JOURNEY

Transcription

JOURNEY

Journey Beyond the OrdinaryTM
embark on a
Journey
distinctive custom journeys to asia & the pacific
of a
lifetime
Travel propels us beyond ourselves, beyond our
previous understandings, to embrace new ways
of imagining, new ways of seeing.
At its best, travel can promote cross-cultural
understanding, encourage environmental
sustainability, and fulfill long-held personal dreams.
At Asia Transpacific Journeys, going beyond the
ordinary to create Asia travel experiences that
incorporate these elements is our guiding principle.
We call it Journey Beyond the OrdinaryTM
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CENTRAL ASIA
MONGOLIA
CHINA
TIBET
NEPAL
BHUTAN
MYANMAR
INDIA
LAOS
HONG KONG
THAILAND
VIETNAM
CAMBODIA
SRI LANKA
MALDIVES
SINGAPORE
CENTRAL ASIA
INDONESIA
TURKEY
AUSTRALIA
NEW ZEALAND
TIBET
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www.AsiaTranspacific.com
NEPAL
BHUTAN
contents
CUSTOM TRAVEL
Tailor-made, privately guided, ultimately flexible
SOUTH KOREA
JAPAN
TAIWAN
Australia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Nepal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Bhutan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
New Zealand. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Borneo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Pacific Islands (Fiji & Micronesia). . . 70
Cambodia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Papua New Guinea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
China. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Singapore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Hong Kong . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Sri Lanka . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
India . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
South Korea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Indonesia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Taiwan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Japan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Thailand. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Laos. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Tibet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Mongolia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Turkey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Myanmar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Vietnam. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
SMALL GROUP TRIPS
PHILIPPINES
Interested in traveling with a small group (no more than 18) of like-minded
travelers? Request our Small Group Trip catalog or view the entire collection
online at www.AsiaTranspacific.com/Groups
MICRONESIA
BORNEO
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
FIJI
AUSTRALIA
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custom journeys
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Our Custom Journeys are
completely personalized from
scratch, not set itineraries off the rack.
We take the time to listen to your interests,
then tailor the perfect itinerary just for you.
Depending on your destination, land costs
average between $300-$500 per person
per day and include expert private guides,
private drivers, beyond-the-ordinary lodging,
most meals, transfers, insurance and more.
Your Journey, Your WayTM
Prefer to travel only with friends and family?
Have specific travel dates in mind? Relish
impromptu events, your own pace, or have a
personal dream you’d like to pursue?
You are in luck. We are the Custom Travel
experts in the region—it comprises 70% of
what we do. Call us to discuss your interests,
timeframe, budget and options, then we will
craft you a one-of-a-kind itinerary that is
Your Journey, Your Way™.
Dear Travelers,
Travel has brought me so much joy throughout the years. The friendships built
along the way, the wisdom gained and the laughter shared have all been priceless.
As we go through life, we recognize the ultimate importance of these intangibles.
We at Asia Transpacific Journeys are here to help you create and experience your
personal travel dreams.
Consider taking a trip this year that will help you connect with the wonder the
world has to offer. Even better, share the experience with those you love and
create memories to savor for the rest of your days.
Marilyn Downing Staff, Founder and President
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accommodations + cuisine
Whether you find yourself staying in an exquisite, restored maharaja’s palace or a nomadic ger
camp, we emphasize authentic local style—it is as much a door into a culture as any visit to a
museum. Our dining picks likewise reflect our true-to-the-land obsession and appreciation of all
things excellent.
ALSO INCLUDED IN CUSTOM JOURNEYS: Internal airfare, daily activities and entry fees, ground
transportation, private airport transfers, a customized Travel Guide specific to your upcoming
journey, Emergency Evacuation and Emergency Medical travel insurance and more.
Go online for complete Terms & Conditions >> www.AsiaTranspacific.com/Terms
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personalized trip planning
Tell us your vision. We will pull together a totally personalized itinerary that
reflects all of your requests. Unlike other operators, we charge no upfront fees
for this service. It is our way of starting you off right on your Journey Beyond
the Ordinary™.
private local guides
Our guides are the best in the region. They are educated, hospitable, friendly,
and offer cultural insights you can only get from a local. Your own private driver
is also included for all tours and transfers—a luxurious touch befitting the trip
of a lifetime.
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EXPERTISE
We are delighted to be recognized as the Asia/Pacific specialists since 1987. Our Travel
Specialists possess the most extensive first-hand regional knowledge of any U.S.-based
company. We have spent over two decades honing air arrangements, checking hotel quality
and hand picking the best guides, so you don’t have to. Over 75% of our business is repeat or
referral, a testament to our substance.
CREDIBILITY
In addition to designing journeys for discerning individuals, we also design customized journeys
for the World Wildlife Fund and the Harvard, Princeton and Yale alumni associations.
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NO REGRETS
You might only visit a destination once in your life. Make sure you do it right.
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couples
Travel connects you to the world, shared experiences connect you to each other, and time spent
exploring the world together is perhaps the greatest gift we give each other. Create your own
Custom Journey to the Asia/Pacific region for just the two of you. You will travel with your own
private guide and driver, on an itinerary perfectly suited to your interests, budget and timeframe, for
the same price as joining a group trip. It is the ultimate way to experience Asia together.
SOLOS & SINGLES
Your spouse says fly-fishing in Montana,
you say Aboriginal art in Australia. This year
grab your best friend or extended family
member and take that trip-of-a-lifetime in
Asia or the Pacific, customized around your
interests, dates, budget and timeframe.
We will design a perfect itinerary just for
you. Can’t drum up anyone with your sense
of adventure? Go it alone and enjoy the
company of your trusted local guide. Or join
like-minded singles and solos on one of our
wonderful Small Group Trips.
Visit www.AsiaTranspacific.com/Groups
FAMILY
With monkeys scampering through
Indiana-Jones-style temples and elephants
strolling the streets, our region is a fairytale wonder world for kids. We design
amazing customized family adventures by
the hundreds every year. Your children will
experience different cultures, expand their
intellectual horizons and soak up concepts
in lessons much more profound than
any textbook could impart. Additional
support—from babysitters to a private
cook—is very affordable in most areas of
our region.
PRIVATE GROUPS
The world’s premier museums and
universities call on us to design their
private Custom Journeys—your group will
receive the same expertise and attention
to detail for which we are renowned.
Whether you are celebrating a family
reunion in Thailand, a girls’ week out in
Shanghai, or the members of your book
club are intent on an Indian literary
homage to Vikram Seth, our regional
expertise ensures the perfect trip.
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with you all the way
Begin with a personal consultation
During a dialogue with your Travel Specialist, you will discuss
your destination interests, who you will be traveling with, travel
style, timeframe, personal interests and budget.
Present itinerary framework with
approximate cost
After reviewing a brief sketch of what’s to come, you give
us feedback and we proceed to prepare a more detailed
itinerary–no fee, no obligation.
Create a customized, detailed
day-by-day itinerary for you
We will make adjustments to the itinerary to ensure it suits
you perfectly. References will be made available to you, so
you can be certain you have made the right choice by
placing your trust in us.
Book your journey
Once you are satisfied with your itinerary, we request a
$1,000 per person deposit to confirm all your reservations.
We can also provide fares and book your international air.
Customized Travel Guide
Packed full of travel tips, cultural primers and destination
information, your custom-made guide is the definitive source
to get you prepared for your journey.
Final Travel Documents
Approximately 10 days before you leave, you will receive
your confirmed itinerary and customized contact information
with every detail down to where to meet your drivers and
private guides.
Arriving in country
You will be met at the airport by your private local guide.
They will transfer you to your hotel, and your adventure begins.
Your journey unfolds
Your private local guide will pick you up each day and
accompany you on all scheduled excursions, providing deep
cultural insights and revealing the secrets of their country.
We remain in contact
We are a phone call (or email) away throughout your entire
journey should you need us.
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australia
The island-continent is as exotic as it is familiar,
as cosmopolitan as it is remote. Take a multiday walk along the spectacular coast, staying
at a different bed and breakfast each night.
Taste exquisite vintages during a tour of the
country’s best wineries. Snorkel and relax at
world-class beach retreats. Discover Aboriginal
art and traditions, glimpsing the incredible
resourcefulness of the continent’s original
inhabitants. Encounter splendid wildlife—
geographic isolation over millions of years
has resulted in thousands of species unique
to Australia. Enjoy diverse cuisines, modern
architecture and extraordinary service in the
midst of vast wilderness expanses.
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Sydney
Great Barrier Reef
Daintree Rainforest
Kakadu
Uluru
6 Barossa Valley
7 Kangaroo Island
8 Great Ocean Road
9 Melbourne
10 Tasmania
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iconic sights
Clockwise from left: the world’s most famous Opera
House, Sydney; resident of Kangaroo Island; the
incredibly lush Daintree Rainforest.
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australia
faces & places
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We suggest
Dwell in the spiritual heart of Australia with a homestay in
the Red Center. By special arrangement, visit the Aboriginal
Kuku Djungan tribe, traditional owners of the area. Learn
about “songlines” (sacred songs that call out the plants, rocks
and animals that form a labyrinth of paths, invisible to the
uninitiated). Discover the “Dreamtime”, the central theme of
the Aboriginal cosmos, and try to wrap your head around the
everywhen. This is not an organized tour, but an intimate visit
made in the spirit of appreciation.
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australia
food & Lodging
savor
Australia’s food scene is on fire,
with local and imported chefs
pushing the envelope. Indigenous
influences add unconventional flair,
with autochthonous “bush tucker”
ingredients breaking new culinary
ground, as chefs fold Aboriginal
influences into time-tested continental
classics. A strong Asian presence is
evident in many urban areas. But it just
might be those ubiquitous, mouthwatering mini pies—try the crocodile—
that you will crave long after you have
returned home.
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From cutting-edge modernist
masterpieces to tree-top ecolodges to
sublime private island retreats, the fine
art of accommodating is expressed at
all ends of the spectrum in Australia.
Get in touch with your inner ranch hand
at a working cattle station. Marvel at
exquisite boutique hotels with décor
focused on Aboriginal heritage. Or
savor the superb refinements of The
Ghan, a luxurious train that traverses
the Outback for thousands of miles.
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your journey, your waytm
Visit AsiaTranspacific.com for comprehensive destination information about
Australia, or to begin planning your private, tailor-made Custom Journey for
just you and your companions.
Custom Journeys to Australia average $550 per person per day/double occupancy.
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Uluru (Ayers Rock)
Park Hyatt, Sydney
Beachside lunch, Bondi
Longitude 131 resort, Uluru
Discover Aboriginal traditions
Great Barrier Reef
Great Ocean Road
See koalas in the wild
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bhutan
Few destinations throughout history have
generated the stir of anticipation among
travelers that Bhutan created when it tentatively
cracked its door ajar three decades ago. The
privileged few who have ventured in have been
startled to behold a Himalayan kingdom almost
completely isolated from modern and western
influences. It has consciously cultivated both
a fiercely guarded traditional culture and the
world’s most well-tended natural environment.
But the winds of change are stirring. We
invite you to seize the day, to experience
Bhutan at this historic juncture, and to
travel with us to a land on the brink
of transformation.
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Paro
Thimphu
Mt. Jhomolhari
Punakha
Wangdue
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Trongsa
Jakar
Trashigang
Himalayas
iconic sights
Clockwise from left: iconic Taktshang (Tiger’s
Nest) Monastery; novice monk with sacred drum;
traditional dancer at the Jakar Festival.
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Bhutan
faces & places
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gross national happiness
Bhutan’s unique approach to governance advocates a new
paradigm for measuring the wealth of nations in terms that
go beyond consumable goods (as measured in Gross National
Product). This concept is distilled into what the country’s fourth
king termed “Gross National Happiness,” which champions
individual and environmental wellness over materialism. None
other than The Economist magazine gave a nod to the remote
Himalayan land as being on the forefront of a new way of
thinking. Perhaps a journey to Bhutan signifies not so much a
peek into the past, as a glimpse of the future.
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Bhutan
food & Lodging
savor
Being an isolated Himalayan kingdom
does not favor a rich culinary tradition,
yet Bhutan has its delights. Ema datshi
is the national dish made from chilies
and cheese—an Asian chili con queso
if you will. Momos (steamed or fried
dumplings) are another delicious
specialty. International cuisine is found
at upscale hotels.
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Lodging in Bhutan tends to be simply
charming or simply, well, simple. A few
recently built properties offer stunning
style and amenities, but in general
expect local understatement. If luxuries
are lacking, it is a comfort to realize
that the week before, the premier
religious or governmental leader of
the country may have stayed in the
same room— there is egalitarianism to
Bhutan’s simplicity.
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Bhutan, or to begin planning your private, tailor-made Custom Journey for
Custom Journeys to Bhutan average $450 per person per day/double occupancy.
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Taj Tashi hotel, Thimphu
Taj Tashi hotel, Thimphu
Delicious momos (dumplings)
Zhiwa Ling hotel, Paro
Artful textiles
Young monk above the abyss
Countryside outside Punakha
Schoolgirls in traditional dress
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borneo
Borneo. The name rings with
end-of-the-earth appeal, occupying
an almost mythological place in the
traveler’s lexicon, as though it were
a jungle-covered Atlantis.
Yet its wonders are very real,
including stretches of rainforest
teeming with wildlife such as Asia’s
only great ape, the orangutan.
Also present are the pygmy Asian
elephant, clouded leopard and
Malaysian tiger. All of Borneo’s
wonders are made supremely
accessible by a well-developed
infrastructure that features firstrate interpretive nature walks
and comfortable ecolodges.
Ecotourism dollars will help
decide the fate of many of these
species, so don’t delay your
trip-of-a-lifetime to Borneo.
iconic sights
Visit AsiaTranspacific.com for comprehensive
destination information about Borneo, or to
begin planning your private, tailor-made Custom
Journey for just you and your companions.
Clockwise from left: young resident
of the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary;
scampering on the beach of Turtle
Island; Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru
Resort & Spa.
Custom Journeys to Borneo average $400 per
person per day/double occupancy.
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Our expertise in Borneo is unparalleled, and that
is why we have customized travel to Borneo for
the World Wildlife Fund for nearly two decades.
Among our other travelers to Borneo are the
Harvard Museum of Natural History, as well as
discerning individuals.
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Kota Kinabalu
Sepilok
Danum Valley
Kinabatangan
Turtle Island
Sipadan
Gunung Mulu
Kuching
Camp Leakey
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a journey of
discovery
Angkor Wat awaits daybreak
cambodia
Atop any traveler’s wish list are the Khmer ruins at Angkor. The principal
ruins are concentrated in an area the size of Manhattan, but modern satellite
photography has revealed it to be only part of the largest pre-industrial
city in the world, one that extended across Southeast Asia. The temples
represent one of humankind’s most astonishing and enduring architectural
achievements, and they may be placed in significance alongside Machu
Picchu in Peru or the pyramids of Egypt as a testament to the greatness of a
continent’s lost empire.
The entire country is open to travelers for the first time in decades. Explore
Cambodia’s lesser-known jewels before they’re discovered by the masses.
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destination information about Cambodia, or to
Custom Journeys to Cambodia average $450 per
iconic sights
Overheard
Clockwise from top left: morning commute on
the Mekong; incredible Khmer ruins are found
throughout the country; lovely lotus; Banteay
Srei, the “Citadel of Women.”
“...compelling and dynamic educational travel.”
Leslie Rowley, Executive Manager
cambodia
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we suggest
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Take a private, three-day drive to newly opened
portions of the country to encounter incredible
ancient Khmer Empire ruins and little else—it is as
if undiscovered portions of the Parthenon or Circus
Maximus suddenly came to light, and you were the only
one around to behold them. With no buses, bustling
or hustling, you will be given free rein for magical,
imaginative explorations. Soak in the ancient ambiance
while your knowledgeable private guide elucidates the
Hindu hieroglyphics.
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Angkor Wat
Koh Ker
Tonle Sap Lake
Banteay Chhmar
Stung Treng
Kompong Cham
Phnom Penh
Sihanoukville
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Slumber
In Cambodia, accommodations run a delightful gamut. In
newly opened regions, you will live like (and sometimes with)
the locals in comfortable, traditional guesthouses. In other
areas, gorgeous, restored colonial villas dot the countryside,
like hidden gems awaiting discovery. Upscale resorts are now
found on secluded islands. At Angkor, you will be regaled with
choices, from restored royal mansions to traditional Khmer
boutique hotels that ooze Asian chic.
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cambodia
food & Lodging
Savor
Cambodian cuisine has roared back
to life in the last decade. Dazzling
new takes on both international fare
and French-Khmer cuisine garner rave
reviews from international critics.
Bold strides into the exotic are being
taken, with chefs fusing Khmer, Cham
and other ethnic minority traditions,
sourcing local ingredients.
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world’s best tour operator
We are the only Asia travel specialist named “Top 10 Tour
Operator” in the “World’s Best Awards” by the readers of
Travel + Leisure magazine. For 25 years our small company
has exhibited a commitment to excellence. It has been, and
continues to be, our driving passion, and a wonderful journey.
1 FCC Angkor hotel, Siem Reap
2 Crispy dumplings
3 Enjoy both rustic Khmer staples
and modern fusion cuisine
4 Raffles hotel, Phnom Penh
5 Traditional shadow puppets
6 Grand Hotel d’Angkor, Siem Reap
7 Hotel de la Paix, Siem Reap
8 La Résidence resort, Siem Reap
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a journey of
LEARNING
CHINA
China is coming of age before our very
eyes. Reveling in its ascendancy, it has
polished up its stunning repository
of imperial relics and is flaunting the
modern architecture of its metropolises.
Its historic influence can hardly be
overstated—its architecture, technology,
cuisine, art and philosophies are so
deeply embedded in other Asian
cultures that they are, ironically, scarcely
recognizable as Chinese at all.
The country is currently re-inventing itself
into an evolving hodgepodge of hardline
communism, rehabilitated Confucianism,
and run amok free-market capitalism. The
sense of dynamic change is palpable—
come explore China during this seismic
cultural uplift.
Lijiang’s Old Town
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Visit AsiaTranspacific.com for
comprehensive destination information
about China, or to begin planning your
private, tailor-made Custom Journey for
Custom Journeys to China average $475
per person per day/double occupancy.
iconic sights
Overheard
Clockwise from top left: young girl with
lucky tassel; the Great Wall at sunset;
Dunhuang’s Mogao Caves; colorful
lanterns for sale.
“Travel is always a luxury regardless of the destination or hotel
address. But there is no price tag in feeling you can just show up at
the airport and turn yourself over to Asia Transpacific Journeys.”
Patricia Schultz
Author, 1,000 Places to See Before You Die
Three-time Asia Transpacific Journeys traveler (disclosure: Patricia’s
professional integrity bars discounts, and she receives none from us)
china
faces & places
say what?
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Some Chinese tongue twisters
employ words that all have
the same sound, varying only
their tones. One famous 14-line
twister employs only the sound
“shi” in four different tones. It begins
like this: “ Shí shì shi shì shi shì, shì
shi, shì shí shí shi.” Translation: “A poet
named Shi lived in a stone den. Fond of
eating lions, he swore that he would eat
ten lions.”
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1 Beijing
2 Great Wall
3 Dunhuang
4 Xi’an
5 Chengdu
6 Zhongdian
7 Lijiang
8 Kunming
9 Guilin
10 Yangshuo
11 Shanghai
12 Lhasa, Tibet
13 Kashgar
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Slumber
That an ostensibly Communist country is now home to
some of the world’s most luxurious—and decadent—hotels
does not seem to be keeping anyone up at night in China.
Choose from radically designed avant-garde villas, restored
dynastic-era mansions, rehabilitated neo-classical colonial
gems, homey guesthouses, icons of historical heritage, and
spanking-new, top-of-the-line international hotels.
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china
food & Lodging
Savor
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The cuisine of China is one of the
world’s most celebrated, rivaled
only by French cuisine in global and
historical significance. Like the country
itself, its restaurant scene is steeped
in ancient traditions, yet evolving at
breakneck speed. There are literally
thousands of delectable options—from
the humble street-side dumpling cart,
to dynastic-era dishes that double as
high art, to continental offerings that
rival the Champs-Élysées, you will be
spoiled for choice in foodie heaven.
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find out why
Our Travel Specialists are consistently recognized year after year as the top
experts in the Asia/Pacific region by such industry stalwarts as Travel + Leisure
and Condé Nast Traveler magazines. They win top honors time and again. Call us
today and find out why.
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Preparing for a hotpot feast
Delectable dim sum
A cuisine to rival any on earth
Banyan Tree resort, Lijiang
Commune by the Great Wall hotel
Raffles hotel, Beijing
Banyan Tree resort, Lijiang
The Peninsula hotel, Beijing
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a journey of
Love
Perhaps the world’s most beautiful structure
India
In India, an array of cultures and religions
has coexisted for ages, each expressing
its traditions in magnificent artistic
and architectural achievements. New
archaeological evidence now places it
alongside Babylonia as one of the first centers
of modern civilization. It is the birthplace of
Hinduism and Buddhism, and its tradition
of achievement in physics, mathematics,
astronomy, philosophy and poetry testifies to
India’s role as a fertile intellectual epicenter
for more than 4,000 years.
To discover India is to expand one’s notion
of the possible configurations of human
society. Suspend for a while your long-held
convictions, and open your mind to the
contrasts, the contradictions, the vastness, the
greatness that is India.
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destination information about India, or to begin
planning your private, tailor-made Custom
Custom Journeys to India average $525 per person
per day/double occupancy.
iconic sights
Overheard
Clockwise from top left: the women of India
are a riot of color; caparisoned elephant in
Rajasthan; the serene Kerala backwaters;
tiger burning bright in Bandhavgarh.
“Thank you for existing and enabling me to really
see these magnificent countries. Traveling with you
has changed my life.”
Dimitra Stasinopoulou
Photographer and multi-country, many-time
Asia Transpacific Journeys traveler
India
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yes or no?
In India, a recognizable cultural trait is the head wobble
from side to side. Akin to the Western nod for “No,” but with
a whimsical sideways tilt, 90% of the time it means, “Yes,”
“Welcome,” or “Certainly, get in the taxi.” The perplexing
other 10% of the time it may mean, “Heck no,” “You’ve got
to be kidding,” or “What I just heard is so absurd, I cannot
properly acknowledge it.” Warning: After three weeks in
country, it is highly contagious.
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1 Delhi
2 Jaipur
3 Pushkar
4 Udaipur
5 Agra
6 Varanasi
7 Darjeeling
8 Leh
9 Kolkata
10 Bandhavgarh
11 Mumbai
12 Kochi
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India is one of the few places on earth where one can
literally live like—and with—royalty. It is possible to stay in
exquisite, restored maharajas’ palaces, often as the guest
of the resident royal family. These palaces, with their grand
settings, palatial architecture and opulent décor, capture
the gracious lifestyles of India’s legendary Rajput royalty.
Bonus: your patronage helps ensure the preservation of
India’s incredible architectural heritage.
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food & Lodging
Savor
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Discovering a new world was
revolutionary, however Columbus
was primarily after India’s spices.
A mere dusting of a dish with the
precious substances could transform
sustenance into cuisine, and some
spices in his day were literally worth
their weight in gold (saffron still is).
Complex spicing makes Indian cuisine
one of the world’s most sophisticated
and delicious, so prepare yourself for
marvelous culinary discoveries.
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award-winning travel
Travel + Leisure magazine evaluated thousands of agents
to come up with their highly selective list of the best travel
specialists in the business. Asia Transpacific Journeys was
named an “A-List Travel Specialist” for our expert travel
planning for India.
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Oberoi Udaivilas hotel, Udaipur
Samode Palace hotel, Jaipur
Complex spicing, marvelous cuisine
Luxury tented camp of Aman-i-Khas
The Imperial hotel, Delhi
Taj Lake Palace hotel, Udaipur
Devi Garh palace hotel, Rajasthan
Oberoi Amarvilas palace hotel, Agra
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indonesia
One of Earth’s most diverse destinations in every
way, Indonesia is a cultural and natural jigsaw puzzle
to challenge and intrigue on a monumental scale.
Indonesia’s islands (17,000 at last count) are scattered
across the Pacific, covering an area comparable to the
distance between California and Maine. Rainforests,
rice fields, ancient monuments, prolific wildlife and
over 300 distinct traditional cultures compose the vast
archipelago, and make for wondrous explorations.
Discover the serenity of Bali, trek over savannas in
search of Komodo dragons, snorkel teeming reef
systems and get acquainted with some of the most
gracious people in the world.
a journey of
renewal
The serene Ulun Danu Temple, Bali
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destination information about Indonesia, or to
Custom Journeys to Indonesia average $425 per
iconic sights
Overheard
Clockwise from top left: Borobudur Buddhist
monument on Java; the lush ricefields of Bali
are a revelation; festivals seem to occur on
a weekly basis; locals are friendly, warm and
welcoming.
“Oliver Wendell Holmes said a mind once stretched never
retains its original dimension. Well, travel stretches you—
and not just your mind, but your heart and soul as well.”
Patricia Schultz
Author, 1,000 Places to See Before You Die
Three-time Asia Transpacific Journeys traveler
(disclosure: Patricia’s professional integrity bars discounts,
and she receives none from us)
indonesia
faces & places
what’s in a name?
On the island of Bali, it seems that every
other person you meet is named Wayan.
Upon closer inspection it turns out that, well,
every other person is named Wayan, the name
given to all first-born children, male or female.
Madé is given to the second born, Nyoman to the
third and Ketut to the fourth. A fifth child will be
called, guess what—Wayan.
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Sumatra
Camp Leakey
Borobudur
Java
Bali
Lombok
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9 Flores
10 Sulawesi
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Indonesia (most notably Bali) abounds with blissful
villas, traditional thatched bungalows and stunning
resorts that express a gifted and sublime aesthetic
sense. Infused with quiet grace, they are the
epitome of tropical chic.
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INDONESIA
food & Lodging
Savor
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Indonesian cuisine is diverse and
delicious, befitting the Spice Islands (as
Indonesia’s Maluku chain are known).
Its most famous specialties are the
ubiquitous nasi goreng (fried rice),
often served with an egg and prawn
crackers; satay (marinated and grilled
chicken skewers); gado gado (stir-fried
vegetables with peanut sauce), and
grilled whole fish.
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planning for Indonesia.
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Legian Bali GHM hotel
Ingredients await transformation
And voila!
Bali Banyan Tree hotel
Fragrant frangipani
Great service comes standard
Amanwana hotel, Bali
Kamandalu Resort & Spa, Bali
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japan
Japanese culture is infused with a
contemplative, refined sensibility
(where else can you find forest
footpaths dedicated to philosophizing?),
and a civilized aesthetic—even Mt. Fuji
appears sculpted. Attention to detail is
a national obsession, down to the last
perfectly placed salmon roe on your
sushi. Its metropolises are a buzzing,
flashing whirlwind of swank stores
and pachinko parlor bling. A wildly
energetic, highly imaginative impulse
informs the anime (animation) and
pop art movements. Bleeding-edge
technology is a way of life.
Highly ritualized yet simple,
elegant yet bold, traditional yet
evolving, static yet dynamic,
Japan’s contradictions are
utterly fascinating.
iconic sights
Clockwise from left: geisha walks the Gion
district in Kyoto; spring blossoms salute Mt.
Fuji; traditional arts endure amidst a frenetic,
modern impulse.
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Tokyo
Mt. Fuji
Takayama
Osaka
Nara
Kyoto
Naoshima Island
Hiroshima
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japan
faces & places
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who knew?
While the Japanese words “futon” “tsunami” and “tycoon”
have planted themselves in the English vocabulary, one
of the fun things about being in Japan is recognizing the
English root in common words. Baseboru is baseball,
a bebika is a stroller (baby car), a herusumeta is a
bathroom scale (health meter), sandoittchi is a sandwich,
and, our favorite, an amerikandoggu is a corn dog.
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food & Lodging
Savor
While in Japan, sample a kaiseki, a
traditional multi-course meal where
dining is raised to a high art. Borrowing
elements of Zen philosophy, it strives to
balance the taste, texture, appearance
and colors of food. Also try the shojin
ryori, the vegan cuisine developed
centuries ago by Zen Buddhist monks.
Its emphasis is on purity and subtlety—
sho means “to concentrate” and jin
means “to go forward.” This food
literally seeks to nourish the soul on its
path to enlightenment.
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Experience the excruciating
understatement and obsessive
attention to detail, placement and
angle so quintessentially Japanese by
staying at a ryokan. These spaces are
infused with the classical Zen notion
of tranquility through absence. The
few objects one does encounter—the
ikebana flower arrangements, antique
chests and scrolls, traditional paper
lanterns, and lacquered kotatsu
tables—comprise an exquisite scene of
old Japan. Service is old-world refined
and transcendently graceful.
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Visit AsiaTranspacific.com for comprehensive destination information about Japan,
or to begin planning your private, tailor-made Custom Journey for just you and
your companions.
Custom Journeys to Japan average $600 per person per day/double occupancy.
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Sensoji-Asakusa temple, Tokyo
Sushi, that great culinary invention
Egg noodles await boiling water
Nagase ryokan, Takayama
Tea ceremony bowl
Modern port near Kyoto
Fushimi Inari shrine, Kyoto
Zen garden, Kyoto
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laos
Laos remains a stronghold of tradition and
one of the best-kept secrets in Asia. Its
quiet ambiance, languid pace and striking
natural beauty lap at one’s spirit like the
slow-flowing waters of the Mekong upon
the shore. A sense of gentle warmth and
cultural richness pervades its highland
villages, Buddhist temples and the
winding alleys of its towns.
Timeless rural scenes and a calm
spirituality comprise the warp
and weft of Lao life, a place
where the soul is slowly
awakened to an ancient
tempo all but forgotten in
the modern world.
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Luang Namtha
Muang La
Luang Prabang
Vang Vieng
Vientiane
Tha Khaek
Savannakhet
Pakse
Champasak
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iconic sights
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Clockwise from left: night market and Wat Mai
Suwannaphumaham in Luang Prabang; beautiful
Vang Vieng on the Mekong; Akha tribal girl.
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laos
faces & places
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we suggest
The remote village of Muang La is highly recommended for those
who yearn to wander into the traditional culture of ancient Laos,
yet savor fine accommodations and delicious, authentic cuisine.
Of Asia’s hidden jewels (mums the word, this is our find), it is an
oasis of tranquility, traditional tribal cultures and lush fields. It is
best explored on boat trip from Luang Prabang on the gorgeous
Nam Ou River which, at points along the way, features stunning
scenery of limestone karst that juts 2,000 feet into the air from
the river’s edge.
laos
food & Lodging
savor
2
Lao cuisine has a lot in common with
its more famous Thai cousin. Key
differences include the emphasis on
sticky rice as the foundation of nearly
every meal. Fresh herbs figure largely
in both meat and vegetable dishes,
and fish sauce is a principle ingredient.
The restaurant scene is evolving, and
international choices are now available
in addition to classic local and French
cuisine (a remnant of colonial times).
Don’t leave without trying a Beer Lao,
widely considered Asia’s best brew.
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Laos may not be the richest of Asian
nations, but what it lacks in cash it
makes up for in style. Stay at a restored
royal mansion, the former residence of
a prince. Relax at a refurbished, French
colonial-era landmark. Or opt for a
luxurious teak bungalow, furnished
with rosewood, Lao art, rich traditional
silks and woven textiles. Upscale
options are plentiful in many areas.
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Visit AsiaTranspacific.com for comprehensive destination information about Laos,
or to begin planning your private, tailor-made Custom Journey for just you and
your companions.
Custom Journeys to Laos average $425 per person per day/double occupancy.
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Local children are a delight
La Résidence hotel, Luang Prabang
Lao cuisine—unsung yet delicious
Amantaka resort, Luang Prabang
Wat Xieng Thong temple, Luang Prabang
Typical scene on the lazy Mekong
Pha That Luang, Vientiane
Tat Kuang Si waterfall
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mongolia
When the 13th-century Venetian merchant
and explorer Marco Polo traversed the
golden sands of the Gobi to the court of
Kublai Khan, he passed through the largest
empire the world has ever known, the
Mongol Empire, stretching through the
great expanse of Central Asia from Hungary
to Korea. Remote, vast and beautiful,
Mongolia is heir to a glorious history, and
clings to ways of life that have endured for
centuries. Steeped in the past and home
to one of Earth’s last remaining horsebased nomadic cultures, it is a truly great
adventure travel destination.
iconic sights
destination information about Mongolia, or to
Clockwise from left: archer readies her bow at the Naadam
festival; pastoral scenes abound and nomadic lifestyles endure;
local emerges from her ger on the Monglian steppe.
Custom Journeys to Mongolia average $450 per
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In the countryside you will stay in a traditional
ger (nomadic tent). These cozy abodes swaddle inhabitants
in felt, fur and hide, and cornerless comfort provides a
360-degree embrace against the elements.
Ulaanbaatar
Jalman Meadows
Lake Khövsgöl
Khustai National Park
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7 Gobi Desert
Our expertise in Mongolia runs deep,
and that is why the Harvard Museum of
Natural History calls on us to design custom
trips to Mongolia for their members.
800-642-2742 59
a journey of
laughter
The Asia of old endures—for now
myanmaR
(burma)
Now is the golden moment for travel to Burma.
Optimism is the Zeitgeist, and a joie de vivre is
permeating the country, akin to what Europe
experienced at the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.
The gentle, gracious people of this beautiful
Buddhist nation are now hopeful that freedom,
openness and engagement with the international
community can prevail. There is a palpable sense
that sweeping change is afoot, so go now.
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destination information about Myanmar, or to
Custom Journeys to Myanmar average $400 per
iconic sights
Overheard
Clockwise from top left: fisherman on Inle
Lake; Bagan, considered by many to be
the most wondrous sight in Asia; Yangon’s
2,500-year-old Shwedagon Pagoda shimmers
at dusk; local girl wears homemade sunscreen.
“Asia Transpacific Journeys is truly a first-class
operation from beginning to end.”
John Constable
Museum of Comparative Zoology,
Harvard University
Myanmar
faces & places
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why myanmar?
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Decades of isolation were hard on the Burmese. Being that far off the
beaten path has left many pockets of humanity in a type of splendid
seclusion, unprecedented in Southeast Asia.
In this era of globalization and communication, Myanmar will be
brought into the modern global cultural fold with unprecedented speed.
Do not delay—this window of opportunity to experience the Asia of old
will close rapidly, never to reopen. Seize the day and travel to Myanmar.
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1 Yangon
2 Ngapali
3 Mrauk U
4 Putao
5 Mandalay
6 Bagan
7 Kalaw
8 Inle Lake
9 Kyaiktiyo
10 Mergui Archipelago
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Myanmar has taken a quantum leap in the last decade,
transforming itself into Asia’s best-kept upscale secret
and the secluded darling of the traveling cognoscenti.
Exquisite hotels are now the norm, including gloriously
restored colonial mansions, sumptuous teak villas and
clean-lined, modernist masterpieces.
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food & Lodging
Savor
The restaurant scene in Myanmar has
gone from quietly evolving to blazing
with excitement and creativity. Cuttingedge chefs intent on making their
mark are flocking to Myanmar’s cities.
Kitchens reveal European and local
culinary artists creating masterful,
time-tested classics and breakthrough
fusion cuisine. Cellars are stocked with
delectable vintages. Service embodies
the refined style of a bygone era.
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planning for Myanmar (Burma).
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Governor’s Residence hotel, Yangon
Rambutan and mangosteen fruit
Bold new takes on Burmese cuisine
Aureum Palace resort, Bagan
Road to Mandalay floating hotel
Malikha Lodge, Putao
Inle Lake View resort, Inle Lake
Thiripyitsaya Sanctuary resort, Bagan
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nepal
Dot the world’s highest mountains with
traditional Buddhist and Hindu communities,
blanket its lowland jungle with Asia’s best
wildlife, and it is easy to understand why Nepal
remains the world’s greatest adventure travel
destination.
Nepal houses a repository of stunning cultural
wealth, which comes as a great surprise to
many who understandably associate it with
simply the world’s greatest mountains. The
Kathmandu Valley alone contains seven
distinct groups of monuments—UNESCO
recognized them as one of the first
World Heritage sites as early as 1979.
Once in your life, you simply
must go.
iconic sights
destination information about Nepal, or to begin
Clockwise from left: Swayambhunath temple sees in all directions,
Kathmandu; local girl with necklaces on offer, Patan; Dwarika’s
Village Hotel, Kathmandu.
Custom Journeys to Nepal average $400 per
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Our expertise in Nepal makes us the operator of choice
for the Yale Alumni Association, as well as discerning
individual travelers.
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Kathmandu
Pokhara
Annapurna
Mt. Everest
Bhaktapur
Patan
Royal Chitwan National Park
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New zealand
By 1,300 AD, every significant landmass on Earth had hosted human
settlements for ages. That is, except for one place. New Zealand had never
known a human footprint when Polynesian voyagers, descendants of
seafaring peoples that originated in Asia millennia before, made landfall 700
years ago. Their maritime gamble hit the geographical jackpot as they set
foot on a land of spectacular natural beauty, with a wonderful climate and
bountiful land—one completely lacking in predators.
The beauty of Earth’s youngest country has become legendary.
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iconic sights
Clockwise from left: Abel Tasman National
Park; Mine Bay Lake Taupo carving; yelloweyed penguin found on the South Island.
1 Bay of Islands
2 Auckland
3 Rotorua
4 Napier
5 Wellington
6 Marlborough Sound
7 Abel Tasman National Park
8 Nelson
9 Christchurch
10 Southern Alps
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12 Queenstown
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14 Fiordland
National Park
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new zealand
faces & places
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kiwis love their kiwis
New Zealanders are completely besotted with the small,
flightless, fragile kiwi bird, and no lengths are spared when
attempting to save sick or injured birds. Consider these postings
on the dry-erase board at Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife Park’s
rehabilitation room in Rotorua:
“Moe needs Metamucil every other day.”
“Richie needs eye surgery dressing changed on Tuesday.”
“Wareware’s prosthetic leg operation was a success—we saw
her using it with great spunk in the enclosure.”
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food & Lodging
savor
The days of bland meat and three veg
are long gone. New Zealand’s food
scene has undergone a revolution in
the past decade. An overwhelming
bounty of ingredients, both traditional
and exotic, now informs classic
continental, fusion, and nouvelle
cuisine, complemented by a fine range
of New Zealand vintages. Note to self:
at four sheep per person, order the
lamb.
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New Zealand has no shortage of
stunning country lodges, homey bed
and breakfasts, sophisticated urban
hotels and world-class eco-retreats—
you can even stay at a working sheep
station (and perhaps earn your keep
during shearing season).
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Visit AsiaTranspacific.com for comprehensive destination information
about New Zealand, or to begin planning your private, tailor-made
Custom Journey for just you and your companions.
Custom Journeys to New Zealand average $550 per person per day/
double occupancy.
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Southern Alps
Blanket Bay lodge, Queenstown
Green shell mussels, a specialty
Azur Luxury lodge, Queenstown
Whale watching, Kaikoura
Avon River, Christchurch
Maori children
Stunning scene at Milford Sound
800-642-2742 71
pacific islands
Known as the “Cradle of Indo-Pacific Marine
Life,” Micronesia provides unsurpassed
snorkeling. With coconut palms swaying
in the breeze on white-sand beaches
surrounded by clear waters, Micronesia
embodies a tropical paradise.
Fiji’s waters are renowned as the soft coral
capital of the world, with colors known
to be the most intense and varied found
anywhere on Earth. The islands host an
interesting blend of peoples, namely
Melanesian, Polynesian, Indian, European
and Chinese, a mix reflected in the food,
language, architecture and customs. Some
say the residents of the former “Cannibal
Isles” are the world’s friendliest people.
iconic sights
destination information about Micronesia or Fiji,
or to begin planning your private, tailor-made
Custom Journey for just you and your companions.
Clockwise from left: Yasawa Blue Lagoon resort, Fiji; schooling
sweetlips off a color reef; Yapese girl is framed in blue of water
and sky.
Custom Journeys to the Pacific Islands average
$450 per person per day/double occupancy.
We have partnered with the World Wildlife Fund
for nearly two decades to create superb snorkeling
and sea kayaking trips to Micronesia and Fiji.
You, your family and friends will receive the
same level of expertise and service afforded this
wonderful organization.
Micronesia
1 Palau
2 Yap
3 Guam
4 Chuuk
5 Pohnpei
6 Kosrae
FIJI
1 Yasawa Group
2 Viti Levu
3 Kadavu
4 Lau Group
5 Koro
6 Taveuni
7 Vanua Levu
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Maps not to scale
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papua new guinea
Papua New Guinea is an anthropological tour
de force. Home to the world’s most exotic
tribes, it is unique in the world for the sheer
number of isolated human settlements per
square mile, with over 800 distinct languages
spoken. Some of the more isolated communities
are literally just emerging from the Stone Age,
having had, throughout their history, no access
to metallurgical technologies or indeed a
domesticable animal that could pull a plow.
We know this country intimately. Join us in the
“Land of the Last Unknown.”
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iconic sights
Clockwise from left: just another local in perhaps the
most astonishing place on earth; traditional canoe in
the Tufi area; among the world’s greatest places for
birdwatching.
Port Moresby
Lae
Goroka
Mt. Hagen
Tari/Ambua
Karawari
7 Sepik River
8 Timbunke
9 Angoram
10 Madang
11 Tufi
We are considered the Papua New Guinea
experts in the industry, and that is why the Harvard
Museum of Natural History calls on us to design their
Papua New Guinea custom journeys.
800-642-2742 75
papua new guinea
faces & places
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who knew?
During WWII, the local islanders of Papua New Guinea were
astonished at the material goods that Allied forces possessed.
Believing them to be divine gifts, “cargo cults” sprang up to
commune with the deities who could produce these riches
and deliver them from the sky. The ambitious islanders
fashioned radio headsets from coconut shells, and built
mock control towers and airstrips in attempts to secure the
merchandise for themselves.
papua new guinea
food & Lodging
savor
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The food scene in Papua New Guinea
won’t be rivaling that of Paris anytime
soon. However, cuisine at top hotels
is good, if a bit basic, and is usually
served buffet style. Great fresh
seafood is on offer in the coastal
areas, and delicious tropical fruits
abound throughout the land.
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Papua New Guinea does not have
a massively developed tourism
infrastructure, and hotels are few and
far between. Yet what does exist tends
to be quite inviting. They are often an
inspired mix of local bungalow-style
architecture and understated luxury,
surrounded by lovely gardens or
overlooking the sea.
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Papua New Guinea, or to begin planning your private, tailor-made Custom
Custom Journeys to Papua New Guinea average $600 per person per day/
double occupancy.
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Huli Wigman tribal man and child
Lovely Ambua lodge, highlands
Fresh tropical fruit
Exotic Tufi lodge, southeast coast
Golden cuscus with flower, Tufi
Tribal art galore, Sepik area
Asaro Mudmen in mock battle
Local boys near Port Moresby
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Sri lanka
Tropical Sri Lanka is a land of great natural and
cultural wealth, fringed by golden, palm-studded
beaches. Strongly influenced by its neighbor India
to the north, it nonetheless has its own distinct,
Buddhist—not Hindu—art, dance and temple
architecture. It was a major trading center in its own
right over the past 500 years, known as Ceylon and
Serendib (from which we derive the word “serendipity,”
an aptitude for making fortunate accidental
discoveries). Recent archaeological excavations have
revealed priceless cultural treasures dating from
1,000 years ago. Currently, the island is home to seven
UNESCO World Heritage sites.
iconic sights
destination information about Sri Lanka, or to
Clockwise from left: Buddhist cultural and artistic treasures are
abundant throughout the land; elephants bathe at Pinnewalla;
the Heritance Ahungalla is a sanctuary of high design and
creature comforts.
Custom Journeys to the Sri Lanka average $425
per person per day/double occupancy.
1 Colombo
2 Pinnewala
3 Kandy
4 Dambulla
5 Sigiriya
6 Polonnaruwa
7 Anuradhapura
8 Yala National Park
9 Nuwara Eliya
10 Uda Walawe National Park
11 Galle
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Hotels in Sri Lanka have a special style. Many express
a new ethos that the great travel writer Pico Iyer calls
“tropical classical.” A reverence for nature is often evinced in
its architecture, expressing an ancient concept that much of
the world is currently rediscovering.
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a journey of
enlightenment
Napamaytanidol Pagoda greets the dawn.
thailand
A magical and gentle land, Thailand offers rich
diversity—traditional Buddhist culture, exotic
hill tribes, lively arts, exciting nightlife, upscale
shopping, deserted islands, lush rainforests
and one of the world’s greatest cuisines. Enjoy
trekking, sea canoeing, sailing, river cruising and
snorkeling. Learn to ride an elephant, then bathe
and feed her at a sanctuary. The country’s ruins of
ancient civilizations are among Asia’s greatest.
But it is the gentle allure of the people that
really sets Thailand apart. Known as the “Land
of Smiles” this is Asia at its most accessible and
most welcoming.
800-642-2742 81
destination information about Thailand, or to
Custom Journeys to Thailand average $425 per
iconic sights
Overheard
Clockwise from top left: Hmong tribal
children, northern highlands; the incredible
paradise of Ko Phi-Phi; vendor plies her goods
at a floating market, Bangkok; one of Asia’s
greatest cities, Bangkok is a must.
“We can always count on Asia Transpacific Journeys to
provide the best possible experience for our travelers — from
the top-notch itineraries to the small details on the trip.”
Kathy Edersheim, Senior Director
thailand
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Where it all started
Our company was founded in Thailand in 1987. We are considered
the Thailand experts in the industry, and we customize travel in
Thailand for the Harvard Museum of Natural History, the World Affairs
Council, the Princeton and Yale alumni associations, and countless
other notable institutions. Incredible guides and deep local connections
are just the beginning. Nobody knows Thailand like we do. Call us to
begin your trip of a lifetime.
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1 Bangkok
2 Sukhothai
3 Chiang Mai
4 Mae Hong Son
5 Chiang Rai
6 Chiang Saen
7 Ko Samui
8 Krabi
9 Phuket
10 Kho Phi-Phi
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Thai hotels are the epitome of Asian chic—incredible,
sensual spaces that host gorgeous objets d’art and every
imaginable luxury. The style and hospitality that Thais possess
in abundance is reflected in their accommodations, from the
simplest beach bungalow to world-renowned properties that
consistently garner top honors. Delectable cuisine, excellent
service and stunning spas complete an immersion in the realm
of the senses.
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thailand
food & Lodging
Savor
Justifiably famous the world over,
Thai cuisine will bowl you over with
its powerful complexity—a fusion of
the sour, sweet, salty, bitter and spicy
tastes highly prized by the Thais. Pad
Thai noodles and prawn curries are
just the beginning. The most humble
street stall can dish up a piece of fried
chicken that might just be the best you
have ever eaten in your life. We have
had tom yum pla soup that is so good,
it can make a grown man cry.
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top 40 adventure travel outfitters
“With 25 years of experience in the region, Asia Transpacific Journeys operates
both group and private trips through Asia and the Pacific.”
Travel + Leisure magazine
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Four Seasons, Chiang Mai
A fresh seafood salad
Thai cuisine is a revelation
The Oriental hotel, Bangkok
Sala resort, Phuket
Four Seasons, Chiang Mai
Six Senses resort, Phuket
The Penisula hotel, Bangkok
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Tibet
Perhaps it is Tibet’s roof-of-the-world elevation,
or its creation myth that had it connected to
heaven by a rope. Tibet seems to be somehow
suspended between heaven and Earth,
studded with places of worship and mountains
that scrape the sky. Despite an intense
“modernization” campaign by the Chinese
government, Tibetans retain a transcendent
spiritual quality that informs every aspect of
their lives, and which makes their home on the
world’s highest plateau one of the Earth’s most
intriguing destinations.
iconic sights
destination information about Tibet, or to begin
Clockwise from left: The iconic Potala Palace looks over Lhasa;
Buddhist monks play a musical prayer; the lovely St. Regis
hotel, Lhasa.
Custom Journeys to Tibet average $400 per
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tibetans dwell in the realm of the spirit and
most hotels tend to reflect a general unconcern with
the mundane and an outright rejection of the indulgent.
However, a few upscale properties meld traditional
architecture with modern amenities to great effect.
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Lhasa
Samye
Tsetang
Shigatse
Gyantse
Rongbuk Monastery
Mt. Everest
Mt. Kailash
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turkey
They say geography is history—Turkey houses a
repository of unsurpassed cultural wealth gleaned
from 5,000 years at the crossroads of civilization.
Indeed, this transcontinental country at Asia’s
edge is perhaps the world’s greatest epicenter of
exchange. Straddling Europe and Asia, it is strewn
with classical Greco-Roman ruins (more than exist
in either Greece or Italy), and hosts magnificent,
turquoise-tiled mosques that tell a story of origin
in Central Asia. Echoes of Homer endure in ancient
Troy, while fortified desert caravansaries still mark
the ancient Silk Road from China. Turkey holds
many passports, and opens many doors.
iconic sights
Clockwise from left: Whirling Dervishes perform their mystical
dance, Konya; Istanbul pulses with tradition and modernity; Grecian
architectural influences are manifest in an alleyway of coastal Bodrum.
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Istanbul
Ankara
Cappadocia
Mt. Nemrut
Konya
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Antalya
Pamukkale
Bodrum
Kusadasi
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turkey
faces & places
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birth of modern thought
The southwest coast of present-day Turkey was a province
of Greece in ancient times, where the Ionian School of Greek
philosophy flourished in the sixth century B.C. This intellectual
epicenter of the pre-Socratic era greatly influenced Western
science and thought. Philosophers of the Ionian School rejected
the prevailing reliance on superstition and myth as a means
to explain phenomenon, instead promoting a naturalistic view
of the universe and the scientific method of inquiry. These
giants of Western thought—Thales, Anaximander, Heraclitus,
Anaxagoras and Diogenes—changed history.
turkey
food & Lodging
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savor
Turkish cuisine blends traditions from
places as far-flung as Italy and India.
Its distinctive take on Middle Eastern
classics such as kepap (kebob) make
it the region’s best dining culture.
Sampling mezze (akin to Spanish tapas)
and raki (the local fire brew) is a must.
Classic Ottoman cuisine such as stuffed
eggplant and lamb tandoor carry
echoes of the Far East, while fresh fish
dishes and Black Sea anchovies speak
of Greek and Baltic influences.
slumber
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Hotels in Turkey are as multi-faceted
as the country itself, with sophisticated
luxury worthy of the Champs-Élysées,
and tiled, domed properties that
harken back to the Ottoman era. In
the Cappadocia area, it is possible to
stay in a luxurious, mountainside hotel
literally chiseled into the soft tufa rock
found in the area. The country’s best
property is the glorious Four Seasons
Istanbul, formerly the Sultanahmet
Prison. It was here that Midnight
Express was filmed—here’s hoping you
will be sentenced to some hard time.
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Turkey, or to begin planning your private, tailor-made Custom Journey for just you
and your companions.
Custom Journeys to Turkey average $575 per person per day/double occupancy.
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The “fairy chimneys” of Cappadocia
Alp Pasa boutique hotel, Antalya
Delectable mezze on offer
Cappadocia Cave resort
Mineral terraces at Pamukkale
Stone statues atop Mt. Nemrut
Gület at anchor, Kusadasi
Celsus Library, Ephesus
800-642-2742 91
a journey of
understanding
To market on the Mekong
vietnam
With one foot firmly planted in the ideology
of Ho Chi Minh and the other taking a
giant leap toward the global free-market
economy, Vietnam is a fascinating study in
contradictions. Diverse religious traditions,
an elusive spirituality and ongoing political
transformations add yet more layers of
complexity.
A hopeful current is buzzing throughout
much of the country, and it is a thrill to watch
the chaos and order play out their yin and
yang amidst honking horns, noodle stands,
crumbling colonial remnants, rice fields and
high-rises. It is an amazing time to explore
the “Land of Nine Dragons.”
800-642-2742 93
destination information about Vietnam, or to
Custom Journeys to Vietnam average $450 per
iconic sights
Clockwise from top left: Fabulous Halong Bay
at dusk; Imperial City of Hué; Hmong tribal girl
near Sapa; silk lanterns at a shop in Hoi An.
Overheard
“Asia Transpacific Journeys’ thoughtful itineraries
respect the needs of the traveler—and also of
the people, wildlife and habitats visited. That
sensitivity is a primary reason why World Wildlife
Fund has worked with Asia Transpacific Journeys
for more than a dozen years.”
Elissa Poma, Manager, WWF Travel Program
vietnam
faces & places
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underground resistance
The Cu Chi Tunnels are a remarkable testimony to the resilience of
the Vietnamese people in the face of foreign attack. Over 120 miles of
underground tunnels housed everything from kitchens to the strategic
command centers of the Viet Cong military. Thousands of people spent
over a decade in terrible conditions fighting for their homeland, against
the French colonialists and later the American anti-Communists. This
excursion provides insightful lessons in how the tenacious, resourceful
Vietnamese won their last three wars against formidable powers with
vastly superior technology.
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Hanoi
Halong Bay
Sapa
Hué
Danang
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Hoi An
Nha Trang
Saigon
Mekong Delta
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Slumber
The hotel scene in Vietnam is constantly evolving. New resorts
in Hoi An and Hué combine sophisticated, modern architectural
design with classical Asian art and carved-wood elements.
Rural areas sport comfy bungalows and restored colonial villas.
From world-class resorts on the South China Sea, to classic teak
and art deco mansions on the Perfume River, hotels in Vietnam
are coming into their own.
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vietnam
food & Lodging
Savor
A journey to Vietnam can be justified
by virtue of its cuisine alone. The
aromatic smoke of grilled meats, rich
glass-noodle soups, and pungent,
delectable fish sauces fill the air of
every alleyway.
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Wash down a delicacy (try the banh
nan) with a fresh green tea or cold
local beer at an outdoor café and
you will have enjoyed one of Asia’s
quintessential pleasures.
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cultural odyssey
“Asia Transpacific Journeys, with over 20 years experience in the region, is the
ultimate guide to the country’s history and culture. This journey takes you to some
of Vietnam’s greatest landmarks—along with lesser-known places such as the
hilltribe villages and markets of the northern highlands.”
Travel + Leisure magazine
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The Nam Hai resort, Hoi An
A bowl of pho, the national dish
Delectable spring rolls
Historic Sofitel Metropole hotel, Hanoi
Sit back, sail and sleep, Halong Bay
La Résidence resort, Hué
Sofitel Metropole hotel, Hanoi
Park Hyatt, Saigon
800-642-2742 97
stopover cities
You are bound for Asia, anticipating the journey of a lifetime. Chances are you will be
routing through one of these great Asian cities. You have serendipitously been presented
with the perfect opportunity to explore a world-famous metropolis, and who knows
when you will be passing this way again. Turn that two-hour layover into a day or two of
exhilarating exploration—it is the perfect way to begin or end your travels in Asia.
Peer out at these great metropolises from somewhere other than an airport lounge.
These wonderful cities pulse with life, and are destinations in themselves. Ask your Travel
Specialist to arrange a customized exploration.
singapore
This city-state is impeccably clean and well-run, with commerce and finance as its focus. Originally
an obscure fishing village, the British made it a major port during the colonial era, and it has
seen a stunning rise to prominence in the last few decades. The society is truly multi-cultural, a
place where Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims co-exist peacefully. There are four official languages
spoken: English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil. Indeed, nowhere else in all of Asia do so many people of
different backgrounds interact in complete harmony while maintaining their own distinct culture.
Land Cost averages $350 per person per day/double occupancy.
hong kong
Hong Kong crackles with life. Crowds jostle, neon blings, horns
honk, cargo moves, steam billows and aromas waft through
its tightly packed, yet surprisingly organized spaces. Winding
alleyways give way to open harbor views, which are encircled
by soaring peaks and glass high-rises. Its exotic, far-eastern
feel is tempered by a British-colonial legacy, which lends it a
user-friendly aspect and makes it the perfect gateway through
which to ease into Asia. In Hong Kong getting around is half the
fun—you can be nearly anywhere in 30 minutes. Don’t forget
to simply wander—peer into bustling canteens, see the live fish
on offer in open-air markets, try on the Prada in swank stores
and let Hong Kong’s lively energy soak in.
Land Cost averages $500 per person per day/dbl occupancy.
seoul, south korea
Seoul is changing by leaps and bounds. It has embraced the
future with verve, refashioning itself into one of Asia’s great
epicenters. The business-driven, no-nonsense high rises of
the late 20th century are giving way to imaginative and ecofriendly urban spaces, and a movement is afoot to preserve
the traditional hanok-style housing and courtyard architecture
that defined the Hermit Kingdom in centuries past. Explore
medieval palaces of the Josean Dynasty, shop for designer
labels at fashionable modern complexes, haggle for trinkets
at night markets, explore art museums and enjoy tempting
cuisine on every corner.
taipei, taiwan
While many Asian capitals accommodate and defer to an
increasingly influential mainland China, Taipei’s defining trait
is one of non-reliance. Taipei has undergone a renaissance
since the 1980s, transforming itself from Asia’s ugly duckling
into a modern, liveable and walkable city. Taipei is full of
parks, monuments and museums. For art connoisseurs, a trip
to Taipei is justified by virtue of its National Palace Museum
alone, in which nearly 700,000 of these treasures reside. Sip a
coffee or cold Taiwan Beer at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial
square while watching locals fly kites and practice tai chi or
hip-hop moves, and you will have touched the soul of this great
Asian capital.
800-642-2742 99
Marilyn, Founder & President
Eric, Director of Sales
Pat, Destination Manager
TRAVEL SPECIALISTS & office staff
Experts in Travel to Asia and the Pacific—Our Travel Specialists are experts in their field.
Asia is their passion and their calling. A knack for listening is their gift. Impeccable customer service
is their creed. Firsthand regional expertise is their ace in the hole. There is literally nothing they cannot
do when it comes to travel to Asia and the Pacific. They continue to propel Asia Transpacific Journeys to the
forefront of the industry. Don’t settle for second best when planning your trip of a lifetime—contact them today.
Chris, Destination Manager
Tom, Destination Manager
Rebecca, Destination Manager
Jen, Destination Manager
Jarrod, Destination Manager
Kirsten, CEO
Lesa, Trip Coordinator
Donna, CFO
Heather, Accounting
Simone, Air Manager
Katie, Trip Coordinator
Kim, Marketing
Jordan, Documents
Jane, Communications
Tamara, Trip Coordinator
Janene, Air Specialist
Emily, Documents
Jan, Administration
private local guides
Our guides are the best in the region. They are educated, hospitable, friendly,
and offer cultural insights you can only get from a local. Your own private driver
is also included for all tours and transfers—a luxurious touch befitting the trip
of a lifetime.
Kelly, Marketing
Jennifer, Trip Coordinator
Max, Documents
Amanda, Documents
800-642-2742 101
Why travel with us?
Travel is such a precious purchase. Part relaxation, part education, part life-enriching experience, it is the
culmination of a lifelong dream. Asia Transpacific Journeys is the best choice to deliver on your expectations.
History
one-stop shop
We are delighted to be recognized as the Asia/Pacific
specialists since 1987.
Get volume-discounted airfare, customized
travel information and a perfectly arranged itinerary
with meals, transfers and guides, then pay for all
services on one bill.
Reputation
Over 75% of our business is repeat or referral, a
testament to our substance.
support
credibility
Enjoy toll-free phone and email access to your own
expert Travel Specialist, and customized reading,
medical, cultural, packing and insurance information.
In addition to designing journeys for discerning
individuals, we also design customized journeys for the
World Wildlife Fund and the Harvard, Princeton and
Yale alumni associations.
expertise
Our Travel Specialists possess the most extensive firsthand regional knowledge of any U.S.-based company.
No other company offers such expertise in the Asia/
Pacific region.
security
We are in constant contact with our in-country
partners while you are traveling. If anything should
go wrong with your health, well-being or arrangements,
we are on it.
peace of mind
It is a priceless commodity, included in all of our trips.
efficiency
no regrets
We have spent over two decades honing air
arrangements, checking hotel quality and hand picking
the best guides so you don’t have to.
You might only visit a destination once in your life. Make
sure you do it right.
The charitable arm of Asia Transpacific Journeys
“To succeed in bringing clean drinking water to over
one million children and families in need is an honor.”
We have a deep connection with the people of Asia. We established
the Asia Transpacific Foundation in 1998 to deepen this connection and return
the kindness and generosity that has touched our lives.
For the past decade, we have been dedicated to implementing sustainable
grassroots programs that will provide clean drinking water to those in the
most desperate need. Every 15 seconds, a child dies from diseases associated
with dirty water, inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene.
Our foundation funds the production of clay water filters, which are locally
produced, creating jobs at the production facility. The filters are distributed
and villagers are educated on their use and importance, helping to put an end
to this devastation. As a result, health rates soar, particularly among children.
Thanks to the generous donations of our travelers, volunteer labor of our staff
and donations from our business partners, the Asia Transpacific Foundation
can manage community projects with virtually no overhead. This ensures that
nearly 100% of donations go directly to our projects.
To learn more, please visit www.AsiaTranspacificFoundation.org
A travel + leisure Global
Vision Award Recipient
The Asia Transpacific Foundation
received a Global Vision award
for our efforts to provide clean
drinking water via simple ceramic
filters in Myanmar (Burma). As
noted by Scott Harrison, founder
of Charity: Water and on the
T+L Award Committee, “Asia
Transpacific (Foundation) has
made a huge impact in what I
believe is the most important issue
facing us today—access to clean
and safe drinking water.”
2995 Center Green Court
Boulder, CO 80301
Asia Transpacific journeys
talk to a travel specialist
Facebook.com/AsiaTranspacificJourneys
Twitter.com/Asia_Travel
Photos: Bonnie Kaye, CNTO, David Kirkland, Kyaw Swa Min, Marilyn Downing Staff, Michele Westmorland, New Zealand
Tourism, Nguyen Thien Phuc, Rebecca Mazzaro, Stacey Schultz, Steve Morello and Tourism Australia
PRINTED IN CHINA
custom travel
800-642-2742

JOURNEY

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