Christmas & New Year Tours

Bored with the idea of Christmas and New Year stuck at home? Of wasting your hard-earned holiday time under cold grey skies? Of the prospect of receiving more M&S socks, of eating soggy Brussels Sprouts... of watching another repeat of Only Fools and Horses?

Then look no further as this year we have a plethora of Christmas holiday ideas to whisk you away to sunnier climbs. Whether its culture, adventure or lying by a pool at tickles your fancy, in India, Bhutan, Ethiopia, Oman or Indochina we are sure we will have a trip for you. 

Alternative Christmas in Rajasthan
Castle Bijaipur is a fine heritage hotel, situated in the heart of the spectacular Aravelli Hills, surrounded by forests of Jacaranda, unspoilt rural villages, lakes and ancient temples, making it a perfect location for walks, horse rides, painting, bird watching or simple relaxation. There is a swimming pool, a masseur, bicycles and beautiful Marwari horses for your pleasure. Yoga suitable for beginners as well as more advanced is on offer everyday to help you unwind and the beautiful lake city of Udaipur is but a couple of hours away. All in all, this makes for one of our favourite trips and the perfect way to enjoy a well-earned Christmas break.

Christmas in Bhutan
In 2006 the authorities opened the border between Trashigang, in eastern Bhutan, and Guwahati in Assam, and in doing so made travel to Eastern Bhutan practicable for the first time. We thought this was just too good an opportunity to miss and put on a new trip in 2007 that traversed the Land of the Thunder Dragon, all the way from the momentous valleys and famous monasteries of the west to the unexplored lands of the east. It was so successful we have now made this our mainstay Bhutan itinerary and this Christmas, for the second year running, will be taking it again when the skies are clear and the views of the Himalayas perfect. On this tour you will also have the chance to explore Delhi, India’s thriving capital, and visit Assam. All in all, a very different way to be spending your Christmas.

Christmas in Ethiopia
This is a great adventure itinerary, giving you the very best of the northern historical circuit whilst offering a few hidden treasures as well. Starting your tour in Addis you will fly to Bahir Dar for a stroll beneath the Blue Nile Falls and a boat ride across Lake Tana before travelling to Gondar and the wonderful Simien Mountains where you will enjoy a 3-day trek. But it is from here that the trip becomes different and interesting, as you drive – rather than fly – to Axum and onwards, via Yeha and Debra Damo, through Eastern Tigray and one of the most visually stunning parts of the whole country, to see some of most rarely seen rock churches. As a fitting climax, the trip will end in the World Heritage town of Lalibela.

Cambodian Christmas Explorer (Recce Tour)
Cambodia may be famous for the Angkor Temples at Siem Reap, but despite having a stunning coastline to rival its better-known neighbours, to date it is not particularly famous for its beaches. In keeping with our philosophy to continually push the limits of adventure travel, we have come up with this exclusive trip focusing on the remote area of the Cardamom Mountains followed by a week enjoying Cambodia’s best beaches. To read more click the title

New Year in Oman
For a perfect blend of winter sun, the chance to unwind in in the warm waters of the Arabian Gulf and the opportunity to explore the rugged and little-known landscapes of the Oman's Musandam peninsula, this relaxed trip provides the perfect antidote to cold and dreary December days. Starting in cosmopolitan Dubai, the tour travels north to Khasab, capital of the peninsula, from where we will board our privately-chartered traditional dhow (hand-made boat) for 3 nights. There will be ample opportunities to swim and snorkel as well as docking at small fishing villages, many of which are inaccessible by road. We will also take a 4WD trip into the mountainous interior before once more returning to Dubai. This is proving to be a very popular trip amongst WF leaders and the fights have already started over who is going to lead it! We hope you'll join us for one of the year's most original trips.

Mozambique Island Hopping Dhow Adventure (Recce Trip)
Romantic, pristine and instilled with a compelling mix of African, Arabic and Portuguese traditions, the northern coast of Mozambique is one of East Africa’s most dazzling destinations. Amongst the deep blue waters of the Indian Ocean we find a chain of island gems that personify the very essence of tropical perfection, where African beats and colonial grandeur vie for attention besides the swaying palms and clear waters of one of the most untouched corners of the planet. Following in the footsteps of the Arabic traders of old, we sail by dhow through waters that are teeming with life, negotiating our way through a landscape of coral atolls and uninhabited islands that come straight out of the pages of fiction.

Festival in the Desert: Mali & Burkina Faso
This exciting journey takes us through “the land of honorable men” (the translation for Burkina Faso) to the fabled city of Timbuctoo. We have the chance to enjoy the towns, markets and sites of remoter regions where village life remains at the heart of society and the traditions of the forefathers are still practiced today. With a boat trip along the mighty Niger River, winding its way among the desert landscape, where no river of this magnitude should reasonably exist, we finally reach the most remarkable and remote of these towns in Timbuctoo. Its reputation was forged by 19th Century explorers with stories of camel caravans and a great seat of learning.  In the dunes about 65 km from this fabled town the most unique musical event in world music takes place – the Festival au Desert. If you would like to see a clip of Ali Farka Toure performing at the festival, please click here

So come on... try something new this Christmas and New Year with a truly amazing adventure