Latest News
Exciting times ahead in 2010
Looking back to this time last year, when the pound was falling off a cliff, oil prices were shooting skywards and the Russian army was laying waste to much of Georgia, I think I can be forgiven for fearing the worst.
Everyone said it was going to be a tough twelve months – particularly in travel – and so it has proved. But it didn’t take long for me to realise that it was also going to have a positive effect. Times of adversity concentrate the mind, make you work harder, to focus on the important things like keeping your existing clients happy. And as we move towards the end of the year, it seems as though we have achieved this goal.
For Wild Frontiers 2009 was a record year and we hope 2010 will be ever better. As such we have created a plethora of wonderful new products to tempt you. With exciting innovative trips in India, Tibet, Afghanistan, Namibia, Kashmir and Argentina we feel we have something for everyone: from hard adventure to comfort in extremes. We have many of our
classic trips running twice or even three times this year – giving you more choice of dates – and with our new online reservation system they are even easier to book.
So we hope you enjoy having a look through this year’s newsletter and that it encourages you to dust off that rucksack, pull out your walking shoes and get ready for an adventure.
Website News:
Online bookings
Thanks to the wonders of modern technology (and the decline of service from Royal Mail!) our website is now set up to take online bookings. You can also view slideshows for each
trip, check availability and read trip feedback from past passengers.
Blogging All Over the World:
For those of you who spend your lunch hours trawling the internet for inspiration, check out the blog page on our website, where our guides and tour leaders have been logging their exploits and making video diaries. From trekking in the Tien Shan Mountains to relaxing on the houseboats in Kashmir, they’ve been taking advantage of their satellite phones and entertainingus with their adventures.
WF Foundation:
In January 2009 Wild Frontiers set up a charitable foundation through which we can channel funds to both existing NGOs and our own development projects. In addition to organising ethically sensitive tours, having our own charitable foundation allows us to raise money – through the cost of our tours, charity trips and fund raising events – which can then be used to fund various projects in education, sanitation, reforestations and a number of other important issues facing developing communities. We’ve been delighted by everyone’s support for the foundation and that so many of you have got involved in our social events, and we look forward to developing the foundation further.
Central Asia
Trip report:
Wakhan Corridor Trek
Last summer saw one of our most ambitious trips ever – a trek into the remote Wakhan corridor of Afghanistan. Marc Leaderman reports on the ups,downs and in-betweens of a truly unique trip… ‘Over the last 30 years, no more than a handful of intrepid
travellers have made it out to Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor, so logistically it was always going to be a challenge, especially as we wanted to use local people and local resources wherever possible. Not surprisingly there were some tough times that included flight delays, overheating cars, flooded rivers and a
complete re-routing of the trek; but there were also some amazingly positive experiences which included meeting the semi-nomadic inhabitants of Madhof village, being entertained with music & dance by our ever cheerful Afghan horsemen, working with Gorgali (one of the 4 Afghans to recently attempt an ascent of Noshaq (7492m)) and seeing the stunning scenery
along Tajikistan’s Pamir Highway.
We will be running two trips to the Wakhan Corridor – one for trekkers and one for everyone else. Both trips run July & Aug 2010
Wild Expedition from Lhasa to Kashgar
For centuries Tibet remained the inaccessible goal for hardy explorers. While Lhasa is no longer the secret city it once was, it remains a key player in the mystical and ancient route west along the top of the Himalayas, to the desert oasis of Kashgar. It is remote and wild, with some fascinating sights, but the forbidden, desolate Aksai Chin (a corner of the high plateau
annexed by China from India) has remained a political barrier for years. For the first time it is now traversable and we are planning a wild expedition taking three and a half weeks to travel overland and explore this land of ancient kingdoms, taking in the mystical city of Lhasa, Everest base camp, Sacred Mount Kailash (the source of four great holy rivers) the lost Himalayan kingdom of Guge, and legendary Kashgar: we hope you can join
us for the ultimate Himalayan journey.
Departing: 31 July 2010
'In the world of adventure travel, Wild Frontiers are true pioneers.'- Lyn Hughes, Wanderlust
Tibetan Horse Festival 2010
The mountains, river gorges and rolling yak-grazing grasslands of Eastern Tibet are always full of surprises, as we discovered again this year on our very colourful and successful trip. However, next year will be a very special experience as we have been invited to attend a traditional horse festival tucked away in a mountain stronghold just a couple of hours drive from Litang. We
will be guests of the monastery that organises the festival and welcomed by the local community – a totally different experience to joining the ever-growing numbers of tourists battling for position at the Litang races. And we will, of course, get to see all the rest of what the region offers: Tibetan homes, nomads, ancient monasteries, magnificent scenery, carpets of wild flowers, pandas. It’s always an adventure up there on the roof of the world!
Departing 4 July 2010
Africa
Recce trip:
Namibia: Sands of Time
As one of Africa’s greatest wilderness areas Namibia has always been on our radar, and as Natalie Morris discovered there’s more to it then sand dunes. ‘I’d been itching to go back to Namibia and as the country is jam packed with incredible geological wonders, spectacular landscapes, game and unexplored regions, I knew it would be perfect for a Wild Frontiers trip. The hard part was deciding what to leave out! This recce tour focuses on diversity, and our
route takes us from the interior to the border of Angola, on to the inhospitable waters of
the Skeleton coast and the Namib Desert. It’s got a bit of everything from raging
waterfalls to tribal villages and a plethora ofwildlife. Roll on May!’
Departing 29 May 2010
'Walking around isolated villages with tribes that most people have just read about in books or seen on television, was both a humbling and enriching experience.' - Howard & Hazel Darbon
Wild Expedition:
Congo: In the Footsteps of Stanley – literally…
As many of you will be aware, our company ethos has always been to help adventurous souls get to incredible, but inaccessible places. Having ridden horses across the Pamir Mountains in 2008, and camels across the Sahara in 2009, our new expedition for 2010 is an absolute travel classic along the Congo River and will be lead by veteran WF guide Stanley Moffat. First immortalised by Joseph Conrad in his timeless novella, The Heart of Darkness, this giant inland waterway has
often been used as a metaphorical routing into Africa’s mysterious soul, and for good reason… for if anywhere remains undiscovered, misunderstood, and wholly beneath the radar of the 21st century, this is it. Journeying from Kinshasa to Kisangani and boarding a river barge to head down stream, this is sure to be a truly wild expedition.
Departing 31 Oct 2010
Wild Expedition:
Tribes of the Omo Valley in Southern Ethiopia
Social anthropologist and Ethiopian expert Mette Petersen is leading our expedition to the Omo Valley later in the year.Travelling slowly down the Omo River, far away from the tourist areas, we have an extraordinary opportunity to meet some of the more remote tribes of the region, untouched by the outside world. These include the unique Surma (made famous by Bruce
Parry in his acclaimed ‘Tribe’ series), the stick-fighting Suri and the ceremonious Hamer. This is
not an easy trip and conditions are basic, but travellers receive an unparalleled insight into these
traditional cultures, plus the opportunity to journey through the beautiful landscapes of the Rift
Valley lakes.
Departing 25 Sept & 20 November 2010
Responsible Travel:
RT: Mark’s TESFA walk in Ethiopia
This year we’ve teamed up with TESFA, a charitable initiative in Ethiopia set up by WF
ex-tour leader Mark Chapman, which allows our clients the opportunity to walk through
several villages, actually staying en route with local communities. Not only does this give
travellers a unique travel experience, it directly supports the villages we visit and provides an unrivalled insight into traditional Ethiopian Village life. To watch footage taken
South East Asia
Culinary delights and a taste for Responsible Tourism
If you are looking for a trip that combines the pleasure of travelling in Indochina with the joys of eating and supports a good cause, look no further! This is a culinary tour of Cambodia with a twist. Exploring local markets, learning about local ingredients and how to prepare regional dishes, we’ll stop at the awe-inspiring temple complex of Angkor Wat
and cruise the mighty Mekong. Working with Friends International who take “at risk” children off the street and train them in the hospitality industry, we’ll be accompanied by a graduate chef, and a percentage of the tour profits will go
to the charity’s education and rehabilitation program.
Departure date: 31 October 2010
Festival in focus:
Water and Moon, Cambodia
This incredible spectacle sees a million people flock from all over Cambodia to celebrate the bizarre phenomenon when the Mekong River reverses its flow. It’s a wild celebration of thanks to the river for providing the country with fertile land and abundant fish. By day
spectators gather on the riverbanks to watch as hundreds of colourful dragon boats, each propelled by up to 70 oarsmen race for the honour of their village. By night, revellers party in the streets and fireworks light up the night skies, in one of south-east Asia’s
most memorable festivals. Combining Cambodia with sleepy, neighbouring Laos, our festival trip is the ultimate Indochina experience.
Departing 25 Oct 2010
Middle East
Focus on Yemen:
Yemen & Socotra
One of the biggest advantages of being an independent tour operator is that we have complete freedom to run the kind of trips that excite us (and you!). When the opportunity arose to explore Yemen, we literally jumped at the chance, and our ops manager, Marc Leaderman, was on a plane quicker then you could say Arabia. His research trip in March yielded a host of fantastic finds and magical destinations, from ancient mud skyscrapers to otherworldly plant life, and we quickly realised there was enough to see in Yemen to host a selection of trips. We are now delighted to offer two trips: one to the cultural highlights of the mainland, and another combining the mainland with the isolated, bio-diverse island of Socotra.
Next Yemen departure - 17 October 2010
Trip report:
Taking the high ground in Talesh, Iran
In light of the success of our cultural ‘Peacock Throne’ trip in Iran, in May we ran our first Wild Walk in the Highlands of Talesh (part of the Alborz Range that rises up from the Caspian Sea), visiting with the pastoral nomads. This is what Paul & Sally Dobinson thought of their trip… ‘We had never experienced “homestays” before and the sheer beauty of the Talesh Mountains was breathtaking. To be in such an environment above the clouds was dreamlike. The Iranian’s hospitality was fantastic and the warmth of the families that
looked after us were incredible. We have never felt so welcome in a country.’
This trip will run again in May and Oct 2010
'Why choose Wild Frontiers? Because the team give
100% enthusiasm, flawless organisation and a great itinerary.' - Tim Milwood
In the planning:
A Persian Voyage 2011
We are currently planning a trip to Baluchistan (date to be
confirmed) – if you would like to be kept informed of the trips progress contact us at the office on 020 77363968 or drop us a line at info@wildfrontiers.co.uk
Europe
Trip report:
Turkish delight and 2010 Recce
In recent years Turkey has seen a huge surge in tourist numbers thanks to cheap package holidays, a stunning coastline and great med weather. However, as Jonny Bealby discovered when he took our first “wild walk” in the Taurus Mountains in June, there is so much more when you wander inland a little. ‘Before we departed I was far from convinced that Turkey would make a true wild frontier,’ says Jonny. ‘But I couldn’t have been more wrong.
After a week of stupendous scenery, fascinating culture, not to mention mouth-watering cuisine, I realized that it’s perfect for a short-haul, inexpensive destination. Trekking in the mountains of central Anatolia, staying in guesthouses and homestays, we had this gem of a route to ourselves and saw zero other travellers. The whole trip was a pleasure from start to finish.’ In fact, Jonny liked it so much he insisted we put on another trip along the fascinating borderlands of Eastern Turkey.
Wild Walk next departure: 1 May; Eastern Borderlands: 25 Sept 2010
Update on Georgia:
Despite the harrowing ordeal parts of the country were put through last year, Georgia is once again back on the traveller’s map. This beautiful country - sandwiched between east and west - is one of our favorite locations for good reason. With a history that dates back to Jason and the Argonauts and encompassing the Silk Road, Alexander, the Arabs, Persians, Turks and Crusaders it is a land of fascinating cultures, superb cuisine (wine was invented here over 7,000 years ago), some of the most stunning mountains in
Eurasia and a population that loves to party. Added to that it has almost no tourists and is only 4 hours from London. Perfect really!
Trips running between May and Sept 2010
'My wild walk in Georgia was simply the best walk of my life'- Joanne O'Connor, Observer
South America
Recce Trip:
In Patagonia: A Journey to the End of the World
Originally planned for 2009 but delayed until 2010, we’re finally venturing into Patagonia without horses… Long considered a refuge for outlaws, missionaries and mountaineers, few regions in the world can match Patagonia's unique character. This pristine and magical
land offers travellers a chance to see the world as it was tens of thousands of years ago: with magnificent glaciers, uncontaminated turquoise lakes, crystal clear rivers full of wild trout, ancient forests, windswept plateaux, a rich and unspoilt wildlife and breathtaking scenery. We’ll be visiting the beautiful lakes of Bariloche, mountainous El Chalten and the glaciers of El Calafate, staying in exclusive Estancias and dining
on world-class cuisine. No roughing it on this trip!
Departing 31 Oct 2010
Galapagos and Mainland Ecuador combined
We also have a new itinerary for our September Ecuador trip that combines the uniquely
bio-diverse Galapagos Islands with some of the remotest parts of the mainland. Our great new route visits cloud forest, the Avenue of the Volcanoes, Andean villages and Cuenca, with plenty of exciting activities from glacier walks to cow-milking before heading to the Galapagos, which we’ll explore on foot -trekking, wildlife spotting,snorkelling with seal-lionsand climbing volcanoes.
Departing 23 September 2010
Trip report:
Six go wild in Bolivia
In May we ran our first group trip to Bolivia – and what a trip it was! Blessed with great weather, our intrepid possie island-hopped on Lake Titicaca, star gazed on the Uyuni salt flats and had an ‘explosive’ time in the mining town of Potosi… ‘Bolivia lived up to everything I had been told and that made me want to visit. Lake Titicaca was bluer than I imagined, La Paz fascinating and chaotic, everywhere stunning mountains...’ says Jenny Howard. ‘It was great fun to blow up a pumpkin with dynamite at the mines in Potosi, and we got to see the train that Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid robbed, just quietly rusting away in a deserted mining town.’ Guide Geoff says ‘Bolivia contains some of the most spectacular scenery in South America from the inhospitable heights of the Altiplano to the vast expanse of the Salar de Uyuni. With more political stability and an improved infrastructure, there’s never.
Next departure 16 May 2010
Indian Subcontinent
Recce Trip:
Gujarat & the Rann of Kutch
The state of Gujarat shakes up even the experienced Indophile and reveals a number of hidden treasures. With 1600km of coastline and an easily traversable landscape, it is both highly advanced and medievally tribal. The Jain community are responsible for Gujarat’s
stunning white marble temples and exquisite vegetarian fare, and terrain varies from marshlands to hardened salt plains. Visiting the UNESCO World Heritage site of Champaner, the surreal Rann of Kutch and climbing Shatrunjaya, we’ll head off the map to some unexplored areas and delve into a fascinating culture. For anyone with a love of 'off-the-beaten-track’ travel, textiles, shopping and rural India, this trip is a must.
Departing 6 March 2010, with a second departure date 30 October 2010
Recce trip:
A Sri Lankan Odyssey
New to the WF portfolio, it's no surprise to see why Marco Polo once described Sri Lanka as "the finest island in the world". Measuring just 271 miles from north to south, this tropical escape is criss-crossed with rivers and waterfalls, spanning every kind of
terrain from paradisiacal palm-fringed beaches to mountain peaks. This trip is designed to showcase the highlights, taking in the rich 'cultural triangle' while at the same time exploring the wilds. From the ruins and remains of ancient civilisations, to the lush jungles and tea plantations, we'll explore local villages, national parks and pilgrimage sites. Wildlife enthusiasts are in for a treat at Yala National Park and the chance to view marine life as we hit the high seas. It’s a combination of adventure and relaxation, and a must for anyone wanting to experience a little slice of paradise...
Departing 6 Feb 2010 & second departure 27 November 2010
Recce trip:
In the Garden of the Moghul Kings: Kashmir - India
The fabled Vale of Kashmir – that centuries old holiday idyll – is gradually inching back onto the tourist map. Recovering from political turbulence, we are now thrilled to offer an 11 day tour where we’ll wander the streets of Srinagar staying in the world famous
houseboats, float around the tranquil lakes and experience some of the finest countryside in the sub-continent. The three-day water-trek from Dal Lake to Manasbal Lake follows a beautiful watery trail. We’ll experience the Himalayan foothills at their most
glorious and visit the mountain village of Gulmarg. This relaxed tour of Kashmir, is perfect for anyone wanting to unwind and see this amazing place at a slow and
steady pace.
Departing: 23 Sept 2010
Pakistan
Pakistan update
Whilst anyone claiming all Pakistan's troubles are over should clearly be dragged off to the nearest mad house, it is pleasing to see that things in and around the Swat Valley region are slowly returning to normal. Hundreds of thousands of people, displaced by the
fighting at the beginning of the year, have now returned home, roads have reopened and westerners are once again visiting the region. Maintaining our position as market leaders in the region, Wild Frontiers have run seven tours to Pakistan this season, and by altering the route to fly over the troubled Swat Valley, we’ve been able to run our trips in safe areas that the FCO does not advise against. As well as the Kalash Valleys and Hunza we now also visit Skardu in the heart of the Karakoram Range, home to four of the highest peaks on earth.
K2 Charity Trek 2010 & the Wild Frontiers Foundation
Give yourself the ultimate challenge! We are excited to announce our first fund raising trip in September 2010, to the magical Karakoram Mountains, and K2 base camp. Education in the remote northern region of Pakistan is limited and lack of funding leaves thousands of children unable to gain even a basic education. Our inaugural fund raising trip will raise much needed funds for local charities, and WF founder Jonny Bealby will be leading this amazing trek on Baltoro Glacier.
Departing 04 September 2010
How to get the best value for your ££££’s
1. Book early to get a cheap flight. Airline prices increase dramatically when availability gets scarce so plan your holidays in advance and save serious pounds. Also watch out for airline seat sales.
2. Sign up for our e-mail news to receive details of special offers and discounted trips
3. Combine 2 trips. Several of our departures run on from one another and as well as buying just one air-ticket for 2 trips, we will also offer you a discount on the second trip.
4. Check out the ‘special offers’ page of our website for late availability and early-bird discounts.
5. Participate in one of our reconnaissance trips to explore new routes. Not only are they tremendous fun and highly adventurous, we also run them at a discounted rate.
