STEPPES ANNOUNCES ONE-TIME-ONLY TOUR WITH HILARY BRADT TO PERU’S PRE-INCA RUINS AND THE WORLD’S MOST BEAUTIFUL MOUNTAIN

NEW YORK, NY (03/14) Steppes Travel, the bespoke tour operator known for its pioneering adventures, has linked with Hilary Bradt, the travel authority (with her husband) behind the renowned Bradt Travel Guides, for a one-time-only tour entitled Peru Revisited, Bradt’s final return to the country she fell in love with 45 years ago, and which, she declares, changed her life. 

Steppes’ Peru Revisited tour encompasses the republic’s premier archaeological sites and the spectacular Cordillera Blanca mountain range. Not only is Peru’s highest mountain, Huáscarán (22,204 feet), located in this range, but so is Alpamayo (19,511 feet), proclaimed the "World's Most Beautiful Mountain" by an international survey led by the late, award-winning climber Toni Hiebeler.

The 14-day Peru Revisited tour, personally guided by Hilary Bradt, takes place July 8 to 21, 2014.  Rates start at US$4195 per person sharing (excluding international airfare) and include interior flights, accommodations, daily guided excursions and most meals.

Hilary Bradt was so smitten by Peru when she first visited South America in 1969, that she found the experience transformative. On the next trip, after walking the full length of the Inca Trail, Hilary and her husband wrote their first guide book. Hilary says, “Eight editions of that book followed, fuelled by my annual trips to South America as a trekking and tour leader.  I want to return one last time.  Not to Cusco and Machu Picchu, but to my favorite mountain range, the Cordillera Blanca, and to make my first visit to the ‘Machu Picchu of the north’ – Kuelap in the Chachapoyas region.”

Travelers will have the benefit of Steppes’ seamless travel arrangements as well as Hilary Bradt’s superlative insider knowledge of the fascinating culture of ancient Pre-Inca and Inca-dominated Peru. They will explore the Pre-Inca ruins around Chiclayo in Northern Peru; wander through the largest ancient stone structure in South America; take a lodge-based trek in the Cordillera Blanca and Negra mountains in Central Peru; and listen to Hilary Bradt’s anecdotes of her many explorations through territory that once was home to the Norte Chico civilization, one of the world’s oldest. Along the way, there will be visits to many historical and religious sites, the Royal Tombs Museum to see Moche artefacts, as well as the ruins of Tucume, the pre-Hispanic city of adobe pyramids.

For detailed itinerary and more information: Email enquiry@steppestravel.com or call Toll-free: 1-855-352-7606

THE ECHO OF CANYONS AND THE LAPPING OF WAVES: STEPPES TRAVEL GROUP DOES COPPER CANYON & BAJA CALIFORNIA

NEW YORK, NY (03/14) Steppes Travel Group, the bespoke tour operator known for its innovative itineraries, goes beyond the ordinary with an 11-day visit to Mexico’s travel treasures: Copper Canyon and Baja California. On a trip both rugged and refined, take this opportunity to explore one of the deepest and largest networks of canyons in the world, and enjoy the stark contrast of an off-the-radar beach hot spot.

Start off with a bang on board the Chihuahua al Pacifico, one of the most scenic railway journeys in the world: observe the sun-drenched shores of the Pacific coast turn into a mountainous and arid interior.

Ride the rail to treasure number one: the series of more than twenty spectacular canyons that is jaw-dropping Copper Canyon. Picture a region the size of Switzerland and four times the size of the Grand Canyon. Hidden within the canyon network are indigenous Tarahumara caves, the natural shelters of the country’s second largest native Indian group. A visit here gives insight to a culture largely uninterrupted by modern technologies.

Steppes Travel Group’s own managing director took on Copper Canyon’s best adrenaline rush: a mile long zip line. Justin Wateridge reflects, “Standing up to the first zip-line platform, hands sweaty and [body] constrained by a harness, I asked myself why I was doing this. Seconds later I was whizzing out over some of the most spectacular scenery in the world at seventy kilometers per hour.”

The opposite of a rugged interior is treasure number two: Baja California’s luxurious beaches, laidback towns and boutique hotels filled with local art. Your highlight is an excursion to the island of Espiritu Santo. The boat anchors near a Sea Lion colony and offers an awe-inspiring option to snorkel with these underwater acrobats. Perhaps extend your trip to an overnight cruise in the whale-rich Sea of Cortez, a UNESCO World Heritage wonder. 

Frequently looking for the unusual, Steppes Travel Group’s regional specialists piece together cultural and historical landmarks – which extends right down to the accommodation. Spend two nights at colonial mansion Posada del Hidalgo, which is believed to be the original home of “El Zorro,” the very Don Diego de la Vega. 

The rate starts at $2,918.40* per person, depending on pre- and post- extensions of an area you’ll find most compelling. This includes internal flights, accommodations, select meals and transfers. For more information, call toll free 1-855-252-7606 or visit www.steppestravel.com. Email is enquiry@steppestravel.com.

* Based on the exchange rate between USD and British Pound Sterling on 10/23/13

IN SEARCH OF THE KING COBRA STEPPES DISCOVERY TAKES YOU TO A HOTSPOT OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

NEW YORK, NY (02/14)Ever looking beyond the ordinary, Steppes Discovery, part of the Steppes Travel Group, hosts a tour to track India’s most revered snake, the King Cobra.  This 10-day unconventional journey takes place in a hotspot of biological diversity, the Western Ghats, the 1,600 km long mountain range along the western side of India.  You will be in the company of cobra-whisperer Gowri Shankar on a tour led by Sanjay Thakur, an expert herpetologist.

In the world of snakes, lizards, crocs and frogs, the King Cobra is culturally significant with many superstitions around it.  Indians believe the King Cobra possesses exceptional memory.  It is larger than other cobras and prefers a diet of snakes, finding rattlesnakes particularly tasty.  The King Cobra rarely attacks humans but keep in mind that one bite has enough venom in it to bring down an elephant.  It is the world’s longest venomous snake.  They are difficult to discover because they are very shy.

You will trek with Irula tribesmen as they demonstrate age-old skills to track cobras, rat-snakes and vipers.  This is a small Indian tribe who, in addition to traditional skills, hold a knowledge of indigenous wildlife, valuable resources for naturalists.   Amphibians are very sensitive to environmental change and are often the first to indicate an ecological issue.  And some venoms and toxins of snakes are very useful in human medicine.      

You will go in search of King Cobras but also learn about vipers, Wolf Snakes and India’s other intriguing reptiles such as Caecilians, crocodiles, caimans, turtles, Monitor Lizards, and Flying Lizards, and amphibians such as tree frogs, burrowing frogs and gliding frogs.  You’ll have the opportunity to gain insight into how local people in rural India live side by side with their often vilified neighbors.

The group tour is from June 14 to 24, 2014 for a maximum of 10 people and a minimum of eight.  By joining this tour, you can be assured you will be traveling sustainably and responsibly.  If these dates don’t work for you, Steppes will customize the tour on other dates.  The rate is $3,511 per person, double occupancy.  For more information, visit www.steppesdiscovery.com or call 1-855-352-7606.

A SELF DRIVE ADVENTURE IN CHINA

NEW YORK, NY (02/14) If you could only do one trip to China in your lifetime, Steppes Travel has that trip all laid out for you. Spend the first few days in the ancient cities of Beijing and Xian. The second half of the trip is a self-drive in a small convoy in Yunnan, where you will experience the real Shangri-La. Rates range from $6,872 to $9,592 for a 10 to 15 day itinerary.

The first part of the trip takes in iconic China. No trip would be complete without time in Beijing where highlights include the Summer Palace, Tiananmen Square, The Forbidden City, the Great Wall, the famous Peking Opera and more.  From Beijing, take the high speed train to Xian where the highlight is a visit to the amazing Army of Terracotta Warriors.   

The adventure comes on the second half of the itinerary. Fly to Kunming to join the others in your convoy.  Yunnan, in the southwest of China, is largely undiscovered by the outside world, but it has one of the best road networks in China.  Driving is relaxed as you pass through stunning scenery.The Yangtze, the Mekong and the Salween Rivers descend from the Tibetan Plateau into lush valleys.  Wander the cobbled streets of Shaxi.  Drive from Shaxi to Tacheng along the Yangtze.  Tacheng lies between the valley carved by the Yangtze and that carved by the Mekong. At Shigu, the Yangtze makes a 120 degree turn and seems to flow uphill. 

Pass through the Meili Snow Mountain range, a sub-range of the Hengduan Mountains, marking the boundary between Tibet and Yunnan.  End your journey in Shangri-La, home of the largest Tibetan monastery in Yunnan.

Steppes arranges accommodation along the self-drive adventure in the Songtsam Lodges in Yunnan. Each of these lodges is based on a traditional Tibetan dwelling within Tibetan farming villages and each is loaded with charm and is very comfortable. The lodges have been built with the spectacular views in mind. Delicious dining takes advantage of the local fare, consisting of fresh vegetables and fruits, local ham and rainbow trout. 

Steppes is offering two set departures from Kunming on June 27 and September 18, 2014.  If these dates are inconvenient, Steppes will organize a bespoke driving vacation for you and a small group of friends at another time. The best time to travel in Yunnan is in the spring and in the autumn.

For more information on the Self Drive Adventure in China, visit www.steppestravel.com or call toll free 1 855 203 7885.

STEPPES OFFERS A PRIVATE SEA SAFARI AROUND REMOTE INDONESIA ISLANDS

NEW YORK, NY (02/14) Steppes Travel, whose watchword is “Travel Beyond the Ordinary,” is offering an exclusive cruise to explore the stunning and remote islands of Eastern Indonesia on Tiger Blue to explore Komodo, the Spice Islands (also known as Malaku Islands) and Raja Ampat.  Adventurers can go on a set departure (see dates below) or take an opportunity for a family or a group of friends to charter Tiger Blue for a private cruise. Either way, it is a trip that few humans have ever made.

Here are beautiful sandy beaches, world class diving and snorkeling, and diverse marine and wildlife.  The seven-night cruise starts at $3,042 per person sharing, with a minimum of 12 persons.  Last minute travelers who sail before February 28 will save $265 per person on the Raja Ampat tour.

Tiger Blue is a timber phinisi sailing yacht, hand-built by craftsmen from Sulawesi.  A phinisi is a traditional Indonesian two-mast sailing ship historically and still widely used for local transportation, cargo and fishing within the Indonesian archipelago.  Tiger Blue has four meticulously appointed, air-conditioned en suite cabins.  A crew of eight includes the expedition leader, dive master and executive chef.  Asian and western menus are tailored to guests’ preferences.

Justin Wateridge, managing director of Steppes, explains:  “Until recently, Indonesia has mostly been an unknown destination for tourism.  This tour enables us the chance to experience life at sea in a very graceful, comfortable vessel and to explore the beautiful islands of Eastern Indonesia with their diverse bird and wild life, gentle hiking opportunities and world class dive sites.  Most of these islands are only accessible by boat.  The cruise is very laid back and passengers can do as much or as little as they like.”

The Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, encompasses three large islands and 26 smaller ones.  It is the home of the Komodo Dragon, the world’s largest lizard.  The Park has been named as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.  Raja Ampat is known for fantastic diving sites with natural underwater beauty and diverse marine life.  The Spice Islands (Malaku) features a mountainous terrain with several active volcanos.  Its tropical rainforest climate allows for luxuriant vegetation. 

Guests can opt for the set departures which begin and finish in the same port or a Journey of Discovery which starts in one port and finishes in another.  For more information or a detailed itinerary, contact: enquiry@steppestravel.com or visit: www.steppestravel.com

SET DEPARTURES 2014
10 - 17 Jan (Raja Ampat)
31 Jan - 7 Feb (Raja Ampat)
16 -23 May (Komodo)
7 - 14 Sep ( Komodo)
17-24 Sep ( Komodo Journey of Discovery) 

STEPPES TRAVEL’S ULTIMATE CENTRAL AMERICAN HOLIDAY: MUKUL BEACH, GOLF & SPA

NEW YORK, N.Y. (01/2014) One of the “must” destinations for 2014 is Central America. For those who like to be first on their block, Steppes Travel, known for identifying and customizing tours of the world’s most remarkable places, is offering bespoke trips to the new Mukul Beach, Golf & Spa, one of the most luxurious resorts on the planet. Located on Nicaragua’s Emerald Coast north of San Juan des Sur, Mukul (the Mayan word for secret) takes luxury to a stratospheric level with a gorgeous private beach, capacious villas, 24-hour butler service, helicopter transfers, cigar and rum rooms, and a Spa that comprises no fewer than six buildings. Rates from $550 per night for a Bohio Mountain view room with double occupancy.

But Steppes’ Central American expert Beth Collins advises, “Mukul is not just for adults – the whole family is welcome here. Accommodations for ‘Kul’ Kids aged 0 to12 are complimentary, if sharing with their parents.  The resort is completely geared up for families, offering professional daycare, adventure programs, beachcombing, monkey viewing, movie nights and much more.”

The resort of Mukul sits along a stunning four-mile stretch of pristine, white sandy beach. There are 37 guest accommodations: Beach Villas range from 955 square feet to 2,620 square feet, with the Bohios rooms perched dramatically on the hillside among the lush canopy of the rain forest. All villas offer inside/outside living with wrap around balconies and private plunge pools of varying sizes.

For the ultimate getaway with family or friends, there is the house of all houses for rent -- Casona Don Carlos, home of Mukul owner Don Carlos Pellas (one of the top 50 most influential people in Latin America). The Pellas’ four-bedroom residence and large private swimming pool comes with 20,000 feet of ocean front and a palapa (traditional Latin American shelter roofed with palm leaves or branches) that soars 80 feet high.

Golfers can play endless rounds on the exquisite oceanfront course designed by celebrated Scottish designer David McLay Kidd.  For those who just want to wind down, the Spa offers healing therapies from Japan, India and Turkey.

Steppes Travel will handle arrangements to the minute.  Email enquiry@steppestravel.com; Toll-free: 1-855-352-7606

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

STEPPES DISCOVERY TAKES ADVENTURERS INTO THE WILDS OF LADAKH, INDIA IN QUEST OF THE ELUSIVE, ENDANGERED SNOW LEOPARD

NEW YORK, NY (10/13) Steppes Discovery, trailblazers in conservation and wildlife tourism, offers IN SEARCH OF THE SNOW LEOPARD, a two-week small group tour (maximum: 8 people) to seek out the rare, well-camouflaged big cat, one of the planet’s most beautiful creatures, one of its most elusive and one of its most endangered. The tour, which won a Responsible Travel Award, takes place in Ladakh, a region of far north India, bounded by two of the world’s greatest mountain ranges, the Himalaya and the Karakoram.

Tours are led by experts from the Snow Leopard Conservancy India Trust, the wildlife charity which this trip supports. These are the same trackers used by the BBC, National Geographic and other wildlife film-makers.

“We pride ourselves on the characters that we work with,” says Steppes Managing Director Justin Wateridge. “Yes, they are guides; yes, they have expertise, but we work with them for their passionate and charismatic personalities that ensure an exceptional, lasting impression.”

Rates for the scheduled two-week tour (November 19 – December 2, 2013) start at $3664 (USD) per person excluding international flights. Rates for the November 8 – November 21, 2014 tour start at $3,970 (USD) per person excluding international flights. All include a donation to the Snow Leopard Conservancy India Trust. Private group tours can also be arranged.

If ever there was a soul-enhancing experience for seasoned travelers, it’s catching sight of the magnificent Snow Leopard, a creature so rarely seen it’s known as the “ghost of the Himalayas.” But on Steppes Discovery tour the odds of a sighting are in the traveler’s favor:  Not just one, but two Snow Leopards were seen on Steppes’ most recent tour.  Not surprising since the experts behind this pioneering tour company were among the first to access the area, and boast a proven track record of sightings over the past 14 years.  Wildlife lovers may also encounter blue sheep (bharal), ibex, wolves, wild yaks, brown bears, golden eagles, bearded vultures and Himalayan Griffons.

Travelers will explore Hemis National Park in a high-altitude area famous for Snow Leopard research, photography and filming. They will visit picturesque Buddhist villages and monasteries during winter festival, when communities celebrate with traditional costumes, music and masked dancers. They will meet the region’s hardy mountain people and learn about the Buddhism they practice by spending time in traditional homesteads and experiencing first-hand the warmth and hospitality of the people who call this wilderness home.

For more information or a detailed itinerary,contact:

enquiry@steppesdiscovery.com Or visit: www.steppesdiscovery.com

TRAVEL BACK IN TIME ALONG THE FABLED SILK ROAD: WITH IAIN SHEARER AND STEPPES DISCOVERY

ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan (09 / 13) Just hearing the phrase Silk Road conjures up images of mystical sights, intrigue, and romance. For centuries the Silk Road held great global economic significance, and today travelers can go with Steppes Discovery and famed archaeologist Iain Shearer along part of this fabled route in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

The trip’s superb 16-day itinerary includes several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and begins in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. While in Turkmenistan travelers can step back in time and see spectacular ruins in places like Nisa, which is believed to have been one of the first capitals of the Parthian empire, and Merv, one of the most well-preserved cities from the early days of the Silk Route. Iain will also take adventurers to see Kunya-Ugrench, another UNESCO site, and the former capital of Khorezmshah Empire.

After spending the first half of the trip soaking in these beautiful ancient sites in Turkmenistan, travelers will cross the border and enter Uzbekistan. The first few days will be spent basking in the splendor of Khiva’s many grand palaces and mosques, and even relaxing in a traditional hammam. Next Iain will lead the group to Bukhara, the former capital that boasts more than 300 mosques, with superb features like the Kalon Minaret. From there the group travels to Samarkand where they will explore the region’s highlights like the remains of the ‘White Palace,’ the ancient city of Afrosiab, Registan Square, and the Mausoleum of the Prophet Daniel. The trip concludes in the 2,000 year old city of Tashkent, which is also the nation’s capital. The city boasts stunning historical quarters from the 16^th century and an excellent art museum.

The Silk Road’s name was initially derived from the lucrative silk trade that was the genesis for this ‘Road’ during the Han Dynasty. However other goods as well as ideas, religions, and even diseases, like the Black Plague, traveled along this fabled route. This trail also was responsible for economic and cultural development throughout China, the Indian subcontinent, Persia, Europe, and Arabia.

Shearer’s critically acclaimed work focuses on development and conflict archaeology, and he has overseen excavations in Nishapur, Iran and in the Ferghana Valley in Uzbekistan. He currently holds a Research Affiliate Position at the Centre for Applied Archaeology at University College London and is the British Museum’s Sackler Scholar for Iran and Afghanistan. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society.

The trip is from May 1-16, 2014 and September 11-26, 2014 and costs $5,592 including international flights, and $4,072 excluding international flights.

For more information please contact http://www.steppesdiscovery.co.uk/ or call 1 855 2527606 (toll free)

SHUTTERBUGS CAN GO WILD WITH STEVE BLOOM ON STEPPES' MIGRATION AND GORILLA TREKKING CIRCUIT IN AFRICA

ARUSHA, Tanzania (9/13) The African continent is a veritable cornucopia of nature, and Steppes Discovery can take you on the tour of a lifetime to discover two of the continent’s most spectacular sights with the inimitable Steve Bloom: The Great Migration and Gorilla Trekking in Uganda. The trip consists of eight exhilarating days beginning in the northern Serengeti and ends with a trip to see gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Visitors will obviously want to document this once in a lifetime experiences, and attempting to capture the teeming masses of wildlife as they race through the Serengeti can seem daunting. Capturing the elusive gorillas on film is no easy feat either. Luckily legendary photographer Steve Bloom will be on hand to teach the group some of his best tricks and techniques. Bloom has had a storied career as a wildlife photographer. He has published several compilations of his images and has even produced eleven critically acclaimed outdoor exhibitions, entitled Spirit of the Wild, all aimed at raising awareness about environmental issues.

The adventure starts at the Serengeti Wilderness Camp, located in the epicenter of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. The camp is mobile, and only exists during the Great Migration so it can follow the animals’ migratory patterns, ensuring that travelers are constantly in a prime gameviewing area. Serengeti Wilderness Camp is comprised of ten tents, all outfitted with ensuite bathrooms and luxurious verandahs that are highly conducive to appreciating the stellar views. The camp offers a variety of activities like balloon safaris, bird watching, game drives, and walking safaris.

Thanks to new flights between the Serengeti and Entebbe, travelers can easily jet off to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for the ultimate day trip. Bloom will travel with the group as they track and photograph the elusive gorillas.

The trip costs $7,392.60 excluding international flights, and $8,532.20 including international flights. The trip is from June 12-19, 2014 and available for a maximum of ten people.

For more information please contact http://www.steppesdiscovery.co.uk/ or call 1 855 2527606 (toll free)

GO BEYOND MACHU PICHU WITH STEPPES TRAVEL AND HUGH THOMSON

LIMA, Peru (09/2013) Peru is a veritable treasure trove of archaeological sites, ancient temples, pyramids, and stunning vistas; Machu Pichu is just one of the gems in this South American crown. Discover some of Peru’s finest sites that are off the beaten path with The Traveller, part of the Steppes Travel Group and filmmaker Hugh Thomson on an exhilarating 14 day trip. 

The trip begins in picturesque Lima, where visitors will explore the town’s sights, including the Museo Larco which houses a stunning collection of pre-Columbian art and artifacts. The adventure continues in the Moche Valley, which is full of ancient edifices like the Huaca del Sol and Huaca de la Luna, built in 450 AD and Chan Chan, an adobe town built in 850 AD that is the largest pre-Columbian city in South America. While in the Moche Valley, travelers will visit towns like Trujillo, which is considered Peru’s cultural capital as it is the center marinera dance, boasts haute cuisine, and is the birthplace of many famous writers.

The region contains even more gems, like El Brujo; an archaeological site that dates from 1-600 AD and contains colonial remains and ancient monuments built by the Moche. Visitors can also see the temple of Huaca Cao Viejo that houses the incredibly preserved mummified remains of Lady of Cao.

The journey continues as the group tours Cajamarca, where the Incan emperor Ataheulpa was once held hostage.Upon leaving Cajamarca the group will drive along Rio Maranon Canyon to Kuelap, a massive fortified city in the cloud forest that’s regarded as Machu Pichu of the north.

The adventures ends the trip in Chicalayo, where highlights include the pre-Hispanic site of Tucume,  which boasts 26 major pyramids and mounds, and Ventarron, a 4,000 year old temple. Many believe this site offers the first evidence of civilization in northern Peru.

Renowned filmmaker Hugh Thomson will take the group through Peru. He spent more than two decades in Peru, which he chronicles in The White Rock: An Exploration of the Inca Heartland. He has also led many expeditions throughout Peru, including the one that discovered Cota Coca, an Incan site.

The trip is from September 23-October 5, 2014 and costs $4,792.

For more information please contact www.the-traveller.com or call 1 855 2527606 (toll free).

STEPPES TRAVEL ANNOUNCES TOUR WITH INDIA EXPERT LOUISE NICHOLSON

NEW YORK, NY (09/2013) Travelers looking for an aesthetic, hands-on experience of India will find it in a new tour, North India Uncovered, from Steppes Travel, pioneers in sustainable tourism and creators of exceptional explorations and experiences in all corners of the globe.

The curated North India Uncovered tour will be led by art historian and India expert Louise Nicholson, who is steeped in India’s culture, having visited the sub-continent no fewer than 200 times.  Rates (inclusive of virtually everything except international airfare) are $6356 per person for the 13-night excursion which begins in Mumbai on February 2, 2014 and ends in New Delhi on February 15.

The group will visit two of the most important art/architecture sites of ancient India – the Ellora and the Ajanta caves.  They will take in fabled Fatepur Sikri, built by Mughal emperor Akbar and arguably the most beautiful uninhabited city in the world. They will travel to the great sites of Rajasthan – Jodhpur and its famous fort; the pink city of Jaipur, heart of India’s gemstone trade; the mirage-like Lake Palace in Udaipur and the utterly exotic cattle market in Naguar with its fancifully bedizened camels and colorful and chaotic marketplace.

Louise Nicholson is a journalist and author of 26 books including National Geographic Traveler’s Guide to India. She produced the very successful BBC series on the Great Mughals and, though a generalist, she has in-depth knowledge of Indian textiles, art, architecture and history. Those accompanying her don’t just go to a shop for textiles, they meet the weavers and learn about the manifold kinds of fabrics and stitches India is renowned for.  They don’t just glide past mustard or barley fields – they meet the farmers. And they don’t just do the compulsory visit to the Taj Mahal – they go twice, at sunrise and at sunset to view the world’s most beautiful tomb in the light of dawn and the light of dusk.

For more information contact: enquiry@steppestravel.com and visit www.steppestravel.com

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

JOURNEY TO THE GOLDEN EARTH: TOUR BURMA WITH STEPPES TRAVEL

YANGON, Burma (09 / 2013) There has never been a better time to go to Burma. The Steppes Travel group, The Traveller and author Rory Maclean will take travelers on a whirlwind tour of Burma and ensure they have a ‘unique experience.’

The 14 day trip begins in Yangon (Rangoon), the former Burmese capital. Yangon offers a multitude of sights, smells, and sounds; it’s a veritable buffet for the senses. The city boasts many wonderful sites like the National Museum and the old colonial center. These amazing days in Yangon are capped off with a sunset visit to the Shwedagon Pagoda. Imagine the dazzling sight of the setting sun catching the dazzling gold of the towering, glittering  2,500 year old gilded edifice.

After thoroughly enjoying all that Yangon has to offer, travelers fly to Bagan to explore many of its 13,000 stunning temples, including the Shwezigon, Ananda Temple, and Abeyanda Temples. Travelers can also take advantage of many fun excursions like ballooning over Bagan, visiting a lacquer making workshop, and a trip to Mount Popa, an ancient pilgrimage site.

Upon leaving Bagan, travelers will step back in time as they drift up Burma’s largest river, the Irrawaddy, to Mandalay. During this leisurely four day cruise, travelers can enjoy the myriad endemic species, like the Irrawaddy Dolphin, that call this river home. Rory will take you to visit a bygone era at places like Yandabo, a picturesque village famous in Burmese history as the place where the Treaty of Yandabo was signed in 1815, or the religiously significant Sagaing, a town known for its major monasteries and silversmiths.

The journey ends at Inle Lake. Another unique feature of the lake is the Intha fishermen’s unique one-legged rowing style.

Rory Maclean is a critically acclaimed travel writer. He is known for creating his own unique writing style that is best described as surrealist travelogues, through books like Golden Earth, Stalin’s Nose, Falling for Icarus, and The Oatmeal Ark.

The trip runs from March 13-27, 2014 and costs $6,384 including international flights and $4,792 excluding flights.

For more information please contact www.the-traveller.com or call 1 855 2527606 (toll free).