6 Trips Of A Lifetime Worth Planning Now
A Namibia Desert Safari
A haven for wildlife fans and photographers, Namibia is a place of soul-stirring landscapes populated by lions, leopards and rhinos, and ancient traditions kept alive by desert-faring tribes. On this 11-day adventure with Abercrombie & Kent, you’ll travel by private air charter to see the country in all its natural and cultural glory, with behind-the-scenes access to wildlife sanctuaries and encounters with local tribes.
After a night in the capital Windhoek, you’ll head to the wild northwest of the country where driving through the ancient wilderness of Namib desert is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Over three days, you’ll explore the vast landscapes of the Purros Conservancy and discover a wealth of iconic animals living side by side, from springboks and elephants to lions, giraffes and black rhinos. Purros is also home to the Himba, the last semi-nomadic people in Namibia, and you’ll get the chance to meet members of this fascinating community, and learn more about their pastoral way of life, as well as their time-old traditions of preparing incense and making jewellery from ostrich eggshell beads, grass, cloth, and copper. The next destination is the Ongava Game Reserve at the edge of Etosha National Park where both black and white rhinos are the focus, though lions, elephants and leopards also roam its grassy lands. You also get the chance to enjoy some of the experiences at your camp, from guided nature walks, viewing wildlife from the property’s waterhole or simply relaxing by the swimming pool.
The final three days take you to Sossusvlei, a salt and clay pan surrounded by high red dunes in the southern part of the Namib Desert. One of the best ways to experience the awesome scenery of the red and orange windswept dunes and the skeletons of dead, thorny trees rising from a cracked white salt pan is from the air in a hot-air balloon. You’ll lift off at sunrise and touch down for breakfast in the wilderness. Sossusvlei is also home to an abundance of wildlife and an expert guide can take you out to spot zebras and swallow-tailed bee-eaters.
Where You’ll Sleep: Your first night will be spent on the outskirts of Windhoek at Zannier Hotels Omaanda, set within a stunning 22,000-acre private reserve; the next three will be at A&K Sanctuary Okahirongo Elephant Lodge, a boutique safari lodge that consists of eight terracotta chalets, set in northern Namibia's remote Purros Conservancy; you’ll then move on to Little Ongava, an intimate safari camp with just three thatched pavilions, perched on the crest of a hill overlooking a watering hole and with unparalleled views of Etosha National Park; your final three nights will be spent at &Beyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge on the edge of a rocky escarpment among the mountains and sand dunes of the ancient Namib Desert.
For more details, visit AbercrombieKent.com
The Republics Of The Silk Road By Train
Embark on the ultimate adventure aboard the Golden Eagle luxury train, travelling across the legendary lands of Central Asia where snow-capped mountains meet desert citadels and stories of the Silk Road come to life.
The 14-day expedition takes you across a patchwork of ancient Silk Road nations. Starting in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city located in the southeastern part of the country, and travelling through Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, the journey ends in Uzbekistan’s capital Tashkent, which is rich with museums and Soviet-era buildings. Highlights of the trip along the way include expertly guided excursions to explore the historic cities of Khiva (with its 1,500-year-old Islamic architecture), Bukhara (the holiest city in Central Asia) and Samarkand (where the blue-tiled mosques are an ancient wonder of the world); you’ll also discover the 4,000-year-old art of golden eagle hunting at Lake Issyk-Kul and experience a ceramics demonstration in Rishtan.
Where You’ll Sleep: Aboard the private train, every detail is seamlessly taken care of and you can expect well-appointed en-suite cabins, fine dining and personal attendant service. For the ultimate experience, book an Imperial Suite.
For more details, visit GoldenEagleLuxuryTrains.com
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The Ultimate Antarctica Cruise
Antarctica is the only continent on Earth with no native population and setting foot ashore for the first time is an incredible experience. For the perfect blend of awe-inspiring adventure and refined luxury, Cazenove+Loyd’s ten-day cruise to the frozen continent ticks all the boxes. Setting sail from the picturesque Chilean city of Puerto Williams, you’ll cruise between the monumental icebergs of the Drake Passage and traverse the glassy waters before arriving at the South Shetland Islands, home to international research stations, as well as elephant seals and thousands of penguins. Cruising onwards through the majestic channels encased by towering, snow-capped peaks, you’ll witness surreal landscapes and magnificent icebergs before reaching the Antarctic Peninsula.
Expert guides, including marine biologists, anthropologists, ornithologists, climatologists, historians and nature photographers, accompany every step of your journey and hold fascinating talks that will deepen your understanding of this extraordinary environment. While off the ship, you will find them steering the Zodiac and helping you to get your kayak onto the shore or guiding you on excursions to see penguin and seal colonies close up.
Where You’ll Sleep: On board, there’s ample space to relax in sumptuous surroundings, the cabins are super comfortable and you’ll be served gourmet meals.
For more details, visit CazLoyd.com
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The Wilds Of Patagonia
Covering over half of Chile’s land mass, Patagonia is a vast, wild and captivating wonderland with diverse landscapes and remarkable flora and fauna. After an overnight stay in Santiago, this 11-day journey with Red Savannah will take you to three distinct areas of Patagonia – Torres del Paine, the Chacabuco Valley and Aysén.
From the jagged shards of the Paine Massif to the shimmering waters of glacial lakes, the Torres del Paine National Park is home to some of Patagonia's most iconic panoramas. A carefully curated programme of activities allows you to uncover lesser-visited destinations where you can enjoy flora, fauna and vistas of pristine wilderness with no one else in sight. Activities suit every level of fitness and range from challenging hikes and gentle walks to vehicle safaris and adventures on horseback. Next on the itinerary is the Chacabuco Valley and the Patagonia National Park where you can kayak along the pristine Cochrane River, hike through ancient woodlands, mountain bike through untamed Patagonian steppe or take a vehicle safari to the colossal Calluqueo Glacier.
Journeying north, the next stop on your trip is Aysén, one of Patagonia's least visited wonders and home to dramatic mountains and glaciers. A must-visit is the spectacular Marble Caves where thousands of years of geological activity and water erosion have formed the calcium carbonate rock formations that make up this partially submerged network of chambers. You can also hike the extensive forest trails or experience these timeless lands on horseback with a local gaucho guide.
Where You’ll Sleep: In Santiago, you’ll stay at the Singular Santiago, a stylish bolthole in the centre of the city’s artistic neighbourhood. You’ll then move on to Explora Torres del Paine, an award-wining lodge set in an unrivalled location with stunning lake views and striking design; Explora Patagonia National Park, a secluded lodge in the wilderness; and Mallin Colorado Ecolodge, a cosy secluded lodge and the perfect base for exploring the southern Aysén region.
For more details, visit RedSavannah.com
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The Himalayan Kingdom Of Bhutan
The perfect antidote to the hustle and bustle of the modern world, landlocked Bhutan is one of the last truly unspoilt destinations in the world that has carefully managed the numbers of tourists who travel to the country, thereby preserving its unique culture and traditions. With Scott Dunn’s nine-day tour, you’ll get to visit medieval monasteries, trek through a stunning network of ancient walking trails (or take it easy with a few light day walks) and experience the country’s amazing cuisine (don’t miss ema datshi, the national dish – a spicy stew with yak cheese and hot chili peppers).
On arrival at the airport in Paro, your private guide/driver for the entire trip will take you to your first stop, the capital city of Thimpu, where you’ll discover its many historic sites, including the giant Shakyamuni Buddha statue considered to be the world's largest seating gilded Buddha, that sits atop a hill overlooking the city. Your next destination is Punakha, about a two-hour drive away, where awe-inspiring scenery and extraordinary views await. Here, you can walk through homesteads and farmland or along the riverside. Your journey continues as you make your way to the glacial Phojikha Valley where you can choose from a variety of day treks into the hills where you’ll have the most incredible views of the Himalayas. Your final stop takes you back to Paro, one of Bhutan’s best towns to explore by foot or you can trek the trail to Tiger’s Nest Monastery, one of the most picturesque buildings perched 3,000 metres above the valley.
Where You’ll Sleep: Throughout, you can tailor your accommodation to suit you, with a number of choices available. In Thimphu, opt for Six Senses which is located at 2,650m on a hillside south of the capital, with views of the forested valley and the giant Buddha. The spa is the perfect place to enjoy a treatment after a day out. Your next two nights can be spent at COMO Uma Punakha, a luxe remote boutique lodge perched on the hillside overlooking the Punakha Valley, followed by three nights a Gangtey Lodge. Your final stay will be at COMO Uma Paro.
For more details, visit ScottDunn.com
Wild Borneo Tour
The third largest island in the world, Borneo is best known for its rich equatorial rainforest, wild orangutan, countless flora and fauna species and incredible landscapes. On Audley’s 15-day Wild Borneo tour, you’ll explore Sarawak, hiking through the expansive cave systems in Mulu National Park; witness the incredible bat exodus from Deer Cave at dusk; travel off the beaten track and escape the crowds in the Deramakot Forest Reserve; and cruise along the Kinabatangan River, looking out for wild orangutan and herds of pygmy elephants.
Where You’ll Sleep: On arrival in Santubong, you’ll stay for three nights at Cove 55, situated at the starting point of the Damai Peninsula and overlooking the South China Sea. In Mulu National Park, on the banks of the Melinau River and amidst breathtaking nature, Mulu Marriot Resort is designed in the style of ethnic longhouses built on wooden stilts. At your next destination, Sepilok, you’ll stay at Sepilok Natural Lodge, which is set in beautiful landscaped garden in the middle of the rainforest. Moving on to the Deramakot Forest Reserve, the accommodation here is basic, just one step up from camping, but the off-the beaten-track experience exploring one of Borneo's hidden gems is worth it. Finally, you’ll transfer to the Kinabatangan River, one of Borneo's best places for wildlife, where you’ll stay at the Sukau Rainforest Lodge which boasts an idyllic and tranquil setting. While the itinerary suggests accommodation, Audley trips are 100% tailor-made and they can help you select the options best suited to your tastes and budget.
For more details, visit AudleyTravel.com
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