Far ranging busy trip. Halong bay cruise with luxury accommodation and food was a particular highlight. Train trip overnight was interesting but would not rush to repeat. Overall great trip in a special country. Meals were excellent and excellent value. Our guide ran everything smoothly and we had very pleasant and interesting companions.
As you slink from old-world Hanoi through ancient Hue, past historic Hoi An and to bustling Ho Chi Minh City, you'll quickly realise that the Vietnamese know a thing or two about delicious food. Pho, banh mi, rice paper rolls – oh my! On this 12-day trip from north to south, you’ll be cruising, riding, relaxing, kayaking, drinking, exploring and enjoying all the Vietnamese hospitality. From sailing on the calm waters of Cat Ba Island to picking your own lunch ingredients from a local chef’s garden, you’ll discover that this place is even richer in culture and city hotspots than you thought.
Explore Kailash, the most sacred mountain in the Himalaya, during the Saga Dawa festival, and experience the traditional culture of sacred Tibet.. Mount Kailash has drawn pilgrims for centuries, believed to be the mythical Mount Meru, the spiritual centre of the universe. Sacred to Buddhists, Hindus, Jains and Bonpo alike, it’s a mountain revered more for its meaning than its summit. Set on the remote western reaches of the Tibetan Plateau, it’s one of the world’s most profound pilgrimage destinations, and also one of the hardest to reach.
This unique journey blends light trekking with immersive cultural touring. Starting in Chengdu, we travel overland from Lhasa through Gyantse and Shigatse, crossing stark plains and high mountain passes as we head deep into the spiritual heart of Tibet. Along the way we visit vibrant towns, ancient monasteries and sacred sites rarely seen by outsiders.
Timed to coincide with the Saga Dawa Festival - Tibet’s most important annual celebration, our journey reaches Mount Kailash at its most atmospheric. Pilgrims gather from across the region to honour the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, creating a rare spectacle of prayer, ritual and celebration.
We then join the sacred kora - a three-day walk around the base of Mount Kailash - alongside Tibetan pilgrims. Though not technically demanding, the high altitude and spiritual weight of the journey make it one of the world’s most unforgettable circuits. Following the kora, we conclude the journey in Kathmandu, completing a high-altitude arc through the sacred lands of Tibet and Nepal.
Looking for adventure? Trek the beautiful Annapurna circuit, one of the most popular classic treks in the world.
Our 14-day journey begins in Kathmandu, where we start by visiting the amazing World Heritage Sites scattered around the ancient city. We'll then drive to Syange to begin the trek and enjoy the ever-changing landscape and culture of the Annapurna region. While circling the Annapurna massif, we get to triumph over one of the world's highest pass -Thorong La (5,416m/17,769ft), enjoy the dry yet beautiful landscape of the Manang valley and tour Muktinath, a place of high spiritual importance for the Nepalese (both Hindus and Buddhists). After our trek, we'll take a mountain flight from Jomsom to Pokhara before driving back to Kathmandu.
Go in search of the gentle giants of the Borneo jungles – the elusive orangutan – on a 12-day wildlife expedition. Kalimantan, the Indonesian portion of Borneo, is teeming with jungles to explore, cultures to learn, and welcoming people to have a laugh with – and your wildlife expedition will be so much more than that. Staying in comfortable eco-lodging and a traditional longhouse in the heart of the jungle, go out in search of orangutans and learn about how the local communities’ conservation efforts have ensured that these creatures, along with other endemic wildlife, continue to thrive in this slice of jungle paradise. Share in the wonder of an untouched Borneo before others find out about it, with a unique opportunity to spot orangutans in their natural habitat.
Island peak was renamed "Imje Tse" in the early '80s, though its original name, Island Peak, is still more popular. The mountain was named "Island Peak" in 1952 AD due to its striking location in the middle of the Chhukung valley, like an island on a sea of ice. Island Peak has an impressive highly glaciated west face that rises from the Lhotse Glacier which is a bit tough to do, however the magnificent views from the summit are certainly a fitting reward for our efforts.
Island Peak climbing with Everest Base Camp Trek is a fantastic experience in the Himalayas of Nepal. It is designed for energetic and physically fit trekkers with little or no experience in mountain expedition. Island Peak (6,189m/20,305ft) is one of the main climbing peaks in the Everest Region of Nepal with an impressive and highly glaciated West Face that rises from the Lhotse Glacier. Being one of the 'trekking peaks' with very little technical aspects, Island Peak is not a difficult undertaking for a beginner climber wishing to enter the incredible world of mountain climbing. Hundreds of climbers flock to Nepal every year to get a permit for Island Peak climbing. Our adventure also takes us into the heartland of the Khumbu Valley and Sherpa culture. Before scaling the peak, we also visit, possibly the most popular trekking destination in the world - Everest Base Camp (5,357m/17,575ft) and Kala Patthar - for the up-close views of Mt. Everest and other high mountains.
The Island peak climbing itinerary has proper and gradual acclimatization at suitable intervals. The 19-day journey begins from and comes to a conclusion at one of the most famous airstrips in the world, the Lukla Airport in the Everest Region.
Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November) are the best months for climbing Island Peak. Although Island Peak can be climbed during winter, the cold temperature might not be suitable for everyone.
We look forward to taking you on a mountaineering experience of a lifetime. Please see the itinerary for a day-by-day overview.
Island Peak, Kathmandu, Lobuche, Chukhung, Island Peak Base Camp, Pangboche, Namche Bazar, Lukla, Phakding, Tengboche, Pheriche, Everest Base Camp trek
Head into the hills with your small group of adventurers and get sky-high on an eight-day northern Thailand adventure. Pass through the bustling hub of Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, and take the time to check out the night markets and bars well worth hopping. Trek the hillside villages outside of Chiang Mai, before exploring the city and its colourful nightlife. Find waterfalls, elephants and your new fave activity (kayaking, anyone?) and soak in some gorgeous natural scenery you’d only see from local hill tribes. This journey will take you through temples, jungles, markets and mountains, forging new friendships along the way.
Embark on a 10-day journey through the alluring islands of the Philippines, from the bustling city of Cebu to the tranquil beaches of Moalboal, Bantayan, and Panglao. Discover scenic landscapes, cascading waterfalls, and pristine sandy beaches while indulging in adrenaline-pumping activities like canyoning and relaxing island hopping tours.
Another wonderful trip with World Expeditions. In addition to the expected highlights of Petra, Wadi Rum, snorkelling in the Red Sea and floating in the Dead Sea, the unexpected delights of visiting a local family at Um Qais (and cooking/dining with them), the expansive Roman ruins at Jerash and our extraordinary driver Firas made this trip wonderful.
The small additional cost of having a representative meet us at the airport and guide us through immigration was well worth it. The process was very quick and smooth.
We would thoroughly recommend this trip.
Marilyn & Peter Surtees
