(Prices for 2013 still to be confirmed)

Updated May 2013

(This trip is for both women & men)

We start our twenty four day tour in Kathmandu visiting some local Nepalese sites then fly to Lhasa from Kathmandu over the spectacular snow capped Himalayan Mountains with great views of Mt Everest on a clear day.

We will visit Tibetan Monasteries in Lhasa including the famous 7th century Potala Palace, the bustling Barkhor bazaar and in Gyantse the multi storey Khumbhum Stupa,

This trip from the ancient capital of Lhasa across the Tibetan Plateau goes via the Guge Kingdom which was founded in the 9th century and evolved as a result of the collapse of the Yarlung Dynasty under the anti-Buddhist ruler Langdarma.The Tholing Temple and religious buildings of Tholing are the most significant in far-west Tibet. They were constructed under the guidance of the great Tibetan translator Rinchen Sangpo (985-1055), around 1014-25, although some sources suggest an earlier date (996.)

We trek around Mt Kailash visit Mt Everest Base Camp and drive down the longest downhill in the world of 160 k’s from an elevation of 5,050 to 2,400 metres.

This trip across the Plateau allows time to share with the mysterious nomadic people of Tibet and experience this vast and unique landscape and explore some of Tibet’s most fascinating villages and gives the opportunity to view the best and most scenic portions of the ‘Friendship Highway’.

This fantastic trip is for those with an adventurous spirit and you will need to be prepared for long driving days on this great adventure; however the views will be worth every minute.

Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1: Kathmandu – sightseeing
Day 2: Fly to Lhasa
Day 3: Lhasa -sightseeing (aclimatisation)
Day 4: Lhasa -sightseeing (aclimatisation)
Day 5: Lhasa -  Shigatse
Day 6: Shigatse ( rest day)
Day 7: Shigatse – Lhatse
Day 8: Lhatse – Tsochen
Day 9: Tsochen – Gertse
Day 10: Gertse – Shiquanhe
Day11: Shiquanhe – Tsamda (Guge)
Day 12: Excursion to Guge Kingdom
Day 13: Tsamda (Guge) – Tarboche
Day 14: Tarboche – Trek to Tithspuri (Mt Kailash)
Day 15: Trek to Zutu – puk (Mt Kailash)
Day 16: Trek to Darchen
Day 17: Excursions at Lake  Manasaroar
Day 18: Lake  Manasaroar – Saga
Day 19: Saga – Tingri
Day 20: Tingri – Rongbuk Monastery – Everest Base Camp
Day 21: Everest Base Camp – Tingri
Day 22:  Tingri – Zhangmu
Day 23: Zhangmu – Nepal border crossing – Kathmandu
Day 24:  Kathmandu

Trip Details

Trip Code: T4W 300
Grade: Moderate / Challenging
Group Size: 2 – 12
Accommodation: Hotels/ Guesthouses
Deposit: USD$500

A further full payment is due 60 days before departure:
USD $5,490.00 per 2 – 4 pax,
USD $5,290.00 per 5 – 8pax
USD $4,890.00 per 9 – 12 pax
Price includes  flight from Kathmandu To Lhasa, sightseeing, cultural dinner, group permits, Tibet Visa, National Park permits, Entrance fees into Monasteries, transport, accommodation,  Leader, Tibetan guide, support crew,  border crossing fees
Prices for 2013 season still to be confirmed

Trip Dates

Start: Kathmandu     End: Kathmandu
15.08.12 –  07.09.12
13.09.12 – 06.10.12
10.04.13 – 03.05.13
17.04.13 – 10.05.13
01.05.13 – 24.05.13
14.08.13 – 06.09.13
13.09.13 – 06.10.13

Other dates available on request

We start out adventure in Kathmandu City  (Nepal) spending a  day sightseeing to some historical sites..

At one time, the Kathmandu Valley was a huge lake. Legend has it that the hill on which the Monkey Temple stands was an island. There is evidence that the great Buddhist Emperor Ashoka visited the site 2,000 years ago which is why the Buddhist & Hindu temples there are so sacred.
The next day we fly to Lhasa from Kathmandu over the spectacular snowcapped Himalayan Mountains with great views of Mt Everest on a clear day.There is a free time in Lhasa to watch the devout pilgrims circle the temple or search for beautiful Tibetan souvenirs in the local markets.We visit the  Tibetan Monasteries which has colourful traditional architecture,  the famous 7th century Potala Palace in Lhasa and the bustling Barkhor bazaar.

This is an excellent trek, combining the historical and religious sites with the natural beauty of the high nomadic areas. This trek offers lakes, beautiful alpine forests, meadows and connects the two major religious centers of Tibet-Ganden and Samye monasteries.

Tsedang is the gateway town to the ancient Yarlung Valley civilization. We will take an extra day in Tsedang to visit the Tibet’s first palace-Yambulakhang, Tradruk Temple and other highlights.

The trek will be supported by a  team made up of  local English speaking Tibetan  guides yaks, yak herders and cooks.

Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1: Kathmandu – sightseeing
Day 2: Fly to Lhasa
Day 3: Lhasa -sightseeing (aclimatisation)
Day 4: Lhasa -sightseeing (aclimatisation)
Day 5: Lhasa – Ganden Monastery – trek to Hebu Village
Day 6: Trek to Jookar La pass
Day 7: trek to Shukhu
Day 8: Trek /drive Yemalung Hermitage – Nyengo Village - Samye Monastery
Day 9: Samye Monastery
Day 10:  Drive to Tesdang
Day11:  Tesdang (Traduk Temple)
Day 12: Fly Lhasa to Kathmandu
Day 13: Kathmandu

Trip Details

Trip Code: T4W 57
Grade: Medium – Challenging
Group Size: 4 – 12
Accommodation: Camping /  Hotels
Deposit: USD$500

A further full payment is due 60 days before departure:
USD $3,240.00 per 4 – 8 pax,
USD $3,140 per 9 – 10 pax
USD $3,040.00 per 11 – 12 pax
Price includes  return flights from Kathmandu to Lhasa, sightseeing, cultural dinner, group permits, Tibet Visa, National Park permits, Entrance fees into Monasteries, transport, accommodation, guides, Tibetan guide, Cook support crew, Meals while on trek
Single supplement: USD$200
Prices for 2013 season still to be confirmed

Trip Dates

Start: Kathmandu     End: Kathmandu
08.05.12 – 20.05.12
15.08.12 – 27.08.12
13.09.12 – 25.09.12
10.04.13 – 22.04.13
17.04.13 – 29.04.13
01.05.13 – 13.05.13
14.08.13 – 26.08.13
13.09.13 – 25.09.13
18.09.13 – 30.09.13
Other dates available on request

Egypt

Cairo The bustling city of Cairo is home to 18 million and is an expansive blend of historical monuments and mud brick houses. – ‘The Great Pyramids of Giza & Sphinx’ is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. This site has become synonymous with Egypt and is one of the principal reasons for visiting the capital city and is situated west of the Nile bordering the Sahara Desert. We visit the Great Pyramid of Khufu, Pyramid Khafre and Menkaure and no visit would be complete without the photo standing next to the Great Sphinx.
While here we must not miss the world renowned Egyptian Museum which houses the enthralling exhibition of more than 100,000 antiquities, including the ‘Tomb of Tutankhamen and the Royal Mummy room’. Other highlights include the Khan el Khalili Bazaar and the Citadel, which was once home to Egypt’s rulers

Baharia Oasis & the White Dessert
Our journey out to Baharia & the White Dessert includes a visit to a Bedouin Village, Museum of the ‘Golden Mummies’, the Black dessert and ‘Crystal Mountain’. We camp over night in the white dessert enjoying the Bedouin hospitality. This is a great two days of Sand dunes, Oasis springs, history and culture all blended together.

Luxor is home to the 4,000 year old site of Thebes. Luxor effortlessly mingles ancient sites with the thriving metropolis city. Highlights include the Temples of Karnak which is the largest temple in the world (70 acres), along with the Valley of the Kings on the west back of the Nile, where tombs of the great Pharaohs lie. We visit the modern looking temple of ‘Queen Hatshepsut’s which forms a fantastic array of natural contrast against the Desert Mountains.
Aswan is a laid back affable town and Egypt’s southern most city. Attractions include the Obelisk, Aswan 3,600 metre High Dam and majestic Temple Philae. An optional 45 minute flight from Aswan are the two astounding mammoth rock temples of Abu Simbel, a Pharaohs secret until 1813 when uncovered after laying buried in sand for centuries. This is one temple that is certainly not to be missed.
We cruise the Nile on a traditional felucca which will also be our overnight accommodation.

The Sinai Peninsula
We visit the St Catherine’s Monastery for a guided tour. This ancient building is the smallest and oldest Christian monastery in the world and is said to have been built around Moses burning the bush and is home to a number of antiquities, including manuscripts and religious icons. We will trek up to Mt Sinai at night – the famous peak where Moses received the ‘Ten Commandments’ and watch the magical stars and beautiful sunrise over the surrounding mountains.

Dahab
Dahab is on the Sinai Peninsula and surrounded by the coral reefs and Red Sea and the diving mega of the world.  It is a great place to kick back, relax and enjoy the Nubian lifestyle in one of the many seaside café’s relaxing on cushions with the water lapping at your side.  This area is known for the diving in the ‘Blue Hole’ and is amazing spot to snorkel and maybe take some diving lessons.

Trip Details

Trip Code: T4W 141
Grade: Easy
Group Size: 4 – 12
Accommodation: Hotel, trains, Felucca  and camping
Deposit: USD$500

A further full payment is due 60 days before departure:
USD$3,690 per 4-7 clients
USD$3,590 per 8- 12 clients
Other dates available on request

Trip Dates

Start: Cairo    End: Cairo
24.10.12 – 08.11.12
04.03.13 – 19.03.13
14.10.13 – 29.10.13
31.10.13 – 15.11.13

Cairo The bustling city of Cairo is home to 18 million and is an expansive blend of historical monuments and mud brick houses. – ‘The Great Pyramids of Giza & Sphinx’ is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. This site has become synonymous with Egypt and is one of the principal reasons for visiting the capital city and is situated west of the Nile bordering the Sahara Desert. We visit the Great Pyramid of Khufu, Pyramid Khafre and Menkaure and no visit would be complete without the photo standing next to the Great Sphinx.
While here we must not miss the world renowned Egyptian Museum which houses the enthralling exhibition of more than 100,000 antiquities, including the ‘Tomb of Tutankhamen and the Royal Mummy room’. Other highlights include the Khan el Khalili Bazaar and the Citadel, which was once home to Egypt’s rulers

Baharia Oasis & the White Dessert
Our journey out to Baharia & the White Dessert includes a visit to a Bedouin Village, Museum of the ‘Golden Mummies’, the Black dessert and ‘Crystal Mountain’. We camp over night in the white dessert enjoying the Bedouin hospitality. This is a great two days of Sand dunes, Oasis springs, history and culture all blended together.

Luxor is home to the 4,000 year old site of Thebes. Luxor effortlessly mingles ancient sites with the thriving metropolis city. Highlights include the Temples of Karnak which is the largest temple in the world (70 acres), along with the Valley of the Kings on the west back of the Nile, where tombs of the great Pharaohs lie. We visit the modern looking temple of ‘Queen Hatshepsut’s which forms a fantastic array of natural contrast against the Desert Mountains.
Aswan is a laid back affable town and Egypt’s southern most city. Attractions include the Obelisk, Aswan 3,600 metre High Dam and majestic Temple Philae. An optional 45 minute flight from Aswan are the two astounding mammoth rock temples of Abu Simbel, a Pharaohs secret until 1813 when uncovered after laying buried in sand for centuries. This is one temple that is certainly not to be missed.
We cruise the Nile on a traditional felucca which will also be our overnight accommodation.

Trip Details

Trip Code: T4W 142
Grade: Easy
Group Size: 4 – 12
Accommodation: Hotel, trains, Felucca  and camping
Deposit: USD$500

A further full payment is due 60 days before departure:
USD$2,990 per 4-7 clients
USD$2,890 per 8- 12 clients
Other dates available on request

Trip Dates

Start: Cairo    End: Cairo
24.10.12 – 02.11.12
04.03.13 – 13.03.13
14.10.13 – 23.10.13
31.10.13 – 09.11.13

Mt Fansipan – Vietnam

We start our tour with a days sightseeing in Hanoi followed by an overnight train to Lai Cai – We visit the famous Bac Ha markets and take in some trekking in the Sapa region before starting the trek to Mt Fansiapn.

The trek to Mt Fansiapn starts from Heaven’s Gate (2,047 metres) with a 4 hour trek through lush green forest, of high Bamboo & Rhododendrons (in season) to camp Tram Nghi (2,800 metres). This day overlooks fantastic valley’s on both sides of the range.
We leave early morning for the summit of Mt Fanxipan (3,143 mtres) which has amazing views of the surrounding countryside and deep valley’s below. We return to our camp for breakfast and drop down to our next camp site at 2,000 metres. Today we trek down to Sin Chai Village and transfer back to Sapa freshen up, relax before we transfer to Lao Cai
Fansipan Mountain is located 9km south-west of Sapa Townlet in the Hoang Lien Mountain Range. It has been branded as “the Roof of Indochina” at the height of 3,143m. Mount Fansipan has been approved as one of the very few eco-tourist spots of Vietnam, with about 2,024 floral varieties and 327 faunal species. The topography of Fansipan is varied. Muong Hoa Valley, at the lowest altitude (950-1,000m), is created by a narrow strip of land at the base on the east side of the mountain.

The summit of Fansipan is accessible all year round, but the best time to make the ascent is from mid-October to mid-November, and again in March.

Trip Details

Trip Code: T4W 200
Grade: Moderate
Group Size: 4 – 12
Accommodation: Overnight sleeper train, cabins while cruising, home stay while trekking & standard hotels
Deposit: USD$500

A further full payment is due 60 days before departure:
USD $2,190.00 per 4 – 7 pax,
USD $2,090.00 per 8 – 10 pax
USD $1,990.00 per 11 – 12 pax
Single supplement: USD$390.00
Prices for 2013 season still to be confirmed

Trip Dates

Start: Hanoi     End: Hanoi
04.08.12 – 15.08.13
18.08.12 – 29.08.12
08.09.12 – 19.09.12
29.09.12 – 10.10.12
03.11.12 – 14.11.12
19.01.13 – 30.01.13
02.02.13 13.02.13
16.02.13 – 27.02.13
02.03.13 – 13.03.13
16.03.13 – 27.03.13
30.03.13 – 10.04.13
10.08.13 – 21.08.13
24.08.13 – 04.09.13
07.09.13 – 18.09.13
21.09.13 – 18.09.13
05.09.13 16.10.13
19.10.13 – 30.10.13

North Vietnam

We start our tour with a days sightseeing in Hanoi followed by an overnight train to Lai Cai – the northwest, known as ‘The roof of Vietnam’ where the Hoang Lien Mountains (Tonkinese Alps) soar to over 3,000 metres and where some of Vietnam’s most spectacular scenery is to be found.Sapa is an atmospheric former hill station with magnificent views of rice terraces and mountains. The northern Sapa region is cooler in winter (the best time to travel in Vietnam).
Vietnam is a fabulous cultural experience – we cycle mostly on quiet roads, through rural villages where very few tourist venture, seeing the local culture first hand.

We cruise for two days in Halong Bay, on a traditional Chinese Style Junk where you will have the opportunity to kayak (optional)around the impressive islands which are the most spectacular and romantic of all Vietnam’s natural wonders. From the emerald waters, 3,000 islands rise steeply to create a dramatic seascape of this impressive area, we then visit to Monkey Island resort in the Cat Bac National Park before to finishing off in Hanoi..

Trip Details

Trip Code: T4W 150
Grade: Moderate
Group Size: 4 – 12
Accommodation: Overnight sleeper train, cabins while cruising, home stay while trekking & standard hotels
Deposit: USD$500

A further full payment is due 60 days before departure:
USD$2,490 per 4-7 clients
USD$2,390 per 8- 10 clients
USD$2,190 per 11 – 12 clients
Single supplement: USD$450 (only available on some sections of the trip)
Bike hire USD$50
Optional extra add on – 3 – day Mt Fansipan trek (3,143 metres) Vietnam’s highest mountain

Trip Dates

Start: Hanoi     End: Hanoi
11.08.12 – 22.08.12
25.08.12 – 05.09.12
15.09.12 –  26.09.12
20.10.12 – 31.10.12
03.11.12 – 14.11.12
26.01.13 – 08.02.13
09.02.13 – 20.02.13
23.02.13 – 06.03.13
09.03.13 – 20.03.13
23.03.13 – 03.04.13
17.08.13 – 28.08.13
31.08.13 – 11.09.13
14.09.13 – 25.09.13
28.09.13 – 09.10.13
12.10.13 – 23.10.13
26.10.13 – 06.11.13