Asia

From culture to cuisine, sights to scenery, our Asia tours surprise and delight at every turn. Tour the forts and palaces of India or the tea plantations and temples of Sri Lanka. In Central Asia and the Caucasus, you could follow Uzbekistan’s Silk Road route, or discover the ancient churches, mountain villages and wine-making towns of Armenia and Georgia.  

Asia is the biggest and most populated continent on Earth, which means it has a wide variety of cuisines. Each region has its own unique ingredients and cooking techniques. For example, East Asia is known for stir-frying, steaming, and noodles. South Asia has a multitude of spices and is famous for dishes like curries, biryanis, and flatbreads. Meanwhile, Central Asia is known for its hearty meat dishes.

Discover the intriguing contrast between the traditional and cutting-edge in East Asia, where ancient sacred sites stand shoulder to shoulder with futuristic skyscrapers. Those who venture to the south-eastern corner of Asia will be greeted with a blend of lush jungle landscapes, powerhouse cities, and pin-drop-peaceful temples that create a truly unique and unforgettable experience. Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or cultural immersion, our Asia holidays will delight and astound you in equal measure.

AVAILABLE DESTINATIONS

India
India
A heady mix of landscapes, colourful festivals, spiritual beliefs and traditions, holidays to India and Sri Lanka have it all – and once you experience them, the memories will continue to dazzle. Wander the streets and be overwhelmed on our Indian tours. You’ll find bright saris, spicy curries, fragrant teas and city streets packed with everything from cars to cows. Head to Rajasthan for ornate palaces and temples, tiger-spotting safaris and the Taj Mahal on a classic or extended Golden Triangle.
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
From sizzling street food to remote rainforests filled with incredible wildlife, Southeast Asia offers a real exotic. There are buzzing cities – Singapore, French-influenced Hanoi, Bangkok with tuk tuks and temples. Step away, and you’ll find a different side to Southeast Asia – one where ancient capitals lie half-hidden in jungle, families stock up on supplies at floating markets, and orange-robed monks gather alms at dawn.
East Asia
East Asia
East Asia holidays do ancient-meets-modern like nowhere else. Travel to Japan and you could dine in a hushed ryokan or a high-tech robot restaurant; in South Korea, you might step inside a thousand-year-old shrine one day and an ultra-modern mall the next. Whether you’re visiting one country or both, expect fascinating rituals and traditions – delicate calligraphy, hour-long tea ceremonies and artfully prepared kaiseki (multi-course Japanese meals). From ancient walled cities and sparking sapphire seas, to rich heritage and diverse cuisine, our Croatia tours are designed to show you the best of this beautiful country.
Central Asia
Central Asia
Uncover the Silk Road heritage and time-honoured traditions of this fascinating part of the world. Uzbekistan’s historic trading cities flaunt dazzling madrasahs and mausoleums, while sandstone fortresses and castles dot the desert landscapes. The little-visited countries of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, meanwhile, reward travellers with unspoilt scenery, charming mountain communities and ancient winemaking towns.
Turkey
Turkey
At the meeting point of East and West, our Turkey holidays take you on a journey through cultures and time, from Istanbul’s modern face to the country’s ancient civilisations, from coast to the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia, on a trip mixing the best of all worlds. Venture through centuries of history, from the legends of ancient Troy to the striking ruins of Ephesus. Walk through fairytale landscapes, including Cappadocia’s stone spires, carved away over millennia, and the shimmering snow-white travertines of Pamukkale.
Caucasus
Caucasus
Armenia and Georgia have been forging their own identities following the era of the Soviet Union, making this a fascinating time to explore these countries as they transition. On this tour, you'll spend time with local families, journey into the Caucasus Mountains and monasteries and fortresses. There's history to discover too: Armenia has some of the world's earliest churches, while Georgia was one of the first wine-producing countries, and still makes wine the traditional way today. Expert local guides are a must on Georgia and Armenia tours, and yours will be on hand throughout.

HOT TOURS

  • Bhutan £4,995.00

    Riding the heritage toy train through the lush hills of Darjeeling. Hiking to a spectacular viewpoint overlooking the cliff-clinging Tiger’s Nest Monastery in Paro. Taking a lesson in archery, the Bhutanese national sport.

    There are so many pinch-yourself moments on our India & Bhutan tour, it’s hard to pick out the highlights. Exploring India’s north-eastern corner, you’ll embrace Kolkata’s vibrancy and colour, before heading to the hills of Darjeeling for tea, toy trains and an unforgettable sunrise over Mount Everest. We’ll then cross the border into Bhutan, the ‘Land of the Thunder Dragon’, a country closed to visitors until just 50 years ago. With tourism numbers still strictly limited, it’s a real privilege to travel here. We’ll immerse ourselves in Bhutanese culture, heritage and tradition, experiencing everything from a spiritual tea-offering ceremony with nuns to platefuls of deliciously authentic local cuisine at simple, charming hotels. Trek through forested landscapes to admire the sight of the famous Tiger’s Nest Monastery, explore ancient dzongs (fortresses), visit mountaintop monasteries, and enjoy peace and tranquillity in spades. There are many festivals taking place across the year - if we’re lucky, we’ll be witness to one during our time here.

    • 23 excursions & visits
    • 34 meals
    • Group size up to 24
    • Adventurer pace
    Booking
  • Cambodia £3,634.00

    Ambling through the ancient temple complex at Angkor. Admiring riverside life as we cruise along the mighty Mekong River.

    Dive into Indochina with this comprehensive 3-week tour of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. In Vietnam, we’ll journey from Hanoi in the north to Ho Chi Minh City in the south, stopping at the likes of Halong Bay, Hue and Danang along the way. From here, we’ll head up to Cambodia, where vine-clad Khmer temples and floating villages await us. Finally, we’ll finish up in Laos, with three nights to explore the riverside caves, waterfalls and French architecture of Luang Prabang.

    • 23 excursions & visits
    • 44 meals
    • Adventurer pace
    Booking
  • Japan £7,095.00

    Experiencing a traditional Japanese tea ceremony in Kyoto. Exploring the temples in Gyeongju Historic Area, a World Heritage Site. Learning the secrets of Korean cuisine at a cooking masterclass in Seoul.

    Combine two incredible Asian destinations for an experience-rich trip you’ll never forget. To start, we’ll follow the route of our bestselling Essence of Japan tour. Tokyo’s skyscrapers, Kyoto’s teahouses, snow-tipped mountains, steamy hot springs - we’ll see them all as we journey between cities, hill towns and riverside hamlets by coach and bullet train. Then, it’s time for South Korea. Visit Seoul and Busan, explore palaces and shrines, browse antique stores and art galleries, and tour the DMZ separating north and south. We’ll also tap into Korea’s foodie heritage with a cooking masterclass and a traditional barbecue. Our Japan and South Korea tours depart in spring and autumn, to make the most of the cherry blossom and leaf-peeping seasons in both countries.

    • 23 excursions & visits
    • 21 meals
    • Active traveller pace
    Booking
  • Armenia £2,516.00

    Enjoying a private choir performance in the atmospheric cave monastery of Geghard - an incredibly moving experience.

    Armenia and Georgia have been forging their own identities following the era of the Soviet Union, making this a fascinating time to explore these countries as they transition. On this tour, you&ll spend time with local families, cook traditional meals, journey into the Caucasus Mountains and hike up to hillside monasteries and fortresses. There&s history to discover too: Armenia has some of the world&s earliest churches, while Georgia was one of the first wine-producing countries, and still makes wine the traditional way today. Expert local guides are a must on Georgia and Armenia tours, and yours will be on hand throughout.

    • 20 excursions & visits
    • 27 meals
    • Active traveller pace
    Booking
  • Turkey £2,595.00

    Exploring the otherworldly landscapes of Cappadocia, and perhaps rising early to see sunrise over the chimneys and valleys from a hot-air balloon. Taking in the wonders of the eroded fairy chimneys and stunning scenery as the first breathtaking views across the Pasabag Valley come into view.

    It&s not just a name, our ultimate tour of Turkey takes you in glorious Turkish technicolour from Istanbul’s minaret-studded skyline and clamorous bazaars to the poignant battlefields at Gallipoli, the chariot-wheel rutted streets of Ephesus and the white terraced pools of Pamukkale. We then sweep east, crossing the plains of Anatolia to the honeycombed hills, curvy cliffs and fairy chimneys of Cappadocia. Here we’ll venture underground to find an entire chiselled-out city that lay hidden for thousands of years and enjoy the chance to float up and over this magical, whimsical landscape at sunrise by hot-air balloon.

    • 16 excursions & visits
    • 20 meals
    • Adventurer pace
    Booking
  • Japan £5,295.00

    Marvelling at the harmonious contrast of Japan’s old and new. Enjoying three exhilarating rides on the modern marvel that is the bullet train. Experiencing a traditional Japanese tea ceremony in Kyoto, the country’s ancient capital (and birthplace of this refined ritual).

    Ancient and ultra-modern sit shoulder to shoulder in Japan. On this Japan itinerary, we’ll experience both over two weeks, exploring high-paced cities, hushed shrines and temples, and serene gardens. We’ll attend a traditional tea ceremony, learn a little about geisha and samurai culture, catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji and whizz between cities on the sleek, slick Shinkansen (bullet train). Our Japan tours travel in spring, when cherry blossoms and hydrangea bloom; in summer, when you can time your tour with the fascinating Gion Festival; and in autumn, when maple trees are a blaze of fiery red and orange. In April and October, some dates coincide with the colourful Takayama Festival, and May and September also offer opportunities to experience a Sumo wrestling tournament. Which will you choose?

    • 17 excursions & visits
    • 13 meals
    • Active traveller pace
    Booking
  • India £2,795.00

    Catching our first glimpse of orange and black as we look for tigers on an early morning jungle safari. Admiring the incredibly ornate carvings at Khajuraho’s UNESCO-recognised temples.

    Our Wild India tour takes you into the heart of the parks said to have inspired Rudyard Kipling’s ‘The Jungle Book’. Jeep safaris and jungle walks across a trio of parks (Pench, Kanha and Bandhavgarh) mean you’ll have plenty of opportunity to spot tigers, leopards, sloth bears and more. You’ll also marvel at star-spangled skies, with an expert on hand to explain each constellation. Away from the parks, you’ll explore UNESCO-listed temples in Khajuraho, admire Mumbai’s art deco architecture and jump on the Jhansi-Delhi express train. A week by the beach in Goa makes the perfect optional add-on at the end of our wildlife tour.

    • 16 excursions & visits
    • 33 meals
    • Group size up to 20
    • Active traveller pace
    Booking
  • India £2,461.00

    Watching the Taj Mahal change from dusky pink to alabaster white as the sun rises over India’s iconic masterpiece. Looking out for endangered tigers amongst the vine-covered ruins and misty lakes of Rajasthan’s Ranthambore National Park. Riding the rails past jagged peaks and lush pine forests on the Kalka-Shimla Toy Train - one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world.

    As captivating as it can be confusing, India can be a difficult place to navigate. Accompanied by experienced guides, we can sit back and enjoy the ride as we traverse the jungles, deserts and plateaux of Northern India. Six railway journeys, including a steam train on one of India’s UNESCO World Heritage Mountain Railways, take us from Delhi into the jewelled palaces of the Golden Triangle, &jungle book& national park of Ranthambore and Himalayan foothills of spiritual Shimla - covering off ancient forts, colourful bazaars and tiger safaris along the way.

    • 18 excursions & visits
    • 32 meals
    • Group size up to 24
    • Active traveller pace
    Booking