Led by the heart, guided by experts.
Travelsphere is proud of our partnership with the Royal Geographical Society. This partnership speaks to our shared dedication to the transformative power of purposeful travel - Travelsphere’s mission is to have a positive impact on the places we go to, as well as the customers we take there and the communities we visit.
The Society was founded in 1830 to advance geographical science and this remains their core purpose. They achieve this through supporting geographical research, education, fieldwork, and expeditions.
The Royal Geographical Society have partnered with some of our most culturally significant journeys and have given us exclusive access to unique historic materials from within their archive to enrich our understanding of these destinations.
By choosing a Royal Geographical Society Collection itinerary you are directly supporting the essential work of one of the world’s most important geographical bodies.
The Royal Geographical Society Collection
Grand Tour of Italy page 6
Epic Wonders of the National Parks page 8
Grand Tour of Canada & the Rocky Mountaineer page 10
Latin Wonders of the World page 12
Incredible India & Nepal: Culture, Wildlife & Ancient Wonders page 14
Japan – Land of the Rising Sun page 16
Silk Road Adventure - The Five Stans page 18
Since 1962, we have been developing extraordinary itineraries to destinations around the world. The pioneering spirit of our team, and our customers’ desire to explore new destinations, learn about different cultures and to simply try something new, drives us to create award-winning holidays around the globe. We listen, learn, and constantly review the holidays we provide.
Here’s what you can expect from a Travelsphere tour…
On every tour, we include return flights. All tours will have a London departure and, on many tours, you’ll also be able to fly from your local airport. We also take care of all of your overseas transfers and transportation making sure you get safely from A to B.
At the end of each day, relax in the comfort of your accommodation, hand-picked by our team as the ideal fit for your stay. It might in the perfect spot to explore more at leisure, somewhere a little indulgent or perhaps somewhere quite unique.
All of our tours are hosted by an expert Holiday Director who will be on hand to guide you through your chosen adventure, sharing insight and making sure you don’t miss any of the best sights.
We do everything we can to make sure you have the holiday of a lifetime, that’s why we include so many mesmerising experiences. Uncover incredible sights, experience new cultures and taste mouth-watering cuisine.
Indulging in local dishes is a highlight of any holiday, that’s why we make sure there are opportunities to sample authentic flavours that make your taste-buds tingle.
Our tours have been built with freedom and flexibility in mind. Whether you choose to upgrade your flight, join one of our optional excursions, spend some time making your own discoveries or perhaps simply relaxing at your hotel – the choice is yours.
And then there’s the rest of the group - from couples and family members to friends travelling together and even a few solo travellers too, you’ll laugh together, you’ll share stories and most importantly, you’ll create incredible memories of your time away.
We recognise that our success comes from listening to our customers, and we’re delighted that you’ll be rewarded with a loyalty offer when you return from your Travelsphere adventure.
Our signature Italian itinerary takes you on an incredible journey from Venice in the north to Sicily in the south. It’s a great choice for anyone who wants to discover the best of Italy in one all-encompassing adventure.
The perfectly paced itinerary takes in everything from the fascinating cities of Pisa, Florence, and Rome. Bask in the history of Pompeii, the spectacular scenery of the Sorrento Peninsula and brooding Mount Etna. You’ll stay in four-star hotels, all carefully selected so that you have a comfortable and well-located place to relax at the end of every day.
The trip includes a carefully curated mixture of guided tours, enabling you to visit and learn about the most famous and important sights, balanced with free time so that you can create the perfect adventure for you. You might choose to watch the world go by from a café, explore a museum or visit a cathedral, it really is up to you. If you prefer the convenience of having everything planned, simply ask your Holiday Director for recommendations, or join one of our exciting optional excursions.
15 days from £3,099
London, overseas transfers, other transportation and porterage
14 NIGHTS in 4-star hotels 24 MEALS 14 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 9 dinners and welcome drink
LOCAL FLAVOURS
Welcome dinner with buffet of local specialities TRAVELSPHERE HOLIDAY DIRECTOR and Specialist Local Guide
Included highlights
• Tour the floating city of Venice
• Evening in the charming town of Treviso
• Visit the historical city of Bologna
• Taste delicious ice-cream from a famous ice-cream parlour
• View the Leaning Tower of Pisa
• Italy’s ‘art city’ Florence
• Visit the fortress town of Orvieto
• Rome and its historical sites
• Enter Montecassino Abbey
• Explore the ruins of Pompeii
• Local Tuscan produce dinner
• Visit Taormina for views of Mount Etna
The Society’s archives comprise over 2,500 items specifically relating to the historical geography of Italy, dating from the 16th century to the present day. Highlights include an Italian astrolabe from 1500 and early maps of Italy by cartographers such as such as Antonio Lafreri and Vincenzo Coronelli.
Donald McLeish, born in London in 1879, had a passion for photography. He began work at a photographic studio before teaching photography at the Regent Street Polytechnic in central London in 1900. Ten years later, he began work as a freelance photographer and soon carved out his reputation by supplying his photographs to journals such as the Illustrated London News, Country Life and National Geographic.
In 1916 he joined the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve and was deployed to photograph Port Said, Egypt, where he captured some of the earliest aerial war pictures of the First World War. After the war he travelled widely, visiting large parts of Europe and the Middle East, accumulating a vast catalogue of approximately 3,000 photographs. McLeish travelled to Italy in 1920 and later in 1934, where he took a series of striking black and white photographs of the landscapes and architectural features of the country’s historical sites and cities.
Eric Newby was one of the most prolific contributors to travel writing and photography in the 20th century, writing over 25 books and taking striking photographs of the people and places he encountered. His adventures began at the age of 18 when he joined the four-masted Finnish barque, Moshulu, and engaged in the 30,000 mile round-trip grain trade race between Ireland and Australia, which he vividly described in his first book, 'The Last Grain Race' (1956).
Newby served with the elite Special Boat Section during World War II. Captured during an operation off the Italian coast in 1942, he spent a year in a prisoner of war camp, before escaping. Hiding in the Po Valley, he met a young Italian-Slovenian woman named Wanda Skof, whom he later married, and who would become his equal partner on many of his later travels. His memoir of that time, 'Love and War in the Apennines' (1971) became one of his most acclaimed books. Wanda and Eric returned to Italy in 1967 when they bought a derelict farmhouse in the Apuan Alps. Newby’s humorous and affectionate account of their experience was published in ‘A small Place in Italy’ (1994).
17 days from £4,349
Cameras at the ready! Encounter the most spectacular sights and scenery the USA has to offer.
Your adventure starts in Denver, Colorado and takes you through seven different states to the bright lights of Las Vegas. Throughout your journey, you will discover stunning historic sites and landmarks dedicated to those who defined the country’s history and step into the world of the ‘Wild West’.
This meticulously planned itinerary travels through no less than nine of America’s national parks. Wonder at the diversity of wildlife and see spouting geysers in Yellowstone, then take in the breath-taking grandeur of the Rocky Mountains in Grand Teton. Immerse yourself in the countries vast, rugged landscapes shaped by the dramatic power of nature over millions of years, visiting ancient cave dwellings and geological wonders.
Your holiday
RETURN FLIGHTS + TRANSPORTATION from London, overseas transfers, other transportation and porterage
15 NIGHTS in great quality hotels plus 1 night in flight
17 MEALS
15 breakfasts (B), 1
(L), 1 dinner (D) and welcome drink
LOCAL FLAVOURS
Fort Hays Chuckwagon supper and cowboy music show
TRAVELSPHERE HOLIDAY DIRECTOR and Specialist Local Guide
• Mount Rushmore National Memorial
• The Crazy Horse Memorial
• Badlands National Park
• Wild West city of Deadwood
• Battle of Little Bighorn site
• The world’s first national park, Yellowstone
• Grand Teton National Park
• Canyonlands National Park
• Arches National Park
• Mesa Verde National Park
• Monument Valley
• The iconic Grand Canyon National Park
• Bryce Canyon National Park’s unique geology
• Zion Canyon National Park
• The neon-lit city of Las Vegas
The Society’s archives comprise over 4,000 items specifically relating to the historical geography of the United States of America, dating from the 17th century to the present day. Highlights include early 18th century maps of North America by cartographers such as Thomas Jefferys, Guillaume de L’Isle and Johann Baptist Homann.
Gustav Nordenskiold, a scientist and the eldest son of the Polar explorer, Baron Erik Adolf Nordenskiold, set out on a worldwide trip that he hoped would cure his tuberculosis. However, he arrived in Denver, Colorado, in June 1891, and decided to cut his world tour short to visit the cliff dwellings of the Mesa Verde. This break in his world tour became permanent and he spent several months alongside Richard Wetherill and Charles Mason (who had both visited Mesa Verde in 1888), carrying out an extensive and detailed archaeological survey of the numerous cliff dwellings. He reported his findings and detailed photographic studies in newspapers and scientific publications, including 'The Cliff Dwellers of the Mesa Verde', published in 1893.
William Henry Jackson was an American explorer and photographer whose scenic photographs of the American West helped draw people to the region and were integral in convincing the U.S. Congress and the American public of the need to preserve the landscapes as national parks.
In 1870, Jackson became the official photographer for the United States Geological Survey of the Territories (USGS) and joined Ferdinand Hayden’s 1870 expedition to the Yellowstone River and Rocky Mountains. Following the success of this expedition, Jackson was invited to join a further eight USGS expeditions. He became one of the first to photograph Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons and the Mesa Verde region, capturing the first photographs of the Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings.
‘This ruin well deserves its name, for with its round towers and high walls rising out of the heaps of stones deep in the mysterious twilight of the cavern, and defying in their sheltered site the ravages of time, it resembles at a distance an enchanted castle’.
Gustav Nordenskiold, describing ‘Cliff Palace’ in his book ‘The cliff dwellers of the Mesa Verde’ (1893)
17 days from £6,749 † Halong Bay
from East to West, you’ll stop at many of its most wonderful cities, wonder at its spectacular scenery and learn about the nation’s fascinating cultural history.
Your journey will pause in Montreal, Quebec City, Ottawa, Toronto, and Vancouver, and then venture out to see the thundering waters of Niagara Falls. Feast your eyes on the wonderful wildlife, including bears, as you tour sensational Banff National Park, before setting our to see the turquoise-coloured water and jaw-dropping beauty of Lake Louise. Sit back, relax, and admire the view as you travel aboard the luxurious Rocky Mountaineer train. Before taking a ferry to Vancouver Island, where you can get up close to nature on an optional whale-watching adventure.
Your holiday includes
RETURN FLIGHTS + TRANSPORTATION from London, overseas transfers, other transportation and porterage
15 NIGHTS in great quality hotels plus 1 night in flight
5 MEALS
3 breakfasts, 2 lunches and welcome drink
SCENIC TRAIN
2-day rail journey on board Rocky Mountaineer in SilverLeaf Service
LOCAL FLAVOURS
Enjoy gourmet meals and locally sourced wines onboard Rocky Mountaineer
TRAVELSPHERE HOLIDAY DIRECTOR and Specialist Local Guide
• Quebec City, the only walled city in Canada
• Explore Montreal
• City tour of Ottawa, the nation’s capital
• 1000 Islands sightseeing cruise
• Visit Niagara-on-the-Lake
• Tour of Banff National Park
• Lake Louise, one of Canada’s most beautiful sights
• Step aboard the iconic Rocky Mountaineer
• Vancouver and Stanley Park
• Experience spectacular views of Vancouver Island from Malahat Skywalk
• Learn about Canada’s First Nations at Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre
• Malahat Skywalk
• Visit the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre
Departure dates & prices 2025
2026 DATES
The Society’s archives comprise over 7,000 items specifically relating to the historical geography of Canada, dating from the 17th century to the present day. Highlights include early maps of Canada by Guillaume de L’Isle, and maps, manuscripts, watercolours and sketches relating to the exploration of the Canadian Arctic in search of the Northwest Passage during the 19th century.
From the archives
John Linton Palmer’s naval career involved several tours of duty in the Pacific between the years 1850 and 1868. As a naval surgeon, he developed an interest in natural history and ethnography and followed in the tradition of many earlier naval surgeons to create fine and detailed observational drawings and sketches of the people and places encountered on the tour.
J. Norman Collie was a pioneering chemist and mountaineer. In the late 1890s he joined the renowned chemist, Sir William Ramsay, as an assistant at University College London (UCL), where they conducted ground-breaking research into rare gases and where Collie made what was to be the first neon lamp. Collie also had a love of climbing and at the end of each university term he would venture to the Scottish Highlands, the Alps or the Himalayas.
In 1896 he made his first of several visits to the Canadian Rocky Mountains in search of Mount Hooker and Mount Brown, which had reportedly been sighted at a height of 15,000ft. Collie made a total of 21 first ascents, including Mount Victoria which he named after Queen Victoria, and eventually located Mount Hooker and Mount Brown at 9,000ft. Collie also explored the Columbia ice-field, the Bush river and the country between the headwaters of the Saskatchewan and the Columbia rivers.
His copiously annotated albums include sketches made in Pitcairn Island, Rapa Nui, Tahiti, China, Chile, Panama, Vancouver Island and the Bering Strait. His sketches of NorthWest Coast Indian and Inuit peoples, and their artefacts, reveals a highly developed interest in the detail of material cultures, providing a unique, pre-photographic record of the region at a very significant moment in the relations between settlers and First Peoples.
Feeling adventurous then this is the itinerary for you. Over 18 action-packed days you’ll experience many thrilling highlights as you journey to Peru, Bolivia, Argentina and Brazil.
You will tour Lima, the ‘City of King’s, and Cuzco, once the capital of the Inca Empire, and discover the iconic ‘Lost City’ of Machu Picchu, nestled on a mist shrouded mountain. Marvel at the snow – capped Andes and Lake Titicaca, before heading into Bolivia, to visit the important cultural centre, La Paz. Step next into Argentina and its capital, Buenos Aires, and tour the Plaza de Mayo and Recoleta cemetery before visiting the stunning Iguacu Fall from both the Argentinian and Brazilian sides. Travel then to Brazil and the exciting city of Rio de Janeiro, relax in this vibrant city and wonder at the statue of Christ the Redeemer and luxuriate in your hotel, located on Copacabana Beach.
18
RETURN FLIGHTS + TRANSPORTATION from London, overseas transfers, other transportation and porterage
15 NIGHTS in 3 and 4-star hotels plus 2 nights in flight
20 MEALS
15 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners and welcome drink
LOCAL FLAVOURS
Authentic Argentinian gaucho BBQ dinner
TRAVELSPHERE HOLIDAY DIRECTOR
• Explore ‘City of Kings’ Lima
• Tour of Cuzco
• Discover the ‘Lost City’ of Machu Picchu
• Visit the market at Pisac
• Visit Ccaccaccollo Women’s Weaving workshop
• Catamaran cruise on Lake Titicaca
• Visit the Inti Wata Cultural Complex
• Tour of La Paz including Moon Valley
• Tour of Buenos Aires
• Iguaçu Falls from the Brazilian side
• Visit the statue of Christ the Redeemer OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES
• Dinner and tango show in Buenos Aires
• Estancia ranch tour (2025 tours only)
• Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay (2026 tours only)
• Iguaçu Falls from the Argentinian side
• Enjoy views of Rio from Sugarloaf Mountain
Departure dates & prices
2025 DATES FROM £5,199 9 Sep 14 Oct 18 Nov
The Society’s archives comprise over 7,000 items specifically relating to the historical geography of South America, dating from the 17th century to the present day.
In 1932, Victor Coverley-Price was invited by the Secretary of the Royal Geographical Society to join Professor J.W. Gregory as interpreter and artist on his forthcoming expedition to Peru. Gregory, a geologist, planned to study the geology and volcanic activities in the region and worked alongside Meta McKinnon Wood, who specialized in fossil collecting, and Mariano Tarnawiecki, a mining engineer who resided in Peru. The expedition also relied heavily on the knowledge of indigenous Peruvians to aid their travel through the unknown and difficult terrain.
William Martin Conway began climbing whilst at university and was elected as a member of the Alpine Club in 1877. In 1892 he mapped 2,000 square miles (5,180 square km) of the Karakoram Range in the Himalayas and was knighted three years later in recognition of the achievement.
In 1898 he set out on an expedition to the Bolivian Andes where he made the first recorded ascent of Mount Illimani with two Swiss guides, Antoine Maquignaz and Louis Pellissier.
Conway's expedition helped establish some of the first reliable maps of certain regions of the Bolivian Andes, and he documented his findings in his book "The Bolivian Andes: A Record of Climbing & Exploration in the Cordillera Real in the Years 1898 and 1900."
His work in the Bolivian Andes contributed significantly to both the geographical understanding of the region and the development of high-altitude mountaineering in South America. Conway's background as an art historian and his attention to detail also meant that his expedition accounts included valuable observations about the cultural and archaeological aspects of the regions he explored.
Their exploration began amongst the arid landscapes of the Paracas Peninsula and the Nazca Desert on the west coast. From there, they travelled east into the high Andes towards Cuzco and the Rio Urubamba. Throughout the expedition, Coverley-Price found time to document the beauty of the landscape through a series of stunning watercolours. Whilst navigating the Rio Urubamba, their canoe capsized on the powerful Pongo de Mainique rapids and tragically, Gregory and one of the guides were swept downriver and drowned.
RETURN FLIGHTS + TRANSPORTATION from London, overseas transfers, other transportation and porterage
15 NIGHTS in 4 and 5-star hotels and lodges plus 2 nights in flight
33 MEALS
15 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 15 dinners and welcome drink
LOCAL FLAVOURS
Traditional Nepalese dinner and cultural show TRAVELSPHERE HOLIDAY DIRECTOR
• Delhi city tour
• Agra city tour and Agra Fort
• Sunrise at Taj Mahal
• Lucknow city tour
• Varanasi & Sarnath
• Aarti ceremony
• Kathmandu city tour and Patan
• Visit Boudhanath Stupa
This 18-day journey weaves through India and Nepal's most significant landscapes and cultural treasures. Begin in Delhi's contrasting old and new quarters before witnessing the Taj Mahal at dawn. Experience spiritual Varanasi, where ancient rituals unfold along the sacred Ganges. In Nepal, explore Kathmandu's ornate temples and stupas before discovering Pokhara's mountain panoramas.
In Chitwan National Park, look out for rhinoceros and tigers, and conclude at Nagarkot with breathtaking Himalayan views - a perfect finale to this adventure spanning bustling cities, sacred sites, and wilderness sanctuaries.
• Hike to the local Gurung Village of Kalabung
• Cultural evening with the Tharu people
• Jeep safaris in Chitwan National Park OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES
• Performance of ‘Mohabbat The Taj’
• Food walking tour in Lucknow
• Sunrise view over Sarangkot
The Society’s Collections comprise over 11,500 items specifically relating to the historical geography of India & Nepal, dating from the 17th century to the present day. Highlights include a wonderful series of photographic images documenting Eric Newby's journey along the Ganges and a leather specimen collecting bag used by Sir Joseph Hooker used on his journeys in the region.
Raj Man Singh Chitrakar is recognised as a pioneer in Nepalese realist artist. Between 1820 and the mid 1850s, he was commissioned by the pioneering naturalist and ethnologist and the British Resident of Kathmandu at the time, Brian Houghton Hodgson, to create illustrations of the architecture and natural history of the Kathmandu Valley.
Guided by Hodgson, Chitrakar learned new watercolour and drawing techniques and the use of the camera obscura to apply Western concepts of lighting and perspective, capturing the subject matter in a realistic, lifelike style. His illustrations contributed to many of Hodgson’s research papers and were used as reference material by James Fergusson in his 1876 book ‘History of Indian and Eastern architecture’.
Chitrakar’s work was so accurate that his sketches and watercolours have been used in recent restoration projects in Nepal following the devastating earthquake in 2015.
should be climbed. Retiring from the Army in 1920, Noel was appointed as official photographer and filmmaker on the 1922 and 1924 Mount Everest Expeditions. Noel’s films and photography of the two expeditions and the loss of Mallory & Irvine on their summit attempt in 1924, led to great public interest in Mount Everest.
Before the First World War, John Noel served as a soldier with the East Yorkshire Regiment, stationed in Calcutta. In 1913, he travelled to Tibet in disguise and without permission and although he did not achieve his aim of reaching Mount Everest, Noel journeyed to within 40 miles of the mountain. In 1919, he presented a paper to the Royal Geographical Society about his travels in Tibet and suggested that Mount Everest could and
Noel lectured widely following the expeditions and partnered with lantern colourist, Frederick Raetz, who is credited with colouring the lantern slides for his Everest lectures. With funding from Harvard University, Noel set off on an expedition to India in 1929, accompanied by Raetz, and travelled to Mount Siniolchu, the Kashmir Valley and the Taj Mahal. The coloured lantern slides created from Noel’s photographs were used to illustrate his lectures to audiences across the United Kingdom and North America.
There are few places on Earth where the contrast between traditional and modern is quite so marked as in Japan and on this adventure you'll discover many of its incredible highlights. Your journey begins in dazzling Tokyo, you’ll then pause to to take-in spell binding Mount Fuji, see the beautiful Matsumoto Castle and then visit the traditional city of Takayama. You’ll ride the famous Bullet Train to Kyoto, and spend three nights exploring this charming city before heading to Hiroshima and uncover its important history. Your journey ends in bustling Osaka, where you’ll visit Osaka Castle and have time for shopping, relaxation or to gently take in Japan’s wonderful culture.
13 days from £5,299
RETURN FLIGHTS + TRANSPORTATION from London, overseas transfers and other transportation
10 NIGHTS in 3 & 4-star hotels plus 2 nights in flight
14 MEALS
10 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners and welcome drink
HIGH-SPEED TRAIN journey on the iconic Bullet Train LOCAL FLAVOURS
Sushi-making demonstration
TRAVELSPHERE HOLIDAY DIRECTOR and Specialist Local Guide
• Tour of Japan’s capital, Tokyo
• Hakone, gateway to Mount Fuji
• Cruise on Lake Ashi
• Cable-car ride over Owakundi Valley
• Matsumoto Castle
• Visit a wasabi farm
• Takayama, a traditional city in the mountains
• Shirakawago visit
• Sightseeing in Kyoto including Nijo Castle
• Kinkakuji Temple
• Arashiyama and rickshaw ride through a bamboo forest
• Visit the historic city of Nara
• Hiroshima sightseeing tour and Miyajima Island
• Tour of Osaka
dates & prices
24 Mar* 29 Mar* 5 Apr 18 Oct** 8 Nov**
The Society’s archives comprise over 2,500 items specifically relating to the historical geography of Japan, dating from the 17th century to the present day. Highlights include a porcelain dish from the late Edo Period (c.1830-1843) with a press-moulded relief map of Japan, a coloured Japanese road map by Suigashi dating from 1804 and over 100 stunning, coloured prints of Japanese life during the early twentieth century.
Born in England in 1870, Herbert Ponting emigrated to California in his twenties and explored various pursuits before settling on his true passion - photography. Ponting visited Japan numerous times in his early career. He immersed himself in the beauty of the country, he scaled Mount Fuji and wandered amongst Kyoto’s ancient temples and scenic landscapes. He described the city as ‘one of the most beautiful and fascinating cities’ and was captivated by the ‘seas of cherry-blossoms’ and ‘gorgeously coloured maple-trees’.
Born in 1831, Isabella Lucy Bird was one of the most famous and celebrated Victorian travel writers and one of the first women to be elected a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society in 1892. She faced poor health throughout her childhood and was encouraged by her father and doctor to travel overseas to improve her health. She travelled widely and in 1878 she embarked on a journey to Japan. Her travels took her from Tokyo to Nikko and northwards towards Aomori on horseback. From there, she ventured “off the beaten track” to Hokkaido, where she hired a helper and spent time living among the Ainu people, learning about their culture and beliefs.
From the archives
‘Miyajima! Even the name is soft and pleasant to the ear, as is befitting for a queen’s; and Miyajima is easily queen of all the lovely isles which grace that fairest stretch of water in the world – the Inland Sea … As we approached, that summer evening, it seemed indeed too lovely to be real’. Herbert Ponting
21 days from £5,749
RETURN FLIGHTS + TRANSPORTATION from London, overseas transfers, other transportation and porterage
19 NIGHTS
18 nights in 3, 4 and 5-star hotels, 1 night in a yurt camp plus 1 night in flight
40 MEALS
19 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 17 dinners
LOCAL FLAVOURS
Learn how to prepare traditional lagman and enjoy dinner with a local Dungan family
TRAVELSPHERE HOLIDAY DIRECTOR and Specialist Local Guides
• Almaty city tour
Embark on an unforgettable 21-day adventure across the legendary Five Stans of Central Asia - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. This captivating journey weaves its way through ancient Silk Road cities, breathtaking mountain landscapes, and remote desert wonders.
Travel to UNESCO World Heritage sites in Samarkand and Bukhara, watch demonstrations of eagle hunting in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan, and experience the surreal "Door to Hell" natural gas crater in Turkmenistan's desert. Along the way, connect with local cultures - you'll dine with Dungan families, learn about the art of Uzbek plov and taste traditional bread.
From soaring canyons to historic madrassahs, bustling bazaars to serene hill villages, this tour offers unparalleled glimpses into one of the most fascinating but off-thebeaten-track regions of the world, where ancient traditions thrive alongside modern Central Asian life.
• Visit Charyn Canyon
• Kok-Jaiyk visit with traditional eagle hunting demonstration
• Karakol city tour
• Authentic dinner with a local Dungan family
• Explore the Rukh-Ordo cultural complex
• Learn how to make Borsok, a traditional Kyrgyz fried bread
• Visit the Burana Historical Complex
• Bishkek sightseeing tour
• Tashkent city tour including the Khast Imam Complex
• Explore the highlights of Khujand
• Journey through the Shahristan Tunnel
• Visit the ancient city of Istaravshan
• Journey through the Shahristan Tunnel
• Discover the sights of Dushanbe
• Visit the UNESCO-listed Sarazm ruins
• Tour of Samarkand & much more
The Society’s Collections comprise over 5000 items specifically relating to the historical geography of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan dating from the 18th century to the present day. Highlights include four large watercolours of the region created by Thomas Witlam Atkinson now displayed in the Society’s ‘fine’ rooms at its headquarters in South Kensington.
“Ella” Robertson Christie
Ella Christie was a pioneering Scottish explorer, gardener and author, and was one of the first women to be elected as a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. Born in 1861, she was the daughter of a wealthy industrialist and landowner and frequently accompanied her family on their annual summer trips to Europe. This kindled her taste for travel and adventure and in 1904, following the death of her father, Christie set off on a journey to the Far East.
Christie’s most adventurous journeys were her two expeditions to Central Asia in 1910 and 1912. With her desire to visit the lands to the east of the Caspian Sea, Christie travelled by train and carriage along the Silk Road to Khiva,
Here we saw a sunset over the steppe, than which I never saw anything more enchanting. The steppe was spread out like a map, the rivers looking like threads of silver…then the golden tints of the sky I try in vain to describe. Those who have not visited these regions can form no conception of the splendour of an evening scene over the steppe.
Lucy Atkinson in ‘Recollections of Tartar steppes and their inhabitants’ (1863)
before heading for the Kazakh Steppes. It was here that Lucy gave birth prematurely to a son who they named Alatau Tamchiboulac Atkinson after the Dzunguarain Alatau mountains. Alatau joined them on the remainder of their travels through the remote and inhospitable regions of Central Asia and Siberia.
Thomas documented their travels in a series of journals and produced numerous sketches and watercolours. Lucy published 'Recollections of Tartar Steppes and their inhabitants' (1863).
Thomas and Lucy’s detailed descriptions of the Kazakhs and their nomadic culture during the mid 19th century remain of great interest to historians.
Bokhara, Tashkent and Samarkand in present-day Uzbekistan. She took many photographs and kept accounts of her travels, later published in her book ‘Through Khiva to Golden Samarkand’ (1925).
