Zegrahm Expeditions

Asia

Orangutans foraging in the vanishing Borneo rain forest; Mongolia, home to the last horse-based people on earth; India’s incomparable tigers; the once-forbidden Buddhist lands of Burma and Laos; the wildlife and exquisite cultural traditions of Japan — with all these, and more, Asia is an inexhaustible treasure-trove of adventure travel experiences.

Five 'Stans: Hidden Heart of Asia

Departs: May 6, 2008

Our journey to the 'Stans follows the ancient Silk Road through rarely visited lands that bedazzled Alexander the Great and Marco Polo. The five 'Stans of Central Asia - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan - broke free from Soviet dominion when the USSR crumbled. We'll discover their distinctive ethnic and historical heritages in examples of outstanding Islamic architecture, bustling bazaars, and dramatic landscapes ranging from rugged forested mountains to desert steppes roamed by nomadic horsemen.

Distinctive Turkey

Departs: May 8, 2008

Bordered by the Mediterranean and straddling two continents, Turkey is a geographical and historical wonderland. With expert guides, intimately familiar with the country, explore both the coast and the interior of Turkey, from the fantastical landscape of Cappadocia to the turquoise waters of the Lycian Coast. Get to know Turkey and its history through its architecture, ruins, and hidden natural harbors. Among the many highlights of this journey is an exploration of the island of Cyprus.

Mongolia: Land of Chinggis Khaan

Departs: August 18, 2008

Mongolia is virtually untouched and untamed, a place where time has seemingly stood still for hundreds of years; it is unique, the last horse-based culture on earth. Our journey to Mongolia will introduce you to a vast open realm, a landscape with no boundaries, where wild horses thunder across grassy steppes, native people live as nomadic herdsman, and the bones of dinosaurs hide in distant canyons, awaiting your discovery.

Wild India with the Brahmaputra River

Departs: November 14, 2008

Travel to India, a country steeped in beauty and diverse wildlife habitats that can equal those of Africa for drama and for profuse concentrations of animals. Our India wildlife safari is led by expert naturalists who reveal thousands of birds, herds of grazing deer, bison, and elephants and, we hope, the elusive tiger. We invite you to join us on an adventure that will unveil an India unseen by most including a private Brahmaputra River cruise.

Snow Monkeys and Cranes of Japan

Departs: January 19, 2009 and February 10, 2009

Our Snow Monkeys and Cranes expeditions provide opportunities to enjoy a Japan that few Westerners experience: Japan in winter. For photographers and aficionados of wildlife, people, and Japanese culture, these will be memorable departures full of snow-filled landscapes punctuated by troops of dancing red-crowned cranes, flocks of sea eagles, and bathing snow monkeys.

Burma & Laos

Departs: March 3, 2009

Join us on a Southeast Asia tour to two of the least-explored regions of Indochina: Myanmar (Burma) and Laos. Travel these fascinating Buddhist lands on a specially designed itinerary that includes Rangoon, a Pandaw cruise on the Irrawaddy River, the Golden Triangle and a cruise on the Mekong River to the World Heritage Site of Luang Prabang.

Five 'Stans: Hidden Heart of Asia

Departs: May 5, 2009

Treasures of Japan with a day in Kyongju, Korea

Departs: May 11, 2009

Discover the incomparable treasures of Japan as we cruise the Inland Sea, exploring the cultural highlights, natural attractions, and dramatic coastlines of Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu Islands. From imposing castles and timeless villages to a moving exploration tour of Hiroshima, from elegant court dancers and sacred Shinto shrines to exquisite formal gardens, our voyage presents an intricate tapestry of Japanese riches. In addition, enjoy a full day excursion to Kyongju, Korea, a World Heritage Site encompassing hundreds of excavated monuments, temples, tombs, and pagodas. Begin your journey with a pre-voyage extension to charming Kyoto and to Nara, home to some of the most ancient Buddhist temples in Japan.

Mongolia: Land of Chinggis Khaan

Departs: August 18, 2009 and September 4, 2009

Western Himalayas

Departs: September 14, 2009

A tapestry of exquisite cultural landmarks and spectacular natural wonders, our journey travels from the splendors of Delhi to the Kashmiri moonscapes of Ladakh and the princely states of the Western Himalayas. From ancient mountaintop monasteries to tidy British hill towns, from chaotic bazaars to the serene Tibetan Buddhist temples of McLeod Ganj, experience the richness of the Buddhist, Hindu, and Sikh religions and the wondrous variety of wildlife in cedar forests and verdant valleys. Our arrival in India's former "summer capital," Shimla, coincides with the Dussehera Festival, a journey highlight. Enjoy an optional extension to the Kashmir for a houseboat stay on beautiful Lake Dal.