Spirit of Adventure

Our China, Central Asia and Japan Destination Manager Becky Last introduces the ‘Stans’ and what makes them such unique places to visit.

As Destination Manager for China, Central Asia and Japan I work with some of the most obscure countries on the planet, places that few people can pick out on a map, much less pronounce with confidence! I’m often asked why I love this region and what is its appeal to travellers.

Most importantly, not all the ‘Stans’ are the same. Kyrgyzstan is the ‘Switzerland of Asia’, with stunning alpine scenery, turquoise lakes and nomads living a pastoral existence. Just don’t expect Swiss efficiency or edible chocolate – instead it’s a laconic lifestyle and the home of the best home-made jams in the world.

Uzbekistan is all about history and architecture, with evocative names such as Samarkand and Bukhara conjuring up images of ancient carvanserais and merchants plying the Silk Road with their wares. These beautiful cities never disappoint, with a multitude of mosques and madrassahs constructed on an awesome scale and relaxed teahouses where you can wile away the hours.

The most mysterious of the ‘Stans’ is Tajikistan, a country squashed between China and Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. While the infrastructure is near non-existent, the country is blessed with some of the most spectacular mountains in the world. Tiny villages lie tucked along the remote Pamir Highway, with lifestyles virtually unchanged in hundreds of years and only a handful of visitors each year. A destination for the experienced traveller only!

While they’re not ‘Obscuri-Stans’, it would be remiss not to mention Iran and Mongolia as well. Iran is a country to overturn your expectations, with friendly locals delighted to see Westerners, thousands of years of history and architecture of jaw-dropping beauty. Mongolia is all about its vast open countryside dotted with nomadic encampments, a culture structured around welcoming strangers and a wickedly cheerful national character. Not to mention that it is officially Outer Mongolia, which puts it equal only to Timbuktu in the travelling imagination.

So next time you’re looking for an off-the-beaten track adventure – and you don’t mind if things get a little Borat at times – give us a call about Central Asia. We promise not to laugh at your pronunciation!

The new 16-day Mythical China cultural journey will take you from a remote section of the Great Wall to the medieval town of Pingyao, which was designed in the shape of a tortoise – a traditional Chinese symbol for longevity and where we will spend a night in a traditional style Chinese inn.

The Hanging Monastery of Datong, which appears to be glued to the side of a cliff, will also be a highlight, as will unravelling the myths of Kung Fu at the Shaolin Temple and exploring Wuzen – where rivers and canals crisscross the town and ancient docks, waterside pavilions and corridors that stretch out for miles, create a romantic atmosphere.

Central Asia is also fast approaching the top of travellers’ wish lists, with its rugged remoteness and sense of mystery created from visions of the Silk Road and the timelessness of nomadic tribes. On the new 16-day Mongolian Explorer Naadam we will travel with the nomadic descendants of a people whose empire once dominated most of Asia! We will stay in gers (local style tents), and join our Mongolian friends, and their camels, on a short desert trek. Back in Ulaanbaatar, the adventure will end with an unforgettable experience at the Naadam Festival – Mongolia’s biggest festival featuring traditional sports, foods, and folk dancing.

As you might expect of a people who produced Genghis Khan, the festival is dominated by warrior-type activities, including the Eryn Gurvan Nadom, or ‘Three Manly Sports’ – wrestling, archery, and horse racing. The wrestling is quite different from western versions of the sport, with contestants clad in tight briefs and a vest that covers the shoulders and upper arms leaving the chest bare. This outfit is worn to make it clear that both contestants are indeed men, a tradition dating back to the discovery, many centuries ago, that a champion wrestler was in fact a woman (to the great embarrassment of the men she had defeated!). The wrestlers first swoop into the ring in imitation of the Garuda bird of Buddhist lore. When the referee signals the start, each tries to topple the other; the first to touch the ground with anything more than the soles of his feet loses. The loser must then kneel while the winner makes a victory sign over his head.

Both women and men compete in the archery events, using short compound bows (which may have been invented by the Mongolians). Dell-clad competitors shoot at traditional leather targets stacked in piles. Points are scored for each target knocked down by a direct hit (no deflections!). The judges stand incredibly close to the targets, seemingly without ever the slightest concern for their own safety.

Mongolian horse racing is similar to a western steeplechase, conducted over a cross-country course at least 20 kilometres or 12 miles long. There are races for all riders and both sexes, but the crowd-pleaser is the children’s division. In rural Mongolia, most children begin to ride in infancy, and their almost instinctive skill in horsemanship is clearly apparent. The children’s race features boys and girls aged seven to 12 years of age, wearing colourful traditional costumes.

See our website for more information.

The food and flavours of a destination are integral to the overall travel experience. Each region of China has something special to offer. With the help of our tour escort and renowned food writer, Michael Shafran, our China Culinary Journey takes in the ‘must see’ sights of east China while tantalising the taste buds with some of China’s finest cuisine.

Michael Shafran launched yourRestaurants.com.au and yourBars.com.au, is a noted food and travel journalist for such magazine titles as Delicious, Vogue Entertaining + Travel and GQ Australia, and also still keeps his knife and fork warm as a reviewer for The Age Good Food Guide. Travel through this amazing country with Michael and discover its culinary Mecca’s.

We have so many great new trips this year it’s almost impossible to choose, but here’s our pick of five of our favourite new trips for the coming year.

South Greenland
This is a walking tour like no other, through the unfenced wilderness of South Greenland. Witness the clarity of light and the raw power of nature on a four-day trek to the foot of the world’s largest glacier – the Greenland ice cap. Walk through modern farmlands pondering the fate of the Nordic settlers who followed in Eric the Red’s footsteps. An excellent tour combining an intoxicating mix of history, culture and magnificent natural scenery.

Highlights of Greece
Zeus, Poseidon, Hercules, Aristotle, Archimedes, Alexander the Great and Athena Nike - discover the Greece of yesteryear that is still very much alive today. From picture-perfect islands to the earthly abodes of ancient gods, the history and beauty of Greece have to be experienced to be believed!

Tibetan Explorer
The friendly and curious nature of the Tibetan people will make any journey in this stunning region unforgettable. Their unique culture and faith underpins their resilience over many years, and your time spent travelling across the vast expanses of China, to a once forbidden land, immersing yourself in the diverse cultures of the Middle Kingdom, will stay with you for many years after you return home. Tibet and its people could change the way you view the world, so beware - this could be your best ever travel experience!

Volcanos & Glaciers of Iceland
The ‘land of fire and ice’ has incredible geographical diversity and is one of the world’s most remarkable islands. Taking in the famous Geysir and Gullfoss, Skaftafell National Park, the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lake and Laki Volcano, we will hike through stunning volcanic scenery with breathtaking panoramic views over glaciers and spectacular mountain peaks. Surrounded by glaciated lagoons and gushing geysers, you’ll feel like you’re on another planet.

Trails of the Shogun, Japan
A walking tour though Japan that will show you a different side of this unique country. Walk a segment of the famous Nakasendo highway, an ancient route used by warriors and royalty in the 8th century; climb to the summit of Mount Yarigatake and the iconic Mount Fuji; and explore the cities of Kyoto and Tokyo on foot. This up-close exploration will help you work up a sweat as well as give you an in-depth look into a country that, in many ways, has changed little over the centuries.

Every once in a while, Mother Nature dishes up a most exciting astrological alignment – a total solar eclipse. In July 2009, the earth will experience the longest solar eclipse of the 21st century, lasting for 6 minutes and 39 seconds. To see the full splendour of the sun slipping slowly behind the moon until only a glowing ring is visible, you have to be in the right place at the right time. There is only a narrow band on earth that will see the total eclipse and Peregrine can take you there - specifically, to China’s town of Anji at 10.54am on 22 July.

We have created a very special tour of China to coincide with this natural spectacle. First we’ll tour the highlights of China – Beijing’s Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall and the Terracotta Warriors. We’ll bike ride through Suzhou’s famous gardens, explore the water town of Tongli and walk along the Bund in bustling, modern Shanghai. Then we’ll head to our special view point at the Anji Eclipse Watch Station. Here, weather permitting, we will experience almost six full minutes of total eclipse. It’s sure to be the highlight of this fabulous trip, and most certainly will be a true ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ experience. Remember, if you miss this eclipse, you’ll have to wait 123 years for another one this long!

And our winner for November is… Roz Bellamy from South Yarra, Victoria, Australia. Roz’s tale of adventure opened our eyes to a side of life in China for children we knew nothing about and it sounds like she had an amazing journey of discovery. To read about Roz’s exciting adventure visit our website.

As this month’s winner Roz takes home an A$250 travel voucher to put towards her next adventure and a Lonely Planet pack consisting of a Travel Journal, a travel tips book and a travel writing book. Congratulations Roz!

To enter our Tales of Adventure competition and share with us your stories from the far flung corners of the globe click here. The best entry each month wins the prize!

Well-known as one of the last unspoilt wilderness areas in the world, Mongolia is blessed with mountains, lakes, deserts and steppes.

Our Mongolian Explorer adventure reveals the true spirit of Mongolia by exploring its countryside with the guidance of our local leaders, who were born and raised in the region. We’ll show you the vast and starkly beautiful scenery whilst spending most nights in gers – local-style white felt tents – to appreciate the remarkable solitude.

This extraordinary experience in Mongolia departs between May and September next year, see our website for more details.

Here is a stunning visual safari for you to enjoy featuring wonderful and insightful images from many of our family adventures around the world.