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Southern Italian Sojourn Departs: 26 May 2012 TOUR FULLY BOOKED - 2013 dates coming soon. Experience the people, pathways, culture and cuisine of Southern Italy. The Amalfi coast, Aeolian Islands and Sicily provide a true taste of Italian life and you will be able to experience it through local eyes. The mountain village of Agerola is your base to explore the Amalfi coast. Ten 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 Pompei, visit the Isle of Capri, explore Naples and peer into the crater of Mt Vesuvio. There’s time to taste Agerola’s hand-made cheeses and lemon liqueur or explore the extravagant rooms of Caserta Palace. An overnight boat journey brings you to the Aeolian Islands of Lipari and Vulcano. Climb to viewpoints, hike to crater rims or combine sulphur and mud baths with swims in the sea. Our final destination is Taormina on Sicily’s east coast where we spend five nights. There is time to walk to medieval villages and walk on the flanks of Mt Etna, Europe’s highest active volcano.
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Yosemite to Yellowstone Departs: 22 June 2012 ONLY FOUR SPACES LEFT! Each park on this 19 day tour offers scenery so special that it would be worth making the trans- Pacific journey just for one of them.  Put them all together and you have a collection of places and experiences that will long remain in your memory. The tour begins in San Francisco, “everyone’s favourite city” and a great introduction to life in the USA.  After two days of city excitement, the road leads east and enters Yosemite National Park, preserving a granite wonderland of glacier-sculptured peaks and domes. Waterfalls, in full flow at this time of year, tumble down shining cliff faces from hanging valleys. Groves of pine, fir and oak give a park-like appearance to the valley floor. We will have a suggested group walk each day, but there are many other ways of enjoying this park – laze in sunshine by the crystal green waters of the Merced River, spot climbers high on the face of El Capitan, stroll through a gallery or have coffee at the historic Ahwahnee Lodge. We leave the high country after crossing the 3000m Tioga Pass and travel south to the austere beauty of Death Valley. Just across the border in Nevada the glitz of Las Vegas provides surreal contrast to the drama of the desert. The Grand Canyon in Arizona needs little introducation and, with accommodation on the quieter North Rim, there is time to take in its rugged depths. Utah’s Zion National Park is a grand and spectacular gorge of dramatic shapes and cliff lines, and walking through Bryce Canyon’s curiously eroded pinnacles and spires is a rare experience. From Bryce Canyon we drive north to Salt Lake City for two nights before continuing on to Grand Tetons National Park and Yellowstone National Park. This grand journey can easily be followed by the Canadian Rockies extension (11-21 July 2012).
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Secrets of the Scenic Rim Departs: 08 July 2012 Colour your winter with a short break in the Scenic Rim. Stretching south west of Brisbane, this arc of sweeping ranges, river valleys, lush rainforests and quaint country towns is a great destination for nature and food lovers! Walk amongst spectacular landforms, sample fresh produce and meet artists and local characters along the way. Travelling from Brisbane via the country towns of Kalbah and Harrisville, we explore short walks in Main Range National Park. In and around the lively town of Boonah, enjoy the combination of good food, wine, excellent local art along with easy walks in Moogerah Peaks National Park. While in the Mt Barney / Lost World area, we can walk to creek-side picnic spots, mountain lookouts and then contrast the day with a cooking class and visits to local wineries and olive groves. Finally we come to the south eastern side of the Scenic Rim stopping for short walks and culinary delights on Tamborine Mountain before enjoying the best of Lamington National Park. Based at Binna Burra Lodge, walks to Antarctic Beech trees, the Coomera River or waterfalls and lookouts are all on your doorstep. We return to Brisbane via a private lunch at a Beechmont house with views back over the mountains.
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Cook Islands - Nature & Culture Departs: 18 August 2012 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 direct from Australia or via New Zealand.
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Kalimantan, Sumatra & Flores Departs: 19 August 2012 TOUR FULLY BOOKED! - 2013 dates coming soon. Discover local wildlife, ecology and cultures on this two week hands-on journey to Kalimantan, Sumatra and Flores.  Join renowned scientist Claire Oelrichs to explore majestic rainforests, view Orangutans in the wild, bathe Sumatran elephants and learn about the rare Sumatran rhinoceros. Beginning with Flores Island, from where we visit the islands of Komodo National Park which protects the impressive Komodo dragons.   We will snorkel on the coral reef to view the colourful fish and maybe turtles with a final visit to a small turtle hatchery on Kanawa Island. To the west of the Wallace line is Tanjung Puting National Park in Kalimantan. Formerly known as Borneo, this is one of the most bio-diverse places on the earth. This large tropical rainforest is home to Orangutans, Proboscis Monkeys, Macaques, Langurs and Gibbons. From our base at Rimba Lodge we travel by klotok river boats to view primates and birds in the lowland forest. Way Kambas National Park on Southern Sumatra has the richest wildlife and is known as "Africa of Asia". Sumatran Elephants can be viewed in the wild and you can bathe baby Elephants at the nearby conservation centre. A visit to the Sumatran Rhinoceros Sanctuary allows us to see the rare Sumatran Rhino and we also track the Sumatran Tiger in its own habitat (sightings are rare!).  There are possibilities to also see Tapir, Sunbear, Crocodile, Gibbon, Clouded Leopard and more.
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Kalbarri to Karijni Departs: 05 September 2012 ONE SPACE LEFT - single female twin share only. This is a journey of red earth, white-barked eucalypts, sandstone gorges, remote coastlines, wildflowers and wildlife. Over 16 days, travel from south to north through the best of Western Australia’s wilderness areas. Two hours from Perth, photograph the bizarre limestone pillars as they rise from the shifting sands at the Pinnacles Desert in Nambung National Park. 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. At Monkey Mia, we cruise to spot dugongs and marine wildlife. North of Monkey Mia, Francois Peron National Park, a former pastoral station, provides a refuge for rare and endangered flora and fauna. World Heritage listed Shark Bay is home to a profusion of marine life including dolphins, dugongs, turtles, rays, sharks, other fish and ancient Stromatolites. A walk over ancient fossil reefs at Cape Range National Park contrasts with the weightlessness of snorkeling at nearby Ningaloo Marine Park, the largest fringing coral reef in Australia. The tour finale is 3 days enjoying the gorges and side chasms up to 100m deep in Karijini National Park. Your journey ends with a flight from Paraburdoo back to Perth.
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Croatian Coast and Slovenia Departs: 15 September 2012 Explore two of Europe’s most beautiful jewels – the spectacular coastline and national parks of Croatia and the mountains, lakes and villages of Slovenia. Join IPT founder Tony Groom on a 3 week journey to two of his favourite European countries. 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. Our final walks explore the emerald-coloured river and gorges on the Soca Trail. The tour ends in the city of romance, Venice Italy.  
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Turkey - Goreme to Gallipoli Departs: 15 September 2012 Vibrant cities, volcanic landscapes, coastal coves, Roman ruins and historic battlefields are some of the wonders of central and western Turkey. Istanbul is the gateway to two continents where east meets west. Walk to an Ottoman fort, visit the renowned Hagia Sophia, cruise on the Bosphorus and explore massive Topkapi Palace. In central Turkey, Cappadocia features curious volcanic landscapes, steadily carved by nature and its human inhabitants. Based here for four nights, we visit Goreme Open Air Museum and the underground cities. Day walks explore villages, canyons and lesser visited valleys. After visiting Konya, home of the whirling dervishes, we cross the Taurus Mountains to Antalya and stay four nights in the coastal town of Kas. Walk in Olympos National Park and enjoy a day on the Lycian way following aqueducts to the old city of Patara. A half day Gulet cruise to Kekova Islands provides time for walks, viewing the sunken city of Simena and visiting Myra the ancient capital of Lycia. On another day, we visit the nearby Greek island of Kastellorizo. In western Turkey, we explore the archaeological sites of Ephesus, Pergamon and Troy. Before returning to Istanbul, we walk on the Gallipoli Peninsula, and visit the military museum and memorials in Helles.
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Nightcap & Border Ranges Departs: 02 October 2012 The essence of the rainbow region of Northern NSW is an eclectic mix of interesting walks, creative country towns and a relaxed ambience at every turn. This six day tour explores the national parks around Mt Warning while based in one place - a mountain hideaway near the town of Uki. Stretching along the western rim of the Tweed Caldera, the Border Ranges National Park is accessed via the Tweed Range Road and we enjoy a series of short walks near Brindle Creek. Nearby, the Tweed Pinnacle lookout gives you a bird’s eye view of the Tweed Caldera, a 23 million year old shield volcano. On the southern side of the caldera, the Nightcap Ranges are a walker’s paradise and part of the Gondwana Rainforests World Heritage area. We walk sections of the Historic Nightcap Track which leads to hidden waterfalls, palm valleys, misty lookouts and lush rainforest. Part of the original trail was used by travelers and postal workers between the Richmond and Tweed in the late 1800s. Our last walk leads to a dramatic lookout over Minyon Falls.  Our journey ends with a visit to the local Uki market with time to explore the village.    
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Autumn in Hokkaido Departs: 04 October 2012 Experience the autumn colours, seasonal food and interesting walks on a new journey to Hokkaido’s mountains, lakes and peninsulas. Hiroko Kobayashi has designed this tour to the northernmost Japanese island at a special time of the year. Your tour begins with a flight from Tokyo’s Haneda airport to Asahikawa on Hokkaido. After forest walks, you can soak in the tubs of Shirogane onsen, a Japanese hot spring resort above the Biei River. In the centre of the island, the volcanic mountain ranges are protected by Japan’s largest national park, Daisetsuzan. Cable cars allow access to moderate walks and autumn hues on Mt Asahi. Further south, enjoy the hidden treasures of Hagoromo Falls and Lake Shikaribetsu surrounded by white fir and spruce. At Lake Akan, forest and mountain walks contrast with an Ainu fire festival and an afternoon cruise to view Marimo, rare algae that form into beautiful green balls. World Heritage listed Shiretoko Peninsula offers forest and lakeside walks, remote fishing villages and possible sightings of the rare Japanese Black Bear. Travelling via the Notsuke Peninsula, enjoy boardwalk strolls through the fascinating Kiritappu wetlands. Your tour ends with a flight back to Haneda from Kushiro airport.
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Atacama and North West Argentina Departs: 05 October 2012 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 Pucara 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. This tour can be linked to the 8 day Iguazu and North East Argentina tour.
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Madagascar - Mountains & Mystery Departs: 08 October 2012 Evolving in isolation for 165 million years, Madagascar has some of the world's most unique flora and fauna including lemurs, chameleons, orchids and towering baobab trees. Our journey begins in the bustling capital of Antananarivo. To the east, Andasibe is our base for excursions into the lowland and mid-altitude rainforest of Analamazaotra-Mantadia National Park. We enjoy night and morning walks to spot lemurs, eastern ring-tailed mongoose, frogs and chameleons.  Travelling through terraced farmlands, we arrive in Antsirabe, a highland urban oasis surrounded by volcanic lakes. After lakeside walks and visits to artisan workshops, we continue to Ranomafana National Park. This montane rainforest is home to carnivorous pitcher plants, 12 species of lemur and chameleon and almost half of Madagascar’s bird species. For contrast, Andringitra National Park is a walker’s paradise with prairies and open grassland below lunar-like granite massifs. After visiting the paper-making village of Ambalavao, we walk in the canyons and riparian rainforests of Ranohira Isalo National Park. To the south, forests of spiny ‘octopus’ trees contrast with avenues of baobabs. At Ifaty and Anakao, we snorkel on coral reefs and visit a nearby island protecting the red tailed tropic bird. Our final wildlife encounter is at Tsimanampesotse National Park before we return to the capital.
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Iguazu & North East Argentina Departs: 19 October 2012 The Iberá wetlands, teeming with wildlife; abandoned 17th century Jesuit missions; the surprising Moconá Falls and the majesty and power of Iguazú Falls – these are the delights of North East Argentina. Twice the size of the Florida Everglades, the rich ecosystem of Esteros del Iberá wetlands was declared a reserve in 1983. From the working ranch of San Juan Poriahu, we explore the area on foot and by boat. This is home to over 300 bird species, turtles, caiman crocodile, monkeys, swamp dear and capybaras (the largest rodent in the world). To the east we visit the jungle covered remains of a Jesuit missions featured in the powerful film, The Mission.  Near the town of El Soberio, we cruise on the Uruguay River to Moconá Falls. Located on a seismic fault, these unique falls are up to three kilometres wide but only 5-20m deep. In contrast, Iguazú is a tremendous complex of over 250 waterfalls stretching in a 2.5km horseshoe shape between Argentina and Brazil. The Iguazú National Park contains 2000 plant species and 400 bird species, including toucans. This tour includes return flights from Buenos Aires and can be linked to Atacama & North West Argentina and the Patagonian Journey.
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Patagonian Journey Departs: 26 October 2012 Our South American guide Daniel is returning with a handmade journey to his homeland of Patagonia. Be enchanted by mossy beech forests, misty peaks and conical volcanoes.  Venture into dreamlike landscapes where thundering waterfalls contrast with peaceful lakes and slow-moving glaciers. From colourful and seductive Buenos Aires, we fly to San Carlos de Bariloche in the Lakes District of Argentina.  We walk below towering Mt Tronador in the stunning landscapes of Nahuel Huapi, the old national park in Argentina. During the famous lake and mountain crossing into Chile, two nights at Puerto Blest reveals lush jungle and forests of Alerce, 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. Each of these areas offers excellent day walks and a chance to photograph the flora and fauna of these world-class parks. 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. This tour can be preceded by the Iguazu and North East Argentina tour.
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Zanzibar to Samburu Departs: 28 October 2012 Zanzibar, Arusha, Ngorongoro Crater, Mt Kilimanjaro and the Masai Mara – discover East Africa’s iconic destinations.  From Dar es Salaam, we travel to the “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 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 the great migration of zebras, gazelles and wildebeest. 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. Returning south, we walk in the foothills of Mt Kenya before the tour concludes in Nairobi. Alternatively you can join an optional 6 day extension to Bwindi National Park to see gorillas in the wild.
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Australian Alps Departs: 13 November 2012 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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Travel to breathtaking destinations, meet the locals and walk in the world's wild places. Stay in comfortable accommodation and be guided on daily adventures, carrying nothing more than a daypack. For over 35 years, we have offered 1-3 week tours to the national parks & wild places of Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Asia, North and South America.

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  • Hiroko Kobayashi
    Hiroko Kobayashi Hiroko leads both our tours to Japan in 2011, a cultural discovery of Japan’s central island, Honshu, and a tour of autumn delights to Hokkaido.…
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