Explore Off the Beaten Track Middle East and Africa

December 3, 2010

Specialist overland tour experts, Dragoman, have launched an exciting range of overland journeys for 2011/2012 to Africa, North and South America, Asia, the Middle East, India and Nepal, which includes 11 new trips.

A highlight of the programme will be Dragoman’s return to Colombia, Zimbabwe and Libya, after a few year’s absence from touring these countries.

Dragoman specialises in small uniquely crafted tours in overland vehicles for people who “love to wander off the beaten track and who expect more from a holiday than a suntan.”

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The 30 year old company is also strongly committed to responsible travel and as part of the company’s commitment to investing in local communities, Dragoman have added three new homestays to their 2011/2012 programme, including stays in a Keralan backwater, on a Colombian coffee plantation and in a Mongolian Ger (circular felt lined tent).

Dragoman is the only tour operator to run overland trips between Ecuador’s capital, Quito to Cartegena in Colombia, allowing travellers to bypass the busy streets of Bogota and spent more time in quintessential Colombian settings, such as a coffee plantation in Zona Cafetaria, high in the Andes. The visit to Zona Cafetaria is part of Dragoman’s commitment to responsible travel and to investing in the communities which they visit.

Dragoman is represented in New Zealand by Adventure World and to celebrate the launch of the 2011/2012 itinerary, Adventure World has released two feature deals.

The Complete Middle East Journey from Istanbul to Cairo, 31 day/30 night trip, priced from $2,650 * per person

Imagine floating in a hot air balloon above the lunar like landscape of Cappadocia’s Goreme Valley Turkey, or visiting the vast castle, Krak des Chevaliers, where the Medieval Crusader knights were billeted, or going scuba diving in the Dead Sea.

These experience and many more are available in the 30 night Complete Middle East journey from Istanbul to Cairo by overland expedition vehicle, which will give adventurous travellers a comprehensive experience of this stunning region. A must for Kiwis will be an emotional visit to the Gallipoli beaches and museum. The Complete Middle East Journey will encompass Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt. In Jordan travellers will spend two nights in the rose-red city of Petra, and in Syria the tour will visit the desert oasis of Palyrma, as well as the fortified ancient city of Aleppo. There will also be a two night stay in the vibrant trading city of Damascus.

Go Nomad in West Africa on an overland trip from Dakar to Accra, priced from $3290* per person

This fantastic five week trip from Dakar to Accra explores the less traditional Africa of colourful, vibrant markets and pulsating tribal music – with Mali and Senegal in particular famous for their talented and charismatic musicians. The tour travels as far as the Atlantic shores of Senegal, before exploring Niokolo-Koba National Park.

Then the expedition crosses into Mali to the musical capital of Bamako before visiting the magnificent mud mosque of Djenne and cruising up the Niger River to Mpoty aboard a local boat. After a stay in the decidedly off the beaten track city of Burkina Faso, the trip heads into Ghana for some game viewing in Mole National Park.

The trip then travels through the Ashanti Kingdom, a forested belt in central Ghana which is known for its hardworking people, and which has produced many modern Ghanaian leaders, before heading to the Gold Coast and visiting community projects on the way. At the end of the trip there is the chance to unwind from the rigours of the road at beautiful Elmina Beach.

*Terms and conditions apply. Prices do not include local USD kitty payment.

For further information or to book, contact Adventure World on 0800 899 111 or visit www.adventureworld.co.nz

ENDS

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