Day 1: Depart UK
Depart the UK from your chosen airport.
Days 2-9: Sri Lankan Splendours
Your round the world adventure begins in Sri Lanka, a country rich in tradition with wonderful wildlife and spectacular beaches. Your 8-day trip begins in the cultural capital, Kandy, home to the sacred ‘Temple of the Tooth’. Next, you'll enjoy a short 4km trek through the Central Highlands, where you'll see the stunning Knuckles Mountain Range, visit a tea plantation and explore the beautiful town of Nuwara Eliya. Travelling from tea country to leopard country, your next stops are Horton Plains and Yala National Park - where you'll have the opportunity to spot buffalo, sloth and even the elusive leopard if you’re lucky!
Days 9-16: India’s far north: Amritsar, Dharamsala and Shimla
Welcome to India! This trip whisks you away from the traditional tourist trail, taking you far north of Delhi. You'll spend one unforgettable week exploring a trio of very different Indian cities, experiencing distinct cultures, lifestyles and landscapes. First, you’ll visit Amritsar, home of the Golden Temple and the centre of the Sikh faith, as well as the fascinating Indian-Pakistan border ceremony. Next, you’ll head to Dharamsala, in the foothills of the Himalayas, the spiritual home of the exiled Dalai Lama. Afterwards, you’ll explore the charming colonial toy-town of Shimla. From fast-paced and busy to peaceful and quiet, this is a great introduction to some of India’s top spots.
Days 17-23: Japan’s capitals: A week in Tokyo and Kyoto
Next, your journey takes you to stunning and gentle Japan, where you’ll spend a week exploring Japan’s capitals. Over seven days, you’ll travel from Tokyo’s cutting-edge cityscapes to the former imperial capital, Kyoto. Discover the deep sense of history, tradition and respect that imbues Japanese culture as you wander around some of Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temples, visit a Japanese tea house and sample some ‘matcha’ green tea before boarding the bullet train to the cultural city of Kyoto. Here, you’ll be enchanted by the wooden townhouses, colourful crafts, painted temples and old-world geishas. Shop in local markets, join a Japanese cooking class and sample Japanese sake (rice wine) on this trip into the heart of Japanese culture.
Days 24-31: Cultural New Zealand: North Island road trip
New Zealand's North Island is your next stop, giving you a chance to learn about Maori culture on a self-drive adventure. Starting in Auckland, you’ll explore in the city before driving north to Paihia, on the shore of the beautiful Bay of Islands. Here, you will visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where the history of New Zealand was changed forever with a pact between the British and the Maori. Heading south again, you’ll spend a night on the Coromandel Peninsula and walk along its windswept beaches before arriving in Rotorua. Here, you’ll watch the haka at a Maori village, tuck into a delicious hangi feast, visit Hobbiton and admire traditional art in Te Puia. You’ll finish your trip back in Auckland with a new understanding of Maori history.
Days 30-37: Rarotonga and Aitutaki escape
Welcome to paradise! Your next stop is the Cook Islands in the South Pacific, for a week of well-deserved relaxation. You’ll cross the dateline in mid-air, arriving the day before you left. Here, you’ll step off the heavily worn tourist trail and get a real glimpse into the warm local hospitality of The Cooks. You’ll spend the first few days on the mainland of Rarotonga experiencing the rich culture of the islands. Take part in a traditional 'island night' to learn more about the locals or hire a car and explore the island before flying to nearby island Aitutaki, where you can take a cruise on the world famous turquoise lagoon or kick back and relax in your idyllic surroundings.
Days 38-46: Highlights of Chile and Argentina
Your last stop is South America, where you’ll join a group tour adventure and explore the highlights of Chile and Argentina. You’ll spend ten days travelling through stunning landscapes and discovering some of the most exciting cities in Latin America. Visit coastal Valparaiso, get active in the adventure sports mecca of Pucon, and stay on a genuine gaucho ranch outside Bariloche, before finishing your trip in cosmopolitan Buenos Aires, famous for its traditional tango shows.
