Wildlife Encounters - Wildlife Encounters - Don't follow the herd - Don't follow the herd - Steppes Travel

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Wildlife Encounters - Wildlife Encounters - Don't follow the herd - Don't follow the herd - Steppes Travel
Wildlife Encounters
   Don’t follow the herd

Wildlife Encounters
    B E YO N D TH E O R D I N A RY
   B E Y O Nfollow
   Don’t     D T H E Othe
                       R D I Nherd
                               ARY
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Wildlife Encounters - Wildlife Encounters - Don't follow the herd - Don't follow the herd - Steppes Travel
Seeing wildlife in its natural habitat is an inspiring     2018 Wildlife Encounters
 and uplifting experience. Our Wildlife Group Tours
 have three key goals: to give you privileged insight
                                                            Calendar & Contents
                                                            MONTH AND TOUR                                       PAGE
 and access, to give something back and in so doing to
 give you an exceptional experience.                        JANUARY
                                                            Kenya Elephants of Samburu with Saba Douglas-Hamilton 04-05
                                                            Baja Whale watching with Art Taylor & Jo Ruxton       06-07
 We do this through the quality of our guides and
 leaders and also through our relationships and             FEBRUARY
                                                            India On the Trail of Snow Leopards                  08
 contacts on the ground – travel is about who you
 know.                                                      MARCH
                                                            Mozambique Freediving, Yoga & Dolphins 09
 The breadth and range of our wildlife holidays is          APRIL
 impressive from snow leopards in the Himalayas to          Galapagos Darwin’s Galapagos with Jonathan Green 11
 cetaceans in Baja California to elephants in Kenya.        MAY
                                                            Scotland Wildlife & Wilderness               10
 I hope you will join us this year on one of our wildlife   Galapagos Photographic Cruise with Sue Flood 12-13
 tours and in doing so, support wildlife conservation.      JUNE
                                                            Indonesian Borneo Orangutan Conservation             14
                                                            Malaysian Borneo Maliau Basin Expedition             15
                                                            Namibia Predator Conservation with AfriCat           16
 Justin Wateridge
 Managing Director

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Wildlife Encounters - Wildlife Encounters - Don't follow the herd - Don't follow the herd - Steppes Travel
MONTH AND TOUR                               PAGE                 CONTENTS                               PAGE

JULY			                                                     Expert-led Cultural tours New for 2018       32-33
South Africa Rhino Conservation Project               17    Pioneering Tours                             34
Arctic Expedition Cruise with Monty Halls & Sue Flood 18-19 Antarctica New Charter for 2019              35
		                                                          The Steppes Difference Beyond the Ordinary   36
AUGUST			                                                   Bespoke holidays Tailor-made travel          37
Ecuadorian Amazon with Benedict Allen                 20-21 Why Steppes                                  38
Madagascar Photographic Journey with Sue Flood        22-23 Client Testimonials                          39

SEPTEMBER
Canada Grizzly Bear Photography Tour with Sue Flood 24
Madagascar Land of the Lemur                        25
Tonga Swimming with Humpbacks with Doug Allan       26

OCTOBER
Brazil Jaguar Conservation Safari in the Pantanal 27
Ethiopia Wolves, Primates & Rock-Cut Churches     28
Papua New Guinea Birds of Paradise                29

NOVEMBER
Indonesia Whale Sharks with Doug Allan 30-31

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Wildlife Encounters - Wildlife Encounters - Don't follow the herd - Don't follow the herd - Steppes Travel
Meet the Save the Elephants team

        Kenya: Elephants of Samburu
                                        WITH SABA DOUGLAS-HAMILTON

                                                                                             Saba Douglas-Hamilton is an award-
                                                                                           winning wildlife filmmaker, TV host and
                                                                                           conservationist. She is a key member of
                                                                                           the Save the Elephants team in Kenya,
                                                                                              where she helped set up a research
                                                                                           station in Samburu that now monitors a
                                                                                              population of over 900 elephants.

                                                                                            She is an accomplished TV presenter
                                                                                           and her best known work is Secret Life
                                                                                              of Elephants and Big Cat Diary.

                  In the company                  Elephant safaris with researchers from   Stay at the renowned Elephant Watch
                 of BBC presenter                         Save The Elephants.                              Camp.
              Saba Douglas-Hamilton.

     The contribution made to elephant conservation by the Douglas-Hamiltons is legendary and so to spend a week in their company,
       on their home soil of Samburu and Naivasha, is the opportunity of a lifetime. Take walks and game drives in Samburu escorted
        by Saba Douglas-Hamilton and Elephant Watch’s Samburu guides. Meet with researchers from Save The Elephants who will
                                              introduce you to the resident elephant herd.

                                          DEPARTURE: 17th - 24th January 2018
                                                8 days from £7,295 PP excluding flights

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In partnership with New Scientist

       Baja California:
     Whale Watching Cruise
                              WITH JO RUXTON & ART TAYLOR

   Voyage with Art Taylor,                      Sail the rich waters of          Jo Ruxton, formerly of the BBC Blue Planet
   who has been sailing the                   the Sea of Cortez where            team, has over eighteen years experience of
    seas of Baja for over                        whales and wildlife             underwater filming and recently produced a
        thirty years.                            are in abundance.                 documentary feature ‘A Plastic Ocean’.

   A wonderful opportunity to explore this rich marine world with some of the best naturalist guides available.
Art Taylor, owner and captain of the Searcher has been navigating these waters for over thirty years and is hugely
            passionate about the wildlife and sharing it with his passengers. His knowledge is unrivalled.

          The Searcher is one of the smaller expedition vessels with just 24 passengers, boasting three
        pangas of its own so guests can be sure the very best will be made of every sighting opportunity.
      You will experience one of the most complete itineraries of the west coast of the peninsula, travelling
       south from San Diego to the tip of Baja at Cabo San Lucas and extending into the Sea of Cortez
                                  for further breathtaking wildlife opportunities.

                          DEPARTURE: 22nd January - 4th February 2018
                                             14 days from £4,895pp

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Snow Leopard Conservancy India

                          India: On the Trail of
                             Snow Leopards
                                                        WITH DAVID SONAM

        Unparalleled insight into the realm of the    The best region in the Himalaya for snow       Traditional and cosy homestay
        snow leopard from David Sonam of the                      leopard sightings.                accommodation for an authentic
          Snow Leopard Conservancy, India.                                                                     experience.

       Ulley is in the centre of three interlocking valleys that support between eight and ten snow leopards according to the last census.
     Sightings of ‘The Ghost of the Himalaya’ are not unusual here, especially when tracking is handled by Tchewang Norbu and overseen
                                           by David Sonam from the Snow Leopard Conservancy, India.

     Explore this less frequented corner of Ladakh, looking for snow leopards, blue sheep, ibex and Ladakhi urial by vehicle and on foot and
                                              then return to the warmth of a traditional homestay.

                                               DEPARTURE: 3rd - 15th February 2018
                                                     13 days from £4,495 PP excluding flights

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In partnership with I AM WATER Foundation

         Mozambique: Freediving,
           Yoga and Dolphins
                            WITH HANLI PRINSLOO & PETER MARSHALL

    Learn the basics of freediving, under      Swim beside the wild dolphins of the      Practise yoga and breathing techniques in
      the expert tutelage of champion                Ponta D’Ouro coast.                             view of the ocean.
  freediver Hanli Prinsloo and underwater
        photographer Peter Marshall

   Join the I AM WATER team for a week of freediving and yoga off the Mozambican coast. Learn the basics amidst idyllic
      tropical surroundings. Spend mornings swimming beside the region’s playful dolphins, before returning ashore for
                              relaxing yoga, looking out over the beautiful Mozambican waters.

   Hanli is an 11-time South African freediving record holder who has taught freediving to over 500 students. The freediving
instructors she leads have taught freediving around the world, working with top athletes, celebrities, and individuals with aquatic
phobias. She is the founder of the I AM WATER Foundation, which focuses on ocean conservation through human experience
                                       and is also a filmmaker and certified yoga instructor.

                      DEPARTURES: 10th - 17th March 2018 / 19 th - 26th March 2018
                                            8 days from £4,595 PP excluding flights

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The Wildlife of the Highlands

                           Scotland:
                     Wildlife & Wilderness
                                                   WITH FERGUS BEELEY
       Join Fergus Beeley and RSPB’s David Sexton on this adventure into the north-west Highlands of Scotland. From undisclosed
       locations, view sea otters, enormous golden eagles on Mull, elusive pine martens of the ancient forests and the black-throated
                                               divers of the enchanted islets of Loch Maree.

      Fergus Beeley has spent the last 25 years making wildlife films with Sir David Attenborough, including famous titles for the BBC
                              such as the ‘Life Of Birds’, ‘Planet Earth – the future’ and ‘The Natural World.’

                                               DEPARTURE: 3rd - 10th May 2018
                                                 8 days from £3,995 PP excluding flights

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In partnership with New Scientist

                                          Galapagos
                                           Cruise
                                            WITH JONATHAN GREEN

 Jonathan is a keen wildlife photographer, qualified naturalist guide and dive master,
             who has been working in the Galapagos for over 25 years.

He set up the Galapagos Whale Shark Research Project and is a Fellow of the Royal
      Geographical Society of London and an elected Member International
                      of the Explorers’ Club of New York.

 Natural Paradise is a 34m elegant motor vessel which provides plenty of space for
   just 16 passengers. Relax on the spacious sundeck with loungers, jacuzzi and
         covered alfresco dining area. Snorkelling equipment and sea kayak
                         use are complimentary on this trip.

                          DEPARTURES: 1st - 11th April 2018 / 8th - 18th April 2018
                                            11 days from £5,775 PP excluding flights

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Close-up wildlife encounters

                             Galapagos
                         Photographic Cruise
                                                      WITH SUE FLOOD
       Our private charter visits nine islands including the more remote Genovesa, so there will be plenty of time for photographic
                                   opportunities with Sue’s expert eye to help you take the best footage.

      May is the perfect month to see the bizarre courtship displays of blue-footed boobies, sea turtles and marine iguanas hatching
                                             and waved albatrosses starting to lay their eggs.

       However you don’t have to be a photographer to join this trip, snorkel with playful sea lions, and learn from the experienced
                            naturalist guide who will also be accompanying all excursions on land and sea.

                                                                                                      Sue Flood
                                                                                               Sharpen up your photographic skills
                                                                                              with Sue, former Associate Producer
                                                                                                on the award-winning BBC series
                                                                                              ‘The Blue Planet’ and contributor to
                                                                                                ‘Planet Earth.’ Sue is great fun to
                                                                                               be with and while you will doubtless
                                                                                               hone your photographic skills under
                                                                                              her tuition, you are also guaranteed a
                                                                                                 rewarding time in her company.

                                             DEPARTURE: 20th - 30th May 2018
                                                 11 days from £6,195 PP excluding flights

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In conjunction with Orangutan Foundation

                    Indonesian Borneo:
                  Orangutan Conservation
                                                       WITH ASHLEY LEIMAN

          River trips on board a ‘klotok’ boat to       Benefit from the huge knowledge and     Access to orangutans at Camp Leakey
               access more remote areas.                 expertise of Ashley Leiman of the        and exclusive access to orangutan
                                                              Orangutan Foundation.                          release sites.

      Through the expertise of the Orangutan Foundation, understand the importance of the forest and the role of local communities
           in securing the orangutans’ future. Visit areas in the region which are only accessible through this unique partnership.

       Experience these magnificent creatures in the wildest parts of Indonesian Borneo. Come face-to-face with the orangutans in
         their fragile natural environment and spend time at the three feeding sites, including Dr Galdikas’s famous Camp Leakey.

      Ashley founded the Orangutan Foundation in 1990 and is one of the leading figures in orangutan conservation. Spending up to a
         third of the year in the field, her in-depth knowledge and passion for the region will inspire you long after you return home.

                                                    DEPARTURE: 3rd - 12th June 2018
                                                     10 days from £3,395 PP excluding flights

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The Danum Valley

             Malaysian Borneo:
           Maliau Basin Expedition
                                       WITH ROBIN HANBURY-TENISON

  A rare opportunity to trek into the Maliau     Led with the authority and experience of   Explore the wildife-rich Danum Valley.
       Basin - home to many of Asia’s               explorer Robin Hanbury-Tenison.
               rarest species.

  Often termed ‘Sabah’s Lost World’, the Maliau Basin is a land of immense, vine-clad jungles and ancient, giant trees, home to an
 extraordinary array of wildlife. It is home to over 270 species of birdlife and more than 80 mammal species. This tour is the perfect
combination of high expedition-style adventure, expert leadership by Robin Hanbury-Tenison, and an opportunity to see the pristine
                                      rainforest of Borneo, following orangutans in their natural habitat.

Robin Hanbury-Tenison OBE is referred to as the ‘greatest explorer’ by the Sunday Times. Conservationist, broadcaster, filmmaker,
 author of more than 20 books, lecturer, campaigner, farmer, he is one of the few remaining British explorers to merit the name.

                                               DEPARTURE: 3rd - 14th June 2018
                                                12 days from £4,995 PP excluding flights

                                START YOUR JOURNEY 03331 309 427 // wildlife@steppestravel.com                                           P15
In conjunction with AfriCat

                              Namibia: Predator
                                Conservation
                           WITH DONNA HANSSEN & TAMMY HOTH-HANSSEN

          Hands-on participation in AfriCat’s       Explore Etosha National Park and the      Spend time shadowing the lion research
          Annual Big Cat Health Examination              wildlife of the vast salt pans.                of AfriCat North.
                     at Okonjima.

      Working exclusively with AfriCat, Steppes offer a unique conservation tour, with hands-on participation at its core. Gain behind-
       the-scenes access to AfriCat’s work at the Okonjima Reserve and the Hobatere Concession, focussing on both cheetahs and
                                        lions. In between, have time to explore Etosha National Park.

      The highlight is a day spent with AfriCat’s vets during their Annual Big Cat Health Examination at Okonjima. You will be on hand
                     throughout, helping the vets to ensure all cheetahs are vaccinated and given a thorough examination.

                                            DEPARTURE: 22nd June - 4th July 2018
                                                 13 days from £5,295 PP excluding flights

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Hands-on Conservation

          South Africa:
    Rhino Conservation Project
                                              WITH DR PETER ROGERS

  Exclusive hands-on experience of a rhino       Guided game drives and walks in the       Visit a wildlife rehabilitation centre and a
              darting project.                            Greater Kruger.                         reptile conservation project.

For wildlife lovers wanting hands-on experience of an authentic conservation project. Accompany chief vet, Dr Peter Rogers, and
rangers from Klaserie Nature Reserve as they locate a rhino and undertake the task of notching and micro-chipping. Expect to be
more than just a spectator, with the group assisting in this vital conservation work. With rhino horn fetching more money than gold,
                                                  the stakes have never been higher.

    In addition to running a wildlife veterinary practice in Hoedspruit, Dr Peter Rogers is a specialist in wild animal capture and
translocation. He has previously assisted with the capture and aerial translocation of various species, including white rhino, giraffe,
              wildebeest, blesbok and cheetah. He is one of South Africa’s leading authorities on rhino conservation.

                                             DEPARTURE: 22nd - 28th July 2018
                                              7 days from £2,295 PP excluding flights

                               START YOUR JOURNEY 03331 309 427 // wildlife@steppestravel.com                                             P17
In partnership with Telegraph Tours

         Arctic: Expedition Cruise
                                   WITH MONTY HALLS & SUE FLOOD

              Sail on-board the                          The best place                     Cruise in company of marine
      ice-strengthened Akademik Ioffe                 in the Arctic to see                     biologist Monty Halls
         and access Svalbard’s most                   polar bears in their                    & wildlife photographer
              spectacular sights.                       natural habitat.                             Sue Flood.

                Throughout the voyage, you will enjoy private lectures with explorer Monty Halls, who will share
             tales from his explorations in the Arctic and accompany you on expeditions to discover the geological
                wonders and native species of the region, including polar bears, beluga whales and the Arctic fox.

                   You will also be joined by professional photographer Sue Flood, a specialist in the region,
                 who will help you hone your photographic skills so you can capture those precious encounters
                                  with the wild as you sail through this astonishing environment.

                                         DEPARTURE: 7th - 18th July 2018
                                          12 days from £6,450 PP excluding flights

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In partnership with Telegraph Tours

                    Ecuadorian Amazon
                                                WITH BENEDICT ALLEN

   Join explorer Benedict Allen for an in-        Meet three indigenous communities -      Sail the Napo River, one of the largest
 depth insight into the indigenous people of            Cofan, Siona and Kichwa.          tributaries of the Amazon on-board The
                 the Amazon.                      Visit Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve for            Anakonda luxury river boat.
                                                         unique endemic species.

 Cruise along the Napo and Aguarico river deep into the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest. Meet three indigenous communities –
 Cofan, Siona and Kichwa, each with their own language and customs. Explore the UNESCO Yasuni National Park, one of the
  most biologically diverse spots on Earth, and the remote and little visited Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve. Explore on foot and by
             kayak looking at the species that live in this area such as birds, monkeys, caiman and pink river dolphin.
Benedict Allen is an explorer, author, filmmaker and motivational speaker. One of the world’s leading adventurers, his expeditions
famously achieved not with a phone, GPS or “backup”, but by preparation alone with remote indigenous communities. He is the
 first person to have crossed the Amazon Basin at its widest, spending seven and a half months doing this and being immersed
                                                   among the indigenous people.

                                         DEPARTURE: 10th - 19 th August 2018
                                               10 days from £4,850 PP excluding flights

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Madagascar:
                    Photographic Journey
                                                     WITH SUE FLOOD

      ©SueFlood

          See dancing sifakas, colourful          Fly by private charter in country to          Benefit from Sue’s expert eye to
      chameleons, leaping lemurs, the strange    maximise your time spotting wildlife and       make the most of all your photo
         fossa and other endemic wildlife.             see more remote regions.                           opportunities.

         Encounter this island’s incredibly diverse flora and fauna and the various habitats that support myriad unique species.
         September is the perfect time when spring brings lemur babies and nesting birds and reptiles begin to be more active.

               Fly by private charter to enjoy maximum time taking photographs of numerous endemic wildlife including
                                   chameleons, dancing sifakas, indris, lemurs, and the cat-like fossa.

           See the spectacular and iconic Avenue of Baobabs and visit Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, Berenty Reserve,
                                          the dry forests of Kirindy and the coastal Anjajavy.

                                   DEPARTURE: 20th August - 2nd September 2018
                                                14 days from £9,995 PP excluding flights

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©SueFlood
Timed for the Salmon Run

                        Canada: Grizzly Bear
                           Photography
                                                         WITH SUE FLOOD
        During the salmon run in British Columbia, grizzly bears are drawn to the rivers to feast on spawning salmon. For the best
       opportunity to photograph one of the world’s most exceptional wildlife spectacles, float along the river in specially designed,
                            non-motorised boats, with Sue Flood on hand to help with capturing the action.

      The naturalists at Tweedsmuir Lodge will join the group on all activities, giving insight into the bears’ behaviour and taking guided
                             walks to see black bears, wolves, cougars, mountain goats and an array of birdlife.

                                                                                                                               ©SueFlood

      ©SueFlood                                                                                                               ©Mike Wigle

                                            DEPARTURE: 7th - 14th September 2018
                                                   8 days from £8,995 PP excluding flights

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                          Madagascar:
                        Land of the Lemur
                                               WITH LOCAL GUIDES
A great introduction to Madagascar’s unique fauna and flora, away from the crowds. Explore the island’s jungles, searching for the
                             various lemur species for which Madagascar is perhaps most famous.

  Start in Andasibe-Mantadia Park, where the cry of the indri echoes through the forest. Continue north-east into the little-
 explored Pangalanes region, where lagoons cut through littoral forest. Then head west - via the iconic Avenue of Baobabs - to
                  Kirindy Forest. Here, catch a glimpse of Madagascar’s largest carnivore, the cat-like fossa.

                                      DEPARTURE: 9th - 21st September 2018
                                            13 days from £3,295 PP excluding flights

                              START YOUR JOURNEY 03331 309 427 // wildlife@steppestravel.com                                         P25
The ultimate wildlife encounter

                     Tonga: Swimming
                  with Humpback Whales
                                                        WITH DOUG ALLAN

          The privilege and thrill of snorkelling    Join Sir David Attenborough’s favourite      Experience the breathtaking island
             alongside humpback whales.                      cameraman, Doug Allan.                       paradise of Tonga.

        As wildlife lovers strive for the ultimate encounter with big mammals, the bar is constantly being lifted higher and higher. We
        would like to think that we’ve raised the bar another notch. This trip gives you the opportunity to swim with humpback whales
        in the warm, crystal-clear waters of the Tongan Pacific, escorted by a BBC cameraman who is famous for some of the most
                                        spectacular underwater footage of humpback whales ever filmed.

      Doug Allan is one of the world’s best known and respected wildlife cameramen. He has worked for BBC, Discovery and National
       Geographic, filming for series like The Blue Planet, Planet Earth, Life, Frozen Planet and Ocean Giants. He’s filmed whales in
           almost all the seas of the world and has twice won the underwater category in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year.

                                              DEPARTURE: 15th - 26th September 2018
                                                    12 days from £5,395 PP excluding flights

P26                                   START YOUR JOURNEY 03331 309 427 // wildlife@steppestravel.com
Brazil: Jaguar
                      Conservation Safari
                                              WITH MARIO HABERFELD

   Assist researchers as they study giant          Track jaguars in the wild with the           Discover the varied wildlife of the
       armadillo, anteater and tapir.                  Oncafari Jaguar Project.                 Pantanal, the largest wetland on
                                                                                                           the planet.

Accompany leading conservationists as they track and study endangered armadillo and jaguar in the southern Pantanal. Home to an
incredible variety of wildlife the vast floodplains of the Pantanal provide refuge to over 650 species of bird including the scarlet and
                                      blue macaw as well as capybara, giant anteater and giant otter.

Having conducted research in the Pantanal since 2002, conservation biologist Arnaud Desbiez set up the giant armadillo project in
2010. Mario Haberfeld is fully committed to preserving the wildlife of his home country and works with the Oncafari Jaguar Project
                           using groundbreaking techniques to learn about jaguar behaviour in the wild.

                                            DEPARTURE: 3rd - 11th October 2018
                                               9 days from £4,175 PP excluding flights

                               START YOUR JOURNEY 03331 309 427 // wildlife@steppestravel.com                                              P27
The Highlands

                              Ethiopia: Wolves,
                             Primates & Culture

         Spot geladas and other endemic species        Track rare and endangered Ethiopian       Experience Ethiopian culture and visit the
         in the Simien Mountains National Park.       wolves in the Bale Mountains with your          rock-cut churches of Lalibela.
                                                                 local expert guide.

         Combine Ethiopia’s remarkable landscapes, culture and unusual endemic wildlife with a journey to the highlands of Ethiopia.

      In the company of your Ethiopian guide, as well as the local scouts, visit the dramatic Sanetti Plateau, track rare and endangered
        Ethiopian wolves and take walks through the high-altitude forest. Here, look out for Bale monkeys, as well as unusual birdlife.

       Visit the Simien Mountains National Park, which is home to a number of endemic species. Explore on foot, hiking through this
      spectacular landscape, spotting animal and birdlife, and visiting one of the local villages. Within the park, there is a good chance of
            seeing geladas – Old World monkeys that are only found in the Ethiopian Highlands – and the endangered walia ibex.

                                               DEPARTURE: 5th - 16th October 2018
                                                   12 days from £4,595 PP excluding flights

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Remote & Captivating

                       Papua New Guinea:
                        Birds of Paradise
                                                WITH PHIL GREGORY

   Guided by leading authority on birds,             Visit key birding locations           Discover the diverse nature and culture
  Phil Gregory, encounter some of the 781     Mount Hagen, Fly River and New Britain              of Papua New Guinea’s
           exquisite bird species.               in search of the 15-20 different                    people and wildlife.
                                                          birds of paradise.

All birds are created equal but some birds are more equal than others. Flamboyant in the extreme, the bird of paradise is one such
 bird. This trip travels from the highlands to the coast in search of Papua New Guinea’s most spectacular birds, in the company of
expert birding guides. In Mount Hagen spot the superb, lesser, blue, twelve wired and King-of-Saxony birds of paradise while in the
                       coastal forests of New Britain, spot blue-eyed cockatoo and red-knobbed imperial pigeon.

  Phil Gregory is one of Australia’s leading authorities on birds and has been guiding bird trips in PNG since 1998. He has recently
published a book on the subject entitled ‘Birds of New Guinea’ and is an advisor for the International Ornithological Congress World
                 Bird List. His special interests are field identification, vocalisations, taxonomy and bird distributions.

                                        DEPARTURE: 7th - 18th October 2018
                                             12 days from £7,875 PP excluding flights

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Indonesia: Swim with
                     Whale Sharks
                                                 WITH DOUG ALLAN

   Snorkel alongside one of the world’s          Explore the largest marine parks of      Hone your underwater photography skills
 largest mammals at Cenderawasih Bay.               Indonesia on-board a luxury             with BBC cameraman Doug Allan.
                                                           private phinisi.

 A rare opportunity to sail with the world renowned marine photographer, Doug Allan. Snorkel with whale sharks around the
waters of Raja Ampat, often described as one of the most extraordinary environments on the planet. Based from the luxurious
Tiare, a newly built Indonesian phinisi kitted out with a fully equipped dive station, large camera workstations, six en suite cabins
                               and a crew, which includes a dive master, chef and dedicated team.
                      Comfortable – certainly, exploratory – yes, exciting and pioneering – without a doubt.

                                   DEPARTURE: 14th - 24th November 2018
                                           11 days from £6,995 PP excluding flights

                              START YOUR JOURNEY 03331 309 427 // wildlife@steppestravel.com                                            P31
Expert-Led Cultural Tours
                                          JOIN ONE OF OUR NEW TOURS FOR 2018

      In addition to our wildlife tours, we are recognised as one of the UK’s leading specialists in cultural, historical and archaeological
      small group tours. Our aim is to offer a beyond the ordinary experience with an enviable pool of tour experts. Please contact us
                         for a copy of our Cultural Tours Brochure or see our website for our full portfolio of tours.

                                IRAN                                    GREECE                                  UZBEKISTAN

                  LUXURY TRAIN JOURNEY                    ANCIENT MACEDONIA & THE                          BEYOND THE OXUS
                  Traverse Iran by rail and immerse        KINGDOM OF ALEXANDER                        Discover the art, architecture and
                 yourself in the rich cultural heritage        Discover Alexander the Great’s         culture of the fabled Silk Road cities.
                     of this wonderful country.           birthplace, explore ancient sacred cities    Visit Samarkand’s Registan Square,
                  Accompanied by Michael Portillo.            and visit spectacular royal tombs.         the bustling bazaars of Bukhara
                       8 th - 21st April 2018                                                               and explore Khiva’s citadel.
                                                              Accompanied by Carolyn Perry.
                       From £10,999 PP*                         28th April - 5th May 2018             Accompanied by Chris Aslan Alexander.
                                                                    From £2,795 PP*                        28th April - 8th May 2018
                                                                                                               From £2,715 PP*

                                         VIEW ALL OF OUR NEW CULTURAL TOURS ONLINE
                                               STEPPESTRAVEL.COM/EXPERT-LED-GROUP-TOURS

                                               FIND OUT MORE: CULTURE@STEPPESTRAVEL.COM

P32                                      START YOUR JOURNEY 03331 309 427 // wildlife@steppestravel.com
PERU                                       CHINA                                     ZIMBABWE

     PRE-INCA CIVILISATIONS                       QINGHAI FESTIVAL & TEXTILES                       GONAREZHOU & THE
Explore the fascinating yet little visited pre-     An opportunity to get under the skin
                                                                                                    MAHENYE FESTIVAL
 Inca archaeological sites of northern Peru           of Tibetan culture, visiting an area       Experience the captivating Mahenye
combined with the snow-capped mountains              in northwest China on the Tibetan        Festival, an annual celebration of Shangaan
   of the Cordillera Blanca, accompanied            plateau, accompanied by textiles and          culture. Explore one of Zimbabwe’s
       by Peru expert Hugh Thomson.                  embroidery expert Gina Corrigan.            greatest national parks, Gonarezhou.
       Accompanied by Hugh Thomson.                    Accompanied by Gina Corrigan.                 Accompanied by Clive Stockil.
          29th June - 11th July 2018                     17th July - 2nd August 2018                  17th - 24th September 2018
             From £4,495 PP*                                  From £3,495 PP*                               From £5,595 PP*

                       RUSSIA                                      INDIA                                     MYANMAR

   JEWELS OF ST PETERSBURG                              CLASSIC RAJASTHAN                            ON THE TRAIL OF THE
  This tour offers a unique opportunity to              Travel from Delhi to Mumbai,
                                                                                                         ANCESTORS
  explore the highlights of St Petersburg             encountering all aspects of India’s       Follow in the footsteps of Orwell and
    and gain a personal insight into the            diverse culture from devotional music,      Kipling, by river, rail, road and on foot.
   country’s fascinating history through              palaces, forts and the local cuisine.    This tour is designed to reflect and grasp
     the Galitzine family experiences.                                                         opportunities and go beyond the obvious
                                                  Accompanied by Arun Pratap Singh Manohar.
      Accompanied by Katya Galitzine.                                                            highlights of this charming country.
                                                           7th - 18th October 2018
        25th - 30th September 2018                             From £5,325 PP*                      Accompanied by Zara Fleming.
             From £2,495 PP*                                                                      24th November - 9th December 2018
                                                                                                           From £4,395 PP*

* excluding flights:

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TO W                                                     Intrepid & Adventurous
    S
  NE
  UR

                                               Pioneering Tours
                                  Do you have a spirit of adventure? Are you looking for something different?
                                        Then join one of the Steppes team on one of our pioneering tours.
             Experience traditional life with indigenous tribes and explore places few have travelled to accompanied by local guides.

                   GABON                                     ANGOLA                            CAMEROON                                  ERITREA

        WILDLIFE & CULTURE OF                          DESERT TRIBES &                     NGUON FESTIVAL                         INSIDE AFRICA’S
              AFRICA’S EDEN                        HIDDEN LANDSCAPES                    & LOWLAND GORILLAS                   FORGOTTEN KINGDOM
        Discover the vast Ivindo National         Explore Angola’s remote southern       Visit the royal Nguon Festival,        Explore remarkable Asmara,
           Park, home to Langoue Bai.                 deserts. Meet local tribes,     which only happens every two years.     rebuilt as Africa’s “Little Rome”
        Explore Loango National Park and           whose customs and lives remain      Trek for newly habituated western      by Mussolini. Cruise through the
          encounter forest elephants and            largely unaffected by western       lowland gorillas in Campo Ma’an      Dahlak Archipelago, with its coral
       trek for lowland gorillas. Experience      influences. Travel in the company   National Park. Explore Cameroon’s     reefs, desert islands and marine life.
         an iboga-fuelled Bwiti ceremony,            of anthropologist Joan Riera.      highlands, forests and coastline.    Admire Ottoman buildings, as well
           deep within Gabon’s interior.                                                                                    as Aksumite ruins, such as Qohaito.
                                                         13th - 22nd July 2018             5th - 16th December 2018
            12th - 24th January 2019               From £4,995 PP excluding flights     From £3,395 PP excluding flights         18th - 29th October 2018
        From £6,395 PP excluding flights                                                                                     From £2,995 PP excluding flights

                                                  REGISTER YOUR INTEREST: pioneering@steppestravel.com

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CH NE
                                                                                                                                AR W
                                                                                                                                  TE
         Antarctica, South Georgia                                                                                                  R

            & Falklands Cruise
    WITH SIR RANULPH FIENNES, JONATHAN SHACKLETON AND SUE FLOOD

  Sail aboard the RCGS Resolute, the best          Explore the wildlife hotspots of the     Join Sir Ranulph Fiennes for a private
  appointed expedition vessel in Antarctica.     Falklands Islands and South Georgia as    dinner before setting sail with Jonathan
                                                     well as the Antarctic Peninsula.            Shackleton and Sue Flood.

Following the success of our exclusive charter to Antarctica in January 2017, we are delighted to offer another opportunity to join
            Steppes, along with some of the world’s leading polar experts on a private expedition cruise to Antarctica.

 Travelling at the optimum time of the year, the RCGS Resolute offers a luxury platform from which to explore one of the world’s
last truly pristine environments. Experience Antarctica’s epic scale and sense of space on daily excursions, by zodiac, kayak and on
  foot. Visit Sir Ernest Shackleton’s grave accompanied by his cousin, Jonathan Shackleton and take tips from Sue Flood on how
                           best to photograph the 200,000 king penguins that call Salisbury Plain home.

                                DEPARTURE: 30th January - 17th February 2019
                                               18 days from £14,995 PP excluding flights

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The Steppes Difference
                    GROUP TOURS BEYOND THE ORDINARY

                            Hand-picked Tour Experts
       We carefully select our experts based on their knowledge, companionship and influence.
           Often they can facilitate private access to sites not typically open to the public.

                Benefit from our small group sizes
       Our average group size is typically 8-10 people, allowing you to have a more personalised
               and relaxed experience, a factor which many of our clients appreciate.

                     Refer friends and get rewarded
                       The biggest compliment you can pay us is to recommend us.
                      Refer a new client to the same group tour and we will give both
                             you and them a £100 discount when they book.

            *All pricing throughout is excluding flights. International flights can be arranged at an additional cost.

P36               START YOUR JOURNEY 03331 309 427 // wildlife@steppestravel.com
Bespoke holidays
                                BEYOND THE ORDINARY

                                  Tailor-made travel
    As well as our wildlife and expert-led cultural tours we create exceptional tailor-made journeys. By
  listening to your likes and dislikes we help plan a personalised itinerary tailored around you, finessing
        every detail before, during and after your holiday. Your holiday. Your experience. Your way.

 Our objective will always be to show you the highlights of a country, but to also take you off the beaten
track to see the lesser known, but equally interesting places not frequented by large numbers of tourists.

                            Get in touch to see where we can take you.
                   We hope that you can join those who return to us year after year.

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Why Steppes?

                            Service                                                                 Protected

           1                You can depend on us to deliver to high
                            standards. We go that extra mile. With over
                                                                                     5              By booking through us you have
                                                                                                    the security of a financially
                            25 years of experience and knowledge we have                            protected holiday as offered by
                            built up many long-standing relationships with                          our ATOL licence (6945).
                            our partners around the world, ensuring they
                            deliver the very best service to you.
      No wonder then that over 70% of our business is repeat and referral.

                                                                                                    Ethical
                            Trust                                                   6               Being responsible in our travels and operations

              2             You will not only be able to contact our partners
                                                                                                    both locally and globally is ingrained in all that
                                                                                                    we do at Steppes.
                            throughout your stay abroad but also our office                           Each time you travel with us, we donate £5 to a
                            on a dedicated number that is manned 24 hours       local charity in the UK and £10 to an international charity.
                            a day, 7 days a week. We go that extra mile to
                            give you added security and peace of mind.          Each time we travel, we offset our carbon emissions with the World
                                                                                Land Trust. If you can, we urge you to do the same.

                            Expertise
                                                                                                      Surprising
                 3          We use our experience to create yours.
                                                                                     7               We love out of the ordinary and relish the
                            Our Experts travel to the destinations in                                opportunity to create a truly beyond the
                            which they specialise up to three times a                                everyday experience for you, your friends
                            year, increasing their knowledge and always                              and family.
                            experiencing what’s new.

                            Pricing                                                                             “
           4                Booking through a tour operator may not be as
                                                                                      Right from the first contact it was clear
                                                                                   Chris understood the kind of trip we wanted
                                                                                   and his expert advice ensured we were able
                            expensive as you think.
                                                                                    to plan and experience the perfect trip. We
                              We negotiate the best rates with hotels and           wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Chris and
                              expert guides, ensuring you always get the best               the rest of the Steppes team.
      value for money. Often we have access to exclusive offers which are
      only available to our clients. Booking through us also ensures you are                                 - Bertie
      protected from fluctuations in exchange rates.
                                                                                                                ”
P38                                     START YOUR JOURNEY 03331 309 427 // wildlife@steppestravel.com
Client Testimonials
                                        Don’t just take our word for it

                                 “
            Bridget could not have been more
                                                                                                     “
                                                                                     Even though we had done a large
        helpful in organising all aspects of our trip,                         amount of research for the trip we found the
          she was very knowledgeable about the                                 expertise of Steppes invaluable in comparing
        country and was able to select a fantastic                              accommodation types and obtaining a good
           trip which worked well for the whole                                 balance between value and experience. We
        family. She always responded promptly to                               were also pleased that the recommendations
         our many enquiries so that when we left                                 given were in line with the budget we had
            we felt reassured all would go well.                                provided and there was no attempt to push
                                                                                        us over the line financially.
                         - Karen | Zimbabwe
                                                                                             - Joanne | Argentina

                         “
We were both impressed with your knowledge
                                                                                                           “
                                                                                  John put together my trip perfectly as I hadn’t
and with your speedy replies to all questions.                                      a clue about what to see in the time I had!
                - Judith | Antarctica                                                           - Jillian | Baja California

                  “
   Sue’s in-depth knowledge of
                                                                  “
                                                 Excellent in every way. Particularly
                                                                                                                        “
                                                                                                We had a very well organised trip
   the region and the vessel was                 liked the document holder and mini             given the short notice. You made
   invaluable in our preparation                  itinerary which we received before             the trip unforgettable, since we
    for the trip and was a strong             leaving, it was invaluable throughout our        had nothing to worry about except
    differentiator when we were               trip! Promptness of communication was             enjoying the stays. We have been
  choosing a travel agent. Talking               excellent as was the vast knowledge            spoiled in every location and the
     with Sue, we quickly got an                  and expertise of our travel experts.         choices of them where outstanding.
         honest perspective.                                - James | Brazil                                Thank you!
          - Fiona | Antarctica                                                                                - Mikhail | Botswana

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