Left: Val Ferret, Italy Photo: John Turner Right: Mt Olympus Photo: Steve Berry Tour du Mont Blanc trekkers Photo: Winky O’Neal 69 tel: 0845 330 8579 (local call rate, UK only) international tel: +44 1453 844 400 www.himalayankingdoms.com Europe Grade: Moderate/Vigorous On Trek: 6 days In-country Leader Nights’ Accommodation: Hotels: 5 Mtn Huts: 4 Optional: Single Room £125 Insurance: £42 (Standard Policy) Days Itinerary Duration: 10 days –1 Meet in Athens –2 Drive to Lithoro, Mt Olympus 3–7 Ascend Olympus and satellite peaks –8 End trek, drive to Greek country village –9 Return drive to Athens, view Acropolis –10 Depart Athens The home of the mythical Greek gods is an alluring objective that can readily be achieved in 10 days London to London. However, not only is Mount Olympus itself a beautiful and exciting rocky mountain, but this trip encompasses a visit to the Acropolis, a scenic drive through to the north of Greece from Athens and time to sample the sun, sand, Greek wine and seafood on the coast of the Aegean Sea. Mount Olympus itself rises to 9,570ft/2,917m. The highest point is Mytikas Summit but we have also allowed time to ascend Skala, Skolio and Stefani peaks, weather permitting. Whilst we are climbing these peaks of Mount Olympus we will be based at a number of different mountain refuges, any of which would rival the Swiss or Austrian alpine huts in terms of character, comfort and the excellent food provided by the resident wardens. For those of you who are keen botanists, the wild flowers on its lower slopes are without parallel, even by Greek standards. Mount Olympus 2,917m/9,570ft Greece • See also pages 2 and 3 for more information Other trekking peaks – see pages 35, 45 & 57 £765 Dates: Thu 19 Jun – Sat 28 Jun, Thu 04 Sep – Sat 13 Sep land only Guaranteed to run for a minimum of4clients Mt Olympus Trekking Peak £1,250 Dates: Sun 29 Jun – Fri 11 Jul*, Sun 13 Jul – Fri 25 Jul* land only Grade: Vigorous On Trek: 11 days European Leader: Winky O’Neale* Nights’ Accommodation: Hotels: 10 Auberge: 1 Refuge: 1 Optional: Single Room £265 Insurance: £48 (Standard Policy) Days Itinerary Duration: 13 days –1 Meet in Geneva, drive to Chamonix 2–12 Trek around Mont Blanc –13 Drive to Geneva, tour ends Guaranteed to run for a minimum of clients Further improvements to this itinerary for 2008 6 Tour du Mont Blanc, the Alps One of the great classic walks of the world! We have chosen the best overnight accommodation and the best route, led by experienced Himalayan Kingdoms’ leaders. One of those lifetime objectives that really should be achieved! Do it with us – in the style it deserves! We undertake the entire circuit clockwise, starting from Chamonix (though our price includes the transfer from Geneva). It means the climatic views of the North Face of the Grandes Jorasses come towards the end and we have time to gain fitness for the harder days. Overnight stays have been individually chosen for character. After all, half the enjoyment of this 100 mile plus walk is in the famous Alpine mountain huts, chalets and hotels. We include packed lunches and, where appropriate, the evening meal. We have planned the route to ensure that our variation of the classic route enjoys electrifying scenery throughout. We pass through Switzerland, Italy and France, taking in twelve cols, including the Fenêtre d’Arpette at 2,665m/8,743ft. The walk is all on well-established paths and typically we will be walking 6 or 7 hours per day. Our maximum group size is 12, making for an altogether more personal experience.

70 Download detailed itineraries from www.himalayankingdoms.com e: info@himalayankingdoms.com Bedouin Path in Wadi Rum Photo: Jordan Tourist Board Oman & Jordan For thousands of years Jordan has been at the crossroads of the Middle East, a bridge between Egypt and Syria, Arabia and the Mediterranean. Here caravans have criss-crossed the land since biblical times, leaving behind evidence of a rich past of ancient civilisations. The fertile Jordan valley contrasts strongly with classic sandy deserts, rugged mountains and stunning landscapes of rock and sand. Our exciting new itinerary in Jordan features what promises to become one of our classic treks, from the enchanting traditional village of Dana, over mountain and desert paths, to arrive at the stunning site of Petra, the ‘rose red city half as old as time’. We approach Petra by a rarely used route and enter from the back of the site and so get unusual views of the ruins not normally seen by tourists, but you will also be able to enter later by the traditional route so that you do not lose the impact of the first stunning views of the Treasury. The city of Petra, hidden away in encircling craggy mountains, is carved from the living rock over 2,000 years ago, and was totally unknown to the west until as late as the early 19th Century when it was ‘rediscovered’ by the explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. There will be time to explore Petra before you journey south to the unique moonlike landscape of Wadi Rum. Here from your own tented Bedouin camp you can explore the desert and mountains and enjoy the panoramic landscapes. Your desert travels end with a night on the shores of the Dead Sea. Oman really is one of the undiscovered jewels of Arabia. Unlike its neighbours, glitzy Dubai and austere Saudi Arabia, Oman is an altogether more laid back and hospitable country. Oman has wonderfully varied landscapes of desert and mountains and 1,700km of beautiful coastline. The scenery is surprisingly impressive, with mountains rising to over 3,000m/10,000ft and terrain cut by the most spectacular gorges and canyons. Ancient villages cling to cliff sides, or nestle in remote wadis which are often unexpectedly lush and green due to ancient irrigation systems. Its natural beauty is matched by an ancient culture – for centuries it has been a cross-roads of the gulf region, with dhows trading throughout the region as well as further afield – the legend of Sinbad the Sailor is believed to originate here. This ancient culture is reflected in the rich heritage of the country, ancient villages, souqs, forts and watchtowers. Our new itinerary to Oman includes a two day crossing of the Wahiba Sands with camels and Bedouin guide and a dramatic trek through the Jabal Shams mountains visiting Oman’s own ‘Grand Canyon’ and other scenic highlights. A stunning trip indeed! Mountains & Deserts of Arabia – Trekking in Oman For our new and exciting trips to the Middle East we have designed two off-the-beaten track itineraries which include the kind of real trekking which we know our clients enjoy. Both Oman and Jordan offer dramatic landscapes of mountains and deserts – sweeping vistas by day and spectacularly starlit skies by night. You will be warmly welcomed in both countries – the Bedouin in Jordan are renowned for their hospitality, while the Omanis are probably the friendliest people in the Gulf region. £1,695 £1,295 Dates: Sun 16 Mar – Wed 26 Mar, Sun 16 Nov – Wed 26 Nov land only Grade: Moderate On Trek: 5 days In-country Leader Nights’ Accommodation: Hotels: 4 Camping: 5 Optional: Single Room £125 Insurance: £95 (Standard Policy) Days Itinerary Duration: 11 days 1–2 Fly to Muscat, sightseeing 3–4 Visit coastal region south of Muscat, day walks and sandy beaches 5–6 Wahiba Sands trek –7 Nizwa fort and souq 8–10 Jabal Shams Trek –11 Fly to London Guaranteed to run for a minimum of clients Bedouin Paths to Petra & Wadi Rum, Jordan New for 2008 6 £1,575 £1,230 Dates: Sun 13 Apr – Thu 24 Apr, Sun 23 Nov – Thu 04 Dec land only Grade: Moderate On Trek: 7 days In-country Leader Nights’ Accommodation: Hotels: 2 Guest House/Lodges: 2 Camping: 6 Optional: Single Room £115 Insurance: £95 (Standard Policy) Days Itinerary Duration: 12 days 1–2 Fly to Amman, sightseeing 3–8 Trek Dana to Petra –9 Visit Petra and drive to Wadi Rum 10 – 11 Trekking in Wadi Rum, drive to Dead Sea –12 Fly to London Guaranteed to run for a minimum of clients New for 2008 6