New 2009 Brochure - Out Now!

The new 2009 brochure from Walks Worldwide, the walking holiday specialists, offers a superb portfolio of private guided treks, guided and self-guided, open-dated departures and ‘In Style’ walking tours (the connoisseur’s choice). For 2009, Walks Worldwide has added 54 new tours, including a greatly expanded programme in Eastern Europe and South America, plus a whole new section dedicated to their increasingly popular ‘In Style’ tours – great for trekkers who prefer a bit of luxury at the end of a day! Many guided tours are now open-dated, offering greater flexibility and, unlike many ‘rival’ operators, available for a minimum of two travelling together. Perfect for those who want independence with the benefit of their very own local guide.

The dedicated team at Walks Worldwide combines years of firsthand experience and is genuinely enthusiastic about each of the countries they visit - all keen walkers too! Want to know the best Inca route to Machu Picchu, be one of the first to try Husky Trekking in Finland – walkies here takes on a whole new meaning, unravel the secrets of Romania’s mythical Maramures – an ancient land of wooden churches, or visit the only town in the US where the mail is still carried by mule? Ask Walks Worldwide, they’ve been there, done that…

Headliner trips for 2009 include:

FINLAND - Husky Trekking: 8-day guided tour with scheduled departures in June & Aug 09 - £895 p/p (land only).
A brand new tour exclusive to Walks Worldwide - dog-assisted walking with your very own Husky in Finland’s wild forests. Arctic dogs have traditionally been used for many purposes, and when there is no snow, they’re used for carrying packs and also to help humans walk faster by utilising a special leash tied to a harness. It’s not a walk in the park, and to fully enjoy this incredible experience, you need to be strong and a dog lover – Nordic Hiking is sooo last year!
ROMANIA – Mythical Maramures: 8-day guided tour departing May-Oct 09 (min 2 persons) - £1,095 p/p (land only).
A new walking holiday in the remote Maramures region of Romania, offers a journey back in time into a rural medieval life that will enchant even the most jaded world traveller. Visit the ‘Merry Cemetery’ as seen on Michael Palin’s BBC TV series New Europe, and the ancient hand-built wooden churches, many of which are now World Heritage sites.

USA – Canyons of the South West: 14-day self-drive tour with guided walking departing 09 daily - £2,895 p/p (land only).
This itinerary combines the independence of a self-drive tour with guided off-trail trekking in some of the country’s best national parks. Explore the Grand Canyon, Escalante River and famous ‘Grand Staircase’, Navajo and Havasupai Indian Reservations, Bryce and Zion NPs. Later, visit the only town in the US where mail is still carried by mule and stay in ‘The Most Beautiful Place in America’ – Sedona.

PERU – Salkantay Luxury Lodge Trek: 17-day guided group tour departing March-Dec 09 – from £2,995 p/p (land only).
Why follow in the footsteps of the Inca Trail hordes when you can trek to Machu Picchu along the magnificent Salkantay Trail? With breathtaking views around every corner this tough trail is hugely rewarding, even better when trekking ‘In Style’, from one luxurious eco-lodge to another. Take a dip in the stunning glacial lagoon at the foot of mystical Salkantay (6,271m), the second most important Inca peak, or enjoy the scenery amidst the bubbles of an outdoor Jacuzzi, just one of the little luxuries available on a superb new tour.

Click here to go to new digital brochure.

NEW SRI LANKA - DISCOVER PARADISE ISLAND

Along with sun-drenched, palm-fringed sandy beaches and the azure waters of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka offers an incredible variety of landscapes and cultures, an abundance of plant and wildlife as well as a wealth of historical and archaeological treasures. Watch the sunrise from sacred Adam’s Peak, trek to World’s End and visit the ‘Fortress in the Sky’ during Walks Worldwide’s NEW 10-day, guided Island Paradise Hiking, with daily seasonal departures from London – best time to go - NOW till May 09.

On arrival in Colombo, transfer to Negombo beach resort for an initial night. From here, discover local village life along the coast before climbing to the rock fortress of Sigiriya, ‘The Fortress in the Sky’, and it’s a magnificent complex of geometrically laid gardens, pools and fountains. Next, explore Knuckles Mountain Range (so named since it resembles the knuckles of clenched fist), offering numerous trails amongst 155km² of spectacular mountain scenery - cross crystal clear rivers, walk through dense forest and encounter spectacular waterfalls together with lush tea and cardamom plantations. Next, enjoy the tranquility at Kandy’s Udawattakele Forest Reserve, only 'disturbed' by the sound of tropical birds and the cries of small Macaque monkeys! Later, a pre-dawn ascent of Sri Pada ('sacred footprint') rock formation, and the summit of Adam's Peak (2,225m) - Sri Lanka’s highest mountain, sacred to four of the world's major religions - Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam, offers breathtaking sunrise panoramas - and perhaps some enlightenment! Explore the upper montane forest and wet patana grassland of Horton Plains National Park, situated on Sri Lanka 's highest plateau (over 2,000m), keeping watch for elusive Leopard, Sambar Deer and Bear Monkey, before crossing the desolate plains to World’s End, a spectacular, aptly named precipice plummeting over 1,000m.

The holiday costs £760 p/p (land only) including transfers, beach resort and lodge accommodation, all meals and the expertise of a local guide.

Click here to see more Asian holidays.

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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RAJASTHAN IN STYLE

An Indian who claimed to be the world’s oldest man has died at his home in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Although Habib Miyan's pension papers showed his date of birth as 20th May 1879, he claimed he was 138-years-old… For a guaranteed historic experience amongst a land brimming with history, culture, wildlife and scenery, join Walks Worldwide on an in-depth exploration of this enchanting part of Northern India. Combine culture with remote mountain and desert trekking, wonderful food, the colours and sights of tribal village life, and exotic architecture, then top it all with overnight stays in some of India's former palaces and classic overnight sleeper trains, and you have a holiday to remember! Guided, 20-day Rajasthan In Style tours depart London daily – new season begins end of October 2008.

From an inspirational start at the Taj Mahal in Agra, continue to the 'pink city' of Jaipur full of intricate historical buildings including the famous Palace of Winds and Observatory, before travelling by overnight sleeper train to the enchanting city of Udaipur, nestling serenely on the shores of Lake Pichola. Head to the Aravali Mountains, beginning of a six-day trek from the tribal village of Saira, through a forest reserve with excellent birdwatching, to the holy Jain temple of Ranakpur. Continue to Kumbhalgarh, a mediaeval citadel perched up high at 1,914m then traverse grasslands, low sand dunes, narrow fertile valleys, semi-desert and isolated farming villages, spotting wildlife en route. Next, visit Jodhpur and Jaisalmere, famed for their beautiful forts and Jain temples before embarking on a real Rajasthan adventure - a camel safari! Ride through Thar Desert, a region with a compelling historical background of tribal feuds and wealthy trade caravans, meeting hospitable local people along the way. Return to New Delhi for a city tour before homeward flights.

The tour costs £2,395 p/p including scheduled flights, transfers, train tickets, hotel and camp accommodation, most meals, permits and entrance fees, sightseeing, camel and sleeper train transport, luggage transfers, and expert guiding.

Click here to see more Indian walking holidays.

SPICY TRAILS - INDIA’S KERALA

Explore the peaceful trails of India’s Western Ghats where the cool mountain air is heavily spiced with the sweet scent of tea, descend through valleys of cardamom, mango and coffee and cruise along the Keralan waterways, past rice paddies and rubber plantations, watching local fisherman catch supper. Walks Worldwide’s 16-day guided Keralan Spice Trails walking tour in Southern India departs London 15th November 2008.

From Kochi, the oldest European settlement in India and a curious pot-pourri of Jewish synagogues, Portuguese churches, Dutch palaces and British cricket greens, head into the tranquil Cardamom Hills and Munnar, Kerala’s 19th century hill station. Munnar is an idyllic haven set amongst crystal-clear lakes, waterfalls and forests where the world’s highest tea plantations spread out like a green carpet. Ascend Meesapulimala peak (2,650 metres), the highest in the area, before descending through the friendly villages of Tamil Nadu. Visit Madurai, one of the oldest and most fascinating cities in India, then embark on a jungle safari beneath the exotic canopies of Periyar National Park, a rich habitat for large mammals including Elephant and Buffalo. Complete this southern Indian experience cruising along the waterways of Allepey on an enchanting houseboat, an ideal way to absorb the region’s unique culture and enjoy some mouth-watering regional cuisine along the way. Finish at the coast and the historic city of Kochi 'the Queen of the Arabian Sea', in time for some last minute bargaining in the markets before homeward flights.

The tour costs £1,550 p/p including scheduled flights, transfers, hotel, camp and houseboat accommodation, porterage of luggage, entrance fees and expert guiding.

Click here for India Walking Holiday - Keralan Spice Trails

SPICY TRAILS - INDIA’S KERALA

Explore the peaceful trails of India’s Western Ghats where the cool mountain air is heavily spiced with the sweet scent of tea, descend through valleys of cardamom, mango and coffee and cruise along the Keralan waterways, past rice paddies and rubber plantations, watching local fisherman catch supper. Walks Worldwide’s 16-day guided Keralan Spice Trails walking tour in Southern India departs London 15th November 2008.

From Kochi, the oldest European settlement in India and a curious pot-pourri of Jewish synagogues, Portuguese churches, Dutch palaces and British cricket greens, head into the tranquil Cardamom Hills and Munnar, Kerala’s 19th century hill station. Munnar is an idyllic haven set amongst crystal-clear lakes, waterfalls and forests where the world’s highest tea plantations spread out like a green carpet. Ascend Meesapulimala peak (2,650 metres), the highest in the area, before descending through the friendly villages of Tamil Nadu. Visit Madurai, one of the oldest and most fascinating cities in India, then embark on a jungle safari beneath the exotic canopies of Periyar National Park, a rich habitat for large mammals including Elephant and Buffalo. Complete this southern Indian experience cruising along the waterways of Allepey on an enchanting houseboat, an ideal way to absorb the region’s unique culture and enjoy some mouth-watering regional cuisine along the way. Finish at the coast and the historic city of Kochi 'the Queen of the Arabian Sea', in time for some last minute bargaining in the markets before homeward flights.

The tour costs £1,550 p/p including scheduled flights, transfers, hotel, camp and houseboat accommodation, porterage of luggage, entrance fees and expert guiding.

Click here for Walking Holiday - Keralan Spice Trails