South America
Crossing the South American continent from Chile to Brazil, this journey by Bales Worldwide takes in the fertile valleys of Chile's Pacific coast and Iguassa Falls, en route to the Atlantic beaches of Rio de Janeiro. Along the way, visitors will enjoy the rugged landscapes of the Andes, the rich culture of Mendoza and the colonial elegance of Buenos Aires. A highlight of the trip is the journey by train to the peak of Rio's Corcovado Mountain. The two-week trip costs £2,195 (Dh12,630) per person, including hotel accommodation, most meals, local transport, sightseeing, the services of English-speaking guides, entrance fees to sites and parks, and taxes. International airfare not included. Visit www.balesworldwide.com to book.
Travel Tips&Advice
On a budget? Tight schedule? Whatever your quandary, seasoned travellers help you make the most of your destination.
Iraqi Kurdistan
Climb Iraq's highest peak , the 3,611m Cheekah Dar in the Zagros mountain range of Kurdistan, on this week-long expedition organised by Secret Compass. The adventure travel company has teamed up with mountaineering expert and polar explorer Jon Beswick (he climbed Cheekah Dar in March this year to assess its suitability for guided climbs) for this week-long trip to this lesser-known peak. Base camp is at 3,000m, reached after a two-day hike up a valley from the road at Allanah, east of Erbil. While the ascent is not difficult, with no technical climbing, participants need to be fit, be at least 21 years old and have some trekking experience.
The eight-day trip costs from £1,850 (Dh10,643) per person and includes the services of a mountaineering guide, lessons in basic mountaineering skills on snow and ice, accommodation in a guesthouse in Erbil, all meals, and transport by 4x4. International airfare is not included. Visit www.secretcompass.com for more details.
Maldives
Stay at the five-star Zitahli Kuda-Funafaru Resort & Spa in the Maldives for three nights and get the fourth free with Dnata's Luxury Hotels package. Zitahli Kuda-Funafaru is located in the Noonu Atoll, to the north of Malé International Airport. The package costs from Dh6,180 per person, including four nights in a deluxe beach villa, based on two sharing, daily breakfast and dinner, return airport transfers by seaplane, complimentary Wi-Fi and taxes. Valid for travel until April 30. Call 04 3642 077 for more information.
Europe
Cox & Kings has a 15-day "Classical Europe Super Saver" package to a host of countries - the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Italy and France. The two-week trip costs from Dh8,994 per person, including international economy flights from the UAE, accommodation based on two sharing, airport transfers, most meals, sightseeing and entrance fees as mentioned in the itinerary, services of a tour leader, local transport and taxes. Visa fees are not included. Visit www.coxandkings.ae or call (toll free) 8000 3570 2470 to book.
