St Petersburg to Dakar

    It is a combination trip made up of eleven sections.

    Section 1:
    This is another first, a Silk Road adventure with a difference; it's overland adventure travel at its most
    pioneering. If you are after an adventure holiday and you are one of the lucky few who can get 11 weeks
    off from work, then sign up now for this great adventure. We will travel Central Asia and the northern Silk
    Road from St. Petersburg through to Beijing. Russia adventure travel is only just in it's infancy and so you
    will have to take the rough with the smooth especially when we explore the Altai Shan Mountains in
    Kazakhstan, Siberia and Mongolia. If you are into walking holidays, you should be aware that this is
    primarily an overland journey, but there will be time for trekking in both the Altai and the Tian Shan
    mountains. Homestay holidays are becoming very popular and this trip is a series of homestay adventures.
    We will stay with Kazakhs, Mongols, reindeer herders and traditional hunters. A Yurt homestay is a great
    way to experience the lifestyles of the semi nomadic and nomadic peoples whose land we will travel
    through. For those unsure of what a yurt is, it is a traditional Central Asian circular tent built on a semi
    permanent wooden frame. As we travel across the region it's name will change from yurt, yurta, gert and
    finally to the Mongolian Ger, but what's in a name. For us the joy is meeting the people and our style of
    adventure tour must have this community involvement. This is part of our ethos and understanding of
    responsible tourism. This is an exploratory journey with a flexible itinerary, which will vary. We will travel
    through a range of temperatures from European Russia, Siberia and hot deserts of Central Asia.

    Section 2:
    No adventure trip to China is complete without a trek along the Great Wall. But this trip also takes you to
    the historic city of Xi'an, of Terracotta warrior fame, and then through the seldom travelled areas of
    Inner Mongolia. We will explore the deserts of this region, see the China that few tourist ever see the
    power house of the Industrial North. We will leave the tourists behind and see the every day lives of
    Chinese today in the provincial cities and town. We will stop to see the spectacular Datong, home to ethnic
    Mongols visit Chengde and it's palaces and see the wonderful relics of Beijing, including the great
    Forbidden City.

    Section 3:
    Silk Road travel is age old. As far back as the early beginnings of the Chinese dynasties, traders were
    pushing the boundaries of overland travel through to Central Asia. This Silk Road adventure takes us from
    the city of Bishkek Kyrgyzstan, through the infamous Torugart Pass and onto the Xinjiang province of
    China. We travel overland up one of the most famous mountain roads into the Karakoram Mountains. Our
    Karakoram Highway adventure will take us through to the town of Taxkorgan. En route we will try to
    organize a yurt homestay with Tadjic nomads on Lake Karakul. No Silk Road tour is complete without the
    overland desert adventure of the Taklimakan Desert crossing. Six days along the ancient southern Silk
    Route, via Hotan and Yarkand. No China travel would be complete without visiting the Great Wall of China.
    Our Great Wall adventure begins nowhere near Beijing. In fact it is over 3000 miles further west at
    Jiayuguan. On this adventure tour we will travel from oasis to oasis and the names of Kashgar, Turpan and
    Dunhuang conjure up images of colourful Central Asian Uyghur peoples. This China adventure travel tour
    finally takes us to the historic city of Xi,an. Xi'an travel is usually associated with the terracotta warriors
    but for us this city is just another staging post in our great adventure through China. For this adventure
    holiday will also take you up onto the Tibetan Plateau outside of Tibet. Of course for the really keen
    adventure traveler, you can extend this journey through to Honk Kong or Beijing.

    Section 4:
    Imagine yourself having travelled along the Silk Route through the fertile plains of the Fergana Valley in
    Uzbekistan and then travelling overland high into the Altai Shan Mountains of Kyrgyzstan, to the yurt
    homes of Kyrgyz shepherds on the shore of Son Kul Lake. Here you will sample the traditional hospitality,
    food (and don't forget the vodka) of these semi nomadic people. The next day, try out the ponies; learn how
    they herd the fat bottom sheep and the ultimate a game of Goat Polo. Beware, you are not a good enough
    horsemen to join in, this is a killer sport of raw aggression, but it is an amazing spectator sport (not great
    for the goat however). Occasionally one brave member of the group may attempt to play, but you have been
    warned. Walking Holidays and trekking holidays is what Kyrgyzstan travel is all about and this overland
    adventure is definitely for lovers of trekking and mountainous regions, with much of the time spent
    traversing some of the most beautiful mountains in the world. We allow time for you to hike in a variety of
    places in the mountains.

    Section 5:
    Our overland route then heads up into the mountains of Kyrgyzstan and on to Western China. From there
    the route either heads to Beijing, Hong Kong or across Tibet overland to Kathmandu. The Silk Road or the
    Silk Route, call it what you will, was the great trading route of the middle ages that linked China and India
    with Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Along its length caravans and armies pushed one way or the other.
    Before the ships of the Portuguese had opened the sea roads this was the only route along which the East
    and West could communicate. Hence it's history and mystery. In a period of ten years, starting from his
    capital Samarkand, Tamerlane the Magnificent annexed an empire from the Mediterranean to Delhi. His
    heartland was the Oxus River Valley and the surrounding Karakum and Kyzylkum deserts. We will follow his
    routes, travelling overland by truck, crossing the vast Karakum Desert and meeting the nomadic Turkmen
    that live there. We will take a Bactrian camel safari out into the Kyzylkum and overnight in a yurt homestay
    with local Uzbeks. Thene we explore the Oxus Valley, including the great Khanate and Emirates of
    yesteryears, Bukhara, Samarkand and Khiva. Samarkand tourism is thriving, but the little city of Khiva sees
    few tourists. Central Asia travel is still in its infancy and places like the amazing Sunday Market in
    Ashgabat are still geared for the locals and not the tourist hordes.

    Section 6:
    Lets look at the various elements of travel that make Georgia adventure holidays so much more appealing
    than your average holiday. Local community involvement and traditional Georgian homestays with
    wonderfully hospitable people; great Georgian feasts and copious local wines (Georgian wine tastes great
    in Georgia); hundreds of years of history, culture and religion; ancient sites and spectacular setting;
    remote mountains for trekking adventures; no tourists and tourist restrictions; unspoilt countryside and
    freedom. Overland travel through Georgia and Azerbaijan unlocks all these and more. It really is the only
    form of adventure holiday to get you up close and personal with these two countries. Georgian tourism has
    not yet taken off (for that matter neither has Azerbaijan tourism) and so we have the country to ourselves.
    This adventure tour actually starts in Turkey, as we travel overland to Cappadocia, visiting the moonlike
    landscape and underground cities of the Goreme Valley. Turkey tourism is massive and we tend to stay away
    from the main Turkish tourist sites and head north to the Black Sea. Here our adventure journey takes us
    into Georgia to witness the spectacular mountain scenery of the Caucasus. We visit many monasteries and
    churches of Orthodox Christianity. Georgia is an amazingly friendly destination, and our Georgia
    homestays allow us to meet the locals in their own homes. In Azerbaijan, we spend a night in a beautiful
    ancient Caravanserai and visit a remote metal smith village. The people in this country rarely see visitors
    and are exceptionally hospitable. Moving east we cross the Caspian Sea and enter the vast Karakum Desert
    of Turkmenistan. The trip ends in the surreal extraordinary modern city of Ashgabat, an oasis of modernity
    in a desert of antiquity.

    Section 7:
    This overland adventure visits Turkey, Syria, Jordan and Egypt. We will travel overland between the cities
    of Istanbul, Damascus and Cairo with their ancient treasures. This region is the historic confrontation
    zone of East and West. Successive Armies and civilisations has fought and conquered all the lands we
    travel through, so naturally this is a cultural journey with much of the adventure travel being based on the
    sites we visit and the history we explore. We would certainly describe this overland journey as an
    adventure holiday, but please be aware we will crack on through the region at a fair old pace. We will
    however find palces where you can have down time for some rest and relaxation. In Turkey we will have
    time to explore spectacular Cappadocia as well as to relax on the Mediterranean coast. Turkey tourism is
    now pretty mainstream but when we enter Syria our adventure tour really begins. Despite what the media
    would have you believe, Syria is an amazingly friendly and hospitable country. To travel overland across
    the country allows us to visit many of the great sites both on and off the beaten track. We will take for a
    desert adventure, crossing the desert from Aleppo to the stunning oasis of Palmyra to see this ancient city.
    Camping the night under the stars in a desert is one of the world's most romantic experiences, and we spend
    the night camping in the wilderness of Wadi Rum, the haunt of Lawrence of Arabia. Jordan has some of the
    finest antiquities in the world and if walking in Jordan is your bag, we have a day to explore the ancient
    city of Petra. Crossing into Egypt we explore Sinai and relax or dive on the Red Sea coast. Red Sea diving
    holidays are not what we specialise in but if you have a licence then we can make the time for you to dive
    the reefs of the Red Sea.

    Section 8:
    This short overland adventure trip is NOT an adventure holiday. Holiday is not a word you would used to
    describe any form of Sudan travel. Adventure experience is closer to the term, but actually 'amazing
    experience' or 'unreal hospitality' would capture the essence of a trip down the Nile through the northern
    Sudanese Desert. We travel overland down the Nile through Egypt to the town of Aswan. Our Egypt travel
    takes us to all the sites that any standard adventure tour will visit, but in true overland travel style we will
    head off into the Western Desert for six days. From Aswan, we then cross Lake Nasser by boat and enter
    the ancient realms of the Kushite kingdoms that are found along the Nile in Sudan.
    Sudan and Egypt are inextricably linked by history and by the Nile. Both countries have a shared history
    dating back to Ancient Egyptian times. Initially, the Egyptians used the Nubians as slaves, but latterly the
    Nubians, or Kushites as they were known, became the rulers of all Egypt and Sudan.The Kushites based
    their kingdom on the Nile in the Sudan, where they have left superb relics.There is no tourist
    infrastructure and many of the ruins such as Meroe, Jebel Barkul, Naqa and Musawwarat, lie hidden in the
    desert with very poor access. Unlike their Egyptian counterparts, these sites get very few visitors and
    that's part of their attraction. Our overland expedition will travel through very remote areas along the
    length of the Nile from Cairo to Khartoum. We will explore the very best of Ancient Egypt and the Sudan.

    Section 9:
    This overland adventure is not an adventure holiday; it is an overland expedition and should only be
    attempted by those who want real adventure travel. We will be passing through the countries of Cameroon,
    Chad and Sudan. In Cameroon we will journey through tropical rain forest and onto high savannah, home to
    the big game of Waza Nat. Park. Throughout Chad and Sudan we will travel through the southern Sahara
    and the Sahel, along rough tracks in a sand strewn desert. You will travel along the routes of the local
    traders, living alongside them through some of the remotest areas of Africa. However, the adventure will
    be real, the local people of immense interest, and you will see the Africa that the tourists miss.
    PLEASE NOTE: Currently this section cannot be taken on its own as we are unable to travel through
    Western Darfur and Chad. You should be aware that if you are taking this trip as a section of an ultimate
    overland, that we will be overflying this section and substituting another trip in its place. Please contact us.


    Section 10:
    To the traveller West Africa can be very daunting and this is where overland travel really comes into it's
    own. We have an overland truck, we have equipment, we have backup, we have trained crew and we have
    about 25 years of West Africa adventure. We would love to say that we can remove the hardship, hassles
    and frustrations of adventure travel in this region, but that were not be true. What we can do is make it a
    hell of a lot easier and much more fun. It won't be an adventure holiday, in fact it won't be any kind of
    holiday, but then I doubt you are looking for one if you are considering West Africa travel. What you will
    have is an adventure tour, a tour of the amazing things that Ghana, Togo and Benin have to offer. These
    countries have superb tribal history. This is where the great kingdom of the Ashanti people sprang up and
    we will make a fascinating visit to their ancient capital, Kumasi. In Benin, we will explore the Dan Homey
    kingdom, whose capital of Abomey dates back to the 17th Century. Voodoo is still a strong influence along
    this coast and in Togo we experience the voodoo culture of Togoville. The other main influence was the
    slave trade and we will visit Ouidah, historically a main centre to both. In Cameroon and southern Nigeria,
    we enter the steaming tropical jungles of West Africa. Be warned jungles are hot, jungle travel is
    uncomfortable, the roads will be awful, but if you approach it with the right frame of mind your jungle
    adventure will be something you never want to forget. If beautiful forests are your interest, then Kakum
    Nat. Park with its aerial tramways and the immense rainforest of Cameroon will impress you. This is
    certainly not your everyday journey and although the adventure trip is not designed as an Africa safari, we
    will have some chance to experience African wildlife. In Nigeria we will visit Yankari Nat. Park and an
    amazing Drill Monkey sanctuary to see these beautiful creatures as well as chimpanzees. But for the real
    fauna enthusiast, for the budding butterfly bod, In Togo we hike in the hillside forests of Mont Klouto.
    Finally there will be a number of chances along the way to relax on the wonderful beaches of the Atlantic.

    Section 11:
    This is one of our overland expedition leaders' favourite trips. West Africa is still a destination off the
    tourist map and it is tough to even travel overland through the region. For any adventure traveler wanting to
    see West Africa overland travel is perhaps the best (and for some the only) way to experience the area.
    Adventure travel should broaden horizons and beliefs and there is no area of the world better suited to do
    this than traveling overland along the route between Dakar Senegal and Accra Ghana. This overland
    journey opens up side of Africa that the East Africa safari totally misses out. This is the Africa of vibrant
    historic cultures, stunning fabrics, colorful markets and above all Africa music. Travel Mali and you travel
    music, and we will try to take in as many musical aspects of the country as we can. Mali tourism is based
    around the area's tribal make up. The country is home to the ancient Malian and Soninke Empires along the
    Niger River and we will visit the ancient settlements of Djenne and Mopti. From Timbuktu you can take a
    three-day boat trip down the Niger River to Mopti. This is nothing like the adventure cruises along rivers
    like the Nile, it is a unique journey down a historic river by local motor pinasse (think long wide banana
    with a sun canopy). Life is pretty basis on-board but you will be traveling through the world of everyday
    Malian life. This type of grassroots travel is core to our mission statement of "getting back to the
    principles of responsible travel as opposed to tourism". For those interested in walking holidays, we will
    trek around the Bandiagara escarpment to witness the incredible lifestyle of the Dogons. Ghana travel
    provides a relaxing place to enjoy some R&R on the stunning beaches of the Gold Coast and to see the
    wildlife of Mole Nat. Park. Ghana holidays are not yet on the tourist map, but as a holiday destination
    Ghana will one day take off, as it has beaches, friendly people, wildlife and a long historic culture; see it
    before Ghana tourism becomes a reality!
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St Petersburg to
Dakar
Length: 48 Weeks
Route: Windhoek to Cape Town
Next Departure 27th Oct '07
Note: -
Price from:
USD 525 per week
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When you book with Easyticket Ltd. you are buying total peace of mind.
From the moment you step abroad the plane it only gets better from them on.
(Overland)

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