Jetsettersblog

The label reads, “Please look after this bear. Thank you.” It worked for Paddington but can it work for the Sun Bear of Borneo?

You may not have heard of the Sun Bear. They are the smallest of all species of bear, they like to live in trees, and yes, they do eat honey. Their existence is being threatened by loss of habitat through deforestation, poaching and uses in Asian medicine. So, some people in Borneo have said enough is enough. In 2008, the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) was born. In August 2012, Kevin Albin who runs a trekking and expedition company, Let Loose with Adventure, will be leading a group to work at the Centre to continue this work.

The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre was created by a group of people who wanted to help the bears including Siew Te Wong who has been studying them for a number of years. The Centre aims to provide care, rehabilitation and release of orphaned and captive sun bears as well as addressing the lack of knowledge and awareness. They are getting ready to open to the public by building public access into the forest such as walk ways and observation platforms.

Kevin Albin received the Bronze in the World Guide Awards in 2011 and will be donating his winning bursary to the project. “This is a great opportunity to help a little known and very cute bear,” said Kevin who is looking for people to join him. Those working at the sanctuary will have a ‘behind the scenes’ opportunity to see the bears, their care, feeding and play time. Participants will undergo jungle training as the work is in the rainforest and visit the orang-utans who have a sanctuary next door. The fifteen-day trip will finish with a light aircraft flight into remote forest and a trek to a village of the Kelabit tribe.

The new 2012/13 Mountain Kingdoms brochure is out now – call 01453 844400 for a copy or email info@mountainkingdoms.com

Packed with 120 exciting holidays, there are 23 fabulous new treks and tours in addition to lots of old favourites.

Highlights include four new trips to the must see destination of 2012, Burma, some wild and remote treks in Nepal, and the southernmost trek in the world in Tierra del Fuego.

Once again the Mountain Kingdoms Early Bird booking incentive will reward those keen to book, and this year applies to all 2012 flight inclusive holidays featured in the new brochure.
Clients booking before the 30th November 2011 will receive a £50 discount – visit www.mountainkingdoms.com  for details and conditions.

NEW TREKS & TOURS

Bhutan

Birding in Bhutan – an exceptional specialist tour created for true birding enthusiasts in a paradise of rare and endemic birds.

Dragon Kingdoms of Burma & Bhutan – an easy walking and sightseeing holiday to two of the world’s most remarkable Buddhist kingdoms.
Mount Chomolhari & the Bonte La – magnificent high mountain trekking beneath snowy peaks, through remote valleys and across high passes.

Nepal

Village Trails of Nepal – the perfect gentle walking holiday combining relaxed day walks, comfortable hotels and the spectacular Himalaya.

Annapurna & Everest Panorama Trek – two short tea house treks amidst the breathtaking scenery of Nepal’s two most famous mountain ranges.

Everest Base Camp in Style – exhilarating strenuous trek to Everest Base Camp and Kala Pattar, staying in the Khumbu’s best lodges.

Rolwaling & Bigu Gompa – a glorious trek to one of Nepal’s best ‘off the beaten track’ mountain valleys, next to the Tibetan border.

Api Base Camp with Tashi Tenzing – a reconnaissance trek led by Tenzing Norgay’s grandson, in a remote, little visited, corner of Nepal.

The Kagmara La Pass to Dolpo – a thrilling trek in ‘Wild Nepal’, from the calm waters of Rara Lake, over the Kagmara La to isolated Upper Dolpo.

India & Sri Lanka

Incredible India & Brahmaputra River Cruise – an enthralling tour encompassing both the frenetic energy and serene beauty of India.
Leh & Indus Valley Trails – a delightful short summer walking holiday to the mountains and monasteries of ‘Little Tibet’.
Trails of Buddha’s Island, Sri Lanka – a gentle walking holiday visiting the island’s main historical, cultural, wildlife and scenic highlights.

Mongolia & Central Asia

Genghis Khan Trails & Naadam Festival – take the Trans-Mongolian train from Beijing to experience ancient cities, desert travels, mountain walks and traditional festivities.

Nomads & Ibex Trek – a two week magical, mountain adventure in the remote northwest corner of Mongolia.
K2 & Gasherbrum Base Camps – a sensational trek through wild, dramatic and unspoiled scenery into the heart of the Karakoram mountains.

Burma

First Class Tour of Burma – a relaxed exploration of the cultural and scenic highlights of the Golden Land, staying in quality hotels throughout.

Dragon Kingdoms of Burma & Bhutan – an easy walking and sightseeing holiday to two of the world’s most remarkable Buddhist kingdoms.

Golden Trails of Burma – gentle walks, cultural highlights and comfortable accommodation – the best way to explore this remarkable country.
Mount Phongun & the Burmese Himalaya – trekking in the remote highlands of northern Burma, with an ascent of Phongun Razi (3,635m/11,920ft).

Other destinations

Northern Lights & Husky Sledding, Norway – an action-packed winter adventure in Norway’s icy north, aiming to see the dazzling Northern Lights and taking in a thrilling sledding experience.

Tierra del Fuego – the Ultimate Adventure – from the southernmost trek in the world to Patagonia, via a voyage through the Beagle Channel.

Bedouin Trails of Jordan – easy walking and sightseeing in Jordan, from the Dead Sea to the Red Sea.

Serengeti Walking Safari – unspoiled landscapes, impressive wildlife and luxury camping – the best way to experience wild Africa.

Ngorongoro Highlands & Serengeti Wilderness – a fabulous walking safari in style in two of Africa’s most pristine wildlife areas.

Asia Luxe Holidays is offering a five-night Borneo package that features a choice of two five-star resorts. The resort at Tanjung Aru, with a private beach and view of coral islands, is ideal for beach lovers. It is within a 15-minute speedboat ride to the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, which has five uninhabited islands and crystal clear water for snorkeling and scuba diving.

The second resort is situated at Dalit Beach, and is for nature lovers. It is located in a 400-acre tropical setting, with a nature reserve, Orangutan Rehabilitation Center, and a championship golf course. The tour includes a nostalgic steam-engine train journey from Kota Kinabalu to the rural town of Papar.

For a limited time only, this special fare starting at $2,980 includes accommodation at a five-star resort and daily breakfast. Roundtrip economy class airfare from Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York or Chicago on Cathay Pacific is provided. Price includes security and fuel surcharges totaling $324, imposed by the airlines, government-mandated taxes and fees including international departure tax, customs users fees, $2.50 Sep. 11th Security Fee, passenger facility charges, and foreign airport taxes up to $80. For more information, call 800-742-3133 or visit www.asialuxeholidays.com

Lonely Planet chose New Zealand’s Southern Lakes region as one of the world’s Top 10 Regions to visit in 2012.

The full list includes:

1. Coastal Wales; 2. La Ruta Maya, Central America; 3. Northern Kenya; 4. Arunachal Pradesh, India; 5. Hvar, Croatia; 6. Sicily; 7. Maritime Provinces, Canada; 8. Queenstown & Southern Lakes, New Zealand; 9. Borneo; and 10. Poitou-Charentes, France.

The Southern Lakes region of Queenstown, Lake Wanaka and Fiordland is the only New Zealand region to be featured in the new book, Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2012, offering the best trends, destinations, journeys and experiences for the upcoming year. The Southern Lakes region encompasses Lake Wanaka, the international four-season resort of Queenstown and Fiordland’s dramatic landscapes, all surrounded by the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area.

Tony Everitt, CEO of Destination Queenstown, said being featured in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2012 would bring significant benefits for the region’s profile. Best in Travel’s recommendations are drawn from hundreds of ideas submitted by Lonely Planet’s staff, authors and community of travelers, bloggers and tweeters. Their suggestions are then refined by a panel of in-house travel experts, based on topicality, excitement, value and that special X-factor. For more information, visit www.southernlakes.travel.

With Emphasis on Educational / Sustainable Vacations

Top Five Recommendations Span Globe for Certified Green Eco Adventures

Eco trailblazer Greenloons http://www.greenloons.com /  guides families to international rainforests that are inclusive of sustainable vacation opportunities. Its top five recommendations spanning the globe offer green eco adventures that are certified by leading third party sources.

Irene Lane, Greenloons founder, believes it’s never to early to introduce children to the “lungs of the planet”, the world’s rainforests covering less than two percent of the earth’s total surface area but are home to 50 percent of its plants and animals.

“Because rainforests are disappearing at a rate of more than 56,000 square miles each year, it’s crucial for kids to learn about how important these environments are to their everyday lives,” Lane said. “Through extensive research, we are able to offer unique family travel experiences where young and old can connect at a deeper level in a sustainable manner with the places they are visiting.”

Greenloons top rainforest destinations for families include Costa Rica, Peru, Madagascar, Borneo and Australia.

Costa Rica – Rainforest Adventure focuses on Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula that protects such endangered species (showcased by a local guide) as jaguar, puma, crocodile, tapir, poison dart frog, scarlet macaw and harpy eagle.

Local beaches are major nesting sites for several varieties of sea turtles. Roundtrip ground transfers are by private taxi from Puerto Jimenez served by daily flights from Costa Rica’s Tobias Bolaños International airport in San Jose. Packages are 5 days/4 nights starting at $690 per person with year-round open scheduling.

Peru – Exploring the Amazon Rainforest showcases the world’s largest tropical rainforest with the world’s second longest river, the Amazon. A motorized canoe down the Peruvian Amazon in the Tambopata National Reserve can reveal, among other wildlife, giant otters.

The Tambopata Research Center has exclusive access to untouched Amazonian forests; a local naturalist introduces ongoing projects that include visiting the world’s largest macaw clay lick. Five day/4 night trips for $999 per person depart year-round with flexible, open scheduling.

Madagascar – Madagascar Experience encompasses an eco-system so isolated and unusual that scientists call it “the eighth continent.”

The rainforests of the Atsinanana encompass six national parks that protect the large Indri lemur, tenrec, fanaloka and aye-aye. The ancient town of Antsirable transitions guests around volcanic lakes from upland rainforests to the semi-arid landscape of Isalo.

The 10 day/9 night packages start at $1599 with monthly scheduled departures year-round.

Borneo – Borneo Family Adventure includes village home stays at Kinabatangan Jungle Camp and rainforest camping in tropical Sabah, part of the rainforests of Asia stretching from India and Burma in the west to Malaysia and the islands of Java and Borneo in the east.

In addition to spotting macaques, proboscis monkeys, crocodiles and perhaps wild orangutans, guests visit Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary and meet orphaned orangutans. Elevenday/10 night trips start at $1375 for adults with departures in January, April, July, August, October and December.

Australia – Fraser Island & Reef Experience opens up the underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef and Fraser Island World Heritage Site, the only place in the world where along Yidney Rainforest trails and growing on sand dunes at high elevations are towering pines, rainforest trees with giant girths, rare and ancient giant ferns, eucalypt forests, lemon-scented swamp vegetation and dwarfed heathland shrubs covered in a profusion of flowers.

On the water side in addition to snorkeling guests may see shipwrecks, sharks, dolphins and manta rays at Indian Head. Six day/5 night trips are offered year-round. Call Greenloons for pricing (703.752.6270).

About Greenloons

Greenloons (http://www.greenloons.com/ ) guides families to travel experiences managed by certified third-party suppliers engaged in eco- and sustainable tourism.

Lane founded Greenloons in 2010 for the global community of nature enthusiasts and wildlife conservationists interested in accessing detailed and reliable information about responsible, sustainable and certified ecotourism travel vacations both in the US and abroad.

Greenloons is a first-of-its-kind online resource aimed at answering the growing need for accredited eco-tours and sustainable holiday travel in the tourism industry. Greenloons.com provides ecotourism education, news, comparable certified ecotour and volunteer conservation program listings, tour reviews and booking services, plus a forum for the community to share its personal vacation stories and tips for establishing ecotourism in any corner of the world.

Sharm charms as it tops the bill for scuba lovers with a 14% rise in popularity since last year

In spite of the country’s problems earlier in the year, Sharm El Sheikh has increased its strength as a divers’ paradise according to 2011 search figures from Cheapflights.co.uk compared with the same period in 2010.

With Sharm leading the way, the UK’s leading website for flight price comparison maps out the world’s Top 10 Dive Sites at http://www.cheapflights.co.uk/travel-tips/top-ten-dive-sites/

Salsa alongside the fishes of Cuba, enjoy the Luau après scuba in Hawaii or take some underwater snaps of the world’s best coral in Sharm El Sheikh. Divers, snorkelers, and holidaymakers in general, can explore whatever splendours tickle their salt water taste buds from a list of world class diving destinations.

1) Sharm El Sheikh

Famous for its exquisite variety of coral, Sharm El Sheikh’s marine life residents include clownfish, sea eels, and blacktip reef sharks. Not to mention all of the land activities visitors can enjoy après scuba, including a lively culture and bustling nightlife. Daylight offers horse and camel riding, desert safaris, and antiquity attractions while there are numerous night clubs, casinos, bars, and restaurants to enjoy at night.

“In the current economy where budget and keeping ground costs low remain a top priority, the Red Sea is a perfect diving and holiday spot. Marine life aside, Sharm boasts some of the best wreck diving in the world. For example, diving the Thistlegorm, which was a military supply ship, offers the surreal experience of swimming past motorbikes, jeeps and even wellington boots that are still lined up perfectly as though they were on their way to their next port of call,” says Nadine Hallak, Travel Expert for Cheapflights.co.uk.

2) Australia’s Great Barrier Reef

The most famous dive site in the world, this is a marine world of colossal proportions – not only in the physical sense but also in terms of what is has to offer. Apart from being visible from outer space, it is home to more than 400 variations of coral and 1,500 species of fish including dolphins, sea turtles, whales and many more. But keep in mind that the volume of this site means diving requires planning, so consult a professional diving centre when planning your journey. For those seeking adventure outside the water, there are plenty of activities to satisfy such as sightseeing, hot air balloon tours and island day trips.

3) Scuba in Cuba

If your sea quest is inclined more towards the Latin scene, consider Maria la Gorda in the Pinar Del Rio province west of Havana and the Jardines de la Reina Islands in the south. Abundant in coral and a colourful array of fish, Maria la Gorda, which translates to mean “Mary the Fat”, is home to around 50 diving spots where divers can enjoy the aquatic scenery within crystal clear waters. The diversity of fish also makes this spot ideal for underwater photography. Land activities include hiking, ecotourism, nature-walks, water sports, excursions to neighbouring resorts, and much more.

4) Sublime Swimming in the Maldives

Delve into the turquoise depths of the Indian Ocean in the Maldives. This idyllic setting of luminously clear waters is home to ten different dive sites ranging from the flat reef experience of Kuda Haa Girifushi Thila to the deep exploits of Rasfari. Those seeking more thrill than calm can try a wall drift among the strong currents at Banana Reef. If your adventure warrants a mix of wet and dry activity, the Maldives offers a wealth of spas, miles of white sandy beaches, mouth-watering food, and lots of islands to explore. Bottom line, relaxation is the name of the game on this fantasy island.

5) Malaysian Borneo

Not a destination you read about every day, Malaysian Borneo is a dive spot for more advanced and adventurous divers. In the northern part of Borneo lies a tiny island in the middle of the Celebes Sea called Sipadan Island, which was formed by living corals atop an extinct undersea volcano. Famous for its hawksbill and green turtles, the island is visited by schools of barracuda and mackerel as well as hammerhead and whale sharks. Its out of water activities are as daring as those under water and include exploring the legendary rainforests, mountain climbing, visiting the famous Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, taking a jungle safari or touring the various national parks.

To peruse the full list of diving sites, visit http://www.cheapflights.co.uk/travel-tips/top-ten-dive-sites/.

To search and compare flights to these or any other dive sites, visit http://www.cheapflights.co.uk

The days of headhunting are long past, but an overnight stay with members of the Iban tribe — renowned for their blowpipe prowess and headhunting traditions — offers an enlightening look at their ancient customs and ceremonies.

Adventure Center’s 11-day Headhunters of Borneo, suitable for travelers ages 7 to 70 (and up), offers a peek into the old ways of this once-feared tribe — learning how to best behave with the Iban so as not to offend, visiting with the Headman (an honor and a courtesy), enjoying traditional dances, and dining on traditional foods (no heads) while sitting on the longhouse floor.

Other highlights include the bustling city of Kuching, the coral islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, guided treks through rainforests and nature preserves filled with exotic wildlife, and a cruise down the Kinabatangan River.

Prices for the nine departures beginning July 24 and running through 2012, range from $2,973 to $3,061 per person double (children are slightly less), and cover entrance fees, activities, accommodations, most meals, services of a group leader, and transportation, including domestic flights; optional extensions and international air are extra.

An optional five-day post-trip in Mount Kinabalu challenges guests to ascend Southeast Asia’s highest mountain before spending a day in Kota Kinabalu.

After a day spent exploring the scenic waterfront and cityscape of Kuching, Borneo’s largest city, guests travel to Bako National Park for a trek along jungle trails that are home to proboscis monkeys, long tail macaques, wild boars and monitor lizards.

A stop at the farmers market in Serian is followed by a longboat ride on the Lemanak River to the longhouse of the welcoming Iban tribe.

Travelers have the opportunity to navigate the waterfalls and rolling hills of the Damai Rainforest by sea kayak or on foot before arriving in Sepilok, where visits to the Sukau Rainforest and Orangutan Reserve — one of only three of its kind in the world — offer close-up views of the endangered species.

After the Kinabatangan River cruise guests fly to Kota Kinabalu for a final day of snorkeling around the coral islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, visiting the Sabah State Museum or taking a trip to the colorful local markets.

Adventurers on the optional post-trip Mount Kinabalu Trek Extension continue to the summit of Southeast Asia’s highest mountain and descend into Kota Kinabalu for a final night of exploration. The five-day trip is priced at $768 per person double. Adventure Center has provided adventure travel experiences with one-on-one advice for more than 35 years.

For more information, call 800-228-8747 or visit www.adventurecenter.com

A brand new Borneo biking adventure through primary rainforest with more fauna and flora than the Amazon, combined with a stay in a traditional Long House and a ride through Sabah Tea Plantation are just some of the highlights of a ride around SE Asia’s highest peak.

This eight day trip, starting and ending in Kota Kinabalu Sabah, includes one day skills preparation, training and a warm up ride, followed by a five day attempt to circumnavigate Mount Kinabalu experiencing jungle trails, ferocious rivers and isolated villages as well as rural market towns and deserted beaches.

With an extensive background in exploratory and remote expeditions in Borneo, Fieldskills Ltd, is offering a new mountain bike route around South East Asian’s highest peak in Malaysia. The two expeditions in June and October are aimed at encouraging more people to venture into trying something new, unique and a very long way from the beaten track.

Simon Amos from Fieldskills said; “We’ve tested out this route twice, in 2005 and then last November when we made the ride unsupported in four days, carrying all our food and camping gear and we discovered a new section to the route which took us through primary rainforest and saved us many hours on gravel roads. Now we are looking for a small team of keen bikers to join us on another attempt at this great journey which takes in a greater diversity of fauna and flora than the Amazon, allows us to meet local people, ride through traditional villages, stay in a traditional Long House and ride through Sabah Tea Plantation.”

The expeditions take place in June (18-26) and October (1-9) and cost £1450 (people will need to organise their own flights). The price includes: full support 24/7, jungle training, qualified guides (local and international), accommodation (hotel, camping, traditional), 6 days mountain biking, all food and drinks*, four wheel drive backup on route, your gear transported to each day’s location, mobile base camps, rider transport from Kota Kinabalu airport to accommodation upon arrival and departure*, riding support during each day’s ride, mechanical support, qualified medical personnel.

For information, itinerary and booking details please visit:   www.fieldskills.com/adventures

Rainforest Festival in Borneo, Baia das Gatas Festival in Cape Verde and many more..

Songlines Music Travel is delighted to announce 14 exclusive trips this year with new trips to Malaysia for the Rainforest Festival in Borneo; Cape Verde for the Baia das Gatas Festival; India for the Jodhpur RIFF Festival and Malawi for the Lake of Stars Festival.

Each trip has been developed by the experts behind the leading world music magazine, Songlines, and the Tailor-Made Groups Company and will be led by a Songlines Travel Leader – creating the ultimate way to soak up the musical vibes of the country. The tours, for groups of 10 to 20 people, go beneath the surface to offer intimate and memorable musical experiences – be it private concerts, jam sessions or meetings with musicians and instrument-makers. Of course, our trips aren’t exclusively about the music and there are also historic, cultural and culinary highlights along the way. But nothing beats experiencing music where it belongs – with the food, the ambience and the local audience.

Borneo Rainforest Festival
July 4-11 2011
Tour price per person is £649
Flights per person from £500

In July, Kuching plays host to the annual Rainforest World Music Festival, the best in the region. It’s a great place to hear local artists as well as big international names. It takes place in the Sarawak Cultural Village, a living museum featuring traditional longhouses and dwellings of the various ethnic groups. Listen to the gorgeous sound of the plucked sapé, the most beautiful of the indigenous instruments.

In addition to the Rainforest Festival, our eight-day tour offers the chance to get a taste of the interior with an overnight trip to Bako National Park. However, for those who really want to experience the rainforest, our 13-day trip provides another five nights in Sarawak, offering time to take a couple of trips into the interior. Options include trekking in Mulu National Park, a river cruise, a caving trip or an overnight stay in a longhouse, a very warm and sociable experience.

Cape Verde
Baia das Gatas Festival
August 9-16 2011
Tour price per person is £995
Flights per person from £625

Home to the world famous ‘barefoot diva’ Cesaria Evora, this festival takes place on one of West Africa’s little-known island nations. On this eight day trip we visit two islands: – Sal (named for its salt flats), where we enjoy magnificent sandy beaches and São Vicente, where the capital Mindelo is Cape Verde’s liveliest town. The Baia das Gatas is a short journey away with a long beach, a lagoon and a handful of Portuguese restaurants, and is usually a quiet spot. All that changes however in August when the festival starts. We’ll spend the evenings at the beach where it becomes an open-air concert with music not just from Cape Verde but also from Brazil, the Caribbean, Africa and America.

India The Jodhpur RIFF and Rajasthan
October 7-18, 2011
Tour price per person is £1,095
Flights per person from £560

This 12 day trip departs on 7th October to Rajasthan, India’s most colourful and spectacular destination. This trip enables you to experience spectacular sights and, through the music, get a deep insight into the heart and culture of this larger-than-life destination. There will be hands-on opportunities to try out musical instruments for those that wish to, although you can also enjoy being a spectator. The trip takes in two of Rajasthan’s most important cities – the ‘pink city’ of Jaipur and the dramatic ‘blue city’ of Jodhpur, with its rocky fortress. After time learning about the music of Rajasthan in Jaipur , as well as meeting the hereditary Manganiyar musicians, we will move on to Jodhpur for five days to experience the Jodhpur RIFF (Rajasthan International Folk Festival). This is one of the great music festivals in India with international names rubbing shoulders with outstanding local folk musicians in the unbeatable setting of the Mehrangarh Fort. The price of the tour includes tickets to all music events at the Jodhpur RIFF.

Serbia Gucaa Brass Band Festival
August 11-16 2011
Tour price per person is £495
Flights per person from £275

Balkan madness and brass bands as you’ve never known them. Each year 300,000 people descend on the village of Guca, home to just 3,000 inhabitants for the Golden Trumpet competition. It’s one of the wildest festivals in Europe. Songlines’ six day trip includes three evenings at the festival with accommodation arranged in the heart of the village. There’s also a chance to get a taste of Belgrade nightlife. It’s an unrivalled opportunity to experience the biggest, brassiest and Balkanist festival in Europe.

Cuba The Musical Island
May 8-May 22 2011
Sept 18-Oct 2 2011
Tour price per person is £1,439
Flights per person from £575

Led by Phil Sweeney, author of the Rough Guide to Cuban Music, this 8 or 15 day trip starts in Baracoa in the east of Cuba, where son and the Cuban revolution began in the mountains of the Sierra Maestra. Driving first to Guantánamo Bay and then onto Santiago de Cuba, our first major stop, where we’ll visit the Casa de la Trova in the evening, one of the best venues in Cuba. Then on to Trinidad for two days where we’ve arranged a walking tour of the old town and we’ll also take in plenty of music in the evenings. Continuing west, the trip ends with two full days in Havana, with a city tour and time to delve into the music of the capital where the popular sound of mambo emerged and where reggaeton holds sway today.

Other trips for 2011 include:

Marrakech and the Desert The Pulse of Morocco
September 22-30, 2011
Relish real Gnawa music as we head south into the Sahara. Meet musicians at a desert camp and learn more than you could ever imagine about this fascinating music scene, where traditional and popular styles collide.
Tour price per person is £939
Flights per person from £230

Morocco Gnawa Music Festival, Essaouira and Marrakech
June 23-27 2011
Tour price per person is £395
Flights per person from £135

Each June the Moroccan Atlantic coastal town of Essaouira hosts the extraordinary Gnawa and World Music Festival. Our tour offers a long weekend trip with two full days to enjoy the full range of the music and the opportunity to explore the narrow lanes of the old walled medina and the wonderful long beaches beyond.

Portugal
Lisbon – the Home of Fado
June 2-5 2011
Sept 1-4 2011
Tour price per person is £439
Flights per person from £140

For fans of Mariza and all things fado, see where Portugal’s most distinctive music was born less than 200 years ago and sample lively Brazilian and Cape Verdean scenes.

Mali – the Beating Heart of the Mande Empire
October 15-24, 2011
Tour price per person is £1,299
Flights per person from £690

This trip explores the music scene of Bamako, one of the liveliest in Africa, as well as visiting the Sikasso region and spending time in Ségou. A genuine insight into local culture and traditions.

Malawi Lake of Stars festival
Oct 2011 (Festival dates TBC)
Tour price per person is £1,039
Flights per person from £645

Enjoy beats on the beach at this award-winning festival on the shores of Lake Malawi.

Senegal
Never Mind the Mbalax
Nov 25-Dec 4 2011
Tour price per person is £1,065
Flights per person from £570

Senegal’s capital, Dakar, is renowned for its mbalax and hip-hop. We also visit the historically important Gorée island and
St Louis, West Africa’s first French settlement.

Cuba National Day and the Music of Cuba
Dec 29 2011-Jan 12 2012
For a New Year with a difference, celebrating in Havana before heading east.
Tour price per person is £1,649
Flights per person from £615

And looking into 2012 we have trips to Mali for the Festival on the Niger, Zanzibar for The Sauti za Busara (Sounds of Wisdom) Festival, Brazil for the Salvador & Sao Paulo carnivals and Spain for the Jerez Flamenco Festival:

Simon Broughton, Songlines’ editor-in-chief, says “Music is a great way into other cultures and an ideal way of meeting people, which is why we have created these trips”. He continues, “There is so much fantastic music out there, but the problem is it’s not always so easy to find. Who would guess that some of the best djembés in West Africa are made on a patch of wasteland beside a roundabout in Bamako? The key to these trips is our knowledge at Songlines, which is the basis of all the itineraries.”

For information and reservations, call Songlines Music Travel on 020 8505 2582 or visit www.songlinesmusictravel.com

Be part of a record breaking challenge to climb North Borneo’s three peaks in ten days.

The 14 day trip, starting and ending in Kota Kinabalu Borneo, and including two days jungle training in the UK, gives participants ten days to climb the three highest peaks in Sabah, North Borneo.

With an extensive background in exploratory and remote expeditions in Borneo, Fieldskills Ltd director, Dominic Hall who is running this expedition, said:

“Whilst all three peaks have been climbed before no one has tried to do all three in one expedition until now. Our first peak, Gunung Tamboyukon, the most rarely climbed and the third highest peak, will take four days of jungle trekking and camping in remote spots to get up and down. Then we will continue to Trusmadi, a beautiful and again fairly rarely visited jungle peak which offers beautiful views across to the final peak, Mount Kinabalu. From here we take the less touristy and dramatic Mesilau route to the summit.”

Dom adds: “As with all our trips we will put everything into place with qualified mountain leaders with many years climbing experience in Borneo, the State’s top mountain guides, well thought-out food and supplements and all the right equipment for adverse weather or emergency response. Still only time will tell exactly what will happen!”

If you are up for this unique challenge the expedition takes place from Sat 22nd October to Sat 5th November, and costs £1795 per person. Early booking is recommended.

For information, further questions and booking details:
www.fieldskills.com/adventures. Email: admin@fieldskills.com . Or ring 0845 293 7296