These exciting new tours will be launched in 2009. Whilst it is not yet possible to book them we wanted to give you as much notice as possible to help you plan your holidays. If you are interested in any of these tours then either email us or phone 01962 733051 to register your interest and we will send you further details as soon as they become available. Please note that all dates and prices are subject to confirmations
Scotland To Spitsbergen — The North Atlantic Islands
12 days. Departs 5th Jun ’09 Cost: from £2,495
An exciting 11-night cruise stopping at North Rhona, the Faroes, the mysterious volcanic cone of Jan Mayan, remote Bear Island and then passing through the pack-ice to the spectacular western coastline of Spitsbergen. Amidst this breathtaking scenery we will be looking out for thousands of Little Auks and other huge breeding seabird colonies, whales including Blue and Fin, seals, and the ‘King of the Arctic’ the formidable Polar Bear.
North Spitsbergen — A Polar Bear Special
9 days. Departs 15th Jun ’09 Cost: from £2,595
A new cruise along the western and northern coastline of Spitsbergen and out into the pack-ice in search of Polar Bears. Running a little earlier in the season than our 12-day Spitsbergen cruises (which should mean we find the ice-pack to be a little further south), this is the holiday for those wanting to maximise their chances of not only seeing Polar Bears, but watching them wandering over the pack-ice in their true icy realm.
* The above two cruises may be combined. Please call the Naturetrek office for more information.
Spitsbergen to Greenland
13 days. Departs 2nd Sep ’09 Cost: approx £3,795
The perfect way of combining the Arctic Islands of Svalbard with the dramatic landscapes of east Greenland. This new cruise travels up the western coastline of Spitsbergen before following the edge of the pack-ice across the Arctic Ocean to Greenland. We then travel down to the magnificent landscapes of Scorsby Sound before finishing our cruise in Iceland. Wildlife highlights should include Polar Bears in Spitsbergen, Musk Ox in Greenland and, for the fortunate, perhaps even the ‘Unicorn of the Sea’, the Narwhal.
The Subantarctic Islands of New Zealand
16 days. Departs 31st Oct ’09 Cost: approx £5,495
This is the ultimate seabird cruise! A breathtaking journey to the remote and pristine Subantarctic Islands, home to the greatest concentrations of seabirds in the world. Led by Rodney Russ, the foremost expert on this island group, our cruise visits the Snares, Auckland, Macquarie and Campbell Islands; home to 8 species of penguin, 15 species of albatross, plus millions of smaller petrels and shearwaters and a wealth of other exciting polar wildlife.
The Maldives
Date and price to be advised
A 7-night whale-watching cruise through the warm turquoise waters surrounding the Maldives in search of Sperm, Blue, Fin and Bryde’s Whales, thousands of dolphins, and a wealth of other exciting marine-life. There will also be plenty of time to enjoy snorkelling over the coral reefs and birdwatching in search of White-tailed Tropicbird, Fairy Tern, Brown Noddy, Bulwer's Petrel and many more.
10 days.
Cornwall’s Great Gardens
Thu 14th May – Mon 18th May ’09 Cost: £595
This holiday celebrates the many varied designs and collections of exotic plants in the world famous great gardens of Cornwall. Beginning at the futuristic Eden Project, we then visit the magnificent Lost Gardens of Heligan, Trebah, and the hidden gem of Trelissick Gardens which we reach by ferry from Truro. This tour will offer an optional extension to include further West Country gardens as well as a botanical foray onto the Lizard Peninsula.
Steppes & Wetlands of the Austro-Hungarian Plain
Wed 6th May – Wed 13th May ’09 Cost: £995
On this tour we will enjoy the complete wealth of wildlife — birds, botany, butterflies, dragonflies and mammals — to be found both in the wetlands and on the dry steppes of the lowland plains that span the Austro-Hungarian border. We will focus in particular on Neusiedler See National Park, the Tadten Plains (home of the Great Bustard), and on the woodlands and flower-filled pastures along the border, an area rich in culture with its scenic vineyards and quaint villages.
Cape Verde Islands
October 2009 Cost: TBA
An 11-day exploration of mountains and deserts in search of the endemic wildlife on this isolated and dramatic string of Atlantic islands that lie far beyond the West African coast. We will visit the islands of Santiago, Fogo, Boavista and Sal, and also offer an optional 4-day extension to the uninhabited islands of Razo and Branco (via São Nicolau) using local fishermen’s boats, in search of the endemic Razo Lark, cetaceans and seabirds.
Seychelles
October 2009 Cost: TBA
An improved 15-day holiday in search of the unique birdlife and natural history of the mountains, forests and marine ecosystems of the fascinating islands within this special archipelago. We visit Mahe, for its endemic birds, unusual insects and carnivorous plants; Praslin, to explore the Valle de Mai, with its ancient palm forest and Black Parrots; Bird Island and Aride, both thronged with thousands of nesting seabirds; La Digue, for its stunningly beautiful beaches and Seychelles Black Paradise Flycatcher, and Moyenne Island, where we'll enjoy superb snorkelling and fish-spotting over a coral reef.
Blue Whales & Pumas in Chile
Fri 6th Mar – Sat 21st Mar ’09 Cost: TBA
The waters around Chiloe Island in southern Chile, and the glorious Andean scenery of Torres del Paine National Park, provide the back-drop for our exciting new twin-centre holiday. There are a great many interesting birds and mammals to observe during this 16-day tour but the principal objectives will be Blue Whales, which congregate in the Corcovado Gulf off Chiloe Island and the Pumas of Torres del Paine which are probably easier to find in this picturesque national park than anywhere else in South America.
Peru — Manu
September 2009 Cost: TBA
A detailed exploration by road, river and air of the most biologically diverse transect on Earth. From Cusco we travel north-east through puna grasslands and Andean passes, cloudforests and foothills, to the pristine forested wilderness of lowland Manu. Amongst the tour’s highlights will be Andean Condor, lekking Cock-of-the-Rocks, playful Giant River Otters, parrots and macaws at a riverbank claylick, outstanding birding, and Brazilian Tapirs at a forest clay-lick at Manu Wildlife Centre, currently one of the best sites in the world for this elusive mammal.
Nepal’s Butterflies
Wed 7th Oct – Fri 16th Oct ’09 Cost: £2,595
On this holiday we join Nepal’s leading butterfly expert, Colin Smith (author of Butterflies of Nepal), on a butterfly tour to such key areas as the Kathmandu Valley, Pokhara and Chitwan. At each site we will be based at exquisite, top-of-the-range accommodation, including the magical Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge and the Tiger Mountain Tented Camp in Chitwan National Park. We also offer a 4-night extension to Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve.
Nepal — Birds & Flowers of the Langtang Valley
Sat 18th Apr – Mon 11th May ’09 Cost: £2,895 (TBC)
The Langtang Valley not only remains one of the least developed regions of Nepal, but also offers access to some of the finest forests and alpine meadows in the Himalaya — offering a uniquely rewarding region for botanists and birders alike. This is a special opportunity to enjoy this 19-day trek in the company of two of Naturetrek’s outstanding experts, ornithologist and naturalist Tika Ram Giri, and botanist David Tattersfield. This is a wildlife trekking opportunity not to be missed!
Pakistan — Snow Leopards of the Hindu Kush
Wed 2st Jan – Sun 1st Feb ’09 Cost: £2,195 (TBC)
In the depths of winter the Markhor of Chitral, in Pakistan’s North-west Frontier Province, descend from the peaks to the valleys pursued by hungry Snow Leopards, one of the world’s most charismatic and elusive mammals. Few of you will have missed Mark Smith’s magnificent footage of a female Snow Leopard and her cub in the BBC’s recent Natural World programme, Snow Leopard — Beyond the Myth. On this tour, we go in search of her, and the magnificent Markhor on which she preys, journeying into the heart of the Hindu Kush, home of the fascinating Christian Kalash people, with local expert Johnny Bealby and our own Snow Leopard expert, Dave Mallon.
Vietnam — Wildlife & Culture
Fri 3rd Apr – Thu 16th Apr ’09 Cost: £2,995
Angkor Wat extension to Tue 21st Apr Cost: £1,130
The extensive forests of Vietnam harbour an impressive variety of birdlife including a number of species endemic to the country. Guided by expert local ornithologist Richard Craik, our tour itinerary spans the country from north to south visiting Cuc Phuong, Tam Dao, the highland resort of Dalat and finally Cat Tien National Park. At the conclusion of the tour in Ho Chi Minh City we offer the opportunity to join a 5-day extension to the World Heritage temples and archaeological sites surrounding Angkor Wat in Cambodia.