11 Award Winning Trips. Which one takes your fancy?
The winning tour operators in the 2014 Wanderlust Travel Awards nominate their signature trips
In the latest issue of Wanderlust, we reveal the top tour operators, as voted for by you in our 2014 Reader Travel Awards. They’re an eclectic bunch, from regional specialists to tailormade experts. But the one thing they share is that they all know their stuff, and create incredible itineraries that you love. Here we reveal each of the 11 finalists award-winning signature trips. Which one takes your fancy?
1. Indonesia
Mix up the highlights
Bamboo Travel’sTreasure of Indonesia tour is like a signature cocktail. Pour in great wildlife (orang-utans, Komodo dragons), mix in a dash of history (Borobudur) and finish with a slice of natural wonder (Mount Bromo). Voila: an intoxicating trip!
When: Flexible dates
How long: 17 days
How much: from £3,695 (inci flights)
2. Laos & Cambodia
See Asia in style
Selective Asia’s signature Laos & Cambodia in Style trip combines wildlife, history and a dollop of luxury. Highlights include Angkor Wat, Luang Prabang and ele-riding at Shangri-Lao Explorer Camp.
When: Flexible dates
How long: 14 days
How much: from £1,706 (excl flights)
3. Peru
Trek the Inca Trail
Llama Travel’s Incas &Conquistadors plus Inca Trail includes the classic hike to Machu Picchu as well as two of Peru’s most interesting cities: Cusco and Lima, where you can enjoy colonial architecture and great food.
When: Flexible departures, Mar-Nov2014
How long: 14 days
How much: from £1,869 (inci flights)
4. India
Drive into Kashmir
Drive over Himalayan passes on Wild Frontiers’ High Roadto Kashmir trip. Travel into remote Ladakh, visit forts and monasteries, and venture into long-cut-off Kashmir, to stay on a houseboat.
When: 24 May, 5 Jul & 6 Sept 2014
How long: 15 days
How much: £2,395 (excl flights)
5. USA
Take a classic roadtrip
Trailfinders’ Best Of The West tour jams the US Pacific Coast’s highlights into a 15-day self-drive. Ogle stars in LA, ride a cablecar in San Fran, gamble in Vegas, and explore Yosemite and Death Valley.
When: Flexible
How long: 15 days
How much: from £809 (excl flights)
6. England
Amble in the Lake District
HF Holidays’ Guided Walking at Derwentwatens a social jaunt up and around three of the Lake District’s most beautiful peaks, finishing with Helvellyn, for360-degree views.
When: Various dates, Mar-Nov 2014
How long: 2,4 or 7 days
How much: from £275
7. Vietnam
Explore hill country
Audley’s signature trip returns to the country where it ran its first tour in 1991: Hidden Hilltribes of Vietnam is an in-depth exploration of the north, including Hanoi, treks into the lush Tonkinese Alps and homestays in remote minority villages.
Who: Audley Travel (More information)
When: Flexible
How long: 16 days
How much: from £3,355 (incl flights)
8. Nepal
Hike hard in the Himalaya
KE Adventure’sEverest The Hard Way Trek puts travellers through their paces over high passes. Acclimatise in the uncrowded Bhote Kosi valley before passing Everest Base Camp to reach the 5,535m Kongma La pass.
Who: KE Adventure (More information)
When: 28 Mar, 26 Apr, 27 Sept, 11 & 25 Oct, 8 Nov 2014
How long: 22 days
How much: from £2,275 (incl flights)
9. Iceland
Self-drive the wild isle
Discover The World’sself-drive Iceland Backroads tour sees travellers lead by an iPad loaded with a personal itinerary, from the Golden Circle to the Westman Isles.
When: Jul, Aug 2014
How long: 15 days
How much: from £2,551 (incl flights)
10. India
Sleep like royalty
Voyages Jules Verne’s Rajasthan Royals is the quintessential tour of India, taking in ten cities (including Agra and Jaipur) with stays at regal residences – dreamy!
When: Feb 2014-Mar 2015
How long: 18 days
How much: from £1,945 (incl flights)
11. Chad
Search the Sahara
Undiscovered Destinations’ Chad-Soul of the Sahara heads to the desert’s least-explored region. Rub shoulders with Tubu nomads and head into the enigmatic Ennedi Mountains to find mystic petroglyphs and incredible fauna.
When: 11 Oct ’14
How long: 17 days
How much: £3,299 (excl flights)
