Adventure World releases new tours to South East Asia including the Philippines for the first time

From the colourful hill tribes and terraced hills of North Vietnam, to the monumental splendours of Angkor, Cambodia, to the ancient Buddhist monuments crowding the Myanmar landscape, to their latest destination – the Philippines - Adventure World offers a wide range of adventure, cultural and active holidays among its tailor made tours to South East Asia for 2012

Leading New Zealand travel company, Adventure World has launched a diverse range of tailor made tours, ranging from private tours and family friendly packages to sailing holidays and active tours to destinations, including Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, Borneo, Myanmar and the Philippines, all of which are showcased in the company’s new Vietnam 2012 brochure.

New tours in Vietnam include a 9 Day/8 Night Sapa to the Sea journey, costing from $1955*, which includes a visit to the colourful hill tribes of Sapa, a former hill station, an easy hill trek from Heaven’s Gate peak among waterfalls and bamboo forests, before arriving in Hanoi to visit Halong Bay; the Roof of Vietnam: Ha Giang and the Far North, 5 days/4 nights from $961, again visiting hill tribes and vibrant markets among the breathtaking scenery of the far North; and a Charitable Tour of Hue & Hoi An, 5 Days, 4 Nights from $507, which as well as exploring the old imperial capital of Hue includes a visit to the Children’s Hope in Action (CHIA), a grassroots organisation caring for disadvantaged children in Quang Nam province in central Vietnam.

For those who wish to explore the real Cambodia, Adventure World’s new Cambodia in Depth, 12 Days/11 nights from $2574, offers a wonderful balance of temple touring at Angkor, as well as a chance to experience life on a Mekong Island before ending up with a relaxing stay at Cambodia’s favourite beach spot, Sihanoukville. On the Angkor Family Holiday 4 Days/3 nights, priced from $741 per adult and $394 per child, families can view the Angkor monuments from a tethered hot air balloon, visit a rural school and visit the Bayon temple on the back of an elephant.

Or those who prefer country to city life might want to plan a Ream National Park Escape , 4 Days/3 nights from $946 or a Kep Escape, 3 days/ 2 nights, from $482, combining cultural exploration with a bit of R & R on a beautiful tropical beach.

New Laotian Tours include the Richness and Splendours of Laos, 10 days/9 Nights from $2279 which includes temple touring, a cooking class, an overnight in Kamu Eco Lodge, plus a visit to two quiet islands, Don Det and Don  Khone, so quiet they have no cars and only have electricity in the evening.

A century after Rudyard Kipling wrote that Burma “is quite unlike any place you know about” Myanmar remains a country where time appears to have stood still. Men wear long skirts or longyi, there are monks who have taught cats to jump, and road and river journeys cannot be rushed. Adventure World’s 2012 brochure included four new tours to this fascinating and varied destination. They include The Best of Myanmar, 12 days/11 Nights from $2174, taking in Yangon, the amazing temples at Bagan, and Inle Lake where the local fisher folk still live in stilt houses.  Other Myanmar tours include a river boat cruise Pandaw Cruise, from Mandalay to Bagan, 6 Days/5 Night from $1727.

In Thailand, Adventure World has introduced an Ancient Capitals tour, 6 Days/5 Nights from $1684, taking in Bangkok, the Ayuttaya ruins by tuk tuk, Sukhotathi Historical Park, Chiang May, the northern capital, and the Golden Triangle. Other new Thai tours include Temples of Isaan, Karen Hill Tribe & Retreat, and Mae Kampong  Homestay.

And those who already know Asia well and want to experience a completely different Asian destination will be charmed and diverted by Adventure World’s new range of Philippine tours.  The Philippines has a lot to offer from beautiful island beaches with world class dive sites to ancient rice terraces, to remote hill tribes. New tours include Banaue Rice Terraces Heritage Tour, 4 Days/3 Nights from $692, to visit 2000 year old UNESCO classified rice terraces, and the mummified coffins of the quaint village of Saga. Or there’s the Highlights of North Luzon, 9 Days/8 Nights from $3695, which showcases the best of North Philippines on a cultural tour of rice terraces, villages and Spanish era architecture.

To find out more about Adventure World’s latest offerings for 2012 around Asia, as well as their traditional tours and to view the new Vietnam brochure, visit www.adventureworld.co.nz/brochures or ph 0800 465 432, or visit your local travel agent.

* all prices are for low season, per person, twin share

For more information or high resolutions images please contact:
Sarah Collier / Pauline Ray                                          or                                            Melissa Harris
Dock Street Group                                                                                                           Adventure World
+64 9 377 2907                                                                                                                   + 64 9 539 8146
scollier@dockstreet.co.nz