Jetsettersblog

Goway Travel published its Asia 2012 brochure, a travel planner featuring 25 countries and 225 model itineraries, including 12 adventure ideas, 14 boutique cruises, 10 rail ideas, 22 luxury ideas and 365 hotels. Programs range from adventure to seven-star luxury.

“This year we’re introducing Russia to our Asian line up, featuring a Moscow-to-St. Petersburg cruise, along with some new Korea World Expo tours; eco jungle lodges in Northern Thailand; three newly selected Stays of Distinction in Shanghai, Ubud and Taipei; and more group touring options than ever before,” said Diane Molzan, general manager, Asia.

The selection includes a two-day Pushkar Extension in India from $149 per person, a Cebu and Chocolate Hills program in the Philippines from $239 per person, an 11-day Boutique River Cruise in Myanmar for $3,185 per person, and two new Nepal treks in the Annapurna and Everest regions. The company is continuing popular programs in South East Asia, India, Nepal, Thailand and China. For more information, call 888-469-2988.

PlanetWildlife.com, a leading provider of diverse wildlife travel and tours around the world, presents Wildlife’s Hot Spots for 2012 – a month-by-month directory of what’s happening and when – and itinerary suggestions to inspire nature lovers to experience some of the seminal seasonal events of the natural world. To explore all the ideas and options available, visit PlanetWildlife’s Calendar presented on the website under ‘Travel’…..itineraries are all-inclusive from point of departure but do not include international flights.

January – India
January is the breeding season for the green sea turtles around the Galapagos Islands – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/galapagos-island-hopping-tour – is a five-day itinerary priced at £1,661/US$2,594 per person (pp)
This is also an excellent time of year to go tiger spotting in India when the clement weather facilitates close study of these rare and endangered big cats – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/classic-explorer-kanha-and-bandhavagarh – a six day safari itinerary including elephant rides in Central India priced at £756/US$1,180pp

February – Nepal
February is a good time to go trekking in Nepal with better than usual odds of spotting the famed Bengal Tiger – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/chitwan-explorer  is a nine-day itinerary in Chitwan National Park priced at £1,465/US$2,287pp. This is also an ideal month for tracking the rare and beautiful snow
leopard in nearby Ladakh, India – visit www.planetwildlife.in/travel/itineraries/snow-leopard-experience  for a 13-day trekking adventure priced at £2,163/US$3,377pp.

February also sees the gathering of hundreds of thousands of spectacular pink flamingos on Lake Nakuru in Kenya, Africa – www.planetwildlife.in/travel/itineraries/simba-safari  is a seven-day safari priced at £2,027/US$3,164pp.

March – the Arctic
When the days start to lengthen and become milder in the Arctic region, this is an ideal time to spot Aurora Borealis – the Northern Lights – and a cruise is one of the most enjoyable ways to experience this natural wonder – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/lofoten-aurora-borealis through Norway is an eight-day journey on the schooner ‘Noorderlicht’ priced at £1,979/US$3,090pp.

April – Galapagos
April presents another excellent opportunity to go bird-watching in Galapagos where enthusiasts can spot blue-footed boobies, swallow tailed gullies, frigate birds and red-billed tropic birds amongst others. www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/galapagos-island-hopping-tour is a five-day itinerary priced at £1,661/US$2,594pp).

May – India – Ladhak and Karnataka
In India, the weather is perfect for an extensive trek around Ladhak in the Himalayas – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/amazing-leh-community-service-trek – presents an unusual 13-day itinerary and the opportunity to become involved in local community service in the villages of Spango Valley while learning about and tracking the elusive snow leopard – priced at just £569/US$888pp.

This is also an opportune month to visit Karnataka in India and the Bandipur National Park and Tiger Reserve, the natural habitat of Bengal tigers, leopards, elephants and hyenas – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/classic-explorer-karnataka  is a five-day itinerary including the fascinating cities of Bangalore and Mysore and priced at £1,330/US$2,076pp.

June – Rwanda
Head to Rwanda this month to witness a unique baby gorilla naming ceremony, “KwitaIzina” – an annual ceremony attended by hundreds of local villagers but international visitors are also welcome – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/gorillas-wildlife-and-chimpanzees is a comprehensive seven-day adventure through some of Uganda’s best national parks of Kibale, Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi and is priced at £4,457/US$6,958pp.

July – Costa Rica and Brazil
Latin America is the destination to head for this month to spot the endangered green and hawksbill turtles nest on the beautiful Caribbean beaches of Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica. The park is also home to manatees, crocodiles, tropical gar, jaguars, sloths and basilisks, amongst other exotic wildlife – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/forests-and-volcanoes-costa-rica  is a 15-day excursion round Costa Rica and the Caribbean priced at £3,662/US$5,717pp.

Alternatively, in Brazil’s Pantanal area this is the best time of year for jaguar sightings and for close study of many other endangered species including the hyacinth macaw and the maned wolf – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/voyage-heart-amazon  is an eight-day voyage to the heart of the Amazon and is priced at £2,940/US$4,590pp

August – Kenya
Head to Kenya this month to be amongst the first to witness one of nature’s greatest shows – the annual Great Migration sees thousands of wildebeest, gazelles and zebras make a dash across the Mara River risking death from predators such as the crocodile – www.planetwildlife.in/travel/itineraries/simba-safari  is a seven-day safari priced at £2,027/US$3,164pp

September – Botswana
This is an ideal time to ravel to Botswana and explore the wilderness of Chobe National Park and the Okavango delta and take in the full majesty of the famed Victoria Falls – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/best-botswana-chobe-and-okavango  is an eight-day itinerary commencing in Maun and finishing at the Victoria Falls prices at £2,664/US$4,159pp

October – Madagascar
During this dry month off the coast of Africa, lemurs are particularly active and playful on the island of Madagascar – www.planetwildlife.in/travel/itineraries/magical-madagascar  is an exciting eight-day adventure combining lemurs and bird-watching as well as interaction with tribal villagers and is priced at £1,713/US$2,674pp.

November – the Falkland Islands

Head to the bottom of the world to the Falkland Islands (classified under the Antarctic zone) to watch five different species of penguins breed at this special time: the King, Rockhopper, Gentoo, Magallanic and Macaroni penguins – the islands also present a chance to spot the rare black-browed albatross – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/antarctic-peninsula-weddell-see-falkland-islands  is a 14-day cruise from Ushuaia in Argentina to the Falklands priced at £8,995/US$14,041pp

December – Sri Lanka
In southern Sri Lanka, this is the best time of year to spot one of the natural wonders of the world – the Blue Whale….nowhere else do they come as close to the land as they do near the coast of Sri Lanka. The www.planetwildlife.com/trave/itineraries/blue-whale-and-leopard-experience  is a nine-day itinerary commencing in Colombo which combines blue whale and dolphin spotting with safaris in Yala, home to elephants and leopards – priced at £2,520/US$3,934pp.

For further information, please visit www.planetwildlife.com  or contact a PlanetWildlife office (listed on the website). PlanetWildlife is as a leading international provider of diverse wildlife and safari tours with over 300 creative itineraries in 26 countries around the world catering to a wide range of interests and budgets.

About PlanetWildlife:

PlanetWildlife is an international travel company based in India with sales offices in UK, India, Australia, Hong Kong and Sweden. It is backed by highly successful entrepreneurs and managed by a professional team who are passionate about wildlife and have been involved in a variety of nature conservation activities over the years. The www.PlanetWildlife.com website features over 300 itineraries to Africa, India, and South America comprising a diverse range of photography safaris, hiking expeditions and bird-watching adventures, including ocean cruises to the Arctic and Antarctica.

Most tours offer daily departure dates and each is well-organised, competitively priced, environmentally responsible and tailored to suit the requirements of group or individual travellers. In all instances they are led by highly qualified and experienced leaders. Respected travel industry professionals and wildlife experts work in consultation with PlanetWildlife and are instrumental in designing each themed itinerary Via the website, a comprehensive and continuously expanding reference library on species and destinations is readily accessible and is regularly updated to ensure its usefulness to travellers, students, wildlife enthusiasts and bloggers.

PlanetWildlife is committed to responsible tourism, and in particular: minimising negative environmental impact; contributing to the conservation of natural and cultural heritages and embracing diversity; providing rewarding experiences for visitors through meaningful interaction with local communities to the economic benefit of those communities; and promoting a greater understanding and respect for local cultural, social and environmental issues. It is part of PlanetWildlife’s corporate policy to fund selected awareness drives and wildlife conservation programmes and welcomes suggestions from the public in this regard.

The newly updated Asia Backpacker Index for 2012 shows that Pokhara in Nepal is the cheapest destination on the continent for backpackers and budget travelers, with Hanoi in Vietnam and Goa in India very close behind.

In its second year, the Asian Backpacker Index ranks the 26 most popular destinations in Asia by price from cheapest to most expensive by comparing a standard set of typical backpacker costs including hostel beds, public transportation, attractions, food, and drinks.

At the top end, Tokyo sits alone as by far the most expensive, with Singapore and Hong Kong in the next positions, each costing less than half of what Tokyo costs per day.

“Most tourist prices in Asia have been quite stable this past year,” said Roger Wade, founder and editor of Price of Travel. “A few countries have had some notable inflation, but also weakening currencies, so almost all of Asia remains a fantastic bargain for Western tourists once they arrive.”

Founded in early 2010, priceoftravel.com is dedicated to the economics of international travel, tracking typical prices in over 110 of the most popular destinations around the world. The Backpacker Index debuted in early 2011 as a way to compare all destinations by price on the same scale, and the Asia update for 2012 follows the European Index, which was released last week.

Trek to Everest Base Camp and climb Kala Pattar for excellent views of Everest.

Visit the Base Camp of beautiful Ama Dablam

For nine nights on trek, stay in luxury lodges with excellent facilities, food and service

Stay in lodges for four nights above Dingboche

Excellent acclimatisation and first rate leaders

Stay in Dwarika’s superb heritage hotel in Kathmandu

Staying in the same lodges as our two Luxury Lodges treks in the Everest region, this trip goes a few days further (and higher!) to reach Everest Base Camp itself.

From Kathmandu and the charms of Dwarika’s Hotel, we fly to Lukla and trek up through the Khumbu, stopping off in Namche Bazaar and the village of Mende to gain valuable acclimatisation to the rarefied mountain air.

Trekking on, we’ll visit Thyangboche Monastery in the tradition of countless past mountaineers, and make a day trek to Ama Dablam Base Camp to further aid our adjustment to altitude.

There are no luxury lodges beyond Pangboche, 3,985m/13,150ft, but we’ll stay at lodges offering the very best facilities on the four days it will take us to reach and return from Kala Pattar, 5,545m/18,188ft, and Base Camp.

Trekking back via the lively Saturday market in Namche, we end our trip with time to relax and explore Kathmandu.

About the Everest Luxury Lodges – these lodges surpass anything else that exists in the region. Built in an eco-friendly style they offer bedrooms with en suite facilities, excellent food and service, comfortable lounges and delightful landscaped gardens. They are situated to make the most of the wonderful surrounding scenery and allow relaxation in relative comfort at the end of each walking day.

Trails of Buddha’s Island, Sri Lanka

A comprehensive tour of Sri Lanka, combining cultural highlights with gentle walking

Travel into the hill country by train to hilltop tea plantations

Wildlife activities including jeep safaris to look for leopards in Yala National Park, and blue-whale watching trips offshore (in season)

A relaxing beach stay at the end of your travels

From the coast our exploration begins in the cultural heartland, visiting the ancient capitals of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, and the remarkable temples in Dambulla and Kandy.

We’ll also enjoy short, easy-paced walks to see life amidst the rural villages and to stand atop the impressive Lion Rock at Sigiriya.

Boarding a train signals a change of scenery as we climb to the cooler air of Nuwara Eliya, tea plantations, and Horton Plains. Descending to the coast we’ll see the wildlife of Uda Walawe and Yala National Parks, and in winter and spring, go Blue Whale watching in the Indian Ocean.

tel: 01453 844400
email: steve@mountainkingdoms.com  / jude@mountainkingdoms.com

Adventure tour operator Lost Earth Adventures has created a unique and high-octane itinerary that explores the very best of adventure in the small Himalayan country of Nepal. Founder Richard Goodey says, “We wanted to create a trip that would give you a dose of adrenaline from day one. To push the limits and experience the very best of what Nepal has to offer.”

The tour begins in the bustling capital of Kathmandu before heading towards the world’s highest canyon swing, an astonishing 165m high, just shy of the Tibetan border. From here people will get to negotiate the non-stop grade 4+ rapids down the Bhote Kosi and Sun Kosi, recognised as one of the top ten greatest river journeys in the world.

The adventure continues as the itinerary then heads west to the iconic Annapurna’s, home to 8000m+ peaks and the world’s deepest gorge. A short flight brings you into the heart of this range before beginning an amazing 4-day mountain biking trip with over 1200 metres of descent. The ride goes down exhilarating single track while also visiting remote mountain villages, holy gompas (temples), hot springs and wild apple orchards.

Nepal, best known for Mt. Everest and its world class trekking offers ample more opportunityfor multi-activity adventure and exploration. “It truly is a place where you can step beyond thebeaten path and experience a completely unique holiday,” says Goodey.

Lost Earth Adventures runs regular departures of Nepal Xtreme in March, April, October and November. 16 days/15 nights, (land only) price is £1600pp. See more details of this trip at http://www.lostearthadventures.co.uk/our-trips/nepal-xtreme

Lost Earth Adventures will be showcasing this holiday as well as their other unique itineraries at the 2012 Adventure Travel Show, this January 28/29th in London.

Experience the World in Interactive 3D

3rd Planet takes users further than ever before allowing them to virtually step into their desired location, delivering an unprecedented virtual travel experience to a global audience from the comfort of their home. With interactive 3D CGI scenes incorporating genuine sounds to replicate the environment, 3rd Planet serves as an experiential educational tool for all ages, as well as a consolidated source of information for those planning trips.

Users will be able to navigate streets, explore buildings and gather information about some of the world’s most iconic locations.

• Virtually ‘fly’ around the planet, zooming into specific locations

• Discover new places of interest
• Check out the world’s most famous tourism sights
• Walk through streets and interact with buildings and monuments
• Experience, educate and explore

“Journey to Everest”

The first taste of 3rd Planet will be available globally on 10th December with the launch of the inaugural experience – “Journey to Everest”.

The first 1 Million people around the world to log on to www.3rdplanet.com  will be able to sign up for free and immediately explore this first incredible journey, a snapshot of what is to come as 3rd Planet develops.

3rd Planet chose to launch with “The Journey to Everest” as it is one of earth’s great wonders; 3rd Planet unlocks the mystery and enables people all over the world to explore and discover.

Working together with the Nepal Tourism Board, 3rd Planet has brought the key sights of Nepal to life in interactive 3D CGI. Users will virtually embark on the journey towards Mount Everest, discovering the highlights of the country and unearthing knowledge on route. Prachanda Man Shrestha, CEO of the Nepal Tourism Board, explains:

“As a national tourism office, we place a strong emphasis in presenting our tourism attractions to the global market in a unique way. The beauty of Nepal cannot just be described in pictures and words, and 3rd Planet has an amazing technology that enables us to showcase our country in a totally new dimension”

As a culturally rich country with ten UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Nepal is a dream destination for global travellers and 3rd Planet is able to showcase its myriad of remarkable destinations in a brand new way, with four locations in 3D. In 2012 the next stage will be unveiled and users will encounter the phenomenon of Mount Everest in the third dimension.

The Future for the Global Tourism Industry

With high quality graphics and an easy to use interface, 3rd Planet is a brand new marketing platform which enables the global tourism industry to showcase major tourism attractions and places of interest using interactive media.

3rd Planet demonstrates the extraordinary potential of the future of technology in tourism, with users able to explore the planet virtually within an immersive 3D world, flying through landscapes and narrowing down searches to key tourism spots, the “Coolest Places on Earth” or “Icons of the World.”

CEO Terence Mak, a Singaporean entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in the application of technology, developed the concept for 3rd Planet as an avid traveller himself. He felt there must be a better way to access locations around the world, both prior to a trip and for general interest, and recognised the potential of the powerful medium of interactive 3D technology to global holidaymakers. Mak summarises:

“3rd Planet will offer end users an unparalleled experience to better visualise tourism destinations and equip them with more knowledge of what the locations have to offer before they travel.”

A new frontier for the travel industry and global travellers, 3rd Planet will launch on 10th December, with further locations rolled out over the months to come as 3rd Planet truly comes to life.

BOZEMAN, Mont.–AdventureWomen, Inc.’s girlfriend getaway Nepal hiking trip is perfect for women who want to experience the splendor of hiking in the endlessly fascinating Himalayan mountain range. This adventure features hikes through verdant valleys and ancient villages, while offering a personal look at the fascinating Nepalese culture and the friendly Nepalese people. This is a lodge-based adventure instead of a camping trip, allowing for an easier pace and less impact on trails from porters and pack animals. The Nepal lodges are of modern construction in a traditional style and all have private rooms with en-suite bathrooms, and offer excellent local Nepalese cuisine. Also included in this girlfriend getaway is an additional two-day rafting excursion on the lush Seti River, and a wildlife viewing safari. Guests will have the chance to ride elephants through Royal Chitwan National Park, the world’s finest Bengal Tiger habitat, and explore Kathmandu’s ancient city of Bhaktapur and the Buddhist Temple Complex of Boudhanath. Dates: October 24-November 8, 2012. Cost: $4795 from Kathmandu, Nepal ($800 deposit). www.adventurewomen.com

Air China will fly from Chengdu to Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, starting Jan. 5. The new service will increase the number of international flights Air China offers out of Chengdu to six. The flights will operate twice a week. The new service eliminates the need to transfer in Lhasa, making what had been a four-hour trip a two-hour trip. Kathmandu has always been a draw for both domestic and international tourists.

Insight Vacations launched its first India and Nepal program for 2012, with 12 itineraries, including two luxury Gold tours, four Premium escorted tours and six optional extensions covering India (including Rajasthan, Kerala and India’s Wildlife), Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka.

“Insight recognized this gap in the market, and a growing demand for this destination by our clients, so we’ve compiled a range of six escorted journeys and six optional extensions that really bring this colorful region to life in the style for which Insight is renowned,” said Marc Kazlauskas, president of Insight Vacations,

The two luxury Gold programs are the 11-day Splendors of the Taj and Tiger and the 12-day Imperial Treasures of India.

The programs feature luxury hotels such as The Leela Palace, the Oberoi Hotels, The Imperial Hotel and Taj Hotels.

The four Premium itineraries range from eight to 14 days. Insight is also offering six optional extensions ranging from three to five days to destinations including Bhutan, the spiritual mecca of Amritsar, Sri Lanka and the Indian Jungle.

1. WHERE: VIETNAM
HOW LONG: 7 days
Set in the cool mountains of Vietnam’s northwest, Sapa became a favourite amongst the French colonialists seeking to escape the heat. Enjoy true rural hospitality, follow secluded trails, experience an overnight train journey and explore the busy Old Quarter of Hanoi.
BOOK IT: World Expeditions’ 7-day Sapa Trek departs daily year round, from £650 per person.

2. WHERE: TANZANIA
HOW LONG: 8 days
An up, close and personal African safari trip that presents countless captivating moments to savour. Explore the renowned parks of Tanzania with numerous game drives and visit incredible sites such as the world famous Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater.
BOOK IT: World Expeditions’ 8-day Northern Tanzania Circuit departs on 22 December 2011, with further departures scheduled in 2012, from £1,690 per person.

3. WHERE: BHUTAN
HOW LONG: 8 days
A comprehensive journey through the remote and culturally rich kingdom Bhutan, taking in the iconic Taktsang Monastery, the sights and sounds of capital Thimphu and a drive across the Dochu La Pass to explore the isolated yet beautiful Gangtey Valley.
BOOK IT: World Expeditions’ 8-day Essence of Bhutan departs daily from September to May, from £1,250 per person.

4. WHERE: JAPAN
HOW LONG: 8 days
Stunning coastlines, rolling mountain scenery, World Heritage National Parks and a rich cultural heritage: team this with an exquisite cuisine and hot springs to soak in after a stunning day’s ride and you see why Hokkaido is one of Japan’s most idyllic destinations.
BOOK IT: World Expeditions’ 8-day Secrets of Hokkaido by bike has five departures from June-September 2012, from £1,990 per person.

5. WHERE: NAMIBIA
HOW LONG: 10 days
Game viewing in Etosha National Park, cultural interaction with a Himba tribe, rock art at Twyfelfontien and visits to the Skeleton Coast and the Namib Desert: just some of the highlights of this encompassing itinerary in stunning Namibia!
BOOK IT: World Expeditions’ Namibian Explorer departs every Tuesday until March 2012 (every Friday from April 2012), from £990 per person.

6. WHERE: FROM EGYPT TO JORDAN
HOW LONG: 8 days
Step into the rich historical legacy of Pharaonic Egypt’s pyramids before journeying into the Sinai and the land of the Bedouins. In Jordan, tour the dramatic Wadi Rum by jeep, explore the iconic monuments of Petra and have a swim in the world famous Dead Sea!
BOOK IT: World Expeditions’ 8-day Pyramids to Petra departs on 4 December 2011, with further departures scheduled in 2012, from £990 per person.

7. WHERE: ANTARCTICA
HOW LONG: 10 days
Follow in the footsteps of the great heroes of the Antarctic history as you set sail from the tip of South America, accompanied by expert naturalists. With the most dramatic scenery and biggest variety of wildlife, Antarctica is all about discovery and exploration.
BOOK IT: World Expeditions’ 10-day Discover Antarctica departs on 1 January and 20 March 2012, from $5,290 (£3,299) per person.

8. WHERE: CHINA
HOW LONG: 10 days
Trek along a remote section of the Great Wall, one of the greatest wonders of the world, away from the crowds. Take in the vast and diverse scenery, savour true rural Chinese hospitality and complete the experience in Beijing visiting the historic Forbidden City.
BOOK IT: World Expeditions’ 10-day Great Wall Trek has six departures from May-October 2012, from £1,150 per person.

9. WHERE: ECUADOR
HOW LONG: 7 days
This jam-packed trip is an ideal introduction to Ecuador. In addition to the bustling capital of Quito and the colourful Indian markets of Otavalo, it incorporates the volcanic spine of Ecuador, the sensational Cotopaxi National Park and the famous Devil’s Nose Train.
BOOK IT: World Expeditions’ 7-day Ecuador Experience departs every day except Thursday year round, from £1,050 per person.

10. WHERE: NEPAL
HOW LONG: 8 days
From the vibrant capital of Kathmandu and the stunning sunset and sunrise in Dhulikhel to Pokhara, the gateway to the Annapurna region, and the wildlife safari at Chitwan National Park, this trip is a balanced mix of relaxation and marvellous mountain views.
BOOK IT: World Expeditions’ 9-day Nepal Discovery departs on 16 December 2011, with further departures scheduled in 2012, from £890 per person.

For more information and bookings please visit www.worldexpeditions.co.uk  or call 0800 0744 135. World Expeditions’ all-inclusive policy ensures there are no local payments. Prices do not include international flights, however these can be arranged on request.