December 22, 2014
During our summer the higher Himalayas in the Ladakh area are a perfect temperature, unlike the rest of India which is baking hot.
This is a hidden and ancient world infused with Buddhism and inhabited by gentle smiling people. Walking and cycling between a series of imaginatively restored village houses is one of the most memorable trips I have ever made.
I think you will be bowled over by what a perfect holiday this is, be it family, romantic or active. Exclusive and individually tailored you can cycle and walk along high passes, go white water rafting, river cruise more sedately, explore gompas (monasteries), shop in Leh, fly-camp…or just lose yourself with a good book listening to the River Indus rush by from a new Shakti house.
Indus house is a new gem and comes with an Amchi, a Ladakhi medicine man who will share his collection of natural herbal medicines with you.
If you want a holiday with a real difference I can explain more. From around £3,500 per person for 6 nights based on 2 people travelling in a selection of different houses. Reductions for 4-6 people. All inclusive except flights.
Botswana: fun safari for children
It is so often an experienced guide who makes what would normally be a good holiday into a seriously special holiday.
Paul and Omphile are just such guides who both have a knack for imparting in-depth knowledge to kids and teenagers as well as making them laugh and giving the whole family a holiday of a lifetime. They operate in a private concession in the heart of safari-land in the Okavango Delta and their rustic tented camp is taken on an exclusive basis.
These guys will help your children love Africa and its endangered wildlife which I wholeheartedly approve of. And it is not just traditional game drives they offer: they take you out in the bush to look for the smaller animals, track larger ones, make bows and arrows, maybe even drive the Land rover and learn the ways of the bush.
“Okavango” means the river that never finds the sea. It is the jewel in Botswana’s safari portfolio.
Paul and Omphile still have some availability in the Easter and summer holidays. From £1,180 per person for a 3 night all-inclusive stay based on a family of 5 travelling.
The north west of Argentina is a place to visit almost all year round (unlike southern Patagonia which only the brave visit out of the months of October to March).
The region is ideal for a circular road trip of three to four days, starting from the beautiful city of Salta with its vibrant colonial buildings and impressive archaeological museum housing Inca artefacts.
The Mendoza region is well known for wine but the road south from Salta to Cayfayate has become an official ‘Ruta del Vino’ and this is certainly the wild west of vineyards in Argentina.
At every turn of the road you will meet magnificent geology, incredible colours and rugged vistas. A very special place to stay is Finca Santana, owned and run by Adriana, a native of Buenos Aires and a designer. Her home is a refreshing change from the traditional colonial haciendas that dot the route but are perhaps a bit samey.
Finca Santana is modern with contemporary light interiors and you will be hosted in a homely environment with delicious meals made from homemade ingredients freshly picked from the organic garden. With just two double rooms Adriana has created the only guest house of its type in the region and it is well worth the journey!
She will give you a personal insight into the area and send you off on short treks into the Calchaqui Valley, the Puna, Salt Lake and Quebrada de Humahuacca with a gourmet picnic.
From around £1,800 per person for 6 nights (2 nights Salta, 1 night Cayfayate, 2 nights Finca Santana, 1 night Salta) excluding flights.
For further information and bespoke itinerary planning please call Miles on 0207 723 5858.
NB prices shown were current at the time of writing the newsletter and are not necessarily current now.
Please ask for an updated quote.
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