Discover the Treasures of Asia with an Adventure Travel Experience.

Asia

Orangutans foraging in the vanishing Borneo rain forest; Mongolia, home to the last horse-based people on earth; India’s incomparable tigers; the once-forbidden Buddhist lands of Burma and Laos; the wildlife and exquisite cultural traditions of Japan — with all these, and more, Asia is an inexhaustible treasure-trove of adventure travel experiences.

Burma & Laos

Departs: March 2, 2010

Join us on a Southeast Asia tour through two of the least-explored regions of Indochina: Myanmar (Burma) and Laos. Travel these fascinating Buddhist lands with Gary Wintz, leader, expert on Asia, and member of the Association of Asian Studies (AAS.) Gary specially designed this in-depth cultural tour to include regional highlights such as Rangoon, the ethereal Shwedagon Pagoda, the famous Buddhist caves of Pak Ou, a Pandaw cruise on the Irrawaddy River, the Golden Triangle, and a cruise on the Mekong River to the World Heritage Site of Luang Prabang.

Vietnam & Angkor Wat

Departs: March 27, 2010

Our expedition begins in Siem Reap, Cambodia with a tour of the jungle-clad ruins of Angkor Wat. In bustling Saigon, board the Clipper Odyssey for a distinctive Vietnam cruise. We trace the 1,000-mile-long coast of Vietnam visiting the World Heritage Sites of Hue, My Son, Hoi An, and exquisite Halong Bay. Shop for hand-woven silks in colorful markets, sample exotic cuisine, photograph terraced rice paddies, cruise down the peaceful Perfume River, and bask in the warm hospitality of the Vietnamese people. The grand finale is a tour of Hanoi and its rich culture and history.

Empires of the East: Hong Kong, Taiwan, Okinawa, Japan

Departs: April 9, 2010

Experience a unique cultural adventure on our expedition cruise to the ancient empires of the east. Tour the glittering mega-metropolises of Hong Kong and Taipei as we cruise toward Japan. Visit remote Okinawa Island, the venerable Shinto Shrine of Miyajima, the Peace Memorial Park at Hiroshima, and view amazing museum collections of textile arts, and exquisite pottery and painting. In the company of expert leaders and lectures, we visit sub-tropical islands and sub-alpine forests to watch for wildlife and rare endemic birds. In Kyoto, sightseeing includes lovely Japanese gardens and temples.

Treasures of Japan with a day in Gyeongju, Korea

Departs: April 21, 2010

Join our Japan cruise and sail the Inland Sea, exploring the cultural highlights, natural attractions, and dramatic coastlines of Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu Islands. From imposing castles and timeless villages to a moving tour of Hiroshima, our voyage presents an intricate tapestry of Japanese riches. Enjoy court dancers, and tour Shinto shrines and Japanese gardens. Spend a full day in Gyeongju, Korea, a World Heritage Site encompassing hundreds of excavated monuments, temples, tombs, and pagodas. In the company of our expert leader team, including Japanese cultural experts, discover the treasures of this ancient and fascinating land.

Five ‘Stans: Hidden Heart of Asia

Departs: May 4, 2010 and September 7, 2010

Join Asian cultural expert, Gary Wintz, on a tour through central Asia that reveals the history, people, and natural treasures of some of the least-traveled countries on earth. View architectural gems from the tsarist era in Almaty Kazakhstan. The Silk Road settlement of Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan is surrounded by lush forest, alpine meadows, and glacier-clad peaks. Travel to Uzbekistan and tour the cultural wonders of Tashkent and Samarkand, Tameralane's 14th-century capital, along with the incredible Islamic architecture of Bukhara. Discover soaring mountains and ancient Persian ruins in Tajikistan and the bustling bazaar of Ashgabat in Turkmenistan.

Western Himalayas

Departs: October 3, 2010

A tapestry of exquisite cultural landmarks and spectacular natural wonders, our journey travels from the splendors of Delhi to the Kashmiri moonscapes of Ladakh and the princely states of the Western Himalayas. From ancient mountaintop monasteries to tidy British hill towns, from chaotic bazaars to the serene Tibetan Buddhist temples of McLeod Ganj, experience the richness of the Buddhist, Hindu, and Sikh religions and the wondrous variety of wildlife in cedar forests and verdant valleys. Our arrival in India's former "summer capital," Shimla, coincides with the Dussehera Festival, a journey highlight. Enjoy an optional extension to the Kashmir for a houseboat stay on beautiful Lake Dal.

Iran: Wonders of Persia

Departs: November 12, 2010

Eco-Expeditions’ cultural tour to Iran reveals a fascinating, hospitable country where turbaned clerics and carpet-weaving nomads co-exist in the shadows of architectural masterpieces. Formerly known as Persia, Iran’s turbulent and colorful history was written by its successive rulers, the Assyrians, Babylonians, Greeks, Parthians, Sassanians, and even the British and Russians. Each conquest left its mark and we visit Iran’s unique cultural treasures replete with magnificent ruins, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Persepolis; glorious mosques; and stupendous citadels. Travel in Iran with eco tour leader and cultural expert, Gary Wintz.

Wild India with the Brahmaputra River

Departs: November 19, 2010

Travel to India, a country steeped in beauty and diverse wildlife habitats that can equal those of Africa for drama and for profuse concentrations of animals. Our India wildlife safari is led by expert naturalists who reveal thousands of birds, herds of grazing deer, bison, and elephants and, we hope, the elusive tiger. We invite you to join us on an adventure that will unveil an India unseen by most including a private Brahmaputra River cruise.

Circumnavigation of Sumatra

Departs: January 3, 2011

From Singapore, we travel to Sumatra to explore the coastline of Indonesia’s largest island. Our explorations include the Gunung Leuser National Park, known for its thriving orangutan population. We then venture to Pulau Weh (Weh Island), a beautiful island of dense jungle and exquisite snorkeling sites. Off the west coast, we visit Simeulue and Nias Islands where we encounter traditional villages and walk along palm-lined beaches. We also set out to see the endemic species of Mentawai, and snorkel off the southern archipelago islands of Belitung.

Snow Monkeys and Cranes

Departs: February 2, 2011

Our Snow Monkeys and Cranes expeditions provide opportunities to enjoy a Japan that few Westerners experience: Japan in winter. For photographers and aficionados of wildlife, people, and Japanese culture, these will be memorable departures full of snow-filled landscapes punctuated by troops of dancing red-crowned cranes, flocks of sea eagles, and bathing snow monkeys.

Sands of Time: Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar & Oman

Departs: February 17, 2011

Experience a region of visual contrasts on our cultural expedition cruise through the Arabian Gulf. Explore the city-states of the United Arab Emirates, the fabled Sultanate of Oman—where we visit Job’s Tomb in Salalah—and the tiny, but powerful countries of Bahrain and Qatar. From sculpted fjords and rugged island landscapes to architectural wonders, from bustling souks and camel markets to serene mosques and desert oases, our journey aboard the Clipper Odyssey is a multi-faceted revelation brought to life by our team of expert leaders and lectures.

Iran: Wonders of Persia

Departs: March 3, 2011

Bhutan

Departs: April 10, 2011

Bhutan is a colorful patchwork of moving images—yak herders, rhododendron forests, snowcapped peaks, alpine meadows, rare birds and animals, intricate temples—and there is no better way to see this enigmatic land than on a Bhutan trekking adventure. Accompanied by acclaimed Asia expert Gary Wintz, we spend 14 days trekking to ancient monasteries, nature preserves, and sacred spaces in a country nearly unknown to Western travelers. A highlight of our trip includes a visit to Tiger’s Nest, one of the most famous monasteries in Bhutan.

Five 'Stans

Departs: May 3, 2011

Our Central Asia expedition visits these former Soviet republics (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan) and reveals the history, people, and natural treasures of some of the least-traveled countries on Earth. Our 18-day journey showcases outstanding Islamic architecture; bustling bazaars; dramatic landscapes, from rugged mountains to desert steppes roamed by nomadic horsemen; and fabled Samarkand, once the seat of power of the Mongol conqueror, Tamerlane.

Mongolia

Departs: August 20, 2011

Our Mongolia expedition uses a combination of planes, 4x4 vehicles, camels, horses, and yak carts to reach remote destinations such as the Gobi Desert’s Singing Sands and Flaming Cliffs. We travel to Jalman Meadows to enjoy the Mongolian countryside and visit the Onon River region, most famous as the land where Chinggis Khaan was born and from which the Mongolian empire was established. This is sure to be a true adventure to one of the last unspoiled travel destinations in the world. Exact trip dates have not been confirmed.