interNATIONAL PARKtours - Group Walking Tours to National Parks and Natural places in Australia and Overseas. Enjoy walking tours and holidays with experienced andknowledgeable guides.

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.

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.

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 11^th 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.

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.