart, an observation car with open-air balcony and luxurious Pullman and Deluxe suites, all elegantly furnished to recall the heyday of railways. As one of only 72 passengers you have the space to relax and fully enjoy the beautiful sights and sounds of Africa beyond your carriage window. Your journey includes a stop in the Hwange National Park, home to one of the world’s largest populations of elephants and takes you over the Tropic of Capricorn to Warmbaths, which in the 19th century was believed to be the source of the Nile. You can upgrade to a Deluxe Suite for more space and a fixed bed from £429 per person. Relax and enjoy Africa in luxury aboard Rovos Rail.

Contact your preferred travel agent

SAVE up to £50 per person on selected departures

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 11 nights in hotels or lodges, 3 nights aboard Rovos Rail and 2 in flight 34 meals: 14 breakfasts (B), 8 lunches (L) and 12 dinners (D) with all drinks on board the train Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Welcome drink reception • Porterage at all hotels.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • A tour of Victoria Falls • Sundowner cruise on the Zambezi river • Two game drives in Chobe National Park • Sundowner cruise on the Chobe river • Three nights aboard Rovos Rail's vintage train • Game drive in Hwange National Park • Full-day tour of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift • Durban city sightseeing tour • Visit to Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point • Cape Town tour and Table Mountain Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

ZIMBABWE, BOTSWANA & SOUTH AFRICA

Day 4: Kasane.Travel into Botswana and on to Kasane at the gateway to Chobe National Park (54 miles, 90 minutes). This afternoon you may like to explore your surroundings or join one of the many optional excursions available, such as game drives, photo safaris and scenic flights. B, L, D Stay three nights at the 4-star Chobe Safari Lodge (4Q) or Chobe Bush Lodge (4Q), situated near Chobe River and the entrance to Chobe National Park.

Day 11: Isandlwana. Today, transfer to Isandlwana (274 miles, five hours and 30 minutes). This picturesque area of sweeping hills and rolling plains was the site of several historical battles that shaped the history of both South Africa and Britain. B, D Stay two nights at the 4-star Islandwana Lodge (4Q), which overlooks the historic battlefield.

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY Cape Town. 3 nights bed and breakfast.

After your tour, stay at the 5-star Southern Sun, The Cullinan (4Q+), with breakfasts included. Please see pages 164-171 for details.

The Pride of Africa. Holiday code: BZ002.

Prices are based on Ethiopian Airlines from Heathrow. ^Departures in May and June 2022 are 17 nights (including 2 nights aboard aircraft).

Prices are £s per Two People Sharing Single Traveller person from: Jan 17, 2022 4949 4899 5978 5928 Feb 14, 28 4999 6028 Mar 28 4849 5878 May 9^ 4699 5728 May 23^ 4649 5678 Jun 6^ 4599 5628 Sep 5, 12 5149 6178 Oct 3 5199 6228 Nov 7 5049 4999 6078 6028 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £90 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

41

WHERE DESERTS MEET

Classic Escorted Tour Small group 19 or less

15 nights from £3549 Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

Namibia is a land of staggering diversity where two great deserts meet. Experience the surreal beauty of the Namib Desert and the sandy peaks and valleys of the Kalahari.

2 TOUR PACE: STANDARD

Etosha Damaraland Twyfelfontein Skeleton Coast Park

NAMIBIA

Midgard Windhoek

Swakopmund Sesriem Nights in hotel

Etosha National Park

Namib Desert

Kalahari Kalahari Desert Fish River Canyon

Seals at Cape Cross

NAMIBIA

Watch for cheetahs in the grasslands

Elephants of Etosha

The Camelthorn Trees of Deadvlei

Spot wildlife in Namibia’s Etosha National Park

42

Stunning Fish River Canyon

Contact your preferred travel agent

Day 1: UK-Windhoek. Fly overnight to Windhoek, via Johannesburg.

Day 2: Windhoek. Enjoy a welcome dinner. D Stay overnight at the centrally located 4-star Windhoek Country Club Resort and Casino (4Q).

Day 3: Windhoek-Kalahari Desert. Enjoy a morning tour featuring the State House and the Christuskirche, built for the German Evangelical Lutheran settlers in 1907. Travel to visit the Rehoboth Museum before heading to your lodge (187 miles, three hours). B, D Stay two nights at the 3-star Lapa Lange Lodge (4Q), which is situated around a waterhole.

Day 4: Kalahari Desert Walk in the Kalahari with a bushman tracker to learn his desert survival secrets and hear the history of the ancient San people. Afterwards, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Alternatively, you may wish to join an optional game drive through the Kalahari Private Game Reserve. B, D

Day 6: Fish River Canyon. This morning look forward to a Canyon Rim Walk in the company of a guide, when you can discover more about this extraordinary landscape.

Enjoy the afternoon at leisure. B, D Day 7: Fish River Canyon-Sesriem. Rise early for a long journey through dramatic scenery to Sesriem, a small settlement in the Namib Desert (306 miles, six hours). B, L, D Stay two nights at the 4-star Sossusvlei Lodge (4Q) in adobestyle accommodation.

Day 8: Sesriem. Start early this morning to enjoy the sun rise at Namib-Naukluft Park.

Here you’ll be introduced to the world’s most photographed dune, Dune 45, and you could attempt to climb the largest dune, Big Daddy. Transfer to a 4x4 vehicle which will take you to see Deadvlei clay pan and the famous dunes of Sossusvlei – some up to 800 feet high! Spend the afternoon at leisure. B, D Day 9: Namib Desert-Swakopmund. Drive to Swakopmund near the coast (213 miles, four hours). En route visit the canyons and surreal lunar-like landscapes of Namib Naukluft Park, home to the endemic welwitschia mirabilis plant which can live for over a thousand years. This afternoon enjoy a city tour of Swakopmund with its distinctly German influence. B, D Stay two nights at the 3-star Swakopmund Hotel and Entertainment Centre (3Q) set in the heart of Swakopmund.

Day 11: Cape Cross Seal Reserve and Damaraland. This morning head for Damaraland, a huge, untamed, ruggedly beautiful region of Namibia (263 miles, five hours). Stop en route for an included trip to Cape Cross to visit the seal reserve, where seals thrive on the abundant fish and undisturbed surroundings. The fur seals found here differ from other species, distinguished by their little external ears.

Afterwards, continue to Twyfelfontein, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rock engravings and paintings. B, L, D Stay overnight at the 3-star Twyfelfontein Country Lodge (3Q), located two miles from the largest collection of Bushman engravings in southern Africa.

Day 12: Etosha. Depart this morning and head towards Etosha National Park (200 miles, four hours), visiting the Twyfelfontein rock paintings en route – the richest archaeological site in Namibia with approximately 2,500 rock engravings and paintings. Afterwards, continue to your lodge situated on a hilltop location in Epacha Wildlife Reserve. B, D Stay two nights at the 3-star+ Epacha Game Lodge (4Q).

Day 13: Etosha. Visit Etosha National Park, the third largest game park in Africa. The park supports up to 114 different mammal species, including the endangered black rhinoceros, as well as some 300 different bird species. The Etosha Salt Pan (roughly 80 miles) dominates the park and fills with water briefly in the summer, attracting pelicans and flamingos. B, L D Day 14: Etosha to Midgard. Enjoy a game drive before travelling to Midgard where you stay at a lodge (255 miles, four hours). B, D Stay overnight at the 4-star Midgard Country Lodge (3Q), set on a private nature reserve at the foot of the Otjihavera mountain range.

Days 15-16: Midgard-Windhoek-UK. Drive to Windhoek for your overnight flight to the UK, via Johannesburg, arriving the next day. B Please note: this tour involves long journeys over rough terrain, so a good level of fitness is required.

SOLO TRAVELLERS...

Travel in the company of other solo travellers on a similar itinerary.

Holiday name: Beyond the Dunes.

Holiday code: AF808. Please call for details.

SAVE up to £100 per person on selected departures

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 3 nights in hotels, 10 in lodges and 2 in flight 30 meals: 13 breakfasts (B), 4 lunches (L) and 13 dinners (D) Local expert guide Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Welcome drink • Drink reception • Farewell dinner • Sundowner drink at a memorable location • Porterage at all hotels.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • City tour of Windhoek • Rehoboth Museum • Bushman walk • Visit the Fish River Canyon area • Scenic drive through Namib Naukluft Park • Sossusvlei dunes • Sunset drive through the desert • Walvis Bay cruise • Cape Cross Seal Reserve • Etosha National Park game viewing Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

NAMIBIA

Day 5: Kalahari Desert-Fish River Canyon Set off towards the second largest canyon in the world, Fish River Canyon (273 miles, five hours). Fish River is the longest interior river in Namibia, but its flow is now a small trickle compared with the immense waters that once flowed here. Take in the dramatic landscape of the canyon, which is 1800 feet deep and up to 17 miles wide. Later, arrive at your lodge perched directly on the rim of the Canyon with breathtaking views. B, L, D Stay two nights at the 3-star+ Fish River Lodge (3Q), which enjoys views of the canyon.

Day 10: Swakopmund. Enjoy a morning cruise around Walvis Bay – with sparkling wine and fresh oysters included! From your vantage point on deck, look out for seals, dolphins and sea birds including pelicans and cormorants. This afternoon is at leisure. B, D

A TRUE TASTE OF AFRICA On this fascinating holiday you can explore the many faces of Namibia – a land of contrast and beauty. When you’re not out exploring, experience another facet of Namibia as you stay in a series of lodges during your tour. At Lapa Lange Lodge on the edge of the Kalahari, stay beside a waterhole on semi-desert savannah.

Fish River Lodge sits perched on the rim of breathtaking Fish River Canyon, while Damara Mopane Lodge is reminiscent of an African village. You’ll stay in six lodges (plus two hotels) during your tour, each offering its own unique African experience and hospitality.

Where Deserts Meet.

Holiday code: NB005/AF808 Solos.

Prices are based on British Airways from Heathrow.

Prices are £s per Two people Single person from: sharing Traveller Jan 12, 2022 3549 3978 Feb 9 3549 3978 Feb 22 - Solos 4099 Mar 9 3749 3649 4178 4078 Apr 26 - Solos 4199 May 18 3799 4248 Sep 7 3999 4498 Oct 5 3999 4498 Nov 2 3949 3899 4428 4378 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £60 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

Contact your preferred travel agent

43

CHARTING THE MIGHTY ZAMBEZI

Intrepid Escorted Tour Small group 19 or less

14 nights ALL INCLUSIVE from £3949 Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

2

Experience Zimbabwe on this extraordinary 12-day all inclusive safari by road and vessel. Ply the length of Lake Kariba aboard a 4-star cruiser, and whilst on land visit wildlife reserves and national parks in 4x4s.

TOUR PACE: STANDARD

Matusandona National Park ZAMBIA

Kariba

Lake Kariba Binga Victoria Falls Nights in hotel

ZIMBABWE

Nights on ship

Zebra and Impala graze on the shores of Lake Kariba

Hippo of the Zambezi

Cruise Lake Kariba

44

Mighty Victoria Falls

Contact your preferred travel agent

Zambezi River Greater Mana Pools

Chinhoyi Caves Harare Pamuzinda ZIMBABWE

Days 1-2: UK-Harare, Zimbabwe.

Fly overnight to Harare via Addis Ababa.

Transfer to your lodge on the Serui River (61 miles, two hours). Enjoy a ‘Welcome to Africa’ barbecue and traditional dance performance. D Stay two nights at the 3-star Pamuzinda Safari Lodge (3Q), set in the heart of a private 5,000-acre game park.

Day 3: Pamuzinda. Canoe the Serui River or go out game spotting in the Pamuzinda Game Reserve on foot, in 4x4s or on horseback. During term time you might wish to visit the thriving Chengeta Primary School and enjoy a bush lunch under the magnificent fig tree. Set out on a late afternoon game drive to see plains game.

Enjoy sunset drinks at ‘Ayres Rock’. B, L, D

Wildlife at Manna Pools National Park

Day 5: Mana Pools National Park. Relax in camp or head out on fishing and walking excursions, boat trips or guided game drives around one of Africa’s most remote and unspoilt parks. After lunch, board safari 4x4s and head out in search of elephant, crocodile, hippo and lion. B, L, D Day 6: Mana Pools National Park-Kariba.

After some more early morning animal exploration, return by boat to Chirundu and drive to Kariba (92 miles, three hours and 30 minutes). Enjoy welcome snacks and drinks on the deck before sipping a sundowner in front of an open air barbecue on the lake shore. B, L, D

Day 7: Kariba Town. Spend the day getting to know Kariba, visiting the 420-foot high dam and the Church of Santa Barbara.

Experience shopping in a local market in Mahombekombe Township, perhaps picking up some local food or handicrafts. B, L, D Day 8: Three Finger Bay. Board a 4-star cruiser and sail along Lake Kariba to a secluded inlet in Three Finger Bay. Enjoy sunset drinks before dinner on board. B, L, D Day 9: Crocodile Creek. Transfer to the mainland for a combined walk and drive safari around the private concession and the Matusadona National Park with its petrified trees. After lunch sail on to Crocodile Creek. B, L, D Day 10: The Sengwa River. Leave before dawn for a 13-hour voyage, cruising into the Sengwa Basin, through the Kota Kota Narrows. Once at the Sengwa River system, board tender boats to explore the remote wilderness, with its bird life and stunning scenery. B, L, D Day 11: Binga. Continental breakfast is served on tender boats as you navigate the Sengwa river in search of hippo and crocodiles. Back on the cruiser, voyage to Binga, the heart of Tonga tribal land. Check into your lodge then discover Binga town with its quaint Tonga tribe museum, hot springs and geyser. B, L, D Stay overnight at the 3-star Masumu River Lodge (3Q+), which comprises 11 thatched-roof chalets.

Day 12: Binga-Victoria Falls. Embark on a drive through the wilds of Matabeleland, passing the Gwaai and Kamativi river gorges (193 miles, four hours). Your hotel enjoys a great location perched on a bluff upstream from Victoria Falls. B, L, D Stay two nights at the 4-star Bayete Collection Guest Lodge (4Q), a family-run lodge set in a tropical garden.

Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 12 nights in lodges, tented camps and on a 4-star Cruiser, 2 in flight 35 meals: 12 breakfasts (B), 11 lunches (L) and 12 dinners (D) Free bar on the Lake Kariba cruise and at all hotels Local expert guide Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Sundowner drink at a memorable location • Porterage at all accommodation.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Traditional dance performance • Pamuzinda safari • Visit to Chinhoyi Caves, including the Wonder Hole and Sleeping Pool • Game drives in the Zambezi Valley • Three-night cruise of Lake Kariba • Game spotting on the banks of Lake Kariba and the Zambezi River • Game drives in Greater Mana Pools • Visit Kariba Dam, the Church of Santa Barbara on Kariba Heights and the Flea market in Mahombekombe • Matusadona National Park combined walk and drive game safari • Tender boat exploration of Sengwa Basin • Binga town excursion, including Tonga tribe museum, hot springs and geyser and school (during term time) • Matabeleland North road trip • Guided walk of Victoria Falls • Victoria Falls sundowner cruise

Day 13: Victoria Falls. Join a guided walk of Victoria Falls, in all its beauty. Watch for hippo and wildlife on a sundowner cruise before dinner. B, L, D Days 14-15: Victoria Falls-UK. Transfer to the airport for your return overnight flight to the UK via Addis Ababa, arriving the following day. B The submerged forests of Lake Kariba

CRUISE LAKE KARIBA

Experience stunning sunsets over Lake Kariba

SO MUCH INCLUDED…

ZIMBABWE

Day 4: Pamuzinda-Mana Pools National Park. Drive Mana Pools (261 miles, 7 hours), via the Chinhoyi Caves, and explore the Wonder Hole and Sleeping Pool. After lunch in Chirundu, take a 90-minute boat ride into Mana National Park, watching for wildlife.

Arrive early evening at the your safari lodge and enjoy a sundowner on the banks of the Zambezi. B, L, D Stay two nights at the 4-star Mana Pools Safari Lodge (3Q+), which enjoys views over the Zambezi River.

Stay two nights at the 3-star Kariba Lodge (3Q+), situated on a mountainside with views of the lake.

Experience a unique African safari adventure as you ply the length of Lake Kariba on a 4-star cruiser. The cruiser has a spacious lounge and dining area, plus an open viewing deck to observe Africa’s native animals. En-suite cabins provide ever-changing views as you cruise between Kariba Town and Binga. Enjoy sundowners and see the half-submerged petrified forests as the birdlife settles for the night.

Contact your preferred travel agent

Charting the Mighty Zambezi. Holiday code: KAB06 .

Prices are based on Ethiopian Airlines from Heathrow.

Prices are £s per Two people Single person from: sharing traveller Jun 15, 2022 3949 4798 Sep 7 4099 4948 Sep 21 4049 4898 Oct 5 3999 4848 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £60 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

45

THE BEST OF KENYA AND TANZANIA: GREAT MIGRATION AND BIG GAME SAFARI

NEW

Intrepid Escorted Tour Small group 17 or less 3

12 nights from £3999

TOUR PACE: ACTIVE

Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

KENYA AND TANZANIA

This safari adventure showcases one of nature’s finest spectacles, the annual Great Migration. Every year millions of wildebeest, accompanied by zebra and gazelle, journey through Tanzania and Kenya seeking fresh grazing, facing crocodile-infested rivers and big cat predators along the way. Follow the migration path from the wildlife-rich Ngorongoro Crater through the Serengeti to the Maasai Mara. Staying in lodges and a tented camps you’ll have unrivalled access to the nature reserves and wildlife sightings, including great opportunities to see the Big Five.

Elephants in Amboseli National Park

Maasai Mara National Reserve Serengeti National Park Lake Victoria Speke Bay Serenity on the Lake Lodge Naona Moru Camp TANZANIA

Fig Tree Camp

Nights in hotel

KENYA

Nairobi Amboseli National Park Kilima Ngorongoro Safari Camp Highlands Ngorongoro Farm House

Explore the Serengeti on safari game drives

Wildebeest undertaking a dangerous river crossing

46

Spy the elusive Gerenuk

Contact your preferred travel agent

Day 1: UK to Nairobi, Kenya. Fly to Nairobi.

Stay overnight at the 4-star Hotel Eka (3Q), located next to the Nairobi National Park.

Day 2: Nairobi-Amboseli National Park. After an early start, depart for Amboseli National Park (150 miles, four hours). Crowned by Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak, Amboseli is one of the best places in Africa to watch large herds of elephant up close. Set out on your first game drive this afternoon. B, L, D Stay for two nights at the 4-star Kilima Safari Camp (3Q), located next to the National Park entrance.

Day 3: Amboseli National Park. Start early this morning for a game drive as the sun rises for the best chance of spotting wildlife, such as Cape buffalo, East African lion, cheetah, and Masai giraffes. Enjoy free time before a presentation: Understanding the Tribes of Kenya and Tanzania. Observe the behaviour of wildlife on another game drive this afternoon. B, L, D

Day 5: Ngorongoro Highlands. Visit the vast, volcanic Ngorongoro Crater, often called ‘Africa’s Eden’ due to the remarkable concentration of wildlife. Spend the day observing wildlife on the crater floor with a picnic lunch. There’s a good chance of seeing the Big Five here, and it’s also one of the best places to see the endangered black rhino and black-maned male lion. B, L, D Day 6: Ngorongoro Highlands-Serengeti National Park. Head north to the Serengeti National Park, via Olduvai Gorge (109 miles, six hours). One of the most important paleoanthropological sites in the world, UNESCO-listed Olduvai Gorge holds the earliest evidence of the existence of human ancestors. Numerous fossilised bones and stone tools found here have led to the site’s international recognition as the ‘Cradle of Mankind’. Arrive late at your camp for dinner. B, L, D Spend two nights at the Naona Moru Camp (4Q), located on an elevated slope beside Moru Kopjes.

Day 7: Serengeti National Park. Spend the day exploring what is arguably Tanzania’s best park on game drives. Here grassland plains stretch as far as the eye can see, and the massive annual migration sees over two million wildebeest and zebra seeking green pastures. The reserve is renowned for its predators with sightings of big cats common, whilst herds of buffalo, elephant, giraffe, eland, impala and gazelle are yearround residents. B, L, D

Day 9: Lake Victoria-Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya. Prepare for a long but rewarding day as you journey through local villages back over the border to Kenya, and into the Maasai Mara National Reserve (193 miles, six hours). Arrive late at your camp for dinner. B, L, D Stay two nights at the 4-star Fig Tree Camp (3Q), located on the banks of the Talek River and with access to year-round game viewing opportunities.

Day 10: Maasai Mara National Reserve.

The Maasai Mara National Reserve is the epitome of African landscapes, where vast expanses of grasslands dotted with acacia trees stretch, seemingly to the ends of the earth. The reserve is home to predators including cheetahs, leopards, and hyena, and has the highest lion density in the world. Plus, from June to October, the millions of migrating wildebeest, zebra and antelopes pour into the reserve. Join an early morning game drive, and an afternoon drive in search of the critically endangered black rhino. B, L, D

SAVE up to £200 per person on selected departures

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 11 nights in hotels and lodges, and 1 in flight 31 meals: 11 breakfasts (B), 11 lunches (L) and 9 dinners (D) Saga tour manager Plus all this…

• Return flights and transfers • Tourist visa • Porterage at all hotels and lodges.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Four game drives in the Amboseli National Park • Full day game drive in Ngorongoro Crater • Visit to Olduvai Gorge • Four game drives in the Serengeti National Park • Two game drives in the Maasai Mara National Reserve • Visit to Giraffe Centre • Visit to David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage.

Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

KENYA AND TANZANIA

Day 4: Amboseli National ParkNgorongoro Highlands, Tanzania. Embark on a long but scenic journey to Tanzania.

Journey through the national park towards the Tanzanian border, continuing between the peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru to bustling Arusha for lunch. Continue across the rift valley to reach the northern highlands (210 miles, six hours). B, L, D Stay two nights at the 4-star Ngorongoro Farm House (3Q) nestled in a woodland area two miles from the entrance to Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Day 8: Serengeti National Park-Lake Victoria. Journey through the Western Corridor to Speke Bay (157 miles, four hours and 30 minutes) on Lake Victoria – Africa’s largest lake. Spend the afternoon at leisure, or go birdwatching in the grounds. Over 250 species of bird have been recorded here, including the African fish eagle. B, L, D Stay overnight at the Serenity on the Lake Resort (3Q), which stands on the shore of Speke Bay.

Day 11: Maasai Mara National ReserveNairobi. Return to Nairobi (182 miles, six hours and 15 minutes). Visit the Giraffe Centre, dedicated to the endangered Rothschild giraffe. Meet the giraffes currently in the centre’s breeding and reintroduction programme – you may even get the chance to feed them! B, L Stay overnight at the contemporary 4-star Hotel Eka (3Q).

Day 12: Nairobi-UK. Visit the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s orphanage which rescues and rehabilitates juvenile elephants and rhino. Look forward to seeing the baby elephants receive a milk feed and mud bath.

Depart for the airport this evening for your return overnight flight. B, L Day 13: UK. Arrive in the UK. Please note: Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.

This tour is a fast-paced adventure and requires a high level of fitness and mobility. Guests travel in three land-cruisers with only one tour manager. The tour manager will change vehicles daily to communicate with all members of the group, and will hold daily briefings to cover sightings on each journey. Due to the nature of transport on this tour, luggage allowance is limited and guests will be required to bring duffel bags instead of suitcases.

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY Mombasa north coast. 7 nights all inclusive. After your tour, stay at the 4-star Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa - North Coast (4Q).

Please see pages 164-171 for details.

Contact your preferred travel agent

Black rhino in Ngorongoro Crater

The Best of Kenya and Tanzania : The Great Migration and Big Game Safari. Holiday code: KT001.

Prices are based on British Airways from Heathrow.

Prices are £s per Two people Single person from: sharing Traveller Jan 21, 2022 4699 5448 Feb 4 4699 5448* Feb 18 4699 5448* Mar 4 4499 4399 5248 5148 Mar 18 4499 4399 5248 5148 Apr 1 4299 4099 5048 4848 Apr 22 4199 3999 4948 4748 May 6 4099 3999 4848 4748 May 20 3999 4748 May 27 4199 4099 4948 4848 Jun 3 4599 5348 Jun 17 4649 5398* Sep 17 4699 5448* Sep 24 4699 5448 Oct 8 4699 4599 5448 5348 Oct 23 4549 5298 Nov 5 4499 5248* *Single rooms may be available on request only. §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £60 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

47

NEW

GORILLAS OF UGANDA

Intrepid Escorted Tour Small group 14 or less

11 nights from £4199 Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

3

Embark on an adventure tour of Uganda, a country christened the ‘Pearl of Africa’ by Winston Churchill. Go gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking, hike in the Rwenzori mountains, cruise the Kazinga Channel, and explore Mburo National Park.

TOUR PACE: ACTIVE

UGANDA Nights in hotel

Kibale National Park Kasese Queen Elizabeth National Park Ishasha sector

Bigodi Entebbe Lake Mburu National Park

Bwindi National Park

UGANDA

Visit Bwindi’s Impenetrable Forest National Park

Enjoy exotic birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Track chimpanzees through the Kibale National Park

See Uganda’s endangered gorillas

Rare tree lion in Queen Elizabeth National Park

48

Cruise the Kazinga Channel

Contact your preferred travel agent

Day 1: UK-Entebbe, Uganda. Fly overnight to Uganda.

Day 2: Entebbe. Arrive in Entebbe and transfer to your guest house, set in tropical gardens. Explore the city at leisure – once the country’s colonial capital, it boasts a relaxed tempo and urban oases of green. D Stay overnight at the intimate 3-star Boma Guest House (3Q).

Day 3: Kibale National Park. This morning travel to the Kibale National Park (197 miles, five hours). En route today you’ll pass through Uganda’s tea-growing area with the opportunity to explore a plantation. This afternoon, you have free time to explore the gardens or take the 10-minute walk into the friendly town of Fort Portal. B, L, D Stay two nights at the 3-star Mountains of the Moon Hotel (3Q), situated in 15 acres of landscaped gardens.

Day 5: Queen Elizabeth National Park.

This morning, enjoy a guided hike on Mount Rwenzori’s diamond trail. Accompanied by an experienced guide explore the forests of the foothills, spotting primates and birds with fleeting glimpses of the Mountains of the Moon through the canopy. The six mile hike takes around four hours. Continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park (81 miles, two hours and 30 minutes) and enjoy a safari drive. B, L, D Stay two nights at the 3-star Mweya Safari Lodge (3Q), located on a peninsula in the heart of the Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Day 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park.

This morning, set out on a game drive through the National Park. The park’s diverse biospheres support over 100 species of mammal including colobus, chimpanzee, red tailed monkey and olive baboon. This afternoon, visit a local fishing village and meet the boatmen. Cruise along the Kazinga Channel and hopefully see hippos and monstrous Nile crocodiles. B, L, D Day 7: Bwindi National Park. Depart for Bwindi National Park (182 miles, six hours), home of the mountain gorilla. On the way enjoy a game drive through the Ishasha sector, home of the rare tree-climbing lion.

Continue to Bwindi National Park. B, L, D Stay three nights at the 3-star Silverback Lodge (3Q), located in the Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

Days 8: Bwindi National Park. Trek through Bwindi National Park, for between two and six hours, in the company of personal porters and an experienced guide. Discover the diverse plants and wildlife of the tropical rainforest and get close to family groups of

SAVE up to £200 per person on selected departures

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179

Day 9: Bwindi National Park. Relax at the hotel or join one of the optional excursions on offer. These include a second distinct gorilla trek, a community walk to meet a traditional healer, local beer maker and Batwa Pygmies, or a Bwindi forest walk exploring the magical cloud forest. B, L, D Day 10: Lake Mburu National Park.

Drive to Lake Mburu National Park (182 miles, six hours). As you enter the park, you’re treated to a game drive, with the chance to spot herds of impala and zebra. Check into your lodge, from where you can spot buffalo, eland, impala and zebra in the valley below. Later, visit cattle herders to learn about their lives and work. B, L, D Stay overnight at the 3-star Mihingo Lodge (2Q), overlooking the Lake Mburo National Park.

Days 11-12: Entebbe-UK. Set out on an early morning guided nature walk to witness one of the most active times in the park’s daily cycle, returning to the lodge for breakfast. Depart for Entebbe, enjoying a short farewell game drive out of the park on the way to the airport (145 miles, five hours). Fly overnight to the UK, arriving the next morning. B, L

9 nights in lodges and 2 in flight 27 meals: 9 breakfasts (B), 9 lunches (L) and 9 dinners (D) Local expert guide Plus all this…

• Return flights and transfers • Tourist visa for all full British citizens in the UK • Porterage at all hotels and lodges.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi Swamp walk • Day hike on Mount Rwenzori • Game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park

UGANDA

Days 4: Kibale National Park. Kibale Forest is home to the largest population of endangered chimpanzees in Uganda and has the highest diversity and density of primates in Africa. This morning, trek through the forest in search of chimpanzees and rare birds. Enjoy a traditional lunch at Tinka’s Homestead before a guided walk through the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a terrific experience for birders. Later, you might like to visit a local school. B, L, D

mountain gorillas. There are 700 of these peaceful and highly-intelligent creatures in the park and the groups you will visit are accustomed to the presence of tourists.

This evening, enjoy a lecture on the gorillas from an eminent primatologist. (Please note: due to the limited availability of permits, your trek may take place on day 9 instead.) B, L, D

• Kazinga Channel boat ride • Game drive in Ishasha • Gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park with personal porter • Visit Lake Mburo National Park • Nature walk in Mburo National Park.

Please note: this tour involves long hikes on uneven terrain, some over altitudes of 5,400 feet, so a high level of fitness is required. Roads are rough and infrastructure is basic.

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY GORILLA AND CHIMP TREKKING Uganda is renowned for its diverse primate population, with Africa’s highest density of ape and monkey living in the rainforests of Kibale National Park. In the company of an experienced guide, trek through dense vegetation in search of Uganda’s largest population of endangered chimpanzees. Although protected these chimps are still killed for bush meat or captured for the pet trade and continued encroachment on their habitat means their existence in the wild remains precarious. In Bwindi National Park you’ll track a family of mountain gorillas guided by experienced rangers. Park rules suggest that you remain seven metres from these supremely intelligent creatures but don’t be surprised if they approach you!

Murchison Falls National Park. 2 nights full board. Before your tour, stay overnight at the 3-star Boma Guest House, then enjoy two nights at the 3-star Paraa Safari Lodge (3Q). You’ll join the main tour on Day 3. Please see pages 164-171 for details.

SOLO TRAVELLERS...

Travel in the company of other solo travellers following the same itinerary.

Holiday code: AF562. Please call for details.

Gorillas of Uganda. Holiday code: UG001 / AF562.

Prices are based on Qatar Airways from Heathrow.

Prices are £s per Two people Single person from: sharing Traveller Jan 22, 2022 4599 5168* 4649 Feb 5 - Solos Feb 19

4599 4449

5168 5018

Mar 12 Jun 25 Aug 20 Oct 8

4399 4199 4599 4599 4499

4968 4768 5168 5168 5068*

*Single rooms may be available on request. §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £60 – see pages 174-179 for details

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

Contact your preferred travel agent

49

ETHIOPIA: AN ANTIQUE LAND

Intrepid Escorted Tour Small group 16 or less

12 nights from £2899 Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

3

This escorted tour explores the unique cultural heritage, ancient ruins and unrivalled natural beauty of this warm and friendly country. Visit the Blue Nile Gorge, explore the UNESCO-listed Simien Mountains National Park, and tour Lalibela, one of Africa’s most important religious sites.

TOUR PACE: ACTIVE

Axum

Gondar

Lake Tana

Bahir Dar

ETHIOPIA

Simien Mountains Lalibela Blue Nile Falls

Nights in hotel

Debre Libanos Addis Ababa

ETHIOPIA

Rift Valley

Baboons in the Simien Mountains

The former imperial capital of Gondar

Debre Libanos Monastery

Lalibela's rock-hewn churches

50

Contact your preferred travel agent

Bale Mountains

Day 1: UK-Addis Ababa. Fly overnight to Addis Ababa.

Day 2: Addis Ababa. Before checking in to your hotel, enjoy an afternoon tour of Ethiopia's capital. You'll visit Holy Trinity Cathedral and the National Museum, home to the famous three-million-yearold skeleton known as 'Lucy'. L, D Stay two nights at the modern 5-star Golden Tulip hotel (4Q) or centrally located Capital Hotel and Spa (4Q).

Day 3: The Blue Nile Gorge area.

Spectacular scenery awaits on an included visit to the dramatic Blue Nile Gorge area.

En route you'll visit the ancient monastery of Debre Libanos. B, L, D

Day 5: Bahir Dar. This morning you'll discover the Blue Nile Falls, nicknamed 'smoking water', on an included excursion.

Later you have the chance to explore some of the local villages on an excursion or relax beside the lake. B, L, D Day 6: Gondar. Take a morning boat cruise on Lake Tana, source of the Blue Nile, looking out for a variety of birdlife. You'll leave from Bahir Dar and visit the island monasteries of Ura Kidane Mihret and Azwa Mariam. After lunch at Bahir Dar, drive to Gondar (107 miles, three hours), visiting local villages en route. B, L, D Stay for three nights at the 4-star Goha Hotel (3Q), which enjoys an elevated position, or the rural 4-star Mayleko Lodge (3Q).

Day 7: Gondar. Enjoy a leisurely sightseeing tour of Gondar and the fortress-city of Fasil Ghebbi, where ancient palaces, churches and monasteries are encircled by a vast, crumbling wall. B, L, D Day 8: Simien Mountains. Today an included full-day excursion visits the spectacular UNESCO-listed Simien Mountains National Park, where you may be lucky enough to spot the extremely rare Gelada baboon and Walia ibex, a goat found nowhere else on Earth. B, L, D

Day 10: Lalibela. Fly to Lalibela (40 minutes).

An included afternoon tour visits one of Africa's most important religious and historic sites, the medieval rock-hewn churches of Lalibela including the cross-shaped church of Bete Giyorgis (St George). B, L, D Stay two nights at the modern 3-star Maribela Hotel (3Q) or 2-star Mountain View Hotel (3Q), which overlooks a valley on the outskirts of Lalibela.

Day 11: Lalibela. Today you visit more of Lalibela's monolithic cave churches. This afternoon you'll experience traditional Ethiopian hospitality and cuisine during an included visit to a guest house. B, L, D

SAVE up to £200 per person on selected departures

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 11 nights in hotels and 1 in flight 33 meals: 11 breakfasts (B), 11 lunches (L) and 11 dinners (D) Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Porterage at all hotels.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • City tour of Addis Ababa • The Blue Nile Gorge area

Day 12: Addis Ababa. This morning, fly back to the capital (one hour). Explore the vibrant open-air market of Merkato, one of the largest in Africa then spend the rest of the day at leisure. B, L, D Stay overnight at the modern 5-star Golden Tulip Hotel (4Q) or centrally located Capital Hotel and Spa (4Q).

• Tour of Bahir Dar

Day 13: Addis Ababa-UK. Travel to the airport for your return flight to the UK. B

• Visit a local guest house in Lalibela

Please note: Most of the time you will be above 6,000 feet with some excursions reaching up to 14,400 feet. Accommodation outside of Addis Ababa is comfortable but can be fairly basic. There will be a few challenging walks.

• Boat trip on Lake Tana • Gondar and Fasil Ghebbi

ETHIOPIA

Day 4: Bahir Dar. Take a flight to the lakeside city of Bahir Dar (one hour), where an afternoon tour reveals a colourful market with stalls selling coffee beans, local handicrafts and fragrant spices. B, L, D Stay two nights at either the 4-star Avanti Blue Nile Resort (3Q) or the 4-star Kuriftu Resort and Spa (3Q), both set beside Lake Tana.

Day 9: Axum. Fly to Axum (40 minutes), where an included tour reveals the 20thcentury Church of St Mary of Zion and the 17th-century church of the same name, next door to which is the chapel that supposedly houses the Ark of the Covenant. Later explore the Stelae Field with its huge granite obelisks before heading to your hotel. B, L, D Stay overnight at the 4-star Sabean Hotel (3Q) or the 4-star Yared Zema Hotel (3Q).

• Simien Mountains National Park • Tour Axum and its Stelae Field • The rock-hewn churches of Lalibela • Addis Ababa market Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

LALIBELA’S MEDIEVAL ROCK-HEWN CHURCHES The cross-shaped church of Bete Giyorgis (St George) is just one of 11 monolithic cave churches, they have been cut out of the rock so their roofs are at ground level. How were they carved using basic tools? How long did it take? What happened to the rock that was removed? Legend has it that angels assisted in the building!

Still visited by pilgrims, it is possible to venture inside some of them, though only by lots of uneven steps. Obviously they are dark inside, but some feature internal wall paintings and mosaics and they all have a resident monk!

Ethiopia is a deeply spiritual country

Ethiopia: An Antique Land. Holiday code: ETA10.

Prices are based on Ethiopian Airlines from Heathrow.

Prices are £s per Two people Single person from: sharing Traveller Feb 23, 2022 3249 3099 3578 3428 Mar 2 3199 2999 3528 3328 Mar 16 3099 2899 3398 3198 Oct 5 3099 2999 3398 3298 Oct 26 3199 3099 3528 3428 Nov 2 3249 3149 3578 3478 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £60 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Priests celebrating 'Timkat', the Orthodox Epiphany

Contact your preferred travel agent

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

51

MADAGASCAR: THE LOST CONTINENT

Intrepid Escorted Tour Small group 20 or less

14 nights from £3149

3

Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

TOUR PACE: ACTIVE

There is no place on Earth like Madagascar. The world's fourth largest island is home to an incredible array of flora and fauna evolved from 80 million years of isolation in the Indian Ocean. Nowhere else will you find such weird and wonderful wildlife, or the 2,000-year-old Malagasy culture, steeped in taboo and magic.

Antananarivo

MADAGASCAR

Andasibe National Park Peyrieras Reptile Reserve Ambatolampy Antsirabe Ambositra

Ranomfana National Park Sahambavy Anja Reserve

MADAGASCAR

Ranohira (for Isalo) Ifaty

Panther chameleon

Traditional Malagasy face paint

The giraffe weevil

A tiny golden mantella frog

52

Ring-tailed lemurs

Contact your preferred travel agent

Nights in hotel

Day 1: UK-Madagascar. Fly overnight to Madagascar.

Day 2: Antananarivo. Arrive in the capital of Madagascar. Relax after your journey, with dinner at the hotel tonight. D Stay overnight at the centrally located 5-star Hotel Carlton (4Q).

Day 3: Antsirabe. Enjoy a city tour of Tana – the local name of Antananarivo – taking in the upper town, Independence Avenue, Anosy Lake and the flower market.

Afterwards drive south to Antsirabe (106 miles, four hours). En route stop for lunch in Ambatolampy, the town known as the ‘capital of aluminium’ and see the processes involved in making pots and pans. Continue to Antsirabe, where you’ll visit workshops to see the production of jewellery, boiled sweets and decorative artefacts created from animal horns. B, L, D Stay two nights at the small and friendly 3-star Le Royal Palace Hotel (2Q).

Day 5: Sahambavy. Continue your journey south towards Sahambavy (150 miles, five hours). Pause in Ambositra, a centre of woodcarving, for lunch. You’ll stay in basic accommodation near Fianarantsoa, in stilted houses set in Sahambavy Lake, surrounded by a tea plantation. Close to the hotel is the railway station, where you may see local traders meeting the train with food or handicrafts for sale. B, L, D Stay two nights at the 3-star Le Lac Hotel (2Q).

Day 6: Ranomafana. Visit Ranomfana National Park for a walking tour through the forest trails. The local guides will head off track if necessary to show you the flora or fauna, including golden bambu lemurs which are endemic to this Park. B, L, D Day 7: Ranohira (for Isalo). Continue south towards Ranohira (213 miles, five hours and 30 minutes), the gateway to Isalo National Park, through sapphire mining villages and the Ambalavao rice-growing region. Stop for lunch then visit a women’s paper-making workshop. Call in at the Anja Reserve, managed by the Betsileo people as a conservation site for ring-tailed lemurs, chameleons and a host of birds and plants.

Arrive in Isalo. B, L, D Stay two nights at the 3-star+ Le Relais de la Reine (2Q+) or 3-star Jardin du Roy (3Q), both of which are in rural and peaceful settings.

Day 8: Isalo National Park. Isalo National Park is a vast sandstone massif, divided by a canyon and eroded into distinctive strata and weird formations by wind and rain. The Bara tribe here regard the mountain as sacred as they bury their ancestors’ bones in the highest rock clefts they can climb to.

Bara people farm local cows, called zibus,

Day 9: Ifaty. Head south, passing through the dry Spiny Land to the former fishing villages of Ifaty and Mangily, on the south west coast of the island (157 miles, four hours). B, L, D Stay two nights at the 3-star Les Dunes d’Ifaty (2Q+).

Day 10: Ifaty. Visit Reniala Private Reserve, to see plants used for medicinal purposes and statuesque baobab trees, one of which is 1200 years old. You’ll be amazed by the variety of birds you’ll spot here, along with chameleons, geckos and insects. B, L, D Day 11: Andasibe. Fly back to Antananarivo (one hour). Afterwards, drive to Andasibe National Park where you will stay in Lodge bungalows (100 miles, four hours). B, L, D Stay two nights at the 3-star Vakona Forest Lodge (3Q).

Day 12: Andasibe National Park. Explore the Analamazaotra Reserve, to see palm trees, tree-ferns, vivid lichens, air plants and hundreds of orchid species. A large percentage of the many birds, amphibians and animals you will see are unique to Madagascar, including the tree-dwelling lemur, Indri Indri. After lunch head out to the Vakona Pivate Reserve for the chance to see more species. B, L, D Day 13: Antananarivo. Drive back to the island’s capital (93 miles, three hours and 30 minutes). You’ll stop en route at Peyrieras Reptile Reserve to view crocodiles, geckos and chameleons, including the colourful Panther chameleon. B, L, D Stay overnight at the 5-star Hotel Carlton (4Q).

SAVE UP TO £100 per person on selected departures

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 12 nights in hotels and 2 in flight 35 meals: 12 breakfasts (B), 11 lunches (L) and 12 dinners (D) Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Porterage at all hotels.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Tour of Antananarivo • Visit to Ambatolampy aluminium workshop • Horn workshop, jewellery store and sweet shop • Ranomafama National Park • Ambalavao hand-made paper factory

MADAGASCAR

Day 4: Antsirabe. Discover daily life in rural Antsirabe on a walking tour with a local guide, where you’ll meet local people going about their work at home or in the rice fields. Stroll on the lake shore to meet the traders and browse their offerings of handicrafts and gem stones. The afternoon is at leisure. B, L, D

and such is their value that cattle rustling is common. Explore the Park with a guide, keeping a lookout for an array of birds, reptiles, frogs and the Verreaux’s sifaka or ‘dancing lemur’! B, L, D

• Isalo National Park and the Canyon des Makis • Reniala National Park • Andasibe National Park • Peyrieras Reptile Reserve • Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

Days 14-15: Antanarivo-UK. Travel to the airport for your overnight flight to the UK, via Addis Ababa, arriving in the UK on day 15. B Please note: Madagascar is a unique and highly rewarding destination, with tourism still in its infancy.

This holiday involves long journeys with some bumpy terrain, and accommodation is comfortable but can be basic.

THE EIGHTH CONTINENT Madagascar has been isolated from other lands for 88 million years, and as a result around 90 per cent of the animals and plants found here are endemic – they exist nowhere else on Earth. Hence the fact some ecologists refer to it as the eighth continent. It is the absence of monkeys on the island that allowed the lemur to thrive and diversify, although loss of habitat has caused some to become endangered or even extinct. Some species are endemic to only particular areas – Ranomafana National Park is one of the only places where you’ll find the Golden Bamboo lemur.

Contact your preferred travel agent

The ground roller

Madagascar: The Lost Continent. Holiday code: MG12A. Prices are based on Ethiopian Airways from Heathrow.

Prices are £s per Two people Single person from: sharing Traveller Mar 18, 2022 3199 3149 3749 3699 Apr 29 3449 3349 3999 3899 May 27 3449 3999 Jun 3 3449 3999 Jun 10 3499 4050 Sep 9 3599 3549 4149 4099 Sep 23 3599 3549 4149 4099 Oct 7 3549 3499 4099 4049 Nov 11 3449 3349 3999 3899 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £60 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

53

ENCHANTING MAURITIUS: AN ISLAND DISCOVERY

Immersive Escorted Tour Small group 20 or less

16 nights ALL INCLUSIVE from £3499

1

Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

TOUR PACE: RELAXED

This Indian Ocean island tour combines the perfect blend of relaxing and exploring. You’ll experience the cultural, historical and contrasting natural highlights of Mauritius while staying in three stylish, all-inclusive resorts beside some of the island’s most beautiful beaches.

MAURITIUS

Malheureux Pamplemousses Garden La Nicolière Turtle Bay

Port Louis

Moka

Belle Mare

Telfair Garden Casela Bird Park

MAURITIUS

Plaine Champagne Bel Ombre

There’s a whole new world waiting beneath the waves

Mauritian wildlife

Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens

See the culture and traditions of Mauritius

La Vallee de Ferney Nature Reserve

54

Discover the beautiful beaches of Mauritius

Contact your preferred travel agent

La Vallée de Ferney Nature Reserve Mahebourg Souillac Gris Gris

Nights in hotel

SAVE UP TO £100 per person on selected departures

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 14 nights in hotels and 2 in flight Cap Malheureux is home to one of the world’s most picturesque churches

Day 1: UK-Mauritius. Fly overnight to Mauritius.

Day 3: South Mauritius. Visit the sacred Lake of Grand Bassin, admire Chamarel Waterfalls and enjoy a tour and tasting in a rum distillery on today's included excursion. B, L, D Day 4: Mahebourg. Enjoy a scenic drive this morning to Mahebourg to see the Naval Museum in a beautiful 18th-century Creole mansion, and visit a family-run cassava biscuit producer. B, L, D Day 5: The tea route. This morning join an included half-day tour to delve into the island's tea history! Explore Domaine des Aubineaux – a tea plantation, and a museum and a rum distillery. B, L, D Day 6: Bel Ombre. Enjoy a day at leisure or perhaps go on an optional dolphin-watching trip or optional visit to Casela Nature Park. B, L, D Day 7: Bel Ombre-Souillac-Turtle Bay. Visit the historic village of Souillac and a garden developed by the Irish botanist Charles Telfair as you travel north to Turtle Bay (50 miles, 90 minutes). Your hotel is located within the boundary of the exclusive Balaclava Bay. B, L, D Stay five nights at the 5-star InterContinental Resort Mauritius (4Q+), a modern hotel on the north coast.

Day 8: Turtle Bay. Explore the tropical gardens around your hotel and relax as look over the Indian ocean. Alternatively, you might like to join an optional cruise along the north shores of the island or venture on an optional underwater safari. B, L, D Day 9: Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens. Admire the flora at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Pamplemousse and afterwards, head to the Sugar Adventure Museum which is housed in an old sugar factory. The afternoon is at leisure. B, L, D

Day 11: Turtle Bay. Enjoy the hotel facilities or join an optional half-day tour of the capital, Port Louis. B, L, D Day 12: Turtle Bay-Belle Mare. Travel to Belle Mare (25 miles, one hour), stopping for a typical Mauritian lunch at a private house. Your hotel is set in a resort with lush tropical gardens. B, L, D Stay four nights at the 5-star Long Beach Mauritius (5Q), located on the Belle Mare beach.

Free bar open for a minimum of 12-and-a-half hours at each hotel Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Welcome drink reception • Porterage at all hotels.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Visit the Lake of Grand Bassin • Mahebourg Naval Museum • Visit to a colonial house, tea plantation and rum distillery • Tour of historic Souillac

Day 13: Belle Mare. Relax at your hotel, or explore independently. B, L, D

• Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens and Sugar Adventure Museum

Day 14: Belle Mare. Perhaps relax on the white sandy beach or join an optional catamaran cruise along the island’s east coast. B, L, D

• Visit to Cap Malheureux and the Historic Marine model ship factory

Day 15: La Vallée de Ferney Nature Reserve. Nestled within Bambous Mountains, La Vallée de Ferney Nature Reserve consists of 200 hectares of preserved native forest. Enjoy an included walk through the forest before visiting a small coffee museum within the grounds of a sugar estate. B, L, D Days 16-17: Mauritius-UK. Travel to the airport (37 miles, 70 minutes) for your overnight flight home, or extend your holiday in Belle Mare. B

THE ISLAND OF MAURITIUS Mauritius is a unique island with a culture as diverse as its cuisine. With a history that includes spice traders, pirates, Portuguese and Dutch explorers, plus others from Africa, France, China and India, it is an island with a multi-cultural heart. Listen and you may hear Creole, French, Hindi, Cantonese and a host of other languages being spoken, while the island’s unique cuisine combines French, Indian and oriental flavours and ingredients. Add to that beautiful beaches, mountains, lagoons and tropical forests, and you have a certain recipe for a successful holiday!

Contact your preferred travel agent

MAURITIUS

Day 2: Bel Ombre. Transfer to Bel Ombre (23 miles, one hour). Your hotel is located on the beach, surrounded by mountainous landscapes and sugarcane fields. L, D Stay five nights at the 4-star Tamassa, An All Inclusive Resort (4Q+).

Day 10: Cap Malheureux. Visit dramatic Cap Malheureux at the northernmost tip of the island and the Historic Marine model ship factory, where craftsmen create miniature ships. B, L, D

42 meals: 14 breakfasts (B), 14 lunches (L) and 14 dinners (D)

• Guided walk through La Vallée de Ferney Nature Reserve.

Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY Belle Mare. 7 nights all inclusive.

After your tour, continue to stay at the 5-star Long Beach Mauritius (5Q), and enjoy relaxing on this Indian Ocean island.

Please see pages 164-171 for details.

Enchanting Mauritius: An Island Discovery.

Holiday code: MS3T1.

Prices are based on British Airways from Gatwick.

Alternative local flight options available from Birmingham, Glasgow and Manchester, supplements may apply.

Pricesare £s per Two Single person from: people sharing Traveller Jan 10, 2022 3599 3499 4799 4699 Feb 7 3599 4799 Mar 7 3599 4799 May 9 3599 4749 Jun 6 3499 4649 Sep 5 3549 4699 Sep 19 3599 4749 Oct 3 3749 4949 Oct 31 3699 4899 Nov 14 3699 4899 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £90 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

55

LEBANON: PEARL OF THE MIDDLE EAST

NEW

Intrepid Escorted Tour Small group 24 or less

8 nights from £1999

2

Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

TOUR PACE: STANDARD

From awe-inspiring ancient Baalbeck to the vibrant city of Beirut, Lebanon is a place for the curious and the adventurous. Historic and beautiful, this small country is home to one of the world’s oldest inhabited settlements, five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, mountain vistas, and the majestic ‘Cedars of God’. It’s also known for its cuisine – regarded as some of the finest in the Middle East – and the warm hospitality of its people.

Qadisha Valley

Bsharri

Byblos Baalbeck Chateau Ksara

Beirut

Deir El Qamar

LEBANON

Sidon LEBANON

Tyre

Remains at Anjar in the Bekaa Valley

Sidon’s Sea Castle

Visit Beirut’s Roman Baths

UNESCO-listed Bacchus Temple

56

Contact your preferred travel agent

Day 1: UK-Beirut. Fly to Beirut, arriving late evening. Enjoy some small snacks and fruit in your room on arrival. Stay three nights at the 5-star Le Commodore Hotel (4Q), conveniently located in Beirut’s prime destination, the Hamra District.

Day 2: Beirut. Embark on a tour of Beirut this morning. Achieving independence in 1940, in 1975 the harrowing civil war erupted, leaving the city in ruins. Large parts have now been rebuilt, but evidence of the conflict can still be seen in the ruined ‘Holiday Inn’ building now regarded as symbol of the civil war. The city has a bustling cosmopolitan centre known for its art, culture and fashion, with highlights including the beautiful Corniche offering views of the Mediterranean and Mount Lebanon, Martyrs’ Square, the Al Omari Mosque and the Orthodox Cathedral.

You’ll also visit the National Museum and the Beirut Roman Baths. B, L, D

Day 4: Beirut-Deir El Qamar. Travel south to the Chouf region of Lebanon to visit the elegant Palace of Beiteddine. Constructed between 1788 and 1818, it has been used by various dignitaries and houses a fine collection of Byzantine mosaics. Continue to the nearby village of Deir el Qamar (29 miles, one hour). Take a short walk in the Chouf Cedar Reserve – the country’s largest cedar reserve, covering some 5% of the country. Growing up to 130 feet high and with a life span of up to 1,000 years, these stately trees are revered and feature on the national flag. B, L, D Stay two nights at the 3-star Deir Al Oumara Hotel (3Q), a historic hotel with great views and a convenient location.

Day 6: Deir El Qamar-Bsharri. Set off for Bsharri in the Qadisha Valley (95 miles, three hours), birthplace of the artist and poet Kahlil Gibran. Gibran was author of numerous books including ‘The Prophet’ – comprising 26 prose poems representing the collected wisdom of Al Mustapha.

Visit the Gibran Museum housed in a 19th century monastery, and later, look forward to a walk in the Cedars Forest. B, L, D Stay overnight at the 4-star Cedrus Hotel, a small ski resort In Bsharri (3Q).

Day 7: Bsharri-Byblos. The Qadisha Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the presence of the Cedars of Lebanon forest, and its significance in terms of early Christianity. Set off on a hike in the valley seeking out monastic settlements. Continue to the UNESCO-listed town of Byblos (44 miles, three hours). Explore the citadel and visit the 12th century Crusader Castle.

B, L, D Stay two nights at the 5-star Byblos Sur Mer (4Q), which enjoys an excellent location overlooking the ancient Byblos port.

Day 8: Byblos. Explore one of Lebanon’s natural wonders, the Jeita Grotto in Keserwan. Travel by cable car to the upper cave, which is over 1.3 miles long and dotted with stalactites and stalagmites. You‘ll also see the lower cave travelling via a small train and then small boat. B, L, D Day 9: Byblos-Beirut-UK. Travel to Beirut airport for your return flight and your included UK door-to-door travel service home. B

SOLO TRAVELLERS...

SAVE up to £200 per person on selected departures

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 8 nights in hotels 22 meals: 8 breakfasts (B), 7 lunches (L), 7 dinners (D) Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Porterage at all hotels • Tourist visa for full British citizens resident in the UK.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Tour of Beirut • Visit the National Museum of Beirut • The Crusader Sea Castle in Sidon

LEBANON

Day 3: Beirut (Sidon and Tyre). The coastal city of Sidon dates back to the 4th millennia BC and beyond, and was an important Phoenician city and commercial hub trading with Egypt. See the Sea Castle, offering fine views over the city, and the city’s souq.

Travel south to Tyre, a UNESCO-listed town with a long history of colonisation, evidence of which is contained within the Al Bass Archaeological Site – home to the remains of Roman baths, a colonnaded road and a later cathedral and castle. B, L, D

tasting. The ancient city of Baalbeck fell under Roman control around 64BC and subsequently became a Roman colony.

Today it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site, comprising the remains of a series of temples built over a period of 200 years.

The heart of the site is dominated by the towering Temple of Jupiter – the largest temple in the Roman world. B, L, D

• Sidon’s old Souks • Al Bass Archaeological site in Tyre • Palace of Beiteddine • Walk in the Chouf Cedar Reserve • Wine tour and tasting at Chateau Ksara • Archaeological UNESCO World Heritage Site of Baalbeck • Gibran Museum, Bsharri • Walk in the Cedars Forest of the Qadisha Valley • Hike in the Qadisha Valley visiting religious sites including monasteries • See the Citadel of Byblos • Tour of Jeita Grotto.

Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

Travel in the company of other solo travellers on similar itinerary.

Holiday code: AF904. Please call for details.

Day 5: Baalbeck. Journey to Baalbeck today, pausing en route for a wine Lebanon: Pearl of the Middle East.

Holiday code: LB101 / AF904 (Solo).

Prices are based on Middle East Airlines from Heathrow Prices are £s per Two Single person from: people sharing Traveller Apr 23, 2022 2199 2099 2548 2448 Apr 27 - Solos 2749 2599 May 7 2349 2299 2778 2728 May 21 2399 2299 2848 2748 Sep 10 2399 2299 2848 2748 Sep 14 - Solos 2949 2749 Sep 24 2349 2199 2778 2628 Oct 15 2249 2099 2598 2448 Nov 2 - Solos 2599 2449 Nov 12 2099 1999 2448 2348 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £30 – see pages 174-179 for details.

A TASTE OF LEBANON Lebanese cuisine is renowned the world over for its flavoursome dishes created using traditional methods and utilising the abundance of spices which grow in the region. Lebanese mezze features small savoury dishes served with authentic khebbez bread, the perfect thing to dip into the ubiquitous hummus. Baklava is another dish popular around the globe, and if you get the chance, sample some Arak, a colourless alcoholic Lebanese drink made by distilling grape alcohol and aniseed.

Discover Lebanese food

Contact your preferred travel agent

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

57

A JOURNEY INTO ISRAEL 7 nights from £1549 Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

Classic Escorted Tour 2 TOUR PACE: STANDARD

ISRAEL

This revelatory tour of Israel begins in the cosmopolitan city of Tel Aviv with its delightful setting on the Mediterranean coast. Your journey continues to the ancient cities of Nazareth, birthplace of Christianity, and 3,000-year-old Jerusalem, leading you through fertile landscapes steeped in stories from the Bible. You’ll gain an understanding of the identity of the nation as you explore the culture, history and religions that have shaped this unique country.

See Caesarea’s Roman aqueduct

Enjoy the views from hilltop Masada

The Sea of Galilee

Katzrin Tiberias Sea of Galilee Tzipori Nazareth Caesarea Nights in port

Tel Aviv Jerusalem

ISRAEL

Qumran Bethlehem

Dead Sea Masada

58

Step back to the beginning of Christianity in Bethlehem

Contact your preferred travel agent

Jerusalem’s iconic sights

SAVE up to £150 per person on selected departures

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 7 nights in hotels ‘Mona Lisa of Galilee’ mosaic

Day 1 UK-Tel Aviv. Fly to Tel Aviv – ‘The City that Never Sleeps’. D Stay two nights at the 4-star Prima City Tel Aviv Hotel (3Q), conveniently situated on a quiet street in the heart of Tel Aviv.

Day 6: Jerusalem New City and Bethlehem Walk along the Avenue of the Righteous to visit the incredibly moving Yad Vashem, Israel’s largest Holocaust museum.

Other visits today include the Israel Museum and the bustling souk of Machne Yehuda Market, before visiting Manger Square in Bethlehem. B, D

Tel Aviv’s coastal setting

Day 3: Tel Aviv-Sea of Galilee (Tiberias) via Caesarea, Tzipori and Nazareth.

Travel to Galilee today (100 miles, two hours and 30 minutes). Journey along the coast to ancient Caesarea to see its Roman aqueduct and amphitheatre, as well as a ruined Crusader city. Continue to hilltop Tzipori, best known for its thirdcentury ‘Mona Lisa of Galilee’ mosaic, and Nazareth to visit the modern Church of the Annunciation and Mary's Well, where Mary was visited by the Angel Gabriel. B, D Stay two nights at the 4-star Prima Galil Hotel (3Q), situated on a hilltop in the centre of historic Tiberias.

Day 4: Sea of Galilee. An important pilgrimage site, the Sea of Galilee is where Jesus spent much of his early ministry.

Take a short boat trip across Israel’s largest freshwater lake, where Jesus walked on water, disembarking in Capernaum to visit the ruins of a second-century synagogue.

Visit Mount of the Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered the ‘Sermon on the Mount’, before continuing to Israeli-occupied Golan Heights to see the former Syrian bunkers and visit the town of Katzrin. Afterwards, tour a Golan winery and taste the locally produced wine. B, D

Day 7: Jerusalem Old City Venture up the Mount of Olives, see the Church of Dominus Flevit and stroll through the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed with his disciples before his crucifixion. Enter the Old City through Kidron Valley to see one of the most important religious sites in Jerusalem, Temple Mount, which is crowned by the golden-roofed Dome of the Rock. At the foot of the Mount, on the western side, is the sacred ‘Wailing Wall’, and the restored Jewish Quarter which has a number of sites associated with Jesus and the crucifixion.

See the Church of St Anne, the Pool of Bethesda, Pontius Pilate’s Judgement Hall at the Antonia Fortress, and the Lithostrotos upon which Jesus was tried.

You can walk along the ‘Way of Suffering’, and head into the Christian Quarter to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which has been identified as the site of the crucifixion and tomb of Jesus. This evening, there is an optional sound and light show at the Tower of David. B, D Day 8: Jerusalem-Tel Aviv-UK Enjoy the morning at leisure. This afternoon travel to Tel Aviv (31 miles, 40 minutes) for your flight back to the UK. B

Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Porterage at all hotels.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Tel Aviv city tour • Caesarea ruins and Crusader castle tour • Mosaics of Tzipori visit • Visit the modern Church of the Annunciation and Mary's Well in Nazareth

ISRAEL

Day 2: Tel Aviv. Join a half-day tour of Tel Aviv, visiting the 4,000-year-old port city of Jaffa, open-air Carmel Market and the artist's quarter of Neve Tzedek where you can admire beautifully restored houses.

Also see the UNESCO-listed White City with its stark Bauhaus buildings. B, D

Day 5: Sea of Galilee-Jerusalem via the Dead Sea, Qumran and Masada. Visit a modern-day kibbutz, and Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Catch a cable car to visit the UNESCO-listed ruins of the palace complex Masada, built by Herod the Great. Then drive through the Judean Desert to the Dead Sea where you can float in the therapeutic waters before continuing to Jerusalem (182 miles, four hours). B, D Stay three nights at the 3-star+ Prima Park Hotel (3Q), located a short walk from the Israel Museum and the Knesset parliament.

14 meals: 7 breakfasts (B) and 7 dinners (D)

• Boat trip on the Sea of Galilee • Visit to ancient Capernaum • Kibbutz visit • Visit the Dead Sea and Qumram • Masada by cable car • Jerusalem New City tour • Jerusalem Old City tour Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

Qumran A Journey into Israel.Holiday code: IS111.

Prices are based on Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow.

Prices are £s per Two people sharing Single Traveller person from: Jan 16, 2022 1699 1549 2148 1998 Mar 6 1799 1649 2298 2148 Apr 24 1899 1849 2398 2348 May 29 1949 1899 2448 2398 Sep 11 1999 1899 2498 2398 Oct 9 1949 1849 2448 2348 Oct 30 1849 1799 2348 2298 Nov 13 1799 1749 2298 2248 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £20 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

Contact your preferred travel agent

59

ANCIENT PETRA AND ARABIAN DESERTS

Classic Escorted Tour 2

8 nights from £1899

TOUR PACE: STANDARD

Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

JORDAN

Discover Jordan, a beautiful land steeped in four millennia of history.

Visit the hidden city of Petra, one of the seven wonders of the modern world. Follow in the footsteps of Lawrence of Arabia in the dramatic Wadi Rum desert. Explore UNESCO-listed Bethany, the site of Jesus’ baptism, and float in the salty waters of the Dead Sea.

The surprisingly intact Roman Theatre at Jerash

The Dead Sea

Mount Nebo Bethany Dead Sea

Jerash Amman Desert Castles Madaba

ISRAEL

Shobak Petra

JORDAN Nights in hotel

Wadi Rum

The ornate Al Khazneh, ‘the Treasury’

The desert castle of Qsar Amra

Wadi Rum

60

Contact your preferred travel agent

Day 1: UK-Amman. Fly to Amman, arriving in the evening. Stay three nights at the 4-star AlQasr Metropole Hotel (3Q), a small hotel that enjoys views of the capital.

Day 2: Jerash. Today’s included tour of Amman introduces the capital’s highlights.

Start at Citadel Hill, which towers over the city. Herod the Great built a temple to Hercules here in 30 BC, and some Roman ruins still survive, including a theatre that could seat 6,000 spectators. Afterwards, drive to Jerash, with its well-preserved Roman ruins which include a Roman Forum, two theatres, a hippodrome and the 600-metre colonnaded ‘Street of Columns’. B, L

Day 8: Dead Sea. Today is at leisure to enjoy the Dead Sea. Because of its high concentration of salts, even a non-swimmer can float quite safely! The dark mud on the shore has been used for for therapeutic purposes for more than 2000 years. B Day 9: Dead Sea-Amman-UK. Travel to Amman airport for your return flight to the UK (55 miles, one hour), or choose to extend your holiday at the Dead Sea. B

Please note: today’s excursion involves almost five miles over rough terrain, with 800 steps to reach the upper levels of the city.

Day 6: Petra-Wadi Rum-Dead Sea. Drive to Wadi Rum – the largest, most magnificent valley in the south of Jordan, its name means ‘Moon Valley’. Enjoy lunch in a dome-shaped restaurant in Sun City Camp.

Afterwards, continue to the Dead Sea (278 miles, six hours). B, L Stay three nights at the 5-star Dead Sea Crowne Plaza Resort (4Q), which boasts stunning Dead Sea views..

Day 7: Bethany. Visit Bethany, one of the most sacred Christian places in the world, on a half-day tour. The Bible records that Jesus was baptised here by John the Baptist who lived and preached in this village on the south bank of Wadi Kharrar. B

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179

12 meals: 8 breakfasts (B), 2 lunches (L), 2 dinners (D) Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Porterage at all hotels • Tourist visa for full British citizens resident in the UK.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Tour of Amman highlights • Visit to Jerash • Tour three of the desert castles

JORDAN

Day 5: Petra. Enjoy a full-day walking tour around Petra, known as the ‘rose-red city half as old as time’. Petra was built from 800 BC to 100 AD by Nabatean Arabs in a canyon, with the only entrance being through a narrow gorge. Many of its buildings were carved out of the rock, and this vast archaeological site is one of the wonders of the world. B, D

on selected departures

8 nights in hotels

Day 3: Desert Castles. After breakfast, head out to explore Jordan’s Desert castles.

This array of 7th and 8th century buildings in the desert plains of eastern Jordan are variously thought to have been built for Umayyad princes as desert retreats, traders’ rest stops or even agricultural sites. Visit the best-preserved castles of Qasr Amra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Qasr al Kharrana and Qasr al Azraq. B Day 4: Mount Nebo-Madaba-ShobakPetra. Travel to Mount Nebo, the site from which Moses was allowed to see the Holy Land. Thought to be the site of his tomb, various temples and churches have been built here. Continue to Madaba to see its 6th-century mosaic map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land, believed to be the earliest created. At Shobak, see the mountaintop Crusader castle, built in the early 12thcentury to protect the trade route between Damascus and Egypt. Continue to Petra (165 miles, four hours). B, D Stay two nights at the 4-star Petra Guest House managed

by Crown Plaza (3Q), situated a few steps from the entrance to the Ancient Petra Archaeological site.

SAVE up to £100 per person

• Visit Mount Nebo, Madaba and Shobak castle • Guided full-day tour of Petra

JORDAN’S ANCIENT TREASURES Discover some of Jordan’s archaeological ‘treasures’ on a special interest version of this holiday. In addition to visiting some of the country’s best-known sites, you will be joined by an expert historian tour manager. You will spend a day at Petra, visit the protected area of Wadi Rum and stay overnight in a ‘martian’ tent.

See the 6th century mosaic map of the Holy Land in Madaba, the 'City of Mosaics', and visit the site where archaeologists believe Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist.

During your tour provides you will stay at three different hotels in the capital of Amman, Petra, and on the shores of the Dead Sea, plus spend a night in the state-of-the-art ‘martian’ tents in the extraordinary desert landscape of Wadi Rum.

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY The Dead Sea. 7 nights including breakfasts. After your tour stay at the 5-star Dead Sea Crown Plaza (4Q).

Please see pages 164-171 for details.

SOLO TRAVELLERS...

Travel in the company of other solo travellers on a similar itinerary.

Holiday code: AF776. Please call for details.

Contact your preferred travel agent

• Lunch at Wadi Rum • Visit to Jesus’ baptism site, Bethany.

Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

The view from Mount Nebo Ancient Petra and Arabian Deserts. Holiday code: JD100 / AV179 Archaeology / AF776 Solo Travellers.

Prices are based on Royal Jordanian from Heathrow.

Prices are £s per Two people Single person from: sharing Traveller Feb 23, 2022 1999 1899 2478 2378 Mar 2 - Solos 2699 Mar 23 2049 2528 Mar 30 - Solos 2749 Apr 27 2199 2678 Sep 21 2149 2628 Sep 28 - Solos 2799 Oct 5 2099 2578 Oct 12 - Archaeology 2299 2778* Oct 26 - Solos 2749 Nov 2 1999 2478 *Single rooms may be available on request. §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £30 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

61

UZBEKISTAN: HEART OF THE SILK ROUTE

Classic Escorted Tour Small group option

10 nights from £1999 Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

Embark on an eastern adventure to the exotic cities of Uzbekistan, a historic crossroads on the Great Silk Route's path across Central Asia. Travel across a landscape little changed since the days of Genghis Khan and Alexander the Great.

2 TOUR PACE: STANDARD

Urgench

UZBEKISTAN

Tashkent

Khiva

Bukhara

Samarkand Shakhrisabz

UZBEKISTAN

Nights in hotel

Gold mosaics of Bukhara

The gardens of Kukeldash Madrasah

Shakhi-Zinda Guri Emir Mausoleum

62

Contact your preferred travel agent

Day 1: UK-Tashkent. Fly overnight to Tashkent.

Day 2: Tashkent. Arrive in Tashkent early this morning, and spend the rest of the day at leisure. B, D Stay overnight at the modern 4-star Wyndham Hotel Tashkent (3Q) located in the city centre, or a similar hotel.

Day 3: Tashkent-Urgench-Khiva. Fly early to Urgench (90 minutes), followed by a short drive to Khiva (18 miles, 50 minutes).

A walking tour reveals Khiva's Itchan Kala, an architectural treasure trove of restored mud-walled monuments. Highlights include the Ismail Khodja Mausoleum, the 16thcentury Kunya-Ark Castle and 19th-century Muhammed Amin Khan Madrassah.

Enjoy dinner and a folk show at the 19thcentury Kibla Tozabog, summer residence of the Khiva Khans. B, L, D Stay overnight at the 4-star Asia Khiva (3Q) located in the old town district, or a similar hotel.

Day 5: Bukhara. A centre of trade and education for more than 2,000 years, Bukhara was a major city on the Great Silk Route and played a significant role in the ancient Islamic world's quest for knowledge.

It is the best example of a medieval city in Central Asia. See its key sights on a walking tour of the old town, and the 10thcentury Samanids Mausoleum. Dinner, with a Bukharian cookery class, is at a guest house. B, D Day 6: Bukhara. Visit the magnificent Naqshbandi Mausoleum, built for the founder of the Naqshbandi Sufi order.

Beautiful blue-glazed tiles adorn the facade of this domed, multi-arched masterpiece.

Also visit the summer residence of the last Emir of Bukhara, a reminder of Uzbekistan's era of Russian rule. After an embroidery masterclass, stroll through atmospheric Bukhara to a restaurant for dinner and a folk and fashion show tonight. B, D Day 7: Samarkand. Relax on a journey to Samarkand (161 miles, four hours). Visit the Afrosiyab Museum, with dinner at a restaurant. B, D Stay two nights at the modern 4-star Grand Samarkand (4Q) or a similar hotel.

Day 8: Samarkand. Admire the colourful mosaics, blue domes and lofty arches of Registan Square on today's tour. This grand plaza is bordered on three sides by splendid structures built by the Timurid dynasty.

Also visit the exquisitely beautiful ShakhiZinda Guri Emir Mausoleum, a breathtaking street of ornate blue-tiled mausolea, the final resting place of the country's great and good for over 800 years. B, D Day 9: Shakhrisabz-Tashkent.

Travel through the Tahta-karacha Pass to Shakhrisabz to discover 14th to 15th-

SAVE up to £50 per person on selected departures

SO MUCH INCLUDED…

Day 10: Tashkent. Explore modern Tashkent and visit the Museum of History, the Museum of Applied Art and the KhastImam complex. This evening, perhaps treat yourself to an optional visit to the opera and ballet theatre before a farewell dinner. B, D

Included travel insurance

Day 11: Tashkent-UK. After a morning at leisure take your return flight to the UK. B

22 meals: 10 breakfasts (B), 3 lunches (B) and 9 dinners (D)

Please note: Departures on a Friday will have an additional night in Khiva during the tour.

VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 9 nights in hotels and 1 in flight

Saga tour manager Plus all this...

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY

• Return flights and transfers

Fergana Valley 4 nights half board.

After your tour, spend an additional night in Tashkent, then travel into the Fergana Valley for a two night stay at the 4-star Asia Fergana Hotel, to explore charming Kokand and the historic Silk Road city of Margilan.

Return to Tashkent for the final night.

Please see pages 164-171 for details.

• Welcome drink reception

SOLO TRAVELLERS...

Travel in the company of other solo travellers on a similar itinerary. Holiday name: The Silk Route to Samarkand.

Holiday code: AF769. Please call for details.

Colourful Khiva

THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF UZBEKISTAN… Step into another world as you uncover the past of this fascinating country on a special archaeology departure. In the company of your guide explore the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand and Shakhrisabz. See the ancient fortresses of Ayzkala, the early settlements of Kasbi and Bazda and the ruins of the town of Kesh that date back to 800 BC. You’ll also visit the museum of Afrosiyab and the sites of Kafyr-kala and Jartepa, plus there will be talks from a local academic – the perfect introduction to the archaeology and ancient culture of Uzbekistan. History and Archaeology.

10 nights. Holiday code: AV178.

Contact your preferred travel agent

• Porterage at all hotels • Tourist visa.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Walking tour of historic Khiva • Khiva folklore show • Medieval Bukhara guided tour • Baha-ud-Din Naqshband's mausoleum visit • Bukhara folklore show • View Registan Square in Samarkand • Explore the Guri Emir Mausoleum • Visit Samarkand's Museum of Afrosiyab • See Tamerlane's tomb in Samarkand • Visit to the ancient Timurid centre of Shakhrisabz • Sightseeing tour of Tashkent • Visit to the Museum of Applied Art in Tashkent.

Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

UZBEKISTAN

Day 4: Khiva-Bukhara. A long day's journey takes you across the Kyzyl-Kum or Red Desert, which once took laden camel caravans a month! (285 miles, seven hours). B, L, D Stay three nights at the 4-star Asia Bukhara (3Q), which is adjacent to the old town, or stay at a similar hotel.

century Timurid mosques, mausoleums and the ruined gateway of Ak-Saray Palace.

After lunch, return to Samarkand for the Afrosiab high-speed train journey to Tashkent (two hours). B, L, D Return to the 4-star Wyndham Hotel Tashkent (3Q) or a similar hotel, and stay two nights.

Uzbekistan: Heart of the Silk Route.

Holiday code: UZ001 / AV178 Archaeology/AF769 Solos.

Prices are based on Uzbekistan Airlines from Heathrow. ^Departures on a Friday will have an additional night in Khiva.

Prices are £s per person Two people Single from: sharing Traveller Mar 22, 2022 - Solos 2349 Mar 29 1999 2228 Apr 15^ 2199 2468 Apr 26 Limited Availability 2498 Apr 29^ 2249 2518 May 3 - Solos 2649 May 10 2299 2548 May 17 - Solos 2649 May 24 2299 2548 May 31 2199 2428 Jun 7 2149 2378* Aug 23 - Solos 2499 Aug 30 2149 2378 Sep 6, 13, 20 2299 2548 Sep 27- Small Group 2399 2648 Oct 4 2249 2498 Oct 11 - Solos 2599 Oct 18 2099 2328 Oct 25 - Archaeology 2249 2498 Nov 1 2049 1999 2278 2228 Nov 8 - Solos 2349 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £60 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

63

CAUCASUS CALLING!

Classic Escorted Tour

13 nights from £2299 Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

Sole Occupancy rooms at no extra cost

2 TOUR PACE: STANDARD

on selected dates, subject to availability

GEORGIA AND ARMENIA

Discover how the former Soviet republics of Georgia and Armenia have blossomed into cosmopolitan visitorfriendly destinations on this tour of the Caucasus region. Contrast Georgia’s buzzing capital, Tibilsi, with its wine-producing regions, and admire UNESCO-listed churches and monasteries in the world’s first Christian country – Armenia. Enjoy a vast variety of scenery from alpine slopes to dramatic gorges, dense forest to serene lakes, and the barren slopes of Mount Ararat.

Khor Virap monastery

Kazbegi

The ancient Narikala Fortress overlooks Tbilisi

Dariali Canyon

GEORGIA

Ananuri Tevali Chardakhi Tsinandali Mtskheta Signagi Tbilisi Akhtala Haghpat Nights in hotel Odzun ARMENIA Dilijan Sevanavank Noraduz Yerevan Lake Sevan Echmiadzin Garni Selim Jermuk Areni Karahunge Amaghu Tatev Monastery

The Temple of Zvartnots in front of Mount Ararat

Iconic Jvari Monastery

64

Contact your preferred travel agent

Day 1: UK-Tbilisi, Georgia. Fly overnight to Tbilisi.

Day 2: Tbilisi. Check in to the hotel early. This afternoon, join a walking tour of Tbilisi, visiting the 13th-century Metekhi church. B, D Stay overnight at the 4-star Museum Hotel (4Q), a small hotel conveniently located within 10 minutes’ walk to the old town.

Day 3: Tbilisi-Kazbegi. After breakfast travel to Mtskheta, the old capital of the Kingdom of Iberia. Explore the 6th-century Jvari monastery, Svetitskhoveli cathedral and Samtavro convent. Take the Georgian Military Road into the Caucasus Mountains, and visit the castles and churches of the Ananuri fortress complex. After lunch continue to Kazbegi (99 miles, three hours and 30 minutes). B, L, D Stay two nights at the modern 4-star Intourist Kazbegi (4Q), located in the scenic small town surrounded by the Caucasus Mountains.

Day 5: Kazbegi-Tbilisi. Travel to the village of Chardakhi and visit a Qvevri winery (82 miles, three hours and 30 minutes. Help make a nut and grape juice delicacy and enjoy a typical Georgian lunch. Return to Tbilisi (22 miles, 50 minutes). B, L Stay two nights at the 4-star Museum Hotel (4Q).

Day 6: Tbilisi. Your full-day tour starts in the Kakheti wine region visiting the Shuamta Monastery complex and 11th-century Alaverdi cathedral, followed by wine tasting and lunch. Continue to the Tsinandali estate to explore a wine-related archaeological site, then visit Signagi and its grand defence wall. Finally, enjoy dinner at the ‘Pheasant’s Tears’ winery. B, L, D Day 7: Tbilisi-Haghpat, Armenia. Explore Tbilisi, visiting the Sulphur Baths and a reconstruction of the 4th-century Narikala fortress, before departing for the GeorgianArmenian border. Stop at the 10th-century Akhtala Monastery, famous for its beautiful Byzantine frescoes. Continue to Haghpat (73 miles, two hours and 40 minutes). B, L, D Stay overnight at the 3-star Qefo Hotel (3Q), a small, basic hotel located next to the UNESCO-listed Haghpat Monastery.

Day 8: Haghpat-Dilijan. Enjoy a day of sightseeing beginning in the UNESCOlisted Haghpat Monastery. Continue to the Armenian basilica in Odzun before having lunch with local beekeepers. In the afternoon take a walk through a Molokan village and experience afternoon tea with locals. Continue to Dilijan (68 miles, two hours and 30 minutes). B, L, D Stay overnight at the modern 4-star Best Western Paradise Hotel (3Q+).

Day 9: Dilijan-Jermuk. Travel to Lake Sevan, the highest natural reservoir in the Caucasus and visit Sevanavank monastery.

Day 10: Jermuk. Today’s tour starts at Karahunge, a 7,500 year-old stone circle thought to be an ancient observatory, then continues to Tatev Monastery. Reach it via the world’s longest cable car route measuring nearly four miles. B, L Day 11: Jermuk-Yerevan. Depart for Areni and visit a 6,100 year-old archaeological excavation of a winery. Continue to the secluded 13th-century Noravank monastery then visit the Khor Virap Monastery complex, pivotal in Armenia’s conversion to Christianity. Continue to Yerevan (124 miles, three hours and 30 minutes). B, L, D Stay three nights at the centrally located 4-star DoubleTree by Hilton in Yerevan (4Q), a large, modern hotel.

Day 12: Yerevan, Echmiadzin, Zvartnots.

Visit Echmiadzin, with its outstanding cathedral and continue on to the UNESCO-listed Zvartnots Cathedral.

Return to Yerevan for an ancient recipe demonstration and lunch in the Megerian Carpet Museum. Tour Yerevan visiting Republic Square, the Cascade staircase and the historic buildings of Abovyan Street. Visit the Ararat Brandy Factory and the Armenian genocide memorial. Enjoy a farewell dinner tonight. B, L D Day 13: Yerevan. Visit Matenadaran, a repository of ancient manuscripts, followed by the Geghard Monastery complex and an a cappella concert. Continue to Garni and its pagan temple and enjoy traditional flute music before boarding 4x4s and driving into the Garni Gorge. Return to Garni for lunch in a family home and make Armenian bread in an underground oven. Return to Yerevan and enjoy farewell drinks. B, L

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 12 nights in hotels and 1 in flight 32 meals: 13 breakfasts (B), 11 lunches (L) and 8 dinners (D) Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Drink reception • Porterage at all hotels.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Tour of eastern Georgia wine regions • Georgian Military Road and Ananuri fortress • 4x4 drive Gergeti Trinity church • Mokhevian cookery demonstration and lunch • Hike to Elia monastery • Chardakhi winery tour and lunch • UNESCO-listed Haghpat Monastery • Caravanserai of Selim on the Silk Road • Karahunge stone circle observatory • Tatev Monastery by world’s longest cable car ride • Excavation of 6100 years old Areni winery

GEORGIA AND ARMENIA

Day 4: Kazbegi. Mount 4x4s to ascend to 14th-century Gergeti Trinity church for amazing views of Mount Kazbeg. Descend to the village of Kazbegi for a cookery demonstration and lunch with a local family before driving to the Dariali Canyon and walking to the Elia monastery. B, L, D

Continue to the Noraduz cemetery to see its famous carved headstones, then visit the Caravanserai of Selim. Proceed to Jeremuk (146 miles, four hours). B, L, D Stay two nights at the modern 3-star Grand Resort Jermuk (4Q), located in the centre of Jeremuk.

• Echmiadzin, the world’s oldest cathedral • Zvartnots Cathedral ruins • Tour of Yerevan • Garni Gorge ‘Symphony of Stones’ • Cooking traditional lunch with a family.

Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

Day 14: Yerevan-UK. Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK. B

A SPIRITUAL JOURNEY In 301AD Armenia adopted Christianity as its official religion, perhaps surprisingly the first country to do so! The Khor Virap Monastery complex, where Noah's Ark was said to have beached after the great flood, is where it all started. A Christian called Grigor was buried in a rock pit here for 13 years, surviving ‘miraculously’ because he was fed in secret by Christian women. When he cured the King of an illness the King, and his country, converted to Christianity.

The man went on to become Saint Gregory the Illuminator, buried in the cathedral named after him in Yerevan.

The church is also the cornerstone of life in Georgia despite centuries of upheaval, and altogether you’ll discover 14 important and fascinating churches and monasteries during your tour.

Contact your preferred travel agent

Caucasus Calling! Holiday code: AG100.

Prices are based on Ukraine International Airlines from Gatwick.

Prices are £s Two people sharing Single Traveller per person: Apr 17 2299 2299 May 1 2449 2449 May 29 2499 2499 Jun 12 2549 2549 Jun 26 2549 2549 Aug 21 2549 2549 Sep 4 2599 2599 Sep 18 2499 2499 Oct 2 2449 2449 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £60 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

65

KAZAKHSTAN AND KYRGYZSTAN: FROM STEPPE TO MOUNTAINS

NEW

Intrepid Escorted Tour 2

10 nights from £2299

TOUR PACE: STANDARD

Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

Head for Central Asia to explore the cities, mountains, canyons and historic sites of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Learn about Kazakh culture on a visit to an ethno village, see the mighty Charyn Canyon, watch a demonstration of eagle hunting, and journey along the north coast of Issyk-Kul Lake.

KAZAKHSTAN

Korday border crossing Turkistan Otrar Shymkent

Almaty via Nur-Sultan

Bishkek

KAZAKHSTAN AND KYRGYZSTAN

KYRGYZSTAN

Traditional eagle hunting

Ride the cable car for incredible views of Almaty

Charyn Canyon

Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi

The many colours of Kazakhstan

Explore Kazakh culture

66

Contact your preferred travel agent

Karakol

Day 1: UK-Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan.

Fly overnight to Nur-Sultan.

Day 2: Nur-Sultan-Almaty. Continue by internal flight from Nur Sultan to Almaty (one hour). Arrive early and transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure, with lunch and dinner at local restaurants. B, L, D Stay two nights at the modern 4-star Novotel Almaty City Centre Hotel (3Q), located in the business and shopping district.

Day 3: Almaty. Visit a Kazakh ethno village and learn about the history, traditions and culture of the Kazakh people. Enjoy a theatrical performance before returning to Almaty for a city tour, taking in the Green Bazaar, Panfilov Park, the Ascension Cathedral and Koktobe Park with a ride on the cable car to a viewing point offering farreaching views of the city. B, L, D

Day 4: Almaty to Karakol, Kyrgyzstan.

Embark on the long journey to Karakol (255 miles, seven hours and 30 minutes). En route visit the mighty Charyn Canyon within the Charyn State National Park and enjoy a jeep tour here. Cross the border to Karakol.

B, L, D Stay two nights at the 4-star Hotel Karagat (2Q+), Green yard (2Q), or Amir Hotel (2Q), all basic yet comfortable hotels.

Day 5: Karakol. Tour the town of Karakol, see the Dungan Mosque, Orthodox church and an eagle hunting demonstration. B, L, D Day 6: Karakol-Bishkek. Travel to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan (255 miles, seven hours). Travel via the north coast of Issyk-Kul Lake and Cholpon-Ata city where you visit to the Ethnographic Museum and the Petroglyphs of CholponAta, dating from 500 BC to the 1st century AD. Dine at a local restaurant this evening. B, L, D Stay two nights at the 4-star Ambassador Hotel (4Q), Plaza Hotel Bishkek (4Q) or Jannat Hotel (4Q), all modern and centrally located hotels.

Day 7: Bishkek. A tour of Bishkek city takes in the history museum, central square of Ala Too, Victory Square, Osh Bazaar, and more. This afternoon visit Ala Archa National Park situated in the Tien Shan mountains and enjoy an easy hike amidst beautiful mountain scenery before returning to Bishkek. B, L, D Day 8: Bishkek-Shymkent, Kazakhstan.

Head for the border, crossing back into Kazakhstan en route for Shymkent, via the Korday border crossing (339 miles, seven hours). En route pause at Taraz city

Day 9: Shymkent. Shymkent is one of Kazakhstan’s most modern and dynamic cities. On a city tour visit the Archaeological Museum, the Green Market, impressive Central Square, Memory Alley and the Museum of Political Repression, which tells the story of Soviet oppression in the country and commemorates the first decade of the country’s independence. Dine at a local restaurant. B, L, D Day 10: Shymkent. Depart early for a full day excursion to Turkistan city. Pause en route to visit the ancient site of the Oasis of Otrar, currently on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, with its remains of the medieval town that once stood here.

Located nearby is the 14th-century Arystan Bab Mausoleum, built over the 12th century grave of Arystan Baba, the teacher of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi whose mausoleum you will visit later today. Continue to Turkistan and visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, a 12th century Sufi master, before returning to Shymkent. B, L, D

SAVE up to £100 per person on selected departures

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 9 nights in hotels and 1 in flight 28 meals: 10 breakfasts (B), 9 lunches (L) and 9 dinners (D) Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Porterage at all hotels.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Visit Kazakh ethno village • City tour of Almaty • Charyn Canyon • Visit the Ethnographic Museum and petroglyphs of Cholpon-Ata

Please note: this excursion involves 257 miles of driving and is approximately 12 hours in duration.

• City tour of Bishkek

Day 11: Shymkent-Nur-Sultan-UK. Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK. B

• Aisha-Bibi and Bib Khanum mausoleums

THE PEARL OF TIAN SHAN During your journey to Bishkek you will skirt the northern coast of Issyk-Kul Lake – the second largest alpine lake in the world, after South America’s Lake Titicaca. The beautiful lake is known as ‘The Pearl of the Tian Shan’ – named after the mountain range which sprawls through Central Asia.

Only six lakes on earth are deeper than Issyk-Kul, which means ‘warm lake’ in the Kyrgyz tongue – though it is surrounded by snow-capped peaks, it never freezes. The lake was once a busy stopping point on the Silk Road – the popular land route for travellers heading to Europe from the Far East – and historians believe it may have been the point of origin for the Black Death which plagued two continents in the 14th century. In 1948 the lake was established as the first nature reserve in Kyrgyzstan while it was listed as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2000.

The Tian Shan Mountains

Contact your preferred travel agent

• Ala-Archa National Park • Shymkent city tour • Turkistan and the Mausoleum Arystanbab • Visit the ancient oasis of Otrar • Mausoleum of Yassawi Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

KAZAKHSTAN AND KYRGYZSTAN

Almaty’s Ascension Cathedral

for lunch, visit Aisha-bib and Bib Khanum mausoleums. Afterwards continue to Shymkent. B, L, D Stay three nights at the modern 4-star Aidana Plaza Hotel (4Q).

Ala Archa National Park

Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan: From Steppe to Mountains.

Holiday code: KZ003.

Prices are based on Air Astana from Heathrow.

Prices are £s per Two people sharing Single Traveller person from: May 14, 2022 2299 2558 May 28 2449 2349 2708 2608 Aug 20 2449 2349 2728 2628 Sep 3 2499 2399 2778 2678 Sep 17 2399 2349 2678 2628 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £60 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

67

WE RECOMMEND

VISITING THE TAJ MAHAL An exercise in perfect symmetry, the Taj Mahal is said to be the most beautiful building in the world, and few people would disagree.

It took 22 years to build the Taj Mahal, and it’s as immaculate today as it was on the day it was completed in 1653. Commissioned by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan after the death of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, materials were brought from all over the world for this ultimate labour of love, including white marble from Rajasthan, crystal from China, sapphire from Sri Lanka and turquoise from Tibet.

The Taj Mahal’s semi-translucent white marble façade is carved with flowers and inlaid with thousands of semi-precious stones, and its four sides – complete with minarets, vaulted arches and domes - are perfectly identical.

As the sun moves through the sky, the Taj Mahal seems to change colour, from pinkish hues in the early morning to gleaming white in the midday sun. It looks particularly beautiful at sunrise, as its luminous white marble and semi-precious stones catch the early morning light.

India’s most recognised monument and a symbol of love the world over, the Taj Mahal was declared a World Heritage Site in 1983.

The Golden Triangle and Tiger Trail – see page 70

69

THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE AND TIGER TRAIL

Classic Escorted Tour

2

10 nights from £1699 Includes insurance and cancellation cover Price reduction available if not required. §

TOUR PACE: STANDARD

INDIA

Perfect for first time visitors to India, this tour covers the highlights of the famed Golden Triangle – colourful Delhi, regal Jaipur and romantic Agra – and you may even spot the elusive tiger on safari in Ranthambore National Park.

The iconic Taj Mahal

Fatehpur Sikri’s Mughal architecture

INDIA

Amber Fort Jaipur Palace of the Winds Sawai Madhopur Nights in hotel

Jaipur’s intricate Palace of the Winds

70

India Gate in New Delhi

Contact your preferred travel agent

Delhi Raj Ghat Jama Masjid Agra Taj Mahal Agra Fort Bharatpur Fatehpur Sikri Ranthambore Ranthambore National Park

Day 1: UK-Delhi. Fly overnight to Delhi.

Day 2: Delhi. Relax after your journey, with a welcome reception this evening. D Stay two nights at the modern 5-star Vivanta New Delhi Dwarka in the new sub township of Dwarka (4Q).

Day 3: Delhi. Discover the street life, beautiful parks and architectural styles of this ancient city. In Old Delhi, you'll visit the Raj Ghat, where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated, and Jama Masjid – India’s largest mosque. In New Delhi you'll see the India Gate war memorial, visit the Mausoleum of Emperor Humayun and the Sikh temple, Bangla Sahib Gurudwara. B, D

Day 5: Jaipur. Enjoy a full day of sightseeing starting at Amber Fort, a romantic Rajasthani Fort Palace. Here, contrast stark early palaces with those built after the Rajput court adopted Mughal influences.

Then visit the Maharaja's City Palace, still partly used by Jaipur's Royal family.

Later visit the Jantar Mantar – the largest stone and marble crafted observatory in the world. You'll drive past Hawa Mahal, ‘the Palace of the Winds’. The five-storey building has 953 sandstone windows from which royal ladies could see out without being seen… B, D Day 6: Jaipur. At leisure. Or, choose from optional excursions including a morning visit to Jaigarh Fort – one of the most spectacular and intact forts in India, or an afternoon visit to the private quarters of the Jaipur Royalty. B, D Day 7: Jaipur-Ranthambore. Travel to Ranthambore where you'll stay on the edge of Ranthambore National Park (110 miles, three hours). B, L, D Stay two nights at the family-run 4-star Ranthambore Regency Hotel (4Q).

Day 8: Ranthambore. This morning, visit the largest wildlife reserve in Northern India, Ranthambore National Park – Rajasthan's first tiger reserve – for a safari by opentopped bus. The park is home to sambar, the largest species of Asiatic deer, a wealth of birds, crocodiles and, of course, tigers.

After lunch, enjoy another safari. Relax at your hotel tonight. B, L, D Day 9: Ranthambore-Agra. Early this morning travel to Sawai Madhopur railway station to board the train for Bharatpur (two hours). On arrival you'll visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Fatehpur Sikri. Built in 1571 of red sandstone, it was the Mughal capital for just 14 years, before it was abandoned. Your journey continues to Agra (35 miles, one hour). B, D Staying two nights at the 5-star Taj View (4Q), near the Taj Mahal.

Day 11: Delhi-UK. This morning you will have a very early departure from Agra for the transfer by coach to Delhi airport (135 miles, five hours), for your return daytime return flight to the UK, arriving in the afternoon.

Alternatively, extend your holiday in Goa. B

SAVE up to £250 per person on selected departures

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 9 nights in hotels and 1 in flight 20 meals: 9 breakfasts (B), 2 lunches (L) and 9 dinners (D) Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Welcome drink reception • Porterage at all hotels

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY Goa. 7 nights half board. After your tour, stay at the 5-star Zuri White Sands(4Q). Please see pages 164-171 for details.

SOLO TRAVELLERS...

Travel in the company of other solo travellers on a similar itinerary.

Holiday code: AF767. Please call for details.

• Tourist visa for full British citizens resident in the UK.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Tour of Old and New Delhi • Visit to the Amber Fort • Maharaja's City Palace and the Jantar Mantar observatory • Two safaris in Ranthambore National Park • Tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Fatehpur Sikri

PRIVATE TRAVEL OPTION

• Visit the Taj Mahal around sunrise

From £299 per person, upgrade to a private tour including your own private tour manager, transportation and driver. Please call for details.

• Agra Fort visit Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

RANTHAMBORE NATIONAL PARK Visit Rajasthan’s first tiger reserve and one of the largest national parks in northern India. Although home to a host of wildlife including leopards, hyenas, deer, crocodiles and more, it is most famous for its tiger population.

Until the 1950s the area was a hunting ground for the Maharajas of Jaipur, which meant that it was protected at a time when other forested areas were being destroyed. As a result, together with the work of ‘Project Tiger’ in the 1970s, the park’s majestic tigers were able to survive.

Spot tigers in Ranthambore National Park

Contact your preferred travel agent

INDIA

Day 4: Delhi-Jaipur. Visit Delhi’s 12thcentury Qutub Minar minaret – at 71-metres high, it is the tallest in the world – and surrounding historical monuments.

Later, view rural India as you make the drive to Jaipur (174 miles, six hours). Optional evening excursion to Aarti ceremony at Birla Temple. B, D Stay three nights at the centrally located 5-star Hilton Jaipur (4Q).

Day 10: Agra. The Taj Mahal in Agra is celebrated for its architectural magnificence and beauty. Built by Shah Jahan in 1560 in memory of his favourite wife, Mumtaz, as a place to enshrine her remains it took 22 years and over 20,000 craftsmen to complete! Join an excursion to see this fabulous building bathed in early morning light. After breakfast at the hotel visit the 16th-century Agra Fort, a walled city of red sandstone encompassing many fairy-tale palaces and two beautiful mosques, followed by a walking tour of colonial Agra. The afternoon is at leisure. B, D

The Golden Triangle and Tiger Trail.

Holiday code: IN200 / AF767 Solo.

Prices are based on Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow.

Alternative local flights options available from Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow, supplements may apply.

Prices are £s per Two People Sharing Single Traveller person from: 2199 1999 Jan 6, 2022 1949 1749 Jan 10 Solos 2299 2049 Jan 31 1949 1799 2249 2099 Feb 10 Solos 2299 2149 Feb 21 1999 1899 2299 2199 Mar 3 1999 1899 2299 2199 Mar 10 Solos 2349 2149 Mar 14 1999 1899 2249 2149 Mar 21 1999 1849 2249 2099 Apr 4 1949 1799 2149 1999 Apr 18 Solos 2149 1999 Apr 25 1899 1699 2099 1899 May 9 1899 1699 2099 1899 Sep 15 Solos 2349 2099 Sep 19 1899 1749 2099 1949 Oct 3 1949 1849 2199 2099 Oct 10 Solos 2349 2249 Oct 13 1949 1849 2199 2099 Oct 27 1999 1899 2299 2199 Nov 3 1999 1949 2299 2249 Nov 7 Solos 2299 2249 Nov 14 1999 1949 2299 2249 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £60 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

71

THE GREAT INDIAN RAIL JOURNEY

Classic Escorted Tour Small group 25 or less

15 nights from £2149 Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

2

Explore northern India by train on six memorable rail journeys discovering India’s ‘Golden Triangle’ and into the Himalayan foothills, with the chance to watch for tigers in Ranthambore National Park and marvel at the Taj Mahal at dawn.

INDIA

TOUR PACE: STANDARD

Ride the famous‘ Toy Train

Wagah

Amritsar Shimla Kalka Chandigarh

INDIA

Delhi

Nights in hotel

Jaipur Sawai Madhopur

Agra Bharatpur Ranthambore

The breathtaking Taj Majal

Discover Indian culture

72

Sample the flavours of India

Contact your preferred travel agent

Watch for tigers in Ranthambore

Day 1: UK-Delhi. Fly overnight to Delhi.

Day 2: Delhi. Enjoy a welcome briefing and refreshments this evening. D Stay two nights at the modern 5-star The Surya (4Q).

Day 3: Delhi. Discover Old and New Delhi on a tour including Old Delhi Market, Jama Masjid – India’s largest mosque, the Mausoleum of Humayan, Raj Ghat – the resting place of Mahatma Gandhi, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Qutub Minar, India Gate and a drive past the Red Fort. B, L, D Day 4: Delhi-Jaipur. Travel by rail to Jaipur (four hours). Perhaps join an optional Patangbaazi (kite flying) session with high tea. B, L Stay two nights at the contemporary 5-star Hilton Hotel (4Q).

Day 6: Jaipur-Ranthambore. Travel by train to Sawai Modhopur then transfer to Ranthambore (two hours). Perhaps join an optional nature walk or visit a self-sustaining village. B, L, D Stay two nights at the 4-star Hotel Jungle Vilas (4Q), located on the edge of the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve.

Day 7: Ranthambore. Enjoy a morning and afternoon safari by Canter – an open-topped safari bus – in Ranthambore National Park, watching out for tigers. B, L, D Day 8: Ranthambore-Agra. Travel by train to Bharatpur, then continue to Agra (three hours). After a special Thali lunch, visit Agra Fort – a 16th century Mughal fortress and UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as the ‘Baby Taj’, the tomb of I’tim d-ud Daulah and reminiscent of the Taj Mahal in miniature.

This evening perhaps join an optional excursion to a dance and drama show. B, L Stay overnight at the 5-star Taj View (4Q).

Day 9: Agra-Delhi. See the stunning Taj Mahal in the early morning sun before transferring to Delhi (132 miles, four hours). B, L, D Stay overnight at the modern 5-star The Surya (4Q).

Day 10: Delhi-Amritsar. Take the early morning train to Amritsar (nine hours).

Enjoy the afternoon at leisure or join an optional excursion to the Partition Museum. B, D Stay two nights at the modern 5-star Taj Swarna (4Q).

Day 11: Amritsar. A sightseeing tour of Amritsar visits Jallianwalah Bagh, the Durgiana Hindu temple and a local bazaar.

In the evening, you'll also visit the famous Golden Temple and the community kitchen which feeds thousands of pilgrims daily for free. Later travel to Wagah on the border to see the changing of the guard ceremony – a military ceremony involving troops from India and Pakistan which has taken place every evening at sunset since 1959. B, L, D

Day 13: Chandigarh-Shimla. Drive to Kalka, and board the famous ‘Toy Train’, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Mountain Railways of India. Travel from Kalka railway station to the hill station of Shimla on this famous 19th-century railway, just 2 feet 6 inches wide, passing forest-clad mountains, and beautiful valleys (six hours).

B, D Stay two nights at the 4-star Welcom Hotel (4Q).

Day 14: Shimla. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Shimla, when you’ll see the Sankat Mochan Temple, the ancient Jakhu Temple and the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies on Observatory Hill, which was the base from which the British Raj was ruled. B, L Day 15: Shimla-Delhi. Drive from Shimla to Chandigarh (70 miles, tthree hours), then travel by Shatabdi Express Train to Delhi (four hours). B, D Stay overnight at the airport hotel, 4-star Novotel Hotel Aerocity (4Q).

Day 16: Delhi-UK. Transfer from your hotel to Delhi airport for your return flight to the UK. B Please note: this tour involves a number of early starts and some long journeys by rail and road.

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY

SAVE up to £350 per person on selected departures

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 14 nights in hotels and 1 in flight 32 meals: 14 breakfasts (B), 7 lunches (L) and 11 dinners (D) Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Welcome briefing with refreshments • Tourist visa for full British citizens resident in the UK • Porterage at all hotels.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Tour of Old and New Delhi • Visit to the Amber Fort • Maharaja's City Palace and the Jantar Mantar observatory • Two safaris in Ranthambore National Park • Tour of Agra including Agra Fort and the Baby Taj • Visit the Taj Mahal around sunrise • Tour of Amritsar including the famous Golden Temple and the Wagah Border • Tour of Chandigarh • Tour of Shimla • Six train journeys.

Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

INDIA

Day 5: Jaipur See the famous Amber Fort, once the ancient capital of the Rajput Empire, with its Mughal-influenced palaces.

Next, visit the Maharaja's City Palace, followed by the Jantar Mantar Observatory.

You’ll also drive past the Palace of the Winds with its 953 windows. B, D

Day 12: Amritsar-Chandigarh. Drive to Chandigarh (140 miles, four hours), and enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city, visiting Sukhana Lake and Rose Garden. B Stay overnight at the heritage property, 5-star Taj Chandigarh (5Q).

Goa. 7 nights half board. After your tour, stay at the 5-star Zuri White Sands(4Q). Please see pages 164171 for details.

SOLO TRAVELLERS...

Travel in the company of other solo travellers on the same itinerary.

Holiday code: AF521. Please call for details.

TOY TRAIN TO SHIMLA The three mountain railways of India are collectively a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of which is the Kalka Shimla Railway or ‘Toy Train’. Built in the mid-19th century, the railway earned its charming nickname by virtue of the trains that use it being a mere two feet six inches wide.

Covering 60 miles, the railway passes through stunning scenery of mountains and valleys as well as through some 100 tunnels and over 800 bridges and is not only a fine example of engineering, but was intended to provide a way of opening up access for the mountain populations.

The Great Indian Rail Journey.

Holiday code: IN521 / AF521 Solo.

Prices are based on Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow.

Alternative local flight options available from Manchester and Birmingham, supplements may apply.

Prices are £s per Two people sharing Single Traveller person from: 3199 3149 Feb 17, 2022 2649 2599 Feb 21 - Solo 2749 Feb 28 2649 2599 3199 3149 Mar 3 - Solo 2749 Mar 7 2649 2549 3199 3099 Mar 14 2649 2549 3199 3099 Mar 21 2649 2449 3199 2999 Mar 28 - Solo 2699 Apr 4 2549 2349 3019 2819 Apr 11 2549 2299 3019 2769 Apr 18 2549 2199 3019 2669 Apr 21 2499 2149 2969 2619 Apr 25 2499 2149 2969 2619 Sep 19 - Solo 2699 Oct 3 2499 2349 2999 2849 Oct 10 - Solo 2749 Oct 13 2599 2399 3149 2949 Oct 17 2599 2449 3149 2999 Oct 24 2649 2449 3199 2999 Oct 31 2649 2499 3199 3049 Nov 3, 14, 17 2649 2549 3199 3099 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £60 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

Contact your preferred travel agent

73

RAJASTHAN: THE PRINCELY STATE

Intrepid Escorted Tour

15 nights from £1999

2

Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

TOUR PACE: STANDARD

Discover the palaces, temples and hilltop forts of the desert state of Rajasthan and experience the luxurious Rajasthani lifestyle with stays in a trio of historic hotels, and two nights in a desert camp.

Locals near Jaisalmer head to the well

The iconic Taj Mahal

INDIA

Jaipur’s striking Amber Fort

City Palace looms over Lake Pichola in Udaipur

Chand Baori Stairwell

INDIA

Amber Fort

Khimsar Dechu

Jaipur

Delhi Taj Mahal Agra Fatehpur Sikri

Jodhpur Kumbhalgarh Fort

Nights in hotel

Udaipur Lake Pichola

Venture into the Thar Desert on a camel safari

74

Contact your preferred travel agent

Day 1: UK-Delhi. Fly overnight to Delhi.

Day 2: Delhi. Arrive in Delhi. D Stay two nights at the modern 5-star The Suryaa Hotel (4Q).

Day 3: Delhi. Discover Old and New Delhi on an included full-day tour, including the sights of Raj Ghat, the Jama Masjid mosque, bustling Chandni Chowk, Bangla Sahib Gurudwara mosque and the famous Red Fort. B, D Day 4: Delhi-Agra. Transfer to Agra (145 miles, four hours). Visit Mentab Bagh – the Moonlight Gardens – from where you can view the Taj Mahal. B, D Stay two nights at the 5-star Radisson Hotel Agra (4Q).

Day 6: Agra-Fatehpur Sikri-Jaipur.

Travel to Jaipur (151 miles, four hours and 30 minutes). En route visit the small and beautiful historic city of Fatehpur Sikri. Built between 1571-1573 it served as the capital of the Mughal empire for just 14 years and features a host of striking red sandstone structures. You’ll also pause to visit the remarkable 9th century Chand Baori Stepwell – one of the most impressive in Rajasthan. B, D Stay two nights at the modern 5-star Hilton Hotel (4Q).

Day 7: Jaipur. Visit the walled 16th-century Amber Fort with its palace and temples and enjoy a city tour of Jaipur. See the City Palace and admire the exterior of the famous Palace of the Winds. An optional evening excursion visits Birla Mandir Hindu Temple. B, D Day 8: Jaipur-Khimsar. Travel into the desert to Khimsar where you will stay at a former historic fort, now a hotel (175 miles, six hours). B, D Stay overnight at the heritage property, Khimsar Fort and Dunes Hotel (4Q+).

Day 9: Khimsar-Dechu. Drive through the desert to Dechu, for a stay at an oasis in the Thar Desert (76 miles, two hours and 30 minutes). Later enjoy an included offroad desert drive.B, D Stay two nights at the 4-star Manvir Resort & Desert Camp (3Q).

Day 10: Dechu. Spend the day at leisure or join an optional trip to Khichan. This evening enjoy an included camel safari through the sands. B, L, D Day 11: Dechu-Jodhpur. Travel to the city of Jodhpur, once capital of the Marwar kingdom (75 miles, two hours). Jodhpur lies at the base of a sandstone ridge on the edge of the desert, enclosed by a nine-kilometre

Day 12: Jodhpur. Visit the 15th-century Mehrangarh Fort, its formidable exterior concealing three beautiful palaces graced with carved decoration and wall paintings.

You’ll also see the royal cenotaphs of Jaswant Thada. Perhaps join an optional cookery demonstration.B, D Day 13: Jodhpur-Udaipur. Drive south to Udaipur known as the 'City of Lakes' (152 miles, five hours). En route visit Kumbhalgarh hill-top fort – a 15th-century Mewar fortress, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Hill Forts of Rajasthan.

The wall of the fort (the second largest in India) is claimed to be the second-longest continuous wall after the Great Wall of China! B, D Stay two nights at the 5-star Tatsarassa Resort (4Q).

Day 14: Udaipur. Enjoy an included city tour of Udaipur, a graceful city of palaces, ghats and temples founded by Maharana Udai Singh in 1559. Discover the City Palace, and visit ornate Jagdish Temple and Sahelion Ki Bari gardens, with their lotus pools and marble pavillions. Enjoy a scenic drive around Fatehsagar Lake and a cruise across Lake Pichola (subject to water levels). B, D Day 15: Udaipur-Delhi. Fly to Delhi (one hour). B Stay overnight at the airport hotel, 5-star Novotel Aerocity (4Q).

Day 16: Agra-Delhi-UK. Transfer to the airport for your return flight, or extend your holiday in Mumbai. B

SAVE up to £300 per person on selected departures

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 14 nights in hotels and 1 in flight 28 meals: 13 breakfasts (B), 2 lunches (L) and 13 dinners (D) Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Welcome drink reception • Porterage at all hotels • Tourist visa for full British citizens resident in the UK.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Delhi city tour

INDIA

Day 5: Agra. This morning visit the Taj Mahal to watch the sun rise over its iconic form. Built in the 17th-century by Shah Jahan as a memorial to his late wife, it is regarded as one of the seven new wonders of the world and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Afterwards, visit Agra Fort, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and once the city of the Mughal rulers, with its wealth of palaces and mosques enclosed within walls. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure, or join an optional walk of colonial Agra. B, D

long wall. You’ll pass through eight gates to enter this small city, seven of which represent victories in battle. Enjoy a brief guided orientation walk. B, L, D Stay two nights at the centrally located 4-star Fairfield

by Marriott Jodhpur (3Q) or the 4-star The Ummed Jodhpur Palace Resort & Spa (3Q).

• Tour of Udaipur's palaces and temples • Boat trip on Lake Pichola • Guided tour of Jodhpur • Explore the Thar Desert • Visit to the Amber Fort • Tour of the Pink City of Jaipur • Ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri • Visit the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Mehtab Bagh Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY Goa. 7 nights half board. After your tour, stay at the 5-star Zuri White Sands(4Q).

Please see pages 164-171 for details.

Jaisalmer Fort

RAJASTHAN Discover Rajasthan – a land steeped in history with a landscape that ranges from desert to national parks and bustling cities. Today, Rajasthan is one state, having been composed of 18 princely states that finally merged in 1950. Explore the palaces of Udaipur and Jodhpur – a reminder of the region’s regal history. Cross the Thar Desert and see the Jain Temples of Jaisalmer, and Bikaner’s mighty Junagarh Fort. No visit to Rajasthan is complete without a visit to the vibrant ‘pink’ city of Jaipur – immortalised in the film ‘The Best Marigold Hotel’ and home to a host of historic and beautiful buildings.

Contact your preferred travel agent

Rajasthan: The Princely State. Holiday code: IN514.

Prices are based on Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow.

Prices are £s per Two people sharing Single Traveller person from: Jan 6, 2022 2499 2299 2899 2699 Feb 3 2499 2349 2899 2749 Mar 1 2399 2349 2799 2749 Apr 29 2299 1999 2599 2299 Sep 20 2349 2149 2649 2449 Oct 18 2399 2249 2799 2649 Nov 2 2449 2299 2849 2699 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £60 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

75

WILD ABOUT INDIA

Immersive Escorted Tour Small group 20 or less

13 nights from £2549 Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

1

Embark on an unforgettable expedition into the heart of India’s wildliferich jungles where the Royal Bengal tiger is king. Explore the acclaimed national parks of Pench, Kanha and Bandhavgarh on nine included 4x4 safaris for the best chance of sighting this majestic yet famously elusive big cat, along with other exotic wildlife such as gaur, hyenas and eagles.

INDIA

TOUR PACE: RELAXED

Search for the Bengal tiger on safari

Delhi

INDIA Nights in hotel

Khajuraho Bandhavgarh Kanha

Gir National Park Mumbai

Khajuraho Temples

Leopard in Pench National Park

Trimurti Sadashiva on Elephanta Island

76

Contact your preferred travel agent

Pench National Park Nagpur

Day 1: UK-Mumbai. Fly overnight to Mumbai.

Day 2: Mumbai. Experience the heart of Mumbai. D Stay two nights at the heritage 5-star Taj Mahal Tower Wing (4Q).

Day 3: Elephanta Island. Set off across the Sea of Oman on an hour-long boat ride to visit Elephanta Island. Catch a road train to the end of the jetty where steps lead up the hillside to the 5th to 6th-century rock-carved caves where you can venture inside and marvel at the ancient sculptured panels of Lord Shiva. An afternoon optional excursion visits Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus and Mumbai’s art deco buildings. B, D Day 4: Mumbai-Nagpur-Pench. Fly to Nagpur (90 minutes) and continue by road to Pench (52 miles, two hours) for a stay in the outer edge of the national park. B, L, D Stay two nights at the 4-star Pench Jungle Camp (4Q).

Day 6: Pench-Kanha. Return to the heart of Pench National Park for your third 4x4 safari before travelling to Kanha (106 miles, four hours). B, L, D Stay three nights at the stylish 4-star Chitvan Jungle Lodge (4Q).

Day 7: Kanha National Park. Explore the vast bamboo and sal forests of Kanha National Park which are punctuated by the occasional white kulu ‘ghost’ tree. Herds of swamp deer grazing in the meadows are a result of its successful preservation efforts while other wildlife you may spot include sloth bears, four-horned antelope and gaur, the largest wild animal in the park. You may even spy the lesser-spotted rhesus macaque and, of course, the Bengal tiger, the park’s most famous resident. B, L, D

SAVE up to £200 per person on selected departures

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 12 nights in hotels and 1 in flight 33 meals: 12 breakfasts (B), 9 lunches (L) and 12 dinners (D)

Experience daily life in Kanha

Day 9: Kanha to Bandhavgarh. Your journey takes you to Bandhavgarh (121 miles, five hours). B, L, D Stay three nights at the 3-star King’s Lodge (3Q) or Bandhav Vilas (3Q).

Days 10-11: Bandhavgarh National Park.

Once the hunting preserve of the Maharaja of Rewa, the park is known for its higher than average number of Bengal tigers, increasing your odds of sighting these magnificent beasts prowling through the thickets on your morning and afternoon safaris. You may also see striking white tigers, common langurs, Asiatic jackals, grey mongoose and jungle cats on your morning and afternoon safaris. B, L, D Day 12: Bandhavgarh-Khajuraho. Continue to Khajuraho (143 miles, five hours), staying close to an area rich in Hindu and Jain temples, including the Western Group of Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This afternoon look forward to visiting these temples, regarded as some of the most architecturally important in India. B, D Stay overnight at the 4-star Radisson Jass (4Q).

Day 13: Khajuraho-Delhi. Travel to Jhansi pausing en route at Orchha (133 miles, five hours). Continue by train to Delhi (five hours). B, L, D Stay overnight at the locally rated 5-star Novotel Aerocity, Delhi (4Q).

Day 14: Delhi-UK. Depart early for the airport and your flight home to the UK. B. **Tourist visa for full British citizens resident in the UK. See the Essential Information for details.

Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Porterage at all hotels • Tourist visa for full British citizens resident in the UK.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Elephanta Island UNESCO-listed rock caves

INDIA

Day 5: Pench National Park. Travel into the forests of Madhya Pradesh that inspired Rudyard Kipling’s ‘The Jungle Book’ in hope of spotting a real-life version of Sher Khan on your first two safaris by 4x4. Along with the Bengal tiger, other elusive predators that roam free in Pench National Park include leopards and wolves.

It’s also a birdwatchers’ paradise with around 285 resident and migratory species, including endangered white-rumped and king vultures. B, L, D

Day 8: Kanha National Park. Look forward to a safari drive and village tour this morning, followed by an afternoon visit to the Manegaon Tribal Village to experience the culture of tribal life. B, L, D

• Kanha village walk • Tour of the UNESCO-listed Khajuraho Western Temples • Three 4x4 safaris in Pench National Park • Two 4x4 safaris in Kanha National Park • Four 4x4 safaris in Bandhavgarh National Park Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY Big Cats of Gujarat. 4 nights including 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners.

Before your tour, fly to Mumbai, where you’ll stay overnight, then take an internal flight to Gujarat. Spend three nights at the 4-star Lion Safari Camp (3Q) in Gir National Park, the last refuge of the Asiatic lion and where you can enjoy four included 4x4 safaris. It’s also home to the largest leopard population of any park in India, making it the ideal place to see big cats of a different kind. Please see pages 164-171 for details.

TIGERS AND ASIATIC LIONS Breathtakingly beautiful and awe-inspiring, the tiger has been immortalised in poetry, prose and art.

The primary species found in India is the Bengal tiger whose numbers have diminished to around 2,500 left in the wild. Since the 1970s the Indian government has been involved in the conservatio of these magnificent animals who are threatened by the illegal wildlife trade and loss of their natural prey. But the tiger is not the only one under threat…

The endangered Asiatic lion is now only to be found in Gir National Park (which you can visit on an extension to your main holiday). Smaller than their African cousins, the males have a shorter mane and tend to be solitary except when breeding. With an estimated population of only some 523 left, these protected lions should remain ‘kings of the jungle’.

Wild About India. Holiday code:IN004.

Prices are based on British Airways from Heathrow.

Prices are £s per Two people sharing Single Traveller person from: Feb 8, 2022 Limited Availability Sold out Feb 22 2749 2719 3169 3139 Mar 8 2749 2699 3169 3119 Apr 5 2749 2549 3149 2949 Oct 11 2799 2599 3219 3019 Nov 1 2799 2649 3219 3069 Nov 15 2799 2649 3219 3069 Nov 1 2799 2649 3219 3069 Nov 15 2799 2649 3219 3069 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £60 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Lions in Gujarat

Contact your preferred travel agent

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

77

NEW

PALACES, FORTS AND THE RAJ

Immersive Escorted Tour

14 nights from £1899

2

Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

TOUR PACE: STANDARD

On this tour through northern India visit famous sites, monuments and museums revealing the country’s unique cultural and religious heritage.

Discover a mosaic of architectural styles, such as the colonial buildings of the British Raj, UNESCO-listed Hindu and Jain temples, and the Mughal forts and tombs of Delhi. A highlight will be your stay in the spiritual city of Varanasi, where you’ll cruise on the holy waters of the River Ganges.

Delhi Nights in hotel

INDIA

Agra Lucknow Gwalior Jhansi

Datia Orchha

Varanasi

INDIA

Khajuraho Panna National Park

Experience a Ganga Aarti ceremony

Western Group of Tamples

Hlltop Gwalior Fort

Bara Imambara in Lucknow

78

Spot tigers in Panna National Park

Contact your preferred travel agent

Day 1: UK-Delhi. Fly overnight to Delhi.

Day 2: Delhi. Relax after your journey, and look forward to a welcome reception this evening. D Stay two nights at the 5-star The Suryaa (4Q) in the New Friends Colony.

Day 3: Delhi. Discover the colourful street life, beautiful parks and varied architectural styles of this ancient city on a sightseeing tour. Visit the Jama Masjid – India’s largest mosque, and take a rickshaw ride through the Chandni Chowk market.

Drive past the UNESCO-listed Red Fort, then see the 12th-century Qutub Minar minaret, emperor Humayun’s 16th-century tomb, the India Gate war memorial and visit Gandhi Smriti, the former home of Mahatma Ghandi. B, D Day 4: Delhi-Khajuraho. Board the train for Jhansi (four hours). Continue by road to Khajuraho (110 miles, four hours). B, D Stay two nights at the 4-star Radisson Jass (4Q).

Day 6: Khajuraho-Orchha. Head into Panna National Park for a tour by jeep.The park is home to tigers, leopards, sloth bears, pangolins, and king vultures. Drive to Orchha (155 miles, six hours). This evening, join a Hindu Aarti ceremony at the Raja Ram Temple. B, D Stay two nights at the 3-star Amar Mahal (3Q), set in formal Mughalstyle gardens.

Day 7: Orchha. Orchha’s atmospheric fort protects beautiful temples and palaces that lie largely empty. Admire the domed pavilions of 17th-century Jehangir Mahal and view the royal cenotaphs during a morning tour of the former Bundela capital.

Spend the afternoon at leisure. B, D Day 8: Orchha-Gwalior. Travel to Datia (30 miles, one hour). Join a guided tour of Datia Palace to see the detailed exterior, adorned with arches, chhatris and oriel windows, and an interior featuring numerous Bundela paintings. Continue to Gwalior (50 miles, 90 minutes). Visit the Jai Vilas Mahal, a 19th-century palace and now part-museum. B, D Stay overnight at the 5-star Taj Usha Kiran Palace (4Q), a 120-year old heritage hotel.

Day 9: Gwalior-Agra. Tour Gwalior Fort, perched 300 feet above the city and housing a citadel of palaces, temples and gateways. Continue to Agra, (75 miles, three hours). B, D Stay overnight at the 5-star Tajview Agra - IHCL SeleQtions (4Q), conveniently located for Agra’s tourist attractions.

Day 10: Agra-Lucknow. At sunrise, visit the Taj Mahal, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World which stands testimony to Mughal ingenuity and architecture. Join a guided walking tour of colonial Agra to see the many colonial sites from the days of the British Raj. Continue to Lucknow

Day 11: Lucknow. Join a guided tour of Lucknow. Architectural highlights include the Turkish Gate and the spires of Bara Imambara, both of which feature strong Persian influences. Visit the Hussainabad Picture Gallery, see the British-style Clock Tower built in 1881, and visit the British Raj residency – site of the 1857 Siege of Lucknow. This evening, join a heritage walk through the historic lanes of the city and taste local cuisine. B, D Day 12: Lucknow-Varanasi. Board the train for Varanasi (five hours). The ancient city of Varanasi, situated on the River Ganges, is a place of pilgrimage for Hindus, with its wealth of temples and 88 riverside ghats. This evening, look forward to a witnessing the sunset Ganga Aarti ceremony, a devotional ritual honouring the River Ganges. B, D Stay two nights at the 5-star Taj Ganges (4Q), set in 42 acres of landscaped gardens.

Day 13: Varanasi. Rise early this morning for a memorable cruise on the River Ganges. Sail past the ghats where you’ll see worshippers and pilgrims immersing themselves in the Ganges’ holy waters.

Later, tour nearby Sarnath, renowned as the place where Buddha preached for the first time. Explore the Bharat Kala Bhavan, a university museum with historic art and archaeology collections. B, D Day 14: Varanasi-Delhi. Spend the morning at leisure, then fly to Delhi (90 minutes). B, D Stay overnight at the 5-star Novotel Aerocity (4Q), conveniently located near the airport.

Day 15: Delhi-UK. Return flight to the UK. B

TEMPLES OF KHAJURAHO Join a full day excursion to the Khajuraho Group of Monuments.

These UNESCO-listed temples are India’s largest group of medieval Hindu and Jain temples, and are famed for their erotic sculptures. Built between 950 and 1050 AD by the Chandela dynasty kings, the ornate temples were used for worship until the end of the 12th century. Today, only a quarter of the original 80 temples remain.

The multitude of sandstone carvings that decorate them are regarded as some of the great masterpieces of Indian Art.

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY Goa. 7 nights half board. After your tour, stay at the 5-star Zuri White Sands(4Q). Please see pages 164-171 for details.

SAVE up to £150 per person on selected departures

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 13 nights in hotels and 1 in flight 26 meals: 13 breakfasts (B) and 13 dinners (D) Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Welcome drink • Tourist visa for full British citizens resident in the UK • Porterage at all hotels.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • City tour of Delhi including rickshaw ride

INDIA

Day 5: Khajuraho. Discover the 9th-century temples of Khajuraho on a full day tour of the Western, Eastern and Southern Group of temples. B, D

(210 miles, five hours). B, D Stay two nights at the 5-star Taj Mahal Lucknow (4Q), located in the affluent business district of Gomti Nagar.

• Tour the temples of Khajuraho • Visit Panna National Park • Aarti at the Raja Ram Temple • Visit the Temples of Orchha and tour Jahangir Mahal • Explore Datia Palace • Tour Gwalior Fort and visit Jai Vilas Palace • Sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal • Walking tour of colonial Agra • Lucknow tour including the British Residency • Evening heritage walk of Lucknow with food tasting • Sunset Aarti in Varanasi • Boat trip on the Ganges • Explore the Buddhist pilgrimage site of Sarnath • Visit the Bharat Kala Bhawan Museum in Varanasi.

Palaces, Forts and the Raj. Holiday code:IN201.

Prices are based on Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow.

Prices are £s per Two People Sharing Single Traveller person from: Feb 25, 2022 2349 2199 2728 2578 Mar 11 2249 2099 2628 2478 Apr 22 1999 2278 May 13 1899 2178 Sep 16 1999 2278 Oct 7 2199 2578 Oct 21 2349 2728 Nov 4 2349 2728 Nov 18 2349 2728 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £60 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

Contact your preferred travel agent

79

DELIGHTS OF DARJEELING AND THE HIMALAYAS

NEW

Classic Escorted Tour Small group 24 or less

11 nights from £2199

2

Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

TOUR PACE: STANDARD

Experience a different side to India on this tour of the lesser-visited east regions. Discover Kolkata’s colonial heritage, explore tea gardens and Buddhist monasteries in the foothills of the Himalayas, and take a ride aboard the UNESCO-listed Darjeeling Himalayan Railway.

Darjeeling

Gangtok Kalimpong Bagdogra

INDIA

INDIA

Nights in hotel

Kolkata

Ride Darjeeling’s Toy Train

Kali Temple in Kolkata

Mountain views of Darjeeling

80

Contact your preferred travel agent

Day 1: UK-Kolkata. Fly overnight to Kolkata.

Day 2: Kolkata. Arrive in Kolkata.

The afternoon is free to relax. Enjoy a welcome reception this evening. D Stay two nights at the 5-star Taj Bengal (4Q+), a landmark hotel, set in a central location.

Day 3: Kolkata. The city formerly known as Calcutta was founded as an East India Company trading post and was the capital of British India from 1772 until 1911. Take an early morning guided walk through the Mullick Ghat flower market. Later, embark on a sightseeing tour of the city to see the white marble Victoria Memorial, and visit Kali Temple, Park Cemetery, and Mother House – the location of Mother Teresa’s tomb. B, D Day 4: Kolkata-Darjeeling. Take an internal flight to Bagdogra (one hour). Continue by road to Darjeeling (45 miles, four hours). B, D Stay three nights at the 4-star Mayfair Darjeeling (3Q), set high above the town, boasting impressive mountain vistas.

Day 5: Darjeeling. An early morning optional excursion visits Tiger Hill to see the sunrise. Today, take a ride on the UNESCO-listed Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. The toy train ride offers the chance to experience a bygone era as you journey through hilly terrain, past tea plantations, to Ghoom. Join a sightseeing tour of Darjeeling, a picturesque hill station used by the British to escape Kolkata's summer heat. Visit St Andrews Church, Lablong Village, the Mountaineering Institute, and the house of Tenzing Norgay, the renowned Tibetan mountaineer. You’ll also visit the Tibetan Refugee Centre. B, D Day 6: Darjeeling. Visit a local tea plantation to learn all about the cultivation of Darjeeling tea. Walk through the tea garden, enjoy a rustic tea picker’s lunch and visit the tea factory to learn the steps to making the perfect cup of black tea.

The experience culminates with a tasting session of the day’s brew. The remainder of the day is free to spend at leisure. B, L, D Day 7: Darjeeling-Gangtok. Drive north to Gangtok (65 miles, four hours). The region is known for its Buddhist monasteries, dramatic landscapes of glaciers and alpine meadows, and India’s highest mountain – Mount Kangchenjunga. Spend the afternoon at leisure, with an evening walk to the local bazaar. B, D Stay two nights at the comfortable 4-star Lemon Tree Hotel (4Q), which has a traditional Sikkimese design.

Day 9: Gangtok-Kalimpong. Drive to Kalimpong (47 miles, three hours). Visit the Army Golf Club which offers fine views across the surrounding valleys. Continue to Morgan House, a British colonial mansion boasting clear views of the Kangchenjunga mountain range. Visit the Himalayan Handmade Paper Centre to learn about traditional paper-making. B, D Stay two nights at the 4-star Pine Tree Spa Resort (4Q), which boasts scenic mountain views.

Day 10: Kalimpong. Take a guided tour of Kalimpong, a town known for its traditional handicrafts. Visit the hilltop Durpin Monastery, the Tharpa Choling Monastery, Deolo Hill – the highest point in Kalimpong, Dr Graham’s Homes school, St Theresa church, and Pine View Nursery, which is known for its collection of cacti. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure. B, D

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 10 nights in hotels and 1 in flight 21 meals: 10 breakfasts (B), 1 lunch (L) and 10 dinners (D) Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Welcome drink • Tourist visa for full British citizens resident in the UK • Porterage at all hotels.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Kolkata flower market walk • Kolkata sightseeing tour • Ride the UNESCO-listed Darjeeling Himalayan Railway • Sightseeing tour of Darjeeling

Day 11: Kalimpong-Kolkata. Transfer to Bagdogra (48 miles, three hours), and fly to Kolkata (one hour). Enjoy a farewell dinner this evening. B, D Stay overnight at the 5-star Pride Plaza Hotel (4Q), conveniently located near the airport.

• Tea plantation visit

Day 12: Kolkata-UK. Rise early for your return flight to the UK. B

• Sightseeing tour in Kalimpong.

INDIA

Tea picking in Darjeeling

Day 8: Gangtok. Today visit Enchey Monastery, the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, and Rumtek Monastery, the largest monastery in Sikkim. Finally, walk to the colourful Mall Road, and visit the Directorate of Handloom and Handicrafts. B, D

• Evening walk in Gangtok bazaar • Guided tour of Gangtok monasteries • Visit the Army Golf Club and Morgan House Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

Please note: In Darjeeling, Gangtok and Kalimpong, transport will be in smaller vehicles each accommodating 3-4 passengers.

DARJEELING TEA Tea was first planted in the Darjeeling region of West Bengal in the 1850s by the East India Company. The British were seeking a source of tea outside of China, and Darjeeling was one of a number of locations tested for their growing conditions. The sloped drainage, cloud cover and cool winters resulted in successful harvests, and by 1866, 39 tea gardens were established. After independence, the estates were sold to businesses in India, and today, the 87 tea gardens produce some 10,000 tonnes annually.

Darjeeling is known as the ‘Champagne of teas’ and carries the protected designation of origin logo. When brewed, this balanced black tea gives a colour of pale lemon to rich amber, and is light and delicate in taste with a fragrant edge.

Darjeeling tea

Contact your preferred travel agent

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY Goa. 7 nights half board. After your tour, stay at the 5-star Zuri White Sands(4Q).

Please see pages 164-171 for details.

Gangtok’s Rumtek Monastery Delights of Darjeeling and the Himalayans.

Holiday code: IN512.

Prices are based on Emirates Airlines from Heathrow.

Alternative local flights option available from Manchester, supplements may apply.

Prices are £s per Two People Sharing Single Traveller person from: Mar 17, 2022 2399 2748 Apr 21 2299 2618 May 5 2199 2518 Sep 22 2249 2568 Oct 13 2399 2748 Nov 10 2399 2748 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £60 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

81

SOUL OF KERALA

Immersive Escorted Tour Small group 14 or less

13 nights from £2299 Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

Step back in time on this exciting tour of Kerala which will reveal the enduring allure of its enchanting backwaters, wildlife-rich forests and verdant tea and spice plantations, and conclude on the tropical Malabar Coast.

2 TOUR PACE: STANDARD

Kochi

Munnar

INDIA

Mararikullam

Vembanad Lake

Kumarakom

Alleppey Nights in hotel

INDIA

Nights on houseboat

Chinese fishing nets at Kochi

The art of tea picking

The Kerala backwaters

Discover verdant tea plantations

82

Indian elephants in Periyar

Contact your preferred travel agent

Periyar Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

Day 1: UK-Kochi. Fly overnight to Kochi.

Day 2: Kochi. Kochi has been a cosmopolitan city throughout the ages: Arab, Phoenician and Chinese traders first sought Indian spices here, followed by the Dutch and British, and now travellers keen to discover both India's colonial heritage and traditional way of life. This evening enjoy a traditional Kathakali dance performance. D Stay overnight at the modern 5-star Taj Ernakulam (4Q).

Day 3: Kochi-Kumarakom. Enjoy an included sightseeing tour this morning.

Visit Fort Kochi. See Santa Cruz Basilica and St Francis Church – the oldest Europeanbuilt church in India – the Dutch Palace, the Jewish Synagogue and elaborate Chinese fishing nets, strung out on bamboo poles.

This afternoon transfer to Kumarakom (30 miles, 90 minutes). B, D Stay two nights at the secluded 4-star Coconut Lagoon Resort (4Q).

Day 5: Kumarakom-Alleppey. Head to Alleppey (20 miles, one hour), the gateway to Kerala's lagoons, where you'll step aboard the Spice Route houseboat. Enjoy lunch on board as you cruise to Vembanad Lake at the heart of the Keralan backwaters. B, L, D Stay two nights aboard the Spice Route houseboat.

Day 6: Keralan backwaters. The house boat heads for Nedumudi, Champakulam where you may see the famous 'snake boats' which take part in the area's popular annual races, and have time to explore the village, its market and 19th century church. Later cruise through fascinating countryside to Vembanad Lake, Kerala's largest lake, before docking overnight, with dinner on board. B, L, D Day 7: Periyar. Disembark the houseboat after breakfast and travel high into the Western Ghats (87 miles, four hours).

This is a region of immense wild beauty synonymous with elephants, rolling hills and spice plantations. B, D Stay two nights at the eco-resort 3-star Spice Village (3Q).

Day 8: Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. On this morning's included excursion into the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary you can look forward to a guided nature walk led by a trained tribal guide. The sanctuary is reputed to be India's best for spotting wildlife such as elephants, leopards and the elusive tiger. This afternoon, visit a spice plantation and the Kumily Spice Market. B, D Day 9: Periyar-Munnar. Travel across the Western Ghat mountains to Munnar, a historic hill station famous for its tea plantations (57 miles, three hours).

Day 10: Munnar. Enjoy an included guided visit to Munnar's Tea Museum and tour a tea plantation, where leaves are still plucked by hand, to produce some of the world's best tea. Continue to the Shrisit Welfare Centre. B, D Day 11: Munnar-Mararikullam. Head back towards the Malabar coast for your stay at a picturesque resort set on an idyllic beach (96 miles, four hours and 30 minutes).

Marari Beach is known for its palm-lined beaches and blue waters – ideal for relaxing and enjoying a well-deserved break. B, D Stay three nights at the coastal retreat, 4-star Marari Beach Resort (4Q).

Days 12-13: Mararikullam. Spend two days at leisure enjoying the facilities of your resort. Head to the beach, wander through the hotel's beautiful grounds or take a stroll down to the local fisherman's village. B, D Day 14: Mararikullam-Kochi-UK. Travel to the airport for your daytime flight to the UK, arriving in the evening, or choose to extend your holiday in Kochi. B **Tourist visa for full British Citizens resident in the UK. See the Essential Information for details.

SAVE up to £150 per person on selected departures

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 10 nights in hotels, 2 aboard a houseboat and 1 in flight 26 meals: 12 breakfasts (B), 2 lunches (L) and 12 dinners (D) Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Welcome drink reception • Porterage at all hotels • Tourist visa for full British citizens resident in the UK.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS

INDIA

Day 4: Kumarakom. This morning, join an included guided tour of the village of Kumarakom, where you'll learn more about the locals and their rural way of life.

You may get to see how the natural fibre, coir, is extracted from coconut husks or how the fish karimeen is processed using traditional methods. B, D

View rolling emerald hills as far as the eye can see as you reach the cooler climes of this tea-growing region. B, D Stay two nights at the well appointed 5-star Fragrant Nature Munnar (4Q+).

• Sightseeing tour of Kochi • Watch a Kathakali dance performance • Explore the village of Kumarakom • Two-night Kerala houseboat stay • Visit to a spice plantation • Guided nature walk in one of India's premier wildlife sanctuaries, Periyar • Tea Museum visit and tour of a tea plantation in Munnar.

Enjoy your stay on a Spice Routes houseboat

SPICE ROUTES HOUSEBOATS Reserved exclusively for Saga passengers Step aboard your Spice Route houseboat in Alleppey and discover Kerala's romantic hidden waterways, described as the ‘Venice of the East’.

Your luxury floating mini ‘hotel’ is fitted with state of the art amenities and decorated using tasteful traditional materials. Each spacious cabin has a double bed and en suite bathroom.

Watch from the airy lounge as the riot of Keralan river life and unspoilt natural wonders slip by. Feast on delicious, freshly-prepared meals in the delightful dining room and enjoy the sights of an Indian way of life few have seen, from the sun deck.

This really is an enchanting Indian holiday experience…

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY Goa. 7 nights half board. After your tour, stay at the 5-star Zuri White Sands(4Q). Please see pages 164-171 for details.

Contact your preferred travel agent

Soul of Kerala. Holiday code: IN513.

Prices are based on Qatar Airways from Heathrow.

Alternative local flight option available from Manchester, supplements may apply.

Prices are £s per Two people Single person from: sharing Traveller Jan 13, 2022 2499 2349 3198 3048 Jan 27 2549 2399 3248 3098 Feb 3 2549 2499 3348 3298 Feb 6 2599 2549 3398 3348 Feb 10 2599 2549 3398 3348 Feb 13 2599 2499 3398 3298 Feb 24 2549 2449 3348 3248 Mar 3 2499 2399 3198 3098 Mar 15 2449 2399 3148 3098 Mar 19 2449 2299 3148 2998 Oct 15 2499 2449 3198 3148 Oct 29 2549 2449 3428 3328 Nov 5 2549 2499 Sold Out Nov 19 2549 2499 Sold Out §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £60 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

83

SOUTH INDIA: TEMPLES AND WATERWAYS

NEW

Classic Escorted Tour 2

15 nights from £1999

TOUR PACE: STANDARD

Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

India’s tropical south offers a lush contrast to the sun-baked plains of the nation’s north. Look forward to rewarding scenic journeys with views full of rich colour as you travel from the east coast to the west, with all excursions included. Marvel at the detailed carvings of rainbow-coloured Hindu temples, walk though fragrant spice plantations, and drink in the tropical scenery on a houseboat cruise on the tranquil, palm-fringed backwaters of Kerala.

Mahabalipuram INDIA

Chennai

Puducherry

Nights in hotel

INDIA

Thanjavur Kochi Madurai

Cruise the serene Kerala Backwaters

Admire intricate carvings at the Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram

Periyar Kumarakom

Visit Madurai’s fragrant flower market

Chennai’s colourful Kapaleeshwarar Temple

Savour authentic Kanchipuram Idlis

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Tirumala Nayak Palace

Kochi’s Chinese fishing nets

Contact your preferred travel agent

Day 1: UK-Chennai. Fly overnight to Chennai.

Day 2: Chennai. The city, formerly known as Madras, lies on the Bay of Bengal and is the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu. D Stay overnight at the heritage hotel, 5-star Taj Connemara (4Q).

Day 3: Chennai-Mahabalipuram.

See the highlights of Chennai on a city tour. The oldest buildings in the city date back to the 7th century, including the Hindu Kapaleeshwarar Temple, but there are numerous colonial buildings that reflect the influence of the British up until 1947. Transfer to the ancient town of Mahabalipuram (35 miles, 90 minutes). B, D Stay two nights at the 5-star Taj Fisherman’s Cove Resort & Spa (4Q), located on the coast.

Day 5: Mahabalipuram-Puducherry.

Transfer to the former French colony of Puducherry, also known as Pondicherry (60 miles, two hours). Stop en route at the Auroville Ashram to see this ongoing experiment in human unity. B, D Stay two nights at the modern 4-star The Residency (4Q).

Day 6: Puducherry. Annexed by the French East India Company Puducherry was largely a French settlement until 1962.

Enjoy an included tour to admire quaint colonial buildings and boulevards, then take a rickshaw ride through the Indian and French Quarters. B, D Day 7: Puducherry-Thanjavur. Make the long journey to Thanjavur, pausing en route to see the impressive Chidambaram Temple (134 miles, four hours and 30 minutes).

Enjoy an afternoon sightseeing tour to see the towering Brihadeeswarar Temple, one of the country's largest temples.

You’ll also visit the UNESCO-listed Brihadeshwara Temple, a beautiful example of Dravidian architecture. B, D Stay overnight at the family-run 3-star Sangam Hotel (3Q).

Day 8: Thanjavur-Madurai. Take a scenic journey to Madurai (108 miles, three hours). Drive past the mighty Rock Fort at Trichy, which perches on an 270-foot rocky outcrop said to be older than the Himalayas.

Then visit the towering, eleven-tier Ranganathswamy Temple in Srirangam. B, D Stay two nights at the heritage, 4-star Taj Madurai (4Q).

Day 9: Madurai. Take an early morning visit to Madurai's fragrant flower market.

The local jasmine has been granted a geographical indication mark to protect local growers. Later visit the Great

Day 10: Madurai-Periyar. Make the long journey to Periyar, home to India's famous wildlife sanctuary (87 miles, three hours and 30 minutes). B, D Stay two nights at the 4-star Sarovar Poetree (3Q).

Day 11: Periyar. Take a walk through Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, in the company of a naturalist to see the herds of elephants and bison. The area is home to 35 species of mammal and serves as sanctuary to tigers.

Later visit a spice garden. B, D Day 12: Periyar-Kumarakom. Enjoy a long but scenic journey to Kumarakom for a stay on the shores of beautiful Vembanad lake (76 miles, three hours and 30 minutes).

The area is chequered with paddy fields, and provides the perfect habitat for many species of native and migratory birds. B, D Stay two nights at the secluded 4-star Coconut Lagoon (4Q).

Day 13: Kumarakom. Step on board a Keralan houseboat for a morning cruise around the backwaters. These giant crafts were once used for transporting all manner of goods – rice, spices and passengers. B, L, D Day 14: Kumarakom-Kochi.

Depart for Kochi on the Arabian Sea (40 miles, 90 minutes). Tonight you'll be treated to a traditional Kathakali dance performance. B, D Stay two nights at the modern 4-star Crowne Plaza Kochi (4Q).

Day 15: Kochi. Take a heritage tour of Fort Kochi to see the St Francis Church, the Dutch Palace, the Jewish quarter and elaborate Chinese fishing nets, strung out along the peninsula. Look forward to a farewell dinner this evening. B, D Day 16: Kochi-UK. Transfer to the airport for your return flight home. B

SAVE up to £200 per person on selected departures

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 14 nights in hotels and 1 in flight 29 meals: 14 breakfasts (B), 1 lunch (L) and 14 dinners (D) Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Welcome drink reception • Porterage at all hotels • Tourist visa for full British citizens resident in the UK.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • City tour of Chennai

INDIA

Day 4: Mahabalipuram. Mahabalipuram is famous for its 7th and 8th-century temples established by the Pallava Dynasty. Visit the UNESCO-listed Group of Monuments, comprising the domed Shore Temple dedicated to Shiva and Lord Vishnu, and the ‘Ratha’ cave temples carved from rocks into the shape of chariots. Spend this afternoon at leisure. B, D

Meenaskhi Temple, a 15 acre complex said to house 33,000 sculptures. Finally, explore the Tirumala Nayak Palace. B, D

• Explore the monuments of Mahabalipuram • Visit Auroville Ashram • Tour historic Puducherry • Sightseeing in Thanjavur • Visit Madurai's flower market and temple • Walk in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and a spice garden • Cruise the Keralan backwaters by houseboat • Visit a Keralan village • Live Kathakali dance performance • Explore Kochi's old city Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY Goa. 7 nights half board. After your tour, stay at the 5-star Zuri White Sands (4Q).

Please see pages 164-171 for details.

FLAVOURS OF SOUTHERN INDIA Delightfully diverse and full of spices and delicious flavours, Indian cuisine varies from region to region, with southern Indian dishes usually featuring rice, lentils and fresh coconut. Idlis (steamed rice cakes), dosa (rice pancakes) and kadala curry (a tasty chickpea curry) are all common dishes.

South India: Temples and Waterways Holiday code: IN700.

Prices are based on Etihad from Heathrow.

Prices are £s per Two people sharing Single Traveller person from: Jan 12, 2022 2399 2299 2919 2819 Feb 2 2399 2299 2919 2819 Mar 16 2349 2249 2869 2769 Apr 20 2199 2099 2719 2619 May 4 2099 1999 2499 2399 Sep 14 2249 2049 2649 2449 Oct 5 2349 2249 2869 2769 Oct 19 2399 2299 2919 2819 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £60 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

Contact your preferred travel agent

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NEW

DISCOVERING SRI LANKA QQQQ

Stay & Discover

12 nights ALL INCLUSIVE from £1499

2

Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

TOUR PACE: STANDARD

Sole Occupancy rooms at no extra cost on selected dates, subject to availability

Sri Lanka is home to endless golden beaches, timeless temples that resonate with people of all faiths, and a culture that is both vibrant and welcoming. As part of an extensive programme of included excursions you will visit the home of a local family and enjoy high tea at one of the island’s oldest hotels, Mount Lavinia Hotel, overlooking the Indian Ocean. Your base for this tour is the Tangerine Beach Hotel, located on Sri Lanka’s south-west coast and providing all of the amenities to make your stay as comfortable as possible.

Sri Lanka

SRI LANKA

Kalutara

Colombo Mount Lavinia TANGERINE BEACH Yala National Park Galle

Gangaramaya Temple

Tea plantation

Make yourself at home

Traditional stilt fishing

Enjoy an opportunity to spot leopards

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Breakfast is served

Traditional, colourful masks

Contact your preferred travel agent

Interior of Kalutara Bodhiya

TANGERINE BEACH HOTEL QQQQ

SAVE up to £100 per person

Located south of Colombo, on Sri Lanka’s south-west coast, your accommodation for this Stay and Discover experience features an outdoor pool, pool bar and gym.

Its restaurant, Paaruwa, offers cuisine in the form of local dishes, combined with international flavours. Your deluxe room offers all of the amenities to make your stay as comfortable as possible, including a balcony, Wi-Fi and tea & coffee-making facilities.

When not joining an included excursion, you can enjoy hotel entertainment in the form of karaoke, a live band or cultural shows.

Day 1: UK to Sri Lanka. Depart in the evening for your overnight flight to Sri Lanka.

Day 2: Sri Lanka. Upon arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport you will be met by your tour manager. You will then transfer to your hotel and spend the afternoon at leisure. L, D

Day 4: Kalutara’s fish market. Tuna, shrimp, mackerel and cuttlefish regularly grace Sri Lankan dinner plates and are bought and sold at the local fish market, colloquially known as Lellama. This authentic scene of local life is filled with the sounds of bargaining! Accompanied by your expert guide, you will explore the market and select three or four fish to be prepared and cooked on a BBQ at your beach resort. B, L, D Day 5: Village life. Today you are invited to join a local family for teatime treats.

The excursion will provide an interactive opportunity to learn about Sri Lankan hospitality. A tour of your host’s kitchen will illustrate its nickname ‘the home gym’; muscle power is the name of the game when it comes to using many of the cooking utensils. B, L, D Day 6: Wooden Masks & Ceylon Gems.

For generations, communities along the island’s southern coast have prided themselves on carving and painting the masks. With the help of an expert, who will visit the hotel, you will create a mask to take home as a souvenir. Watch as they take time and care to carve the wooden mask before turning it over to you to paint.

Your next activity celebrates the island’s nickname – The Gem Island. A gemologist will demonstrate how to identify different precious and semi-precious stones and cut the stones to bring out their shining glory. B, L, D Day 7: Galle. Begin at the moonstone mines in Meetiyagoda to observe the extraction of this pearly and opalescent jewel before an opportunity to purchase a piece of moonstone jewellery. Handunugoda Tea Estate is your next destination, an artisanal

Day 8: Colombo. During your tour of Colombo, you will perhaps notice the abundance of Buddist and Hindu temples, mosques and churches which all reflect the various beliefs practised across the island.

Your panoramic tour takes you past the Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple, the Pettah Bazar area, the Wolfendhal Dutch Church, the Old Parliament complex, Bandaranaike International Memorial Hall, Nelum Pokuna Theatre, Viharamahadevi Park, the Independence Square and the National Museum. Afterwards, enjoy high tea at the iconic Mount Lavinia Hotel. Boasting 210 years of history, it is one of the island’s oldest hotels. B, L, D Day 9: At leisure. Spend today enjoying your hotel’s amenities. Alternatively, join an optional excursion to Yala National Park. B, L, D Day 10: At leisure. Following breakfast, the day is yours to spend however you wish. B, L, D Day 11: At leisure. Your final full day on this Sri Lanka Stay and Discover experience will be spent at your resort, making use of the many amenities. Enjoy a farewell dinner in the evening to say goodbye to your fellow travellers and tour guide. B, L, D Day 12: Sri Lanka to UK. Your return journey to the UK begins. Check out of your hotel and proceed to the airport for your overnight flight, having immersed yourself in the beauty, culture, wildlife and history of Sri Lanka. B, L, D Day 13: UK. Arrive back in the UK.

WHAT TO EXPLORE Throughout your Stay and Discover experience, you will have several moments of independent exploration.

One of which will be at the Lellama Fish Market. Here, you have the opportunity to soak up the local atmosphere, as good-natured bargaining takes place.

Contact your preferred travel agent

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 10 nights in hotel and 2 in flight 30 meals: 10 breakfasts (B), 10 lunches (L) and 10 dinners (D) VIP Club Lounge Free bar open 13 hours a day Saga Host Plus all this...

• Exclusive to Saga - Dine at one the hotels' Ala carte restaurants' once per stay • Return flights and transfers • Porterage at all hotels • Tourist visa

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Colombo & high tea at Mount Lavinia (full day) • Galle (full day) • Kalutara (half day) • Fish market with a local expert (half day) • Village life (half day) • Wooden Masks & Ceylon Gems (half day)

SRI LANKA

Day 3: Kalutara. Following breakfast, enjoy an exploration of the cultural curiosities that belong to the Kalutara district. Your first destination is Richmond Castle. It was built in the early 1900s and inside you will discover an immense dance hall, teak staircases, marble floors, 34 stained-glass windows and 99 doors. Located on a small hill facing the Indian Ocean is the nearby Holy Cross Catholic Church, your next destination on today’s itinerary. Return to your hotel and enjoy an afternoon at leisure. B, L, D

plantation located in the hills above Koggala.

Here, more than 20 varieties of tea are produced, including virgin white tea, made from the tiniest and newest leaves. You will be treated to a sample of this luxury tea and shown how Handunugoda’s tea is created, from leaf to cup. Finally, your excursion will visit Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The National Maritime Archaeology Museum, located within the fort, is also worthy of a visit, charting the development of small fishing communities throughout history and displaying models of craft used in Sri Lanka’s trading heritage. B, L, D

on selected departures

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY Sri Lanka's ‘Gold Coast’. 7 nights all inclusive. Extend your stay at the 4-star Tangerine Beach Hotel (4Q). Please see pages 164-171 for details.

Discovering Sri Lanka. Holiday code: SRI7D. Prices are based on Turkish Airlines from Heathrow. Alternative flight options available from Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh, supplements may apply.

Prices are £s per Two people Single person from: sharing Traveller Jan 13, 2022 2199 2598 Jan 27 2249 2648 Feb 10 2299 2249 2698 2648 Feb 24 2299 Limited availabilty Mar 10 2299 2199 2299 2199 Mar 24 2199 2099 2199 2099 Apr 21 1849 1749 1849 1749 May 5 1749 1699 1749 1699 May 19 1699 1649 1699 1649 Jun 2 1649 1599 1649 1599 Jun 16 1599 1499 1599 1499 Sep 8 1699 Limited availabilty Sep 22 1749 1749 Oct 6 1799 1799 Oct 20 1899 2128 Nov 3 2099 2099 Nov 17 2099 2099 Limited number of sole occupancy rooms at no extra cost, after which a supplement of £199-£399 per person per stay will apply (dependent on departure date), subject to availability. §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £60 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

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SRI LANKAN ADVENTURE

Classic Escorted Tour Small group option

13 nights from £1999 Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

Discover Sri Lanka's cultural heritage and wildlife on this escorted tour.

Experience the elegance of the nation’s colonial past as you explore the historic attractions of bustling Colombo, sacred Kandy, and Nuwara Eliya. Head into the countryside to explore temples and spice gardens, seek out the elusive leopard in Yala National Park, then relax on the golden sands of Sri Lanka’s west coast.

Habarana Nights in hotel

Kandy Colombo

SRI LANKA

TOUR PACE: ACTIVE

Anuradhapura

SRI LANKA

Beruwala

Galle

Polonnaruwa Minneriya National Park Dambulla Cave Temple Temple of the Tooth Relic Nuwara Eliya Yala National Park Yala

Temple of the Tooth

Colourfully robed Buddhist monks

Elephants go paddling

The towering Sigiriya Rock Fortress

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3

Contact your preferred travel agent

Beautiful beaches in Beruwala

Day 1: UK-Colombo, Sri Lanka. Fly overnight to Colombo.

Day 2: Colombo. Receive a garlanded welcome then head to your hotel. D Stay overnight at the centrally located 4-star Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo (4Q).

Day 3: Colombo-Habarana. Get a panoramic taste of Colombo city with its tuk-tuks and mopeds on a tour that takes you past stupas and the bustling bazaar.

Then follow a scenic route past pineapple farms and paddy fields to Habarana (181 miles, five hours). You can learn about the delights of Sri Lankan cuisine in a cookery demonstration at your hotel. B, D Stay two nights at the 5-star Cinnamon Lodge (4Q+), a rural retreat with excellent amenities.

Colourful frescoes at Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Day 5: Habarana-Kandy. Head for the hill country and cooler temperatures, stopping to explore UNESCO-listed Dambulla Cave Temple. Join white-robed pilgrims visiting this venerable cave complex that is packed with murals and figures of Buddha, and other gods and goddesses. Stop at a spice garden in Matale to learn more about the cultivation, trade, and uses of local spice.

Follow the snaking road to the historic former kingdom of Kandy (58 miles, three hours). Tonight take in a riotously colourful performance of traditional dance. B, L, D Stay two nights at the 4-star Cinnamon Citadel Hotel (4Q), located on the outskirts of Kandy.

Day 6: Kandy. Explore the Royal Palace and the ornate golden-roofed Temple of the Tooth, home to a sacred tooth relic of Buddah that attracts thousands of pilgrims.

By way of contrast visit the Royal Botanic Garden of Peradeniya and admire its orchid collection and towering exotic trees.

You’ll also visit a gem lapidary, and take a shopping tour in Kandy. B, L, D Day 7: Kandy-Nuwara Eliya. Head high into the beautiful hill country, stopping to visit one of the great tea plantations.

SAVE up to £250 per person on selected departures

SO MUCH INCLUDED…

Day 8: Nuwara Eliya-Udawalawe-Yala.

See orphaned elephants being fed at the Elephant Transit Home at Udawalawe.

Then head for the grasslands, and mangrove forests of the south coast in Yala (101 miles, four hours and 30 minutes). B, D Stay three nights at the 4-star Cinnamon Wild Yala (3Q), on the outskirts of Yala National Park.

Included travel insurance

Day 9: Yala National Park and Kataragama. Go on a jeep safari in wildliferich Yala National Park to see elephants, water-buffalo, crocodile, all manner of exotic bird life, and perhaps even a leopard. In the evening visit the holy town of Kataragama, one of the 16 places consecrated

by Buddha. B, L, D

Free bar open 12 hours on three nights of the tour

Day 10: Yala. Live the high life and enjoy a champagne breakfast while wildlife watching from the hotel’s observation deck. B, D Day 11: Yala-Bundala-Galle-Beruwala. Look for spoonbill and pelican at the Bundala Bird Sanctuary, then head for the former Dutch-colonial trading port of Galle for a tour of this atmospheric UNESCO-listed city. Continue to Beruwala for a stay beside a golden beach (139 miles, three hours and 30 minutes). B, D Stay three nights at the 5-star beach resort, Cinnamon Bey (4Q+).

Day 12: Beruwala. Perhaps join an optional river safari excursion to look for water monitors, bats and bee catchers including a visit to a cinnamon plantation and moonstone mine, or alternatively visit a turtle hatchery. B, L, D

VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 12 nights in hotels and 1 in flight 30 meals: 12 breakfasts (B), 6 lunches (L) and 12 dinners (D)

Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Welcome drink reception • Porterage at all hotels.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Colombo city tour • Dambulla Cave Temple and Matale spice garden

SRI LANKA

Day 4: Sigiriya or Polonnaruwa. Make a choice between two amazing optional excursions: go to towering Sigirya Rock Fortress – aka Lion Rock – and ascend the heights to see the remains of the 5th-century palace that once topped this 180-metre granite rock. Alternatively explore the ancient citadel of Polonnaruwa to wonder at the exquisite craftsmanship that created this once-great city. B, L, D

Learn all about tea cultivation, the finer points of production, and have a cuppa of the local leaf. Continue to Nuwara Eliya, a former colonial retreat with strong echoes of British rule (48 miles, three hours). B, D Stay overnight at the 4-star The Grand Hotel (3Q), a colonial hotel in the countryside.

• Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home • City tour of Kandy • Royal Botanical Garden and tea estate • Game drive in Yala National Park • Evening visit to the shrine of Lord Skanda and Temple of Kiri Vehera • Bundala Bird Sanctuary • Guided tour of Galle • Cookery demonstration • Cultural dance performance.

Day 13: Beruwala. At leisure. B, L, D Day 14: Beruwala-UK. Transfer to Colombo Airport for your return flight to the UK or extend your holiday on Sri Lanka’s ‘Gold Coast’.. B Please note: If Yala National Park is closed due to drought you’ll visit Udawalawe National Park instead.

Alcohol is unavailable in Sri Lanka during Poya days.

HIGH TEA AT THE GRAND HOTEL Look forward to enjoying an included ‘high tea’ at the elegant Grand Hotel in Nuwara Eliya, where you’ll stay overnight on Day 7. Enjoy delicious savouries such as chicken fajitas and Thai fish cake and quail egg, concluding with a sweet treat.

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY Sri Lanka's ‘Gold Coast’. 7 nights all inclusive. Extend your stay at the 4-star Tangerine Beach Hotel (4Q).

Please see pages 164-171 for details.

Contact your preferred travel agent

Sri Lankan Adventure. Holiday code: SRI70.

Prices are based on Qatar Airways from Heathrow.

Alternative local flight options available from Manchester Birmingham and Glasgow, supplements may apply.

Prices are £s Two People Sharing Single Traveller per person from: Jan 12, 2022 2449 2299 2969 2819 Jan 26 2499 2349 3019 2869 Feb 9 2499 2399 3019 2919 Feb 23 2499 2399 3019 2919 Mar 9 2449 2349 2969 2869 May 4 2349 2199 2819 2669 Jun 1 2249 1999 2719 2469 Sep 7 2199 2149 2669 2619 Oct 5 2249 2719* Nov 2 2349 2869 Nov 16 2399 2919 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £60 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

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WE RECOMMEND...

EXPERIENCING THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF CANADA AND ALASKA Explore the Canadian Rockies in style

Cruise the Alaskan coast

There are lots of thrilling travel experiences out there, but few give you the chance to see bald eagles, Canadian moose and grizzly bear in the wild, at the same time as enjoying firstclass meals and complimentary drinks from a rotating reclining chair!

The sight of a massive glacier calving into the sea, a humpback whale breaching before disappearing into the icy depths, seals popping their heads out of the water as you sail by, or even a bald eagle circling in the skies overhead… these are the type of unforgettable encounters that await on an Alaskan cruise.

Welcome aboard the Rocky Mountaineer.

This famous rail journey through the Canadian Rockies is as memorable as it is luxurious, taking you through spectacular mountain scenery whilst offering all the comfort, service and treats of travelling first class.

There are no sleeper cars on the Rocky Mountaineer. Instead, you stay in comfortable hotels, carefully selected by Rocky Mountaineer, so you get the best of all worlds: ever-changing scenery by day, and a good night’s sleep every night.

Seating on board is spacious and comfortable. SilverLeaf guests travel on a single storey coach, with reclining seats and oversized glass windows, and there is also the option to enjoy outdoor viewing. For a little extra, GoldLeaf guests travel in reclining and rotating chairs onboard full glass-domed coaches, with an outdoor viewing area and exclusive viewing platform.

Whichever you choose, exploring landscapes not accessible by road or rail, passing rivers, canyons, waterfalls and mountains and looking out for bear, elk, bald eagles and osprey along the way, adventure travel doesn’t get much better than this!

Along this raggedy coastline, towns such as the Gold Rush settlement of Skagway and Ketchikan, ‘Salmon Capital of the World’ with its Native American totems, offer a glimpse of Alaska in times gone by. But Glacier Bay is its undoubted highlight, where blue-tinged icebergs and mighty glaciers make you feel as if you’ve sailed all the way back to the ice age. Alaska’s Inside Passage is considered to be one of the most scenic sea-lanes in the world. Carved by glaciers thousands of years ago, this 500-mile stretch of water is studded with islands, islets, coves and fjords.

Sitting out on deck, binoculars and camera at the ready, a cruise allows you to observe all these wonders of nature at close hand. It’s a wonderful way to travel, especially when you consider the exquisite fine dining, state of the art facilities and fabulous en suite cabin you also get to enjoy!

Rocky Mountains and Alaskan Adventure – see page 92

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ROCKY MOUNTAINS AND ALASKAN ADVENTURE

Epic Escorted Tour

1

15 nights from £4399 Includes insurance and cancellation cover Price reduction available if not required. §

TOUR PACE: RELAXED

Discover the natural beauty of Canada and Alaska and admire the breathtaking scenery of the Rockies as you journey on the Rocky Mountaineer train. Travel along the Icefields Parkway from Banff to Jasper, explore the vibrant city of Vancouver, then enjoy a seven-night cruise along the Alaskan coastline aboard Holland America's Koningsdam.

Glacier Bay

Skagway Juneau

Ketchikan

CANADA

Rocky Mountains Nights in hotel Nights on ship

CANADA & USA

Vancouver Island

Ride the cable car for fantastic views of Banff National Park

Jasper Kamloops Vancouver

Holland America’s Koningsdam

Humpback whale

Elk roam the wilderness of Jasper National Park

The Athabasca River in Jasper National Park

Glacier Bay National Park

92

The Rocky Mountaineer

Contact your preferred travel agent

Icefield Parkway Banff Calgary

Day 1: UK-Calgary. Fly to Calgary.

Stay overnight at the 4-star Residence Inn Downtown (3Q), located in the central Beltline district.

Day 12: Glacier Bay National Park.

Cruise Glacier Bay National Park, a marine biosphere reserve with impressive glaciers, mountains, forests and fjords. B, L, D

Day 2: Calgary-Banff. Travel to Banff (80 miles, 90 minutes). Enjoy a brief tour and a cable-car ride that will take you to the summit of Sulphur Mountain for views over Banff and a panorama of mountains and valleys. Sulphur Mountain got its name because of the sulphurous hot springs at the Park’s Cave and Basin Spring. B, D Stay two nights at the 4-star Royal Canadian Lodge (4Q), on Banff’s main street overlooked by the Rocky Mountains.

Day 13: Ketchikan. Step ashore on Revillagigedo Island. Ketchikan is situated in steep hills in the Tongass National Forest. B, L, D

Day 3: Banff. This morning enjoy an included scenic drive around Banff National Park. You wil have the chance to take an optional helicopter flight over the Rocky Mountains. B

Day 16: UK. Arrive in the UK this morning.

Day 5: Jasper. At leisure. There will be a choice of optional excursions available on this day, including a ‘river float’. B Day 6: Jasper-Kamloops. Board the Rocky Mountaineer for a rail journey with breakfast and lunch on board. Stay overnight at a locally rated 3-star hotel selected by Rocky Mountaineer. B, L Day 7: Vancouver. Enjoy breakfast on board Rocky Mountaineer, while continuing your full-day rail journey to Vancouver. B, L Stay overnight at the 4-star Georgian Court Hotel (4Q), in downtown Vancouver’s ‘Theatre and Sports Entertainment District’.

Day 15: Vancouver. Disembark in Vancouver and enjoy some free time before your return flight to the UK. B

KONINGSDAM Step aboard Holland America’s Koningsdam for a voyage along the Alaskan coast, visiting Juneau, passing Glacier Bay National Park and sailing through the protected waters of the ‘Inside Passage’. Onboard your mid-sized ship enjoy a choice of restaurants, bars, a cafe, fitness centre, two swimming pools, hydro pool and spa, and a World Stage, plus a range of en suite staterooms to choose from.

UPGRADE TO GOLDLEAF SERVICE ON THE ROCKY MOUNTAINEER FROM £499 PER PERSON. For a supplement you can choose to upgrade from SilverLeaf to GoldLeaf service, giving you unparalleled views from your seat in the upper level of the bi-level dome coach with its wrap-around windows. Enjoy gourmet breakfasts and lunches in the lower level dining room, as well as complimentary snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Upgrade prices include any special offer discounts.

Day 8: Embark Koningsdam. Enjoy an included city tour of Vancouver, whose highlights include Stanley Park, the First Nations totem poles at Brockton Point, Gastown and Chinatown, before embarking Holland America's Koningsdam for your seven-night full-board cruise along the Alaskan Coast. B, D Day 9: Inside Passage. Cruise past fjords, forested islands and snowcapped mountains. B, L, D Day 10: Juneau. Spend this morning cruising Tracy Arm fjord. Arrive this afternoon in the Alaskan capital of Juneau, which nestles between towering mountains and forested hills. Perhaps visit the Red Dog Saloon, pan for gold or visit the Medenhall Glacier. B, L, D Day 11: Skagway. Visit Skagway where you can discover buildings that date from the gold rush era. B, L, D

Enjoy outstanding service

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY Vancouver. 3 nights including breakfasts. After your tour stay at the 4-star Georgian Court Hotel (4Q).

Victoria. 3 nights including breakfasts. After your tour stay at the 4-star DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel and Suites Victoria (4Q).

Please see pages 164-171 for details.

Contact your preferred travel agent

FREE drinks package included† on Oceanview grades and above

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 7 nights in hotels, 7 on board ship and 1 in flight 31 meals: 14 breakfasts (B), 8 lunches (L) and 9 dinners (D) Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Welcome drink reception • Porterage at all hotels and aboard Koningsdam.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Banff National Park and Sulphur Mountain cable-car ride • Photo stop at Lake Louise

CANADA & USA

Day 4: Banff-Jasper. En route to Jasper (190 miles, four hours), pause at jadecoloured Lake Louise, ‘Jewel of the Rockies’.

Continue along the Icefields Parkway, perhaps the most exciting stretch of highway in Canada, running from Lake Louise to Jasper through the heart of the Rockies. An Ice Explorer ride over the ice and snow of Athabasca Glacier is included. B, D Stay two nights at the 3-star Sawridge Inn (3Q), which enjoys a mountain setting in Jasper National Park.

Day 14: Inside Passage. Sail back through the Inside Passage, one of Canada’s most scenic marine voyages. B, L, D

SAVE up to £300* per person on selected cabins and departures

• Ice Explorer ride over the Athabasca Glacier • Two days on the Rocky Mountaineer train • Cruise the Inside Passage aboard Koningsdam • Time in Alaska's capital, Juneau • Visit to gold rush-era Skagway • Cruise through Glacier Bay National Park.

Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

Rocky Mountains and Alaskan Adventure.

Holiday code: USC15.

Prices are based on Air Canada from Heathrow.

Prices are £s Two people Two people Two people per person sharing sharing sharing from: J Inside C Outside VD Verandah Apr 23, 2022 4399 4949 4899 5099 4999 Apr 30 4599 4499 5149 4999 5299 5099 May 14 4999 4899 5499 5449 5549 May 21 5099 4999 5549 5499 5649 May 28 5049 4999 5549 5899 5849 Jun 4 5049 4999 5649 5549 5999 5849 Jun 11 5149 5749 5699 5999 5899 Jun 18 5249 5149 5849 5699 6099 5899 Jul 9 5299 5199 5899 5749 6149 5949 Aug 6 5349 5299 5949 5849 6299 6149 Aug 20 5299 5249 5899 5799 6149 5999 Aug 27 5249 5199 5849 5749 6099 5949 Sep 3 5199 5099 5699 5649 5749 Sep 10 4999 4949 5399 5549 5499 Other cabin types and sole occupancy cabins are also available. *Maximum saving is based on SA grade Verandah suite cabin on Jun 18, 2022 departure. †Free drinks package - subject to terms and conditions. Please call for details. §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £80 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

93

ROAD TO THE ROCKIES AND ALASKAN EXPLORER

Classic Escorted Tour 1

14 nights from £3399

TOUR PACE: RELAXED

Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

Explore the Rocky Mountains on this scenic journey amid the peaks and forests of western Canada. A leisurely road trip through this incredible scenery leads you to Vancouver, from where you travel on to the glistening Alaskan waters for a week-long cruise through the Inside Passage.

Skagway Juneau

Nights in hotel Nights on ship

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Ketchikan CANADA

CANADA AND USA

Vancouver Island

Vancouver’s glittering skyline

Enjoy spectacular vistas in Jasper National Park

Perhaps see grizzly bears

94

Cruise the coast of Alaska

Contact your preferred travel agent

ALBERTA

Rocky Mountains Jasper Icefield Parkway Banff Kamloops Calgary Vancouver

Day 1: UK-Banff. Fy to Calgary then transfer to Banff (90 miles, 90 minutes). Stay two nights at the 4-star Delta Banff Royal Canadian Lodge (4Q), on Banff’s main street overlooked by the Rocky Mountains.

Day 11: Glacier Bay National Park. Cruise through Glacier Bay and admire the mighty ice spires as an on-board naturalist explains the phenomena of glaciers. B, L, D

Day 2: Banff. Enjoy an included gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain for stunning views at the summit, then take a guided tour of Banff National Park. This alpine resort boasts fine mountain scenery, dense forests, clear lakes and rivers, as well as impressive glaciers. B, D Day 3: Banff-Jasper. Head to Jasper (179 miles, four hours), pausing to admire the jade-coloured waters of Lake Louise, then enjoy an ‘Ice Explorer’ ride over part of the Athabasca Glacier. Arrive at Jasper. B, D Stay two nights at the 3-star Chateau Jasper (3Q), a 10-minute walk from downtown Jasper.

Day 5: Jasper-Kamloops. Travel to Kamloops (274 miles, five hours) and explore the natural surroundings of this beautiful region, famous for its large cattle ranches and copper mines, on organised walks arranged at your overnight accommodation. Its name derives from the native Canadian word for 'the meeting of the waters'. B, D Stay overnight at the 3-star DoubleTree Hilton Hotel Kamloops (3Q), located in the central downtown area.

Day 6: Kamloops-Vancouver. Continue to Vancouver where you can explore independently (219 miles, four hours and 30 minutes). Set beside the Pacific Ocean and the peaks of the Coast Mountains, Vancouver is renowned for being a modern and friendly city, home to a unique mix of cultures. B Stay overnight at the 4-star The Georgian Court Hotel (4Q), in downtown Vancouver’s ‘Theatre and Sports Entertainment District’.

Day 7: Embark Zuiderdam. Enjoy an included city tour encompassing Stanley Park, historic Gastown and Chinatown before you board Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam for your seven-night, full-board cruise along the Alaskan coast. B, D

Day 10: Skagway. Skagway, one of the smallest outposts in Alaska, retains its 'gold rush' atmosphere, with many original buildings dating back to the days of the early prospectors of the Klondike gold rush era. B, L, D

on Oceanview grades and above

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 Totem Poles in Ketchikan

Day 12: Ketchikan. Visit Ketchikan, built into steep hills in the Tongass National Forest. Perhaps join an optional excursion to the Misty Fjords National Monument by float plane. B, L, D Day 13: Inside Passage. Admire the scenery once more as you cruise south to Vancouver. B, L, D Day 14: Vancouver-UK. Disembark your ship and travel to the airport for your overnight flight, or extend your holiday in Vancouver. B Day 15: UK. Arrive in the UK this morning.

DISCOVER BANFF Banff National Park was created in 1885 and was the Canada’s first national park. It’s also part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain UNESCO World Heritage Site. This vast and unspoilt alpine landscape includes soaring mountain peaks, dense forests, clear lakes, rivers and impressive glaciers. A gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain reveals a stunning mountain panorama from the summit, while within the park keep watch for local wildlife which includes the Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, and the charming golden mantled ground squirrel with chipmunk-like stripes along its back!

Day 8: Inside Passage. Cruise ribbon-like fjords scattered with islets, verdant forests and snow-capped mountains, considered the most scenic sea-lane in the world. B, L, D Day 9: Juneau. Cruise the narrow Tracy Arm Fjord to the Alaskan capital of Juneau.

It was here in 1880 that Joe Juneau and a fellow prospector first struck gold, later becoming the world's largest low-grade gold mine. B, L, D

FREE drinks package included†

Beautiful Banff National Park

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY Vancouver. 3 nights. Including breakfasts. After your tour stay three nights at the boutique-style 4-star Georgian Court Hotel (4Q) in downtown Vancouver.

Please see pages 164-171 for details.

Contact your preferred travel agent

6 nights in hotels, 7 on board ship and 1 in flight 29 meals: 13 breakfasts (B), 6 lunches (L) and 10 dinners (D) Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Welcome drink reception • Porterage at all hotels and aboard Zuiderdam.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Sulphur Mountain cable-car ride • Banff National Park tour • Photo stop at Lake Louise • Ice Explorer ride over Athabasca Glacier

CANADA AND USA

Day 4: Jasper. Enjoy a day at leisure, perhaps exploring one of Jasper’s many hiking trails. Alternatively, you could join an optional excursion to Maligne Lake for a scenic cruise. B

SAVE up to £400* per person on selected cabins and departures

• City tour of Vancouver • Cruise the Inside Passage aboard Zuiderdam • Visit to the gold rush town of Skagway • Cruise through Glacier Bay National Park.

Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

Road to the Rockies and Alaskan Explorer.

Holiday code: USC29.

Prices are based on Air Canada from Heathrow.

Prices are £s Two people Two people Two people per person sharing sharing sharing - VD from L Inside E Outside Verandah Suite May 5, 2022 3499 3399 3769 3619 4099 3899 May 19 3749 3499 4019 3719 4449 4099 Jun 2 3849 3649 4119 3869 4649 4349 Jul 14 3949 3799 4219 4019 4649 4399 Sep 1 3749 3499 4019 3719 4449 4099 Sep 8 3699 3499 3969 3719 4399 4099 Other cabin types and sole occupancy cabins are also available. *Maximum saving is based on SS grade Verandah suite cabin on May 19, 2022 departure. †Free drinks package - subject to terms and conditions. Please call for details §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £80 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

95

JOURNEY THROUGH THE CLOUDS

Immersive Escorted Tour

10 nights from £3899 Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

1

The awe-inspiring scenery of Canada’s Rocky Mountains awaits on this tour. Journey through stunning landscapes on the Rocky Mountaineer and explore the beauty of Banff and Jasper National Parks. You'll also have time to enjoy the cosmopolitan city of Vancouver set between the mountains and the Pacific Ocean.

TOUR PACE: RELAXED

Rocky Mountains

Jasper

CANADA

Banff National Park Banff

Calgary

Kamloops Nights in hotel

CANADA

Vancouver Vancouver Island

Step aboard the Rocky Mountaineer

Sulphur Mountain

96

One of Canada’s ‘Big Five’, the black bear

Admire the architecture of Banff Avenue

Contact your preferred travel agent

Day 1: UK-Vancouver. Fly to Vancouver.

Stay three nights at the 4-star Georgian Court Hotel (4Q), in downtown Vancouver’s ‘Theatre and Sports Entertainment District’.

Day 2: Vancouver. Often called Canada’s Gem of the Pacific, Vancouver is built on a peninsular backed by spectacular mountains. An included half-day sightseeing tour will take you through the historic Gastown district, to the modern waterfront development of Canada Place, into bustling China Town and finally to Stanley Park. You’ll then have the rest of the day to explore at leisure. Perhaps discover the downtown area’s shops and restaurants, or seek out one of the many attractions including the Planetarium, Anthropology Museum or the Maritime Museum. B, D

Day 4: Kamloops. Board the Rocky Mountaineer for a two-day journey through the Rockies. You will travel in daylight through ever-changing scenery on what is widely regarded as one of the world’s great train journeys, with breakfast and lunch served on board. En route you’ll see Hell’s Gate Rapids in Fraser Canyon. The train stops for the night at Kamploops, where you’ll disembark and stay at a 3-star hotel selected by Rocky Mountaineer. B, L Day 5: Jasper. Reboard the Rocky Mountaineer and travel eastwards, again following the Thompson River, to the wilderness of the Canadian Rockies and the province of Alberta. Relax and enjoy the scenery as you glide past ranches, rocky lake shores, over high mountain passes and through the tunnels that form part of the rich trail history of the region. Arrive in the former fur-trading post of Jasper where you stay for two nights. B, L Stay two nights at the 3-star Chateau Jasper Hotel (3Q),

Day 6: Jasper. Enjoy a day at leisure, exploring the attractions of Jasper, the starting point for many scenic hiking trails and bicycle routes. Alternatively, join one of the optional excursions to Medicine and Maligne Lakes in Jasper National Park. B Day 7: Jasper-Banff. Journey to Banff (179 miles, three hours and 30 minutes).

Travel along the Icefields Parkway, regarded as one of the world’s most scenic highways.

It runs for 140 miles from Jasper to Lake Louise, through the heart of the Rockies revealing a procession of snow-capped peaks, cobalt-blue lakes and dense forests.

Take a ride on the Athabasca Glacier aboard the Ice Explorer, a vehicle designed to travel on ice and snow, then enjoy a picnic lunch. B, L Stay three nights at the centrally located 3-star Banff Park Lodge (4Q), surrounded by mountains.

Day 8: Banff National Park. Enjoy the mountain scenery of Banff National Park on a short tour and, weather permitting, take a gondola ride to the summit of Sulphur Mountain for panoramic views B Day 9: Banff. Enjoy a relaxing day in this mountain resort or perhaps join an optional excursion to Yoho National Park. Maybe even treat yourself to an optional helicopter flight over the Rockies. B, D

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 9 nights in hotels and 1 in flight 14 meals: 9 breakfasts (B), 3 lunches (L) and 2 dinners (D) Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Welcome drink reception • Porterage at all hotels.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Sightseeing tour of Vancouver • Two-day journey on the Rocky Mountaineer train • Scenic drive through Jasper National Park • An Ice Explorer ride over the Athabasca Glacier • Tour of Banff National Park • Cable-car ride up Sulphur Mountain

CANADA

Day 3: Vancouver. Enjoy exploring further or join an optional excursion where you’ll travel by ferry to Victoria on Vancouver Island for a tour of the capital city, commonly known as the ‘Garden City’.

The highlights include the impressive Parliament buildings, and you’ll also have some free time to explore independently before continuing to the Butchart Gardens – themed gardens created from a former limestone quarry. B

a 10-minute walk from downtown Jasper.

• City tour of Calgary.

Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

Day 10: Banff-Calgary-UK. Spend the morning at leisure and then continue onto Calgary, a cosmopolitan city in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains (78 miles, 90 minutes). An included orientation tour will show you the rodeo and stampede grounds that give Calgary its ‘Wild West’ feel, and you’ll also drive past the historic site of Fort Calgary. Afterwards, travel to the airport for your return overnight flight, or choose to extend you holiday in Calgary. B Day 11: UK. Arrive in the UK this morning.

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY Calgary 2 nights including breakfasts.

After your tour, stay at the 3-star Hilton Garden Inn Calgary Downtown (3Q).

Please see pages 164-171 for details.

THE ROCKY MOUNTAINEER Travel on the Rocky Mountaineer train through ever-changing scenery on what is widely regarded as one of the world's great train journeys. Enjoy SilverLeaf service in a single-level glass domed coach with oversized windows, enjoying breakfast and lunch served on board as you take in breathtaking views and travel past lush fields and forests, winding river canyons and the peaks of the Coast and Cascade Mountains. Perhaps treat yourself to an upgrade to GoldLeaf service for an extra-special experience, including a seat in the Dome car, and a thrilling 360-degree view from the full-length dome windows, as well as access to the open-air vestibule, gourmet breakfasts and lunches and more.

Visit Athabasca Glacier

Journey through the Clouds. Holiday code: US10S. Prices are based on Air Canada from Heathrow.

Prices are £s per Two people sharing Single Traveller person from: May 3, 2022 3899 4618 May 24 4049 4798* Jun 7 4199 5078 Jun 21 4299 Limited Availability Jul 5 4299 Limited Availability Aug 30 4299 5178* Sep 6 4299 5178* Sep 13 4299 5178 Sep 20 4249 5128 *Single rooms may be available on request. Upgrade to GoldLeaf service on the Rocky Mountaineer from £469 per person §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £80 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Enjoy à la carte meals with the GoldLeaf service

Contact your preferred travel agent

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

97

VANCOUVER AND THE ROCKIES

Immersive Escorted Tour

13 nights from £3399 Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

CANADA

Discover the glacial wilderness and towering mountain landscapes of the Canadian Rockies on this scenic journey. Starting in vibrant Vancouver and concluding in Banff, travel through British Columbia and Alberta, visiting alpine towns and picturesque national parks en route.

2 TOUR PACE: STANDARD

Vibrant Vancouver

Rocky Mountains

CANADA

Jasper

Columbia Mountains Sun Peaks

Banff

Lake Louise Whistler Vancouver Island

Vancouver Victoria

Glorious Lake Louise

98

See the totems of Vancouver’s Stanley Park

Contact your preferred travel agent

Calgary

Glacier National Park Nights in hotel

Charming Victoria on Vancouver Island

Day 1: UK-Vancouver. Fly to Vancouver.

Stay three nights at the 4-star Sheraton Vancouver Wall Center (4Q), a modern tower hotel with views across the city.

Day 2: Vancouver. An included sightseeing trip visits some of the city’s many attractions including the famous totem poles of Stanley Park. Afternoon at leisure. B Day 3: Vancouver. Spend the day at leisure in the city. Your tour manager is on hand to suggest attractions and sights to visit. B Day 4: Vancouver-Victoria. Transfer to Vancouver Island by coach and ferry (three hours). Visit Butchart Gardens, designated a National Historic Site of Canada, and take an included sightseeing tour of Victoria to see the city’s British colonial past. B Stay two nights at the 3-star Best Western Carlton Victoria hotel (3Q), in the heart of downtown Victoria.

Day 5: Victoria. Spend the day at leisure.

Perhaps join an optional whale-watching excursion. B

Day 7: Whistler. Spend the day at leisure in this alpine resort. There are a number of fine restaurants and cafes for dining out. B

Stay overnight at the centrally located 4-star Sun Peaks Grand (4Q).

Day 9: Sun Peaks-Jasper. Head east along Yellowhead Highway into Alberta.

Continue to Jasper (267 miles, five hours).

B, D Stay two nights at the 3-star Crimson Hotel (3Q), in Jasper National Park.

Day 10: Jasper. Enjoy an included tour of Jasper and its surroundings, including Maligne Canyon. Perhaps see Maligne Lake and Medicine Lake on an optional trip. B Day 11: Jasper-Banff. Drive along the famous Icefields Parkway en route to Banff (179 miles, three hours and 30 minutes), including a stop at the Athabasca Glacier for a ride on the Ice Explorer. Banff is the highest town in Canada with its shops, galleries, walking trails and surrounding National Park. B Stay two nights at the 4-star Banff Park Lodge (4Q), surrounded by mountains.

Day 12: Banff. Enjoy an included tour of Banff and its surroundings, including Lake Louise, renowned for its turquoise hue. B Day 13: Banff-Calgary-UK. Transfer to the airport (90 miles, 90 minutes), stopping for a farewell lunch at Boundary Ranch en route. Fly overnight to the UK. B, L

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 12 nights in hotels and 1 in flight 15 meals: 12 breakfasts (B), 1 lunch (L) and 2 dinners (D) Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Welcome drink reception • Porterage at all hotels.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Sightseeing in Vancouver and Victoria • Visit to Butchart Gardens • Whistler tour and Peak 2 Peak Gondola, or Banff Gondola ride • Visit Hat Creek Ranch • Tour of Jasper and Maligne Canyon • Icefields Parkway scenic drive and Ice Explorer ride over Athabasca Glacier

CANADA

Day 6: Victoria-Whistler. Return to the mainland and continue to the resort of Whistler (170 miles, five hours), for an included tour of the town and gondola trip up Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. B Stay two nights at the 3-star Crystal Lodge (3Q), located in the village centre backed by mountains.

Day 8: Whistler-Sun Peaks. Travel through the lush Fraser Valley to Sun Peaks (221 miles, five hours). Learn about the Gold Rush, prospecting, and the Shuswap First Nation on a visit to Hat Creek Ranch. B, L, D

• Lake Louise photo stop • Tour of the alpine resort of Banff.

Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

Day 14: UK. Arrive in the UK.

Banff National Park presents many photo opportunities

Charming Victoria on Vancouver Island

VANCOUVER ISLAND Vancouver Island lies off the east coast of British Columbia and is renowned for its mild climate. The island’s capital is Victoria, also known as the ‘City of Gardens’. One of its most famous is the Butchart Gardens, founded in 1904 in a former quarry by Jennie Butchart and later developed by her grandson. This National Historic Site of Canada is made up of a series of gardens including a sunken, Italian, Japanese and Rose garden. With over 300,000 bulbs blooming in spring, 900 plant varieties on display in the summer and the warm colours of Maples in the autumn, this is a garden not to be missed.

Contact your preferred travel agent

Vancouver and the Rockies. Holiday code: USC19.

Prices are based on Air Canada from Heathrow.

Prices are £s per Two People Sharing Single Traveller person from: May 5, 2022 3399 4248 Jun 9 3649 4698 Jun 30 3799 4878 Sep 1 3749 4798 Sep 8 3699 4748 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £80 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

99

HIGHLIGHTS OF EASTERN CANADA

Classic Escorted Tour

10 nights from £2499

2

Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

TOUR PACE: STANDARD

Discover the cities of eastern Canada, from historic Ottawa to cosmopolitan Toronto and picturesque Quebec City. Experience the region’s natural splendour with a cruise around the picturesque Thousand Islands and see Niagara Falls up close.

Québec CANADA

Ottawa

Toronto

Montréal

Kingston (1000 Islands)

Lake Ontario

Niagara Falls

USA

Nights in hotel

CANADA

Downtown Montreal

The iconic CN Tower in Toronto

Explore beautiful Quebec City

Enjoy a boat tour of Niagara Falls

100

Contact your preferred travel agent

SAVE up to £50 per person on selected departures

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179

Mighty Niagara Falls

NIAGARA FALLS

9 nights in hotels and 1 in flight

The mighty Niagara Falls is made up of three waterfalls – the Horseshoe, American and Bridal Veil Falls. Collectively some 3,160 tons of water thunders over the 167-foot high rim every second and by 1895 it was the site of the world’s first hydroelectric generating station. Look forward to visiting this great natural wonder and either the chance to see it from the water – weather permitting – or walk behind the Falls through a network of tunnels that lie near the base, offering a unique insight into the power and beauty of some of the world’s most famous water falls.

11 meals: 9 breakfasts (B), 1 lunch (L) and 1 dinner (D) Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Welcome drink reception • Porterage at all hotels.

Day 7: Ottawa. Spend the day at leisure.

The city is home to excellent museums and the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO listed site which you could explore independently. B

Day 2: Toronto. On this morning’s included city tour you will see the magnificent skyline for which Toronto is famed, as well as the the harbour front with its shops, cafes and galleries, and landmarks such as the CN Tower and Yorkville. Your afternoon is at leisure – perhaps enjoy shopping in the downtown area. B

Day 8: Ottawa-Niagara Falls. This morning set out early, travel along the Niagara escarpment towards one of the world’s seven natural wonders, arriving in the afternoon (331 miles, five hours and 30 minutes). Your hotel overlooks the Canadian Falls. B Stay two nights at the 4-star Sheraton on the Falls Hotel (4Q), overlooking the Canadian Falls.

Day 3: Toronto-Montreal. Travel to Montreal (336 miles, five hours and 30 minutes). Journey along the shores of Lake Ontario to Kingston for a cruise to see the Thousand Islands of the St Lawrence River, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

After lunch continue your journey to the province of Quebec and the world’s second largest French-speaking city. Overnight in vibrant and cosmopolitan Montreal. B, L Stay overnight at the 4-star Hotel Place Dupuis (3Q).

Day 4: Montreal-Quebec City. Travel to Quebec City (158 miles, three hours).

Enjoy an included half-day sightseeing tour.

Explore the 17th and 18th-century Place Royale and Petit Champlain Quarter, the Citadel and the turreted Château Frontenac Hotel. B Stay two nights at the 4-star Chateau Laurier (4Q), 4-star Hotel Palace Royal (3Q+) or 4-star Clarendon Hotel (3Q+) depending on your departure date.

Day 5: Quebec City. Today is at leisure to continue exploring independently. B Day 6: Quebec City-Ottawa. Travel to Canada’s capital city of Ottawa (276 miles, four hours and 30 minutes), where you’ll have lunch and take a sightseeing tour.

Visit Parliament Hill, a high point of the city and home to the Parliament Buildings, Canada’s seat of government, as well as the National Arts Centre and Byward Market. B Stay two nights at the 4-star Delta Ottawa City Centre Hotel (3Q+), a modern elegant hotel near downtown.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Toronto city tour • Sightseeing tour of Montreal • Quebec City sightseeing tour • Tour of Ottawa

CANADA

Day 1: UK-Toronto. Fly to Toronto. Stay two nights at the 3-star Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Toronto (3Q), located downtown, close to museums and shops.

• Cruise around the Thousand Islands • Niagara Falls boat trip • A morning in pretty Niagara-on-the-Lake Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

Day 9: Niagara Falls. Ride the Hornblower Niagara cruise to the foot of the falls, weather permitting, on an included excursion. If the weather is bad, take a ‘Journey Behind the Falls’. This evening, savour panoramic views of the illuminated falls during your final dinner at the hotel’s restaurant. B, D Day 10: Niagara Falls-Toronto-UK. Enjoy the morning at Niagara-on-the-Lake, reputed to be one of the prettiest towns in Canada. This charming town at the northern end of the Niagara river on the shores of Lake Ontario, has period houses, a museum, fort and marina. In the afternoon, return to Toronto (80 miles, 90 minutes) for your overnight flight to the UK. Alternatively, extend your holiday in Toronto. B

See Ottawa’s Parliament Building

Day 11: UK. Arrive in the UK.

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY Toronto. 2 nights. After your tour, extend your holiday at the 3-Star Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Toronto (3Q) where you stay on Days 1-2 of the main tour.

Please see pages 164-171 for details.

SOLO TRAVELLERS...

Travel in the company of other solos travellers on a similar itinerary.

Holiday code: AF756. Please call for details.

Contact your preferred travel agent

Highlights of Eastern Canada.

Holiday code: US756 / AF756 (Solo).

Prices are based on Air Canada from Heathrow.

Prices are £s per Two People Sharing Single Traveller person from: May 4, 2022 2549 2499 3198 3148 May 18 2649 3328 May 25 - Solo 3499 Jun 1 2799 3478 Sep 7 2749 3498 Sep 14 2699 3428 Oct 5 2649 3328 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £80 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

101

NEW ENGLAND IN THE FALL

Immersive Escorted Tour

10 nights from £2699

1

Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

TOUR PACE: RELAXED

Experience the world-famous natural spectacle of the changing of the seasons on this colourful tour through the north-east corner of the USA. Follow the historic Freedom Trail through Boston, visit the landing site of the Pilgrims, go whale watching from Cape Cod, and journey past thousands of acres of vast protected forest displaying striking fall foliage.

Montpelier Lincoln Killington

Flume Gorge North Conway

Salem

USA Nights in hotel

Boston Cape Cod

Plymouth

USA

Nantucket

Humpback whale in Cape Cod

Admire the colours of autumn

The Boston skyline in autumn.

102

See Mayflower II in Plymouth

Contact your preferred travel agent

Day 1: UK-Boston. Fly to Boston. Stay two nights at the 3-star DoubleTree by Hilton Boston Bayside (3Q) Day 2: Boston. A morning city tour follows the path of Boston’s Freedom Trail, linking 16 historically significant sites together, including Old North Church, Quincy Market, State Capitol and Boston Harbor. This afternoon join a student-led walking tour of Harvard University. Enjoy a welcome dinner this evening. B, D Vermont State House in Montpelier

Day 4: Plymouth. See some of the oldest villages in America, charming fishing ports, and the deserted sand dunes of Cape Cod on a full-day scenic drive which includes a stop in pretty Provincetown.

Hit the waters surrounding Plymouth to try and spot the humpback, minke and pilot whales who migrate here on a whale watching excursion. B Day 5: Plymouth-Killington. Journey to Killington (287 miles, six hours). Cross the border into Rhode Island to visit Newport, a city revered for its exclusivity at the turn of the 20th century. Continue north to Saxon’s Distillery in Vermont for a tour and tasting session. B Stay two nights at the 3-star Killington Mountain Lodge (3Q) in Killington, a winter sports resort in Vermont’s Green Mountains.

Day 7: Killington-North Conway.

Cross from the Green Mountains to the White Mountains as you head into New Hampshire for North Conway (158 miles, three hours). Travel along the dramatic Franconia Notch mountain pass before entering the scenic byway known locally as “The Kanc”, both of which boast incredible fall foliage. B Stay three nights at the 3-star Red Jacket Mountain View Resort (3Q+), on the edge of the White Mountain National Forest.

Day 8: North Conway. Tour the White Mountains, where, at this time of year, blazing red, burnt orange and vibrant yellow autumn foliage stretches out in every direction. You’ll pass by the tallest peak in the north-east, Mount Washington, and stop off at Silver Cascade waterfall, which cascades 4,000 feet down the side of Mount Jackson. B Day 9: North Conway. Spend the day at leisure. A farewell dinner is included this evening. B, D Day 10: North Conway-Boston-UK. Enter Maine, taking in the vast forests, pretty seaside villages and cliff-lined shores en route to Kennebunkport (70 miles, two hours). After a tour and free time to explore, continue to Boston airport for your return overnight flight home. B

on selected departures

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 9 nights in hotels and 1 in flight 11 meals: 9 breakfasts (B) and 2 dinners (D) Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Welcome drink reception • Farewell dinner • Porterage at all hotels.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Boston city tour • Plimoth Plantation experience • Scenic drive around Cape Cod • Whale watching trip • Saxton’s Distillery tour and tasting session • Morse Maple Sugar Farm and Montpelier visit • White Mountains tour • Kennebunkport visit Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

Day 11: UK. Arrive in the UK.

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY Boston. 2 nights including breakfasts.

Before your tour, stay at the 4-star Hyatt Regency Boston Hotel (4Q).

Please see pages 164-171 for details.

Charming Cape Cod

THE COLOURS OF THE FALL Take a trip to New England in the Fall and step into an autumn wonderland as its trees erupt into a kaleidoscope of breathtaking, fiery colours. September to early October is a perfect time to see this famous natural spectacle as you travel from historic Plymouth and Boston in Massachusetts to the stunning White Mountains and Vermont, famed for its maple trees and delicious syrup. Join us on one of our autumn departures and enjoy what is charmingly referred to in New England as ‘leaf peeping’ and marvel at what Kipling described in 1895 as “...hill-sides as far as the eye could range were afire, and the roads paved, with crimson and gold”.

SAVE up to £100 per person

USA

Day 3: Boston-Plymouth. Depart for Plymouth (40 miles, 45 minutes), where pilgrims from the Mayflower founded the first colony in 1620. Visit the Plimoth Plantation – a living museum that brings the history of America’s early settlers to life. B Stay two nights at the 3-star John Carver Inn (3Q).

Day 6: Killington. Visit the historic alpine village of Stowe, the perfect place to watch the leaves change colour in the fall. Travel past the Green Mountains to charming Montpelier, the smallest state capital in the USA. Tour Morse Maple Sugar Farm to see how maple syrup is made. B

New England in the Fall. Holiday code: US187.

Prices are based on Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow.

Prices are £s per Two people sharing Single Traveller person from: Sep 8, 2022 2799 2699 3598 3498 Sep 15 2849 2749 3668 3568 Sep 22 2899 3718 Sep 29 2899 3718 Oct 6 2899 3718 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £80 – see pages 174-179 for details.

White Mountains National Park

Contact your preferred travel agent

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

103

TASTE OF THE DEEP SOUTH

Classic Escorted Tour

13 nights from £2899

2

Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

TOUR PACE: STANDARD

USA

From Nashville to New Orleans, this exciting tour gives you a real flavour of the musical heritage of the American Deep South.

Visit Elvis Presley's Graceland, explore Nashville, New Orleans and Memphis, tour the famous Jack Daniel’s Distillery, and enjoy a show at the Grand Ole Opry.

New Orleans’ historic French Quarter

Elvis Presley’s legendary home, Graceland

Nashville USA

Memphis Tupelo

Lynchburg Chattanooga Atlanta Birmingham

Natchez Nights in hotel

New Orleans

Take in a show at the Grand Ole Opry

104

Contact your preferred travel agent

Day 1: UK-Atlanta. Fly to Atlanta. Stay for one night at the centrally located 4-star Atlanta Marriott Buckhead Hotel (4Q).

Day 2: Atlanta-Chattanooga. Travel to Chattanooga (118 miles, two hours).

Take a trip on the Incline Railway up Lookout Mountain – the world’s steepest passenger railway – and enjoy views over the mountains. B Stay overnight at the modern 3-star Holiday Inn & Suites, Chattanooga Downtown (3Q), which enjoys a prime location within walking distance of riverfront restaurants.

Day 4: Nashville. Enjoy an included morning tour of Nashville, known as the country music capital of the world. You’ll also visit the Country Music Hall of Fame. B Day 5: Nashville-Tupelo-Memphis. Travel to Memphis (212 miles, four hours). Stop at Tupelo – Elvis Presley’s birthplace – en route, and see the shack where the young Elvis lived, visit the museum with its collection of Presley memorabilia, and explore the greater complex which also houses a chapel and the Assembly of God church. B Stay two nights at the 3-star Crowne Plaza Memphis Downtown (3Q), situated between Memphis Cook Convention Center and Beale Street.

Day 6: Memphis. After a short included orientation tour this morning, visit Elvis Presley’s legendary home, Graceland, where he lived from 1957 until his death in 1977.

Enjoy an audio tour of the mansion and grounds. The afternoon is at leisure. B Day 7: Memphis-Natchez. Travel south, crossing the border into Mississippi to Natchez (304 miles, five hours). En route stop at the Delta Blues Museum. B Stay overnight at the 4-star Hotel Vue (3Q), located on the bluff of the Mississippi River.

Day 9: New Orleans. Enjoy the day at leisure, perhaps exploring independently or joining an optional city tour. B Day 10: New Orleans. Spend a further day at leisure exploring the city, with its historic French Quarter, famous 'House of the Rising Sun' and Cathedral of St Louis. Perhaps join an optional cruise around the Louisiana swamps and bayous, or a river cruise with dinner and jazz aboard a traditional paddle steamer on the Mississippi. B Day 11: New Orleans-Birmingham. Leave New Orleans and head to Birmingham in Alabama (343 miles, six hours).

Martin Luther King pioneered the civil rights movement from Alabama and a coach tour reveals the Civil Rights District and a replica Statue of Liberty. B Stay overnight at the spacious 4-star Hyatt Regency Birmingham – The Wynfrey Hotel (4Q).

Day 12: Birmingham-Atlanta. Travel back to Atlanta (160 miles, two hours and 30 minutes). Regarded as the ‘Capital of the South’, enjoy an afternoon city tour visiting the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, comprising King’s birthplace, the Ebeneezer Baptist Chapel where he preached, and his grave. B Return to the 3-star Atlanta Marriott Buckhead Hotel (4Q) for an overnight stay.

Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 12 nights in hotels and 1 in flight 12 meals: 12 full American breakfasts (B) Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Welcome drink • Porterage at all hotels.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Ride the Incline Railway up Lookout Mountain • Tour of Jack Daniel's Distillery • Tours of Nashville and Atlanta • Orientation tour of Memphis • Show at the Grand Ole Opry • Audio tour of Graceland • Explore the Delta Blues Museum • Visit Oak Alley plantation.

Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

Day 13: Atlanta-UK. Enjoy some time at leisure before travelling to the airport for your overnight flight back to the UK, or extend your holiday in Atlanta. B Day 14: UK. Arrive in the UK.

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY Atlanta. 2 nights including breakfasts. After your tour, stay on at the Atlanta Marriott Buckhead Hotel (4Q) where you stay on the first and final nights of the main tour.

Please see pages 164-171 for details.

Paddle steamer on the Mississippi Taste of the Deep South. Holiday code: US202.

Prices are based on Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow.

Alternative local flight option available from Manchester, supplement may apply.

Prices are £s per Two people Single person from: sharing Traveller Feb 20, 2022 2999 4048 Apr 24 3099 4178 May 1 3099 4178 May 22 3099 4178 Sep 11 3049 4128 Sep 18 3049 4128 Oct 2 2999 4078 Oct 16 2949 4028 Nov 13 2899 3948 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £80 – see pages 174-179 for details.

MARDI GRAS AND THE JAZZ HERITAGE FESTIVAL New Orleans – nicknamed ‘The Big Easy’ and regarded as the birthplace of jazz – is famous for the music and street parties that dominate life in the city, particularly between February and April. Our February 20, 2022 departure is perfectly timed to let you access all the fun and great music of the Mardi Gras. Alternatively, our April 24, 2022 departure of this tour coincides with The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, an unmissable celebration of the music and culture of New Orleans and Louisiana.

SO MUCH INCLUDED…

USA

Day 3: Chattanooga-Lynchburg-Nashville.

Travel to Lynchburg (91 miles, one hour and 40 minutes). Join an included tour of the Jack Daniel’s distillery, and enjoy a tasting of its famous whisky. Continue to Nashville (77 miles, one hour and 30 minutes), taking in a show at the Grand Ole Opry where many country legends – from Patsy Cline to Dolly Parton – have performed.

B Stay two nights at the 4-star Gaylord Opryland Hotel (4Q), a large leisure resort situated on the outskirts of Nashville.

Day 8: Natchez-New Orleans. Continue to New Orleans (176 miles, three hours), pausing en route to visit the Oak Alley Plantation. Enjoy an included orientation tour in New Orleans. B Stay three nights at the 4-star New Orleans Marriott (4Q), which is a short walk from Jackson Square.

Sounds of New Orleans © New Orleans & Company

Contact your preferred travel agent

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

105

NATIONAL PARKS DISCOVERY

Epic Escorted Tour

14 nights from £3099 Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

Peer over the edge of the Grand Canyon, stand in the shadow of Mount Rushmore and gaze up at the steamy eruptions of Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park on this journey through six states.

Follow in the footsteps of pioneers, gaining an insight into Native American culture and seeing the iconic landmarks of the USA as you explore some of western America’s most famous parks.

2 TOUR PACE: STANDARD

Yellowstone West Yellowstone

Cody

Snake River

Mount Rushmore

Jackson

Bridger-Teton National Forest Fort Laramie

Bear Lake

Great Salt Lake

Salt Lake City USA

USA

Zion National Park

Denver Nights in hotel

Bryce

Bryce Canyon Grand Canyon

Monument Valley Flagstaff

Scottsdale Pheonix

Buffalo are a common sight in Yellowstone National Park

Bryce Canyon

Monument Valley

Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park

106

Visit Mount Rushmore

Contact your preferred travel agent

Rapid City

Day 1: UK-Denver. Fly to Denver.

Stay overnight at the 3-star Sonesta Denver Downtown (3Q).

Day 2: Denver-Rapid City. First thing this morning enjoy an included city tour of Denver, where you’ll see the State Capitol and Denver United States Mint. Begin the long journey north, stopping at the Fort Laramie National Historic Site, and at Hot Springs, before arriving at Rapid City (389 miles, seven hours). A welcome dinner is included this evening. B, D Stay two nights at the 3-star Holiday Inn Rushmore Plaza (3Q).

Day 3: Mount Rushmore. This morning, visit the immense sculpture of the Crazy Horse Memorial – a monument to Native Americans, as well as the impressive Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

The 60-feet-high carved faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt are among the most iconic images of the USA. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure in Rapid City. B

Day 5: Cody-West Yellowstone.

Travel into Yellowstone National Park via the Shoshone National Forest, and see the Yellowstone River (292 miles, five hours). B Stay overnight at the 4-star Holiday Inn West Yellowstone (3Q).

Day 6: West Yellowstone-Jackson. Travel through Yellowstone National Park to discover the sights, including the famous Old Faithful Geyser. Next, see Grand Teton National Park en route to Jackson (127 miles, three hours). B Stay two nights at the 3-star Parkway Inn of Jackson Hole (3Q).

Day 7: Jackson. Spend the day at leisure exploring the quaint town of Jackson where shops line the Old-West-style boardwalks of the Downtown area. Jackson is proud of its western heritage and on most summer evenings a gunfight is re-enacted in the town square. Don’t miss looking inside the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar. Alternatively, you could join an optional rafting trip along the Snake River. Tonight perhaps enjoy a dinner and show. B Day 8: Jackson-Salt Lake City. Travel via Bridger-Teton National Forest and Bear Lake to Salt Lake City (274 miles, five hours). This afternoon and evening are at leisure. B Stay overnight at the 3-star, Sheraton Salt Lake City (3Q) or 3-star, Doubletree Suites by Hilton Hotel Salt Lake City Downtown (3Q).

Day 9: Salt Lake City-Bryce. Enjoy an included visit to Bryce Canyon National Park to view the hoodoos – remarkable rock formations. Continue to Bryce, close to the Park entrance (267 miles, four hours). B Stay two nights at the 3-star Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn (3Q).

Day 11: Bryce-Monument Valley. Today you travel to Monument Valley (248 miles, four hours). See the visitor centre, or perhaps join an optional open air van tour of this eerie expanse of free-standing mesas and buttes that rise as much as 1,000 feet above the valley floor. B Stay overnight at the 3-star Monument Valley Inn (3Q).

Day 12: Monument Valley-Grand CanyonFlagstaff. Head to Flagstaff (315 miles, five hours). Today’s excursion is sure to be a major highlight of your holiday. Visit the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, one of the natural wonders of the world and surely America’s greatest natural phenomenon. B Stay overnight at the 3-star Springhill Suites (3Q).

Day 13: Flagstaff-Scottsdale. Journey south to the desert resort of Scottsdale (153 miles, two hours and 30 minutes).

This is the perfect opportunity for some well-deserved relaxation, perhaps with a drink by the pool as you reflect on your tour experiences. Enjoy a farewell dinner this evening. B, D Stay overnight at the 4-star Sonesta Suites Scottsdale Gainey Ranch (4Q).

Day 14: Scottsdale-UK. Transfer to the airport for your overnight flight or extend your holiday in Scottsdale. B Day 15: UK. Arrive in the UK in the afternoon.

SAVE up to £100 per person on selected departures

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 13 nights in hotels and 1 in flight 15 meals: 13 breakfasts (B) and 2 dinners (D) Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Welcome drink and dinner • Farewell dinner • Porterage at all hotels.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Denver city tour

USA

Day 4: Rapid City-Cody. Begin a long scenic journey to Wyoming, through the great plains of the Old West and the Bighorn Mountains, arriving in the small town of Cody, named after Buffalo Bill (379 miles, six hours). B Stay overnight at the 4-star The Cody Hotel (3Q).

Day 10: Zion National Park. An included excursion visits Zion National Park, famous for the beautiful 15-mile long Zion Canyon, shaped by the Virgin River. Highlights of your tour include Zion Tunnel, East Temple and the so-called ‘Great Arch’. B

• Fort Laramie • Mount Rushmore National Memorial • Crazy Horse Memorial • Devil’s Tower National Monument • Old Faithful Geyser, Yellowstone National Park • Bryce Canyon National Park • Zion National Park excursion • Goulding’s Trading Post, Monument Valley • South Rim of the Grand Canyon Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY Scottsdale. 2 nights including breakfasts. After your tour stay on at the 4-star Sonesta Suites Scottsdale Gainey Ranch (4Q). Please see pages 164-171 for details.

View from the Grand Canyon’s South Rim

THE GRAND CANYON At some 277 miles long and one mile deep, this extraordinary gorge and UNESCO World Heritage Site contains evidence of a geological history spanning some two billion years!

The Canyon lies within a National Park, with its north and south rims accessible to the public. A visit to the south rim promises the opportunity to take in some of the canyon’s extraordinary views as you look out over this natural wonder.

Contact your preferred travel agent

National Parks Discovery. Holiday code: US196.

Prices are based on British Airways from Heathrow.

Prices are £s per Two people sharing Single Traveller person from: May 6, 2022 3399 4598* May 27 3599 3499 4798 4698 Jun 17 3699 3599 4898 4798 Sep 9 3649 3549 4848 4748 Sep 16 3599 3499 4798 4698 Sep 23 3549 3449 4748 4648 Oct 14 3199 3099 4348 4248 *Single rooms may be available on request. §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £80 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

107

NEW CALIFORNIA: THE GOLDEN STATE

Classic Escorted Tour

14 nights from £3199

2

Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

TOUR PACE: STANDARD

USA

California is well-known for its Mediterranean-like climate and varied landscapes, and this all-encompassing tour reveals the highlights, from San Francisco and the Napa Valley in the north, to the sun drenched parks, deserts, surf beaches and cities of the south. Along they way you’ll pass through Lake Tahoe, Palm Springs, and Yosemite and Joshua Tree national parks. Plus, enjoy a scenic train journey along the Pacific Coast and a stay on the iconic Las Vegas strip.

Joshua Tree National Park

Travel aboard the Pacific Surfliner from San Diego

Santa Rosa Napa Valley San Francisco

Lake Tahoe Sierra Nevada Mountains Tiogo Pass Yosemite National Park Bass Lake USA

Nights in hotel

Calico Ghost Town Los Angeles Long Beach San Juan Capistrano

San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge

Santa Monica at sunset

108

Contact your preferred travel agent

Las Vegas Joshua Tree National Park Palm Springs San Diego

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 13 nights in hotels and 1 in flight 16 meals: 13 breakfasts (B), 1 lunch (L) and 2 dinners (D) Saga tour manager Views across Lake Tahoe

Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers

Day 1: UK-San Francisco. Fly to San Francisco. Stay two nights at the 4-star Hilton San Francisco Union Square (4Q), located two blocks from Union Square.

Day 3: San Francisco-Napa ValleySanta Rosa. Journey north to Santa Rosa, via Napa Valley (85 miles, two hours).

California’s Napa Valley is one of the world’s most famous wine regions, with over 400 wineries dotted across the hillsides.

Visit a local winery for a guided tour and wine tasting with lunch. B, L Stay overnight at the 3-star The Sandman Hotel (3Q), which has the character of a vibrant Wine Country hotel.

Day 4: Santa Rosa-Lake Tahoe. Embark on a long but scenic journey to Lake Tahoe (200 miles, four hours), with a tour of Sacramento en route. The second deepest lake in the USA, Lake Tahoe straddles the state line between California and Nevada.

Enjoy an orientation tour, and you’ll have the option to join a dinner cruise on the lake. B Stay overnight at the 3-star Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel (3Q+), a ten minute walk from the southern shore of the lake.

Day 5: Lake Tahoe-Yosemite National Park. Travel through the Sierra Nevada mountain range via the Tioga Pass (dependent on seasonal weather conditions) to Yosemite National Park (220 miles, five hours). Enjoy an orientation tour passing the colossal granite faces of El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall. B Stay two nights at the 3-star Pines Resort (3Q) overlooking Bass Lake.

Day 6: Yosemite National Park. Enjoy a day at leisure. Optional excursions include a ride aboard the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad or a Valley Floor tour. B Day 7: Yosemite National ParkLas Vegas. Embark on the long journey to Las Vegas (452 miles, seven hours), visiting the abandoned Calico Ghost Town en route. Continue to the bright lights of Las Vegas, a city renowned for its 24-hour casinos and its Strip of themed-hotels.

Join an orientation tour this evening. B

Day 8: Las Vegas. Enjoy the day at leisure.

Optional excursions visit the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam. B Day 9: Las Vegas-Palm Springs. Return to California, travelling to Palm Strings (232, four hours). Take a ride on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, ascending two and a half miles along and over Chino Canyon. B Stay two nights at the 3-star Palm Mountain Resort and Spa (3Q) located in the heart of downtown Palm Springs.

Day 10: Joshua Tree National Park.

Explore the nearby Joshua Tree National Park, which encompasses parts of the high Mojave and the low Colorado deserts, resulting in unique flora and fauna. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure in Palm Springs. B Day 11: Palm Springs-San Diego. Travel to San Diego, visiting Temecula Valley Wine Country en route (141 miles, two hours and 30 minutes). Visit a family owned olive oil ranch for a tour and tasting session.

Continue to San Diego, a city renowned 70 miles of pristine beaches. B Stay two nights at the 4-star Carte Hotel San Diego Downtown (4Q) with views of the bay and city.

• Welcome dinner • Farewell dinner • Porterage at all hotels.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Pacific Surfline coastal rail journey • San Francisco city tour • Napa Valley wine tasting • Lake Tahoe orientation tour • Yosemite Valley orientation tour

USA

Day 2: San Francisco. Take a guided tour of San Francisco, including a visit to Fisherman’s Wharf, boasting views of the bay, Golden Gate bridge and Alcatraz. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure, or join an optional cruise around San Francisco Bay. Enjoy a welcome dinner this evening. B, D

Stay two nights at the 3-star Harrah’s Las Vegas Hotel (4Q) on Las Vegas’ iconic Strip.

• Visit Calico Ghost Town • Evening Las Vegas orientation tour • Palm Springs Aerial Tramway • Palm Springs orientation tour • Visit Joshua Tree National Park • Temecula olive oil tasting session • San Diego city tour • Los Angeles sightseeing tour.

Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

Day 12: San Diego. Join a half-day tour of San Diego and see the exterior of Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala, a national historic landmark. Spend the afternoon at leisure, or join an optional walking tour through Old Town. B Day 13: San Diego-Pacific Surfliner RailLong Beach. Ride the Pacific Surfliner rail route north to San Juan Capistrano (90 minutes). Visit Mission San Juan Capistrano, then continue by road to Long Beach (47 miles, 45 minutes). Look forward to a farewell dinner this evening. B, D Stay overnight at the boutique-style 4-star Hotel Maya (4Q) on the scenic waterfront.

Day 14: Long Beach-Los Angeles-UK. Head to Los Angeles (24 miles, 25 minutes), where a guided city tour reveals the iconic Hollywood sign and TCL Chinese Theatre, with its ‘autograph’ pavement. Transfer to the airport for your return overnight flight to the UK. B Day 15: UK. Arrive in the UK.

Contact your preferred travel agent

Go wine tasting in the Napa Valley California: The Golden State. Holiday code: US321.

Prices are based on Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow.

Prices are £s per Two people sharing Single Traveller person from Mar 26, 2022 3399 4648 May 7 3599 4848 May 28 3649 4898 Sep 3 3649 4898 Sep 17 3599 4848 Oct 15 3499 4748 Oct 29 3399 4648 Nov 12 3299 4548 Dec 3 3199 4448 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £80 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

109

CANYONS, TRAINS AND THE ROCKIES

NEW

Immersive Escorted Tour 2

13 nights from £4299

TOUR PACE: STANDARD

Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

Journey through the high altitudes of the southern Rocky Mountains on this tour of Colorado, Utah and New Mexico. Explore otherworldly landscapes in five national parks, gain an insight into Native American history, take a ride aboard a heritage steam train, and uncover Spanish culture in the oldest capital in the US. A highlight is sure to be a two-day rail adventure aboard the Rocky Mountaineer train.

Glenwood Springs UTAH

Canyonlands National Park

Moab

Colorado Springs

UNITED STATES

Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Durango Nights in hotel

USA

Rocky Mountain National Park Denver

COLORADO

NEW MEXICO

Santa Fe

Canyonlands National Park

The Rocky Mountaineer

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Rocky Mountain National Park

110

Discover Native American heritage

Contact your preferred travel agent

© Anthony D’Amato.

Day 1: UK-Denver. Fly to Denver, Colorado.

Stay three nights at the 3-star Sonesta Denver Downtown (3Q), an eco-friendly, boutique hotel.

Day 2: Denver. Embark on a guided tour of Denver. Learn about the city’s history and see the top attractions, such as the State Capitol, the United States Mint and Denver’s historic block, Larimer Square.

Visit the Anheuser-Busch brewery for a guided tour and tasting session before a welcome dinner. B, D

Rocky Mountain National Park

Day 4: Rocky Mountaineer. Board the Rocky Mountaineer train for a two-day rail journey through Colorado into Utah, a new route for the Rocky Mountaineer. Take in the views of picturesque Byers Canyon and Gore Canyon, and enjoy lunch on board as you travel alongside the Colorado River, arriving in Glenwood Springs early this evening. B, L Stay overnight in a hotel in Glenwood Springs chosen by Rocky Mountaineer.

Day 5: Rocky Mountaineer. Re-board the Rocky Mountaineer and journey across the Colorado-Utah state border, and past Mount Garfield and the red rock formations of Ruby Canyon. This afternoon, visit Arches National Park, known for its namesake red rock arches. B Stay two nights at the 3-star Aarchway Inn (3Q), located two miles from the national park.

Day 10: Santa Fe. Join a morning guided tour of Santa Fe, the oldest state capital in the US, founded in 1610. Your guide will show you the highlights of this city founded

by Spanish missionaries, then spend the afternoon at leisure. B Day 11: Santa Fe-Colorado Springs. Make the long drive north to Colorado Springs (324 miles, five hours), visiting Great Sand Dunes National Park en route. The park is home to the tallest dunes in North America, alongside 149,137 acres of tundra, forest, and wetlands. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the park, then continue to Colorado Springs. B, L Stay two nights at the 3-star Hilton Garden Inn Colorado Springs Downtown Hotel (3Q), which boasts mountain views.

Day 12: Colorado Springs. Join an orientation tour of Colorado Springs, then visit the Royal Gorge Bridge, America’s highest suspension bridge. Take an included aerial gondola ride, reaching 1,200 feet above the Arkansas River, for incredible panoramic views. A farewell dinner is included this evening. B, D Day 13: Colorado Springs-Denver-UK. Visit the Garden of the Gods, a public park and registered National Natural Landmark known for its towering sandstone formations. Transfer to Denver airport this afternoon (82 miles, 90 minutes), for your return overnight flight to the UK. B

Day 8: Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Drive to the mining town of Silverton (48 miles, one hour) and relive the ‘Golden Age’ of the railway aboard a vintage steam train. Travel by rail back to Durango, following the Animas River through San Juan National Forest, a route inaccessible by car. B, D

on selected departures

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 12 nights in hotels and 1 in flight 17 meals: 12 breakfasts (B), 1 lunch (L) and 4 dinners (D) Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Welcome dinner • Farewell dinner • Porterage at all hotels.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Guided tour of Denver • Anheuser-Busch brewery tour and tasting session • Guided tour of Rocky Mountain National Park • Two-day Rocky Mountaineer train journey • Guided tour of Arches National Park • Guided tour of Canyonlands National Park • Visit Mesa Verde National Park • Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad experience • Tour Taos Pueblo and meet the Navajo community • Guided tour of Santa Fe • Guided tour of Great Sand Dunes National Park

Day 14: UK. Arrive in the UK.

• Orientation tour of Colorado Springs

Please note: Breakfasts on days 5-9 are served in local restaurants.

• Aerial gondola ride over Royal Gorge Bridge • Visit the Garden of the Gods.

Day 6: Canyonlands National Park.

A guided tour reveals the largest national park in Utah. The colourful landscape here is comprised of canyons, mesas and buttes eroded by the Colorado and Green rivers.

Spend the afternoon at leisure, before dinner at a local restaurant. B, D Day 7: Moab-Durango. Travel by road to Durango in southern Colorado (158 miles, three hours), visiting Mesa Verde National Park en route. This UNESCO-listed park is home to some of the best-preserved Ancestral Pueblo archaeological sites in the US. B Stay two nights at the 3-star Best Western Rio Grande (3Q).

SAVE up to £100 per person

USA

Day 3: Rocky Mountain National Park.

A guided tour explores the 415 square miles of mountain, forest, lakes and alpine tundra, home to moose, beaver and elk. B

Day 9: Durango-Santa Fe. Cross the border into New Mexico as you drive to Santa Fe (212 miles, four hours). Visit Taos, a town rich in Pueblo history, en route.

Spend time at historic Taos Plaza, then, in the company of a local guide, tour Taos Pueblo, part of the Navajo Nation and the only UNESCO-listed Native American community. B Stay two nights at the 3-star The Lodge at Santa Fe (3Q), set on a hill overlooking the city.

Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

SilverLeaf Service on the Rocky Mountaineer

UPGRADE TO SILVERLEAF SERVICE PLUS Your two-day journey aboard the Rocky Mountaineer train includes SilverLeaf service, consisting of breakfast and lunch served at your seat, access to an outdoor viewing area and complimentary beverages and snacks. You can choose to upgrade to SilverLeaf Service Plus, which features additional exclusive access to the lounge car, and an additional course at meals with premium alcoholic beverages.

Contact your preferred travel agent

Canyons, Trains and the Rockies. Holiday code: US129.

Prices are based on British Airways from Heathrow.

Prices are £s Two people Single per person from sharing Traveller Apr 28, 2022 4399 4299 5298 5198 Jun 2 4499 5398 Jun 16 4499 5398 Jul 17 4599 5498 Sep 8 4549 5448 Sep 15 4499 5398 Upgrade to SilverLeaf Plus on the Rocky Mountaineer from £299 per person §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £80 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

111

VIVA CUBA

Classic Escorted Tour

15 nights from £2499

2

Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

TOUR PACE: STANDARD

Sole Occupancy rooms at no extra cost on selected dates, subject to availability

CUBA

With its classic old cars and crumbling colonial buildings, and its lush rural interior and beautiful beaches, this is an island where life is lived at a relaxed pace. Explore the colourful streets and old-world charm of Havana, uncover revolutionary history in lively Santiago de Cuba, and admire the elegant architecture of UNESCOlisted Trinidad. This all-encompassing tour takes in the less frequented east of the island, and offers great value with all meals included and an all inclusive board basis in two hotels.

Explore the iconic colours of Havana

Santa Clara

CUBA

Havana

Sancti Spiritus Cayo Santa María

Viñales Valley

Trinidad

Nights in hotel

The centre of Camagüey is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site

112

Santiago de Cuba

Contact your preferred travel agent

Camaguey Holguin Bayamo Santiago de Cuba

Day 1: UK-Havana. Fly to Havana. D Stay three nights at the 5-star Melia Habana Hotel (4Q).

Day 2: Havana. Contrast old and new Havana on an included tour and enjoy a Cuban cocktail lesson. Optional evening excursion to the Tropicana Nightclub. B, L, D Day 3: Havana. Explore Havana independently or join an optional excursion to Viñales Valley. B, L, D Day 4: Havana-Holguin. Fly to Holguin (one hour and 20 minutes). The rest of they day is free to spend at leisure. B, L, D Stay three nights at the 4-star Sol Rio Luna y Mares (4Q), a resort with a beautiful sandy beach just 55 yards away.

Day 6: Holguin. Spend the day at leisure.

B, L, D

Day 7: Holguin-Santiago de Cuba. Tour Holguin, then journey south to Santiago de Cuba (119 miles, three hours and 20 minutes). Pause in Biran, the birthplace of Fidel Castro, to see the farm where he grew up. Visit El Cobre Basilica, the only basilica in Cuba, and stop for photos at Antonio Maceo Revolution Square. B, L, D Stay three nights at the 5-star Melia Santiago de Cuba Hotel (4Q).

Day 8: Santiago de Cuba. Known for its lively soul, it was here that Castro kicked off his revolution and where Barcadi’s first rum factory was set up. Take a tour of the nation’s second city, including a visit to Moncada Baracks and the Museum of the 26th July, commemorating Castro’s failed attack in 1953. Spend the afternoon at leisure. B, L, D Day 9: Santiago de Cuba. Visit Santa Ifigenia Cemetery, the resting place of notable Cubans including José Martí and Fidel Castro. Enjoy a harbour cruise of Santiago’s bay. Spend the afternoon at leisure. B, L, D

Day 12: Cayo Santa Maria. Spend the day at leisure, making the most of the beachfront resort’s facilities. B, L, D Stay two nights at at the 5-star Melia Cayo Santa Maria (4Q), on an all inclusive basis.

Day 13: Cayo Santa Maria-TrinidadSancti Spiritus. Journey to Sancti Spiritus, visiting Trinidad en route (158 miles, five hours). Take a guided tour of the UNESCOlisted city, with lunch included in a local restaurant. Admire the old Spanish colonial town’s elegant architecture and visit the Palace Cantero Museum. Savour the atmosphere in the traditional La Canchanchara Bar, a 17th-century building that is one of the best-known bars in all of Cuba. Stay overnight at the rural 3-star Rancho Hatuey (2Q), for a traditional Cuban countryside hotel experience.

Day 14: Sancti Spiritus-Santa ClaraHavana. Drive to Santa Clara (60 miles, 90 minutes) to visit the Che Guevara Mausoleum and see an armoured train from the battle for the city that was decisive in the outcome of the Cuban Revolution. After lunch at a local restaurant, return to Havana (174 miles, three hours). B, L, D Stay overnight at the 5-star Melia Habana Hotel (4Q).

SAVE up to £100 per person on selected departures

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 14 nights in hotels and 1 in flight 42 meals: 14 breakfasts (B), 14 lunches (L) and 14 dinners (D) Free bar open 12 hours daily in Holguin and Cayo Santa Maria Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Welcome drink • Porterage at all hotels.

• Tourist visa for full British citizens resident in the UK

CUBA

Day 5: Holguin. Visit the archaeological Museo Chorro de Maita, which protects the site of an excavated Indian village and provides some intriguing insights into the life of indigenous Cubans. Next, visit Boca de Sama School, followed by visit to a small local farm ‘Casa de Campesinos’. Spend the afternoon at leisure. B, L, D

Day 11: Camaguey-Cayo Santa Maria.

Tour colourful Camaguey, taking in the Ignacio Agramonte Park, Boulevard Walk, the Church of the Soledad and Workers’ Square. This afternoon, travel to the island resort of Cayo Santa Maria (186 miles, four hours), one of Cuba’s northern cays. B, L, D Stay two nights at at the 5-star Melia Cayo Santa Maria (4Q), on an all inclusive basis.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Tour of old and new Havana • City tour of Santiago de Cuba • Visit to Bayamo • City tour of Camaguey • Sightseeing tour of Sancti Spiritus • Guided tour of Trinidad • Visit Santa Clara and the Che Guevara mausoleum. Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

Day 15: Havana-UK. An optional excursion traces Ernest Hemingway’s life in Cuba.

Travel to the airport for your overnight flight to the UK. B, L Day 16: UK. Arrive in the UK. Cuba is a unique and highly rewarding destination, but the tourism infrastructure and local cuisine can sometimes be quite basic.

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY Jibacoa 7 nights all inclusive from £699. After your tour, stay at the 4-star Memories Jibacoa (4Q).

Please see pages 164-171 for details.

Day 10: Santiago de Cuba-BayamoCamaguey. Travel to Bayamo,credited as the birthplace of Cuban independence, and where horse and cart is the favoured mode of transport (87 miles, two hours and 10 minutes). Visit a Casa de Trova (community centre) where locals enjoy music and dancing. Continue to Camaguey (131 miles, three hours and 10 minutes).

Here, large rain-collecting urns decorate every street corner and the town plan was designed to trap raiding pirates! B, L, D Stay overnight at the locally rated 2-star Hotel Colón by Melia (2Q), an older hotel with an eclectic charm.

Club dancers in Havana

Contact your preferred travel agent

Visit the colonial town of Trinidad

Viva Cuba. Holiday code: CU06B. Prices are based on Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow.

Prices are £s per Two people Single person from: sharing Traveller Jan 7, 2022 2949 2849 2949 2849 Jan 21 2999 2899 2999 2899 Feb 4 2999 2899 2999 2899 Feb 18 2999 2899 2999 2899 Mar 4 2999 2949 2999 2899 Mar 18 2949 2849 2949 2849 Apr 15 2899 2799 2899 2799 May 6 2749 2699 2749 2699 Jun 3 2599 2499 2599 2499 Sep 16 2499 2499 Oct 14 2699 2699 Nov 4 2999 2899 3448 3348 Nov 18 2999 2899 3448 3348 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £80 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

113

CUBA LIBRE

Immersive Escorted Tour

13 nights from £2099 Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

2

Sole Occupancy rooms at no extra cost

TOUR PACE: STANDARD

on selected dates, subject to availability

CUBA

Discover Cuba's unique and colourful culture, unspoilt countryside and remarkable diversity, on this leisurely tour of the west of the island, visiting colonial cities, lush valleys and idyllic coastal resorts.

The lush Viñales Valley

The Palacio de Valle in Cienfuegos

The colourful streets of Havana

CUBA

Havana

Bay of Pigs Viñales Valley

Cayo Santa María

Santa Clara Cienfuegos Trinidad Nights in hotel

Che Guevara mural, Havana

114

Bee hummingbird

Contact your preferred travel agent

Day 1: UK-Havana. Fly to Havana. D Stay two nights at the 5-star Melia Habana (4Q), located in the Miramar District, five miles from Cathedral Square and city centre.

Day 2: Havana. Discover old and new Havana on an included tour, ranging from the cobbled streets, Cuban baroque cathedral and faded pastel mansions of Old Havana – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to Revolutionary Square, Havana University and Las Rampas, the cultural heart of Havana’s high-rise metropolis.

Enjoy lunch and dinner at a local restaurant, plus a Cuban Cocktail lesson before dinner.

Perhaps treat yourself to an optional Tropicana show this evening. B, L, D Day 3: Havana-Viñales Valley. Travel first to Las Terrazas Nature Reserve, where you can explore and enjoy an included lunch. Afterwards, continue to Viñales (117 miles, two hours and 40 minutes). B, L, D Stay two nights at the colonial-style 3-star Los Jazmines (2Q).

Day 5: Viñales Valley-Havana. Return to Havana (107 miles, two hours and 15 minutes). This afternoon join an included excursion which takes you on the trail of the author and Nobel prize winner Ernest Hemingway who made Havana his home for nearly 20 years. B, L, D Return to the 5-star Melia Habana (4Q) for an overnight stay.

Day 6: Cienfuegos and the Bay of Pigs.

En route to Cienfuegos (188 miles, four hours), pause at the Bay of Pigs – famous for the unsuccessful 1961 attempt to overthrow Castro’s government, when about 1,500 exiles, partially backed by the USA, landed here but were stopped by Castro’s troops. Visit the Playa Giron Museum, which tells the story of the 1961 attempt. B, L, D Stay three nights at the locally rated 4-star Hotel Jagua by Melia (3Q), a simple Cuban hotel set on Cienfuegos seafront promenade approximately two miles south of the city centre.

Day 7: Cienfuegos. Enjoy an included tour of the UNESCO-listed seaside town of Cienfuegos with its peninsula occupied by 1920’s mansions, and beautifully preserved French colonial heart. You can also look forward to a boat trip, before lunch in a local restaurant. B, L, D Day 8: Trinidad. Visit the historic town of Trinidad in central Cuba. Trinidad forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage site and is home to cobbled streets lined with pastelcoloured villas, a 19th-century cathedral and a museum. Afterwards, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. B, L, D

Days 10-11: Cayo Santa Maria. Spend the rest of your holiday at leisure or enjoying optional excursions including a catamaran cruise to the northern cays. B, L, D Day 12: Cayo Santa Maria-Havana.

Return to Havana (250 miles, five hours). B, L, D Stay overnight at the 5-star Melia Habana (4Q).

Day 13: Havana-UK. Spend the morning at leisure before transferring to the airport for your overnight flight to the UK, or extend your holiday in Jibacoa. B, L Day 14: UK. Arrive in the morning.

Please note: Cuba is a unique and highly rewarding destination, but you will find that the tourism infrastructure and local cuisine can sometimes be quite basic. This tour explores much of the island and does involve a few long journeys.

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY Jibacoa. 7 nights all inclusive. After your tour, stay at the 4-star Memories Jibacoa (4Q).

Please see pages 164-171 for details.

SAVE up to £200 per person on selected departures

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 12 nights in hotels and 1 in flight 36 meals: 12 breakfasts (B), 12 lunches (L) and 12 dinners (D) Free bar open 12 hours a day in Cayo Santa Maria Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Welcome drink upon arrival at each hotel • Farewell dinner • Porterage at all hotels • Tourist visa for full British citizens resident in the UK.

CUBA

Day 4: Viñales Valley. The valley is famous for its limestone formations known as 'mogotes' – isolated rocky formations with flat tops. After viewing these Jurassic limestone formations, explore underground caves on an included boat trip, then visit a Cigar Factory in Pinar del Rio, before an afternoon at leisure. B, L, D

Day 9: Cienfuegos-Santa Clara-Cayo Santa Maria. Head to Cayo Santa Maria (113 miles, three hours). Stop for lunch at a local restaurant, and tour Santa Clara en route. The city was the scene of a crucial battle in the run up to the Cuban Revolution of 1959, and is the final resting place of Che Guevara. Relax at the resort of Cayo Santa Maria, one of the small islands or ‘cays’ off Cuba’s north coast. B, L, D Stay three nights at the 5-star Melia Cayo Santa Maria (4Q), a large spacious allinclusive resort set beside the beach.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • City tour of Havana • Visit to Las Terrazas Nature Reserve • Viñales Valley boat trip and Indian cave • Cienfuegos tour and boat trip in Cienfuegos Bay • Guided tour of Trinidad • Visit to Che Guevara mausoleum • Trail of Ernest Hemingway.

Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

SOLO TRAVELLERS...

Travel in the company of other solo travellers on a similar 15 night itinerary.

Holiday name: Colours of Cuba.

Holiday code: AF815. Call for details.

HAVANA Havana is described by UNESCO as “one of the best preserved colonial cities in Latin America”, its 16th-century colonial skeleton seemingly preserved in time.

For an overview of the city take a stroll along the Malecon esplanade and spot beautifully preserved 50s American cars.

Sights not to be missed include Plaza Vieja, where you can get a unique view of its pastel facades through a camera obscura and Plaza de la Revolución – the revolutions ‘parade ground’ – with its towering monument to Jose Marti and reliefs of revolutionary icons. Find out more about the country and those that have shaped it at Museo De La Revolución and see the revered yacht Granma which brought Castro and his revolution to the island from Mexico.

To complete your experience, order a mojito at the Bodeguita del Medio, a favourite watering hole of author Ernest Hemingway.

Contact your preferred travel agent

Immerse yourself in the culture of Cuba Cuba Libre. Holiday code: CU012 / AF815 Solo.

Prices are based on Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow.

Prices are £s per Two people Single person from: sharing Traveller Jan 4, 2022 - Solos 3549 3399 Jan 18 2849 2549 2849 2549 Feb 1 2899 2549 2899 2549 Feb 15 2899 2549 2899 2549 Mar 1 2899 2599 2899 2599 Mar 15 2849 2499 2849 2499 Apr 19 2749 2449 2749 2449 May 3 2399 2249 2399 2249 May 10 - Solos 2799 2599 Jun 7 2299 2099 2299 2099 Oct 4 2399 2299 2399 2299 Oct 18 2599 2449 2599 2449 Nov 8 2799 2499 3198 2898 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £80 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

115

JEWELS OF THE CARIBBEAN

Immersive Escorted Tour Small group 22 or less

14 nights ALL INCLUSIVE from £3399 Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

1

Three of the most celebrated of the Caribbean islands are revealed on this laid-back tour from St Lucia to Grenada to Barbados. Discover their diversity, and look forward to tropical surroundings, colonial heritage, and a friendly welcome in each destination.

CARIBBEAN

TOUR PACE: RELAXED

St Lucia’s twin Pitons

SAINT LUCIA

Castries

Speightstown

BARBADOS

Bridgetown

GRENADA

Saint George's

Spicy Caribbean cuisine

116

Colourful Caribbean dancers

Contact your preferred travel agent

Nights in hotel

BEL JOU (4Q), ST LUCIA

SAVE up to £200 per person

Situated on a hilltop, the 3-star hotel has a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

Facilities include two restaurants, two outdoor pools and pool bar. The free bar is open from 11am to 11pm, and free Wi-Fi is available throughout. A complimentary shuttle bus takes guests to the beach.

COYABA BEACH RESORT (4Q), GRENADA This 4-star retreat is set amid five acres of beautiful grounds on the world-famous Grand Anse Beach. Facilities include two restaurants, two bars, a pool and diving centre, plus a variety of sporting activities. The free bar is open 15 hours a day, and free Wi-Fi is available throughout.

SUGAR CANE CLUB HOTEL & SPA (4Q), BARBADOS This 3-star Mediterranean-style resort has an enviable setting in lush gardens with accommodation in suites dotted throughout. Facilities include two restaurants, a bar, two outdoor pools, a gym and a spa (treatments at extra cost), and free Wi-Fi. The free bar is open between 9.30am and 11pm. A complimentary shuttle runs to the beach and to Speightstown.

on selected departures

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 13 nights in hotels and 1 in flight 39 meals: 13 breakfasts (B), 13 lunches (L) and 13 dinners (D) Free bar open up to 15 hours daily Saga tour manager

Day 2: Castries and Pigeon Island. Spend the morning at leisure, then join a guided tour of the capital and Pigeon Island this afternoon. Visit the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Derek Walcott Square, and the bustling Castries Market, with its array of local produce, spices and handicrafts. Continue to Pigeon Point for refreshments and perhaps take a walk up to Fort Rodney. B, L, D Day 3: St Lucia. Spend the day at leisure.

Perhaps take the complimentary shuttle bus to the beach or join an optional excursion to exploring the south of the island, including the island’s twin peaks, known as the ‘Pitons’. B, L, D Day 4: Mamiku Botanical Gardens.

An included excursion visits Mamiku Botanical Gardens, set in twelve acres of woodland gardens around the ruins of an 18th-century estate. Later, you might like to relax with a cocktail by the pool. B, L, D Day 5: St Lucia-Grenada. Take the short flight to the 'Spice Island' of Grenada (50 minutes). Continue to a small and friendly resort, with a quiet, unspoilt location. B, L, D Stay five nights at the 4-star Coyaba Beach Resort (4Q), set in attractive gardens on one of Grenada’s best-known beaches – Grand Anse beach.

Day 6: St George’s. Spend the morning at leisure. This afternoon, take a guided walk through the island's capital, St George’s. Visit the museum, part of the Fort George complex and Fort Royal, and the privately-owned Sunnyside Gardens, plus admire views from Fort Frederick.

Return to the hotel via Morne Jaloux and Gran Anse Valley. B, L, D Day 7: Grenada. Relax at the hotel.

Alternatively, take an optional full-day island tour, which includes a visit to a spice estate, a 17th-century plantation and a local rum distillery. B, L, D

Day 8: Grand Etand National Park. This morning an included excursion takes you to Grand Etang Lake. Take a walk around this volcanic crater lake, looking out for the island's many species of birds, and enjoy a picnic lunch. Spend the afternoon at leisure. B, L, D Day 9: Grenada. Relax and enjoy a day at leisure. B, L, D Day 10: Grenada-Barbados. Transfer to the airport for the short flight to Barbados (55 minutes) where you will stay at an adults-only hotel in a secluded setting on the north-west coast. A complimentary shuttle bus runs several times a day to Speightstown and the beach. B, L, D Stay four nights at the 3-star Sugar Cane Club Hotel & Spa (4Q), a hilltop retreat surrounded by sugar plantations.

Day 11: North Island tour. This morning, join a half-day tour of the northern region.

Drive along the west coast to the city of Speightstown. Visit the Arlington House Museum to learn more of the island’s history, and tour the Jacobean plantation mansion, St Nicholas Abbey, built in 1600. Visit the Rum and Sugar Museum and a steam mill and rum distillery for a tasting session. Spend the afternoon at leisure. B, L, D Day 12: Barbados. Spend the day at leisure, or head out on an optional tour of some of Barbados’ gardens. B, L, D Day 13: Barbados. Enjoy your final day in Barbados at leisure or join an optional tour of Harrison’s Caves. B, L, D Day 14-15: Barbados-UK. Transfer to the airport for your overnight flight to the UK, arriving the following day. B, L

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY Barbados. 7 nights all inclusive.

After your tour, extend your stay at the 3-star Sugar Cane Club Hotel & Spa (4Q).

Please see pages 164-171 for details.

Contact your preferred travel agent

Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Welcome drink reception • Porterage at all hotels.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Castries and Pigeon Island tour • Visit to Mamiku Gardens • Guided walking tour of St George's • Guided walk and picnic at Grand Etang lake

CARIBBEAN

Day 1: UK-St Lucia. Fly to St Lucia.

Enjoy a welcome drink and dinner. D Stay four nights at the 3-star Bel Jou (4Q) set back on a hillside overlooking St Lucia’s capital, Castries, and the Caribbean Sea.

• North Island tour of Barbados • Arlington House Museum in Speightstown • Visit to St Nicholas Abbey and Rum and Sugar Museum.

Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

The waterfront at St George’s, Grenada Jewels of the Caribbean. Holiday code: CR051.

Prices are based on British Airways from Gatwick.

Prices are £s per Two people Single person from: sharing Traveller Jan 18, 2022 4099 5048 Jan 25 4099 5098 Feb 8 4199 5198 Feb 15 4249 5248 Mar 1 4249 5198 Mar 8 4149 4848 Mar 22 3899 4598 Apr 19 3749 3649 4298 4198 May 3 Limited Availability May 17 3699 3499 4248 4048 Sep 13 3399 3948 Oct 11 3499 4048 Nov 8 3449 3998 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £80 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

117

COSTA RICA: THE JEWEL OF CENTRAL AMERICA

Classic Escorted Tour 2

15 nights ALL INCLUSIVE from £2599

TOUR PACE: STANDARD

Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

COSTA RICA

Explore a selection of Costa Rica’s key attractions on this all-inclusive tour. This country offers a diverse ecosystem, from lush jungles inhabited by sloths and tropical birdlife to the sombre beauty of its volcanoes. Plus, meet the friendly local people, known as ‘Ticos’, renowned for their genuine hospitality.

Observe wildlife in Carara National Park

Scarlet Macaws light up Costa Rica

Arenal Volcano

Liberia Playa Hermosa

Cano Negro Wildlife Park COSTA RICA

Arenal Volcano Penas Blancas River Puntarenas Tárcoles Nights in hotel

A colourful toucan

118

Squirrel monkeys

Contact your preferred travel agent

Tilajari La Paz Waterfall Gardens San José Carara National Park Manuel Antonio National Park

Day 1: UK-San José. Fly to San José. D Stay two nights at the 4-star Barceló San José (3Q), a city hotel with resortstyle features.

SAVE up to £100 per person on selected departures

Day 2: San José. Enjoy the day at leisure or join an optional visit to Irazu Volcano and Orosi Valley. B, L, D Day 3: San José-Tárcoles. A morning tour of the capital visits the National Museum and the National Theatre. Travel to Tárcoles (50 miles, 90 minutes) on the Pacific coast and stay in a private reserve on the River Tarcolitos, staying in basic, bungalowstyle lodges. B, L, D Stay four nights at the 3-star Hotel Villa Lapas (3Q), which is set within the rainforest, and has its own canopy walkway from which you can see the local wildlife.

Day 5: Carara National Park. Look out for scarlet macaws and flycatchers on an included excursion to one of the finest birdwatching sites in Costa Rica.

There’s also an optional aerial tram ride in the afternoon. B, L, D Day 6: Tárcoles. Enjoy today at leisure, or visit Turtle Island on an optional excursion. B, L, D Day 7: Tárcoles-Muelle de San Carlos.

You can join an optional boat ride this morning, venturing onto the river in search of crocodiles. Travel to Muelle de San Carlos (76 miles, three hours). B, L, D Stay seven nights at the family-run 4-star Tilajari Resort Hotel (3Q+), set in 35 acres of tropical gardens on the San Carlos river.

Day 8: Muelle de San Carlos. Spend today at leisure, either relaxing at your hotel or exploring your surroundings. B, L, D Day 9: Rainforest walk. Discover the foliage, flora and wildlife of the rainforest on a half-day guided walk, with a further optional guided walk of the lava trails. B, L, D Day 10: Muelle de San Carlos. Enjoy the next four days at leisure to take advantage of the hotel’s facilities, with a choice of optional excursions. Today’s optional excursion is a boat ride down the Peñas Blancas River, with unrivalled opportunities to spot hummingbirds, monkeys, sloths, anteaters and rare butterflies. B, L, D Day 11: Muelle de San Carlos. Today you could join a thrilling optional excursion to the rainforest where you’ll cross bridges and walkways suspended high above the ground in the canopy. Alternatively, indulge your sweet tooth with a visit to a chocolate plantation. B, L, D Day 12: Muelle de San Carlos. An optional excursion visits the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge for a two-and-a-half-hour floating safari. At dusk there’s an optional excursion

Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 14 nights in hotels and 1 in flight 42 meals: 14 breakfasts (B), 14 lunches (L) and 14 dinners (D) Explore tropical rainforests

to a hot springs complex in the middle of the rainforest. Take a dip in the pools, naturally heated by the Arenal Volcano, stand under a cascading waterfall and enjoy a drink at the bar. B, L, D Day 13: Tranditional farmstead visit. See how a Costa Rican family grows pineapples, papayas and medicinal plants on this optional excursion. Enjoy a farewell dinner and live marimba music this evening. B, L, D Day 14: La Paz waterfall gardens.

Return to San José (82 miles, two hours and 40 minutes). En route there will be an included tour of La Paz waterfall gardens. B, L, D Stay overnight at the centrally located Barceló San José (3Q).

Free bar open up to 16 hours a day serving local drinks throughout the tour Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Welcome drink • Porterage at all hotels.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • San José city tour • A wildlife tour in Carara National Park

COSTA RICA

Day 4: Tárcoles. An optional excursion visits one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful reserves where turquoise waters lap white beaches fringed by lush rainforest. You may see sloths, iguanas, howler and whitefaced monkeys. B, L, D

SO MUCH INCLUDED…

• Rainforest walk • La Paz waterfall gardens.

Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

Days 15-16: San José-UK. Travel to the airport for your return overnight flight to the UK, arriving the next day. B, L

TAKE A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE One of the most biodiverse countries in the world, Costa Rica offers incredible wildlife encounters. Join one of our specialist birdwatching departures for included trips to prime birdwatching locations, such as the Sarapiqui River and the beautiful Orosi Valley, as you try to spot some of the 875 species recorded in Costa Rica.

Birdwatching in Costa Rica. 15 nights.

Holiday Code: AB032.

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY Playa Hermosa. 7 nights. All inclusive.

On Day 14 of the tour, transfer to Playa Hermosa on the Pacific coast to spend seven nights at the 4-star Hotel Bosque del Mar (3Q+), with a final night at the 4-star Barceló San José in San José (3Q).

Please see pages 164-171 for details.

SOLO TRAVELLERS...

Travel in the company of other solo travellers on the same itinerary.

Holiday code: AF768. Call for details.

Contact your preferred travel agent

Red-eyed tree frog Costa Rica: The Jewel of Central America. Holiday code: UH010 / AB032 Birdwatching / AF768 Solo.

Prices are based on British Airways from Heathrow.

Prices are £s per Two People Single person from: Sharing Traveller Jan 6, 2022 - Solos 3299 Jan 11 3099 3378 Jan 18 - Solos 3349 Jan 20 3149 3099 3428 3378 Jan 27 3199 3478 Feb 1 - Solos 3399 Feb 3 3199 3478 Feb 15 3199 3478 Mar 1 3199 3478 Mar 10 3199 3478 Mar 30 2999 3278* Apr 20 2899 3178 May 11 - Birdwatching 2799 2699 3028 2928 May 18 2699 2928 Jun 8 2599 2828 Aug 31 - Solos 2899 Sep 14 2699 2649 2928 2878 Sep 28 2899 3128 Oct 5 2899 2799 3128 3028 Nov 1 2949 2899 3228 3178 Nov 8 - Solos 3149 Nov 15 2949 2899 3228 3178 Nov 22 - Birdwatching 2949 3228 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £60 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

119

NEW

COSTA RICA: PURA VIDA QQQ+

Stay & Discover

12 nights ALL INCLUSIVE from £2099

2

Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

TOUR PACE: STANDARD

The 4-star Tilajari Resort Hotel (3Q+) is set within 35 acres of tropical gardens on the San Carlos River in North Central Costa Rica. From this base in the heart of a diverse ecosystem - where rivers meander through fertile plantations and unspoilt wilderness - you can experience all the natural glory of the Alajuela province, including the rainforests of Sarapiqui and the Arenal Volcano.

Arenal Volcano National Park

TILAJARI HOTEL RESORT

Muelle de San Carlos Sarapiqui

HOTEL BARCELO JOSE San Jose San Jose

COSTA RICA

Costa Rica Arenal volcano

Capuchin Monkey

Set off on jungle walks

Discover the tropical birdlife of Costa Rica

120

Contact your preferred travel agent

TILAJARI RESORT HOTEL QQQ+ This friendly family-run 4-star hotel will give you such a warm ‘tico’ welcome you won’t want to leave – and it’s one of the main reasons we’ve worked with this hotel for more than 30 years.

It has stunning grounds that blend into rainforest with botanical and butterfly gardens, while its beautiful surroundings make this a peaceful country retreat. There is an outdoor pool and jacuzzi area, gym and tennis courts .There’s a menu of included cocktails to choose from and relaxing river views from the hotel’s cosy lounge bar and the Katira restaurant. And at the end of the day, you can unwind in one of the resort’s 76 comfortable, air-conditioned en-suite rooms. Juan Santamaría International Airport is approximately a two-hour-and-15minute drive away.

SAVE up to £100 per person on selected departures

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Standard Double Room

Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 11 nights in hotels and one night aboard aircraft

The hotel’s outdoor pool

32 meals: 11 breakfasts (B), 10 lunches (L) and 11 dinners (D) Free bar up to 12 hours daily serving local drinks Saga Host Plus all this...

Katira Restaurant

• Return flights and transfers

Day 1: UK-San José. Fly to the Costa Rican capital San José, where you’ll stay the night at the 4-star Hotel Barcelo San Jose (3Q). D Day 2: San José-Muelle de San Carlos.

After breakfast, leave the city and travel to the 4-star Tilajari Resort Hotel (3Q+) in Muelle de San Carlos, arriving around noon. B, L, D Day 3: Organic farm visit. Visit an organic farm owned by Don Juan who will show the group around his lush plantations. You’ll return to your hotel after lunch. Afternoon is at leisure. B, L, D Day 4: River safari. This morning enjoy a guided river safari down the scenic Río Peñas Blancas. During the journey, there will be a stop for a reviving Costa Rican coffee with one of the local farmers. The afternoon is at leisure. B, L, D Day 5: At leisure. Perhaps enjoy some leisurely birdwatching from the terrace overlooking the river whilst enjoying the free bar. B, L, D Day 6: Sarapiqui. Visit Sarapiqui, one of the most biodiverse regions in Costa Rica with over 500 species of bird and over 150 animals. During a river trip you may glimpse the rare green macaw, as this area is one of its last remaining habitats. B, L, D Day 7: At leisure. Today is free for you to explore for yourself or relax. Alternatively, you can join an optional excursion to the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge. B, L, D Day 8: Arenal volcano walk. Walk some of the fascinating lava trails of Arenal volcano.

The walk through the fields is fairly easy going, but the trail will get steeper as you head further into the rainforest. B, L, D

Day 9: Jungle walk. Go in search of howler monkeys and sloths as well as orchids and other exotic flora in nearby tropical rainforests. B, L, D Days 10-11: At leisure. Perhaps join an optional excursion to Arenal National Park for a cable car ride and jungle canopy zipwire trek. B, L, D Day 12: Muelle de San Carlos-San JoséUK. After breakfast, travel to San José for your flight back to the UK. B Please note: On some departures your itinerary may run in a different order. Departures between January and March 2022 and November 2022 are 11 nights in duration (including one night aboard aircraft) with 29 meals.

• Local speciality dinner • Talk on Costa Rica once per stay • Butterfly centre visit

COSTA RICA

EXPERIENCES • Nature walks.

• Botanical garden walk

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Don Juan’s farm (half day) • River safari (half day) • Arenal Volcano lava trails (half day) • Sarapiqui safari (full day) • Jungle Walk (half day) Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY Playa Hermosa, Pacific coast. 5 nights’ all inclusive. Head to Playa Hermosa on the Gulf of Papagayo to relax at the 4-star Hotel Bosque del Mar (4Q) in Playa Hermosa. Please see pages 164171 for details.

WHAT TO EXPLORE Your holiday includes some fascinating once-in-a-lifetime excursions as well as optional outings to the stunning Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge or zipwiring through the jungle canopy. The hotel also offers a great many excursions and adventures such as horse riding in the forest. You can also spend a day with the rural community of dairy farmers and pineapple growers or head off to walk the rope suspension bridge trails through the rainforest.

You need go no further that the hotel terrace to spot the varied tropical birdlife that frequents the river bank, together with the odd crocodile!

Contact your preferred travel agent

Join an included river safari Costa Rica: Pura Vida. Holiday code: UH20D. Prices are based on British Airways from Gatwick Two people Single Prices from: sharing Traveller 2678 2628 Jan 8, 2022^ 2449 2399 Jan 22^ 2499 2449 2728 2678 Feb 5^ 2499 Limited Availability Feb 26^ 2499 2449 2728 2678 Mar 12^ 2449 2678* Apr 16 2399 2299 2648 2548 May 14 2299 2199 2528 2428 Jun 11 2199 2099 2428 2328 Sep 17 2299 2249 2528 2478 Oct 1 2399 2349 2628 2578 Oct 15 2449 2399 2678 2628 Nov 5, 19^ 2449 2399 2658 2608 ^These departures are 11 nights in duration (including 1 night aboard aircraft)*Single rooms may be available on request. §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £60 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

121

NEW

GUYANA: LAND OF THE JAGUAR

Intrepid Escorted Tour Small group 14 or less

15 nights ALL INCLUSIVE from £4499 Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

3

The Commonwealth country of Guyana boasts pristine rainforest filled TOUR PACE: with exotic wildlife – including the elusive jaguar, giant river otter, and the ACTIVE mighty harpy eagle – and a friendly English-speaking population. Explore the colonial capital, experience the unique Guyanese cuisine, marvel at the thundering Kaiteur Falls, and meet indigenous peoples. You’ll stay in the virgin rainforest, and on the sweeping savannah, for unrivalled opportunities to spot some of the nation’s 835 bird species.

Inbound & Outbound Via Port-of-Spain, Trinidad

Georgetown Nights in hotel

GUYANA

GUYANA

Kaieteur Falls Pakaraima Mountains

Iwokrama Atta Rainforest Lodge Annai

Annai Savannah

The mighty harpy eagle

Kaieteur Falls

The elusive jaguar

122

Guainan cock-of-the-rock

Contact your preferred travel agent

Explore Iwokrama Rainforest Reserve

Day 1: UK-Port of Spain-Georgetown.

Fly to Port of Spain in Trinidad, and on to Georgetown arriving late. Stay three nights at the colonial-style 3-star Cara Lodge (3Q).

and orange backed troupial. Later, join a cashew roasting session or an optional excursion seeks out kingfishers on the river. B, L, D

Day 2: Georgetown. Discover Georgetown on a city tour. Visit Bourda Market for breakfast, see the wooden St George’s Cathedral, and visit the National Museum, and the Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology. This afternoon, visit the Georgetown Botanical Gardens and Zoo to feed the manatees. B, L, D

Day 10: Annai. Join a dawn hike again to look for birds and see the sunrise. Visit the village of Aranaputa, and their communityoperated peanut butter factory, then visit the Pakaraima Mountain Inn for a home-cooked lunch. The afternoon is at leisure. B, L, D

Day 3: Georgetown. Rise early for a birdwatching session before breakfast, where you might spot the blood-coloured woodpecker, only found on the Atlantic shores of the Guianan countries. Lunch is at Shanta’s, famed locally for Guyanese Creole-style food. Spend the afternoon at leisure or an optional excursion cruises along the Demerara River at sunset. B, L, D

Day 5: Iwokrama Rainforest Reserve.

Before dawn visit the canopy walkway for a birdwatching session. Species you may see include green aracari, Guianan toucanet, and buff-cheeked greenlet. Spend the afternoon at leisure, then join an evening jaguar spotting excursion. This elusive cat is the largest cat species in the New World, inhabiting the tropical forests of South America. B, L, D Day 6: Iwokrama Rainforest Reserve.

Spend the day birdwatching. Look out for channel-billed toucan, white-necked puffbird, yellow-throated woodpecker, and black-crowned tityra. An optional excursion hikes Turtle Mountain. B, L, D Day 7: Iwokrama Rainforest Reserve.

Rise before dawn to birdwatch on the canopy walk or explore the surrounding rainforest trails. Species you may encounter include crimson topaz, great jacamar, tiny tyrant-manakin and purplethroated fruitcrow. B, L, D Day 8: Iwokrama Rainforest ReserveAnnai. Spend the morning birdwatching, then, after lunch, transfer to Annai in 4x4 vehicles (48 miles, 70 minutes). En route stop at Corkwood, where a short trail offers another chance to spot the Guianan cock-of-the-rock. B, L, D Stay five nights at the family-run Rock View Lodge (2Q), located where savannah meets the foothills of the Pakaraima Mountains.

Day 9: Annai. At dawn, join a guided hike into the foothills of the Pakaraima Mountains. Look out for cinereous mourner, Finsch’s euphonia,

on selected departures

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179

Day 11: Annai. Spend the day birdwatching on the savannah or hike into the mountain foothills. Bird species here include burrowing owl and doublestriped thick-knee, with anteaters also resident. An optional excursion visits an indigenous village. B, L, D

14 nights in hotels and 1 in flight

Day 12: Annai. Spend the day at leisure, or join an optional birdwatching excursion to Camoudi. B, L, D

Saga tour manager

Day 13: Annai-Georgetown. Fly to Georgetown (75 minutes). Spend the rest of the day at leisure. B, L, D Stay two nights at the 3-star Cara Lodge (3Q).

Day 14: Georgetown. Take an early morning cruise on the Mahaica River, one of the best places to spot Guyana’s national bird, the hoatzin. The return journey to Georgetown offers the chance to spot brown pelican, magnificent frigatebird and the rufous crab hawk. The afternoon is free to spend at leisure, before a farewell dinner. B, L, D Day 15: Georgetown-Port of Spain-UK. Fly overnight to the UK, with a long layover in Port of Spain. B Day 16: UK. Arrive in the UK. Please note: wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Accommodation outside of Georgetown is basic but comfortable. Due to the internal flights, luggage allowance is limited (11.4kg) and guests will be required to bring duffel bags instead of a suitcase. On Feb 3, Aug 25 and Oct 13, 2022 departures, the order of the itinerary will differ, staying at Rock View Lodge first, and then Atta Rainforest Lodge.

40 meals: 14 breakfasts (B), 13 lunches (L) and 13 dinners (D) Free local bar in all hotels open 4pm-10pm daily

Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Welcome drink • Bottled water with all meals • Porterage at all hotels.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS

GUYANA

Day 4: Georgetown-Kaieteur-Iwokrama Rainforest Reserve. Take a charter flight to Kaieteur National Park (one hour). Admire Kaiteur Falls, and seek out the colourful Guianan cock-of-the-rock. Fly to Iwokrama (45 minutes) and continue to the Iwokrama Rainforest Reserve (71 miles, 90 minutes), home to the incredible harpy eagle. B, L, D Stay four nights at the Atta Rainforest Lodge (2Q), 530 yards from the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway, a series of suspension bridges and viewing platforms.

SAVE up to £100 per person

• Guided tour of Georgetown • Georgetown culinary experience • Birdwatching session in Georgetown • Birdwatching on the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway • Jaguar spotting • Rainforest tour to Guianan cock-of-the-rock lek site • Pakaraima Mountains hike • Birdwatching in the Annai savannah • Cashew roasting and tasting session • Visit to community peanut butter factory • Mahaica River cruise.

Try Cashew nut roasting

KAIETEUR FALLS On your tour, marvel at the world’s largest single drop waterfall by volume, Kaieteur Falls. Located in the pristine Amazon rainforest of Kaieteur National Park, at 741 feet, the falls are nearly five times higher than Niagara Falls. In local dialect the name means ‘falls of Kai’, and they are of deep significance to the local Patamona people. As you approach the thundering falls, look out for unique wildlife such as the tiny endemic golden rocket frog which inhabit the numerous bromeliads.

Contact your preferred travel agent

Guyana - Land of the Jaguar. Holiday code: SA199 Prices are based on British Airways from Gatwick.

Single Prices are £s per Two people person from: sharing Traveller Jan 20, 2022 4749 4699 5528 5478 Feb 3 4899 5678 Apr 21 4799 5578 May 19 4649 4599 5398 5348 Jun 16 4599 4499 5348 5248 Aug 25 4699 5448 Oct 13 4899 5678 Oct 27 4899 5678 Nov 24 4799 5578 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £60 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

123

GRAND TOUR OF SOUTH AMERICA

Epic Escorted Tour

18 nights from £4199

2

Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

Introducing South America – a land of breathtaking scenery, aweinspiring archaeology, vibrant cities and enchanting wildlife. This epic tour reveals the highlights of Peru, Argentina and Brazil, including the lost city of Machu Picchu, the thundering Iguazu Falls, and the great cities of Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires.

TOUR PACE: STANDARD

Aguas Calientes Machu Picchu Lima Sacred Valley PERU

Nights in hotel

Cusco

BRAZIL

BOLIVIA

Rio de Janeiro Foz do Iguaçu Iguazu Falls Puerto Iguazu

PERU, ARGENTINA, BRAZIL

ARGENTINA

Machu Picchu

Iconic Corcovado Mountain

Argentinian dancers

124

Iguazu Falls

Colourful Peruvian textiles

Contact your preferred travel agent

Buenos Aires

Day 1: UK-Lima, Peru. Fly overnight to Lima.

Day 2: Lima. Arrive this morning. D Stay two nights at the 3-star plus Hotel Jose Antonio Lima (3Q) located in the Miraflores district of Lima.

Day 3: Lima. A city tour reveals the old and modern parts of the city, taking in the colonial buildings of Plaza de Armas, San Francisco Monastery and the museum of Larco Herrera. B Day 4: Lima-Cusco-Sacred Valley. Fly to Cusco (80 minutes) and transfer to the Sacred Valley (35 miles, 90 minutes). En route look forward to visiting the textile centre of Awanacancha and the town of Pisaq, known for its artisan market. B, D Stay two nights at the 4-star Hotel Sonesta Posada Del Inca Yucay (3Q), set amid the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Day 6: Machu Picchu. Travel through the Scared Valley by train to Aguas Calientes at the foot of Machu Picchu, continuing via shuttle bus to the ‘lost city of the Incas’.

Made up of some 200 buildings, Machu Picchu was built in the 15th century but was abandoned during the 16th century, lying shrouded in jungle until it was uncovered in the 20th century. After your visit transfer to your hotel. B, L, D Stay overnight at the contemporary 4-star Tierra Viva Hotel (3Q), located in Aguas Calientes.

Day 7: Machu Picchu-Cusco. After some free time, return to Cusco. B Stay two nights at the 3-star Hotel Xima Cusco (3Q) located in the historic centre.

Day 8: Cusco. Enjoy a walking city tour of Cusco taking in some of the city highlights including the Temple of the Sun and the cathedral. Next drive to the archaeological ruins of the Fortress and Temple of Sacsayhuaman, before returning to the city for a tour of San Pedro market. B, D

Day 12: Buenos Aires. Enjoy today at leisure. B Day 13: Buenos Aires-Iguazu Falls, Brazil. Fly to Iguazu Falls (one hours and 50 minutes). Transfer to your Resort. B, D Stay two nights at the 4-star Recanto Cataratas Resort (4Q), located approximately 20 miles from Iguazu Falls.

Day 14: Iguazu Falls. Visit the Brazilian falls walking beside the cascades. Next head for the Argentinean Iguazu National Park to see more of the falls and take the Ecological Jungle Train towards the Fall’s Observation point known as ‘The Devil’s Throat,’ which can be reached via a trek through the jungle. B Day 15: Iguazu Falls-Rio de Janeiro. Fly to Rio de Janeiro (two hours). B Stay three nights at the 5-star Hilton Rio de Janeiro Copacabana (4Q), overlooking Copacabana beach and close to Rio Sul. Day 16: Rio De Janeiro. See parts of the revitalised city as you visit the new Port Zone. Walk along the Olympic Boulevard with its wall of murals, visit the Museum of Art of Rio De Janeiro and the Museum of Tomorrow, regarded as one of the world’s most extraordinary buildings. B Day 17: Rio De Janeiro. Travel up Corcovado Mountain on the cog wheel train, through the Tijuca forest, to the Statue of Christ the Redeemer. Afterwards take in some of the city’s beaches before enjoying time at leisure. This evening enjoy a farewell barbecue dinner. B, D Day 18-19: Rio De Janeiro-UK. Transfer to the airport for your overnight flight to the UK, arriving the next morning. Alternatively, extend your holiday in Rio de Janeiro. B

Day 9: Cusco-Lima. Fly back to Lima (85 minutes). This evening enjoy an included dinner at the restaurant at the Museum of Huaca Pucllan, centred round an archaeological site which includes the remains of a great pyramid. B, D Return to the 3+-star Hotel Jose Antonio Lima (3Q) for an overnight stay.

SAVE up to £100 per person on selected departures

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 16 nights in hotels and 2 in flight 26 meals: 16 breakfasts (B), 2 lunches (L) and 8 dinners (D) Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Welcome drink • Porterage at all hotels.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • City tour of colonial Lima • Visit to San Francisco Monastery and Larco Herrera Museum • Visit to Chinchero and Maras and Moray Salt Mines • Trip to Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu ruins • Archaeological park of the Fortress-temple of Sacsayhuaman • Walking tour of Cusco city • City tour of Buenos Aires

PERU, ARGENTINA, BRAZIL

Day 5: Sacred Valley. A guided tour takes in some of the Inca Communities of the Sacred Valley at the foot of Machu Picchu.

Visit the Chinchero community famed for their weaving, explore the town and enjoy a weaving demonstration and typical Chinchero lunch. Next visit the Moray community with its extraordinary circular terraces. You’ll also call at Ollantaytambo regarded as Peru’s last surviving Inca village, and the salt mines in Maras. B, L

Day 11: Buenos Aires. A city tour shows you some of the highlights of Buenos Aires including 9 de Julio Avenue – the widest in the world, the Colon Theatre, the Avenida de Mayo, and the Metropolitan Cathedral.

You’ll also see the historic area of San Telmo and the ‘street museum’ of Caminito Street.

Explore the north of the city concluding at Recoleta with its shops and cemetery.

Tonight enjoy an included dinner and tango show with live music and dancing at the art deco Tongo Porteno. B, D

• Tour of the Falls in Iguazu National Park • Trip to the Corcovado Mountain and Statue of Christ the Redeemer • Tour the Olympic Boulevard and museum visit in Rio De Janeiro Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY Rio de Janeiro. 2 nights including breakfasts and dinner on the first night.

Stay a further two nights at the 5-star Hilton Rio de Janeiro Copacabana (4Q).

Please see pages 164-171 for details.

Grand Tour of South America. Holiday code: SA101.

Prices are based on LATAM Airlines from Heathrow.

Prices are £s per Two People Single person from: Sharing Traveller Mar 12, 2022 4399 5148 Apr 23 4399 4299 5148 5048 May 28 4299 5048 Sep 10 4299 4199 5048 4948 Oct 22 4449 5198 Nov 12 4399 5148 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £90 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Day 10: Lima-Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Depart early this morning for your flight to Buenos Aires, capital of Argentina (90 minutes). B Stay three nights at the 4-star Novotel Buenos Aires (3Q), situated close to Obelisco and Plaza de Mayo.

Graceful Lima in Peru

Contact your preferred travel agent

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

125

WILDLIFE AND WATERFALLS OF BRAZIL

Intrepid Escorted Tour 2

13 nights from £3199

TOUR PACE: STANDARD

Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

Combine incredible natural scenery and diverse wildlife on this safari with a Latin American twist. Seek out an array of wildlife in the vast Pantanal wetland, spend three nights on Rio’s energetic Copacabana and enjoy a three-night stay close to the thundering Iguazu Falls.

Cuiaba Cuiaba Mirim

Pantanal Capoeirinha

BRAZIL Nights in hotel

Rio de Janeiro

Sao Paulo

Iguazu Falls

BRAZIL

Foz do Iguaçu

The Pantanal is a stronghold

Orange-backed troupial

Iguazu Falls

Famous Copacabana beach

126

Catch sight of capybara

Contact your preferred travel agent

Day 1: UK-Sao Paulo. Fly overnight to Sao Paulo.

Day 2: Sao Paulo-Cuiaba. Arrive in the morning and fly to Cuiaba (80 minutes).

Stay overnight at the 3-star Hotel Deville Prime Cuiaba (3Q) in the city centre.

Day 4: Pantanal. This morning take a guided walk in search of birds, mammals and reptiles, and learn about the fascinating ecosystem. After lunch take a boat ride on the Mutum river to spot giant otters and river rays. Look forward to a night safari by boat or jeep. B, L, D Day 5: Pantanal. Visit the village of Cuiaba Mirim by boat to meet with the inhabitants and learn about life in the Pantanal, then travel overland to the village of Capoeirinha.

During your tour you might be able to spot the rare hyacinth macaw with its brightblue plumage. The Pantanal is one of three major population centres of the hyacinth macaw, which has been the victim of habitat loss, and capture for trading over the past century. B, L, D Day 6: Pantanal. Enjoy horseback riding this morning, admiring the colourful vegetation and keeping an eye out for more wildlife on a hack through the countryside.

Later on enjoy a cruise on Sia Mariana Bay, where you may be able to try your hand at piranha fishing. Watch the sunset and enjoy sundowner drinks from the comfort of the boat before returning to the lodge for your final night in the Pantanal. B, L, D

Day 8: Rio de Janeiro. See this amazing city from a unique perspective today as you ride the cog-wheel train to the summit of Corcovado Mountain, admiring views of the city below and its spectacular natural setting. This will also put you at the foot of Christ the Redeemer which, at almost 100 feet tall, is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. This evening is at leisure and you’ll be free to dine wherever you like – there are plenty of places along the Copacabana promenade. B Day 9: Rio de Janeiro. Enjoy a free day in the city. Perhaps join an optional excursion, visit the botanical gardens or head to the unique town of Petropolis. B, D

SAVE up to £350 per person on selected departures

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 11 nights in hotels and 2 in flight 22 meals: 11 breakfasts (B), 6 lunches (L) and 9 dinners (D) Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Porterage at all hotels.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Two boat or 4x4 jeep safaris in the Pantanal • A boat or 4x4 jeep safari by night

Day 10: Rio de Janeiro-Iguazu Falls.

Transfer to the airport and fly to Iguazu Falls (two hours and 10 minutes). Take a walk along the catwalks that edge the falls, taking you close to the bottom of Devil’s Throat – the biggest of the cascade – where you can ride an elevator allowing you to view the falls from the top. B, L, D Stay at the 5-star Wish Foz do Iguazu Resort (4Q), which is located eleven miles from the Falls.

• Nature walk and Mutum River cruise

Day 11: Iguazu Falls. Today you cross the border to see the falls from the Argentinean side, which includes a ride aboard the Ecological Jungle Train. The journey will take you through the park’s rainforest, following the route of the Iguazu River to the Devil’s Throat observation point. B, L, D

• Iguazu Falls

BRAZIL

Day 3: Pantanal. Travel to the Pantanal, the largest tropical wetland on the planet (76 miles, two hours). The landscape of the Pantanal changes dramatically depending on the season, from the wet season when vast stretches of the region are completely flooded and turned into a vast mirror, to the dry season when the land is cracked and desiccated. These varying habitats are the perfect home for a variety of wildlife, from puma and caimans to jaguar and capybara. After a welcome drink and lunch enjoy a presentation on the Pantanal region and a short walk to observe the various species of birds and animals at the lodge.

This evening, sample piranha broth before a dinner of regional dishes. B, L, D Stay four nights at the 4-star Pousada Do Rio Mutum Eco Lodge (3Q), conveniently located for exploring the Pantanal.

Day 7: Cuiaba-Rio de Janeiro. An early morning canoeing trip will allow you to watch the sunrise over the wetland before returning to the lodge for breakfast.

Transfer to Cuiaba (76 miles, two hours), for your internal flights to Rio de Janeiro (four hours). B, D Stay three nights at the 5-star Hilton Hotel Copacabana (4Q), overlooking Copacabana beach and close to Rio Sul.

• The villages of Cuiaba Mirim and Capoeirinha • Horseback riding safari • Cruise on Sia Mariana Bay and piranha fishing • Canoeing by sunrise • Cogwheel train to Corcovado Mountain and Christ the Redeemer • Ecological Jungle Train to the Argentinian falls Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

Day 12: Iguazu Falls. Spend the day at leisure within the national park. B, D Day 13: Sao Paulo-UK. Fly to Sao Paulo (two hours and five minutes) for your return overnight flight to the UK. B Please note: Some activities, especially those within the Pantanal, are dependent on the weather and therefore subject to change. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.

An alligator

THE PANTANAL The Pantanal is the world’s largest tropical wetland, the majority of which is to be found in Brazil. Within its 70,000+ square miles lies the Pantanal Conservation Area – a UNESCO World Heritage site covering an area of 725 square miles and made up of protected areas providing valuable habitat for threatened wildlife. During the wet season, vast stretches of the Pantanal are completely flooded, the waters receding during the dry season to provide opportunities to watch for some of the Pantanal’s remarkable wildlife including Giant Anteaters, Giant Otters, the elusive Jaguar and more. Boasting one of the highest concentrations of wildlife of any region in South America, this outstanding biodiverse area is estimated to be home to some 159 species of mammal and 656 bird species.

Contact your preferred travel agent

Wildlife and Waterfalls of Brazil. Holiday code: SA400.

Prices are based on LATAM Airlines from Heathrow.

Prices are £s per Two Single person from: people sharing Traveller Mar 12, 2022 3499 3199 4148 3848 Jun 18 3649 3399 4298 4048 Sep 17 3699 3499 4348 4148 Oct 8 3649 3399 4298 4048 Nov 12 3649 3299 4298 3948 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £60 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

127

NEW

SOUTH AMERICAN ADVENTURE

Epic Escorted Tour

15 nights from £3449

2

Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

TOUR PACE: STANDARD

This South American tour reveals the outstanding natural beauty and cultural treasures of Brazil, Argentina and Chile giving you a taste of the continent’s incredible cities and landscapes. The beaches and bays of Rio de Janeiro, the magnificent Iguazu Falls, the awe-inspiring Andean Lakes and the tango houses of Buenos Aires all await your discovery as you journey from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast.

BRAZIL CHILE

Rio de Janeiro Iguazu Falls

ARGENTINA

Santiago

Buenos Aires

Puerto Varas

Bariloche

BRAZIL, ARGENTINA AND CHILE

Chiloe Island

Catamaran cruise, Chilean lakes

Iguazu Falls

Buenos Aires

Take the cable car up Sugarloaf in Rio

128

Rio’s iconic beachscape

Contact your preferred travel agent

Day 1: UK-Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Fly overnight to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Day 2: Rio de Janeiro. Arrive this morning, and spend the day relaxing. With its famous carnival and wonderful museums, the vibrant city of Rio offers much to discover.

Stay three nights at the 5-star Hilton Rio de Janeiro Copacabana (4Q), overlooking Copacabana beach and close to Rio Sul. Day 3: Rio’s Olympic Boulevard. Stroll along the Olympic Boulevard with its impressive wall of murals representing each country that took part, and visit the Museum of Art of Rio de Janeiro and the Museum of Tomorrow. Tonight enjoy a drinks reception at a carioca bar. B Day 4: Corcovado Mountain. Enjoy spectacular views as you ascend the Corcovado Mountain via a cogwheel train to see the iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer. Next, view some of the city’s most beautiful beaches – Copacabana and Ipanema. B, D

Day 6: Foz do Iguaçu. Enjoy a guided tour of the Brazilian side of the Falls and walk for one mile along a paved walk towards the rim of the Falls for superb views. Next you’ll head to Argentina’s Iguazú National Park where you’ll take the Ecological Jungle Train towards the Fall’s Observation point known as ‘The Devil’s Throat,’ which can be reached via a trek through the jungle. B Day 7: Foz do Iguaçu-Buenos Aires, Argentina. Fly to Buenos Aires (two hours).

B Stay three nights at the 4-star Novotel Buenos Aires (4Q), situated close to Obelisco and Plaza de Mayo.

Day 8: Buenos Aires. Enjoy an included sightseeing tour this morning to see the Plaza de Mayo with the Presidential Palace and the 18th-century cathedral, the Italian quarter of La Boca, and the elegant residential districts of La Recoleta and Palermo. Spend this afternoon at leisure. B

Day 10: Buenos Aires-Bariloche, Argentina.

Fly to Bariloche (two hours and 30 minutes).

The city stretches around the shoreline of Nahuel Huapi Lake in Argentina’s Patagonia region, and is a popular base for hikers and skiiers. B, D Stay two nights at the lakeside 5-star Alma del Lago Hotel (4Q), which enjoys views across Lago Nahuel Huapi.

Day 11: Bariloche. Embark on a half day tour of the Andean Lakes in the Nahuel Huapi National Park, one of the most picturesque regions in the world. Follow the Circuito Chico, a 37-mile circular route and travel to the peak of Cerro Campanario, where, from the summit, you can enjoy panoramic views. Enjoy a beer tasting at a microbrewery en route. B Day 12: Bariloche-Puerto Varas, Chile.

Travel by catamaran across the beautiful lakes Nahuel Huapi and Frias, and continue by coach to Peulla over the border in Chile (five hours). Here you’ll enjoy some lunch before crossing Lago Todos los Santos by catamaran, considered one of the most beautiful lakes in Chile, then journey by coach to Puerto Varas (38 miles, one hour). B, L Stay two nights at the 4-star Hotel Cabañas del Lago (4Q), which boasts panoramic views of the surrounding volcanoes.

SAVE up to £150 per person on selected departures

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 13 nights in hotels and 2 in flight 20 meals: 13 breakfasts (B), 2 lunches (L) and 5 dinners (D) Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Welcome drink • Drinks reception • Farewell dinner • Porterage at all hotels.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Tour to the Olympic Boulevard and museum visit in Rio de Janeiro • Trip to the Corcovado Mountain and Statue of Christ the Redeemer • Visit Brazil’s Iguazu Falls and ride aboard the Ecological Jungle Train in Argentina’s Iguazú National Park • Tour of Buenos Aires

Day 13: Puerto Varas. Spend today at leisure, or perhaps take an optional tour to either Frutillar or Chiloe Island. This evening enjoy a drinks reception followed by a farewell dinner. B, D

• Dinner and tango performance

Day 14: Puerto Varas-Santiago. Fly to Santiago (one hour and 45 minutes). Chile’s capital, and largest city, is surrounded by snow-capped Andean mountains. Look forward to a guided tour to see the colonial main square, the Pre-Columbian Museum and San Cristóbal Hill, with lunch included at the Central Market. B, L Stay overnight at the centrally located 4-star Hotel Pullman El Bosque (3Q).

• Lunch in Central Market Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

Day 15-16: Santiago-UK. Transfer to the airport for your overnight flight to the UK, or extend your holiday in Santiago. B

• Tour of the Andean Lakes with beer tasting • Scenic lake crossing • City tour of Santiago

BRAZIL, ARGENTINA AND CHILE

Day 5: Rio de Janeiro-Foz do Iguaçu. Early this morning fly to the city of Foz do Iguaçu (two hours and 10 minutes), which sits near the beautiful Iguazu Falls that span both the borders of Brazil and Argentina, making it one of the world’s widest waterfalls.

B, D Stay two nights at the 4-star Recanto Cataratas Hotel (4Q), located approximately 20 miles from Iguazu Falls.

Day 9: Buenos Aires. At leisure. Look forward to dinner and a performance of the sultry Tango at a local restaurant. B, D

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY Santiago, Chile. 3 nights including breakfasts. After your tour, stay at the 4-star Hotel Pullman El Bosque (3Q).

Optional excursions to the Pacific coast and the Chilean Winelands are available.

Please see pages 164-171 for details.

THE CHILEAN LAKE DISTRICT During your tour you’ll spend a day travelling through Chile’s awe-inspiring Lake District, where serene turquoise lakes meet the snow-capped peaks of the Andes. There are 12 major lakes in the district, of which you’ll cross Lake Todos los Santos with its emerald green waters and densely wooded shores. You’ll stay two nights in Puerto Varas, on the shore of Lake Llanquihue – the second-largest lake in Chile. Situated on the waters edge, your hotel boasts views of the mighty Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes.

South American Adventure. Holiday code: SA456.

Prices are based on LATAM Airlines from Heathrow.

Prices are £s per Two Single person from: people sharing traveller Feb 6, 2022 3699 4448 Mar 13 3699 3599 4448 4348 May 15 3499 4248 Sep 25 3499 3449 4248 4198 Oct 16 3649 3499 4398 4248 Nov 6 3699 3599 4448 4348 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £60 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Explore the Chilean Lake District

Contact your preferred travel agent

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

129

LAND OF THE INCAS

Classic Escorted Tour Small group 25 or less

14 nights from £3199 Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

See the highlights of Peru, travelling as part of a small group, and staying in boutique accommodation in each destination. Visit the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, take to the waters of Lake Titicaca, go in search of Andean condors, and discover Inca ruins in Cuzco and the capital, Lima.

2 TOUR PACE: STANDARD

PERU

The Amazon

Lima Machu Picchu Sacred Valley Paracas

The Andes Colca

PERU

Nights in hotel

San Blas Square, Cuzco

See Peruvian traditions

The ‘Lost City’ of the Incas

130

Contact your preferred travel agent

Puerto Maldonaldo Cuzco Andahuaylillas Raqchi

Lake Titicaca

Puno Arequipa

Day 1: UK-Lima. Fly overnight to South America.

SO MUCH INCLUDED…

Day 2: Lima. Arrive in Lima and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy a welcome dinner this evening. D. Stay overnight at the 4-star Mercure Aristo Lima (4Q), located in the centre of the Miraflores district of Lima, close to Kenndey Park.

Included travel insurance

Day 3: Cuzco-Sacred Valley. Fly to Cuzco in Peru (90 minutes). Transfer to the Sacred Valley (35 miles, 80 minutes). B. Stay two nights at the traditional 4-star Sonesta Posada del Inca (4Q), in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

23 meals:12 breakfasts (B), 6 lunches (L) and 5 dinners (D)

Day 4: Sacred Valley. Join an included full-day excursion to the town of Pisaq, where you can peruse the market, then visit the impressive ruins of the Incan town of Ollantaytambo. B, L

Day 6: Machu Picchu-Cuzco. Enjoy a morning at leisure, perhaps returning to atmospheric Machu Picchu. This afternoon, travel to Cuzco (35 miles, 90 minutes). B Stay two nights at the 4-star Costa del Sol Cusco Hotel (4Q), a charming hotel, where contemporary meets colonial-era detail, and the former home of the Marques of Picoagá.

Day 7: Cuzco. Today is at leisure in Cuzco, the imperial capital of the Inca Empire. An optional tour visits some remnants of that era, including a temple dedicated to the Inca sun god, Inti, and the incredible fortress of Sacsayhuaman, built from stones of mind-boggling size. Another optional tour allows you to trek from the fortress back to the city. Look forward to a dinner show at a restaurant. B, D Day 8: Puno. The long coach journey to Puno (240 miles, seven hours) is punctuated by visits to the Church of St Peter the Apostle in Andahuaylillas – known as the Sisitine Chapel of the Andes! – and the impressive Incan temple remains of Raqchi.

Stay two nights in Puno. Alternatively, you can journey from Cuzco to Puno by luxury train for an additional charge, though this journey will not visit Andahuaylillas and Raqchi. B, L Stay two nights at the spacious 4-star Sonesta Posada del Inca Puno Hotel (4Q), overlooking the shores of Lake Titicaca.

Day 9: Lake Titicaca. On today’s memorable excursion you’ll head out on the waters of Lake Titicaca to visit the Uros community, whose homes are on floating ‘islands’ made of reeds. Also visit Taquile Island, where a community lives simply on the ancient Incan terraces, and have lunch in a local home. B, L

12 nights in hotels and 2 in flight

Llamas at Machu Picchu

Day 10: Colca. Enjoy a scenic drive to the stunning Colca Valley (200 miles, five hours and 30 minutes). B, L, D Stay overnight at the 4-star Aranwa Hotel (4Q), this collection of 41 chalets is set in open countryside with views of the Colca Valley.

Day 11: Arequipa. This morning, scale the slopes of Colca Canyon to Condor’s Cross where you can see majestic Andean condors – the world’s largest flying bird – soaring overhead. Continue to Arequipa (116 miles, four hours). B, L Stay two nights at 4-star Hampton Arequipa Hotel (4Q).

Day 12: Arequipa. An included half-day city tour also takes in Santa Catalina, a huge convent with brightly painted walls, originally built in 1579 and enlarged in the following century to more than 20,000 square metres. Some 20 nuns still reside in the northern corner of the complex. B Day 13: Lima. Fly to Lima (90 minutes).

Perhaps join an optional city tour revealing the city’s colonial elegant. Enjoy a memorable farewell dinner at a restaurant which overlooks the illuminated ruins of Huaca Pucllana, a vast 5th-century pyramid built from millions of clay bricks. B, D Return to the 4-star Mercure Aristo Lima (4Q) for an overnight stay.

Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Welcome dinner • Farewell dinner • Bottled water during excursions • Porterage at all hotels.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Sacred Valley tour including visit to Pisaq Market and the Ollantaytambo ruins • Vistadome train to Machu Picchu • Dinner show in Cuzco • Visit the Church of St Peter the Apostle in Andahuaylillas and the Incan remains of the Temple of Viracocha

PERU

Day 5: Sacred Valley-Machu Picchu.Take a train into the mountains to the ruins of Machu Picchu and tour this mysterious ancient site. Stay overnight in a nearby hotel in Aguas Calientes. B, L, D Stay overnight at the contemporary 4-star El Mapi Hotel (4Q), at the foot of Machu Picchu Mountain.

VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179

• Lake Titicaca, and the islands of Uros and Taquile • Andean condor spotting in Colca Canyon • Arequipa city tour with visit to Santa Catalina Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

Days 14-15: Lima. This morning, transfer to the airport for your return overnight flight to the UK, arriving the next day.

Alternatively, extend your holiday in Paracas. B

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY Paracas, Peru. 2 nights including breakfasts. After your tour, stay at the 4-star Hacienda Paracas (4Q) on Peru’s west coast, renowned for its beaches. Enjoy an included trip to the uninhabited Ballestas Islands.

Please see pages 164-171 for details.

SPECIAL INTEREST DEPARTURES Walking. 14 nights.

Holiday name: Walking in the Andes.

Holiday code: AK162.

ADD A LUXURY TRAIN JOURNEY Upgrade and travel by luxury train from Cuzco to Puno, with lunch included.

From £359pp. Please call for details.

Contact your preferred travel agent

Andean condor in flight

Land of the Incas Holiday code: SA017 / AK162 Walking.

Prices are based on LATAM from Heathrow.

Prices are £s per Two people Single person from: sharing Traveller Apr 20, 2022 3249 3798 May 11 - Walking 3699 4198 May 18 3249 3798 Jun 8 3299 3848 Sep 7 3299 3848 Sep 14 - Walking 3699 4198 Oct 5 3299 3848 Nov 2 3199 3748 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £60 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

131

ECUADOR: ANDES, AMAZON AND GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

NEW

Intrepid Escorted Tour Small group 25 or less

15 nights from £4899

2

Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

TOUR PACE: STANDARD

Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime tour of Ecuador’s unique ecosystems.

Explore the high Andes, home to circling condors, villages with colourful textile markets, and the nation’s colonial capital, Quito. Head into the Amazon rainforest to meet the indigenous Añangu Kichwa community, and follow jungle trails in search of sloths, monkeys, and toucans. Finally, visit the Galapagos Islands, a paradise for wildlife-lovers.

Meet the iconic Galapagos giant tortoise, snorkel with sea lions, and see Galapagos penguins up close.

Santiago Sierra Negra Volcano

to Guayaquil Los Gemelos

Puerto Ayora Tintoreras Puerto Villamil Quito

Otavalo Papallacta Coca

ECUADOR

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS Nights in hotel

Yasuni National Park from Baltra

n.b. Not to scale

Marine iguana and Sally Lightfoot crab

Playful Galapagos sea lions

Colourful textiles of Otavalo province

Colonial Quito

132

Bartolomé

The red-and-green macaw

Contact your preferred travel agent

EQUADOR

Guayaquil

Day 1: UK-Quito. Fly to Ecuador and transfer to Quito (27 miles, one hour). D Stay overnight at the centrally located 4-star Hilton Colon Quito (4Q).

Day 2: Quito-Otavalo. Situated in the Andes, Quito is the world’s second-highest capital city, with a climate described as ‘perpetual spring’. Join an guided tour of the UNESCOlisted colonial centre, and drive to the top of El Panecillo hill for panoramic views.

Join a tasting session of the award-winning Pacari chocolate, then travel to the market town of Otavalo (56 miles, two hours). B, L, D Stay two nights at the colonial-style 4-star Hacienda Pinsaqui (3Q).

Day 3: Otavalo. Visit the indigenous market, selling a variety of colourful textiles and handmade artisanal products, and Cotacachi, the centre of Ecuador’s leather industry. For lunch, join a traditional Andean cookery class, then visit Cuicocha Lake this afternoon. B, L, D

Day 5: Quito-Coca-Yasuni National Park.

Fly to Coca (45 minutes), the gateway to the Ecuadorian Amazon. Continue along the river to the Yasuni National Park (90 minutes).

This afternoon, hike along the ‘Playas’ trail in search of Amazon wildlife, and perhaps try kayaking on the river as the sun sets. B, L, D Stay three nights at the Napo Cultural Center Lodge (2Q), an eco-lodge on the shores of the River Napo.

Day 6: Yasuni National Park. Take an early morning boat ride to a clay lick, where hundreds of parrots, macaws and parakeets flock daily. Continue to the Kuri Muyu Intercultural Interpretation Center to meet the Añangu Kichwa community. Learn about Kichwa culture, customs and the traditional use of natural resources. This afternoon hike through the rainforest to an observation tower to spot monkeys, sloths, and a variety of birds. B, L, D Day 7: Yasuni National Park. Visit the sustainable community projects run by the Añangu people, then wildlife-spot along the Mama Kuna trail. Take a boat trip along Añangu creek, home to caiman and giant river otters. Enjoy a traditional Amazonian dinner, then join a night walk in search of nocturnal mammals, insects and reptiles. B, L, D Day 8: Yasuni National Park-QuitoPapallacta. Head out in the canoe to spot wildlife, then return to Coca by boat (90 minutes), and fly to Quito (45 minutes).

Transfer to Papallacta (43 miles, 90 minutes), located high in the Andes and known for its thermal hot springs. Afternoon at leisure. B, L, D Stay overnight at the 3-star Termas de Papallacta Hotel (3Q), with its beautiful mountain vistas.

Day 10: Santiago and Bartolomé. Rise early to tour the islands of Santiago and Bartolomé by boat. Visit Sullivan Bay, a site of great geological importance featuring extensive lava flows. Continue to Bartolomé Island, the most photographed place in Galapagos with panoramic views of Pinnacle Rock. See Galapagos penguins and sea lions along the coast. B, L, D Day 11: Santa Cruz-Isabela. Travel by boat to Isabela island and visit Tintoreras, an islet off the coast, whose waters are inhabited by turtles, marine iguanas, sharks, rays and sea lions. On land you may spot bluefooted boobies, Sally Lightfoot crabs and pelicans. B, L, D Stay two nights at either the 3-star Hotel Albemarle (2Q), 3-star Hotel Isamar (2Q) or the 3-star Hotel Casita de la Playa (2Q) in Puerto Villamil. Alternatively, begin a four-night cruise aboard MV Galapagos Legend .

!!!

Day 12: Isabela. Join an excursion to the Sierra Negra volcano, whose caldera is the second largest in the world. Look out for native flora and fauna and admire the views from the summit. B, L, D Day 13: Isabela-Santa Cruz. Visit the wetlands near Puerto Villamil, a birdwatching site, home to the largest concentration of flamingos in Galapagos.

Continue to the Wall of Tears, built in the 1940s and 50s by prisoners held in a penal colony on the island, then visit the Tortoise Breeding Station. This afternoon, return to Santa Cruz by boat. B, L, D Stay two nights at either the 3-star Hotel Sol Y Mar (3Q) or the 4-star Ikala Galapagos Hotel (3Q).

Day 14: Santa Cruz. Spend the day at leisure or join an optional excursion visiting another of the archipelago’s islands. B, L, D Day 15: Santa Cruz-Guayaquil-UK. Return to Baltra and fly to Guayaquil (two hours).

Fly overnight to the UK. B Day 16: UK. Arrive in the UK. Please note: The unique ecosystem of the Galapagos Islands is highly protected by the Directorate of the Galapagos National Park, who constantly monitor and control visitor sites and numbers. As such, this part of the tour is subject to change. There will also be a few challenging walks, so a good level of fitness is required.

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY Quito. 7 nights. Before your tour, stay at the 4-star Hilton Colon Quito (4Q) Please see pages 164-171 for details.

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 14 nights in hotels and 1 in flight 41 meals: 14 breakfasts (B), 13 lunches (L) and 14 dinners (D) Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfer • Welcome drink • Soft drink and a coffee or infusion with all meals. • Porterage at all hotels.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Quito city tour • Chocolate tasting session • Otavalo market visit • Pachamanka cookery experience • Cuichoca Lake tour • Condor Park • River Napo clay lick • Kuri Muyu Intercultural Interpretation Center visit • Añangu creek boat trip • Traditional Amazonian dinner • Santa Cruz tour • Santiago and Bartolomé tour • Tintoreras boat trip • Isabela tour.

ECUADOR

Day 4: Otavalo-Quito. Visit the workshop of a local family, who produce musical instruments, then visit Condor Park, a raptor rehabilitation sanctuary, for close-up views of the Andean condor. Return to Quito (56 miles, two hours) and see the Quistato Equator Monument marking the equatorial line en route. B, L, D Stay overnight at the 4-star Hotel Colon Quito (4Q).

Day 9: Papallacta-Quito-Santa Cruz, Galapagos Islands. Transfer to Quito (43 miles, 90 minutes), then fly to Baltra (three hours and 45 minutes) in the Galapagos Islands. Continue by boat to Santa Cruz island. Tour the empty magma chambers of Los Gemelos, observe giant tortoises in highlands and visit the Charles Darwin Research Station en route to your hotel. B, L, D Stay two nights at either the 3-star Hotel Sol Y Mar (3Q) or the 4-star Ikala Galapagos Hotel (3Q) in Puerto Ayora.

THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS Experience the archipelago that famously inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, and has since become a conservation template for the world.

Located over 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, these volcanic islands are known for their large number of endemic species.

The islands’ location is the cause for their uniqueness, with three major ocean currents converging to create an array of habitats, and their isolation resulting in one of the most pristine ecosystems on Earth.

This is the only place you’ll see seagoing lizards, cormorants that can’t fly, and penguins north of the equator. This itinerary offers the chance to see the islands whilst staying in hotels and venturing out on boat excursions during the day, or by combining a hotel stay with a four-night cruise aboard MV Galapagos Legend for a supplement, from £1649 per person.

Ecuador: Andes, Amazon & Galapagos Islands.

Holiday code: SA198.

Prices are based on KLM Royal Dutch Airlines from Heathrow via Amsterdam.

Prices are £s Two people Single Two people sharing per person sharing traveller - Galapagos Legend from: Feb 21, 2022 4949 6348 6598 Mar 28 4949 6348 6648 May 9 4899 6298 6598 Jun 13 4899 6298 Sep 5 4999 6398 6648 Oct 3 4999 6398 6648 Nov 14 4999 6398 6648 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £60 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

Contact your preferred travel agent

133

TRANS-SIBERIAN RAILWAY ADVENTURE

Epic Escorted Tour Small group 18 or less

18 nights from £6199

2

Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

TOUR PACE: STANDARD

RUSSIA, MONGOLIA AND CHINA

Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime journey aboard the world’s longest railway on this small group tour. Travel aboard local trains for an authentic Trans-Siberian Railway experience, interspersed with comfortable hotel stays and a night in a ‘Ger’.

Beijing’s Imperial City

Moscow’s stunning St Basil’s Cathedral

Journey along the shore of Lake Baikal

The Great Wall of China

Moscow

Ekaterinburg

Kazan

RUSSIA

Irkutsk

Lake Baikal

Ulaan Baatar MONGOLIA Nights in hotel Nights on train

A traditional Mongolian ger See the imposing Genghis Khan statue

134

@Sundowners Overland

Contact your preferred travel agent

CHINA

Beijing

Day 1: UK-Moscow. Fly to Moscow. D Stay two nights at the 5-star Peter the 1st Hotel (4Q).

Day 2: Moscow. Explore Russia’s capital on a full-day sightseeing tour. Walk across UNESCO-listed Red Square to see the beautiful Orthodox masterpiece that is St Basil’s Cathedral and the imposing Kremlin. Your tour includes a visit inside the Armoury Chamber for a real insight into the opulent lifestyle enjoyed by the Russian royalty. Visit the neighbouring Zaryadye Park which provides a snapshot of Russia’s four different natural environments. Round off your day with either a performance of Russian National dance, or an opera or ballet at the Bolshoi Theatre. B

Day 4: Kazan. Arrive in Kazan, scene of the 16th-century siege by Ivan the Terrible which led to the fall of the Khanate of Kazan. This morning, tour the city and its main highlight, the Kremlin, which contains both a mosque and an Orthodox cathedral.

Stay overnight. B, D Stay one night at the modern 4-star Courtyard by Marriott Kazan Kremlin (3Q).

Day 5: Kazan. Today, you can take an optional visit to the Assumption Cathedral and Monastery of the town-island of Sviyazhsk. This evening, board your second train for an overnight journey to Ekaterinburg, centre of the Ural Mountains, and natural border between Europe and Asia. B Day 6: Ekaterinburg. After your early afternoon arrival, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. L, D Stay two nights at the 4-star Park Inn Hotel (3Q), located close to the city centre.

Day 7: Ekaterinburg. Enjoy a short city tour today and visit All Saints church, built on the site where the Tzar dynasty ended. B Day 8: Ekaterinburg Stock up on provisions during a morning at leisure, as you embark on your third and longest rail journey for two nights this afternoon. You’ll head across the expansive Siberian taiga, a vast area of sparse forest. B Day 9: Trans-Siberian Railway. Enjoy the scenery as your train journey continues to Irkutsk.

Day 10: Irkutsk. Arrive in the city of Irkutsk in eastern Siberia this evening, for a twonight stay. Founded as a winter outpost for traders in the 17th century, it became a hub for exiled Decembrist revolutionaries in the 19th century and has a wealth of beautiful churches and buildings set beside the Angara River. D Stay two nights at the 4-star Marriott Courtyard Hotel (3Q).

Day 12: Lake Baikal. Board your fourth train for an early departure, travelling along the southern edge of Lake Baikal. B Day 13: Ulaan Baatar and Terelj National Park. Wake up in the capital of Mongolia, a fast-paced metropolis in the making. Visit Gandan Monastery to hear the monks chanting before continuing to Terelj National Park to meet a local nomadic family. B, L, D Stay one night at the Traditional Mongolia Alungoo Ger Camp (1Q).

Day 14: Ulaan Baatar. Peer up at the impressive 130-foot high statue of Genghis Khan on the bank of the Tuul river before returning to Ulaan Baatar where you can enjoy a city tour. B, L, D Stay one night at the centrally located 5-star Best Western Premier Tuushin (4Q).

Day 15: Ulaan Baatar. Board the train early this morning for the last leg of your journey, travelling across the stark Gobi Desert.

You’ll stay onboard overnight. B

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 11 nights in hotels, 1 night in a ‘Ger’ and 6 nights aboard train 31 meals: 14 breakfasts (B), 7 lunches (L) and 10 dinners (D) Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Porterage at your hotels.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Moscow city tour • Tretyakov Gallery visit • Moscow’s Metro station tour • Kazan city tour • Ekaterinburg city tour • Lake Baikal museum visits • Ulaan Baatar monastery visit

Day 16: Beijing. Arrive around lunchtime in China’s dynamic capital. L, D Stay three nights at the modern 4-star Hotel Qianmen Jianguo (4Q).

• Overnight stay in a traditional Mongolian ger

Day 17: Beijing. Discover the main sights, including Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, on a full-day city tour. B, L, D

Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

Day 18: The Great Wall of China. Take a close up look at one of the world’s wonders, the Great Wall of China, which was originally built in 210BC to fend off nomadic invaders.

Enjoy a taste of China during lunch and dinner at local restaurants. B, L, D Day 19: Beijing-UK. Fly back to the UK.B Please note: Train schedules are subject to change by the rail authorities without notice. Travelling on the Trans-Siberian Railway is an immensely rewarding experience, especially for those of an intrepid and adventurous nature. If you are in any doubt about your suitability for this tour, please call and talk to our Travel Consultants.

• Beijing highlights tour • Visit to the Great Wall of China

NAADAM FESTIVAL DEPARTURES 19 nights departing June 27, 2022.

Spend two additional nights in Ulaan Baatar and experience the Naadam Festival, an annual, nationwide event featuring horseracing, archery, wrestling, and Mongolian singing and dancing.

Holiday code: RM002. Please call for details.

RUSSIA, MONGOLIA AND CHINA

Day 3: Moscow. Be amazed by the vast collection of Russian fine art on display at the Tretyakov Gallery and head underground on a tour of the opulent Metro stations, known as Stalin’s ‘People Palaces’.

This evening you’ll step aboard your first train and your first night experiencing the Trans-Siberian Railway. B

Day 11: Lake Baikal. Tour the world’s oldest and deepest freshwater lakes, known as the ‘Galapagos of Russia’. Visit the wooden Architecture Museum, Lake Museum and enjoy a brief city tour. B, L, D

THE WORLD’S MOST FAMOUS TRAIN JOURNEY Enjoy a sense of camaraderie as you mingle with fellow travellers and locals going about their daily lives during this tour following the epic Trans-Siberian Railway. You’ll travel aboard five local trains which are practical in nature and may differ in age and quality. Most have four berth compartments and those allocated to Saga travellers will be for twin use while solo travellers can upgrade to a private compartment for a supplement or choose to share.

You can purchase meals from the dining car, and each carriage has nine compartments, two WCs and two electrical outlets for shared use.

Naadam Festival

Trans-Siberian Railway Adventure. Holiday code: RM001 / RM002 (Naadam Festival).

Prices are based on British Airways from Heathrow.

Prices are £s per Two Single person from: people sharing Traveller May 19, 2022 6199 Sold Out Jun 27 - Naadam Festival 6499 Sold Out Sep 8 6399 Sold Out Oct 6 6199 8598 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £90 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

Contact your preferred travel agent

135

MONGOLIA: LAND OF THE BLUE SKY

Intrepid Escorted Tour Small group 25 or less

15 nights from £4099 Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

3

Head off the beaten track and explore vast landscapes of rolling green steppe, majestic mountains and the golden dunes of the Gobi Desert.

Get a taste of nomadic life as you meet local herding families, experience Mongolian throat singing, and relax in ger camps. This rarely visited land offers immense rewards for those with an adventurous spirit.

MONGOLIA

TOUR PACE: ACTIVE

An eagle demonstration from a local hunter

Bayanzag’s cliffs glow red and orange as the sun sets

Stay in traditional tourist ger camps

MONGOLIA

Hustai Nature Reserve Ulaanbaatar Terelj National Terkhiin Park Tsagaan Lake Tsenkher Hot Springs Karakorum

Elsen Tasarkhai Hot Spring

Ongi Monastery

Nights in hotel

Bayanzag Khongor Sand Dunes Yolyn Am

The Gandan Monastery

136

The verdant landscapes of Terelj National Park

Contact your preferred travel agent

Dalanzadgad

Day 1: UK-Ulaanbaatar. Fly overnight to Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia.

Day 2: Ulaanbaatar. Transfer to a city hotel.

D Stay two nights at the modern 4-star Ramada Ulaanbaatar City Centre (4Q).

Day 3: Ulaanbaatar. An included city tour reveals highlights including the Gandan Monastery, the National Museum of Mongolia, the Zaisan Hill complex – a WWII memorial, and city landmarks. This evening enjoy a traditional dance performance and hear ‘Khoomi’ – Mongolian throat singing.

B, L, D

Day 4: Hustai Nature Reserve. Visit Hustai Nature Reserve to see the endangered Przewalski’s horses (63 miles, two hours).

B, L, D Stay overnight at the Hustai Resort Camp (1Q).

Day 6: Tsenkher Hot Springs. Visit Tsenker Hot Springs (139 miles, four hours), whose sulphur springs emerge at temperatures of 86 degrees. Later, visit a yak breeding family to experience traditional customs and lifestyle of local residents. B, L, D Stay overnight at the Duut Resort Camp (1Q).

Day 7: Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake. Travel through remote landscapes to the Khorgo National Park (125 miles, four hours), home to the extinct volcano, Khorgo Mountain.

En route pass the ‘Hundred Tree’, Chuluut River Gorge and Taikhar Rock. Stay on the shores of Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake.

B, L, D Stay two nights at the Maikhan Tolgoi Camp (1Q).

Day 8: Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake. At leisure or perhaps join an optional excursion. B, L, D Day 9: Karakorum, Mongolia. Travel to Karakorum (181 miles, five hours), the former capital of the Mongol empire under Genghis Khan, the ruins of which form part of the UNESCO-listed Orkhon Valley.

Visit the Erdene Zuu Buddhist Monastery and the Karakorum Museum. B, L, D Stay overnight at the locally rated 4-star Ikh Kharom Hotel (3Q).

Day 10: Ongi Monastery. Travel south as the landscape changes from forest steppe to semi-desert (186 miles, six hours). After reaching your camp, visit the ruins of Ongi Monastery, the former religious centre of South Mongolia, built in the 18th century.

B, L, D Stay overnight at the Secret of Ongi Camp (1Q).

Day 11: Bayanzag. Catch your first glimpse of the Gobi Desert as you drive to the Bayanzag region, known as ‘Flaming Cliffs’, where remains of over 100 dinosaurs have been found (105 miles, four hours). B, L, D Stay overnight at the Dream Gobi Camp (1Q).

Day 13: Yolyn Am. Head south to Yolyn Am, a deep gorge in the foothills of the Altai Mountains (124 miles, six hours). Enjoy a trek of around four miles through the valley to the Yolyn Am Ice Field. You’ll also visit the Gobi Museum before heading for your camp. B, L, D Stay overnight at the Gobi Mirage Camp (1Q).

Day 14: Terelj National Park. Transfer to Dalanzadgad in South Gobi, then fly back to Ulaanbaatar (two hours). Travel to Terelj National Park (37 miles, 90 minutes), pausing en route to meet an eagle owner and see a hunting demonstration using a ‘faux’ fox. Continue to the national park for a light hike taking in Turtle Rock and Aryabal Meditation Temple. B, L, D Stay overnight at the Terelj Lodge Camp (1Q).

SAVE up to £100 per person on selected departures

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 4 nights in hotels, 10 nights in ger camps and 1 in flight 41 meals: 14 breakfasts (B), 13 lunches (L), 14 dinners (D) Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Bottled water daily • Tourist visa for full British citizens resident in the UK

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Included city tour of Ulaanbaatar • See endangered Przewalski horses

Day 15: Ulaanbaatar. Visit the 40-metre tall Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue at Tsonjin Boldog before returning to Ulaanbaatar (37 miles, 90 minutes). Spend the rest of the day at leisure, enjoying a farewell dinner tonight. B, L, D Stay overnight at the modern 4-star Ramada Ulaanbaatar City Centre (4Q).

• Elsen Tasarkhai sand dunes

Day 16: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia-UK. Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK and included door-to-door travel service home. B

• Hike to Yolyn Am ice field

MONGOLIA

Day 5: Elsen Tasarkhai Sand Dune.

Continue to Elsen Tasarkhai (131 miles, three hours), the ‘Mini Gobi’, whose dunes form part of the 80-kilometre long Mongol Els dunes. Continue to Hugnu Khan National Park (16 miles, 30 minutes). Covering 47,000 hectares, the park is dotted with both ruined and active temples. B, L, D Stay overnight at the Hoyor Zagal Camp (1Q).

Day 12: Khongor Sand Dunes. Drive to the Khongoriin Els sand dunes in the Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park (112 miles, five hours). See some of the largest sand dunes in Mongolia, known as the ‘Singing Sands’ due to the melodic noise they make as the wind moves the sand. Afterwards, visit a local camel breeding family and perhaps ride a camel through the dunes.

B, L, D Stay overnight at the Gobi Erdene Camp (1Q).

• Tsenkher Hot Springs • Meet a yak breeding family • Erdene Zuu Monastery • Ongi Monastery • Meet a camel breeding family • Bayanzag’s ‘Flaming Cliffs’ • Terelj National Park.

Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

Please note: This tour involves long journeys, some of which will be over extremely rough and bumpy terrain, travelling in mini vans with seating for 4-5 people.

Toilet facilities may be scarce and/or basic. Some camp accommodation will not have private bathroom facilities. Instead there will be shared facilities in shower and washing blocks with individual cubicles.

EXPERIENCE AUTHENTIC GER CAMPS A ger is a traditional Mongolian tent that has been used for over 3,000 years and is still used by nearly half the country’s population today.

Made from wooden columns and lightweight felt covers, the circular tents are easily dismantled and moved to better grazing lands as the seasons change. During your tour you’ll stay in a selection of tourist ger camps run by local communities, consisting of up to 40 tents with comfortable beds, and equipped with electricity, separate toilet and shower facilities with hot water, and a restaurant – usually serving both European and Mongolian cuisine. A stay in a ger camp is the best way to experience authentic nomadic life first hand, and will likely be a highlight of your trip.

Contact your preferred travel agent

The vast dunes of the Gobi Desert Mongolia: Land of the Blue Sky. Holiday code: FE775.

Prices are based on Turkish Airlines from Heathrow.

Prices are £s Two people Single per person from: sharing Traveller Jul 27, 2022 4499 5048 Aug 10 4599 4499 5148 5048 Sep 7 4399 4299 4948 4848 Sep 14 4199 4099 4748 4648 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £60 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

137

GRAND TOUR OF CHINA

Epic Escorted Tour

15 nights from £2599

2

Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

TOUR PACE: STANDARD

Discover the highlights of China on this all-encompassing tour. Start in the bustling metropolis of Shanghai, then sail on Asia's longest river before travelling into the dramatic landscapes of Guilin. Salute the Terracotta Warriors of Xi'an, climb the Great Wall in Beijing, dine in local restaurants and more.

Great Wall of China CHINA

Beijing Tian’anmen Square Forbidden City Summer Palace

Xi’an Terracotta Warriors Shanghai

Yangtze River

Yichang

Chongqing Nights in hotel

Guilin

CHINA

Salute the Terracotta Warriors

China’s Great Wall

Marvel at the limestone peaks of Guilin

Meet China's giant pandas

138

Contact your preferred travel agent

Nights on ship

SAVE up to £100 per person on selected departures

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 10 nights in hotels, 4 aboard your ship and 1 in flight 36 meals: 14 breakfasts (B), 13 lunches (L) and 9 dinners (D) See the sights of Shanghai

Day 1: UK-Shanghai. Fly overnight to Shanghai.

Day 2: Shanghai. Arrive in China's largest city. D Stay two nights at the centrally located 4-star Jin Jiang Hotel, Shanghai (4Q.)

Day 4: Shanghai-Yichang. Fly inland to Yichang on an early flight (two hours and 30 minutes), and enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city. Transfer by coach and board your cruise ship. Lunch will be at a local restaurant. B, L Stay four nights aboard the Victoria Anna (4 ).

!

Day 5: Three Gorges Dam. Visit the Three Gorges Dam– the world's largest hydroelectric projects along the dramatic Xiling Gorge. B, L, D Day 6: Goddess Stream. Embark a smaller boat for a diversion down this or a similar tributary of the Yangtze and admire the beautiful river-gorge landscape. (Please note: river conditions might mean this excursion sails along Shennong Stream) B, L, D Day 7: Shuanggui Mountain. Mount Shuanggui, facing the Yangtze River, is well-known as a national forest park characterised by its picturesque scenery and cliff brush writings of calligraphists from Song dynasty to modern society.

You’ll have opportunity to see traditional Chinese handcrafts such as paper cutting and handmade wheat straw painting, and to taste local snacks. B, L, D Day 8: Chongqing-Guilin. Cruise to Chongqing, where an included excursion takes you Chongqing Zoo (subject to cruise timings), which operates a breeding programme for giant pandas. Look forward

to seeing these endearing animals during your visit. Afterwards, travel by bullet train to Guilin (five hours). B, L Stay three nights at the 4-star Lijiang Waterfall Hotel (4Q), close to the Lijang River and Guilin Lake.

Day 9: Guilin. Visit Yaoshan, one of the largest mountains that surrounds Guilin city. Take the chairlift up the mountain for panoramic city views. Afterwards, visit the Sea Pearl Museum where you can learn about and see South Sea Pearls. You can join an optional night cruise on the Four Lakes this evening. B, L D Day 10: Li River Cruise. Today join an included half-day cruise on the Li River where you can see karst limestone scenery and lush paddy fields. B, L Day 11: Guilin-Xi'an. After breakfast, transfer to the airport and fly to Xi'an (two hours). B, L Stay two nights at the 4-star Golden Flower Hotel (4Q), close to Xian’s highlights.

Day 12: Terracotta Warriors, Xi'an.

Enjoy an included tour of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, built in AD 652 and the Terracotta Army – which comprises 8,000 life-size individual warrior statues.

Optional evening Tang Dynasty Show. B, L, D Day 13: Xi'an-Beijing. See Xi'an's Old City Wall, which dates back to the 14thcentury Ming Dynasty, then fly to Beijing (two hours). Enjoy a Peking Duck dinner this evening. B, L, D Stay three nights at the stylish 4-star Beijing New Century Hotel (4Q).

Day 14: Beijing. An included tour reveals Tian'anmen Square and the Forbidden City, former home to the imperial palaces of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Optional afternoon rickshaw ride to the historic Hutongs area. B, L Day 15: Beijing. Visit one of the bestpreserved sections of the Great Wall, the 18th-century Summer Palace and a jadecarving workshop. B, L, D Day 16: Beijing-UK. Transfer to the airport and fly back to the UK. B Please note: The shore excursions arranged during your cruise vary depending on water levels and the river condition. The visit in Chongqing city is dependent on the departure time of your train to Guilin.

Contact your preferred travel agent

Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Welcome drink reception • Porterage at all hotels.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Cruise along the Li River • City sightseeing in Shanghai

CHINA

Day 3: Shanghai. Explore the sights of China's largest city on an included tour.

Stroll along Shanghai’s most famous landmark – The Bund – a mile-long riverfront area lined with historic buildings.

Continue to the beautiful Yu Garden which features pagodas, ponds, bridges and the Exquisite Jade Rock water feature. Finally, you'll visit Nanjing Road, Shanghai’s most vibrant shopping street.

An optional acrobatic show is available this evening. B, L, D

Saga tour manager

• Trip to the Three Gorges Dam • Cruise along the Goddess Stream or Shennong Stream • Visit Shuanggui Mountain • City tour of Chongqing • Tour of the Terracotta Warriors and Big Wild Goose Pagoda • Guided excursion around Tian'anmen Square and the Forbidden City • Visit to the Great Wall and Summer Palace in Beijing Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

GUILIN (LI RIVER CRUISE) Experience the waters of the beautiful Li River that flows for 52 miles from Guilin to Yanshuo. Cruise past the jagged limestone peaks of Guilin, lush paddy fields and green hills, traditional villages and water buffalo. As you sail the clear waters look forward to learning about the landscape while you admire scenery that has been the inspiration for artists and poets through the centuries.

Grand Tour of China. Holiday code: CH079.

Prices are based on British Airways from Heathrow.

Prices are £s per Two Single person from: people sharing Traveller Apr 12, 2022 2699 2599 3248 3148 May 10 2799 3378 May 24 2749 2699 3328 3278 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £60 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

139

JAPAN: LAND OF THE RISING SUN

Classic Escorted Tour

12 nights from £3699

2

Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

TOUR PACE: STANDARD

Discover the highlights of Japan, a country of dramatic contrasts between tradition and technology, and boasting glorious scenery.

Learn about far eastern culture, ride the high-speed train to Kyoto, see a traditional kimono show, and uncover serene temples, shrines and castles.

JAPAN Nights in hotel

Kanazawa

Tokyo Kamakura

Kyoto Hiroshima

Shirakawago Takayama Matsumoto

Osaka Nara

Hakone Lake Ashi Lake Kawaguchiko

JAPAN

The traditional dress of a Japanese geisha

The grand Buddha of Kamakura

Tokyo waterfront at sunset

Mount Fuji in spring

140

Contact your preferred travel agent

Day 1: UK-Tokyo. Fly overnight to Tokyo.

Day 2: Tokyo. Transfer to your hotel.

Enjoy a welcome drink. Stay two nights at the well-appointed 3-star Dai-ichi Hotel Tokyo Seafort (4Q).

Day 3: Tokyo. Discover Tokyo’s clash of old and new on a tour of the city, where peaceful temples, gardens and wooden houses are dwarfed by high-rise modernity.

Perhaps circumnavigate the city on the Yamanote Line railway for fantastic urban panoramas. B Day 4: Tokyo-Kawuguchiko.Travel to the Hakone region (61 miles, 90 minutes) via Kamakura and see the Hase Kannon Temple and Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. Continue to Hakone and ascend Mount Kamiyama by the Komagatake ropeway (cable car). Later, enjoy a cruise on Lake Ashi. Transfer to your hotel in Kawaguchiko. B, D Stay overnight at the comfortable and modern 4-star Regina Kawuguchiko Hotel (4Q).

Day 6: Takayama. Explore charming, unspoilt Takayama on a full-day walking tour.

Peruse the Asaichi Morning Market selling crafts and fresh produce, visit an exhibition of elaborate festival floats that date back hundreds of years, see the traditional wooden homes of ‘Little Kyoto’. B Day 7: Takayama-Kanazawa. Visit the unique mountain-top village of Shirakawago, then travel to Kanazawa to visit Kenroku-en Garden, one of the most beautiful feudal lords' gardens in Japan (70 miles, two hours and 30 minutes). B Stay overnight at the 4-star Hotel Nikko Kanazawa (4Q), a centrally located modern hotel.

Day 8: Kanazawa-Kyoto. After some free time in Kanazawa, transfer to the station for your Thunderbird Express rail journey to Kyoto (two hours). B Stay four nights at the 4-star Kyoto Tokyu Hotel (4Q), which is located close to the city centre.

Day 9: Kyoto. Join a full day tour of Kyoto, with an included tea ceremony. Founded in 794, Kyoto is widely considered Japan's cultural heart and is a living museum of the country's artistic and cultural heritage.

Visit Kiyomizu and Kinkakuji Temples, and Nijo Castle. B Day 10: Kyoto. Spend today at leisure exploring Kyoto. Perhaps visit the Gion geisha district, the stunning Bamboo Grove of Arashiyama or stroll in Imperial Palace Park. Alternatively, an optional excursion by bullet train visits Hiroshima where the first atomic bomb was dropped, to see

Day 11: Kyoto. Visit Nara, Japan’s first permanent capital city, for a sightseeing tour. See the Todaiji Temple, home to the largest bronze Buddha ever cast, and Nara’s sacred deer park, and join an ink making and calligraphy experience. Continue to the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, famed for its thousands of orange Torii gates. Enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant with a performance by a maiko, an apprentice geisha. B, D Days 12-13: Kyoto-Osaka-UK. Travel to Osaka airport (31 miles, one hour), for your return overnight flight to the UK, or choose to extend your holiday in Hong Kong. B

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 10 nights in hotels and 2 in flight 13 meals: 10 breakfasts (B) and 3 dinners (D) Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Welcome drink • Porterage at all hotels.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • City tour of Tokyo • Sightseeing in Kamakura • Komagatake Ropeway • Cruise on Lake Ashi • Matsumoto city tour • Takayama walking tour • Historic village of Shirakawago

JAPAN

Day 5: Kawuguchiko-Takayama.

Experience a sightseeing tour of 8thcentury Matsumoto and discover Matsumoto Castle, a national treasure and the best-preserved castle in Japan.

After a miso tasting session, travel through rural Japan to Takayama (142 miles, four hours). B, D Stay two nights at the 4-star Associa Hotel Takayama (4Q), which enjoys an idyllic rural location.

the Peace Memorial Park and the ‘floating’ Itsukushima Shrine. B

• Visit the Kenroku-en Garden • Sightseeing tour of Kyoto

A bullet train shoots past Mount Fuji

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY

• Exploring the ancient political centre of Nara • Authentic teahouse visit and tea ceremony.

Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

Hong Kong 3 nights with breakfasts included. After your tour transfer to Hong Kong , staying at the 3-star Regal Kowloon Hotel (3Q). Please see pages 164-171 for details.

CHERRY BLOSSOM SEASON DEPARTURES The fleeting appearance of pink cherry blossom that sweeps across the islands of Japan in spring has inspired a season of celebration, poetry and picnicking among the Japanese for centuries. The best time to see this froth of coloured blooms in Kyoto and Tokyo for yourself is on our March and April departures.

JAPANESE ALPS The principal island of Honshu, Japan, is divided by the Nihon Arupusu mountains, nicknamed the ‘Japanese Alps’ in the 19th century. The ‘alps’ are in turn made up of three mountain ranges that are home to Japan’s most impressive gorge, six volcanoes, national parks and peaks rising to over 3,000 metres. With their natural beauty and impressive scenery, it is hardly surprising these mountains are sometimes referred to as ‘sacred highland’.

Contact your preferred travel agent

The gilded temple of Kinkakuji

Japan: Land of the Rising Sun Holiday code: FE085.

Prices are based on Cathay Pacific from Heathrow.

Alternative local flight options available from Manchester, supplements may apply.

Prices are £s per Two people Single Traveller person from: sharing Mar 26, 2022 4599 5398 Apr 9 4099 4798 May 7 3699 4348 Sep 17 3749 4398 Oct 15 3899 4598 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £60 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

141

INTO THE HEART OF JAPAN

Immersive Escorted Tour Small group 25 or less

13 nights from £4299 Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

3

Immerse yourself in Japanese culture from the bright lights of Tokyo to the haunting beauty of Hiroshima’s Memorial Peace Garden. See Mount Fuji and snow monkeys, sleep in a ryokan, explore historic temples, make sushi, and meet a charming and courteous people.

JAPAN

TOUR PACE: ACTIVE

Matsumoto Castle

Maiko wear the most intricate formal dress

JAPAN

Kanazawa

Liyama Yudanaka Yaen Jigoku Park Takayama Tokyo

Lake Ashi Hiroshima

Kyoto

Osaka Kurashiki Saijo Tomonoura

Kawaguchi Mount Fuji

Onomichi

The beauty of sushi

Japanese macaques – snow monkeys – in winter

Admire views from the Hakone Walkway cablecar

142

Contact your preferred travel agent

Nights in hotel

Day 1: UK-Tokyo. Fly overnight to Tokyo.

SO MUCH INCLUDED…

Day 2: Tokyo.Transfer to your hotel.

Enjoy a welcome drink. Stay two nights at the well-appointed 4-star Dai-ichi Hotel Tokyo Seafort (4Q).

Day 3: Tokyo. After a city tour, visit Imperial Palace Plaza to see the Japanese Royal Family’s official residence, the upmarket shopping district of Ginza, then, after a sushi demonstration, make your own sushi lunch. Move on to Tokyo’s oldest temple, Senso-Ji, a famous Buddhist Temple. B, L Day 4: Tokyo-Kawaguchi. Journey to Kawaguchiko (89 miles, three hours).

En route, ride the Hakone Ropeway to Owakudani Valley, cruise across Lake Ashi for views of Mount Fuji and enjoy a marquetry demonstration. B, D Stay overnight at the comfortable and modern 4-star Regina Kawaguchiko (4Q).

Day 6: Yudanaka-Kanazawa. See the snow monkeys at Yaen Jigoku National Park, then catch the bullet train to Kanazawa (three hours). On a city tour, see Kenroku-en garden and a samurai house. B Stay two nights at the centrally located 4-star Kanazawa Tokyu Hotel (3Q).

Day 7: Kanazawa. Visit the UNESCO-listed mountain village of Shirakawa-go. Tour Wade-Ke house that dates from the midEdo period and enjoy some free time here.

Move on to Takayama to explore and enjoy an included ‘Hida Beef’ lunch. B, L

VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 11 nights in hotels and 2 in flight 17 meals: 11 breakfasts (B), 3 lunches (L) and 3 dinners (D) The Torii Gate at Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima

Plus all this...

Day 11: Kurashiki-Hiroshima. Take a 15 minute ferry ride to Rabbit Island, and walk amongst the hundreds of wild rabbits which roam the island. Continue to Hiroshima (88 miles, two hours and 30 minutes), where you’ll visit Hiroshima Castle, reconstructed after being destroyed by the atomic bombing in 1945. Enjoy an included dinner this evening at Japanese pub. B, D Stay two nights at the 4-star RIHGA Royal Hotel Hiroshima (3Q).

• Saga tour manager • Welcome drink • Porterage at all hotels.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Coach tour of Tokyo • Sushi making experience • Owakudani cable-car ride • Cruise on Lake Ashi

Day 12: Hiroshima. Take the ferry to Mijima Island to see the Itsukushima shrine.

Visit Okonomi village for lunch and try the celebrated local dish of okonimiyaki, then pay a moving visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. B, L

• Marquetry experience

Day 13: Hiroshima-Osaka-UK. Take the bullet train to Osaka this morning (90 minutes), where you’ll have free time in the Dotonbori district for lunch. Transfer to the airport for your return overnight flight. B

• Tour of Kanazawa

Day 14: UK. Arrive in the UK. Please note: For ease of travel, on all train journeys your luggage will be transferred separately to the hotel so you have nothing to carry.

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY

Day 8: Kanazawa-Kyoto. In Kanazawa see gold leaf being worked, explore the Higashichaya district, then visit Omicho market. Take a high-speed train to Kyoto (three hours). B Stay two nights at the 4-star Kyoto Tokyu Hotel (4Q), which is located close to the city centre.

Hong Kong post-extension.

3 nights including breakfasts.

After your tour stay three nights at the 3-star Regal Kowloon Hotel (3Q).

Explore this dynamic, high-rise island.

Available if flying with Cathay Pacific.

Please see pages 164-171 for details.

Day 9: Kyoto. See Kiyomizu and Kinkakuji Temples on a city tour. Join a tea ceremony and sample matcha tea and Japanese sweetmeats. B

STAY IN A JAPANESE TRADITIONAL INN

Day 10: Kyoto-Kurashiki. Visit Nijo Castle, then travel to the small coastal town of Kurashiki (150 miles, four hours). Walk the willow-lined canals and get a feel of the local culture and architecture. B Stay overnight at the comfortable and centrally located 4-star Kurashiki Royal Art Hotel (3Q).

• Return flights and transfers

In Yudanaka experience a night in a ryokan. Expect traditional architecture, food and customs, plus therapeutic hot-spring baths –onsen.

Please be aware that your sleeping arrangements will be a little different from what you are used to, instead of a bed you will be sleeping low down close to the floor on a traditional tatami mat.

• Visit Mount Fuji’s 5th Station • Explore a wasabi farm • Overnight stay in a traditional Japanese Inn

JAPAN

Day 5: Kawaguchi-Yudanaka. Ascend Japan’s tallest mountain to the 5th station.

Move on to Matsumoto Castle, then stop at Daio Wasabi Farm before continuing to Yudanaka (145 miles, four hours). B, D Stay overnight at the 4-star Yoyozuya ryokan (3Q) – a traditional Japanese inn.

Included travel insurance

• See the Snow Monkeys of Hell Valley • Explore the mountain village of Shirakawago • See traditional architecture in Takayama • Artisan gold-leaf demonstration • Sightseeing tour of Kyoto • Dine in a Izakaya (Japanese pub) • Authentic teahouse visit and tea ceremony • Sake tasting • Visit Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park • Visit to Rabbit Island • Walking tour of Takehara • Visit Hiroshima Castle.

Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

Into the Heart of Japan. Holiday code: FE090.

Prices are based on Cathay Pacific from Heathrow.

Alternative local flight option available from Manchester, supplements may apply.

Prices are £s Two Single per person from: people sharing Traveller Mar 14, 2022 4699 5448 Mar 21 4899 5648 Apr 4 5299 Limited Availability Apr 11 4999 5778 Apr 18 4899 5678 May 2 4799 5528 May 9 4699 5398 May 16 4599 5298 May 30 4399 5098 Jun 6 4299 4998 Sep 19 4799 5548 Oct 3 4649 5348 Oct 17 4649 5348* Oct 31 4599 5348 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £60 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

Learn the traditional way of tea-making

Contact your preferred travel agent

143

VIETNAM DISCOVERIES, CAMBODIAN TREASURES

Classic Escorted Tour

2

13 nights from £2399 Includes insurance and cancellation cover Price reduction available if not required. §

TOUR PACE: STANDARD

Uncover captivating beauty on this tour of Vietnam and Cambodia, from the UNESCO-listed islands of Ha Long Bay to the vast Cu Chi Tunnels. Experience the unique atmosphere of Ho Chi Minh City, before concluding your holiday at Siem Reap, one of Cambodia’s great historic centres.

Hanoi

Ha Long

Nights in port Nights on ship

Danang Siem Reap

Angkor

Tonle Sap Lake CAMBODIA

Cu Chi Tunnels Ho Chi Minh City

VIETNAM AND CAMBODIA

Mekong Delta

Hoi An VIETNAM

Soak up the culture and tradition of Vietnam

Explore the waters of Ha Long Bay

The Bayon Temple at Siem Reap

144

Contact your preferred travel agent

Day 1: UK-Hanoi. Fly overnight to Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi. Transfer to your hotel. Enjoy a welcome dinner this evening. D Stay two nights at the 3-star La Belle Vie Hotel (4Q), in Hanoi’s old quarter.

Day 3: Hanoi. Tour Hanoi and see the One Pillar Pagoda and Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum.

After lunch at a restaurant, continue exploring independently or perhaps join an optional excursion exploring the art and architecture, or the street food of the city or a traditional water puppet show. B, L Day 4: Ha Long. Travel through the Red River Delta, seeing Vietnamese villages and glimpsing rural life to Ha Long (96 miles, two hours and 30 minutes). Board a paddle steamer-style ship for an overnight cruise on Ha Long Bay with its 3,000 limestone islands, enjoying a fresh seafood lunch and your dinner on board the ship. B, L, D Stay overnight aboard a paddle steamerstyle ship.

Day 6: Hoi An. Enjoy the morning at leisure, followed by an afternoon walking tour of Hoi An city, taking in its architecture and early buildings including a Japanese covered bridge, and colourful marketplace. Perhaps treat yourself to an optional cooking class or a visit to a vegetable village. B Day 7: Hoi An-Ho Chi Minh City. Transfer to Danang for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City (90 minutes). Enjoy lunch at a KOTO International training restaurant – a notfor-profit organisation dedicated to helping young people. Afterwards visit the moving War Remnant Museum, Chinatown (Cholon) and Bing Tay Market (time permitting). B, L, D Stay three nights at the contemporary and centrally located 4-star Eden Star Hotel (4Q).

Day 9: Cu Chi Tunnels. Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels constructed during the fight for independence. After lunch at a local restaurant enjoy the afternoon at leisure.

This evening, optional trips include a dinner cruise, a performance at the Opera House, or street food by vintage Vespa. B, L Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City-Siem Reap, Cambodia. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia (one hour). B Stay three nights at the 4-star Lotus Blanc Resort (4Q), in the heart of Siem Reap.

Day 11: Siem Reap. Siem Reap is the gateway to Angkor – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of South East Asia’s most important. See Angkor Thom – capital of the Khmer Empire, and the 12th-century Bayon Temple with its 54 towers. Next visit Ta Prohm Temple, concluding at Angkor Wat, the most famous of the temples at Angkor. B

SAVE up to £200 per person on selected departures

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 10 nights in hotels, 1 onboard ship and 2 in flight 21 meals: 11 breakfasts (B), 6 lunches (L) and 4 dinners (D) Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Welcome drink • Porterage at all hotels.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • City tour of Hanoi • Cruise on Ha Long Bay with overnight stay onboard • Hoi An walking tour • Visit to the War Remnants Museum

Day 12: Siem Reap. After a boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake – a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve – and a visit to the ‘floating’ village of Chong Kneas, visit a silk farm and artisan centre, before concluding at a local market.

This evening enjoy a Khmer set-dinner and Apsara show. B, D

• Boat trip in the Mekong Delta and visit to My Tho

Days 13-14: Siem Reap. Transfer to the airport for your return overnight flight to the UK, arriving the next day. B

• Boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake and visit to floating village and artisan centre.

• Visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels • Visit Angkor including Angkor Thom, Angkor Wat, the Bayon and Ta Prohm temples

VIETNAM AND CAMBODIA

Day 5: Hanoi-Da Nang-Hoi An. Disembark after breakfast and return to Hanoi from where you will fly to Da Nang (90 minutes). Transfer to Hoi An (29 miles, 90 minutes). B, L Stay two nights at the 4-star Le Pavillon Hoi An Luxury Resort and Spa (4Q), set on the edge of a coconut grove.

Day 8: Mekong Delta. Travel into the Mekong Delta and to My Tho city (43 miles, 90 minutes), where a boat trip will reveal fish farms and floating markets. Travel on the Xep canal to watch local craftsmen, enjoy some traditional music, and take a horse and cart ride into an orchard. Board a rowing boat to an islet for lunch before returning to Ho Chi Minh City. B L

Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

SOLO TRAVELLERS...

Travel in the company of other solo travellers on a similar itinerary.

Holiday code: AF777. Call for details.

ANGKOR WAT The site of Angkor was once the heart of the Khmer empire that dominated southeast Asia from the early 9th to the 15th centuries. Concealed by jungle until its rediscovery in the 1800s, this UNESCO World Heritage Site lies in the Cambodian province of Siem Reap and is regarded as one of South East Asia’s most important archaeological sites. Angkor includes the sites of Angkor Thom and the Bayon Temple, but its crowning glory is the temple complex of Angkor Wat. Regarded as Angkor Wat the largest religious monument in the world, Angkor Wat was built by King Suryavarman II in the 12th century. It is considered to be one of the finest examples of Khmer architecture and believed to be a depiction of the universe with its ornate towers, moats, and reliefs depicting figures and battles.

Contact your preferred travel agent

Vietnam Discoveries, Cambodian Treasures Holiday code: FE323 / AF777.

Prices are based on Vietnam Airlines from Heathrow.

Prices are £s per Two People Single person from: Sharing Traveller Jan 11, 2022 2449 2399 2828 2778 Feb 1 2549 2399 2928 2778 Feb 15 2549 2449 2928 2828 Feb 22 - Solos 3149 3049 Mar 1 2599 2499 2978 2878 Mar 22 2599 2449 2978 2828 Apr 5 - Solos 3349 3149 Sep 20 - Solos 3149 Sep 27 2499 2449 2878 2828 Oct 11 2499 2878 Nov 1 2549 2928 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £60 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

145

WE RECOMMEND...

SPOTTING ORANGUTANS IN BORNEO If you love wildlife, seeing orangutans in their natural habitat is one of the most special, life-affirming experiences you can have.

Orangutans are closely related to humans, sharing 97% of our DNA. They are patient, intelligent and inquisitive creatures, known to have escaped from zoos after watching zookeepers locking and unlocking doors!

An encounter with these gentle great apes is an unforgettable experience, and one of the best places to see them is Borneo. There are two ways to do this: either visit one of Borneo’s Orangutan Rehabilitation Centres or venture out into Borneo’s virgin rainforest to see these fascinating animals in the wild.

Take a cruise Kinabatangan River flows through the heart of orangutan territory. Travellers can take a small boat along the river looking out for orangutans, proboscis monkeys and other wildlife from the water. Not only is this the most leisurely way to see wild orangutans, it is also the least damaging to their habitat, although sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre The centre is dedicated to the rehabilitation of young and adult orangutans who have suffered through habitat loss, poaching or the illegal pet trade. Although you may not get the ‘buzz’ of seeing orangutans in the wild, you’re almost guaranteed to see these beautiful animals playing, eating and swinging through the trees.

Combining both experiences – seeing orangutans in the wild and also in a rehabilitation centre – gives you the most rounded picture of how the orangutan – or ‘people of the forest’– are faring in the world today.

Borneo Rainforest Adventure – see page 148

147

BORNEO RAINFOREST ADVENTURE

Classic Escorted Tour Small group 15 or less

14 nights from £2999 Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

2

Enjoy the experience of a lifetime travelling into Borneo. Its rainforests are blessed with a stunning botanical diversity and unique wildlife which you can discover as part of a small group on this escorted tour. Explore the foothills of Mount Kinabalu, cruise tropical rivers and thrill at the chance of seeing the orangutans of Sepilok.

TOUR PACE: STANDARD

Kinabalu Poring National Park Hot Springs Sepilok Kota Kinabalu Manukan Island Sabah Agricultural Park

BORNEO

ISLAND OF BORNEO

Orang-utan Centre Sandakan Sukau Gomantong Caves Nights in hotel

Enjoy spectacular sunsets over the South China Sea

See hornbills and other exotic wildlife

Visit an orangutan rehabilitation centre

148

Discover the wonders of the rainforest

Contact your preferred travel agent

Day 1: UK-Kota Kinabalu. Fly overnight to Kota Kinabalu.

Day 2: Kota Kinabalu. Arrive in Kota Kinabalu. D Stay two nights at the 4-star Kota Kinabalu Marriott Hotel (4Q), set on the seafront along the South China Sea and with views of Goya Island.

Day 3: Kota Kinabalu. Enjoy an afternoon city tour. B, L, D Day 4: Kinabalu National Park. Visit the Sabah Museum, before driving to Kinabalu National Park, a montane rainforest 6000 feet above sea level (57 miles, two hours). Pause at Nabalu handicraft market en route to your hotel. B, L, D Stay two nights at the 3-star Hill Lodge (2Q), which is located at the foot of Mount Kinabalu on a hillside within the national park.

Day 5: Kinabalu National Park. Visit the Park’s Mountain Garden where you’ll be able to discover some of the 4,500 different species of flora and fauna. B, L, D

Please note: Departures from Jan-Apr stay in the Kelicap Twin Chalet instead.

Day 7: Poring Hot Spring. Enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the rainforest from the 40-metre-high canopy walkway.

Alternatively, if it is closed, enjoy a stroll through the exotic tropical gardens instead.

Next, visit a butterfly farm, then follow a jungle trail to a waterfall in a dipterocarp forest. B, L, D Day 8: Sukau. Travel along the infamous ‘Sandakan Track’ route where British and Australian prisoners worked as labourers during World War II. Continue to Sukau village (156 miles, five hours). Listen out for the chatter of monkeys and tropical birds on an evening rainforest cruise along the Menanggol River. B, L, D Stay two nights at the 2-star Proboscis Lodge Bukit Melapi (2Q), set on the banks of the mighty Kinabtatangan River.

Day 9: Kinabatangan River. Explore the dense lowland rainforests on a river trip that follows an oxbow lake, perfect for birdwatching. B, L, D Day 10: Gomantong Caves-Sandakan.

Travel to Sandakan (80 miles, two hours), pausing en route at the Gomantong Caves where local people collect edible birds’ nests. In Sandakan, seek out the primates in the mangrove forests of Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary.

B, L, D Stay two nights at the 4-star Sabah Hotel (3Q), which is surrounded by rainforest.

Day 12: Kota Kinabalu-Manukan Island.

After a city tour of Sandakan, fly to Kota Kinabalu (45 minutes), then travel by boat to Manukan Island. B, L, D Stay two nights at the 4-star Manukan Island Resort (3Q), located on an island protected by coral reef, and has its own private beach.

Day 13: Manukan Island. At leisure – relax by the pool or perhaps enjoy some of the resort’s activities. B, L, D Days 14-15: Kota Kinabalu-UK. Transfer back to Kota Kinabalu for your return overnight flight back to the UK, arriving the next day. Alternatively, extend your holiday in Kuala Lumpur or in Mulu National Park. B

SAVE up to £250 per person on selected departures

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 12 nights in hotels and 2 in flight 35 meals: 12 breakfasts (B), 11 lunches (L) and 12 dinners (D) Local expert guide Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Sundowner drink at a memorable location • Porterage at all hotels.

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY Mulu National Park and Miri.

4 nights with breakfasts and two lunches included. After your tour witness the exodus of bats from Deer Cave during a 3-night stay at the Mulu Marriott Resort with a further night at the Miri Marriott Resort.

Please see pages 164-171 for details.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Poring Hot Springs and Kinabalu National Park • Gomantong Caves • Evening cruise on the Menanggol River

BORNEO

Day 6: Kinabalu National Park-Poring Hot Spring. Visit the Kundasang War Memorial and Kundasang Market, then explore Sabah Tea Plantation. Continue to Poring Hot Spring (25 miles, one hour).

B, L, D Stay two nights at a Glamping Centre (2Q). All tents are equipped with their own bathroom facilities.

Sun Bear Conservation Centre – and learn about Borneo’s delicate ecosystem on a visit to the Rainforest Discovery Centre where you can stroll through the treetops on a walkway. B, L, D

• Birdwatching cruise on an oxbow lake • Sepilok Orangutan Centre • Sun Bear Conservation Centre

SOLO TRAVELLERS...

• Rainforest Discovery Centre

Join other solo travellers on the same itinerary. Holiday code: AF748.

Call for details.

• Labuk Bay Monkey Sanctuary • Sandakan sightseeing tour • Kota Kinabalu city tour.

WILDLIFE OF BORNEO Delve deeper into the wildlife of Borneo on a wildlife-themed special interest holiday. In the company of your local specialist tour manager, explore the botanical paradise of Kinabalu Park, trek through the undergrowth and walk in the tree canopy. Cruise to Sungai Menaggol in search of proboscis monkeys and watch for orangutans, civet cats and more on the Kinabatangan River. In Sandakan discover the underground world of Gomantong Caves, visit a Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary and the famous Sepilok Orangutan Centre, concluding with the Sun Bear Conservation, and the Rainforest Discovery centres.

From birds to orchids to orangutans, experience the wildlife of this unique island and its extraordinary rainforest.

Wildlife of Borneo 14 nights.

Holiday code: AW12A.

Day 11: Sandakan. Visit two wildlife conservation projects that rehabilitate animals with the goal of returning them to the wild – Sepilok Orangutan Centre and

Borneo Rainforest Adventure Holiday code: BR12A / AW12A Wildlife / AF748 Solo.

Prices are based on Royal Brunei from Heathrow Prices are £s per Two people Single person from: sharing Traveller Jan 22, 2022 3249 2999 3678 3428 Feb 19 - Solos 3849 3749 Feb 26 3299 3199 3748 3648 Mar 12 - Solos 3849 3799 Mar 26 3349 3299 3798 3748 Apr 16 3349 3798 Apr 23 3799 3799 May 4 -Wildlife 3449 3878 May 7 3349 3778 May 11 -Wildlife 3449 3878 May 18 -Wildlife 3449 3878 May 25 3349 3778 Jun 1 3249 3678* Jun 4 -Wildlife 3349 3778 Jun 11 - Solos 3849 Jun 18 3099 3528 Aug 27 -Wildlife 3349 3778 Sep 3 Limited Availability 3678 Sep 10 -Wildlife 3399 3828 Sep 17 - Solos 3849 Oct 1, 2022 3349 3798* Oct 8 -Wildlife 3449 3898 Oct 15 -Wildlife 3449 3898 Oct 22 3299 3249 3748 3698 Nov 5 3249 3199 3678 3628 Nov 12 3899 3899 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £60 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

Contact your preferred travel agent

149

KOTA KINABALU AND MANUKAN ISLAND RESORT

NEW

Signature Hotel Escorted Tour

14 nights ALL INCLUSIVE from £2949 Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

BORNEO

Immerse yourself in the unique culture, history and wildlife of Borneo during an all-inclusive holiday split between the rainforest city of Kota-Kinabalu and the paradise surroundings of Manukan Island.

Enjoy traditional dance performances

Keep an eye out for a Rhinoceros Hornbill

Visit the Sepilok Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre

The night market in Kota Kinabalu is a treat for all the senses

150

Mount Kinabalu

Contact your preferred travel agent

Days 1-8: UK-Borneo. Fly overnight to Kota Kinabalu, via the capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. Spend six nights at Le Méridien Kota Kinabalu which occupies a stunning waterfront location on the island's west coast. Look forward to three included excursions to the best of Borneo's wildlife sanctuaries as well as the cultural and geographical highlights of the island. Explore independently the authentic night markets, situated outside the hotel, and choose from a range of optional excursions, including the North Borneo Railway and the Mari Mari Cultural Village, on free days.

Days 8-13: Borneo-Manukan Island. Board a ferry for a 20-minute crossing to Manukan Island which lies in the South China Sea. Stay six nights at the 4-star Manukan Island Resort on an all inclusive basis. During your stay you can look forward to an included excursion featuring a jungle trek on nearby Gaya Island.

Days 14-15: Manukan Island-UK. Travel back to Kota Kinabalu airport for your return overnight flight to the UK and VIP door-to-door travel service home.

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 All breakfasts, lunches and dinners Free bar open 12 hours a day Saga Lounge at Le Meridien Hotel Saga Host Plus all this...

• Private beach at Manukan Island • Le Meridien – All Inclusive only available with Saga • Manukan Island Resort – Exclusive to Saga in the UK • Drinks with lunch and dinner • Return flights and transfers • Welcome drink

LE MÉRIDIEN KOTA KINABALU QQQQ

The resort of Manukan, an island encircled by a protected coral reef, is home to sweeping sandy beaches, beautiful rainforest and a variety of nature trails. During the day relax beside the outdoor pool or on the private beach, reserved exclusively for island residents. Facilities include the P’rahu Restaurant which offers local and international food served à la carte by waiters. Snacks are available all day, while lunch and dinner are accompanied by included beer, house wine, spirits and non-alcoholic drinks. You can also enjoy barbecue lunches, sunset cocktails or dine in a Cabana on the beach (extra charge). The free bar is open from 11am to 11pm and complimentary tea and coffee is available throughout the day. There are 20 air-conditioned lodges each with a private bathroom featuring a walk-in shower - television, telephone, safe, and tea and coffeemaking facilities. Upgrades to a hillside lodge are available (for a supplement), which include direct access to the beach and an ocean view. There is no lift and three steps into the lodge.

The 5-star Le Méridien Kota Kinabalu is set in the heart of Kota Kinabalu. Having undergone a refurbishment in 2019, the air-conditioned rooms are spacious with modern furnishings.

Saga guests stay in city-view rooms with a private bathroom featuring a bath and separate shower. There is also a lift at the hotel. Buffet-style meals are served in the Latest Recipe restaurant, which offers local and international cuisine. Alternatively, for an extra charge you can treat yourself to an á la carte meal in the Favola restaurant or perhaps sample Asian street food in the Azure pool bar and cafe. Other facilities include a Saga Lounge, lobby bar (free bar open 11am-11pm), roof top bar, outdoor pool, Jacuzzi, fitness centre and spa (treatments extra charge). An upgraded room option is available (for an additional supplement) with stunning views of the South China Sea.

• Porterage at both hotels and during boat transfer to the island.

INCLUDED EXCURSIONS: • Kota Kinabalu city and museum tour (half day)

BORNEO

MANUKAN ISLAND RESORT QQQ

• Kinabalu Mountain and Park and Poring Hot Springs (full day) • Sepilok Orang-utan Centre, Sun Bear Conservation Centre, Labuk Bay Monkey Sanctuary (with flights) (full day) • Gaya Island Jungle Trek (half day).

Explore the rainforest

SANDAKAN SANCTUARIES During your stay at Le Meridien enjoy an exciting light aircraft flight to Sandakan for a full-day excursion to visit two wildlife conservation projects. Firstly head to the Sepilok Orang-utan Centre, established in 1964 to rehabilitate orphan orang-utans.

Today more than 50 orang-utans live free in the 4,300 hectares of protected land at the edge of the Kabili Sepilok Forest Reserve, while dozens more orphans are housed in nurseries on the site. Continue to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre where you can look forward to meeting the smallest bears on Earth, dozens of whom have been rescued from captivity and given a home at the BSBCC.

Contact your preferred travel agent

Kota Kinabalu and Manukan island Resort: Holiday code BR213.

Prices are based on Royal Brunei from Heathrow.

Prices from: Two people sharing Single Traveller Jan 12, 2022 2949 3428 Feb 16 2999 3428 Mar 2, 16 3049 3478 May 11, 25 3049 3478 Jun 8 2999 3428 Aug 31 2999 3428 Sep 14, 28 3049 3478 Oct 12 3049 3478 Nov 9 2949 3428 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £60 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

151

INDONESIA: LAND OF THE DRAGONS

NEW

Immersive Escorted Tour Small group 25 or less

15 nights from £3099

3

Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

TOUR PACE: ACTIVE

Embark on an island-hopping adventure through Indonesia, a land boasting natural beauty, exotic wildlife, ancient temples and friendly locals. Explore Bali’s beautiful rice paddies, and the island’s cultural heart – Ubud. From Flores Island, see the world’s largest lizard, the Komodo Dragon. Finally visit Java to meet indigenous tribes in the foothills of Mount Bromo, and explore Yogyakarta, a culinary heaven for foodies.

Yogyakarta Surabaya

Mount Bromo

INDONESIA

Ubud

Labuan Bajo

Sidemen

INDONESIA

Nusa Dua Komodo National Park Nights in hotel

Bali’s rice terraces

Sunrise over Mount Bromo

Ornate Borobudur temple

152

Komodo dragon

Contact your preferred travel agent

Day 1: UK-Bali. Fly overnight to Bali.

Day 2: Ubud. Transfer to Ubud (23 miles, 90 minutes), the cultural centre of Bali.

A complimentary light meal will be provided due to late arrival, along with a welcome drink. Stay three nights at the 4-star Alaya Resort Ubud (4Q+), centrally located in Ubud.

Day 3: Ubud. Join an orientation walking tour. See the Ubud traditional art market, the historic Ubud Palace, and visit the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, home to Balinese long-tailed macaques. Spend the afternoon at leisure, or join an optional Balinese cooking experience. B Day 4: Ubud. Enjoy a full day at leisure. An optional tour visits Bali’s rural heartland. B

Day 6: Sidemen-Labuan Bajo, Flores Island. Transfer to the airport (33 miles, two hours), then fly to to Labuan Bajo (one hour). Join a short orientation of downtown Labuan Bajo, dine at a local restaurant for lunch, and spend the afternoon at leisure. B, L, D Stay two nights at the 5-star AYANA Komodo Resort (4Q+), a stylish hotel with a beachfront location.

Day 7: Komodo National Park. Join a full day island cruise. Head first to Rinca Island, part of the Komodo National Park and home to the Komodo dragon – the world’s largest lizard. These impressive reptiles can weigh up to 300 pounds, and have venom glands loaded with deadly toxins. Continue to Sebayur and Penga islands to relax or explore independently before cruising back to Labuan Bajo. B, L Day 8: Labuan Bajo-Mount Bromo, Java.

Spend the morning at leisure, then fly to Surabaya (90 minutes). Continue by road to Mount Bromo (78 miles, three hours).

Located in the Tengger Semeru National Park, Mount Bromo is an active volcano, standing at 7,641 feet above sea level. B, L, D Stay two nights at the 3-star Jiwa Jawa Resort Bromo (3Q), boasting panoramic views of Mount Tengger.

Day 9: Mount Bromo. Spend the day touring East Java. Meet the Tengger community, an indigenous ethnic group who have been largely isolated from external influences. Experience the ancient traditions, distinctive cuisine, spectacular landscapes and warm welcomes of the Tengger people. B, L, D Day 10: Mount Bromo-Yogyakarta. Rise early this morning to watch the sunrise over Bromo volcano, travelling by 4x4 to a popular viewing platform. After lunch at the hotel, transfer to the train station for

Day 11: Yogyakarta. Yogyakarta is an important centre for fine arts with a thriving food scene. Join a half day culinary tour, with breakfast at the traditional market of Beringharjo, and lunch at the Garuda noodle factory. Enjoy time at leisure this afternoon.

After dinner, take an evening tour of the city’s street food stalls, perhaps tasting traditional dishes. B, L, D Day 12: Yogyakarta. Tour the world’s largest Buddhist temple, Borobudur, a site comprising two million square feet of volcanic stone across three tiers.

Continue to the UNESCO-listed Hindu site, Prambanan, a complex of 224 ornate temples dates from the 9th century, featuring scenes from the Ramayana epic carved into the walls. B, L, D Day 13: Yogyakarta-Nusa Dua. Join a sightseeing tour of Yogyakarta. Visit the Kraton palace complex, and Kota Gede, the hub of the city’s silver industry. After lunch, transfer to the airport and fly to Bali (90 minutes). Continue by road to Nusa Dua (eight miles, 20 minutes). B, L, D Stay two nights at the 5-star The Laguna Resort and Spa (5Q), located on a pristine white sand beach.

Day 14: Nusa Dua. Join a short orientation tour of Nusa Dua, then spend the afternoon at leisure. Optional excursions include a cruise off the coast of Sanur, or a visit to Uluwatu Temple. Enjoy a farewell dinner this evening. B, D

SAVE up to £200 per person on selected departures

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 13 nights in hotels and 2 in flight 30 meals: 13 breakfasts (B), 9 lunches (L) and 8 dinners (D) Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Local expert guides • Welcome drink • Porterage at all hotels.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Ubud walking tour • Guided walk of Sidemen • Orientation tour of Labuan Bajo • Komodo National Park visit

INDONESIA

Day 5: Ubud-Sidemen. Journey to Sidemen, a traditional village located in the foothills of Bali’s largest volcano (20 miles, one hour). Join a short countryside walk and visit a Balinese home to see local women creating weaving fabric using the traditional ikat method of dyeing. After a picnic lunch, visit Besakih Temple, the largest Hindu temple in Bali. B, L Stay overnight at the 4-star Wapa Di Ume Sidemen (4Q), a boutique resort.

a scenic journey to Yogyakarta (five hours) with dinner included on board. Arrive late this evening. B, L, D Stay three nights at the 5-star Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta - MGallery Collection (4Q+), set in a colonial building from 1918.

• Heritage tour of East Java • Tengger Massi sunrise experience • Yogyakarta culinary tour • Borobudur and Prambana temples tour • Sightseeing tour of Yogyakarta • Sanur orientation tour.

Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

Day 15: Nusa Dua-UK. Transfer to the airport for your overnight flight to the UK. B Day 16: UK. Arrive in the UK.

FLAVOURS OF JAVA During your holiday, embark on a culinary tour of Yogyakarta. Featured in the Netflix series ‘Street Food’, the city is famed for its gudeg, a savoury stewed jackfruit cooked with herbs and spices, which you’ll have the chance to try at Beringharjo market. For lunch try mie lethek, known locally as ugly noodles, Yogyakarta’s signature noodle dish.

You’ll visit the last remaining traditional factory, where a cow-pulled mortar grinds dried sweet potatoes and cassava into flour. Finally explore Jalan Malioboro at night, when the street comes alive with food stands. Try Indonesian street treats including onde-onde, a fried rice cake, and bakpia, a sweet pastry.

Indonesian street food

Contact your preferred travel agent

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY Nusa Dua, Bali. 7 nights including breakfasts. After your tour, stay an additional seven nights at the 5-star The Laguna Resort and Spa (5Q).

Please see pages 164-171 for details.

Indonesian Island Hopping. Holiday code: FE328.

Prices are based on Qatar Airlines from Heathrow.

Alternative local flight options available from Manchester, Norwich and Edinburgh, supplements may apply.

Single Prices are £s per Two people person from: sharing Traveller Jan 10, 2022 3299 3099 3998 3798 Feb 14 3399 3299 4098 3998 Mar 14 3549 3349 4248 4048 Apr 4 3599 3399 4298 4098 May 16 3599 3499 4298 4198 Jun 13 3699 3599 4398 4298 Sep 26 3699 3599 4398 4298 Oct 10 3649 3549 4348 4248 Nov 7 3399 3299 4098 3998 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £60 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

153

AUSTRALIAN ADVENTURE

Classic Escorted Tour

19 nights from £5349 Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

2

Experience Sydney and its world-famous landmarks, discover the Great Barrier Reef and see the sun set over Uluru. This unforgettable tour offers the chance to explore the highlights of Australia, from the dynamic cities of a modern nation to the ancient heartland of Aboriginal culture.

AUSTRALIA

TOUR PACE: STANDARD

Sydney’s famous Opera House and bridge

AUSTRALIA

Alice Springs Rottnest Island

Uluru

Sydney Nights in hotel

The endearing koala

The vast monolith, Uluru

154

Contact your preferred travel agent

Great Barrier Reef

Pinnacles Desert

Perth

Perth’s impressive waterfront

Cairns

Melbourne

Day 1: UK-Perth. Fly to Perth.

Day 2: Perth. Arrive in the afternoon and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy a welcome drink and dinner this evening. D Stay two nights at the 4-star Rendezvous Grand Perth (3Q), situated near to Kings Park, overlooking Scarborough Beach.

Day 3: Perth. Enjoy a cruise along the Swan River, then discover the attractions of this 'new frontier city' during an included sightseeing tour taking in the Botanical Gardens, King’s Park, the restored theatre and more. Afterwards, continue to Fremantle with its own unique maritime character. B Day 4: Perth-Alice Springs. Fly to Alice Springs (three hours). This evening enjoy an authentic barbecue dinner. B, D Stay two nights at the 4-star Crowne Plaza Alice Spring’s Lasseters (4Q+), at the foot of the Macdonnell ranges in Alice Springs.

Day 6: Alice Springs-Uluru. After a tour taking in the Old Telegraph Station and the Flying Doctor service, travel through the outback to Uluru, formerly known as Ayers Rock (291 miles, five hours). B, D Stay overnight at the 4-star Desert Gardens Hotel (3Q), enjoy views of Uluru from the hotel.

Day 7: Uluru-Cairns. Perhaps take to the skies on an optional helicopter flight to experience Uluru from the air. Fly to Cairns (three hours). B Stay four nights at the 4-star Novotel Carins Oasis (4Q), situated on waterfront within walking distance of the city’s art galleries and shops.

Day 8: Cairns. Enjoy today at leisure or perhaps join an optional excursion to the village of Kuranda where you can ride the Historic Scenic Railway through the rainforest. B Day 9: Great Barrier Reef. Travel by catamaran to Green Island on an included excursion. Take the opportunity to go snorkelling or see the marine life on a trip by glass-bottom boat. After a buffet lunch, relax on the sandy beach then head back to the mainland. B, L Day 10: Cairns. At leisure. B

Day 12: Sydney. See the best of the city on today's included full-day tour. Discover the elegant quarter of Paddington and the Rocks, then visit the Sydney Opera House for a guided tour, and then on to Circular Quay for a sightseeing cruise around Sydney harbour. B, L Day 13: Sydney. At leisure or join an optional excursion into the wine-growing region of the Hunter Valley. B Day 14: Sydney. At leisure, or perhaps explore the UNESCO-listed Blue Mountains on an optional excursion. B Day 15: Sydney-Melbourne. Fly to Melbourne (90 minutes). B Stay four nights at the 4-star Crowne Plaza Melbourne (4Q), overlooking the Yarra River and close to the city centre.

Day 16: Melbourne. Today's included full-day tour will encompass Queen Victoria Market, Captain Cook's cottage, historic Williamstown and more. B Day 17: Melbourne. At leisure, or join an optional excursion to Phillip Island to see the penguins! B Day 18: Melbourne. At leisure or join an optional excursion to view koalas and kangaroos in the wild. Enjoy a dinner cruise this evening on Melbourne's Yarra River. B, D Days 19-20: Melbourne-UK. Travel to the airport for your overnight return flight to the UK, arriving the next day. Alternatively, extend your holiday in Melbourne or Tasmania. B

SAVE up to £100 per person on selected departures

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 17 nights in hotels and 2 in flight 24 meals: 17 breakfasts (B), 2 lunches (L) and 5 dinners (D) Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Welcome drink reception • Porterage at all hotels • Tourist visa for full British citizens resident in the UK.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Perth city tour and Swan River cruise • Alice Springs guided tour • Sunset drink at Ayers Rock • Catamaran trip to Green Island in the Great Barrier Reef • Guided tour of Sydney, the Opera House and a harbour cruise • Melbourne city tour, including Captain Cook's cottage • Dinner cruise on the Yarra River.

Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY

SOLO TRAVELLERS...

Melbourne. 3 nights including breakfasts. After your tour, stay at the 4-star Crown Promenade (4Q+).

Tasmania. 3 nights including breakfasts. After your tour, fly to Hobart and stay at the 4-star Hotel Grand Chancellor (4Q).

Please see pages 164-171 for details.

Travel in the company of other solo travellers on a similar itinerary.

Holiday code: AF397. Please call for details.

AUSTRALIA

Day 5: Alice Springs. Alice Springs was originally founded as a staging point for the overland telegraph line in the 1870s. Spend the day here at leisure. B

Day 11: Cairns-Sydney. Fly to Sydney (three hours). B, D Stay four nights at the modern 4-star Vibe Hotel (4Q), close to Hyde Park, Chinatown and Sydney Tower.

VISITING FRIENDS AND FAMILY Saga can help you tailor your travel plans to see friends and family before or after your tour – just give our Travel Consultants a call.

COMBINE AUSTRALIAN ADVENTURE AND NEW ZEALAND ADVENTURE 34 nights from £8898 saving £1300 per person off the combined package price. Holiday code: AZN01.

THE GREAT BARRIER REEF This extraordinary and stunningly beautiful natural wonder covers 135,000 square miles and is made up of some 2,500 individual reefs and 900 islands. It is host to a staggering diversity of marine life that inhabits the blue waters and the hard and soft corals of the reef. Hardly surprisingly, the Great Barrier Reef is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of worldwide conservation significance and is regarded as one of the ‘richest and most complex natural ecosystems on earth’.

Today, the reef is unfortunately under pressure from a number of man-made threats, with climate change posing the greatest danger to the reef’s very existence.

Contact your preferred travel agent

Australian Adventure. Holiday code: AZ723/AF397 Solos. Prices are based on Qantas Airways from Heathrow.

Alternative local flight options available from Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow, supplements may apply.

Prices are £s Two Single per person from: People Sharing Traveller 6548 6448 Sep 1, 2022 5449 5349 Oct 13 5949 7148 Oct 20 5849 7048 Nov 3 5699 6848 Jan 12, 2023 5549 6648 Feb 9 5449 6548 Feb 16 - Solos 6499 Mar 23 5349 6448 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £90 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

155

ULTIMATE AUSTRALIA

Classic Escorted Tour

29 nights including the Northern Territory from £7299 Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

2

Experience the best of the Red Continent, from its cosmopolitan capitals and outback communities, to the expansive deserts, tropical rainforests and sun-kissed coasts on this epic month-long exploration Down Under.

TOUR PACE: STANDARD

Darwin

Kakadu Katherine Cairns Alice Springs

Great Barrier Reef Frankland Island

Uluru AUSTRALIA

Brisbane

Perth Rottnest Island

AUSTRALIA

Nights in hotel

Enjoy dinner under the stars at Uluru

Stunning Katherine Gorge

The Great Ocean Road

Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge

156

The Great Barrier Reef

Contact your preferred travel agent

Sydney Adelaide Coonawarra Portland Great Ocean Road

Canberra Melbourne Dandenong Ranges

Days 1-2: UK-Perth. Fly overnight to Perth.

Day 15: Cairns.At leisure. B

Stay three nights at the 3-star Mercure Perth (3Q+), located in the cultural district, with views of the city and the Swan River.

Day 16: Brisbane. Fly to Brisbane (two hours and 15 minutes) and enjoy a city tour. B Stay two nights at the 4-star Novotel Brisbane (4Q), close to the central railway station and some of the city’s best restaurants and galleries.

Day 3: Perth. Enjoy a half-day tour of Western Australia's capital, before visiting Freemantle, and enjoying a cruise along Swan River to Perth. B Day 4: Perth.Optional boat trip to Rottnest Island. B Day 5: Perth-Darwin. Fly to Darwin (three hours and 30 minutes). A half-day city tour highlights its tropical setting at the ‘Top End’ of Australia. B Stay overnight at the 4-star Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront (4Q).

Day 7: Katherine. Cruise the Yellow Waters Lagoon, see the Aboriginal paintings at Nourlangie Rock en route to Katherine, in the Nitmiluk National Park (144 miles, two hours and 30 minutes). B Stay overnight at the 2-star Best Western Pine Tree Motel (3Q), set amongst tropical gardens.

Day 8: Darwin. Cruise Katherine Gorge through a forested sandstone plateau.

Return to Darwin (197 miles, three hours). B Stay overnight at the 4-star Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront (4Q).

Day 9: Alice Springs. Fly to Alice Springs, gateway to the ‘Red Heart’ of Australia (two hours). B Stay overnight at the 4-star DoubleTree by Hilton (4Q), walking distance to town, on banks of Todd River.

Day 10: Alice Springs-Uluru. A half-day tour reveals the Flying Doctor base and more. Later, drive through the outback to Uluru in the Red Centre (291 miles, five hours). B Stay two nights at the 4-star Desert Hotel (3Q), enjoy views of Uluru from the hotel.

Day 11: Uluru. See sunrise over Uluru and explore its base. Return at sunset for a ‘Sounds of Silence’ dinner, under the stars. B, D Day 12: Cairns. Visit the unusual rock formations of Mount Olga. Fly to Cairns (three hours). B Stay four nights at the 4-star Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort (4Q), situated on the waterfront within walking distance of the city’s art galleries and shops.

Day 13: Cairns. Go exploring in this cosmopolitan city. Optional excursion visits the mountain village of Kuranda. B Day 14: Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy the morning sailing on a luxury catamaran on a tour of Michaelmas Cay, with free time to snorkel on the reef. B, L

Day 18: Canberra. Fly to Canberra (two hours) and enjoy a sightseeing tour. B Stay overnight at the contemporary 4-star Novotel Canberra (4Q).

Day 19: Sydney. Visit Canberra’s world-class Australian War Memorial Museum. Drive to Sydney (185 miles, three hours). B Stay three nights at the 4-star Vibe Hotel (4Q), close to Hyde Park, Chinatown and Sydney Tower.

Day 20: Sydney. Enjoy a half-day tour of Britain's earliest settlement, now one of the world's most iconic cityscapes. B, L Day 21: Sydney. Optional outing into the beautiful Blue Mountains. B Day 22: Melbourne. Fly to Melbourne (90 minutes). B Stay three nights at the 4-star Crown Plaza Melbourne (4Q), overlooking the Yarra River and close to the city centre.

Day 23: Melbourne. Ride the historic ‘Puffing Billy’ steam train and tour the city's highlights. B Day 24: Melbourne. At leisure. B Day 25: Warrnambool. Drive the Great Ocean Road to the vibrant city of Warrnambool (160 miles, five hours). B Stay overnight at the 4-star Deep Blue Resort & Spa hotel (4Q), near the beach.

Day 26: Coonawarra-Adelaide. After a wine tasting in the Coonawarra winelands continue to Adelaide (232 miles, four hours and 30 minutes). B Stay three nights at the 4-star Majestic Roof Garden Hotel (4Q), close to Adelaide Zoo.

selected departures

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 27 nights in hotels and 2 in flight 30 meals: 27 breakfasts (B), 2 lunches (L) and 1 dinner (D) Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Welcome drink reception • Porterage at all hotels • Tourist visa for full British citizens resident in the UK.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • City tours of Perth, Darwin, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide state capitals • Kakadu National Park visit • Cruise on the Yellow Waters Lagoon • Visit Nourlangie Rock • Cruise through Katherine Gorge • Alice Springs guided tour • Uluru at sunset and sunrise • Sounds of Silence experience • Visit the Olgas • Michaelmas Cay tour on the Great Barrier Reef • Sightseeing tour of Canberra • Australian War Memorial visit • Riding aboard the ‘Puffing Billy’ • Scenic drive along the Great Ocean Road • Wine tasting in Coonawarra • Cleland Wildlife Park visit.

Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

AUSTRALIA

Day 6: Kakadu National Park. Drive to Kakadu National Park (90 miles, one hour and 45 minutes). Discover how this unique cultural landscape is spiritually important to Aboriginal people. B Stay overnight at the 3-star Cooinda Lodge Kakadu (3Q+), a village-style property located beside the Yellow Water Bilabong.

Day 17: Brisbane. Optional visit to the late Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo. B

SAVE up to £150 per person on

VISITING FRIENDS AND FAMILY Saga can help you tailor your travel plans to see friends and family before or after your tour – just give our Travel Consultants a call.

Day 27: Adelaide. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of picturesque Adelaide and the Botanical Gardens. Later, see up to 130 species of Australian wildlife at Cleland Wildlife Park. B Day 28: Adelaide. Optional excursion to wildlife lovers' paradise, Kangaroo Island. B Days 29-30: Adelaide-UK. Take your overnight flight to the UK, arriving the next day, or extend your holiday in Adelaide. B

EXTEND YOUR TOUR Perth. 3 nights including breakfasts.

Before your tour, stay at the 3-star Mercure Perth (3Q).

Adelaide. 3 nights including breakfasts.

After your tour, stay at the 4-star Majestic View Garden Hotel (4Q).

Please see pages 164-171 for details.

Ultimate Australia. Holiday code: AZ724 / AZ74T^ .

Prices are based on Qantas Airways from Heathrow. ^Feb 9, 2023 departure visits Tasmania instead of Australia’s Northern Territory. Please call for details.

Prices Two Single from: People Sharing Traveller Apr 14, 2022 7199 8798* Oct 6 7699 7549 9398 9248 Oct 20 7699 7549 9398 9248 Nov 3 7399 9098* Feb 9, 2023^ 7299 9048 *Single rooms may be available on request only §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £120 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

Contact your preferred travel agent

157

AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND ADVENTURE

Epic Escorted Tour 2

34 nights from £8898

TOUR PACE: STANDARD

Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND

This epic month-long tour reveals the heart and soul of two special nations.

Starting in Australia, tour Perth, Sydney and Melbourne, and explore the Great Barrier Reef, Alice Springs and Uluru in the outback. In New Zealand visit Christchurch, Wellington, and Rotorua, taking in such sights as the Fjordland National Park, Tongariro National Park, and the Tamaki Maori Village.

Iconic Sydney

Experience Maori culture in New Zealand

Inhabitants of the Great Barrier Reef

South Island, New Zealand

Nights in hotel

Cairns Alice Springs Rottnest Island

From Melbourne

Sydney Melbourne To Christchurch

Uluru at sunset

158

Waitomo Caves

Great Barrier Reef

Uluru

Perth Freemantle

Auckland

NEW ZEALAND

AUSTRALIA

Contact your preferred travel agent

Picton Abel Tasman National Park Nelson

Rotorua Tongariro National Park Wellington

Hokitika Franz Josef Christchurch Mount Cook Lake Tekapo Milford Sound Queenstown Fiordland National Park

Day 1: UK-Perth. Fly overnight to Perth.

Day 2: Perth. Arrive in the afternoon.

Stay two nights at the 4-star Rendezvous Hotel Perth Central (3Q).

Day 3: Perth. Sightseeing tour followed by a short cruise to Fremantle. Welcome drink and dinner tonight. B, D Day 4: Perth-Alice Springs. Fly to Alice Springs (three hours). B, D Stay two nights at the 4-star Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseter’s (4Q).

Day 5: Alice Springs. At leisure. B Day 6: Alice Springs-Ayers Rock.

Journey through the outback to Uluru, formerly known as Ayers Rock (290 miles, five hours). B, D Stay overnight at the 4-star Desert Gardens Hotel (3Q).

Day 7: Ayers Rock-Cairns. Optional helicopter flight to see Uluru from the air.

Fly to Cairns (three hours). B Stay four nights at the 4-star Novotel Oasis (4Q).

Day 9:Great Barrier Reef. Spend the day on the Great Barrier Reef. B, L Day 10: Cairns. A variety of optional excursions is available. B Day 11: Cairns-Sydney. Fly to Sydney (three hours). B, D Stay four nights at the 4-star Vibe Hotel (4Q).

Day 12: Sydney. Sightseeing trip highlights the Rocks district, Harbour Bridge and Botanical Gardens, and includes a guided tour of the Opera House. B, L Day 13: Sydney. An optional excursion reveals the Hunter Valley. B Day 14: Sydney. Perhaps explore the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains on an optional excursion. B Day 15: Sydney-Melbourne. Fly to Melbourne (90 minutes). B Stay four nights at the 4-star Crowne Plaza Melbourne (4Q).

Day 16: Melbourne. City tour encompassing Captain Cook's Cottage and Queen Victoria Market. B Day 17: Melbourne. Optional excursion to Phillip Island. B Day 18: Melbourne. Dinner cruise on the Yarra River. B, D

Day 24: Queenstown-Franz Josef. Travel to Franz Josef (240 miles, five hours). B Stay overnight at the 3-star Scenic Franz Josef Glacier Hotel (3Q).

Day 25: Franz Josef-Hokitika. Optional Glacier Valley walk to face of Franz Josef Glacier. Continue to Hokitika (85 miles, two hours). B, D Stay overnight at the 3-star Beachfront Hotel Hokitika (3Q).

Day 26: Hokitika-Nelson. Transfer to Nelson (198 miles, four hours). B Stay two nights at the 4-star Heritage Rutherford Hotel (4Q).

Day 27: Nelson. At leisure. Optional excursion to Abel Tasman National Park with a picnic lunch. B Day 28: Nelson-Wellington. Ferry to Wellington (five hours). Included tour of the Te Papa museum. B Stay overnight at the 4-star Grand Mercure Wellington (4Q).

Day 29: Wellington-Tongariro National Park. Journey to Tongariro (180 miles, four hours). B, D Stay overnight at the 4-star Powderhorn Chateau (4Q).

SAVE £1300 on the combined individual prices when you book Australian and New Zealand Adventure

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 32 nights in hotels and 2 in flight 47 meals: 32 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 12 dinners Saga tour manager Plus all this…

• Return flights and transfers • Welcome drink reception • Porterage at all hotels • Tourist visa for full British citizens resident in the UK.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Perth city tour

Day 30: Tongariro National Park-Rotorua.

Scenic drive at Lake Taupo, visit Huka Falls. Continue to Rotorua (105 miles, two hours and 30 minutes), visit the Te Puia Geothermal Reserve. B Stay two nights at the 4-star Distinction Rotorua (4Q).

• Alice Springs guided tour

Day 31: Rotorua. Evening cultural performance and traditional hangi dinner at Tamaki Maori village. B, D

• Dinner cruise on the Yarra River

Day 32: Rotorua-Waitomo-Auckland.

Tour Waitomo Caves. Travel to Auckland (143 miles, three hours). B Stay two nights at the 4-star Rydges Auckland Hotel (4Q).

Day 33: Auckland. Tour of Auckland, visit to Auckland Museum. B Day 34: Auckland to UK. Travel to the airport for your overnight flight, or extend your holiday in Auckland. B, D Day 35: UK. Arrive in the UK.

• Sunset drink at Uluru • Catamaran trip in the Great Barrier Reef • Guided tour of Sydney • Melbourne city tour • Christchurch city tour

AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND

Day 8: Cairns. A choice of optional excursions is available. B

Day 23: Queenstown. At leisure.

Dinner at the Skyline Tower. B, D

• Ride Queenstown's Skyline Gondola • Tour Fiordland National Park and cruise across Milford Sound • Wellington city tour • Scenic drive around Lake Taupo • Huka Falls visit • Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley • Maori village visit • Waitomo Caves walking tour and cruise • Auckland city tour.

Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

SOLO TRAVELLERS...

Travel in the company of other solo travellers on a similar itinerary.

Holiday code: AFN01. Call for details.

Day 19: Melbourne-Christchurch. Fly to Christchurch in New Zealand (three hours and 30 minutes). B. Stay two nights at the 4.5-star Distinction Christchurch Hotel (4Q).

VISITING FRIENDS AND FAMILY

Day 20: Christchurch. Included afternoon sightseeing tour and punting trip on River Avon. B, D

Saga can help you tailor your travel plans to see friends and family before or after your tour – just give our Travel Consultants a call.

Day 21: Christchurch-Queenstown.

Transfer to Queenstown (300 miles, six hours). B, D Stay three nights at the 4-star Copthorne Lakefront Resort (4Q).

Australian and New Zealand Adventure.

Holiday code: AZN01 / AFN01 (Solo).

Prices are based on Qantas Airways from Heathrow.

Prices are £s per Two People Single person from: Sharing Traveller Oct 13, 2022 9398 11746 Nov 3 9048 11346 Jan 12, 2023 9148 11396 Feb 9 8898 11146 Feb 16 - Solo 11198 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £150 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

Day 22: Fiordland National Park.

Explore the Park, and cruise Milford Sound fjord, with a picnic lunch. B, L Contact your preferred travel agent

159

NEW ZEALAND CONTRASTS

Classic Escorted Tour

24 nights from £5899 Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand, the ‘land of the long white cloud’, is blessed with a stunning diversity of scenery and amazing natural wonders, from hot springs and geysers to sparkling glaciers, silent fjords and mountains.

This comprehensive, yet leisurely, tour uncovers the highlights, and offers an insight into Maori culture.

2 TOUR PACE: STANDARD

Dine in the Stratosfare Restaurant

Auckland’s skyline

Cruise across Milford Sound

Waitangi Treaty Grounds

Bay of Islands Auckland

NEW ZEALAND Nights in hotel

Huka Falls

Rotorua Napier

Blenheim Wellington Arthur’s Pass Kaikoura Franz Josef Wanaka Christchurch Milford Sound Lake Ohau Queenstown Dunedin Te Anau

The beautiful Bay of Islands

160

Look out for humpback whales

Contact your preferred travel agent

Days 1-2: UK-Auckland. Fly to Auckland.

Day 3: Auckland. Arrive in New Zealand’s largest city. D Stay two nights at the city centre 4-star Rydges Auckland Hotel (4Q), with city or harbour views.

Day 4: Auckland. After a half-day city sightseeing tour and visit to the War Memorial Museum, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. B Day 5: Auckland-Bay of Islands. Travel to the Bay of Islands (148 miles, three hours and 30 minutes), and join a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. B, D Stay two nights at the 3-star Kingsgate Hotel Autolodge (3Q), situated on the waterfront.

Day 6: Bay of Islands. Enjoy a catamaran cruise in search of dolphins around the Bay of Islands, dotted with some 144 islands. B

Day 8: Rotorua. During a half day sightseeing tour, see Rainbow Springs Kiwi bird hatchery, and the Te Puia Thermal Reserve and Maori culture centre. This evening visit the Tamaki Maori Village, taking part in a Powhiri welcome ceremony with a traditional Maori dinner. B, D Day 9: Rotorua-Napier. Travel to Napier stopping en route at the Huka Falls (134 miles, three hours). B, D Stay two nights at the 4-star Scenic Hotel Te Pania (3Q), which enjoys a waterfront location on the edge of Hawkes Bay. Day 10: Napier. See Napier’s Art Deco architecture on a walking tour of the city taking in the highlights. B Day 11: Napier-Wellington. Drive to Wellington (200 miles, four hours), and enjoy a city tour. See the waterfront, Mount Victoria, Wellington Botanic Gardens and enjoy a coastal drive. B,D Stay overnight at the 4-star Novotel Wellington Hotel (3Q), located in the city centre.

Day 12: Wellington-Blenheim. Take the Interislander ferry to Picton (four hours), travelling through the Cook Strait.

Upon arrival enjoy a vineyard tour and wine tasting. Travel to Blenheim.

B, D Stay overnight at the 4-star Scenic Hotel Marlborough (3Q), in the heart of Marlborough.

Day 13: Blenheim-Kaikoura Travel to Kaikoura for an afternoon whale watching tour (80 miles, two hours). B, D. Stay overnight at the 4-star Sudima Kaikoura Hotel (3Q), which enjoys a great location on the shoreline close to town with mountain views.

Day 14: Kaikoura-Christchurch. Transfer to Christchurch (112 miles, two hours and 30 minutes). B, D Stay two nights at the 4-star Distinction Christchurch Hotel (4Q), in the heart of the city of a few minutes’ walk from Avon River.

Day 16: Christchurch-Franz Josef.

Travel to Springfield (43 miles, one hour), and board the TranzAlpine Train for a trip to Arthur’s Pass at the heart of the Southern Alps (two hours). Travel over the dramatic Otira Gorge to Franz Josef village at the foot of New Zealand’s most famous glacier (145 miles, three hours). B, D Stay overnight at the 3-star Scenic Franz Josef Glacier Hotel (3Q), on the edge of Westland World Heritage Park, surrounded by mountains.

Day 17: Franz Josef-Queenstown.

Drive past Fox Glacier and over Haast Pass, pausing at beautiful Lake Wanaka en route to Queenstown (218 miles, five hours). B, D Stay two nights at the 4-star Copthorne Hotel and Resort (4Q), on the shores of Lake Wakatipu.

Day 18: Queenstown. Enjoy today at leisure. This evening ride on the Skyline Gondola cable car to Bob’s Peak for wonderful views and dinner at the Skyline Stratosfare Restaurant. B, D Day 19: Queenstown-Te Anau. Visit the restored gold-mining settlement of Arrowtown, then continue along the shore of Lake Wakatipu to Kingston, passing the Remarkables and Eyre mountains, to Te Anau (106 miles, two hours). B, D Stay two nights at the 4-star Distinction Luxmore Hotel (3Q), in the heart of Te Anau’s shopping centre.

Day 20: Te Anau. Enjoy a full-day tour of Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound with a picnic lunch, cruising past Mitre Peak. B, L, D Day 21: Te Anau-Dunedin. Travel to the cultural university city of Dunedin (176 miles, three hours and 30 minutes).

Enjoy exploring independently. B, D Stay two nights at the modern 4-star Scenic Hotel Southern Cross (4Q).

Day 22: Dunedin At leisure. B Day 23: Dunedin-Lake Ohau. Travel to Lake Ohau in the heart of Mackenzie Country, known for its alpine scenery (160 miles, three hours). B, D Stay overnight at the 4-star Lake Ohau Lodge (2Q), on the shore of Lake Ohau with views of Glen Mary Glacier and Aoraki Mount Cook.

Day 24-25: Lake Ohau-Christchurch-UK. Transfer to Christchurch (198 miles, four hours) for your overnight flight to the UK. B

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY Auckland. 2 nights including breakfasts. Before your tour, stay at the 4-star Rydges Auckland (4Q).

Please see pages 164-171 for details.

Contact your preferred travel agent

SAVE up to £100 per person on selected departures

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 21 nights in hotels and 3 in flight 38 meals: 21 breakfasts (B), 1 lunch (L) and 16 dinners (D) Saga tour manager Plus all this...

• Return flights and transfers • Welcome drink reception • Porterage at all hotels • Tourist visa for full British citizens resident in the UK.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • City tour of Auckland • Visit Waitangi Treaty Grounds • Cruise through the Bay of Islands • Visit Rainbow Springs Nature Park and Kiwi Hatchery • Guided tour of Te Puia Thermal Reserve • Maori concert and ’hangi’ feast • Walking tour of Napier • Wellington sightseeing tour • Interisland cruise via Marlborough Sounds • Whale watching in Kaikoura • City tour of Christchurch • Journey aboard the TranzAlpine Express train • Queenstown's Skyline Gondola • Visit the gold-mining town of Arrowtown • Tour Fiordland National Park and cruise across Milford Sound.

Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

NEW ZEALAND

Day 7: Bay of Islands-Rotorua. Travel to Rotorua, the Maori homelands (290 miles, six hours). B, D Stay two nights at the modern 3+-star Distinction Rotorua Hotel (4Q), outside the city centre.

Day 15: Christchurch. A city tour takes in areas being restored after the 2011 earthquake, Hagley Park Avon River, and the Botanic Gardens. Afterwards, visit the seaside village of Sumner before returning via the gardens of Mona Vale and enjoying a punting trip on the River Avon. B

VISITING FRIENDS AND FAMILY Saga can help you tailor your travel plans to see friends and family before or after your tour – just give our Travel Consultants a call.

New Zealand Contrasts. Holiday code: AZ069.

Prices are based on Singapore Airlines from Heathrow.

Prices are £s per Two People Sharing Single Traveller person from: Sep 20, 2022 5999 5899 7348 7248* Oct 11 6399 7848* Nov 1 6549 7998* Jan 10, 2023 6599 8048 Jan 31 6449 7898 Feb 14 6399 7848 Mar 7 6199 7648 *Single rooms may be available on request only §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £120 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

161

NEW ZEALAND ADVENTURE

Classic Escorted Tour

18 nights from £4649

2

Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.

TOUR PACE: STANDARD

Discover a land of soaring, snow-crested mountains, still lakes, roaring waterfalls, dark caves, and volcanic peaks on this adventure from South to North. See the cities of Wellington, Auckland and more, explore three national parks, cruise the beautiful Milford Sound and enjoy a taste of authentic Maori culture.

NEW ZEALAND

Christchurch’s cardboard Cathedral

Stunning Milford Sound

Visit a Maori village

River Avon, Christchurch

Auckland Waitomo Caves Lake Taupo

Nights in hotel

Rotorua Tongariro National Park

Abel Tasman National Park Nelson Wellington Picton Hokitika

NEW ZEALAND

Franz Josef Milford Sound Fiordland National Park

Ride to Skyline Gondola for impressive views

162

Contact your preferred travel agent

Christchurch Lake Tekapo

Queenstown

Days 1-2: UK-Christchurch. Depart in the evening and fly to Christchurch, arriving on the morning of day three.

Day 3: Christchurch. Spend two nights in Christchurch. Stay two nights at the 4-star Distinction Christchurch Hotel (4Q), in the heart of the city a few minutes’ walk from Avon River.

Day 4: Christchurch. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Christchurch including a punting trip on the River Avon. The rest of the afternoon at leisure with a welcome dinner at your hotel tonight. B, D Day 5: Christchurch-Queenstown. Drive to Queenstown, the self-styled adventure capital of the world (300 miles, six hours). B, D Stay three nights at the 4-star Copthorne Lakefront Resort (4Q), on the shores of Lake Wakatipu.

Day 7: Queenstown. Enjoy a day at leisure, perhaps explore independently or join an optional excursion. This evening you will take the Skyline Gondola and ride to the summit of Bob’s Peak, with amazing views over the mountains, lake, and city, for a buffet dinner. B, D Day 8: Queenstown-Franz Josef. Drive alongside the Kawarau Gorge, past glacial lakes to the village of Franz Josef, at the foot of a glacier (218 miles, five hours). B Stay overnight at the 4-star Scenic Franz Josef Glacier Hotel (3Q) on the edge of Westland World Heritage Park, surrounded by mountains.

Day 9: Franz Josef-Hokitika. Enjoy some time at leisure or perhaps join a guided Glacier Valley Walk through dense woodland. Head to Hokitika (85 miles, two hours). B, D Stay overnight at the 3-star Beachfront Hotel Hokitika (3Q) located on the beach in central Hokitika on the shore of the Tasman Sea. Day 10: Hokitika-Nelson. Travel to Nelson, a beach-side city on the shores of Tasman Bay (198 miles, four hours). B Stay two nights at the 4-star Heritage Rutherford Hotel (4Q), situated close to Trafalgar square.

Day 11: Nelson. Enjoy a day at leisure today to explore independently or relax.

Alternatively, perhaps join an optional excursion to Abel Tasman National Park, a≈glorious coastal region of secluded coves, bays and white-sand beaches. B. Day 12: Nelson-Wellington. Take the ferry to the North Island, sailing through the sheltered waterways of Marlborough Sounds and across the Cook Strait (three hours). Upon arrival in Wellington look forward to a guided tour of the Museum of New Zealand– Te Papa Tongarewa. B Stay overnight at the 4-star Grand Mercure Wellington (4Q), which overlooks the Cuba quarter.

Day 14: Tongariro National Park-Rotorua.

Enjoy a scenic drive around Lake Taupo and visit Huka Falls en route to Rotorua (104 miles, two hours and 15 minutes). Visit the Te Puia Geothermal Reserve to see the Pohutu, or ‘big splash’, geyser. You’ll also see a replica Maori village and visit an arts and crafts centre. B Stay two nights at the modern 3+-star Distinction Rotorua (4Q), located a five-minute drive from the centre.

SAVE up to £100 per person on selected departures

SAVE £1300 on the combined individual prices when you book Australian and New Zealand Adventure

SO MUCH INCLUDED… Included travel insurance VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 179 15 nights in hotels and 3 in flight 23 meals: 15 breakfasts (B), 1 lunch (L) and 7 dinners (D) Saga tour manager

Day 15: Rotorua. At leisure. Tonight you’ll visit the Tamaki Maori village to experience a ceremonial performance and a traditional hangi dinner. B, D

Plus all this...

Day 16: Rotorua-Waitomo-Auckland.

Travel to Auckland (140 miles, three hours).

En route visit Waitomo Caves and take a short boat ride on the subterranean river, where blue glow-worms light up the ceiling. B Stay two nights at the 4-star Rydges Auckland Hotel (4Q) in the city centre close to Queen Street and Viaduct Harbour.

• Porterage at all hotels

Day 17: Auckland. Enjoy a half-day tour of Auckland, which includes a visit to the Auckland Museum. B Day 18: Auckland to UK. Travel to the airport for your overnight flight to the UK, or extend your holiday in Singapore or Auckland. B, D Day 19: UK. Arrive in the UK.

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY Singapore. 3 nights. Breakfasts included. Before your tour, stay at the 4-star Singapore Carlton Hotel (4Q).

Auckland. 2 nights. Breakfasts included. After your tour, stay at the 4-star Rydges Auckland (4Q).

Please see pages 164-171 for details.

• Return flights and transfers • Welcome drink reception • Tourist visa for full British citizens resident in the UK.

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS • Christchurch city tour and River Avon punting

NEW ZEALAND

Day 6: Queenstown. Take a cruise on Milford Sound, a beautiful fjord-like inlet with forest-clad peaks, tumbling waterfalls and wildlife including dolphins and seals.

Enjoy lunch onboard. B, L

Day 13: Wellington-Tongariro National Park. Travel to Whakapapa Village in the heart of Tongariro National Park (180 miles, three hours and 30 minutes). This barren but beautiful landscape is dominated by three active volcanoes, one of which was Mount Doom in Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings. B, D Stay overnight at the 4-star Powderhorn Chateau (4Q) in Ohakune at the entrance to Tongariro National Park.

• A ride on Queenstown's Skyline Gondola with dinner • Tour of Fiordland National Park and cruise across Milford Sound • Visit Hokitika Gorge and town • Wellington city tour • Visit Tongariro National Park • Scenic drive via Lake Taupo • Huka Falls visit • Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley • Maori village visit and hangi dinner • Waitomo Caves walking tour and cruise • Auckland city tour • Visit Auckland Museum Use of audio headsets on guided tours.

COMBINE NEW ZEALAND ADVENTURE AND AUSTRALIAN ADVENTURE 34 nights from £8898 saving £1300 per person off the combined package price. Please call for details.

Holiday code: AZN01.

SOLO TRAVELLERS...

Travel in the company of other solo travellers on a similar itinerary.

Holiday code: AF852. Call for details.

VISITING FRIENDS AND FAMILY Saga can help you tailor your travel plans to see friends and family before or after your tour – just give our Travel Consultants a call.

Contact your preferred travel agent

New Zealand Adventure.

Holiday code: AZ079 / AF852 (Solo).

Prices are based on Singapore Airlines from Heathrow.

Pricesare £s per Two People Single person from: Sharing Traveller Oct 29, 2022 4749 Sold out Nov 19 4749 4649 5898 5798 Jan 28, 2023 4899 6048 Feb 25 4749 5898 Mar 4 - Solo 5999 Mar 18 4699 5848 §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £90 – see pages 174-179 for details.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.

163

The Best of South Africa – see page 20

Gorillas of Uganda – see page 48

164

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY AFRICA AND SOUTH AFRICA Pre extension

Post extension

UGANDA

CAPE TOWN

Murchison Falls National Park 2 nights’ full board Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest national park and one of the best in which to spot wildlife, including four of the Big 5 - lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo. In total there are over 76 mammal species in the park and 450 birds species including the rare shoebill stork. It is also the only place in Uganda to spot rhino. The highlight of the park is Murchison Falls, an eightmetre-wide gorge through which the River Nile gushes. On the first day of your adventure, drive through Kampala on the way to your hotel, stopping at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to experience a walking tour to track rhinos. Later check into the 3-star Paraa Safari Lodge (3Q) for a two-night stay. The lodge offers fantastic views of the Nile River from many of the rooms as well as the pool and sun terrace. Look forward to a game drive through the park before getting up close to the Murchison Falls on a boat trip to perhaps see giant Nile crocodiles. All 54 rooms feature a balcony, a safe and tea and coffee-making facilities. Please be advised the first night of the pre-extension will be spent in Entebbe, which you would otherwise spend on the main tour, and after two nights at the lodge join the main tour on Day 3.

The Cullinan QQQQ+ 3 nights Extend your tour with a further three nights at the five-star Southern Sun, The Cullinan (4Q+) with included breakfasts during your stay. Situated in the heart of Cape town, surrounding attractions and views include the Victoria and Alfred waterfront with ideal shopping opportunities along with the harbour and ocean. The Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, Table Mountain and city skyline are only a short walk away too. This luxurious hotel has a seasonal outdoor heated pool, the Peach Tree Restaurant and a Café and Bar for fancy cocktails and a light bite to eat. All 208 standard rooms come with an en-suite bathroom with separate bath and shower. Amenities in your room include tea and coffee making facilities, a television and mini-bar fridge.

Gorillas of Uganda

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SCOTTBURGH Blue Marlin QQQ+ 7 nights’ full board After your tour stay seven relaxing nights at the locally rated 3-star Blue Marlin (3Q+), on the shores of the Indian Ocean.

There is a wealth of things to see and do including wildlife safaris, bird watching, golf and water sports…You can enjoy it all from the newly refurbished Blue Marlin, an exceptionally welcoming, relaxed hotel close to the shops and cafes of peaceful Scottburgh. During your stay, look forward to nightly entertainment, an inclusive bar and a combination of buffets and waiter-served meals in the Lighthouse restaurant which opens on to the terrace. All 122 contemporary, air-conditioned bedrooms have sea views (singles have side-sea views). Most rooms have a shower only, tea and coffee making facilities and fresh fruit and water on arrival.

Into the Heart of Kruger Mabula Game Lodge Mjejane River Lodge South Africa: Anglo-Boer and Zulu Battlefields

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The Best of South Africa The Pride of Africa

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CAPE TOWN Commodore Hotel QQQQ 3 nights Extend your tour with a three-night stay at the 4-star Commodore Hotel (4Q) on a bed-and-breakfast basis. Stay in this hotel to be close to what Cape Town has to offer, from memorable dining experiences and sightseeing. Its located in the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, nearby the Table Mountain, Cape Town Harbour and Robben Island. Facilities include a swimming pool, spa, restaurant, and bar along with free Wi-Fi which links to your hotel room. Alternatively upgrade to the elegant 5-star Table Bay Hotel (5Q) on a bed-and-breakfast basis, set in the heart of Cape Town’s Victoria and Alfred Waterfront.

A World in One Country

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MOMBASA NORTH COAST Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort 7 nights all inclusive The 4-star Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort’s (xQ) surrounding area is filled with an array of shops and restaurants. The hotel has direct access to unique marine life from the Indian Ocean and is approximately 19 kilometres away from Mombasa city centre. Facilities include four free-form swimming pools- one with a swim-up bar, a choice of restaurants, offering a selection of Italian, African and international cuisine, a beach bar and coffee shop. The resort caters for water sports at an additional charge.

All rooms have a television, telephone, fridge, hairdryer and safe.

They are also equipped with a balcony or terrace with inspiring views of either the pool or Indian Ocean.

The Best of Kenya and Tanzania: Great Migration and Big Game Safari

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MELBOURNE

PERTH

Crown Promenade QQQQ+ 3 nights including breakfasts Enjoy three extra nights, at the 4-star Crown Promenade (4Q+) and make the most of what Melbourne and its surroundings have to offer- linked via an airbridge. As well as city skyline views from the hotel’s infinity pool, enjoy bistro food at the hotel’s elegant Mesh Restaurant and visit the outdoor terrace for a drink at the Tonic Bar. All rooms have Wi-Fi and overlook the city, the Yarra river, or Port Phillip Bay and the interior of the hotel is dotted with local Australian art whilst keeping a contemporary and friendly feel.

Mercure Perth QQQ+ 2 nights Before your tour, stay three nights at the 3-star Mercure Perth (3Q+) bed and breakfast which dates back to a fifteenth century watermill. Everything you need surrounds you as this hotel is located in the city centre. Have drinks at the bar or choose from various menu options at the hotel’s Brasserie- known to be one of the finest restaurants in Perth. Enjoy fresh air right from the comfort of your own hotel by enjoying the outdoor hotel gardens with a small river running throughout. All 76 bedrooms include televisions, high-speed Wi-Fi and tea and coffee making facilities.

Australian Adventure

Ultimate Australia

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TASMANIA

ADELAIDE

Hotel Grand Chancellor QQQQ 3 nights including breakfasts After your tour, stay three nights on the waterfront of the 4-star bed and breakfast Hotel Grand Chancellor (4Q). Located in Hobart, the capital of Australia's beautiful island state, the Salamanca market is just a short walk away along with Mount Wellington in close proximity. Just beyond the doors of the hotel is the Tamar Valley wine region and stunning Hobart harbour which you can view from your hotel room along with the city skyline. Each room has complimentary Wi-Fi, a television and a minibar. There is also an on-site restaurant and bar.

Majestic View Garden Hotel QQQQ 3 nights After your tour, stay three nights at the 4-star Majestic View Garden (4Q) hotel, based in central Adelaide, close to a diverse range of restaurants, cafes and shops. Within walking distance is the National Wine Centre, art galleries and Andelaide zoo. Along with a majestic rooftop garden providing wonderful views of the attractions below, enjoy the hotel’s Culshaws restaurant which has a ‘passion for fresh ingredients’. Your room is provided with a mini-bar, free Wi-Fi, a writing desk, and television.

Australian Adventure

Ultimate Australia

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SINGAPORE Singapore Carlton Hotel QQQQ 3 nights including breakfasts Enjoy three-nights in Singapore before your holiday begins, staying at the 4-star Singapore Carlton Hotel (4Q). Singapore lies off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsular and was developed as a trading post by Sir Stamford Raffles in 1819. Today this booming city is a fascinating melting pot of cultures, the street food is fantastic, a hybrid of Indian, Malaysian, Indonesian and Chinese, and you can survey the modern skyline while sipping a cocktail in the rooftop bar. The hotel consists of many award-winning restaurants and each room features complimentary Wi-Fi and a television.

New Zealand Adventure

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AUCKLAND Rydges Auckland Hotel QQQQ 2 nights including breakfasts Transfer to the 4-star Rydges Auckland Hotel (4Q) for a twonight stay. It is conveniently located in the city centre close to Queen Street and Viaduct Harbour, situated in the topmost portion of the North Island. With its two harbours and tempting waterfront, buzzing with shops and eateries, and forests and hills beyond, the hotel also has a restaurant serving local dishes, a coffee bar, a bar and lounge, and fitness facilities. All 267 airconditioned rooms have a television, minibar, safety deposit box and complimentary Wi-Fi. New Zealand Contrasts (Pre extension) New Zealand Adventure (Post extension)

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New Zealand Contrasts – see page 160

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TORONTO

ATLANTA

Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Toronto QQQ 2 nights including breakfasts After your tour, extend your holiday with a two-night stay at the 3-star Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Toronto (3Q) where you stay on days 1 and 2 of the main tour; single room supplements apply. This 575-room hotel is in the heart of the city, nearby the Village, CN Tower, Eaton Centre and Dundas Square. Facilities include a restaurant, indoor swimming pool and 24-hour fitness centre. All air-conditioned rooms have a coffeemaker, fridge, telephone, Wi-Fi (extra charge), and flat-screen television.

Atlanta Marriott Buckhead Hotel QQQQ 2 nights including breakfasts After your tour, extend your holiday with a two-night stay at the 3-star Atlanta Marriott Buckhead (4Q), where you stay on the first and final nights of the main tour. This hotel is in walking distance from Phipps Plaza, Lenox Square and the Lenox MARTA Station, providing easy access to the nucleus of the city. Dining options include the hotel Lenox Road Bar & Grill with Southern cuisine and cocktails; other amenities include a pool and fitness centre. All 345 rooms have room service, tea and coffee making facilities with safe deposit boxes located at the front desk.

Highlights of Eastern Canada

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Taste of the Deep South

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VANCOUVER

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Georgian Court Hotel QQQQ 3 nights including breakfasts from £xxxpp After your tour, stay three nights at the boutique-style four-star Georgian Court Hotel (4Q) in downtown Vancouver. It’s conveniently located a short walk away from many of the city’s main attractions including the famous Stanley Park. This hotel also provides spa luxuries such as a newly renovated hot tub, infrared sauna and fitness centre. All 180 spacious guest rooms have included yoga mats and complimentary Wi-Fi whilst the hotel restaurant provides a contemporary Italian dining experience.

CALGARY

Rocky Mountains and Alaskan Adventure Road to the Rockies and Alaskan Explorer

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Hilton Garden Inn Calgary Downtown QQQ 2 nights including breakfasts After your tour spend two nights at the 3-star Hilton Garden Inn Downtown (3Q), in Calgary; single room supplements apply. This comfortable and friendly hotel is a convenient short walk away to downtown Calgary with sweeping views of the Calgary tower and boutiques; it is also sat in the East Village near a number of urban parks, restaurants and the Calgary Stampede. Unwind on the hotel rooftop terrace, bar and lounge, exercise at the fitness centre and swim in the indoor pool. Each room has Wi-Fi, a flatscreen television and microwave.

Journey through the Clouds

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VICTORIA

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Doubletree by Hilton Hotel and Suites Victoria QQQQ 3 nights After your tour stay three nights on Vancouver Island at the 4-star Doubletree by Hilton Hotel and Suites Victoria (4Q). Stay with included breakfasts and enjoy a warm chocolate chip cookie on arrival. This hotel is close to the Columbia River Valley and a variety of dining options with each room providing free Wi-Fi, television, and a refrigerator. Additional amenities include an indoor pool, and an on-site restaurant and bar.

SCOTTSDALE

Rocky Mountains and Alaskan Adventure

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BOSTON Hyatt Regency Boston Hotel QQQQ 2 nights including breakfasts Before your tour, explore Boston independently from the 4-star Hyatt Regency Boston Hotel (4Q) with included breakfasts. This hotel is short distance away from Downtown Boston, making it a great location to explore the centre packed with restaurants and many attractions. The hotel offers complimentary fitness classes from the gym, such as yoga. Other facilities include a restaurant, gift shop and 502 rooms with bath amenities, free Wi-Fi and a television.

New England in the Fall

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Sonesta Scottsdale QQQ 2 nights Soak in the Arizona sunshine in ‘resort’ surroundings with a relaxing pool and great food at this 3-star hotel. It’s based in the Gainey Ranch neighbourhood filled with luxurious boutiques and a mixture of restaurants including Hash Kitchen, Famous 48 and Soi 4 Bangkok Eatery. Nearby is the subtropical Sonoran Desert, home to beautiful fauna and animals. The Sonesta Scottsdale boasts desert gardens and a beautiful courtyard along with an outdoor pool and on-site restaurants. Other facilities include a fitness centre and terrace bar. All rooms are equipped with air conditioning, a television, Wi-Fi and hairdryer.

National Parks Discovery

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New England in the Fall – see page 102

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Grand Tour of South America – see page 124

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JIBACOA

GUANACASTE

Memories Jibacoa QQQQ 7 nights’ all inclusive After your tour spend seven nights at the 4-star+ Memories Jibacoa (4Q) set in a tranquil, unspoilt location between the mountains and golden sandy beach of Arroyo Bermejo on the north coast of Cuba. This hotel features an all year-round outdoor pool along with spa facilities, à la carte restaurants and bar, and a fitness centre. All rooms include a television, air conditioning and hairdryer. Excursions are not included on this all-inclusive holiday; single room supplement applies on particular dates.

Memories Jibacoa - Adults Only is located in Jibacoa and features an outdoor pool with a year-round terrace.

There is also a bar.

Hotel Bosque del Mar QQQ+ 7 nights’ all inclusive Post-holiday extension - All inclusive On day 14 of the main tour, following the included excursion to La Paz waterfall gardens, set off on a journey of around five hours to Guanacaste. Relax on a seven-night stay at the 4-star Hotel Bosque del Mar (3Q+) on Playa Hermosa, home to a sandy, blue flag beach fringing the warm Pacific. If you enjoy exploring, further afield lies Costa Rica's oldest national park, Santa Rosa and Guanacaste's Area de Conservacion.

Viva Cuba Cuba Libre

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QUITO Hilton Colon Quito QQQQ 7 nights Before your tour, stay at the 4-star Hotel Colon Quito (4Q), located in world’s second-highest capital city and a short distance away from a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Quito architectural old town. The hotel is also centrally located, next to the Ejido Park, and features a restaurant, bar, swimming pool, gym and a gift shop; other facilities include a fitness centre, spa and bonsai garden. Each elegant and modern room provides a television, pull-out dining table and coffee maker.

Ecuador: Andes, Amazon & Galapagos Islands

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RIO DE JANEIRO Hotel Hilton Copacabana QQQQ 2 nights After your tour, stay two nights at the 5-star Rio de Janeiro Copacabana Hotel resting on Copacabana Beach- which you can view from selected rooms. Indulge in an included breakfasts and dinner on the first night. Escadaria Selarón, Sugarloaf Mountain and Rio Sul Mall are located nearby with hotel facilities including a rooftop pool, spa, bar and hotel restaurant. With panoramic landscape views from your hotel room, enjoy air conditioning, a hairdryer, mini bar, and soundproof windows. Single room supplement applies.

Grand Tour of South America

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SANTIAGO Pullman Santiago El Bosque QQQ 3 nights including breakfasts After your tour, enjoy three nights at the 4-star Pullman Santiago El Bosque (3Q). An optional excursion to Valparaiso is also available. This hotel is based in the Chilean capital packed with a diverse range of restaurants. Only a short distance away are cultural riches including historic centres and museums along with the city’s vineyards. The hotel itself provides a pool and modern rooms with Wi-Fi and air conditioning.

South American Adventure

It's around 30 kilometres from Liberia airport with Liberia city, the regional capital beyond, and at the conclusion of your extension in Guanacaste, you will fly from Liberia airport back to San Jose. The 32-room hotel has a swimming pool and jacuzzi area, spa (charges apply), restaurant and lounge bar. All rooms are air-conditioned and have television, telephone, mini bar, coffee maker, safe and hairdryer.

Costa Rica: The Jewel of Central America Also available as a five-night all-inclusive extension on Costa Rica: Pura Vida

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BARBADOS Sugar Cane Club Hotel & Spa QQQQ 7 nights Extend your holiday with a seven-night all-inclusive stay at the locally rated 3-star-plus Sugar Cane Club Hotel & Spa (4Q). The hotel has a great choice of facilities to make your break a relaxing one, including two swimming pools, a spa (charges apply), a fitness centre and more. The hotel has two restaurants serving national and international cuisine and the free main bar is open from 9.30am to 11pm. The extensive grounds of the hotel are a haven for birds and tropical plants and offer a peaceful area in which to walk. If you would like to visit the beach or Speightstown there is a free daily shuttle which operates five times a day.

Jewels of the Caribbean

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PARACAS Hacienda Paracas QQQQ 2 nights including breakfasts Enjoy an additional two nights at the 4-star Hacienda Paracas (4Q) on Peru’s west coast, renowned for its beaches. As well as being close to Paracas National Reserve and the city, enjoy an included trip to the uninhabited Ballestas Islands. These are home to sea lions, pelicans and Humboldt penguins; also embark on an included flight over the famous Nazca Lines. This hotel is located on the shores of the impressive Paracas Bay and has panoramic ocean views with an oceanfront pool, spa and fitness centre. All rooms accommodate a television, air conditioning, hair dryer and private terrace.

Land of the Incas

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MULU NATIONAL PARK AND MIRI

Japan Land of the Rising Sun – see page 140

Ancient Petra and Arabian Deserts – see page 60

Mulu Marriott Resort 4 nights Spend 3 nights in Mulu National Park before travelling to Miri for your final night. This hotel is known for its beautiful location, based in Borneo’s rainforest with rooms raised on wooden walkways accompanied by private balconies. It is opposite the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Gunung Mulu National Park.

Enjoy all-inclusive breakfasts and two lunches at the hotel and taste cocktails from the River Bar or grab a bite to eat from the Marriott Café. The rooms facilities include a mini-bar, air conditioning and 24-hour room service. There is also an outdoor pool, spa service and much more to explore surrounding the hotel, including the rainforest and caves.

Borneo Rainforest Adventure

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NUSA DUA, BALI Laguna Resort and Spa QQQQQ 7 nights including breakfasts After your tour, stay an additional seven nights at the 5-star The Laguna Resort and Spa (5Q) with breakfasts included. Admire panoramic and picturesque views of the Indian Ocean and Bali itself. Close by are many watersport activities located on the beach along with the Uluwatu Temple and a cultural park. Take advantage of a twenty-four-hour butler service, relax at the spa and dine at the hotels award winning restaurants.

Indonesia: Land of the Dragons

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HONG KONG

Sri Lankan Adventure – see page 88

Regal Kowloon Hotel QQQ 3 nights After your tour stay three nights at the 3-star Regal Kowloon Hotel (3Q), available if flying with Cathay Pacific. Get ready to explore this dynamic, high-rise island, located in Hong Kong's renowned shopping and entertainment district. Famed attarctions include the Clock Tower, T Galleria and Star Ferry.

Dine at the various hotel restaurants serving a diverse range of cuisines; enjoy included breakfasts throughout. All six hundred bedrooms provide tea and coffee making facilities along with a television, Wi-Fi and a hairdryer.

Japan Land of the Rising Sun Into The Heart of Japan

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THE DEAD SEA

BIG CATS OF GUJARAT

Dead Sea Crowne Plaza Resort QQQQ 7 nights including breakfasts After your holiday spend two nights at the five-star Dead Sea Crowne Plaza Resort. Your hotel is located on the longest private white sandy Dead Sea beach dotted with palm trees. Hotel facilities include bars, a spa and fitness centre. There is an array of restaurants, most with live entertainment in the evenings and buffet style food is accessible in some. Also relax in the indoor jacuzzi or indoor heated pools along with an adults only outdoor infinity pool. All rooms have a balcony, complimentary Wi-Fi and 24-hour room service.

Lion Safari Camp QQQ 4 nights After an overnight stay in Mumbai before your tour, fly to Gujarat.

Spend three-nights at the 4-star Lion Safari Camp (3Q) in Gir National Park, the last refuge of the Asiatic lion and where you can enjoy four included 4x4 safaris. As well as being the only place where you can see these magnificent beasts in the wild, Gir provides sanctuary for 38 species of mammals, around 300 species of birds and 37 species of reptiles- making it a wildlife lovers paradise. It’s also home to the largest leopard population of any park in India, making it the ideal place to see big cats of a different kind. Whilst here, enjoy four included breakfasts, three lunches and three dinners. The Lion Safari Camp comprises 21 air-conditioned tents, each of which have a furnished bedroom with telephone and coffee machine as well as an en-suite bathroom with a shower.

Ancient Petra and Arabian Deserts

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FERGANA VALLEY Asia Fergana Hotel 4 nights After your tour, spend an additional night in Tashkent and then travel into the Fergana Valley for a two-night stay at the 4-star Asia Fergana Hotel. Here, explore charming Kokand and the historic Silk Road city of Margilan, return to Tashkent for the final night. The Asia Valley hotel is equipped with a bar and lounge, outdoor and indoor swimming pools and restaurants. Explore the hotels gardens or venture outside of the hotel to uncover various places to eat and shop in the heart of Fergana. All spacious rooms provide free Wi-Fi, a refrigerator and a flatscreen television.

Uzbekistan, Heart of the Silk Route page 62

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Wild About India

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BELLE MARE Long Beach Mauritius QQQQQ 3 nights After your tour, spend more time at the 5-star Long Beach Mauritius (5Q), relaxing on this idyllic Indian Ocean island (allinclusive but excursions not included). Your hotel is set in a resort with lush tropical gardens and fringing Belle Mare’s white sandy beach and clear waters.

Each room has close access to immediate stretches of beach, garden, or pool views with a private balcony for every guest. Wi-Fi and air conditioning are also provided in the rooms with exquisite 5 restaurants and 2 bars dotted around the hotel.

Enchanting Mauritius: An Island Discovery

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GOA Zuri White Sands QQQQQ 7 nights After your tour, stay at the award-winning 5-star Zuri White Sands (5Q), Goa Resort and Casino. This renowned idyllic destination is in close proximity to stretches of golden sands and sea. The hotel’s facilities include a luxurious spa, swimming pool and hotel gardens; you can also view the gardens and pool from your own private balcony in each of the 154 hotel rooms.

Other amenities include flat screen televisions, a mini-bar, Wi-Fi and 24-hour room service. The Zuri White Sands Hotel takes pride in their cuisine and particularly caters to Asian food lovers with their speciality restaurant; there is also a swim up bar and authentic Goan restaurants dotted throughout the hotel.

The Golden Triangle and Tiger Trail The Great Indian Rail Journey Rajasthan: The Princely State Palaces, Forts and the Raj Delights of Darjeeling and the Himalayas Soul of Kerala South India: Temples and Waterways

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SRI LANKA’S ‘GOLD COAST’ Tangerine Beach Hotel QQQQ 7 nights After your tour, extend your stay in Sri Lanka at the all-inclusive 4-star Tangerine Beach Hotel (4Q), giving you a full week on the golden west coast. Relax in the hotel pool and dine at the array of restaurants in close proximity to the hotel. Both Western and Eastern cuisine is served at the Poruwa Hotel Restaurant which provides panoramic ocean views with the water garden below. More attractions in the local area include Thudugala Ella waterfall, a gallery, church and castle. Each room offers room service, a television, air conditioning and refrigerator.

Sri Lankan Adventure

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MORE ABOUT FLIGHT UPGRADES Who you fly with is an important part of the journey, which is why we insist on using the services of the world’s leading airlines. You can make your journey even more comfortable by taking advantage of our special price upgrades; where available these are listed beneath the price panel, or you can call our friendly Travel Consultants who are always happy to help.

First • Exceptional comfort and refined surroundings combined with the finest service create a stylish flying experience that is unmistakably First.

• Step into the First Wing, exclusive to London Heathrow Terminal 5 and JFK. The First Wing offers a dedicated premium space with an enhanced, private check-in area, two exclusive security lanes and a direct walkway to the lounges.

• Enjoy the fine dining experience in the Concorde Room# and Galleries First Lounge‡, giving you maximum sleep time onboard‡‡.

• Your suite on board is your sanctuary in the sky, a discreetly serviced and smartly equipped haven of calm where your wellbeing is catered for.

• Dedicated cabin crew are instantly available to attend to your every need and provide you with a restful retreat throughout your journey.

• Choose from our renowned a la carte menu.

• In-flight entertainment features a huge library of new releases including music, ebooks, and games. Enjoy the 1,000 hours of programmes available on the in-flight entertainment channels. ‡Dedicated lounges are available at selected airports. ‡‡Available on all flights departing after 8pm from London Heathrow. #Available at London Heathrow Terminal 5 and New York JFK Terminal 7.

Club World • Club World seats give you your own space and time to do what you want, when you want and convert to fully-flat beds.

• The very best in local and international cuisine is served, along with specially selected wines and champagnes.

• If you are still peckish you are free to help yourself to healthy snacks and tasty treats from the Club Kitchen. #Available at London Heathrow Terminal 5 and New York JFK Terminal 7.

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Relax with World Traveller Plus

World Traveller Plus • For an affordable premium experience, enjoy the luxury of more personal space than World Traveller with an additional seven inches of legroom and a wider seat.

• Make yourself comfortable in your armchair-style seat, which comes with adjustable headrest and footrest, and arrive in good shape at your destination.

• Relax and take advantage of the quieter, stress-free surroundings of the smaller and more private cabin.

• Enjoy a complimentary dining experience and more superb amenities designed with your comfort and wellbeing in mind.

• We’ll give you a special amenity kit designed with sustainability in mind which includes all the essentials - lip balm, an eye shade, pen, socks, toothbrush and toothpaste, with earplugs available on request.

In partnership with

Upper Class The ultimate way to travel • Breeze through the Private Security Channel in our Upper Class Wing* at London Heathrow.

• Relax and unwind in our Clubhouse** with a cocktail and a spa treatment.

• On board, enjoy fine cuisine in the privacy of your own suite or enjoy our social space.

• Keep gadgets charged with inseat power and stay connected with WiFi^.

• Freshen up with a luxury amenity kit, slip into your sleep suit and drift off in your fully flat bed.

• Back at London Heathrow, enjoy a cooked breakfast and a refreshing shower at our Revivals lounge^^. * The Upper Class Wing is at London Heathrow T3. Accessible with your own car or transfer. ** Lounge facilities vary at each destination.^From £4.99. ^^Open daily 5.00am -1.30pm.

Premium Premium comfort with all the perks • Speed through the airport with Premium Check In and priority boarding.

• Onboard, relax with a glass of welcome bubbly and a complimentary newspaper.

• Stretch out in the spacious leather seat with headrest, footrest and 38in seat pitch.

• Enjoy a choice of three delicious dishes, served on a premium table setting with specially designed stainless steel cutlery.

• Finish off your meal perfectly with a liqueur.

• Gadgets are charged with inseat power while WiFi* keeps you connected.

• Help yourself to tempting snacks from the Wander Wall whenever you like**.

• Snooze or freshen up with a complimentary amenity kit on night flights. *From £4.99. **Selected flights only.

Premium Economy – A little more can mean a lot!

Experience superior comfort in a dedicated cabin, with a premium meal service and priority airport services.

• Dedicated spacious cabin with a greater recline (17.8cm/7”) and a larger seat (50.8cm/20” between armrests) compared to Economy Class.

• A comfortable seat pitch (96.5 cm/38”) with room to stretch out.

• Next generation entertainment system featuring your own personal touch-screen TV. • Hundreds of hours of top-rated on-demand entertainment.

• A single-pin audio jack for your own headset, or complimentary headphones to keep after the flight.

• In-seat power at every seat, plus a USB port for charging.

• Complimentary wines, spirits and premium cuisine, plus a hot towel service.

• Adjustable headrest, a comfortable pillow and blanket, as well as your own amenity kit plus ambient lighting and an individual reading light.

• Two free checked bags, up to 23kgs each.

• Priority check-in, boarding and baggage handling.

Air Canada Signature Class – The very definition of luxury travel!

Relax and unwind with state-of-the art amenities, sumptuous cuisine and unparalleled service.

• Dedicated spacious cabin with guaranteed window or aisle forward facing seat.

• Converting to a fully lie-flat bed with lumbar support and massage function up to 6’ 7” long.

• State of the art personal entertainment system, 18” touch-screen, noise-cancelling headphones.

• Unwind with your very own quilted mattress pads, plush duvets and pillow, plus complimentary amenity kit.

• Chef-inspired cuisine along with fine wines.

• Ambient lighting in sync with time zones to ease jet lag.

• Two free checked bags, up to 32kgs each.

• Priority check-in, boarding and baggage handling.

• Dedicated Concierge Service.

• Access to award-winning Maple Leaf Lounges in London and in Canada, plus the Air Canada Signature Suite in Toronto.

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Booking conditions Holiday and Cruise booking terms and conditions Your holiday booking is with ST&H Limited trading as Saga Holidays or with Saga Cruises Limited for cruises aboard Spirit of Discovery and Spirit of Adventure (‘Saga’ or ‘we’ or ‘our’ or ‘us’).

For cruises aboard Saga’s vessels, Spirit of Discovery and Spirit of Adventure, ST&H Limited acts as agent for Saga Cruises Limited, the ships’ operator and your contract is with Saga Cruises Limited and subject to these booking conditions. These terms and conditions, along with the documents referred herein, apply to your holiday booked and form your contract with us. It is important that you read these booking conditions as they not only define our obligations to you but also impose some important commitments upon you. If any part of these booking conditions is found by any court or administrative body of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity will not affect the other provisions which shall remain in full force and effect.

1. Your holiday contract

4. Your holiday price

When you make a booking you guarantee that you have the authority to accept, and do accept on behalf of your party, the terms of these booking conditions. Your contract is created when you confirm your holiday, you pay either a deposit or the full balance due and we issue a confirmation invoice. It is your responsibility to provide accurate details at the time of booking, including ensuring passenger details exactly match passport details. It is also your responsibility to check that the information on the confirmation invoice and ATOL Certificate (if relevant) is correct and includes details of everything you have booked (including flights, hotels and other services). If any of the passenger or holiday details on the confirmation invoice or ATOL Certificate (if relevant) are incorrect or incomplete, you must notify us immediately. We will pass on any additional charges incurred as a result of any details not being correct. We reserve the right to refuse to accept and/or not proceed with any booking at any time at our sole discretion. This contract is governed by English law and the jurisdiction of the English courts. You may however choose the law and jurisdiction of Scotland or Northern Ireland if you live there and wish to do so. A complaint may be referred to arbitration – see section 15.

Price: Holiday prices can be influenced by taxes such as air passenger duty, aircraft insurance, security, fuel and other associated costs. Our prices are affected by these, as well as exchange rates, suppliers’ costs and economic trends. The guide prices shown in our brochures are based on current charges and costs but they may go up or down. We reserve the right to alter the prices of any of the holidays shown in our brochures and will notify you of the current price prior to any booking – please call us or visit our website for the most up-to-date prices. Our holidays, and the prices at which they are advertised, are based on flight availability and a limited number of specially negotiated prices at the time of going to print; they are always subject to availability and flight supplements may apply. You will be advised of any differences to any elements of the holiday, including the price, before your booking is confirmed.

After you’ve made a booking, we can only change your holiday price in very limited circumstances relating to the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union. In any event, we guarantee that there will be no change to the price within 20 days before the date of your departure (unless you amend your booking). We can only increase the price of your holiday if there has been a change in the cost of the carriage of passengers resulting from changes to the cost of fuel or other power sources, the level of taxes or fees imposed by third parties including tourist taxes, landing taxes or embarkation or disembarkation fees at ports and airports or exchange rates, each as a result of the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union. We will also absorb, and you will not be charged for, any increase equivalent to 2% of the price of your travel arrangements, which excludes insurance premiums and any amendment charges. You may be charged for the amount over and above that. If this results in an increase equivalent to more than 8% of the price of your travel arrangements, you will have the option of accepting a change to another holiday if we are able to offer one (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, except for any amendment charges. Should you decide to cancel you must do so within the time period shown on your final invoice and we will provide a refund of insurance premiums paid to us if you can show that you are unable to transfer or reuse your policy. Should the price of your holiday 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 travel arrangements are not always purchased in local currency and some apparent changes have no impact on the price of your travel due to contractual and other protection in place.

Please note that local taxes are not included within the holiday package price and where necessary these will need to be paid locally by you. We will wherever possible advise you at the time of booking if these apply, but please bear in mind that local taxes may be imposed after you have made your booking. Should you choose not to proceed, this will be treated as a cancellation (see section 7).

Optional ad-hoc services: We provide you with the option to specifically request extras which are in addition to or adaptations of our standard packages. Prices for optional ad-hoc services such as extensions, extra accommodation, upgrades, additional flights that are not part of a standard Saga allocation and domestic flights (‘ad-hoc services’) can vary depending on when you book. Please note that adding an ad-hoc service may result in additional non-refundable charges to our standard packages due to changes in flight dates, changes to our standard allocated accommodation periods and additional costs passed to us from third party suppliers. They may also result in an additional or higher non-refundable deposit being payable. You will be notified of the total price of your holiday and any increase to your deposit prior to booking. Please note that where a flight upgrade has been booked and there is a change of airline prior to your departure date it may not be possible to offer an equivalent upgrade or there may be an additional cost payable. In this situation we will offer you the opportunity to: revert to economy class and refund you the cost of the upgrade; pay any additional costs for the equivalent upgrade; or cancel with a full refund of all monies paid. If an upgrade with the new airline is available and is of a lower value than the original airline, we will refund you the difference in value.

Compensation will not be payable.

Price Promise: Should we ever reduce our prices or bring in a new special offer after you book (optional ad-hoc services are excluded), we’ll work out the difference and pass the value of the saving back to you. This applies as long as the discounted holiday is exactly the same package offered

2. Age qualification Saga holidays and cruises are for anyone aged 50 or over. A travelling companion or family member travelling with you may be aged 40 or over. Please note there may be non-Saga guests (including children) in residence during your holiday, for whose behaviour we cannot accept responsibility.

3. Your financial protection ST&H Limited and Saga Cruises Limited provide full financial protection for their package holidays.

1. For flight-based holidays this is through our Air Travel Organiser’s Licence number 0308 issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Gatwick Airport South, West Sussex, RH6 0YR, UK www.caa.co.uk, telephone 0333 103 6350, email claims@caa.co.uk. When you buy an ATOL protected flight or flight inclusive holiday from us you will receive an ATOL Certificate. This lists what is financially protected, where you can get information on what this means for you and who to contact if things go wrong. We will provide you with the services listed on the ATOL Certificate (or a suitable alternative). In some cases, where we aren’t able to do so for reasons of insolvency, an alternative ATOL holder may provide you with the services you have bought or a suitable alternative (at no extra cost to you). You agree to accept that in those circumstances the alternative ATOL holder will perform those obligations and you agree to pay any money outstanding to be paid by you under your contract to that alternative ATOL holder. However, you also agree that in some cases it will not be possible to appoint an alternative ATOL holder, in which case you will be entitled to make a claim under the ATOL scheme (or your credit card issuer where applicable).

If we are unable to provide the services listed (or a suitable alternative, through an alternative ATOL holder or otherwise) for reasons of insolvency, the Trustees of the Air Travel Trust may make a payment to (or confer a benefit on) you under the ATOL scheme. You agree that in return for such a payment or benefit you assign absolutely to those Trustees any claims which you have or may have arising out of or relating to the non-provision of the services, including any claim against us, the travel agent (or your credit card issuer where applicable). You also agree that any such claims may be re-assigned to another body, if that other body has paid sums you have claimed under the ATOL scheme.

2. When you buy a package holiday that doesn’t include a flight, protection is provided by way of a bond held by ABTA – The Travel Association of 30 Park Street London SE1 9EQ www.abta.com, telephone 0203 758 8779, email customerprotection@abta.co.uk. For further information, please see www.abta.com. Calls from UK landlines cost the standard rate, but from mobiles may be higher. Check with your network provider.

Please note that items not purchased through Saga will not be protected.

ST&H Limited is also licensed by the Irish Commission for Aviation Regulation (Licence No. T. A. 0598) to carry on business in the Republic of Ireland as a travel agent.

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under exactly the same terms of sale (which means the full terms that apply to your holiday contract, including your cabin grade and whether your cabin is allocated at the time of booking or at embarkation). In calculating any possible saving due, we’ll take into consideration all offers and discounts that were applied at the time of booking and compare the overall price that you’ve been charged with the current price. For Saga Ocean Cruises, we will pass on the value of the saving in the form of a higher grade cabin, on-board credit or other value added benefit. For Saga Holidays, our Price Promise will apply to all departures from January 2021.

5. Paying for your holiday Deposits: When you make your booking, you must pay a deposit payment. The following deposits are payable per person when you book your holiday: Europe and the Mediterranean holidays and river cruises – £150 or 10% of the holiday cost, whichever is the greater; Long haul holidays – £175 or 10% of the holiday cost, whichever is the greater; UK holidays – £60 (plus £20 if you require the optional insurance and additional cancellation rights - see sections 11 and 12); Ocean cruises – £200 or 15% of the holiday cost, whichever is the greater, up to a maximum of £1,000; Oberammergau – An initial deposit of £200, plus a further deposit of £400 is payable 300 days before departure.

Certain holidays may require an additional or higher non-refundable deposit or full payment. You will be advised if this is the case at the time of booking.

Balance: The balance of the price of your travel arrangements must be paid at least: 90 days before departure for Saga ocean cruises aboard Spirit of Discovery or Spirit of Adventure; 75 days before departure for all other holidays unless otherwise stated at the time of booking and on your confirmation invoice.

Unless you are otherwise advised, bookings made after the balance due date (as set out above) must be paid in full at the time of booking and we cannot confirm your booking until full payment is received. Payments can be made by credit card, debit card or by cheque. If the deposit and/or balance is not paid in time, we reserve the right to cancel your travel arrangements. If the balance is not paid in time, we shall retain your deposit to cover costs incurred.

Card and cheque fees: There is no charge for payments made by debit card or credit card. Each cheque is subject to a £3 administrative charge and should be made payable to Saga Holidays with your name, address and booking reference written on the back. Please send cheques to Saga Holidays, Enbrook Park, Folkestone, Kent CT20 3SE. Refunds: If you are entitled to any refund(s) relating to your booking, this will go to the lead passenger who made the booking, usually by the same payment method that was used to pay Saga. In the case of card payment, refund(s) will be made to the appropriate card account(s). If a payment has been made in the form of a voucher, any refund, if applicable, will be refunded by voucher. Any fees incurred when making a payment will not be refunded unless Saga causes the cancellation. No refund is available after your departure date if you attend part of the holiday only, or vary or extend the holiday arrangements.

6. If you change your booking If you wish to change your travel arrangements in any way after your holiday contract is created, for example, your accommodation, we will do our utmost to make these changes but it may not always be possible. Any request for changes to be made must be in writing from the person who made the booking or your travel agent. If you make changes before the balance due date, you will be asked to pay an administrative charge of £20 per person for all UK holidays; £25 per person for all Saga ocean cruise holidays aboard Spirit of Discovery or Spirit of Adventure; and £40 per person for all other holidays, for each amendment, and any further cost we incur in making this alteration.

You should be aware that these costs could increase the closer to the departure date that changes are made and you should contact us as soon as possible. Please note that certain travel arrangements may not be changeable after a reservation has been made and any alteration request could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements. If you wish to change the departure date of your holiday or cruise, you will need to cancel your existing holiday and book the new one – cancellation charges will apply as per the table in Section 9. Any changes you make after the balance due date will be treated as a cancellation by you, and cancellation charges will apply (as set out in

the table in Section 9). For cruises, a single supplement may apply if changing from twin to single occupancy. If you wish to change to a lower cabin grade or amend to a cabin allocated on departure, cancellation charges will apply as per the table in Section 9.

Transferring your booking: You can transfer your booking to another person, who satisfies all the conditions that apply to this booking, by giving us notice in writing at least 7 days before departure. Both you and the new traveller are responsible for paying all costs we incur in making the transfer.

7. If you cancel your holiday You, or any member of your party, may cancel your travel arrangements at any time. Written notification from the person who made the booking or your travel agent, along with any travel tickets received, must be received at: Cancellations, Enbrook Park, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 3SE. If you wish to cancel within 14 days of your departure date, please telephone us on 0800 092 0920 (0800 068 5058 for river cruises). Since we incur costs in cancelling your travel arrangements, you will have to pay cancellation charges as per the table in section 9 (see also the exception below). Any additional or higher non-refundable deposit paid will be included in the cancellation charges set out in the table in section 9 or advised by your sales consultant.

We will also deduct the cost of any UK connecting or domestic flights. Note: If the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges. Customers who have included the optional travel insurance benefit from additional cancellation rights (see ‘Additional cancellation rights’ under Section 12). For holidays in mainland Britain, if you have to cancel your holiday because of illness or death of you or a member of your party, we will refund all your holiday payments except for a handling fee of £60 per person, provided we receive a valid medical certificate.

You can cancel your booking without paying cancellation charges if the performance of your package, or the carriage of passengers to your destination, is significantly affected by Unavoidable and Extraordinary Circumstances. Unavoidable and Extraordinary Circumstances, means a situation that is, in our opinion, beyond our control, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken. Examples include, but are not limited to, actual or expected war, riots, civil strife, terrorist activity, Government action or restraint, industrial disputes, natural or nuclear disasters, fire, adverse weather conditions including hurricanes, changing water levels or closure of locks, epidemics, health risks, unavoidable technical problems with transport, damage and accidents from machinery or engines, or closed or congested airports.

In such circumstances, we will arrange for your booking to be terminated and for you to receive a full refund.

We will observe advice provided by the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Travel Advice Unit.

8. If we change your booking We plan the holiday arrangements many months in advance and, although unlikely, we may need to make changes. It is a term of your booking that we are able to make changes to any aspect of your booking. If the change is insignificant, we will ensure that you are notified about it. Examples of insignificant changes include, but are not limited to, a change in airline carrier; closure of hotel facilities for improvement; flights becoming indirect; building works; change to advertised amenities; change to itineraries; change to included and optional excursions and entertainment. Please note we will not pay compensation or offer alternative options if we make an insignificant change.

If we have to significantly alter any of the main characteristics of the travel services that make up your holiday package, you will have the rights set out below.

1. We will contact you and you will have the choice of accepting the change or having a refund of all monies paid. You can also accept an alternative holiday, where we offer one. If the alternative holiday is of a lower value, we will refund any price difference. If the alternative holiday is of a higher value, you will be required to pay the additional amount. We will tell you the procedure for making your choice. Please read any notification of changes carefully and respond promptly as if you do not respond to us within the timescale given your booking may be cancelled.

2. We will pay compensation as per the table in Section 9 except where the significant change is due to Unavoidable and Extraordinary Circumstances. This standard payment will not affect your statutory or other legal rights.

3. If you choose to accept a refund, we will provide a full refund of your travel insurance premiums if you paid them to us and can show that you are unable to transfer or reuse your policy.

Examples of significant changes include, but are not limited to, a significant change of resort or holiday duration, where your stay is three nights or more; a change of accommodation to that of a lower Q or Berlitz rating category for three or more nights; a change in departure date; a change of departure airport (except between London airports, between Birmingham and East Midlands airports, between Doncaster Sheffield, Manchester and Leeds Bradford airports, between Bristol and Cardiff airports, between Glasgow and Edinburgh airports, or between Liverpool and Manchester); or your cruise being cancelled by

the cruise company or shipping line.

Please note that we do not accept any responsibility or liability for any consequential loss or expenses you may incur from arrangements you have made with any other party or parties.

9. If we cancel your holiday We reserve the right to cancel your booking. If we need to cancel any holiday due to insufficient demand, we will do so before the balance due date. The minimum number required will be provided to you with the holiday description.

We will not cancel after the balance due date, except for Unavoidable and Extraordinary Circumstances, or failure by you to pay the final balance.

If your holiday is cancelled (for reasons other than a failure by you to pay the final balance) you can either have a full refund of all monies paid or, where available, accept an offer of alternative comparable travel arrangements. We will refund any price difference if the alternative is of a lower value. In the event a refund is paid to you, we will: 1. provide a full refund of your travel insurance premiums if you paid them to us and can show that you are unable to transfer or reuse your policy; and 2. pay compensation as per the table below except where the cancellation is due to Unavoidable and Extraordinary Circumstances. This standard payment will not affect your statutory or other legal rights.

Please note that we do not accept any responsibility or liability for any consequential loss or expenses you may incur from arrangements you have made with any other party or parties.

10. Insurance You must be adequately insured for all ocean cruises and holidays outside mainland Britain to cover all contingencies such as medical expenses, repatriation, and baggage cover.

If you did not purchase the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or if we’re unable to offer

For all holidays to Europe and the Mediterranean, Travellers World holidays, river cruises, non Saga ocean cruises and holidays in Ireland, the Channel Islands, Isles of Scilly or Oberammergau#.

A B (see below grid for column descriptions) 75 days or more Loss of deposit 43-74 days 50% of holiday price* 29-42 days 70% of holiday price* 15-28 days 90% of holiday price* 14 days or less 100% of holiday price*

C Nil £20 £30 £50 £50

For all holidays of five nights or more in mainland Britain#.

A B (see below grid for column descriptions) 56 (28) days or more Loss of deposit 43-55 days 50% of holiday price* 29-42 (22-27) days 70% of holiday price* 15-28 (15-21) days 90% of holiday price* 14 days or less 100% of holiday price*

C Nil £10 £15 £20 £20

Numbers in brackets apply to holidays of less than five nights in mainland Britain, and to Christmas and New Year holidays in mainland Britain.

For all Saga ocean cruises aboard Spirit of Discovery and Spirit of Adventure#.

A B C (see below grid for column descriptions) 90 days or more Loss of deposit Nil 56-89 days 60% of holiday price* £20 29-55 days 75% of holiday price* £20 15-28 days 90% of holiday price* £30 14 days or less 100% of holiday price* £50 (A) Period before departure within which notice of cancellation or significant change is received by us or notified to you (B) Cancellation charge if you cancel your holiday (C) Compensation if we make a significant change #Please note that for certain holidays the cancellation charge will be 100%. You will be advised of this at the time of booking. *Or deposit if higher.

the optional cover, we advise that you arrange adequate insurance cover as soon as possible. For your peace of mind, please ensure that your alternative policy includes cancellation cover for the total cost of your holiday and that you are adequately insured for all your needs, including medical emergencies. Please also make sure your insurance is valid from the time of booking until your return from holiday.

Bookings made 18 months or more before departure: This section only applies to holidays offered with optional insurance and additional cancellation rights. The optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights cannot be offered with holidays booked more than 18 months before departure. Customers who wish to include the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights will have their booking held until 18 months before the departure date. Should you need to cancel prior to your booking

being confirmed, a full refund will be available. Once within 18 months of departure, the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights can be added and the holiday confirmed. This is subject to the normal insurance policy conditions and these booking conditions.

Please be aware that for trips taken on June 1, 2020 onward, this policy will only provide cover for any claims caused by or relating to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), or any mutation of, under the ‘Emergency medical associated expenses’ section of your policy book. This section provides insurance for emergency medical and associated costs not covered by the National Health Service or any reciprocal health agreement.

11. Optional travel insurance For UK residents only, insurance, underwritten by Great Lakes Insurance SE, UK Branch, is offered with all our overseas holidays, river cruises and ocean cruises unless otherwise stated and subject to terms and conditions. A policy document will be sent with your confirmation invoice.

A summary of the cover is shown below. (For holidays in mainland Britain, please call for a summary of cover).

Summary of cover 1. (a) Medical Expenses up to £5,000,000 (b) Hospital Benefit £20 per day (max. £500) 2. Curtailment up to £7,500 for holidays and river cruises, up to £10,000 for European ocean cruises, up to £50,000 for worldwide ocean cruises 3. Personal Accident up to £15,000 4. Criminal Injury Benefit up to £100,000 5. (a) Baggage up to £1,500 or up to £2,500 for ocean cruises i) Single Article limit £250 or £300 for ocean cruises ii) Overall Valuables limit £350 (b) Temporarily Lost Baggage over 12 hours up to £100 or up to £150 for ocean cruises 6. Money and Documents up to £500 Cash limit £200 7. Loss of Passport Expenses up to £200 8. Personal Liability up to £1,000,000 9. Missed Departure up to £500 (Europe), up to £1,000 (worldwide) 10. Travel Delay - Transport (a) Deposit/Cancellation Charges up to £7,500 (b) Compensation up to £150 11. Legal Expenses (claims for compensation for personal injury or death) up to £50,000 For sections 1(a), 2, 5(a), 6 and 10(a) above, the first £70 of each and every claim is excluded.

Please note that the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights are only available for overseas holidays where the included cruise, flights or ferry elements of the holiday are taken. If you arrange your own travel abroad, you will not be covered and should make alternative arrangements.

If you feel you need increased baggage cover please check your home contents insurance policy first, as most people can have their personal possessions insured under this policy while they are away.

Insurance policy document: If you choose to take the insurance, we will send you the insurance policy document with your holiday confirmation/invoice, or you can call us to request it earlier. If the policy does not meet your requirements, you are entitled to cancel at any time prior to your date of departure. The policy document contains full details of the cover provided, our complaints procedure, terms and exclusions – we recommend that you read it carefully.

12. Additional cancellation rights Where you have chosen to include the optional travel insurance the following rights apply: For the purposes of this section, the following definitions apply: Business Associate – Someone who works at your place of business in the UK and who, if you were both away from work at the same time, would prevent the business from running properly. A senior manager or director of your business must agree to this.

Close Relative – Your marital/common law partner (defined as living together at the same address and including same sex relationships), parent, parent-in-law, child, grandchild, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother, sister, brother-in-law, sister-in-law or fiancé(e).

Home – The address where you live permanently in the UK. You/Your – The person(s) named on the booking invoice/ holiday confirmation issued by Saga.

Summary of rights: We will refund all the money you have paid to us, less an administration fee of £100 for European and Worldwide holidays, river cruises and non-Saga ocean cruises; £80 for Saga ocean cruises or £60 for UK holidaysper person if the cancellation is due to: (a) unexpected illness or death of you or a member of your party. (b) death or disablement (by accidental bodily injury or sickness) of your Close Relative or Business Associate, or of any person with whom you had arranged temporarily to reside during your holiday. (c) jury service, attendance solely as a witness at a court of law or redundancy (provided your employment has been on a continuous full time basis with the same employer for at least 24 months).

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(d) accidental damage to your home through fire, storm or flooding within 14 days of the planned departure date, rendering it uninhabitable.

We will deduct the cost of any UK connecting or domestic flights and any cancellation charges from the suppliers of any ad-hoc service from any money refunded to you. You must send us a valid medical certificate for (a) or (b) above or the relevant official documentation for (c) or (d) as soon as is practicable, otherwise we will be unable to refund you.

All travel documents must be returned to Saga. If you cancel for other reasons, you must still notify Saga in writing and you will be subject to any relevant cancellation charges as set out in section 7 and the table in section 9.

We will not be liable for cancellations when, at the time of booking the holiday, the person whose condition gives rise to the cancellation: (i) had an illness in the past 12 months that has required treatment from a doctor, unless the condition was disclosed to and accepted by us; (ii) is travelling against the advice of a medical practitioner or for the purpose of obtaining medical treatment abroad; (iii) is receiving, on a waiting list for, or has knowledge of the need for in-patient treatment for any condition unless the medical condition for which you are on a waiting list for inpatient treatment has been disclosed to us and accepted by us. Should you cancel as a direct result of you undergoing the inpatient treatment for which you are on a waiting list additional cancellation rights will not be provided; (iv) is expected to give birth 12 weeks (16 weeks in the case of multiple pregnancy) before your planned return date; (v) has been given a terminal prognosis by a medical practitioner.

We will not cover any medical condition of a Close Relative or Business Associate whose health may affect your decision to travel if you were aware of it prior to booking your holiday.

We will not be liable for cancellations arising directly or indirectly from: (i) acts of terrorism in countries to which the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Travel Advice Unit has advised against travelling; (ii) an accident or breakdown of the vehicle in which you are travelling for which a professional repairer’s report is not provided; (iii) breakdown of any vehicle in which you are travelling if the vehicle is owned by you and has not been serviced properly or maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions; (iv) withdrawal from service (temporary or otherwise) of an aircraft or sea vessel on the recommendation of the Civil Aviation Authority or a Port Authority, or any similar body in any country; (v) redundancy caused by, or resulting from, misconduct leading to dismissal, from resignation or voluntary redundancy, or where a warning or notification of redundancy was given prior to the date the optional insurance was purchased by you; (vi) suicide or attempted suicide, intentional self-injury, the effect of intoxicating liquors or drugs or flying other than as a passenger in a fully licensed passenger carrying aircraft. This exclusion applies not only to the insured persons but also to Close Relatives or other persons whose health may affect your decision to travel or cut short your trip; (vii) any circumstance arising after the date of booking, but prior to the date of issue of the optional insurance policy purchased by you.

13. Our liability to you We are responsible for the proper performance of all travel services included in this package. You must inform us without undue delay of any failure to perform or improper performance of the travel services included in this package. If any of the travel services included in your package are not performed in accordance with the contract, or are improperly performed, by us or the travel service suppliers, and this has affected the enjoyment of your travel arrangements, you may be entitled to an appropriate price reduction or compensation or both. We will not be liable where any failure to perform or improper performance of the travel services is due to: you or any member of your party; or a third party unconnected with the provision of the travel services in the package and is unforeseeable or unavoidable; or Unavoidable and Extraordinary Circumstances.

Except in cases involving death, injury or illness, the liability of Saga and any company within the Saga group of companies (including its employees, agents and subcontractors) shall be limited to a maximum of three times the cost of your travel arrangements. Our liability will also be limited in accordance with and/or in an identical manner to: (a) the contractual terms of the companies that provide the travel services that make up your package. These terms are incorporated into this booking; and

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(b) any relevant international convention, for example the Montreal Convention in respect of travel by air, the Athens Convention in respect of travel by sea, the Berne Convention in respect of travel by rail and the Paris Convention in respect of the provision of accommodation, which limit the amount of and conditions under which compensation can be claimed for death, injury, delay to passengers and loss, damage and delay to luggage. We are to be regarded as having all benefit of any limitation of the extent of or the conditions under which compensation is to be paid under these or any conventions.

Copies of the travel service contractual terms, or the international conventions, shall be provided on request.

Under EU law (Regulation 261/2004) you have rights in some circumstances to refunds and/or compensation from your airline in cases of denied boarding, cancellation or delay to flights. Full details will be publicised at EU airports and available from airlines. If you are unhappy with your airline’s response, you may complain to the Civil Aviation Authority (telephone 020 7453 6888 or visit www.caa.co.uk/ passengers. Please note that reimbursement in such cases will not automatically entitle you to a refund of your holiday cost from us. Your right to a refund and/or compensation from us is set out in these booking conditions. If any payments to you are due from us, any payment made to you by the airline or any other service provider will be deducted.

You agree to assign to Saga any rights that you may have against a third party or person which have caused or contributed to our legal liability to you or which result in us incurring costs on your behalf. You agree that you will provide us and/or our insurers with all reasonable assistance to pursue a claim against any third party or person.

If it is impossible to ensure your return as scheduled due to Unavoidable and Extraordinary Circumstances, we will bear the cost of necessary accommodation, if possible of equivalent category, for a maximum of three nights. The limit doesn’t apply to persons with reduced mobility and any person accompanying them, pregnant women and unaccompanied minors, or persons in need of specific medical assistance, provided that you notified us of these needs at least 48 hours before the start of your holiday.

Note: this entire section 13 does not apply to any separate contracts that you may enter into whilst on holiday (for example, for excursions, entertainment, amenities, activities (including Holiday Experience activities) and other tours).

14. Your responsibility Saga is committed to promoting equality and diversity, and kindly requests your co-operation and consideration for others while on holiday. Verbally abusive or offensive language or behaviour directed towards anyone, including guests and crew, is not permitted. Saga reserves the right to curtail your holiday if, in our view, your conduct or behaviour, or that of a member of your party, is disruptive, dangerous, antisocial, or otherwise unacceptable. In such an event, no compensation or refund will be payable and you will be liable to pay any additional expenses reasonably incurred in arranging the curtailment. In addition, you must comply with the terms and conditions of the third party suppliers of any travel services. Failure by you to observe such terms and conditions which are incorporated into this contract and available upon request may affect any compensation or liability we may have towards you.

Medical information: You are responsible for ensuring that any existing medical conditions, disabilities or mobility restrictions affecting you or a member of your party are declared to us before you book or, if newly diagnosed, as soon as possible and no later than 48 hours before your date of departure.

If there is any change in the above circumstances for you or a member of your party, or you or a member of your party develops a new medical condition, please call us to see if we can continue to offer the optional insurance and if the holiday is still suitable. The insurance company will not accept a claim as valid if you do not do this.

In addition, there are other instances where cover is not available under the Medical Expenses or Curtailment sections of our Saga Travel Insurance Policy Booklet. These include where the person(s) making the claim: • does not follow the advice of a medical practitioner • is travelling to get medical treatment abroad • has been given a terminal prognosis by a medical practitioner • is expected to give birth within 12 weeks (16 weeks in the case of a multiple pregnancy) of arrival home.

The Policy Booklet contains full details of the medical cover provided along with the terms and exclusions.

We recommend that you read it carefully. Please note: Regardless of whether you take out the optional travel insurance, for cruises, women who are up to 24 weeks pregnant at the end of the holiday are required to provide a medical certificate of fitness to travel. We cannot carry passengers who will be 24 weeks or more pregnant at the end of the holiday. We reserve the right to request a medical certificate at any stage of pregnancy and to refuse travel

if we and/or the Master of the ship are not satisfied that you will be safe during your holiday. The doctors aboard the ships may not be qualified to deliver babies on board, or to offer pre or postnatal treatment, and no responsibility is accepted by Saga in respect of the ability to provide such services or equipment. For air travel, you are subject to the terms and conditions of your airline, who will have its own policies. Please let us know if you are pregnant or become pregnant prior to departure. Please also refer to Mobility and Assistance in section 19.

15. ABTA ST&H Limited and Saga Cruises Limited are Members of ABTA, with membership numbers W8164 and W8179 respectively. We are obliged to maintain a high standard of service to you by ABTA’s Code of Conduct. 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. You can also access the European Commission Online Dispute (ODR) Resolution platform at http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr/. This ODR platform is a means of notifying us of your complaint; it will not determine how your complaint should be resolved.

16. If you have a complaint We aim to provide you with an enjoyable and relaxing holiday.

In the unlikely event that you have a complaint about any of the services included in your holiday, it is imperative that you report it to our representative or locally appointed agent or hotel director or our duty officer by calling 01303 771999 or emailing duty.officer@saga.co.uk as soon as possible to give them the best opportunity to resolve any issues in resort. If it is not resolved locally, please follow this up within 28 days of your return home by writing to our Customer Relations Department at Saga Holidays, Enbrook Park, Folkestone, Kent CT20 3SE. Alternatively, e-mail us at: customer. relations@saga.co.uk or call 01303 774122. Please keep your letter concise and to the point and give your holiday reference number and all other relevant information. If you fail to follow the requirement to report your complaint in resort, we will have been deprived of the opportunity to investigate and rectify it and this may affect your rights under this booking. Please also see clause 15 above on ABTA.

17. Additional assistance If you’re in difficulty whilst on holiday and ask us to help we will provide appropriate assistance, in particular by providing information on health services, local authorities and consular assistance; and helping you to find alternative arrangements and any necessary phone calls/emails. You must pay any costs we incur, if the difficulty is your fault.

18. Data protection Any personal data you provide will be held securely and for the purpose you have provided it, in accordance with data protection legislation. We may need to disclose personal data to a third party including outside the European Economic Area (EEA) for the purpose of providing your holiday. In addition, your data may be disclosed to regulatory bodies or public authorities, such as customs or immigration, for the purposes of monitoring and/or enforcing compliance with any regulatory rules/codes; and it may be used for marketing, offering renewals, research and statistical purposes and crime prevention. Where you provide information about another person, we accept it on the basis that you have their permission to give us access to their personal data (including special category personal data) and that you have told them who we are and what we will use their data for, as set out above.

If Saga has obtained your permission to do so, they will also contact you by post, telephone, email or other means to tell you about offers, products and services that may be of interest to you. At any time you can opt out of receiving such information, revise the products you would like to hear about or change the method they use to communicate with you. You can update these preferences by calling 0800 092 3665. For further information about how the Saga Group uses your personal information, please visit saga. co.uk/privacy-policy or contact the Saga Group Data Protection Officer by email: data.protection@saga.co.uk or post: The Saga Building, Enbrook Park, Sandgate, Folkestone, Kent CT20 3SE.

19. Holiday information Passports: You will need a valid passport for all overseas holidays featured. As requirements vary and can change without notice, we strongly advise you to ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months after the end of your holiday. We recommend that you have at least three blank pages in your passport to cover potential immigration formalities, which may be required in some countries.

We recommend that you also take your passport for identification purposes when taking domestic flights.

Visas: If you are a full British citizen resident in the UK, for the majority of destinations, if required, Saga will obtain your visa or tourist card free of charge (postage is not included). We will advise you at the time of booking where you are responsible for obtaining your own visa. For Chinese visas, Saga will send you the paperwork and you will be responsible for purchasing your visa. If you are aged 71 or over at the time of application, you can purchase your visa online. If you are aged 70 or under, you will need to purchase your visa at a Chinese visa centre. For Russian visas, Saga will obtain the paperwork and you will be responsible for purchasing the visa at the Russian visa centre. Should you be unable to obtain a visa for whatever reason and as a result are unable to travel, our usual cancellation fees apply. An application pack will be sent to you approximately 60 days before you travel (90 days for Russia). In order to obtain your visa, it is important that we receive your passport and any applicable documentation in good time before your holiday starts. If you return these documents late, you may incur an additional charge. For passengers cruising into Libya, a group visa will be issued on arrival in Libya for all holders of UK passports, allowing you to go ashore independently and on an organised shore excursion. Passengers holding a US or Swiss passport will not be able to enter Libya. Passports must be valid for at least six months and must not contain evidence of a visit to Israel. For passengers cruising into Algeria, a group visa will be issued prior to arrival for all holders of UK passports, allowing you to go ashore on an organised excursion only. Because of this, all Algerian excursions must be pre-booked. Passports must be valid for at least six months and must not contain evidence of a visit to Israel. It may be necessary for you to arrange your own individual visas for independent travel in some ports.

For further information about passports and Saga’s visa service, call Saga on 0800 525 290 or email visa@saga. co.uk. If you are telephoning from outside the UK, please call +44 (0)1303 771138 (please note that this is not a freephone number). If you are not a full British citizen resident in the UK, you must confirm your nationality or status at the time of booking. Your specific passport and visa requirements, and other immigration requirements are your responsibility and you should confirm these with the relevant Embassies and/or Consulates. We do not accept any responsibility if you cannot travel because you have not complied with any passport, visa or immigration requirements.

Optional Activities: Any optional activities including, but not limited to, excursions, entertainment, amenities, activities (including Holiday Experience activities) and other tours (‘Optional Activities’) that you may choose to book or pay for whilst you are on holiday are not part of your package holiday provided by us. For all Optional Activities, your contract will be with the operator/supplier of the Optional Activity and not with us. We are not responsible for the provision of the Optional Activity or for anything that happens during the course of its provision by the operator/supplier. Full details of the Optional Activities available will be provided in the itinerary sent to you before you travel. Details will also be available to you in resort. We cannot guarantee that the Optional Activities will be available during your holiday and they will only operate if a sufficient number of people wish to take part. Optional Activities are sold subject to the laws and exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the country or state where purchased. We have included them in brochures and on the website to illustrate your choice, not as a recommendation to take part. If you intend to take part in any Optional Activities, please check your insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for anything that may be considered hazardous. If you are in any doubt, you should contact your insurer. Please also note that any medical services on board our cruises are similarly provided by independent contractors, which do not form part of the holiday package and for which we cannot accept any responsibility.

Cabins – inside/outside guarantees: With these special offer fares, you are guaranteed the minimum grade of cabin shown in the brochure, just not the specific cabin. This will be allocated to you later on, sometimes as you embark the ship. If you choose not to accept your allocated cabin, which could be located anywhere on the ship, this is treated as a cancellation (see section 7). There is the chance you may be upgraded, although this is subject to cabin availability and in no way forms part of this offer. Note that twin cabins may have two single beds or a double bed.

Mobility and assistance: Our ships have a limited number of cabins adapted for use by those with restricted mobility and we are limited as to the number of disabled passengers or passengers with reduced mobility that we can carry.

We reserve the right to refuse the carriage of any person if carrying such a passenger would put us in breach of any applicable safety requirement or law. We also reserve the right to refuse carriage if the design of the vessel and/or the port infrastructure and equipment would make carriage unsafe or not operationally feasible. We reserve the right to require that a disabled passenger or a passenger of reduced mobility is accompanied by another fare paying person capable of providing assistance to ensure compliance with any applicable safety requirement or law or if the design of the vessel and/or the port infrastructure and equipment means that a disabled passenger or person of reduced mobility cannot be carried in a safe or operationally feasible manner without the assistance of another person. Please advise us at the time of booking if you or any member of your party has reduced mobility, requires a specially adapted cabin or would require assistance in an emergency, or as soon as possible before departure should there be a change in circumstances. This is essential for travel by sea or inland waterways, as a risk assessment may need to be carried out prior to your departure. If you do not inform us of such a condition we will not be liable if an airline or cruise line refuses to accept you or any member of your party as a passenger. In the same respect, for land based holidays we need to be made aware of any special requirements that may affect your holiday as our representatives will only be able to provide support in an emergency. Under European law if you are disabled or have difficulty moving around, you can receive assistance when you fly. This free service is available to anyone with mobility problems, for example, because of your disability, age or a temporary injury. To take full advantage of the service you need to book at least 48 hours in advance of your flight. Please contact us as soon as possible prior to your departure. You can also visit our website at saga.co.uk. Please note that personal daily care cannot be provided by any member of the ship’s staff.

Health formalities: We will advise you with your holiday confirmation of any vaccinations that are required as a condition of entry to the country(ies) that you are visiting.

We recommend that you consult your doctor at least 12 weeks before departure, and they will advise you about any other vaccinations required. You may wish to refer to government health advice for your destination at fco.gov.uk/ en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/ or call the 24-hour phone line 0845 850 2829 – calls cost 4p per minute with BT; other network prices may vary. Please note: In the interests of the health and safety of fellow passengers, it is a condition of travel that passengers must use the hand sanitisers provided when embarking and disembarking our ships.

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The British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Travel Advice Unit provides up-to-date advice and safety information for British nationals travelling abroad.

Please visit fco.gov.uk/travel.

Some destinations can suffer extreme weather conditions.

Saga cannot accept responsibility for any connecting travel you purchase independently.

Direct flights are not necessarily non-stop and may have to make an intermediate stop en route.

Where a meal or snack is included on your flight, this is provided by the airline on a complimentary basis and has no cash value. Should the airline not offer this service for whatever reason, or your flight is amended to an airline which does not give refreshments, no refund shall be made.

Banned or restricted air carriers: Regulation (EC) No. 2111/2005 came into force in January 2006, establishing a Community list of air carriers subject to an operating ban within the Community. The list is available at https:// ec.europa.eu/transport/modes/air/safety/air-ban.

We want all of our customers to be comfortable and relaxed while travelling by coach. For this reason, we do not allow smoking, pets or personal audio equipment on coach journeys.

We cannot guarantee the class of your rail travel. We will notify you if your preference is unavailable for all or part of your journey and explain your options.

In respect of VIP door-to-door service transfers, customers may have to share use of the vehicle with customers on different bookings save where the booked service is private.

Where possible, Saga may facilitate pre-booking of seats and other ancillary items where offered by our transport suppliers. This may be subject to transport supplier charges and Saga administrative charges. Actual seat numbers booked by us cannot be guaranteed as there may be changes for airline operational, safety or security reasons. However, the airline will, where possible,

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re-accommodate your seats together and match your seating preferences. Where this is not possible then we will refund any applicable seating charges paid to us for the flights affected.

We cannot accept responsibility for any purchases made on holiday, either individually or when taking part on a tour or excursion. A recommendation to visit a venue is not a recommendation to purchase and the customer does this at their own risk.

Ships’ cabins can vary in size within the same grade.

We cannot guarantee the composition of your cabin.

It may contain foldaway beds, upper and lower berths, sofa beds or permanent beds. Sea view cabins can be restricted by lifeboats and deadlights, and some inward facing cabins have no porthole. Your cabin may be affected by vibration and mechanical noises.

In the interests of safety and the well-being of our customers, the Masters (and Saga Cruises Limited) shall have absolute discretion to alter the routing of the cruises at any time and for any reason.

The safe navigation of the ship is paramount and circumstances where the route may be changed include, but are not limited to, Unavoidable and Extraordinary Circumstances .

All ships featured are measured by the gross registered tonnage. This is not the weight of the ship but the total volume of all permanently enclosed spaces The currency used on board cruise ships will depend on the ship’s nationality. Many ships operate a ‘cashless’ system whereby you sign for all purchases which are then charged to your cabin. You settle up at the end of your cruise and can pay by credit card, cash or travellers cheque.

Cruise escorts will only be available if a minimum number of passengers is achieved.

Unless otherwise stated, there will be an extra charge for optional facilities, such as sports facilities, bars and Internet facilities. We cannot guarantee special requests that may also be subject to an additional charge.

Don’t forget to check that you have all your belongings before returning home. If necessary and if requested, we will do what we can to return any lost items, but please be aware that restrictions apply and there will be a cost for this service. Details can be obtained from our after-sales team.

Please note, hotels reserve the right to change the delivery of their meal services, without notice. Where we refer in our brochure to buffet meal service or waiter meal service, this was correct at the time of publication.

Due to local conditions in some ports, we may be unable to use the most accessible gangway. Passengers may be required to negotiate a steep gangway and/or steps. For customers who are unable to walk unaided or require a wheelchair/scooter, it may be necessary to remain on board.

If you have any special difficulties or needs, such as a particular diet, you must notify Saga on 0800 373 034.

21. Travel Agents When you buy a flight-based holiday, all monies you pay to the travel agent are held by him on behalf of and for the benefit of the Trustees of the Air Travel Trust at all times.

This is subject to the agent’s obligation to pay it to us for so long as we do not fail. If we fail, any money held at that time by the agent, or subsequently accepted from you by him, is and continues to be held on behalf of and for the benefit of the Trustees of the Air Travel Trust without any obligation to pay that money to us. When you buy a holiday not including a flight, all monies you pay to the travel agent are held by him on our behalf at all times.

22. Brexit Please be aware that some travel services could be affected as a result of the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union. Examples of this could include the inability of airlines to operate flights (including the loss or restriction of rights in respect of transit, air traffic or entry into an airspace), an unavailability of some flight routes, changes to the visa requirements of British citizens and limited or no access to certain airports and ports. If we become aware of any confirmed bookings that will be affected, we will let customers know as soon as possible. However, as this situation is extraordinary and outside of our control, we would treat any such changes or cancellations as being due to Unavoidable and Extraordinary Circumstances. Please note that we do not accept any responsibility or liability for any consequential loss or expenses customers may incur in these circumstances. We strongly encourage customers to take out travel insurance to cover consequential losses and expenses.

Saga Holidays is a trading name of ST&H Ltd (registration no. 2174052). ST&H Ltd and Saga Cruises Ltd (registration no. 3267858) are subsidiaries of ST&H Group Ltd (registration no.

0720588). All three companies are registered in England and Wales. Registered Office: Enbrook Park, Sandgate, Folkestone, Kent CT20 3SE. With respect to general insurance products sold in the UK, Saga Cruises Ltd and ST&H Ltd are appointed representatives of Saga Services Ltd (company no. 732602) which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

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A FEW OTHER DETAILS All reservations are subject to Saga’s booking conditions which will be sent to you with your holiday confirmation and are available in advance upon request by visiting our website travel.saga.co.uk.

A note about pricing Our holidays, and the prices at which they are advertised, are based on availability and a limited number of specially negotiated prices at the time of going to print. Flight supplements may apply.

Please note that flight prices fluctuate daily, may increase with different airlines and during peak travel periods. We will notify you of the current price prior to booking.

A note about special offers The offers in this brochure supersede any previously advertised offers and cannot be combined. Saga reserves the right to reduce, withdraw or extend offers at any time.

Insurance policy Because it’s important to be adequately insured when you travel abroad, we offer optional comprehensive travel insurance, underwritten by Great Lakes Insurance SE, UK Branch, and additional cancellation rights with all our overseas holidays. If you are suffering from, or in the last 12 months have suffered from, an illness that has required treatment from a doctor, you must advise us and we’ll confirm whether you can be covered under this insurance. A full summary of the optional travel insurance will be provided with your booking confirmation. Cover is available to UK residents only and subject to medical screening. Terms and conditions apply. If you have your own insurance, we will offer you the holiday at a lower price.

The Saga Price Promise Early bookers will never lose out! Not only are you assured the holiday of your choice but if we reduce our brochure price after you have booked, we’ll work out the difference and give you your money back.

Our thoughtful touches When you travel with Saga you can look forward to some fantastic excursions, which are often included in the price, plus a host of activities and entertainment tailored to Saga guests. As you would expect, these are an example of what may be available and are subject to demand – you’ll receive full details when you arrive.

The excursions we include as part of your holiday will be operated in English – either by an English-speaking guide or, where necessary, through headsets. At all accommodation we request rooms on the ground floor or first floor if there’s no lift, and we make sure that heating, air conditioning or ceiling fans are a feature where necessary. All bedrooms will have a private bath or shower and wc as a minimum.

Please note: Check-in is usually from 2pm and at most hotels you will need to check out by 11am.

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Group sizes On our tour departures you could travel with up to 47 other guests. If you travel on one of our specified small group tours, you will be travelling with no more than 25 other guests.

Travel solo with confidence More than a fifth of our customers are solo travellers so we make sure we offer single rooms at no extra cost on as many hotel stays and tours as possible. For periods when there is no single supplement to pay, hotels have given us a set number of rooms; once these have been booked we may still be able to offer single rooms but there will probably be a supplement to pay. Therefore it’s always best to book early to be in with the best chance of securing a room at no extra cost.

Fly from an airport near you It’s often easier and more convenient to fly from a local airport, so wherever possible we give you the opportunity to do so.

Temperature and rainfall guides We use worldweatheronline.com as the source for the information provided in our temperature and rainfall guides. The figures shown are an average from January 2016-December 2020.

This information is for guidance only.

Greater flexibility Wherever possible, we offer you the chance to tailor your holiday to suit you. Whether you want to add extra nights to the beginning or end of your holiday with one of our extensions, upgrade your flight or room, change your board arrangement or spend extra weeks in your chosen destination we can often help with your requests.

Travelife – sustainability in tourism We’re thrilled to be working with a number of hotels that are Travelife Gold Certified. The Travelife scheme helps ensure that certified hotels are reducing the amount of rubbish being produced, safeguard children and the local environment, promote the culture and heritage of the area and protect human rights.

Q is for quality As accommodation ratings vary from country to country, we show both the local star rating of a property and our own Q-rating based on the variety of food, facilities and standard of rooms.

QQQQQ represents the finest, while Q+ hotels offer something a little extra – perhaps a great location or outstanding service.

Similarly, river cruise ships are given their own rating, with !!!!! being the finest.

We strongly believe animals should be treated fairly within the tourism industry. As ABTA members, we have a duty of care to ensure that the excursions we offer to our customers meet the Animal Welfare guidelines supplied by ABTA. These guidelines include not supporting activities that involve unnatural behaviour, or those that could be perceived as unacceptable or discouraged practices. We regularly review on-going excursions that involve animals, along with any feedback from customers and outside sources.

Travelling distances and timings Please be aware that the distances and timings of tour travel stated in our holiday information are approximate, include comfort stops, and should be used as a guide.

Love your holiday, or your money back Only applicable on holidays of 7 nights or more. Not available on Saga UK holidays, Saga Ocean Cruises or Third Party branded holidays or cruises. For Saga Ocean Cruises the ‘Love it First Time’ guarantee applies.

To take advantage of the Guarantee you must state your intention to do so to the Saga Host within the first 48 hours of your holiday.

The Saga Host will endeavour to resolve any issues within 24 hours. If a solution cannot be agreed, Saga will arrange and cover the costs of your return transport to the location where your Saga holiday arrangements commenced (such arrangements to be determined by Saga at its sole discretion), and refund you the amount that you have paid Saga for your holiday. We will not refund any costs you have incurred for items not purchased directly through Saga, such as overnight accommodation or third-party insurance.

The Guarantee does not affect Saga’s standard booking conditions or pre-departure cancellation policy. Please note that this offer does not apply if you wish to return home as a result of a Force Majeure event (as defined in Saga’s standard booking conditions).

Your included VIP door-to-door travel service Our complimentary travel package includes a return chauffeur service from your home to your international airport, return chauffeur service to your local airport for an included domestic flight to your main departure airport, standard class rail travel from your local station to your departure airport, or complimentary parking at the airport if you’d prefer to drive yourself. Included economy class domestic flights are subject to availability in our designated booking class. If this is not available at the time of booking, we’ll advise you of the additional flight supplement. Depending on the time of your domestic or international flight you may need overnight accommodation, which will be at your own additional cost. Our VIP door-to-door travel service is available to anyone in mainland England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Wight and Channel Islands.

We’re not currently able to offer the service to those in the Scottish islands, Isle of Man, Sark or the Isles of Scilly. Saga reserves the right to select the most appropriate form of transport and/or domestic airport for your journey. You could be sharing the journey with up to three (or very occasionally five) other Saga passengers in one of our larger MPVs. Alternatively, you can choose to have the vehicle for just you and your travelling companions at a price of £1.85 a mile.

A minimum charge of £52 each way applies to journeys less than 28 miles. The right to refuse the chauffeur service is at our discretion. The VIP door-to-door travel service operates in the UK only.

For full details, visit saga.co.uk/vip

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