STEPPES TRAVEL NEW TOUR OF EARTH’S WILDEST FRONTIER: PAPUA NEW GUINEA

NEW YORK, NY (12/2013) Steppes Travel, the bespoke tour operator known for its pioneering adventures, is one of the first companies to offer a new, 11-day journey to Papua New Guinea (PNG), exploring with an expert the extraordinary history, exotic wildlife and unique culture of the “Land of the Unexpected.” Tours are limited and there are two departure dates for 2014 -- May 30^th and June 13^th. Rates for the 11-day trip start at US$9752 per person and US$1432 for a single supplement, excluding flights.

Alternatively, Steppes offers a tailor-made PNG adventure which will be handcrafted by the Steppes team.

Occupying the eastern half of New Guinea (the western half belongs to Indonesia) on the remote periphery of both Asia and Australia, PNG lies on a vast tropical island of torturous topography, tree-dwelling kangaroos, 850 separate languages, 1000 different cultures and people addicted to the art of adornment. 

The tour takes in some of the wildest frontiers on Earth -- the coastal fjords of Tufi, the rugged Western Highlands, and New Britain, the main island of the Bismarck Archipelago. It is designed to give a few adventurous travelers access to pristine rainforest, roaring rivers, coral reefs, beaches and crystalline waters teeming with marine life, all making up what is deemed the most culturally diverse country on earth.

·   The very charismatic and knowledgeable Aussie, Ray Andrews, will lead the tour.  A native of tropical North Queensland, Andrews has a vast amount of experience, including roles as Resident Naturalist at a number of bush camps, working with indigenous Australians to create businesses and planting some 100,000 trees in regeneration of the Wet Tropics.  He has also appeared on television with Jeff Corwin and the late crocodile hunter, Steve Irwin.  He has deep knowledge of PNG, having guided extensively throughout the island.  Above all, he is hugely passionate about the natural world.

ADVENTURE: 

• ·   Dive or snorkel the pristine waters of the Coral Triangle and dozens of ocean dive sites in the blue waters of the Solomon Sea, the calm waters of the tropical fjords, and explore wreck and muck dives. 
• ·   Paddle traditional outrigger canoes up tropical fjords
• ·   Climb an active volcano. There is no more dramatic place to do this -- PNG is home to one of the most active volcanic regions on the planet.

WILDLIFE: 

• ·   Go in search of the spectacular Birds of Paradise. Of the 43 known species on earth, 38 are found here, including the Superb, the Twelve-wired, and the Ribbon-tailed Astrapia. The island is also inhabited by the beautiful rainbow bee-eater, the striking palm cockatoo and the prehistoric cassowary. 
• ·   See bizarre Tree Kangaroos, a myriad of other wildlife, and the highly-valued Megapode eggs, incubated by the large chicken-like birds who lay them in the volcano’s heated soils.

CULTURE: 

• ·   The Indigenous people and unique fauna and flora of PNG are found nowhere else on earth.
• ·   See the colorful body adornment of the Huli wigmen, the ceremonial and decorative carvings of the Sepik, meet the Mudmen of New Guinea and the Baining Firedancers.
• ·   Learn about the significance of sorcery and the part it has played – and continues to play – in the original animist religions, and discover ancient rituals, bush medicines, fire-making, mat-making and traditional tattooing.
• ·   Discover modern day PNG and politics Melanesian-style with a visit to Parliament House, one of the most distinctive government buildings anywhere in the world.   

For more information and details please visit www.steppestravel.com

TRAVEL BEYOND THE ORDINARY WITH STEPPES: CRUISING THE MEKONG RIVER

MEKONG, Viet Nam (10/13) – Exhilarating!   That’s what you’ll hear when someone describes a Steppes Travel Group cruise on the Mekong River.  It offers the richest and most varied tapestry of life of any waterway worldwide.  A panoply of busy and colorful markets, floating, remote villages, and ancient cities, the Mekong is a cultural conduit that links the diverse cultures of six countries. Hearty souls can cruise the length of the 2,703 miles from Viet Nam to China. But the heart of the river is in Vietnam and Cambodia, where Steppes arranges custom-designed cruises to your specifications.

Itineraries include the lush, densely populated Mekong Delta and the extraordinary Khmer ruins of Angkor.  Experience daily land-based guided excursions to observe traditional river life.  Visit a Cham village where the people are among the Muslim minority in Vietnam. View the mosque and vendors selling vegetables from their wheeled stalls. Visit Phnom Penh and its Royal Palace and spectacular Silver Pagoda. Tour Chong Koh, a silk weaving village. Cruise past houses built on stilts in the fishing villages with their boats tied below. See stunning bird life and beautiful temples along the river banks. Throughout, the scenery is spectacular and colorful.

The ships which Steppes Travel Group use are the Mekong Pandow ships.  They are relatively small, specially designed for the Mekong, and have a “no groups” policy.  Each cabin has a balcony. The easiest way to explore the rural charms of Cambodia and Vietnam is to cruise the Mekong in the welcoming and relaxed atmosphere of these comfortable ships with excellent staff and wonderful regional food. Land-based excursions are available.  There are regular departures of the ships from Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) to Siem Reap and from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh.

Rates start at $2,552 per person, depending on the season. They include transfers at the beginning and end of trip, seven night/eight day cruise with accommodation and meals, guided shore excursions, local drinks, entrance fees and guide services.

For more information, visit www.steppestravelgroup.com or call 1-855-352-7606.

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive at Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)

Day 2 – Ho Chi Minh

Day 3 – Ho Chi Minh

Day 4 – Cai Be/Chau Doc

Day 5 – Chau Doc/Border Crossing

Day 6 – Phnom Penh

Day 7 – Phnom Penh/Kampong Cham

Day 8 – Kampong Cham

Day 9 – Tonie River

Day 10 – Tonie Sap/Siem Reap/Disembark

Day 11 -- Siem Reap/ Bangkok

ANCIENT ERBIL: THE ARAB CAPITAL OF TOURISM IN 2014 Steppes Traveler Offers a Unique and Fascinating Journey in Iraqi Kurdistan

ERBIL, Iraq (09/2013) Off limits for so long, Erbil in Kurdistan, the land of the Kurds in northern Iraq, has been named the Arab Capital of Tourism in 2014.  Even though it is a non-Arab city, Erbil received this honor from the Arab Council of Tourism and it promises a new era for this stable and welcoming region.

Steppes Traveller, part of Steppes Travel Group, intrigued with the fascinating culture and history of this ancient land, is offering a nine-day tour to Iraqi Kurdistan September 26 to October 4, 2014.  It will trace the golden ages of the Assyrians and the Medes as well as discover Northern Iraq and its spectacular mountain scenery.
     
What a fabulous opportunity to go to a little-visited place that offers so much in terms of heritage and beautiful landscapes.  Led by expert William Taylor, who has traveled extensively in this part of the world, participants are promised a rich experience through his expertise and enthusiasm for the area.

Erbil, the oldest continuously inhabited city on earth, was the religious capital of the Assyrian kingdom.  Its Citadel, standing since the sixth century, is being currently restored. Other highlights in Erbil include the Civilization Museum, Choli Minaret and Dwin Castle.  In Dohuk, there are visits to St. Mathew’s Monastery; the site of the Battle of Gaugamela where Alexander the Great defeated Darius III; the world’s oldest aqueduct; the Khanis site with Assyrian sculptures; and the Rabban Hormizd Monastery, once home to 600 cave-dwelling monks.

There will be visits to the revered pilgrimage site for Kurdish Yezidis, descendants of the Zoroastrians; the ruins of one of Saddam Hussein’s palaces; Shanidar Cave, the site of a remarkable array of Neanderthal remains and tool technologies; Suleimaniyah’s bustling bazaar; the old Jewish city of Koisinjak; and more.

The rate, including internal flights, tour lecturer, accommodation, meals, and gratuities is $5,288 for the nine days per person.  If the dates of the tour are inconvenient, Steppes Traveler will tailor-make the trip on another date.

For more information, call toll free 1-855-352-7606 or visit www.thetraveller.com
Email is enquiry@steppestravel.com

ITINERARY

Day 1 – Fly to Erbil

Day 2 – Visit Erbil

Day 3 and 4– Visit Dohuk and Lalesh

Day 5 – Visit mountain town of Amadiya and Rawanduz

Day 6 and 7– Visit Suleimaniyah and the memorial site at Halabja

Day 8 – Visit Qizqapan and Koisinjak

Day 9 – Morning to explore Erbil.  Afternoon flight home