Best off the beaten track destinations for 2011

February 4, 2011

Best off the beaten track destinations for 2011


Top Five Emerging Destinations For 2011

For adventurous souls who are seeking an off the beaten track adventure holiday, the inhouse travel experts at leading New Zealand travel company Adventure World have scoured the globe to select this year’s five most exciting emerging destinations.

1. Myanmar

Turn back the clock, forget about the internet (mostly) and visit this enchanting country of gentle, engaging people, where monks are more revered than movie stars and where monks in one monastery have taught cats to jump.

Myanmar is undoubtedly a destination for adventurous travellers, as it represents a flashback to the authentic Asia of creaking buses, bumpy roads, and leisurely travel by river boat.

But the magnificent sights of this beautiful country are worth any slight inconvenience. This is a country where almost half of the land is covered in forest and where the best kept secrets are the pristine white sand beaches in the south along the Andaman Sea.

Visit the exquisitely painted sacred stupas of Bagan – a staggering 4000 stupas in an area the size of Manhattan. In the former colonial enclave of Mandalay (think Somerset Maugham era) marvel at the Mahamuni Paya which houses a Buddha which is recovered in gold leaf each day. Go boating on Linle Lake, with its floating gardens, stilt villages and where the monastery with the jumping cats is based.

Explore this fascinating country with Adventure World’s eight day/seven night Highlights of Myanmar Tour, priced from $1345, per person, on a share twin basis.

2. Oman

Oman offers a fascinating glimpse of the real Arabia: a country which has not buried its head in the sand nor thrown out its amazing heritage in a rush to modernise.

Until 1970, the Sultanate of Oman was practically closed to visitors, so tourism is relatively new here. But get there quick, as the secret of its amazing beauty is about to be discovered by the rest of the world.

Located on the Arabian Peninsula, Oman is a land of rich culture and history. Renowned as one of the most peaceful countries in the world, it is a place to experience Islam at its best.

The capital, Muscat, which means “safe anchorage”, is surrounded by picturesque mountains and watched over by 17th century forts. There are few high rise buildings in the city and strict planning regulations require that all new buildings reflect tradition with a dome or Arabesque window. In Muscat you can watch wooden dhows (traditional Arab sailboats) making their way out to sea, or watch merchants in the souks (markets) selling silver, frankincense and pottery as they have done for centuries.

As well as Muscat, North Oman includes the Hajar Mountains, the highest in the Arabian Peninsula, while Central Oman features awe inspiring sand dunes and coastal scenery fringing the uncrowded beaches of the Indian Ocean.

Must places to visit include Nizwa, one of Oman’s most famous forts (and there are more than 1000 still intact); Sur, famed for its beaches and where dhows are still made by hand, and Masirah Island, a real desert island which is a naturalist’s paradise as it is a haven for turtles and birdlife, such as flamingoes and herons.

Discover Oman on Adventure World’s Six Day/Five Night tour, starting from $3270 or embark on a Journey through Arabia, three days/two nights from $1279. Both prices are for low season, per person, share twin.

3. Japan

Scrape under the surface of frenetic modern Japan and join the locals at some of Japan’s most spectacular, traditional festivals.

In Kyoto, the cultural heart of Japan, the Miyako Odori provides a rare glimpse throughout the month of April to see geishas performing in public.

Takayama Festival is considered to be one of the most beautiful traditional Japanese festivals, as it features gagaku bugaku and kagura (shinto music and dance) and a parade of heavily decorated floats, several of which are decorated with karakuri ningyo (huge ornate mechanical dolls which move and dance).

The Nikko Festival, held close to Tokyo, also features gorgeously decorated floats and is a samurai procession honouring Tokugawa Ieyasu, Japan’s first shogun in the 17th century. This parade is truly spectacular as it features more than 1000 men, lion dancers, musicians and Shinto priests, as well as samurai warriors in full armour. The Kamakura Festival is a 400 year old festival, where more than 100 kamakura (igloo like snow huts) are constructed to decorate Yokote castle ground.

Be a spectator at these colourful events with Japan Spring Festival 10 day/nine night tour, available from Adventure World, priced from $3589 per person, low season, share twin.

4.Patagonia

A trip to Patagonia is an adventure-travel rite of passage, according to National Geographic magazine.

The last stop before reaching Antarctica from South America, Patagonia is an indeed an adventure traveller’s paradise, with its spectacular scenery and teeming wildlife, including cormorants, sea lions and penguins.

From Santiago travel down Route 40, over the vast Patagonian plains and alongside the magnificent Andes snow capped mountains. En route, visit the famous Perito Moreno glacier, a mighty ice sheet which can be observed from a series of walkways. The region also contains some of South America’s most famous parks, including the Los Glaciares National Park, home to some of the world’s most stunning ice formations; Torres del Paine National Park, famous for its granite pillars, lakes and mountains and Tierra del Fuego National Park, located in one of the most southerly regions in the world.

On the way to Punta Arenas, stop at the famous Sena Otway penguin colony, home to approximately 3000 breeding pairs, and complete the journey at Ushuaia, in Argentina and the most southerly city in the world.

Adventure World and Viva Expeditions are offering a Wild Patagonia, 26 day tour of Southern Argentina & Chile, starting from $6055 per person. Or choose a Southern Explorer tour, 13 days exploring the mountains and glaciers of Southern Argentina and Chile, starting from $2565 per person.

5. Bhutan

Bhutan, land of the Thunder Dragon, is a deeply Buddhist country, which Lonely Planet calls the last ‘Shangri La.’

A trip to Bhutan provides an opportunity to experience a way of life where old fashioned values such as courtesy have been maintained, while also accommodating the best of modern society. For instance, Bhutan’s burgeoning tourism industry is based on sustainability principles.

A visit to Bhutan is also an opporunity to observe the last remaining Himalayan kingdom and its capital, Thimpu, is the world’s only capital city without traffic lights – instead traffic is directed by polite, white gloved police. In Thimpu you will find traditional tunic covered local businessmen alongside modern young businessmen in sharp suits nattering on their iPhones.

However, it is the hinterland of Bhutan which will excite adventure travelers the most. Before the 1970s Central Bhutan could only be reached by foot or by horseback and this region represents the cultural heartland of Bhutan as many of the interesting old monasteries are located here. The region’s forests are great for day treks and for studying stunning and rare flora.
The best time to visit Bhutan is during the dry season from October to May. Experience the culture and friendly people of this peaceful haven through Adventure World’s Himalayan Kingdom five day/four night tour, priced from $1975 per person share twin. Price includes Bhutan visa, accommodation and sightseeing, including specified entrance fees, some meals and transfers.
For more information on Adventure World ph 0800 899 111 or visit www.adventureworld.co.nz

- ends-

ends

© Scoop Media