Your passport to adventure
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At Encounters Travel, we offer good value, exciting small group adventure tours, giving you the ability to travel, have fun as well and take in the culture and sights of some of the world’s most exotic and exciting destinations. We also offer a wide range of private & tailor-made tours and specially designed family holidays.
You may be looking for an active tour with some trekking, rafting and adventure, or for a slower paced cultural sightseeing holiday and some time on the beach. Whether you are a solo traveller, a couple, a family with adventurous children, or you’re travelling with friends, we’ll have an exciting holiday for you. We’re committed to designing itineraries that work well for you, the traveller, and don’t cut corners. We include as much as possible in the up front tour price, while keeping the tours great value and providing clear information about what extras you may need to allow for.
Africa is home to a diverse collection of exciting holiday destinations. From the wildlife safaris of the East to the cultural sights of the West, and from the deserts of the North to the idyllic beaches and big cities of the South, Africa is an unforgettable continent just waiting to be explored.
This vast and varied continent has something to offer everyone. Arguably the most popular holiday destinations are centred around the wildlife rich game reserves of East Africa. Kenya and Tanzania have over 40 game parks including the famous Masai Mara and Ngorongoro Crater National Parks, along with many miles of beautiful coastline dotted with luxury beach resorts. West Africa has a uniquely different culture both rich and colourful including vibrant French-speaking Senegal, and Gambia – a birdwatchers paradise. The sandy deserts and Berber dominated mountains of Morocco in the North offer another, Arabic dominated side of Africa, along with Libya and Tunisia. For a more cosmopolitan side to Africa a visit to one of South Africa’s modern bustling cities is a must. Combined with its great natural beauty and varied sporting and adventure activities it makes the perfect destination for a truly memorable holiday.
Throughout history Egypt and the Middle East has been the centre of great civilisations. It is home to many of the world’s finest monuments, including the Great Pyramids, the rose city of Petra, and Baalbek in Lebanon. The Red Sea is also a mecca for divers from around the world.
The Middle East countries offer a wonder and colourful mix of culture, art and architecture. The region’s historic past is evident wherever you look, in the shape of massive Pharonic monuments, crumbling Roman ruins, colourful Byzantine art, hidden Nabatean cities, Islamic mosques and Christian churches. For those wanting to get off the tourist trail and see a little more of what the region has to offer there are plenty of interesting activities to choose from. Spending time travelling through the deserts and oases on a jeep or camel safari, overnight at a Bedouin camp, diving in the Red Sea, or a sailboat trek are just a few examples of what’s available. It’s also very easy to combine the more adventurous activities with the main historic sites, and to finish with some time relaxing by the Mediterranean or Red Sea.
This vast and geographically diverse region stretches from the islands of Japan in the east to the mountains of Georgia in the west. It includes exciting holiday destinations like the Himalayan jewel of Tibet, the endless grasslands of Mongolia and the ancient cities of China.
China has a wealth of hidden treasures just waiting to be discovered. The Great Wall stretches further than the eye can see, and stands testament to the ingenuity of man. The crumbling courtyards of the Forbidden City, the massive portrait of Mao staring out over Tiananmen Square and the bustling streets of Shanghai all add to the heady mix that is China. Far to the west, nestled in the Himalayas, lies the Tibetan city of Lhasa, the spiritual home of Buddhism, and to the south Taiwan stands defiant. In Japan, Tokyo’s ancient cultures and modern technology mingle in the shape of pagoda temples and conveyor belt Sushi. Hong Kong’s crowded streets offer high-end shopping and a taste of British colonial history. The wide empty expanses of Siberia are perfect for more intrepid explorers who want to get back in touch with nature. The western ‘Stans’ are made up of sparsely populated plains, where life passes slowly and adventure travellers can turn back the clock amongst nomads whose lifestyle hasn’t changed for centuries.
From the hills, castles and sea lochs of northern Scotland to the beaches and classical archaelogical sites of Greece, Europe has so many fantastic holiday destinations and experiences to discover.
We run a range of tours in this region that give a taste of what is on offer. These include an extensive selection of Turkey tours taking in the amazing city of Istanbul, classical historical sites, with the country’s beautiful scenery and beaches. In Greece you can discover more ancient history and explore some of the gorgeous Greek islands with their sandy beaches and clear blue seas. Further north we tour all around the UK and Ireland. With so much available it’s just a question of finding the time to fit it all in!
The Indian Subcontinent is alive with colourful sights and sounds, and an immensely rich cultural and natural heritage. From adventurous trekking in the Nepalese Himalayas, the unique Dzongs and Buddhist culture of Bhutan, India’s vast size and diversity, to the compact and beautiful island of Sri Lanka, this region offers a wealth of fascinating travel experiences.
The Indian Subcontinent is steeped in history, and the birthplace of both the Hindu and Buddhist religions and one of the world’s oldest civilizations. India itself is a true country of contrasts from ancient opulent palaces to overcrowded slums; from the young, rich socialites of Delhi to the street kids and beggars of Mumbai; from stunning mountain scenery to overcrowded cities. A holiday to India will always be memorable. Nepal offers a different attraction – the Himalays! A trekker’s paradise, this mountainous country has some of the world’s best and most challenging treks, including the popular Everest Base Camp route, which takes you to the foot of the highest mountain in the World. Nepal’s lowland forests are also home to a fantastic array of wildlife including rhinos, elephants and tigers. Bhutan offers a more peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of modern day living and is a country seemingly untouched by time. Further south, Sri Lanka offers beautiful beaches, lush hillside tea estates and a rich Buddhist culture.
Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands offer a great opportunity to get off the beaten track. The wide range of cultural and adventure holidays available include historic and cultural tours, beaches and water sports, deserts safaris, rainforests, mountain treks and so much more.
A trip to the land Down Under offers a fantastic opportunity to experience a wide and diverse range of activities. Its rich cultural heritage, stunning natural environment, unique wildlife and welcoming people all combine to make it the perfect holiday destination. For those interested in a more active getaway there is plenty to do, from extreme sports to gentle walks. Australia has some of the best diving in the World – in particular along the Great Barrier Reef – as well as 4×4 desert adventures into the unforgiving Outback and treks into the steamy jungles of Queensland. New Zealand is a mecca for adrenaline junkies everywhere, with bungee jumping, canyoning, skiing, rafting and tramping high on the list. For those more interested in a less physically challenging holiday there is plenty to keep you busy visiting famous vineyards, museums and cosmopolitan cities and learning about the history of this fascinating region.
The snow and ice of the Arctic and Antarctic has long been a fascination to the more adventurous travellers. Its pristine landscapes and unique wildlife are much more accessible today on board one of the many comfortable ships that cruise the chilly waters around the North and South Pole.
This icy, snowbound region encompasses everything north of the Arctic Circle and the massive southern continent of Antarctica. Home to some of the world’s most spectacular natural scenery and rich in wildlife – including polar bear, walrus, Arctic fox, penguin, seal, and a wide range of birdlife – it makes and excellent destination for the more adventurous traveller. Expedition cruise ships regularly sail north to the Arctic from ports in Finland, Alaska, Canada, and in our case Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen and Iceland, and south to the Antarctic from Chile, New Zealand, Australia, and in our case Argentina. These expedition ships are specially designed for cruising in the frigid ice covered waters of the Arctic and Antarctic and are often converted from oceanographic research vessels. They vary in size from 50 to 130 passengers and holiday itineraries range from as little as one week exploring Greenland to one month cruising from Chile to Australia.
South America has captivated both travellers and adventurers alike with mind-boggling landscapes, entrancing culture and natural wonders. We concentrate on Peru and Bolivia, with many tours based around the challenging Inca Trail which finishes at the amazing site of Machu Picchu. You can do this trek on one of our group tours, or alternative book a tailor-made tour doing one of several different routes through the mountains here.
Elsewhere on the tours you can explore ancient Inca ruins, encounter local people in rural villages and bargain for hand-made crafts in bustling markets as well as view the Nazca Lines and crystal clear blue waters and floating houses of Lake Titicaca.
The jungles and plains are not to be forgotten either, and we visit the Amazonian rainforest in both Peru and Bolivia, as well as the the Pampas grasslands and the world’s most extensive salt flats in Bolivia. Overall, South America is a an adventurers dream.
The countries of Southeast Asia offer a wealth of cultural and adventurous holiday options. The bustling city of Bangkok, the spectacular ruins of Angkor Wat, the jungle covered hills of Vietnam, and the many tranquil islands and colourful coral reefs are just a taste of what’s on offer.
Thailand welcomes millions of tourists every year, with most drawn to the idyllic islands & beaches of the south and the colourful sights and sounds of Bangkok. However, there is much more to offer, including historical sites, wildlife parks, jungle treks and cultural encounters. Getting off the tourist trail in Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos will offer a rewarding experience, and all these countries combine well into longer multi-stop itineraries. The crowded and fascinating city of Singapore is steeped in history makes an ideal stopover en route. The beautiful spice islands of Indonesia are perfect for a relaxing beach based holiday with enough interesting sights and activities to keep the more adventurous traveller occupied. These include scuba diving the coral reefs, wandering the chaotic city streets or trekking inland in search of wildlife and mountain views.
Contact Dan Saunders at ca@encounterstravel.com
