Set sail from Reykjavik on Le Boreal, a luxury expedition cruiser servicing a maximum of 199 passengers. From Iceland you’ll head into frosty waters accompanied by a stellar team of experts, ranging from historians and naturalists to a photo coach. Over the course of the journey, you’ll visit the tiny capital of Nuuk in Greenland, explore the spectacular fjords and towering icebergs in Zodiacs, watch for wildlife and discover the region’s Viking history.
While the landscape is awe-inspiring, you’ll be equally enthralled by the people you meet in remote communities and tiny villages along the way. When the day is done, sit on the balcony of your stateroom and enjoy the excellent international fare in the two restaurants.
Interested in Buddhism? Looking to inject more meaning into your life or have a little existential itch that just won’t quit? You can do all this and more in India’s Bodh Gaya, the birthplace of Buddhism.
The town of Bodh Gaya in Bihar, in East India, bordering Nepal and divided by the River Ganges is the birthplace of Prince Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) and is one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the world.
So how did all of this come about? One day the sheltered young prince decided to wander outside his privileged and palatial quarters and was shocked when he saw intense suffering and decay. His response was to abandon his riches in search for truth and enlightenment. After several years of searching and meditation, it is believed he attained nirvana in Bodh Gaya to become Buddha (the enlightened one). The rest, as they say, is history.
Today, pilgrims and tourists flock to the tranquil 2,500-year-old city to soak in its spiritual ambience, retrace the footsteps of Buddha, understand his philosophies, pay homage or attend one of the many Buddhist workshops.
Head to the Dungeshwari Caves (also known as the Mahakala Caves), located 12 kilometres northeast of Bodh Gaya. It is here Lord Buddha meditated for six years before he attained enlightenment. Six years? Think about that for a moment. Most people can’t sit still for six seconds.
Situated 40 kilometres from Bodh Gaya is a cluster of four caves know and the Barabar Caves: Karan Chaupar, Lomas Rishi, Sudama and Visvakarma. Carved from granite rock, they are said to have been constructed by emperor Ashoka for the use of Ajivaka ascetics.
Scattered within the ruins of one of the greatest education institutes in history and located on the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Nalanda is the resplendent Nalanda University.
No trip to Bodh Gaya would be complete without visiting the famous Bodhi Tree. Situated next to the Mahabodhi Temple, it marks the spot where the original Bodhi tree once stood, under which the meditating Prince sat for more than a month before he attained enlightenment.
The ultimate question is will you find what you’re looking for in Bodh Gaya? There’s only one way to find out!
If the idea of cycling roughly 80 kilometres a day through the lush northern countryside of Thailand and Laos sounds like the active holiday of your dreams, we’ve got the excursion for you. The Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang tour with Art of Bicycle Trips is a 14-day two-wheel extravaganza, navigating the paddy fields, rainforests and deep valleys of this diverse region. Plus, cycling gives you the chance to slow down, breath and take in so much more of this incredible countryside.
The route follows the Mekong, Kok, Nam Ou and Nam Pak rivers, with pit stops scheduled at many of the local communities and Buddhist wats. A traditional Mekong riverboat cruise provides safe passage to Laos, giving you much-needed respite from the (seemingly) endless pedalling, plus a glimpse into this particularly remote section of the famous river. You’ll also get to visit some of the least-touristed spots of Laos, like Muang Khua, where life slows right down.
Tucked deep in the lush forest of Tsuma on the Shimane Island of Dogojima, you’ll discover the Dangyo Waterfall or, as the locals call it, Dangyo-no-taki. Flowing off the rocky cliff faces are two sacred falls: Odaki to the right is considered ‘male’ and Medaki to the left is the ‘female’. Sumo wrestlers, as well as the owners of bulls who compete in ushi-zumo (bull sumo), often perform purification rituals at the waterfall before a competition.
Dangyo Shrine sits behind the waterfalls, curtained by a cloud of mist. At the base of the falls you’ll find a stairway that curls behind them and leads to the shrine entrance. Here there’s a cliff that is the perfect place to view the tranquil surrounds, soundtracked by roaring water. It’s the embodiment of Japanese Shinto spirituality at its most pure.
This part of the country is virtually unaffected by the environmental impacts of man, and the spring water that flows through the mountains is so clean you can drink it. As a way to keep the site pristine, access to the waterfall is only for the ambitious few who are willing to make the journey there. Public transport doesn’t reach the site, but it is accessible by foot, bike or car. While it isn’t particularly easy to reach, the reward of experiencing Dangyo-no-taki far outweighs the work of getting there.
There’s no doubt Chile is one long, thin nation, so there’s no better way to discover its wonders than on a cruise. With Hapag-Lloyd, you’ll join one of its luxury expedition ships in Callao, Peru’s largest seaport, before setting sail south.
Jump in a Zodiac and watch out for pelicans and Humboldt penguins off Isla Pan de Azucar, head to shore to check out the colourful city of Valparaíso then get set for one of the journey’s highlights. In Chile’s south you’ll sail its fjords searching for whales, and explore the Torres del Paine National Park and Magallanes National Reserve.
The final stop is Ushuaia in Argentina, the world’s southernmost city. The 18-day cruise is a great way to see the Chilean coastline with its volcanoes, glaciers and the remnants of ancient civilisations. And the cherry on top? You get to see it all from the comfort of a luxurious expedition vessel.
Imagine wandering down to reception after a good night’s sleep in the African wilderness and crossing paths with an elephant on its way to pinch a couple of sweet mangoes from the surrounding trees. Well, if you join the Bushcamp’s South Luangwa Safari, run by Bench Africa, this could be your reality. As part of the six-day expedition through Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park you’ll move between two bush camps and the main Mfuwe Lodge, exploring the area with experienced local guides.
Tour numbers are kept small to allow for flexibility within the itinerary, and there are opportunities to stretch your legs on a walking safari, as well as head out on game drives in your search for wildlife. Our tip: for the best chance of an elephant encounter visit Mfuwe Lodge between late October and mid-December.
Stretching across China, Russia, Mongolia and Kazakhstan, the Altai Mountains are a wildly rugged and completely breathtaking region rarely traversed by outsiders. The 11-day Altai Mountains Adventure kicks off from the Altai Republic capital of Gorno-Altaysk then heads into the depths of this otherworldly Siberian landscape. You’ll spot snow leopards, share in sacred shamanic rituals and cross one of the world’s most stunning thoroughfares, the Chuysky Tract.
Other highlights include exploring the magnificent Karakol and Kamtytugem Valleys, visiting the Little Aktru Glacier and gazing upon the red cliffs of Kyzyl-Chin. If you want an off-the-beaten-track experience, you’re in luck, because this is about as remote as it gets.
It doesn’t rate highly on any tourist hot lists, but fascinating Sudan is a forgotten paradise, home to ancient pyramids, royal temples and mysterious archaeological wonders. It’s also a place of great natural beauty, where sand dunes, palm trees and the colossal Nile River dominate the dramatic arid landscape. On this eye-opening 12-day voyage with MT Sobek, you’ll experience the history, culture and dazzling scenery firsthand, discovering a side to Sudan that often goes unreported.
Enthusiastic locals will welcome you to desert camps, knowledgeable guides will lead you through tombs and souks, and you’ll marvel at traditional whirling dervishes. There’s even a Nile River cruise that leads to the Nuri pyramids. This tour will redefine everything you believed about travelling to this rarely visited part of the world.
Five days, a relatively good level of fitness and a decent high altitude tolerance is all you’ll need to summit Morocco’s Mount Toubkal. Intimidated? Don’t be. The team at Flash Pack knows exactly how to guide you to the roof of North Africa. The trip begins in Marrakech, where you should make the most of your time to relax and refuel before heading into the foothills of the Atlas Mountains to tackle the apex. The daily 10-hour treks sound scary, but you’ll be rewarded with epic views of the Sahara, Atlantic Coast, Nfiss Valley and Siroua volcano.
The scenery will make every blister worth it, plus, you’ll be treated to a full-body exfoliation and steam bath when you’re done. Now there’s an incentive to reach the top!
Despite what Taco Bill and Old El Paso have taught us to believe, there’s more to Mexican cuisine than burritos, frozen margaritas and lashings of chips and guac. Which is why the Mexico Food Adventure with Exodus Travel will give you insight into the country’s rich culinary history. You’ll learn about traditional Mexican cooking techniques, visit local markets and restaurants, partake in mezcal tastings and eat straight from street vendors.
There’s even a guided tour of the Mundo Chocolate Museum, where you can join in on an authentic chocolate metate class – tastings are a given, of course. This gastronomic expedition requires a good appetite though, so best not to start that diet until you return.
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