Estancia La Maipu Photo: Kirsty Parsons 67 tel: 0845 330 8579 (local call rate, UK only) international tel: +44 1453 844 400 www.himalayankingdoms.com PATAGONIA Argentina £2,895 £2,195 Dates: Sat 01 Mar – Tue 18 Mar, Sat 08 Nov – Tue 25 Nov land only Grade: Vigorous On Trek: 9 days In-country Leader Nights’ Accommodation: Hotels: 4 Camping: 7 Lodges/Estancias: 4 Optional: Single Room £225 Single Tent £95 Insurance: £149 (Insurance Plus) Days Itinerary Duration: 18 days 1–4 Fly to Buenos Aires, rest, fly to Calafate, transfer to estancia 5–9 Trek through Patagonian mountains 10–13 Trek to Cerro Torre and Fitz Roy base camps. Possibly climb Loma del Diablo –14 Drive to El Calafate, visit Perito Moreno Glacier 15–18 Fly to Buenos Aires, at leisure, fly to London Guaranteed to run for a minimum of clients Full reconnaissance completed – Major Improvements 5 The Best Trek to Cerro Torre & Fitz Roy This fabulous trip offers a true wilderness trekking experience in a vast landscape populated only by condors, guanacos and the occasional gaucho, and provides a breathtaking panoramic view of the Fitz Roy massif that few others will have seen. In fact, our head guide in Argentina, Luciano Bernacci, believes the remote trek from Estancia La Maipu to the small town of El Chalten, to be the best in the Patagonian mountains of Argentina. We combine this superb trek with beautiful day walks to the base camps of the iconic Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre mountains, a mini-trekking peak and an exciting hike on the Viedma Glacier. Accommodation consists of a combination of top-quality camping, comfortable hotels and lodges and a working estancia where we sample the traditions, history and cuisine of Patagonia. The trip begins and ends with time to relax and enjoy the vibrant capital, Buenos Aires. Gentle Trekking – Luxury Lodges & Estancias, Patagonia A combination of the finest accommodation and a varied programme of good-length day walks in the pristine landscape of the Los Glaciares National Park, make this a very special holiday. We base ourselves at top quality lodges offering the highest standard of comfort, service and cuisine: El Puma located in the small trekking town of El Chalten, Los Notros overlooking the Perito Moreno Glacier and Estancia Cristina set amongst the Patagonian wilderness surrounded by turquoise lakes, towering mountains and dazzling glaciers. There will be plenty of time for trekking in the Patagonian mountains with electric views of the Upsala Glacier and the famous peaks of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre. There is also the opportunity to enjoy some horse-riding and fossil-hunting. Our thrilling last day in Patagonia is spent hiking on the extraordinary Perito Moreno Glacier; one of the natural wonders of the world. Leaving Patagonia behind, there is time to tango in the exciting Latin city of Buenos Aires. Himalayan Kingdoms is the only British company to offer these two treks. Greatly improved since a full reconnaissance was completed in 2007 Grade: Gentle On Trek: 7 days In-country Leader Nights’ Accommodation: Hotels: 5 Estancias: 6 Optional: Single Room £tbc Insurance: £145 (Insurance Plus) Days Itinerary Duration: 14 days 1–3 Fly to Buenos Aires & Calafate, transfer to El Chalten 4–5 Day walks to Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre Base Camps, transfer to Calafate 6–9 Boat to Estancia Cristina via the Upsala Glacier. Day walks around Cristina. Transfer to Los Notros –10 Ice trek on the Perito Moreno Glacier 11–14 Fly to Buenos Aires, at leisure. Fly to London Guaranteed to run for a minimum of clients Other Christmas treks – see pages 21, 23, 28, 29, 32, 34, 53, 55, 56 & £2,995 £2,230 Sat 12 Jan – Fri 25 Jan Sat 09 Feb – Fri 22 Feb £2,995 £2,300 Sat 15 Mar – Fri 28 Mar Sat 05 Apr – Fri 18 Apr £3,195 £2,430 Sat 11 Oct – Fri 24 Oct Sat 08 Nov – Fri 21 Nov £3,295 £2,475 Mon 22 Dec ’08 – Sun 04 Jan Price TBC: 2009 dates: Sat 10 Jan – Fri 23 Jan ’09 Sat 07 Feb – Fri 20 Feb ’09 Sat 14 Mar – Fri 27 Mar ’09 Sat 04 Apr – Fri 17 Apr ’09 land only land only land only land only 5

68 Download detailed itineraries from www.himalayankingdoms.com e: info@himalayankingdoms.com North America Whether it be climbing on El Capitan in Yosemite, or trekking down into the Grand Canyon, the stunning landscapes of the western USA have been drawing HK staff for many years. For 2008 we’re delighted to add two great trekking trips, exploring some of America’s premier National Parks on foot. Each itinerary has been carefully planned to maximise the time for trekking (a walk every full day in the States) while absorbing the fascinating heritage, culture and natural history you’ll encounter along the way. After time to explore San Francisco, we head south along ‘Highway 1’ for walks on the beautiful Californian coast – Pacific beaches, hidden coves and redwood groves. From Monterey we take to the ocean for some whalewatching, before heading inland to the Sierra Nevada and Yosemite National Park. These celebrated landscapes, captured by Ansel Adams and treasured by John Muir, offer magnificent trekking and we enjoy three full days on the trail here, taking in such sights as the peak of Half-Dome and the Yosemite, Vernal and Bridal Veil waterfalls. We may be lucky enough to spot black bear, while mule deer and eagles are frequently seen. Travelling eastward we enjoy further walks in the High Sierra, including a day on the John Muir Trail, explore a ghost town and experience a night in the heart of Death Valley. Our last days take in the Grand Canyon, a sight that will literally take your breath away, before a final night amid the bright lights of Las Vegas. Californian Coastal Paths with Yosemite & Desert Hikes £2,495 £1,795 Dates: Sat 09 Aug – Sun 24 Aug, Sat 06 Sep – Sun 21 Sep land only Grade: Gentle Day Walks: 12 days In-country Leader Nights’ Accommodation: Hotels: 12 Motels: 2 Optional: Single Room £435 Insurance: £105 (Standard Policy) Days Itinerary Duration: 16 days 1–2 Fly to San Francisco, sightseeing 3–5 Coastal walking and whale watching 6–11 Trekking in Yosemite NP & the Mammoth Region 12–14 Walking & Sightseeing in Death Valley & Grand Canyon 15–16 Transfer and fly from Las Vegas to London Guaranteed to run for a minimum of clients New for 2008 5 Left: Grand Canyon in winter Photo: Kirsty Parsons Right: Yosemite Park Photo: Steve Harbert Grand Canyon Trek and the Best Wild West Trails The plunging canyons, intricate rock spires, towering, cliffs and sparkling waterfalls of America’s southwest are the focus of this memorable new trekking holiday. As well as great full- and half-day walks in the Zion, Bryce, Canyonlands and Arches National Parks, we follow in the boot-steps of John Wayne as we walk amongst the rock monoliths of Monument Valley and explore the tribal lands of the Navajo and Hopi Indians in the company of native guides. Heading west we experience the Grand Canyon from top to bottom, from the first sight of this breathtaking work of nature to a supported trek to the canyon floor, where we spend two nights in a lodge and explore the rushing waters and waterfalls that lead to the Colorado River before rejoining the 21st Century with a final drive along Route 66. £2,395 £1,765 Dates: Sat 03 May – Sun 18 May, Sat 27 Sep – Sun 12 Oct land only Grade: Gentle/Moderate On Trek: 3 days Day Walks: 10 days In-country Leader Nights’ Accommodation: Hotels: 11 Motel: 1 Lodges: 2 Optional: Single Room £425 Insurance: £105 (Standard Policy) Days Itinerary Duration: 16 days 1–4 Fly to Las Vegas, trekking in Zion and Bryce 5–6 Trekking in Arches National Park & Canyonlands 7–9 Exploring Monument Valley, Canyon de Chelly and Hopi Mesas 10–11 Grand Canyon – South & West Rim Walks 12–14 Trek into Grand Canyon, drive to Laughlin 15–16 Transfer and fly from Las Vegas to London Guaranteed to run for a minimum of clients New for 2008 5