71 tel: 0845 330 8579 (local call rate, UK only) international tel: +44 1453 844 400 www.himalayankingdoms.com Overlanding Siân Pritchard-Jones & Bob Gibbons Siân and Bob have been travelling overland, leading treks and exploring as many unusual destinations as possible since the mid seventies. Bob has driven overland trucks across Asia, Africa and South America, as well as driving tour buses around India. It was easy for Siân to give up a ‘safe’ job in computers to travel with him! For some years they have also been engaged in writing guidebooks for Pilgrims Book House in Kathmandu, mainly about the Himalayan region. Writing a Cicerone Press walking guide to Mount Kailash in Tibet, and updating the Bradt guides to the Maldives and Cape Verde Islands, have also proved exciting projects. Following various overland trips in their rather ancient Land Rover, they wrote the Bradt Africa Overland guidebook. Africa Overland 4th Edition Bradt Travel Guides July 2005 ISBN: 978-1-84162-135-7 These two itineraries have been designed for us by Siân Pritchard-Jones and Bob Gibbons. The concept is to enjoy the comfort and flexibility that our two Land Cruisers provide, taste some wilderness camping, and use hotels of character in the townships Morocco to Mauritania – The West African Coast Three weeks to meander and marvel at the classic ancient cities of Morocco, drive through the High Atlas Mountains and enjoy some off-roading and camping on the edge of the Sahara, before heading down the coast to the capital of Mauritania, Nouakchott. There will be plenty of time to soak up the atmosphere of Fez and Marrakesh, and to relax in the old Atlantic coast, Portuguese town of Essouira. In Mauretania in some places, the only road is the beach! Grade: Overlanding Tour (recce) Days’ Driving: 10 days 1 or possibly 2 European Leaders/Drivers: tbc Nights’ Accommodation: Hotels: 10 Camping: 3 Optional: Single Room £tbc Insurance: £69 (Standard Policy) Days Itinerary Duration: 14 days 1–2 Fly to Marrakesh, at leisure 3–6 Drive to Essaouira, Taroudant, Tata and Ourzazate (hotels) 7–9 Drive to Agdz and Zagora, (camping) 10–12 Drive to Erfoud and Fez, sightseeing (hotels) 13–14 Drive to Tangiers, sightseeing, fly to London Designed by Siân Pritchard-Jones & Bob Gibbons – New for 2008 Morocco, Sahara – Road of the Kasbahs Two weeks to explore Morocco thoroughly, beginning with some great Sahara desert travel, and some real gems of towns and places. Look up Taroudant, Ouarzazate, Todra Gorge and Rissani on your browser and you will see what we mean! Fortified towns where the 21st Century has made little impact. All the sights, sounds and smells of the souks and kasbahs. North Africa as you have always imagined it. Sounds of a million years at the dreamy Atlantic town of Essouira. Morocco & Mauritania The Roof of the World Expedition Summer 2008 and Summer 2009 – Steven Berry It has always been my dream to drive to Kathmandu, but because the ‘normal’ route through Iran and Afghanistan is politically inadvisable these days, I decided to examine more northerly route. We will, therefore, journey through northern Europe, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Xinjiang, Tibet to Kathmandu, and then across India to ship the vehicles back from Mumbai. Roughly 10,000 miles, and besides the obvious attraction of wilderness travel between the Caspian and Aral Seas, the southern rim of the Takla Makhan desert, and the drive across the Tibetan plateau, we will spend time exploring many evocative cities. Names to entice include Kiev, Volgograd (formerly Stalingrad), Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand, Tashkent, Osh, Kashgar, Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse and Kathmandu itself. We will mainly stay in hotels, but the vehicles are well-equipped for camping in the wild as well. Four people in each Land Cruiser, and the spirit of the adventure is that we share in the driving and camp work. At the time of going to print, two places remain for the Summer of 2008. Assuming the journey is viable success, I plan to offer it again in the Summer of 2009. For further details, e-mail: steve@himalayankingdoms.com or call Steve on 0845 330 8579 The Vehicles The 80 Series Toyota Land Cruisers, built between 1990 and 1998, have far fewer electronics to go wrong than the modern-day equivalent. Our two vehicles have 4.2 litre diesel engines, low mileage, and have been expedition prepared. Features include: • Air-conditioning • Long-range fuel tanks • Heavy-duty suspension • 60 litre filtered drinking-water tanks • Leather seats with canvas covers • CB radios, satellite phone and GPS • Expedition roof rack • Secret safe • Dual battery system • Winch • Fridge • iPod docking stations • Drawer system storage • Sand mats • Medical kit from £2,665 from £2,395 Dates: Sat 02 Feb – Sat 23 Feb ’08,* Sat 08 Dec – Sat 29 Dec ’08, Sat 31 Jan – Sat 21 Feb ’09 land only Grade: Overlanding Tour (recce) Days’ Driving: 15 days 1 or possibly 2 European Leaders/Drivers: Paul Franklin* Nights’ Accommodation: Hotels: 15 Camping: 5 Optional: Single Room £tbc Insurance: £75 (Standard Policy) Days Itinerary Duration: 22 days 1–3 Fly to Casablanca, drive to Fez, at leisure 4–8 Drive the ‘Road of the Kasbahs’, desert camping 9–11 Drive to Marrakesh, at leisure 12–13 Drive to Essouira, at leisure 14–19 Drive to Nouakchott, Mauretania 20–21 At leisure Nouakchott –22 Fly to Casablanca, rest, fly to London Guaranteed to run for a minimum of clients in one vehicle or a minimum of clients in 2 vehicles Designed by Siân Pritchard-Jones & Bob Gibbons – New for 2008 5 3 from £2,165 from £1,995 Dates: Sun 02 Mar – Sat 15 Mar ’08, Sun 06 Jan – Sat 19 Jan ’09, Sun 01 Mar – Sat 14 Mar ’09 land only Guaranteed to run for a minimum of clients in one vehicle or a minimum of clients in 2 vehicles 5 3

72 tel: 0845 330 8579 (local call rate, UK only) international tel: +44 1453 844 400 www.himalayankingdoms.com Discovery Expeditions for Schools, Colleges and Youth Groups 2005 saw the launch of the first Himalayan Kingdoms brochure dedicated to schools, colleges and youth groups. Over the past 18 years we have organised adventurous trips for schools to a variety of destinations. This experience forms the basis of our Discovery Expeditions, aimed at 15–25 year olds, with a range of exciting treks across the world’s major mountain ranges. All the young people who have trekked with Himalayan Kingdoms in the past have returned with a huge enthusiasm for the outdoors. Discovery Expeditions awaken curiosity about other cultures, improve individual self-esteem, generate new friendships and above all, expedition members arrive home with a new-found passion for the world in which they live. We understand just how busy today’s teachers and youth leaders are, and aim to minimise the time, stress and effort required in organising a trip. We will also support them in managing the responsibility placed on their shoulders in leading a group of young people on adventurous activities overseas. A host of state, private and grammar schools have trekked with us over the years in addition to a number of Scout and Air Cadet groups. Clients include Bryanston School, The King’s School, Canterbury, Torpoint School, Poltair Community School & Sports College, and Rednock School. If you would like to receive a copy of our Discovery Expeditions brochure, or would like to know more about our school treks, please e-mail jude@himalayankingdoms.com, or call us on: 01453 844 400 or 0845 330 8579 (local call rate, UK only) Things you need to know Flights only We can offer very competitive prices to India, Nepal, and Pakistan especially. Our preferred carriers are Qatar Airways, Gulf Air, KLM, Air India, Pakistan International Airlines and Thai Airlines. We deal direct with the airlines and your ‘flight only’ is covered by our ATOL bonding. Call us for a quote on 01453 844 400 or 0845 330 8579 (local call rate, UK only) Land Only price All treks have a LAND ONLY price option stated in the Information Box for each trek. Before booking your international flights please check first with us to see whether your trip is 'up-and-running'. Day-by- Day Itineraries will show the city in which you join the trek. Land only prices include separate airport/hotel transfers. Trek extensions Perhaps you would like to extend your trip? Anything is possible, (subject to flight availability), and we can tailor your arrangements to suit you. In the past we have organised anything and everything, so please do ring us to discuss your ideas. Single room/tent supplement If you are a single person booking onto one of our treks, you are not obliged to pay for either of these options. They are only payable if you wish to have either a hotel room or a tent (or both) to yourself throughout your trip. Please note that you will not be required to pay for either of these options, (if you have not previously requested them), if you end up with a single room/tent by virtue of odd numbers on a trek. Please note that occasionally on some treks we cannot guarantee to provide single room/tent accommodation if requested, in which case we will refund this cost. If you take an extension, ‘forced’ singles will be charged, as is the case for Private Tailor-Made Treks. Surcharges We do not impose ‘meal packages’ or ‘local payments’. We do reserve the right to surcharge in the case of dramatic foreign exchange fluctuations, or if airline prices rise significantly, but would only do this in extreme circumstances. Pre-trip meets These are an extremely useful means of ‘breaking the ice’, meeting your fellow travellers, and asking any questions you may have. In 2008 we are organising four ‘meets’ in the Cotswolds for our spring, summer, autumn and Christmas trips. Trek meet dates: • Spring Sat 1 March • Early Summer Sat 7 June • Late Summer Sat 9 August • Autumn Sat 6 September We will organise a walk in the Cotswolds on the Saturday, ending at a local hostelry. We will then show some slides and answer questions. Sunday will be free to ‘do your own thing’. Full details of how to book your place/s will be sent with your Trek Dossier once you have booked your trek. Places are limited to 50 for each meet. Physical preparation and fitness Provided you are a keen walker in reasonable physical shape and are taking some form of regular weekly exercise you can be confident of capably undertaking most of our treks. Our grading system, set out on page 6, gives an indication of the number of hours you can expect to walk each day, the type of terrain, and the number of consecutive days walking. We do advise that in the month prior to departure you do some warm-up training, such as long weekend walks, jogging, swimming, or cycling. Any exercise will certainly allow greater enjoyment of your trek. Flexibility Our holidays are adventures in a Third World situation. Our itineraries allow a degree of flexibility in case a landslide blocks a road, a vehicle breaks down, or bad weather cancels a flight. We aim to provide the highest quality service, both from our office and once out on trek, but one cannot legislate for the unexpected, and Third World destinations just do not operate in the same way as Europe. Anyone booking one of our treks or tours should possess a spirit of adventure, an easygoing, laid-back attitude and a capacity for tolerance. Do not expect an itinerary cast in stone – this is by definition, Adventure Travel! Group size We take a maximum of only 12 clients per trip, though the average group size in 2007 was 8 persons per trek. Our family treks have a maximum size of 20 people to allow several families to participate, and Gentle Trekking, Luxury Lodges in Nepal now has a maximum of 16 people, as the lodges each have 8 rooms. Effects of altitude Our treks are designed to allow gradual height gain, spread over a number of days. There is no way of predicting who will suffer from altitude, but for the vast majority, the slow ascent to height of our treks will produce minimal effects. On a few high-altitude treks we carry a ‘Gamow Bag’ as a precautionary measure. Hire of equipment Certain items are available from us, which will save you considerable expense if you do not already own them. • A 4-season down sleeping bag £55 per trek • A down jacket £45 per trek Our stocks are limited so please book these well in advance. Prices include VAT. A fully refundable deposit is required (see your Trek Dossier after booking). Past client discount Past clients are eligible for free travel insurance on any of our 2008 brochure treks. Any past client already possessing his/her own adequate travel policy will be eligible for a discount (£30 for trips to Europe, £75 for rest of the world). These offers do not apply to tailormade itineraries or to Bookings received via Travel agents. Trek doctor discount Where a brochure trek does not already have a doctor allocated, medical practitioners are eligible to a 6% discount if they wish to act as trek doctor. Booking procedure You can either 1 Book brochure trips on-line via our website 2 Book using a credit/debit card over the phone 3 Book by completing and tearing off the Booking Form on the inside back flap and send it with your £300 deposit cheque and insurance premium, if applicable, to our address. For any Bookings received less than two months prior to departure we require a deposit of £750 per person. We will then confirm your place and send you a Trek Dossier, which contains: • A route map • Visa and trekking permit instructions • Vaccination information • A personal first-aid pack list • An equipment and suggested clothing list • Getting a good deal on gear – discounts at certain retailers • A reading list appropriate to your destination • Visitor impact notes • Invoice for final balance, due 2 months prior to departure Details of your flight and baggage allowance etc, will be sent to you approximately two weeks prior to departure. If you are taking an itinerary without a European Leader, air tickets are mailed Special Delivery to your home address. Please note that we may require an interim flight payment for certain destinations. Your free Himalayan Kingdoms kitbag and baggage labels are mailed to you separately, or given to you at the Pre-Trek Meets. Photo-illustrated day-by-day itineraries give you an idea of distances each day, type of terrain and altitude gains. Call us on 01453 844 400 or 0845 330 8579. or download from: www.himalayankingdoms.com. Will the trek run? Whenever possible we will run our trips, sometimes with even only 2, 3 or 4 people. In the rare event that we cancel a trek we will refund you in full and give you at least 6 weeks’ warning. 2007 was the best year we have ever had! Many treks were full or nearly full. Therefore we do advise you to book early. Adventure travel shows Why not come and meet the Himalayan Kingdoms team at The Daily Telegraph Adventure Travel Show, The Business Design Centre, Islington, London, from 25–27 January, 2008. We will also have stand at The Times Destinations Holiday & Travel Show, Earls Court, London from 31 January – 3 February, 2008. Do make a diary note to come and meet us! E-mail newsletter How would you like to be right up-to-date with our news and late availability? Send us an e-mail to or sign up on the website and you will receive our monthly photo-illustrated newsletter. E-mail: info@himalayankingdoms.com We adhere strictly to the Data Protection Act Overseas bookings Please note that we will make a set charge of £40 to cover the additional cost of posting documentation and delivery of kitbags to clients based overseas. This charge also includes your ability to pay final balances by credit card or bank transfers without penalty. For more detailed information