HAMPSHIRE, UK, March 22, 2009
/24-7PressRelease/ -- A total of 13 tours are available, with the itineraries ranging from 8-22 days in length. Destinations include Cambodia, India, Japan, Jordan, Malawi, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, South Africa, Syria, Thailand, Vietnam and Zambia.
Ashley Toft, Managing Director of Explore, comments: "The new Back to Basics tours provide rich rewards for travellers who are happy to skip the usual creature comforts and who want to really get under the skin of the country they're visiting, using a highly-flexible itinerary. Whether it's eating from the best roadside food stall in Cambodia, trekking through Morocco's High Atlas with Berber villagers or scouring Jaipur's jewellery and craft markets, this is exploration at its best and the antithesis of mainstream tourism."
Sample Tours:
Discover the highlights of North India on the 10-day Moghuls and Mystics tour including the Taj Mahal, Jaipur's forts and palaces, take a camel safari from holy Pushkar and explore the bazaars of Old Delhi
See the highlights of Syria and Jordan on a shoestring. The 13-day Middle East Wonders tour incorporates the aromatic bazaars of Damascus, rose red Petra, camping in Wadi Rum and floating in the Dead Sea.
The 12-day Indochina Encounter tour through Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia includes the jungle temples of Angkor, Phnom Penh and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, Bangkok and Saigon.
Explore lost civilizations and colourful markets on the 15-day Tequila Sunrise tour of Mexico. Visit historical Mexico City and Oaxaca, Indian and colonial-influenced San Cristoba, Chichen Itza and the tropical beaches of the Yucatan Peninsula.
The 14-day Big Game Safari in Malawi and Zambia allows for big game-viewing on a small budget in Zambia's world-famous South Luangwa plus boat safaris, wildlife walks and relaxation beside Lake Malawi.
Lead-in price:
The eight-day Marrakech Express tour to the Rif Mountains and souks of Fes, Rabat and Marrakech costs from GBP525 pp, including flights (Gatwick), all transportation, seven nights' B&B and the services of an Explore tour leader. Departs 21 - 28 September 2009.
Some of Explore's NEW 2009 Back to Basics tours:
India: Moghuls and Mystics (10 days) - a feast for the senses which includes a stop at the Taj Mahal, Jaipur's forts and pink palaces, a camel safari from holy Pushkar and the chance to explore the bazaars of Old Delhi.
Departs 13-22 August and 21-30 December 2009; prices from GBP895 pp*.
Jordan - Syria: Middle East Wonders (13 days) - visit Damascus, Petra, Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea and the formidable Crusader castle of Krak des Chevaliers.
Departs 21 June - 3 July 2009; prices from GBP1,225 pp*
Malawi - Zambia: Big Game Safari (14 days) - see big game in Zambia's magnificent South Luangwa, relax on Lake Malawi's shores and view hippo, elephant and crocodile in Malawi's Liwonde National Park.
Departs 22 September - 5 October 2009; prices from GBP1,540 pp*
Mexico: Tequila Sunrise (15 days) - Explore lost civilizations and colourful markets, historical Mexico City and Oaxaca, Indian and colonial-influenced San Cristoba, Chichen Itza and the tropical beaches of Playa del Carmen.
Departs 18 October - 1 November 2009; prices from GBP1,495 pp*
Morocco: Marrakech Express + Kasbah Capers (15 days) - see the best of Morocco from Tangier, Rabat and Fes in the north to mesmerising Marrakech and the Kasbahs, oases and Atlas Mountains further south.
Departs 21 September - 5 October 2009; prices from GBP795 pp*.
This tour can also be taken separately in two parts: Marrakech Express (8 day tour) departing 21 September is priced from GBP525 pp* and Kasbah Capers (9 day tour) departing 27 September is priced from GBP585 pp*.
Peru: Spirit of the Incas (15 days) - the best of Peru and a good option for non-trekkers, the itinerary includes Cusco, travelling by boat on Lake Titicaca to the floating reed islands of Uros and a train ride to mighty Machu Picchu.
Departs 28 August - 11 September 2009; prices from GBP1,595 pp*
South Africa: Kruger & Cape (19 days) - a camping-based tour which includes spotting rhino, leopard, cheetah and zebra in Kruger National Park, wetland walks in Cape Vidal, coastal hikes in Coffee Bay and the scenic Garden Route and Cape Town.
Departs 9-27 September 2009; prices from GBP1,860 pp*.
Syria: Crusader Castles and Ancient Roads (9 days) - visit the desert trading post of Palmyra - once a major link in the old spice route to India; see mosques, museums and palaces in Damascus and Aleppo's medieval souks.
Departs 21-29 June 2009; prices from GBP820 pp*.
Vietnam - Thailand - Cambodia: Good Morning Vietnam! + Indochina Encounter (22 days) - an action-packed adventure to the Mekong Delta and Hanoi, the beaches of Nha Trang, the historic port of Hoi An and a junk boat cruise in Hanoi's Ha Long Bay, jungle temples of Angkor, Phnom Penh and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, Bangkok and Saigon.
Departs 13 October - 3 November 2009; prices from GBP1,655 pp*.
This tour can also be taken separately in two parts: Good Morning Vietnam! (15 days) departing 20 October & 3 November is priced from GBP1,445 pp* and Indochina Encounter (12 days) departing 13 October 2009 is priced from GBP1,345 pp*.
* Prices include return flights from London, all transportation, accommodation, some meals (depending on the tour) and the services of an Explore tour leader.
For more information or to book Explore's new Back to Basics tours which are available online only, call 0844 499 0901 or visit the new-look website at http://www.explore.co.uk.
Press: For more information, images, or to arrange an interview with Explore's MD, Ashley Toft, please call Richard Mellor or Ian Bradley at Travel PR on 020 8891 4440, or email r.mellor@travelpr.co.uk or i.bradley@travelpr.co.uk
Established in 1981, Explore is the world's leading small group adventure holiday company. Its nine specialist programmes - Worldwide, Family Adventures, Cycle, Short Breaks, Festivals, Pioneer, Special Interest (incl. Eclipse Tours, Volunteer and History Tours), Rail Journeys and Back to Basics - offer 580 trips to 140 countries around the world, while its brand-new offering, Tailormade Explore (www.tailormadeexplore.co.uk), creates bespoke trips with total flexibility - of accommodation, timing and itinerary - for those who prefer to travel independently.
---
Press release service and press release distribution provided by http://www.24-7pressrelease.com# # #
- adventure, africa, big, budget, cambodia, cats, chichen, damascus, delta, five, inca, india, indochina, itza, jordan, kruger, luangwa, mahal, malawi, marrakech, mekong, mexico, morocco, palmyra, peru, petra, syria, taj, thailand, trail, travel, vietnam, zambia
