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You may well have seen pictures of Petra, but nothing compares to visiting the magnificent, ancient city in real life. There’s so much more to Jordan, though, and you can experience the best the country has to offer in the company of a local insider and a small group of culturally curious travellers on this specially curated, nine-day adventure. Hike the rugged Shaq al Reesh trail through rust-coloured mountains, climb Mount Haron at sunrise, snorkel in the Red Sea and wild camp under the stars in Little Petra. Be sure to sample authentic Jordanian street food in Amman, and sample wine at Haddad, Jordan’s oldest winery. You’ll also visit Petra, of course, but through the exclusive back door entrance, allowing you to beat the crowds.
Undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in Asia, Northern Thailand is often overlooked for Thailand’s southern islands – but it holds plenty of appeal, from its ancient Buddhist monasteries to rolling, jungle-covered hills and geothermal springs. Visiting in autumn means you’ll avoid the heaviest crowds and hottest, most humid days of summer. On this 10-day trip, you’ll start in Chiang Mai, gaining an insight into the city’s street food and street art scenes on a bicycle tour, before veering off the beaten track. Climb up the Bua Tong Sticky Waterfalls, take a dip in the Pam Bok Waterfall, and hike alongside the majestic Pai Canyon. A sunrise trek to the summit of Thailand’s highest mountain, Doi Inthanon, is another highlight, as well as soaking in the Ngam Hot Springs and visiting an elephant sanctuary.
Think of a trip to Nepal and the Himalayas probably come to mind – but while the mountains are truly spectacular, there’s so much more to see and do in this extraordinary country. In autumn, you have the best possible chance of clear, sunny days to make the most of your time. This 11-day adventure takes you from Kathmandu, the capital, up to the hilltop village of Nuwakot, renowned for its seven-story palace complex. Watch the sunrise over the Annapurna mountain range from Sarangkot, row across Phewa lake, and learn how to cook traditional momo dumplings at a refugee camp. You’ll also cascade down the Seti River on a white-water rafting adventure, and have the chance to spot rhinos and tigers on a safari in the Chitwan National Park.
Avoid the summer monsoon season with an autumn getaway to India. Our 10-day adventure to Rajasthan takes you to some of the most well-known sights in India – including a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world. After a cycle tour in Delhi, head to Jaipur and marvel at the views from Amer Fort (also known as the Amber Palace). See the cornflower-blue buildings in Jodhpur before finishing the trip in Udaipur.