EVEREST TREKKING IN STYLE - NEPAL

On 24th September 1975, Mount Everest’s southwest face was successfully scaled for the first time by British climbers Dougal Haston and Doug Scott. 33-years on and the world’s highest peak remains an ambitious calling for climbers of all levels. Walks Worldwide offers a 13-day Everest in Style guided tour along the trail to Everest Base Camp, climbing as far as Tengboche Monastery (3,867m). Sample all the excitement the route offers whilst staying at lower (and safer) altitudes – without the need for crampons and oxygen tanks! Seasonal daily UK departures are available NOW! (New season begins September 2008 till April 2009).

In Kathmandu, enjoy a sightseeing tour to explore the exotic, temples, palaces and colourful streets of this ancient and chaotic city – capital of South Asia’s newest republic. Next, fly to Lukla, gateway to the Khumbu Valley, and begin trekking with a gentle path to Monjo - a superb introduction to the region, passing traditional Sherpa villages, yaks and dramatic swing-bridges high over glacial torrents below. Bustling teahouses and comfortable well-appointed lodge accommodation offer welcome respite en-route, allowing for well-earned relaxation amongst magnificent scenery. On entering Sagamartha National Park a steep climb brings travellers to Namche Bazaar (3,446m), ‘Sherpa capital’ and main trading centre of the region. Spend a full day acclimatising while visiting the Everest Museum, meeting Tibetan traders and fellow trekkers. A slow climb brings travellers to the high point - the famous Tengboche Monastery (3,867m). This magical spot, surrounded by incredible snowy peaks, offers magnificent views down the valley towards Everest. Experience afternoon prayer with the resident monks before descending to Tashinga for a good night's sleep in another beautiful lodge. Traverse the valley to Khumjung, home of the ‘Yeti skull’, and on to Khunde where Sir Edmund Hillary established a school and medical centre. An unusual route from here leads, zigzagging up through a river gorge, to Thame, one of the prettiest villages in the area and birthplace of Tenzing Sherpa. Reaching Mende, enjoy tea with the nuns before the decent to Monjo and Lukla. Return to Kathmandu for further sightseeing and homeward flights.

The guided expedition costs from £2,250 including flights, private transfers, hotel and deluxe mountain lodge accommodation, most meals, guides, porters and park fees.

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Winter Walking - Loving Libya

Don’t know if we can mention the ‘c’ word at this stage, but for walkers hoping to spend the festive season (still can’t say it!) in warmer climes, Walks Worldwide emphasises the need to book early. Their 12-day Libyan Explorer guided walking holiday offers the exotic and unusual, plus with guaranteed winter sunshine and inspirational desert scenery, it will more than fill the bill. Tour departs London 19th December 08. (If you’re quick there are limited places on the 15th October departure too).

Towering sand dunes, shimmering palm-fringed lakes, volcanic mountains, prehistoric rock art, remarkable Roman remains and a long and fertile Mediterranean coastline are just fragments of what makes Libya such an inspiring destination. In Tripoli the welcome is warm, with smiling faces all around and streets lined with images of a triumphant (and sometimes smiling) Colonel Gaddaffi. Explore the city’s ancient medina, as charming as the one in Marrakech but without the usual hassles, allowing travellers to browse in peace. One of the highlights of Walks Worldwide’s tour is the remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site of Jebel Acacus, in the south-west of the country. Comparable to Jordan’s stunning Wadi Rum, its Saharan landscapes, inhabited by the nomadic Tuareg, reveal sand and rock towers, many examples of rarely-seen rock carvings and paintings, and desert wildlife. Walks Worldwide spend five nights here trekking amongst the dramatic Acacus rock formations and sand dunes, stopping to camp in a different location each night. Other highlights include visits to the Roman cities of Sabaratha, boasting one of the finest theatres in antiquity, and magnificent Leptis Magna, without doubt the best Roman ruins outside of Italy. Here, explore the well-preserved colonnaded streets, baths, arches and amphitheatre of Africa’s greatest Roman cities.

The tour costs £1,515 p/p (December departure) and £1,395 p/p (October departure) including scheduled flights, transfers, hotel and camping accommodation, most meals and expert guiding.

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STEPPE INTO THE AUVERGNE

An 'extremely rare' 400,000 year old skull belonging to a 3.7m tall Steppe Mammoth (Mammuthus trogontherii), has been unearthed in the Auvergne region of southern France. Scientists hope that the skull will provide the 'missing link' in mammoth evolution. For the opportunity to explore an ancient land relatively undiscovered by foreign visitors, steppe-off on Walks Worldwide’s 9-day, self-guided The Auvergne Volcanoes - A Grande Randonnee, following one of France's Grande Randonnees (long distance walking routes). From the volcanic mountain mass of the Puy de Sancy to the sub-alpine hills of the Cantal, walks are sustained by a refreshing supply of Auvergne mineral water and wonderful local specialities ranging from fragrant cheeses to rustic meat stews - this mammoth walking holiday offers something for everyone! Daily departures from London available now till October 2008.

From Clermont-Ferrand, transfer by train to an old spa-town, Mont Dore. From here, ride out of the valley on a 100- year-old funicular railway, take the modern telepherique, or just walk - following a trail across the rocky snow-capped Sancy range to Super Besse ski-resort. Next, climb to Lac Pavin, a crater–lake situated on a high grassy plateau, dotted with pinewoods. Continue on past herds of dark brown Salers cattle, whose milk is used to produce the excellent regional cheeses, before reaching the small hill-town of Egliseneuve d'Entraygues. Descend along winding paths and through wooded valleys, passing pretty Romanesque churches en route. Reaching high verdant pastureland, enticing views of the approaching Cantal range are on offer. A much needed rest is taken in Le Claux, where the day can be spent exploring on foot, by bike, horse riding or even hang-gliding. Alternatively, enjoy a swim in the hotel pool or sit in the garden and rest those weary legs! Later, head into higher mountains, to Breche de Roland, a cleft in the hillside that requires exciting scrambling - the solidified central core of the volcano, the Puy Griou, is now visible. Continue climbing to join Teton de Venus circuit on the old crater of Bec de l'Aigle before descending into the picturesque winding streets of 15th century Murat for the final night. Return by train to Clermont-Ferrand for homeward flights next day.

The holiday costs from £765 p/p including hotels and gite d'etape accommodation, some meals, daily luggage transfers, route notes and maps.

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