Explore Asia 2018 - 2019 Out of the ordary Tours for everyone Great outdoors • Local Customs • Charming Hospitality • Traditional Cooking • Stimulating Art • Intriguing Architecture 2 map asia & content Beijing 1 Enchanting Ayutthaya >> pages 4–5 CHINA 2 Cát Tiên Nature Escape Mekong (Lancang) River >> pages 6–7 7 Shangri-La 3 Adventurous Luang Prabang >> pages 8–9 MYANMAR 4 Rivers and Caves Exploration philippine sea in Southern Myanmar LAOS Luang Prabang 3 >> pages 10–11 4 5 The Authentic Hues of Sumba Hpa An >> pages 12–13 THAILAND Ayuatthaya 1 vietnam 6 south 6 Community-Based Tourism Kampong Chhnang 2 Project near Oudong Cát Tiên china CAMBODIA sea >> pages 14–15 7 Beyond Northern Yunnan’s Shangri-La >> pages 16–17 8 Bukit Tinggi MALAYSIA MALAYSIA 8 Exquisite Glamping at Bukit Tinggi indian ocean >> page 18–19 INDONESIA INDONESIA Jakarta 5 Sumba introduction 3 OUT OF THE OR DINA RY TOURS FOR EV ERYONE Our unique programmes take individuals and small groups in an exciting new travel direction and provide unique, out of the ordinary experiences. Our guests can achieve a truly authentic and sustainable travel experience in the great, wide outdoors. We cater for those with a passion for indigenous customs and culture; charming hospitality; flavoursome and traditional cooking; stimulating ethnic art; and intriguing architecture. come explore with us. 4 thailand • 2018 - 2019 Enchanting Ayutthaya HIGHLIGHTS › Go back in time to ancient Siam in the former capital of Ayutthaya › Watch traditional artisans create exquisite hand-crafted artefacts › Explore the creative enclave of Ang Thong where nature meets inspiration Delivering awe and splendour day 1, Bangkok – Ayutthaya day 2, Ang Thong day 3, Ayutthaya – Bangkok befitting its former capital city status, › From Bangkok’s main Hua Lamphong › Ang Thong, named after the golden › Today we take to the water to navigate UNESCO-listed Ayutthaya is less Railway Station, we board a morning train colour of the locally grown rice, is also Ayutthaya’s famed moat, one of the city’s than an hour by train from Bangkok to Ayutthaya for a leisurely journey past a creative town that is home to fine most recognizable landmarks. The boat but a million miles apart in terms of lush rice fields and farming communities. arts and crafts. Alongside its farming ride gives a unique perspective of the history. Visitors will witness heritage On arrival, a Kob, Ayutthaya’s version of tradition, the town is famed for its abundant historical buildings. Traditional dating back to 1350 in the ancient the iconic tuk-tuk, will convey us to the artisans who are highly skilled at hand boat building remains an important local park located on an island between famed archaeological park to explore crafting traditional Thai court dolls, tradition that can be viewed in Ayutthaya three rivers. The archaeological a wealth of temples, pagodas and drums and wickerwork. With the flow of even today. We then head to Wat site contains palaces, temples and palaces. Highlights include the search for the Chao Phraya ‘River of Kings’ through Chaiwatthanaram to see ground-breaking weather-worn statues that give a spiritual guidance at a meditation centre, the town, the adjoining lush, green fertile restorative work being undertaken by rich cultural insight into this former exploration of generations-old handicraft landscape offers the perfect backdrop to the Ministry of Fine Arts to preserve the trading port that was the first city workshops, including the Aranyik Knife the 200 glittering temples that dot the city’s cultural riches. Lunch en-route is until a Burmese invasion in 1767. Village where artisans relate their story of countryside. Highlights include a tour of prepared by a Michelin-star chef. Finally, old Siam through an entertaining knife- a melon farm, exploration of Thailand’s we visit Niwet Thammaprawat temple, making show. In proper Thai fashion, the Buddhist culture, followed by a leisurely a striking Buddhist place of worship day ends with a traditional noodle dinner drive back to Ayutthaya for dinner at a designed by an Italian architect in the in the company of friendly locals. leading Ayutthaya resort. style of a European Gothic church, as part of King Chulalongkorn’s modernization of Siam. 1 thailand • 2018 - 2019 5 1 · Ayutthaya Meditation Retreat 2 · Wat Khun-In Thra-Pramul, Ang Thong 3 · Wat Niwet Thammaprawat 4 · Ang Thong - Drum Making Village 5 · Ayutthaya - Aranyik Knife Village 2 3 Travel Period Throughout the year. Travel Duration Three days / two nights. Group Size One – 30 persons. Included in the Tour Accommodation based on room/breakfast with daily local lunches, two dinners, all tours and transfers with a local guide (multiple languages available), all entrance fees as outlined in the programme’s day-to-day itinerary. Excluded from the Tour Other services and meals not included in the programme, optional 4 tours, tips, personal expenses, personal travel insurance, visa expenses and airfares. Remarks A respectful dress code is applicable for many of the Buddhist temple visits. It is recommended guests stay in Bangkok prior to commencement of the tour. 5 Programme subject to change. 6 vietnam • 2018 - 2019 Cát Tiên Nature Escape HIGHLIGHTS › Explore uncharted jungle territory, easily accessible from Ho Chi Minh or Dalat › Visit impressive sustainable rehabilitation projects in Cát Tiên National Park › Trek through amazing flora and fauna in the company of expert guides Within easy reach of Vietnam’s main day 1, Arrival Cát Tiên – Dao day 2, Bau Sau Lake Long Trek day 3, Departure Cát Tiên southern tourism areas but a world Tien Island Exploration > After breakfast, a 10-minute > The last part of this nature-based apart in terms of flora and fauna, > After check in to an eco-lodge, pick-up truck ride starts a new day exploration commences after breakfast Cát Tiên is off the mass tourism our home for two nights, we enjoy a of exploration. We take to water with transfer to your next destination radar. Guests will discover a vast leisurely lunch. The adventure then for a cooling journey to Bau Sau in Vietnam. lowland tropical forest and biosphere starts with a short boat ride to Dao ‘Crocodile’ Lake. Then, it is time to reserve that is home to ancient Tien (Monkey) Island, escorted by an truly get back to nature with a five trees and botanical gardens. The expert guide. Large areas of the island hour-plus hike along forest trails to park shelters a wide diversity of are protected zones and home to view ancient trees, spot the estimated wildlife including bears, crocodiles, endangered primates and Loris freed 200 Siamese crocodiles and evidence monkeys, elephants and rare birds. from capture by poachers during illegal of other wildlife. After leaving this This is the perfect opportunity to wildlife raids across the 56-hectare 2,500-hectare lagoon area, we sail to find solitude and get back to nature secluded area. A visit to a rehabilitation the Cát Tiên Bear and Wildcat Rescue on hiking and mountain bike trails. centre managed by the Endangered Station to see animals rescued from Asian Species Trust (EAST) and its poachers. We then head back to the NGO partners will give our guests an lodge for dinner and overnight. Guests informative insight in the pioneering can book an optional early evening work done by these conservationists to animal spotting tour with a guide. safeguard threatened creatures. 1 vietnam • 2018 - 2019 7 1 · Cát Tiên – Cát Tiên Jungle Lodge accommodation 2 · A rice farmer works near Cát Tiên 3 · A wooden walkway in the National Park in Cát Tiên 4 · Spot the croc in Cát Tiên 5 · A gibbon on Dao Tien Island 2 3 Travel Period December - April. Travel Duration Three days / two nights. Group Size One – 30 persons. Included in the Tour Accommodation, based on room/half-board with one lunch at the lodge and one picnic lunch on day two, all tours and transfers with a local English speaking guide, all entrance fees as outlined in the programme’s day-to-day itinerary. Excluded from the Tour Other services and meals that are not included in the programme, 4 donation fees at the rehabilitation centres (when applicable), optional early morning and early evening excursions around the Jungle Lodge, personal expenses, tips and optional transfers to/from Cát Tiên. Remarks Recommended for experienced travellers with a decent physical condition. From May until November, jungle treks may be cancelled due to potential severe rain showers. The itinerary is subject to change depending on road and weather conditions. 5 Programme subject to change. 8 laos • 2018 - 2019 Adventurous Luang Prabang HIGHLIGHTS › Explore the mighty Nam Khan River from your own kayak › Fly like a bird over a jungle canopy attached to a zip-line › Enter an adventure race set in idyllic botanical gardens Luang Prabang is Laos’ favourite day 1, Luang Prabang – day 2, Nam Dhong Park day 3, Pha Tad Kae – tourism destination and renowned Pic Noi > High flying adventure awaits today! Luang Prabang for its temples, French colonial > In the morning, we head out to the Covering 800-metres of zip-lining trails > Pha Tad Kae Botanical Garden has influences and picture postcard picturesque town of Pic Noi, 30 minutes high over the jungle canopy, Nam Dhong emerged as a fabulous site for the scenery. However, it is lesser known from Luang Prabang. Accompanied Park’s six stations are among the finest adventure-minded. Starting with a for its adventure lifestyle, so we by a kayak professional, the day vantage points for amazing views over short boat ride across the Mekong, have created a unique, bespoke starts paddling leisurely streams and unspoilt green scenery. Guided by zip- this protected area of floral allure is tour for those seeking intrepid then more adventurous white-water line experts, the feeling of flying like a the setting for an adventure race in outdoor pursuits, be it white-water conditions, before disembarking near bird is achievable in this natural setting.