Spring Newsletter 2008

 Jonny's Travel Diary - Top Guide Nominations - Wild Romance - Wild Summer - Autumn Adventures - Alternative Christmas holidays - Early booking Discounts - Gift Vouchers

Jonny’s Travel Diary

For various reasons much of 2007 saw me marooned behind my desk in London running Wild Frontiers. With the exception of three wonderful weeks in Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam and my usual spring trip to Pakistan, the furthest I ventured in the first 10 months of that year was to Ibiza (… and the less said about that the better!) As much as I enjoy developing a growing business and leading a slightly more settled life, as I’m sure you can imagine I didn’t set up Wild Frontiers in order to be desk-bound. So it wasn’t long before the travel bug that has plagued most of my adult life resurfaced, compelling me to dust of my passport, dig out my rucksack and take the tube to Heathrow.  

Over the last 6 months I am happy to say that I have explored some amazing locations. From the Arctic Circle to Southern Patagonia and from the Keralan beaches to the Rainforests of Ecuador I have been out and about – sometimes with groups, sometimes on my own – researching the next exciting locations we wish to bring you. As they say, it’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it!

So below you will see a list of the places I have recently visited and what I thought of them. Please click through for more information on the website.

Kerala – October 2007

It would be very hard not to enjoy a holiday in Kerala: the endless beaches, the delicious cuisine, the steamy backwaters and the lofty hills all offer up a magical setting for a truly relaxing holiday. This is not the frenetic north – indeed it is a world apart – and it has to be said there is not as much tangible culture. What you discover down here at the tip of the subcontinent is a mellower world, where the smells of the spices blend with the incense and where the languid fisherman sail their boats beneath the soft velvet skies. I was there for two weeks and travelled all the way up the coast, from Covalum to Cochin and beyond, both helping JP develop our new Village India group tour – Southern Hills and Waterways (10-25 Jan 2009) and checking out hotels for our tailor-made clients to enjoy. In short I loved it. Find out more. 

Alternative Christmas in Rajasthan – India, December 2007

Although far from new, this wonderful group tour is still one of my favourites and last years was probably the best ever. I had a great group, with ages ranging from 17 to 81, the weather was perfect and Castle Bijaipur at its most impressive. Over the past 3 years the family here have been busy improving facilities, renovating the rooms and generally developing the hotel. We had a hugely enjoyable evening up at Lotus Lake, an epic New Years Eve party, the horses were ridden everyday, as were the bicycles and the poor masseur, worn out! In addition to the Castle Bijaipur trip, this year we are putting on two new Christmas departures – to Ethiopia and Bhutan.

In Search of the Northern Lights – Norway, January 2008

One of the joys of being the boss of Wild Frontiers is getting to cherry pick the trips I want to do the most… and this was definitely one of them. Leading a small group on a Recce Tour, I flew north into the Arctic Circle to search for both the Orca killer whales and the mysterious Northern Lights. The first 2 days were spent on the extraordinary Lofoten Islands, buzzing around on a comfortable boat searching for the whales before heading even further north beyond Tromso to the Ice Hotel at Alta. Although the Orca’s remained elusive the Northern Lights were anything but and on three of the four nights we enjoyed this truly extraordinary phenomenon. On the last night in Alta where there was virtually no light pollution, the display was the most impressive and left us all speechless as the mesmeric lights – green, yellow, red and purple – swirled like ghosts above our heads.

Ride the Volcanoes – Ecuador, February 2008

With the expert help of the indomitable Sally Vergette, in February I escorted another Recce Tour, this time a horse trek, to Ecuador on an adventurous route around the world’s highest active volcano, Cotapaxi. Along with the interesting and varied accommodation, I think what impressed us all the most was the wonderful horses Sally as amassed that carried us for nine days through patchwork South American farmland, along the ancient Inca trade routes and over some very high passes. Horse treks are such a wonderful way of seeing the countryside, enabling you to visit parts of the country few others manage. Although during the last two days some unseasonal rains that were battering this whole region of the continent did catch us, it was a great trip and with a couple of minor tweaks to the itinerary has brought on line another superb location of this form of exhilarating holiday. The side trips to the Bellavista Cloud Forest – where the birdlife is among the most diverse anywhere in the world – and the Papallacta Thermal Springs formed interesting extensions. Unlike two of the group, sadly I didn’t have time to visit the Galapagos Islands, as I was heading further south.

Patagonia – Argentina, March 2008

I have wanted to visit Patagonia for more than 5 years, since the inception of Wild Frontiers when we sent our first tailor-made clients there in the spring of 2003. Mike and Annie Davies came back with such a wonderful account of their holiday I have been trying to manufacture an excuse to go there ever since… Ecuador gave me that reason and it didn’t disappoint. To begin with to get there you have to travel through Buenos Aires, which was without doubt one of the most fun, colourful and sexy (sorry, but I can’t think of a better word for it) cities I have ever visited. But then as you fly down to the southern tip of the earth you enter a world of pristine landscapes, of immense blue skies, of turquoise lakes, glaciers, mountains and primal forests. And what with some truly excellent hotels and all manner of activities – from horse riding and salmon fishing to paragliding and abseiling - this is a wonderful location for an activity holiday. Unlike most of our destinations, Patagonia does not have an indigenous population, but what it lacks in ancient culture it makes up for in a host of other ways. Once again, I loved it and although I still feel it is probably a location that is more suited to tailor-made holidays than group travel, I am currently in the process of creating a group trip, which I hope to lead either in November this year of Feb/March of 2009.

So there we are… and after all that it’s back behind my desk of me! But not for so long this time. In May once again I will be leading our Spring Mountain Explorer trip to Pakistan – which I am really looking forward to as my friends in Pakistan are very optimistic about the country’s future now that the new democratically elected government has been sworn in – and from there I’ll be travelling up to Kashmir and Ladakh.
As I said at the top, it’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it! back to top

Top Guide nominations for JP and Jonny B!
Sometimes it is nice to blow your own trumpet and this is one such occasion! We are really exciting to tell you that not one, but two Wild Frontiers tour leaders have been nominated for the Wanderlust Guide of the Year Award 2008!
Jai Prakash Sharma (better known as JP), is Wild Frontiers main man in India running our unique Village India group tours. In a recent Sunday Observer feature article he was described as ‘a born tour leader, perfectly poised between efficiency and mischief’! We think that sums him up beautifully!
Although tethered to his desk more than he would like, Wild Frontiers founder, Jonny Bealby, obviously hasn’t lost any of the old ‘magic’ when we do let him out! Jonny leads our annual Pakistan Spring Mountain trip (a sell out again this year!), he can also be found roaming the corridors of Castle Bijaipur on our Alternative Christmas trip in Rajasthan, and more recently on the back of a horse leading a recce trip in Ecuador. You can read more about Jonny’s latest adventures in his travel diary. back to top

Wild Romance
With more couples dusting off their beach towels and turning to us to spice up their holidays with combination of exotic destinations and adventure, Wild Frontiers has launched ‘Wild Romance’ tailor-made holidays.
In the past, traditional romantic holidays - be they honeymoons, anniversaries or simple amorous sojourns - entailed lying on palm-fringed beaches, sipping cocktails and sharing romantic moments as the sun went down.  However, in the immortal words of Bob Dylan, 'the times they are a-changing.'
As we get more adventurous and luxury springs up in the most unlikely of places, couples are turning their romantic holidays into adventurous, one-off ‘trips of a lifetime’.  The kind of dream trip they can look back on and tell their grandchildren about in years to come.
Recently we have designed tailor-made holidays for honeymooners in Ethiopia, Bhutan and Pakistan, couples in Mongolia, Colombia and Kyrgyzstan – until you’ve tried it, you’ve no idea how sleeping in a yurt on a yak fur rug can get you going! – and helped two more quixotic intrepids get engaged in Afghanistan. So if it's romance coupled with real adventure that binds the souls you're after, we can design itineraries anywhere from Tajikistan to Timbuktu. However, to the right you will see some of the slightly more popular destinations we recommend. back to top

Get set for a Wild Summer!
With the winter behind us (well almost, but who would believe it after that cold snap over Easter, brr…..) we can pack away the winter coats and turn our attention to those all important plans for a wild summer!  Wild Frontiers has turned up the heat to offer host of irresistible group tours, horse treks, walking holidays & action adventures in July, August and September to amazing destinations - Georgia, the Caucsus Mountains, Ladakh, Central Asia & the ancient Silk Road routes, China, Northern Pakistan & Rural India.

Ladakh Festival Tour
17 days, Fri 22 Aug to Sun 7 Sept

Sandwiched between the western Himalayas and the vast Tibetan Plateau, Ladakh is the highest, least populated and most inaccessible region of India. It is also among the most fascinating and beautiful. In our Ladakh Festival Tour we feel we have created a cracking itinerary and this summer we will be running it for the fifth successive year. Incorporating a colourful festival, an exciting trek and an epic journey, from the subcontinent’s busy plains, through the forested foothills of the Himalayas and on to the Tibetan plateau, we feel it is one of the best holidays we have to offer. 

Pakistan: Along the Frontier
18 Days – Thursday, 31 July to Sunday, 17 August 2008
To take advantage of the spectacular mountains and hot summer weather, this group tour has been designed with a bit more walking involved. You will also travel up the Khyber Pass and like all of the Northern Pakistan frontier itineraries run by Wild Frontiers’, gain a magical blend of fascinating ancient cultures and truly gargantuan scenery. Having ten years of experience running group tours here we have many friends that you will meet – be they Chitrali princes or pagan shepherds – on a journey that will surprise and amaze you. From the hustle bustle of Peshawar bazaar, you will witness the Khyber Pass, the Kalash Valleys, Chitral and Hunza.

Karakoram Adventure: China, Pakistan & India
19 days - Thu 07 Aug 2008 to Mon 25 Aug 2008
This totally unique group tour takes you on a wonderful journey along the southern branch of the Old Silk Road. Starting in Kashgar where you will witness the famous Yakshmbe Bazaar – otherwise known as the Sunday Market – you will continue through the stunning mountains of northern Pakistan to the tranquil foothills of the Indian Himalayas. On a journey that traders, warriors, poets and pilgrims have been taking for millennia you will drive the famous Karakoram Highway – the eighth wonder of the world – through Hunza and the beautiful Fairy Meadows and on to Lahore. From here you will cross the border to the Sikh’s holy city of Amritsar, visit the Golden Temple and then head to Dharamsala to relax in the mellow forest clad mountains that the Tibetan refugees have come to call home. All in all, this is a pretty amazing adventure with some fascinating culture to boot.

Gateways to Tartary: Pakistan, China, Kyrgyzstan & Uzbekistan
20 days- Wed 06 Aug 2008 to Mon 25 Aug 2008
With the opening up of the high road to China, so becomes possible an epic journey through the mighty Karakoram Range of the Greater Himalaya, to one of the most famous markets on earth and ultimately the Mountains of Heaven and the fabled cities of the old Silk Road. Following the north-south route of the worlds most romantic trading route, this 19-day group tour takes in the dramatic beauty of Hunza, the chaos of Kashgar, the calm serenity of the Kyrgyz steppes and the opulence and splendour of Samarkand and Bukhara.

Wild Mountains, Fabled Towns: Kyrgyzstan & Uzbekistan
17 days - Sat 16 Aug 2008 to Mon 01 Sep 2008
Spending ten days in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan, staying in yurts with a wonderful eagle hunter musician and his family, the nomads of Son Kul and the shepherds of Tash Rabat – all of whom are great friends of ours – this is a trip that will really introduce you to the ways of mountain life on the Old Silk Road. In addition to this you can walk over a high mountain pass (or take the jeep that goes round), ride horses and camp beneath the stars. And that’s only in Kyrgyzstan. From here you will fly to see the fabled cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. For those of you that like to really get beneath a regions surface, rather than simply travel through it, this is the group tour for you.

Village India: Chasing the Monsoon
16 days - Sat 02 Aug 2008 to Sun 17 Aug 2008
On this group tour, you will travel through both rural Rajasthan, staying in many beautiful and interesting places, witnessing and taking part in the life of the region, as well as visiting some of the states better known locations. And you will be doing it at one of the most interesting times of year, when the land is green, the lakes are full and other travellers will be scarce.

Kyrgyzstan: The Nomads Trail (Horse Trek)
14 days - Mon 30 Jun 2008 to Sun 13 Jul 2008
Forming an integral part of the Old Silk Road, poets, pilgrims, warriors and traders have been riding across the spectacular Tien Shan, ‘Celestial’ Mountains, of Kyrgyzstan for thousands of years. Few places on Earth can claim such a fine tradition of horsemanship, or a life so orientated around the horse, and our own local horsemen will guide you through the verdant, flower-filled valleys, across the wide open steppe lands and over the high mountain passes. And the horses you will ride are wonderful; not Mongolian steppe ponies but beautiful and more lithe, part Ahkal Tek animals with exceptional stamina. Though we will provide excellent food, fine drink and a comfortable camp at night, there are few luxuries out here in the mountains. But what you will witness in these breathtaking hills, with the unspoilt nomadic people who live among them will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression upon you. For anyone with an equine bent, a horse trek through the Mountains of Heaven simply cannot be missed.

Kyrgyzstan: Dunwoody Rides Again (Horse Trek)
14 days - Mon 21 Jul 2008 to Sun 03 Aug 2008
For anyone with an interest in horse riding, our horse treks in Kyrgyzstan are simply the best adventures we do. Riding high into the amazing Mountains of Heaven, following in the footsteps of warriors, nomads and a thousand Silk Road traders, you will experience life above and beyond the worries of mankind in one of the most pristine wildernesses left on earth. Ex-champion jockey Richard Dunwoody hosts this tour, which concentrates on a spectacular circuit route from the turquoise Lake Son Kul to the oldest and perhaps most evocative of all the ancient Silk Road caravanserais at Tash Rabat and back again.

Kyrgyzstan: Mountains of Heaven (Horse Trek)
14 days- Mon 04 Aug 2008 to Sun 17 Aug 2008
This classic route runs from Ckoch Korka, on the shores of Lake Izzyk Kul, into the Alatau Mountain Range to Lake Son Kul and on to the Shamshy Valley.For nine days you will ride up through the stunning mountain wilderness with nothing but the clear blue skies, wild flowers, eagles and a few stray nomads for company.Your backup team with be fully equipped to provide an excellent standard of camp life and security and your lithe horses will make for an unforgettable ride. After a whole day enjoying the pristine natural beauty of Son Kul we will be joined by Sogan Bai, our eagle hunter friend, who will travel with us for the last part of journey displaying his ancient art of eagle hunting. Riding an average of 6 to 7 hours a day, this is will make for a wonderful adventure.

Georgia: Ride the Caucasus (Recce Horse Trek)
9 days - Fri 18 Jul 2008 to Sat 26 Jul 2008
The Georgians have a saying … at the beginning of time when God was giving out land to the various nations of the world the Georgians were too busy drinking to attend. Arriving late, God was angry and asked why they had dishonoured him so; there was now no land left to give them. But the Georgians replied that far from dishonouring God they were late simply because they were drinking to His health and this had taken quite some time. God was pleased by their answer and so gave them the tiny bit of land he had kept for himself. Georgia has some of the world’s most spectacular mountains and some very fine horses making it a perfect location for a one-week horse adventure. But that is not all. By travelling into the Tusheti region, an isolated and immensely characterful part of Georgia, we are sure to have a cracking adventure finest powder, and this trip sets out to explore the best of it, all the while experiencing Georgia’s unrivalled hospitality.

Georgia: Short Walk in the Svaneti Mountains (Recce Tour)
11 days - Fri 01 Aug 2008 to Mon 11 Aug 2008
Svaneti, Georgia's most mysterious mountain region, is like a fairy tale come to life. The fabled region is renowned for its enchanting stone villages, punctuated by the famous defensive towers, and populated by a fiercely independent race, known as the Svans. Still lying almost entirely off any tourist trail, this is a group tour for the travel connoisseur who likes to see things real and wild. And of course, this tour is not only about Svaneti. Georgia in general is one of our favourite countries: its excellent cuisine, delicious wine, stunning mountains, exquisite churches, hospitable locals and  rich and varied history, make it a perfect adventure travel location. Come and see for yourself.

Georgia: A Short Walk in the Caucasus Mountains
9 days - Sat 13 Sep 2008 to Sun 21 Sep 2008
For those of you that are interested in the culture and history of this fascinating region but enjoy a good walk and some adventure too, we feel this group tour is perfect. Requiring only 5 days off work, you will take a stunning two and a half day trek through the very heart of the Grand Caucasus Mountains, camping in the high pastures close to the Russian border, as well as visiting some of Georgia’s most impressive cultural sites. Georgia is a country that is overflowing with history and culture, has immense natural beauty and unrivalled hospitality. The food and wine is among the most delicious in Europe. And tourism is in its nascent stage. For anyone with a taste for adventure but pushed for time, this late summer break will really blow your socks off.

Celestial Mountain Action Adventure: Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan
15 days - Sat 16 Aug 2008 to Sat 30 Aug 2008
As a new, exhilarating and totally unique idea to Wild Frontiers, we have put together an extraordinary itinerary through Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan where action is the name of the game. On this group tour you might be buzzing in a helicopter one minute and glacier trekking the next, white-water rafting in the morning and riding horses in the afternoon. Taking place in some of the most stunning mountain landscapes on earth this itinerary is just perfect for anyone with an interest in the greater world but would like some action as well.

Kashmir: A Short Walk in the Himalayas
11 days - Thu 14 Aug 2008 to Sun 24 Aug 2008
Kashmir – that centuries old holiday idyll – is back on the tourist map offering some of the most pristine and wonderful trekking anywhere on the subcontinent. Guides at Wild Frontiers trekked in these very hills in 2005, walked the streets of Srinagar and searched out the best houseboats, and came to the conclusion that the region has been closed for too long. The four-day trek from Aarou to Sonomus is a classic Himalayan trail, taking you through primal forests, past pristine lakes and over high mountain passes. And with three nights at the end to relax on Srinagar’s famous lakes, this is a wonderful trip for anyone with a strong sense of adventure and love of the wild outdoors

Village India: India in Slow Motion
16 days - Sat 06 Dec 2008 to Sun 21 Dec 2008
On this, our most in-depth Village India group tour, you will probably not recognise many of the locations but don’t let that worry you.
Travelling in open-topped vintage jeeps, you will become totally immersed in rural life, staying in many beautiful places – some home to Maharajahs, others to princes – witnessing and taking part in the life of the locals, visiting fascinating temples and forts and camping by lotus filled lakes. It is a trip on which you will rarely see another westerner, and one that will get into your soul and stay with you forever. 

Cambodia Culinary Tour
15 days - Sat 11 Oct 2008 to Sat 25 Oct 2008
From the magnificent temples of Angkor to the fascinating capital city of Phnom Penh, this unique group tour will take you not only through some breathtaking scenery but will also focus on the wonders of Khmer cuisine. The regional reputation of Cambodia’s top restaurants is now second to none in Southeast Asia and rapidly spreading around the world. As well as taking cooking lessons, visiting markets, exploring all things fishy and getting familiar with Khmer herbs and spices we will be sampling the menus as recommended by the head chefs at many of Cambodia's top eateries in some fantastic locations. A top chef from the region will also be taking over the kitchens of the famous Foreign Correspondent’s Club in Phnom Penh for 2 evenings to design a French/Khmer fusion menu with his unique local knowledge. And we will be there to eat it!
Although the tour will be guided by Peter O’Sullivan – Wild Frontiers’ top man in Indochina – who will be on hand 24/7 to organize and advise, this trip will have a more relaxed nature than most. There will be sightseeing trips organized and of course group meals, but there will also be plenty of ‘down-time’ for our guests to enjoy themselves en soul.

On the River of Time: Thailand, Laos & Cambodia
16 days - Thu 13 Nov 2008 to Fri 28 Nov 2008
This is a beautiful route that sees you chart a course due south hugging the Mekong from Laos to Cambodia, taking in all the highlights of the region and a few hidden gems as well. Starting in Bangkok you will first travel to Vientiane, then through the dramatic scenery near Vang Vieng, before visiting the wonderful World Heritage Site of Luang Prabang. From here you will visit the Boloven Plateau where you will be able to ride elephants and drift around the Four Thousand Islands. And from here it's over the border on a thrilling speedboat to ride down the Mekong to Kratie and then on to Phnom Penh - Cambodia's capital. Finally you will reach Siem Reap and the greatest ancient temple complex in the world. All in all, a classic group tour with wonderful, varied food as well as carefully chosen atmospheric accommodation.

Village India: Slowly Down the Ganges
16 days - Sat 15 Nov 2008 to Sun 30 Nov 2008
Sadly, very few visitors get to experience the day-to-day beauty of rural India, focusing instead on well known urban centres on or around the Golden Triangle. At Wild Frontiers we believe the time has come to step off the well-worn tourist trails and head into the heart of India, allowing you the chance to witness firsthand the life that the vast majority of Indians live. On this group tour you will experience a combination of village life, wonderful mountain scenery, the tranquil world along India’s holy riverbank and the hustle bustle of some of her most vibrant city centres. From Delhi to Calcutta, via the Himalayas and the Ganges, this is a wonderful trip that will stay with you for a very long time.

East India and Bhutan Autumn Tour
18 days - Thu 02 Oct 2008 to Sun 19 Oct 2008
Our autumn group tour up into the eastern Himalaya, visits West Bengal, Sikkim and the independent kingdom of Bhutan. As with our spring trip to the region, this tour begins in Calcutta – the cultural heart of India – and continues up into the rolling foothills of the Great Himalaya to visit Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Jaladapara Wildlife Sanctuary where hopefully you will see the elephants being washed in the river. To take advantage of this beautiful time of year, we will also visit Sikkim where you will be able to walk among the paddy fields and up into the hills. From here you will travel into the fabled country of Bhutan where you will spend 6 days, visiting amazing monasteries, mountains and markets. We will also spend time with local families.

Bhutan: Land of the Thunder Dragon
18 days - Thu 06 Nov 2008 to Sun 23 Nov 2008
In March 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 in years. We thought this was just too good an opportunity to miss and put on a new trip that traverses 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. The group tours worked so well we have continued to run them throughout 2007 and will be doing the same this year. So on this trip, not only will you get to visit the unexplored east but witness the extraordinary Bumthang Festival and get the chance to explore Calcutta, India’s cultural heart. All in all, an absolute humdinger of a trip.

Pakistan: Under a Pagan Moon
16 days - Sat 06 Dec 2008 to Sun 21 Dec 2008
This is quite simply the most amazing, original and wild group tour we do. Run for the first time in 2006, our small group of intrepid travellers was the first to experience the Kalash winter solstice festival of Chamos and probably the first to see the rare snow leopard in the wild. This is the most important time of year for the Kalash, when life, the gods and ancestors are celebrated in a weeklong party and joining them for their celebrations is a privilege to which very few Westerners are invited. And having inside knowledge on the whereabouts of the exquisite snow leopard filmed so famously by the BBC for Planet Earth, it was only fitting that on the second day of the tour we watched her all afternoon as she roamed gracefully over the mountainside and as dusk fell, make her kill. This trip is not without risks: if the snows come early and the passes close we can have difficulties getting in and out of Chitral. But if you are prepared to take a chance, you will witness events here that will certainly stay with you forever. This is as close to real exploration as us mortals are ever likely to get.

Rajasthan: Hills of Marwar (Horse Trek)
16 days - Sat 25 Oct 2008 to Sun 09 Nov 2008
Using our deep-rooted connections with Rawla Narendra Singh and his charming family at Castle Bijaipur, we have put together a wonderful nine day horse trek from Chittorgarh to Udaipur that will show you India at its most natural and magical. Riding the fabulous Marwari horse, a breed renowned for its grace, elegance and exotic beauty, you will travel through the southern fringes of the Aravelli Hills – a region renowned for high planes and plateaus, forests of juniper, unspoilt rural villages, lakes and ancient temples – making it the perfect location for such a trek. Staying in beautifully located luxury camps, sometimes in old forts and lodges – home to Narendra’s relations – we reach Udaipur, one of the most beautiful towns in India. Included in the trip is two nights at the stunning Castle Bijaipur and three nights in Udaipur making this tour a fabulous way to see a real side of Rajasthan rarely glimpsed by tourists.

Ethiopian Northern Explorer
17 days - Fri 31 Oct 2008 to Sun 16 Nov 2008
This is a great itinerary that gives you the very best of the northern historical circuit whilst offering a few hidden treasures as well. Starting your group 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 Yaha 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. 

Libya Unveiled
9 days - Sat 08 Nov 2008 to Sun 16 Nov 2008
The land of SPLAJ (The Socialist Peoples Libyan Arab Jamharya), as Libya is officially known, is home to so many incredible ancient sites; such extraordinary and differing unspoilt desert landscapes and such a truly hospitable and welcoming people, for the intrepid traveller it makes a perfect short holiday. On this group tour you will witness all the wonders of Ancient Rome at Leptis Magna and Sabratha, plus take an adventure through the pristine Sahara desert, where you will travel through the amazing Ubari Sand Sea and the Akakus Mountains to see some of the best preserved rock art on earth. Combining the most impressive Roman ruins anywhere in the world with the myriad of wonders of the great Sahara Desert, this nine day itinerary to Libya will truly blow your socks off!

Alternative Christmas holidays
With a greater demand from people wanting to ditch their traditional Christmas dinner for a more adventurous festive break, Wild Frontiers have put on two more exciting departures over the Chrissy and New Year holidays to Ethiopia and Bhutan. Our ever-popular Christmas trip to Rajasthan, staying at beautiful Castle Bijaipur is also running again, and although Christmas seems far off, places are filling.

Ethiopia: Christmas Explorer
17 days - Fri 19 Dec 2008 to Sun 04 Jan 2009
This is a great group tour itinerary that gives 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. 

Bhutan: Christmas in the Land of the Thunder Dragon
16 days -  Sat 20 Dec 2008 to Sun 04 Jan 2009
In March 2006 the authorities opened the border between Trashigang, in eastern Bhutan, and Guwahati in Assam, and in doing so made group travel to Eastern Bhutan practicable for the first time. Wild Frontiers thought this was just too good an opportunity to miss and put on a new group tour that traverses 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. You will also have the chance to explore Delhi, India’s thriving capital. All in all an absolute humdinger of a trip!

Rajasthan: Alternative Christmas in India
16 days - Sat 20 Dec 2008 to Sun 04 Jan 2009
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 group tours and the perfect way to enjoy a well-earned Christmas break.
'Once again Wild Frontiers comes up trumps.   What a wonderful way to spend Xmas and New Year.  Castle Bijaipur is magical – what a switch off.  Yoga on the roof early morning, horse riding (never done that before!), good food, lovely people, snoozing by the pool or in one of the nooks and crannies around the castle.  Massages, body scrubs, gin and tonic before supper.  How spoilt I felt.  Most of all wonderful, magical, quirky India’ Janet Pickering Back to top

Early Bird Discounts
Book early and save! Book now for the following 2009 group tours and we give you a 5% early bird discount! Early bird discounts are offered on the quoted price of the tours featured below. (Please note that early bird discounts cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer).