Steppes Travel - A New World

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STEPPES TRAVEL

NEW WORLD

WELCOME

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iven that nature has forced humanity to hit a global pause button, we should use this time for reflection and to redefine ‘normal’

for a truly sustainable future. Responsible, conscious and sustainable travel is the way forward, and making well informed and considered choices will become the new norm. A well-researched African or Indian safari can go a long way in supporting local communities, protecting wildlife and helping to fight poachers.

The crisis has changed our fascination with consumerism. This should also apply to travel. We need to take fewer trips but when we do go, to stay longer and to make our travels more meaningful. We need to think local. We need travel to feel, smell and taste, not to replicate the luxury that we have at home.

Travel has to be more about the experiences that we can enjoy with others.

Justin Wateridge Managing Director 02

steppestravel.com

COVID-19

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ere at Steppes, we have been talking with you, our clients, trying to help navigate the new and changing landscape of booking a holiday. We thrive on the questions

being asked because they tell us that your appetite for travel, like ours, is as keen as it ever was. And importantly, you trust Steppes to provide the solutions and peace of mind you need to put your travel plans into action.

We have always prided ourselves on making the planning stages of a holiday a fun and fulfilling experience. Right now, though, we know you need us to help alleviate any anxiety you may feel in planning your holiday in these uncertain times. Which is why we’ve been working closely with our partners around the world to ensure new protocols are being implemented to mitigate the risk of COVID-19. Enhanced hygiene regimes and social distancing measures have been applied to transport, accommodation, guiding and visiting public places across our key countries, under the auspices of the World Travel and Tourism Council’s Safe Travels campaign. But at the same time, we are encouraging our partners to adopt a balanced approach, prioritising your safety and the wellbeing of your hosts, while delivering the kind of memorable experiences you have come to expect from Steppes Travel.

So whatever travel questions you need answering, we look forward to hearing from you. Our objective is to provide you with the information you need to make an individual risk assessment on whether you feel comfortable to travel. Once your decision is made, we will welcome the rewarding business of planning your next adventure.

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STAYING CONNECTED For a considerable portion of 2020, we have collectively found new ways of staying connected,

The gaps between us are closing, although slowly. Despite this, our message to

albeit with a greater physical distance between us. We at Steppes Travel have shared and

our clients will always remain the same. We live for extraordinary travel and will

indulged in reading lists, enlightened each other with recipes, battled wits through quizzes

continue to share that with you whenever possible. Sign up to our e-newsletter at

over Zoom and shared those distant places that kindled our sense of wonder. I am particularly

steppestravel.com/stay-in-the-loop and make sure that you are first to know about

proud of our Heroes and Heroines Fund, which is celebrating key workers by giving away a

the latest from the industry and our network of partners in this ever-changing world

holiday of a lifetime this Autumn.

that we now live in.

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WHEN TO BOOK

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ince the outbreak of COVID-19 we have been helping you, our clients, re-book your holidays. We have been heartened by how many of you have, without

hesitation, chosen to postpone your holidays rather than cancel outright.

With so many travellers affected by the pandemic choosing to push their holidays into 2021, we are already seeing limited capacity at some of our favourite and most popular properties around the world. This is particularly true in Africa, where some of the best lodges for high season in places like Kenya, Tanzania and Namibia are already very busy.

We are offering flexible payment terms to all of our clients wishing to make new bookings, allowing you to plan your future journeys as normal. Just as we tailor-make your holiday to suit your needs, we will do the same with devising a payment plan that works for you.

We will work closely with our friends and partners on the ground, to ensure your financial exposure is kept to a minimum. This will mean reduced deposit amounts, a cooling-off period during which time your deposit is 100% refundable and a final payment date much later than normal.

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HOW TO BOOK

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hese may be uncertain times but they are, without a doubt, still full of opportunity

When you’re ready to start dreaming and planning, head over to our website and start

to discover the extraordinary safely. Through knowledge and expertise, we can

building your future journeys using our wishlist feature. Alternatively, you can call us on

connect you to those destinations embracing travellers with the added confidence of

01285 601070 or test out your newly-discovered Zoom skills and talk to us face to face over a

flexible booking and decades of insight.

cup of tea from the comfort of your home.

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steppestravel.com

WHERE TO TRAVEL The recent hiatus on travel has brought into sharp relief, the economic benefits that sustainable travel provides to communities all over the world. With over 10% of the world’s population working in tourism, millions of people across the globe are eager to welcome back tourists with open arms, metaphorically of course.

Travel must resume, not only because it confers meaning and fulfilment to our own lives, but also because sustainable travel plays a critical role in the wealth and health of communities, wildlife and wild habitat all over the world. We can help you ensure that the money you spend on your next holiday makes a positive difference to the world and the people and wildlife that call it home.

With travel in the future in mind, browse through our When To Go calendar over the next few pages and see just a selection of the best destinations to travel to each month.

For full details head to steppestravel.com/when-to-go and speak to our experts.

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JANUARY Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is

generally blessed with great weather all year round but the tropical climate really comes into its own during our winter months, from January to April. A trip around the Cultural Triangle, with some time to while away on the beaches in Negombo, Bentota and Tangalle, is one few will ever forget.

Kenya

The hottest month

across much of the country and, with much fortune, the moment when wildlife sightings are at their highest and visitor numbers at their lowest. January to March, when the seas are glass-clear and landscape fantastically lush, plays host to a rambunctious natural spectacle as bird species migrate from Europe.

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FEBRUARY Antarctica

Simply one of our most cherished destinations on the

planet. This is, in our experience, a prime moment to make the trip to Antarctica. The extended daylight and average temperatures of around -6°C set an idyllic stage on which to spot whales, seabirds and the shenanigans of fledgling penguin chicks.

Myanmar

Temperatures begin to creep up into an enjoyable but

still comfortable range, making February an extremely popular time to explore the enchantment of Myanmar’s plains, beaches and foothills. Chin National Day also falls in February and gives one a startling insight into the culture, traditions, history and language of the Chin people.

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Explore these dates and destinations in detail at steppestravel.com/when-to-go

MARCH India

One of the hottest and driest months in Central India’s calendar and it

just so happens to turn it into a playground for its wildlife. Tigers and elephants are at their most active as they seek out ways to find water, creating the perfect environment for animal lovers and photographers to observe them in all of their splendour.

Belize

The weather in Belize in March is almost perfect, with long, sunny days and

refreshing breezes at night. From the jungles of the north to the sanctuaries of the south, and the marine reserves of the Caribbean Sea, Belize is a true haven for wildlife enthusiasts and a destination hard to beat for keen ornithologists.

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Explore these dates and destinations in detail at steppestravel.com/when-to-go

APRIL Costa Rica

January to April generally has the lowest rainfall throughout

the year, though showers can still be expected with such a tropical climate and provide welcome relief. This is one of the most exciting times to visit the Pacific Coast, with abundant opportunities to see wildlife, explore the jungle, and relax on white sandy beaches.

Japan

This is the best month to see the cherry blossom as it unfurls and sweeps

northwards across the country. Known as one of Japan’s most beautiful festivals, the Takayama Matsuri is also held in April and sees the streets in the old town of Takayama burst into life as floats and shrines are paraded through them.

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MAY

Namibia

The beginning of winter in Namibia and when rainfall is scarce.

Wildlife will start to gather around the waterholes as rivers and other water sources dry up to create opportunities for viewing and photography. Although dry, a real freshness hangs in the air and green still spreads across the landscape as far as the eye can see.

Bhutan

The country at its finest and the time to visit the exquisite Himalayan

mountain kingdom. Rhododendrons begin to raise their stalks skywards and bloom to flood the steep, engrossing valleys with colour. For those interested in seeing the rare black-necked cranes, we equally recommend visiting the Phobjikha Valley between late October and mid-February.

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JUNE Madagascar

Well outside of peak season, with less rainfall and still

being relatively warm, the opportunity to trek the rugged and beautiful highlands will never feel more right. The added space provided by the lack of visitors will give you plenty of room to immerse yourself in the landscape, and really get to know the playful lemur population.

Spitsbergen

Spitsbergen is renowned for its excellent bear sightings. The

best period to see them is between May and September, as this is when the ice melts enough for ships to navigate the still icy waters. With 24 hours of daylight, abundant wildlife and drifting icebergs, the Arctic in summer is one of the most beautiful areas on earth.

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Explore these dates and destinations in detail at steppestravel.com/when-to-go

JULY Indonesian Borneo

Being drier, watching the country’s

orangutans really come out to play and, of course, sitting in the school holidays, mean July could not be any more fitting for the family. The jungle-covered island is a must for wildlife enthusiasts, and a stay in Tanjung Puting National Park can show you a world filled with proboscis monkeys, civets, sun bears and over 230 species of bird.

Georgia

June to August is high season across the country. It is the time to

explore the Caucasus mountains in the north, as it is likely to be free of snow and generally dry. The central lowlands can get very hot and humid around this time, which makes relaxing trips along the Black Sea coast particularly enjoyable.

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Explore these dates and destinations in detail at steppestravel.com/when-to-go

AUGUST Tanzania

July to

October is migration season in Tanzania as huge swathes of animals make the dicey trip across the rivers before they continue on across the continent. In August, the dense bush in Ruaha is drying out and clusters the wildlife to create plenty of chances to spot game.

Iceland

August marks the last

official month of summer in Iceland and is one of the warmest of the year. All of this creates a sublime backdrop for the wildlifeviewing opportunities, including puffin migration and whale watching, and to explore the choice of festivals and cultural events.

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SEPTEMBER Canada

The long summer days offer opportunities to enjoy the Great Outdoors

across the country through hiking, boating, camping and fishing. The optimum time to see the bears is during the salmon spawning season, from late August to September, when they can be seen swiping the fish from the rivers and fattening up before the onset of winter.

Botswana

The drier and cooler weather brings vast portions of the

wildlife together, to congregate around limited water sources, and the opportunity for game viewing opens up. Conversely, the water levels in the Okavango Delta are high and the potential to explore its own captivating wildlife displays along with it.

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OCTOBER Australia

In the north, the temperature and humidity start to build,

and the much-welcome rain returns to transform the Outback landscape into a vast spread of wildflowers. The south, however, sees the start of spring and enjoys weather that perfectly accompanies wildlife spotting excursions in the national parks and along the coast.

Brazil

For many, October is the best time to visit Brazil as the busy holiday

periods are a distant thought, along with the chilly southern winter weather, and better value for money can be found. For those looking for something a touch more wild, the Amazon and Pantanal are both teeming with a collection of species hard to be matched.

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Explore these dates and destinations in detail at steppestravel.com/when-to-go

NOVEMBER Argentina

Right on

the cusp of this region’s summer and yet still too early for the crowds that are expected in just a month. The rugged edges of Patagonia’s landscapes are softened as they come into bloom and the vineyards of Mendoza sit quietly, with the stunning snow-capped Andes behind, to offer miles upon miles of blissful solitude.

Rwanda

Don’t be put off by the

short rains in November as Rwanda is still, without a doubt, the best place in the world to go mountain gorilla trekking and release your inner Attenborough. Walking in the Virunga Mountains in the shadow of giant prehistoric plants as the mists clear to reveal a family of gorillas is incomparable.

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Explore these dates and destinations in detail at steppestravel.com/when-to-go

DECEMBER Galapagos Islands

The start of the warm season provides a welcome

escape from the weather back home. Albatross chicks are beginning to find their wings, boobies exercise their prolific fishing skills and giant tortoise eggs begin to hatch new life. Swimming with sea lions, in particular, can be an incredible experience this month as water visibility improves with the dissipation of the Humboldt Current.

Vietnam

December is one of the best times to go to North Vietnam with warm

sunny days combining with fewer crowds, especially outside of traditional Christmas holidays.

Most of Vietnam enjoys dry conditions and basks in the sunshine by December, with central Vietnam being the exception. Head to the southern coast if you want to soak up some rays on Vietnam’s gorgeous beaches.

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GROUP TOURS A number of our expert-led group tours have limited availability for the coming year. Each one will show you a part of the world through the lens of an extraordinary mind whilst maintaining our strict COVID-19 travel precautions. Contact the team on 01285 601070 to book your place today.

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Country

Tour Name

Expert

Start

Base Price

India

On the Trail of Snow Leopards

Jennifer Nandi

19/02/2021

£5,795pp

Eritrea

Inside Africa’s Forgotten Kingdom

Local expert

24/02/2021

£3,150pp

India

Tiger Photography with Sue Flood

Sue Flood

27/02/2021

£15,995pp

Georgia

Highlights of Transcaucasia

Ian Colvin

09/05/2021

£4,395pp

Central Asia

Five Stans

Chris Alexander

19/05/2021

£5,495pp

Albania

Origins of Illyria

Carolyn Perry

04/06/2021

£1,995pp

Indonesia

Orangutan Conservation

Ashley Leiman

06/06/2021

£3,695pp

Kyrgyzstan and China

Journey Along the Silk Route

Diana Driscoll

08/06/2021

£5,195pp

Galapagos

Cruise with Jonathan Green

Jonathan Green

13/06/2021

£7,495pp

Angola

Desert Tribes and Hidden Landscapes

Joan Riera

21/06/2021

£6,395pp

Galapagos

Cruise with Sue Flood

Sue Flood

04/07/2021

£7,495pp

Turkey

Ancient Civilisations of Eastern Turkey

Ian Colvin

21/08/2021

£3,195pp

Canada

Great Bear Rainforest

Sue Flood

03/09/2021

£7,895pp

Greece

Exploring Ancient Epirus and Beyond

Carolyn Perry

04/09/2021

£3,695pp

Uzbekistan

Carpet Ride to Khiva

William Taylor

04/09/2021

£3,495pp

Brazil

Jaguar and Maned Wolf Conservation Safari

Valquíria Cabral

09/09/2021

£4,995pp

Colombia

Uncovering Colombia’s Historical, Political and Social Truths

Richard McColl

10/09/2021

£4,695pp

Canada

Grizzly Bear Photography

Sue Flood

13/09/2021

£9,595pp

Spain

The Wolves and Bears of Cantabria

Duncan Grossart

13/09/2021

£2,495pp

Russia

Jewels of St Petersburg

Katya Galitzine

22/09/2021

£1,995pp

Pakistan

Mughal Monuments & History

Diana Driscoll

23/09/2021

£4,195pp

Georgia

Indonesia

Uzbekistan

Madagascar

Wildlife Photography with Sue Flood

Sue Flood

07/10/2021

£14,750pp

Guatemala

Textiles and Cultures of the Mayan World

Olga Reiche

09/11/2021

£3,295pp

Antarctica

Antarctica and South Georgia Fly and Cruise

Leah Crane

17/11/2021

£13,250pp

India

Ancient Caves & Rock Paintings of India

Dr. Sethuraman Suresh

17/11/2021

£4,695pp

Indonesia

30 Years of Conservation

Ashley Leiman

20/11/2021

£8,995pp

Australia

Tasmanian Wildlife Photography

Sue Flood

29/11/2021

£9,295pp

Uganda

Wildlife Photography with Harry Skeggs

Harry Skeggs

30/11/2021

£5,895pp

Hawaii

Cruise with Richard Dawkins and New Scientist

Richard Dawkins

03/12/2021

£8,495pp

Japan

Nature, Science and Culture with New Scientist

Rowan Hooper

17/10/2022

£6,695pp

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Madagascar

steppestravel.com

Nowhere to Go but Everywhere.

Self-drive experiences guided solely by your sense of wonder The perfect path to satisfying your thirst for adventure whilst keeping a distance from the restrictions of our new world. Take the steering wheel in Argentina, Namibia, Chile and beyond to see the world at your own speed.

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Travel with your Tribe.

Destinations to excite and inspire all ages Swap climbing the walls for mountains, jungle trees or sweeping sand dunes. Our travel experts can show you the destinations that will give young minds a new sense of freedom whilst broadening their understanding of our world.

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Mind the Gap. Sabbatical travel where you define every step Time away from the everyday can be a platform that helps us to redefine our purpose in life. Put your best foot forward, with the vast knowledge of our travel experts, and get that much-needed change of perspective in the places that have long inspired you.

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WHY TRAVEL MATTERS

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he simple fact of the proximity of wildlife and humans has by all accounts led to this latest Coronavirus which has then been catapulted around the world by the airline network. The butterfly effect. An idea

that is more commonly used in chaos theory comes from an analogy where a butterfly flaps its wings in Central America and a tornado occurs in London. A small change can make much bigger changes happen; one small incident can have a big impact on the future.

Coronaviruses are zoonotic diseases or zoonoses - meaning they are passed from animals to humans. Other examples include the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome that was transmitted from civet cats, the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome that was passed from camels, and Bird Flu. About 60% of infectious diseases in humans are zoonotic.

Diseases passed from animals to humans are on the rise, as the world continues to see unprecedented destruction of wild habitats by human activity. Humans and nature are part of one connected system, and we need to understand how it works so that we don’t push things too far and face increasingly negative consequences.

Travel is part of that connected system and has unwittingly contributed to the spread of the disease. But that does not mean that we should stop travelling. To stop travelling is not the answer but we, as an industry, do need to take stock, to reframe and to recalibrate.

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Cont’d

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Given that nature has forced humanity to hit a global pause button, we should use this time for reflection and redefine ‘normal’ for a truly sustainable travel future.

What does that involve? For me, there are four key issues. The four Ps: • Protection • Philanthropy • People • Positivity

Protection

We have followed scientists in terms of Coronavirus and now need to follow

them in terms of the science of climate change. We need to be mindful of travel’s environmental impact and commit to significantly reducing its carbon footprint. We need to fly less and carbon balancing should be compulsory throughout the industry.

Human health is connected to animal health but also to the health of forests and the environment.

Companies should be heavily taxed for environmental degradation. More positively, travel needs to help enforce environmental protection. Travel needs to be a champion of conservation. Travel and tourism need to be at the centre of government concerns about the environment.

Philanthropy

Travel depends on movement, of being accepted wherever you

go, and in knowing how to behave. Travel needs to be aware of when it is not welcome and is doing more harm than good. It needs to be of mutual benefit to both traveller and host.

But more than that, travel needs to be a vehicle for positive cultural exchange. It needs to put more back into communities. We need to value the opportunity and the impact, and therefore possibly pay more.

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People

For me, travel is ultimately about people. Travel is a privilege I do not take for

granted. With every country visited, I learn something new. With every country visited, I meet different peoples. I become less ignorant. I become curious. I learn that underneath the cultural differences of dress, location and religion, we want the same things such as stability and education for our children; we care about the same things such as friends and family; and we laugh about the same things. Beneath the surface, we are not so different after all.

Travel gives us a different sense of perspective. We see life through the eyes of others. Travel breaks down barriers, it changes perception and prejudice.

Through travel we see and understand the interconnectedness of complex systems and that we need to manage and care about what happens elsewhere, whether poverty, lack of medical supplies or climate change. Walls keep out ideas – if we bunker down, threats will escalate. We need to be sharing experiences. We need cooperation. We need to work together to find global solutions.

Positivity

Positive reinforcement has immense power to create change. Yet so much of

our lives is ruled by the opposite. The media thrives on bad news. It can be depressing, it can be negative. Fear is short-term. Fear is not healthy, it is not a sustainable motivator. Don’t try to lose weight rather than try to improve your health. Pleasurable is sustainable. Meaningful is sustainable.

Don’t be driven by what scares you. Be driven by what inspires you. Travel is a force for positive change in the world – economic, environmental and sociological.

In summary, as we all know, travel gives us so much – experience, empathy, perspective, understanding and such vivid memories. Our world is wonderfully diverse and we should not shrink from it but experience it, relish it and use those experiences to redefine our own lives.

Be a Collector of Worlds.

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“The wish to travel seems to me characteristically human: the desire to move, to satisfy your curiosity or ease your fears, to change the circumstances of your life, to be a stranger, to make a friend, to experience an exotic landscape, to risk the unknown.�

Paul Theroux

Discover the extraordinary once again at steppestravel.com 51 Castle Street, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom, GL7 1QD 01285 601070 inspireme@steppestravel.com