Travel through tea country in beautiful Sri Lanka
Visit stunning temples and gardens in historic Kyoto
Visit the gorgeous Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand
Soak up the spiritual atmosphere of the Golden Temple in India
See tango on the streets of Buenos Aires
Get a feel for local hospitality in The Cook Islands
Become a gaucho in rural Argentina
Explore Dharamsala, the spiritual home of the Dalai Lama
Spend six weeks discovering the history and culture of some of the world’s most fascinating countries with this round the world holiday, visiting 6 countries across 3 different continents. Experience the ancient traditions of Sri Lanka and get off the beaten track in the sacred cities of northern India. Witness the juxtaposition of old and new in Japan’s capitals and learn about the Maori culture of New Zealand. The Cook Islands offer a warm and friendly respite before a final group adventure around Chile and Argentina, where you’ll journey through stunning landscapes and become a cowboy for a day on a traditional gaucho ranch.
This round the world trip is designed to introduce you to some of the world’s richest cultures, from the ancient to the modern. Immerse yourself in new, exotic destinations, experience long-standing customs, meet the locals and learn about the history that precedes these fascinating traditions.
This itinerary can be tailored to suit your requirements, so please contact one of our consultants to start planning your dream trip.
Depart the UK from your chosen airport.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
If you'd like to get a feel for this trip, read our blog post, Northern India: Amritsar, Varanasi and the Taj Mahal, written by one of our consultants who has been there.
This itinerary is purely a suggestion and can be tailor-made to your requirements, so please contact us with your dates and requests, and we’ll put together a bespoke quotation for you.
43 nights in 3-4* standard accommodation including traditional heritage properties and guesthouses in India.
Hotels in this category include:
