Asia Transpacific Journeys Official Blog » Articles on Asia Transpacific Journeys

‘The Cultures of Buddhist Asia—Japan, Laos, and Bhutan’ Named One of National Geographic Travelers’ Tours of a Lifetime

asiatranspacific — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 14:48:00 +0000

Three Faces of Buddha
“From the raked rock gardens of Kyoto to the temple architecture of Laos to the traditional paintings of Bhutan, explore how Buddhism informs three different cultures in this ambitious journey inspired by a longstanding interest of the operator’s founder. Highlights include an overnight in a shukubo (traditional Japanese temple lodgings) and a hike to the cliffside Tiger’s Nest Monastery in Bhutan. The outfitter has knocked off $400 from last year’s rate. Asia Transpacific Journeys: “The Cultures of Buddhist Asia—Japan, Laos, and Bhutan,” 17 days; $9,995.”

View the National Geographic Traveler article or visit our site for The Cultures of Buddhist Asia—Japan, Laos, and Bhutan Small Group Trip details.

Celebrate The World’s Most Pristine Forests on Earth Day

asiatranspacific — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:17:00 +0000

In honor of Earth Day, we wanted to share an excerpt from a recent article from Travel + Leisure, The World’s Most Pristine Forests, featuring the best preserved forests in the world. We were asked to provide tips on how to best experience travel to these amazing ecosystems.

Kayan Mentarang National Park, Indonesia
“Kayan Mentarang, on the verdant island of Borneo, is one of the last remaining homes to the rhinoceros hornbill and strange primates like proboscis and leaf monkeys. The big draws for tourists (and poachers) are the adorably petite Sumatran rhino and the Borneo pygmy elephant.

How to Go: Asia Transpacific Journeys suggests a six-day itinerary beginning at the village of Long Layu. Local Dayak tribes still live in communal dwellings and guests do, too, as there is no accommodation in the park.”

Daintree National Park, Australia
“At 160 million years old, this UNESCO World Heritage–listed spot in Oz’s far northeast region is one of the oldest undisturbed forest ecosystems on earth. It’s also a birder’s paradise—more than 430 avian species live in the forest, including 13 found nowhere else on Earth. And it’s home to the weird and wonderful peppermint stick insect: colored like candy, the creature creates a peppermint aroma to ward off predators. The Maardja Boardwalk (an easy stroll even for a lethargic walker) displays the transition from freshwater rainforest to saltwater mangroves.

How to Go: Asia Transpacific Journeys guests stay at Daintree Eco Lodge, a luxury treehouse set high in the canopy.”

Once in a Lifetime Trips

asiatranspacific — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:51:00 +0000

Asia Transpacific Journeys is featured in the new book Once in a Lifetime Trips: The World’s 50 Most Extraordinary and Memorable Travel Experiences by Chris Santella

In Once in a Lifetime Trips: The World’s 50 Most Extraordinary and Memorable Travel Experiences, Santella features fifty extraordinary vacations, each designed with a particular passionate pursuit in mind, from the most luxurious to incredible cultural trips.

Devising an off-the-beaten-path vacation can take tremendous research, since the most exciting trips are ones that few know about. Santella has done the detective work by canvassing experts (such as Town & Country‘s Pamela Fiore and Asia travel pioneer Marilyn Downing Staff of Asia Transpacific Journeys) to spark the reader’s imagination with some of their favorite trips—from visiting dinosaur excavation sites in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert to an elephant-back safari in Botswana to a wildlife tour of Borneo.

About the Author: CHRIS SANTELLA writes regularly for the New York Times, Forbes Traveler, and has contributed to numerous other publications including The New Yorker, Travel + Leisure, and Golf.