Many travelers want to discover places across the world which are off the routine tourist circuit and experience magical moments drawn up from their wishlist. So, for those last minute vacation planners who are yet to decide we have chalked out some incredible vacations this summer from places as diverse as Mt. Kailash in Tibet toKalimantan in Borneo or Nubra Valley in Ladakh. From an experience as eclectic as a camping safari in Tanzania or trek through thick forests in search of the mountain gorilla. Whatever experience the traveler seeks this season, our team of wanderers should be able to come up with something truly special.

Canadian Rocky mountain adventure

get up close and personal in Canada with this self drive tour! You pick up your vehicle at Calgary and after that you go about exploring Western Canada at your own pace and time. From Calgary, drive through the magnificent Rocky Mountains to Banff. Stop when fancy takes you to admire the scenery. Explore Banff town and the National Park after which you drive down to the “Jewel of the Rockies” Lake Louise.

Check out the Canadian Rocky Mountain Adventure

Gorilla Tracking in Rwanda

Those who love nature and love to see different aspects of it – be it the wild animals or as popularly called in Africa the ‘Big 5’, the colourful birds or the elusive mountain gorilla! This tour takes you to several national parks for game viewing. And takes you on a trek through the thick rainforest in search of Mountain Gorillas.

Check out our Gorilla Tracking adventure

Taste of Borneo

the mystical jungles of Borneo. The spectacular areas of rainforest, the National Parks, sighting of the wild man from Borneo” – the Orang-utan – either in the wild or in one of the rehabilitation centres in Sabah, Sarawak or Kalimantan, be in awe at the Clearwater Cave and head out Poring Hot Springs for treetop canopy walk.

Check out our latest Borneo adventure.

Climb the Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania

Challenge yourself with ‘Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro’ – the Wanderers escorted climb and camp trip! Spread over 9 days, exult in knowing the Kilimanjaro (inside – out). Africa’s tallest and earth’s highest freestanding mountain, it towers above the east African plain. Its highest summit is 5895 meters. Temperatures range from 85 degrees F to sub zero. 15,000 people attempt to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro every year and almost half fail. But, the real adventure of climbing Kilimanjaro is in making the journey—regardless of whether the summit is reached or not.

Check out the climb to Mount Kilimanjaro.

For culture lovers

If you are keen on combining Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia at one go, the Grand Indochina tour is perhaps what you are looking for. This fortnight long fixed date departure covers the best of the 3 countries.

Salamanca and Portugal tour

See the best of Portugal with its best of monuments, beautiful beaches, churches and diverse architecture. Start your trip at Avila, a world heritage city before moving on to Salamanca, known for its 2 cathedrals. Visit the headquarters of one of Europe’s oldest Universities in Coimbra. Attend a mass at the Shrine of the Virgin of Fatima at Fatima.

Don’t miss the Spanish Exotica

Spain with its different traditions and culture, glorious art and architecture and friendly people makes for a delightful experience. Starting with Madrid, the vibrant capital, home to bull fighting. Start your introduction to the history of this country with a city tour and visit to Toledo, the capital of medieval Spain until 1560, Cordoba, one of the most interesting cities in Andalusia. Find out more about this trip!

India escapes this summer:

If jungles, high mountains and unique culture excite you, to visit North East India with time spent in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam is the perfect way of unwinding.

Explore the heritage village of Pragspur. Experience the mysticism of Jwalamukhi Temple and revel in the beautiful Kangra paintings in an old temple in Dada Siba”. Picnic by the river Beas and lunch at quaint dhabha which offer delectable North Indian cuisine. Explore the picture perfect retreat of Dharamshala – Dalai Lama’s abode and for nature lovers, visit the Kalatope Wildlife Sanctuary, all in our 9 Days Western Himachal package.

Wanderers Leh Ladakh Adventure

The highlight of 11 days passage to Leh tour starting from Delhi is the spectacular 485km journey from Manali to Leh crossing some of the highest passes in the world. Rohtang, Baralacha, LachlungLa and TanglangLa. Passes that are closed during the winter months open for a brief while during the summer months of June to September. It is arguably the most beautiful stretch of road in the Indian Himalayas!

Check out our exciting Ladakh package.

Wanderers Trip of a lifetime: Kailash Yatra

Traveling overland from Kathmandu (Nepal) on this 14 day tour to Mt.Kailash and Lake Manasarovar, which lies in the Southwestern part of Tibet, is an incredible experience. It is an epic pilgrimage to the heavenly abode of Lord Shiva, that is considered the most sacred and revered pilgrimage for Hindus, Jains and Buddhists alike. En route you can see the world’s highest mountains, travel on the world’s highest plain, meet nomadic Tibetan pilgrims and walk amidst burning butter lamps and chanting monks of Tibet’s ancient and legendary Buddhist monasteries. The numbing cold at night, the harsh sun during the day, the bitter winds, the looming solitude and the everlasting dust are a constant companion.

We have just announced our 14 day trip over the Tibetan plateau to Mt Kailash and Lake Manasarovar via Kathmandu. Dep is on 27 July, 2012. We plan to take up to 16 people on this trip. The roads are much better these days as the highway to Kailash is mostly metalled, unlike in the past.

Click hereto check out the Kailash Yatra

Wanderers Travel Diaries:

Walk in the Clouds- Sikkim, by Shubendu Banerjee

Shubendu Banerjee is a passionate traveler. From the misty mountains of Sikkim to the dense jungles of Bandipur in Karnataka he has traveled to give a free reign to his adventurous spirit. Now, settled in Bangalore with his wife and son he continues to wander into unknown territories as often as his job allows him to. Read More

Be a Guest Author – Be the Wanderer of the Month. If you’ve got an idea for a story to share, then write on – share your photos/videos: we would love to feature your work in our bi monthly newsletter.

By Farzana Haque

Aug 1st to 25th – Mark your dates for one of the best art and theatre festivals of the world!

Festivals… India’s so full of them, we must have one every day! As much as we enjoy celebrating them in our home country, it’s interesting to know that there are many festivals celebrated around the world, and amongst a few avid travellers a fetish to visit them. They are definitely not all Religious, while a few could have started with some tradition or the other, many are related to the customs of the place, the season, the sport, music genres, films, food, drink and even education! To name a few which would certainly ring a bell for most of you are the La Tomatina festival, Sundance festival, Mardi Gras New Orleans, Carnival of Rio de Janeiro, the famous Lantern festival in Taiwan, Oktoberfest.

In my visit to Scotland last summer in August, a family reunion of sorts, we were driving across the country from our base at Killin and ended the trip with a stay at Edinburgh. This was around the 18^th of August. This Scottish town, famous world over for its University, its Arts and Architecture program and of course the Edinburgh castle, just bowled us over. What a beautiful town, a pleasure to explore on foot the many museums, historical buildings and markets. But what luck! We happened to be bang in the middle of the famous FRINGE FESTIVAL. It goes on from the 1^st to the 25^th of August and it’s the largest street art and theatre festival in the world! There are over 3000 shows to choose from around the world and the entire city’s restaurants, pubs and halls participate in holding these shows.

The most interesting part of the Fringe festival is that combined with the shows, is the street fair on The Royal Mile, an entire stretch of road that’s converted into a non-traffic zone with a full carnival atmosphere. All the participants from across the world are selling their shows on this street in the most innovative ways… you have human statues, actual scenes from Shakespeare being played out, music fests, gory scenes, comedy all of it showcased to gain your attention. A square at the Royal Mile is converted into a kind of stage and one of the best acts we saw was by an Argentinian comedian cum dancer, you can’t really get enough of it.

Yes for sure Indians also participate, so there were some Indian acts too! Besides this there are a lot of quaint shops and stalls selling Scottish good, curios, bag piper, kilts, chocolates and antiquities. You hardly realize how you’ve passed the day meandering in between these and the show people.

In the snaps you see a blue colour lady statue, well she’s live and acting, most amazing. Each act is a total surprise.

If you are planning a visit to the UK this summer, especially in August… do drop into Edinburgh and catch the FRINGE, it’s certainly a must do on a long list of must see’s, must do’s of travel. You’ll not only have fun, but get to see so many cultures and theatre from across the world, it’ll only leave you wanting more.

Written by: Farzana Haque (The Wanderers, Nagpur)

Month: May 2014

Summer Escapes This Season