NEPAL  TIBET 111 INDIA & HIMALAYAS Colours of Tibet Imaginative Facts Tour code: ASCT • Activities: Walking • Accommodation: 11 nights simple hotels • Transport: Private coach and/ or jeep, plane • Flight: Lhasa to Kathmandu • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, professional photographer, services of local guides • Imaginative Traveller Suggests: Add our ' Chitwan Extension' DAYS 1 & 2: KATHMANDU- Arrive in Kathmandu, the exotic gateway to the Himalayas. The following morning take a walking tour of the busy market area of Asan, Durbar Square and Swayambunath Temple. DAY 3: ZHANGMU- Travel overland from Kathmandu, over the famous Friendship Bridge to the frontier town of Zhangmu in Tibet. Surprisingly subtropical at 2,300m, Zhangmu is your first introduction to the spectacular mountain scenery which will accompany you throughout the trip. DAY 4: NYALAM PASS - LALUNG LA - XEGAR- We ascend rapidly up a narrow and fertile valley, hugging the banks of the Bhote Kosi River until we arrive on top of the windswept Tibetan plateau. The views of the Himalayas and Mt Everest are incredible as we cross the Nyalam Pass ( 3,800m) and the Lalung La Pass ( 5,050m). ( B) DAY 5: XEGAR - EVEREST- A scenic drive to Rongbuk, close to Everest Base Camp ( for northern approaches to the mountain). There is a small monastery here ( the world's highest) and the panoramic views of Mt Everest, Shishapangma and Cho Oyu ( all over 8000m) have been described as the most dramatic in the world. Return to Xegar for the night. ( B) DAY 6: SHIGATSE- A long drive from Xegar to Shigatse crossing a 5,220m pass, visiting Sakya Monastery if time allows. There are sweeping views over the varied and majestic landscape. ( B) DAY 7: GYANTSE- Morning visit to the Tashilhunpo, the monastery of the Panchen Lama. With its traditional Tibetan architecture, striking golden roof and 26m high Buddha, this is the largest yellow hat monastery in Tibet and one of the most impressive. Continue to Gyantse, a small agricultural town famous for wool carpets, where we visit the Kumbum stupa and the Phalkor monastery - with its 100,000 image pagoda. ( B) DAY 8: LHASA- Scenic drive via the Karo La ( 5,010m), Kambala ( 4,794m) and the sparkling turquoise Yamdrok Lake, a holy lake and nesting site of many migratory birds. Arrive in the lofty Tibetan capital Lhasa ' place of the gods'. ( B) DAYS 9 & 10: LHASA- One of the highest cities in the world at 3,650m, Lhasa is synonymous with Tibetan Buddhist culture and historical controversy. Plenty of time has been allowed to visit the exquisite temples and palaces including the Jokhang Temple, the Potala Palace and the important monasteries of Sera and Drepung. Relax on a rooftop cafe and watch the many devout pilgrims as they circle the temple, head for Norbulingka, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama and ' thief's island' or scour the markets for beautiful Tibetan souvenirs. ( B) DAY 11: KATHMANDU- Take the spectacular flight over the Himalayas from Lhasa to Kathmandu. ( B) DAY 12: KATHMANDU- Tour ends. Explore this remarkable country with a professional photographer The vibrancy and diversity of the Tibetan landscapes and people offer much inspiration to the budding photographer. Ancient temples, serene monasteries, mighty palaces, ruined forts, colourful marketsand of course the greatest mountain range in the world - the majestic Himalayas. Under the guidance of our professional photographer you will get the best possible advice to ensure you leave with fantastic photographsand plenty of memories to share. Arouse your creative flair in stimulating surroundings! Single Supplement £ 110 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 17.11 * Price includes tour price of £ 1249and local payment of US$ 440All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 1480pp Land Only * special interest Tour duration 12 days Starts SunEnds Thu KathmanduKathmandu 2009 07- Jun- 09 18- Jun- 09 21- Jun- 09 02- Jul- 09 Starts SunEnds Thu KathmanduKathmandu 2010 06- Jun- 10 17- Jun- 10 20- Jun- 10 01- Jul- 10 Aubrey Wade Aubrey Wade specialises in documentary photography. His work focuses on social, political and cultural issues in some of the world's most interesting and challenging areas. Based principally in London, he divides his time between assignments and long-term personal projects, for which he has received several international awards. He has worked in over 20 countries and his work regularly appears in magazines worldwide. Note: Our photography trips will be accompanied by one of two photographers ( Sharon Hickey or Aubrey Wade). Photographer Profile Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243

LATIN AMERICA 112 latin america Ease into the rhythms, culture and scenery of this incredibly varied destination stretching from the tropical Caribbean coast of Mexico to the vast snowy wilderness of the Antarctic continent. Fancy swinging over icy rivers attached to a zip- line en route to a crampon- assisted glacial hike, kayaking amongst the boobies in the Galapagos, wandering ( and wondering) amidst the Easter Island Moai statues, spotting whales off Argentina, samba- dancing in Rio, hiking up live volcanoes in Central America, snorkelling amongst Panama's coral reefs, cycling through Cuba or experiencing ' rush hour' Antarctic- style involving spectacular ice- bergs and hundreds and hundreds of waddling penguins? Not forgetting hiking the classic Inca Trail, venturing into lush rainforest in virtually every country we visit or just going the whole way and traversing the continent from Lima to Rio! It will just leave you wanting to return for more….