LATEST NEWS
Mongolia, Trans Siberian Railway & Borneo - New 2012 Itineraries
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On the Steppe
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Words alone cannot describe the beauty and diversity of Mongolia. Having not long returned from leading a 3 week adventure the only word that sums it up is `incredible` That is incredible in size, landscapes and hospitality. We had a fantastic group from as far afield as New Zealand, Italy and USA, many a story was told over a beer or vodka and much laughter shared over misunderstandings with our accents.
Most of the group took the pre tour option and started in Beijing where we climbed the Great Wall before catching the overnight train to Ulaanbaatar. This was an adventure in
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Our Camel Man in the Gobi
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itself especially crossing the border and changing the rail bogies in the middle of the night. After what was a short sleep we woke to find the train snaking its way along the edge of the Gobi and across the Mongolian Steppes to arrive in Ulaanbaatar shortly after lunch.
There are simply not enough words to describe the adventure that awaited us, we crossed incredible landscapes, rode horses and camels - some of us for a few minutes and others for a few hours, we were invited to dinner by nomads, watched mares being milked, we soaked in hot pools and froze in a freak snow storm, saw dinosaur bones and monks in ancient monasteries.
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Group learning how to put up a ger
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We crossed landscapes so beautiful they took your breath away and others so vast you could only see horizons in every direction.
I am sure the rest of our group will agree that the whole experience was made more special by our support crew.
Three of the most talented drivers I have ever met who sang us folk songs and seemed to know just the perfect angle to stop the vehicle for photos. Also Baggis our guide who had the patience of an angel and could ride a horse or camel as well as any nomad.
Irene
Next year we will be making this trip available prior to the Trans Siberian Train Journey to St Petersburg, an excellent opportunity to combine both tours for a 6 week adventure.
Download 2012 Mongolia Adventure Itinerary
TRANS SIBERIAN RAILWAY
Well what an amazing trip offering continuous excitement from clambering over restored and unrestored parts of the mysterious and misty Great Wall of China all the way through to the golden glow of St Petersburg.
Riding the trains was an unique experience, the group glued to the window so as not to miss the ever changing vistas and getting to know our fellow passengers in particular a Mongolia wrestler, trying to converse with him and sharing our food and NZ souvenirs - much to his delight.
Our ger camp in Mongolia was a highlight and left us hungry to see more of this fascinating country, two humped camels, fat
tailed sheep, goats and herds of horses, we even tried the fermented mares milk - yuk.
Playing cards, reading and writing diaries and of course drinking Vodka (well it is called the Vodka Train after all) as we hurlted through the tundra. Of course Russia was something else, and so varied, comparing the poverty and lack of even basic infrastructure as we zoomed across Siberia, it did not seem like the same country when we saw elegant women and men in Moscow and St Petersburg and the police who drove BMWs to patrol the cities.
The train was really clean even the bathrooms which surprised people and the accommodation off the train was varied from a basic guest house at Lake Baikal to
the amazing Cosmos hotel in Moscow with more restaurants than you can imagine and it's very own theatre.
It was certainly a trip I will never forget...and remember you have the rest of Europe right there to explore if you feel like extending your trip. Heidi New for 2012 we have extended the tour by one day to allow more time in Beijing. We have also scheduled the tour so that it can be combined with the Mongolia Adventure. Download 2012 Trans Siberian Railway Itinerary |
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Jungle Break
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Immediately after the Mongolian Adventure it was off to Borneo with another group for a totally different kind of experience, trading deserts for steamy jungles. Although we only saw 3 Orang Utans at the rehabilitation Centre we were rewarded early on at Bako with sightings of all 3 types of monkey found there, the rare proboscis monkey, the silvered Langur and the naughty macaques who steal your food. The longboat travel up river to the start of the headhunter trail was spectacular; the water level was quite low so we had to get out to help the boat men push but the water was cooling and welcome.
Visiting the Penan village is always a highlight and it was wonderful to see the Active Travel Co. water pipe assembled
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Proboscis Monkey - we had fabulous up close sightings in Bako NP
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and in use. This is one of the projects we have sponsored to help this once nomadic community and has been greatly appreciated by them. Spending a day with the community and learning about the edible and medicinal forest plants is always an interesting experience though this time it was a rather damp one as the jungle skies opened on us.
Irene
In 2012 we will be operating a new itinerary that includes the Bario Highlands, Kinabalu Park, Sandakan and the Kinabatangan River Safari as well as keeping our favourites Bako, Mulu, Headhunter Trail and Penan village visit.
We have also designed the tour so
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Group with members of the Penan community we visit
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that you can do 11 days from Kuching to Limbang
(includes Bako and Mulu National Parks and the Headhunter Trail and the Bario Highlands)
or choose to travel 10 days from Limbang to Sandakan
(Penan Village, Brunei & Lawas Hot Springs, Kinabalu National Park and the Kinabatangan River).
Alternatively join us for the full incredible 21 day trip!
Download 2012 Borneo Wildlife & Culture Itinerary
Cromwell's a Hive of Activity!
Our office here in Cromwell is a hive of activity while just about everyone else locally is waiting for snow!
Irene is about to head away to Malaysia and will be away in September and October leading the Mongolia and Borneo trips. Heidi's Trans Mongolian & Siberian Tour departs in August and Ross is due back on Saturday from leading his first cycling tour in Vietnam!
Lynette and Natasha are keeping the home fires burning along with our newest team member Debbie Roberts. Debbie is our flight specialist and brings over 26 years experience to the office.
Remember if you can't join one of our set departures or travelling as a group is not your thing...contact us and we will tailor-make something to suit!
New Active Travel Co Asia Brochure
Roads Less Travelled - Experience the Difference!
Escorted Journeys, Small Group Tours, Tailor-Made & Private Tours to:
- Vietnam
- Cambodia
- Laos
- Borneo
- Malaysia
- China
- India & Nepal
CLICK HERE to request your copy today! (don't forget to tell us your address!)
Guaranteed Escorted Journeys in 2011:
- Cycle the Ho Chi Minh Trail with Ross McRobie
departs 26 June, 13 days - Trans Mongolian & Siberian with Heidi Morris
departs 14 August, 20 days - Mongolian Adventure with Irene Schrieber
departs 7 September, 21 days - Borneo Wildlife & Culture Expedition with Irene
departs 1 October, 21 days
Adventures in Borneo
Borneo - the very word conjures up deep impenetrable jungles, winding rivers, headhunters, orang utans and jungle tribes. It has long been the place of adventurers and explorers and certainly not the place to take your annual vacation.
Certainly Borneo is exciting and adventurous but we at Active Travel Co. dispel the myths of danger at every corner and open up an enchanting world with opportunities to walk in the paths of explorers in relative comfort. Bako National Park, a coastal paradise is unbeatable, with excellent walking trails, waterfalls and wildlife like the strange Proboscis monkey with its trumpet like nose and huge pot belly, the pretty silver leaf monkey, flyer lemur and monitor lizards. Wild orchids and pitcher plants all grow in abundance and the sunsets on the beach are unbeatable.
Then there is Mulu National Park, the largest cave system in the world with 4 sensitively lit show caves and the incredible bat exodus at sun down. Take an amazing longboat ride up the jungle rivers and stay in ethnic longhouses to experience first hand the life of these indigenous jungle dwelling people.
Then of course you can climb South East Asia's highest mountain, visit some off shore islands or relax at 5 star beach resorts. Borneo really does have something to offer everyone.
Active Travel Co. has two small group tours guided by Irene Schrieber, who has travelled in the area for more than 20 years. Alernatively let us put together a tailor made trip designed with you in mind.
NEW 2011 AFRICA BROCHURE OUT NOW!
The FIFA World Cup definately put the spotlight on Africa and we are proud to be the New Zealand Agents for Sunway Safaris.
Just released is the new 2011 brochure. Included are many of their classic tours but also a few new ones - including a return to Zimbabwe.
Sunway Tours are aimed at those who really want to experience the countries they visit - the wildlife and the culture. As such they tend to attact a more mature clientele with most being 40+.
They also offer some quality additions to the safari experience including their custom made trucks, with tiered seating and huge windows that cater to no more than 12 participants. Unlike other companies you also travel with 2 qualified guides, not one guide and a driver. This means you get to benefit from twice the knowledge and experience on every tour.
Sunway are also in the fortunate position that they own and operate their own company in Botswana. This allows Botswana safaris to go deep into the national parks in an open 4WD safari vechicle for longer - something the large tour buses just can't do.
So when you are looking at your options for Africa make sure you know exactly what you are getting!
Contact us for your 2011 Africa Brochure today!