interNATIONAL PARKtours - Group Walking Tours Australia - National Parks - Hiking

Bulgaria Winter Wonderland Departs: 07 February 2010 Cobble streets, snow drifts, family guesthouses and open fires. Roman roads, monasteries, caves and karsts – this is the heart of Bulgaria in winter. Visit this cradle of European civilization, sculpted over years by Thracians, Greeks and Romans. In winter, share the country with hospitable, hardy locals and find solitude in remote national parks bordering northern Greece. From the bustling capital of Sofia to the cobbled streets of Plovdiv’s old town, Bulgaria’s human history stretches over 7000 years. In the traditional village of Yagodina, enjoy home-produced food in a small family run hotel. Nearby Trigrad Gorge is said to be where Orpheus emerged from the Underworld. Visit Yagodina cave, one of the longest and deepest in Bulgaria. From our spa hotel in the town of Devin, we enjoy snow-shoe walks along the valley floor. Based in Gela, we explore the northern flanks of the Perelik Massif. Near Asenovgrad, we explore Bachkovo Monastery, one of the largest and most beautiful in the country. Returning to Sofia, there is the option of a 5 day extension to explore Rila National Park with cirque and forest walks.

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Flinders Island Highlights Departs: 08 February 2010 Sixty kilometres off north-eastern Tasmania is a world of craggy mountains, quiet inlets, lagoons and white sandy beaches. Spend a week with local people as you explore the bays, headlands and high points of Flinders, the largest island in the Furneaux group. Immerse yourself in the orange hue of lichen-covered rocks or the intricate patterns of tidal pools. For a bigger picture, hike to the summit of Mt Strzelecki, the highest point on the island. On a clear day, the views are spectacular to the far north east coast of Tasmania. A half-day coastal walk leads to the limestone formations and caves of Settlement Point plus Wybalenna, the last settlement of Tasmanian Aborigines. The nearby Furneaux Museum documents the island’s history. There are also chances to see Cape Barren Geese, the second rarest in the world. A day cruise in sheltered waters explores the outer islands, bustling with shearwater rookeries and other sea birds. On the last day, enjoy the views from the craggy granite formations of Darling Range.

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Bountiful Norfolk Island Departs: 06 March 2010 Captain Cook described it as paradise. Convicts in its infamous penal colony would have disagreed. Paradise returned to Norfolk Island with the arrival of the ‘Bounty’ mutineer descendants and their South Pacific wives. These days, residents and visitors revel in the history and charm of this subtropical island 2½ hours flight from Sydney or Brisbane. Developed by creative locals in association with EcoEscapes and IPT’s guide, Barry Davies, this is a week of Norfolk’s gentle walks, great food, history and meeting the locals. Naturalist, Margaret Christian will lead walks to explore forests of ancient Norfolk Pines, palms and massive tree ferns. More than 40 endemic plant and bird species are protected in the island’s national park and reserves. Other walks lead to island viewpoints and follow coastal cliffs. Share in the Islanders' heritage on excursions with John Christian and cultural shows with Donald Christian. Enjoy dinners in private homes, local produce and traditional Tahitian cuisine. Historian, Arthur Evans, will bring Norfolk’s colourful history alive. There’s also the option to cruise to nearby Phillip Island and hike to the top, past huge colonies of nesting seabirds.

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Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk Departs: 15 March 2010 Make a pilgrimage to the heart of the Gondwana rainforests on one of Queensland’s new long distance hiking trails. Over five days we traverse the mountains, World Heritage-listed rainforest and hidden valleys of Lamington and Springbrook National Parks. This fully accommodated tour allows you to walk the full 54km trail in comfort with extra days for rest or shorter walks. From O’Reillys, walk 21km through the Green Mountain section of Lamington following sections of the QLD / NSW border. Based at Binna Burra Lodge, we explore the Lower Bellbird Circuit with lookouts over the eastern side of Lamington. Admire the stands of flooded gums, brushbox and piccabeen groves on the way to lunch at the base of Ballanjui Falls. Leaving the Lamington plateau, we descend past Egg Rock, a remnant plug from the Tweed shield volcano, Wollumbin (Mt Warning). The trail continues through the farming valley of Numinbah then climbs through upper valleys to the mountain plateau of Springbrook. Staying overnight in chalet accommodation, we finish with a half day hike via Warringah Pools to the cool spray of Purlingbrook Falls in the centre of Springbrook National Park.

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South East Qld Celebration Departs: 20 March 2010 IPT is 35 years young in 2010 and we invite you to join us on a celebratory tour to three of our favourite places. Join IPT founder Tony Groom on this 10 day tour to Girraween, Mt Barney and Lamington National Parks. Enjoy easy strolls by creeks, optional ascents of local peaks, and walks through sub-tropical rainforest. Girraween National Park near Stanthorpe offers walks to granite domes, improbable balancing boulders and exquisitely water worn creek forms. We stay three nights in secluded style at Girraween Environmental Lodge. Returning east across the Great Dividing Range we enter the national parks of the Scenic Rim. Staying three nights at Mt Barney Lodge, we explore the Lower Portals, take in the views from the summit of Mt Maroon (optional) and spend a day visiting local food producers and artists. Binna Burra Lodge in Lamington National Park is our final destination. At your doorstep, graded hiking trails lead through World Heritage listed rainforest to hidden waterfalls, ancient beech trees and views of the Mt Warning caldera. Join our final dinner where you can take a walk down memory lane and share a birthday toast with the IPT staff.

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Japanese Spring Journey Departs: 10 April 2010 Discover the hospitality and beauty of rural Japan, exploring Lake Biwa and the mountains and villages of central Honshu. Along with natural wonders, experience village life, Japanese hot springs, regional cuisine, traditional arts and craft. This is an intimate and experiential tour of central Japan that allows you to fully immerse in the culture and get to know the local people. After arriving on the legendary bullet train from Tokyo, the gardens and temples of Kyoto are your starting point. To the north east is Lake Biwa, where traditional fishing techniques are still practiced and local farmers harvest soba (buckwheat). In the mountains of Gifu prefecture, the famous Shirakawa-go villages are a World Heritage site. Over 100 large farm houses are built in a special architectural style designed for large households and to survive severe snowy weather. Further south, walk trails that link the “post villages” along the ancient Nakasendo Highway, a trading route that linked Kyoto to Edo (present day Tokyo). In the mountain villages, meet the local people and enjoy country hospitality while the peach flowers bloom. A visit to Mt. Fuji makes for an impressive finale before the tour ends in Asakusa, Tokyo.

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Morocco Medieval Mystique Departs: 21 April 2010 Morocco has long been the inspiration for adventurers with its ancient culture, diverse landscapes and exotic cuisine. Marrakech, the starting point for our tour, has waylaid desert caravans since the 11th century, as visitors succumb to the charms of Gnaoua music and hammams (traditional Moroccan spas). A highlight of the tour is three nights at Kasbah du Toubkal. Beneath the highest peak in North Africa, the kasbah is perched on an outcrop above the village of Imlil. Enjoy day hikes in the High Atlas and experience the local Berber culture on village and oasis valley walks. In the high Atlas plateau we stay in Ouarzazate, an area which has featured in many international movies over the last 50 years. Near the oasis town of Tineghir, we walk through Todra Gorge (10m wide and 300m deep in places) then Dades Gorge, known as Morocco’s Grand Canyon. From Erfoud we travel to a desert village to witness sunset over the Erg Chebbi dunes, the highest in Morocco. To the south near Azrou, short walks in the Middle Atlas Mountains feature giant oak, cork and cedar forests (complete with resident monkeys). In Fez, one of Morocco’s four imperial cities, the walled medina quarter is the world’s largest contiguous car free medieval city. The tour ends in Casablanca.

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Amalfi to Umbria Departs: 04 May 2010 Experience the people, pathways, culture and cuisine of the Amalfi Coast and Umbria, the green heart of Italy. From Naples, we journey south to the mountain village of Agerola, our base for discovering the Amalfi coast. Eight nights at a family-run hotel mean you can truly unpack your bags and become a part of Italian village life. From this lofty base, follow local trails and stairways to the seaside villages of Positano, Praiano and Amalfi. On non-hiking days discover the ruins of Pompeii, explore the Isle of Capri, the romantic village of Ravello and peer into the crater of Mt Vesuvio. There is also time to taste Agerola’s hand-made cheeses and lemon liqueur and to wander through the extravagant rooms of Caserta Palace. Travelling to Spoleto in Umbria, we walk to Monteluco and follow the ‘Path of the Olives’ to tiny medieval villages. The walled city of Bevagna is our base for six nights and is famous for medieval crafts and Roman ruins. We take a pilgrimage to St Francis’s Assisi, soak up the art of Perugia and visit hill-top Orvieto. Local cuisine, seasonal food, wine and olive oil tastings feature during the whole tour.

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Carnarvon Gorge and Arcadia Valley Departs: 07 May 2010 The heart of Carnarvon National Park is a place of rambling creeks, hidden waterfalls and delightful side gorges. To the south east, are the wide open vistas of Arcadia Valley beneath the moody ridges of the Expedition Ranges. Journey to Queensland’s Central Highlands and spend time in these beautiful destinations, not just on the road! After meeting in Rockhampton, we overnight on the Capricorn Coast and enjoy beach swims and headland walks. Travelling south west via historic Mt Morgan and Moura, we arrive in Arcadia Valley, our base for three days. Here cattle stations back onto the Expedition Ranges and from our homestead, we enjoy private walking trails and quiet, starry nights. Nearby are the lookouts of Lonesome National Park and the waterlilies and birdlife of Lake Nuga Nuga. One hour west is the Carnarvon Gorge section of the much larger Carnarvon National Park. We explore the main gorge and its side canyons on a series of half day walks. Wards Canyon shelters the giant King Fern; the Amphitheatre quietens our voices and the Art Gallery features over 2000 Aboriginal engravings and stencils. We return to Rockhampton after a week in Queensland’s sandstone country.

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Croatian Coast and Slovenia Departs: 23 May 2010 Explore two of Europe’s lesser known jewels – the spectacular coastline and national parks of Croatia and the mountains, lakes and villages of Slovenia. Highlights of this exciting tour include majestic snow-covered mountains, turquoise lakes, picturesque valleys and wildflowers. The World Heritage Listed city of Dubrovnik is the perfect meeting point. A short distance west, the island of Mljet is your base for two days. Enjoy the island’s quiet beaches, native forests and unique salt lakes. Back on the mainland, Split has the ancient Diocletian’s Palace and further north, Paklenica and Krka National Parks stretch from the Adriatic coast inland to deep canyons and spring-fed creeks. World Heritage Listed Plitvice National Park has a network of boardwalks, serene aqua-coloured lakes and waterfalls. Entering Slovenia, we enjoy meadow and pine forest walks in the serene valley of Logarska Dolina. From Lake Bohinj we explore glacial lakes and the limestone mountains of Triglav National Park. An optional overnight hike allows keen hikers to walk from Lake Bohiny to the Soca Trail. Our final walks explore the emerald-coloured river and gorges on the Soca Trail. The tour ends in the city of romance, Venice Italy. Link this tour with Amalfi to Umbria to enchance your European travels

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Tyrolean Alps Austria and Italy Departs: 14 June 2010 The Tyrolean Alps straddling western Austria and Northern Italy offer prime walking opportunities and cultural immersion. This 20 day tour features day walks around the mountains of Innsbruck, the dramatic formations of the Italian Dolomites, the Karwendel Alpine Reserve near Hall in Tirol. Starting in Innsbruck, we stroll along the Zirbenweg at 2000m in a nature reserve above town. Across the Italian border we visit the Ice Man Museum in Bolzano before settling in for three nights in the Val Gardena section of the Dolomites. Walks in this area give us views of several 2500-3000m peaks, including Sciliar, Sassolungo and Sella. Our second base is further east in the village of Moos, Sesto where day walks lead to the Italian / Austrian border or below the spectacular peaks of the Drei Zinnen and Zwoelferkofel. Crossing back into Austria, we experience the Salt Mines and Wolfs Gorge near the town of Hall. A fitting finale will be three days in the Karwendel Alpine Reserve, part of the Northern Limestone Alps. We stay in two comfortable mountain huts as we walk through the mountains in the central Karwendel range. Our tour ends with two nights in Hall, close to Innsbruck and public transport to airports.

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Lava Tubes to Lawn Hill Departs: 11 July 2010 Outback North Queensland is a land of red rocky ridges, abundant wetlands, lush gorges, rippling grasslands and country towns. Join a two week journey from Cairns to the Gulf of Carpentaria, south to Mt Isa and back to the east coast. Local guides introduce the fascinating world of Undara Volcanic National Park as we explore the world’s longest single vent lava flow. Board the historic Gulflander (the “old tin hare”) for the train ride from Croydon to Normanton. Journey north to Karumba, the Gulf of Carpentaria’s major fishing port. A sunset cruise on the Norman River is a chance to spot saltwater crocodiles, endemic mangrove and migratory birds. Boodjamulla National Park features Lawn Hill Gorge, palm-fringed waterholes and sheer sandstone walls. Canoe the waterways, swim in rock pools and walk to viewpoints and Aboriginal rock art. Visit the laboratory at the Riversleigh Fossils Centre in Mt Isa and take an optional guided tour of one of the world’s largest underground mines. At the John Flynn museum in Cloncurry, experience the history of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. East in the small town of Richmond, is the renowned marine fossil museum at Kronosaurus Korner. Your tour ends in Townsville. Why not join this tour and North Queensland Coast to complete your Tropical North Queensland experience.

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North Queensland Coast Departs: 26 July 2010 The tropical landscapes of North Queensland range from cool rainforests to majestic mountains, colourful reef, pristine islands, crater lakes, towering waterfalls & the turquoise Coral Sea. Journey through the lush Atherton Tablelands and enjoy walks around the crater lakes of Barrine and Eacham. Waterfalls are another feature and we take hikes to Wallaman, Nandroya and Millaa Millaa Falls. From Mission Beach we take the launch to Dunk Island to hike the island circuit track. Shorter options available for those who want to relax and swim. After leaving our base at Yungaburra, we travel north to the Mareeba Wetlands, a 5000 acre sanctuary for much of tropical Australia's savannah and wetland wildlife plus indigenous heritage. Located on the Endeavour River, historic Cooktown gives us a glimpse into the early settlement life in northern Queensland. The Botanic Gardens in Cooktown feature an exotic plant section, a "palmetum" and a comprehensive collection of native plants. From Cairns, our final destination, we travel to Kuranda, where we enjoy a bird’s eye view of the rainforest on the famous Kuranda Skyrail. A cultural performance at the renowned Tjapukai Dance Theatre completes the trip. Join this trip together with Lava Tubes to Lawn Hill to enchance your stay in Tropical North Queensland.

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Cook Islands - Nature & Culture Departs: 06 August 2010 Discover the heart of Polynesia, 3000km north east of Auckland. From the majestic peaks of Rarotonga to the untouched rainforests of Atiu and the breathtaking lagoon of Aitutaki - the beauty and charm of these South Pacific islands is matched only by the warm hospitality of its friendly people. Your local guide will introduce you to the culture, people and natural beauty over two weeks. On the main island of Rarotonga, we visit the colourful weekly market, walk through pristine rainforest to The Needle (a legendary rock pinnacle) and join local guides into a conservation area and on a tour around the island. We soak up the spirit of the famous Cook Island dancers at a legendary island night. There are few places left in the world like the island of Atiu. Explore the native jungle, the Kopeka caves (home to rare birdlife), visit a coffee plantation and arts studio, then spend a day with local guide Birdman George. Our time of Atiu ends with an umukai, a traditional Polynesian feast. On Aitutaki we contract a day cruise on the beautiful lagoon, and a safari & history tour to Paengariki Marae. With the tour ex Rarotonga, flights and extensions can be arranged via New Zealand.

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Greece Delphi to Mt Olympus Departs: 02 September 2010 Join our early autumn journey through central and northern Greece. Travel from Athens to the Sporades islands; from the mountains of Pelion to the mythical “homes of the gods” of Delphi and Mt Olympus. By day, enjoy gorge, valley and coastal hikes and in the evening, local food and comfortable accommodation. After meeting in the Plaka, the historical centre of Athens, we travel to Delphi, site of the ancient Oracle and the Sanctuary of Apollo. The green forested mountains of Pelion are our focus for walks on cobbled paths and trails, still used by villagers transporting their produce to market. Staying on the island of Alonissos in the Green Sporades, we walk between villages and along the coastline with views over the National Marine Park. To the north-west, the World Heritage listed Meteora monasteries are an impressive sight, built on natural sandstone pillars from the 11th century onwards. Litohoro is our base to explore the base of Mt Olympus including the canyon of Enipea and the Dion archaeological site dedicated to Zeus. Our finishing point is Thessaloniki, Greece’s second largest city with a 3000 year Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman history.

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Nightcap Ranges Departs: 04 September 2010 Stretching along the southern rim of the Tweed / Mt Warning Caldera, the Nightcap Ranges are a walker’s paradise and part of the Gondwana Rainforests World Heritage area. Designed by your local guide, this seven day circular walk leads you to hidden waterfalls, palm valleys, misty lookouts and lush subtropical and temperate rainforests. At week’s end, feel rejuvenated in body, mind and spirit while learning about the natural and human history of Northern NSW. Starting at Doon Doon near Nimbin, we join the Historic Nightcap Track, part of the original trail used by travellers and postal workers between Lismore and Murwillumbah in the late 1800s. Camping at Rummery Park for two nights, we walk through Blackbutt and Brushbox forests to the base of spectacular Minyon Falls. Traversing the catchment of the Rocky Creek Dam, we follow old logging tracks into Terania Creek (site of environmental protests in the late 1970s). We spend some time with locals Nan & Hugh Nicolson, authors of the Australian Rainforest Plants series and lifelong conservationists. Our journey continues via the Caldera Rim and the Walls of Jerusalem cliff top walk back to our starting point at Doon Doon.

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Macedonia - The Heart of the Balkans Departs: 19 September 2010 The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is a feast of geographic and historical delights. South west of the capital of Skopje, Mavrovo National Park is home to Macedonia’s highest peaks. Walks reveal the Bistra Mountains, alpine wildflowers, sheep-farming and local village life. On the southern border, World Heritage listed Lake Ohrid is one of the world’s oldest lakes and the town is the cradle of Macedonian and Slavic orthodox religion and culture. Lakeside and mountain villages are the focus of walks in Galicica National Park, between Lake Ohrid and neighbouring Lake Prespa. To the east, Pelister National Park features clear vistas and granite formations from the glacial past. Near the town of Prilep, we hike up to Treskavec Monastery nestled into the rocky landscape. From our base in Strumica we visit local wineries, waterfalls and enjoy traditional food in village houses. Hikes in East Macedonia’s “Switzerland” explore pristine native forests and peaceful mountain villages. The few visitors to this area can witness traditional dance, music and costumes. On the border of Bulgaria, you can help prepare lunch at a local farm which produces organic cheeses, wheat, fruit and vegetables. This tour can be preceded by two weeks in Greece.

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Karijini to Kalbarri Departs: 04 October 2010 This is a journey of red earth, white-barked eucalypts, sandstone gorges, remote coastlines, wildflowers and wildlife. Over 17 days, travel from north to south through the best of Western Australia wilderness areas. After a flight from Perth to Paraburdoo, the immersion begins as you explore gorges and side chasms up to 100m deep in Karijini National Park. A walk over ancient fossil reefs at Cape Range National Park contrasts with the weightlessness of snorkelling at nearby Ningaloo Marine Park, the largest fringing coral reef in Australia. Further south, World Heritage listed Shark Bay, is home to a profusion of marine life including dolphins, dugongs, turtles, rays, sharks, other fish and ancient Stromatolites. North of Monkey Mia, Francois Peron National Park, a former pastoral station, provides a refuge for rare and endangered flora and fauna. At Kalbarri National Park, the Murchison River enters the sea through a series of sandstone gorges. Explore the river gorges and sea cliffs and admire the floral beauty of the surrounding sand plains. Closer to Perth, bizarre limestone pillars rise from the shifting yellow sands at the Pinnacles Desert in Nambung National Park.

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Atacama & North West Argentina Departs: 05 October 2010 Stretching 1000km from southern Peru to northern Chile, the Atacama is the driest desert on earth. From the oasis of San Pedro, watch the colours change over bizarre formations in the Valleys of Mars and the Moon. To the south, the world’s second largest salt flat, Salar de Atacama contrasts with a backdrop of snow-capped Andean volcanoes. Your first week concludes with sunrise at El Tatio geysers, baths in thermal hot springs and visits to small Altiplano villages, clifftop fortresses and petroglyphs. Across the Andes in north west Argentina, the Diaguitas and Calchaquis people have long inhabited the desert regions. Trace ancient trade routes to the Humahuaca Valley, visit the Purmamarca handicrafts market and Pucará de Tilcara, a pre-Hispanic fortress. After two nights in the quiet mountain village of Iruya we continue to Salta, rich in Spanish folklore, music and handcrafts. South of Salta, we take several days to explore historical places such as Quilmes ruins and Cachi Anthropological museum. Walk in Las Conchas Gorge, the Red River Valley and search for cactus hummingbirds, guanacos and condors in Los Cardones National Park.

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Kalahari to Caprivi Departs: 06 October 2010 Take the trip of a lifetime and experience a gem of West Africa - Namibia’s canyons, deserts and game parks. Our tour begins in the Namibian capital of Windhoek, a kaleidoscope of architectural styles, cultures and traditions. For sheer scale, we cannot miss the majestic Fish River Canyon (second largest in the world). Further north, Namib Naukluft Park protects some of the world’s oldest deserts and highest dunes. Explore the overwhelming beauty of the Sossusvlei dunes, nearby canyons and the rare plants of the Welwitschia Plains. On the west coast, the oasis town of Swakopmund is flanked by the Atlantic Ocean and the ancient Namib Desert. In the Damaraland region, ancient water courses, savannah, open plains and massive granite formations are home to desert elephant, black rhino, ostrich and springbok. A must-see on any Namibia visit, Etosha National Park has a fauna diversity that few parks can match. We continue east into the narrow Caprivi Strip to spot crocodiles, elephants, hippos, buffalo and a plethora of bird life. A final highlight will be visiting spectacular Victoria Falls before our journey ends in Maun, in northern Botswana.

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Patagonia & North East Argentina Departs: 19 October 2010 Mossy beech forests, misty peaks and conical volcanoes. Thundering waterfalls, peaceful lakes and slow-moving glaciers – welcome to Patagonia. From colourful and seductive Buenos Aires, we fly to Bariloche in the Lakes District of Argentina. We walk in the stunning landscapes of Nahuel Huapi National Park below towering Mt Tronador. During the famous lake and mountain crossing into Chile, we discover the lush Alerce forests, a giant rare conifer known to live for 3,500 years. To the mountains - Torres del Paine National Park with its soaring granite towers; Los Glaciares National Park with hikes to Perito Moreno glacier and the bases of Cerro Torre and Mt Fitzroy. From the world’s most southerly city of Ushuaia, we explore Tierra del Fuego and the crystal-clear waters of the Beagle Channel before flying to the Valdez Peninsula, famous for its marine life. Begin your South-American adventure with an optional week in to North East Argentina. Visit the vast unspoilt wilderness of the Iberá marshlands, explore the remains of Jesuit missions and learn about the advanced culture of the Guarani Indians. Two nights at the amazing Iguassu Falls will energise you before returning to Buenos Aires.

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Prom to Croajingolong Departs: 22 October 2010 Wilsons Promontory National Park is a peninsula of sculptured granite boulders, tall forests, coastal heath land, fern grottoes and pristine beaches. Walks to the most southerly points on mainland Australia contrast with time in World Heritage listed Croajingalong National Park. Three nights at Tidal River gives you a choice of warm-up walks before a challenging circuit hike. Your destination is the remotely situated Wilsons Prom light station, in the southern section of the park overlooking islands in Bass Strait. The completely restored light keeper’s house is home for two nights. Inside you can relax in cosy comfort and later venture down to the Southern Ocean’s edge to watch the mesmerising display of the short-tailed shearwaters returning from their epic migratory flight. You won’t want to leave this “world away from the everyday”. Croajingalong National Park is a stunning region of wilderness coast, rainforest, dune fields and coastal heath land. Wildlife includes 300 bird species, seals, whales and dolphins off the coast. The tour finale is two nights at Point Hicks, the tallest lighthouse on Australia’s mainland. Stay in cottages built in 1890 from timber salvaged from shipwrecks and enjoy pristine beaches, coastal and dune walks.

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Zanzibar to Samburu Departs: 28 October 2010 Zanzibar, Arusha, Ngorongoro Crater, Mt Kilimanjaro and the Masai Mara – discover East Africa’s iconic destinations. Our tour starts in Tanzania’s coastal centre, Dar es Salaam from where we travel to the nearby “Spice Island” of Zanzibar. Fringed by coral reefs, Zanzibar’s cultural heart is Stone Town, a labyrinth of grand 19th century houses, mosques and bustling bazaars. We then journey to the Tanzanian national park of Arusha (home to 400 bird species). Nearby we take in the view of Africa’s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro (5892m) and the vastness of the Ngorongoro Crater east of the massive Serengeti National Park. From Nairobi, Kenya we travel to the lands of the Masai Mara. The gently undulating grasslands ensure easy sightings of the abundant animal populations. We aim to witness a once in a lifetime event, the great migration of zebras, gazelles and wildebeest (between July and November). Passing through the tea plantation region of Sotik, we search for crocodiles and hippos on Lake Baringo. Nearby Lake Bogoria has Africa’s largest concentration of hot springs and geysers. From here we travel to Samburu National Reserve, home to lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, giraffe and zebra.

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Australian Alps Departs: 16 November 2010 The Australian Alps tour visits the highest reaches of Australia. From Kosciuszko to Khancoban, Buffalo to Bogong, we discover a plethora of plant and animal life, a great variety of walking opportunities and an impressive wealth of history, the views are nothing short of spectacular. From Canberra our first destination is the northern area of the Kosciuszko National Park, where we visit a section of the Yarrangobilly Caves. These limestone caverns are among the most richly decorated in Australia. From Thredbo in the southern area of the national park, we explore Mt Kosciuszko, Blue Lake and Perisher Valley. In the second week of our tour we visit the Bogong High Plains of Victoria. Day walks range from a spectacular ascent of Mt Feathertop, peaceful strolls around Mt Buffalo and Falls Creek and a fascinating section of the classic Australian Alps Walking Track. Beautiful Snow Gums grace our paths on many of the walks in this area. Flora is a highlight in this section that might include endangered buttercup and daisy species that are restricted to the highest peaks; as well as the brilliant display of spring wild flowers. We stay in hotels and ski lodges at Adaminaby, Thredbo, Falls Creek, Dinner Plain and Bright.

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Indochina Walking Discovery Departs: 23 November 2010 Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos are a kaleidoscope of tropical landscapes, colourful cities, fascinating history and delicious cuisine. This 22-day tour starts in Hanoi, Vietnam, one of the most beautiful Indochinese cities. Our journey on an overnight train to the remote Sapa region introduces us to the ethnic hill-tribes on the Chinese border. Sunday markets and day hikes give us time to meet local villagers, school children and farmers. We visit Vietnam’s first national park, Cuc Phuong. Here the Endangered Primate Rescue Centre is your chance to spot macaque, langur, gibbon and loris monkeys. We then spend two nights cruising on Halong Bay, feasting on fresh seafood and admiring the extraordinary limestone formations. Flying to Seim Reap in Cambodia, we explore and walk between the ancient temples including World Heritage listed Angkor Wat. Our final flight brings us to laid-back Luang Pradang, in north central Laos, claimed by UNESCO to be the ‘the best preserved city in South East Asia’. We venture to the hill top tribes of Ban Xieng and visit the traditional hand-weaving villages along the Mekong River. Here Buddhism permeates every facet of life and change comes slowly.

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New Zealand - Timeless Tramping Departs: 05 February 2011 Join us for a two week journey through the spectacular landscapes of New Zealand’s South Island. Snow-covered peaks tower above tranquil lakes, waterfalls tumble from misty heights and walking tracks meander through moss-draped beech forests. Travelling via Dunedin, an overnight stay at New Zealand’s only castle gives us access to the birdlife of the Otago Peninsula. On the scenic south east coast, we have two days to explore the dense temperate rainforest of Catlins Forest Park. At Stewart Island, we walk to the wilderness of Maori Beach and visit nearby Ulva Island, a predator-free sanctuary for birds such as the kiwi. From Te Anau, there’s the opportunity to visit the Fiordland wilderness that provides habitat for Bottlenose Dolphins, New Zealand Fur Seals and the Fiordland Crested Penguin. Near Lake Wanaka, Mt Aspiring National Park is unveiled on the Rob Roy Alpine Walk. Crossing Haast Pass to the coast, our destination is Lake Moeraki Wilderness Lodge, located in the heart of the 2.7 million hectare South West New Zealand World Heritage Area. An optional walk on Fox Glacier is a highlight before we finish our tour in Christchurch.

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interNATIONAL PARKtours offer short breaks and 1-3 week walking tours worldwide. Relax in the company of like-minded travellers and local guides.

Stay in comfortable accommodation, carry just a light pack and enjoy half or full day walks in national parks and wild places. Feel free to request a detailed itinerary or browse our full year tour program. Read more...

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New tours in 2010

East Africa, Carnarvon Gorge and the Nightcap Ranges are some of the new…

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Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk

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Leo San Sebastian

Leo grew up in Spain’s Basque Country and has been a professional guide for over 20 years. He has led groups in the Pyrenees, Alps,…

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