The scale of Asia is sometimes hard to comprehend. In the world’s largest continent you’ll also find the highest mountains, and both the largest and most populous countries. It is also a continent of immense cultural and geographical diversity, encompassing Arabian deserts, Himalayan peaks and the rainforests of South-East Asia.

Turkey – doorway to Asia

In the west Turkey marks the transition from Europe to Asia. Istanbul sits right on the Bospherus, the channel that divides east from west. See this fascinating and contrasting city on a guided break, with a knowledgeable leader to show you the sights.

The Lycian Coast feels very European, but the Turkish baths and Islamic architecture hint at the cultural differences. On a Classic Walking holiday at Olu Deniz you can soak up the views of the idyllic golden beaches, turquoise bays and dramatic ancient ruins. Alternatively you could enjoy a guided trail holiday along the Lycian Way. Voted as one of the World’s Ten Best Walks, this is a route that provides an intoxicating blend of scenery, history and local culture.

Turkey’s inland region of Cappadocia is an altogether different experience. The real highlights here are the remarkable cave dwellings carved by ancient civilisations from rock cliffs. Combining a stay at an unusual and very stylish cave hotel with a visit to the world-famous city of Istanbul, this is unique holiday not to be missed. We now also offer a Gourmet Cooking holiday to Cappadocia, where you’ll discover Turkey’s fascinating culinary heritage.

Breathtaking Himalayas

Home to the highest mountains on earth, the Himalayas are a magical walking destination. In northern India our Siikim and Darjeeling holiday will take you into the Himalayan foothills. Starting from the colonial hill station of Darjeeling, we’ll walk beneath the towering snow-capped summit of Kanchenjunga to Buddhist monasteries, tea plantations and isolated villages.

Neighbouring Bhutan still maintains a mysterious aura and has seen few tourists. This hidden mountain kingdom offers breathtaking scenery and our holiday here includes a trek through the Phobijkha Valley.

Perhaps more than any other country, Nepal most epitomises the spirit of the Himalayas. With ancient cities and temples and epic mountain landscapes the country is a feast for all the senses. We offer two itineraries: our Nepal Panorama holiday is a popular and well-received tour that visits all the main sights and will give you a great all-round experience. For keen walkers wanting to explore deeper, the classic trek to Everest Base Camp is a truly exhilarating experience.

A taste of the Orient

Asia’s rapid development is nowhere more apparent than in China where the ancient and ultra-modern can sit side by side. Our Oriental Adventure holiday takes you from bustling Beijing to the skyscrapers of Hong Hong. On the way we’ll walk on the Great Wall and visit the outstanding Terracotta Army in Guillin. We also head off the normal tourist track to walk beside the Li River near Guilin Xian and we travel to Yunnan to walk in the Tiger Leaping Gorge and discover a more traditional Chinese way of life.

Another country that has fully embraced the new world of technology is Japan. However this disguises what is still a very traditional country and our Imperial Japan tour will introduce you to its fascinating culture. The Japanese enjoy walking and the country’s national parks are superb landscapes to enjoy.

Least developed of the far-east countries that we visit is Vietnam. Its culture, sumptuous food and dramatic scenery give the country a unique identity that is fully explored on our Vietnamese Highlights holiday.